County by county news for Friday

The two were indicted by a federal grand jury Jan. 8.

Johnson was working as a bus driver for Cobb County Public Schools during the times listed in the indictment.

Lanier was working as a music instructor at the University of West Georgia when the search warrant was executed, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office. Alexis Stevens

Seats available for inauguration trip

The SCLC Cobb Chapter has 28 seats remaining on the bus for the road trip to President Obama’s inauguration in Washington D.C.

The bus will depart Sunday night (Jan. 20) and returns Monday night (Jan. 21) to Cobb County. Cost: $89 per seat. Make reservations with ganttlionelpastor@yahoo.com or 404-839-6511. Kenneth Musisi

Inmate cheats IRS out of $2.8M in refunds

Arnold Tobias Gervais of Marrietta admitted in U.S. District Court that he cheated the Internal Revenue Service out of $2.8 million in tax refunds by filing false returns from state prison. Prosecutors said Gervais was in state prison in 2009 serving time for trying to get more than $600,000 in state income tax refunds illegally when he had his wife file a 2008 return to get more than $800,000 in federal refunds illegally from a fictitious Rome, Ga., company called “Safety Shoes & More Inc.”

The agency recovered $2.2 million. The 34-year-old man could receive up to five years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing is set for March 28. Christopher Seward

Cobb releases annual report

Cobb County released its 2012 Annual Report. The report can be found online at www.cobbcounty.org/annual-report and shows the latest comparisons of the millage rate, budget totals and sales tax with other metro counties. Chairman Tim Lee said 2012 was “better for us than I would have expected,” and adds the county is poised to move forward in 2013. Jaime Sarrio

Grocery opens in redevelopment area

A Walmart Neighborhood Market,that opened this week in Marietta, is the third development to open in the last year in an area the city has targeted for revitalization. The 41,000 square-foot grocery on Powder Springs Street has 90 employees.

Across the street, a 10-screen movie theater opened in June and a Cobb Senior Services Center opened in a former strip shopping mall in August.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Student designs logo for authority

The South Cobb Redevelopment Authority has a new logo, designed by South Cobb High School student Celia Fisher. Fisher’s logo was selected as part of a competition and won $250 for the high school’s arts program. The authority’s mission is to revitalize the south Cobb area by promoting favorable locations for trade, commerce, industry and employment.

Information: cobbcountyga.gov.Jaime Sarrio

GWINNETT

Local barbecue restaurant burns down

Dreamland Bar-B-Que restaurant at 5250 Peachtree Parkway was destroyed by a fire which broke out around 5:20 p.m. Wednesday.

The manager called 911 to report smoke in the attic but did not know where it was coming from.

Gwinnett County firefighters brought under control by 6:07 p.m., but not before it had burned through the center of the roof and one of the front walls.

The cause of the blaze is undetermined. Andria Simmons

Book signing and reading set for Monday

Barbara and Rebekah Mason will read and sign copies of their first book, “Becky Bunny and the Dark Forest”, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday at Books For Less, 2815 Buford Drive, Buford.

Barbara, a resident of Lawrenceville, wrote the children’s story about Becky Bunny, who uses the lessons learned from her family during her encounters in a dark forest. Rebekah, a 7-year-old student, drew the pictures that illustrate the book. Kenneth Musisi

‘Business of the Year’ awarded

Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful named Gwinnett Center as its 2012 Business of the Year award recipient at the 33rd Annual Awards Dinner on Jan. 4 at the Atlanta Marriott-Gwinnett Place.

Joseph Dennis, general manager at Gwinnett Center, received the prestigious award that recognizes outstanding efforts in environmental stewardship and sustainability.

Kenneth Musisi

Women’s self-defense classes beginning

Learn to anticipate, recognize and deal with dangerous situations at the Gwinnett Extension Service Self-Defense classes for women Mondays Feb. 4 through 25, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Centerville Community Center, 3025 Bethany Church Rd. in Snellville. Learn to block punches, break loose from holds and striking techniques. $10 per person for all four weeks. Call 770-985-4713.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Church offers program to aid caregivers

Snellville United Methodist Church, will sponsor a program to help people navigate the often frustrating and stressful world of caregiving.

The caregivers support group meets 2 p.m. Wednesday at the church, building C, 2428 Main Street East. The event is free.

Information: Linda Moyer at 404-449-3298 or moyer041@comcast.net.

Shelia M. Poole

Emancipation Proclamation honored

The Southeastern Stamp Expo will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation Jan. 25-27 at the Hilton Hotel Atlanta Northeast, 5993 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Norcross.

