County by county news for Saturday

The incident happened around 9 a.m. at a business in the 3000 block of Humphries Hill Road.

Austell officers found 40-year-old Calvin Carter dead underneath a forklift. A preliminary investigation by Cobb detectives indicated that the forklift, which was elevated on jacks, fell while Carter was working on it.

No foul play is suspected.

Angel K. Brooks

Backyard poultry group schedules parade

The Backyard Chickens Alliance of Cobb County will hold its annual parade and festival 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 15 down Johnson Ferry Road in Marietta.

The Parade runs one mile from Princeton Lakes Drive to Fountains of Olde Towne Shopping Center. Wear a yellow shirt if you wish to march.

In addition to entertainment, arts, crafts and carnival games, the festival is a venue for local civic groups and non-profits. Information: ww.meetup.com/chickens/ Patrick Fox

Fall kick off at First Friday Art Walk

September’s First Friday Art Walk which kicks off the fall season starts Sept. 7.

The Art Walk is a free, self-guided tour to Marietta’s Art galleries, museum, cultural venues, and restaurants. Boutiques host various artists within their stores and are open 5 to 9 p.m.

The participating venues can be identified with an official Art Walk banner in the window. Information: 770-429-1115 or www.artwalkmarietta.com. Kenneth Musisi

Preview offered of Cobb Restaurant Week

Cobb Travel & Tourism will offer an early taste of Cobb Restaurant Week in a food contest Wednesday at Red Hare Brewing Company in Marietta. Several restaurants will face off for the “Kickoff Cook-Off,” from 3 to 5 p.m. Party-goers can sample food and vote on their favorites.

The cost is $10, plus $5 for a souvenir glass for beer samples. Reservations are required. Cobb Restaurant Week, a promotional event involving several businesses, is from September 8-15. Information: www.cobbrestaurantweek.com. Johnny Edwards

Meals on Wheels needs volunteers

Meals on Wheels needs volunteers to deliver hot meals to homebound seniors in Marietta, Smyrna, Austell, Mableton and Powder Springs. Cobb Senior Services is also looking for groups to adopt a delivery route.

Meals are delivered from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Information: Volunteer Services at 770-528-5381. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Alarms available for hard of hearing

The Marietta Fire Department is offering free fire alarms to residents who are hard of hearing. The alarms, that connect to a regular fire alarm, emit a low-tone sound, flash the word fire on a bedside display and shake the mattress. The department bought 270 alarms after receiving a $47,000 FEMA grant. Information: wwww.mariettaga.gov/fire.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

GWINNETT

Suwanee lowers property tax millage rate

The Suwanee City Council has voted to reduce the city’s millage rate by 0.72 mills to 4.93 mills for 2012.

This makes the third consecutive year Suwanee has reduced its millage rate.

The city’s new millage rate means the owner of a $216,200 home, which represents Suwanee’s median value, would pay $426 in city taxes, that’s $63, or about 13 percent, less than last year.

Property tax notices will be mailed in October with payment due by Dec. 20. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Fall vegetable gardening how-to

Learn how to prepare a fall garden plot and which vegetables are best for growing in our climate noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Gwinnett Co-Op Extension conference room, 4th floor of the Gwinnett Government Annex, 750 Perry St. in Lawrenceville.

Pre-registration required. Contact Timothy Daly at 678-377-4010 or timothy.daly@gwinnettcounty.com. Karen Huppertz

Buford Corn Maze opens Saturday

The Buford Corn Maze opens for the fall season at 6 p.m. to midnight today through Nov. 4. at 4470 Bennett Rd. in Buford.

Entry is $12 with children ages 3 and under free. Visit bufordcornmaze.com for more information. Karen Huppertz

Lilburn Hindu Temple celebrates anniversary

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir celebrates its fifth anniversary from 3 to 4 p.m. today at 460 Rockbridge Road NW in Lilburn.

The inauguration for the brand new Youth Activity Center will be 9 a.m. to noon Sunday. The center includes a gymnasium and 18 classrooms.

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, a Hindu Mandir (temple) and worldwide socio-spiritual organization, has told stories of Hinduism and Indian Culture to countless visitors.

Information: http://atlanta.baps.org. Kenneth Musisi

Sugar Hill seeking historical photos

For the opening of their new City Hall, Sugar Hill is searching for historical photos, first person memories and documents. Contact Don Kelemen at 770-945-6716 or dkelemen@cityofsugarhill.com. Karen Huppertz

History book club selection announced

The Gwinnett History Museum and GPLS announced their History Book Club selection for September, “The Elizabethans” by A.N. Wilson. Discussion is 7 p.m. Sept. 17 at the Gwinnett History Museum, 455 South Perry St., SW, Lawrenceville. Information: gwinnetthistorymuseum@gwinnettcounty.com or 770-822-5178. Karen Huppertz

Seniors teaching computer basics

The Gwinnett Senior Learning Center, serving adults age 50 and up, is offering computer workshops to learn the basics of email and word processing taught by their peers.

