County by county news for Friday

In another wreck in Cherokee County, a minivan was covered in trash after colliding with a garbage truck around 10:30 a.m. at the intersection of Union Hill Road and Cumming Highway. Fire officials said both drivers were taken to Northside Hospital-Cherokee with non-life threatening injuries. A hazardous materials team was sent to the crash scene. Mike Morris

Clean up on Lake Allatoona Saturday

The 29th annual Great Lake Allatoona Clean Up starts 9 a.m. Saturday on the shores of the lake in Cobb, Cherokee and Bartow counties. Last year’s volunteers picked up more than five tons of trash and 300 tires. A cookout at the Riverside Day Use Area will follow the clean-up. Information: wwww.greatallatoonacleanup.org. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

NAACP to hold educational forum

Cobb County Schools Interim Superintendent Chris Ragsdale and Marietta City Schools Superintendent Emily Lembeck will speak at an annual educational forum sponsored by the Cobb branch of the NAACP. The meeting will be 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Turner Chapel AME Church, 492 North Marietta Parkway, Marietta. A question and answer session will follow the talk that will be open to the public. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Mableton ministry to give away food on Monday

Family Life Restoration Center will be giving away free food from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday at the center, 6105 Mableton Parkway, Mableton.

Only a photo ID is needed.

Volunteers are requested to pack the boxes from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday at the warehouse, 6328 Mableton Parkway, Mableton.

The center provides emergency food, clothing and shelter on weekdays and a hot meal every Friday.

Information: flrconline.org, 770-944-1066.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Business group honors military

The South Cobb Business Association will hold a Military Appreciation Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at Presbyterian Village, 2000 East-West Connector, Austell.

A POW during the Vietnam War for five years, Lee Ellis, founder and president of Leadership Freedom and FreedomStar Media, will be the speaker.

Costs: $12 members online, $15 members at the door, $20 nonmembers. Information: leadershipfreedom.com/About/Lee Ellis.html, sc-ba.org.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Smyrna to start Spring Road bridge repair

The Smyrna City Council has approved a $788,562 contract with E&D Contracting Services to repair the Spring Road bridge that spans CSX railroad tracks near Atlanta Road. Some traffic delays can be expected during the renovation which is expected to start in mid October and finish in two to four months.

The project, funded by 2011 SPLOST dollars, includes repairing expansion joints and knee braces, cleaning and painting steel. Tucker McQueen

GWINNETT

Allegedly drunk driver slams into deputy’s car

Gwinnett County sheriff’s Deputy J. Lunt escaped serious injury Wednesday night when his patrol car was struck from the rear by an allegedly drunk driver. He was working a part time job protecting a Georgia Department of Transportation crew that was doing work along I-85 when his car was hit.

Lunt was injured, but “should recover quickly,” according to a posting on his Facebook page.

The other driver, whose name has not been released, was arrested at the scene and charged with driving under the influence.

Mike Morris

Commission gives nod to development

The Snellville Planning Commission voted to recommend making way for a 361 mixed-residential unit development to be built on a tract of land adjacent to Eastside Medical Center. The first measure would amend the land use plan from public/civic to multifamily residential. The second amends the official zoning map from the residential housing for older persons/continuous care to general residence, which allows for three different residential housing types. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Water conservation workshop next week

Gwinnett will offer a free Water Conservation workshop 2 to 3 p.m. Oct. 4 at Centerville Community Center, 3025 Bethany Church Road, Snellville that shows how to increase water efficiency in the home. Attendees will receive a low-flow home retrofit kit, outdoor water efficiency kit, do-it-yourself water audit guide.

Pre-register at 678-376-6722 or send name, address, and email to dwrconserve@gwinnettcounty.com. Karen Huppertz

Hoedown to raise money for Braselton

The Braselton Downtown Development Authority’s annual fundraiser, ‘Downtown Hoedown’ is 6:30 p.m. Oct. 2 at the Braselton-Stover House. It will feature a barbeque dinner, music and an art auction. Tickets: $45, $400 for a table for ten. Information: 706-684-0369 or apinnell@braselton.net.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Center going green for Halloween

Gwinnett’s Environmental and Heritage Center is going Green for Halloween by presenting alternative ideas for healthy and less-plastic treats. The center will host a costume donation and swap throughout October. Drop off old costumes, masks, and accessories in the EHC lobby, 2020 Clean Water Drive , Buford. The costume swap event will kick off 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 11, and continue each Saturday until Halloween. Information: www.gwinnettehc.org.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Lawrenceville hosts final concert of season

