County by county news for Saturday

The driver, who was not identified, suffered an undisclosed medical issue before crashing the dark-colored SUV and sustained some injuries in the crash, police said. Although employees and shoppers were at the store, no one was hit or injured, Channel 2 said. The Dollar Tree is located at the intersection of Mabry Road and Woodstock Road. Christopher Seward

Day care enrolls in quality rating system

The Sunshine School on Old Canton Road in Marietta has been recognized as one of the first child care providers to enroll in the state’s new quality rating system.

More than 500 providers have signed up for the voluntary rating program.

“With more than 500 centers voluntarily enrolling in only three months, we can see how this program is being enthusiastically embraced by both families and child care professionals across the state,” said Bobby Cagle, commissioner of Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning. Nancy Badertscher

State reps to hold town hall meetings

State Rep. Stacey Evans, D-Smyrna will hold a town hall meeting on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Central Library in Marietta, and Rep. Alisha Thomas Morgan, D-Austell, will hold a town hall meeting on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the South Cobb Recreation Center, 875 Six Flags Drive in Austell.

Discussion will include information from the 2012 legislative session. Tony Roberts, president of the Georgia Charter Schools Association, will also lead a discussion charter schools during Rep. Morgan’s meeting.

Information: http://staceyevans.org; www.alishamorgan.com Janel Davis

Vendors invited to county seminar

Area vendors are invited to Cobb County’s next How to Do Business with Cobb seminar on Wednesday in Marietta.

The seminar will include information on vendor opportunities, the local vendor preference and the county’s processes.

Vendors will also have an opportunity to network with other companies.

The seminar begins at 5 p.m. at the Cobb Public Safety Village, 1220 Al Bishop Drive in Marietta.

Registration deadline is Monday at noon: inger.eberhart@cobbcounty.org, 770-528-3317 Janel Davis

Taste of West Cobb to be today

The fifth annual Taste of West Cobb will be today to benefit the music education program of Hillgrove High School.

Samplings from around 20 food establishments will be offered from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Avenue West Cobb, 3625 Dallas Highway, Marietta.

Advance tickets are available at the school, 4165 Luther Ward Road, Powder Springs.

Information: hillgroveband.com or tasteofwestcobb.com. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

Auburn man arrested on child porn charges

An Auburn man was arrested and charged with possession of child pornography Thursday, the GBI said.

Thomas C. Wakeman, 26, was taken to the Gwinnett County Detention Center after the GBI and Gwinnett police executed a search warrant and found child pornography on his computer, authorities said. Law enforcement officials received tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about a Photobucket account with images of suspected child pornography and child erotica. The IP address was traced to a computer at Wakeman’s home, the GBI said. Angel K. Brooks

1 dead, 2 hurt in I-985 wreck

A person seriously injured in a predawn wreck Friday on a Gwinnett County interstate has died, police said.

The single-vehicle wreck happened about 4:30 a.m. on I-985 northbound just north of I-85.

Gwinnett police said one person was taken to a local hospital with critical injuries, and two other people were transported with non-life threatening injuries.

The critically injured person later died. That person’s name has was not immediately available. Mike Morris

Library branch restoring services

The Gwinnett County Public Library’s Five Forks branch will reintroduce computer and WiFi access, printing/copying services and basic staff assistance on April 30.

The branch at 2780 Five Forks Trickum Road, Lawrenceville, is undergoing a renovation. The services will be provided in trailers at the site until the work is done. Patrons can still pick up held material and return items at the branch’s newly renovated meeting room.

Information: www.gwinnettpl.org or call 770-978-5154. David Wickert

Peachtree Corners to celebrate cityhood

The Atlanta Hawks will bring about 15 food trucks to Peachtree Corners on April 21 to celebrate the incorporation of the new city. The event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Corners Parkway, about one block west of Peachtree Parkway at Chick-Fil-A.

