County by county news for Saturday

Qualifying begins in Smyrna on Monday

Smyrna Mayor Max Bacon said Friday he plans to run for mayor for his seventh term, and make it official Monday when qualifying begins. “But I might wait until the last second (Wednesday ) when qualifying ends, just to keep them guessing,” he said. One of Bacon’s harshest critics, who has run against him twice already, Alex Backry, has declared he’s running again. With three city council members not seeking re-election, who qualifies for those posts will be closely watched. Jeffry Scott

Wheeler High renovation to proceed

The renovation of Wheeler High School will proceed despite a price tag that is about $3 million more than budgeted.

The Cobb County School Board unanimously approved a $20,069,376 construction contract Thursday with Hogan Construction Group.

The school system had planned on a total project cost -- with architectural fees, furnishings and other items -- of $20.3 million, said Doug Shepard, a school system finance official. The price negotiated with Norcross-based Hogan, the lowest bidder, brings that total to $23.8 million, he said. Ty Tagami

Austell council changes schedule for holiday

While the Austell City Council will hold its work session Monday, City Council members will not vote on those matters until mid-September.

Their work session will begin at 6 p.m. Monday in Council Chambers, City Hall, 2716 Broad St. SW., Austell.

Instead of meeting on Sept. 5 due to Labor Day, the City Council will meet at 7 p.m. Sept. 12. Also, garbage will be collected on Sept. 6 and recycling will be collected on Sept. 8. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Smyrna opens new housing for seniors

Smyrna officials held a grand opening and ribbon cutting Friday for the Galleria Manor of Smyrna, a new affordable apartment community for seniors. Galleria Manor, located on Woodland Terrace, was built partly with federal stimulus funds and the Smyrna Housing Authority. The apartments were built in conjunction with The Paces Foundation, a nonprofit organization providing affordable housing and services for low-income residents.

The complex includes 88 rental units. Janel Davis

Marietta school board to meet Wednesday

The Marietta school board will hold a special called meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday .

A school system official said the topic will be personnel.

The public meeting will occur at the school administrative offices, 250 Howard St., Marietta. Ty Tagami

GWINNETT

Friends help officer who lost home to fire

More than $6,000 has been raised for a Lilburn police officer and his family after their Barrow County home was destroyed in a fire last week. City officials hosted a fundraiser and cookout for Capt. Mike Johnson and his family on Tuesday. About 300 people showed up at Nash Pavilion to help. Donations can still be made to the City of Lilburn-Mike Johnson Family Benefit Account at any Wells Fargo Bank branch. The Lilburn Police Department is also accepting donations of gift cards, checks and money orders. Information: Jan Brumbelow at 770-921-2210 ext. 217 or jbrumbelow@cityoflilburn.com. Joel Anderson

Gwinnett to hold recycling event Sept. 10

Join Gwinnett County for the 9/11 Days of Service from 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 10 at Rhodes Jordan Park in Lawrenceville.

Residents are invited to bring their electronics, tires, and paper for recycling. Paper shredding is $5 a box. Electronics recycling is free, with a $10 charge for televisions. Tire recycling is free. Andria Simmons

Gwinnett Village CID to meet on Tuesday

The Gwinnett Village Community Improvement District will hold a public information session on planned improvements to the intersection of Jimmy Carter Boulevard and Buford Highway from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the district office, 5855 Jimmy Carter Blvd., Suite 122, Norcross.

Plans call for a reconstructed intersection to improve traffic flow. For more information, visit www.gwinnettvillage.com. David Wickert

Suwanee Day 5K/10K Classic is Sept. 10

The 11th annual Suwanee Day 5K/10K Classic will be held Sept. 10 as part of a series of Suwanee Day events.

Registration for the races is available online at www.suwaneeday.com through Sept. 8. Participants can also register from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 9 at the Runners Expo at Suwanee City Hall and beginning at 6:30 a.m. at Town Center Park on race day. Joel Anderson

NASCAR champs to visit Buford

Rick Hendrick Chevrolet in Buford is sponsoring a promotional visit by NASCAR drivers Bill and Chase Elliott at 4 p.m. Sept. 2.

Bill Elliott is a two-time winner of the Daytona 500, Winston Cup Champion, and a member of the Motorsports Hall of Fame.

His son, Chase Elliott, is taking his turn at the wheel and becoming a favorite among NASCAR followers.

The local legends will be available to sign autographs, take pictures with fans. NASCAR enthusiasts can also enter to win tickets to the Sprint Cup Race at Atlanta Motor Speedway Sept. 4. Andria Simmons

Free movie tonight in Lillian Webb Park

Norcross will host a free movie show today at Lillian Webb Park.

The event will start at 7 p.m. with inflatables and games and then “The Princess Bride” will be shown around dusk, according to a city release.

