County by county news for Saturday

If approved, the vote would take place on March 6, the same day as Georgia’s presidential primary.

This summer the City Council decided not to include the question on the Nov. 8 ballot.

The meeting will be at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 4488 Pineview Drive next to City Hall. Information: 770-943-1666. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Smyrna recount affirms election results

The winners and losers in last week’s Smyrna elections will remain the same, as recount results were unchanged from election night.

City Council candidate Vic Yankouski requested the recount in his Ward 7 race. He came in third in the race and just missed being eligible for a runoff.

Cobb County elections officials conducted the recount of votes in the Wards 1 and 7 races Friday morning. The certified results will stand.

A runoff for Wards 4, 5, and 7 is set for Dec. 6. Janel Davis

Blue Angels on Toys for Tots mission

The U.S. Navy’s famous Blue Angels aerial demonstration team will be in Marietta on Tuesday for the annual Toys for Tots mission.

The Blue Angels are partnering with Lockheed Martin to deliver donated toys to Birmingham where Marines and other volunteers will distribute the toys to families impacted by tornadoes this spring.

In addition to the Marietta stop, the Blue Angels will also stop at Lockheed’s Forth Worth, Texas facilities to pick up toys. Janel Davis

Financial bootcamp for entrepreneurs today

Author and entrepreneur advocate Robert Watkins will host a financial boot camp for new and aspiring entrepreneurs on Saturday at the Cobb Galleria Centre.

The session, hosted by various industry experts, will include tips on branding, social media, public relations, using technology and strengthening your financial portfolio.

The $199 session runs from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Galleria, 2 Galleria Parkway in Atlanta. Information: 770-955-8000 Janel Davis

Turkey Chase run in Acworth is today

Acworth is hosting the 3rd annual Turkey Chase Run at 9a.m. today , starting on Main Street downtown. The timed run is for ages 10 and older. Registration today is $30. Registration for the untimed run is $20. A “Little Pilgrim” Trot for children up to age 5 starts at at 10 a.m. on Main Street. Registration is free. Information: Jeff Chase at jchase@acworth.org

Jeffry Scott

Festival of Trees goes through Jan. 5

The Cobb Galleria’s second annual Festival of Trees is ongoing through Jan. 5. The Galleria aims to raise $20,000 through the fundraising event. Visitors are asked to vote by donating to their favorite tree. The money raised will be distributed to 30 local charities. The festival also includes free hot chocolate and cookies at the Embassy Suites Atlanta Galleria, 2815 Akers Mill Road S.E. in Atlanta. Janel Davis

GWINNETT

Peachtree Corners eyes Berkeley Lake move

The Berkeley Lake Planning and Zoning Commission approved the annexation of 15 homes that were slated for inclusion in the new city of Peachtree Corners.

Berkeley Lake Mayor Lois Salter said the homeowners asked to be annexed into the city.

Leaders in Peachtree Corners, which voters chose to incorporate on Nov. 8, said they planned to review Berkeley Lake’s move to annex the homes. They are still attempting to determine whether annexation by other municipalities is allowed once voters approved the referendum. Joel Anderson

Peachtree Corners sets qualifying dates

Candidates for the new Peachtree Corners city government can qualify for office from Nov. 28 through Nov. 30.

To qualify for the mayoral race, candidates will have to pay $270 while aspiring council members will have to pay $240.

Peachtree Corners voters will choose a mayor and six council members in a March 6 election.

Information: Gwinnett County Elections Office at 678-226-7210. Joel Anderson

Braselton residents collect for food banks

More than 600 grocery items were collected by residents of The Village at Chateau Elan in Braselton to bolster the efforts of local food banks.

Volunteers collected canned and nonperishable goods to benefit The Vine Food Bank and Zion Baptist Food Bank of Braselton. Joel Anderson

County hosts recycling event today

Gwinnett County will host its second annual America Recycle Day celebration from 9 a.m. to noon today at Coolray Field, 2500 Buford Drive, Lawrenceville.

The free event includes paper shredding, tire and electronics recycling, touch-a-truck displays, children’s activities, giveaways and refreshments. Residents also are encouraged to bring canned food for the Salvation Army.

Information: www.sustainablegwinnett.com. David Wickert

Pet vaccination clinic offered today

The Georgia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is offering a vaccination clinic with low-cost tests and shots from 1 to 4 p.m. today.

The clinic takes place at the Georgia SPCA at 1175 Buford Highway at Suite 109 in Suwanee. Info: email Jane Stewart at stewart426@bellsouth.net or call 678-726-2726. Andria Simmons

Man gets life in stabbing death

Marcus Dewayne Huff was sentenced to life in prison Thursday after being convicted of the stabbing death of 42-year-old Daniel Aftowski.

A Gwinnett County jury found Huff guilty of murder and aggravated assault in the February 2009 attack at Aftowski’s Duluth apartment.

