County by county news for Saturday

The Cobb County Medical Examiner’s Office was notified on Thursday that 49-year-old Joel A. Worthington, of Marietta, passed away in Wellstar Cobb Hospital. Worthington was driving a black 1999 Chevrolet Silverado truck north on McEachern Way at 7 p.m. Dec. 21 when he crashed into a retaining wall in front of a residence.

Cobb County Police Department accident investigators believe alcohol was a factor in the crash. Andria Simmons

Children may read to dogs at library

Children who are 5 years and older are invited to read to certified listening dogs Nemo or Lexie in the READing Paws program at 3:30 p.m. Thursday at the South Cobb Regional Library, 805 Clay Road, Mableton. Children must be an independent readers and may be registered for two 15-minute sessions.

Information: Julienne Marks, marksj@cobbcat.org or 678-398-5834. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Plays at Mableton library this month

Children who are 9 years and older are invited to participate in drama workshops this month at the Mableton library to present short plays, using an array of props.

Classes will be held from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. Tuesday and Jan. 15, 22 and 29 at the South Cobb Regional Library, 805 Clay Road, Mableton.

Information and registration: Julienne Marks, marksj@cobbcat.org or 678-398-5834. Carolyn Cunningham

Bring worn U.S. flags to American Legion

Faded, worn American flags are wanted by Powder Springs American Legion Post 294.

They will be disposed by burning during “a proper, dignified ceremony,” said Senior Vice Commander John F. Hollner.

Flags may be left in the post’s red, white and blue mailbox at the post, 3282 Florence Road off U.S. 278.

Information: Hollner, 770-944-0801; post, 770-439-0956, commander294@bellsouth.net. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Kennesaw Skatepark construction beginning

Ground breaking on the first phase of the Kennesaw Skatepark in Swift-Cantrell Park takes place 11 a.m. Thursday. The facility will be the first ever permanent skate park to feature elements modeled on a competitive street skate park plaza design. It will host large and small size skateboarding events.

The estimated total project cost, including both phases, is 1.8 million; $1.4 million was approved by voters as part of the 2011 SPLOST and the remainder will come from corporate, private donations or grants, not the city’s general fund. Fundraising for Phase II is in progress. Kenneth Musisi

Milford robotics team wins competition

Milford Elementary’s FIRST Lego League robotics team, known as “The NXT Generation,” recently won first place at its regional qualifier held at Wheeler High School. The team will now advance to the “Super Regionals,” which will take place Jan. 12 at Marietta High School. Daarell Burnette II

GWINNETT

Buford man killed in Smyrna wreck

Sylvester Johnson, 42, of Buford, was driving a black 2012 Chevrolet Cruze when he rear-ended a crane truck that was stopped at a red traffic signal waiting to turn left onto South Cobb Drive in Smyrna, according to Cobb police.

Johnson was transported to Emory Adventist Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Three children who were passengers in the Chevrolet were not injured, nor was the driver of the crane truck.

Police said no charges are pending against the crane truck driver. Andria Simmons

Suwanee mayor to update state of the city

Suwanee Mayor, Jimmy Burnette, will give the annual State of the City address 6 p.m. Wednesday in Council Chambers, 330 Town Center Ave. He will review 2012 accomplishments, which include opening a police training facility and substation in the Suwanee Gateway, streetscaping projects at I-85 and along Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and a reduction in the City’s tax rate. In addition, Burnette will share information about the city’s strategic plan process and priorities and strategies identified in the plan. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Friends say stabbing suspect was provoked

Friends of Luke O’Donovan, the Dacula man charged with stabbing five men at an intown New Year’s Eve party say he was provoked by his alleged victims.

But O’Donovan, who is being held without bond at Fulton County Jail, will only tell police his name and date of birth.

His defenders, at least some of whom identify as anarchists, also have not spoken with law enforcement.

Family members, on a Facebook page, have urged witnesses to speak with his public defender instead of police.

Police are investigating the claims. Christian Boone

Lilburn Art Alliance hosts sip-and-see

Lilburn Art Alliance holds its first art exhibition 1 to 6 p.m. Jan. 12 at 107 Mains St. in Old Town. Sprig restaurant will provide complimentary hors d’oeuvres and wine, and Music on Main Street will provide entertainment. Local artists on display will include Susan Boudreaux, Diana Dice, Teri Enfield, Alan Harp, Gwendolyn McDonald, David Raderstorf, and Peggy Sullens. The Lilburn Arts Alliance’s mission is to create works of public art, support local artists and create studio space. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

History museum closed all month

The Duluth History Museum is closed for January to pack up Christmas and prepare new exhibits. The facilities are still available for events. Membership fees are due this month. Information: www.duluthhistorical.org or by calling 770-232-7584.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Business alliance meets Tuesday

The Buford Business Alliance will meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Brand Bank, 2255 Buford Highway. Members are asked to bring marketing materials for the BBA table. Information: www.visitbuford.com

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Cherokee deputies to patrol schools

The Cherokee Sheriff’s Office said it will be increasing the visibility of deputies on school campuses when students and staff return for the start of second semester classes.

