County by county news for Saturday

The lot is on Richard Sailors Parkway across from the UCBI bank.

Other parking will be available on Carter and Florence Roads and in downtown Powder Springs.

Information: City Hall, 770-943-1666.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Cobb bus driver wins regional competition

Michael Graham, a county school bus driver, recently won tenth place at the national "Road-e-o" competition. The Milwaukee competition challenged bus drivers on backing up, picking students up and performing effective driving techniques. Graham picks up students at Murdock Elementary, Dodgen Middle and Walton High schools.Daarel Burnette II

Powder Springs approves sign request

Powder Springs City Council voted 5-0 Monday to approve McDonald's exception to the Unified Development Code so a pole sign will remain.

Renovation at 4021 Powder Springs Road next year will elimination its outdoor playground. The plans hinged on whether city officials would agree to abandon UDC requirement for monument signage that would have required the replacement of McDonald's 35-foot pole sign on Powder Springs Road with a 25-foot brick monument sign.

McDonald's will have to replace its other pole sign on Austell-Powder Springs Road with a monument sign and it will have to install sidewalks on Sharon Road or Austell-Powder Springs Road. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

The Drake House hosts benefit event

The Drake House in Roswell will host the 8th annual Miss Mary's Ice Cream Crankin', a benefit event, from 2 to 4 p.m.Sunday at the Historic Roswell Square.

Ice cream lovers and families will enjoy 100 flavors of homemade ice cream, live music, and ice cream eating contests. Cost is $20 for families (up to 6); $5 individuals.

The Drake House offers emergency residential housing and support services to homeless single mothers and their children. Information: www.missmarysicecream.org.

Kenneth Musisi

Austell City Council will meet Monday

Austell Mayor Joe Jerkins and the City Council will hold their pre-agenda meeting at 6 p.m. Monday at City Hall, 2716 Broad St. SW.

The voting meeting will be at 7 p.m. Sept. 10 - postponed a week due to the Labor Day holiday. Information: clerk@austell.org or 770-944-4326. Carolyn Cunningham

Free jazz concert tonight in Marietta

The Georgia Symphony Orchestra's Sam Skelton and his Big Band will give a free jazz concert 8 tonight in Glover Park on the Marietta Square. The orchestra is asking concert patrons to bring non-perishable food items for MUST Ministries as part of the League of American Orchestras' national food drive. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

GWINNETT

Complaint claims public money used for TSPLOST

A citizen watchdog has filed a complaint claiming Gwinnett County and the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce violated state campaign finance laws by using tax dollars to support the failed transportation sales tax measure. Gwinnett Citizens for Responsible Government filed the complaint with the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission.

It claims the chamber used county money designated for the Partnership Gwinnett economic development program to lobby for passage of the sales tax. County and chamber officials have denied the claim. David Wickert

Suwanee showing outdoor movie

Suwanee is showing a free movie, "The Hunger Games," at dusk Saturday at Town Center Park, 330 Town Center Ave. Chairs, blankets and food are welcome, but not alcohol.

Food vendors will be there, too.

Information: 770-945-8996, suwanee.com.

Michael Alpert for the AJC

High schools honored for sportsmanship

Two Gwinnett County schools — Berkmar High Patriots and Duluth High Wildcats - have been given the Cooperative Spirit Sportsmanship award from the Georgia High School Association and the stat'sElectricMembership Cooperatives.

The award honors student-athletes and their supporters for exhibiting exceptional sportsmanship during competitive events.

"This award is not only an honor for the individual school, but also recognition for the community as whole, said Mike Emery, the school district's director of athletics, "It reinforces the GHSA philosophy that 'students, athletes, coaches, spectators and all others associated with high school activities programs should adhere to the fundamental values of respect, fairness, honesty and responsibility.'" Nancy Badertscher

Commissioner to meet with constituents

Gwinnett County Commissioner Mike Beaudreau will meet with constituents 9 to 10 a.m. today at Fire Station 30, 1052 Ozora Road, Loganville.

Beaudreau represents commission District 3, which includes the cities of Snellville, Loganville, Grayson, Dacula and Auburn. David Wickert

Festival of India today

The 16th annual Festival of India will be held today at the Gwinnett Center at 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth.

The chief guest is Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and keynote speaker is Hon. Ajit Kumar, the Consulate General of India in Atlanta.

There will be art competitions and a talent show for kids. For adults, there will be cultural programs, a fashion show and comedy and dance performances.

