County by county news for Friday

Woman drives into courthouse

A woman’s high heel apparently got stuck under her accelerator Thursday morning, causing her to drive into a Cobb County court building off the Marietta Square, police said.

The woman, Sheryl Lindsay, 42, struck a brick wall at the building housing Magistrate Court, near the intersection of Waddell and Roswell streets, Officer David Baldwin with Marietta police told the AJC.

Lindsay was transported by ambulance to WellStar Kennestone Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries, Baldwin said.

The building sustained minor damage from the impact, Baldwin said. Alexis Stevens

Austell gives $2,700 to two schools

The Austell City Council unanimously agreed this week to give $2,700 to two schools.

The money comes from interest earned on the city’s $5 million Norfolk Southern “railroad fund.”

Mayor Joe Jerkins said $2,000 will go to Garrett Middle School to help celebrate its 40th anniversary with “A Night of the Arts.”

Then $700 will be given to Austell Primary School for various improvements, Jerkins added.

Funding requests are reviewed first by board members of the Austell Area Community Improvement Commission, or AACIC, which oversees the interest fund. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Students to package food for hungry

Students at Mt. Bethel Christian Academy will attempt to package 50,000 vitamin-enriched meals in two hours on Feb. 3. The event will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. According to Stop Hunger Now (which will provide the meal contents and packaging material), this is the first time a student organization has attempted (or accomplished) such a goal.

Packages will be shipped around the world to support school feeding programs, and crisis relief. The school is at 4385 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta.For information: 770-971-0245, Ext. 333. Laurie Hoffman

Career Center to recruit for jobs Jan. 17

The Georgia Department of Labor’s Cobb-Cherokee Career Center will host a recruitment event Jan. 17 to fill about 60 job openings for framers in the Kennesaw area.

The event will be from 10 a.m. to noon. Applicants must have a resume; be able to read a tape measure; have a high school diploma or a GED, and have at least six months of framing experience.

The center is at 465 Big Shanty Road, Marietta. For information: 770-528-6100. Laurie Hoffman

GWINNETT

Nash to deliver state of county address Feb. 15

Gwinnett Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Charlotte Nash will deliver the annual state of the county address at a luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 15 at Gwinnett Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. Nash will review 2011 and address Gwinnett’s future challenges and opportunities. The speech will air on the county’s cable television channel, TVGwinnett.

Tickets to the event cost $75 per person or $750 per table for Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce members. Non-members pay $100 per person or $1,000 per table. The registration deadline is Feb. 9. To register, visit www.gwinnettchamber.org. David Wickert

Gwinnett Place CID to hold open house

The Gwinnett Place Community Improvement District will host an open house on its Gwinnett Livable Centers Initiative study from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 19 at Gwinnett Place mall in Duluth. It will be used to spur private development in the area. Information, visit www.gwinnettplace cid.com. David Wickert

3 robbery suspects caught, one at large

Three suspects in an armored car robbery at a Wal-Mart in Oakwood Wednesday morning have been caught by Gwinnett County authorities, but one other remains at large.

The suspects robbed the armored vehicle in front of the Wal-Mart on Mundy Mill Road in Oakwood, then led police on a chase into Gwinnett County before their SUV crashed and the suspects ran, Oakwood Police Chief Randall Moon told the AJC. Moon said four suspects -- three men and one woman -- approached a Loomis armored truck which carried two employees and “forcibly took” and undisclosed amount of money. Fran Jeffries

Calligraphy artist to speak at library

Local calligraphy artist Maria Turk will speak from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 21 at the Gwinnett County Public Library’s Buford-Sugar Hill branch, 2100 Buford Highway. Turk will demonstrate calligraphy for art enthusiasts of all ages and will be available for questions. The free event is open to the public. Information: www.gwinnettpl.org or 770-978-5154. David Wickert

County asks heater donations for seniors

Gwinnett residents can help local seniors keep warm this winter by donating new portable electric heaters at county fire stations through Feb. 28.

