County by county news for Saturday

The tax bills were mailed out Aug. 15 and payment is due within 60 days to avoid late charges. Payments can be submitted by mail, phone or online to the county’s tax commission office.

A late fee of 5 percent plus interest at 1 percent per month will be accessed after the deadline until the bill is paid in full.

Information: http://www.cobbtax.org Janel Davis

WellStar to build health park in Acworth

WellStar Health System will break ground Monday on its first health park in Acworth, which will include primary care doctors, specialists, a diagnostic center, a pharmacy, a sleep center and other services.

Officials will kick off construction at the site, 4550 Cobb Parkway NW, just north of the intersection of Cobb Parkway and Cedarcrest Road, at 11 a.m. The health park is slated to open in the summer of 2012. Misty Williams

Safety Village open house on Sunday

Cobb County is opening its Safety Village to the public on Sunday, for a chance to see the child-size representation of the county and to learn safety techniques. The village includes a replica of house complete with fire dangers, and a town village with storefronts and roads to teach pedestrian safety. The open house runs from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the village, 1220 Al Bishop Drive in Marietta. Information: 770-852-3270 Janel Davis

Flu vaccine clinic in Powder Springs Monday

WellStar will hold a flu vaccination clinic for senior citizens in Powder Springs on Monday.

Flu shots will be given at the West Cobb Senior Center, 4915 Dallas Highway, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is free with a Medicare card or $25 without one. For an appointment, those who are at least 55 years old may call 770-528-8200. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Civil War historian to leak museum tours

Civil War historian Bran Quinlan will lead four walking tours around the Marietta Square to benefit the Marietta Museum of History. Quinlan will talk about Marietta during the Union Army occupation in 1864, and Union civil war reenactors will give a soldier’s perspective. Tours start at the Kennesaw House, 1 Depot St., at 7 p.m. Oct. 18, 20, 25 and 27. Tickets are $15. Information: 770-794-5710 or www.mariettahistory.org. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

School board approves personnel moves

The Cobb County school board on Wednesday approved the departure of two senior administrators, and promoted two principals. Chief human resources officer Donald Dunnigan and Jan Holley, director of teacher evaluations, retired effective Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 respectively. Shallowford Falls Elementary School Principal Doreen Griffeth was promoted to area assistant superintendent, with Debra Wilson hired from retirement to replace her. Griffin Middle School Principal Darryl York was promoted to policy development director, with James Snell hired from retirement to replace him. Ty Tagami

GWINNETT

Duluth selects finalist for new city manager

Duluth officials have announced that a finalist has been selected for the newly created position of city manager.

The city’s selection committee has recommended Timothy Shearer, city administrator of Angels Camp, Calif., for the position. Mayor Nancy Harris and the Duluth City Council will consider the recommendation within the next 14 days.

Duluth amended its charter in August to create the position of city manager and eliminate the position of city administrator. Phil McLemore, who has been city administrator since 1996, will retire at the end of the year. Joel Anderson

Gwinnett GOP to host town meetings

The Gwinnett County Republican Party will host a series of town hall meetings in which elected officials answer questions on a range of issues.

The first meeting will be held from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 24 at Northview Church, 2000 Gravel Springs Road, Buford. State Sen. Renee Unterman; state Reps. Buzz Brockway, Josh Clark, Valerie Clark, and Donna Sheldon; County Commission Chairwoman Charlotte Nash and Commissioners Mike Beaudreau and John Heard; and School Board Member Carole Boyce will speak.

Meetings also will be scheduled for Nov. 1 in South Gwinnett and Nov. 29 in the Norcross/Duluth area. David Wickert

Race/walk to benefit parks foundation

The Third Annual 5K Road Race and Canine and Carriage Walk will take place at 9 and 9:10 a.m., respectively, on Saturday, Nov. 5 at Tribble Mill Park in Lawrenceville. Medals will be presented to all participants upon completion of the race and registered runners receive t-shirts. The pre-registration fee is $20 by Oct. 31, or $25 per person on-site. Proceeds benefit the Gwinnett Parks Foundation. Register online at http://gwinnettparksfoundation.org/5k.html. Mea Watkins

Snellville residents want community garden

A pair of Snellville residents is organizing a volunteer committee to develop a community garden.

Kurt and Gretchen Schulz said they anticipate placing the garden at Briscoe Park. They said the garden will consist of raised beds that will be planted and maintained by individuals or small groups of residents.

Plots will be available for rental on an annual basis. A plot rental fee will cover expenses for garden maintenance. Joel Anderson

Boston String Quartet to perform at Brookwood

Boston String Quartet fans will get a treat Oct. 20, when the group performs three shows at Brookwood High School. The quartet will play with the school’s Maroon and Gold group at 6 p.m.; with the concert orchestra at 7 p.m., and with Brookwood’s philharmonic and symphonic orchestras at 8 p.m. The evening will include music ranging from Latin tunes, to a Charlie Daniels song. Tickets for the event, which will be in the school auditorium, are $15.