Information: Rip Robertson at 678-421-2025, crobertson@norcrossga.net, and www.aplacetoimagine.com. Joel Anderson

NORTHSIDE

Assessors: Only 8 cases of tax appeal errors so far

So far, the Fulton Board of Assessors has found only eight cases of tax appeals not entered into the computer system, causing property owners to erroneously receive bills calculated at 100 percent of their assessed value, according to Chief Appraiser Burt Manning. Under state law, owners appealing should receive temporary bills calculated at 85 percent. The Fulton County Taxpayers Foundation said it received dozens of complaints about the glitch. In many cases, Manning said, temporary bills were en route, or owners erred in the appeals process. Johnny Edwards

Canton articulates reservoir intentions

The City of Canton sent a memorandum of understanding to Cherokee County Water and Sewage Authority and the Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority outlining its plan to, in effect, sell its 25 percent stake in Hickory Log Creek Reservoir, which has been in development ten years as the cost has risen from projected $20 million to about $120 million. Cobb-Marietta Water Authority owns the other 75 percent of the reservoir, and has first right of refusal if Canton can strike a deal with Cherokee County Water and Sewage Authority. Jeffry Scott

Woodstock teacher donates prize money

Woodstock Elementary School teacher Debby Pinion, who coordinates Cherokee County Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy, won the 2011 Walden University Scholars for Change video contest. Pinion is donating her $2,500 prize to Cherokee County Ferst Foundation to advance early childhood reading in Cherokee County. Jeffry Scott

Cherokee team trains for attack response

The Cherokee Sheriff’s Office Multi-Agency SWAT team trained this week on how to better respond to emergencies involving weapons of mass destruction. The training was conducted with the National Center for Biomedical Research and Training based out of Louisiana State University. The SWAT team engaged in practical exercises wearing biohazard protective gear. Andria Simmons

Ice cream social to benefit children

The Drake House, a crisis residential assessment center for homeless women and children in the North Fulton area, will be lapping up the proceeds from the 7th annual Miss Mary’s Ice Cream Crankin’. The event is 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at on the historic Roswell Towne Square, come rain or shine. More than 100 flavors of homemade ice cream will be available. Other events include an ice-cream eating contest, face painting and children’s games. Tickets:$5 per person; $15 per family. Nancy Badertscher

Roswell sets election qualifying dates

Qualifying for City of Roswell municipal elections runs from Monday through Sept. 2 for Council Posts 1, 2 and 3, as well as the municipal judge. Candidates can file between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., weekdays at City Hall, 38 Hill Street, Suite 115. Qualifying fee for City Council is $540. The fee is $2,730 for municipal judge.

Information: www.roswellgov.com/municipalelections. Patrick Fox

ATLANTA

Man gets life for killing liquor store clerk

A man who killed an Atlanta liquor store clerk in a shootout has been sentenced to life in prison.

Investigators say Anthony held 21-year-old Martez McKibben at gunpoint while demanding money. McKibben grabbed a gun and shot at Anthony, who returned fire, hitting McKibben. He died at the scene.

A co-defendant, Aaron Jackson, was acquitted in the case. Associated Press

Cyclorama fans to rally today

Cyclorama fans will rally today in support of keeping the painting of the Battle of Atlanta during the Civil War stay where it’s always been; in Grant Park.

A task force has been formed to look at the possibility of moving the Cyclorama from its home in Grant Park in hopes of attracting tourists.

The painting was first exhibited in 1892 at a site on Edgewood Avenue. The Grant Park site was dedicated in 1921.

The rally is 2-4 p.m. in the park. Rhonda Cook

Meet-and-greet with APS chief on Tuesday

Atlanta school board chairwoman Brenda Muhammad, who represents District 1, is holding a meet and greet with Superintendent Erroll Davis from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at Parkside Elementary School in Grant Park. Parents and community members from the district are invited to attend. It’s one several community meetings Davis has taken part in since becoming superintendent this summer. Information: www.atlanta.k12.ga.us. Jaime Sarrio

Program gives students college head start

Clark Atlanta University is working with Atlanta’s Booker T. Washington High School to allow academically strong teenagers to take college courses while enrolled in high school. Five high school juniors will be on the Clark Atlanta campus this fall as the first participants in the Early College Partnership. They can take two core courses a semester. The college’s honors program will provide the students with tutors and mentors. Laura Diamond

DEKALB

Principal sets up honor for former high school

Robert Thorpe, principal of Druid Hills Middle School, wants to honor the former Shamrock High School, which has been converted into his middle school. He wants to build a display case filled with Shamrock memorabilia and he is inviting Shamrock alumni, staff and friends to the Druid Hills campus, 3100 Mount Olive Dr., Decatur, from 9 a.m. to noon today. He is asking that people bring any photos or keepsakes to help create a “Shamrock by the Decade” display. Everyone is welcome to join in and help. Information: 678-874-7602. Rich McKay

