Marietta school receives unique certification
The Georgia Department of Education has given the Marietta Center for Advanced Academics its first science, technology, engineering and mathematics certification.
Schools must meet rigorous criteria to be certified as a STEM school. Department officials visit schools that apply for STEM certification to see if teachers collaborate and to learn if the school has a partnership with local business and industry members. High levels of math and science must be offered for a school to receive STEM certification. Students at the Marietta Center for Advanced Academics receive science instruction every day. Wayne Washington
Commission to discuss citizens panel report
Cobb County Commissioners and department leaders will discuss the findings of a citizens oversight committee report on the county’s spending and organization during a retreat Monday in Marietta.
The oversight committee’s final report, released last month, included recommendations for cutting the county’s budget, eliminating redundancies and prioritizing the county’s services. The recommendations included closing four county library branches and considering an employee clinic.
The meeting begins at 10 a.m. in the county government building, 100 Cherokee Street in Marietta. Janel Davis
Shredding offered in 3 places Saturday
Keep Cobb, Smyrna and Marietta Beautiful branches are partnering Saturday to offer free document shredding at three locations in Cobb County.
Residents can bring up to 100 pounds of paper products to be shredded. Plastics, CDs, electronics, cardboard and binders with metal rings will not be accepted.
The free shredding runs from 9 a.m. to noon at Piedmont Church in Marietta, Wolfe Adult Recreation Center in Smyrna and Marietta city limits, 591 N. Marietta Pkwy. in Marietta.
Information: www.kcb.cobbcountyga.gov Janel Davis
Volunteers needed for Kennesaw park cleanup
The Friends of Price Park will host a volunteer work day Saturday at Leone Hall Price Park in Kennesaw.
Volunteers are needed to help get the park ready for the new season. All volunteers will be entered into a raffle to win a prize. Helpers should dress in long sleeves and pants, bring clearly labeled hand and gardening tools and arrive by 8:30 a.m.
The cleanup runs through 11:30 a.m. at the park, 4715 Stilesboro Road in Kennesaw.
RSVP to: friendsofpricepark@gmail.com is appreciated, but not requested. Janel Davis
Culinary arts students to compete at KSU
Culinary arts and hospitality education students from 15 high schools around the state will compete Friday in the annual Hospitality Education Foundation of Georgia competition.
Teams of five students work for up to a year to compete in the high speed Top Chef Challenge, and every student competition will receive a scholarship to college. The winners will represent Georgia at the National Restaurant Association’s national competition in April. The competition runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Kennesaw State University.
Information: www.hefg.org Janel Davis
GWINNETT
Fire destroys vacant apartment building
Gwinnett County firefighters are still trying to determine the source of a blaze that destroyed a vacant apartment building early Thursday morning at Highpoint Village Apartments in the 1400 block of Chase Lane in Norcross.
The fire was in the same building where a previous fire in late 2011 caused heavy damage, and a security fence was around the building. Thursday’s fire destroyed the building and scorched the surrounding trees and grass. Two nearby apartment buildings were evacuated as a precaution, but were not damaged by the fire. No injuries were reported. Andria Simmons
Animal task force to hold public hearing
The Gwinnett County Animal Task Force will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the community room at the Rhodes Jordan Park Community Recreation Center, 100 E. Crogan St., Lawrenceville.
The task force is seeking public feedback on ways to increase adoptions, improve animal welfare and protect human safety. For information, visit www.gwinnettcounty.com. David Wickert
Leadership program accepting applications
Gwinnett Senior Leadership is accepting applications for its 2012-13 leadership class until July 1. The program is open to people age 55 and older who live or work in Gwinnett County. Each class is limited to 30 people. To request an application e-mail Lorri Christopher at lchristopher@gwinnetttech.edu or call 678-226-6316. David Wickert
Lionheart Theater season in full swing
The nine-show engagement of “Enchanted April” begins Friday at downtown Norcross’ Lionheart Theater.
The play will show today, Saturday and Sunday, then on March 30 and 31 and April 1, 6, 7 and 8. Lionheart is in the more than 100-year-old church at 10 College Street in historic Norcross in the city’s Cultural Arts and Community Center. For tickets, call the box office at 678-938-8518. Michael Alpert for the AJC
Norcross ready for neighborhood cleanup
Norcross residents and visitors are invited to dump, donate and unload unwanted materials on April 7 as part of the Neighborhood Clean-up & Recycling Day. Items can be dropped off a number of locations, with volunteers on hand to help unload the donations. The day will start at 8 a.m. at the Public Works Barn at 345 Lively. Check with www.norcrossga.net, probertson@norcrossga.net, or 770-448-7237 for more information about times and locations. Joel Anderson
Shredding event a Coolray Field April 14
A Norcross-based company has announced a free shredding event at Coolray Field to celebrate Earth Day.
