County by county news for Friday

The City Council on Wednesday approved raising the city utility’s rate by 3 percent with the average home owner paying 42 cents more per month for water and about $8 more for power.

Marietta Power and Water general manager Bob Lewis said increases are due to higher fees from wholesalers and environmental regulations.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Marietta turns down proposed gas station

The Marietta City Council has denied a request from QuickTrip for 10 variances to build a convenience store and gas station on 1.2 acres on Whitlock Avenue at Burnt Hickory Road.

The Wednesday vote was 6-1 with councilman Philip Goldstein abstaining.

A dozen residents spoke against the plan citing the size of the project, traffic and impact on an adjacent shopping center.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Young professionals donate to family center

Jason Sleeman, chairman of the Cobb Young Professionals, presented a donation Thursday to The Center for Family Resources.

The group is associated with the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, and is dedicated to promoting young professionals.

The donation of $300 was raised during the group’s fall golf tournament.

Information: contact Jessica Dudley at 770-859-2359 or jdudley@cobbchamber.org.

Jaime Sarrio

First Baptist hosts weekend events

The church choir and orchestra of the First Baptist Church of Powder Springs will present “The Wonderful Story of Christmas” at 6:15 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the church, 4330 North Ave., Powder Springs.

Also, the church’s Contemporary Arts Ministry will present “Candlelight Christmas in the Springs” at 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

Information: fbcps.org; 770-943-9333. Carolyn Cunningham

Church benefit for food, clothing pantry

Powder Springs First United Methodist Church hosts Cafe Noel with all profits going to Christian Aid Mission Partnership, a food and clothing pantry in Austell.

The Christmas music shows will begin and desserts will be served at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Ford Center, 4181 Atlanta St.

Tickets: $15 in advance; $20 at the door.

Information: powderspringsfumc.org/cafe-noel-2012-paypal or 770-943-5130. Carolyn Cunningham

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 Saturday.

The fee is $5 per workshop, or $12 for all three.

The event will take place at 2050 Kennesaw Due West Road, Kennesaw.

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

GWINNETT

Cops: Man, 19, shot to death over marijuana

A 19-year-old man found dead outside the Reserve at Ivy Creek apartments, near the Mall of Georgia, likely was killed over marijuana, police said Thursday. A resident called police around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday after hearing gunshots. Officers found Trevon Watson shot and on the ground with marijuana near him.

Later, investigators charged 22-year-old Michael Thomas Clark, of Lawrenceville, with murder, aggravated assault, and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. He remained in the Gwinnett County jail Thursday without bond, records show. Alexis Stevens

Gwinnett approves new trail

The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Tuesday approved a new bike and pedestrian trail connection in Lilburn. The new .8-mile trail will link Lions Club Park to the 2-mile Camp Creek Greenway.

The new trail includes a 700-foot boardwalk and a 60-foot-long concrete underpass at Rockbridge Road along Camp Creek. Commissioners awarded a $260,000 contract to low bidder Astra Group Inc. Construction is expected to take about 90 days. David Wickert

Flag purchase supports historical society

The Duluth Historical Society is decorating an “All American” Christmas tree, this year with American Flags.

For a $1 donation, you may purchase a flag and to place on the tree in memory of current or past members of the military.

The museum is currently open for free tours. www.duluthhistorical.org.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Student sculptures to line Heritage Park

Norcross Arts Center has collaborated with students in 2D Art classes at Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology in Lawrenceville to design a series of 12-20 sculptures to be installed soon in Heritage Park, and up the path to the Norcross Arts Center.

The theme, Talk Talk Talk, focuses on communication, sustainability and creativity using salvaged phones from a demolition site in Norcross along with salvaged materials from designers and recycling centers.

For more information, contact Lori Sturgess at lori.sturgess@gmail.com or 678-429-3005.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Gwinnett Fire orders water rescue truck

Gwinnett’s fire service will purchase a new swift water rescue truck to be based at Fire Station 14 in Buford. The truck is designed to transport rescue crews and equipment to emergencies on the Chattahoochee River or Lake Lanier. Funding comes from the 2009 SPLOST sales tax program.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Atlanta Classic Cars conducts toy drive

Atlanta Classic Cars, 1705 Boggs Road, Duluth is seeking to fill two Santa Convertibles with toys for Toys for Tots. Drop off donations during 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday through Dec. 20. Information: Kimberly Emch at kemch@atlantaclassiccars.com.

Kenneth Musisi

NORTHSIDE

Man found dead in vehicle on Ga. 400

Northbound lanes of Ga. 400 were blocked Wednesday night in north Fulton County after a man was found dead inside a vehicle.

