County by county news for Saturday

Whole Foods tour benefits garden

Cobb County’s newest Whole Foods Market is hosting a sneak preview tour Sunday and Monday of the new store at Merchants Walk in east Cobb.

Each tour is 45 minutes, complete with goody bags and samples, with a $5 donation benefiting Keep Cobb Beautiful’s “Dig’N The Dirt” school garden program. Tours run 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday; and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday at the store, 1311 Johnson Ferry Road in Marietta.

Pre-registration required at http://merchantswalk.wholefoodsrsvp.com. Janel Davis

Discard appliances free today

Dump old appliances for free in Cobb County today.

Keep Cobb Beautiful is supporting Advanced Disposal as the waste management company offers a free residential appliance recycling day, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Advanced Disposal Services Transfer Station, 1897 County Services Parkway in Marietta. The company will take washers, dryers, refrigerators, freezers, stoves, ovens, microwaves, dishwashers and lawn mowers. Information: 770-485-8940. Ty Tagami

School board to vote on millage rate

The Cobb school board will meet Tuesdayat the district’s headquarters, 514 Glover Street in Marietta, to vote on the millage rate. The board is not expected to increase the rate, even though the 2011-12 budget is built on a higher millage. That’s because the board agreed to use excess sales-tax dollars to lower tax rate back to its current level. Info: www.cobbk12.org Jaime Sarrio

Harrison asks nominees for athletics hall

Harrison High’s Hoya Athletics Hall of Fame committee is accepting nominations for 2011 inductees through Aug. 15. Inductees are selected by an executive committee made up of teachers, coaches, administrators and former athletes from the Cobb County school. Harrison began recognizing past athletes in the Hall of Fame in fall 2010. Information: www.harrisonhigh.org Jaime Sarrio

Kennesaw’s Duckett picked for conference

Kennesaw city councilman Jeff Duckett is one of 56 public, private and nonprofit leaders from the metro Atlanta chosen by the Atlanta Regional Commission area to study the region’s major opportunities and challenges during the 22nd annual Regional Leadership Institute (RLI). During the week-long conference at St. Simons Island, Sept. 11 -- 16, members will learn about local and national trends, key issues and share experiences and knowledge relevant to advancing the Atlanta region. Jeffry Scott

GWINNETT

Charter school reaches deal with county system

Ivy Preparatory Academy in Norcross has agreed to a one-year contract with Gwinnett County Public Schools that places it under control of the district.

The contract enables the charter school to serve local students for a year while a petition for future years is evaluated. The deal officially runs from July 1 to June 30, 2012.

Ivy Prep, which briefly withdrew its local application in June, has enrolled 392 students from Gwinnett and 190 from DeKalb County. State funds will cover the cost of educating DeKalb students. Joel Anderson

New teacher orientation to be Monday

Gwinnett County Public Schools will have an orientation for new teachers on Monday.

The orientation will start at 8:30 a.m. at Peachtree Ridge High School at 1555 Old Peachtree Road Northwest in Suwanee.

The school system plans to welcome about 350 teachers at the event. Joel Anderson

County to get more traffic cameras

Gwinnett County will install traffic cameras to monitor two congested areas under contracts approved by the Board of Commissioners Tuesday. The county will install cameras on a six-mile stretch of Pleasant Hill Road from Lawrenceville Highway to Buford Highway. It also will install them along three miles of Buford Drive from I-985 to Peachtree Industrial Boulevard. Commissioners awarded both contracts – worth a combined $847,668 – to low-bidder R.J. Haynie Inc. Gwinnett operates about 115 cameras. Commuters can view live traffic feeds on TVgwinnett or at www.gcsmartcommute.com. David Wickert

Public to get preview of McClure Bridge Road

Duluth residents are invited to a public information open house regarding the construction of McClure Bridge Road Aug. 4 at city hall at 6 p.m. McClure Bridge Road will receive a new roadway, curb and gutter, and sidewalks. The city will also discuss the construction of a roundabout near the old Joan Glancy Hospital. Construction for McClure Road is set to begin next month and complete in April of next year. Contact project manager, Melissa Muscato 678-957-7284 for information. Alaya Boykin

Author John Hart to speak in Norcross

Author John Hart will speak at 7 p.m. Monday at the Norcross Cultural Arts and Community Center, 10 College St., Norcross. Hart is the author of “The King of Lies,” “Down River” and “The Last Child.” The event is free and open to the public. Books will be available for purchase. For more information visit www.gwinnettpl.org or call 770-978-5154. David Wickert

Beerfest in Suwanee today

The city of Suwanee will host a beerfest today noon to 8 p.m. at Town Center Park. The event is expected to feature about 50 vendors, offering a variety of over 120 American beers. Advance tickets are $35 and $40 at the door.

