County by county news for Saturday

The wreck happened about 3:45 a.m. at the I-575 bridge over Hawkins Store Road.

Cobb police said that "for reasons unknown," a southbound Ford Expedition left the roadway, traveling through the grass median before striking the bridge wall on the northbound side.The SUV "rode the wall and came to a final rest on Hawkins Store Road, where it burst into flames. The driver died in the crash. Mike Morris

'Smoke ' performed at the Strand

The musical "Smoke on the Mountain," formerly at the shuttered Theatre in the Square, moves to the Earl Smith Strand Strand Theatre on the Marietta Square through Aug. 5. The Atlanta Lyric Theatre production features many of the original cast members in the show about a gospel singing Baptist family in the 1930's rural south. Information: www.AtlantaLyricTheatre.com.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Tryouts for Allatoona Buccaneers

Tryouts for the 2012-13 season of the 13U Allatoona Buccaneers travel baseball team will be at 10 a.m. July 28 at Allatoona High School, 3300 Dallas Acworth Highway N.W., Acworth. Eligible players must be 13 years or older, and reside in Allatoona district, or have plans to attend the high school. To pre-register, visit www.jrbucsbaseball.com. Information: 404-664-6300 or e-mail juniorbucsbaseball@gmail.com. Kenneth Musisi

Police chase man with pregnant wife in car

Several people were injured overnight when a man led police on a two-county chase with a pregnant woman and two small children in the back seat of his car.

Channel 2 Action News reported the chase by Austell police ended in a three-vehicle crash at the intersection of Thornton and Maxham roads in neighboring Douglas County.

According to the station, police were pursuing a car driven by 30-year-old Jeremiah Mathis.

Georgia State Patrol Trooper James Pyland told Channel 2 that Mathis' pregnant wife and two children were in the car with him when the vehicle struck a Chevrolet Avalanche, causing the Avalanche to overturn.

Four people were taken to local hospitals for treatment of injuries that were not believed to be life threatening. Mike Morris

Roaches crawling on baby in dirty home

Two parents are accused of allowing their 4-month-old baby to live in a home filled with dog feces and roaches. The baby's infant seat had roaches crawling on it and live electrical cords suspended above it in the Austell home, according to Cobb County police. Police arrested the child's parents, Rebecca Marie Willette, 18, and John Christopher Torrance, 22, and charged them each with misdemeanor contributing to the deprivation of a minor, according to jail records.

Willette was booked into jail early Tuesday and released Wednesday afternoon after posting $2,500 bond, booking records show. Torrance was arrested Wednesday and remained Friday afternoon in jail, where he was being held on $2,500 bond.Alexis Stevens

GWINNETT

Resort adds channel markers to help boaters

Lake Lanier Islands Resort in Buford has added channel markers to help boaters navigate the busy harbor at Sunset Cove.

Bill Donohue, executive director of the Lake Lanier Islands Development Authority, said the markers will help boaters entering the cove and provide better entry to first responders.

The move comes in the wake of the deaths of three boys in Lake Lanier accidents this summer. Brothers Jake and Griffin Prince died in a boating accident June 18. Kile Glover was struck by a personal watercraft July 6 and later died from his injuries. David Wickert

Art center planning family fun day

Hudgens Center for the Arts is hosting a Family Day 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today. Admission will be free all day. A scavenger hunt through the exhibits will be offered and there will be a guided hands-on art activity for children from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Info: www.thehudgens.org. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Gwinnett Arena ranked prominently

Gwinnett Arena, site of last spring's nationally televised NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championships, has been named among the nation's and world's top venues by entertainment industry publications Venues Today and Pollstar Magazine. Citing $7.3 million of ticket sales in seven months through mid-May, Venues Today ranked the facility at 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, fourth nationally and ninth worldwide among arenas seating up to 15,000. The venue's 156,378 tickets sold in the first half of this year garnered Pollstar's 14th ranking nationally and 36th worldwide in its midyear edition. Michael Alpert for the AJC

Annandale Village to host resource fair

Annandale Village in Suwanee is hosting Get Ready Gwinnett, a day-long disaster preparedness educational symposium and resource fair.

The event is set for Sept. 11 and is designed to help people who have physical, visual, auditory, or cognitive disabilities prepare for natural disasters and their consequences. The event is free and starts at 8 a.m. at Annandale Village at 3500 Annandale Lane.

Information: www.getreadygwinnett.org Nancy Badertscher

Hudgens announces art competition

Hudgens Center for the Arts has announced their first Juried Member's Exhibit. Open to all Members of The Hudgens, 18 years and older, entries will be accepted between Aug. 25 and Sept. 1. The exhibit will be featured Sept. 11 through Dec. 22 in the Georgia Gallery.