The deputies’ presence will remain in place for the remainder of the school year. In addition to their everyday responsibilities of patroling and responding to 911 calls, deputies park in school lots, on roadways near the school, and also walk the school property.

This strategy is to assist the school district and school police department in providing an additional security. Andria Simmons

MUST Ministries to expand in Cherokee

MUST Ministries will be expanding its footprint in Cherokee County. A Friday ceremony will mark the start of build out of new 9,000 square foot offices at 111 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton, with a hoped-for April finish. The move from its West Marietta Street offices will give it about 20 percent more space and better access to I-575. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Nonprofit receives ‘Excellence’ award

Jewish Family & Career Services of Atlanta, 4549 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, is the recipient of the 2012 Managing of Excellence Award, presented by the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta.

The award recognizes outstanding nonprofit management in the largest category – those with budgets of $2 million or more.

CEO Gary Miller and President Seth Cohen accepted the award at the Foundation’s annual meeting at the Fox Theatre in November. Kenneth Musisi

Rotary Club to construct garden

The City of Alpharetta and the Alpharetta Park Commission approved for the Rotary Club of North Fulton to construct the Rotary Reflection Garden at North Park.

The community can get involved in the creation of the garden by purchasing engraved brick pavers at the website.

The project is the club’s third project at North Park. Information: Steve Siders, 770-992-4444 or www.northfultonrotary.org. Kenneth Musisi

Forsyth commissioners elect 2013 officers

The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners has selected its slate of officers for 2013. District 1 Commissioner R.J. “Pete” Amos was elected to serve as chairman. District 5 Commissioner Jim Boff, who served as chairman last year, was elected vice chairman. District 2 Commissioner Brian Tam will serve as board secretary. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Roswell Christmas tree recycling today

Keep Roswell Beautiful has organized the annual “Bring One for the Chipper” Christmas tree recycling event today.

The drop-off time is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Home Depot stores on Holcomb Bridge Road in the Holcomb Woods Shopping Center and on Woodstock Road across from Publix.

“Bring one for the Chipper” is a statewide initiative which reuses trees by chipping them into mulch that is used for playgrounds, local government beautification projects and individual yards.

Information: 770-442-8822 or www.keeproswellbeautiful.org.

Kenneth Musisi

ATLANTA

Airport diverted by toothbrush

A portion of Atlanta’s airport, including MARTA service, was interrupted for more than half an hour Friday morning when officials were alerted to an electric toothbrush vibrating inside a bag checked onto an AirTran flight.

A portion of the North Terminal baggage claim area was cordoned off while the bag was investigated, officials said. Airport passengers and MARTA passengers were diverted to the Terminal South entrance. Staff

Construction to close Deering Road

That’s when the state Department of Transportation plans to shut down Deering Road, the popular cut-through from I-75 and Northside Drive, to Peachtree Road for an extended period to work on an adjacent parking lot and bridge.

Engineers have determined that the small parking lot in front of the AMTRAK station where Deering meets Peachtree is structurally unsound.

The elevated lot, which is attached to the Peachtree Road bridge over I-85 and the railroad tracks, has been closed for several months.

The road is expected to be closed for about six months.

Mike Morris

Fugitive returned to face murder charge

A suspect in an August fatal shooting was returned to Atlanta on Wednesday to face a murder charge, police said Thursday.

Jeremy Woods, 24, was transported to the Fulton County Jail from Aiken, S.C., where he was arrested Dec. 20.

Woods was wanted in connection with the shooting death of 30-year-old Kentavious Ballard on Aug. 19. Ballard was found shot once in the chest in Atlanta’s Central Park in the 400 block of Merritts Avenue around 4 a.m. He was dead on the scene.

The preliminary investigation revealed a possible argument between two groups led to the shooting, police said.

After Atlanta police identified Woods as a suspect in the case, their fugitive unit worked with a U.S. Marshals task force to search for him. Woods was arrested in Aiken without incident. Angel K. Brooks

DEKALB

Witness in schools conspiracy case dies

Cointa Moody, a former DeKalb County School District employee who was to testify in April in a criminal trial against the former superintendent has died.

The DeKalb Medical Examiner’s office said Moody appears to have succumbed to natural causes. The DA’s office couldn’t say how this will effect on the case against former Superintendent Crawford Lewis, his chief operating officer Pat Pope (she has since changed her name to Pat Reid) and Reid’s former husband, architect Tony Pope.

