County by county news for Friday

Villavicencio, 67, was driving a white 2001 Hyundai Elantra westbound on the East-West Connector when he drove off the road and into the grass shoulder, hitting some trees just past the Fontaine Road intersection, Cobb police said.

He was transported to WellStar Cobb Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The Cobb County Medical Examiner’s Office is expected to conduct an autopsy, police said. Angel K. Brooks

African-American heritage event planned

Cobb Landmarks and Historical Society is hosting an African-American heritage event 5 p.m. Feb. 23 at Acworth’s Gallery 4463 on Cherokee St. in Historic Acworth. The event featuring a soul food dinner, gospel music and special art exhibit will continue on to Bethel AME Church and end at Rosenwald School. Information: Abbie Parks, 770-975-1930, abbie.parks@gmail.com or Lee Waller, 770-235-5549, lwa121695@aol.com Meghan de St. Aubin

Extension Office offers vegetable garden class

This Cobb County Extension Office offers “Seed Starting for the Vegetable Garden” 6:30-8 p.m. on Tuesday at the Extension Office, 678 South Cobb Drive, Marietta.

Cost: $5

Information: 770-528-4070 or uge1067@uga.edu. Meghan de St. Aubin

Kennesaw Mountain HS to host job fair

Kennesaw Mountain High School’s PTSA will host a job fair 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Feb. 22. The organization is asking local businesses to reserve a presentation spot by visiting www.tinyurl.com/kmhsjobfair.

Daarel Burnette II

Commissioner Ott sets town hall meeting

District 2 Commissioner Bob Ott, who represents East Cobb, will hold a town hall with school board member Scott Sweeney, 7 p.m. Tuesday at Sope Creek Elementary, 3320 Paper Mill Road, Marietta.

The meeting will discuss Paper Mill Road and a bridge project. Other commissioners also are holding town halls this month. Dates and locations: www.cobbcountyga.gov. Jaime Sarrio

Smyrna groups plan Arbor Day Festival

Smyrna’s first Arbor Day Festival will be 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Smyrna Community Center.

Keep Smyrna Beautiful and the Smyrna Tree Board will host the free, family event that will include children’s activities, pruning demonstrations and tours of the city’s arboretum.

Urban Forester Joe Burgess will talk about tree selection.

Registration is required at 770-431-2863. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Marietta sets dates to qualify for offices

Marietta has set Aug. 26 to Aug. 28 as dates to qualify for mayor and seven city council posts.

Candidates may file from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the city clerk’s office, 205 Lawrence St. Fees are $540 for mayor and $390 for council. Information; www.mariettaga.gov.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

GWINNETT

Officer still hospitalized after hit by vehicle

A Gwinnett County school police resource officer Rolando Jimenez, 47, remained hospitalized Thursday after being struck by a car while directing traffic at Lanier High School about 6:45 a.m. Wednesday. Police said charges are pending against the driver of the vehicle that struck Jimenez, identified Wednesday afternoon as 22-year-old Sydney Smigiel of Buford. A preliminary investigation indicates Smigiel, traveling south on Buford Highway, struck Jimenez with such force he went airborne and landed on the roadway. Smigiel then struck a vehicle turning left into the school and that vehicle also struck Jimenez. Mike Morris

Duluth holding poster competition

The deadline to submit posters in the competition to promote Duluth’s June 1 BeerFest Duluth is Feb. 22. Poster submissions must contain the event name, date and web site, BEERFEST-DULUTH.com. Entries should be brought or mailed to Duluth City Hall, 3167 Main Street, or e-mailed to Brian Bentley, bbentley@duluthga.net.

MICHAEL ALPERT FOR THE AJC

Norcross High hosting health fair

The GPA Public Education Committee and Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee’s health fair, Psychology for a Healthier Georgia, is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Norcross High, 5300 Spalding Drive. Psychologists will staff information tables and give breakout presentations focusing on topics including parenting, healthy lifestyles and workplace stress. Information: Nancy McGarrah, 404-728-0728, nancymcg@bellsouth.net.

MICHAEL ALPERT FOR THE AJC

American Red Cross Blood Drive

The Norcross Human Service Center sponsors an American Red Cross Blood Drive, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday at 5030 Georgia Belle Court, Norcross. Register: www.redcrossblood.org and enter zip code 30093 with sponsor code NHSC. All donors will be eligible to win a $1,000 gift card from a home improvement store. Information: 770-638-5661. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Learn to fight food-borne illness

Gwinnett’s Head Start will teach residents to properly handle and prepare food to avoid bacterial illness by learning to Fight BAC!® 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21 at 84 Maddox Road in Buford. Most cases of food-related illness can be prevented with soap and water, a refrigerator, and a food thermometer. Class is free, no pre-registration. Contact Ines Beltran at 678-377-4010 or ines.beltran@gwinnettcounty.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Line dance marathon next weekend

Gwinnett Parks & Rec hosts a line dance marathon 6 p.m. to midnight Feb. 23 at Best Friend Park Gym, 6224 Jimmy Carter Boulevard, Norcross. Learn country, hip-hop, and everything in between. All dance levels welcomed. Bring a dish to share, drinks provided. Attend the workshop 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the line dance marathon is free. Otherwise $5.