The Lawrenceville Tourism and Trade Association will present the finale of the 2014 Moonlight & Music Concert Series at 8 p.m. tonight at Gwinnett’s Historic Courthouse, Lawrenceville. The series will include music performed by Yacht Rock Schooner. No pets or alcohol allowed. Free lawn seating begins at 6 p.m. Information: 678-226-2639 or VisitLawrenceville.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Woodstock officer cleared in fatal shooting

The Cherokee County District Attorney’s Office has declined to pursue an indictment against the Woodstock police officer who shot a man this spring. D.A. Shannon Wallace says her review of the GBI case file concluded there’s no evidence of a crime on the part of officer Jarred Jackson, who fatally shot Dennis Doty after Doty charged Jackson armed with a four-foot-long piece of metal rebar. The shooting happened at the Wal-Mart on Ga. 92 April 11 after Jackson responded to the report of a suspicious person in the parking lot. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Parade could cause tgraffic delays

Woodstock-area drivers could run into traffic hassles between 6 and 7:30 p.m. tonight as River Ridge High School, 400 Arnold Mill Road, stages its annual homecoming parade. The parade will begin at JJ Biello Park and travel east on Arnold Mill Road, ending at the school. Motorists should seek alternate routes.Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Forsyth approves bond payback

The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners wants to lessen the property tax burden resulting if the county’s up-to $200 million transportation bond issue is approved by voters Nov. 4. Commissioners OK’d a nonbinding resolution asking that a future board scheduling a SPLOST 8 vote use the first $100 million of that sales tax money to pay back the bond, reducing the tab for property taxpayers. A final vote is expected Oct. 2 . .Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Cherokee schools to weigh boundarys

Two public meetings will kick off the Cherokee County School District boundary review process for 2015-2016. Boundary Focus Group meetings are set for 7 p.m. Monday at Free Home Elementary School, 12525 Cumming Highway, Canton and Oct. 2 at the Ball Ground Elementary School STEM academy, 321 Valley St.

The meetings will cover current enrollment, projected growth and the potential impact on those schools. The school board will hold a public hearing on any proposed changes Oct. 23, with final consideration set Dec. 4. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Gardening class offered in Alpharetta

The Alpharetta Natural Resources Commission will host “Wild Ideas for your Backyard” at 7 p.m. Oct. 7 at the Metropolitan Club, 5895 Windward Parkway. Joe Lamp’l of public television’s “Growing a Greener World” will offer gardening tips and strategies. The free event is part of the city’s drive to be certified as a Community Wildlife Habitat. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Holly Springs seeking downtown input

Holly Springs city officials want input from residents on developing and maintaining a thriving downtown. A town hall meeting is set for 7 p.m. Oct. 7 at the Historic Train Depot, 164 Hickory Road.

The input on streets, lighting, business and retail development and other areas is being sought as part of the city’s drive to become an accredited Georgia Main Street.

The city hopes to be certified by early 2015. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

Drop-off unused, expired medication

Atlanta Police will participate in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Citizens can drop-off unused or expired medication at any police precinct.

Zone 1 is located at 2315 Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy NW; Zone 2, 3120 Maple Drive NE; Zone 3, 880 Cherokee Ave. SE; Zone 4, 1125 Cascade Circle SW; Zone 5, 398 Centennial Olympic Park Drive; and Zone 6, 2025 Hosea L. Williams Drive NE.

Information: www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback.

Adrianne Murchison for the AJC

Push Coalition conference in town

Jesse Jackson and the Rainbow Push Coalition will hold the annual “Creating Opportunity Conference” Oct. 2-4 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, 265 Peachtree St. NE.

A variety of business, community and political leaders will appear at the event. Lora George Billingsley, vice president of community relations for Coca-Cola North America will speak on empowering women entrepreneurs. DeKalb County Schools Superintendent Michael Thurmond will discuss education. Bank executives Maurice Coleman of Bank of America and G.G Dixon from Wells Fargo will discuss breaking the glass ceiling and money management.

Conference rates start at $50 for individual events.

Information: www.rainbowpush.org.

Adrianne Murchison for the AJC

Law enforcement group to have panel

A panel discussion on the rate of incarceration of African Americans, the legalization of marijuana and a possible ban on menthol cigarettes will be at 9 a.m. Oct. 2 at the Hyatt Regency, 265 Peachtree St. NE, in downtown Atlanta.

The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, known as NOBLE, and 100 Black Men of Atlanta Inc. will present the event. Former Congressman Kendrick Meek is moderator.

Information: 201-898-4407.

Adrianne Murchison for the AJC

DEKALB

Court denies principal’s dismissal hearing

Former DeKalb County principal Yvonne Butler was suspended in 2010 and ultimately lost her job after an investigation determined that multiple copies of a book she published through her own company were purchased by her school and by another school where her sister was principal. (The sister also lost her job.)

