County by county news for Saturday

Peak will receive $18,233 to stripe the center lines of Florence, Hopkins, Macedonia and Powder Springs Dallas Roads.

Johnson Landscape Services, Inc. will receive $25,000 more for additional paving work at the city’s Public Works facility. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Powder Springs approves park building

Powder Springs City Council members will hire Abatech Services, Inc. for $215,000 to construct the Linear Park restroom and concessions building.

This building also will include an overhang for the picnic area and should be ready by spring, Dave Hicks of Croy Engineering said.

The 10-acre park stretches about a half mile between the Silver Comet Trail and Richard D. Sailors Parkway across from the Powder Springs Police Station. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Powder Springs collecting old drugs

Powder Springs will host a drop-off location for the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in the lobby of the Powder Springs Police Department, 1114 Richard D. Sailors Parkway.

Expired or unwanted medications will be disposed properly with no questions asked.

Information: 770-943-1616. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

NAACP to hold annual awards banquet

The Cobb County Branch of the NAACP will hold its 32nd Freedom Fund awards banquet starting at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the Marriott Atlanta Northwest off Windy Hill Road.

Chapter president Deane Bonner said the program is also the financial cornerstone or fundraiser for the branch.

Information: 770-425-5757. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Smyrna to hold 20th fall festival

Smyrna’s annual Fall Jonquil Festival will be 10 a.m.-6 p.m. today and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at 200 Village Green downtown.

The event will have 175 vendors selling handmade arts and crafts.

The schedule also includes a kid’s zone, fresh harvest market, master puppeteer Peter Hart and acoustic musician Scott Thompson.

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

‘Diaper day’ donations sought this month

Cobb will hold its fifth-annual “diaper day” to collect diapers for low-income families through October.

A collection will take place at 5 p.m. Monday at Glover Park on the Marietta Square.

All donated diapers will be given to CAMP, the Center for Family Resources, MUST Ministries, Reconnecting Families and the YWCA of Northwest Georgia.

Information: Barbara Hickey, Cobb Diaper Day Committee, esatlanta@bellsouth.net. Jaime Sarrio

GWINNETT

Peachtree Corners questions answered

Peachtree Corners City Councilwoman Lorri Christopher will attend Food Truck Tuesday at Pinckneyville Park at 6 p.m. Tuesday to meet with citizens for an informal Q & A session. Among the topics: The city’s new sanitation service, which begins in January, and extension of the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax on the Nov. 5 ballot. If passed, Peachtree Corners would receive approximately $20 million in revenue. Councilwoman Christopher will also discuss plans for development of the land across from the Forum shopping center. www.peachtreecornersga.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Duluth extends Food Truck Fridays

Due to popular demand Duluth’s Food Truck/Block Party Fridays will continue at 6 p.m. Fridays through Nov. 15 . The licensed merchant zones allow patrons to purchase alcohol and walk around downtown and the Town Green. Information: www.duluthga.net/foodtruckfridays.Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Simpsonwood Center up for sale

The Superior Court of Gwinnett County has ruled that the restrictive covenants governing the 227-acre Simpsonwood Conference and Retreat Center have expired, providing the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church Board of Trustees to place the land adjacent to the Chattahoochee River up for sale. Peachtree Corners, Gwinnett County and National Park Services have expressed interest in the property.

Information: www.ngumc.org/news/detail/2210. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Duluth Citizens Police accepting applications

The Duluth Police Department will host a free Citizen Police Academy 7 to 10 p.m. Thursdays Jan. 23-May 24 at 3276 Buford Highway to introduce functions of police work.

Information: dwoodruff@duluthpd.com, 678-512-3705 or www.duluthga.net/departments/police. KarenHuppertz for the AJC

Call for art, fundraiser for African village

Kudzu Art Zone invites artists to participate in the Karansi Project art exhibit Nov. 8-22, at the gallery, 116 Carlyle St., Norcross. Deadline is today. Proceeds benefit relief efforts for the village of Karansi, Tanzania. Information: www.kudzuartzone.org or 770-840-9844. Veronica Fields Johnson

Lilburn city services on website, app

After an eight-month redesign process, Lilburn has announced the launch of a new website at www.cityoflilburn.com.

Residents may request city services and make requests for yard debris pick-up, report a needed street repair, or make the city aware of any issue needing attention, even sending the city a picture of the problem using an iPhone.

