County by county news for Saturday

Superior Court Judge S. Lark Ingram sentenced Hashim Hamlett, 38, to 20 years in prison without parole. Salim Hamlett, 38, was sentenced to 30 years in prison without parole.

The Hamlett brothers were convicted of burglarizing residential properties on Timber Ridge Road and Hill Forest Trail and taking appliances, furniture and other items. An alleged accomplice, John Uggerud, was acquitted of two counts of theft.

Andria Simmons

Norfolk Southern, city settle dispute

A legal dispute between Norfolk Southern Railroad and Powder Springs has been settled with the city’s agreement to pay $43,500 for less than an acre of right-of-way on Lewis Road.

That road connects downtown Powder Springs with U.S. 278.

City Council members also have agreed to pay $2,500 to the railroad as rent for the city possessing that land for the last two years. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Early deadline is Wednesday for race

Wednesday is the early deadline for the 6 a.m. to noon Run for the Son benefit races on Feb. 2 at Burnt Hickory Baptist Church, 5145 Due West Road, Powder Springs.

Entry fee is $22 for the 10K, 5K or 1 mile fun run until Wednesday but $27 Thursday until race day and for phantom runners $22 until race day.

Children 10 and under are $15 for each race and have no late fee.

All net proceeds will go to the church’s Student Summer Mission Program and the Eric Petty Memorial Graduation Scholarship Fund. Information: burnthickory.com/event/396521-2013-02-02-run-for-the-son/ or 770-590-0334.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Cobb job fair set for Wednesday

DiversityHiringExpos.com, a producer of bilingual, multicultural and diversity job fairs, hosts the Atlanta Diversity, Professional & Veteran Career Fair 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Cobb Galleria Centre.

All professionals, veterans, college graduates and students, are invited to the community event. Professional dress is required. Admission and parking are free. Kenneth Musisi

Smyrna center starts textile recycling

The city of Smyrna’s Recycling Center at 645 Smyrna Hill Drive now accepts used clothing, shoes and household textiles such as bedding and towels for reuse and recycling. USAgain has placed a drop-box at the center and will pay the recycling center for what it collects. The money will be used for the recycling education center. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Library foundation to host lunch series

The Cobb Library Foundation, a nonprofit organization, will host “Booked for Lunch” with Pamela Bauer Mueller from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 23 at the Marietta Country Club.

Mueller is an award-winning author of books for children and adults, and has published eight books of fiction over the last decade. Tickets: $30 includes lunch. Information: tinyurl.com/bookedcobb.

Kenneth Musisi

GWINNETT

Board of Education names new chair

The Gwinnett County Board of Education has a new chair. At the board meeting Thursday night, Carole Boyce was elected chair, succeeding Louise Radloff. Boyce has been a member of the board since 2005 and was re-elected to another four year term in November.

She was the 2012 vice chair and represents District 1, which includes all or part of the Archer, Brookwood, Central Gwinnett, Dacula, Grayson, Mill Creek, Mountain View, and South Gwinnett clusters. Nancy Badertscher

Schools saw 610 take retirements in 2012

Gwinnett saw 610 employees retire in 2012, the school board was told Thursday: 350 teachers, seven principals; 18 assistant principals; 53 paraprofessionals; 50 clerical workers; 38 school nutrition workers; and 16 custodians, according to a report given to the school board. Teachers had an extra pension benefit that was phased out for 2013 and beyond. Nancy Badertscher

Volunteers needed at animal shelter

Volunteers are needed at the Gwinnett County Animal Shelter to help facilitate more adoptions and reduce euthanasia.

Gwinnett County Animal Welfare and Enforcement Services is undertaking several new initiatives and hosting several events, in addition to daily needs. They need volunteers to help walk dogs, handle cats and kittens, clean and sanitize kennels, assist citizens, provide landscaping, help with clerical duties and pitch in at fund-raisers and special events.

Volunteers must be 18 years old and pass a background check. Information: Lt. Christina Schiralli, 770-513-5506 or email policevolunteers@gwinnettcounty.com. Andria Simmons

Lilburn accepting garage sale forms

The Lilburn 2013 City Garage Sale spaces, scheduled for March through October, are going rapidly. Information: Melissa Penate, 770-921-2210 or mpenate@cityoflilburn.com or www.cityoflilburn.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Roses for the home garden

Learn about various types of roses and how to care for them properly at the Gwinnett Extension Service Lunch & Learn Noon to 1 p.m. Jan. 30 at the Gwinnett County Government Annex Building, 750 South Perry Street, Suite 400 in Lawrenceville. There is no charge, but pre-registration is required by Mon. Jan. 28. Contact Timothy Daly at 678-377-4010 or timothy.daly@gwinnettcounty.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Lilburn Art Alliancemeets Wednesday

Residents are invited to join the recently formed Lilburn Art Alliance to promote public art projects throughout the City. The first public meeting will be 7 p.m. Wednesday at 107 Main St.

