County by county news for Friday

Both bodies have been transported to the Cobb County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Anyone with information should call 770-499-3945.

Angel K. Brooks and Michelle E. Shaw

Teachers rewarded for continuing education

Marietta City Schools Board of Education on Tuesday approved an excel compensation plan that includes reimbursing teachers for continuing their education. The district will pay teachers up to $20,000 in tuition costs for taking courses that relate to or are required for their jobs. Teachers will have to get approval before they start and have a set time for completing a program.Tucker McQueen

Powder Springs officials get bonuses

Powder Springs mayor and the five City Council members approved Christmas bonuses for themselves of $150 each.

The city’s 85 employees received Christmas bonuses and door prizes during a catered luncheon on Dec. 12 at the Ford Center. Bonuses were $500 to full-time employees serving more than one year, $100 if full-time for six months to one year, $50 if full-time less than six months and $150 if part-time.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

KSU receives business program donation

Kennesaw State University received $500,000 to support a college to career leadership program for students in the Michael J. Coles College of Business. The donation from Thomas W. Hughes and Barbara Hughes will provide a program that combines academic and career guidance. Tom Hughes is a MBA graduate of the Coles school. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Tennis center wins state award

Lost Mountain Tennis Center in Powder Springs has been chosen by the United States Tennis Association as its Georgia Member Organization of the Year for the second time, the first being in 2004.

Selection is based on service to the tennis community, the organization’s members and the game of tennis.

As an example, the Lost Mountain Community Tennis Association recently donated nearly $3,000 to the SafePath Advocacy Center, which helps and intervenes with abused and neglected children to educate and stop child abuse.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Water rates to go up slightly

Marietta‘s utility company will raise water rates Jan. 1 about 40 cents a month for an average customer using 4,000 gallons a month. The council recently approved a Board of Lights and Water decision to raise water rates next year but delay power rate increases. BLW manager Bob Lewis said Marietta will have to cover a $5 million increase in power costs next year from utility providers. He said power costs to the city will increase from $93.7 million in 2013 to $98.7 million in 2014. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

GWINNETT

Pedestrian struck, killed in front of medical center

Lawrenceville police were investigating a pedestrian fatality early Thursday in front of Gwinnett Medical Center.

Shelia Smith, 58, of Lawrenceville, was struck by a car and killed before 6 a.m. at the intersection of Duluth Highway and Medical Center Boulevard.

Lawrenceville police dispatchers confirmed to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Smith had died.

Duluth Highway remained blocked in both directions just south of Ga. 316. at 7:15 a.m.Mike Morris

KSU chooses new police chief

Kennesaw State University has named Roger Lee Stearns as the school’s chief of police starting Feb. 1. He will oversee 73 sworn officers, security officers and administrative personnel. Stearns has 20 years experience in law enforcement in higher education, most recently at the University of Texas-Pan American in Edingburg. He replaces Ted Cochran after 30 years at KSU.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Norcross mayor, reindeer raise money for children

Norcross Mayor Bucky Johnson will be posing as Santa along with a sleigh and 7 live reindeer 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Farmhouse 17, 130 Holcomb Bridge Rd. in Norcross. Later the same day, adults are invited for a wine and tapas open house 7 to 9 p.m. Farmhouse 17 will donate a portion of all proceeds from the event to Make-A-Wish Foundation. Info and to make a donation: www.farmhouse-17.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Free model train on display for the holidays

George Pierce Park Community Recreation Center is displaying O scale model trains in a winter 1940s village scene now through December 31 at 55 Buford Highway in Suwanee. This free event closes early on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve and will be closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Times and info: 678-277-0910.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Duluth police academy spots filling up

The Duluth Police Department has only a few spots left for applicants to join the Citizen Police Academy beginning Jan. 23 and ending May 24.

The 30-hour course will meet 7 to 10 p.m. every other Thursday at 3276 Buford Highway, Duluth.

Duluth residents given first priority and must be at least 21 years old with a valid driver’s license.

Participants must submit to a check of their criminal background.

Interested persons should contact Major Woodruff at dwoodruff@duluthpd.com.

Information: 678-512-3705 or www.duluthga.net.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Bridge classes offered starting in January

Learn to play bridge 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays at George Pierce Park, 55 Buford Hwy NE, Suwanee.

Classes begin Jan. 11 and run for six weeks.

Information: 678-277-0910.

