County by county news for Friday

The new fees are contingent on a July 31 countywide vote to allow Sunday alcohol sales. If approved, the license fee for Sunday package sales through the end of the year would be $200. Beginning in 2013, the annual license fee would be $500.

Cobb has to redo its alcohol referendum because residents in the county’s six cities were not allowed to participate in the original March 6 referendum. Janel Davis

Lee to hold town meeting in Mableton

Cobb County Commission Chairman Tim Lee will hold a town hall meeting on Monday in Mableton.

The will be the last of four town hall meetings Lee has held in each of the four commission districts this year. Lee will discuss issues impacting the area, as well as, all of Cobb County.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Lions Club Drive Community Center, 620 Lions Club Drive in Mableton.

Information: www.cobbcountyga.gov; 770-528-3305 Janel Davis

Shelter looks for homes for animals

Looking for a pet to call your own?

The Cobb County Animal Control Shelter will hold an adopt-a-thon  from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  May 19 at 1060 Al Bishop Dr. in Marietta.

Last year, the shelter held three adopt-a-thons placing about 180 pets. Officials hope to break new records with events this year.

The event will include raffle prizes, music, food and local vendors. There will also be a veterinarian to answer questions about pet care and services. The adoption rate is $80. Shelia M. Poole

Man faces more charges in in-law’s theft

A Cobb County man accused of stealing from his elderly father-in-law has been re-arrested on additional charges, according to police. Donald Eye, 53, was arrested last month after he allegedly stole the 83-year-old victim’s identification and used it to open several credit card accounts.

Eye also allegedly cashed $18,701.07 worth of checks from the sale of stocks belonging to the victim, who suffers from dementia. Alexis Stevens

Firefighters bring out the boots for benefit

Firefighters from Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services will be out today for the second of three days collecting donations for the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation.

Money raised by Cobb firefighters in the annual “Give Burns the Boot” fundraiser will also go to Camp Oo-U-La, the state’s only camp exclusively for burn-injured children that is funded entirely by the Burn Foundation. Janel Davis

Bellydancing benefits crisis center

Belly Dancers all over the state of Georgia will get together to celebrate World Belly Dance Day at the “Shimmy Mob” event at 4 p.m. Saturday. The event at California Pizza Kitchen, 4250 Roswell Rd. in Marietta, will raise money for the S.H.A.R.E. House Family Violence Crisis Center. Information: www.shimmymob.com.

Kenneth Musisi

GWINNETT

Warning issue after rabid cat found in Loganville

Gwinnett County issued a rabies alert Wednesday after a cat found in Loganville tested positive for the disease.

The cat was found on Lake Carlton Road on April 26.

The county asks anyone who handled the cat or who has been bitten or scratched by any stray animal to contact the Gwinnett County Animal Welfare and Enforcement Office at 770-339-3200, Ext. 5576. David Wickert

Snellville to have entrepreneur website

In June, the Snellville will unveil a new website designed to give entrepreneurs the tools they need to start, sustain, and grow a business.

The city has a partnership with South Gwinnett High School to educate Snellville’s next workforce in entrepreneurship education. The city also coordinates the Snellville Entrepreneur Council, to assist small and start-up businesses. Information: Eric Van Otteren at 770-985-3502 or economicdevelopment@snellville.org. Kenneth Musisi

Curriculum committee members solicited

Gwinnett County Public Schools is looking for parents, community members and employees who are interested in applying to serve on a three-year term on a committee that provides input on the school system’s curriculum. The application deadline is June 1. The committee’s responsibilities include an annual review of the district’s Academic Knowledge and Skills (AKS) curriculum. The committee then recommends revisions and additions to the superintendent and school board. Nancy Badertscher

County sets candidate qualifying period

The qualifying period for political party and nonpartisan candidates for the July 31 general primary and nonpartisan elections ballot in Gwinnett County will be 9 a.m. May 23 to noon May 25. Democratic Party candidates will qualify at 1599 Rocky Trail Lane, Dacula. Republican Party candidates will qualify at 45 S. Clayton St., Lawrenceville. Nonpartisan candidates will qualify at the Gwinnett County Board of Registrations and Elections, 455 Grayson Highway, Suite, 200, Lawrenceville. Information: www.gwinnettcounty.com. David Wickert

Peachtree Corners festival June 30

The second annual Peachtree Corners Festival will be June 30-July 1. The festival will run 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. June 30, and noon to 5 p.m. July 1 at The Corners Parkway and Woodhill Drive, Peachtree Corners. For information: www.peachtreecornersfestival.org. Laurie Hoffman

Young entrepreneurs awarded $2,500

Nine high school entrepreneurs walked out of Snellville City Hall on Tuesday with $2,500 in start-up funding. The students from South Gwinnett High School Entrepreneurship Alliance pitched their businesses before a Community Investor Panel made up of successful business people from Snellville. Kenneth Musisi

NORTHSIDE

Husband of shot lawyer waives extradition

The man accused of shooting his wife eight times outside of their Sandy Springs apartment has waived extradition and will be returned to Georgia, police said Thursday.

