County by county news for Friday

Cobb academic test scores increase

The Cobb County Schools District this week released scores for end-of-course tests showing a slight increase from last year although math scores remain low. The overall pass score for ninth grade literature/composition tests was 90.7 percent and 95.7 percent for 11th grade American literature/composition. The pass score for coordinate algebra was 44.2 percent, up 2 percent from last year, and the analytical geometry score, a new test this year, was 53.1 percent. Biology, U.S. history and economics scores ranged from 83.4 percent to 88.4 percent. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Tuskegee Airmen exhibit opens Monday

“The Tuskegee Airmen: The Segregated Skies of World War II” exhibit will be on display Monday through Aug. 29 at the Powder Springs Library, 4181 Atlanta St.

Information: Rhonda Lane, laner@cobbcat.org or 770-439-3600. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Mableton ‘Back 2 School’ event Saturday

Family Life Restoration Center and Maximum Impact Love will sponsor Back 2 School from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the center, 6105 Mableton Parkway, Mableton.

Around 2,000 bookbags are being packed with still-needed school supplies to be given away with free food, snowcones, haircuts and children’s clothing. Information: familyliferestorationcenter.org or 770-944-1066. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Public safety event today

Kingsley Village, Parkview Atlanta and Hunter’s Grove Apartments will celebrate National Night Out from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Parkview Atlanta Apartments, 360 Six Flags Drive, Austell.

There will be a guest speaker from Students Against Destructive Decisions, a live DJ, hot dogs, a bounce house and face painting.

Information: natw.org/about, sadd.org, stinginc.org, parkviewatlanta.com, Monica DeLancy, 770-369-6531 or 770-885-2724.Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

School board moving on stadium renovation

The Marietta Board of Education expects to approve a $10 million project in September to renovate the 70-year-old Marietta High School stadium on Polk Street.

Construction should begin in November with completion for the 2015 season.

Money will come from SPLOST and a school district building fund. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

GWINNETT

Church Street in Lilburn closed 90 days

Church Street in Lilburn will be closed for the next 90 days as the result of the Main Street Realignment Project, which began in February. Motorists are advised to use Lawrenceville Highway (U.S. 29) or Poplar Street to access Main Street. Utilities are being relocated, the roadbed cleared, and detention pond completed. Church Street will be lowered eight feet to improve sight distance and safety. The Main Street Realignment Project is scheduled to be complete by the end of this year. Information: www.cityoflilburn.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Community Council to host networking fair

The Community Council of Gwinnett County will host its eleventh annual networking fair ‘Community Connections’ to address the multi-cultural needs of citizens 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17 at Gwinnett Technical College, 5150 Sugarloaf Parkway in Lawrenceville. Exhibit tables free with CCGC membership. Deadline: Aug. 22. Information: www.networkforgwinnett.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Guest registry for last of Enola Gay crew

A funeral guest book in honor of Theodore VanKirk, the last surviving crew member of the Enola Gay which dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, is in the lobby of Snellville City Hall for visitors to sign. VanKirk, 93, passed away on July 28. Information: www.snellville.org. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Snellville citizens police academy

The 18th session of the Snellville Citizens Police Academy will begin on Sept. 4, with classes held 6 to 8:00 p.m. Thursdays through Nov. 20. The 12 week program will educate the community about how the police department functions and how the community’s involvement can help deter crime. Topics will include domestic violence, drug awareness, traffic stops, firearms training, and crime scene processing. Participants will take a tour of the Gwinnett County Jail and be provided a graduation dinner during the last session. Information: www.snellville.org or Lt. Pendleton at 770-985-3555 or rpendleton@snellville.org.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Free fingerprint and photo for child safety

Operation KidSafe will be take children’s photos and fingerprints using digital video and digital ink-less fingerprinting 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.Aug. 9 or noon to 5 p.m. Aug. 10 at Stone Mountain Volkswagen, 3500 Stone Mountain Highway in Snellville. No database or records of children are maintained. The only record of the visit goes home with the parent for safekeeping. Information: 770-979-2000 or www.kidsafeprints.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Cities plan joint study of corridor

Peachtree Corners and Dunwoody have agreed to perform a joint comprehensive land-use plan along the Winters Chapel corridor. The cities are in agreement the area, near the 85 and 285 interstates, needs redevelopment and beautification. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Friends charged in Johns Creek woman’s death

Cory Ben-Hanania, Alpharetta and two friends have been indicted for murder in a drug-related death of Chelsea Bennett, 20, of Johns Creek.Alpharetta Police said Ben-Hanania is in the Fulton County jail facing charges of felony murder, distribution of heroin and concealing a death. Police found Bennett unconscious in Ben-Hanania’s home on Ridge Oak Place on March 3.

