County by county news for Saturday

The co-op’s board unanimously approved the transparency initiatives at its board meeting this week.

Also this week, Cobb EMC’s longest serving board member and vice chairwoman Sarah Brown resigned her position. Brown had already decided not to seek re-election next year. Her position will remain unfilled until a new director is elected May 12. Brown had served on the board since 1979. Janel Davis

Marietta electric bills to go up

Marietta residents can expect to pay more for utilities next year. The City Council at a joint meeting with the Board of Lights and Water on Friday approved a 4.7 increase for electricity, 3 percent for water and 1 percent more for sewer fees. The average user can expect to pay about $5.56 more per month for their utility bills in 2012. Bob Lewis, manager of the city’s utility company, said the increase is needed to cover rising costs from providers and environmental upgrades. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Marietta police awarded $143,600 grant

The Marietta Police Department has been awarded a major public safety partnership H.E.A.T. grant totaling $143,600 from the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety in Atlanta.

The department will use the grant to develop strategies aimed at reducing impaired driving crashes and excessive speeding, increasing safety belt usage, and educating the public about traffic safety.

H.E.A.T. stands for Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic. Andria Simmons

Austell posts holiday government schedule

Austell administrative offices will close at noon Thursday and reopen on Dec. 27.

All public safety operations will remain open, including police, 911, fire and emergency services.Household garbage will be collected on Monday and recycling items on Wednesday. For New Year’s, city offices will close on Jan. 2. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Holidays to impact Power Springs schedule

Powder Springs city offices will close on Dec. 23 and reopen on Dec. 27.

No yard waste will be collected Dec. 26-30 or Jan. 2-5.

Garbage routes on Dec. 23 will be delayed until Dec. 27 but remain unchanged for New Year’s.

City offices also will close on Jan. 2.

Information: City Hall, 770-943-1666. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Operation Warmth collects coats for kids

Operation Warmth has set a goal of collecting 500 coats for Cobb County elementary and middle school children by Dec. 20. Email cobboperationwarmth@gmail.com to be assigned a specific coat for a child in need and to make arrangements for pick-up or delivery.

No monetary donations are being accepted -- only new coats. Information:

or

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

Police look for Saab 93 in hit-and-run

Gwinnett County police investigators say the headlight lens recovered from a hit-and-run accident scene Thursday belonged to a 1999 to 2002 Saab 93 passenger car.

A pedestrian, Edward T. Harley, 61, was struck and killed by the vehicle on Buford Drive in unincorporated Buford around 2 a.m.

The suspect vehicle could be a convertible or hatchback, and a two or four-door model. It will have damage to the driver’s side headlight, and left side driver door or window.

Anyone with information should contact the Accident Investigation Unit hotline at 678-442-5653. Andria Simmons

County solicits input on 2012 budget

Gwinnett County has posted its proposed $1.3 billion 2012 budget on its web site for public comment.

Residents can review the budget and submit comments through Dec. 25 at www.gwinnettcounty.com. Copies also are available for viewing from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the county finance department, Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville. David Wickert

Man arrested in jewelry store heist

Gwinnett Sheriff’s deputies and U. S. marshals on Thursday arrested a man wanted in connection with a violent jewelry store robbery.

Four men armed with handguns and mallets entered Tara Fine Jewelry on March 22, robbed the store and struck an elderly male customer in the head.

Gwinnett police arrested several suspects in the case, but Simone Simon had remained on the lam until deputies captured him at a Baymont Inn and Suites in Smyrna.

Simon is being held without bond at the Gwinnett jail on two counts of armed robbery. Andria Simmons

Third suspect in killing turns self in

A man wanted in connection with a murder in Duluth turned himself in to Gwinnett County Sheriff’s deputies Thursday afternoon.

Yeon-tae Kang Hill, 20, of Norcross made arrangements through a lawyer to turn himself in on the outstanding warrants of aggravated assault and felony murder for the death of Kwang Ko Dec. 8 in Duluth. Ko was stabbed in an Aldi parking lot.

Hill turned himself in at 5 p.m. Thursday. He is being held without bond at the Gwinnett County Jail. Two other men, Seung Won Lee and Dong Ho Shin, are also being held on murder charges in the case. Andria Simmons

Pets can pose with Santa today

Subaru of Gwinnett is hosting “Photos With Santa” today to benefit the Georgia Society for Cruelty of Animals.

Santa Claus will be in the Subaru showroom at 2920 Satellite Boulevard in Duluth from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for photos with your family, friends and pets. For a $10 donation, visitors will receive a printed photo and a CD with all photos taken to share with loved ones. The photographs will be taken by Claire Elise Photography.