Moody was Reid’s secretary and was a defendant until last spring when James dropped the indictment against her, saying she would testify for the prosecution. Ty Tagami

Businessman to run for Decatur commission

Decatur businessman Scott Drake on Thursday became the first person to announce his candidacy for the District 1 commission seat being vacated by longtime mayor Bill Floyd who resigned last month to take a job with Dunwoody-based Pendleton Consulting Group. The commission meets Monday to select a new mayor from among its four remaining members, and is expected to call a special election March 19 to fill Floyd’s seat. Bill Banks for the AJC

School board member to discuss sanction

DeKalb County school board member Donna Edler will hold a town hall meeting 1 to 2 p.m. today at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, 5140 Memorial Dr., Stone Mountain to discuss the effect of the school district’s recent drop in accreditation.

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools lowered DeKalb’s accreditation to “probation” last month, saying it had documented evidence of financial mismanagement and other problems. The action could lead to removal of the school board. Ty Tagami

DA makes staff changes

District Attorney Robert James appointed Kellie Stevens Hill to the position previously held by Don Geary, who resigned to take a position with Cobb County’s new DA.

James also moved Assistant District Attorneys Christopher Timmons to the public integrity unit, Mirna Andrews to the crimes against children unit and Carrie McCurdy to the domestic violence and sexual assault unit. Anna Green Cross was named to oversee the team that prosecutes death penalty cases and other complex cases.

Rhonda Cook

County to hold sanitation meetings

DeKalb County will hold the first of a series of meetings to discuss the future of garbage pickup in the county at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Tucker-Reid H. Cofer Library, 5234 LaVista Road, Tucker.

Information: 404-371-3689. Veronica Fields Johnson

RRISA moves offices

Refugee Resettlement and Immigration Services of Atlanta, which helps refugees settle in their new country, has relocated its headquarters from Memorial Drive in Decatur to 2300 Henderson Mill Road.

The new location is a short distance from a post office, grocery store, library and a mall, which staffers will use in educating and training refugees about their new lives. Shelia M. Poole

SOUTHSIDE

Riverdale man killed, family injured in crash

Victor Allen Moorer, 30, was driving northbound on I-85 in Meriwether County when the family’s 2003 Nissan Xterra left the roadway and overturned into a wooded area, Georgia State Patrol said. Moorer, of Riverdale, died. Shania Moorer, 11, and Chase Moorer, 3, were airlifted to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston. The other siblings — ages 10, 9, 7, 5 and 9-months — were treated and released. Moorer’s wife, whose name wasn’t released, went to Piedmont Newnan Hospital. All of the family members have been released from hospitals. Angel K. Brooks

Woman shot during home invasion

A Fairburn woman was shot late Thursday night by intruders who broke into her home in the 4900 block of Estonian Drive.

Milissa Burke, 54, was home alone, heard intruders breaking in, called 911 and hid. The burglars found her and shot her. She was taken to Atlanta Medical Center in stable condition.

The burglars took several items from the home and fled in a stolen Honda, which police later found abandoned nearby.

Mike Morris

Speedway’s ‘Gift of Lights’ last day Sunday

Families are invited to this holiday season’s last day of Gift of Lights on Sunday at Atlanta Motor Speedway, 1500 Tara Place, Hampton. Guests will drive through the Speedway with almost 2 million LED lights illuminating hundreds of festive holiday displays.

The festive atmosphere is enhanced by tuning in to the Speedway’s 90.3 FM radio signal to listen to Christmas music and messages from NASCAR drivers. Admission: $20 per car. Information: www.atlantagiftoflights.com or 770-423-1330.

Kenneth Musisi

Stockbridge offering development grants

Stockbridge is offering $100,000 through its Community Partnership Grant program to local nonprofits to promote the city. The money would finance activities, projects, special events and other programs that promote tourism and cultural activities in Stockbridge. Feb. 1 is the application deadline for the first round of funding. Grant applications and details are available at Stockbridge City Hall or online at cityofstockbridge.com.

Tammy Joyner

Fayetteville drummer headed to Hollywood

A 20-year-old Fayetteville man is headed to Hollywood to compete in Guitar Center’s 24th annual Drum-Off Grand Finals contest. Devon “Stixx” Taylor is one of five finalists from around the country competing for $25,000 and top top industry exposure. The star-studded, red-carpet event will be Jan. 19 at Club Nokia in Los Angeles.

Tammy Joyner

Recycle trees in Peachtree City

Peachtree City residents can recycle their Christmas trees 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. today at three locations.

Bare trees (no ormaments or flocking) will be accepted for free chipping at the Peachtree City Recycling Center on Ga. 74 South, the Home Depot on Ga. 54 West and the Kedron Shopping Center on Hwy. 74 North. Jill Howard Church for the AJC