Highlights include copies of the new Emancipation Proclamation stamp.

Show hours: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Jan. 25 and Jan. 26; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 27. Parking and admission are free. Information: www.stampclubs.com.

Kenneth Musisi

NORTHSIDE

NAD fundraiser set for Saturday

The National Association of the Deaf will host a fundraiser 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday at 679 Gold Valley Pass, Canton.

The “Protect Our Future” fundraiser will include a Pie in Your Face Contest with NAD board members.

Guests should follow the NAD sign for parking upon arrival and take a van to the free event, open to adults only.

Information: Christopher Patterson, 404-312-1714 (text only) or 404-630-7268 (voice).

Kenneth Musisi

Concert series to give away tickets

The Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau is giving away two seats to the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park concerts from April through July with its Awesome Concert Series Giveaway.

The prize includes parking and club access. The drawing and announcement will be April 1. Submit entries through March at AwesomeAlpharetta.com.

Kenneth Musisi

3 found shot to death in Sandy Springs

An 89-year-old woman and her two adult children were found dead inside a Sandy Springs home Wednesday.

A co-worker checking on a friend who didn’t show up for work made the gruesome discovery and called 911 shortly before 4 p.m., according to Sandy Springs police.

Inside the home on Brandon Ridge, off Brandon Mill Road, police found the bodies of Edith Renner, Suzanne Renner, 49, and Charles Renner, 45, Rose said Wednesday night. All three had been shot to death, police said.

Suzanne Renner lived with her mother, but Charles Renner lived in Kennesaw, according to police. Alexis Stevens

Senior wins award for dual enrollment

A senior at Cherokee County’s Creekview High School has been named Kennesaw State University’s Outstanding Dual Enrollment Honors Student for 2012-13.

Emily Solon has a 3.9 GPA and is on track to earn 52 college credit hours before graduating in May. Solon, who will seek a biomedical engineering degree at Georgia Tech, will be honored at an April ceremony. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

King day government closings in Cherokee

Government offices across Cherokee County will close Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. City offices in Canton, Woodstock and other communities will close.

Cherokee County government offices will also be shuttered. The Woodstock City Council work session set for Monday has been cancelled.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Students score high on national test

Cherokee County School District students continue to exceed national average scores on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills. All 5th and 8th grade students took the test in October.

The 5th-grade composite score was 69, 19 points above the national average, and the 8th-grade score was 67, topping the national average by 17 percentile points.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

Nonprofit earns national recognition

Partnership Against Domestic Violence, the largest nonprofit domestic violence organization in Georgia, was recently recognized by GreatNonprofits on its 2012 Top Rated List.

GreatNonprofits operates a database that allows people to find, review and share information about new and existing nonprofits. Andria Simmons

Chipper Jones to be honored at banquet

Chipper Jones will be the special guest at the Braves 400 Fan Club’s annual Gameboree on Jan. 26 at the Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center. Current and former Braves players and coaches will pay tribute to Chipper and his Hall of Fame career. A gala reception, silent auction and raffle begin at 5 p.m. with the awards dinner and program at 6:30 p.m. Ticket purchase deadline is Sunday. Information: www.braves400.org or 770-416-4539. Nancy Badertscher

Sorority to hold peace rally, workshop

The metro Atlanta chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. will partner with the 40 Days of Peace Project to hold a peace rally and workshop for middle school-aged youth and their parents 10 a.m. Saturday at Ivy Community Center, 3850 Stone Road S.W.

Reservations due at akapeacerally2013@gmail.com. Mea Watkins

City, fire department receive GOHS grant

The City of Atlanta and Atlanta Fire Rescue Department has received a $163,400 grant from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety which will help finance programs to provide child car safety seats, proper installation instruction, and safety education to residents through September.

As a previous grantee, the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department and the GOHS have successfully collaborated to implement the Child Car Safety Seat Program, which has gained national prominence in its field.

Information: GOHS/AFRD Project Director William Hutchinson, 404-546-4444, whutchinson@atlantaga.gov.

Kenneth Musisi

DEKALB

School for the deaf hosts town hall

The National Association of the Deaf and the Georgia Association of the Deaf will host a town hall meeting from 7 to 10 p.m. today in the Auditorium and Middle School Multipurpose Room, AASD, 890 North Indian Creek Dr., Clarkston.

Refreshments and drinks will be sold in support of the sports programs at the Atlanta Area School for the Deaf. The free event is limited to the first 150 people. The school is accessible to MARTA. Kenneth Musisi

Former commission to stay active in Avondale

Former Avondale Estates city commissioner David Milliron says he’ll remain “connected” to the city despite recently being named city administrator for Stockbridge, Henry County’s largest city.

