County by county news for Friday

Connie Bullock, president and founder of the Bullock Hope House, said families stay free - thanks to donations from the community and sponsors such as the WellStar Foundation that holds an annual Golf Fore Hope Charity Tournament.

Information: BullockHopeHouse.org. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Dog day care renewal to be considered

Powder Springs public hearings are scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Council Chambers, 4488 Pineview Drive, Powder Springs by the Planning and Zoning Commission and at 7 p.m. Nov. 3, also in the Council Chambers, by the Mayor and City Council to consider a renewal of the special use application of Allison Allen for her in-home day care for dogs at 4868 Saddlerun Lane.

Information: cityofpowdersprings.org/index.aspx?nid=265 or 770-943-8001, ext. 354 or 361.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Council awards first responders

South Cobb Public Safety Award of Merit recipients were honored Tuesday during the South Cobb Area Council luncheon of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce.

Winners were the 1st Battalion C Shift, Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services; FTO Eric Smith, Cobb County Police Department; Lt. Amie Herd, Sgt. Yamina Holt and Paramedic Brandi Shirley, Cobb County Sheriff’s Department; Lt. Det. Lane Cadwell, Powder Springs Police Department; and Paramedic Vicki Borgia, Puckett EMS. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Sesquicentennial at cemetery

Marietta will continue a series of Civil War sesquicentennial events 1 p.m. Sunday at the Confederate Cemetery and Brown Park off Powder Springs Street. Civil War historian Michael Shaffer will speak at an unveiling of additions to a memorial wall remembering 1,150 Confederates.

Living history tours will follow the 1:30 p.m. unveiling of a statue of a Confederate soldier. The tours are $10.

Information:mariettaconfederatecemetery.org. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Youth talent kickoff against drugs

The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health’s Office of Prevention Services and Programs and their partners will hold the statewide Red Ribbon Campaign kickoff at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Mable House Barnes Amphitheater, 5239 Floyd Road, Mableton.

Youths will showcase their artistic talents with an expanded visual arts walk, demonstrating that real life is drug free.

Students of all ages, Georgia colleges and community-based organizations will participate to bring awareness of fun, safe activities as positive alternatives to substance use and abuse.

Information: dbhdd.georgia.gov/governors-red-ribbon-campaign, mablehouse.org/amphitheatre.html, didyouknowfacts.net.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

Lilburn to explain city projects

The Lilburn Community Partnership hosts Business-After-Hours 6:30 pm Tuesday at A Taste of Paradise Restaurant and Event Hall, 4805 Lawrenceville Highway NW, Suite 300. Following the meet and greet, Doug Stacks, Lilburn’s Director of Planning and Economic Development and Gerald McDowell, Executive Director of the Lilburn Community Improvement District will update citizens on the many projects and improvements underway in Lilburn. Refreshments provided by A Taste of Paradise Restaurant. Information: Michael Taylor at mtaylor@bellsouth.net.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Input sought on park Master Plan

An open house 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the T.W. Briscoe Park office, 2500 Sawyer Parkway will offer a presentation of two differently configured plans. Both plans include more parking at the pool, official-sized basketball courts, more play areas, a larger community building, a fitness center, walking track, updated park offices and a new meeting room. The $2.5 million project is slated to take place through spring of 2015.Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Volunteers needed for cleanup

Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful is seeking volunteers to participate in the Luck Shoals Stream Walk and Cleanup 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 25 beginning at Smoketree Shopping Center, 4771 Britt Road, Norcross. Volunteers will pick up litter during the scenic four-hour “walk” along this portion of the Jackson Creek Watershed basin. Volunteers must be 14 or older. Under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration: www.gwinnettcb.org.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

School district eyes new textbooks

Gwinnett County school officials are seeking the public’s thoughts about some new language arts textbooks and other materials the district might use to teach its students.

The books were put on display earlier this week and will be available for review until Oct. 31. Most of the materials are workbooks aimed at improving student vocabulary and writing. The books are through all grade levels.

After the review is complete, Gwinnett administrators will recommend to school board members which, if any of the items they’d like to use.

The materials are on display at the district’s headquarters, 437 Old Peachtree Road NW, Suwanee. Eric Stirgus

Lilburn offers ride with police

The Lilburn Police Department is accepting applications for the next session of the Lilburn Citizens Police Academy. Participants will begin Feb. 12 and continue 6:30-8:30 Thursdays for 10 weeks to gain a realistic view of the procedures and pressures of law enforcement.

