County by county news for Friday

Starrett said the reader will alert an officer when a vehicle tag on any side of the police vehicle registers, for instance, as stolen or an Amber Alert - even if the suspect vehicle is “going 100 mph.”

If approved, this amount would pay for the tag reader and the first annual subscription fee from the city’s contingency fund since the item is unbudgeted. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Father, son arrested in shooting

Cobb County police have arrested a Marietta man and his son in connection with a Wednesday evening shooting that left a man seriously injured.

The shooting happened about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Lorene Lodge apartment complex on Lorene Drive near Marietta, according to Cobb police spokesman Mike Bowman.

The victim, whose name has not been released, was taken to WellStar Kennestone Hospital, “where he is being treated for possible life-threatening injuries,” Bowman said.

Police arrested Corey Leroy Hughes Sr., 44, and Corey Leroy Hughes Jr., 20, both of Marietta, and charged each with aggravated assault, Bowman said. Both men are being held at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center.Mike Morris

Arts center gets new director

Marc Patterson, formerly director of operations at the Earl Smith Strand Theatre, is the new director of the Marietta Performing Arts Center at Marietta High School. Patterson will work with Marietta City School students using the facility, and also plans to increase art groups performances that are open to the public. The year starts with the Atlanta Shakespeare Tavern’s “Macbeth” 7 p.m. Sept. 24. Information: www.mpac.marietta-city.org.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Marietta plans Labor Day festival

More than 175 artists and craftsmen are expected at the 28th Art in the Park festival, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday through Monday on the Marietta Square. The event will include a Children’s Art Alley and Chalk Spot, a display of chalk art by children in kindergarten through grade 12. Free parking will be on county parking decks on Cherokee and Waddell Streets. Information: www.artparkmarietta.com.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Noonday trail opens near Town Center Mall

A $11.6 million walking and biking trail, that winds behind Town Center Mall in Kennesaw, opens after a ribbon cutting ceremony 10 a.m. Wednesday. The seven mile trail links to the Silver Comet, Noonday Creek, Mountain to River, Chattahoochee River and Cumberland trails. The project was funded by the Town Center Community Improvement District, county, state and National Park Service. The trail has five pedestrian bridges with trailheads and parking through the trail corridor. Information: www.cobbcounty.org.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

GWINNETT

Tree planting initiative returns to Norcross

Norcross is once again offering a fall tree planting initiative to promote and increase the tree canopy on residential properties within the City limits. Norcross Residents may choose from a red maple, overcup oak, or lacebark elm tree. Trees will be approximately 13 to 15 feet tall. Offer limited to the first 100 applicants to submit their application with a check for $50. Norcross is contributing the balance of the cost of the trees and planting. Trees will be planted the week of Nov. 25. Applications: www.norcrossga.net. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Input sought in Peachtree Corners

The Peachtree Corners Livable Center Initiative is seeking input on a planning study made possible by a grant awarded by The Atlanta Regional Commission. The planning process is focused on creating a long-term blueprint for how the Peachtree Corners’ Business District will grow and thrive as the City’s civic, commercial, and cultural center. The effort will conclude in early 2015 and resulting plan will serve as a guide for City leadership as they make important decisions on economic development, land use and transportation over the next decade and beyond. Survey: www.surveymonkey.com/s/PTC_LCI_Survey.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Last day to qualify for Norcross elections

Deadline to qualify for the next round of Norcross municipal elections is 4:30 p.m. today. There are three City Council seats on the docket, currently held by incumbent Council Members David McLeroy, Andrew Hixson and Keith Shewbert. Citizens interested in learning more about the qualifying process and wishing to secure an application may contact the City Clerk at 678-421-2035 or visit www.norcrossga.net.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Old-fashioned bluegrass festival

Gwinnett is will host free live music in the gazebo by local bluegrass artists, food by local vendors, kids’ activities, and craft artisans showcasing their artistic talents and selling their wares 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, 185 West Crogan Street in Lawrenceville. One again this year, visitors will enjoy a doggie parade and fashion. The best-dressed dog wins a prize. New this year is a pie-eating contest. Information: 770-822-5450.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Community festival now two-day event

For the first time, Suwanee Fest will become a two-day event Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 20 and 21 at Town Center Park. The “Red, White & You”-themed parade will kick off the festival at 10 a.m. Saturday. Former U.S. Army Capt. and New York Times best-selling author Luis Carlos Montalván and his beloved service dog, Tuesday, will be the parade grand marshals. Nearly 200 arts & craft exhibitors, food vendors, community organizations, and sponsors will join musicians on the stage at the festival. Information: www.suwaneefest.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Canton council race draws two candidates

