County by county news for Friday

School district spokesman Jay Dillon would not disclose the age or grade level of the suspects, who attend J.J. Daniell Middle School, near Sprayberry High School in east Cobb.

The students have been suspended pending further disciplinary action, Dillon said. Christian Boone

Police investigate alleged rape of student

Marietta police are investigating the apparent rape of a 14-year-old girl on her way home from school Tuesday.

According to police spokesman David Baldwin, the girl was waiting for a Cobb Community Transit bus on the corner of Powder Springs and Sandtown roads when she accepted a ride. She was taken to a location, believed to be within Marietta’s city limits, where the sexual assault allegedly occurred, Baldwin said. Christian Boone

Marietta school chief to hold meeting

Marietta City Schools superintendent Emily Lembeck will give an update on district news at a “Coffee Talk” at 7 p.m. Jan. 12 at Dunleith Elementary School, 120 Saine Drive. The meeting, open to the community, will include information on the March 6 vote on a general obligation bond referendum for an auditorium at Marietta High School. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Austell to expand Legion Park

Austell’s Legion Park is expanding by two acres for a playground and more parking.

The park expansion on Austell Powder Springs Road is due to the city’s purchase of a house owned by Cobb County and property owned by Bank of America, said Mayor Joe Jerkins. Jerkins said the county can deed the Swafford house to the city for $1 a year, “but they can’t sell it to us.” Instead the city will donate to the county $23,200 from its railroad interest fund, he said. The city will pay $1,500 to the bank for the Swafford property, Jerkins added. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Kennesaw mayor plans state of city speech

Kennesaw Mayor Mark Matthews will give a state of the city address at noon Jan. 10 at Kennesaw State University’s KSU Center, 3333 Busbee Drive. The mayor will talk at the monthly meeting of the Kennesaw Business Association starting with lunch at 11:30 a.m. Information: 770-424-8274. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Holiday crime patrols pay off

The Marietta Police officers engaged in holiday crime prevention patrols recently arrested four alleged thieves.

On Thursday morning, officers checked on a suspicious vehicle that witnesses saw circling the Taco Bell at 1180 Powder Springs Road. The driver, Deandre Antonio Conway, 20, ran away and tossed a handgun when he saw police. Conway was charged with attempted armed robbery, obstruction and driving a stolen vehicle.

Since Dec. 19, police also arrested a man breaking into cars on Washington Avenue and two suspects committing a robbery on Franklin Road. Andria Simmons

GWINNETT

County issues rabies alert after fox bite

Gwinnett County has issued a rabies alert after a gray fox bit someone on Jennifer Lane in Lilburn Dec. 17. The animal has not been found.

It’s the third alert Gwinnett has issued in recent weeks. On Dec. 4 a raccoon in Suwanee tested positive for rabies. On Nov. 11 a fox in Loganville also tested positive.

Anyone who has been bitten or scratched by a stray animal should contact the Gwinnett County Animal Welfare and Enforcement Office at 770-339-3200, Ext. 5576. David Wickert

Animal task force to hold first meeting

A new Gwinnett County animal task force will hold its first meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the county Animal Welfare and Enforcement Center, 884 Winder Highway, Lawrenceville.

The group will develop strategies to increase adoptions, improve animal welfare and protect human safety. Its review will take about four months. Information: www.gwinnettcounty.com.David Wickert

Credit union foundation gives $22,000

The Associated Credit Union Foundation has contributed $22,000 to two Gwinnett County charities.

The Norcross Co-Op Ministry and The Quinn House in Lawrenceville received $11,000 each. The Norcross Co-Op Ministry provides food, clothing, prescription medicine and financial assistance to people in crisis. It also hosts programs for English language learners and job searchers.

The Quinn House provides housing for the homeless and offers a 40-day drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. It’s also a food bank that assists families and senior citizens. David Wickert

GTC wins Healthcare Excellence Award

Gwinnett Technical College was recently awarded an inaugural Healthcare Excellence Award from the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, earning the Advancements in Health Award for its new Life Science Center, which opened in August. According to Gwinnett Tech President Sharon Bartels, “We are now able to educate 3,000 future healthcare professionals a year -- adding new programs and training students on the latest industry technology and equipment.” Gwinnett Tech shared the award with Gwinnett Medical Center’s Percutaneous Coronary Intervention program. Veronica Fields Johnson

Convention bureau names new director

The Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau has announced the promotion of Lisa Anders to executive director.

Anders was previously deputy director of the bureau.

