County by county news for Friday

About 60 vendors selling fruit, vegetables, flowers and desserts participate in the market each week.

The market opens at 9 a.m. and runs through noon on North Park Square between Shillings Restaurant and The Strand Theater. Free parking is available.

Information: call 770-499-9393 Janel Davis

Dickerson, Dodgen schools to get upgrades

The Cobb school board last week approved Possibility Construction, Inc. of John’s Creek to perform renovations at Dickerson and Dodgen middle schools. The contract was for $1.26 million for both projects. Work at both locations includes theater renovations, interior and exterior painting and floor covering replacement. Jaime Sarrio

Volunteers needed for Civil War park work

Volunteers are needed from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday to help maintain the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. Projects include cleaning the park’s picnic area and work on the new amphitheater. Volunteers should bring work gloves. Those interested should sign up by sending an email to Benita Duling at Benita_Duling@nps.gov. Rich McKay

KSU professor gets $2.38 million grant

Kennesaw State University Professor Svetlana Dambinova has received a $2.38 million Department of Defense grant to work on a blood test that can help medics quickly diagnose concussions or other brain injuries.

The grant, announced this week, could also help quickly diagnose those potential injuries in athletes. The more quickly a problem is discovered, the more likely long term damage can be avoided. Rich McKay

Home show at Cobb Galleria this weekend

The 33rd Spring Atlanta Home Show is Friday-Sunday at the Cobb Galleria Centre on Cobb Parkway. More than 350 home improvement and remodeling companies are scheduled. The event will include seminars, demonstrations, a see-through house with collapsible deck and an area that features aging in place design. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Friday and Saturday and noon-6 p.m., Sunday. Tickets are $10, and no charge for children 12 and under or adults 65 and older. Information: www.atlantahomeshow.com.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Acworth holds ‘Jail and Bail’ fundraiser

The Acworth Police Department is holding a “Jail and Bail” fundraiser for the Georgia Special Olympics today . Residents will be able to apply for a “warrant” after making a $50 donation, to have one of their friends or relatives to be “arrested” sometime between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. The so-called “arrest” is voluntary.

Those “arrested” will be taken to the old city jail, have their mug shot taken as a souvenir, and the donation for release is also $50.

All proceeds will go to the Georgia Special Olympics. Information: 678-801-4073. Rich McKay

GWINNETT

Marist school featured on Discovery Channel

The Marist Catholic School will be featured on a documentary television program that will air on cable television’s Discovery Channel this month. The show, “Profile Series,” will explore the curriculum at Notre Dame, the nation’s only private Catholic elementary school that has earned an International Baccalaureate World accreditation. The episode will air on April 5 on the Discovery Channel. “We have an excellent school, with outstanding family involvement, great teachers and fabulous students,” said Debra Orr, school president. “I’m glad we have the opportunity to share our blessings with others.” D. Aileen Dodd

Repair work to close lanes on I-85 Sunday

Georgia Department of Transportation crews will repair potholes on southbound I-85 from Indian Trail Road to Beaver Ruin Road from 5 p.m. Sunday to 5 a.m. Monday.

Three outside lanes will be closed while workers will replace the damaged asphalt. The department urges travelers to call 511 for updated information on this and other construction projects. David Wickert

Officials submit transportation wish list

Officials with Gwinnett County, cities in Gwinnett and four Community Improvement Districts have submitted a list of potential transportation projects for inclusion on the metro Atlanta region’s project list for the Transportation Investment Act of 2010. The group of officials worked together to create the list, which came from the county’s Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP), corridor studies and other approved studies. The three-page list of projects includes four light-rail proposals with an estimated cost of more than $937 million. Joel Anderson

Little Miss AKA Pageant April 30

The Little Miss AKA Pageant will be held at 2 p.m. April 30 at Lanier High School, 918 Buford Highway, Sugar Hill. The pageant features girls age 7 to 10. Tickets are $10 and are available at www.littlemissaka.com. Information: 770-846-7861. David Wickert

Easter Egg hunt in Norcross April 23

Malibu Grand Prix in Norcross will host a free Easter Egg Hunt on April 23. The egg hunt will start at 11:15 a.m. for children ages 5 and under. For children ranging in ages 6 to 12, the hunt is set to kick off at 12:15 p.m. Malibu Grand Prix is also offering a four-hour wristband for $10 for all Easter Egg Hunt participants, a discount of $15 off the regular price. That includes unlimited use of Go Karts, Bumper Boats and miniature golf.

Information: http://www.malibugrandprix.com/site/norcross/pricing.html?egg#egg or (770) 416-7630. Joel Anderson

Bunny Hop with Easter Bunny on April 16

Gwinnett Place Mall in Duluth will host a Bunny Hop with the Easter Bunny from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. April 16.