Huff stabbed Aftowski more than 30 times. Defense attorney John Petrey had argued that the incident happened after Aftowski made sexual advances on Huff. Senior Assistant District Attorney John Warr said robbery was likely the motive. Huff stole the victim’s computer, his car, and used his credit card. Andria Simmons

NORTHSIDE

Technology contract for libraries put on hold

A $1.08 million technology design services contract covering 10 Fulton County libraries is on hold. After Commissioner Bill Edwards raised concerns that minority and female contractors are being marginalized when bidding for county work, the contract with Jacksonville, Fla.-based TLC Engineering for Architecture couldn’t garner the votes. The contract would be part of a $275 million construction program approved by voters in 2008. It involves computer network planning for eight new branch libraries and two renovated and expanded libraries. Johnny Edwards

Alpharetta swears in new councilman

Alpharetta’s City Council is now complete.

Municipal Judge Jim Matoney swore in Donald Mitchell this week as the city’s representative for Post 1.

Mitchell, who defeated Ron Carter in the Nov. 8 election, replaces Douglas DeRito, who stepped down earlier this fall in an unsuccessful bid for mayor.

The city will swear in another new council member and new mayor in January. Patrick Fox

Board approves name for new high school

The Fulton County school board has approved a name for the high school under construction on Bethany Bend in Milton that will open in August.

The new name, Cambridge High, represents a historical view of the area and a unifying vision for the school.

The “C” in Cambridge is in honor of the Cogburn family, the original owners of the school site. The “A” represents the students coming from Alpharetta High and the “M” represents the students coming from Milton High. The “bridge” symbolizes how students will come together. D. Aileen Dodd

Occupy movement gathers in Cumming

About a half-dozen people gathered in downtown Cumming Thursday afternoon for an Occupy Cumming demonstration. Group organizer Sharon Gunter said the purpose of the demonstration was to show solidarity with the national movement and to build a coalition calling for jobs, Congressional term limits, lobbyist reform and tax equity.

“We got a lot of honks from passing motorists,” Gunter said. “It’s the most visible place in Cumming.”Patrick Fox

Church to serve Thanksgiving meal

Sandy Springs United Methodist Church, 86 Mount Vernon Highway, will host its ninth annual Thanksgiving Community Meal for those in need.

Volunteers will serve home-cooked turkey, dressing and sides from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thanksgiving Day. Sandy Springs UMC offers hot free meals each Sunday from 1 to 2 p.m. Patrick Fox

Barbecue contest kicks off in Cumming

More than 90 professional and 30 amateur barbecue-cooking teams are competing this weekend for the National BBQ Cup at the Cumming Fairgrounds in Cumming, including Woodstock-based Bub-ba-Q. The gates open at 10 a.m. Saturday. Admission is $5 for adults. Children under 12 are free. Parking is $3. Information: www.nationalbbqcup.com Jeffry Scott

ATLANTA

Event lures potential Beltline homebuyers

The BeltLine Team real estate group and the Lofts at Reynoldstown Crossing will hold a meet-and-greet Sunday, showing potential homebuyers how they can purchase a loft on the Beltline with up to $64,000 in down payment assistance. Visitors can hear an overview of the project and see model homes starting at 1 p.m., then take bus tours of the eastern part of the Beltline at 2 and 3:30 p.m. The BeltLine Team has been involved in efforts to fill vacant houses in areas wracked by mortgage fraud in the area. The presentation will be at 890 Memorial Drive. Registration: rsvp@lizlapiduspr.com. Johnny Edwards

Ice skating rink in park opens today

Southwest Airlines is encouraging the public to visit the ice skating rink at Centennial Olympic Park on opening today by offering free admission to the first 50. It is the first major Atlanta sponsorship for Southwest Airlines after the company’s purchase of AirTran Airways. The rink is open daily through Jan. 29. Admission is $7 per person for 90 minutes of skate time, and skate rental is $2. Andria Simmons

College and career week at APS

Atlanta Public Schools this week hosted “College and Career Motivation Week” to encourage students in every APS high school to focus on college or career readiness. The district hosted rallies with inspirational speakers, “Dress for Success” and “College Spirit” theme days and workshops on applying for college and job interview skills. Jaime Sarrio

Schools to host Fair Trade Sale

Immaculate Heart of Mary School of Atlanta is hosting a Fair Trade Sale to benefit the Work of Human Hands program. The venues and dates are: Saturday from 9-3 p.m. at St. Pius X Catholic High School, Atlanta; and Sunday, Dec. 4 from 10-4 p.m. in the old historic IHM church in Atlanta. Information: Carmen S. Graciaa at cgraciaa@ihmschool.org or call 404-636-4488, ext. 237. Kenneth Musisi

DEKALB

DeKalb schools launch search for COO

DeKalb County School System is launching a national search for a new Chief Operations Officer for Georgia’s third largest school district, after the retirement this week of Barbara Colman. She served as an officer with the district since the former COO Pat Reid, also known as Pat Reid, left the job amid allegations of in the ongoing criminal and civil cases also involving the district’s former superintendent Crawford Lewis and alleged misspent money. No salary or timetable has been announced for when the district will fill the job. Rich McKay

Emory Village to get hourly parking

DeKalb County is installing hourly parking near Emory Village in a bid to encourage more visitors in the area.

