County by county news for Saturday

Opposed to both measures were Councilwoman Nancy Hudson. Voting in favor were Councilmen Al Thurman and Chris Wizner and Councilwomen Rosalyn Neal and Cheryl Sarvis. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Sketch of suspect in rapper’s death released

Authorities released a sketch of one of the two suspects in the fatal shooting of rapper Justin Mitchell, also known as “Yung Teddy.” He was found shot to death at his Austell home Jan. 2. The 23-year-old had posted on Twitter hours earlier about death threats against him.

No one has been arrested in the killing, but a woman, Yachari Kiyana Miller, has been charged with sending Mitchell death threats.

Anyone with information about the case should call Cobb County police at 770-499-3945.

Angel K. Brooks

Powder Springs elects mayor pro tem

Powder Springs City Council members have chosen Rosalyn Neal to serve as mayor pro tem.

The Post 1 at-large member would serve in the absence of Mayor Patricia Vaughn at City Council meetings.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Marietta grocery store to donate sales

Whole Foods Market – Merchant’s Walk, 1311 Johnson Ferry Rd. NE, Marietta, will donate five percent of its sales from Wednesday to In the Meantime Ministries, a nonprofit organization.

In the Meantime Ministries serves the community by providing hot meals to the homeless and a food pantry for the economically disadvantaged.

Four times a year, individual Whole Foods Market stores hold five percent days – CommUnity Giving Days, donating five percent of that day’s sales to a local nonprofit or educational organization. Kenneth Musisi

Kennesaw churches celebrate MLK

The city of Kennesaw and local churches are sponsoring a celebration for the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with a community event from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 12 at Kennesaw Mountain High School.

The event will feature youth orators, dance troupes, a community choir, city officials, and more. Information: Linda Jenkins, dbj_95@yahoo.com or Thankful Baptist Church of Kennesaw, 678-797-0611.

Kenneth Musisi

County to close Wilson library

Cobb Commissioners voted to close Hattie G. Wilson Library in Marietta. The staff and resources will be moved to nearby Central Library, and that library’s youth services department will be named after Wilson. Information: www.cobbcountyga.gov Jaime Sarrio

GWINNETT

Duluth’s ‘State of the City’ address set

The 8th annual City of Duluth’s “State of the City” Address will be Jan. 22 at the Gwinnett Center. The Business Expo begins at 11 a.m. and doors open at 11:30 a.m.

This year’s “State of the City” Address will highlight “Duluth Local”, an entertaining and informative presentation to citizens and businesses.

General admission: $25 individuals. Proceeds will support local charities. Reservations are required by Jan. 18 to 678-957-7299 or ourduluth.com.

Kenneth Musisi

Ashworth College ‘Best of 2012’ winner

Ashworth College, an accredited online school based in Peachtree Corners, was named a “Best of 2012” winner among Atlanta businesses on Kudzu.com, a source of local business information and consumer reviews.

Over five million businesses competed across 30 categories, and winners were awarded based on the highest number of votes received on Kudzu.com. Ashworth College led voting in the College and University category. Kenneth Musisi

Bass Pro Shops to host Boat Show

Bass Pro Shops, 5900 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville, hosts its free “Great American Boat Show,” an opportunity to look at new boats Jan. 18-27.

Insider tips will come from professionals like Tim Horton, host of ‘Timmy Horton Outdoors,’ Jan 19-20; and 2011 Bassmaster Elite Series Rookie of the Year, Ott DeFoe, Jan. 26-27. Information: www.basspro.com/boatshow.

Kenneth Musisi

Lilburn Art Alliance to host meeting

Residents are invited to join the recently formed Lilburn Art Alliance to promote public art projects throughout the City. The first public meeting will be 7 p.m. Jan. 23 at 107 Main St.

The Lilburn Art Alliance’s mission is to create works of public art, support local artists of all kinds, and create studio space in Old Town Lilburn. Information: Sonny Franks, signcreations@comcast.net, 770-923-9933. Kenneth Musisi

Ringling Bros. to host reading program

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey has partnered with the Gwinnett Library System to host Reading with Ringling Brothers, a program that allows kids to earn Ringling Bros. circus tickets. Children can enroll at any library branch.

The Ringling Brothers Ambassadors of Laughter will entertain children with a clown show 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at Collin Hills Branch, 455 Camp Perrin Road, Lawrenceville.

Kenneth Musisi

Duluth police seek bilingual volunteers

The Duluth Police Department is seeking bilingual residents to participate in its new program called CHIPs, Citizens Helping Interpret for Police.

Volunteers are needed to ride with police on patrol, helping interpret.