Sebastian Andrade and Kevin McCaffrey, also face charges related to Bennett’s death. The Fulton County medical examiner said Bennett died of a morphine overdose. Steve Visser

Forsyth may schedule transportation vote

The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners is moving toward a possible November bond referendum to fund transportation projects. Commissioners voted Thursday to authorize sending a letter to the Georgia Department of Transportation on one component- a proposed partnership agreement with GDOT on a package of improvements to the county’s state roads. Commissioners also discussed several other potential projects, such as a McGinnis Ferry Road- Ga. 400 interchange. Further commission consideration is set for Aug. 12.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Water event set at nature center

The Chattahoochee Nature Center has set Water Day beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday at the center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell. It’s billed as a learn/play day, and includes a bubble show, a giant sprinkler, and water-inspired crafts. Admission: $10 adults, $6 kids. More information: chattnaturecenter.org

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Assisted living project underway in Forsyth

The Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce says construction is underway on an assisted living and memory care facility in south Forsyth that’s expected to add nearly300 construction and operational jobs. Two Atlanta companies are developing The Arbor Terrace of Johns Creek, set to open in late summer, 2015. It’ll be on Peachtree Parkway near the Laurel Springs Golf and Country Club. Mark Woolsey

Education group plans golf fundraiser

The Cherokee County Educational Foundation is planning its second annual fundraising Golf Classic Sept. 30 at Woodmont Golf and Country Club. The non-profit which supports shool projects is seeking sponsorships, players and items for its silent aucton and raffle. More information/registration :www.cherokeecountyeducationalfoundation.org

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Streetscapes project in motion in Holly Springs

The Holly Springs City Council on Monday night approved condemnation of the last tiny land parcel enabling a $2.5 million streetscapes project to proceed under the city’s Livable Centers Initiative program. The project will provide connected sidewalks from City Hall to the old Holly Springs Elementary School and along Hickory Road past Cherokee Fire Station 8. Also included: lampposts, benches, planters and street trees. The city hopes to bid out the project this fall after getting GDOT approval.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

APD trains police in Central America

Two Atlanta police officers recently traveled to the International Law Enforcement Academy in San Salvador to train criminal justice officials on combating hate crimes.

In the course, officer Antonio Gonzalez and senior patrol officer Brian Sharp focused on hate crimes against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, and citizen engagement.

The International Law Enforcement Academy is a branch of the U.S. Department of State.

Adrianne Murchison for the AJC

Non-proft helps sexual exploitation victims

Non-profit group, BeLoved Atlanta, will sell discounted clothing and items from Anthropologie to raise funds to support female victims of sexual exploitation 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Sunday at Grant Park Farmers Market, corner of Cherokee Avenue and Milledge Avenue.

BeLoved Atlanta provides free housing for women ages 22 and older, and assists in employment and educational programs.

Information: www.belovedatlanta.org

Adrianne Murchison for the AJC

Planning commisioner in Harvard program

Terri Lee, deputy commissioner of the city of Atlanta’s Department of Planning and Community Development, has been named as one of 50 leaders selected for the NeighborWorks Achieving Excellence Program, conducted in collaboration with Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.

The 18-month educational program for senior leaders in organizations helps them to benefit their communities.

The first session at Harvard University will take place in October, with additional sessions planned for February and October 2015, and with a final session and graduation in February 2016. Staff

DEKALB

Complaint targets ethics spending

An ethics complaint against all six DeKalb County commissioners accused them of infringing on the independence of the county Board of Ethics.

The complaint, filed Tuesday by Rhea Johnson, a DeKalb County resident, cited the commission’s vote to reserve $97,000 over the last four months of the year to supplement the Board of Ethics’ funding. Interim DeKalb CEO Lee May had proposed the money for the positions of a chief integrity officer, an investigator and an administrator.

