COBB
Robbers hit 2 AT&T stores, take phones
Two men entered an AT&T store on South Cobb Drive in Smyrna around 5:45 p.m. Sept. 30 and stole iPhones and Samsung phones, according to Smyrna police.
One of the men pointed a silver revolver at the clerk and told the clerk to take him to the vault where the phones were kept, police said. The other man entered the store with a black trash bag.
The men collected the phones and left the scene in a white, 2004 Nissan Maxima driven by a third man.
The suspects are also wanted in connection with a robbery at the AT&T store on Thornton Road on Wednesday. Robert Lee
Paving work will close down ramps
The ramps from Interstate 75 north and southbound to State Route 120 Alternate (North Marietta Loop) will be closed until 5 a.m. Monday to repave the North Loop.
In addition, the North Loop Alternate in both directions between State Route 3/Cobb Parkway and the Wallace Road/Gresham Road intersection will be closed. Westbound traffic will be detoured onto the South Loop via Gresham Road and Cobb Parkway.
Eastbound traffic will be detoured onto the South Loop via Cobb Parkway.
Information: 404-326-5214 Staff
‘End It’ benefit to be in Austell today
The first annual “End It” Disc Golf Tournament will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at the new Frog Rock Disc Golf Course, Louise Suggs Memorial Park, 3045 Veterans Memorial Highway, Austell.
The End It Ministry of Ewing Road Baptist Church in Austell is sponsoring the event to support Wellspring Living, a local nonprofit aiding survivors of childhood sexual abuse and exploitation through four residential homes for women and girls ages 12 to 40.
Cost: $30 (includes T-shirt, wristband and tournament disc). Registration: enditdiscgolf.eventbrite.com.
Those wanting to be a tournament sponsor may email austelldiscgolf@gmail.com or call 404-754-2275.
Information: wellspringliving.org or austelldiscgolf@gmail.com. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Taste of Acworth set for today
Taste of Acworth will have food from local restaurants, children’s activities and entertainment on two stages from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday along Main Street downtown. Food samples will sell from $1 to $3. The event benefits local charities. Shuttles will run from new parking lots on School Street across the railroad tracks. Information: www.acworth.org. Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Civil War presentation coming today
The Civil War Center at Kennesaw State University, in conjunction with the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, will present Civil War historians A. Wilson Greene, George Rable and Brian Wills at 9 a.m. Saturday at the KSU Center, 3333 Busbee Drive, Kennesaw.
Greene will discuss “Burnside’s Mud March,” Rable will provide insights on “Jackson the Christian Soldier,” and Wills will share information on “George Thomas: The Rock of Chickamauga.”
Free. Information: www.kennesaw.edu/civilwarera. Staff
GWINNETT
SWAT arrests man who returned to scene
A seven-hour SWAT standoff ended early Friday when police entered a home near Lawrenceville to find that the suspect, 38-year-old Russell Fowler, wasn’t inside He was taken into custody when he returned to the house later in the morning.
The incident began late Thursday when a man fired shots during an altercation with the family that lives in the home on Castle Drive.No one was injured by the gunfire, and the homeowners and their children ran outside. Fowler wascharged with aggravated assault, felon in possession of a firearm and two counts of simple battery. Mike Morris
Seniors to deliver wagons and dolls
The Senior Recreation Clubs of Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation will deliver wagons and dolls to children at Scottish Rite and Children’s Health Care of Atlanta beginning at 10:00 a.m. Monday, Oct. 14. The seniors collect money all year long to purchase the wagons and hand make hundreds of dolls to deliver during this annual event. Information: 678-277-0179. Karen Huppertz
Lilburn services now on website, app
After an eight-month redesign process, Lilburn haslauncheda new website at www.cityoflilburn.com. Residents may request city services and make requests for yard debris pick-up, report a needed street repair,etc. Newsletter, event information, police bulletins, emergency alerts, bid postings, council agendas as well as pay citations online are also available. Karen Huppertz
Lilburn Daze celebrates 40th anniversary
The Lilburn Daze Arts & Crafts Festival will celebrate its 40th anniversary 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 12 in Lilburn City Park. Event includes arts, children’s activities, music and food. Information: www.lilburndaze.org. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Suwanee begins youth leadership program
Suwanee is launching a new youth leadership initiative in January to build up young leaders in the community and outside the classroom.
The program, designed for high school sophomores and juniors in the North Gwinnett and Peachtree Ridge clusters and will include students attending private or home-based schools, will help students develop team-building, communication, and leadership skills.
Applications, due by Oct. 25, available at suwanee.com.
Information: Denise Brinson at denise@suwanee.com or 770-945-8996. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Call for art, fundraiser for African village
Kudzu Art Zone invites Georgia artists age 18 and up working in two- and three-dimensional media to participate in the Karansi Project art exhibit Nov. 8-22, at the gallery, 116 Carlyle St., Norcross.
