County by county news for Saturday

Marietta walking tour explores black history

A new walking tour in the Marietta features 13 sites of historical significance to the city and the black community, dating back to the Civil War. The brochure is available at several locations, including the Marietta Visitors Bureau, the Marietta Museum of History and online at www.mariettasquare.com. Information: 770-429-1115. Jaime Sarrio

Cobb chairman to host town hall

Cobb Chairman Tim Lee will host a town hall meeting for District 3 residents 7-8:30 p.m., Tuesday at Mountain View Community Center, 3400 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta. District 3 covers the northeast portion of the county, and includes Canton Road and I-575. Residents will have the chance to get updated on county initiatives and communicate with elected officials. Info: cobbcounty.org/lee. Jaime Sarrio

Farmers market to relocate

The Marietta Square Farmers Market will relocate to Mill Street on June 15 in order to make room for the Juneteenth celebration. The market will return to North Park Square on June 22. The market runs every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon, rain or shine. Hannah Morgan

Location changes for business meeting

The South Cobb Business Association has changed the location of its second Wednesday Open Networking meetings.

With free coffee served, the next meeting will be 8 to 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Holiday Inn Express, 3741 Tramore Point Parkway SW, Austell off the East-West Connector.

Information: sc-ba.org, info@southcobbba.org or 678-224-7300. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Volunteers needed to spruce up park trails

The trail club at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park is looking for volunteers to help with maintenance on some of the park’s 20 miles of trails from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Volunteeers should gather at the new parking lot on Old Highway 41 near the Visitor Center. Tools, water and trail bars will be provided. Information: www.kennesawmountaintrailclub.org. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Mable House hosts ‘rhythm and romance’

Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre will host a “rhythm and romance” show 6 p.m. Saturday at 5239 Floyd Road, Mableton. The concert will feature live performances by Phil Perry, Jeff Lorber, Marion Meadows and Joey Sommerville. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster and the Mable House Amphitheatre box office. Information, visit mablehouse.org.Jaime Sarrio

GWINNETT

Police investigate fatal hotel shooting

Police are investigating the shooting death of Dewayne Jackson, 33 found outside a room at the Ramada Inn, 5885 Oakbrook Parkway near Norcross around 2 p.m. Thursdayid.

Investigators are still seeking a motive, police spokesman Corporal Jake Smith said.

Jackson had been released on bond in January from the Gwinnett County jail after serving time for an alleged October robbery at another hotel, police said.

“We don’t think it was a robbery and we don’t think it was random,” Smith said. Marcus K. Garner

Gwinnett Tech offering free OB ultrasounds

Gwinnett Tech’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography program offers OB ultrasounds at no charge at the Lawrenceville campus each Tuesday and Thursday. No first trimester sonograms offered. Participants must have the provided permission slip signed by their physician. Information: Ami Bryant at abryant@gwinnetttech.edu 678-226-6966 or Veranda Edmondson at vedmondson@gwinnetttech.edu 678-226-6687.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Duluth Fine Arts hosting fundraiser

The Duluth Fine Arts League will host “A Tour of Italy” July 20 at Hardeman’s Fine Art Glass Studio, 311 Main St., Duluth. The event will include Italian cuisine, wine, entertainment and silent auction. Cost: $35 with proceeds going to the League’s high school scholarship program.

Since 2009, the non-profit has given $12,000 in scholarship funds to high school seniors going on to study fine arts in college.

Tickets available at Hardeman’s Fine Art Glass Studio. Information: 770- 476.7328 or www.duluthfineartsleague.org.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Citizen’s Police Academy offered

Applications are now being accepted for the next Gwinnett County Police Department Citizen’s Police Academy, Aug. 27 through Oct. 24.

The academy develops responsible, well-informed citizens who can influence public opinion about police practices and services.

Applications due by June 25, are available at www.gwinnettcpa.com. Andria Simmons

Leadership institute accepting applications

The Gwinnett Neighborhood Leadership Institute trains and empowers local citizens and community leaders to promote change in their neighborhoods and communities.

Organization leaders address growth and development issues, helping youth succeed, preventing violence and crime, environmental concerns and much more.

To apply: www.gnli.org.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Woodall town hall meeting today

Seventh District Congressman, Rob Woodall, will host a town hall meeting 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, June 8 at Buford City Hall, 2300 Buford Highway.

For complete town hall schedule visit www.woodall.house.gov.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Cherokee names training center after sheriff

Cherokee County’s new sheriff’s law enforcement training center has been named after longtime sheriff Roger Garrison.

