County by county news for Friday

Cobb is one of only 20 counties this year with a triple-A rating from Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s and Fitch rating agencies, Pehrson said. Janel Davis

Powder Springs puts off decision on chief

A decision on the next Powder Springs police chief has been delayed until 9 a.m. on July 7. The three finalists are Police Chief William Sewell of McMinnville, Tenn.; Cobb Police Maj. Tom Arnold, the city’s interim police chief; and Jeffrey Pearce, assistant special agent in charge of the Atlanta Field Division for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. City Manager Rick Eckert will announce his recommendation to the City Council at that meeting in the Council Chambers, 4488 Pineview Drive at Marietta Street, in the downtown district.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Blood drive at Town Center over Fourth

The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at Town Center at Cobb in Kennesaw on Fourth of July weekend. Donors may visit the mall, 400 Ernest W. Barrett Parkway, Suite 100, Saturday through Monday , from noon until 5 p.m. Visit www.towncenteratcobb.com for more information. Misty Williams

Film crew revisits Civil War crime in Kennesaw

A Travel Channel film crew shot footage at Kennesaw’s Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History recently for an upcoming travelogue about cities and crime.

The museum is home to The General, a locomotive with a storied past that involved a Union raid and train theft under the noses of Confederate forces in Kennesaw.

“Hidden Cities” is expected to air in December, said Kennesaw spokeswoman Pam Davis. She said the film crew told her the show will include segments about the 1999 shooting spree by day trader Mark Barton and about Mexican drug trafficking. Ty Tagami

Marietta road project to resume after Fourth

Marietta plans to finish some of a road project at North Marietta Parkway and Whitlock Avenue before the city’s July 4 activities. The $540,000 intersection improvement includes brick pavers, a raised island for pedestrian safety and buttons visually impaired can push to tell them when to walk. After the holiday, work will continue to improve traffic flow at the busy intersection and clear traffic at a nearby railroad crossing. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Smyrna offers assistance to burglary victims

The Burglary Assistance Team Mobile is launching a specialty service today to aid victims following a burglary or home invasion from 11 a.m.-3.pm on Highlands Parkway in Smyrna. Lunch will be provided. B.A.T. Mobile also aids vandalism and graffiti victims. Information: 404-989-2084 Alaya Boykin

GWINNETT

Duluth council OK’s budget; won’t raise taxes

The Duluth City Council has approved a $15.7 million budget for fiscal year 2012, a decrease of 6.3 percent from the previous year.

Council members on Monday unanimously adopted the spending plan and a 2011 tax millage rate of 5.991 mills, which means that Duluth residents will not see an increase in property taxes.

Despite a 9 percent decrease in property tax revenue, city officials balanced the budget by adding a stormwater utility fee to property tax bills and tweaking health insurance plans for city employees. Joel Anderson

Deputy arrested on suspicion of DUI

A Gwinnett County sheriff’s deputy arrested early Sunday morning on suspicion of driving under the influence had a blood alcohol level nearly twice the legal limit, police said.

Melvin Robinson, 40, allegedly drove his GMC Denali in “a circle” in the middle of I-85 North near Pleasant Hill Road, then proceeded well below the speed limit, “swerving all over the road,” according to the Gwinnett County police report.

Robinson registered a .158 on the breath test, the report said. Christian Boone

County helps families purchase homes

Gwinnett County is helping families buy homes through its Neighborhood Stabilization Program.

The program has helped 136 families buy homes in distressed areas. It is open to buyers who do not currently own a home.

Buyers need a down payment of 1 percent of the purchase price and will get a two-year home warranty, plus $22,500 as a second mortgage at no interest and no payments to make the home more affordable. Income limits range from $57,350 to $108,200, depending on family size.

Information: www.nspgwinnett.com or call 770-822-5424. David Wickert

Thief mugs woman, snatches e-book

Gwinnett County police are investigating theft Tuesday when a man snatched an e-book reader from a 63-year-old woman and shoved her to the ground.

The victim was exiting her car at Arbors at Breckinridge apartment complex in Duluth when the thief pushed her down, grabbed a NOOK Book from her hands and ran away. The victim, who had undergone heart surgery June 7, told police she was dazed but unhurt, according to the police report. Andria Simmons

SWAT teams assists arresting wanted man

Gwinnett County Sheriff’s deputies on Wednesday arrested a man in Buford who was wanted on charges of aggravated battery and probation violation.

