County by county news for Saturday

District Superintendent Emily Lembeck said the difference in scores between African-American and white students decreased by 68 points to 267. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Powder Springs to honor slain player

A memorial ceremony for Rajaan Bennett, a murdered McEachern High School star football player, will be held in downtown Powder Springs on today.

A bench and plaque at the city’s fountain will be dedicated in honor of the former team captain at 10 a.m.

Bennett was scheduled to play football at Vanderbilt on a full scholarship until his murder by his mother’s former boyfriend on Feb. 18, 2010.Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Walton has 28 Merit semifinalists

Walton High School led the Cobb County school system in the number of semifinalists for the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program. The school produced 28 of the system’s 63 semifinalists, followed by Wheeler with 16 and Campbell with five. The students were among 16,000 semifinalists nationwide and can compete for 8,300 National Merit Scholarships offered in Spring 2012. Information: www.nationalmerit.org. Ty Tagami

Smooth jazz festival in Mableton Saturday

The 2011 Jazz Grooves Atlanta Smooth Music Festival takes place Saturday at Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre in Mableton. Tickets range from $30 to $85. Gates open at 12:30 p.m.; show begins at 1:30 p.m. at the Amphitheatre, 5239 Floyd Road in Mableton.

Information: 770-819-7765, www.smoothjazzgrooves.com Janel Davis

Church loses federal appeal against city

Covenant Christian Ministries, Inc. lost its appeal in the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit in a five-year-long legal battle with Marietta to build a new church on Powder Springs Street. The church, at 170 North Fairground Street, contends the city violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act in not issuing the church a building permit. The city said the church is an inappropriate structure on the land as zoned. Jeffry Scott

Marietta StreetFest today in Square

The 20th Annual Marietta StreetFest is today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the Marietta Square. Vendors will sell art and antiques, and Mark Maxwell will give appraisals 11 a.m-2 p.m. at a Trash or Treasures booth.

A Classic Car Show with cars 25 years and older runs from 10 a.m. -3 p.m.The free event is sponsored by the Marietta Museum of History which offers free admission today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the museum, 1 Depot St. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

GWINNETT

Transit board to discuss fare increases

The Gwinnett County Transit Advisory Board will hold a public meeting on proposed increases to passenger fares at 7 p.m. Monday at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center auditorium, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville.

Written comments will be accepted through Sept. 22 at www.gctransit.com or by e-mail at transit@gwinnettcounty.com. Written comments can be mailed to the Gwinnett County Department of Transportation, Attention: Proposed Fare Changes, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville, GA 30046. For information on the proposed fares, visit www.gwinnettcounty.com. David Wickert

Shiloh coach wins honor from NFL

Shiloh High football coach Brian Montgomery was selected as the NFL High School Coach of the Week. The recognition, presented by Russell Athletic, comes with a plaque and a $1,000 grant. Montgomery was honored for his leadership and mentoring of students.

Winners of the recognition receive a plaque signed by Falcons head coach Mike Smith and a $1,000 grant for his school’s athletic department from the NFL’s Youth Football Fund, among other gifts. D. Aileen Dodd

Duluth to unveil continental marker

Duluth will unveil a marker Thursday that denotes the path of the historic Eastern Continental Divide through town.

The ceremony will start at 6 p.m. at the top of the city’s Town Green across from the Old City Hall. The divide demarcates the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico watersheds.

Duluth’s marker will stand about 9 feet tall, have an 18-inch base and weigh about 3,600 pounds.

The front of the marker will have a line showing the direction of the water flow. On the rear will be a map of Georgia that shows the location of the divide. Joel Anderson

County hosts yard sale today

Gwinnett County will host a community yard and craft sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at the Shorty Howell Park Activity Building, 2750 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth. The free outdoor event will be held rain or shine. Pre-registration is required for sellers and costs $20 per space. To register, call 770-814-4914. David Wickert

Lilburn police hold safety seat inspection

The Lilburn Police Department and Safe Kids Gwinnett will be hosting a child seat inspection from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 24. The inspections will be held in the overflow parking lot across from City Hall.