Classes are 9 to 11 am. Sept. 11 at Bethesda Center, 225 Bethesda Church Road, Lawrenceville and 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 12 at George Pierce Park, 55 Buford Highway, Suwanee. Call 770-564-4699.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Canton woman killed by her own vehicle

A Canton woman who was critically injured when her own vehicle rolled down her driveway and struck her, died Thursday after she was taken off life support, authorities said.

Mary Cantrell, 69, was injured Wednesday afternoon at her Great Sky subdivision home in the 200 block of Towering Peaks. She had been in critical condition since being airlifted to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta. Authorities said they believe Cantrell had a problem with her emergency brake before the accident. Christopher Seward

Teen writing workshop offered in Johns Creek

Johns Creek’s Northeast/Spruill Oaks Library is offering a six-week, in-depth creating writing workshop for teens, starting Tuesday. Classes will be 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Oct. 9, at 9560 Spruill Road.

Led by writing tutor Sarah Calhoun, the workshop will cover ideas, point of view and style, voice, sentence fluency, word choice and editing and revising. It’s open to ages 12-18. Information: 770-360-8820.

Johnny Edwards

Eagle sculpture taken from Forsyth park area

A copper sculpture of an eagle was taken from the Bethelview Road trail head of the Big Creek Greenway multi-use trail.

The sculpture is about 6 feet tall, with an 8-foot wingspan and weighs about 400 pounds. Funded by a grant, the sculpture was installed in April.

Forsyth county officials believe the sculpture was taken Monday evening or early Tuesday morning. Information: Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, 770-781-3047. Patrick Fox

Car crashes into eatery; injures three

Three people were sent to the hospital Friday morning when a car crashed into Express Wings & More in the 12000 block of Ga. 9 in Milton.

The driver of a car pulling into a parking space hit the gas instead of the brakes, causing the car to jump the curb and go through the glass front of the restaurant.

An employee was pinned between the car and a counter with a “severe” leg injury and another employee sustained minor injuries from flying debris, police told Channel 2. Those two and the 47-year-old woman driving the car, were taken to North Fulton Hospital.

No customers were inside the restaurant at the time. Mike Morris

Arts festival seeks sponsorships

Roswell is seeking sponsors for its 46th annual Roswell Arts Festival Sept. 15-16 in its historic downtown district. Proceeds from the festival go to support Roswell parks. Since 1966, the festival has generated more than $850,000 to purchase more than 100 acres of park land, construct the Sprayground at the river, the Visual Arts Center and the Leita Thompson Memorial Garden. Money has also gone to buy playground equipment at the River Park and construct and furnish the Adult Recreation Center.

Artist booths are already full for the fair, but organizers are seeking sponsors for donations.

Contact: Roswell Arts Festival Committee, c/o Nancy Diamond, 38 Hill Street, Suite 100, Roswell, GA 30075; or nancypdiamond@gmail.com.

Patrick Fox

ATLANTA

Action Ministries hosts Action Dash event

Action Dash, a family-friendly 5K Run/Walk and Fun Run sponsored by Action Ministries will start at 8 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. Labor Day at Piedmont Park. Registration is at 6:30 a.m. and the awards ceremony is 9:30 a.m.

Racers are encouraged to dress up as action heroes. Olympian Tim Hornsby is the grand marshal.

Proceeds from the event will help the nonprofit provide hunger, housing and education solutions to the needy.

Information: www.actiondash.org. Kenneth Musisi

Former agent on juvenile justice board

Gov. Nathan Deal has appointed former GBI Special Agent in Charge John B. Edwards to the board of the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice.

Edwards, who retired from the GBI after 30 years of service, is an author and former adjunct at the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College. The juvenile justice board has 15 members who represent each of Georgia’s congressional districts. Bill Rankin

Clark Atlanta names new VP

Henry W. Taylor has been named Clark Atlanta University’s vice president for institutional advancement and university relations.

A graduate of Claremont McKenna College, Taylor comes from the Level Playing Field Institute, an education focused non-profit in Oakland, where he served as chief development officer. Ernie Suggs

Hispanic center opens Atlanta chapter

The Center for Hispanic Leadership has launched its Atlanta Chapter and appointed Marisa Salcines as its local market president. Salcines will help foster strategic alliances with local market corporations to help their Hispanic talent bridge culture to enable higher levels of performance.

Information: www.hispanictrainingcenter.com or contact Marisa Salcines at marisa@centerforhispanicleadership.com.

Kenneth Musisi

DEKALB

Networking for DeKalb businesses Tuesday

Businesses along the Candler Road corridor in DeKalb County are invited to a free networking event with the county 6:30 - 8 p.m. Tuesday at Candler/McAfee Plaza, 2000 Candler Road.

