County by county news for Friday

Man shot to death at Zaxby’s identified

Cobb County police have identified the man shot to death Wednesday night in the parking lot of a restaurant near Smyrna as 29-year-old Jarvis McNabb.

The shooting happened about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday outside the Zaxby’s in the 2500 block of South Cobb Drive, according to police.

Cobb police Sgt. Dana Pierce said McNabb was dead on arrival at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital. Mike Morris

Acworth sets qualifying dates

Candidates for mayor and alderman post 4 and post 5 in Acworth can qualify from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 26 to Aug. 28 at City Hall, 4415 Senator Russell Ave., Acworth. The fee for the 4-year terms is $612 for mayor and $396 for alderman. Tommy Allegood is mayor and post 4 and post 5 are held by Tim Richardson and Tim Houston.

Information: www.acworth.org.Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Alternative school may become academy

Cobb County School administrators are looking at possibly converting alternative Oakwood High School into a digital academy.

The administrators will hold two sessions from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. They will take place at the Oakwood campus activity room at 1560 Joyner Ave. in Marietta.

The district’s school board will discuss the conversions at its August meetings. Daarel Burnette II

Kennesaw event to highlight fall programs

Kennesaw will hold a parks and recreation event to highlight fall programs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Ben Robertson Community Center, 2753 Watts Drive.

Instructors will give sample classes and talk about programs, including sports, dance, arts, crafts and fitness.

Information: Kennesaw-ga.gov/pkrec.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Marietta seeks job fair recruiters

Marietta is looking for employers to sign up to recruit at an annual job fair scheduled 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 11 at the Cobb County Civic Center, 548 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta.

The Marietta/Cobb Career Expo is sponsored by Marietta, Cobb County, the Cobb Chamber of Commerce and Georgia Department of Labor.

Information: www.mariettaga.gov.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

GWINNETT

Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful reports impressive results

Volunteers working with Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful reduced overall visible litter in the county by thirty-one percent compared to a year ago, chipped 22,000 Christmas trees, educated 230,605 people on how to be more environmentally-friendly and removed 7,486 square feet of graffiti throughout Gwinnett. Join the efforts beginning at 7:45 a.m. Saturday at the Button Down Dash 5K run and walk.

Information: www.gwinnettcb.org.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Lawrenceville to discuss projects

The Lawrenceville Neighborhood Alliance will hold its annual meeting 2 to 4 p.m. Aug. 18, at 18 South Clayton St., the old Lawrenceville City Hall. Topics will include real estate, housing and city projects to enhance Lawrenceville. The organization seeks to provide communications and a forum for the neighborhoods and citizens of Lawrenceville, focusing on quality of life and the sustainability of the city. Info: www.lawrencevillena.org, or email lawrencevillena@hotmail.com, or call Beverly Dryden at 770-963-6180. Karen Huppertz

Harbins Park ballpark complex Saturday

Gwinnett Parks and Rec invites the public to a grand opening celebration 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday to commemorate the expansion of Harbins Park Baseball/Softball Complex , 3200 New Hope Road in Dacula. Ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m.

Games and activities available for the entire family. www.gwinnettcounty.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Gwinnett schools seek curriculum feedback

Gwinnett County Public Schools is accepting applications to become members of the GEMS Oversight Committee and provide curriculum feedback. Deadline is Sept. 16.

Information: www.gwin-nett.k12.ga.us. Nancy Badertscher

Hudgens looking for members-only artwork

The Hudgens Center for the Arts announces their second annual Juried Members Exhibition, a competitive juried show, offering a “Best in Show” award of $100 and three “Honorable Mention” awards of $50 each.

The competition is open to all current members of The Hudgens.

Artwork may be submitted in drawing, painting, printmaking, mixed media, ceramics, glass, photography, fiber art, or textile & sculpture. Information: www.thehudgens.org.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Groups to host Global Trade Summit

Partnership Gwinnett and the Gwinnett Chamber invite the business community to the 2013 Global Trade Summit beginning at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13, at the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, 6500 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth.

The summit will focus on resources available to enhance international trade opportunities and expand global reach.

Information: www.partnershipgwinnett.com or email haley@gwinnettchamber.org. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Fire damages Cherokee home Wednesday

Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services officials say a Wednesday afternoon blaze damaged a home on Wilkie Trail in the county’s northeast corner.

The home had fire, smoke and water damage. Nobody was at home at the time. A Cherokee firefighter suffered a minor back injury working the blaze.