Lilburn Police are committed to educating parents and caregivers about safety when traveling with children from birth through age 12. Andria Simmons

Free fire safety seminar for hotel operators

The Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services is teaming up with the Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau to hold a free fire safety seminar for the hotel and lodging industry. The “Rest Safe” seminar is from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday in the auditorium of the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center at 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville. Andria Simmons

NORTHSIDE

Water authority to discuss Canton proposal

The Board of the Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority will take up the matter of Hickory Log Creek Reservoir during its Monday meeting as the City of Canton has a proposal to unload its 25 percent stake in the reservoir. The cost of building the reservoir has risen from about $20 million when it was first approved ten years ago to about $120 million, strapping the city, said mayor Gene Hobgood. The deal involves the Cherokee County Water and Sewage Authority. The Cobb water authority is 75 percent owner of the reservoir and would have to approve it. Jeffry Scott

Fulton Science Academy wins honor

Alpharetta’s Fulton Science Academy Charter Middle School, was one of 304 schools selected as a 2011 Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education, based on their overall academic excellence or for their success in closing achievement gaps.

The Blue Ribbon School Program honors public and private K-12 schools for their academic excellence and ability to help students achieve at very high scholastic levels. Ernie Suggs

Macedonia students hold ‘unfundraiser’

Macedonia Elementary School students in Cherokee County are competing, grade against grade, in an “unfundraiser” for the PTA.

For each penny the students contribute their grade gets a point in the competition. For every coin of higher denomination they give a point is marked off.

The money goes to the PTA. In three weeks the school has raised $4,927.51, which is 25 percent of its Penny War goal for the year. Jeffry Scott

Cities team up for seasonal events

The Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Roswell Convention and Visitors Bureau are teaming up to offer “Holidays along the Divine 9”.

Attractions, businesses and churches along Ga. 9 in both cities have been invited to participate by offering special seasonal events beginning Nov. 1. Information will be available at the 11 Georgia Visitor Information Centers, in advertising campaigns and distributed in web-based promotions.

Information: 678-297-2811 or 770-640-3253. Patrick Fox

Women’s group hold annual meet and greet

The Etz Aviv Group of Hadassah will host their annual meet and greet event, Bunko, Brunch and Bagels, at noon today at 1215 Meadowbrook Lane in Woodstock. Hadassah is the largest women’s volunteer organization in the world and raises funds to support hospitals and education facilities. Charge is $5. RSVP to etzaviv@gmail.com. Veronica Fields Johnson

Constitution booklets donated to 4th graders

The Republican Women of Cherokee County donated 200 Constitution booklets, plus teacher guides, to Rep. Calvin Hill, R-Canton, on Thursday to present to a large class of 4th graders at Avery Elementary School in Canton. The effort was to bring greater awareness to Constitution Day, which will be celebrated Saturday. Veronica Fields Johnson

ATLANTA

Lawyer honored for work with abuse victims

Atlanta lawyer Shelley Senterfitt has received the Gender Justice Award, the highest honor from the Georgia Commission on Family Violence.

“For many years, Ms. Senterfitt has been an articulate and fearless voice for abused women and children at the Legislature,” Greg Loughlin, the commission’s director, said. Senterfitt’s legal practice focuses on family law matters, and she serves as a guardian ad litem in courts and lobbies on behalf of anti-domestic violence organizations. Bill Rankin

Falcons ask for nominees for award

The Atlanta Falcons are accepting nominations for the 2011 Community Quarterback Award honoring Georgia volunteers age 13 and over who exemplify leadership and dedication to bettering their communities. Individuals may nominate themselves or others by visiting www.atlantafalcons.com/communityquarterback. The deadline is Oct. 14.

Four winners will be selected. Gracie Bonds Staples

Health and wellness tour on Sunday

National Urban League and Walgreens wellness tour arrives in Atlanta to offer free flu shot vouchers to uninsured. 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sunday, 285 Andrew Young International Blvd. NW, Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta. The wellness tour will also offer six free health tests to all adults. Information: www.walgreens.com/nultour or 1-866-484-8687. Sandra Marshall Murray

Flat Out of Heels drive to benefit AIDS fight

Flat Out of Heels, an upscale machine that dispenses Flat Out rollable ballet flats, will be donating $5 from every pair of shoes sold online at www.flatoutofheels.com on Monday. The company is seeking to raise $1,000 to support the fight against AIDS and will be participating in AIDS Walk Atlanta and 5k Run 2011 that will be held on Oct. 16., Information: www.aidswalkatlanta.com or www.bearolemodel.org. Sandra Marshall Murray

DEKALB

Caregiver faces 10 years in prison

A judge on Friday told a woman she could get at least 10 years in prison if she pleads guilty to charges that she exploited two men by making them live in squalor in her DeKalb County home. Chaundra Renee Faust, 43, is charged with taking in two men -- one physically disabled, the other mentally disabled -- as tenants but then holding them captive for months in a windowless basement room and making them use paint buckets for toilets. Faust is to go to trial Monday or plead guilty; if convicted of all charges she faces up to 46 years in prison. Bill Rankin

Death penalty weighed in rape, murder

DeKalb County’s top prosecutor is considering whether to seek the death penalty against a man accused of sexually assaulting and killing a woman.