Recall, which has partnered with Gwinnett County and the Atlanta Braves, will host the event from noon to 2 p.m. April 14.Residents and small businesses in Gwinnett, DeKalb and Fulton counties are encouraged to bring sensitive documents for secure shredding. Information: www.recall.com. Joel Anderson
NORTHSIDE
Wife of Cherokee officials dies after Feb. 10 wreck
The wife of Cherokee County’s emergency management director, seriously injured when her vehicle was struck head-on by a minivan last month, has died. Donna Marie Westbrook, 49, suffered multiple leg fractures in the Feb. 10 wreck on Ga. 108 that killed the driver of the minivan. She was recovering at home, but Monday night, she went to the Northside Hospital Cherokee emergency room, where doctors discovered a blood clot. She died Tuesday. Westbrook’s husband, Robby, is director of the Cherokee County Office of Emergency Management. Mike Morris
Expo to showcases students’ talent
Fulton County Schools will sponsor a free expo showcasing the talents of students who participate in the performing arts.
The Fulton Arts & Music Expo will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Riverwood International Charter School in Sandy Springs. Information: www.fultonschools.org D. Aileen Dodd
Campground to open in Cumming
Campers can soon set up their campsites in Forsyth County when Shady Grove Campground opens on Monday.
The 109-acre campground has more than 110 campsites and features a beach, boat ramp, group campsites, playground, and tent camping areas. Shady Grove Campground is at 7800 Shadburn Ferry Road in Cumming on the shores of Lake Lanier. Information: www.forsythco.com. Patrick Fox
River Ridge school counselor honored
The counselor at River Ridge High School in the Cherokee County School District has been named the 2012 Cherokee County Counselor of the Year.
Jeff Bennett was honored at a ceremony this week for his work on a number of projects, such as starting a schoolwide program aimed at building student character and preventing bullying.
Bennett will now compete for the Georgia Counselor of the Year title. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Woodstock gets excess military equipment
The City of Woodstock recently took possession of a half-dozen pieces of specialized heavy equipment that will aid city officials in disaster recovery, rescue and maintenance operations.
The two Humvees, a tractor-trailer unit and specialized dump truck, wrecker and bulldozer equipment were made available for free under a U.S. military program that gives non-needed gear to state and local governments. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Alpharetta Easter egg hunt on Sunday
The Alpharetta Parks Department and Golden Age Club is sponsoring their annual Easter Egg Hunt Sunday for children age 10 and under.
The hunt starts at 3 p.m. at North Park softball fields 1-4, 13450 Cogburn Road.
The public is invited to participate in pre-hunt activities including face-painting, inflatables and the Public Safety Department’s “firehouse.” Ice cream and food vendors will be on-site from 2 to 4 p.m.
Information: 678-297-6140 or ctiveadults@alpharetta.ga.us. Patrick Fox
ATLANTA
Inmate guilty of killing cellmate
A federal jury Thursday found an inmate guilty of murdering his cellmate in the U.S. Penitentiary in Atlanta, allowing the capital case to proceed to the sentencing phase.
Brian Richardson, incarcerated for armed bank robberies, stabbed and strangled Steven Obara inside their cell because Obara was a pedophile. Obara was serving time for child porn and child molestation. Since 1997, federal juries in Atlanta have imposed two death sentences --against an inmate who killed a prison guard and a North Georgia man who raped and killed a nurse practitioner. Bill Rankin
Public gets a chance to weigh in on budget
Atlanta residents will have a chance to weigh in on their level of satisfaction with selected city services on Saturday during a meeting at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center, 395 Piedmont Avenue, N.E. The meeting will run from 1-4 p.m. inside the Piedmont Room. Selected department heads will present overviews of their budgets and the services provided to residents. Jeremiah McWilliams
Citizens police academy takes recruits
The Atlanta Police Department is recruiting for its April 18 citizens police academy, which will teach residents about APD and collect feedback about public perception of the agency. Classroom training will cover crime scene procedures and an overview of the department. Contact Sgt. C. Hannula at 404-546-7511 or channula@atlantaga.gov or Lt. J. Durant at 404-209-5250 or jdurant@atlantaga.gov by April 7. Rhonda Cook
Cyber academy opens enrollment
The Georgia Cyber Academy is holding open enrollment for the 2012-13 school year.
GCA, a public, K-12 school that offers online courses, plans to host a series of free events in communities across the state so parents and students can learn more about the school. Information: www.k12.com/gca. Wayne Washington
DEKALB
Pedestrian hurt colliding with SUV
A pedestrian was injured Thursday morning in a collision with a Ford sport utility vehicle being driven by a DeKalb County sheriff’s deputy.
DeKalb sheriff’s Sgt. Adrion Bell said the deputy, whose name has not been released, was on his way to work when the accident happened about 9 a.m. in the 3700 block of Rockbridge Road.
