County by county news for Saturday

COBB

Gun club opens year after split vote

The Governors Gun Club officially opened Sept. 13 at 5740 C. H. James Parkway between Cleburne Parkway and Florence Roadin Powder Springs after receiving 3-2 approval from the City Council last September for both an alcohol license and an alcohol variance. Kristina Brown, co-owner with her husband Bert Brown, told the City Council then that only a limited number of “full metal jacket members” will be allowed in the lounge area but added they can bring in their children.

Information: governorsgunclub.com/lounge-range_safety. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Emergency Services conduct training

Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services and the Cobb County Police Department’s Swat Team will be conducting training in the area of 6292 and 6440 Cedarcrest Road, Acworth through Nov. 8.

Residents of the area and the traveling public should expect to see heavy smoke due to this joint training. Information: www.cobbfire.org Staff

West Cobb Business Association meets

Members and guests are invited to learn about “Financial Benchmarks and Scorecards” at the West Cobb Business Association luncheon 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at Lost Mountain Baptist Church, 5400 Old Dallas Road, Powder Springs.

Named Georgia’s best business consultant for 2012, Andy Fried of the Georgia Small Business Development Center at Kennesaw State University will be the speaker.

Cost: $15, members; $20, guests.

Information: coles.kennesaw.edu/centers/small-business-development or westcobbbusiness.com/events.html#luncheon. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Confederate cemetery anniversary marked

Marietta will mark the 150th anniversary of the city’s Confederate Cemetery Friday through Sunday with tours of Civil War hospital sites, homefront days at four Marietta museums and the premiere of a movie created for the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park Visitor Center.

A ceremony, statue unveiling and tours with re-enactors will be at the cemetery off Powder Springs Street, 1 -5 p.m. Sunday.

Information: www.mariettacivilwar.com. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Ask Austell questions via social media

Austell is hosting “Q & A Sessions” on Facebook and Twitter for anyone wanting information about the city.

Contacts:

or

Information: Duane R. Demeritt, duane@austell.org. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Use Census data to help your business

“Get Smart About Your Business: A Census Economic/Business Workshop” will be 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday at the South Cobb Regional Library, 805 Clay Road, Mableton.

Participants will learn the basics of using U.S. Census data to start or expand their business by locating potential customers, exploring expansion or better understanding their industry.

Information: 678-398-5828. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

Suspect in Snellville shooting surrenders

Brandon Drummond, 20, accused of shooting a Snellville man in the head after an argument surrendered Thursday night, police said.

Drummond allegedly fired several shots Wednesday afternoon into the front of a home in the 4400 block of Raptor Place, according to police. A man inside the home was shot in the head, but was able to call 911 to report the shooting.

The victim is expected to survive his injuries, police said. Alexis Stevens

Congressman to meet with seniors

Georgia District 4 Congressman Hank Johnson will host a Senior Meet and Greet 1 to 3 p.m. Monday at Snellville City Hall, 2300 Oak Road. This event will help seniors navigate through Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, IRS, and the Veterans Administration. Info: contact Peter Butts at peter.butts@mail.house.gov, Paulette Suggs at paulette.suggs@mail.house.gov, or call 770-987-2291. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Two public school principals transferred

The Gwinnett County school board Thursday night approved two leadership changes at local schools. The board agreed to move Beaver Ridge Elementary School principal Jose DeJesus to the Berkmar school cluster to run Berkmar Middle School. The board also approved moving Bethesda Elementary School principal Deborah Harris to the South Gwinnett school cluster, where she will lead Grace Snell Middle School. DeJesus came to the school system in 2005 as assistant principal at Berkmar High. Harris joined the system in 1996 as a speech-language pathologist at Rockbridge Elementary. Nancy Badertscher

Schools support pantries for ‘service’

Gwinnett Great Days of Service takes place Sept. 30 to Oct. 4. Schools will collect canned food, personal items and paper products to support 12 food pantries in the county. Corley Elementary, Norcross Elementary, Sycamore Elementary, Lilburn Middle, Richards Middle, and Sweetwater Middle have applied for community projects on Oct. 4-5. Information: www.gwinnettgreatdaysofservice.org. Nancy Badertscher

Adopt-A-Road seeks volunteer groups

Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful and the Gwinnett Department of Transportation are urging more residents to join the Adopt-A-Road program to help reduce trash and illegal signage alongside county roads.

Information: www.gwinnettcb.org/volunteer or 770-822-5187 or gwinnettcb@gwinnettcb.org. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Doors exhibit benefits Habitat for Humanity

Norcross will host an art festival - Doors to Homes and Hope 10 a.m. Oct. 5 to help support Gwinnett Habitat for Humanity’s mission to build homes and raise visibility of the arts. Information: www.gwinnettrestore.org, doorstoHomesandHope@gmail.com or 678.642.9486. Sandra Marshall Murray

NORTHSIDE

Otis Nixon briefly returns to jail for new bond

Former Atlanta Braves outfielder Otis Nixon spent a few hours behind bars in Cherokee County because the company that previously backed hiss bond decided it no longer would do so.