The county will deliver the heaters to seniors in need, along with a smoke detector and information on fire safety. To be eligible, seniors must be age 60 or older, must be Gwinnett residents and must be experiencing financial hardship. For information contact Adrienne Noble 678-377-4150 or adrienne.noble@gwinnettcounty.com. David Wickert

Sierra director to speak to Gwinnett club

Colleen Kiernan, director of the Georgia Chapter of the Sierra Club, will speak to the club’s Greater Gwinnett Group at 7 p.m. Jan. 19 at Berkmar High School, 405 Pleasant Hill Road, Lilburn. Kiernan will discuss the club’s successes in 2011 and what it will do in 2012. For information contact Dan Friedman at dan3688@aol.com. David Wickert

NORTHSIDE

Voter drive aims at north Fulton cities

Fulton County Registration and Elections has teamed up with the north Fulton cities on a voter registration initiative. Employees from Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park, Roswell and Sandy Springs will be trained as voter education and outreach ambassadors, and as deputy registrars will be authorized to conduct voter registration drives. A luncheon honoring newly-trained ambassadors and their mayors was held at the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce in Alpharetta on Wednesday. Similar efforts are planned in other parts of the county. Johnny Edwards

County takes applications for grants

Fulton County is taking applications for 2012-13 Human Services and Fulton Roundtable Expanded Service Headquarters, or FRESH, grants. Fulton nonprofits that provide aging, disability, employment, homelessness, housing, HIV/AIDS and youth and family services have until Feb. 24 to submit forms. FRESH applications must address district-specific issues.

The funds come from Housing and Human Services’ budget.

The working 2012 budget would allocate $5.6 million for the grants, down from $7.1 million last year. Applications: hsd.applications@fultoncountyga.gov. Johnny Edwards

Milton rolls out 2012 Newcomer’s Guide

Milton’s 2012 Newcomer’s Guide is now being distributed by local real estate agents and at apartment complexes. Copies are also available online and at City Hall. The 45-page publication includes information on Milton’s history, a guide to taxes, contact information for utilities, county departments and city facilities, a listing of local volunteer groups and other details. Patrick Fox

Flood insurance workshop to be Jan. 31

Roswell and Alpharetta are sponsoring a workshop for insurance and real estate professionals to discuss newly released flood hazard maps.

The workshop, scheduled for Jan. 31 at 9:30 a.m. in room 220, Roswell City Hall, will be conducted by a representative from the National Flood Insurance Program.

The focus will be on flood insurance and what options are available for clients in light of the new maps. Pre-registration is not required, but space is limited and will be filled first come first served.

Information: emailfloodinfo@roswellgov.com. Patrick Fox

Volunteers needed to clear litter

Forsyth County residents can help keep highways litter-free in the coming year by volunteering to work on one of two mobile trash units.

The two units, one for families and another for students, will be in different areas of the county one day each month. The family unit will operate at 3 p.m. the third Sunday of each month. The student unit will operate at 4 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month.

Volunteers will be notified by email of cleanup locations.

To sign up and for more information: www.connectforsyth.org; or contact Kevin Smith, 678-513-5892, kdsmith@forsythco.com. Patrick Fox

ATLANTA

Memorial service for activist Sunday

A memorial service in honor of civil rights activist Ed Amir Charles Brown Jr. will be held at the Woodruff Arts Center on Sunday from 3-5 p.m. A reception will he held from 5:30-7 p.m. Brown was a community developer who also became an art aficionado. Congressman John Lewis, former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark, former Mayor Shirley Franklin, Atlanta City Councilman C.T. Martin and others are scheduled to attend. Jeremiah McWilliams

APS wants to focus on safety

Atlanta Public Schools has scheduled four “community listening” sessions on school safety. Superintendent Erroll Davis has said he wants to invest more in safety, but wants parents to weigh in on how that money would be best spent. The first meeting is Jan. 19 at King Middle School, 545 Hill Street, SE Atlanta. Other meetings are Jan. 24 at Bolton Elementary, Jan. 25 at Therrell Educational Complex and Jan. 26 at Cleveland Avenue Elementary. All meetings are from 6 to 8 p.m. Information: www.atlanta.k12.ga.us. Jaime Sarrio

Lawyer joins mediation firm

Ralph Levy, who has worked for almost 40 years at the law firm King & Spalding, including seven years as its managing partner, will join JAMS, the arbitration and mediation firm said Thursday.

Levy will work in the company’s resolution center in Atlanta and will serve as an arbitrator, mediator and special master of disputes in areas including banking, bankruptcy, insurance, professional liability and securities, the company said. Bill Rankin

Hospital association honors Emory doctor

Emory University Hospital Midtown Medical Director of Nurseries and Chief of Pediatrics Ann D. Critz, M.D., was recently awarded the prestigious Georgia Hospital Heroes Lifetime Achievement Award at the Georgia Hospital Association’s annual Hospital Heroes Awards luncheon. Kenneth Musisi

DEKALB

Man shot, killed at apartment complex

Police are investigating the killing of a man found shot in a DeKalb County apartment complex Wednesday, Channel 2 Action News reported.

Authorities said they saw people scatter when they responded to a call of shots fired at the Paradise East Apartments at Bouldercrest Road and Foxhill Lane, the report said. Several people were detained.