Anders has worked at the bureau for 14 years, working in several positions in sales and marketing. Prior to working at the GCVB, Anders worked for the Cendant Corp. for five years and started her career in the hotel industry in 1994.

A native of Chattanooga, Tenn., Anders is a graduate of the University of Tennessee with a bachelor’s degree in political science and communications. Joel Anderson

NORTHSIDE

Board denies charter school 10-year renewal

Officials with Fulton Science Academy Middle School said Wednesday a delay in the email system cost them consideration of a change to their renewal application before a board vote. The Fulton Board of Education on Tuesday voted unanimously to deny the charter school a contract to continue for 10 years. Staff had recommended that the school apply for a three-year contract instead. FSA officials said an amendment seeking an eight-year contract was sent, but an email delay resulted in the compromise not being presented at the board meeting. D. Aileen Dodd

Charter commission meeting cancelled

The city of Milton’s Charter Commission meeting that was initially scheduled for 5 p.m. Thursday was cancelled because there would have been no quorum of city council members, a spokesman for the city said.

A new meeting date has not yet been scheduled.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the purpose of the charter commission, the group’s bylaws and its election of officers. Andria Simmons

Hardship applications to start Jan. 4

Hardship transfer applications will soon be available for parents who need special consideration for their kids to stay at or move to campuses outside of their neighborhood.

Parents can begin applying on Jan. 4 for the 2012-13 school year.

Hardship transfers are for those seeking a transfer for medical reasons, curriculum differences, child care situations or for employees’ children.

Forms will be available online through the “Parents” section of school system’s web site.

Copies can also be picked up at all schools.

The deadline is Feb. 15 at 4:30 p.m. D. Aileen Dodd

Youth baseball to come to Alpharetta

The Alpharetta Youth Baseball Association will kick off its inaugural season in 2012. Upcoming events include select baseball tryouts for ages 9 to 12, noon to 3 p.m. Jan. 21 and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 22.

Recreation baseball evaluations for ages 7 to 15 will be noon to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 28.

Clinics for ages 4 to 6 will be 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 11; 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 18 and from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 19.

These events will be at Wills Park, 1755 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta. For information: www.wpyba.org. Laurie Hoffman

River Eves students to compete in tech fair

Thirteen River Eves Elementary students will compete in the Fulton County competition of the 11th Annual Georgia Educational Technology Fair.

The event will be held on Jan. 28 at Riverwood High School in Sandy Springs.

River Eves student Divali Legore, a fourth grader at the Roswell school, will compete again in the event after winning first place in the state competition last year.

She advanced this year with a project in animated graphic design.

Twelve other students also will compete in various categories. D. Aileen Dodd

ATLANTA

Ex-city worker target of meter probe

A former Atlanta city water worker is being investigated by police after at least $60,000 worth of water meters disappeared, Channel 2 Action News reports.

About 174 meters vanished. Copper wiring and other water supply components also are unaccounted for.

An audit by the Atlanta Department of Watershed Management found that the meters “never showed up as having been installed,” Atlanta police said. Anyone with information to contact Atlanta Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477. The program offers a reward of up to $2,000 for information. David Ibata

Hawks deliver presents to sick children

Atlanta Hawks players, cheerleaders and Harry the Hawk delivered toys to each and very patient at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston on Wednesday. The event included a holiday party and photos with the Hawks players. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta enhances the lives of children through excellence in patient care, research and education. Kenneth Musisi

Law firm donates technology

Arnall Golden Gregory, as part of a technology upgrade, recently gave away 225 gently-used computers to nonprofits and at the same time helped the environment. Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta received 100 of the computers and the rest were given to charter schools and smaller nonprofits including Youth Villages Inner Harbour. Shelia Poole

Kwanzaa history workshop to be Dec. 28

Fulton County Arts and Culture’s West End Performing Arts Center in partnership with The Shrine of the Black Madonna and the Hammonds House Museum will host a free workshop about the history of Kwanzaa as well as interactive, hands-on activities for the entire family on Dec. 28 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Shrine of the Madonna, 946 Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard. Information: www.fultonarts.org or call 404 612-5780. Sandra Marshall Murray

DEKALB

Deputies round up deadbeat parents

Ten metro area deadbeat dads could be spending Christmas in jail after an overnight roundup by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s office.

Beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday and concluding at 4 a.m. Thursday, deputies followed up on 114 of the county’s 189 outstanding warrants for failure to pay child support, said sheriff’s office spokesman Adrion Bell. Ten men were arrested.