The Lilburn Art Alliance’s mission is to create works of public art, support local artists of all kinds, and create studio space in Old Town Lilburn. Information: Sonny Franks, signcreations@comcast.net, 770-923-9933. Kenneth Musisi

NORTHSIDE

Workshop on transfer of development land rights

The Milton Community Development Department has scheduled a seminar that will explain how large landowners can transfer the rights to development from their land to a different parcel, a system that protects large swaths of land while allowing smart growth and density in areas defined by the community.

The workshop is at 5 p.m., Jan. 29 at City Hall Council Chambers, 13000 Deerfield Parkway Suite 107 E.

Information: Michele Mcintosh-Ross, 678-242-2538; michele.mcintosh@cityofmiltonga.us Patrick Fox

Historical Society meeting rescheduled

The Alpharetta Historical Society’s January meeting has been rescheduled for 7 p.m. Jan. 24 at the Mansell House and Gardens, 1835 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta.

Mayor David Belle Isle will address members about his first year in office, city projects, and the energy created for downtown Alpharetta through events and community involvement.

Information: Nan Harman-Dempsey at 770-475-9995 or Harman_dempsey@msn.com.

Kenneth Musisi

Canton approves fire bond referendum

The Canton City Council voted unanimously Thursday night in favor of a March 19 special election aimed at improving the city’s fire facilities.

Residents will decide whether to allow the city to issue up to $6 million in bonds for the design and construction of up to three new fire stations, renovation of the downtown fire station and acquisition of new fire vehicles. Mark Woolsey for AJC

Forsyth school board selects 2013 goals

The Forsyth County Board of Education approved its 2013 goals Thursday night. Board members plan to finalize the district’s strategic plan which will run from July of this year to 2016, and move forward with implementation.

Other goals include planning for future capital outlay funding and providing for board member professional development. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Forsyth school board certifies new school

The school has been open since August, but the Forsyth County Board of Education approved final certification of Kelly Mill Elementary School Thursday night, enabling the district to draw on the remainder of Georgia Department of Education funding which helped to build the $12.5 million facility.

The school was built to serve rapidly-growing west Forsyth County.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Middle school tests spelling skills

Sandy Springs Charter Middle School participated this week in the annual National Geographic Geography Bee. With more than 32 students competing, eighth grader Joshua Patton was named the school winner.

Later this month, he will compete with students in a statewide written competition. The runners-up were: in second place, seventh grader Daniel Lopez; and in third place, eight grader Nicholas Manning.

Nancy Badertscher

ATLANTA

Bouldering competition today

Rock climbers from all over the Southeast will participate in the annual “Float the Boat” Bouldering Competition 8 a.m. today at Boat Rock Park in southwest Atlanta.

A celebration will follow at 5375 Drake Dr. Event tickets: $35 adults; $ 20 kids (12 and under); $20 spectators.

The annual event raises money for the Southeastern Climbers Coalition, a nonprofit organization which preserves rock climbing areas. Information: seclimbers.org. Kenneth Musisi

Pittsburgh Community hosts cleanup

The third annual Pittsburgh Community Cleanup is today and Monday. Volunteers should meet at 8 a.m. both days at Pittman Park Recreation Center, 950 Garibaldi St.

Bring extra refuse bags, gloves and rakes. Lunch will be provided at the rec center. Atlanta City Councilwoman Cleta Winslow plans to host the events in partnership with former Georgia State Rep. Douglas Dean and the Pittsburgh Ministerial Alliance.

Information: 404-330-6047.

Jeremiah McWilliams

Civil rights leader to be remembered at Mass

The Archdiocese of Atlanta’s Office for Black Catholic Ministry will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday with a Mass at 1 p.m. today at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 48 MLK Jr. Dr. SW.

There will be a special recognition of priests, deacons and sisters who have served the church for 30 years or more.

A youth celebration will be 3 p.m. Sunday at St. Peter Claver Regional Catholic School, 2560 Tilson Road, Decatur. Guests are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to each event. Nancy Badertscher

Ben Hill UMC hosts MLK celebration

Ben Hill United Methodist Church hosts Martin Luther King Jr. celebration 10 a.m. Monday at 2099 Fairburn Road. Olujimi Brown, lead pastor at IMPACT church, will deliver the keynote address. The celebration will highlight achievement in public service. Kenneth Musisi

DEKALB

Woman exploited disabled patients

A DeKalb County woman was found guilty Wednesday of abusing and exploiting disabled patients.

Bobbie Ward was convicted on 21 of the 25 counts against her, the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office said.