Information: www.iacaatl.org. Andria Simmons

Jazz event coming to Buford

Buford's annual "All that Jazz on Main" music event will be on its historic downtown square at 6 p.m. Saturday.

Food, shopping, fun and an arts and crafts sale are included. Information: 770-271-4394.

Michael Alpert for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Teachers to learn signs of sexual exploitation

A campaign to teach Georgia school staff and parent-teacher association members the risks and signs of sexual exploitation is 6 - 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Double Tree Hotel in Roswell.

The campaign, paid for with a grant from the Georgia Department of Education, will be led by Street GRACE and Georgia Rotary Clubs.

The public is invited to attend.

Wayne Washington

Poet appearing in Johns Creek

Poet Jill Jennings will speak at 10:15 a.m. Saturday at Northeast Spruill Oaks Library, 9560 Spruill Road, Johns Creek. A retired journalist, Jennings has taught Latin and English for 18 years and has developed SAT exam writing workshops. Her poems have won awards from the Georgia Poetry Society and Atlanta Writers Club. Information: Rob Lynn, robertllynn.com, 770-360-8820. Michael Alpert for the AJC

Aging Council gala this weekend

The Volunteer Aging Council will host the 12th annual Gala/Auction Fundraiser from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday at Northside Hospital-Cherokee Conference Center, 1130 Bluff's Pkwy., Canton. Proceeds will benefit seniors in need through county Meals on Wheels program, medical prescriptions, home repairs, etc. Veronica Fields Johnson

Man sentenced for 'skimming' credit cards

A former Alpharetta BP station worker was sentenced to five years in federal prison for installing a "skimming" device that captured customers' financial card numbers and personal identification numbers. Boris Toumasian, 25, of Glendale, Calif., used the information to create counterfeit cards, withdraw money from the customers' bank accounts and buy electronics, prosecutors said.

He pleaded guilty in October to charges of conspiracy, credit card fraud and aggravated identity theft, and was sentenced Friday to five years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He must pay over $86,000 in restitution. Mike Morris

Cherokee arts group to hold annual meeting

The Cherokee Arts Center will hold its annual general membership meeting from 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 28 at the Center, 94 North St., Canton. Board members and officers of the board will be elected, and board members whose terms are ending will be recognized.

All current members are welcome. Info: www.cherokeearts.org.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Cherokee church offers financial classes

Financial Peace University will be offered at Cherokee Presbyterian Church, 1498 Johnson Brady Road in Canton. An informational meeting is set for Aug. 29.

Classes start Sept. 12 and are on Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. Cost is $90. Register: www.cherokee-pca.org

Nancy Badertscher

ATLANTA

Urban League hosts health expo

The Urban League of Greater Atlanta will host the second annual Atlanta Area Neighborhood Project's Town Hall Meeting and Health Expo from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 25 at Fulton County Government Center, 141 Pryor Street S.W. The three panels of experts will cover topics on the Affordable Care Act, health disparities and healthy lifestyles among minorities, and available healthcare resources. Information: www.ulgatl.org. Kenneth Musisi

Recess games highlighted at festival

The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia Bring Back Recess movement will be part of the 10th annual Grant Park Summer Shade Festival 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sunday at 840 Cherokee Ave. S.E. The event is to remind people to take a break for physical exercise. Activities include four square, jumping rope and waste/laundry basketball. BCBSGa will donate $1 to a local Boys and Girls Club for every attendee who participates, up to $2000. Veronica Fields Johnson

Cumberland Mall hosts festival for kids

Cumberland Mall will host Fall Kids Fest, featuring free, family-friendly activities, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. today. Activities include make-and-take crafts, face painting, music and prizes.

The event takes place in the Costco Wing on the lower level near Designer Shoe Warehouse. Cumberland Mall is located at 1000 Cumberland Mall in Atlanta. Information: www.cumberlandmall.com.

Andria Simmons

Annual multicultural Hispanic event planned

The 12th annual Festival Peachtree Latino will take place from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Piedmont Park, 400 Park Drive N.E., Atlanta. Representatives from the Peach State Health Plan, a health insurance vendor that manages the Peachcare for Kids and Medicaid programs for the State of Georgia, will be on site. Live musical performances, ethnic foods, exhibitions, parades and arts and crafts will also be featured. Information, www.pshp.com.

Mea Watkins

DEKALB

Woman shot to death in DeKalb home

DeKalb County police are looking for the boyfriend of a woman found shot to death early Friday.