“As he rounded the corner on Rockbridge Road, a gentleman ran down the driveway and actually impacted the side of our deputy’s vehicle,” Bell said.
The man, Tracy McSherdon, 47, was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital in stable condition.
The incident is being investigated by DeKalb police and by the sheriff’s Office of Professional Standards. Mike Morris
Decatur pre-k school returns to 190 days
Decatur’s school board reinstated the College Heights Early Childhood Learning Center to 190 days for the 2012-13 school year. Further, the staff of nine teachers and nine paraprofessionals will return to their full K-12 salary scale.
The CHECLC has been operating on 169 days and a pre-k salary scale this year, when Gov. Nathan Deal reduced funding in the Bright from the Start program, a major funding source for the CHECLC.
Superintendent Phyllis Edwards said restoring the full year and salary scale will add at least $36, 000 to the school system’s budget. Bill Banks for the AJC
Hospital gets grant for cancer screening
A $35,000 grant awarded to DeKalb Medical will help fund breast cancer screening and diagnosis in metro Atlanta.
The grant is one of 23 awarded across the state by It’s The Journey, a nonprofit that organizes the Atlanta 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer.
The 30-mile walk has generated more than $8 million over the years to assist Georgia breast cancer organizations in awareness, education, diagnosis and treatment efforts.
The 10th anniversary of the walk will take this place Oct. 6-7 this year. Visit www.2DayWalk.org to register. Misty Williams
History center event tonight
The DeKalb History Center’s holding its annual silent auction and meeting today, 6 to 8:30 p.m., at the Historic DeKalb Courthouse, 101 E. Court Square in Decatur.
Guests are invited to enjoy an evening of wine, beer, hors d’oeuvres and music while bidding on a number of prize packages. This fundraiser is free and open to the public, but the History Center is a local non-profit and donations are expected. Bill Banks for the AJC
Church gears up for fair trade sale
The Spring Fair Trade Sale is set for today from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the library at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School in Atlanta.
Choose from a selection of items from developing regions all over the globe, including gifts, jewelry, scarves and other handcrafted items, as well as fair trade coffee, tea and chocolate. For 12 years, the school’s students, alumni, teachers and parents have volunteered their time to sponsor these sales. More info: cgraciaa@ihmschool.org , 404-636-4488, ext. 237. The school is at 2855 Briarcliff Road. Nancy Badertscher
SOUTHSIDE
County won’t be able to shift fiscal year soon
The Legislature will not take up Fulton County’s request to change its fiscal year during this session, the county’s lobbyist reported. In an effort to reduce guesswork and save taxpayers money, the board asked the state to repeal a law requiring the fiscal year run from January to December. The county sets its budget in January, but property taxes usually aren’t due until the fall. Starting the year in October, as Commissioner Robb Pitts suggested, would end the short-term loans to bridge cash flow gaps, which cost taxpayers interest money. Johnny Edwards
Commission asks police to go easy on arrests
The Fulton commission is asking the county’s police department, which covers unincorporated south Fulton, to write citations for minor crimes instead of locking people up, when practical. The board approved a resolution as part of an effort to lower the jail population and help get the county out from under a federal consent order. Earlier , Assistant Police Chief Gary Stiles told the board that the department already does that. Commissioner Bill Edwards opposed the resolution, saying it sends a message that criminals won’t be locked up. Johnny Edwards
Habitat fundraising dinner Saturday
A fundraising dinner for the Henry County Fuller Center for Housing will be 5-7 p.m. Saturday at Wesley Way United Methodist Church, 150 John Wesley Way, McDonough. Habitat for Humanity and Fuller Center for Housing co-founder Linda Fuller will appear at the fundraiser. Henry County will host the Millard Fuller Legacy Build to improve housing conditions in the county during Sept. 9-14. Kenneth Musisi
Fayette asks input on installing artificial turf
To turf or not to turf, that is the question being posed to Fayette County residents by the Board of Education. The board has posted online a copy of a March 5 proposal regarding replacement of sod football fields with artificial turf at all five county high schools, and a short survey about the subject. The survey will remain online at www.fcboe.org through today. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Peachtree City to examine sewer system
There will soon be robots snaking through the Peachtree City sewer system, but it’s not science fiction. The city’s Water and Sewerage Authority has contracted with RedZone Robotics to do a comprehensive inspection starting in April to determine upgrade needs.
The unmanned robots and their crews will work daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for about 15 months. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Teachers compete in Fayette spelling bee
It was the teachers’ turn to squirm when the Fayette County Education Foundation held its first annual Adult Spelling Bee at Sandy Creek High School last week. Teachers and staff from eight Fayette elementary schools competed to win cash awards for school programs. Oak Grove’s team won first place and $500, followed by Burch Elementary in second place and Braelinn Elementary in third.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
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