County by county news for Saturday

Business Furniture Services, Inc. has been awarded the contract.

A public opening ceremony is planned for 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 3 during the city’s 175th anniversary celebration week.

Information: City Hall, 770-943-1666. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Job fair to include more than 30 companies

Job seekers will have a chance to talk to more than 30 employers at a Career Expo 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday Sept. 11 at the Cobb County Civic Center, 548 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta. Some of the jobs are hospitality, administration, medical, insurance, technicians and sales. The fair is sponsored by Marietta, Cobb County, CobbWorks,Inc. Cobb Chamber of Commerce and the Georgia Department of Labor. Information: www.mariettaga.gov. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Career fair Tuesday at Cobb Galleria

DiversityHiringExpos.com will sponsor the Atlanta Diversity, Veteran and Professional Career Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday in The Gallery at Cobb Galleria Centre, Two Galleria Parkway. Professional dress is required and participants should bring resumes and be prepared for a possible interview. Admission and parking is free. Information: www.diversityhiringexpos.com. Veronica Fields Johnson

Austell concert, road show today

The Austell Business Association and the city of Austell will host the seventh annual Concert and Road Show 1 to 5 p.m. today at Harley-Davidson of Atlanta, 501 Thornton Road, Lithia Springs to benefit CAMP, the clothing and food ministry in Austell. Rambunctious will perform from 2 to 5 p.m.

Information and registration form: svcamp.org, austellbusinessassociation.org, hdatlanta.com or felicia@servproswcobb.com. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Author to discuss humanist heroes

The Atlanta Freethought Society’s host a program 1 p.m. Sunday at AFS Hall, 4775 N. Church Lane, Smyrna featuring attorney and author Luis Granados.

He will discuss a group of humanists from Voltaire to Clarence Darrow who have stood up to authorities who claimed divine support. Granados’s book, “Damned Good Company,” will be the basis for his talk. Copies will be available for purchase and can be signed by Granados.

Free and open to the public. Nancy Badertscher

High school to open arts center to public

A $8.5 million performing arts center at Marietta High School will open to the public for a dedication and tour from 6 to 7 p.m. today at 1171 Whitlock Ave. Students will perform during the tour. A free concert by the Georgia Symphony Orchestra will be at 7 p.m. Tickets are required for the concert at www.georgiasmphony.org or MPAC@marietta.city.K12.ga.us. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

GWINNETT

Bank robbery suspect caught with fake grenade

Jeremy Thompson, also known as Jeremy Cannon, was arrested late Wednesday at a Greyhound bus station in Atlanta. He was spotted around midnight while attempting to buy a bus ticket and arrested without incident.

Thompson, 28, was in possession of a fake grenade when he was captured. He is charged with one count of armed robbery for Tuesday’s incident at the Wells Fargo on Jimmy Carter Boulevard and Buford Highway near Norcross. Authorities have linked him to other area bank robberies.Thompson had outstanding warrants for armed robbery at the time of his arrest Angel K. Brooks

Duluth to sponsor food truck Fridays

The City of Duluth will sponsor Food Truck/Block Party Fridays on Main Street through Oct. 25. Festivities are from 6 to 9 p.m. each Friday and will feature entertainment, a line up of food trucks and other activities. Information: www.duluthga.net/foodtruckfridays. Veronica Fields Johnson

Call for art to benefit African village

Kudzu Art Zone invites Georgia artists age 18 and up working in two- and three-dimensional media to participate in the Karansi Project art exhibit Nov. 8-22, at the gallery, 116 Carlyle St., Norcross.

Deadline to turn in art work is Oct. 26. Kudzu Art Zone, in partnership with the Tanzania Global Team ministry of Perimeter Church, is sponsoring the fundraiser to benefit relief efforts for the village of Karansi, Tanzania. Information: www.kudzuartzone.org or 770-840-9844. Veronica Fields Johnson

Lilburn offer rabies clinic today

The City of Lilburn and SafetySmart Lilburn will host a Rabies Clinic 9 a.m. to noon today across from City Hall, 76 Main Street. Cost is $10 per shot, cash only. Dogs and cats must be leashed.