Officers responding to a 1:30 a.m. report of shots fired at a home on Walden Walk Circle found Atima Smith, 36, suffering from a gunshot wound, a police spokeswoman said.

Smith was taken to a local hospital, where she later died.

According to detectives, the victim and her boyfriend were upstairs in a bedroom and shots were fired.

The victim's boyfriend fled the scene and detectives have identified him and are actively searching for him. Mike Morris

Chamblee hosts self-defense classes

Chamblee is offering a self-defense class for women.

There will be two sessions 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Monday at the Chamblee Library on Clairmont Road. Each class is limited to 25 people.

Information or to register: 770-936-1380.

April Hunt

Tax bills mailed, due Oct. 1, Nov. 15

County property owners should have received their 2012 tax bills sent out by the tax commissioner this month.

The office mailed the statements to all property owners, including those who have filed an appeal for their annual assessment.

Those bills should reflect being taxed at 85 percent of the assessment.

The first installment of taxes are due on Oct. 1. The second installment is due Nov. 15.

Information: www.dekalbcountyga.gov/taxcommissioner.

April Hunt

Dance to free big-band music at Northlake Mall

The chance to dance and sway to big-band music returns in the next week 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 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the mall, 4800 Briarcliff Road. April Hunt

Farm to School Symposium today

A Farm to School Symposium will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at Oakhurst Church, 630 East Lake Dr., Decatur.

It's is open to anyone interested in understanding more about farm to school and how they can implement farm-to-school activities in their schools. Registration is $25.

Information: www.oakhurstgarden.org; or Joey Zeigler at realfood888@gmail.com. Bill Banks for the AJC

Decatur schools begin recess policy

Decatur schools recently adopted a uniform recess policy, or what's formally known as "unstructured break time" for the city's K through 5 classes.

Every school must allow 20 minutes supervised break per day for every student.

Superintendent Phyllis Edwards said most classes were doing this anyway, "but after getting several complaints from parents we decided to make [unstructured break time] formal policy."

Edwards added that the elimination of recess can't be used as a punishment for individual students unless the specific infraction is safety-related. Bill Banks for the AJC

SOUTHSIDE

Suspect dies after fight with Clayton police

An autopsy is planned for a burglary suspect who died after fighting with police officers in Clayton County.

Police responded to a burglary late Thursday morning at a residence on Georgetown Court. Officers found two suspects inside the residence and arrested one of them without incident. The second suspect got into a fight with the officers. Two officers and the suspect were injured and taken to a hospital for treatment, where the suspect later died. The investigation was turned over to the GBI, a police spokesman said. Staff

Seniors learn about telephone service

Henry County Senior Services in McDonough will host a presentation about Georgia Relay Telephone Services for the deaf and hard of hearing at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 28, at Heritage Senior Center in McDonough. Georgia Relay services are available to assist people who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing or those who have difficulty speaking or communicating on the telephone. Information: 770-288-7011 Monroe Roark for the AJC

KidzFest moves to Glenloch center

Peachtree City's annual end-of-summer KidzFest event happens 11 a.m.-3 p.m. today at the Glenloch Recreation Center, a change from the previous Shakerag Knoll location. The festival features inflatables, face painting, pizza, and other attractions. Admission and parking are free; details on the calendar page at www.peachtree-city.org. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Commissioners change meeting time

The Henry County Board of Commissioners has scheduled its next public meeting for 6:30 p.m. Sept. 4, in the Community Room of the county administration building at 140 Henry Parkway in McDonough.

The board is meeting at this special time instead of its usual 9 a.m. meeting time on the first Tuesday of the month. There is no meeting Sept. 3 due to Labor Day.

Monroe Roark for the AJC

Henry school announce ACT results

The Henry County School System released ACT scores for 2012 graduates, and the most recent graduating class fared better in science and overall scoring compared to last year's seniors. Test scores decreased slightly in English and reading, while math scores remained the same.

Locust Grove High School saw gains in all scoring areas. Ola, Union Grove, and Woodland high schools saw increases in scores in four out of five areas. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Meeting called to certify election results

The Fulton County Board of Registration and Elections will hold a special-called meeting noon Saturday in Suite 2186 of the Fulton County Public Safety Building, 130 Peachtree St., Atlanta to certify results of Tuesday's primary runoff election.

College Park- and East Point-area precincts voted in the races for state House District 62, in which LaDawn "LBJ" B. Jones defeated Marvin Arrington Jr., and state House District 63, in which Ronnie Mabra defeated T.J. Copeland. Johnny Edwards