County by county news for Saturday

Smith had told police that Andresen, while selling him marijuana in a church parking lot, pulled out a gun and tried to rob Smith, and the pistol discharged during a struggle. The Supreme Court ruled the trial judge did not give an improper jury instruction when he said Smith could not be found justified in using force if he was in the process of committing a felony -- trying to buy marijuana. Bill Rankin

Cobb fire services earns re-accreditation

Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services has successfully been re-accredited by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International.

Accreditation is a process of self assessment and evaluation by peers and the Commission on Fire Accreditation International.

The process allows the department to achieve excellence through self assessment, and promote continuous enhancement of service delivery to its communities. Cobb County Public Safety now has Police, 911 Communications, and Fire as accredited agencies. Andria Simmons

Artists donate paintings to storm-damaged park

Artists Pat Fiorello, Theresa Forman and Julie Mann are donating three oil paintings to raise money to replace landscaping and trees at East Cobb Park. The park lost about 30 trees after a tornado touched down off Roswell Road March 3. Bids can be made at Frameworks Gallery, 1205 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta until 8:30 p.m. Thursday. Information: www.frameworksgallery.com Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Price Park cleanup delayed until April 28

Due to weather, The Friends of Price Park have cancelled a volunteer work day that was set for Saturday at Leone Hall Price Park in Kennesaw. The clean-up day will be rescheduled for April 28. Information: www.facebok.com/friendsofpricepark Janel Davis

Becca’s Closet needs new home in Kennesaw

Becca’s Closet Atlanta, which has collected thousands of dresses to help girls in financial need, now needs a help.

The organization is seeking a new location. Becca’s Closet has been in the same donated space on Cherokee Street in Kennesaw for two years. The site is being leased and Becca’s closet must find another donated location, preferably in Kennesaw. Interested parties can contact beccasclosetatlanta@gmail.com. Shelia M. Poole

West Cobb business group holds two events

The West Cobb Business Association will host two events Tuesday. Their speed networking luncheon will be 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lost Mountain Baptist Church, 5400 Old Dallas Road, Powder Springs.

From 5 to 7 p.m., a reception will be at First Citizens Bank at Florence Road and U.S. Highway 278 in Powder Springs to honor the city’s Mayor Patricia Vaughn and the City Council.

To register for the luncheon, visit westcobbbusiness.com/luncheons/index.html and, for the evening reception, email 1stresourcepestcontrol@gmail.com. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

Police: Man brought stolen gun to jail

A man being booked into the Gwinnett County Jail on misdeanor charges faces felony charges for allegedly having a stolen gun with him, the sheriff’s office said Friday.

Andre Ayddele Rose, caught with the .25-caliber handgun Monday, remained in jail Friday afternoon. Rose brought the gun with him in the “pre-admissions” area of the jail, Lt. Sean Smith with the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office said Friday. Deputies found the gun, which had been stolen, before it made to the inmate housing area, Smith said. Alexis Stevens

TV shoot to close Sugarloaf Parkway

Sugarloaf Parkway will be closed between Martins Chapel Road and West Campbell Road from 4 p.m. Wednesday to 8 a.m. Thursday while a crew films scenes for a television program.

Bonanza Productions, a company with credits including the television show “Alcatraz,” will use the road for filming. The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners approved the road closure Tuesday. David Wickert

DAR honors parks volunteer

The Philadelphia Winn Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution has named retired middle school teacher Lois Allen the winner of its 2012 Community Service Award.The award honors Allen’s volunteer work for the Gwinnett County Recreation Authority. She served on the authority’s board from 2003 to 2010, and was chair from 2007 to 2010. She also has conducted research for local business, cities and other groups.To learn more about the DAR, visit www.dar.org. David Wickert

Rep. Woodall to be at town hall meeting

Rep. Rob Woodall will attend at town hall meeting at 11:30 a.m. today at the Suwanee City Hall, 330 Town Center Ave.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Snellville hold citizens police academy

Snellville’s nine-week Citizens Police Academy begins March 29. The free academy teaches how community involvement can deter crime and covers topics including domestic violence, drug awareness, traffic stops, firearms training, and crime scene processing. It also includes a tour of the Gwinnett Jail and a graduation dinner on the final day.

County residents 18 and older may enroll, and participants undergo a background investigation. Applications are available at the city’s police department at 2315 Wisteria Dr., and should be submitted to Detective Trey Downs, 770-985-7216, tdowns@snellville.org. Michael Alpert for the AJC

Gwinnett honors public safety workers

Gwinnett’s 7th Annual Valor Awards will be held at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Gwinnett Center.

Award categories include The Medal of Valor Award for bravery and heroism, Lifesaving Award, Medal of Merit for outstanding community program and others.