Cost is $10. Information: www.thehudgens.org. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Loganville High hosts basketball fundraiser

The third annual Basketball Showdown event, a fundraiser and silent auction benefiting the American Cancer Society is set for 5 p.m. today at Loganville High School. Players from the GHSA and NCAA, and global professional players are participating. Tickets are $10. The main game starts at 7:30 p.m.

Information: www.basketballshowdown.org. Kenneth Musisi

NORTHSIDE

Cherokee commissioners approve 2012 millage rates

The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners approved a 2012 millage rate of 9.99 Thursday night, an increase of .86 from the current tax rate. County officials say though, that the new rate is essentially "revenue-neutral", meaning that the average property owner will pay the same in county taxes in 2012 as in 2011. Commissioners also gave final approval to the 19.850 mills requested by the school board for operations and bond expenses.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Illegal drugs burned in Forsyth County

The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office this week destroyed some 330 pounds of outdated prescription and confiscated illegal drugs. The department's first official "drug burn" was performed with a new piece of equipment, a smoke-free incinerator. The $4,250 Drug Terminator was purchased with drug seizure funds. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Canton mayor vetoes fire tax district

Canton's mayor announced his veto Thursday of a fire tax district approved last week.

Gene Hobgood said he opposed the decision because it would eliminate a $112,000 property tax exemption for senior and disabled residents.

The City Council approved the ordinance in a 5-1 vote on July 19. Although no tax has been levied yet, the ordinance allows the city to collect a separate tax—used solely to fund the fire district—that is not subject to the exemption.

If the council overrides the veto during their next meeting, the law will go into effect.

Christopher Hong

National Dance Day event at Wills Park

Studio 13 Fitness is hosting a free public event celebrating National Dance Day 9 to 11:30 a.m. todayJ in Wills Park on the Alpharetta Community Center Event Lawn, 175 Roswell St. All ages and skill levels welcomed.

Fitness instructors will teach two National Dance Day routines with a videotaped session following. Information: info@studio13fit.com or www.studio13fit.com. Kenneth Musisi

Cherokee officials seek shelter adoption record

The Cherokee County Animal Shelter seeks to find homes for a record number of animals in one day. The shelter's "Be Their Hero, Save a Life: Super Adoption Event" is set for 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 4.

The shelter will offer free adoptions for all dogs and cats older than one year, including spaying and neutering, microchipping and initial shots. The shelter is at 1015 Univeter Drive, Canton. Info: 770-345-7270. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Cherokee authorities make heroin arrests

It's a first for the Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad. The agency says it made its first-ever arrests on heroin trafficking charges this week in Holly Springs.

Richard Chad Edwards, 31, of Woodstock, and Brandon Lamar Ray, 22, of Acworth face heroin trafficking and other charges. The drug squad says the arrests spotlight a growing trend of heroin sales and use in suburban areas. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

AABJ honors Condace Pressley

The Atlanta Association of Black Journalists will honor veteran journalist Condace Pressley during its 30th Pioneer Black Journalist Awards ceremony Sunday. A metro Atlanta native and graduate of the University of Georgia's Henry W. Grady School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Pressley currently serves as the assistant program director for News/Talk WSB. Mea Watkins

At least two shot in northwest Atlanta

Atlanta police are investigating an incident in the 1900 block of Drew Drive around 11 a.m. Friday that led to a homeowner shooting suspected robbers. The homeowner told police he saw a van stop in front of his house, then two men come to the front door and start knocking then kicking the door.

The homeowner opened fire and the men ran back to their van, police said.

The driver sped off, but the van and the two suspects - both suffering from gunshot wounds - were found a short distance from the house. A third person remains at large. Neither suspect has been identified.

Marcus K. Garner and Mike Morris

Candlelight peace and prayer event

A candlelight rally will be at 7 p.m. Monday at the Mall West End. The event is to bring awareness about violence committed by young people and appeal for unified peace. Youth and representatives from the National Action Network, NAACP and Revive the Vote, will speak. Information: 404-519-1964. Kenneth Musisi

FSC hosts benefit and Torchbearer awards

The Fund for Southern Communities' 19th Annual Benefit Concert featuring Sweet Honey in the Rock will be 8 p.m.today at Ebenezer Baptist Church. Presentation of the Torchbearer Awards to Congressman John Lewis and Ambassador Andrew Young will be at 7:45 p.m. The Torchbearer Award is presented to individuals who have taken leadership to promote justice and support grassroots social change. Information: www.fundforsouth.org or 404-371-8404. Kenneth Musisi

DEKALB

DeKalb opening renovated rec center

DeKalb County held the reopening of the Browns Mill Recreation Center Tuesday at the center near Lithonia.