Business gets permit for old Town Cinema

Avondale Estates’ City Commission approved a conditional use permit earlier this week to Shedrick R. Perro of Stone Mountain who wants to open Annony.tv Internet Broadcasting Network in the city’s old Towne Cinema. In his permit application Perro said the network would have “15 channels of structured media that range from entertainment, health, education and business.” He added the space would also be used for film, music, movie and digital entertainment. The Cinema, originally built in the 1920s, has been vacant for several years. Bill Banks for the AJC

Meetings focus on transit initiative impact

The Lindbergh-LaVista Corridor Coalition will hold a series of public meetings to assess the effect of the Clifton Corridor Transit Initiative on neighborhoods from Decatur in central DeKalb County to the Lindbergh Center and Armour Yard area to the north.

The non-profit group has a contract with design firm Perkins + Will.

The company will start with two meetings at area homes, the first on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. at 1401 Arnold Avenue NE followed by one on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at 1805 Lenox Road NE. Contact: transportation@lindberghlavista.org or 404-315-8408. Ty Tagami

Decatur declares Sept. 21 car-free day

Celebrate Car-Free Day in Decatur by reducing your automobile use on Wednesday, Sept. 21.

Decatur Active Living will give out Car-Free Day stickers and tattoos to those who walk, bike or carpool to the Blue Sky Concert from noon to 1 p.m. at the Decatur Community Bandstand on the Square.

Car-Free day aims to reduce excessive automobile use by encouraging alternate forms of transportation and highlighting the benefits of walking.

Information: www.beactivedecatur.com Jemea Watkins

Registration now for Healthy DeKalb 5K run

Registration has begun for a Labor Day 5K that emphasizes in DeKalb County.

The Healthy DeKalb 5K run and walk will be held at 9 a.m. Monday, Sept. 5 at Snapfinger Road/DeKalb Medical Center Parkway. There also will be a 1-mile fun run.

Registration is $15 for adults before race day and $20 at the event.

Proceeds will benefit County Commissioner Stan Watson’s legislative cabinet, which sponsors community breakfasts every month.

More information or to get a registration form: Eddie Broadway at ebroadw@bellsouth.net. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Clayton names finalists for county manager job

Clayton County commissioners have named three finalists for the newly-created county manager’s job.

They are Kenneth Fields, an executive with experience running municipalities in Florida; Eldridge Morris, a risk manager for Fulton County and Wade Starr, director of Clayton County’s fleet maintenance.

A final decision will be made in September. The job will pay about $150,000 a year.

Tammy Joyner

Peachtree City qualifying begins Monday

Candidates who plan to run for either of Peachtree City’s two open City Council seats on Nov. 8 must file their paperwork Monday through Sept. 2.

Those running for either Post 1 or Post 2 (currently held by Eric Imker and Doug Sturbaum, respectively) must first submit a Declaration of Intent to Accept Campaign Contributions.

The second step is a Candidate Affadavit and $180 qualifying fee. Information packets are available at City Hall; call 770-487-7657 for details. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

East Point qualifying begins on Monday

Candidates who want to serve on East Point’s City Council have three days next week to qualify. Qualifying runs Monday through Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the city clerk’s office at Jefferson Station. The qualifying fee is $330. The four seats in this year’s election are Ward A, Ward B, Ward C and Ward D. John Thompson for the AJC

Eddie White choral programs wins grant

The choral program at Eddie White Academy has been awarded a $1,490 grant from Sigma Alpha Iota Music Fraternity for Women Inc.

The money will be used to purchase new music for the school’s choral library. Choral Director Chantae’ Pittman, an active member of SAI, applied last year for an award that is given annually for music education outreach programs. Tammy Joyner

Schools’ choruses to commemorate 9/11

The combined choral programs from Lovejoy High School, Lovejoy Middle School, Eddie White Academy, and River’s Edge Elementary School will present a special concert to honor heroes of 9/11 at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8, McDonough Road Baptist Church in Jonesboro.

The performance will include songs by British composer Ralph Vaughan-Williams and inspirational presentations by individual choirs. Sandra Marshall Murray

Clayton launches health initiative Monday

The Clayton County Board of Health along with several partner organizations has formed the Clayton County Georgia Physical Activity and Nutrition Coalition in order to promote healthy lifestyles for Clayton residents. The official launch is from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday at the J. Charley Griswell Senior Center, 2300 Ga. Hwy. 138, Jonesboro. Information: Joel Hall, 678 610-7424 or joelhall@dhr.state.ga.us. Sandra Marshall Murray