Information: http://new.valorawards.com/6th-annual-valor-awards. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

California sex offender found in Cherokee

Cherokee County authorities have located a sex offender who fled California and was living in Woodstock. Sheriff’s Lt. Jay Baker says an anonymous tip led to the arrest of 50-year-old Larry Darnell Oliver Thursday morning at an address on Sweet Gum Street. Oliver was charged with failure to register as a sex offender in Georgia and with firearms possession by a convicted felon, and was jailed. Police say Oliver was convicted of Lewd and Lascivious Acts with a Child under 14 years of Age in California in 1986. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Work to close I-575 at Ridgewalk Parkway

The Georgia Department of Transportation will close I-575 at Ridgewalk Parkway in Cherokee County next weekend while crews demolish the old Ridgewalk Parkway bridge over the interstate. Motorists will be detoured onto newly-constructed entrance and exit ramps from 10 p.m. Friday to 4 a.m. Monday, April 2. The work is part of construction of a new diamond-shaped interchange, expected to be finished in December. More info: www.511ga.org Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Man arrested in killing girlfriend’s dog

A Holly Springs man was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly killing his girlfriend’s dog.

The owner of a Chihuahua told Cherokee County marshals on Feb. 22 that her dog, “Hershey,” was dead, and that she suspected her boyfriend, Juan Furlan, 19, killed it. “Hershey” had suffered head trauma and several broken bones. Furlan was arrested March 5 on charges of theft and abandonment of a dead animal. He bonded out , but was re-arrested Wednesday on an aggravated animal cruelty charge. Furlan was released from jail on an $11,200 bond. Andria Simmons

Forsyth to hold hearing on water contract

The wrangle over a prospective new water contract between Forsyth County and Cumming will get an airing at a March 29 town hall meeting. Forsyth County buys nearly all of its water from Cumming, which has a permit to draw water from Lake Lanier while the county does not. That agreement expires in May. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the Forsyth County Administration Building, 110 E. Main St. in Cumming. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Forsyth schools’ finances in good shape

Forsyth County Schools have gotten a clean bill of financial health from the Mauldin and Jenkins CPA firm, in a report covering the fiscal year ending June 30 of 2011. The report said that the district’s assets exceeded liabilities by $342.6 million at the end of the year, with net assets rising by $9 million. The firm says that was accomplished despite a two-year decrease in the tax digest. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Renowned pianist to perform in Roswell

The Chopin Society of Atlanta will present world renowned pianist Ilya Yakushev at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St.

Yakushev will play works by Beethoven, Chopin and Bach. Tickets are from $5 to $25 and can be purchased online at www.chopinatlanta.org/ or by calling 770-641-1260. Patrick Fox

ATLANTA

Oak Hill family center to get renovation

Fulton County will break ground at 11 a.m. Tuesday on a $5.4 million renovation of the Oak Hill Child, Adolescent and Family Center, a youth health facility at 2805 Metropolitan Parkway, S.W., Atlanta.

The project is expected to wrap up this fall. The center, in a 64-year-old, 22-acre gated campus, works to reduce health disparities among children and youth. Johnny Edwards

Workshop helps seniors lower taxes

Fulton Housing and Community Development and the county tax assessors office will host another workshop Tuesday teaching seniors how to lower their property taxes with homestead exemptions.

The “Home Sweet Home” class lasts from 11 a.m. to noon at the Mills Senior Multipurpose Facility, 515 John Wesley Dobbs Ave., S.E., Atlanta. The deadline to apply for exemptions is April 2. Information: 404-612-9184. Johnny Edwards

Charter school to hold open house

Heritage Preparatory Academy will have an open house at 10 a.m. on Saturday, and Tuesday, and at 7 p.m. on Thursday. Heritage Prep, 3550 Greenbriar Parkway, is in its first year of operation as a state-chartered special school.

Applications for sixth and seventh grade students for the 2012-13 school are being accepted. For information, call 678-399-2810 or visit, heritageprepcharter.org. Mea Watkins

Teachers invited to apply for fellowship

American history and civics teachers across the country are invited to apply for a summer fellowship focused on the U.S. Constitution. The Bill of Rights Institute is partnering with the Foundation for Economic Education to host the Founders Fellowship: Civil Liberty, Commerce and the Constitution. Participating teachers will convene in Washington D.C. from July 16 to 20. The application deadline is Monday. More info and application: www.BillofRightsInstitute.org/Founders-Fellowship-2012. Nancy Badertscher

DEKALB

Adult club wins court ruling

The Georgia Supreme Court on Friday ruled in favor of Pin Ups, a DeKalb County adult entertainment club, in its litigation to stay open until 7 a.m.

