County by county news for Friday

Goldstein had asked the appellate court to reconsider its August 2012 opinion which upheld a 2011 Cobb Superior Court decision denying his plans.

The councilman had argued Marietta should honor a building certificate he held before the city changed its height ordinance in 2011 from 85 feet to 54 feet. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Special Shabbat celebration tonight

Shabbat in the Orient at Chabad of Cobb, 4450 Lower Roswell Rd, Marietta, invites the public to enjoy gourmet Asian cuisine, singing, Jewish stories, a special children’s program and a chance to meet friends at 6:30 p.m. today. Services optional at 5:20 p.m. Adults $33, Children: ages 7-12 $19, ages 3-6 $13. Information: 770-565-4412 ext. 300 or www.chabadofcobb.com.

Kenneth Musisi

Saw blade through windshield injures man

Henry Rodriguez, of Marietta, was westbound on Interstate 285 near Roswell Road when a saw blade sailed through his front windshiels and cut his left arm and face Tuesday afternoon.

Neither Rodriguez nor his front seat passenger, Kendrick Love, also of Marietta, saw where the blade came from, both told police. Rodriguez was transported to North Fulton Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries, according to police. His passenger was transported to jail for an outstanding warrant for an unrelated incident, police said.

Investigators hope the serial number from the saw blade will help them find the person responsible. Alexis Stevens

Wreaths will be placed at Marietta cemeteries

Volunteers plan to place 2,700 wreaths at gravesites at the Marietta National Cemetery on Washington Avenue and 140 at the Confederate Cemetery on Powder Springs Street on Dec. 15. The memorial services at noon Dec. 15 will be part of a national Wreaths Across America program that honors veterans. The Marietta National Cemetery event will include a mock Civil War funeral at 11:15 a.m Tucker McQueen for the AJC

UPS donates to Cobb Safety Village

The UPS Foundation donated $21,000 to the Cobb County Safety Village. The donation will be used to help improve bicycle and pedestrian safety education programs.

The village opened in 2009 and is a child-size representation of Cobb designed to teach emergency skills. Information: visit cobbcounty.org/safetyvillage. Jaime Sarrio

Art Station to hold holiday activities

Cobb’s Art Station - Big Shanty will host “Winter Wonderland” for children ages 2 to 13. The winter-themed workshops will be 3:30 to 5 p.m., Friday and 10:30 a.m. to noon Dec. 15.

The fee is $5 per workshop, or $12 for all three. Location: 2050 Kennesaw Due West Rd., Kennesaw.

Information: www.artstationcobb.org/ or 770-514-5930 Jaime Sarrio

GWINNETT

Computer maintenance will close tag office

The Georgia Department of Revenue will perform computer maintenance on its vehicle registration system from 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14 through 6 a.m. Dec. 17.

During this period, the state registration system will be unavailable. Due to the maintenance, the North Gwinnett Tag Office will be closed on Dec. 15.

Customers will not be able to renew their tags online or on the state tag renewal telephone line during this period and are encouraged to complete all tag and title transactions before or after the state’s maintenance dates. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Library board to discuss budget

The Gwinnett County Public Library Board will discuss the county’s proposed budget at 5:30 p.m. today at the library administrative office, 1001 Lawrenceville Highway.

County Commission Chairwoman Charlotte Nash has proposed cutting library spending by $1 million as part of her 2013 budget. She is recommending to cut spending on materials instead of reducing hours, as it did in response to county budget cuts last year. David Wickert

Commissioner hosts public meeting

Gwinnett County Commissioner Mike Beaudreau will meet with constituents from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Fire Station 30, 1052 Ozora Road, Loganville.

Beaudreau represents commission District 3, which covers the eastern part of Gwinnett and includes the cities of Snellville, Loganville, Grayson, Dacula and Auburn. David Wickert

Free admission at

museum open house

Hudgens Center for the Arts Gift Shop will host a Holiday Open House 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday & Saturday, Dec. 7 & 8 featuring art by local artists along with light refreshments. Admission is free to view exhibits during this event. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Trail photos wanted for national contest

Gwinnett Parks & Rec is looking for photos of the Karina Miller Preserve Loop Trail at Little Mulberry Park for the annual National Recreation Trails photo contest. Photos can be of trail users, volunteers, facilities or anything showcasing the beauty of the park. Deadline is Dec. 15. For details and to upload photos visit http://bit.ly/YetMD8. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Brookwood students to display artworks

Snellville, Mayor Kelly D. Kautz and the Snellville Art Commissioners invite the public to view original works of art by Brookwood High School art students Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the month of December in the Community Room at Snellville City Hall. Karen Huppertz

Peachtree Corners hosts contest

The 2nd Annual Peachtree Corners Christmas Run and Costume Contest will be held Saturday morning, Dec. 15 and includes a 10K, 5K and 1-mile run/walk with proceeds benefiting the Marine Corps’ Toys For Tots campaign. Information: www.SpincycleSports.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

County attorney will fill in as Fulton manager

The Fulton County Commission picked County Attorney David Ware to serve as interim county manager upon the departure of Zachary Williams, who resigned to become DeKalb County’s chief operating officer.