The race for the Ward III City Council post in Canton drew two candidates during the qualifying period which wrapped up on Wednesday. Retired civil engineer and 14-year Cherokee resident James Busi ,66, submitted paperwork Monday, as did downtown businessman Farris Yawn, 50. Yawn has lived in Cherokee for more than three decades. The winner Nov. 4 will serve out the unexpired term of Glen Cummins, who resigned n early July to take over the city manager’s post. Marki Woolsey for the AJC

Cherokee grant deadline approaches

The nonprofit Cherokee County Educational Foundation is accepting applications for the 2nd round of IMPACT grants, a CCEF program aiming to support and encourage creative teaching and learning ideas in Cherokee Schools. The group’s allocated $15,000 in grant money, up from $10,000 this past school year and says applications are welcome from CCSD teachers, paraprofessionals, school staff and administrators. The application deadline is Jan. 13.

To apply and for more formation: cherokee.k12.ga.us

Mark Woosey for the AJC

Celebrity husband charged with DUI

Bobbi Kristina Brown’s husband has been charged with DUI after being involved in a crash in Roswell Thursday morning.

Roswell police said Nick Gordon was behind the wheel of a BMW sedan that hit a curb, overturned and hit a fire hydrant on Holcomb Bridge Road just before noon.

Neither Gordon, nor his passenger Mason Whitaker, were injured.

Police charged Gordon with DUI less safe, failure to maintain his lane and driving with a suspended license. He was taken to the roswell Detention Center.

Brown is the daughter of the late Whitney Houston.

No other vehicles were involved with the wreck. Staff

Forsyth kicks off reading program

The Forsyth County Public Library kicks off the Forsyth Reads Together program, in which the community reads, discusses and takes part in events involving the same book. Author Lisa See will discuss 2014’s pick, “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan,” 7 p.m. Sept. 16 at the Forsyth Conference Center, 3410 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Cumming. Admission is free. Other book discussions and performances are also set. Information: www.forsythpl.org Mark Woolsey for the AJC

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 nonprofit which supports school projects is seeking sponsorships, players and items for its silent auction and raffle.

Information/registration :www.cherokeecountyeducationalfoundation.org

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

U.S. Education secretary to visit

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan will stop in Georgia next month as part of his three-day, back-to-school tour of Southern states.

Duncan will tout education progress during stops in Atlanta and Carrollton on Sept. 8. From Georgia, he is scheduled to travel to Birmingham and Huntsville in Alabama and Chattanooga, Nashville and Memphis in Tennessee.

Wayne Washington

Proposed charter wins approval

Metro Atlanta will have a new language-based charter school next year, assuming the state board of education gives it the nod later this year.

The State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia approved the petition of the International Charter School of Atlanta on Wednesday, leaving only that last technical hurdle, the state board approval. While based in Fulton County, the “dual-immersion” language school will take students statewide, starting with kindergarten through fourth grade in the 2015-16 school year.

The mission: “develop culturally astute, bilingual citizens who can compete in Georgia’s global economy, across the country and around the world.”

Commission staff recommended approval, determining that the proposed school had a sound educational plan, an able governing board, a “thoroughly researched” curriculum and implementation plan and a realistic budget.Ty Tagami

New Wolf Creek library set to open

The new Wolf Creek library opens to the public 10 a.m. Sept. 8 at 3100 Enon Road SW.

The 25,000 square-foot building is one of eight new libraries planned in the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System.

Each location includes public art.

At Wolf Creek, artist Lynn Marshall-Linnemeier created a sculpture and framed quilted works placed around the library.

The library also has study rooms, a music room and children’s areas.

Information: www.afpls.org.

Adrianne Murchison for the AJC

DEKALB

Commission denies charter school proposal

A novel petition to establish a charter school serving a new city in DeKalb County was denied by the State Charter School Commission of Georgia Wednesday.

The mayor and city council of Brookhaven earlier this year signed onto the founding board of Brookhaven Innovation Academy, which was to serve students within the city limits in a traditional school setting as well as students statewide in an online program.

State charter commissioners unanimously rejected the proposal after commission staff criticized several elements of the plan, including the attendance zone and the service of city officials on the board.