The free academy includes topics like search and seizure, crime scene processing and forensics, plus a tour of the Gwinnett County Jail and the opportunity to ride with an officer for one shift. Class fills up quickly. Application deadline: 5 p.m. Jan. 31. Details: www.cityoflilburn.com or Sgt. Tim Allen, 770-279-3712 or tallen@cityoflilburn.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

New shoulder lanes on Ga. 400 starting Friday

More rush-hour only, flexible shoulder lanes are coming to Ga. 400 in North Fulton. The Georgia Department of Transportation says beginning Friday, a right shoulder lane will run northbound between the North Springs MARTA Station and Northridge Road, and between Ga. 120/Old Milton and Windward parkways. Driving the two stretches will be allowed 4 to 6 p.m. weekdays, with a 45-mile per-hour speed limit posted. Southbound rush-hour shoulder driving’s been allowed since 2012 between Holcomb Bridge Road and the North Springs station exit. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Northside gets new robotic technology

Northside Hospital is getting new technology to be used in the treatment of peripheral artery disease.

The Magellan Robotic System at Northside will help physicians navigate the blood vessels outside of the heart and brain. Using the robotic arm, physicians can precisely steer a catheter through complex anatomy to open a blocked artery during vascular procedures.

PAD, as it is known, is a narrowing of the peripheral arteries to the legs, stomach, arms, and head - most commonly in the arteries of the legs. According to the American Heart Association, the most common symptom of PAD, also known as peripheral arterial disease, in the lower part of the body is muscle cramping in the hips, thighs and calves when exercising, walking or climbing stairs.

The technology will be used in a procedure on Oct. 21 at Northside Forsyth.Shelia M. Poole

Farm bureau honored at regional meeting

The Cherokee County Farm Bureau received several accolades for member programs recently during the Georgia Farm Bureau 1st District annual meeting. The group’s young farmer committee was honored as best in its class, and the legislative committee won the best legislative program award. In addition, Ben and Vicki Cagle won the Young Farmer Achievement Award.Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Fulton considers IB expansion

Four northside campuses in the Fulton County Schools are taking steps toward implementing the International Baccalaureate program. High Point and Lake Forest elementary schools in Sandy Springs, along with Alpharetta High School and Centennial High School in Roswell are in various stages of feasibility studies. The program’s described as a high-quality, international educational experience giving students a global perspective on coursework. Officials say the elementary programs could be in place for 2017-2018.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Woodstock gets park emergency phones

The city of Woodstock will install emergency telephones soon at Dupree Park and at Woofstock, the city dog park, with more to come at other city park and trail locations.

The Woodstock City Council approved the plan Monday night. Parks head Preston Pooser says the call boxes will be hung on the outside of park restroom buildings, and will connect directly to the city’s 9-1-1 center. He says the move is not a reaction to any safety or crime issue, but is instead designed to be proactive. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

Fulton inmate dies after seizures

A 41-year-old Fulton County Jail inmate has died after spending three days in the hospital for treatment of seizures.

He was booked into the jail Saturday after police charged him with criminal damage to property in the first degree, reckless conduct and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On Monday, he was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital for treatment of seizures.

Officials said he died at Grady on Wednesday shortly before 6 p.m. from medical complications related to the seizures, though the exact cause of death will be determined by the medical examiner’s office.

The man’s name is being withheld pending notification of family Jon Gargis

Two men dead in triple shooting

A second man shot at an apartment complex on Memorial Drive late Wednesday night has died. The shooting happened about 11 p.m. Wednesday at the Arbors of East Atlanta complex in the 1800 block of Memorial Drive.

One man was shot and killed on the scene, police said.

Two other men were wounded, and taken to local hospitals in critical condition.Mike Morris

Contract compliance officer retires

The head of Atlanta’s Office of Contract Compliance announced Monday his decision to retire, effective immediately. Mayor Kasim Reed spokeswoman Anne Torres did not explain why Hubert Owens, a 20-year-veteran of the city, retired on a Monday without advance notice. Owens, who according to the city has served as the director of the compliance office since 2002. Katie Leslie

Workshop targets domestic violence

Clark Atlanta University will hold “Peace. Talk” workshops on dating and domestic violence Oct. 19-24, 223 James P. Brawley Drive SW.

Victims and survivors of domestic violence will be honored at a worship service 10:45 a.m. Sunday in Davage Auditorium. Information: www.cau.edu. Adrianne Murchison for the AJC

DEKALB

Motorcyclist killed in wreck near Lithonia

A motorcyclist was killed early Thursday when the driver of another vehicle turned in front of him near Lithonia, authorities said.

DeKalb County fire Capt. Eric Jackson told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the motorcycle collided with a sport utility vehicle shortly before 7 a.m. at the intersection of Covington Highway and Phillips Drive.

