County by county news for Friday

Albert D. Campbell, once head of cost control for a $3.5 billion contract Lockheed had with the government, filed two suits against the company alleging fraud. In 2003, Lockheed settled for $37.9 million with the government and Campbell received $8.75 million, of which 40 percent -- or $3.5 million -- went to his attorneys. The 11th Circuit ruled the $5.25 million was taxable income and also found Campbell owes a 20 percent penalty. Bill Rankin

Man robs Kennesaw pharmacy of cash, drugs

Cobb Police are looking for a man who held up a Walgreens pharmacy in Kennesaw Tuesday evening and ran off with an undisclosed amount of drugs and cash. An man armed with a handgun entered the business at 4075 Cherokee Street at 8:14 p.m., leaped over the counter and demanded prescription drugs and money from two employees.

He was described as a white male with slim build, 5 feet 10 inches tall, with bushy brown hair and a mustache.

The suspect wore a gray hooded sweatshirt with jeans and white high-top tennis shoes. Andria Simmons

Walton High to host ‘Pink Out’ at game

To promote breast cancer education and awareness, Walton High School in Marietta is hosting a “Pink Out” at its home game versus Lassiter on Friday. Four Walton seniors -- Sarah Buhler, Paige Kagan, Courtney Ritter, and Jack Schatz-- spearheaded the event as a fundraiser for the Susan Komen 3-Day for the Cure, which they will be walking in for the on Oct. 21-23. Kenneth Musisi

Banquet to benefit SPSU scholarships

Southern Polytechnic State University’s Construction Management Department is hosting its annual scholarship banquet today at the Cobb Galleria.

The banquet begins at 6 p.m. at the Cobb Galleria. Tickets: 770-294-4375; kennethbarnett@vanwinkle.com

Janel Davis

Annual car charity show in Austell Saturday

The Powder Springs Push Rods Car Club will host its fourth annual charity car show in Austell on Saturday .

All classic and antique cars are welcome at the event from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Austell Threadmill Complex, 5000 Austell-Powder Springs Road.

Registration is $15 per car. Money raised will be used to help local families in need during the holidays. Information: pushrodscarclub.com/2.html or Doug Roberts at dougdbr@aol.com or 404-680-1059.Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

‘Read With the Wind’ lecture today at library

Cobb library system celebrates the 75th anniversary of the publication of “Gone With the Wind” with a “Read With the Wind” lecture event today.

Photographer Nell Dickerson and author Robert Hicks will discuss the role of women in the historic south.

The free lecture, sponsored by Georgia Center for the Book, begins at 7 p.m. at the Central Library, 266 Roswell Street in Marietta.

Information: http://www.cobbcat.org Janel Davis

GWINNETT

Chattapoochee Dog Park ceremony in Duluth

The Duluth Parks and Recreation Department will host a groundbreaking ceremony today for Chattapoochee Dog Park.

The event will start at 6 p.m. at Rogers Bridge Park in the 4000 block of Roger’s Bridge Road.

Duluth is also inviting people out to Pooch Fest at the Duluth Town Green on Sunday. Plans for the dog park will be available for viewing from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Information: Kathy Marelle at 678-417-9269 or kmarelle@duluthga.net.

Joel Anderson

Beaudreau to meet constituents Saturday

Gwinnett County Commissioner Mike Beaudreau will meet with constituents from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday at Church of the Redeemer Presbyterian, 3750 Zoar Church Road, Snellville. Beaudreau represents District 3, which covers eastern Gwinnett County from the U.S. 78 corridor north to I-85. David Wickert

Investigators look at dental office fire

Investigators are still trying to determine what caused a fire to break out Tuesday evening at the Sugar Hill Smiles Dental Office at 4901 Alton Tucker Boulevard near Buford.

The blaze caused heavy damage to the roof and attic of the building. A passerby saw flames coming from the roof and called 911 at 8:52 p.m. Tuesday.

Fire crews had to initially battle the blaze from the outside due to the intense flames and a partial collapse of the roof. Once the majority of the fire was extinguished, crews were able to enter and quench the blaze. Andria Simmons

50 students in scholarship running

Nearly 50 Gwinnett County Schools students are contenders for a national scholarship promoting academic excellence. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation recently announced that 46 of Gwinnett School’s seniors are semifinalists in the prestigious competition for scholarship dollars. The students were identified through exceptionally high scores on the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which they took as juniors. They are competing with thousands nationwide for 8,300 National Merit scholarships worth more than $34 million. D. Aileen Dodd

Scarecrow competition in Suwanee Saturday

Suwanee’s Harvest Farm Community Garden is hosting a scarecrow competition. Harvest Farm gardeners can place their scarecrows in their plots from Oct. 1-21, while others can line scarecrows along the inside of the garden’s perimeter split-rail fence. Signs at White Street Park, located at 752 White Street, will indicate where scarecrows should be placed. Information: Kim Thompson at kimdthompson@bellsouth.net or 678-644-5793. Joel Anderson

Volunteer day

serves up projects

The Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services will host its 12th annual Gwinnett Great Days of Service Friday and Saturday. The event brings volunteers together to work on various projects for schools and nonprofit agencies. Information: www.gwinnettgreatdaysofservice.org. DAVID WICKERT

NORTHSIDE

Two men arrested in Forsyth jewelry heist

Two men were arrested Wednesday and charged in the burglary of a Forsyth County jewelry store over the weekend.