County Commissioners unveiled the proclamation at a recent meeting.

The more than-$2 million center is set to open in late June.

Garrison has served as Cherokee’s top law enforcement official for two decades. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Northside Hospital receives certification

Northside Hospital-Forsyth received two-year advanced certification for primary stroke centers from the Joint Commission, a national accreditor of health care facilities. Northside’s program includes screening, education, early diagnosis, state-of-the-art treatment resources and monthly support groups. Information: 770-844-3200. Michael Alpert for the AJC

Adventure Runs get shoes to those in need

Soles4Souls Inc., a non-profit anti-poverty organization, will team up with Road Runner Sports to collect footwear for those in need. The first of seven scheduled Adventure Runs takes place at Road Runner Sports, 3756 Roswell Road, N.E. Participants are invited to donate gently worn shoes at the event, which will feature free 60-minute scavenger hunts, score giveaways, raffles and live music. Dates: June 29, July 18, Aug. 15, Sept. 19, Oct. 17 and Nov. 21. Information: www.youradventurerun.com or www.giveshoes.org. Mea Watkins

Non-profit to give backpacks to students

The non-profit group Give a Kid a Chance-Cherokee will provide as many as 4,000 filled backpacks for needy Cherokee County students 9 a.m.-3 p.m. July 20 at Hillside United Methodist Church, Woodstock and First Baptist Church, Canton. Info: www.giveakidachance.org Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Centennial High seeks softball players

All rising sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade girls zoned for Centennial High School, 9310 Scott Road, Roswell, who want to play softball must register by July 15. Softball season begins in August. Information: Marty at alymart@att.net or 678-230-5155. Veronica Fields Johnson

Reinhardt to offer new graduate degree

Reinhardt University will offer a new graduate degree program, the Master of Public Administration with a concentration in criminal justice, beginning this fall.

Info session: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Reinhardt North Fulton Center, 4100 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta. More info: 770-720-5526 Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Golf tourney to help rescue animals

A charity golf tournament at Country Club of the South in Johns Creek will raise money for Angels Among Us Pet Rescue, a nonprofit rescues for dogs and cats.

The “FORE Paws” tournament is 9:30 a.m. Monday at 4100 Old Alabama Road. Information: www.angelsrescue.org/event/fore-paws. Johnny Edwards

ATLANTA

Whistleblower lawsuit filed against APS

A whistleblower lawsuit claims that the Atlanta school system retaliated against an employee who reported her supervisor paid vendors before work was completed and wrongfully spent federal grant money to pay school principals.

Cherise Jefferson, an administrative assistant for fine arts, alleged in the May 29 lawsuit that after returning from medical leave in 2011, she initially was told she couldn’t return to her previous position, had her job responsibilities reduced and was moved to a smaller work station. The suit is pending in Fulton County Superior Court. Mark Niesse

Man found shot to death in Adair Park

Atlanta police are investigating the shooting of a man found dead in the middle of a southwest Atlanta street.

The shooting happened around 4 a.m. Friday along Gillette Avenue near Oakhill Avenue, in the Adair Park neighborhood off Metropolitan Parkway, according to police.

The victim was apparently shot in the driveway of an abandoned house before staggering into the street and collapsing. The victim’s name was not immediately released. Mike Morris

Summerhill annual prayer breakfast today

The Summerhill Neighborhood Development Corporation hosts their annual Prayer Breakfast 9 a.m. today at Martin Street Church of God in Christ, 148 Glenwood Avenue, S.E. Gail Hayes of the Casey Foundation will be the guest speaker. The event is part of the Summerhill Community Reunion activities. Information: 404-586-0151. Veronica Fields Johnson

Father, son roundup event is today

The Community Council of Metropolitan Atlanta Inc. will host a Father-2-Son Round-Up 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. today at Morris Brown College - Cunningham Auditorium, 715 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, S.W. This free event will provide male bonding, open dialogue, complimentary lunch and door prizes. Information:t www.communitycouncilma.org or 404-935-5859. Sandra Marshall Murray

DEKALB

$240K seized in illegal gambling raids

Chamblee police, with aid from Dunwoody and Doraville officers, said they seized $240,000 from 14 businesses, including convenience stores, check cashing establishments, laundromats and a pool hall during illegal gambling raids Thursday.

Eleven individuals were arrested and identified as employees, and two people were arrested for outstanding warrants, police said.

Their names were not immediately released.