Ward, a former Cedar Grove Middle School secretary, worked as a caregiver and housed disabled and elderly victims in unsafe and filthy conditions, authorities said.

She confined one man against his will and engaged in identity theft — using the Social Security numbers of victims to set up utilities at various homes and stealing money from a victim’s bank account, they said.

Angel K. Brooks

Longtime Decatur animal hospital to move

Dearborn Animal Hospital, operating out of the same Decatur building at 715 East College Avenue since 1948, recently announced it will move to a new location three-quarters of a mile away at 235 DeKalb Industrial Way.

With a staff including six veterinarians, Dearborn is one of the metro area’s oldest animal hospitals. Bill Banks for the AJC

Toy and Doll Buying show set

The Antique Toy & Doll Buying show will be held 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during Jan. 20-24 at the Hilton Atlanta Perimeter Suites, 6120 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd, Atlanta.

The toy-buying show allows participants to earn cash for their old toys and dolls from the mid-1970s and earlier. Participants can also bring Tifanny items, sterling silver, old costume jewelry, advertising items and signs, etc.

Admission and parking are free. Information: Bruce or Laura, 941-302-0572 and oldtoys1960@aol.com.

Kenneth Musisi

Lecture series to start at Dunwoody UMC

Increase your awareness and understanding of global issues through an eight-week lectures series hosted at Dunwoody United Methodist Church.

The “Great Decisions” lecture series encourages people to develop an informed opinion on the role of the United States in world affairs. The lectures are at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays beginning Jan. 24 through March 14. Register at www.gciv.org/programs/gd/dunwoody.

The Jan. 24 lecture is about the “Future of the Euro” presented by Dr. Vicki Birchfield, Associate Professor at the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Andria Simmons

Storytelling Festival next weekend

The Southern Order of Storytellers presents the annual Storytelling Festival during Jan. 25-26 at First Baptist Church of Decatur, 308 Clairemont Ave., Decatur.

The two-day festival features a cast of 30 local and national storytellers who will present a line-up of 14 events and activities that appeal to storytelling fans of all ages.

The annual event opens with “Stories on the Edge of Night”, a storytelling concert featuring real stories for adults, 7:30 p.m. at Manuel’s Tavern, 602 N Highland Avenue Northeast, Atlanta.

Admission (without workshops): $50 adults; $15 youth (12 & under); $42 seniors/students. Information: southernorderofstorytellers.org/tickets/. Veronica Fields Johnson

SOUTHSIDE

Opportunity zone allows business tax breaks

College Park’s Main Street district has been designated an Opportunity Zone by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. The designation encourages new business startup, while offering existing businesses tax incentives. The city learned of the designation late last year.

The city has more than 250 acres of commercial land available within the Opportunity Zone which offers instant access to the airport and major interstates, said Barbra Coffee, College Park’s Economic Development Director. John Thompson for the AJC

Madea may stop traffic in McDonough

Production continues in downtown McDonough on “Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas” with shooting scheduled for next week around the city’s square.

Some road closings could occur and traffic will likely be affected during the production. On-street parking spaces around the square may be unavailable but the county parking deck on Lawrenceville Street will be open.

Check www.mcdonough.org or the city’s Facebook page for the latest information.

Monroe Roark for the AJC

Nonprofit hosts King celebration in Riverdale

Focus and Cultural Transition Inc. is holding a Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration 6 p.m. Sunday at the Prince Hall Grand Lodge, 7340 Old National Highway, Riverdale.

Cost: $25. Information: Betty King at 678-479-9574. Lisa Gibson for the AJC

Church services relocate to Southlake

Life Revolution Church is now at the Southlake AMC Movie Theater in Morrow every Sunday at 11:45 a.m. The church launched its first “worship experience” at the new location on Jan. 13.

Information: Leah Brown at info@liferevolutionc.com or visit www.liferevolutionc.com.

Kenneth Musisi

Zoning appeals process in Henry updated

The Henry County Board of Commissioners voted Jan. 15 to update the county’s ordinance on the appeals process for builders and developers desiring to rezone or develop a property. County officials said the changes will “provide greater detail and clarity,” specifying when the commissioners will hear appeals and which parties have the right to request an appeal. Information: www.hcpz.org.

Monroe Roark for the AJC

Peachtree City revises recreation fees

Peachtree City, with unanimous City Council approval, will increase some recreation and special events fees starting Feb. 1. As part of a restructuring that began in May, charges for facilities and equipment rentals, pool passes and adult athletics will be raised to help bridge the gap between revenue and expenses. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Private school to host open house

Woodward Academy private school is hosting an open houses for the PreK-12 Main Campus 2 to 5 p.m. Feb. 10, at 1662 Rugby Ave., College Park. Jeffry Scott