Around 6:45 p.m., a Georgia H.E.R.O. operator spotted a stationary vehicle on the right shoulder, underneath the Kimball Bridge Road overpass, according to Alpharetta police.

When checking to see if the motorist needed help, the roadside worker instead found the man dead in the vehicle. Emergency responders believe the man, whose name was not released, had been shot. Alexis Stevens

Care packages sent to troops

The Roswell Rotary Club received an overwhelming response to its call for holiday care package items for soldiers in Afghanistan.

Over three quarters of a ton of items from batteries to Q-tips were dropped off at city hall and other places around town. The club hoped to collect enough items for 81 Air Force personnel. Members of the Roswell Rotary Club, with the help city volunteers, Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts packed the items into 195 boxes to arrive to the troops on Dec. 22. Andria Simmons

Christmas trees sold at Lassiter High

Freshly cut Frasier Fir trees from North Carolina are being sold at the Lassiter High School Marching Band Christmas Tree Lot until Sunday.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday in the Highlands Plaza Strip Mall, Marietta.

Information: Brian Fullerton at bpfullerton@yahoo.com. Kenneth Musisi

Candy Cane Hunt in Roswell

The Roswell Recreation, Parks, Historic and Cultural Affairs Department will host a Candy Cane Hunt 5:30 to 7 p.m. today at East Roswell Recreation Center. Bring a flashlight and hunt for candy canes after a pizza dinner. Tickets: $12; $18.

Information: 770-594-6134 or www.roswellgov.com. Kenneth Musisi

Child advocacy group hosts fundraiser

The Anna Crawford Children’s Center will host the Holiday Lights of Hope 6 to 10 p.m. Friday to Dec. 22 at Hobgood Park, Woodstock.

The walkthrough light display includes picture opportunities with Santa, Christmas Village shopping, and children’s activities.

Admission: $10 adults; children 14 and under free. The Center is a program of the Cherokee Child Advocacy Council catering to abused children and their families. Information: www.cherokeechildadvocates.org or www.holidaylightsofhope.com. Kenneth Musisi

Roswell to study housing needs

Roswell has been chosen to create Georgia Initiative for Community Housing teams to analyze housing needs over three years. The 15-member team of representatives from local government, banks, real estate builders and developers, nonprofit and faith-based organizations and the public housing authority will evaluate demographic changes and develop a housing strategy for presentation to the City Council. Michael Alpert for the AJC

ATLANTA

CAU honors domestic violence survivors

Clark Atlanta University has recognized two women who have battled back against domestic violence. The university named Valerie Williams its “Survivor of the Year,” recently at the Call to True Beauty 2012 Awards, an annual advocacy program aimed at preventing domestic violence.

Sheryl Sellaway, south area executive director of public relations for Verizon Wireless, was named “Advocate of the Year.”

Williams, who had been married for eight years, was shot three times by her husband, losing the use of her right arm. She is now a motivational speaker in Brunswick and the author of several books.

Sellaway is a former board president of the Partnership Against Domestic Violence, one of the largest domestic violence agencies in Georgia. Ernie Suggs

Councilman to donate bicycle safety lights

Michael Julian Bond, chairman of the Atlanta City Council’s public safety and legal administration committee, will donate 200 bicycle safety lights to the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition for distribution to city cyclists. The donation is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Woodruff Park Reading Room in downtown Atlanta.

Bond says the goal is to get safety lights to “utilitarian” cyclists such as students and working people who depend on a bicycle as their primary mode of transport. He pointed out that Georgia law requires a front white light and rear red light or reflector when riding in dark or at dusk. Jeremiah McWilliams

African American Philharmonic performs

The African American Philharmonic Orchestra will perform two concerts 7 p.m. Dec. 22 and 4 p.m. Dec. 23 at the Southwest Arts Center, 915 New Hope Rd., S.W. The concerts, sponsored by Music South Corporation, will be conducted by AAPO founder John T. Peek and feature Christmas classics.

Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Cash payments only on day of show.

Information: 770-994-3408 or www.aapomusic.org. Veronica Fields Johnson

DEKALB

Boy, 5, struck, killed by vehicle

Investigators worked to determine Wednesday which vehicle struck and killed kindergartener student Robert Love, 5, within his DeKalb County apartment complex. Robert was walking with an 8-year-old boy when the younger child was hit at the Kensington Station apartments, according to police.

Witnesses gave conflicting accounts of which vehicle was involved.

The other boy was not injured. It was not known if any criminal charges will be filed.

