COBB
Powder Springs to buy fifth new police car
The Powder Springs City Council voted 5-0 last week to trade in two police motorcycles for their fifth new Dodge Charger from Akins Ford of Winder this year.
The $22,735 vehicle will be paid by the cycles’ $16,000 trade-in value and $6,735 from the city’s fund balance, interim City Manager Brad Hulsey said.
The city’s Police Chief Charlie Sewell said he would like to see the city buy three new police cars every year since the city still has nine police vehicles with more than 80,000 miles each.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Marietta seeks residents comments
Marietta will give the public a chance to comment on a proposed redistricting map at meetings 2 p.m. Monday Oct. 8 and 7 p.m. Tuesday Oct. 9 in the fourth floor conference room at City Hall, 205 Lawrence St.
Residents will also have a chance to weigh in at two city council meetings before the council votes on a map for Marietta’s seven wards.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Pneumonia prevention class offered
A free pneumonia prevention class will be offered at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Emory-Adventist Hospital, 3949 South Cobb Dr., Smyrna.
The free class will provide information on pneumonia causes, prevention and vaccinations.
Information: 770-319-2025
Mea Watkins
Marietta City Schools to hold public hearing
Marietta’s school board will hold a public hearing at 5 p.m. Tuesday to discuss their charter system renewal application.
The meeting will take place at the district’s administration building at 250 Howard St. in Marietta.
Marietta City Schools was one of the first systems in the state to become a charter system.
Daarel Burnette II
Marietta teacher earns ‘master’ status
The Marietta Schools Foundation recently presented Karen Brogan, a teacher at Marietta Sixth Grade Academy, with a $2,500 check for earning her master teacher certification from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.
Georgia’s master teacher certification program recognizes teachers who have consistently demonstrated instructional excellence through student achievement.
Brogan has worked at MSGA for nine years and has 15 years of teaching experience.
“She exemplifies the art of inspiring students to excel, and we recognize her dedication and commitment to teaching,” said Maddox Kilgore, the president of the Marietta Schools Foundation.
Daarel Burnette II
Austell will demolish seven flood houses
Austell City Council members voted Monday to demolish seven more houses that were flooded in September 2009.
The land will be owned by the city and converted to green space.
Funding will come from a new $1.83 million grant to the city from the Georgia Emergency Management Agency.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
GWINNETT
Cops: Burglary suspect abandonded baby in car
Lamont Andre Cummings, 34, was in the Gwinnett County Detention Center on Thursday night, charged with multiple offenses including burglary and cruelty to children in the third degree, authorities said. Cummings was baby-sitting his girlfriend’s 5-mongh-old daughter when he stole a gun from a Lilburn home Sept. 27.
Lilburn police located Cummings in the Burns Road area, and he got out and ran when they tried to pull him over, they said. The baby was left behind in the back seat, next to the case with the rifle. Angel K. Brooks
Gwinnett hosts fire safety week events
The Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services will be hosting activities for fire safety week, including partnering with police at the Public Safety Fall Festival today at Coolray field.
One way to take part is this year’s Poster and Essay Contest. Another is to participate in the Statewide Fire Drill at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Information: Call 678-518-4850, email fireprograms@gwinnettcounty.com, or visit www.firepreventionweek.org. Andria Simmons
Group to register Gwinnett voters
The Asian American Legal Advocacy Center will register voters at several locations 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. today in Gwinnett County:
ASSI Plaza, 1291 Old Peachtree Road NW, Suite 300, Suwanee; ASSI Plaza in Duluth, 1630 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth; Great Wall Supermarket, 2300 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth; Hong Kong Super Market, 5495 Jimmy Carter Blvd., Norcross; Nam Dae Moon in Duluth, 3825 Shackleford Road, Duluth; The group also will register voters from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Gwinnett Place Mall, (second floor across from Mega Mart), 2100 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth. David Wickert
Report illegal dumping with a phone call
Gwinnett County asks citizens to report roadside trash dumping to Gwinnett Solid Waste and Recovered Materials Division, 770-822-7141. To report storm drain dumping, call the Stormwater Management Division, 678-376-7193. Have on hand the date and time of the dumping and description of the person and vehicle involved.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Pulitzer Prize winner to speak in Lawrenceville
Pulitzer Prize winner and Poet Laureate, Natasha Trethewey is this year’s Gwinnett Reads author and keynote speaker for “Fall Into The Arts 2012” at 5 p.m. Sunday at Georgia Gwinnett College Student Center. Book sales are at 4:30 p.m.
Threthewey’s newest book, Thrall, will be released this fall. Light refreshments served and music provided by Joyce Parks, director of the B.J. Chorale. Info: www.gwinnettfallintothearts.org. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Last citywide garage sale is Oct. 20
Lilburn’s last city-wide garage sale of the season will be 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 20 on Main Street. Spaces are available at $15 each. Seller applications and a layout map are available at cityoflilburn.com.
