County by county news for Saturday

If contacted by this individual or others using the same tactic, Kennesaw police urge you not to contribute and to hang up the phone.

If anyone has any further information please contact the Kennesaw Police Department at 770-422-2505. Staff

Cops: Woman struck child with golf club

Anna Lee Balogun, of Austell, was charged with first degree child cruelty after striking a boy twice in the abdomen with an aluminum eight-iron club during an argument, according to the arrest warrant. The victim’s name, age and relation to Balogun were not released.While struggling with Balogun and trying to defend himself, the victim cut his hand on the exposed, sharp metal, the Cobb County police warrant states. Alexis Stevens

Republicans to host breakfast today

The Cobb County Republican Party will host a breakfast meeting 8:30 to 10 a.m. today at party headquarters, 799 Roswell St., Marietta. Georgia Republican Party Chairman John Padgett and U.S. Senate candidate Paul Broun will be the featured speakers. Breakfast buffet opens at 8:15 a.m. and the program begins at 8:40 a.m. Admission is $10. Information: Joe Dendy at 770-820-6545 or www.CobbGOP.org. Veronica Fields Johnson

Cobb County animal adoption event today

Cobb County Animal Control will hold an adoption event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at the shelter, 1060 Al Bishop Drive, Marietta. The Adopt-a-Thon will feature special adoption rates, vendors, raffle items, food and a DJ.

Information: 770-499-4136. Mea Watkins

Floyd Road clean-up today

Volunteers are needed to help the Mableton Improvement Coalition pick up trash from about 9 to 10 a.m. today along Floyd Road from Veterans Memorial Highway to the Mableton Post Office.

The meeting place at 9 a.m. will be the Boys & Girls Club on Fontaine Road at Floyd Road for the MIC’s quarterly Adopt-A-Mile program.

Participants should wear sturdy shoes or boots and bring gloves. MIC will provide latex gloves, safety vests and bags.

Information:

or mableton.org/AAM.html. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Church hosts race in Powder Springs

The First Baptist Church of Powder Springs will sponsor a 5K and Fun Run at 8 a.m. today at 4330 North Ave. through Powder Springs as a part of the 175th birthday celebration.

Proceeds supports Brighton Their World ministry in Powder Springs, providing baby formula to Ethiopian orphans. Cost: $25.

Information: brightontheirworld.org, fbcps.org/index.php/ministries/recreation-ministry/springville-sprint or 770-943-9333. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

Lilburn launches new website and app

After an eight-month redesign process, Lilburn has announced the launch of a new website at www.cityoflilburn.com. Citizens may request city services and make requests for yard debris pick-up, report a needed street repair, or make the city aware of any issue needing attention, even sending the city a picture of the problem using an iPhone. The new website also allows residents to sign up to receive the city’s e-newsletter, event information, police bulletins, emergency alerts, bid postings, council agendas as well as pay citations online without having to make a trip to Municipal Court. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Duluth to hold council candidate forum

Meet and greet candidates and at a City Council Candidate Forum beginning at 6 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Payne Corley House, 2987 Main Street. Candidate forum Q&A to begin at 7 p.m. Submit questions for the candidates at forum@paynecorleyhouse.com. Info: www.duluthga.net. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Poll workers sought for November election

Gwinnett needs an additional 100 detail-oriented individuals to join the approximately 3,000 Gwinnett residents who will be working as poll officials during the upcoming November 5 special election.

Requirements for poll officials include completing an online training program and remaining at your assigned poll location from 6 a.m. until election-related duties are completed on Election Day.

Information: www.gwinnettcounty.com/employment for a list of qualifications, job descriptions, and salaries for each position. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Lawrenceville candidates at forum

Lawrenceville will hold a City Council candidate forum for the public at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17 at Old City Hall, 18 S. Clayton St. Residents encouraged to come prepared with questions. Event sponsored by the Lawrenceville Neighborhood Alliance. Info: www.lawrencevillena.org. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Essay contest on Sugar Hill life now and then

The City of Sugar Hill 75th Anniversary Committee is seeking submissions of original essays about “Life in Sugar Hill Today (2014)” and “What I Think Life in Sugar Hill Will Be in 2089.”

Top winners will be placed in as part of the anniversary celebration. Submission deadline is Nov. 29 to city hall, attention Don Kelemen. Information: 770-945-6716 dkelemen@cityofsugarhill.com at www.cityofsugarhill.com. Nancy Badertscher

Amigos for Christ celebrates 15 years

The nonprofit community development organization Amigos for Christ will host its first Amigos Family Reunion 3 p.m. Oct. 5 at the new Buford Community Center, 2200 Buford Highway. The event will celebrate 15 years of service to the poor in Nicaragua.