Arlinda Smith Broady

NORTHSIDE

Roswell woman arrested for impersonating officer

A Roswell woman faces charges for calling people in Milton and pretending to be a Dunwoody police officer, authorities said.

Annette Davis, 45, was arrested Wednesday by Dunwoody police, on charges of impersonating an officer.

Police said a resident of Milton called Dunwoody authorities to report a suspicious phone call from a woman who claimed to be a detective in Dunwoody.

Police located Davis, arrested her and transported her to the DeKalb County Jail. Michelle E. Shaw

Parts of I-285 closed to traffic on Saturday

The Sandy Springs Police Traffic Unit will conduct a reconstruction of a pedestrian fatality that occurred last Saturday morning.

The unit will periodically close a section of Interstate 285 West between Riverside and New Northside Drive beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday.

GDOT and HERO will assist in moving traffic along.

Not all lanes will be closed at once. Motorists are urged to use caution. Arlinda Smith Broady

Cherokee to fix aquatic center complaints

The Cherokee County Commission voted this week to spend $25,000 to shield lighting and put up fencing at the County’s new Aquatic Center on Gresham Mill Parkway.

The measure follow complaints by residents of the neighboring Falls at Cherokee subdivision about lighting and noise. Commissioners say more extensive measures could be implemented in 2014. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Educational foundation grants money to school district

The Cherokee County Educational Foundation awarded $6,000 in grants to the school district during its annual meeting Wednesday.

The grants include a $3,000 award to the Office of School Operations for credit recovery scholarships for students who otherwise couldn’t afford the classes. The group also honored 2014 district teacher of the year Lindsay Bowley and other instructors.Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Woodstock trail completion delayed

Woodstock Parks and Recreation Director Preston Pooser says construction on the multi-use Noonday Creek trail, originally set for the fall, has been pushed back to January or February.

Pooser says the 1.5-mile, $1 million trail from downtown Woodstock to Ga. 92 near I-575 was held up by bad weather earlier this year.

He says one stretch has yet to be finished. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Woodstock Trolley ends run next week

The Downtown Woodstock Trolley will conclude its run Christmas Eve, connecting residents and shoppers with businesses, restaurants and attractions.

The free-to-ride trolley will operate today through Sunday with additional hours Monday and Tuesday. For a list of times and stops: whatsupwoodstock.com

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

City wins neighborhood revitalization grant

The city of Atlanta won a $25,000 grant to launch neighborhood revitalization efforts, Mayor Kasim Reed announced this week. Atlanta is one of 23 cities nationwide to receive a Cities of Service Impact Volunteering Fund grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies. Cities of Service, a coalition founded by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and composed of more than 180 mayors, is geared toward utilizing volunteerism to help government efforts. The money will go toward creating a community-wide volunteer program to clean up neighborhoods and plant trees and flowers. Katie Leslie

Morehouse receives $5 million research award

The Morehouse School of Medicine has received a five-year, $5 million award to conduct research into treating neurological disorders.

The award, from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, was the only such award granted in the country, according to the medical school.

The award will also help increase diversity in the neuroscience research industry by establishing a collaborative bachelor’s and master’s degree program in neuroscience among the Atlanta University Center institutions of Morehouse and Spelman college and Clark-Atlanta University. The first group of students will be recruited and enrolled in the program next spring. Janel Davis

Fulton postpones Grady funding decision

The Fulton County Board of Commissioners Wednesday postponed tough decisions on their 2012 budget, including a decision on funding for Grady Memorial Hospital.

Commissioners voted to advertise a tentative budget that includes a $25 million cut in Grady funding, plus steep cuts to libraries, senior programs and other services. They made it clear those cuts may not be in the final budget.

Chairman John Eaves has been seeking support for a proposal to create a new property tax levy specifically for Grady. That would free up existing tax money for other services. David Wickert

DEKALB

Brookhaven approves 2014 budget

The Brookhaven City Council approved a $26.343 million budget on Tuesday for fiscal year 2014. The budget includes 3.5 percent raises for city employees, which are majority police officers. The raises will be given on the anniversary of employees’ hire dates and awarded based on performance.

The 2014 budget includes the city’s tax rate of 2.85 mils. This rate was approved by council in June. Brookhaven’s city charter prohibits the council from raising the millage rate above 3.35 mills.Brookhaven anticipates receiving $5.1 million in real property tax, $250,000 in personal property tax and $100,000 in motor vehicle tax, along with $3.5 million in franchise fees.

The budget is contingent on the city receiving revenue from DeKalb County, as well as franchise fees from Georgia Power.

