County by county news for Saturday

The commission agreed to move forward with a site study and to invite companies to apply.

Half of the project will be funded through federal grants, and a small portion through state revenue, putting Cobb’s share at $1.25 million.

Jaime Sarrio

Event helps children in need

Santa’s Super Stocking Stuffer Event will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at Casteel Heights Clubhouse, 3891 Casteel Club Lane, Powder Springs.

Shoppers are invited to purchase stocking stuffers from local small businesses and enjoy refreshments.

Profits will be used for Our Father’s Hands in Powder Springs to buy new socks and underwear, especially for teen boys and girls attending Cobb public schools.

Information: ourfathershands.com or 678-315-9417.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Cobb libraries closed for holidays

Cobb County libraries will be closed on Dec. 24, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.

The libraries will close at 5 p.m. on Dec. 31.

For a full list of holiday hours and closure dates, check out www.cobbcat.org/aboutustable.html#holidays.

Jaime Sarrio

Two stepping down from library board

Two members of the Cobb County Public Library System Board of Trustees are retiring — Charles Switzer and Sally Rhoden. Switzer is retiring after 30 years on the board, the last 14 of which he served as chairman.

Rhoden has been on the board since 2010. Info: www.cobbcat.org

Jaime Sarrio

Nominations sought for community awards

Nominations are being accepted for Cobb’s 2013 Creating Community Awards, which recognize an individual, team or organization with a unique approach to fostering diversity. Diversity can mean race, ethnicity, age, religion, gender or disability.

Nominations are due to county commissioners by Jan. 17.

An independent committee will choose the winners.

Email submissions to ccrc@cobbcounty.org. or mail to 100 Cherokee St., Marietta 30090.

Jaime Sarrio

Marietta picked for recycling challenge

Marietta is one of 50 communities from around the country selected to participate in a recycling competition that could add $100,000 to the city’s conservation efforts.

The city with the most residents reporting their recycling efforts will win the six-month, SC Johnson Green Choices Recycling Challenge through Dec. 31.

Information: www.recyclebank.com/greenchoices.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

GWINNETT

Police get state emergency services grants

The Georgia Emergency Management Agency has awarded two grants to support the Gwinnett County police department.

One grant, for $190,766, will pay to upgrade robots used by the department’s hazardous devices unit.

The unit also will get $3,500 for its K-9 explosives detection team.

The money comes from federal homeland security funds.

David Wickert

Christmas carnival Saturday in Norcross

Lift Up Atlanta will host a Christmas carnival 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Pinckneyville Community Center, 4650 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Norcross.

The event will feature a silent auction, food, a raffle, a Christmas play and other festivities. Admission is $6 and benefits Lift Up Atlanta, which provides housing, food, etc., for homeless women and children. Information: www.liftupatlanta.org.

David Wickert

Lilburn church hosts outdoor ‘Christmas’

Trinity Lutheran Church, 1826 Killian Hill Road, Lilburn has taken a different approach this year by hosting a worship service outside (weather permitting) at 11 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

The service will include candlelight, communion, and carols. Bundle up and come early for a cup of hot cider before the service. Then community is invited. Information: Dale Sillik at pastordale@tlc-lilburn.org.

Kenneth Musisi

Extension service plant sale taking orders

The Gwinnett Cooperative Extension Service plant sale is March 21. It will feature locally grown plants. Pre-paid orders are being accepted through March 12 at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds.

Information: www.gwinnettcounty.com and look for the Extension Service under Community Services.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Lilburn welcomes two new police officers

The City of Lilburn welcomes two new police officers, both Lilburn residents.

Daniel McCarthy is a graduate of St. Pius X Catholic High School and Saint Louis University with a degree in criminal justice.

Chris Hall is a Brookwood High School graduate and is pursuing a criminal justice degree. Arlinda Smith Broady

Registration set for computer training

The Gwinnett SenioR Learning Center has announced registration for the Winter Session will be 9 to 11 a.m. Jan. 8 at Bethesda Park and 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 9 at George Pierce Park.

GSRLC offers computer classes for adults age 50 and up, at Bethesda Senior Center in Lawrenceville and George Pierce Park in Suwanee.

The classes and workshops cover basic and advanced computer skills and also include internet or e-mail, and photo editing. Information: www.gsrlc.org or call 770-564-4699. Kenneth Musisi

NORTHSIDE

Milton, Fulton partner on school emergency response

Mayor Joe Lockwood met with Fulton County Schools Superintendent Robert M. Avossa to discuss plans for Fulton Schools and Milton police in the wake of the tragedy in Connecticut.

