COBB
Powder Springs police look for 2 suspects
Powder Springs police are asking for the public’s help in identifying two suspects in an armed robbery that occurred around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Valero gas station, 4321 Brownsville Road at U.S. 278. After subduing the clerk and obtaining an undisclosed amount of money, the suspects fled the store and left in a white 2000’s model Chevrolet Suburban that was last seen headed towards U.S. 278.Pictures:
Contact: Detective Jody Matthews at 770-943-1616, ext. 219 or jmatthews@cityofpowdersprings.org. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Carjacking suspect nabbed
Zachary Ryan Shipp, of Powder Springs, the man accused of carjacking a woman at a Paulding County gas station, was arrested by Atlanta police late Wednesday and booked into the Fulton County jail. From there, he is expected to be moved to jails in Cobb and DeKalb counties, where he is also facing charges. Shipp, currently out on bond for an involuntary manslaughter charge in Douglas County. On Aug. 8, Shipp allegedly carjacked a woman at gunpoint at the Racetrac gas station in Hiram, according to police. The woman was able to identify the heavily-tattooed Shipp after being shown a picture. Alexis Stevens
Marietta settles eminent domain claim
Peggy Price has agreed to Marietta’s offer of $91,500 for her home on Allgood Road. The city had started condemnation proceedings for her property and a market on Allgood to expand and redevelop the Elizabeth Porter Recreation Center. Business owner Ray Summerour has not agreed to a $139,400 offer for his property on Allgood. His is the last of nine properties the city designated for the $3.5 million parks bond project off North Marietta Parkway. So far, the city has paid $877,00 for property around the center, excluding the two parcels on Allgood.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Grant will help Marietta students
The Georgia Department of Education will give a grant that could total a little more than $1 million over five years to help struggling students at Marietta City Schools’ Dunleith Elementary. Dunleith and the Communities in Schools program will use the grant to start an extended day and summer program for 125 second to fifth graders needing academic help. The first year’s award will be $211,696 with four more years of funding based on the program’s success. Tucker McQueen
WellStar to hold Health Care Summit
WellStar will present the 2014 Health Care Summit from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday at the Cobb Galleria Centre, Two Galleria Parkway, Atlanta.
Online registration and refunds end Wednesday.
This interactive experience will include question-and-answer sessions, roundtable discussions with trained facilitators and development of company-specific action plans for 2015 to meet requirements of the new federal health care laws. Costs, including two meals: $109, general admission; $69, members of partner organizations, including the Cobb Chamber of Commerce.
Info: cobbchamber.org/events or Sue Leithead, sleithead@cobbchamber.org or 770-859-2326. Carolyn Cunningham
GWINNETT
Loganville fire, police to get new equipment
The Loganville City Council has approved a $9,605 purchase of five sets of full uniforms and equipment for the city’s fire department. In addition, the council approved the purchase of a Dodge vehicle for a newly hired police officer at a cost of $32,371. www.loganville-ga.gov. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Learn more about ACA Monday
The Norcross Human Services Center will host an opportunity to learn more about the Affordable Health Care Act 10 a.m. to noon Monday at 5030 Georgia Belle Court, Norcross. Community educators from the Hispanic Health Coalition will be available to provide information on healthcare reform and options for health insurance. Information provided in Spanish and English. Information: www.gwinnettnhsc.com.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Schools hold leadership conference
Gwinnett County Public Schools will hold its Middle School Peer Leadership Conference 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. today Grayson High School, 50 Hope Hollow Road, Loganville.
The conference is designed to give middle school students leadership skills that they can use at their schools. .Eric Sturgis
Duluth ranked 4th ‘exciting place’ in Ga.