Info: Jane Stewart at 678-765-2726, or email stewart426@bellsouth.net. Andria Simmons

NORTHSIDE

County may hand out temporary raises

Fulton County may give temporary raises to employees earning $59,452 per year or less. The commission, by a 4-0 vote, told County Manager Zachary Williams to look for $3.9 million to make it possible next year. The 2012 budget will be approved in January, and Williams said in an e-mail that he will offer a tentative budget on Wednesday that would give affected employees about $1,400 extra a piece next year. The increases would go away in 2013. This year, the county spent about $1.2 million giving 2 percent raises to employees earning $40,000 per year or less. Johnny Edwards

Sandy Springs names economic director

The City of Sandy Springs has named Jahnee Prince its economic development manager. Prince will focus on recruitment of new business as well as business community outreach and retention.

Prior to joining the city, Prince served as vice president for policy at the Council for Quality Growth where she focused on promoting economic development policy in 16 counties. She received her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in city and regional planning from Ohio State University. Patrick Fox

Art from the Heart gala to be Feb. 11

Senior Services North Fulton will hold its Art from the Heart Senior Gala Feb. 11 at the Atlanta Athletic Club, Johns Creek.

David DeVary, a Santa Fe artist noted for his depictions of cowboy life, is the honorary chair. Information and reservations: 770-993-1906 or www.ssnorthfulton.org. Patrick Fox

Young cancer patients to get toys

The Southeast Georgia Chapter of the Pink Heals, “Guardians of the Ribbon” will hold its First Annual Children with Cancer Toy Drive being held through Dec. 21. The drop off location is at El Ranchero Mexican Restaurant in Woodstock. A Pink Fire Engine will deliver toys to the young cancer patients at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite on Sunday at 11 a.m. Financial donations can be made online at www.gapinktrucks.org. Kenneth Musisi

Johns Creek hold crime safety workshop

Johns Creek Police Department Community Services Division will host a ‘Holiday Crime Safety’ workshop on and Dec. 20 at 11445 Johns Creek Parkway. The event will focused on preventing home burglaries, thefts from motor vehicles, robberies and holiday crime safety tips. Information: email JCPDcommsvsc@JohnsCreekGA.gov. Sandra Marshall Murray

Adoption workshop in Alpharetta Jan. 14

Beacon House Adoption Services and the Adoption Advocates of Georgia will host informational workshop on international and domestic adoption on Jan. 14 from 1:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. at the Marriott Courtyard Atlanta Alpharetta, 12655 Deerfield Parkway. Attendees will learn about the adoption process, the home study application and requirements. Information and to pre-register: www.BeaconHouseAdoption.com, 864-360-1523 and www.AdoptionAdvocatesofga.org 770-853-9591. Sandra Marshall Murray

ATLANTA

Atlanta Opera puts call out for singers

The Atlanta Opera is seeking opera singers to compete in the second annual 24-hour Opera Project on Jan. 20-21.

The selected singers will work on teams with composers, lyricists, and stage directors and given 24 hours to compose a 10-minute opera. The performances will be judged by a panel of judges and the public via a live webcast. Deadline to apply is 5 p.m. Dec. 21. The performances are scheduled for Jan. 21 at The Atlanta Opera Center.

Information and to apply online, visit: www.atlantaopera.org Janel Davis

Publishers Clearing House donates $25,000

StandUp for Kids, a nonprofit organization based in Atlanta that helps rescue homeless and at-risk youth has been awarded a $25,000 donation by Publishers Clearing House. PCH’s Prize Patrol van arrived at the charity’s office on Wednesday with its signature giant check. Several of the homeless youth were present at the event. Information: www.standupforkids.org or 1-800-365-4543. Kenneth Musisi

WNBA’s Moore to hold free clinic

Atlanta native and WNBA star, Maya Moore is hosting her first annual ‘A Very Maya Christmas’, a free invitation only basketball clinic and community holiday celebration at Southwest DeKalb High School for Atlanta area youth. The clinic will be Tuesday with the middle school session from 8 a.m. to noon and high school session from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The one day clinic will focus on fundamentals training and personal development, through guest speakers, basketball drill stations, games, and contests. Kenneth Musisi

Foundations donates $7,500 to Fernbank

The Fernbank Museum of Natural History received a $7,500 donation from First Citizens Foundation, which will be used to provide science education materials and resources to students. The donation will be used to support Fernbank’s Pathways to Success program, which targets underprivileged youth. Shelia Poole

DEKALB

Arrest made in killing of football star

A man accused of killing former Avondale High School football standout Matthew Hardeman was arrested, police said.

Verlaine LaGuerre, 20, was arrested in Hallandale, Fla., north of Miami, and brought back to Atlanta on Tuesday, authorities said.

He is being held without bond in the Fulton County jail on accusations he fatally shot Matthew Hardeman with an illegal sawed-off shotgun.