For tickets or information visit http://suwaneebeerfest.com/. Alaya Boykin

NORTHSIDE

3 Forsyth parties to discuss reapportionment

The Forsyth County Democratic Party, the Forsyth County Republican Party, and the Forsyth County Tea Party are co-sponsoring a public meeting to discuss reapportionment at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 3, at the Forsyth County Administration Building, suite 220, 110 E. Main Street, Cumming. The purpose is to get the public and all three political parties involved in coming up with a list of reapportionment goals for the county as the state legislature prepares to redraw political districts as required with the new 2010 U.S. Census figures. Jeffry Scott

Woman in Milton charged in hit-and-run

A North Fulton woman was arrested Friday after allegedly striking a bicyclist in Marietta and fleeing the scene.

The cyclist was struck at about 12:25 a.m. Friday while riding along Roswell Street at Aviation Street, Marietta police Officer Michael Gardner said.

The cyclist was thrown from his bike and sustained serious injuries, Gardner said.

Police tracked the suspect vehicle, a 2005 Lexus ES380, and its driver to a Milton address and arrested Judy Mae Petrovsky, 67. She was charged with DUI and felony hit and run, and is being held in the Cobb County Jail on a $10,000 bond. Mike Morris

Roadwork to begin on Alpharetta Highway

Night paving is scheduled to begin Monday on Highway 9/Alpharetta Highway in Roswell as part of the Midtown Streetscape Project. The project is expected to be completed in 40 days, weather permitting.

The work will involve temporary lane closures along the corridor as the project progresses. Patrick Fox

Work to close Truman Mountain Road

Truman Mountain Road will be closed to through traffic about a quarter-mile north of Ga. 53 for two weeks . Crews will be working on the Ga. 53/Truman Mountain Road intersection improvement project.

The road is scheduled to reopen Aug. 9. The intersection project is funded through county SPLOST dollars. Patrick Fox

Woodstock revising sign ordinance

The Woodstock City Council will hold a public hearing for the first reading of a proposed new sign ordinance at 7 p.m. Monday at The Chambers at City Center, 8534 Main Street, Woodstock. The city is revising its sign ordinance to reduce the number of small signs, 18 inches by 24 inches, that are typically plastic and stuck in the grass like lawn signs. The city last revised its sign ordinance two years ago. Jeffry Scott

Canton Farmer’s Market open Saturdays

Bring home nature’s bounty on Saturday from the Canton Farmer’s Market, where shoppers can peruse the produce from 8 a.m. to noon at Cannon Park every Saturday through October. All the produce is Georgia grown and most is organic. The market is open, rain or shine. Items available for purchase include produce, seafood, breads, soups, jellies, candles, honey, fresh flowers and plants, herbs, jewelry, soap, lotions, birdhouses and other artisan crafts. Information: www.cantonhdl.com. Andria Simmons

ATLANTA

Homeowner could get energy makeover

Atlanta is getting into the home makeover business.

SHINE, Atlanta’s residential energy efficiency rebate program, will not only help homeowners become more energy-efficient, but will give one of them a $10,000 home energy makeover that will increase the overall comfort of their home and reduce their energy bills.

The 2011 Home Energy Makeover contest will run through Aug. 15. Contest entrants must be Atlanta or city of Decatur single-family homeowners.

Information: www.homeenergymakeovers.net. Atlanta 404-954-8500. Decatur 678-553-6577. Ernie Suggs

Pedestrian struck, killed in Midtown

The man struck and killed early Friday while trying to cross West Peachtree Street in Midtown has been identified as Charles Harbin, 42, of Sandy Springs.

The incident happened around 3:30 a.m. near 16th Street.

Harbin was dragged “several feet down the roadway,” Atlanta police Capt. Van Hobbs told Channel 2 Action News.

According to Channel 2, Harbin was crossing from a MARTA station to an apartment complex, and was not in a crosswalk when he was struck.

The driver did not appear to be impaired, and will not likely be charged, the station reported. Mike Morris

Race raises awareness of child prostitution

A Future. Not A Past. – the Juvenile Justice Fund’s campaign to stop the prostitution of children in Georgia – announced Monday that it will host its second annual 5K race in October to increase awareness about the issue.

The “7,200 Steps to Stop Demand 5K,” will be at 9 a.m. Oct. 1 in Candler Park. AFNAP hopes to unite individuals in a goal of reducing the number of men who engage in sex with prostituted adolescents.

Almost 300 individuals participated in last year’s run, raising nearly $15,000.

Info: www.afuturenotapast.org. Andria Simmons

DEKALB

No bond for ex-teacher in molestation case

A DeKalb County judge this week denied bond to a former teacher accused of molesting and providing alcohol to three young male students, the district attorney’s office said.

