County by county news for Friday

Jaraysi also sued Marietta attorney Chuck Clay. Jaraysi first sued the city after Marietta stopped construction in 2005 on a reception hall he was building on South Marietta Parkway.

Cobb County Superior Court, the Georgia Court of Appeals and the Georgia Supreme Court have dismissed the lawsuit.

The building was razed last year. Tucker McQuenn for the AJC

Tree keepers start planting season

Marietta Tree Keepers needs volunteers to plant trees in public areas. A group will do maintenance work from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday at Hill Pocket Park, 144 Lemon St.

The tree preservation group will work again Nov. 10 at the Marietta fire station, 149 Dodd St.

Information:www.mariettaga.gov/committees/treekeepers

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Nurse who sold fatal drug to teen sentenced

New York registered nurse Matthew Schroeder was sentenced to prison Wednesday in federal court in Atlanta for selling an Acworth teen a drug that contributed to his 2010 death The 18-year-old, who was not identified in court, bought the drug phenazepam on eBay from Schroeder of North Tonawanda, N.Y., prosecutors said.

On Aug. 24 of that year, the teenager, two of his friends and an adult, Kerrie Sue Chatham, 44, were partying at Chatham’s Acworth home.

The 18-year-old mixed powdery phenazepam with alcohol and injected the mixture. The teen was also taking oxycodone pills that Chatham had provided, prosecutors said.

Schroeder, who admitted selling phenazepam to the 18-year-old and other, was sentenced Wednesday to three years in prison and three years’ supervised release.

Chatham earlier was sentenced to three years in prison for supplying the teen with oxycodone. Christopher Seward

Man charged in metal box thefts

Elbert Charles Adams, 41, was held Wednesday evening on $250,000 bond in the Cobb County Adult Detention Center, charged with 67 felony counts of theft by conversion and 30 misdemeanor counts of theft by deception, according to police.

Adams had sold over 100 metal box containers, valued at $325,000 total, typically used for construction debris to Blaze Recycling in Marietta over an 18-month period.

Police are seekkng victims. Anyone with information shouild contact Detective R. Henson at 770-794-5345 or the Marietta police tip line at 770-794-6990. David Ibata

Good Samaritan golf tourney set

Good Samaritan Health Center will hold its annual Charity Golf Tournament on Monday, Oct. 15. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Marietta County Club, 1400 Marietta Country Club Drive, Kennesaw.

The center provides healthcare to uninsured and working poor in Cobb County.

Information and to register: http://www.goodsamcobb.org.

Sandra Marshall Murray

GWINNETT

Lilburn land deals aim to redevelop city center

The Lilburn City Council Monday approved two actions to help redevelop the city’s center. The council approved a plan to transfer 38 acres of Gwinnett Water and Sewer District Authority property to the Lilburn Downtown Development Authority. The property near the intersection of U.S. 29 and Indian Trail Road is the site of the proposed Big League Dreams athletic complex.

Also Monday the council agreed to obtain the final piece of property needed for the $2 million realignment of Main Street at Lawrenceville Highway. Construction is expected to begin early next year. David Wickert

Grayson offering flu shots for canned goods

Grayson is partnering with Dr. Sangita Sharma of Grayson Primary Care to offer a Flu Shot Clinic 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Grayson Senior Center, 475 Grayson Parkway.

The cost is 5 canned/non-perishable food items per person to benefit the Southeast Gwinnett Co-Op or $5.Information: 770-963-8017. Karen Huppertz for the Dacula seeking input on sanitation billing

Dacula’s City Council is considering the pros and cons of moving annual billing for sanitation to resident’s Gwinnett County property tax bills.

Residents may comment by email to mayordacula@att.net or call the City Hall at 770-963-7451.

In addition, Dacula will hold two public town hall meetings at 6 p.m. Oct. 25 and Nov. 1. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Suwanee accepting applications for events

Each year Suwanee hosts approximately 40 events in the Town Center and other parks.

Event applications for 2013 are only accepted October to December.

Applications must be submitted by Dec. 7

Information:www.suwanee.com Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Water conservation workshop set

The Homeowner H2O Water Conservation Workshop will be 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Centerville Community Center, 3025 Bethany Church Road, Snellville.

Residents who attend will receive indoor and outdoor water efficiency kits and a do-it-yourself home water audit guide, and learn how to save water.

To register, send an e-mail with your name, address and phone number to dwrconserve@gwinnettcounty.com or call 678-376-6722. Kenneth Musisi

Tech gets $2 million for health programs

The Scott Hudgens Family Foundation has pledged up to $2 million to Gwinnett Technical College to support education and training for health care professionals.