The event at the center, 5101 Browns Mill Road, includes showcasing renovations to the lobby, concession area, gym, restrooms and other facilities.

Information: 404-371-6273.

April Hunt

Railroad clubs sponsor free model train exhibit

North Georgia Modurail and other railroad clubs are sponsoring a free operating model train exhibit at the Smoke Rise Baptist Church gymnasium, 5901 Hugh Howell Rd., Stone Mountain. Viewing times will be Saturday, July 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, July 29 from noon to 3 p.m. Information: locoengr@bellsouth.net.

Veronica Fields Johnson

Moody's downgrades Georgia Perimeter

Moody's Investors Service downgraded Georgia Perimeter College Friday and issued a negative rating outlook citing the school's significant budget shortfall and concerns over future financial challenges.

Georgia Perimeter has been overspending for the past several years and had to cut $25 million from its budget for the fiscal year that started July 1. As part of the cuts the school laid off about 9 percent of its staff.

The University System of Georgia is expected to release an audit next month about the college's finances. State auditors have also started analyzing the college and that report is expected mid-October.

Laura Diamond

Superintendent seeks to fill executive posts

DeKalb County Schools Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson will ask the school board to fill several executive-level posts.

The district is restructuring operations to save $5 million, said spokesman Jeff Dickerson. Atkinson wants to hire four people to fill five positions: executive directors over federal programs, facilities management, school nutrition and transportation and planning and regional superintendent.

The meeting was announced Friday afternoon to occur at 1 p.m. Monday at school system headquarters, 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd., Stone Mountain. Ty Tagami

County approves worker insurance funds

The DeKalb County Commission recently ratified emergency spending of nearly $2.3 million for insurance coverage.

The board authorized the county finance department to pay Resurgens Risk Management of Atlanta the money, which pays premiums for the liability insurance on county vehicles and workers' compensation. April Hunt

County to channel funds to road projects

DeKalb County, one of only two in the state with a penny homestead option sales tax, recently agreed to tackle more road projects this year now that it has completed its planned yearly project list.

That $907,000 includes an additional $560,000 that will be sent to DeKalb's cities for their share of the HOST money, which is to be used for capital improvements such as roadways or sidewalks.

The county plans to use most of its share to match grant awards for projects such as a traffic study for I-85. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Family services officials sentenced for theft

A Fayette County judge has sentenced two former officials of Georgia Family Services Inc. to prison terms for stealing $220,000 from Georgia Medicaid, the state Attorney General's Office said.

"The defendants in this case thought that they could scam the system for their own personal gain," Attorney General Sam Olens said. Emeka Brown, who owned the company, was sentenced to one year in prison, and Tonya Summerour Jackson, who handled Medicaid billings, was sentenced to 90 days. Each defendant was ordered to pay $111,000 in restitution. Bill Rankin

Henry County hosts candidate forum

The public is invited to the Fairview Community Candidate Forum at 10 a.m. Saturday at Fairview Elementary School, 458 Fairview Rd., Stockbridge. Candidates running for State House District 76, Henry County Chair and District Attorney will be present and questions on the proposed T-SPLOST will be answered.

To submit a question for candidates or for more information: henryforum2012@gmail.com.

Veronica Fields Johnson

Zion Center to host open house

Zion Community Center is hosting an open house and back-to-school supply give away on July 28 at East King Street in Hampton.

The open house event is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kenneth Musisi

Atlanta South Comic Con event

The Atlanta South Comic Con, a comic book event, will be from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 29 at Marriott Fairfield Inn & Suites, 30 Mill Road, McDonough.

The event will have local comic book artists and publishers, and vendors selling action figures, Manga, comics and much more.

Information: www.atlantasouthcomiccon.com. Kenneth Musisi

UGA alumni artists on display in McDonough

University of Georgia alumni artists will kick off the 4th Annual UGA Alumni Art Showcase with an opening night reception from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3, at Winsor Gallery in McDonough.

The public is invited to meet the participating artists and learn about their work while enjoying light refreshments.

The show will be on display through Aug. 24.

Monroe Roark for the AJC

Amphitheater parking adjusted

The managers of south Fulton's Wolf Creek Amphitheater have reconfigured its parking plan.

When New Edition performed in May, some cars took 30 minutes to an hour to reach the venue from Camp Creek Parkway, and fans grumbled about long hikes from overflow lots and a $20 parking price.

For an upcoming jazz festival Aug. 4 and an R&B show Labor Day weekend, both the Merk Road and Enon Road entrances will be open, and shuttles will run between the amphitheater and an overflow lot near the transfer station.

Parking will cost $10 per vehicle. After the New Edition show, similar changes were made in time for an Erykah Badu concert the next day. Johnny Edwards