Milliron, who’s spent the past year as Stockbridge’s city treasurer, said he’ll continue to live in Avondale Estates and will continue monitoring Nextdoor Avondale Estates, a popular online bulletin board and newsletter he founded. Bill Banks for the AJC

NAACP to hold general membership meeting

The general membership meeting of the NAACP’s DeKalb County Branch will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Georgia Piedmont Technical College Conference Center, 495 Indian Creek Dr., Clarkston.

Information: 404-241-8006.

Veronica Fields Johnson

Chamblee names new city clerk

Chamblee recently named a former private sector worker as its city clerk after having been without one since March.

Emmie Niethammer comes to the city from the Peachtree Benefit Group, where she was a human resources manager. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business from Georgia State University.

She will earn $72,000 in the role. April Hunt

Decatur rec center opening planned

Residents can get a sneak peek at the lobby of Decatur’s new rec center.

The city spent $6.9 million fixing up the 54-year-old facility last year.

The lobby will be open all month to take registrations and payments for classes. The facility is set to re-open on Feb. 4. April Hunt

Community discussion at Friends school

Civil rights icon Andrew Young and state Sen. Jason Carter will lead an intergenerational dialogue on civil and human rights 6 p.m. Jan. 26 at the Friends School of Atlanta, 862 Columbia Dr.

The Beloved Community Dialogue is open to the public. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $100 for a reception with panelists beforehand.

Information: 404-373-8746 x. 8135 or nancy.bent@friendsschoolatlanta.org. April Hunt

Little League registration open

The Belvedere Little League will hold registration for baseball for boys and girls (ages 4-12) from noon to 4 p.m. each Saturday starting Jan. 19 through Feb. 23 at Shoal Creek Park, 3640 Glenwood Road, Decatur.

Register online at www.eteamz.com/belvederelittleleague2. Volunteer coaches are needed.

Information: 404-289-3073. Kenneth Musisi

SOUTHSIDE

Henry Special Olympian bound for Korea

The Henry County Parks and Recreation Department’s Special Olympics program has announced that one of its very own athletes, Marnie Hornsby, will compete in Alpine skiing at the World Games beginning Jan. 29 in Pyeongchang, South Korea along with more than 3,000 other athletes and coaches from 112 countries. Hornsby, 39, has been involved with Special Olympics for six years and is one of three athletes from Georgia set to compete at the World Games.

Monroe Roark for the AJC

Toy and doll buying show this weekend

The Antique Toy & Doll Buying show will be held 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Saturday at the Hilton Garden Inn, 2010 North Commerce Drive, Peachtree City. Participants can sell toys and other collectibles.

Admission and parking are free. Information: Bruce or Laura, 941-302-0572 or oldtoys1960@aol.com.

Kenneth Musisi

Fayette schools to host mentor roundtable

As part of National Mentoring Month, the Fayette County Public Schools Friends Mentoring Program will host a public roundtable 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday at the LaFayette Educational Center, Fayetteville. A panel consisting of teen and adult mentors, school administrators and business and publishing leaders will discuss the pros and cons of digital communication use. Information: 770-460-3990, ext. 255. Jill Howard Church

City aims at expanding existing businesses

The city of East Point has launched an Existing Business Retention and Expansion effort aimed at providing assistance to local companies. The first phase of the program is conducting a business survey to gauge the business environment in the city. Information: Kenwin Hayes at 404-270-7058 or khayes@eastpointcity.org .

John Thompson for the AJC

Tax credits available for East Point businesses

East Point’s recent designation as an opportunity zone may soon pay off for the city. This designation means that any business, existing or new, within the Opportunity Zone which creates at least two new jobs is eligible for a job tax credit of $3,500 per job. The credit may be applied against Georgia income tax liability and state payroll withholding for five years, beginning with the tax year in which the new jobs were created. Information: Dawn Sturbaum at 404-679-1585 or dawn.sturbaum@dca.ga.gov. John Thompson for the AJC

Voting underway for movie series

The Hapeville Movie Nights are gearing up for another season. The films are shown the third Friday of each month from April through June and balloting is underway for this season’s selections. To vote, go to http://www.hapeville.org/index.aspx?NID=365

John Thompson for the AJC

City to discuss utility rates

East Point is holding a town hall meeting from 10 a.m.-noon Jan. 26 at the Jefferson Station at 1526 East Forrest Ave. to discuss the recent electric rate increase. John Thompson for the AJC