Alexis Stevens

Plans for Beacon Hill/Trinity High unveiled

Andrew Rutledge of Rutledge Alcock Architects gave a detailed presentation this week on the “adaptive reuse” of Decatur’s Beacon Hill/Trinity High site. The complex will feature a new city schools central office, two stories and 25,000 square feet. It’ll be flanked by a new two-story, 32,000 square-foot police department on the east end, and a new gym on the west.

In between there’ll be a terraced lawn, 100 feet wide, with a transparent movie screen erected on the city schools façade. Construction begins in late February and should be finished by April, 2014. Bill Banks for the AJC

Superintendent likes annexation plan

Decatur schools superintendent Phyllis Edwards said Tuesday she was relived to hear the city’s pared-down plans for annexation. The city now favors annexation of two largely commercial parcels of land as opposed to the original six parcels.

The school system had initially anticipated annexation bringing in 276 new students by August, 2014, but now that figure’s been revised to 42.

Decatur schools are still projecting a 60 percent growth by 2018, from the current 3644 students to 6036. Bill Banks

Annual “Tree of Love” underway

The Tree of Love program creates wish lists for holiday gifts for low-income children as well as those in foster care.

Residents can select names from the tree, to help make sure the children have something to open for the holidays.

The tree is set up at South DeKalb Mall, 2801 Candler Road, near Decatur. All gifts are due back to the mall by Saturday. Information: 404-964-4936. April Hunt

Nature center to offer winter kid camps

The Dunwoody Nature Center will offer camps for kindergarten through fifth-graders Wednesdays through Fridays after Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Early morning drop-offs and late afternoon pick-ups will be available. Information: www.dunwoodynature.org/Camps. Ty Tagami

DeKalb rape crisis center in jeopardy

The DeKalb Rape Crisis Center has stopped accepting new clients because of lack of funds. The facility counseled more than 600 people last year and gave hotline help to more than 1,500 callers.

Center officials said the facility will close its doors by year’s end if it does not receive additional financial support.

Information: 404-377-1429 or www.dekalbrapecrisiscenter.org. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Man gets life in prison for Union City shooting

A jury sentenced Octavious Turner, 22, to life in prison plus five years in the death of 23-year-old Quintavies Johnson, Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard said in a press release Wednesday. Johnson was shot in the back of his head on March 15, 2011, in the parking lot of his girlfriend’s Oakley Road apartment complex in Union City. He had gotten into an argument after asking Turner and other guests who were visiting his girlfriend’s roommate to leave the apartment because they were making too much noise, prosecutors said. Angel K. Brooks

Henry cop arrested for domestic violence

Stephen Andrew Martin, 27, was arrested on Dec. 2 and charged with domestic battery and two counts of cruelty to children, Newton County Sheriff’s officials said.

Authorities said the Henry County police officer assaulted his wife in front of their child.

Martin was released from the Newton County jail on Dec. 3 on $2,400 bond, officials said.

He has been placed on administrative leave while an internal investigation is conducted. Marcus K. Garner

Career academy wants community input

The Fayette College and Career Academy Inc. wants input from local businesses to develop a curriculum. The nonprofit corporation was formed by the Fayette County Development Authority, Chamber of Commerce and other groups to create more educational opportunities for high school students. The survey is at www.surveymonkey.com/s/fayettecountyneedsassessment.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

March of Dimes honors Piedmont Henry nurses

Four nurses at Piedmont Henry Hospital - Helen Bailey, Pat McAfee, Kim Pace, and Raquel Tamez - were selected as finalists for this year’s March of Dimes Nurse of the Year award. They were among more than 750 nurses nominated from across Georgia for the third annual statewide award.

Monroe Roark for the AJC

East Point seeks deputy fire marshals

The East Point Fire Department seeks participants for the community deputy fire marshal program. Volunteers will receive training in areas such as CPR, first aid, family emergency preparedness, blood pressure screening, smoke alarm installation, and community policing.

They will receive special uniforms and badges as well as blood pressure monitoring kits and emergency planning kits.

Volunteer fire marshals will inspect homes and train residents in emergency planning and communicate fire/crime prevention information.

Information: Montecia Paige at 404-559-6414 or mpaige@eastpointcity.org. John Thompson for the AJC

Day camp New Year’s week in Henry

The Henry County Parks and Recreation Department is offering a New Year’s Day camp 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Dec. 31 and Jan. 2-4, for children 6-12. Cost is $100 per child. Camps will be held at Heritage Park in McDonough, J. P. Moseley Recreation Center in Stockbridge and Fairview Recreation Center in Stockbridge. Information: www.hcprd.org. Monroe Roark for the AJC