Delroy Booth was recently re-indicted by a DeKalb grand jury for killing Shantle Vason in February 2007. “Given the level of gratuitous violence that’s charged, all options are on the table,” District Attorney Robert James said Friday. Booth has pleaded not guilty. Bill Rankin

Decatur board evaluates chief performance

Decatur’s school board, currently evaluating Superintendent Phyllis Edwards’ job performance, will vote on a contract extension during the Oct. 11 board meeting. Board Member Julie Rhame said, “This is a standard annual review and I don’t see any hang ups. I hear nothing but rave reviews about Dr. Edwards in our community.” Bill Banks for the AJC

Decatur High student score high on SAT

In the recently-released Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), Decatur High’s 2011 graduating class scored above the state and national average. With 89 percent of that class taking the SAT, the average composite score increased from 1513 to 1518. Meantime the national average composite score dropped from 1509 to 1500 and the state average dropped from 1453 to 1445. Bill Banks for the AJC

History center presents frontier series

A storytelling series about pioneer life, including children’s games and entertainment, will return to the DeKalb History Center this month. Fran Frantz will weave the stories and offer frontier crafts on one Saturday a month until the end of the year. The first event will run from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. today at the historic Biffle Cabin, 720 W. Trinity Place.

The programs, for children ages 6 and 12, are $4 for members and $7 for nonmembers per session. Information: 404-373-1088, ext. 20 or dhs@dekalbhistory.org.

April Hunt

Walk and Wine in Stone Mountain today

A wine tasting event that encourages people to visit various shops in downtown Stone Mountain will be held in the village this weekend.

The Walk and Wine will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today in participating shops and galleries, which offer discounts as well as the tastings. A vintage and antique car show will also be held that night, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. downtown.

The free events will end with a screening of the children’s movie “Rio,” at dark.

More information: www.stonemountainvillage.com. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Fayette residents to weigh in on transportation

Fayette residents are invited to discuss proposed regional transportation projects at a special information meeting on Tuesday .

Representatives from the county, the Atlanta Regional Commission and the Georgia Department of Transportation will gather from 6 to 8 p.m. in Fayetteville at the Administrative Complex at 140 Stonewall Ave. West, Suite 100.

A draft of the project list is at www.atlantaregionalroundtable.com.Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Chairman Eaves to kick off Brazil Fest

Fulton County Commission Chairman John Eaves, who went to Brazil in June with 22 high school students from his Global Youth Leadership Program, will give the opening speech Tuesday for the start of Brazil Fest. Brazil Fest runs from Sept. 20-24 and will include roundtable discussions, films, a lyrical talent competition, a gala concert and a concert with American and Brazilian artists. Eaves will give his speech noon at the 755 Club at Turner Field. Johnny Edwards

East Point holds meeting on airport noise

The East Point City Council and mayor will conduct a town hall meeting on airport noise Sept. 22 at 6:30 p.m. in the Woodland Middle School Cafeteria at 2745 Stone Road. Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport General Manager Louis Miller will be present. John Thompson for the AJC

Peachtree City pool closed for repairs

The Kedron Fieldhouse and Aquatic Center pool in Peachtree City has closed to allow repair work to begin. The city is spending $454,000 to replace the concrete foundation and the fabric “bubble” that allows the pool to be used year-round. The cost will be financed over 10 years.

The City Council approved the replacement project in June. The Glenloch Recreation Area pool will remain open through Oct. 30. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Groups collect for tornado victims

Fun Finds & Designs will partner with Unity In Disasters and PODS to provide home furnishings for the Georgia tornado victims. Donations are tax-deductible and must be in good condition, free of stains, tears and smoke. Furniture, lamps, rugs and artwork will be accepted from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 23, 24, 30 and Oct. 1 and from 1 to 5 p.m. Sept. 25 and Oct. 2 at Fun Finds & Designs, 2765 Marietta Hwy., Canton. No appliances, mattresses, clothes, bedding, towels, linens, exercise or sports equipment will be accepted. Information, 770-704-0448. Mea Watkins

College Park cited for kid facilities

For the second year in a row, the city of College Park has earned recognition from national non-profit KaBOOM! as a 2011 Playful City USA community for its efforts to increase play opportunities for children. College Park is one of only eight Georgia cities and among only 151 cities nationwide earning the distinction.John Thompson for the AJC