COBB
Millage rate hearing to be held July 17
Cobb County residents can weigh in on the county's millage rate at two public hearings at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. July 17.
The hearings will be held before the Board of Commissioners votes on the rate on July 24. Chairman Tim Lee said this week that no millage increase is proposed. He and other commissioners have been soundly criticized for the approximately 16 percent increase approved last year that helped close a $33 million budget gap. The county hearings will be held at the Cobb government building, 100 Cherokee Street, Marietta. Information: www.cobbcounty.org Janel Davis
Cop: Starved 16-year-old weighed 43 pounds
A murder charge will stand against the Cobb County mother accused of starving her daughter to death, a judge ruled Thursday. Ebony Espree Berry, 35, has been in jail since her arrest on June 15, hours after 16-year-old Markea Berry was found dead in the family's Mableton home.
Markea, who was described as mentally challenged, weighed about 43 pounds at the time of her death. Investigators believe Markea suffered from extreme malnourishment and that her mother declined to get her help, according to the arrest warrant. The other children have been placed in protective custody.Alexis Stevens
Cobb residents can recycle old appliances
Cobb County resident can recycle broken or unwanted appliances during Keep Cobb Beautiful's "Appliance Amnesty Day" 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 21 at the Cobb County Waste Disposal/Transfer Station, 1897 County Services Parkway.
Appliances will be accepted for free, including stoves, dryers, washers, microwaves, lawn mowers and outdoor power tools. Appliances with freon/refrigerant, such as freezers, refrigerators and air conditioning units, will have a $5 disposal processing fee, which is usually $12. Information: 770-485-8940 Shelia M. Poole
Free arts workshops for children in Mableton
South Cobb Regional Library, 805 Clay Road, Mableton offers free arts workshops 2 to 4 p.m. July 19 and 20 for children 6 to 13. Artwork will be displayed during the End of Summer Reading Celebration on Aug. 5 at the Central Library, 266 Roswell St., Marietta.
Registration : 678-398-5834.
Information: www.cobbcat.org/hero. Carolyn Cunningham
AARP Driver Safety Class on July 19
An AARP Driver Safety Class will be held 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. July 19 at the West Cobb Senior Center, 4915 Dallas Highway, Powder Springs.
Cost is $12 for AARP members or $14 for nonmembers.
Registration is required: 770-528-8200.
CAROLYN CUNNINGHAM FOR THE AJC
Money help available for seniors in need
Cobb Senior Services is offering financial help for low-income senior citizens who are 60 or older.
Seniors must live in Cobb and meet income guidelines to get assistance with delinquent rent, utilities, prescription assistance and limited financial assistance. Information: Cobb Senior Services at 770-528-5364. Tucker McQueen for the AJC
GWINNETT
Memorial ride for boat crash victims
Law enforcement across North Georgia have organized a 70-mile memorial ride around Lake Lanier on August 11 to help raise money for a fund established in honor of two Buford boys killed in a boating accident last month. The Griffin and Jake Prince Classic Car and Motorcycle Ride will loop around the lake on August 11. Registration costs $40 and begins at 9:00 a.m. with the ride set to begin at 11:15 a.m. at the Lumpkin County Courthouse. Hamburger plates will be $10 and the Brian Jarrett Band will perform. Info: Lt. Doug Boyle at boyle@dawsomcountysherriff.org or 770-324-1015. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Arts event raises scholarships funds
Duluth's fourth annual Arts at Twilight is 7 to 10 p.m. today at Hardeman's Fine Art Glass, 3111 Main St. The event sponsored by the Duluth Fine Arts League is a fundraiser for high school scholarships and promotion of local arts. Tickets are $30 at the door. Information: www.artsduluth.org
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Committee to examine Gateway Art Project
Duluth's Gateway Art Project Committee will meet at 3 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 3167 Main St. The GAPC is tasked with selecting a public art project for Duluth's new roundabout. Meeting agenda is posted at www.duluthga.net and the public is welcome to attend.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Technology forum to discuss smart grid
Ken Caird, Senior Smart Grid Systems Engineer for GE Business-GE Energy Services will speak about the challenges facing the Smart Grid at the Gwinnett Technology Forum at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday at Gwinnett Tech's Busbee Center, 5150 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville.
Information: www.gwinnetttechnologyforum.com.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
PR professional to speak at Chamber
Public relations professional Marilynn Mobley is the scheduled guest speaker at a Gwinnett Leadership Organization for Women's breakfast July 20 at the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce building's 1818 Club.
The senior vice president of Edelman Public Relations will discuss her industry's evolution and the importance of target marketing.
Cost: $35 for chamber members; $45 for non-members.
Information: Rachel Jeffers, 770-232-3000, rachel@gwinnettchamber.org.
Michael Alpert for the AJC
Church buses collide, stall I-85 traffic
Traffic on I-85 was backed up for miles Friday afternoon after a collision involving two church buses.
The accident happened on northbound I-85 south of Steve Reynolds Boulevard. A total of 15 people went to the hospital with minor injuries. Most were between the ages of 10 and 15.
The three vehicles—all from a Catholic church in Ocala, Fla.—had been traveling in a single-file caravan toCivic Center on Sugarloaf Parkway when roadway debris sparked the accident.