The foundation has given $1 million to establish a life and health sciences endowment fund and has pledged a second gift of $1 million as a challenge match to encourage other donors to establish endowments.

Gwinnett Tech offers more than a dozen degree, diploma and certificate programs in health care, life sciences and emergency services.

Information: www.gwinnetttech.edu or 770-962-7580. David Wickert

NORTHSIDE

Haynes Bridge Road closed for construction

Road crews closed the section of Haynes Bridge Road between Old Milton Parkway and Academy Street in downtown Alpharetta Thursday to complete realignment on the street.

The work is part of the city’s $30 million downtown redevelopment project.

The section will be closed through the end of the year.

Motorists who use Haynes Bridge to get to Ga. 9 should use Old Milton Parkway.

Patrick Fox

Canton to begin grease recycling

The city of Canton looks to start a residential grease recycling program as early as late October or at least by early November.

Residents will funnel cooking grease into containers and take it to one of two city drop-off points for conversion into biodiesel.

City officials say the program will result in less damage to sewer lines, saving the city as much as $50,000 a year.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Budget hearings in Sandy Springs, Roswell

The Fulton County Commission is holding public hearings for feedback on the 2013 budgets for the countywide general fund and the south Fulton special services district.

Commissioners are mulling possible service cuts, as the last budget presentation projected a $16.4 million shortfall.

Hearings will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Dorothy C. Benson Senior Multipurpose Complex, 6500 Vernon Woods Dr., Sandy Springs; and 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Johns Creek Environmental Campus, 8100 Holcomb Bridge Road, Roswell. Johnny Edwards

Fire department teaches CPR to teens

The Johns Creek Fire Department will hold a “CPR for Teens” class, part of the American Heart Association’s Heart Ready program.

The class, for ages 12-18, is at 2 p.m. Saturday at the at the Northeast/Spruill Oaks Library, 9560 Spruill Road, Johns Creek. Information: 770-360-8820. Johnny Edwards

Handel to sign books in Roswell

Roswell resident and former Secretary of State Karen Handel will speak and sign copies of her new book, “Planned Bullyhood,” at a North Fulton and Friends Tea Party meeting 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Holiday Inn at 909 Holcomb Bridge Road, Roswell.

The book describes the conflict between Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Planned Parenthood which led to her resignation as Komen’s vice president of public policy.

Admission is free, books cost $25. Johnny Edwards

Students at River Eves focus on anti-bullying

Students at Fulton County’s River Eves Elementary School wore orange, the official color of bullying prevention on Wednesday. Classes discussed the role that individuals can play in stopping bullying.

The National Bullying Prevention Center reports that more than 160,000 students stay home from school each day in the United States from fear of being bullied.

Nancy Badertscher

ATLANTA

Man arrested in national sex sting

An Atlanta man has been arrested by federal authorities in Detroit after he allegedly flew to Michigan to have sex with a 14-year-old boy.

David Crossman, 66, was arrested Thursday following a sting operation conducted by U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.

If convicted, Crossman faces a sentence of life in prison for a charge of online enticement, while travel in interstate commerce for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct is punishable by up to 30 years in prison.

The investigation was part of “Operation Predator,” a nationwide Homeland Security initiative to protect children from sexual predators, including those who travel overseas for sex with minors, internet child pornographers and child sex traffickers. Mike Morris

Atlanta Kroger store reopens after fire

A northeast Atlanta grocery store reopened late Thursday morning, about 12 hours after a late-night fire in a storage area.

Customers and employees were evaucated after the fire broke out around 11 p.m. Wednesday at the 24-hour Kroger store on Caroline Street at Moreland Avenue.

A company official said the fire was apparently caused by an electrical malfunction.

Mike Morris

Atlanta appoints two new principals

Atlanta Public Schools named two new high school principals. Stephanie Johnson was named for Jackson High. She comes from Jonesboro High in Clayton. Howard Taylor was named for North Atlanta High. He comes from Lilburn Middle in Gwinnett. Jaime Sarrio

APS conducting communication survey

Atlanta Public Schools is asking parents to complete a survey to help inform the district’s communication strategies.

The seven-question survey is available on each school’s website. Printed copies are available at all schools.

The survey will close Oct. 31. Jaime Sarrio

DEKALB

Arrest made in Tech dorm robbery

DeKalb County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Terrance “Boo Boo” Watley, 21, Wednesday on an arrest warrant charging him with armed robbery and burglary.

Watley and his alleged accomplice, Steven Lorenzo “Turk” Terry, are believed to have followed Georgia Tech students through open electronic gates into the North Avenue Apartments on Centennial Olympic Park Drive and robbed them of electronics and cash on July 1.