Information: Melissa Penate, 770-921-2210 or mpenate@cityoflilburn.com Arlinda Smith Broady
NORTHSIDE
Milton hosts fire prevention week events
Milton’s firefighters are presenting fire safety education to youth and adults as part of Fire Prevention Week today through Friday.
Activities kick off at 9 a.m. today with fire clowns, extinguisher training, and much more at Home Depot on Windward Parkway, Milton. All week, firefighters will make appearances at local schools and community gatherings promoting safety.
Information: 678-242-2570 or matthew.marietta@cityofmiltonga.us Andria Simmons
‘Power parachuter’ gets stuck in tree
A man in a “power parachute” got stuck in a tree about 80 feet off the ground Thursday evening in Forsyth County, a fire department official said.
The man wasn’t injured. It took about 45 minutes from the time a call was placed to 911 until the man, whose name was not released, was safely on the ground, authorities said.
The vehicle is similar to a hang glider but with a seat. The wind was believed to have played a factor. Alexis Stevens
Seniors named in scholarship program
Fourteen Fulton County seniors have been named semifinalists in the 49th annual National Achievement Scholarship Program competition for African-American high school students. The program is administered by National Merit Corp., which recognizes and awards scholarships to academically gifted students. The students were identified through exceptionally high scores on the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which they took as juniors. Approximately 1,300 finalists will be named in January, and of these, 800 overall winners will be chosen for $2,500 National Achievement scholarships from the organization. Jeffry Scott
Firm selected for courthouse, jail project
The Forsyth County commission announced the selection of Norcross-based Wakefield Beasley & Associates for the architectural and engineering contract for the new courthouse, jail expansion and associated parking area.
The team of Wakefield Beasley, HOK and Pond & Company received unanimous votes from both the selection committee and the project team as the best choice to design the facility.
Construction of the new Forsyth County courthouse and jail expansion is scheduled to begin in July 2013, with completion in 2015. The $100 million project is being funded by special purpose local option sales tax that was passed last November. Kenneth Musisi
School uses donation for playground
Clayton Elementary School in Cherokee County is starting construction on a new playground thanks to a $45,000 donation from Amicalola Electric Membership Corp.
It’s the largest donation the district has received since 2003. Amicalola EMC President/CEO Charles Gibson presented the donation to the school’s PTA during an assembly attended by all students and staff.
With the donation, the school is almost half way to its goal of raising $95,000 to fund the entire playground construction. Jeffry Scott
ATLANTA
Cancer Society hosts gospel concert
American Cancer Society and Changing A Generation Ministry will host “A Call to Action” gospel concert, a combination of music and ministry, starting 5 p.m. today at 3350 Greenbriar Parkway SW, Atlanta.
The free event, the first of its kind in Atlanta, is part of the Partnering for Life Health and Wellness Tour. The tour will encourage community members to talk about cancer and to seek appropriate cancer screenings.
Information: e-mail SAEventPartneringForLife@cancer.org or call 888-202-7604. Kenneth Musisi
HIV Awareness Day for teens scheduled
The Teen HIV Awareness Day will be 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at Underground Atlanta, 50 Central Avenue SW. Free services include: needle-free rapid HIV testing, pregnancy resources, counseling for pregnant teens and condoms. Presented by The Purpose Driven Youth Foundation, Fulton County Health Department and Care Net Pregnancy Resource Center of Atlanta. Information: purposedrivenyouth.org. Mea Watkins
Community invited to day of service
The Home Depot Foundation will present its 22nd Annual Hands On Atlanta Day today. More than 7,000 volunteers will take on environmental, economic recovery and education projects focused on this year’s theme: “Love Your Block, Love Your Neighbor, Love Your School.” Visit www.handsonatlanta.org or call 404-979-2800 to find out how to get involved. Mea Watkins
Jeff Foxworthy headlines charity gala
Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities’ fourth annual Hearts and Hands Gala 6:30 p.m. today at the Georgia Aquarium will help families dealing with childhood illnesses and injuries.
Silent auctions and a performance by comedian Jeff Foxworthy highlight the event.
Proceeds from the Hearts and Hands Gala will support operation of Atlanta’s two Ronald McDonald Houses. Shelia M. Poole
DEKALB
Future of Tucker park open for discussion
DeKalb County’s parks department will host a meeting 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 9 at Rehoboth Baptist Church, 2997 Lawrenceville Highway, Tucker to discuss the future of Johns’ Homestead, a county park on Lawrenceville Highway.
The Johns family lived and farmed the property from 1827 through the 1980s. The county has bought 47 acres of the property and now must decide management of the historic home and improvements to the park.