The school is at 1255 Dogwood Road, Snellville. For information: www.bostonstringquartet.com, or 617-875-7851. Laurie Hoffman

NORTHSIDE

Schools audit examines SPLOST spending

Fulton County Schools officials say an audit of penny sales tax dollars has revealed that the district is managing funds effectively and is in compliance with state laws.

The Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax III audit reviewed expenditures between July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010, the fourth year of the capital program. The review was conducted by the accounting firm of Cherry, Bekaert & Holland. SPLOST III was approved by voters in 2007 and will have generated nearly $700 million by the end of its five-year cycle in June. D. Aileen Dodd

Fellowship Christian student honored

A Fellowship Christian high school student has won a $1,000 grant for his campus as this week’s Atlanta Falcons Captain in the community.

The Roswell student, Trent Van Pelt, an offensive and defensive lineman, was chosen for his leadership skills on and off the field.

Captain in the Community program winners are selected by USA Football, the official youth football development partner of the NFL. The high schools of each winner will receive a $1,000 grant to support community initiatives courtesy of the Falcons and the NFL’s Youth Football Fund. D. Aileen Dodd

Music in the Park in Johns Creek today

Johns Creek’s annual “Music in the Park” is today with live music and kids games in Newtown Park, 3150 Old Alabama Road.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic to enter the “Best Georgia-themed Picnic,” “Best Autumn-themed Picnic” and “Best Sports-themed Picnic” contests for a chance to win prizes. Alcohol is not permitted.

The field opens at 3 p.m., with youth musical performances and children’s activities at 4. The Johns Creek Symphony Brass plays a diverse program of music from 6-8 p.m.

Publix is providing free hot dogs, hamburgers and cold sodas. Patrick Fox

Library offers puppet building workshop

For students out of school on Monday, the Friends of the Northeast/Spruill Oaks Library is putting on “Marvelous Monday Schools Out.” The Center for Puppetry Arts will have an introduction to puppet building workshop at 11 a.m. for children ages 5-11, and game day and bingo for children ages 7-13 starts at 3 p.m.

The library is at 9560 Spruill Road, Johns Creek. Information: 770-360-8820. Johnny Edwards

Craft-making and more for kids at library

Johns Creek’s Northeast/Spruill Oaks branch library will hold a Super Saturday Craft and Storytime on today , starting at 2 p.m. The event, held in partnership with the Chattahoochee High School Books for Africa Club, will include storytelling, craft-making, finger plays and songs for children ages 5-9.

The library is at 9560 Spruill Road. Information: 770-360-8820. Johnny Edwards

Historical society: Topic is NASCAR

The Cherokee County Historical Society is hosting a discussion on the beginnings of NASCAR and racing in Georgia at the Rock Barn, 658 Marietta Highway, Canton on Tuesday , at 7 p.m. Dr. Elsa Nystrom of Kennesaw State University is the featured speaker. The program is free and open to the public. Information: 770-345-3288 or http://www.rockbarn.org/. Sandra Marshall Murray

ATLANTA

Fraud claims send doctor, 77, to prison

A 77-year-old Atlanta doctor has been sentenced to one year and three months in federal prison for submitting fraudulent claims to Medicare and Georgia Medicaid, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. Robert Williams, who pleaded guilty in June, also was ordered to pay restitution in the amounts of $771,596 to Medicare and $227,846 to Medicaid. Williams billed for psychological services he never provided to elderly nursing home residents and, in some instances, to people who were actually deceased, U.S. Attorney Sally Yates said in a statement. Bill Rankin

Pimp pleads guilty in girlfriend’s murder

A 22-year-old Atlanta pimp has pleaded guilty to the beating death of his girlfriend who he forced into a life of prostitution, the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office said.

Lawrence Woods was sentenced to 30 years in prison on charges of voluntary manslaughter and aggravated assault for the death of 19-year-old Elijah McDrew. McDrew died Feb. 19, 2010, after Woods confronted her and then beat her repeatedly for being short $40 he believed she owed him, prosecutors said. Bill Rankin

Balloons to benefit children’s hospital

The Atlanta area Little Caesars Co-Op has partnered with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Children’s Miracle Network for the Miracle Balloon drive to help raise funds for trauma services at the Children’s hospital. Miracle Balloons are available for purchase throughout October in all Little Caesars locations in the Atlanta area for $1. Information: www.littlecaesars.com or www.choa.org. Kenneth Musisi

ALS Association to hold walk Oct. 22

The ALS Association Georgia Chapter will hold its annual walk to defeat Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) on Oct. 22 at the International Plaza of the World Congress Center in downtown Atlanta. Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. and the walk begins at 10:30 a.m. Information: www.alsaga.org or call 404-636-9909. Kenneth Musisi

DEKALB

Ex-bookkeeper pleads guilty to theft

Chyrokessia Rucks, a former bookkeeper, who stole nearly $23,000 from Stone Mountain High School, pleaded guilty to theft charges in a DeKalb County Superior Court Thursday.

