County by county news for Saturday

Lemonade sale raise fund for cancer research

Students and staff at Sanders Elementary School will run a lemonade stand today to raise money for cancer research.

The event, at the school’s fall festival and bike ride, was inspired by the book Alex’s Amazing Lemonade Stand about a girl with cancer who died in 2004.

The kids will be selling lemonade from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1550 Anderson Mill Road in Austell, according to the Pennsylvania-based Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. Ty Tagami

Dinner at the Depot to start in Kennesaw

Kennesaw’s Downtown Development Authority is joining with local food trucks to host “Dinner at the Depot,” beginning 5 p.m. Monday.

The food trucks will gather in Depot Park on Cherokee Street in downtown Kennesaw, selling food ranging from tacos to cheese steaks to paninis.

There will be live music in the park nearby. Jeffry Scott

Performing arts group to hold gala Monday

The Cobb County Center for Excellence in the Performing Arts at Pebblebrook High School will mark its 25th anniversary with a silent auction Sunday, and a gala concert Monday.

The auction will be 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Unity North Atlanta Church, 4255 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta. The gala, which will include center alumni, will be at 8 p.m. Monday at the Cobb Civic Center’s Jennie T. Anderson Theatre, 548 S. Marietta Parkway, Marietta.

For information: 404-731-1192. Laurie Hoffman

Marietta school chief to hold meeting

Marietta City Schools Superintendent Emily Lembeck will host a general discussion for the public, with an emphasis on the upcoming general obligation bond referendum that would pay for construction of an auditorium at Marietta High School.

The event is 7 p.m. Tuesday at the high school’s Black Box Theatre, 1171 Whitlock Ave.

Information: 770-422-3500, ext. 231. Ty Tagami

Acworth Lake Authority to meet Monday

The Acworth Lake Authority meets noon, Monday, in Acworth City Hall, 4415 Senator Russell Avenue, Acworth. The mayor and board of alderman meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday, in Acworth City Hall, for a public hearing and work session.

Two zoning items are on the agenda.

The mayor and aldermen also plan to discuss the city’s Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax project list. Jeffry Scott

GWINNETT

Driver charged in death of child at Lenora Park

The driver of a vehicle that struck and killed a 1-year-old in a stroller in a Lenora Park near Snellville has been charged with misdemeanor vehicular homicide, according to Gwinnett County authorities. Tekila Mynon Glass, 30, of Riverdale also was charged with improper backing in the death Sept. 17 of Olivia Hellwig.

Glass was backing a Chrysler Pacifica through the parking lot when the vehicle struck a stroller pushed by Brooke Hellwig, Olivia’s mother, police said. Olivia later died at the hospital. Brooke Hellwig was treated for minor injuries, police said. David Ibata and George Mathis

Transportation Director Bryan Allen retires

Gwinnett County Transportation Director Brian Allen retired Friday. Allen came to Gwinnett County in 1995, serving briefly as assistant county administrator before taking over the transportation department. During his tenure he oversaw more than $1 billion in voter-approved transportation improvements. Deputy Director Kim Conroy, a 26-year veteran of the department, will serve as acting transportation director. David Wickert

Kramer extradition hearing delayed

An extradition hearing for DragonCon founder Edward Kramer in Connecticut has been postponed until Oct. 13.

Kramer’s defense attorney is mulling whether to waive extradition to Gwinnett County, where he faces multiple charges of child molestation, said Kevin Lawler, a state’s attorney for the Ansonia-Milford Judicial District in Connecticut.

Kramer, 50, of Duluth, was arrested Sept. 15 in Milford, Conn., after he was allegedly caught staying at a motel with a 14-year-old boy. That violated the conditions of his bond in Georgia. Andria Simmons

County breaks ground on park expansions

Gwinnett County broke ground on two Dacula-area park expansions Friday.

Rabbit Hill Park will add two soccer fields, a concession/restroom building, seven new baseball/softball fields, and a multipurpose field. The project will cost nearly $9.6 million.

Harbins Park will get a multi-purpose field, a concession/restroom building, walking track and rental pavilion. The project will cost $5.9 million. David Wickert

Amigos for Christ music festival today

A free concert by the Atlanta Rhythm Section will highlight today’s Amigos for Christ Celebrate Service Music Festival at Suwanee Town Center Park. The concert is at 7:30 p.m., but a day full of events starts at 10 a.m. Please bring a can of food to help restock local food banks. Info: www.AmigosForChrist.org or call 770-614-9250. Nancy Badertscher

Breast cancer survivors to share their stories

Gwinnett Medical Center in Lawrenceville will celebrate breast cancer survivors at the opening of its new Gwinnett Breast Center on Oct. 4.