Arrested were Kenardis Demaine Holloway, 32, of Smyrna and Carl Henry Bowser, III, 26, of Atlanta. Police said that more than $2 million was taken from the Milano Fine Jewelry store at 1245 Buford Highway in Cumming. A hole was cut in the wall shared with the business next to the store and jewelry was stolen and cash was taken from a safe, Capt. Tim House with the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office told the AJC. Alexis Stevens

85 students in running for scholarships

Eighty-five Fulton County Schools students are contenders for a national scholarship promoting academic excellence. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation recently announced that the Fulton Schools seniors are semifinalists in the prestigious competition for scholarship dollars. They are competing with thousands nationwide for 8,300 National Merit scholarships, worth more than $34 million. D. Aileen Dodd

School board holds charter school hearings

The Fulton County School Board has set three public hearings on a possible move to a charter school system. The hearings are set for: Oct. 3 at Milton Center, 86 School Drive, Alpharetta; Oct. 5, at Lake Forest Elementary School, 5920 Sandy Springs Circle, Sandy Springs; and Oct. 6, Westlake High School, 2400 Union Road, Atlanta. All of the hearings will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the school auditorium or cafeteria.

NANCY BADERTSCHER

Oak Grove school picks teacher of year

Kathleen Zachery, a first grade teacher at Cherokee County’s Oak Grove Elementary School was named the school’s Teacher of the Year. Zackery has taught 18 years, 11 of them at Oak Grove. She holds an educational specialists degree and is working on a doctorate in language literacy. Jeffry Scott

Forum focuses on graduation rates

A free community forum will be held Saturday to rally support for helping to improve graduation rates. The event, “Forgiveness,” will be from 2 to 5:30 p.m. at 795 Hi Hope Road, Lawrenceville. It is being co-sponsored by Gwinnett SToPP (Gwinnett Parent Coalition to Dismantle the School to Prison Pipeline) and Interfaith Children’s Movement. Free T-shirts will be provided to the first 25 registrants. For information: www.GwinnettSToPP.org D. Aileen Dodd

Latin American group fundraiser Saturday

The Latin American Association will hold its major fundraiser, the 23rd annual Latin Fever Ball Saturday. The charity event, “Brasil: Selva, Ritmo y Sol,” which will celebrate the colors, rhythms and dance of Brazil, will be held at the InterContinental Hotel in Atlanta from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. The gala has raised more than $3.9 million over the years to support education and outreach. Limited tickets are still available. Information: Myrna Clemmons at 404-638-1836 or mclemmons@thelaa.org. D. Aileen Dodd

ATLANTA

City may settle Eagle raid lawsuit

Atlanta may settle a lawsuit brought by eight individuals after a police raid at the Atlanta Eagle bar on Sept. 10, 2009 in which Atlanta police officers swarmed the bar after receiving reports of illegal activity.

The City Council’s public safety and legal administration committee approved a resolution Tuesday to authorize the city to pay the eight plaintiffs $15,000 each for a total of $120,000. The settlement now moves on to the full City Council for its approval on Monday.

Patrons and employees said they were forced to lie on the floor while officers checked for criminal histories and others peppered them with anti-gay slurs. Jeremiah McWilliams

United Way chief to speak at CAU

Milton J. Little Jr., president of the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta, will be the keynote speaker at Clark Atlanta University’s Fall Convocation on today. The program will be held at 11 a.m. in the Leonidas S. Epps Gymnasium in the Vivian Henderson Center. Little is a graduate of Morehouse College and has been with the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta since 2007. Ernie Suggs

APS students offered free eye exams

VSP Vision Care and the Georgia Optometric Association this week will give Atlanta Public Schools certain students eyecare services at no cost. VSP will bring its mobile eye clinic to Whitefoord Elementary, Coan Middle and Crim High, where eye doctors will provide eye exams and eyewear to low-income students pre-selected by the schools. Information: www.atlanta.k12.ga.us Jaime Sarrio

GM Foundation donates $75,000 to AUC

The General Motors Foundation is donating $75,000 to the Atlanta University Center Consortium supporting Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College and Spelman College programs. The donation will go toward AUC’s Dual Degree Engineering Program students, the Spelman SpelBots Robotics team, and faculty and curriculum development. Ernie Suggs

DEKALB

Roundabout a possibility for Decatur

During a community workshop this week, Decatur officials discussed the possibility of replacing the traffic signal at Church Street and Lucerne Drive with the city’s first roundabout.