Movoto.com has ranked Duluth the fourth most exciting place in Georgia after Brookhaven, Atlanta and Marietta. Cities were ranked for nightlife per capita, live music venues, parks, outdoor activities, arts and entertainment, the least fast food restaurants, the highest percentage of non-fast food restaurants, percentage of residents age 18 to 34 and population density.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Stretch summer fun at ice cream festival
Duluth Parks and Recreation will host a Summer Fun Ice Cream Festival noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16 at Bogan Park Community Recreation Center, 2723 North Bogan Road in Buford. Cool off with ice cream in the park and enjoy music, dancing, crafts, inflatables, games, face painting, and more. Event open to kids ages 3 to 14. $10 per person. Pre-register at 678-277-0850. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Norcross mural paints positive picture
Norcross Cooperative Ministry’s new Youth Activity Center has a new mural. The project organized by Deb Wilson Harris and Donna Galucki, the Faith Community Nurse, began in mid-July, when several local kids and their parents eagerly volunteered to participate to thank the Norcross Cooperative Ministry for forever changing their lives. The activity center is a recent addition to the property, complementing a second structure that allows the Co-op to expand the menu of programs and services. Information: www.norcrossco-op.org or 770.263.8268. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
NORTHSIDE
Resurfacing project may cause delays
Roswell’s Department of Transportation will begin a resurfacing project along Nesbit Ferry Road on Monday. The work will stretch along Nesbit Ferry from Holcomb Bridge Road to the city limits just north of Scott Road. Northwest Georgia Paving is doing the work, under a $477,447 contract with the city. The work will cause periodic traffic issues, say officials. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Forsyth fabrication company expanding
The Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce says engineering and fabrication company S&S Technical is expanding its operations, having moved from a site near Ga. 9 to a 50,000 square-foot facility at 1900 Grassland Parkway. The company says the change will allow it to meet increased demand from the oil and gas industry. The company, which has called Forsyth home since 2006, also plans to add several new positions.Mark Woolsey
Roswell resurfacing project to start
Roswell’s Department of Transportation will begin a resurfacing project along Nesbit Ferry Road on Monday. The work will stretch along Nesbit Ferry from Holcomb Bridge Road to the city limits just north of Scott Road. Northwest Georgia Paving is doing the work, under a $477,447 contract with the city. Mark Woolsey
Forsyth tax bills going out
The Forsyth County Tax Commissioner’s Office says 2014 property tax bills will be mailed out beginning Monday, and are due Nov 15. Tax officials say to avoid longer wait times and process payments more efficiently, residents are encouraged to submit payments by mail to their main office; 1092 Tribble Gap Road, Cumming, Ga. 30040, through personal online banking or online at www1.forsythco.com/PayPropertyTax.
Information: 770-781-2110. Mark Woolsey
Cherokee extends leader’s contract
The Cherokee County Board of Education Thursday extended longtime Superintendent Frank Petruzielo’s contract by one year, through Aug. 20 of 2016. Petruzielo’s annually salary, at $224,702, will not change. He has led the district since 1999. The board also changed its weapons policy to bring it into line with state law changes, by altering terms and definitions. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Woodstock to train trail volunteers
The city of Woodstock is starting a Trailwatch volunteer program, described as a “Neighborhood Watch on trails.“ Volunteers 18-plus who pass a background check will be trained in first aid, CPR and trail etiquette.
They will observe and document trail safety issues, aid trail users and report potentially dangerous situations. A two-hour Aug. 26 class will be held for those with CPR and first aid certifications, and an eight-hour session will be Sept. 6 for those lacking them.
Information: 770-517-6788.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
ATLANTA
3-year-old boy shot in face
A 3-year-old boy was in stable condition Friday after what police believe was an accidental shooting overnight in northwest Atlanta.
Authorities said the shooting occurred just before 10 p.m. Thursday in the 2900 block of Middleton Road at the Allen Hills Apartments, a gated complex off Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
The preliminary investigation indicates the boy may have been playing with a handgun and shot himself in the face, Officer Officer John Chafee with Atlanta police said. The child was transported to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite.
Neighbor Ivey McMullen told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that she heard people screaming, “the baby shot himself.”
Charges are possible in the incident, Officer John Chafee said Michelle E. Shaw
Airport trains back up and running
More than an hour after the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport train system went off-line, things went back to normal Friday afternoon.
Trains stopped running around 3 p.m. but were back on-line by around 4:20 p.m., airport spokesman Reese McCranie said.
A computer problem with the train system had brought the trains to a halt and forced people to walk from terminal to terminal. Alexis Stevens
Signup open for citizen police course
The Atlanta Police Department seeks participants for the upcoming Citizens Police Academy class. The course runs Wednesday evenings Oct. 1-Nov. 12 and covers crime scenes, procedures, 911, identity theft and more. Participants must be age 21 or older and a metro Atlanta resident.
The Citizens Police Academy program is intended to enhance community relations. The application deadline is Sept. 19. Email: atlantacops@atlantaga.gov. Adrianne Murchison for the AJC
DEKALB
Schools to destroy unneeded records
Parents of former DeKalb County students with special needs have until Oct. 31 to get copies of the documents that were used to provide a tailored education.