The event will include survivors sharing their stories, as well as tours of the new facility. It will run from 5:30 to 7:50 p.m. at the Gwinnett Physician Center, 631 Professional Drive in Lawrenceville. Misty Williams

NORTHSIDE

Fulton voter registration deadline Oct. 11

Fulton County residents who want to cast ballots in the city council elections and school sales tax and Sunday alcohol sales referendums coming up have until Oct. 11 to register -- the statewide deadline. Advance voting starts Oct. 17 and will run from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Fulton County Government Center in downtown Atlanta, the North Fulton Service Center in Sandy Springs and the South Fulton Service Center in College Park.

Polls will be open Nov. 8 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Information: 404-612-7020. Johnny Edwards

School board calls meeting for Monday

The Fulton County school board will meet Monday for a working retreat to discuss pending business.

The retreat will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 786 Cleveland Avenue SW in Atlanta. It is open to the public.

For information: www.fultonschools.org D. Aileen Dodd

Upper Etowah River Alliance cleanup today

The Upper Etowah River Alliance is looking for volunteers today , for its annual stream clean up. The alliance and partners, the Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority, the Rotary Club of Canton, the Cherokee County Stormwater Management department, Starbucks and the Cherokee County School District, and volunteers will meet at 9 a.m., at the pavilion in Boling Park, 1200 Marietta Highway, in Canton.

Wear sturdy shoes and long pants. Information: Lori Forrester , 770-479-6554; or lori.forrester@ ccwsa.com. Jeffry Scott

Crabapple art festival today in Milton

The Crossroads at Crabapple Antiques and Art Festival will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today in the historic downtown Crabapple community, which is centered at 790 Mayfield Road in Milton.

A tradition since 1969, the festival features thousands of antiques, accessories and artwork. Included in the festival are roaming musicians, food vendors and children’s activities from 2 to 4 p.m.

Parking and admission are free, and a trolley is available to transport people from nearby lots.

Info: www.crabapplefestival.com or call 770-448-3860.

Andria Simmons

Former Hawks player to display artifacts

Former Atlanta Hawks player Mike Glenn will show 35 items, including documents, pictures and newspapers, from his personal collection of African-American historical artifacts on Monday at the Roswell Library.

“Lessons From the War: African Americans and the Civil War” lasts from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at 115 Norcross Street. Johnny Edwards

Canton to hold First Friday on Oct. 7

Canton Historic Downtown will host the First Friday event on Friday, Oct. 7 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Main Street in Downtown Canton.

The event includes a block party, live music, car show and food.

Information: 770-704-1548 or www.cantonhdl.com and www.canton-georgia.com. Kenneth Musisi

ATLANTA

Man pleads guilty to hacking ex-employer

An Atlanta man has pleaded guilty to federal computer hacking charges for illegally accessing the network of a competing medical practice.

After Eric McNeal, 37, was separated from his employment at an Atlanta perinatal practice, he joined a competing firm located in the same building. In April 2010, McNeal used his home computer to hack into his old firm’s patient database, downloading names, phone numbers and addresses and then wiping out the database, U.S. Attorney Sally Yates said in a statement. McNeal is to be sentenced Dec. 5. Bill Rankin

Free pet clinic today at South Bend Park

Free pet vaccinations, routine pet checkups, dog leashes, free rabies shots and information on tethering laws will be available today at “Pet Education Day” at South Bend Park, 1955 Compton Drive. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Jeremiah McWilliams

Breast cancer walk, health fair today

Atlanta’s Peyton Forest Elementary and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church will host a health fair and breast cancer walk at 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. today. The event will kick off with a free community breakfast and include health screenings for blood pressure and vision as well as speakers on health, sports medicine and asthma. The walk will take place from 10-11:30 a.m. Information: 404-696-3620. Jaime Sarrio

Man convicted twice of killing wife

A jury has found Roy Lewis McKinney guilty of murdering his wife nine years ago, the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office said.

McKinney, 29, was convicted in 2005 of killing Shaquilla Weatherspoon, 28, but his motion for a new trial was granted because the transcript of that trial disappeared and no record existed for his appeal. Weatherspoon’s body was found by land surveyors on June 5, 2002, in a wooded area near Greenbriar Parkway; she had left home four days earlier to attend a party but never returned. Bill Rankin

DEKALB

Watson to hold breakfast on Saturday

Stan Watson, an at-large county commissioner in DeKalb, will host his monthly legislative breakfast today with a presentation from the new county school superintendent .

The event, which is free, will feature features Cheryl Atkinson’s vision and plan for the district. James Donald, Chairman of the State Board Pardons and Paroles, also will speak at the event.