Commissioner Jeff Rader said Wednesday that commissioners asked the Board of Ethics to make a plan for how it would spend the money, which he said preserves the board’s autonomy. Mark Niesse

Grant to pay for Avondale road repair

Funds from a recently-approved Local Maintenance & Improvement Grant will help pay for extensive repairs to Hess Drive in southeast Avondale Estates, one of the city’s most deteriorated roads. The GDOT grant pays $22,815, and with a 30 percent match from the city total funds come to about $30,000. But city manager Clai Brown said that work on the half-mile long Hess, long full of potholes, cracks and erupting tree roots, probably won’t begin until early next year. Bill Banks for the AJC

Ethics board meeting Tuesday

The DeKalb County Board of Ethics will meet 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Manual Maloof Building, 1300 Commerce Drive.

Agenda includes training of new board member Robert Blackman, who replaced Isaac Blythers in June and addressing ethics complaints pending against commissioners.

Information: www.dekalbcountyga.gov.

Adrianne Murchison for the AJC

Clarkston family fitness event canceled

The Family Fitness Olympics event 10 a.m. Saturday at Milam Park has been canceled due to the rain forecast. Zumba, aerobics, cooking demonstrations, etc. were planned by Clarkston First Baptist Church and K.D. Moore Community Development Center. Information: 404-292-5686, ext. 248.Adrianne Murchison for the AJC

Church helps students ready for school

Free school supplies will be handed out at a “Back to School Extravaganza” 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 9 at Rainbow Park Baptist Church, 2941 Columbia Drive.

Manicurists and hair stylists will offer services for $5-$10. Festivities also include food concessions, DJ music and a mime performance. Information: www.rainbowparkbaptist.org.Adrianne Murchison for the AJC

Play on first ladies at Stone Mountain

The critically-acclaimed play “Tea for Three: Lady Bird, Pat and Betty” will run Sept. 25-28 at ART Station Theatre, 5384 Manor Dive, Stone Mountain.

Elaine Bromka, who co-wrote the one-woman show with Eric H. Weinberger, portrays former First Ladies Lady Bird Johnson, Pat Nixon and Betty Ford, each at the end of their time in the White House. The show ran off-Broadway in 2013.

In 2002, Bromka appeared on stage as eight first ladies in “The Presidents.”

Information: www.artstation.org. Adrianne Murchison for the AJC

SOUTHSIDE

Highway traffic signals get new timing

The Georgia Department of Transportation has installed new software to adjust the traffic signals on Ga. Highway 54 West in Peachtree City, heading toward Coweta County. Tweaks and testing will coincide with the start of the school year on Aug. 7, with the aim of improving westbound traffic flow. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Fayette schools resume Aug. 7

Fayette County’s first day back to school will be on a Thursday this year. Students return Aug. 7, with middle school running 8:10 a.m.-3:10 p.m. and high schools starting at 8:35 a.m. and ending at 3:45 p.m. Elementary schedules remain unchanged. Check individual school websites for “meet the teacher” schedules.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

College Park tennis center reopens

The South Fulton Tennis Center is open this weekend following a $350,000 renovation. Fulton County officials will hold a reopening ceremony 10 a.m. today at 5645 Mason Road, College Park.

The facility, which first opened in 1977, has 24 tennis courts for adults and children. South Atlanta Community Tennis Association operates the center.

In addition to the ceremony, the “Hotlanta Summer Sizzler” tennis competition will be held Friday through Sunday. Registration: www.coantennis.com.

Adrianne Murchison for the AJC

Girl Scouts schedule signups

The Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta will be holding several registration sessions in Peachtree City for their 2014-15 scout year. Interested girls and their parents can sign up at 3 p.m. Aug. 17 at The Bridge Community Center; 4:30-8 p.m. Aug. 26 at Bruster’s Ice Cream; and at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 6 at the Peachtree City Library. Details: www.gsgatl.org.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Henry to lower insurance premium

Henry County has received a dividend in the amount of $103,021 from the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia—Interlocal Risk Management Association. The dividend will be used as a credit toward Henry County’s property and liability insurance premium. Information: www.henrycounty-ga.org.

Monroe Roark for the AJC

Henry water quality report released

The Henry County Water Authority has released its 2014 Henry County Water Quality Report, which shows that the organization meets or exceeds state and federal water standards. The report includes lab data collected during the 2013 calendar year, providing consumers with information about the water system and source water, the substances and contaminants for which the HCWA monitors and tests, the water production processes that are overseen and other public information.

Information: www.waterqualityreport.hcwsa.com.

Monroe Roark for the AJC