Michael Parson, who was arrested in Texas over the weekend, is accused of shooting Adina Parson, an attorney for the state Department of Public Health, three times in the head April 20.

By waiving extradition, Michael Parson could leave the Van Zandt County Jail in Canton, Texas, and be back in Georgia by early next week. Alexis Stevens

Suspected meth lab found in home

Cherokee County authorities dismantled a suspected methamphetamine lab discovered in the garage of a home near Woodstock. The owner of the house on Eagle View Trace in the Eagle View subdivision called deputies Wednesday after returning home from a trip and finding the items that sheriff’s Lt. Jay Baker said are used to make crystal meth.

Baker said that two people who were staying at the home while the woman was out of town. Deputies issued warrants for the arrests of those two people, who have not been identified. Mike Morris

AirWatch founder to speak at expo

AirWatch founder and CEO Alan Dabbiere will present the keynote luncheon address at the 2012 Greater Perimeter Business EXPO June 1 at the Westin Atlanta Perimeter North in Sandy Springs.

Dabbiere will present “Mobility Management: Tomorrow’s Technology Today” in the Bernstein Ballroom at the Westin. The cost is $50.

Advance registration is required for the luncheon and can be completed at www.gpbe.org. Patrick Fox

Woodstock High wins national ranking

Woodstock High School ranked 24th best in Georgia in the U. S. News and World Report annual list of the best high schools in the country, released Tuesday. The magazine says the school ranked at 1,372 nationally, out of data collected on nearly 22,000 public high schools. It scored a 25.2 on the U.S. News College Readiness Index, out of a possible 100 score. Woodstock was the only nationally-ranked high school in Cherokee County. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Centennial girls to register for softball

Centennial High School in Roswell announced that all rising 6th, 7th and 8th grade girls who are zoned for Centennial High School need to register by July 15 for the softball season beginning in August. To be placed on the contact list or for information, contact Marty at alymart@att.net or 678-230-5155. Kenneth Musisi

Firefighters want to give burns the boot

The Forsyth County Fire Department will join more than 100 similar agencies across Georgia this month in the annual fundraising boot drive for the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation. Firefighters will be stationed at county intersections on Saturday. Money collected goes to help burn survivors, support medical facilities, and for fire safety and prevention. More info: www.gfbf.com Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

Jay Sadd to lead trial lawyers group

Atlanta lawyer James “Jay” Sadd is the new president of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association. Sadd succeeds outgoing president Geoffrey Pope and will serve until May 2013. Other new officers include Atlanta lawyers Brian “Buck” Rogers, who is president-elect, and Linley Jones, the executive vice president. Bill Rankin

Professor, lawyer honored at reception

Law professor Anne Emanuel and Atlanta lawyer Michael Caplan were honored Tuesday for their commitment to justice during a reception at Newcastle, the Italian Renaissance Revival mansion of noted attorney Ed Garland and his wife Judy.

The Southern Center for Human Rights gave Emanuel its Lifetime Achievement Award. Caplan was given the Gideon’s Promise Award for his work in a recently settled right-to-counsel lawsuit. Bill Rankin

Free child safety fair today

The Keeping Kids Safe Project, a national child safety organization, hosts a free child safety fair from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. today in the showroom of Jim Ellis Mazda Atlanta, 5855 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Atlanta. A child’s fingerprints will be taken to send home with parents. Community organizations will provide safety information. Information: Andrea Abrahamson at 319-268-4111 or andrea@sipkids.com.

Kenneth Musisi

Police officers accept coalition offer

Last September, the Buckhead Coalition announced a budget for a new incentive program to interest police officers in living in Buckhead. The Coalition grants are set at $2,000, to which the Atlanta Police Foundation adds $1,000. The Buckhead Coalition budgeted for 10 officers, and now reports 8 officers have accepted the arrangement and the reserves have been increased to also reward the next four who apply. Atlanta Police Chief George Turner supports the program with an additional incentive of the use of a city police car to take home. Kenneth Musisi

DEKALB

Decatur schools give nod to budget

Although it won’t get official approval until next month, the Decatur school board tentatively adopted the city schools 2012-13 general fund budget of $44.8 million in expenditures. This reflects an anticipated enrollment growth of 12 percent or about 384 students for Decatur’s seven schools. It’s expected the largest spending increase will be employee health insurance, which could rise $1,820 per employee, although official state health numbers won’t be released until May 10. The administration, however, isn’t suggesting a tax increase, keeping the millage rate at 20.90. Bill Banks for the AJC

Johnson sponsors business event

DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson is sponsoring an event later this month designed to stimulate new business in the county.