The cause is under investigation. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Woman killed, others injured in wreck

Heavy rain may have contributed to a wreck that killed a Forsyth County woman and critically injured her 11-year-old daughter, according to police.

Traci Bieler, 43, of Suwanee, was driving a 2002 Toyota Camry southbound on Old Atlanta Road, near Estates of Old Atlanta subdivision, when investigators believe she lost control of the while negotiating a curve.

Bieler’s Camry traveled across the center line and struck a 2012 Honda Odyssey that was traveling northbound. The impact caused the front of the Honda van to strike the passenger side of the Toyota, where Bieler’s 11-year-old daughter sat in the front seat, according to police. Bieler died at the scene of the 11 a.m. wreck and her daughter was transported to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite. An 11-year-old family friend, seated in the backseat of the Toyota, was also transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, Rainwater said.

The driver of the Honda, Mujtaba Syed, 40, of Cumming, was transported to North Fulton Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A 7-year-old passenger in the van was transported to Scottish Rite with a broken arm. Alexis Stevens

Labor official to speak at Cherokee rotary

Georgia State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler will speak to the Rotary Club of Canton at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at 1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton. Butler will speak on “Jobs and Employment in Georgia.” Inforation: www.clubrunner.ca/portal/Home.aspx%3Faccountid%3D3123 Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Holly Springs residents suggest park names

More than 30 proposed names have been submitted for the 33-acre Holly Springs city park site under development on Hickory Road, with such names as hickory hollow and peace making the list . A park and recreation committee will now winnow down the suggestions to three finalists, with the full council set to vote Aug. 19. The park is scheduled for completion in summer, 2014.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Fulton to offer college prep for female youth

Fulton County’s Office of Children and Youth will offer a two-year leadership skills development program for 12 to 15 year old females with Priceless University.

Applicants must be Fulton County residents enrolled in a school within Fulton County school, attend new student orientation, weekly classes, etc. Apply online at www.southfultongoodthings.com through Sept. 13.Information: Latoya.Walden@fultoncountyga.gov or 404-612-4786. Mea Watkins

ATLANTA

Strip club work permits challenged

A lawsuit has been filed claiming that the city charges employees of adult entertainment clubs $375 for a one-year work permit and an annual renewal fee of $350.

Those fees exceed what’s required under city code: a $50 application fee, $300 permit fee and $100 annual renewal fee, the lawsuit alleges.

It also contends that workers at other establishments where alcohol is served are not subject to the work permit fee, fingerprinting and “subjective” background checks required of employees at adult entertainment clubs serving alcohol.

Nancy Badertscher and Katie Leslie

Man found guilty of shooting at two officers

Joseph Brian Gibbs, 41, was found guilty by a Fulton County jury of criminal charges steaming from the shootout three years ago with two police officers. On July 21, 2010, Georgia State Patrol Sgt. Marvin Prince and Georgia State Capitol Police Officer Mark Edge responded to a stolen vehicle call at the intersection of Edgewood Avenue and Hilliard Street near the state Capitol.

As the officers approached the car, Gibbs turned and opened fire, prosecutors said. Police returned fire, hitting Gibbs three times. Edge was grazed in the head with a bullet. Bryan Cronan

School supply drive through Aug. 16

Corporate America Family Credit Union will host its annual school supply drive, “Project Backpack” through Aug. 16.

Donations can be dropped off at 115 Perimeter Center Pl., Suite 187. Information: www.cafcu.org/backpack or 1-800-359-1939. Mea Watkins

Pecha Kucha Night this weekend

Pecha Kucha of Atlanta is hosting an event 7 p.m. Sunday at Octane Coffee, 437 Memorial Drive. Each speaker will follow the international Pecha Kucha format of showing 20 images and speaking about each image for 20 seconds. Food and beverages will be available for sale by vendors. Information: www.pecha-kucha.org.

Sandra Marshall Murray

DEKALB

Shelter worker accused of beating dog

An employee of the DeKalb County animal shelter was arrested Wednesday for allegedly beating and kicking a dog in his care, according to police.

Calvin Corleon Battle, 26, of Atlanta, was charged with one count of misdemeanor animal cruelty, Mekka Parish, spokeswoman for DeKalb police, said Wednesday afternoon.

Battle was seen on video repeatedly beating a dog with a metal bowl and kicking a dog inside a kennel, and police launched an investigation, Parish said. The dog that was beaten and two others in the kennel were transported to a veterinarian for evaluation.

At the time of his arrest, Battle was employed by LifeLine, the vendor contracted to manage DeKalb County’s Animal Services, Parish said.