An internal audit by the DeKalb County School System found financial mismanagement from 2009 until 2011. Judge Michael Hancock sentenced Rucks to 15 years probation and ordered her to repay the balance of the money stolen. DeKalb District Attorney Robert James said Rucks has already repaid $10,752.

“It’s sad that this woman would steal from children and try to hide her wrongdoings,” James said.

Rucks, who started working at the high school in 2003, resigned Jan. 7. Ernie Suggs

Superintendent to meet with parents Nov. 3

DeKalb County Schools Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson will meet with parents next month for a discussion.

Her parent roundtable is at 7 p.m. on Nov. 3 at Stephenson High School, 701 Stephenson Road, Stone Mountain. Ty Tagami

5K race to benefit first responders

Saint Joseph’s Hospital and The Rotary Club of Dunwoody present the annual Run Dunwoody 5K race starting at 8 a.m. on Oct. 23. Proceeds will benefit Dunwoody Police, DeKalb Fire and EMT. The race will also feature a 1 mile family fun run, tot trot and a family festival that includes health screenings and more. For more information or to register please visit www.rundunwoody.net. Sandra Marshall Murray

Group to hold parenting workshop Oct. 29

The National Leadership Group Inc. will convene its annual Single Parents Workshop at 10 a.m. Oct. 29 at the Riverdale Centre for the Arts, Business and Leisure Services in Riverdale.

The workshop, free to those who register online at www.t1tg.org, will include sessions in money management, credit counseling, parenting skills and other topics designed to encourage and inspire single parents to live more successful and fulfilled lives. For information log onto info@touchonetouchageneration.com or call 770-997-6868. Gracie Bonds Staples

Candlelight vigil on domestic violence

The Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence will host its 20th annual candlelight vigil Oct. 20 in downtown Decatur. Participants are asked to gather at 6:45 p.m. at the gazebo behind the Decatur MARTA station. The program, at 7 p.m., will examine the nature of domestic violence, and will include speakers, music, and a candle-lighting ceremony remembering Georgians killed by domestic violence in the last 12 months. Information: 404-370-7670. Laurie Hoffman

Meeting focuses on Dearborn Park cleanup

Plans to fix up Dearborn Park will be the focus of a community meeting in DeKalb County today. The county’s parks and recreation department will host the meeting to talk about improvement and maintenance at the park, as well as ways to increase its use. The meeting will be at 10 a.m. at the park pavilion, 1301 Deerwood Dr.

Information: 404-294-2890. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Early voting in Fulton begins Monday

Early voting for Fulton County’s array of municipal elections and referendums starts Monday and ends Nov. 4. Ballots can be cast from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Fulton County Government Center’s Public Safety Building in downtown Atlanta, the North Fulton Annex in Sandy Springs and the South Fulton Annex in College Park. The last day to request an absentee ballot is Nov. 4. Requests can be faxed to 404-730-8839. Polls will be open on election day, Nov. 8, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Information: 404-730-7020. Johnny Edwards

Henry fire department add 2 new engines

The Henry County Fire Department replaced two engines in its fleet with new ones earlier this month. The new engines with higher-capacity pumps were placed at Station 3 and Station 9 in Stockbridge, with the older engines moving to Station 2 and Station 4. The stations receiving the new engines responded to nearly 3,600 emergency calls in 2010, part of a record year in which the department responded to more than 20,000 such calls countywide. That number is expected to top 21,000 this year. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Road to Tara Museum marks 10th year

The Road To Tara Museum, which features Gone With the Wind memorabilia, will celebrate its 10th Anniversary in the Jonesboro historic train depot with 10 cent admission on Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The museum also will offer $10 bus tours beginning Monday and running through Friday.

To get the special admission rates, visitors must mention the 10th Anniversary. Reservations are suggested for bus tours: 770 478-4800. Tammy Joyner

Program targets sex trafficking issue

A program on child sex trafficking called “Breaking the Silence” will be held Oct. 22 at the Riverdale Centre. Riverdale Councilman Kenny Ruffin and representatives from several county agencies are sponsoring the 10 a.m.-2 p.m. program which is aimed at telling parents about the dangers of sex trafficking and how to avoid it. The Riverdale Centre is at 7210 Church St. in Riverdale, within the Riverdale Town Center complex. Tammy Joyner

Man receives Henry chiefs commendation

Joe Cressell was presented with the Chief’s Commendation from the Henry County Police Department for assisting a lone officer in making an arrest. Cressell was leaving a Walmart June 30 when he saw the officer struggling with a man who was resisting arrest, and he stopped to help. He was cited Oct. 11 by HCPD Chief Keith Nichols. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Clayton needs river cleanup volunteers

Clayton County Water Authority is looking for community volunteers to help with the county’s annual Rivers Alive Stream Cleanup being held at Swint Elementary on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon. The annual fall event brings county residents together to clean up debris around the Flint River. The school is at 500 Hwy 138 in Jonesboro. To volunteer: call 770 960-6972. Tammy Joyner