The website also allows residents to sign up to receive the city’s e-newsletter, event information, police bulletins, emergency alerts, bid postings, council agendas as well as pay citations online without having to make a trip to Municipal Court. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

State to outline Ga. 20 project in Cherokee

Georgia Department of Transportation will hold a public information open house on a proposed project to improve Ga. 20 in central Cherokee County from 5- 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Northside Hospital-Cherokee conference center, 1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton.

The proposal would improve Ga. 20 from just east of I-575 to Scott Road, with truck lanes and intersection improvements. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Ribbon-cutting set for Cherokee roadway

Cherokee County officials will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m.Wednesday to open phase two of Northside Cherokee Boulevard to traffic. The almost-one-mile new segment will result in an artery running between Ga. 20 and Ga. 140 along the east side of I-575. The $8.1 million project will give access to Northside Hospital-Cherokee’s replacement campus, scheduled to open in 2015. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Sandy Springs to fix Lake Forrest Drive

During its Oct. 15 meeting, the Sandy Springs City Council directed city staff to proceed with completing structural plans for stabilization of the slope along Lake Forrest Drive utilizing a design that contains structural components within the City’s right-of-way. With the directive, staff will finalize structural plans. Final design options will be reviewed with the Council. Contractor selection will be conducted utilizing an emergency procurement procedure. Barring unforeseen complications, Lake Forrest Drive should reopen in early 2014. Staff

Forsyth sets electronic recycling event

Keep Forsyth County Beautiful will hold an electronics recycling event 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at the Cumming Fairgrounds parking lot 3 off Castleberry Road. Laptops, CD players, cellphones and microwaves are among the items that will be accepted with a minimum donation of $5 per carload.

Information: forsythco.com. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Etowah River cleanup set for today

The Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority, Upper Etowah River Alliance and other groups are sponsoring an Etowah River cleanup from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. today at Boling Park in Canton.

Volunteers should wear older shoes and clothes they don’t mind getting wet or dirty. Breakfast items and lunch will be provided.

Information: lorri.forrester@ccwsa.com  Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Alpharetta library hosts exhibit by local artists

The Alpharetta Library Branch will host the Alpha Arts Guild Art Exhibit at the library, 238 Canton St., Alpharetta, daily during library hours through the end of the year.

The display features artwork in a variety of styles and media by members of the Alpha Arts Guild, an organization for North Fulton-based artists.

Information: 770-740-2425  Veronica Fields Johnson

ATLANTA

Innovators provide real world for students

Mount Vernon Presbyterian School is bringing together education experts and business leaders in an effort to prepare students to be more globally competitive.

The private school on Friday convened a Council on Innovation to provide insights to the school to enhance its ability to develop learners who engage in real-life challenges.

The council includes leaders from Coca-Cola, Turner Entertainment, Piedmont Healthcare, SPANX, The Weather Channel and more. Mark Niesse

Students plant trees to study their benefits

Students from Price Middle School in south Atlanta and volunteers from Bank of America planted trees Thursday to celebrate the launch of a study on the benefits of urban trees.

The event is the first of several tree plantings to be held at schools across Atlanta as conservation organization American Forests gathers data to increase understanding of the value of urban forest ecosystems. Mark Niesse

Library to host building design meeting

The Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System invites the community to preview a project update and design presentation for the new Stewart-Lakewood Library branch 7 p.m. Monday at Oak Hill Child, Family and Adolescent Center, 2805 Metropolitan Parkway. Questions or comments can be submitted via email at librarycomments@fultoncountyga.gov, fax at 404-335-5291 or mail to Branch Services, Central Library, One Margaret Mitchell Square, Atlanta, GA 30303.

Information: 404-730-1977. Veronica Fields Johnson

Anti-bullying event Sunday at GSU

Georgia State University invites families to speak out against bullying and take an anti-bullying pledge 4:30 p.m. Sunday at the Student Center Ballroom. The event includes the cast of Don’t Be A Bully! Speak Up! Speak Out! (A Youth Anti-bullying Stage Play), the DBAB Step Team and Aleacea “Mean Girlz.”

Information: dbab.org Staff

DEKALB

Cop accused of child molestation gets bond

A DeKalb County police officer was accused Thursday of showing a 13-year-old pornography and trying to undress her.

Eighteen-year police veteran Manuel Williams was arrested Wednesday and charged with child molestation, police said.

Williams, 49, admitted to the charges and offered his resignation. In his first court appearance on Thursday, Williams’ bond was set at $10,000.

The alleged incident took place at Williams’ home in September 2012, police said.