A man in his 20s was found dead inside the building, police said. Angel K. Brooks

Water bills going up this month

DeKalb County residents will see an increase in their water bills starting in January.

The 11 percent increase that took effect Jan. 1 is part of a three-year plan to raise rates to pay for a $1.35 billion overhaul to the county’s aging water and sewer system. Rates increase by 11 percent in 2013 and 2014 as part of that plan.

The increase translates into about $6.43 more a month for the average customer using 5,000 gallons of water monthly. DeKalb water rates last increased in 2008, when they went up by 16 percent. April Hunt

County commission elects officers

DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson was re-elected as presiding officer during the first board meeting of 2012.

The title allows Johnson to lead the commission meetings for the coming year. Commissioner Lee May was also re-elected to serve as deputy presiding officer for another year term. April Hunt

Two cities search for police chiefs

Two DeKalb County cities are looking for new police chiefs to begin 2012.

Clarkston Police Chief Tony Scipio retired in early January from the post he held for seven years. Lithonia Police Chief Kennis Harrell resigned effective Dec. 30.

Existing officers in both departments will continue to handle police work until new leaders can be found. April Hunt

DeKalb holds MLK celebration today

DeKalb County hosts its annual MLK celebration program, “From the Movement to the Monument” today at 11 a.m. in the Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur.

The Rev. Raphael Warnock, senior pastor at historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, will deliver the keynote.

Ebenezer was the spiritual home of Dr. Martin Luther King, whose birthday is a national holiday on Monday. The celebration is free, open to the public and is being hosted by DeKalb. Nancy Badertscher

Children’s home to have market garden

Decatur recently approved a contract with the Stone Mountain-based Refugee Family Services for creating a new market garden located within the United Methodist Children’s Home. Thirty community producers, employed by Refugee Family Services, will begin planting the two-acre site in April.

Fifty percent of all produce will be offered to DeKalb retail outlets like farmers markets and farm-to-table restaurants, the other half going to individual growers and food pantries. Funding includes a $60,000 grant from the DeKalb Board of Health, and $40,000 from the city of Decatur. Bill Banks for the AJC

SOUTHSIDE

Health center focuses on cervical cancer

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, and Fulton County Health Services is encouraging women age 21 and older to get yearly Pap tests. Pelvic examinations and Pap tests are available at the following clinics in Atlanta and south Fulton: Adamsville Health Center, Center Hill Health Center, Center for Health and Rehabilitation, College Park Regional Health Center and Lakewood Health Center. Exams, Pap tests and the HPV vaccine are available for eligible low-income and uninsured women through the state’s BreasTEST & MORE program. Johnny Edwards

Fayetteville to hold MLK parade Monday

Fayetteville will honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday with a parade and special program.

The parade through downtown Fayetteville will begin at 10:30 a.m. at Fayette County High School and last until 11:45 a.m.

For information, see www.fcnaacp.org. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Children’s Village appeals for help

The Children’s Village at Christian City in Union City is asking the community for help. The nonprofit needs sponsors for children, donations to the Graceland Thrift Shop, gift cards to retail and grocery stores, household cleaning and personal hygiene products, canned food, peanut butter and jelly, individually wrapped snacks and juice, kid friendly cereals, batteries and Ziploc bags. Information: Heidi Becker 770-703-2636 or visit www.christiancity.org. Kenneth Musisi

School celebrates Chinese New Year

Henry County’s Dutchtown Elementary School is set Jan. 20 to host a Chinese New Year Festival and Parade. Principal Winnie Johnson began a China initiative in which students learn and experience the culture of one of America’s global partners. The festival will celebrate that student learning experience. A parade is set for 1 p.m. The festival runs from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the school, 159 Mitchell Road, Hampton. Nancy Badertscher

Clayton asks input on overlay district

The Clayton County Department of Community Development is seeking public input on design guidelines for the Highway 54 Overlay District. The workshop is Jan. 19 at 6:30 p.m. and will be at the International Park, VIP Complex at 2300 Highway 138 SE, Jonesboro 30236. Tammy Joyner

East Point, College Park office closed Monday

East Point and College Park’s administrative offices will be closed Monday in observance of the Martin Luther King Day holiday. City offices reopen Tuesday John Thompson for the AJC

East Point group to plant trees

The Egan Park neighborhood in East Point is holding a tree planting with Trees Atlanta Jan.28 from 9 a.m.-noon. Volunteers will gather at the neighborhood park on Bachelor Street. Contact Donna Clayton at 404-519-6640 or Shannon Juhan at 404-275-0063 by Jan.17 if you would like to receive a tree or if you can help plant. John Thompson for the AJC