The breakfast is from 9-11 a.m. at Chapel Hill Middle School on Dogwood Farms Road in South DeKalb. April Hunt

Decatur school chief gives district profile

Earlier this week, superintendent Phyllis Edwards gave the current demographic breakdown for the city’s 3,259 k-12 students. Fifty-eight percent are white, 30 percent African American, 7.5 percent “multi-racial,” and 4.5 percent “other.” There are 297 tuition students (9 percent of the total student body), including 160 paying full tuition (about $6,000 annually) and 137 courtesy (parents work for the school system). About 25 percent of all students receive free and reduced lunches, down 10 percent from 10 years ago. The system has a total 274 teachers. Bill Banks for the AJC

American Flyers school to hold open house

The American Flyers Flight School will host an open house at noon on Oct. 8. The event, which takes place at American Flyers, located on the west side of the DeKalb Peachtree Airport, 1950 Airport Road, begins with a barbecue lunch and continues with a facility tour and a presentation by a flight instructor.

No reservation is necessary and guests should arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. Information: 678-281-0631 or www.americanflyers.net. Kenneth Musisi

Sorority focuses on breast cancer awareness

Stone Mountain-Lithonia Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. presents its annual Just for You Eternal Love & Support Day, 7 p.m. Oct. 20, Fairfield Baptist Church- Family Life Center, 6133 Redan Road, Lithonia.

The program provides support to the Women of Sister’s By Choice breast cancer survivors and their families. Information: Zenna Farley – Williams at 404-226-5011 or courtesy@smlacdst.org . Sandra Marshall Murray

Oak Grove church celebrates 175 years

The Oak Grove United Methodist Church at 1722 Oak Grove Road in Decatur is celebrating its 175th anniversary. Activities include the annual barbecue with a used book sale, craft bazaar, bake sale, and live Bluegrass music on Oct. 15 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and homecoming service at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 16. There will be lunch for all after the service. Information: www.ogumc.org or by calling 404-636-7558. Sandra Marshall Murray

Food Day at Decatur Farmers Market Oct. 22

The City of Decatur Active Living Division will celebrate the first Food Day at the Decatur Farmers Market 10 a.m. Oct. 22. This event is being held across the nation to encourage Americans to forgo fast foods, processed foods, and sodas. For more information visit www.foodday.org. Sandra Marshall Murray

SOUTHSIDE

Henry students among scholarship finalists

The National Merit and National Achievement Scholarship programs have announced their semifinalists for this year, and four students from the Henry County School System have been recognized. Jonathan James and Joshua Long, both seniors at Union Grove High School, are National Merit Scholarship semifinalists. The two National Achievement Scholarship semifinalists are Ola High senior Sarah Cox and Dutchtown High senior Armani Madison. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Peachtree City library offers e-books for Kindle

The Peachtree City Library now has e-books for Kindle users.

Titles are available through the Georgia Download Destination website at http://gadd.lib.overdrive.com. Users must select the Flint River Regional Library option and not Fayette County. A library card number is needed to create an online account; cards can be obtained at library branches.

MP3 and iPod-compatible audiobooks are also available online. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Morrow firm’s toilet ready for its closeup

Next time you tune into MTV’s “The Real World”, pay close attention to the bathroom. The world’s largest toilet maker TOTO has installed a luxury spa bath suite on the set of the popular, long-running series which premiered its 26th season this week. TOTO’s U.S. headquarters is in Morrow, where it makes more than 20,000 high-efficieny toilets a month. The show draws mostly millennials and Gen-Xers. MTV selected TOTO for its innovation, water efficiency, trend, setting design, and performance. Tammy Joyner

Last ‘Living Well’ workshop to be Monday

The last of three six-week “Living Well” programs offered by Fulton County’s Office of Aging starts Monday at East Point First Mallalieu United Methodist Church. The workshops are designed to help people suffering from chronic diseases — such as diabetes, arthritis, asthma and heart disease — manage their daily lives. Workshops cover dealing with isolation, strength-improving exercises, medications and treatment decisions. Monday’s workshop is from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at 2651 Church Street in East Point. Registration: 404-613-6000. Johnny Edwards

Health clinic for senior citizens Oct. 19

Senior citizens are invited to the Sickness Prevention Achieved through Regional Collaboration clinic from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 19 at Senior Citizens Services, located at 1705 Commerce Dr. Information: call STARLine at 404-613-6000.

VERONICA FIELDS JOHNSON

Pleasant Grove teacher awarded grant

Jazmine McDaniel, a fourth-grade special ed inclusion teacher at Pleasant Grove Elementary School, was among 40 teachers in Georgia to receive a $1,000 New Teacher Assistance Grant from Georgia Power. Teacher nominations were submitted to Georgia Power by the 20 Georgia public colleges and universities that have a school of education. Monroe Roark for the AJC