But deputy city manager Hugh Saxon said the roundabout is only one of many bicycling and pedestrian improvements being considered for the Commerce Drive/Clairemont Road/Church Street corridor. He added that, “We’ll continue taking public comments and we’ll have another meeting soon before we begin to firm up our plan.” Bill Banks for the AJC

James Joyce Pub fades; sports bar to open

Avondale Estates’ James Joyce Pub, a city staple for nine years, will close at 5 p.m. Sunday and reopen Thursday as The Hail Mary sports bar. A ribbon cutting is planned for 11 a.m. on Friday . Based on The Hail Mary in Grayson, recently selected as Gwinnett County’s best sports pub by Gwinnett Magazine, the new bar will eventually feature 20 televisions, including 15 flat screens, offering soccer, NFL and college football packages. Bill Banks for the AJC

Hormel plant donates to food bank

The Tucker plant of Hormel Foods recently donated $10,000 to the Central Georgia Christian Food Bank.

The gift will help the bank help fight hunger in metro Atlanta and around the Southeast. It also will distribute clothing and other necessities to families in need.

The donation is among several Hormel Foods is making across the country to local charities and non-profit organizations. April Hunt

County recreational official honored

Marvin Billups, DeKalb County’s deputy director of recreation and parks, was inducted into the Georgia Recreation and Park Association Hall of Fame at a recent annual conference.

Billups’ career began as a recreation supervisor in Atlanta before serving as acting department director there and an official in recreation offices in North Carolina and Maryland, as well as for the National Capitol Park. He is also a past president of the National Recreation and Park Association and of the Georgia association. April Hunt

Volunteers needed for ‘Rivers Alive’ project

Tucker Civic Association announces that the 4th Annual “Rivers Alive” project will be held on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at Twin Brothers Lakes on Historic Johns Homestead Property, 3071 Lawrenceville Highway. “Rivers Alive” is a statewide effort to clean up local waterways each October. Participation is limited to the first 150 volunteers who sign up. Information: Pat McNall at parks@tuckercivic.org. Kenneth Musisi

Kidfest Saturday in Avondale Estates

The Kidfest-Explore Our Little Museum Town, will be at the intersection of Pine and Franklin Streets in Avondale Estates on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free, and activity wrist bands will be sold onsite for $5 per person. Proceeds benefit The Museum School. Information: Gina Hill at gina_greene@hotmail.com or 404-558-8808 and www.kidsfestga.com. Kenneth Musisi

SOUTHSIDE

Henry County early voting begins Oct. 17

Early voting for all municipal elections in Henry County plus the countywide education SPLOST referendum will be Oct. 17-21 and 24-28 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at the election headquarters at 345 Phillips Drive in McDonough. Voters can cast ballots in city council elections the week of Oct. 31 at their respective city polling places -- The Depot in Hampton, the county recreation center in Locust Grove, the county election headquarters in McDonough, and the Ted Strickland Community Center in Stockbridge. The election is Nov. 8. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Contractors group to honor Eaves, Darnell

The National Association of Minority Contractors will honor Fulton Commission Chairman John Eaves and Vice Chair Emma Darnell with “Hard Hat” awards at a banquet Friday at the Renaissance Concourse Atlanta Airport Hotel. The awards recognize those from the private and public sectors who support efforts of minority businesses.

The group has given Eaves its “Advocacy Award” and Darnell its “Pillar Award.” Johnny Edwards

Henry firefightersto have practice drill

This week the Henry County Fire Department is hosting a “live” ammonia release drill and hazmat training exercise, culminating with the live release of anhydrous ammonia today at Atlanta Motor Speedway. This is the fourth consecutive year that the HCFD has hosted the event. The training includes industry, firefighters, and hazmat teams from Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida and Louisiana. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Bridgefest in the Pines begins Saturday

Bridgefest in the Pines, sponsored by the city of Stockbridge, is Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at Clark Community Park in Stockbridge. The lineup includes 40 arts and crafts vendors, more than a dozen business vendors, a children’s area and live entertainment. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Peachtree Elementary earns blue ribbon award

The U.S. Department of Education has designated Peachtree City Elementary as a 2011 National Blue Ribbon School. The school is one of 304 to earn the honor this year, and the fifth in Fayette County to receive it since 1997.

Blue Ribbon schools qualify by having overall high student achievement or by having at least 40 percent of students from disadvantaged backgrounds improve their performance to high levels.

Peachtree City Elementary will receive its honorary plaque and flag at the national awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. in November.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Community garden to hold yard sale Oct. 8-9

Windy Hill Community Garden at 86 Work Camp Road in McDonough will host a yard sale Oct. 8 -9 . Proceeds will go to repair a fence at Windy Hill Garden and to support our Helping Harvests Gardens. To make a contribution, volunteer or learn more about Community Gardens of Henry County, please visit www.henrygardens.com. Sandra Marshall Murray