COBB
Mableton man accused of extorting minors for porn
A Cobb County man is accused of using social media to lure teenagers, whom he then coerced into sending him nude photographs. Then, he would allegedly threaten to post the illicit photos online unless the teens agreed to continue sending graphic photos and videos, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Tremain Hutchinson, 27, of Mableton, was arraigned in federal court Wednesday following his Dec. 18 indictment, U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said. Hutchinson is being held without bond.
If convicted, Hutchinson could face life in prison, according to Yates. Alexis Stevens
‘Dwight Graves Day’ proclaimed
The city of Marietta proclaimed Jan. 10 “Dwight Graves Day.”
The proclamation honoring former SCLC Cobb chapter president Dwight Graves, who died one year ago, was issued at the Marietta City Hall.
Graves’ widow, Cheryl Graves is the current SCLC Cobb chapter chair of the board. Kenneth Musisi
Austell mayor gives State of City address
Austell Mayor Joe Jerkins will deliver his “State of the City” address at Tuesday’s meeting of the Austell Business Association.
The luncheon meeting will begin at 11:45 a.m. in the first floor courtroom, the City of Austell Threadmill Complex, 5000 Austell Powder Springs Road.
Cost is $10 for members or $12 for guests.
Reservations: Marla Lamar, suiteassetsllc@gmail.com.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Police choose larger space for gun seminar
The Marietta Police Department had to find a larger location at Marietta Middle School,121 Winn St., for a gun safety seminar 6:30 p.m. Jan. 24.
Police spokesman David Baldwin said citizen requests to attend have doubled from previous safety seminars prompting the move from City Hall.
Topics will include safety, laws and alternative weapon use.
Information: dbaldwin@mariettaga.gov.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Youth baseball registration open
Online registration is underway for Powder Springs Youth Baseball until Jan. 31 for ages 4 to 16.
In-person registration will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Jan. 19 and 26 at the Ron Anderson building, Wild Horse Creek Park, 3820 Macedonia Road, Powder Springs.
Teams will play at Powder Springs Park on Brownsville Road.
Information: psyb.com.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Community expo to benefit schools
The West Cobb Community Expo featuring free food, giveaways and door prizes, will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Jan. 23 at the Hillgrove High School Gym, 4165 Luther Ward Road, Powder Springs.
Proceeds will go to the West Cobb Business Association’s Educational Fund to help local schools.
OInformation: westcobbbusiness.com/expo/index.html.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
GWINNETT
Suwanee accepting Art on a Limb applications
The City of Suwanee is accepting proposals and samples from artists who wish to have their work considered for the month-long Art on a Limb program, in which two pieces of original artwork are hidden along the Suwanee Creek Greenway or at one of the city’s parks each day in May.
Whoever finds the pieces gets to keep them.
The deadline for submission is Feb. 15.
Applications are available at www.suwanee.com.
Dan Klepal
Artist, school create sculptures
A series of sculptures called “Talk, Talk, Talk” will be dedicated 3 p.m. Sunday at the Norcross Arts Center, 17 College St.in Heritage Park. The sculptures were created by Lori Sturgess, director of The Nest, a Norcross arts center, in collaboration with Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology art teacher Jennifer Prince and student artists. Nancy Badertscher
Suwanee offers citizens academy
The Suwanee Police Department will offer its eight-week Citizens Police Academy program from 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesday evenings, beginning February 19 at the Police Training Center, 2966 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road.
Applications are available at www.suwanee.com, and are due Feb. 4 by 5 p.m. Participants must be at least 19 years old.
The program is intended to build stronger bonds between police and residents. Topics include crime scene processing, traffic stops, building searches, crime prevention, and narcotics identification. Dan Klepal
Duluth History Museum closed all month
The Duluth History Museum is closed for January to pack up Christmas and prepare new exhibits.
The facilities are still available for events. Membership fees are due this month. Information: www.duluthhistorical.org or by calling 770-232-7584. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Teen driving safety classes offered
The Gwinnett Police are offering two Teens Ride with Pride safe-driving courses this month.
The first is from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the West Precinct, 616 Crescent Drive in Norcross. The second is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 15 at the South Precinct, 2180 Stone Drive in Lilburn.
To register and see other safety classes, go to www.gwinnettpolice.com or call 770-513-5111.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Lilburn Art Alliance hosts sip-and-see
Lilburn Art Alliance holds its first art exhibition 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday at 107 Mains St. in Old Town. Sprig restaurant will provide complimentary hors d’oeuvres and wine, and Music on Main Street will provide entertainment.