Information: 770-417-2212 or gwinnettcounty.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Search continues for Lake Lanier boater

The search continued Thursday for a boater reported missing Monday on Lake Lanier. Authorities said a boat was spotted Monday night going in circles on the lake with no one on board. When authorities arrived, they found the boat on the bank, out of gas. The search effort included a DNR helicopter and crews from the DNR, Forsyth and Hall counties using “side-scan sonar” to determine areas to send divers into the water. The search area of the lake is about the size of a football field and 80 feet deep. The missing boater’s name has not been released. John Spink

Cherokee official outlines goals for 2013

Cherokee County Board of Commissioners Chairman Buzz Ahrens says while the county scored a great many 2012 accomplishments, he wants to see it build competitive advantage in 2013. Ahrens told a Council for Quality Growth meeting this week he’d like to see the county land a major corporate or manufacturing development this year, and for county government to continue to build its cash reserves. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Mall in Woodstock holding job fair

The Outlet Shoppes of Atlanta, set to open in Woodstock in July, will hold a job fair next week. Mall stores seek to fill more than 1,000 full and part-time positions. The fair will be held noon to 8 p.m. Thursday at Etowah High School, 6565 Putnam Ford Road. Applicants should dress appropriately and bring resumes and cover letters. More info: www.dol.state.ga.us

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Forsyth school in national challenge

Piney Grove Middle School in Forsyth County is among more than 100 schools nationwide competing in the Follett Challenge, a contest sponsored by the book and online catalogue publisher seeking to recognize schools effectively teaching needed 21st century skills. Those wanting to vote for the school can visit follettchallenge.com. Voting deadline is March 15. The winner announced March 27 gets $60,000 in Follett products/services. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Historical society to host monthly meeting

The Alpharetta Historical Society will hold their monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Mansell House and Gardens, 1835 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta.

Philip Young, author and founder of Golden Age Research, LLC, will discuss the importance of local historical societies and the use of historical documents, papers, collectibles, etc. to understand past major events.

Information: 770-475-9995 or Harman_dempsey@msn.com.

Veronica Fields Johnson

Run to benefit Milton Parks & Rec

Milton’s Parks and Recreation Department expects to raise thousands of dollars from its Mayor’s Run fundraiser on Feb. 23. The 5K race, which begins and ends at Kohl’s at Ga. Highway 9 and Deerfield Parkway, costs $25 through Feb. 18 and $30 after.

Information: Special Events Coordinator Angela Thompson, 678-242-2530. MICHAEL ALPERT FOR THE AJC

ATLANTA

Free health and wellness expo

A free health and wellness expo will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday at Ariel Bowen Memorial United Methodist Church, 384 Arthur St., S.W. Dental and heart checkups, health seminars and screenings for blood pressure, asthma, diabetes and HIV will be provided. Information: Warren Head at wch810@bellsouth.net.

Veronica Fields Johnson

Musuem announces Fulton family days

The Children’s Museum of Atlanta hosts Fulton County Family Days for Fulton County residents only. Residents can buy one admission ticket and receive one additional general admission ticket for free on the opening day of each feature exhibit. Proof of residency is required.

Information: tinyurl.com/ab7onwg. Kenneth Musisi

TIAA-CREF chief to speak at CAU

Roger W. Ferguson Jr., president and CEO of TIAA-CREF, will be the keynote speaker for Clark Atlanta University’s 18th annual Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Development Week 3 p.m. today during a town hall meeting in the Multipurpose Room of the Bishop Cornelius L. Henderson Student Center, 223 James P. Brawley Drive, S.W.

This year’s program, “Millennial Myopia: Fusing Generation Y Into the New Corporate Business Setting,” focuses on developing a strong personal brand.

Ernie Suggs

Police to sponsor car and motorcycle show

The Atlanta Police Department’s annual Cops & Rodders Car and Motorcycle Show will be held 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 23 at the Atlanta Expo Center, 3650 Jonesboro Rd. S.E.

The show, dedicated to fallen APD officers Richard Halford and Shawn Smiley, will also feature a driver safety fair. Admission is free for spectators. Entry fee for participating vehicles is $20 before Feb. 22 and $25 day of show. All proceeds will benefit Georgia Special Olympics. Information: www.specialolympicsga.org/copsandrodders/.