The cost for the party is $2 for Simon Kidgits Club members, $7 for non-members and $1 for parents. Reservations are required and will be accepted starting April 1. To make a reservation, call 770-813-6840. David Wickert

NORTHSIDE

Forsyth sheriff breaks up gambling operation

Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office investigators shut down two gambling operations allegedly paying cash to players who won on gambling machines set up at Hammond’s Crossing Exxon, 3375 Keith Bridge Road, and Save Money Food Mart, 3671 B Hutchinson Road. Two arrests were made.

The sheriff’s office said the raids followed a two month investigation. About $13,000 was seized, according to Forsyth County sheriff’s office public information officer Captain Tim House.

Jeffry Scott

Roswell to get state of the art water meters

Roswell water customers are receiving new meters which will provide them with timely information on their water usage and detect possible water leaks. The meters, due for installation before September, are equipped with a radio transmitter that will transmit readings to the city’s financial system for billing. The new meters will eventually allow customers to monitor their daily water usage on the web. Information: 770-641-3707. Patrick Fox

Sandy Springs noted for email marketing

Sandy Springs was recently honored for best-practice standards for the use of e-mail marketing throughout 2010.

Constant Contact, Inc., a provider of survey tools and electronic communications campaigns for Sandy Springs, awarded the city its 2010 All-Star Award.

“The monthly E-blast is a great example of how the City of Sandy Springs is helping lead the charge for municipal governments combining innovative technology with communications,” said Jason Green, the city’s electronic communications coordinator. Joel Anderson

Sandy Springs: Caution in construction zones

Sandy Springs is reminding motorists to be aware of local roadway construction as part of Work Zone Safety Week, which runs from April 4-8.

There are transportation projects in progress on Johnson Ferry Road, Spalding Drive at Peachtree Dunwoody Road and Lake Forrest Drive at Hammond Drive.

For a list of the city’s projects, visit www.sandyspringsga.org and click on “City Departments” then “Public Works.” Joel Anderson

Forsyth ranks No. 3 in health ratings

Forsyth County ranked No. 3 in the state and second highest in metro Atlanta, behind No. 1 Fayette County, in health ratings released this week by the University of Wisconsin and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The rankings track, among other things, obesity, children living in poverty, premature deaths (before age 75), percentage of people who smoke, unemployment and adults without health insurance. Jeffry Scott

Introductory Feng Shui course Saturday

Classical Feng Shui expert Rochel Parker will teach an introductory class on the ancient Chinese aesthetics system on Saturday at 2:30 p.m., at the Sandy Springs Branch library, 395 Mt. Vernon Hwy.

The class is free. Information: 404-303-6130. Johnny Edwards

ATLANTA

Ashe named honorary consul to Poland

Atlanta attorney Lawrence Ashe was been named honorary consul to Poland in a ceremony Thursday at city hall.

The induction ceremony was hosted Robert Kupiecki, the ambassador of the Republic of Poland to the United States, and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed.

Ashe, the founding partner of the law firm Ashe, Rafuse & Hill, will be the first Atlanta resident to be installed into the position, which will cover the entire state of Georgia. Ernie Suggs

Spelman among the best with social media

Which Georgia college is best at using Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and other social media? Spelman College.

The historically black college for women was ranked No. 16 in the nation by StudentAdvisor.com. University of Georgia was No. 100.

No. 1 was Harvard University. Let’s not forget Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg went there. The rankings looked at how active and effective colleges are in engaging audiences on everything from Twitter to iTunes to podcasts. View the list: http://www.studentadvisor.com/top-100-social-media-colleges. Laura Diamond

John Lewis to speak at Atlanta Press Club

Congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis, D-Atlanta, will be guest speaker at the Atlanta Press Club Newsmaker Luncheon on April 26. The luncheon will be at noon at The Commerce Club, 191 Peachtree Street. The public is welcome. Tickets are $30 for members, $40 for non-members before April 23. Nancy Badertscher

Atlanta Opera to have Family Day

Area families are invited to the opera on April 30 for the Atlanta Opera’s Family Day.

The program is for children in preschool and early elementary school. Activities run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with performances at 11:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. at the Atlanta Opera Center, 1575 Northside Drive NW in Atlanta. Admission is $7 and children under 2 are free. Information: call 404-881-8801. Janel Davis

DEKALB

Inmate convicted of teen’s ‘96 murder

A man already serving prison time for a sexual assault was convicted Wednesday of the 1996 rape and murder of DeKalb County teenager.