Information: 404-371-2540 or dabutler@dekalbcountyga.gov.
April Hunt
Rotary sponsors mobile flu shot unit
The Northlake Rotary Club will host its annual Immigrant Influenza Vaccination Project 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 13.
The goal is to increase vaccination rates in refugee/immigrant and native populations in the Clarkston community.
Northlake Rotarians will plan, organize, and coordinate the free vaccination clinic in cooperation with the DeKalb Medical “Wellness on Wheels” mobile unit that moves from site to site providing health screening and specific medical services. Professional DeKalb Medical personnel will administer the vaccine.
Information: 404-501-5149 or 404-636-8206. Staff
Chamblee boot camp includes first session
Chamblee’s parks department’s fall season of boot camp workouts in Keswick Park will include a free first session for newcomers. The October to December session includes 12 workouts each month, four assessment appointments, a T-shirt and a food journal.
Information: 770-986-5016 or lroberts@chambleega.com.
April Hunt
Alternative Halloween trick-or-treat offered
DeKalb County is hosting two nights of treats, spooky stories and other activities as an alternative to trick-or-treating.
The Field of Screams nights will be 6 p.m. Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 at Wonderland Gardens, 3171 Rainbow Dr. In addition to ghost stories and a short play, the evening includes a treat bag for children accompanied by a parent. Information: 404-687-2751. April Hunt
DeKalb NAACP gearing up for annual banquet
The DeKalb County branch of the NAACP is hosting its annual Freedom Fund awards and banquet 7 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Courtyard by Marriott Decatur, 130 Clairemont Ave., Decatur.
Tickets are $75 and include a keynote speech by Michael Thurmond, the former state Labor Commissioner and first African-American elected to the General Assembly in Clarke County since Reconstruction.
Information/tickets: 404-241-8006. April Hunt
Group says math is fun, and plans to prove it
The South DeKalb Parent Council is using the words “math” and “fun” in the same sentence, and promising to spread their enthusiasm to kids at a free Oct. 25 event.
Students of all ages are invited but must be accompanied by parents to attend the free workshops led by math experts.
“We’re Psych’d about Math” is 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Redan Middle School, 1775 Young Rd., Lithonia. Questions:
southdekalbparentcouncil@gmail.com. Ty Tagami
SOUTHSIDE
Peachtree City expands types of recycling
Peachtree City residents can recycle more types of materials at the city’s two drop-off sites.
Plastics numbered 1-7, aluminum cans, tin cans, aluminum foil and disposable aluminum pans can be taken to the center on Rockaway Road on Wednesdays and Saturdays and daily to the McIntosh Trail bins near the amphitheater.
No aerosol cans or plastic bags are accepted.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Lynn Wheeler golf tourney fundraiser set
Covenant Presbyterian Church hosts the fifth annual Lynn Wheeler Benefit Golf Tournament 1 p.m. Monday at Crystal Lake Country Club, 100 Crystal Lake Blvd., Hampton. The beneficiary is Emily Lee, a girl with Spinal Muscular Atrophy.
Shotgun starts at 1 p.m. The event will have a raffle, longest drive contest and closest to pin contest. Lunch will be provided by Chick-fil-A. Tickets: $85 single player and $340 for a four-person team. Information: Joseph Starr 678-637-2731.
Kenneth Musisi
Southern Belle Farm hosts seasonal events
Southern Belle Farm, 1658 Turner Church Road, McDonough is opened through Nov. 4.
The second annual Hometown HERO Day honoring public servants will be Oct. 13 with festivities noon to 4 p.m. Active and retired military, law enforcement, fire/EMTs will be admitted free if in uniform or with valid ID.
Information: www.SouthernBelleFarm.com or 770-288-2582. Kenneth Musisi
Henry police awarded highway safety grant
The Henry County Board of Commissioners accepted a $53,900 grant from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety to fund part of the salaries for officers in the H.E.A.T. Unit.
The officers’ focus is to find ways to reduce impaired driving, speed related injuries and fatalities as well as educate the community on safe driving practices. Monroe Roark for the AJC
Fayette wants input on next school chief
The Fayette County Board of Education wants the public to weigh in on the hiring process for a new superintendent.
The Georgia School Boards Association, which will facilitate the search, has posted an online survey: www.fcboe.org.
Comments will be part of candidate interviews. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
College Park wins grant to create quiet zones
The city of College Park has won approval to create quiet zones and traffic safety measures at all railroad crossings along Main Street.
The city applied for the College Park Quiet Zone through the Economic Development Administration, under the 2012 Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance program.
The city was awarded a federally funded grant amount of $335,000 for the construction of two quiet crossings.
The city is required to provide 50 percent in matching funds. John Thompson for the AJC