The Georgia constitution bans the creation of new school systems, so new cities like Brookhaven cannot have their own schools despite dissatisfaction with the performance of county schools. Ty Tagami

City to sponsor diversity ‘conversation’

Decatur plans to “[sponsor] a community conversation” about diversity, city manager Peggy Merriss said, adding that a “community-development specialist” will offer commissioners a proposal at Monday’s meeting.

The conversation is one of 13 ideas suggested in April by the Decatur Community Coalition for dealing with racial profiling.

Another DCC suggestion asked police to record ethnicity and other demographic data of people detained by officers, which Merriss said that department’s been doing since July 28. Bill Banks for the AJC

Chamblee extends alcohol hours

The Chamblee City Council voted this week to allow businesses to serve alcohol later at night.

The alcohol rules, which were approved on a 3-2 vote last week, permits bars and restaurants to continue providing drinks until 3 a.m., an hour later than had previously been allowed.

All patrons must leave by 3:30 a.m. Mark Niesse

Northlake businesses join Tucker district

More than 67 companies in DeKalb County’s Northlake area have joined a self-taxing community improvement district to improve infrastructure and economic development.

With the addition of its new members, the year-old Tucker CID changed its name last week to the Tucker-Northlake CID, according to an announcement from the group last week.

The public-private partnership includes a total of more than 166 commercial property owners representing about $157 million in property value.

Mark Niesse

Comment sought on charter proposal

The DeKalb County School District will hold five public meetings to solicit comment about a proposal to convert the district into a charter system.Georgia is encouraging school districts to consider a change to charter oversight or another system the state calls “IE2” by next summer.

The meetings will be at 6 p.m. at the following high schools and dates: Towers High, Sept. 2 and Stephenson High, Sept. 3.

Information: www.gadoe.org/External-Affairs-and-Policy/Charter-Schools. Ty Tagami

SOUTHSIDE

Sheriff’s captain arrested for arranging tryst with child

Capt. David McCart of the Henry County Sheriff’s Office was arrested Tuesday in DeKalb County and stands accused of attempting to arrange a sexual encounter with a 14-year-old.

DeKalb investigators said McCart met the boy online through social media. The two allegedly talked about different sexual activities and agreed to meet.“The conversation moved to texting as McCart allegedly planned to meet the child. Once they agreed on a time and place, McCart showed up at the mall, where he was met by police, according to a report. Michelle E. Shaw

Park construction bid approved

The Henry County Board of Commissioners approved a bid for the design and build of the Bellamy Brothers Memorial Park, which was approved by voters last November. Sports Turf of Whitesburg was awarded the $2.2 million contract at the Aug. 19 commission meeting. The park is slated for property on Fairview and Panola roads at the northern end of the county. Information: www.henrycounty-ga.org. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Peachtree City watching for DUIs

Peachtree City police will be “aggressively targeting” drunk drivers over the Labor Day weekend, as part of a statewide End-of-Summer Zero Tolerance safety campaign. The enforcement and awareness program aims to reduce alcohol-related crashes, injuries and fatalities, most of which occur after 6 p.m. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Fayette schools pair volunteer programs

Fayette County Public Schools’ Friends Mentoring Program and the Volunteer Initiative to Assist Learning program are now both under the direction of Jane Gough. The mentoring program pairs volunteers with individual students, while VITAL members provide extra help to school personnel. Contact: gough.jane@mail.fcboe.org or call 770-460-3990, ext. 255. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Sponsors sought for October race

The 11th Annual Goblin Gallop, benefiting Henry County’s Hands of Hope Clinic, will take place Oct. 25 featuring a 10K and 6K run, a one mile run/walk and a “Tot Trot” for children. Information: www.handsofhopeclinic.org.Monroe Roark for the AJC

Eagle’s Landing teacher wins award

Eagle’s Landing High School agriscience teacher Chansi Coleman was recently recognized by the Georgia Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association and the National Association of Agricultural Educators with the Ideas Unlimited Award. The award is sponsored by National Geographic Learning and Cengage Learning. Coleman, a nine-year veteran of AgriScience teaching with five of them in Henry County, was presented with the award at the GVATA Summer Leadership Conference.

To be eligible for the award, a teacher had to submit an idea that others in the agricultural teaching field could use as assistance for guiding their own instructional approach towards students. Information: www.henry.k12.ga.us.

Monroe Roark for the AJC