The Hawks will bring former players Dominique Wilkins and Jerry Stackhouse, Hawks cheerleaders and mascot Harry the Hawk. Information: www.nba.com/hawks/FoodTrucks. Joel Anderson

Beaudreau to meet with constituents

Gwinnett County Commissioner Mike Beaudreau will meet with constituents from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. today at the Centerville Community Center, 3025 Bethany Church Road, Snellville. Beaudreau represents commission District 3. David Wickert

Norcross to hold town hall meeting

Norcross will host a town hall meeting Wednesday to unveil the city’s Livable Centers Initiative Town Center plan and market feasibility study. The event will start at 7 p.m. in the Main ballroom of the Community Center at 10 College Street. Information on the study: http://aplacetoimagine.com/project-overview. Joel Anderson

NORTHSIDE

Public urged to weigh in on Marshal’s Department

Fulton residents can speak up about the county’s Marshal’s Department as the agency seeks reaccreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. The commission will evaluate policies, procedures, management, operations and support services. Residents and law enforcement employees can speak at a public information session Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Justice Center Building, courtroom 1A, 185 Central Ave., downtown Atlanta. Comments can also be made by calling 404-612-4456 on Tuesday between 2 and 4 p.m. Johnny Edwards

Children’s author to sign books

Johns Creek Presbyterian Preschool will host author Mary Brittany Schmitz for a book signing event at 9:50 a.m. April 23. Schmitz, a resident of Suwanee, will autograph copies of her book, “P.U. Stew.” In it, son Max learns that his mom is serving beef stew, or P.U. Stew as he calls it. He decides he’s not eating it, but his mom just might have a way to change his mind. Johns Creek Presbyterian Preschool is located at 10950 Bell Road in Johns Creek. Andria Simmons

Rogers, Albers to hold town hall meeting

State Sens. Chip Rogers R-Woodstock and John Albers, R-Roswell, will hold a town hall meeting Sunday at the Woodstock Public Library, 7735 Main St., beginning at 2 p.m. Both will discuss the 2012 goings-on at the Gold Dome and will take questions. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

New principal for South Forsyth High

A veteran Georgia educator will take the helm as principal of South Forsyth High School, part of the Forsyth County Schools, effective June 1. Jeff Cheney, 44, has been assistant principal of the campus since 2006, and will replace Jason Branch, who is leaving to head up the Oconee County school system. Cheney has taught at the elementary and middle school level, and has served as an athletic director and school principal in Savannah. The 10-acre campus has some 1,750 students and nearly 200 faculty, staff, and administrators.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Group to honor efforts in child abuse prevention

The non-profit CASA (court appointed special advocates) for Children group in Cherokee County will honor seven individuals with their Light of Hope award Tuesday for work on behalf of child abuse prevention efforts in the community.

Among those being honored are volunteers coordinating kids programs for Woodstock First Baptist Church and the Boys and Girls Clubs.

The awards ceremony is set for 7 p.m. at the Cherokee Arts Center, 94 North St. in Canton.

More info: www.casacherokee.org Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Mobile mammogram screenings Monday

The Care-A-Van Mobile from Gwinnett Medical Center is offering mammogram screenings Monday at the Grayson Branch of Gwinnett County Public Libraries.

The van will be at the site beginning at 8:15 a.m. Call to schedule your mammogram at 678-312-3444. Andria Simmons

ATLANTA

Auburn Avenue library opens new exhibit

A new exhibit celebrating the history of African Americans who served in the Georgia Legislature will open Sunday at Atlanta’s Auburn Avenue Research Library.

The opening includes a 4 p.m. public reception, and is sponsored in part by the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus.

The exhibit includes rare political documents that have impacted state history as well as a documentary about blacks in Georgia’s political system and their commitment to breaking down racial barriers. The library is located at 101 Auburn Ave. The exhibit is expected to run through May 13. Kristina Torres

Clark Howard to hold fundraiser April 28

Consumer guru Clark Howard will help children afflicted with brain and spinal cord tumors with a fundraiser this month at his Buckhead home. The April 28 event will benefit the Butterfly Fund of the Brain Tumor Foundation for Children, which provides emergency financial assistance to families with kids in treatment. Tickets are $500 per person for the event, which will include the presentation of the foundation’s Visionary Award to Dr. Walter Curran, executive director of the Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University. For information, go to: www.braintumorkids.org. Carrie Teegardin

Juvenile Justice Fund expands mission

Atlanta’s Juvenile Justice Fund (JJF) – the non-profit dedicated to helping children in the state’s juvenile justice system – is evolving its mission and relaunching under the name, “youthSpark.”

JJF, based at the Fulton County Juvenile Court, was formed to help youths in the juvenile justice system and female victims of commercial sexual exploitation.

Now, it will also support children impacted by parental negligence or substance abuse, and bridge the gap between the court and the youth and families it serves.