Terry was arrested July 4 for another incident and tied to the Tech robbery. On Aug. 30, a Fulton County grand jury indicted Terry on charges of armed robbery, burglary and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He is being held without bond in Fulton County jail. David Ibata

Camps adapt to public school calendar

Child care providers say they’ll adapt to the “balanced” attendance calendar the DeKalb County school system adopted for next year.

The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta will offer after-school programs during the new breaks in October and February that were approved by the school board Monday. The center has programs for elementary and middle school students from 2:45 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.

In Decatur, Camp Scene, a nature and science program run by a former science teacher, is considering the calendar change, too. Ty Tagami

Domestic violence awareness symposium

DeKalb Solicitor General Sherry Boston will host a domestic violence awareness symposium and resource fair from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.today at the Manuel Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Dr., Decatur.

The event will provide information on how law enforcement and social service agencies can work together to respond to domestic violence. The Beverly Cunningham Outreach Program will answer questions and offer materials.

Breakfast will be served at the free event. Kenneth Musisi

AIDS exhibit makes stop at Decatur church

First Baptist Church of Decatur is hosting the World Vision Experience: AIDS exhibit through Oct. 14 at 308 Clairemont Avenue, Decatur.

This free interactive exhibit combines stirring audio and captivating photography, transporting viewers to the heart of Africa. Viewers will see, hear and experience the life of a child impacted by AIDS.

Allow 20-30 minutes for each Experience tour. Parental discretion is advised. Information and ticket reservations: www.worldvisionexperience.org.

Kenneth Musisi

Go For Gaucher 5K Walk/Run Sunday

The National Gaucher Foundation will hold its “Go For Gaucher” 5K Walk/Run 9 a.m. Sunday with registration 8 a.m. at Mason Mill Park, 1340 McConnell Dr., Decatur.

NGF provides financial, support, education and outreach programs for those with Gaucher disease. All ages are invited to participate and enjoy a fun filled day for the whole family with music, activities, giveaways and prizes.

Information and to register: www.gaucherdisease.org , 770-934-2910 or 800-504-3189.

Sandra Marshall Murray

SOUTHSIDE

Jonesboro official faces DUI charge after wreck

Jonesboro City Councilman Joe Compton was booked into Clayton County jail Wednesday night after he allegedly drove drunk and crashed his pickup truck into a mailbox.Compton was arrested after the incident, in which a brick mailbox was knocked off its base a few doors away from his home on Arnold Place, and his truck sustained a banged-up fender and a flat tire.

Compton was booked into the Clayton County Jail at 3 a.m. Thursday, charged with DUI, leaving the scene of an accident and making an improper lane change, jail records show. David Ibata

Clayton namesTeacher of the Year finalists

Six teachers are finalists for the Clayton’s Teacher of the Year. Chosen from nearly 30 applicants, they are: Swint Elementary kindergarten teacher Cynthia Hathaway; Riverdale Middle math teacher Regina Evans; Sequoyah Middle science teacher Sharon Callier; Mundy’s Mill Middle language arts teacher Pamela Smith; Mount Zion High advanced placement literature teacher Shekema Silveri and Tracy Larson, a media specialist at Arnold Elementary. The winner will be named Jan. 17. Tammy Joyner

College Park hosts cancer screenings

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Fulton County’s Women’s Health Division has a breast and cervical cancer prevention program at six health centers. A south Fulton location is at the Willie J. Freeman College Park Regional Health Center, 1920 John E. Wesley Ave., College Park.

Information: 404-612-1640. Johnny Edwards

Fayetteville concert to benefit South Sudan

Fayette students helped organize the “Any1Can: We Want Peace Concert and Art Show” to benefit schools in South Sudan.

The show starts at 6 p.m. Oct. 16 at the Southern Ground Amphitheater in Fayetteville. Guest artist Emmanuel Jal will perform with bands and choruses from Fayette middle and high schools.

Tickets at http://motheringacrosscontinents.tix.com. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Little league coaches needed for spring

College Park is seeking coaches for the 2013 baseball season. Qualifications: Must be able to work well with children, ages 3 to 14, to teach them the game of baseball. Able to commit time to the children in the program, for practices and games.

Must be able to successfully pass a criminal background check.

Coaches’ meetings start in late January or early February. The league starts April 2013.

Information: Bryant J. Anderson at (404) 669-3773 ext. 6203 or banderson@collegeparkga.com. Staff reports

New center helps unemployed in Fulton

Fulton County residents looking for work can get help at the Adamsville Workforce Development Resource Center, 3700 Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr., Atlanta. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

Get help to sharpen interview skills, fill out online applications, update resumes and upgrade job skills. Information: 404-613-6381. Johnny Edwards