He was booked into the DeKalb jail, where he was being held on $2,500 bond Wednesday night. Alexis Stevens

Man gets 27 years in bank robbery

Torrey Marable, 21, of Decatur, was sentenced Wednesday to 27 years in prison for committing three bank robberies ordered to pay $89,644 in restitution.

Co-defendants, Rico Blackwell, 22, and Jason Blackwell, 32, meanwhile, drew federal prison sentences of 138 months and 84 months, respectfully. A fourth co-defendant, Deandre Markee King, 28, of Decatur, is set to be sentenced Aug. 28.

Prosecutors said Marable, Rico Blackwell and King, robbed the PNC Bank on Mount Vernon Road in Dunwoody on Aug. 20, 2012 of more than $71,000.

Marable robbed a Fifth Third Bank on Piedmont Avenue in Atlanta on Aug. 9, 2012 and a BB&T in Marietta.

All four were caught on their way to rob another bank in Austell on Sept. 4, 2012.

Nancy Badertscher

Cemetery to go digital

Earlier this week Decatur’s commission approved a $17,095 purchase of management software for the city’s cemetery. Eventually all records will be digitally recorded, with each grave receiving GIS mapping.

The Decatur Cemetery covers 45 acres and has more than 18,000 graves with records, some kept in ledger books or card files, dating back to the 1820s. Bill Banks for the AJC

Tree hikes scheduled for DeKalb preserve

Hikes will be held on two upcoming Friday mornings focusing on the trees at the Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve.

The tree hikes explore natural and historical resources at the preserve. Hikes begin at 8 a.m. today and Sept. 20 at the preserve’s nature center, 3787 Klondike Road.

Information: 770-492-5220.

April Hunt

Libraries add “Muslim bookshelf”

The DeKalb County Public Library is one of 840 systems nationwide to receive a federal grant to highlight Muslim culture.

The National Endowment for the Humanities award will fund discussions, films and books. Events are planned at the Decatur, Embry Hills and Scott Candler branches in August and September.

Upcoming events: www.dekalblibrary.org.

List of new material: www.programminglibrarian.org/muslimjourneys/mj-bookshelf/mj-collection.html April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Cow grazing in median at I-75 and I-675

A cow was reported Thursday morning in the interstate median at the junction of I-75 northbound and I-675, and according to Clayton County authorities, the bovine has been there for a while.

Clayton police dispatchers said they have been getting reports about the cow for about 30 days. The cow so far has been grazing in the wooded median and staying out of traffic, according to police.

There was no immediate word on whether the renegade cow was holding a sign reading “Eat Mor Chikin.” Mike Morris

Henry woman wins $1M in Powerball

Jennifer Pierce of McDonough purchased her Quik Pik ticket at Conyers Food Mart, 1400 Old Conyers Road in Stockbridge.

The Powerball drawing, with a $448 million jackpot, was Wednesday. But it wasn’t until she stopped for coffee at the store Thursday that she learned she won $1 million.

Two additional winning tickets with $1 million prizes in . Nancy Badertscher

Town hall meeting in Henry on Aug. 24

District V Commissioner Bruce Holmes will convene his next monthly town hall meeting at 9 a.m. Aug. 24, at Crossroad Christian Church, 5365 N. Henry Blvd. in Stockbridge. The meeting will feature a discussion on economic development and entrepreneurship, with a focus on access to capital for small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs. Topics will include how to develop and write a business plan and gain access to capital, as well as the idea of implementing a business league servicing the south side of Atlanta. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Stockbridge mayor to host breakfast

Stockbridge Mayor Mark Alarcon is hosting a breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Aug. 20, at the Merle Manders Conference Center for interested residents to receive updates on what is happening in the city. Seating is limited, and tickets are $10 each. On-duty Henry County police and firefighters are invited to stop by and have breakfast courtesy of the city. Information: Sansannah Jackson at sjackson@cityofstockbridge-ga.gov or 678-833-3349. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Orchestra needs string musicians

The Southern Crescent Symphony Orchestra needs string musicians. Auditions for the 2013-14 season is 6 - 9 p.m. Aug. 13 at the Clayton State University Music Building.

To schedule an audition contact conductor Richard Bell, Clayton State University Assistant Professor of Music at conductor@scsymphony.net.

Information: www.scsymphony.org. Tammy Joyner

Church to sponsor free legal workshops

World Changers Church International Legal Resources Department will host Law Day 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Aug. 10 at the church, 2500 Burdett Road, College Park. Attorneys will offer free legal consultations. Registration is required. Information: www.worldchangers.org.

Veronica Fields Johnson