Veronica Fields Johnson

DEKALB

Retired educators to meet Thursday

The Decatur-DeKalb Retired Educators Association will meet 2 p.m. Thursday at the Decatur First Christian Church Fellowship Hall, 601 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. Retirees from both private and public Decatur and DeKalb County schools, as well as other retired educators living in the area, are welcome to join. Information: 770-498-9493. Veronica Fields Johnson

Qualifying for special election ends today

Qualifying for Decatur residents running for the open District 1 city commission seat ends at 4:30 p.m. today at the city clerk’s office at city hall. Candidates will run in a March 19 special election to fill the seat held by Bill Floyd, who resigned in December. Bill Banks for the AJC

Leadership DeKalb seeking applicants

Residents who want to become more active in DeKalb County are invited to apply for the upcoming class of Leadership DeKalb.

Two open houses will explain the 10-month community awareness and leadership development program. About 50 people are accepted into the program each year.

The first open house is at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 26 at DeKalb Medical Hillandale, 5900 Hillandale Dr., near Lithonia. The second begins at 5:30 p.m. March 5 at DeKalb Medical Women’s Center, 2701 N. Decatur Road, near Decatur.

Reservations/information: 404-373-2491 or Suzanne@leadershipdekalb.org.

April Hunt

Avondale awarded LCI grant

The Atlanta Regional Commission awarded Avondale Estates with a $64,000 Livable Centers Initiative grant, which will help pay for an update of the downtown master plan. The city, which currently has 18.43 downtown acres sitting empty or undeveloped, has long wanted to attract new businesses and improve walkability. An important breakthrough occurred late last year when bankruptcy proceedings against Century Retail were finally resolved, making most of the former Century-owned property downtown, now owned by Flagstar Bank, for sale. Bill Banks for the AJC

Last day for youth soccer registration

Registration for youth soccer leagues in DeKalb County closes today at all county recreation centers for the league, which is open to children between ages 5 and 14.

Fees range from $45 to $85 per child. Birth certificates must be presented at registration. Information: 770-414-2111 or 770-414-2113. April Hunt

Decatur offering free smoke detectors

Decatur’s fire department recently received $83,505 in grant money from Fire Prevention and Safety Assistance to Firefighters to provide free smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to city residents.

According to the city’s website: “Decatur firefighters will install new detectors, test existing detectors and replace inoperable ones in an effort to ensure homes are safe.”

Firefighters will also “provide a free home fire-safety check during the smoke detector installation.”

Information: 404-373-5092, or email stephanie.burton@decaturga.com. Bill Banks for the AJC

SOUTHSIDE

Man fatally shot in College Park

A man was shot to death during an argument with a woman in Clayton County on Wednesday, police said.

Officers arrived on the scene and discovered that two people had argued inside a residence in the 5900 block of Riverdale Road, near College Park.

The man was shot and died as a result of his injuries, authorities said.

The incident is under investigation.

No other information was released. Angel K. Brooks

Suspect caught following manhunt

Randall Paul Ramos, of Griffin, had eluded capture in Henry County following a high-speed chase that originated in Butts County Tuesday. The vehicle crashed on I-75, between exits 214 and 215, where police apprehended Destiny Marie Stevens, of Griffin, and Danny L. Wooten, of Jonesboro.

Details of Ramos’ capture were not made available. The Lamar sheriff’s office said deputies found several guns, video gaming machines and a laptop computer, stolen from a Milner address, in the suspects’ vehicle. Christian Boone

McDonough to celebrate Arbor Day

The city of McDonough will celebrate Georgia Arbor Day 11 a.m. today by planting a tree at the gateway sign where Macon and Griffin streets separate. The city now holds the designation of Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. Information: 678-432-4622 or www.mcdonoughga.org/021513arbor-day.html.

Veronica Fields Johnson

Registration for SMDO conference ongoing

The South Metro Development Outlook Conference will be 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Georgia International Convention Center, College Park. Topics of discussion will include development trends, regional transportation, economic forecasting, and more.

Registration: $50 online. Information: smdoconference.com or 404-684-7031. Kenneth Musisi

Clayton to hold plan work session

The Clayton County Board of Commissioners will hold a work session 6 p.m. Tuesday at the commissioners’ conference room, 112 Smith Street in Jonesboro on the county’s Comprehensive Plan for 2014-2034. The meeting will include a presentation describing the comprehensive planning process and discussions regarding the community involvement process as well as other relevant county profile data. The meeting is open to the public.

Tammy Joyner

Whitewater High seeks votes in tech contest

A video describing technology innovations at Fayetteville’ Whitewater High School is a finalist in a competition to win prizes for the school. The 3.5-minute video about “Bring Your Own Technology” is part of a contest by Follett Software Co. Information: follettchallenge.com/video.cfm?id=115. Vote through March 15 to help Whitewater win a $60,000 grand prize or other awards valued between $5,000 and $35,000. Jill Howard Church for the AJC