The county will restrict parking to one hour from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays on North Decatur and Oxford roads near the commercial strip. Signs detailing the change will be up soon. The restrictions come just months after the county installed a traffic roundabout in the area, to ease traffic around the busy intersections. April Hunt

Sunday sales to start in Avondale Estates

On Thursday Avondale Estates’ Board of Mayor and Commissioners gave the third and final reading of the Amendment of the Alcohol Ordinance, thus opening the door for DeKalb County’s first Sunday alcohol sales tomorrow. The Beer Growler, which sells only beer in 32- and 64-ounce reusable jugs, will open from 12:30 to 5 p.m., prompting Avondale Estates mayor Ed Rieker to say, “I plan on being one of the first customers.” On Nov. 8, the city approved the Sunday sales referendum by 85 percent. Bill Banks for the AJC

Grant helps with ambulance transports

A grant from the Georgia Trauma Care Network Commission will help reimburse DeKalb County’s spending on uncompensated ambulance transports done in 2009.

The $45,640 will go to the budget of DeKalb County Fire Rescue, which provided the trips. It is the first time the county has won such a reimbursement. April Hunt

School chief to hold fireside chat

DeKalb County School Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson is holding another “fireside chat” at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 28 at the auditorium at the school administration building, 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd., Stone Mountain. The meeting is geared toward school paraprofessional employees, but is open to all members of the public. Information: www.dekalb.k12.ga.us. Rich McKay

County holds shredding event today

DeKalb County is inviting all to bring their sensitive documents -- credit cards and microfilm as well as paper-- to the sanitation division’s central transfer station to be shredded at no charge today, America Recycles Day. Each person can bring up to five boxes. Items from businesses will not be taken. Neighborhood groups that have collected from several households must make reservations by calling 404-371-2654.

Used tires from passenger cars also can be recycled at 3720 Leroy Scott Drive for $1 each. The limit is 10 tires per person. Rhonda Cook

SOUTHSIDE

Seniors can get help with energy bills on Monday

Fulton County seniors can get help Monday signing up for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which offers help paying energy bills.

Households with members age 65 or older who meet income guidelines, or any household facing a life-threatening crisis, are eligible.

Enrollment help will be offered from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Helene S. Mills Senior Multipurpose Facility, 515 John Wesley Dobbs Ave., S.E., Atlanta. Information: 404-613-6000. Johnny Edwards

Bulkwaste amnesty day today

South Fulton Commissioner Bill Edwards will sponsor another Bulk Waste Amnesty Day, where residents can dump bulk trash for no cost, today from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Drop offs can be made at the Merk Road Transfer Station, Creel Park and the South Fulton Service Center, all in College Park. Refrigerators, furniture, televisions, electronics and up to four unmounted tires will be accepted, but not paints, chemicals, batteries, construction waste or demolition debris. Johnny Edwards

Peachtree City tosses Development Authority

A divided City Council of Peachtree City voted 3-2 Thursday to dissolve its Development Authority. The seven-member volunteer committee was in charge of helping to recruit new businesses to the city.

Debate about the authority’s role arose last spring after an economic development coordinator hired by the city abruptly quit only months into the job.

Council members Kim Learnard, Vanessa Fleisch and Eric Imker support hiring a new coordinator without the “redundancy” of a development board; Doug Sturbaum and Mayor Don Haddix wanted to keep both. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

College Park designated ‘drug-free zone’

The city of College Park has been designated by the General Assembly as a “Drug Free Commercial Zone”, granting increased penalties for those convicted of trafficking, manufacturing or possession of illegal drugs. John Thompson for the AJC

Seniors center fees up for non-residents

The cost for out-of-county residents to use Henry County’s three senior centers is going up. The Board of Commissioners approved a resolution Nov. 15 that will see the annual user fee increase for out-of-county residents from $25 to $75 per year effective July, 2012. The commissioners will revisit the issue before July 2013 and could raise it again. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Hampton student wins Falcons fitness award

Marquese Taylor, a seventh-grader at Hampton Middle School, has been selected as a 2011 Falcons First Down for Fitness MVP. He is one of 11 students chosen from a group of over 50,000 students around the state.

Selection was based upon the student’s conscious effort and commitment to eating healthy, staying active and demonstrating sportsmanship at his or her school.

The MVPs will be recognized during Falcons’ Nov. 27 game. Monroe Roark for the AJC