Leroy Cornelius Willis, 52, was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the strangulation killing of 19-year-old Franckestea Woods, the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office said. In 2003, Willis was convicted of sexually assaulting a woman the previous year and sentenced to 20 years. That conviction led to Willis’ DNA profile being matched to the 1996 rape and killing of Woods, the DA’s office said. Bill Rankin

$20,000 raised for cancer research

T.J.’s Friends, a committee that raises money for cancer research, will present a check for more than $20,000 to the nonprofit T.J. Martell Foundation on Friday.

More than 50 local students raised $500 or more for the effort. Committee members will present a check to the foundation for Emory University’s Winship Cancer Institute at a special ceremony. The event will be held at the Hardin Construction Building, 1380 W. Paces Ferry Road, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Misty Williams

Agnes Scott to use donation to be green

Agnes Scott College will expand its sustainability efforts through a $1 million donation from an alumna and her husband, officials announced Thursday.

A portion of the gift from Jeanne and Jim Manning will be used to retrofit older buildings on the Decatur campus to conserve energy and water.

The college has long worked to reduce its impact on the environment. Officials said Agnes Scott was the first Georgia college to compost residence hall waste and prohibit idling on campus. Laura Diamond

Fine arts camp registration starts today

DeKalb County will partner with the Erintude Youth Institute to present an International Fine Arts Camp from June 6 through July 29.

The camp will host four two-week sessions at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts and Community Center. Each daily session will run from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and focus on a different part of the world.

The camp is for children ages 6 to 14 at a charge of $200 per child and $150 for each additional child. Registration starts today. Information: 678-667-8394 or www.dekalbcamps.org. Joel Anderson

Humane Society recognizes Rep. Johnson

The Humane Society of the United States has awarded Judiciary and House Armed Services Committee member Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., with its annual Legislative Leader award for his work in 2010.

Johnson authored appropriations encouraging the Secretary of Defense to develop alternatives to the use of live animals in battlefield trauma training. Staff reports

CEO’s hero awards to be April 10

The 2nd Annual CEO’s Community Hero Awards honors will take place at 4 p.m. April 10 at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, 980 Briarcliff Road, N.E. in Atlanta. The event highlights individuals and organizations making a significant impact in DeKalb County.

Staff reports

SOUTHSIDE

Employment scam bilks man out of $17,000

Police are warning the public about fake employment ads after a Fayetteville man was bilked out of $17,000 when he answered one. It promised $1,000 for two weeks of research for an online concierge service. The man finished the job, sent an invoice for payment and was told to send bank information for direct deposit. He got $9,000 a few days later and told to wire back the overpayment to someone in Russia. Once the money was sent, it was immediately withdrawn from his bank leaving him responsible for the original deposit and the money he wired. Tammy Joyner

Pea Creek bridge to be replaced next year

The Pea Creek bridge, north of Palmetto, will be replaced with a culvert next year, with Cochran Mill Road closed during construction and traffic detoured via Cedar Grove Road. Fulton County Public Works and design consultant Qk4 will hold a public information session on the project on April 12 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Cedar Grove Community Building, 9285 Cedar Grove Road, Fairburn. Comments: jdyer@qk4.com or antonio.valenzuela@co.fulton.ga.us. Johnny Edwards

Social workers help homeless kids graduate

Stand Up For Kids and Fulton County school social workers are partnering to help older students who are homeless to graduate. Stand Up For Kids is offers mentoring and financial help to students who are making academic progress toward graduation.

Students who are working successfully each month are eligible for gift cards for basics such as food and gasoline. Nancy Badertscher

Fayette pre-k lottery to be April 12

Fayette County’s pre-kindergarten lottery drawings, previously delayed because of state legislature uncertainty, will be April 12 at the participating elementary schools.

Twenty-two students will be selected for each class at Crabapple Lane, Hood Avenue, Oak Grove, Peachtree City and Robert J. Burch elementary schools.

Because there are fewer than 22 applicants at Brooks, Inman and North Fayette, students in those zones will be registered automatically.

Details: www.fcboe.org; Jane Price at (770) 460-3990, ext. 186. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Henry schools named to AP honor roll

The Henry County School System has been named to the College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) Achievement District Honor Roll for 2011, in acknowledgement of school district efforts to expand student participation in AP programs, while improving student performance on AP exams.

Monroe Roark for the AJC

Henry police receives several honors

The Henry County Police Department won several awards March 24 at the annual Golden Shield Honor Awards Banquet sponsored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving of Georgia.

With a total of 934 DUI arrests in 2010, the HCPD won the Agency DUI Hero Award and the H.E.A.T. Unit of the Year, along with a number of awards for individual officers. Monroe Roark for the AJC