The Local to Global event will display DeKalb’s assets for local and international citizens and businesses. Representatives from several local chambers of commerce will be on hand, as will the U.S. Small Business Administration and several companies with a strong DeKalb presence, such as Verizon.

The event, which is free and open to the public, runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 17 at DeKalb-Peachtree Airport off Clairmont Road.

More information: www.localtoglobal.us or 404-371-2425. April Hunt

DeKalb’s Brownlow joins Civic League board

The Civic League for Regional Atlanta has added three new members to its group of dynamic leaders in 2012. The new board members are; Richard Brownlow of DeKalb County, Delores Crowell of Atlanta, and Jason Thomas Skipper of Cherokee County.

The new members will be part of those helping facilitate the region’s debate about transportation, as metro Atlanta votes July 31 on the penny sales tax referendum. Beyond transportation, the Civic League also will help frame the important topics of water and education. Information: www.civicleagueatlanta.org. Kenneth Musisi

Society of Professional Engineers to meet

The Georgia Society of Professional Engineers will hold a monthly dinner meeting at 6 p.m. Monday at Piccadilly Cafeteria, 2000 Crescent Centre Blvd., Tucker. Lee Edmond, vice president of Crow Friedman Group’s Georgia Office, will present on risk management and risk drivers.

The meeting is open to engineering professionals, students, and other interested public. RSVP to 404-919-3640 or ronscinta@hotmail.com. Information: www.gspe.org. Kenneth Musisi

PDK airshow set for Saturday

The annual Good Neighbor Day air show returns this May to the skies over DeKalb-Peachtree Airport.

The air show features aerobatic pilots Gary Ward and Skip Stewart as well as the Flash Fire Jet Truck. On the ground, the airport will showcase restored and antique planes as well as DeKalb emergency vehicles and helicopters.

The event runs from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday at PDK Airport on Clairmont Road. Entry is free but on-site parking is $5.

More information: www.pdkairshow.com.

April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Deadline near for input on crime help grant

Monday is the deadline to send feedback to Fulton County on a federal crime-prevention grant. The commission voted last week to accept $157,319 from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program, which can be used for training, personnel, drug treatment programs and equipment, among other things.

The U.S. Justice Department requires the county to seek public comments. Application copies are at the Finance Department, 141 Pryor St., S.W., Suite 2040, downtown Atlanta. Comments can be sent to christopher.boyd@fultoncountyga.gov. Johnny Edwards

Man, 18, charged in hit-and-run

A McDonough motorist has been charged in a hit-and-run accident that seriously injured a woman jogging along a Henry County road on May 1, authorities said Wednesday.

Kyle Andrew Harvey, 18, surrendered to authorities at the Henry County jail, Henry County Police said. Harvey has been charged with aggravated assault with a vehicle and hit-and-run with serious injury, police said.

The victim underwent surgery for a broken hip and broken leg and has since been released from the hospital, police said. David Ibata

Contract awarded to repair Buford Highway

The state Department of Transportation has awarded a contract to re-pave Buford Highway and repair bridge joints there, from Spring Street in Fulton County to the DeKalb County line, according to DOT spokesman David Spear and bid documents. Contractor C.W. Matthews won the job for a low bid of $3.7 million. The job is among $73.7 million worth of work awarded this month, and $756 million in the fiscal year so far. Ariel Hart

Henry graduations slated for May 25

All public schools in Henry County will host graduation exercises on May 25. All ceremonies will be at the schools’ respective stadiums except for that of Patrick Henry High, which will be at 1 p.m. at the Henry County Performing Arts Center. Six of the schools -- Dutchtown, Eagle’s Landing, Henry County, Locust Grove, Stockbridge, and Woodland -- have scheduled 7 p.m. start times. Ola and Union Grove are set for 7:30, with Luella’s start time at 8 p.m. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Union City War Eagles open registration

The Union City War Eagles will be participating in the Youth Football Alliance, which features a 10-week game season.

A conditioning camp starts early June and practice begins in July. Information or to register: 770-964-1236 or www.unioncityga.org. Kenneth Musisi

Wheelchair tennis tourney to be June 1-2

The 6th annual Geranium Festival Wheelchair Tennis Tournament is scheduled for June 1-3 at Richard Craig Park in McDonough. The event, named 2010 USTA Southern Wheelchair Tournament of the Year, is expected to attract players from around the country competing in several divisions. Information: Harlon Matthews at hmatthews@co.henry.ga.us or 770-288-7293. Monroe Roark for the AJC