The partnership will monitor and provide response to school situations. Fulton schools have an internal police force with 65 officers specially trained to work with students. Each school also has a regularly practiced safety plan, which includes locking exterior doors and requiring visitors to sign in and out. The staff also conducts safety drills throughout the year. Andria Simmons

Ethics board to consider complaint

The Forsyth County Board of Ethics will meet 10 a.m. Jan. 2 in Suite 210, Forsyth County Administration Building, 110 East Main St., Cumming.

Board members will conduct an investigatory review of a complaint filed by William Dunn against Assistant District Attorney Michael Mahoney.

This is the final case the ethics board will consider. The y Commission voted in November to disband the board in favor of a tribunal of out-of-county attorneys. Patrick Fox

Milton names Firefighter of the Year

Milton Battalion Chief Roth Hutcheson was named Firefighter of the Year in a ceremony at Monday’s City Council meeting by the Sons of the American Revolution, Piedmont Chapter.

Hutcheson and his wife, Michelle, took care of twin infant boys and an 18-month-old girl, saving them from separation in foster care. The children join Hutcheson’s two biological boys.

Hutcheson, a 17-year firefighter, was also named the Milton Fire-Rescue Department’s first Firefighter of the Year in January. Hutcheson has been with the city since the fire department launched in May 2007. He never missed a day of work. Andria Simmons

Early voting open in Alpharetta

North Fulton County voters in state Senate District 21 can vote early during the next two weeks in the special election to replace Chip Rogers. Republican Brandon Beach, president and CEO of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, faces former state Rep. Sean Jerguson, R-Canton. The district includes Milton and part of Alpharetta.

Ballots can be cast until Jan. 4 at 30 South Main Street, Suite 1, Alpharetta, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The site will be closed Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year’s Day. The election is Jan. 8. Johnny Edwards

Alpharetta makes list of 25 Friendliest Towns

Alpharetta has just been named to Forbes.com’s and Nextdoor.com’s list of the 25 Friendliest Towns of 2012 in the United States.

Dubbed the “City of Celebration,” Alpharetta ranked No. 7 on the list “because it loves to throw events throughout the year.” Among the most popular: the Alpharetta Arts StreetFest, Taste of Alpharetta, an annual parade for war veterans, a “Scarecrow Harvest” in which residents craft and display scarecrows for Fall, and a holiday tree-lighting ceremony.

Alpharetta is the only Georgia town to make the list. (Eat your heart out, Savannah.)

Fran Jeffries

ATLANTA

APS investigates school board chairman

The Atlanta Public Schools ethics commission is investigating claims that school board chairman Reuben McDaniel meddled in the decision to not approve an employment contract for North Atlanta High teacher Amy Durham, who resigned in October amid allegation of racism at the school.

McDaniel has said he met with parents groups several times, at their request, to discuss their concerns about the school’s administration, and he relayed those concerns to APS administrators. Jeffry Scott

GE Foundation donates $3 million to APS

GE Foundation has donated about $3 million dollars to Atlanta Public Schools to fund two days of training for classroom teachers who otherwise would lose those days’ pay as furlough days. The two training days are Feb. 18, 2013 and May 24, 2013. The classes will help teachers hone their skills in teaching Georgia’s new Common Core Georgia Performance Standards. Jeffry Scott

EPS takes applications for grants

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is taking applications for $1.5 million awarded as small environmental justice grants of up to $30,000.

The grants enable non-profits to conduct research, provide education and develop solutions to local health and environmental issues in communities overburdened by harmful pollution. One to five grants will be awarded in each EPA region. Information: www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/grants/ej-smgrants.html Nancy Badertscher

‘Magic’ continues at Piedmont Park

The Season of Magic in Piedmont Park, featuring a holiday carousel and horse-drawn carriage rides, runs 4 to 10:30 p.m. daily through Jan. 6. Lights are free. Carriage rides are $25; $20. Carousel rides are $3 . All rides originate from Park Tavern, 500 10th Street N.E. Proceeds benefit maintenance and security at Piedmont Park. Information: www.piedmontpark.org. Mea Watkins

DEKALB

Decatur property to get a makeover

A longtime abandoned house at 1004 Clairemont Avenue will get renovated and eventually front a subdivision with seven family lots. Formerly a day care center, the home’s been empty for at least 10 years. A road for the new homes will be cut to the right of the original house, with the entire subdivision covering 3.01 acres. Additionally, the developer Sunset GA Financial, LLC will make considerable drainage improvements to prevent the habitual flooding behind the property on Westchester Drive. Bill Banks for the AJC

Christmas tree recyling offered on Decatur

Recycle your Christmas trees at the Christmas Tree Recycling Center in the Agnes Scott College parking lot, Friday through Jan. 6. The entrance to the parking lot is between 184 and 206 S. Candler St. The school asks you not to leave your Christmas trees anywhere else on the ASC campus.