Deadline to turn in art work is Oct. 26. Kudzu Art Zone, in partnership with the Tanzania Global Team ministry of Perimeter Church, is sponsoring the fundraiser to benefit relief efforts for the village of Karansi, Tanzania. Information: www.kudzuartzone.org or 770-840-9844. Veronica Fields Johnson
NORTHSIDE
Forsyth law officers seek serial burglar
The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a busy night-time burglar. Officials say he’s broken into six convenience stores and gas stations since Oct. 1, taking cash and lottery tickets.
The suspect seen on surveillance footage is 25-30 years old, 5-foot-8 to 5-foot-10, weighing 145-155 pounds.
He has medium length light-brown hair and has colored tattoos on his right arm.
Anyone with information should call 770-781-2200. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Waleska streetscape monument dedicated
A decade after initial approval, former Mayor Cecil Pruett and city officials dedicated the Waleska Streetscape monument in downtown Canton Tuesday.
The landscaped island contains a large monument sign welcoming visitors downtown. Work on the project began in early 2013. It’s part of a larger street improvement project along Waleska Street, including new sidewalks. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Forsyth High hosts band competition
South Forsyth High School’s Marching War Eagle Band sponsors the Talon Marching Showcase starting at 3 p.m. today at the school, 585 Peachtree Parkway, Cumming. Bands entered in the competition include Allatoona, Berkmar, Buford, Forsyth Central, Lakeside, Hart County, Lambert, North Forsyth, Northgate, Sprayberry and St. Pius X Catholic high schools as well as Marist and Mt. Paran Christian.
Tickets: $10; $5 for senior citizens and children.
Information: fhsbands.org, 770-475-2201 or mtd_agri@bellsouth.net Staff
Canton police get license plate reader
Canton Police are adding a new tool to the department’s crime fighting arsenal. The El Sag North American License Plate Reader, used in conjunction with patrol cars’ onboard computers, can read up to 5,400 license plates a minute.
It will be used to search for stolen vehicles, wanted persons, and suspended, revoked, expired and stolen license plates. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Welcome center hosts decorating event
Visitors to the Alpharetta Welcome Center, 178 S. Main St., Suite 200, will be treated to holiday decorating tips 2 to 8 p.m. Nov. 7.
The Alpharetta’s Table event will include eight decorators with “table-scapes” featuring holiday themes. Refreshments will be served, and a $250 gift card will be given away. The event is free.
Information: 678-297-2811. Laurie Hoffman
Electronics recycling event set in Cherokee
Cherokee County, Reworx and Waste Management are teaming up for an electronics recycling day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at the Cherokee Administration Building, 1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton.
Many items will be accepted for free, but there’s a $5 charge for CRT monitors and $10 for televisions.
Information: Cherokeega.com Mark Woolsey for the AJC
ATLANTA
Sickness prevention clinics scheduled
Fulton County’s SPARC Atlanta clinics (Sickness Prevention Achieved through Regional Collaboration) for older adults will offer: flu shots, breast exams, mammography, Pap test referrals, STD/HIV testing, blood glucose, blood pressure, healthy mind, BMI, colorectal prescreens and vision.
Clinics: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Today, Fountain of Hope, 829 Hollywood Road N.W.
Tuesday, Baptist Gardens, 1901 Myrtle Drive S.W.
Wednesday Simpson Street Church of Christ, 800 Joseph E. Boone Blvd. N.W. Information: 404-613-6000. Mea Watkins
Fort McPherson plans to be forum’s focus
The group behind plans to convey Fort McPherson to the city of Atlanta will host a forum 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at Fort McPherson, 1794 Walker Ave. S.W. Tours and updates about the Department of Defense’s plans to transfer the property to Atlanta will be included. The city plan to redevelop the 486-acre site into a science park and employment center.
Information: 404-477-6767 or www.mcphersonredevelopment.com Katie Leslie
Morningside-Lenox Park to hold ball
The Morningside-Lenox Park Association will hold its sixth annual Monumental Ball from 7 to 11 p.m. Oct. 18 at Magnolia Hall in Piedmont Park, 600 Evelyn St., N.E.
Proceeds go to the security patrol, and a cash bar will benefit Piedmont Park Conservancy.
Tickets: $50 at Fourteen West Realtors, 1411 N. Highland Ave. or www.monumentalball.org/tickets.html Mea Watkins
Google to sponsor Mini Maker Faire
Google will be the presenting sponsor of the 2013 Atlanta Mini Maker Faire, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 26 at Georgia Institute of Technology, 225 North Ave. N.W.
The free event will showcase robots, electric cars, 3-D printers, vintage computing, textiles, painting, artificial intelligence, music, sculptures, crafts, home fabrication and more. Information: makerfaireatl.com. Mea Watkins
DEKALB
Parents to discuss charter school clusters
The Emory LaVista Parent Council will host a town hall meeting Wednesday to discuss charter school clusters.