The raids were the result of a three-month undercover investigation into gambling with illegal game machines, according to police. Bryan Cronan

Avondale awarded ‘Redevelopment’

Georgia’s Department of Community Affairs recently designated Avondale Estates as an Urban Redevelopment Area, one of 15 DeKalb county areas so targeted.

Employers creating two or more jobs will receive $3,500 per job, per year for 10 years toward income tax and state withholding. This applies to both to existing businesses and any new venture moving into town.

Avondale wants to use these incentives to revitalize the approximately 50 acres of its central business district, 20 of which are either vacant or undeveloped. Bill Banks for the AJC

Land use meetings for Stonecrest today

DeKalb County is seeking public input this weekend on its plans to improve land use and roads in the Stonecrest Mall area.

The Stonecrest Livable Centers Initiative, or LCI, will result in a master plan designed to boost economic development while improving traffic congestion and livability in the area.

Planning meetings will be held at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. today in the lower-level Macy Court of the mall, 2929 Turner Hill Road, near Lithonia.

Open houses to show design concepts and gather more input will be held at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday.

All sessions are free and open to the public. April Hunt

3rd annual Brookhaven Beer Fest today

The third annual Brookhaven Beer Fest will be 3 to 8 p.m. today at Apple Valley Road behind the Brookhaven Marta Station, 4047 Peachtree Road, N.E. The festival will feature more than 150 beers from around the world, live music, and food vendors.

A portion of the proceeds will go to the Atlanta Fundraising Foundation. Admission price of $35 includes a commemorative driving glass and unlimited beer tastings.

Information and tickets: www.brookhavenbeerfestival.com Mea Watkins

Brookhaven to lease via own nonprofit

Brookhaven City Council recently agreed to form itself into a nonprofit corporation that will handle leases and purchases for the new city.

State law allows governments to sign only one-year contracts, with the option for renewal, to allow for changing elected officials’ votes.

By creating the nonprofit, Brookhaven can enter multi-year leases for buildings or patrol cars.

Brookhaven must register its finance corporation with the Georgia Secretary of State. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Police: Henry County man stabs, kills uncle

Brandon Leron Oliver, 24, was charged with murder for the death of Jeremy Tyler Noel, his uncle. On Tuesday police were called around 6 p.m., to a McDonough home on Kendall Lane in response to a report of a person shot, Henry County police said.

Officers arrived to find Noel, 26, stabbed to death, police said. Investigators determined that Oliver, who had been visiting, had fled the scene. He was arrested later.Oliver remains at the Henry County jail without bond, according to jail records.

Marcus K. Garner

Meet Fayette officials at open house

Representatives from the 27 departments of Fayette County’s government will attend an open house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Fayette County Library in downtown Fayetteville. The officials will answer public questions about their respective operations and discuss resource sharing within the community.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Kickball league starting in Henry

The Sweet Lady Kickers Kickball League for women ages 21-50 is coming to Henry County, sponsored by the Commissioner Bruce Holmes Athletic Association and Henry County Parks & Recreation. Registration is 6-8 p.m. Mondays and 1-3 p.m. Saturdays through June 24 at Hidden Valley Park, 100 Spraggins Memorial Pkwy. in Stockbridge. The ten-week season begins Aug. 3 and runs through Sept. 28, with games played at Hidden Valley Park on Saturdays between 4 and 6 p.m. as well as playoffs in October. Information: 678-732-5688.

Monroe Roark for the AJC

Piedmont offers hospital guidance

Piedmont Fayette Hospital, in conjunction with Fayette Senior Services, will present a free seminar on “How to Prepare and What to Expect” during hospital stays and emergency room visits.

The event, 2-4 p.m. June 20 at the hospital’s West Entrance Dining Conference Room, will include refreshments and giveaways. Advance registration is required.

Information: 770-461-0813.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Fayette Civitan Club to sponsor 5k run

The Fayette County Civitan Club will host the 21st annual Old Courthouse 5k at 8 a.m. today.

Race-day registration is $30 and opens at 7:15 a.m. Proceeds will benefit the Joseph Sams School, ExceptionalOPS, Fayette County Special Olympics and Southwest Christian Care.

Information: www.fayettegacivitan.org. Veronica Fields Johnson

University scholar to discuss biblical history

Dr. James Tabor of the University of North Carolina in Charlotte will give two lectures today at the Peachtree City Library.

At 2 p.m., he will present “The Texts and the Stones” about archeological discoveries about Jesus’ life, and at 7 p.m. he will discuss his new book about the relationship between the Apostle Paul and Jesus.

Free.

Registration required: ptcfol.eventbrite.com. Jill Howard Church for the AJC