Information: www.safetysmartlilburn.org or www.cityoflilburn.com. Sandra Marshall Murray

Georgia SPCA holding benefit bash

The Georgia SPCA is holding its annual fundraiser “There’s No Place Like A Home” today at the Gwinnett Center Ballroom, 6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy No. 100, Duluth. The evening will include food, music a silent auction and a raffle. Tickets: $50. Information: www.Oz.GeorgiaSPCA.org. Sandra Marshall Murray

L.E.A.D. Academy deadline extended

The Learn, Engage, Advance Duluth program giving participants the opportunity to ask questions about city government, has extended their deadline for applications until Tuesday, . Information: www.duluthga.net/community. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Duluth focus group to discuss busk stops

Duluth invites residents to join a focus group to discuss a busker program (street performers) at noon Sept. 17 in the Main Street Conference Room at City Hall. Bring your brown bag lunch and share your ideas. Information: www.duluthga.net. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Cherokee rejects proposal to cap ethics hearing fees

The Cherokee County Board of Education voted 6-1 Thursday night against board member Kelly Marlow’s proposal to cap school board attorney fees at $500 for her upcoming ethics hearing.

Two other Marlow proposals, to cap costs for a hearing officer and court reporter, died for lack of a second.

The board will hold a hearing Oct. 2 to determine if Marlow violated board conduct and governance guidelines. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

FBI arrests L.A. fugitive in Cherokee

Raymond G. Berry, 50, was taken into custody Thursday without incident in Woodstock by FBI and Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office

A warrant for his arrest was issued in May 2012 by Los Angeles police.

He is charged with attempted murder in connection with an altercation with a family member in April of that year.

Later, a federal “unlawful flight to avoid prosecution” warrant was issued, the FBI said. Angel K. Brooks

Forsyth amends pawnbroker ordinance

The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners Thursday approved a weapons amendment to its pawnshop ordinance, specifying that the law does not regulate firearms and knife transactions, except for record-keeping requirements.

The change addresses concerns by some citizens that a previous rewrite of the ordinance earlier this year might impose such restrictions. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Fulton offers session on homeowners’ rights

Fulton County will offer information on homeowners’ rights and code enforcement 6:30 p.m. Sept. 17 at the Roswell Library, 115 Norcross St.

The session will include information on homeowners’ rights under the federal Making Home Affordable program and on code enforcement in Roswell.

Information on homeowners’ rights: Audra Pender at 404-612-3024.

Information on Roswell code enforcement: 770-594-6101. David Wickert

Motorcycle license testing offered

The Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program is offering mobile motorcycle license testing at the Gold Wing Road Riders Awareness event 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 21 at Cumming Marketplace. Nancy Badertscher

Nonprofit to hold celebration in Roswell

Second Wind Dreams, an Atlanta-based nonprofit providing services to the elder community, will hold a celebration in Roswell 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. today at Riverside Park, 575 Riverside Road.

The free event’s part of National Second Wind Dreams Day and will events and booths for elders, music and raffles.

Information: www.secondwind.org Veronica Fields Johnson

ATLANTA

Catholic high school breaks ground Monday

A Catholic high school for economically disadvantaged students plans to break ground Monday with Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and Atlanta Archbishop Wilton Gregory.

Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School is scheduled to open in fall 2014 as one of 25 Cristo Rey schools around the country.

The Midtown Atlanta school intends to provide students with college preparatory education and corporate work study experience. Mark Niesse

Museum to host photography exhibit

Hammonds House Museum will host the opening reception of “A Different Eye: Sistagraphy Celebrates 20 years of Photography” from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the museum, 503 Peeples St.

The exhibit features curated selections by members of Sistagraphy, a collective of African-American women photographers, and will be on display through Nov. 3.

Information: www.hammondshouse.org or 404-612-0481 or sistagraphy.wordpress.com/. Veronica Fields Johnson

Church to sponsor blood drive Sunday

The Veterans Ministry of Ben Hill United Methodist Church will host a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday in the church fellowship hall, 2099 Fairburn Road.

To schedule an appointment contact Brenda Aiken at 678-429-5768 or Colonel Anthony C. Aiken at 404-308-7077 or visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code: benhill.

All participants will receive a free gift. Veronica Fields Johnson

Educator appreciation day set at Zoo Atlanta

Zoo Atlanta will host an Educator Appreciation Day 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at the zoo. Education and early care professionals are encouraged to bring their guests for a day of fun-filled activities.

Educators receive free admission and $2 off general admission for each guest.

Pre-register at www.zooatlanta.org/home/article_content/educator_appreciation_day. Nancy Badertscher

DEKALB

Suspicious package near CDC harmless

A “suspicious package” near the Centers for Disease Control campus on Clifton Road Friday morning turned out to be a bucket of chlorine tablets that presented no danger, according to police.