The reunion will allow volunteers to gather and raise greater awareness of this cause. Events will include free live music , an eating contest, a photo contest and more. Nancy Badertscher

NORTHSIDE

Robbery, fire at gaming store still unsolved

Woodstock Police are seeking the public’s help in an armed robbery and fire at the gaming store Play-N-Trade, 2990 Eagle Drive, on Sept. 29.Police think at least three individuals were involved. Cash and merchandise was taken after one of the robbers forced employees to the back of the store at gunpoint. A fire broke out shortly thereafter, and a manager was rushed to the hospital with burns. The Georgia Arson HOTLINE is offering an up to $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Cherokee celebrates Pumpkin Day

The Cherokee County Farm Bureau will present Pumpkin Day today at the Woodstock Farmers Market.

The bureau will have locally-grown pumpkins kids can decorate for free on a first-come basis.

The market is open 8:30 -11:30 a.m. Saturdays through Oct. 26 at the corner of Main Street and Towne Lake Parkway downtown. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Forsyth sets electronic recycling event Oct. 26

Keep Forsyth County Beautiful will hold an electronics recycling event 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Cumming Fairgrounds parking lot 3 off Castleberry Road.

Laptops, CD players, cellphones and microwaves are among the items that will be accepted with a minimum donation of $5 per carload.

Information: forsythco.com. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Registration open for kids golf tournament

Registration is open for the All Kids Count Classic golf tournament, scheduled for Oct. 22 at Ansley Golf Club, 5500 Settingdown Drive, Roswell.

The tournament benefits the Foster Care Support Foundation, whose mission is to enrich the lives of Georgia’s foster care children.

Information: www.fostercares.org, 770-641-9591. Mea Watkins

Canton police get license plate reader

Canton Police are adding a new tool to the department’s crime fighting arsenal.

The El Sag North American License Plate Reader, used in conjunction with patrol cars’ onboard computers, can read up to 5,400 license plates a minute.

The department’s traffic unit will use it to search for stolen vehicles, wanted persons, and suspended, revoked, expired and stolen license plates. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Electronics recycling event set in Cherokee

Cherokee County, Reworx and Waste Management are teaming up for an electronics recycling day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Cherokee Administration Building, 1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton.

Many items will be accepted for free, but there’s a $5 charge for CRT monitors and $10 for televisions.

For a complete list: go to Cherokeega.com  Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

Jewelry store robbed at gunpoint

After tying employees’ hands behind their back, an armed robber grabbed a set of keys and helped himself to $300,000 worth of jewelry Wednesday morning at Kay Jewelers in Atlantic Station.

But the robber’s actions were caught on surveillance cameras, and police hope someone recognizes the person responsible.

Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-8477, or www.crimestoppersatlanta.org or by texting CSA and the tip to CRIMES (274637). Alexis Stevens

Good behavior pays off at school store

Cascade Elementary School in west Atlanta has opened a school store where students can shop with credits earned for showing a good attitude and strong character.

The school rewards positive behavior by distributing “Cascade dollars,” which can be redeemed when students are allowed to shop at the store twice a month. Mark Niesse

Teacher awarded for reading lessons

Centennial Place Elementary School third-grade teacher Thomas Bussey is one of 16 teachers in Georgia being honored for excellence in the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom program.

Bussey received the award during a surprise assembly at the school, and he’ll get a $1,000 donation for classroom books and supplies. Mark Niesse

Library to screen art television program

The Friends of Peachtree Library, in partnership with Art21 as part of its Access 100 Artists initiative, will present an exclusive screening of episodes from the Art in the Twenty-First Century television series from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. on select Wednesdays at the library, 1315 Peachtree St. N.E.

The event features a screening of an entire Art21 themed episode and a short discussion. The “Protest” episode will screen on Oct. 30.

Information: 404-885-7830. Veronica Fields Johnson

DEKALB

DeKalb Police patrolling differently

New borders for DeKalb County Police began Oct. 1, putting more officers in the east and central areas of the county.

The county closed its north precinct in Dunwoody this summer. The 28 officers who had patrolled that area – including the cities of Dunwoody and Brookhaven – have been re-assigned to serve newly drawn zones for the remaining four precincts.

North precinct zone not served by cities is now handled by officers at the central precinct in Tucker. April Hunt

New Watershed director starts job

In the midst of controversy of how the county’s water/sewer department handles contracts, a new Watershed director has started work.