Parents and teachers in the Druid Hills area have proposed the first cluster of charter schools in DeKalb County, and a vote by the school board is expected this year.
The “Charters, Choices, and Change” town hall meeting starts 9:15 a.m. (refreshments served a half hour before), at Hawthorne Elementary School, 2535 Caladium Drive NE, Atlanta. Ty Tagami
Cops get funds to nab drunks, speeders
DeKalb police have just been awarded $66,300 to target aggressive drivers, drunken drivers and speeders.
The Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety awarded the H.E.A.T. — Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic — grant. Police will also use the money to step up enforcement of safety belt laws and educational programs, the police department announced Wednesday.
H.E.A.T. programs serve the 22 counties surrounding Atlanta because they are the jurisdictions with some of the highest rates of crashes, injuries and deaths, police said. Steve Visser
New central office should open on time
The new Decatur city schools central office, part of the $30,628,000 adaptive reuse of the Beacon Municipal Center, should open as scheduled by May 1.
City Schools needs to vacate its current Westchester office by May so that building can re-open as an elementary school in August 2014.
The remaining portions of Beacon Hill, a new gymnasium on the east wing and a new police station/courts building on the west, probably won’t open until late July.
The city schools portion should be roofed and completely enclosed by December. Bill Banks for the AJC
Oktoberfest this weeked in Stone Mountain
Stone Mountain will host a free Village Oktoberfest party tonday and Sunday to celebrate the arrival of fall.
The festival in the historic downtown will feature German beer and food, as well as live music and dancing.
There also will be an arts festival celebrating locally produced work. April Hunt
Group forms to benefit Brookhaven park
Several residents have formed the Murphey Candler Park Conservancy to raise money for improvements in Brookhaven’s largest park.
The group has already raised about $20,000 and plans to partner with the new city on plans and projects at the 135-acre park.
Information: murpheycandlerpark.org. April Hunt
DeKalb to host event for waste disposal
Household hazardous waste can be disposed safely 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 19 at the central transfer station, 3720 Leroy Scott Dr.
Examples of the waste to be accepted are aerosols, cleaners, paint, flammables, fluorescent lights, batteries, mercury and photo and swimming pool chemicals. Items not accepted include biohazards, medical and agricultural waste, pharmaceuticals and nonhazardous waste. April Hunt
SOUTHSIDE
Shooting suspect waives court appearance
Terri C. Williams, 35, waived her first appearance before a DeKalb County Magistrate Court judge Friday, court officials said. She is charged with murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony for allegedly shooting Charlese Brooks outside the Brick House Restaurant in the 800 block of Bouldercrest Road. Brooks died at the scene.
Relatives said Brooks was trying to break up an argument between her friend and Williams, and Williams retrieved a gun and began shooting. Marcus K. Garner
Fayette teachers get development day
All Fayette County third grade teachers attended a professional development day on Tuesday to provide more training for educators. Funded by the Fayette County Education Foundation, the session enabled teachers to collaborate on ways to integrate vocabulary and literacy skills into math, science and social studies classes. This was the first grade-level development day held in years, due to budget cutbacks. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
School employees participate in walk
Hundreds of Fulton County Schools employees and their families will participate in the 2013 Metro Atlanta Heart Walk this morning to raise money for cardiovascular disease and stroke research. The district hopes to raise $10,000 for the American Heart Association. “Team Fulton” will gather at the Atlantic Station Publix at 7:45 a.m. Ty Tagami
Road race Oct. 19 to benefit clinic
The 10th Annual Goblin Gallop, a 5K and 10K run to benefit Hands of Hope Clinic, is 9 a.m. Oct. 19, at Heron Bay Golf & Country Club on Hwy. 155 south of I-75 in Locust Grove.
Hands of Hope Clinic is Henry County’s free medical and dental clinic for the underserved and uninsured residents of the county.
Information: www.handsofhopeclinic.org. Monroe Roark for the AJC
Fire department kicks off cancer fundraiser
The Union City Fire Department is selling T-shirts in support of breast cancer awareness and education. Funds go to the Canton-based Georgia Breast Cancer Coalition. Price: $13 or $15. Information: demoore@unioncityga.org Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Henry town hall on Common Core
State Rep. Demetrius Douglas is hosting an informational town hall Oct. 17 in Stockbridge on the ABC’s of Common Core Standards. State and local education experts will provide information about the Common Core Standards.
The 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. event will be at Stockbridge City Hall, 4640 North Henry Boulevard in Stockbridge. Tammy Joyner
Clayton hosts town hall on Obamacare
State Rep. Demetrius Douglas is hosting an informational town hall meeting on the Affordable Care Act also known as “Obamacare” 10a.m. - noon Oct. 19 at the Lovejoy Community Center, 11622 Hastings Bridge Road in Lovejoy. Tammy Joyner