Volunteers, who must be at least 18 years old and pass a background check, will wear T-shirts while on patrol, identifying them as CHIPs.

MICHAEL ALPERT FOR THE AJC

NORTHSIDE

Alpharetta wins bid for softball tournament

The Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau won the bid for the 2013 United States Specialty Sports Association Fast Pitch World Recreational/ All Star Series, a women’s softball program, which will be July 16-21 at the North Park Complex, 13450 Cogburn Road, Alpharetta.

Spectator admission: $10 per adult per day; $40 per adult tournament pass. Children (6-12): $5 per day; $20 tournament pass. Kids 5 and under are free.

Information: www.awesomealpharetta.com. Kenneth Musisi

Special needs hockey program offered

Atlanta Sparks president Daniel Carmody has worked with the American Special Hockey Association and USA Hockey to kick off a special needs ice hockey program this October in Alpharetta.

The program is open to any male and female players (age 7-adults) with a developmental disability. Volunteers and coaches are needed.

The Atlanta Sparks will play at The Cooler Family Fun Center in Alpharetta and will offer a mentor program for children with Asperger’s syndrome. Information: ddcarmody@gmail.com.

Kenneth Musisi

Fulton awaits repayment from slip up

Fulton County Schools chief financial officer Robert Morales told the board that the federal government failed to make an interest payment due this month on a $35.63 million qualified school construction bond and the district had to wire $842,767.75 to the Bank of New York on Jan. 3 to avoid defaulting on the bond. Morales said it’ s not yet clear why the feds failed to make the interest payment they are obligated to make according to the bond agreement.

Morales said he is not sure how long it will be before the district is reimbursed. Superintendent Robert Avossa said it is also not clear if the federal government will refund the district the interest it would have earned. Jeffry Scott

Private school to host open house

Woodward Academy private school is hosting open houses for the PreK-6 Woodward North campus 2 to 4 p.m. Jan.27 at 6565 Boles Road, Johns Creek.

Jeffry Scott

Ringling Bros. to host reading program

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey has partnered with the Atlanta-Fulton County Library System to host Reading with Ringling Brothers, a program that allows kids to earn Ringling Bros. circus tickets. Children can enroll at any branch.

The Ringling Brothers Ambassadors of Laughter will hold a clown show 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Sandy Springs Branch, 395 Mount Vernon Highway NE, Sandy Springs. Kenneth Musisi

Cherokee ag office has staff expansion

The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension office in Cherokee County will stage a ribbon cutting 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 23 at 100 North St., Suite G21, Canton marking a beefing up of its staff. The office is adding an agriculture and natural resource agent and a 4-H associate. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

‘Santa Claus’ murder conviction upheld

The Georgia Supreme Court has upheld the murder conviction against Elkin Clarke, who was wearing a Santa Claus outfit when he fatally attacked a 74-year-old woman.

Clarke was convicted in Fulton County of the 2004 assault against the victim, with whom he was selling candy in downtown Atlanta. GSU students testified they witnessed Clarke bludgeon the woman in the head with a 2-by-4 board and then strike her twice more as she lay motionless on the ground. Clarke had argued unsuccessfully that he struck Michael Toles, who had just recently changed her name from Annie Nelson, because she had stolen chocolates from him. Toles died weeks after the assault. Bill Rankin

MARTA train service modified this weekend

MARTA is modifying service on the Red and Gold lines today to accommodate track work.

All trains on those lines will run on a special single-tracking schedule. Until 7 pm, all trains will continue to the Hartsfield Airport on both lines, with trains between the Airport and Lindbergh operating every 10 minutes. After 7 pm, Red line trains will travel only between Lindbergh and North Springs. The Blue and Green lines will operate on regular 20-minute schedule.

On Sunday, MARTA will add extra trains for the Falcons game. Steve Visser

Government building’s cafeteria had roaches

The Fulton County Government Center’s cafeteria remains shuttered for health code violations, and the county may be parting ways with the private company running it, American Food Management. The Chambers Cafe had been shut down twice before, and the county is “exploring other vendor concepts,” according to a statement from a spokeswoman.

Last month county health inspectors gave the cafe a grade of 59 after receiving a complaint of roaches. A report cited employees not washing their hands, mold-ridden food in the freezer, mold in an ice machine and trouble with roaches and fruit flies. Johnny Edwards

DEKALB

Alleged sex trafficker had teen in his vehicle

A DeKalb County man accused of child sex trafficking had a 17-year-old girl in his car with him when he was stopped for speeding Thursday night.

Johnathon Nathaniel Kelly, 29, was stopped on Interstate 20 in Taliaferro County by a state trooper and sheriff’s deputy. Investigators determined the teen had been sold for sexual purposes in four states since she was 12 years old. She was placed in the custody of the Division of Family and Children Services and is receiving medical treatment.