“Business Night Out” is designed to help provide owners and interested citizens with the county’s economic development initiatives and programs, such as efforts for beautification and technical grants.

Information: 404-371-2988.

April Hunt

Mobile career center now available

The DeKalb County Mobile Career Center schedule is now available. The unit provides residents job search assistance, workshops and training, resume writing and interviewing tips.

Businesses can use the unit for recruiting, pre-employment screenings, interviewing, and training.

Information: www.dekalbcountyga.gov. or 404-687-3400. Sandra Marshall Murray

Brookhaven has council districts guide

The DeKalb County Board of Registration and Elections has completed the redistricting of the voters in Brookhaven. This is in preparation for the November Special Municipal Election.

New precinct cards are being processed and will be mailed to voters in the newly incorporated City of Brookhaven. Information: www.dekalbvotes.com.

Sandra Marshall Murray

Big Peach Sizzler 10K race set for Labor Day

Miles for Cystic Fibrosis will host the Big Peach Sizzler 10K, a 10K race down Peachtree Street beginning at 7:30 a.m. Labor Day at the Chamblee MARTA station. Race day registration will be 6 to 7:20 a.m.

The fast-coursed race, a qualifier for the 2013 Peachtree Road Race, features electronic timing, and a huge post-race celebration. Bus shuttles will be provided from the finish to the Lenox MARTA station.

Registration at the Big Peach Running Company in Brookhaven is Sept. 1. Information: www.MilesforCF.org.

Kenneth Musisi

EMCs send crews to help restore power

On Aug. 28, Georgia Electric Membership Corp. in Tucker sent more than 100 workers and a large contingent of equipment from eight electric cooperatives in Georgia to parts of Mississippi and Louisiana to help restore power in the aftermath of Hurricane Isaac.

Crews are headed to Kiln, Picayune and Laurel, Miss. Additional crews and equipment could be sent to other areas across Mississippi and Louisiana in the days ahead.

Kenneth Musisi

DeKalb County Police to host blood drive

The DeKalb County Police Department is hosting a Memorial Blood Drive in memory of Shane Wilson 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday at 1950 West Exchange Place, Tucker.

All blood donors will get a free Red Cross travel mug.

To schedule an appointment, call 800-733-2767 or visit www.redcrossblood.org. Sponsor keyword: dekalbpolice.

While on-call for a home invasion, Doraville Police detective Shane Wilson was killed by a driver headed the wrong way in Nov. 2011. Kenneth Musisi

SOUTHSIDE

13 students, teacher treated for pepper spray

Thirteen students and a teacher were transported to a local hospital and later released after being exposed to pepper spray in a Henry County classroom Friday, a school official said.

No one was seriously injured, and students were able to return to the Stockbridge Middle School classroom after it was cleaned and decontaminated. Firefighters and paramedics arrived at the school around 11:45 a.m. and began treating students reporting complaints of respiratory problems. Pepper spray was accidentally deployed in a classroom. Alexis Stevens

Three wounded in home invasion

Two home invasion suspects and their intended victim were all three wounded in an overnight gun battle at an East Point apartment complex. Channel 2 Action News reported that robbery was the apparent motive in the shootout, which happened late Thursday inside a unit at the Regency Park Apartments on Desert Drive.

When the robbers entered the apartment, the tenant shot at them, and they returned fire. All three were wounded and taken to Grady Memorial Hospital in critical but stable condition, according to Channel 2. The names of the victim and suspects were not immediately available. Mike Morris

Fayette parents weigh in on redistricting

Fayette County parents met Thursday night to voice views about planned school closures. Superintendent Jeff Bearden outlined economic reasons for the cutbacks before dividing attendees into smaller discussion groups facilitated by members of the redistricting committee.

Information: www.fcboe.org. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

McDonough academy taking applications

McDonough 101 Academy, begins Sept. 11 and consists of seven two-hour sessions 6-8 p.m. every Tuesday night, culminating with an Oct. 30 graduation. Space is limited to 20 students, 18 years of age or older and live or own a business within city limits. Applications available at City Hall. Information: www.mcdonoughga.org.

Monroe Roark for the AJC

New center helps unemployed in Fulton

Adamsville Workforce Development Resource Center, which recently opened inside the Adamsville Regional Health Center, 3700 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, Atlanta. Hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.

Workforce Development offices help job seekers sharpen interview skills, fill out online applications, update resumes and upgrade job skills.

Information: 404-613-6381 www.fultoncountyga.gov/divisions-and-programs/workforce-development. Johnny Edwards

Photo contest in Henry

The Henry County Parks and Recreation Department is conducting its annual photography contest, where amateurs can win prizes and have their photos published. Photos must be taken at a county park or facility of a HCPRD event.

Deadline to enter is Sept. 28. Photographers must be at least 18 years or older to participate. Information: www.hcprd.org or call 770-288-7312. Monroe Roark for the AJC