The SWAT team responded to the house at 5011 Gold Creek Trail in Buford, where deputies had earlier set up surveillance on Cloyd Lee Murphy. At 11:30 a.m., officers entered the home and arrested Murphy without a fight. He is being held without bond at the Gwinnett jail, where records show he has been incarcerated 10 times before. Murphy also has an outstanding warrant for failure to appear in DeKalb County. Andria Simmons

NORTHSIDE

Forsyth closes in on balancing budget

Forsyth County financial director David Gruen told commissioners this week he has shrunk the $1.3 million gap between expenditures and projected revenue in the proposed 2012 budget down to about $430,000. He did that by asking county departments to cut their expenditures by 1.5 percent. The proposed total budget is $90.2 million. The Sheriff’s office made the biggest cuts, reducing expenditures by $540,000. Gruen said he would have a proposed balanced budget to the commission July 7. Jeffry Scott

Forsyth favors United Community Bank

The Forsyth County commission voted 3-1 at their Tuesday work session to give the county banking business to United Community Bank, a contract that has been controversial. District 5 Commissioner Jim Boff opposed the measure. District 4 Commissioner Patrick Bell recused himself because of a conflict. United Community amended its contract to forgo for the first 12 months thousands of dollars in service charges. The contract must be approved officially. Jeffry Scott

Paving work may impact Ga. 9 traffic

Paving is set to begin Tuesday along Ga. 9 south of Holcomb Bridge Road to Norcross Street in Roswell. Hours of construction will be 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily, and work is expected to be complete by July 12, weather permitting. Motorists may experience some delays. Information: www.roswellgov.com/conezone. Patrick Fox

Alpharetta ceremonies to note promotions

Two recent officer promotions will be celebrated during a special ceremony at 2 p.m. today in the lobby of Alpharetta Department of Public Safety headquarters. Lt. Justin Wilson will be promoted to the rank of captain, and Fire Services Captain Wes McCall will be promoted to fire battallion chief. Amanda Clay will also be appointed as a newly sworn police officer. Patrick Fox

Man found in kiddie pool died of drowning

Results of an autopsy released on Thursday show that the cause of death for a man found dead in a kiddie swimming pool over the weekend in Cherokee County is accidental drowning. Dominic Saverino Pedante, 54, of Woodstock, was found dead Sunday morning in the Eagle Watch subdivision, a short distance away from his parked vehicle. The pool contained only about 6 inches of water. Authorities are still awaiting the results of toxicology testing. Andria Simmons

Alpharetta CVB hosts rides to ASO concerts

The Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Downtown Alpharetta Trade Association will sponsor free rides from select restaurants to all Atlanta Symphony Orchestra concerts at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre this season. The first concert is the All American Celebration at 8 p.m. Monday.

Limos will offer free rides from Smokejack BBQ, Durty Kelly’s Public House, Pure Taqueria or 52 Bistro every 15 minutes beginning one hour before each concert. Information: www.awesomealpharetta.com Patrick Fox

ATLANTA

MARTA signs contracts for Beltline railway

Officials have signed a contract that allows MARTA to operate the Atlanta Beltline light rail system.

A 22-mile loop will wind along abandoned rail lines and through a network of parks, green space and trails to connect 45 urban neighborhoods and the MARTA system.

MARTA, the Atlanta Beltline Authority, the city of Atlanta and the Atlanta Development Authority signed the five-year contract on June 22, just days after another section of Beltline trails and parks opened in the Old Fourth Ward. Rhonda Cook

Staff, volunteers to tour rebuilt KIPPS WAY

KIPP WAYS Academy staff and volunteers will return to campus today to see their school’s makeover since a December 2010 fire severely damaged the building.

The group will tour the rebuilt charter school’s campus with KIPP Metro Atlanta founder David Jernigan.

Staff and volunteers will then get to work setting up classrooms and common areas in preparation for the first day of school on July 8, the beginning of the summer session. D. Aileen Dodd

Seniors collect fans, learn how to stay cool

Atlanta Fire Rescue Department, Mayor’s Office of Constituent Services and SCANA Energy hosted a fan giveaway Thursday at Atlanta City Hall. More than a hundred seniors collected their fans and learned ways to stay cool and healthy this summer.

In its 10th year, the program provides 1,000 fans to to low-income and elderly residents.

In addition to the fan giveaway, three cooling stations will be open 8 a.m. -- 5 p.m. Monday -- Friday throughout the summer:

Dunbar Neighborhood Center, 477 Windsor St., S.W., 404-658-6545;

Georgia Hill Neighborhood Center, 250 Georgia Ave., S.E., 404-658-6395;

J. C. Birdine (open until 6 p.m.), 215 Lakewood Way, S.E., 404-658-7855.

To obtain a fan or find out more about he program, call 404-330-6023. AJC staff

DEKALB

Interim dean on job at Emory law school

Robert Schapiro will become interim dean of the Emory University School of Law today, the school said this week.