Arlinda Smith Broady

Board approves attendance zones

After weeks of meetings, sometimes before large, vocal crowds, Decatur’s School Board approved the new K-3 attendance zones Wednesday before a nearly empty auditorium at Westchester. The new map, whose primary purpose is to match an escalating enrollment to individual schools’ capacity, becomes necessary due to next year’s re-opening of Westchester, projected to have 209 students. The new map eases capacity issues at all four existing K-3 schools, particularly Oakhurst, currently with 442 students, projected to 383 for next year. Bill Banks for the AJC

Brookhaven unveils new signs today

Brookhaven mayor and city council members will unveil the first city limits sign 10:30 a.m. today on Clairmont Road between 8th and 9th streets. City limits and “Welcome to Brookhaven” signs will be installed throughout the city. Attendees may park on 8th or 9th streets. Arlinda Smith Broady

Center hosts family fun day on Wednesday

The Marcus Jewish Community Center at Zaban Park, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody is hosting a family fun day open to the communtiy 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday. The fitness center, indoor pool and gym will be open 8 am - 4 pm. A sing-a-long, followed by several family-friendly movies begins at 11 a.m. Admission is free, but donations of gently used coats is suggested.

Information: rabbi.glusman@atlantajcc.org or 678-812-4161. Arlinda Smith Broady

Donations needed for animal welfare group

LifeLine Animal Project is seeking year-end donations to its animal welfare work because gifts will be matched from a grant from Anisa International, an Atlanta cosmetic firm.

The firm will match all donations up to $25,000, to be used for the group to spend on low-cost spay/neuter surgeries, veterinary care and adoption of homeless pets. Donations: www.LifeLineAnimal.org or P.O. Box 15466, Atlanta, GA 30333. April Hunt

Grant to help train DeKalb police

DeKalb County recently won a $3,000 Homeland Security grant designed to help train officers as part of a task force focused on electronic crimes.

Funding also can be used for certifications, which must be completed by January. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Fayette zoning appeals board has opening

The Fayette County Zoning Board of Appeals has an open position for a volunteer member.

Members of the board serve three-year terms and meet monthly to hear and decide challenges to decisions made by the county zoning administrator.

Applications, available from Floyd Jones at fjones@fayettecountyga.gov or by calling 770-305-5102, are due Jan. 10. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Registration open for babysitting course

Piedmont Fayette Hospital will offer a babysitting training course 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 18 at its Medical Building at 1279 Hwy. 54 West in Fayetteville.

The registered program is for teens age 11 and up, offering instruction in CPR, first aid, child safety and more. The $45 fee includes materials.

Information: 770-719-5815 or maria.lepage@piedmont.org.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Stockbridge chosen for Main Street Start-up

Stockbridge is one of 19 cities in Georgia selected recently by the Department of Community Affairs to join the Main Street Start-up Program, which provides technical assistance to cities looking to improve their downtowns.

These cities will vie for $1.8 million in available local downtown program funding, according to city officials. Information: www.cityofstockbridge.com. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Clayton NAACP’s dinner Dec. 20

The Clayton County Branch of the NAACP’s Annual Freedom Fund Dinner Dance is 6 p.m.today at the Renaissance Concourse Hotel Atlanta, 1 Hartsfield Center Pkwy. Edward O. Dubose, the immediate past president of the civil rights organization’s Georgia State Conference, will be honored.

Tickets can be purchased at the NAACP satellite office, 136 Hwy 138, Riverdale. Information: www.naacpclayton.org.

Tammy Joyner

Senior center hosts Kwanzaa celebration

The H.J.C. Bowden Senior Multipurpose Facility, 2885 Church St., East Point will hold a Kwanzaa Celebration 10-11:30 a.m. Dec. 27. Participants will learn the history of Kwanzaa and the principles behind the celebration. The presentation will include a dance performance. Information: 404-762-4821. Arlinda Smith Broady

Fayette ethics board looking to fill 2 posts

Fayette County Ethics Board is looking to fill two alternate positions on the volunteer panel. The appointments have terms that end Dec. 31, 2015 and Dec. 31, 2016.

Fayette Commissioners are accepting applications with resumes for the two positions.

Applications can be obtained by contacting Floyd Jones at 770-305-5102 or at fjones@fayettecountyga.gov.

All applications must be returned to Jones at 140 Stonewall Ave. West, Suite 100, Fayetteville by 5 p.m. on Dec. 27. Tammy Joyner