Nixon was arrested in May on drug charges when he allegedly had a crack pipe in his pocket and a crack rock in his vehicle when he was stopped on I-575. On Aug. 13, Nixon was indicted on the charges. Tuesday Nixon was re-arrested and booked into jail and released after posting bond with a different bonding company. Alexis Stevens

Forsyth seeks input on attendance changes

Forsyth County Schools stakeholders have until Friday to comment on a redistricting proposal. The plan redraws attendance lines for nine elementary and three middle schools. High schools would not be impacted. A second draft will be considered by the Board of Education on Oct. 10, with final adoption set for late November. Information: www.forsyth.k12.ga.us  Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Evening career fair to be held Tuesday

Career Showcase will host a career fair 5 p.m. Tuesday at Holiday Inn Atlanta Perimeter, 4386 Chamblee Dunwoody Road. Hiring companies will tell about their business and employment needs. Information: www.careershowcase.com. Veronica Fields Johnson

City of Holly Springs plans fall festival

The city of Holly Springs will be celebrating its 10th annual Autumn Fest 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Oct.5 at Barrett Memorial Park. The free-admission event includes more than 50 craft vendors and local businesses, live entertainment, food and drink and kids activities. The park’s located at 120 Park Lane off of Hickory Road. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Fulton SPARC clinics scheduled

Fulton County’s SPARC Atlanta clinics (Sickness Prevention Achieved through Regional Collaboration) for older adults 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday with the following services to be offered: flu, breast exams, mammography, pap test referrals, STD/HIV testing, blood glucose, blood pressure, healthy mind, BMI, colorectal pre-screens and vision at Roswell Neighborhood Center, 1250 Warsaw Road, Roswell.

Citizens in need of reasonable accommodations due to a disability, including communications in an alternative format, should contact Nell Kapple, Department of Housing and Human Services, 404-613-7944. For Georgia Relay Access, dial 711.

Information: 404-613-6000. Mea Watkins

Woodstock safety academy gearing up

Woodstock officials are accepting applications through Sept. 23 for the latest edition of their Citizens’ Public Safety Academy, kicking off Wednesday. The 10-week course covers a variety of law enforcement and fire safety topics, including traffic enforcement, the SWAT team, jail operations and fire safety.

Applicants must be at least 19 and have no felony convictions.

Information: www.woodstockga.gov  Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

Ruling pending in charter school dispute

The Georgia Supreme Court plans to release a decision Monday on a funding dispute between charter schools at Atlanta’s public school system.

Atlanta Public Schools argued to the high court in June that charter schools should be required to contribute to an old pension burden that exceeds $550 million.

But charter schools told justices they’re funding is set by state law, and they shouldn’t have to pay for a pension system they have nothing to do with. Mark Niesse

One dead in single-vehicle crash on I-20

Traffic was jammed headed into Atlanta from the far western suburbs Friday morning while authorities investigated a fatal wreck about 7 a.m. on Interstate 20 eastbound between Post Road and Ga. 5.

According to the Georgia State Patrol, a vehicle ran off the interstate and into the woods, killing one person in the vehicle.

No other vehicles were involved in the crash. Mike Morris

Arts center offers Sunday jazz concert

The Fulton County West End Performing Arts & Center and the Groove Café Production will host A Soulful Sunday Jazz Experience 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday at 945 Abernathy Blvd.

The event is free and open to the public.

Information: goo.gl/ZSSIHt. Sandra Marshall Murray

New internship program at CAU

Clark Atlanta University’s Mass Media Arts Department has launched an academic internship program to train future journalists in the film and entertainment industry.

The program, facilitated by the African American Film Critics Association, will be available to junior and senior level students.

Information: www.aafca.com or www.cau.edu. Mea Watkins

DEKALB

Arrests made in post-game robberies

Decatur Police PIO Jennifer Ross announced Friday investigators arrested and jailed three suspects in the three armed robberies of Decatur High students the hour after they left a home football game on Aug. 30. None are Decatur High students or even from the city: 16-year-old D’Angelo Mikal Giles of Atlanta, 17-year-old Jaree Jalon Jackson Jr. of Atlanta and 17-year-old Javarous Devonte Hammond of DeKalb County. Police are still trying to identify a fourth suspect. Decatur High played at home Friday night with new security measures in place Bill Banks for the AJC

Cops: Motorcyclist killed by drunk driver

Motorcyclist, 58-year-old Nathanial Hollis, was killed early Friday when he was struck head-on by a drunk driver around 2 a.m. in the 1900 block of Ponce de Leon, in the Druid Hills neighborhood.