DeKalb police had earlier closed all roads around the CDC. The roads were reopened shortly after police checked out the bucket.

“There was a suspicious package. We had a bomb squad come out and checked it out and determined that it was nothing dangerous, so we have now cleared the scene,” James Conroy, assistant DeKalb Police chief told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Police informed CDC officials about the package across the street from the agency. Staff

Soccer player accused of rape granted bond

Professional soccer play Bryan Joshua Arguez, 24, was granted bond Wednesday. He was arrested by Brookhaven police for allegedly raping a woman Aug. 11 while he was in town for his team’s North American Soccer League game against the Atlanta Silverbacks.

He and several Carolina RailHawks teammates were staying at a friend’s Brookhaven home when the attack was said to have occurred, she said.

The woman told police that she woke up in the early morning hours to find Arguez on top of her. She called 911, and Arguez was arrested at the scene without incident.

Arguez, of Miami, was granted a $75,000 bond but remained in jail as of Thursday afternoon. Angel K. Brooks

Engineering group to host monthly meeting

The Atlanta Metro Chapter of the Georgia Society of Professional Engineers will hold their monthly meeting 6 p.m. Monday at Piccadilly Cafeteria, 2000 Crescent Centre Boulevard, Tucker.

Joseph O’Brien, Research Ecologist with the USDA Forest Service Center, will give a presentation on “Wildland Fire 21st Century Science.” Send reservations to 404-509-2399 or jnremichpe@gmail.com with GSPE in the subject line.

Information: www.gspe.org/atlantametro.htm. Veronica Fields Johnson

City may seek permanent memorial

The “ghost bike” and “ghost chair” at North Decatur Road and Superior Avenue vanished recently and Decatur city manager Peggy Merris said she doesn’t know what happened to either, adding that the city had no role in their removal. Last June Jianchang Wu was killed by a car, and in April, 2012, bicyclist Paul Taylor was killed by a truck, both near this intersection.

Although Merriss isn’t sure if this is the right location she said, “[the city] would like to see a more lasting, better memorial, maybe something that would include a white bike rack.” Bill Banks for the AJC

Keep DeKalb Beautiful holding fundraiser

Keep DeKalb Beautiful will host a fundraiser to promote is environmental and community work.

The benefit night begins at 5 p.m. Mondayat Twain’s Billiards and Tap, East Trinity Place, Decatur. Ten percent of proceeds will benefit the nonprofit.

Information: www.keepdekalbbeautiful.org April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Motorist struck after exiting disabled car

A motorist was struck and killed around 2:30 a.m. Friday on I-285 eastbound near Old National Highway.

Channel 2 Action News reported that the motorist was hit after getting out of a vehicle that had broken down in the middle of the interstate.

The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s office was working early Friday to identify the motorist. Mike Morris

Fayette approves SPLOST plan

After months of public hearings and community commentary, the Fayette County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Thursday to approve plans for a two-year Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax for the Nov. 5 ballot.

The county’s portion of the proceeds would be used to fund 181 stormwater infrastructure repair projects, many of which have been postponed for years.

If the measure passes, the county would waive annual stormwater fees for four years. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Fairburn to host park opening

The City of Fairburn will host the official opening of the new playground at Duncan Park at 11:15 a.m. today at the park, 6000 Rivertown Rd., Fairburn.

The city purchased the park in September 2011 and has been working on upgrades.

The project was funded through General Obligation Bonds approved by voters in November 2010. Veronica Fields Johnson

Sandy Creek gets $10k automotive grant

Sandy Creek High School’s Automobile Technician Training program has received a $10,000 state grant to help it achieve industry certification.

Teacher Matt Turner said the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation certification “will give students a quality education that is recognized around the country” and “let our local industry supporters know we are serious about getting qualified workers into the automotive industry.” Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Palmetto changing residential trash pickup

The City of Palmetto has changed its trash pickup schedule. Previously residents of the eastern half of the city had Monday as their pickup day, with the western half on Tuesday.

Beginning next week, Waste Management will collect all garbage on Tuesday. City officials say pickup times and pricing will not change. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

‘Run for One’ race set for today

Wellspring Living will hold its annual Peachtree City Run for One 5K today at the Bridge Community Center, 225 Willow Bend Rd., Peachtree City. Proceeds will be used to care for survivors of sex trafficking.Wellspring Living works with survivors of sex trafficking.

Cost: $35. Registration is 7:30 a.m. and the race starts at 8.

Information: Dana Konick at 770 715-2914. Register: runforone.net Tammy Joyner