A DeKalb judge had refused to grant an interim injunction that would have allowed, until the case is resolved, for Pin Ups to continue to stay open until 7 a.m. and not close a few hours earlier as required by county ordinances adopted in 2010. Pin Ups appealed, and the Supreme Court ruled the judge had relied upon an incorrect legal standard and directed the judge to try again using the correct one. Bill Rankin

Chamber backs transportation tax

The DeKalb Chamber Board of Directors has unanimously agreed to support this summer’s regional transportation referendum.

The referendum on July 31 will ask voters across 10 counties whether to raise a penny sales tax for a for a multi billion-dollar list of transportation projects.

The chamber noted the projects will provide “significant economic benefits” in DeKalb, which is set to receive $1 billion for various projects in the county if the vote passes.

There has been significant push back on the referendum in the county, though. Hundreds of residents and many public officials have complained in particular that full funding for an I-20 rail line is not included as a project. April Hunt

Library to hold debt clinic Tuesday

The main branch of the DeKalb County Public Library will hold a debt clinic on Tuesday for all interested county residents.

Representatives from DeKalb Volunteer Lawyers Foundation will offer information for those being sued in consumer debt cases. Others will be on hand to help those struggling with debt in other ways.

The program runs from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Decatur library, 215 Sycamore St., Decatur. Information: 404-370-3070. April Hunt

Community garden workshop next week

DeKalb County Commissioner Kathie Gannon and CEO are hosting a community gardening workshop next weekend near Decatur. The session will include training on how to get permits for such gardens and basic vegetable gardening. There also will be demonstrations on seeding and building raised beds. The free event runs from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. March 31 at Georgia Perimeter College’s Decatur campus, 3251 Panthersville Road. Information: 404-371-2881. April Hunt

Northlake Mall to hold big band event

The chance to dance and sway to big-band music returns later this month at Northlake Mall in Tucker. The Atlanta-New York Connection provides the music at the free event held in the mall’s food court. The next dance will be from 6-8 p.m. March 27 at the mall, 4800 Briarcliff Road. April Hunt

Festival at Stone Mountain Village

Stone Mountain Village will host a Blue Grassroots Music & Arts Festival along Main Street on March 31. Self-taught artists will display their wares and dozens of bluegrass musicians and country dance teams will perform. Info: www.stonemountainvillage.com Andria Simmons

SOUTHSIDE

Fulton holds off awarding five library contracts

Fulton County held off on awarding five library contracts amid concerns about the past work of a bid winner. C.D. Moody Construction Company won bids to manage construction of the new Southeast Atlanta branch and, in a joint venture, manage the renovation of the Auburn Avenue Research Library. Commissioner Bill Edwards said the company was involved in building the Palmetto Neighborhood Senior Center, a project fraught with leaky roofs and change orders. The board delayed all five contracts that were up for vote. Johnny Edwards

FGTV gives view of court system

A new show on Fulton Government Television aims to give viewers a closer look at the state’s largest and busiest court system. “Fulton Justice,” hosted by Court Administrator Yolanda Lewis, will air during the fourth week of each month, Monday through Sunday, at 1:30, 4:30, 7:30 and 10:30 p.m.

Future shows will focus on accountability courts, business court and new policies affecting jurors. FGTV is on Comcast channel 23, except for in Atlanta, where it’s on 21, and in College Park and East Point, where it’s on 26. Johnny Edwards

Moratorium on personal care home actions

The Henry County Board of Commissioners have imposed a 90-day moratorium on new personal care homes in the unincorporated county. Officials said that ordinances require review of personal care homes in residential areas. Any changes will not apply to group homes or assisted living facilities. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Peachtree City vies for ‘most interesting town’

Peachtree City is looking to be named America’s Most Interesting Town by Reader’s Digest magazine. The publication has started a campaign called “We Hear You, America,” during which participants can submit stories and photos about their towns and vote. To take part, visit www.wehearyouamerica.readersdigest.com and enter Peachtree City’s ZIP code, 30269. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Restaurant joins fight against diabetes

Grecian Gyro, a local family-owned restaurant, has partnered with the Georgia chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund in the fight against Type I diabetes, during March. Customers can participate by purchasing and signing their name on a paper sneaker for $1 at the Hapeville, Tucker and Forest Park stores. The Tucker location will host a “Dine for Diabetes” community night on Monday and Tuesday , donating 10 percent of sales. Information: www.jdrfgeorgia.org or www.greciangyro.com/locations. Kenneth Musisi

Fayette library hosts business seminar

The Fayette County Public Library and the U.S. Small Business Administration host “Deliberate Success,” a free seminar aimed at anyone interested in starting a business. From 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, head to the Fayetteville library, 1821 Heritage Park Way, to hear tips on how design a business plans and growth strategies. The event is free, but registration is required: www.sba.gov/ga; 770-305-5426. H.M. Cauley for the AJC