Casey Thomas, who taught at Miller Preparatory Academy when the incidents allegedly occurred in 2009 and 2010, is charged with child molestation, aggravated sodomy, cruelty to children and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Bill Rankin

Ex-police officer guilty of several charges

A former DeKalb County police officer pleaded guilty Friday to helping others hide the fact they had a stolen car, using his police computer for criminal means and lying to federal agents.

Donald Bristol, 41, of Lilburn, is to be sentenced Oct. 18.

In April 2010, Bristol helped two criminal defendants conceal the fact they had a stolen car and illegally used his computer to give them criminal histories and existing warrants, prosecutors said. Bill Rankin

Redistricting meeting to be Wednesday

The upcoming redistricting in DeKalb County will be the focus of two upcoming public meetings sponsored by county commissioner Kathie Gannon.

Gannon will discuss the updated 2010 Census figures that are driving the new drawing of political lines in the county.

The meeting run from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Meadowview Elementary, 1879 Wee Kirk Road. Gannon and Commissioner Jeff Rader will also discuss the issue at a Civic Association Network meeting on Thursday. That meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the One DeKalb Resource Center at Northlake Mall. April Hunt

Back to School Bash for deaf students

Georgia Hands and Voices and the Georgia PEACH Cochlear Implant Association will host the fourth Back to School Bash from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. today at the Atlanta Area School for the Deaf in Clarkston.

Admission is free for members of the host groups, and $5 for non-member individuals, $10 for families. RSVP to info@gahandsandvoices.org. Information: www.gahandsandvoices.org. Jaime Sarrio

Stuckey sponsors free vaccines, screening

State Rep. Stephanie Stuckey Benfield, D-Avondale, will sponsor free back-to-school vaccines and health screening later this month in central DeKalb County. Parents must bring children’s immunization records to receive the vaccines. The event also features free vision and dental screenings. The event from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday at Columbia High School, 2106 Columbia Dr., Decatur. Information: 404-964-7025. April Hunt

Burrell Ellis elected to national post

DeKalb County’s chief executive has been elected as first vice president of a national organization of county leaders.

Burrell Ellis was elected to the post of the County Executives of America during the group’s recent convention in Oregon. Ellis also attended the National Association of Counties conference. That group gave DeKalb a 2011 Achievement Award for its Marquel’s Pledge initiative to reduce celebratory gunfire. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Commission holds the line on millage rate

Most Fulton residents won’t have their property tax rates increased this year by the county government, though they will pay extra for library projects. Unincorporated south Fulton residents will see an increase, which should be absorbed by falling property values and a higher homestead exemption. The commission voted Thursday to keep the current countywide millage rate at 10.281 and boost the South Fulton Special Services District rate to 8.969, a 0.810 increase, to avoid a shortfall. The library bond rate will be 0.270 -- $21.60 on a $200,000 home. Johnny Edwards

Peachtree City mayor could face censure

Peachtree City Mayor Don Haddix recused himself from Thursday’s City Council meeting and left the building after three members introduced a resolution to censure him. The resolution claims Haddix “has created an untenable work environment” by criticizing fellow council members and other officials within the city, county and state. Haddix asked for a continuance until the Aug. 4 meeting, partly because Councilman Doug Sturbaum was not present for the discussion. When it was not granted, he withdrew from the meeting. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Clayton schools to hold open house

Clayton County Public Schools will have a series of open house events on Aug. 4 and Aug. 11 for the 2011-12 school year. The events are organized by grade level: Aug. 4, elementary schools, 1-3 p.m., middle schools, 4 -6 p.m., ninth grade, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. On Aug. 11, parents of high school students can meet with teachers and staff of their children’s schools from 6 -8 p.m. The open house events will be in the individual schools. The first day of school is Aug. 8. Tammy Joyner

Clayton schools purchasing recognized

Clayton County Public Schools’ purchasing department was recently recognized by the National Institute of Supply Management. The department received NISM’s Achievement of Excellence in Procurement award. It is the third consecutive year the purchasing department has received the award. The award is given based on innovation, professionalism, e-procurement, productivity and leadership. Tammy Joyner

Federal grants available for home repair

Through Fulton’s housing rehabilitation program, low- and moderate-income families can get federal grants for roofing, electrical, heating/air and plumbing repairs, or federal loans to fix health and safety violations. The Housing and Community Development Office will hold an information session Wednesday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Palmetto Neighborhood Senior Center, 510 Turner Ave. Information: 404-612-3024. Johnny Edwards

East Point election qualifying Aug 29-31

Residents who want to run for one of the four ward seats in East Point’s election can qualify starting Aug. 29. Qualifying is Aug. 29-31 from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The qualifying fee is $330. Residents must be 21, and have lived in East Point for at least one year. The election is Nov. 8. John Thompson for the AJC