Williams is being held at the DeKalb County jail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for him in DeKalb Magistrate Court on Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. Marcus K. Garner

Brookhaven accident reports available online

Brookhaven has partnered with the Georgia Electronic Accident Reporting System to make traffic incident reports available online at www.buycrash.com.

The city will be reimbursed $5 for every report purchased through the site. The city is not paying for the service.

Reports may also be purchased 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday at Brookhaven City Hall, 200 Ashford Center North, Suite 150 or Brookhaven Municipal Court, 2 Corporate Blvd., Suite 125 Staff

Library workers hosting art show

Staffers in the DeKalb County Public Library are hosting an expo of their designs to help offset department budget cuts.

The works will be displayed, and for sale to benefit the library system, now through November at the Decatur Library, 215 Sycamore St.

Information: www.dekalblibrary.org. April Hunt

County hosting event to discuss progress

The DeKalb County government and school district are co-hosting an event on November 14 to discuss with the public ways to move the county forward.

DeKalb’s Board of Education, its Board of Commissioners, interim County CEO Lee May and Superintendent Michael Thurmond are all expected to attend the event, which will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Presser Hall on the campus of Agnes Scott College.

Parking is available across the street on South McDonough Street. Wayne Washington

Colorful 5K run scheduled

The Color Vibe, a fun run 5K company, will host a “colorful” run for all ages Nov. 23 in downtown Stone Mountain. Participants will be blitzed with a non-toxic, biodegradable color powder made of dyed cornstarch. A dance party will take place after the run. A portion of proceeds will go to the Stone Mountain Village Visitors Center.

Information and registration, visit www.thecolorvibe.com or email support@thecolorvibe.com. Mea Watkins

Animal welfare group hosts fundraiser

PAWS Atlanta, an animal welfare group, will host its annual Walk for the Paws fundraiser on Nov. 2 in Avondale Estates.

Proceeds will benefit homeless animals and help provide veterinary service at its no-kill shelter in central DeKalb.

Information: www.pawsatlanta.org. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Fayette restricts sex shops, tattoo parlors

Tattoo parlors wanting to make their mark in unincorporated Fayette County won’t have many places to do it.

On Thursday the Fayette County Board of Commissioners voted to restrict tattoo parlors and sexually oriented businesses to areas zoned light industrial, or M-1.

Such zones exist only in three small areas of the county. Commissioner Allen McCarty said the measure amounts to “a big discouragement” to such businesses. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Two spaces open on planning commission

The Fayette County Planning Commission has two vacancies open for application.

Members of the five-person volunteer board serve three-year terms, meet twice monthly and make recommendations regarding zoning, subdivisions, floodplains and watershed protection.

Contact Floyd Jones at fjones@fayettecountyga.gov or 770-305-5102 before Nov. 22. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Clayton Animal Shelter to host adoption fair

The Clayton County Animal Shelter, 1396 Government Circle in Jonesborowill hold a Pet Adoption Fair 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today.

Aggressive breeds such Pit Bull, Rottweiler and Shar-Pei will not be a part of the event. Free hot dogs, soda and chips.

A $25 discount will accompany each adoption.

Information: 770 477-3684. Tammy Joyner

Nutrition manager wins Calhoun Award

Fayette County High School Nutrition Manager Brenda White was honored by the Board of Education on Monday with the first-ever Cheryl Calhoun Award. White, who will retire at the end of this school year after 31 years of service there, was praised for her “dedication, hard work and commitment to excellence.”

Cheryl Calhoun was the county’s school nutrition director for 22 years; she died of cancer in 2007. Jill Howard Church

Children’s Village to sponsor fundraiser

The Children’s Village at Christian City will host its annual Pancake Breakfast and Griddle Gallop 5K from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday in the parking lot behind the Welcome Center at Christian City, 7300 Lester Road, Union City. The 5K Run, Walk and Roll is $25 and includes a free pancake breakfast and awards.

Pancake breakfast-only tickets are $5.

Proceeds will support the programs of the Children’s Village. Information: 770-703-2636 or www.christiancity.org. Veronica Fields Johnson

Halloween party planned for Fayetteville

Downtown Fayetteville will combine its Market Day and Pumpkin Festival events starting at 10 a.m. today Market Day vendors will sell local products until 5 p.m.

Halloween costume contests for dogs (rotaryfayettevillega.com) and kids (rmjoiner678@gmail.com) begin at 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. respectively, with hay rides, train rides and games as well.

Information: 770-719-4173. Jill Howard Church for the AJC