To comply with federal and state laws, the DeKalb County School District will destroy school records for recent graduates, the deceased and students who aged out of the system.
Parents and legal guardians or adult students can secure copies by contacting the Special Education Records Office at 678-676-1802. Ty Tagami
Decatur Schools likely to double by 2018
During a community input session Thursday Jeff Prine, program manager for redesigning and new construction of Renfroe Middle and Decatur High Schools, reiterated that both schools will probably more than double enrollment by 2018-19.
Projections have Renfroe, currently with 920 students, jumping to 2225 and Decatur High’s 1060 swelling to 2400 in five years.
RMS will need another 60 to 70 classrooms, DHS about 66 more.
New construction on DHS may start as early as next January. Bill Banks for the AJC
MJCC offers free weekend events
The Marcus Jewish Community Center, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody will hold a variety of free events through Sunday.
Two events include “Camp Sunday Open House,” 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Sunday, where children learn Jewish traditions through fun activities; and a tour of the Dunwoody center with information on their program for homeschooled children, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday and Tuesday..
Information: www.atlantajcc.org.
Adrianne Murchison for the AJC
New cities task force sets meeting dates
A DeKalb County task force evaluating potential new cities and the county’s form of government plans to meet weekly until Dec. 1.
The DeKalb Government Operations Task Force or its subcommittees will usually meet on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. at the Maloof Auditorium at 1300 Commerce Drive in Decatur.
A full listing of meeting dates can be viewed on DeKalb County’s website: www.co.dekalb.ga.us.
Mark Niesse
Dunwoody continues community talk series
The City of Dunwoody will continue its series of community conversations with a Citizen Engagement Meeting 7-9 p.m. Aug. 28 at Dunwoody Nature Center, 5343 Roberts Drive.
The series is in response to residents’ interest in more direct contact with city officials on ongoing projects and initiatives.
More than 250 people attended a Dunwoody Town Hall meeting, held in February. In addition, Two Citizen Connection meetings with Councilmen Doug Thompson and John Heneghan were held this year, in District 3.
District 1 Council members Denis Shortal and Terry Nall are scheduled to answer citizen questions. Adrianne Murchison for the AJC
SOUTHSIDE
Fayette rejects church preservation
A proposal to help restore the historic Hopeful Primitive Church fell through Thursday when four of the five Fayette County commissioners balked at donating a water meter to the site. An agreement drawn up by county staff and members of the nonprofit Hopeful Community Club included measures that would preserve the church and its cemetery, which date from 1825. All but Chairman Steve Brown objected to using county funds to provide the $1,500 meter. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
McIntosh principal earns award
The Georgia Association of Educational Leaders has awarded McIntosh High School principal Lisa Fine its Jim Puckett Outstanding Educator of the Year Award for High School Principals.
GAEL selects honorees from among its members based on leadership and management skills and professional growth. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
McDonough to host scarecrow contest
The city of McDonough is inviting creative local residents to participate in its “Scarecrow Showcase and Contest” to be held Oct. 1 through Halloween.
The event is hosted by McDonough Main Street and the Greater McDonough Business Association. I
ndividuals, families, businesses, schools, churches, nonprofit organizations, and local governments in the city and surrounding areas may enter the competition to compete for cash prizes.
Additional information and the registration form, which is due by Sept. 19, can be found at www.mainstreetmcdonough.com. Monroe Roark for the AJC
4-H meeting set for Monday
Henry County’s 4-H kickoff “Meet and Greet” party is 6-7:30 p.m. Monday in Room B of the Extension Office at Heritage Park in McDonough.
During the event, officials will also be hosting a canned food drive as a part of a 4-H service project.
Reservation: 770-288-8421.
Information: www.caes.uga.edu/extension/henry/4H/index.html.
Monroe Roark for the AJC
Art reception at Piedmont Henry
The Henry Arts Alliance and the Visual Arts Collective are hosting an art reception titled “Art in Unusual Places” from 6-8 p.m. Friday on the first floor of the North Tower lobby at Piedmont Henry Hospital.
The event features local artists and refreshments will be served.
Information: www.henryartsalliance.org.
Monroe Roark for the AJC
Disposables dropoff in McDonough today
Saturday is the once-a-month day for large items drop off for recycling and disposal at 77 Lawrenceville Street in McDonough.
Dropoff is from 8:30 a.m. to noon. City staff will be on site to help with unloading.
The service is free.
Tammy Joyner