Butler was suspended from her post running Browns Mill Elementary, then demoted to a teaching position that she refused to accept.

She sued for a hearing under Georgia’s Fair Dismissal Act, but the Georgia Supreme Court unanimously ruled this week that she was not entitled to a hearing because she wasn’t a principal prior to 1995 when the General Assembly eliminated hearings for school administrators.Ty Tagami

Police arrest suspect for identy fraud

Dunwoody Police arrested Nicey Marie Joseph, 26, of Forest Park, for identity fraud, financial transaction card fraud and elder exploitation.

Joseph, a former waitress, allegedly used a mobile card reader to steal credit card numbers of restaurant patrons when they paid for meals. She was held at DeKalb County Jail on a cash only bond.

Dunwoody police is asking victims of credit card theft at local restaurants to contact them .

Information: Det. W. Blake Yeargin, 678-382-6916.

Adrianne Murchison for the AJC

Drenner surprised by annexation ‘pushback’

State Representative Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates) admitted surprise when earlier this week Avondale residents expressed concern for a “lack of transparency” regarding the city’s annexation plans.

Drenner, who filed an Avondale annexation bill with the state legislature last winter — it was eventually pulled from the Senate—said there had been several annexation meetings in the past several years.

She said it was too early to say if she’ll resubmit the bill next session. She is planning on attending a special called Avondale work session on annexation Oct. 1. Bill Banks for the AJC

Warbird weekend planned at PDK

The Commemorative Air Force will present “Atlanta Warbird Weekend” honoring World War II veterans with memorabilia, tours and aircraft rides 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at DeKalb Peachtree Airport, 2000 Airport Road.

The airport will appear as a WWII airfield with vintage military aircraft and vehicles.

Free admission and parking.

Information: www.dixiewing.org.

Adrianne Murchison for the AJC

Citizen group proposes deep reforms in county

A group of DeKalb County residents is recommending a series of changes to help overhaul a county tainted by allegations of corruption.

The group’s Blueprint to Redefine DeKalb County calls for an internal audit watchdog, independent appointments of members of the Board of Ethics, a vote on term limits and greater financial transparency.

A community meeting on the Blueprint is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Maloof Auditorium.

Details: BlueprintDeKalb.org. Mark Niesse

SOUTHSIDE

Fayette panel to discuss driverless cars

A panel of government and transportation officials will lead a discussion on the use of autonomous vehicles (driverless cars) at 7 p.m. on Sept. 30 at the Whitewater Creek Amenities Center, 165 Birkdale Drive in Fayetteville. The event, hosted by the Fayette County Issues Tea Party, will include County Commission Chairman Steve Brown, State Rep. Ed Setzler, R-Acworth, and Jane Hayse, director of the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Center for Livable Communities. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

First-time homebuyer info session

Fulton County will host an information session for first-time homebuyers 6:30 p.m. Oct. 7 at the College Park Branch Library, 3647 Main Street.

Learn about qualifying requirements for the county Home Ownership Program.

Citizens in need of accommodations to attend, due to a disability, should call 404-613-7944.

Information: audra.pender@fultoncountyga.gov.

Adrianne Murchison for the AJC

Huddleston earns education award

The Georgia Association of Elementary School Principals has given Peachtree City’s Huddleston Elementary its School Bell Award. The honor recognizes no more than 10 schools each year for their outstanding programs in curriculum and organizational leadership. Huddleston will receive the award at the GAESP conference in November. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Weather Service invites students

The National Weather Service in Peachtree City is inviting students and their parents for a special tour and activities from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Oct. 4 at its facility at 4 Falcon Drive. The event is geared toward elementary and middle school ages, to meet meteorologists and learn about the science of weather. Information: 770-486-1133, ext. 241. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Workshops focus

on children at risk

The Fayette County public school system is sponsoring a series of free workshops for parents of students in the Children at Risk in Education program.

The Systematic Training for Effective Parenting sessions will meet on Tuesdays from January through March in Fayetteville to discuss behavior, communication and discipline. Space is limited; contact your child’s school counselor to register. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Safety preparedness seminar scheduled

The Clayton County Board of Health’s Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response is leading a coalition to help make neighborhood watch groups better at fighting crime in their communities and helping the county during times of disasters and emergencies.

A seminar is 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday in the Azalea Room at the board of health office, 1117 Battle Creek Road, Jonesboro.

The seminar will cover disasters, emergency management, dispensing of medicine and vaccines. Details: 678 610-7468 or email Doug Dugger at Freddie.Dugger@dph.ga.gov. Tammy Joyner