The Lilburn Arts Alliance’s mission is to create works of public art, support local artists and create studio space. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
NORTHSIDE
Fulton schools hosts community meetings
The Fulton County Board of Education is sponsoring meetings for the community to share their issues and concerns with board members at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.
The sessions are as follows: Linda Schultz, District 1, and Julia Bernath, District 7 at Holcomb Bridge Middle School; Katie Reeves, District 2, Manning Oaks Elementary School; and Linda McCain, District 5, Wilson Creek Elementary School.
Kenneth Musisi
Softball league registration set
Registration for Forsyth County’s Spring Adult Softball League is set for Wednesday through Feb 8.
Teams can register at the Central Park Recreation Center, 2300 Keith Bridge Road, Cumming, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday- Friday.
Cost is $500 per team. Information: 770-781-2215. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Reinhardt welcomes new trustees
Four new members have joined the Board of Trustees of Reinhardt University in Waleska.
Active Members Ben Looper and Gin Miller and Ex-Officio Members Pam Carnes and the Rev. Tim Emmett were appointed this fall.
All four will be confirmed as full board members by the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church in June. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Commissioners O.K. jail/courthouse project
The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners this week took another step toward construction of the new jail/courthouse complex.
Commissioners approved an up-to $385,000 bid by Industrial Facilities Solutions of Gainesville for demolition of a parking deck, government building and professional building and small building located on the future complex’s site. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
CAC seeks tax preparation volunteers
The Community Assistance Center, which serves Dunwoody and Sandy Springs, is looking for volunteers to prepare taxes for lower-income residents through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.
Interested persons will receive free training on simple tax law and most of the training takes place online.
CAC needs volunteers who can work four hours a week in the evenings or on Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Those interested should go to www.atlantaprosperity.org and select CAC as your volunteer site. Sheila M. Poole
MUST Ministries to expand in Cherokee
MUST Ministries will be expanding its footprint in Cherokee County.
A ceremony today will mark the start of build out of new 9,000-square-foot offices at 111 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton, with a hoped-for April finish.
The move from its West Marietta Street offices will give the nonprofit organization about 20 percent more space and better access to I-575. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
ATLANTA
Arrest made in New Year’s Day slaying
A suspect was arrested Thursday in a New Year’s Day shooting that left a teenager dead, Atlanta police said.
Jared Billings, 18, died in the shooting at a home on Epworth Street. Witnesses told investigators that Billings had gotten into an argument with another male, who pulled a gun and shot him. Early Thursday, Atlanta police arrested Ronnie Clay Jr., 38 and took him to the Fulton County Jail. Mike Morris
BeltLine trail to break ground
A groundbreaking ceremony for the Southwest Atlanta BeltLine Connector Trail is set for 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Beecher Hills Elementary School, behind the school on the playing fields.
Phase I of the 4.5 mile trail will connect the BeltLine through the Westview neighborhood. The track starts at the existing Lionel Hampton Trail, passes by Beecher Hills Elementary, and emerges onto Westwood Avenue.
The Southwest Atlanta BeltLine Connector Trail is funded by the City of Atlanta’s Park Improvement Bonds and the PATH Foundation. Information: Councilwoman Bottoms, 404-330-6054. Kenneth Musisi
Financial planning seminar set for Monday
Synergy Capital Management will host “Getting it Right in 2013,” a free financial planning seminar, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday at The Lenox Building, Suite 400, 4th Floor Conference Room, 3300 Lenox Road.
Validated parking and refreshments will be provided. Reservations: Carl Macko, carl_macko@synergycapitalmanagement.com or 404-804-1889.
Kenneth Musisi
Clark Atlanta presents art exhibition
Clark Atlanta University presents “Women Enchanting the Muses: Selections From The Cochran Collection” Wednesday through April 30 in Trevor Arnett Hall on the main campus, 223 James P. Brawley Dr.
The exhibition is free and open to the public.
Gallery hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday – Friday. Nancy Badertscher
DEKALB
Car theft suspect run over by stolen van
Officers spotted a stolen Dodge Voyager and a stolen Dodge Ram on Candler Road at 3:45 a.m. Thursday.
When officers got behind the vehicles on Golf Valley Drive, “the driver of the Dodge Voyager jumped out of the vehicle and ran in front of it while it was still in motion,” police said.
The driver was struck by the vehicle.
The second vehicle was later recovered, but no suspects were found.