Information: 404-377-5571.

Cub Scout Pack 134 is offering a free tree pickup service on Jan. 5. Donations will be accepted, but not required.

Information: Tom Atkinson, tomatk@bellsouth.net, or call/text 404-441-2370. Arlinda Smith Broady

20-year-old missing man found safe

A 20-year-old Dunwoody man reported missing Thursday morning has been found safe.

Dunwoody police said MARTA personnel found Wiley JaWuan Shepherd on a train at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport at 1:30 a.m. Friday.

Shepherd was taken to the airport police precinct and reunited with his family.

Mike Morris

Pine Lake city offices closed

The administrative offices of Pine Lake will be closed through Christmas and New Year’s. The offices will reopen on Jan. 2. Staff

DeKalb delegation to hold town halls

State representatives from DeKalb County will host two town hall meetings early next month, to get citizen input on issues.

The sessions will also be a chance for House members to get information out regarding any upcoming events or issues.

The first meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Jan. 3 in Maloof Auditorium in Decatur. The second session will be held at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 8 at the Porter Sanford performing arts center on Rainbow Drive, south of Decatur.

During session, the delegation will meet at noon every Monday in the Coverdell Legislative Office building in Atlanta.

Information: Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick at 678-323-7887 or dkendrick@kendrickforgeorgia.com. April Hunt

MJCCA to host Family Fun Day

The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta invites the public to its annual Family Fun Day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Christmas Day at 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody.

The free event will have a concert featuring The Baal Shem Tones, physical activities, a movie in the Morris & Rae Frank Theatre, and much more.

Information: Rabbi Brian Glusman at 678-812-4161, brian.glusman@atlantajcc.org.

Kenneth Musisi

SOUTHSIDE

Peachtree City fire chief under investigation

Peachtree City Fire Chief Ed Eiswerth has announced his retirement amid an investigation of alleged sexual harassment of a female firefighter.

A statement issued by City Hall said Eiswerth’s last day of duty was Dec. 18 and that he is on leave through the end of the year.

The city said it has “a very strong policy prohibiting workplace harassment” and “is still investigating this matter and gathering facts.” Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Pedestrian killed in South Fulton

A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle and killed about 3:45 a.m. Friday in front of the Majestic Lodge on Fulton Industrial Boulevard. The adult male, whose name has not been released, was trying to cross the street when he was hit by a southbound Pontiac Grand Prix. The driver stopped, and will not be charged, police said. ke Morris and John Spink

Henry manager honored for service

Lindy D. Farmer Jr., general manager of Henry County Water & Sewerage Authority, was recently honored for his 30 years of service.

Farmer is believed to be the longest-serving chief executive of any water utility in Georgia.

Farmer joined the utility in March 1982.

During his tenure, he oversaw the construction of about 1,200 miles of water lines and 600 miles of sewer lines. He also oversaw all of the authority’s five reservoirs, all four of the authority’s wastewater plants and the authority’s Tussahaw Water Treatment Facility which opened in 2007. Tammy Joyner

Clayton commissioners to meet Jan. 2

The Clayton County Board of Commissioners will hold its regular meeting 7 p.m. Jan. 2 in the commissioners’ boardroom, 112 Smith Street, Jonesboroin light of the New Year’s holiday.

All commission meetings are open to the public. Tammy Joyner

Program provides free parking to patients

Park’N Ticket in College Park, an offsite airport parking and shuttle service, has partnered with the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center for the Angel Parking program.

The program provides free parking and shuttle service to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport for M.D. Anderson cancer patients and their caregivers traveling to Houston.

Angel Parking was created after Park’N Ticket witnessed through a customer the physical, emotional and financial hardships that families endure during cancer treatment.

Information: www.parknticket.com/angel-parking.shtml Kenneth Musisi

AARP needs tax help volunteers

AARP Tax-Aide is seeking Clayton County volunteers to provide free tax preparation and filing assistance for the 2013 tax season.

Volunteers should have some computer experience, such as e-mail and Internet browsing.

AARP Tax-Aide volunteers receive free IRS-certified tax training.

Information: www.aarp.org/tavolunteer8. Kenneth Musisi