James Chansler, an engineer who served as chief operating officer of Jacksonville, Florida’s water/electric utility, was named to the post in July but did not begin work until the last week of September.

He will earn $153,000 a year in the role, key in overseeing $1.35 billion overhaul of DeKalb’s aging water/sewer system. April Hunt

Electronics recycling today in Decatur

Decatur’s Fall Electronics Recycling Day is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today in the Callaway Building parking lot, 120 West Trinity Place, with participants urged to enter from the south on Commerce Drive. Anything with an electrical cord can be recycled except microwave ovens, furniture, light fixtures, household appliances, lamps and vacuum cleaners. The event also includes Styrofoam recycling and paper shredding. Since 2005 the city’s diverted more than one million pounds of electronics from landfills. Bill Banks for the AJC

Event to benefit South River alliance

A fund-raising jamboree will be held 7 to 10 p.m. today at the Lithonia Women’s Club, 2564 Wiggins St. featuring music, food and drinkto benefit the South River Watershed Alliance in its environmental work.

The South River Jamboree is the group’s first public appeal for funding, held after years of clean-up days and canoe outings to encourage more awareness and conservation at the river.

Tickets are $30.

Information: 404-285-3756 or www.southriverga.org. April Hunt

Chamber of Commerce marks 10th anniversary

The DeKalb Chamber of Commerce is celebrating its 10th anniversary with two events, a black-tie gala and a golf tournament.

The gala will be held from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. today at the Marriott Evergreen Conference Resort in Stone Mountain.

Golf tournament: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday at the Stone Mountain Golf Club on Stonewall Jackson Drive. Information: www.dekalbchamber.org. April Hunt

Group forms to benefit Brookhaven park

Several residents have formed the Murphey Candler Park Conservancy to raise money for improvements in Brookhaven’s largest park.

The group has already raised about $20,000 and plans to partner with the new city on plans and projects at the 135-acre park.

Information: murpheycandlerpark.org. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Missing Clayton 4th-grader found safe

A Clayton County elementary school student reported missing Thursday has been found safe.

Travion Anderson, who is in the fourth grade at Harper Elementary School, was last seen boarding a bus at his school around 2:30 p.m.

Channel 2 Action News reported just before 7 a.m. Friday that the 9-year-old had been found. Authorities have not released details on where the boy was found. Angel K. Brooks

Cafeteria managers get fire and CPR training

School cafeteria managers in Fayette County recently received fire and CPR training for safety and health emergencies. With instruction from the Fayetteville Fire Department, the School Nutrition Program employees learned how to prevent and extinguish fires. Using medical mannequins, they also learned how to perform CPR and to use an Automatic External Defibrillator. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Henry offers fall break camp

Henry Parks and Recreation is offering a Fall Break Camp 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m Monday - Friday at the Fairview Recreation Center, Heritage Park in McDonough, the J. P. Moseley Recreation Center in Stockbridge, the Locust Grove Recreation Center and Nash Farm Park in Hampton for ages 6-12. Cost:$100. Information: www.hcprd.org. Monroe Roark

Fayette forum to highlight candidates

Candidates running for public office in Peachtree City and Tyrone will present their positions at the Nonpartisan Candidate Forum and Straw Poll 2 p.m. Saturday at the Fayette County Library. Jill Howard Church

Foster care parents needed

Grace for Children Foster Care, a division of Fayette Youth Protection Homes and administered by Georgia Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries, is recruiting for new foster parents in all Georgia counties.

Informational meetings will be held at 6 p.m. at 150 Marquis Drive, Fayetteville, on select Tuesdays: Oct. 15, Nov. 19 and Dec. 17.

Information: Ashlie Hale at 770-460-6652 or ahale@gbchfm.org. Veronica Fields Johnson

Car, bike, truck show at country club

Eagle’s Landing Country Club hosts its annual charity car, bike and truck show on Sunday. Proceeds benefit MDA-Augies Quest, Stepping Stones Educational Therapy Center and ClubCorp Employee Partner Care Foundation. The show and festivities start at 1 p.m. and run until 4 p.m. and include spectacular cars, bikes, trucks, vendor booths, live music, raffles and more. Free for attendees.

The car, bike and truck show registration is from noon to 1 p.m. $20 registration fee for all show vehicles. Pre-register online: www.eagleslandingcc.com, clicking the ClubCorp Charity Classic button.

Information: 770-389-2030 or anne.belcher@ourclub.com 770-389-2030 Nancy Badertscher