Ware will take over in the middle of the county’s budget process.

The interim job will last 60 days starting Jan. 1. Deputy County Attorney Larry Ramsey, meanwhile, will fill in for Ware. Johnny Edwards

International company bringing jobs

A Netherlands-based automated material handling systems and service company will open a Cherokee County facility. The county’s economic development office says Vanderlande Industries will move into the Northpoint Industrial Park in southwest Cherokee. A dozen new jobs will result. The facility will primarily handle distribution. Operations begin in early 2013.The firm’s North American operations are based in Atlanta. Mark Woolsey

Parapro accused of sexual battery

Riverwatch Middle teacher’s assistant Marvin Shane Pilcher, 26, was charged Wednesday with sexual battery against a minor, according to the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office. A student made the allegations Monday to school officials. Details regarding the alleged battery were not released. Pilcher was booked into the Forsyth County jail, where he was being held Wednesday night without bond. Alexis Stevens

Roswell hosts festive hayride

The Roswell Recreation, Parks, Historic and Cultural Affairs Department hosts the Holiday SI“Hay” Ride 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. today at the East Roswell Recreation Center.

Cookie decorating and hot chocolate are included. Parents are free but must accompany their children. Tickets: $12. Information: 770-594-6134 or www.roswellgov.com. Kenneth Musisi

Mayor invites city into his home

Milton Mayor Joe Lockwood has invited all 32,661 residents to his home at 375 Dorris Roadfor a holiday open house 4 - 8 p.m. Dec. 15.

Food and drinks are donated by City Council and local businesses. Shuttled parking will be at Milton High, 13025 Birmingham Highway. Handicapped accessible parking is at the home.

RSVP at rsvp@cityofmiltonga.us with name and address to be sent an invitation to print out.

Information: 678-242-2492 or christine.doss@cityofmiltonga.us. Patrick Fox

Forsyth hosts free shredding

Forsyth County residents are being offered free document-shredding in December. Keep Forsyth County Beautiful and Shredderman Document Destructon Service, 3605 North Parkway, Cumming teamed up.

Shredderman will offer paper document, file box, CD, DVD, VHS tape, empty prescription bottle and X-ray destruction 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. weekdays.

Information: 770-245-4573.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

Man shot in Atlanta robbery attempt

A man, whose name hasn’t been released, was critically wounded in an apparent robbery attempt early Thursday at a Midtown apartment complex, police said.

The 22-year-old victim was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital in critical condition, Jones said.

Witnesses reported hearing a shot fired and seeing two males fleeing the scene, police said. Joel Provano

Radio station sponsors holiday benefit concert

Jazz 91.9 WCLK will sponsor a Holiday Jazz Concert, featuring Ronnie and Debra Laws, at 8 p.m. Saturday at Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave., N.E. Proceeds will benefit the nonprofit radio station.

Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door. Attendees who bring an unwrapped toy for children ages 1-14 could win a chance to meet Ronnie Laws and other special guests. Info: www.variety-playhouse.com/. Veronica Fields Johnson

Motorcycle clubs sponsor food drive

KickStand Promotions will sponsor the 4th annual Atlanta Motorcycle Clubs Feeding Families for Christmas food drive 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Dirty South Slab Clubhouse, 2031 Metropolitan Pkwy to benefit the Atlanta Day Shelter for Women and Children and St. Francis’ Table soup kitchen and pantry. Canned goods and bottled water will be collected.

Information: John “5-0” Peek at 678-758-2667. Veronica Fields Johnson

EPS takes applications for grants

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is taking applications for an environmental justice grant of up to $30,000. The grants enable non-profit organizations to conduct research, provide education and develop solutions to local health and environmental issues in communities overburdened by harmful pollution. One to five grants will be awarded in each EPA region, with a maximum $30,000 award. Information: www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/grants/ej-smgrants.html Nancy Badertscher

DEKALB

Major school system court case postponed

The courtroom showdown between the DeKalb County School District and the joint venture of Heery International, Inc. and E.R. Mitchell & Co. has been postponed until spring.

The construction management company sued DeKalb for $478,000 in unpaid fees in 2007, after the school system fired the company. DeKalb countersued, seeking more than $100 million in damages and alleging mismanagement and billing fraud.