DeKalb police said Kevin Lach, 24, was driving westbound on Ponce de Leon when he crossed the center line and struck a motorcycle head-on.

Lach was charged with driving under the influence, first-degree vehicular homicide and failure to maintain lane. Mike Morris

MJCCA to hold Sukkot celebration

The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta will celebrate Sukkot with barbecue and live music 5 to 7 p.m.Monday at Congregation Anshe S’fard, 1324 N. Highland Ave. N.E., Atlanta. The program will include music from the Cedar Hill Bluegrass Band, food available for purchase from Goodfriend’s Glatt Smokehouse, crafts for children and other activities. Open to the public.

Information: Rabbi Glusman, rabbi.glusman@atlantajcc.org, 678-812-4161. Mea Watkins

Stray animals prompts adoption program

DeKalb County Animal Services offers Tail End of Summer, aimed to find homes for dozens of animals. The shelter, which has experienced a 55 percent increase in animals entering its facility this year, will offer dog adoptions for $20 and cat adoptions for $10. The promotion runs through September. All adopted pets will be spayed or neutered, micro-chipped, vaccinated, heart worm or combo tested and dewormed. Standard adoption screening criteria still applies.

Information: www.dekalbanimalservices.com. Mea Watkins

Book signing, fundraiser Wednesday

Chick-fil-A at Turner Hill Road presents author Jean Mackay 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at 2985 Turner Hill, Lithonia reading and signing copies of her children’s books . A dollar from each book sale goes toward child education. Information: www. JAMSBooks.com. Sandra Marshall Murray

Autumn equinox storytelling event set

A fundraising event marking the autumnal equinox will be held at 2 p.m. today at the Fernbank Science Center, 156 Heaton Park Drive N.E. “Stories Among the Stars” will feature members of the Southern Order of Storytellers who will share tales of the autumn constellations underneath the starlit night sky of the center’s planetarium dome.

Cost: $10. Tickets: www.fernbank.edu. Mea Watkins

SOUTHSIDE

Missing Stockbridge teen with Asperger’s found safe

A Stockbridge teenage girl with Asperger’s syndrome who disappeared early Thursday morning was found safe around 9 p.m. Thursday, walking near a church on Stagecoach Road in Clayton County, authorities said.

Julia Palmer, 16, had disappeared several times in the past — most recently in April, when she was found more than five miles from her home.

Asperger’s is a high-functioning form of autism.  Daarel Burnette II and Mike Morris.

Cops: Man found hours after death

Donnell Sandifer,40, of Clayton County man is accused of killing a man, then attempting to conceal the death. Officers were called late Tuesday night to Misty Meadows Court near Hampton following a report that a man had been shot. They couldn’t find a perpetrator or victim, police said. Witnesses said the alleged shooter left in a gray Toyota Tundra. A few hours later police found Sandifer driving the truck with a deceased male in the back. Alexis Stevens

Fatal wreck in snarls Clayton traffic

Traffic was blocked at Hall Road and Woolsey Road on Thursday afternoon after a fatal car accident, Clayton County police said.

Police were on the scene of the wreck, in which at least one person died.

Authorities have not identified the victim or given a cause for the accident, which occurred around 4:30 p.m. Daarel Burnette II

Pump station online in Peachtree City

The Meade Field Regional Pump Station 36 is now fully operational in Peachtree City, in anticipation of new residential development at the southern tip of the city. The Peachtree City Water and Sewerage Authority completed the $525,851 project to provide sewer service to a pending 90-lot single family subdivision and a nearby senior living facility. The station would also serve future office buildings in the area. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Henry offers fall break camp Oct. 7-11

Henry Parks and Recreation is offering a Fall Break Camp 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m Oct. 7-11 at the Fairview Recreation Center, Heritage Park in McDonough, the J. P. Moseley Recreation Center in Stockbridge, the Locust Grove Recreation Center and Nash Farm Park in Hampton for ages 6-12.

The cost is $100. Registration begins Monday and will 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays or register online at www.hcprd.org. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Early voting in Henry begins Oct. 14

Voters in Henry County may cast ballots beginning Oct. 14 at the county election headquarters, 345 Phillips Dr., McDonough. And Monday through Saturday until Nov. 2.

The polls open Oct. 19 at the Ted Strickland Community Center, 130 W. Berry St., Stockbridge. And starting Oct. 28: Hampton Depot, 17 E. Main St.; Locust Grove Recreation Center, 10 Cleveland St.

Voters in all of Henry County will decide a SPLOST referendum. Monroe Roark for the AJC