The 25-year-old Voyager driver, whose name has not been released, was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital in stable condition, and is facing auto theft charges. Mike Morris
Decatur distillery to open this fall
Though his lease and zoning were recently approved Michael Anderson, who’s opening Independent Distilling Co., won’t move into East Decatur Station, on the corner of New Street and College Avenue, until April.
He said he’ll begin producing a rye whiskey, corn whiskey and rum in the fall. He’ll also produce an unaged “bourbon-type whiskey” this fall, though he’ll also put aside small barrels for aging anywhere from five to 10 years. Upon opening he’ll be one of only five distilleries in Georgia.
Bill Banks for the AJC
Classes on becoming debt free set
The DeKalb County Cooperative Extension will host a workshop 6 p.m. Tuesday at the cooperative extension office, 4380 Memorial Drive to help residents manage their finances, lay out financial goals and plan for expenses.
Information: 404-298-4080 or www.ugaextension.com/dekalb. April Hunt
Clarkston 101 registration underway
Residents and business owners in Clarkston can sign up through Jan. 31 for a five-month course to learn more about the city.
Clarkston 101 classes will take place on Thursday evenings starting in February and will offer insights into city departments and services.
The classes are free and open to the first 14 people who register. Information: cityofclarkston.com or go to City Hall, 3921 Church St. April Hunt
History Center event spotlights Doraville
The DeKalb History Center will host a lecture on Doraville’s rise from a farming community to an industrial town noon Tuesday.
The lecture will be part of the center’s Lunch and Learn series held at noon at the Old Courthouse on the Square.
Bob Kelley, a local travel writer who recently published the Images of America book, “Doraville” leads the session.
Information: www.dekalbhistory.org.
April Hunt
Retired state employees to meet
The Central Metro Chapter of the Georgia State Retirees Association will meet 2 p.m. Thursday at the Avis G. Williams Library, 1282 McConnell Drive, Decatur.
The local chapter election will be held and information will be provided on the Day at the Capitol.
Information: 404-371-1908.
Kenneth Musisi
SOUTHSIDE
Ga. officials break ground for new college
Southern Crescent Technical College broke ground Thursday on the first building of a proposed eight-building campus in McDonough. School officials said the development has been a major priority for Henry County leaders and has progressed with the help of the local chamber of commerce.
Southern Crescent Technical College, which was established in 2010, is a two-year college with campuses in Thomaston, and Griffin and education centers in Jackson, Monticello and Butler. The school has a student body of over 6,500. AP
Clayton State to hold information session
The Clayton State Department of Teacher Education will be holding an information session 4 - 5 p.m. Jan. 28 in room G127 of the Arts & Sciences buildin. Representatives from the departments of English, mathematics, natural sciences, humanities and teacher education will be there to talk with people interested in teaching grades 6-12 grades in the subjects of biology, English, math and history.
Information: Joy Bryant, joybryant@clayton.edu.
Tammy Joyner
Commission installs new leaders
Henry County commissioners, led by newly installed chairman Tommy Smith, outlined its new organizational structure for several different county boards at its first meeting of the year this week. Commissioner Reid Bowman is the new vice chair. Shay Mathis was re-appointed county clerk.
Appointments also were made to the recreation board, the county water and sewerage authority, zoning advisory board, development authority, library board and the Council on Aging. Tammy Joyner
Business event set in Tri-Cities
The “Better Business Buzz Merchant Mingle” event series will provide an opportunity for downtown businesses in College Park, East Point and Hapeville to network and explore all three participating cities.
The next event is from 5-7 p.m Wednesday at 2783 Main St. at the East Point Corner Tavern in downtown East Point, and will be followed by an event hosted by Hapeville.
Information: Allie O’Brien at 404-669.8269 or aobrien@hapeville.org
John Thompson for the AJC
MLK celebration set in East Point
An ecumenical service is set for Sunday to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday.
The celebration is 3 p.m. Sunday at New Jerusalem Baptist Church, 1385 Gus Thornhill Jr. Dr., East Point.
Information:404-762- 1489.
John Thompson for the AJC
Renters face 48-hour eviction
East Point is cracking down on the Washington Arms Apartments. Inspectors visited the property at 3030 Washington Road and found it lacked adequate heating.
Wednesday the city posted notice to shut off water and gave the owners 48 hours to bring the units up to code. If they fail, tenants will have to vacate, said James Hammond, spokesman for the city.
STEVE VISSER