Mitchell settled but Heery continues to fight, with tens of millions of dollars in legal bills and damages at stake for each side.

The trial was scheduled this year but on Thursday DeKalb Superior Court Judge Clarence Seeliger signed an order postponing the trial until April 29, two weeks after the start of a criminal trial for former superintendent Crawford Lewis, who fired the joint venture. Ty Tagami

Decatur police move to temp headquarters

Decatur’s police department will move into temporary headquarters at the “Wells Fargo Building,” 7500 East Ponce de Leon Avenue, in mid-January.

The move’s necessitated by renovation of the old Beacon Hill site which begins in January and should be finished by April, 2014.

Also, Municipal Court will move into the Callaway Building at 120 West Trinity in January, while the E-911 department moves to 314 Church Street in early February.

The city will spend $520,000 for updating equipment, relocating to and construction on the temporary sites. Bill Banks for the AJC

Lunch with Santa in Stone Mountain

Families are invited to “Stories With Santa,” a show featuring St. Nick 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 15 at ART Station, 5384 Manor Dr., Stone Mountain.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under and include lunch and a chance to meet with Santa after the show.

Information: 77-469-1105.

April Hunt

Community groups meeting soon

The resident-advisory boards that review zoning and land use applications will hold meetings:

The Community Council for District 5 meets 6:30 p.m. Dec. 17 at the Redan library on Wellborn Road.

The District 1 and District 4 councils meet 6:30 p.m. Dec. 18 at the Chamblee library on Clairmont Road and the Stone Mountain library on Leon Street, respectively.

The District 2 and 3 councils meet 6:30 p.m. Dec. 19 at Maloof Auditorium on Commerce Drive and at the Wesley Chapel library on Wesley Chapel Road, respectively. April Hunt

DeKalb History Center hosts children’s event

Parents can drop off children at the DeKalb History Center 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 20 for “ Night at the Museum” while the adults shop or dine in downtown Decatur.

Activities for children ages 7 to 12, feature storytelling, a magic performance, a craft event and a light snack at the center in the Old Courthouse on the Square.

Cost: $5 for center members and $10 for nonmembers.

Information: 404-373-1088, x. 20 or borger@dekalbhistory.org. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Henry winter fishing begins Saturday

Winter fishing season in Henry County begins Saturday and will be offered every other weekend until March 1 when the regular season re-opens. Hours for weekend winter fishing at the Henry County Water & Sewerage Authority’s Tussahaw Reservoir are dawn until one hour before dusk. Anglers must be Henry County residents or property owners with an active HCWSA reservoir use permit. Permits are $45 or $25 for seniors and the disabled and available at the authority’s headquarters, 1695 Highway 20 West, McDonough. Tammy Joyner

Toys for Tots drive underway

Members of the U.S. Marines Corp will be at Walmart in Peachtree City, Fayetteville and Newnan; Big Lots in Newnan and the Fayetteville Toys R Us this week and next weekend collecting toys for their annual Toys for Tots drive. They will accept new and unwrapped toys or monetary donations. The toys will be distributed to children in Fayette and Coweta counties. Toys for children ages 9 to 13 are especially needed.

Tammy Joyner

Henry Parks and Rec receive state award

The Henry County Parks & Recreation Department has earned the Georgia Recreation and Park Association’s Publication Award for Multi-purpose for a Population of 180,001 and over for its 2012 calendar. The calendar was a collaborative effort between Henry County Parks and Recreation and the Henry County Communications Department. It is the fifth straight year the county has been recognized with this honor. The state association is a non-profit institution. Tammy Joyner

Clayton Fire donates to charities

Fire Charities, the not-for-profit arm of Clayton County Fire & Emergency Services, will be making donations to several national and local community partners on Wednesday at a 10 a.m. ceremony at emergency services headquarters in Riverdale. Among the groups receiving donations: the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Atlanta, the Georgia Firefighters’ Burn Foundation, the American Red Cross of Georgia, Clayton County DFACS, Clayton County Senior Services, the Tara Baptist Church food pantry, and Rainbow House, a family resource center providing temporary shelter for children. Details: 770 473-3825. Tammy Joyner

Health fair set for Saturday

A free health fair is set from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at the South Fulton Medical Center, 1170 Cleveland Ave. in the Surgery Center. The health fair offers free screenings of cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure and body mass index. There will be light refreshments, giveaways and DJ’s SiMan from Majic 107.5 FM and K.D. Bowe from Praise 102.5 FM will be broadcasting from the hospital. John Thompson for the AJC

Church to host community caroling

A community caroling is set from 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Sunday at the Hapeville United Methodist

Church at 3510 Atlanta Ave. Information: 404-762.-9677.

John Thompson for the AJC