“That may sound a little low, but 10 percent is about what we expected,” Bell said.

Those arrested will remain in jail until they either pay the child support owed or make arrangements to pay at their initial court hearing, Bell said.

If arrested for abandonment, a minimum bond of $1,000 applies, he said. Christian Boone

CEO to deliver state of county speech

DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis will deliver his “State of the County” address Jan. 10.

The free event is scheduled for 6 p.m. in the Maloof Auditorium at 1300 Commerce Dr., Decatur.

A $25 breakfast is also scheduled for businesses at 8 a.m. Jan. 5 at the Thalia N. Carlos Hellenic Community Center on Clairmont Road in Atlanta.

To register: http://dekalbchamberof commerce.org. April Hunt

Group delivers presents to homeless

The Beverly Cunningham Outreach Program in Decatur conducted its annual Holiday Giving event by sponsoring seven single mothers and a little over 22 children that reside at the Sconiers Homeless Preventive Organization in Riverdale and the Nicholas House in Atlanta.

The Program used charitable donations to provide the Christmas wish list items that the parents and children wanted.

Information: http://bcop.org or call 404-771-2247. Kenneth Musisi

Former mayor begins lecture series

The DeKalb History Center begins its 2012 lecture series with former Decatur Mayor Elizabeth Wilson.

Wilson, the city’s first African-American mayor in 1993, will speak about the Beacon Hill community, the segregated part of Decatur that housed black churches, schools and businesses.

Wilson will speak at noon, Jan. 17 at the Old Courthouse on the Square, Decatur. The lecture is free.

Information: www.dekalbhistory.org. April Hunt

IHM school to hold open house Jan. 22

Immaculate Heart of Mary School (IHM) opens its doors to prospective K-8 students and their parents for an open house on Sunday, Jan. 22, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

A special presentation at 3:15 p.m. will feature an overview from the administrative and student perspective of this 2009 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.

Immaculate Heart of Mary School is a Catholic school that serves 500 students in kindergarten through eighth grade and was established in 1958. Questions: Julie Tooher, admissions director at 404-636-4488 or visit www.ihmschool.org. Nancy Badertscher

SOUTHSIDE

Commission cuts more from jail budget

Working to comply with a federal consent order, Fulton County has so lowered its jail population that the commission decided to lower its budget for outsourcing inmates to other jurisdictions’ jails. The budget was already to be cut $1.7 million for 2012, but the commission opted to slash it an extra $1 million. The saved money will be used for accountability courts and diversion programs. The average daily jail population was 2,002 people in November, lower than the federally-mandated 2,500 cap. Johnny Edwards

3 arrested in pawn shop gun bust

Three men were arrested after Clayton County sheriff’s deputies discovered hundreds of guns during a bust at a Lovejoy pawn shop Wednesday , Channel 2 Action News reported.

The bust happened at the Diamond Pawn Shop on Tara Boulevard.

About 400 guns were found in a storage shed and in the shop, which is not licensed to sell firearms, the report said. The business is also accused of selling guns to convicted felons.

Investigators also reportedly found drugs, counterfeit DVDs and $35,000. Angel K. Brooks

Ga. 74 widening nears completion

At long last, the widening of Ga. 74 South in Peachtree City is nearing completion.

The Georgia Department of Transportation’s multiyear project only has some miscellaneous grading and striping left to finish, plus final work on the traffic signals. Drivers should be aware of new signals and traffic patterns near the Baseball-Soccer Complex and the Starr’s Mill school area.

The project remains on track for completion by the end of December. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Fayette offices close for holidays

Peachtree City’s administrative offices will be closed today through Monday, as will the library and the Kedron Fieldhouse. The Recycling Center will be closed tomorrow and on Dec. 31.

Fayette County and City of Fayetteville government offices and the Fayette County Library also will be closed today through Monday . Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Police seek man in gang-related shooting

Police are seeking a 19-year-old man who they say was involved in a gang-related shooting last week in an apartment on Penny Lane in East Point.

Adarius Bullard, of East Two other suspects have been arrested in the Thursday incident. Police are asking anyone with information contact East Point Police at 404-761-2177. Fran Jeffries

Body found in creek identified

A body discovered Monday floating face down in a Newnan creek has been identified as a 17-year-old missing since October. Investigators are treating Blake Taylor Chappell’s death as a homicide, Newnan Police Deputy Chief Rodney Riggs told the AJC. An autopsy revealed Chappell died from a gunshot wound, according to the chief. Chappell, of Senoia, was last seen on Oct. 16. Christian Boone