Police were called to a home in the 1800 block of Lakewood Terrace, where 19-year-old Hardeman was found shot multiple times and lying in the yard, police said. Marcus K. Garner

Police look for robbery suspect

Dunwoody Police have arrested one man accused of an armed robbery at Walton Apartments, but they are still looking for his accomplice.

Officers saw a Cadillac Deville matching the description given by the robbery victim while en route to the robbery scene at 3:45 a.m. Tuesday. The vehicle led police on a chase before crashing into a telephone pole at an apartment complex in Atlanta. The driver and passenger fled into the woods.

Investigators believe Phillip King Redmond III, 21, of Douglasville, was the driver. He is being held at DeKalb County Jail. Andria Simmons

Rec department to host winter break camp

DeKalb County’s parks department will host a winter break day camp for two weeks later this month. The sessions run from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. from Dec. 19 to 23 and Dec. 27 to 30 at county recreation centers. Each center must have five children registered for camp to be held. Cost for the program is $30 per week and covers children between 5 and 12. Participants must provide their own lunch and snack. Information: LaShanda Davis at 404-371-3643. April Hunt

St. Mark church presents Living Nativity

St. Mark Lutheran Church at 2110 Brockett Road in Tucker will present a free Living Nativity on today and Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. Information: 770-938-4541. Kenneth Musisi

IHM school to hold open house Jan. 22

Immaculate Heart of Mary School (IHM) opens its doors to prospective K-8 students and their parents for an open house on Sunday, Jan. 22, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. A special presentation at 3:15 p.m. will feature an overview from the administrative and student perspective of this 2009 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. Immaculate Heart of Mary School is a Catholic school that serves 500 students in kindergarten through eighth grade and was established in 1958. Questions: Julie Tooher, admissions director at 404-636-4488 or visit www.ihmschool.org. Nancy Badertscher

Kingdom Builders church to give away toys

Kingdom Builders Covenant Church at 3355 Columbia Drive in Decatur will present the “No Presents? No Problem!” event, featuring a 3,000 toy giveaway. The event will include Christmas music, treats, Santa, elves, a nativity scene and a toy for every child. The fun starts Christmas Day at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. For information and to register your child, please visit www.kingdombuilders.tv. Kenneth Musisi

SOUTHSIDE

College Park gets life for raping woman

A College Park man has been sentenced to life in prison for raping a woman just months after he’d been arrested for a previous assault against the victim, the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office said. Tyrone McCallum was convicted Thursday by a Fulton County jury for the Aug. 6, 2010, sexual assault. He had assaulted the woman in April 2010, prosecutors said. Because McCallum was found to be a recidivist with prior convictions for burglary, drugs, weapons possession and criminal trespassing, he will is ineligible for parole. Bill Rankin

Man charged with killing his son

A College Park man has been charged with murder in the stabbing death of his son, police said Thursday.

Fulton County police said the father, Johnson Bell Mitchell, 50, stabbed Shaun Lamar Mitchell, 24, during an argument. The son died at the scene early Thursday morning. George Mathis

Singer boosts approval for special needs camp

Singer and Fayette County resident Zac Brown appeared before a capacity crowd Thursday night , but this time it was to ask the Board of Commissioners to rezone 494 acres to build a camp for special-needs children.

The Board unanimously approved the measure, with mostly positive support from attendees.

Only about 100 acres of the site off Ebenezer Church Road will be developed. The nonprofit Camp Southern Ground will serve approximately 300 guests ages 7-17, mostly in the summer. Facilities will include a pool and equestrian center. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Flippen school raises money for foundation

McDonough’s Flippen Elementary staff and students raised $1,144.83 from Nov. 9 to Dec. 9 for the Ferst Foundation of Henry County. The foundation is an affiliate of the Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy. The group’s mission is to improve childhood literacy in Henry County by providing free books to all preschool children. The foundation mails one book a month to children from birth to age 5 who are enrolled in the program. Flippen students were challenged to collect at least $36 per classroom, thus sponsoring one child for one year. Nancy Badertscher

Ola school students raise money for needy

Henry County’s Ola Middle School students went to work -- literally -- and raised $5,173 to make Christmas a little brighter for local needy families. The money is being used by the Ola Angel Network to adopt 16 students from seven families in the Ola community and supply them with gifts. The project was spearheaded by eighth grade science teacher Lois Reed, and students were encouraged to raise the money by performing small jobs, costing $2 each. Nancy Badertscher

Commissioner to host town hall meeting

District V Commissioner Bruce Holmes will host a special Town Hall Meeting today at 9 a.m. at the Hidden Valley Senior Center, 600 Spraggins Memorial Parkway in Stockbridge. It is open to the public and all are encouraged to attend.

Monroe Roark for the AJC