Information: www.youth-spark.org. Andria Simmons

DEKALB

Floyd: Decatur mayor should be elected

In his recent state-of-the-city address, Decatur mayor Bill Floyd urged the city to change how its mayor’s selected, from one currently appointed annually by fellow commissioners, to one popularly elected every four years by city voters. “If you’re serving on one of these regional boards, you’re at a disadvantage,” said Floyd, a member of the Atlanta Regional Commission. “You can’t guarantee your fellow board members you’ll even have a job next January.” Decatur’s the only metro Atlanta city – and one of only five in Georgia – that annually appoints its mayor. Bill Banks for the AJC

Doraville library group reaches out

The Friends of Doraville Library will host a book and membership drive today to boost activity at the branch.

The group holds sales throughout the year of books, CDs and movies to raise funds for more programs and events in Doraville. Membership is $5 for individuals and $10 for families.

The group will accept new members and donations between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the library, 3748 Central Ave.

More information: 770-936-3852. April Hunt

County to hold job fair today

DeKalb County Workforce Development, is hosting a job fair today featuring several local firms that are hiring.

The event runs from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Road in Decatur.

Firms present will include Comcast, Fed Ex, Manpower Staffing, Fidelity Bank, Hormel Foods, Randstad Staffing and others.

Attendees should pre-register at the Workforce Development website at www.dekalbworkforce.org. April Hunt

Electronics recycling event on Saturday

The Stone Mountain Rotary and Stone Mountain Park are teaming up this Saturday to offer electronics recycling at the park.

Gear will be accepted inside the East Gate entrance between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the park, which is allowing free parking Saturday for those who bring at least one item to recycle.

Accepted items for free recycling include cell phones, microwaves, computers, stereos and MP3 players. There is a $5 fee for television sets and computer monitors.

Large household appliances such as refrigerators or dryers are not accepted.

Information: 404-433-6509 or 404-433-0498. April Hunt

Registration now for summer day camp

Registration is underway every Saturday for DeKalb County’s Camp Superstars, a summer day camp for county youth.

Registration runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays at Browns Mill Recreation Center, 1501 Browns Mill Road near Lithonia, until all slots are filled.

Camp Superstars will be held weekdays between June 4 and Aug. 3 for kids between 5 and 15 years old. Cost is $55 per week and includes breakfast and lunch.

Registration is also available online at www.dekalbcountyga.gov/parks.

More information: 404-371-6273. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Henry board votes to regulate teen clubs

In an effort to keep teens safe, the Henry County Board of Commissioners approved this month an ordinance regulating teen gatherings with certain guidelines and zoning conditions. The ordinance covers teen clubs and dance halls and youth activity centers. It restricts who can apply for a license or permit. All applicants must pass a criminal background check. The ordinance sets insurance and security personnel rules and limits by establishing a minimum distance of 500 feet from schools, churches and businesses where alcohol is sold. Tammy Joyner

Fayette celebrates Earth Day today

Fayette County’s fifth annual Earth Day celebration will be held today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Shakerag Knoll in Peachtree City.

Features include more than 60 vendors and exhibitors plus kids’ activities, food, live music, electronics recycling and a student competition of eco-friendly science projects.

Chairs and pets are permitted; alcohol is not. Admission is free; see www.fayettecoearthday.org for details. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Esterline performs in Fayetteville tonight

Paul Esterline, “The Man of Mysteries,” will perform a special show at The Villages Amphitheater in Fayetteville tonight at 7 p.m.

The show, which features illusions and lots of audience participation, will benefit the orchestra programs at Bennett’s Mill Middle School and Whitewater High School.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children age 10 and under; see www.themanofmysteries.com or call 770-707-7893 for information. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

MADD honors Henry police

The Henry County Police Department won several awards March 22 at the Mothers Against Drunk Driving Georgia’s 8th annual Law Enforcement Golden Shield Honor Awards banquet. Two Henry County police officers were honored as DUI Heroes and the Henry County Police Department was recognized with the Agency DUI Hero Award, which honors agencies with the highest total of DUI arrests for their agency size. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Transportation public hearing canceled

A public input session on unincorporated south Fulton’s transportation needs has been canceled. The meeting had been scheduled Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Cliftondale Community Center. It will be rescheduled, according to the county. Information: 404-612-7468 or richard.coates@fultoncountyga.gov. Johnny Edwards

Rodeo coming to College Park

Southern K Ranch will host its 12th annual South Fulton Community Rodeo and Festival on May 12. Admission is $12 in advance and $15 at the gate; $8 for children ages 5 to 13 and children under 5 are free. The rodeo is located at 3203 Demooney Road in College Park. For tickets and information, visit www.southernkranch.com, www.DownnDirtyRodeoTour.com or call 404-964-3601. Mea Watkins