Kelly was charged one count of trafficking of persons for sexual servitude and is facing additional charges by the Georgia State Patrol for driving while intoxicated (narcotics), possession of marijuana and speeding. Alexis Stevens

Plans for additional classrooms confirmed

Decatur school board chairman Marc Wisniewski said the board reviewed plans for additional classrooms at Renfroe Middle and Decatur High during a recent work session, adding that “everything is conceptual at this point.” The Decatur High plans call for a classroom building in front, thus removing the distinctive circular library, often called “the spaceship.” An enlarged cafeteria and new gym would be built in back, with construction coming in phases through 2018. Plans will be presented on Feb. 5.

Bill Banks for the AJC

Christmas tree recycling offered

DeKalb County sanitation will recycle Christmas trees either with curbside collection or with drop-off at the county-owned Seminole Road landfill.

Residents receiving regular trash pick-up can leave their trees out during their regular yard-waste collection day. Trees more than 7-feet in length must be cut up for collection.

Residents also can drop trees off for recycling 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays at the landfill, 4203 Clevemont Road, Ellenwood.

Trees will be chipped into mulch for use in county projects and free for residents.

Information: 404-294-2900.

April Hunt

DA names new prosecutors

DeKalb County District Attorney Robert James has named two prosecutors to help replace those who recently left for Cobb County.

Kellie Stevens Hill will serve as the chief trial assistant prosecutor and oversee the office’s public integrity unit. She served in a similar role in the Fulton County District Attorney’s office and was integral in the state’s case against Brian Nichols.

Christopher Timmons will serve as an assistant district attorney in public integrity unit after holding a similar post in Cobb. April Hunt

Community discussion at Friends school

Civil rights icon Andrew Young and state Sen. Jason Carter will lead an intergenerational dialogue on civil and human rights 6 p.m. Jan. 26 at the Friends School of Atlanta, 862 Columbia Dr.

The Beloved Community Dialogue is open to the public and features a chance to discuss community issues. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $100 for a reception with the panelists before the event.

Information: 404-373-8746 x. 8135 or nancy.bent@friendsschoolatlanta.org. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Masked men tie up, rob Fayette homeowners

Fayette County deputies Friday were trying to determine who broke into a home Thursday night and tied up and robbed the homeowners.

The incident happened around 9 p.m. at a home on Imperial Way, police said. The victims had just arrived home and were preparing dinner when two armed men, wearing dark clothing and masks, entered the home and bound the residents. The theives took property and left. The homeowners were not injured in the incident. Mike Morris

Man, woman found dead in Clayton home

Clayton County police are investigating the deaths of two people found dead early Friday inside a home off Mt. Zion Boulevard.

Officers responding to a 7:10 a.m. “person down” call at the home on Victoria Drive found a man dead in the garage and a woman deceased in an upstairs bedroom, Clayton County police spokesman Phong Nguyen told the AJC.

He said detectives were awaiting a search warrant before examining the crime scene further, and had not determined with the deaths were a murder-suicide or if the two were killed by someone else. Their names have not been released. Mike Morris

Business event set in Tri-Cities

The “Better Business Buzz Merchant Mingle” event series will provide an opportunity for downtown businesses in College Park, East Point and Hapeville to network and explore the three cities. The next event is 5-7 p.m Wednesday at 2783 Main St. at the East Point Corner Tavern. Information: Allie O’Brien at 404-669.8269 or aobrien@hapeville.org

John Thompson for the AJC

MLK celebration set in East Point

An ecumenical service is set for 3 p.m. Sunday at New Jerusalem Baptist Church, 1385 Gus Thornhill Jr. Dr., East Point to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday. Information:404-762- 1489. John Thompson for the AJC

Peachtree City hockey registration opens

Registration is now open for the Peachtree City Hockey Association inline hockey league, whose games begin Jan. 25. Teams are open to anyone age 5 through adult.

Games are played at the Kedron Asphalt Palace next to the Fieldhouse & Aquatic Center.

Information:www.ptchockey.com or email registrar@ptchockey.com.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Cancer study offered at Piedmont Henry

Enrollment in the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Prevention Study-3 will be offered at Piedmont Henry Hospital 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 9.

You must be 30 to 65 years old, have never been diagnosed with cancer (not including basal or squamous cell skin cancer) and willing to commit to the long-term studey that includes completing periodic follow-up surveys at home.

Attend a 30-minute class 8:30 a.m. or noon Jan. 23 at Piedmont Henry.

Information: cancer.org/cps3 or piedmonthenry.org.

Monroe Roark for the AJC