According to DeKalb police Capt. S.R. Fore, investigators believe the motorcyclist was westbound on Covington Highway when the eastbound SUV attempted to turn left onto Phillips Drive in front of the motorcycle.

The motorcycle hit the passenger side of the SUV, ejecting and killing the 24-year-old motorcyclist. His name has not been released.

The SUV driver remained on the scene, Jackson said.

Covington Highway remained closed until about 9:30.

Mike Morris

Watershed billing problems addressed

DeKalb County has implemented watershed billing changes to address the higher than average notices received by 5,640 customers.

Affected customers will receive notices of an upcoming bill audit. Thirty-five additional phone service representatives are scheduled to be in place by Oct. 31. And 60 satellite payment locations have been set-up in retail locations around the county.

Information: www.dekalbwatershed.com.

Adrianne Murchison for the AJC

Rio, Farmers Market in Avondale plan

During another sometimes emotional annexation-related meeting in Avondale Estates Wednesday, drawing roughly 90 residents, Mike Easterwood, representing the 60-acre, 54-property commercial district “Rio Circle,” presented commissioners with a letter formally asking for Rio’s removal from the city’s annexation map.

Easterwood also offered a letter from DeKalb Farmers Market owner Robert Blazer (who owns 110 acres north of the city) asking for the same thing.

Those are the only two commercial districts on Avondale’s map, and city manager Clai Brown said afterwards the city isn’t about to take either off.

Avondale has until Nov. 15 to submit a “placeholder” annexation map to DeKalb County Bill Banks for the AJC

Federal grant to help curb youth violence

A federal grant totaling $357,000 will be distributed to City of Clarkston, DeKalb County Board of Health, and DeKalb County Government each year for the next three years through the Minority Youth Violence Prevention program.

The program is an initiative of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health and the Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. Its mission is to address youth violence and increase access to public health.

DeKalb County is one of 10 areas nationally to receive the award to help curb youth violence.

A separate federal grant in the amount of $500,000 will be given to an organization that demonstrates tangible success in their efforts. Adrianne Murchison for the AJC

SOUTHSIDE

Nuns join Clayton’s

pro-transit movement

Clayton County’s efforts to regain public transit has drawn the attention of a national group of activists. Nuns On The Bus will be in Clayton today to help the pro-transit movement. The nuns, who focus on civil rights and social justice causes nationwide, contacted Amalgamated Transit Union, which is a member of the Friends of Clayton Transit about coming. The nuns will be at the Friends of Clayton Transit headquarters, 6483 Ga. Hwy 85 in Riverdale, at 11 a.m today. Clayton is set to vote on Nov. 4 on whether to join MARTA. For details: call 770 907-4983. Tammy Joyner

Clayton State hosts candidate forum

Clayton State University will hold a daylong candidate information session Tuesday.

The days’ events include a candidate forum 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the James M. Baker University Center.

Representatives from the campaigns of candidates running for governor, state attorney general, secretary of state, labor commissioner, and U.S. Senate and House are expected to attend.

A Meet the Candidates session will begin at 6 p.m. Candidates will make short speeches and answer audience questions.Janel Davis

Sandy Creek students launch book drive

Sandy Creek High School’s DECA chapter is sponsoring a book drive to promote children’s literacy. New or gently used children’s books can be dropped off at H. J. Wings & Things, 1158 Senoia Road in Tyrone, through Nov. 14.

The students will donate the books to Piedmont Fayette Hospital for use by young patients.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Peachtree City duathlon canceled

The Powerman USA Duathlon scheduled for Nov. 8 in Peachtree City has been canceled. However, Powerman USA is working with the Peachtree City Convention and Visitors Bureau to reschedule the event for the fall of 2015.

All registered athletes for this year will receive a full refund.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Waterway cleanup volunteers wanted

Volunteers for this year’s Rivers Alive waterway cleanup in Fayette County are asked to meet at 9 a.m. Saturday in the lower parking lot of the Wyndham Peachtree City Conference Center. Children and teens ages 5-17 may participate, but must be accompanied by an adult.

Volunteers should wear old clothes, closed-toe shoes or rubber boots, and bring work gloves.

Register by calling Connie Haynes at 770-833-4015.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

McDonough job fair set for Oct. 24

McDonough hosts a job fair 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 24, at McDonough Presbyterian Church, 427 McGarity Road. Nearly 40 businesses are expected to attend.

The Atlanta Regional Commission’s Mobile Career Resource Center will be on hand to assist with online job searches, resume and cover letter development, online tutorials, etc.

Information: 770-957-3915 or bcopeland@mcdonough-ga.gov. Monroe Roark for the AJC