Schapiro, who obtained his law degree from Yale University and has been a member of the Emory faculty since 1995, teaches courses in constitutional law, federal courts, civil procedure and legislation. He has been serving as Emory’s associate vice provost for academic affairs. “Robert brings to the role superb academic and legal credentials as well as strong administrative experience,” Emory Provost Earl Lewis said in a statement. Bill Rankin

School board to vote on charter school

Peachtree Hope Charter School, which anticipates 700 students next fall, submitted a new application this week to be approved as a local school.

The application is under review and will be voted on at DeKalb’s July school board meeting, said Walter Woods, district spokesman.

Peachtree Hope had won approval earlier as a charter school, but had to go back through the process after it split with its management company, a national firm that brought experience and a curriculum to the table. Woods said the “significant” change necessitated another application. D. Aileen Dodd

Diverging diamond project moves forward

The anticipated diverging diamond interchange at the I-285-Ashford-Dunwoody interchange is one step closer to reality. The Georgia Department of Transportation recently began advertising Georgia’s first DDI for contractor bids. The bids will be opened on July 22 and contract award announcements are generally two weeks later, said Marlo Clowers, project manager in the GDOT Office of Innovative Program Delivery. The interchange is expected to reduce traffic delays up to a projected 25 percent when it is opened to the public in late summer 2012, according to Yvonne Williams, president and chief executive of the Perimeter Community Improvement District. Michelle E. Shaw

36 new police officers graduate academy today

DeKalb County Police Department will graduate 36 new officers who have just completed 26 weeks of training.

Once they receive their badges at an 11 a.m. ceremony today at the Maloof Auditorium in Decatur, they still will have another nine weeks of field training. Rhonda Cook

Employers needed for July job fair

The Chamblee Business Association is looking for more employers to participate in its July job fair. The group and the Interactive College of Technology hope to get 30 employers from the north DeKalb County area to participate, with up to 500 job seekers expected.

The fair will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. July 21 at the college, 5303 New Peachtree Road in Chamblee. Cost is $100 for businesses to register. Information: 770-452-9532. April Hunt

Doraville trash pickup shifts for holiday

Trash pick up by Advanced Disposal Services, in Doraville, will move back one day the week of July 4. Pick-ups that week will begin on Tuesday and end Saturday. Normal service will resume the week of July 11. Michelle E. Shaw

SOUTHSIDE

East Point mayor set to veto 2012 budget

East Point’s $114 million budget for 2012 is set to be vetoed Tuesday at the City Council meeting.

Mayor Earnestine Pittman said she submitted a veto to the city clerk this week.

“That budget is just ridiculous. It needs to be looked at again for spending cuts,” she said.

The budget came under fire at public hearings because it increased utility rates. John Thompson for the AJC

Peachtree City adjusts schedules for holiday

Peachtree City’s administrative offices will be closed July 4, as will the library, the Kedron Fieldhouse and The Gathering Place senior center. Monday’s Water and Sewerage Authority meeting has been canceled.

The Kedron Aquatic Center pool will be open 1-6 p.m. on July 4 and the Glenloch Recreation Center pool will operate from 1-7 p.m.

The Peachtree City Recycling Center will have normal hours on Saturday , 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Henry parks division wins award

The Henry County Parks and Recreation’s Therapeutic Division received two awards from the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association, a non-profit organization that seeks to support and promote parks and recreation in the state of Georgia. The department received an Innovative Program Award for hosting Henry County’s first “Special Needs Kayak and Fishing Day,” and Reggie Ammons was selected as the GRPA Therapeutic Section Distinguished Professional. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Verdict in mayor’s case expect in August

East Point Mayor Earnestine Pittman said this week she expects a verdict in August for her case of violating the city’s handbill ordinance. Pittman was charged with the violation after she distributed her newsletter on the city’s streets earlier this year. John Thompson for the AJC

Clayton to celebrate accreditation return

Clayton County is throwing a party to celebrate the school district’s return to full accreditation. The 3-7 p.m. event will be July 30 at The Gerald Matthews Soccer Complex in Lovejoy. Talents and accomplishments of students and staff will be highlighted along with an assortment of games, activities and food. Donations are being sought and will be used to make the event free. Details: Rhonda Burnough, school community relations liaison, 770 473-2760 or rburnough@clayton.k12.ga.us. Tammy Joyner

Blood drive at Henry County libraries

The American Red Cross is sponsoring three blood drives at Henry County libraries in the next month: Fortson Library in Hampton (noon-5 p.m. July 5); the main library in McDonough (1-6 p.m. July 11); and Cochran Library in Stockbridge ( 2-7 p.m. July 25). Each donor receives a free T-shirt and movie ticket, plus a chance to win $3,000. Go to www.redcrossblood.org to make an appointment. Monroe Roark for the AJC