The lead vehicle, a truck hauling a trailer, swerved to avoid the debris. A church bus followed suit but was struck by the third bus. Edward Mitchell
NORTHSIDE
Court officials warning of jury duty prank
The Cherokee County Clerk of Courts is warning residents not to fall for prank phone messages saying they've failed to report for jury duty and will be fined and sent to jail. Patty Baker says victims get an e-mail or text to call a number, which pulls the prank. Baker says callers not listening to the entire message don't realize it's meant as a joke. The clerk says in the past, several jury duty scams have been conducted as a ruse to obtain personal information from residents.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Sandy Springs motorist hits flagger
A construction worker flagging cars on Lake Forrest Drive in Sandy Springs was hit by a passing motorist, police said Friday. The worker's foot was run over by a car "that either didn't see him or they had gotten into an argument," police said. The driver, who was not identified, was detained and charges are expected. The worker was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital for treatment .
Christopher Seward
Alpharetta man faces sex charges in Alabama
An Alpharetta man is facing two sexual abuse charges following his arrest in eastern Alabama. Etowah County officials said 53-year-old Cecil Lamar Benefield was charged with first-degree sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years old and one count of first-degree sodomy. Both are felonies.
Investigators said Benefield is accused of sexually abusing a young female during the past two years. Authorities say the alleged crimes occurred at several locations in Etowah, Calhoun and Jefferson counties.
Benefield was being held in the Etowah County Detention Center on $100,000 cash bond.
The Associated Press
Synthetic Marijuana targeted in Forsyth
The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office says it confiscated nearly 2000 bags of possible illegal synthetic marijuana this week in a second sweep of local businesses. Narcotics officers targeted the Save Money Food Mart, 3671 Hutchinson Road; Puff and
Stuff Smoke Shop, 410 Atlanta Highway; King John Smoke Shop, 3280 Keith Bridge Road; and the Heads Off Smoke Shop, 2325 Atlanta Highway. It was the second such sweep in less than a month. Mark Woolsey
Consultant to discuss Roswell Gateway study
A consultant team for the Roswell Historic Gateway Study will present its final plans during an open house 6 - 8 p.m. July 25 in room 220 at City Hall. Scott Ball, senior project manager for Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company, will discuss plans for neighborhood centers, bike and pedestrian circulation and redevelopment proposals, including a new Civic Square, Town Center Square and Allenbrook Center. Patrick Fox
Forsyth plans fair for seniors
Forsyth County Senior Services will stage the Healthy Aging and Fitness Fair featuring wellness information, health screenings and exercise demonstrations 10 a.m. - noon July 24 at the Sexton Hall Enrichment Center, 2115 Chloe Road.Information: www.forsythco.com Mark Woolsey for the AJC
ATLANTA
Appeals Court judge to step down
Judge Charles Mikell of the Georgia Court of Appeals has notified Gov. Nathan Deal of his plans to retire on Aug. 31.
"After 27 years as a judge, I think it's time to turn it over to a younger generation," Mikell, 70, said. A former Chatham County trial judge, Mikell was appointed to the appeals court in May 2000 and his current term was to expire at the end of 2014. Bill Rankin
Man pleads guilty to killing former girlfriend
A 40-year-old Roswell man has pleaded guilty for the April 2009 stabbing and beating death of his former girlfriend.
Calvin Myers was sentenced to life plus 80 years in prison for the murder of 40-year-old Minka Grogran. The Fulton County District Attorney's Office said Myers drove his car through the front of Grogran's Streamside Drive apartment, chased her down, stabbed her 16 times and beat her head with a landscaping rock. The DA's office initially sought the death penalty against Myers. Bill Rankin
Frazer Center awarded $100,000 grant
The Frazer Center was recently awarded a $100,000 challenge grant to help address critical infrastructure issues on the grounds.
The anonymous donor, a life-long friend of the center, pledged the generous gift to inspire the community to raise the additional $50,000 needed to complete the project. Information: www.thefrazercenter.org. Kenneth Musisi
Atlanta Mission wraps up rebranding effort
The Atlanta Mission has completed a rebranding initiative begun two years ago. The effort included changing the name from the Atlanta Union Mission, updating the logo, unifying the brand and vision statement.
The final piece of the initiative was the addition of external signs on all facilities. My Sister's House and The Shepherd's Inn had two large emblems installed that feature the Atlanta Mission lantern and tagline: "Ending Homelessness."
Shelia M. Poole
DEKALB
Talent sought for Tucker summer festival
The Old Town Tucker Merchants Association is looking for street artists such as jugglers, stilt walkers and clowns to participate in the upcoming Tucker Summer Festival noon to 6 p.m. July 28 on Main Street. Contact Jamey Wilson at 404-556-7666.
Information: www.ottma.com/tucker-summer-festival.html Kenneth Musisi
Dunwoody garden wins national contest
The Dunwoody Community Garden at Brook Run Park will receive a fruit orchard after winning a national contest through Edy's Fruit Bars' Communities Take Root program.
The Dunwoody Community Garden is among twenty organizations nationwide who will receive an orchard, based on receiving the most number of votes from supporters within Dunwoody and nationwide. Information: www.communitiestakeroot.com. Kenneth Musisi
Developer files lawsuit against DeKalb
A developer has filed a lawsuit against DeKalb County, arguing the interim planning has no authority over his project.
Attorney Robert Buckler wants to carve up three neighborhood properties into a seven-lot subdivision off Clifton Road. The county's planning commission approved the request. But Gary Cornell, appointed by the CEO to the interim job earlier this year when it was clear he did not have enough County Commission votes to be made permanent, later made an administrative ruling that overturned the vote.
Buckler argues that only the County Commission has zoning powers and, without board approval, Cornell's actions are not valid. April Hunt
Mall launches trial of community garden
The North DeKalb Mall Community Garden was started this summer as a trial run for an urban community garden. Keep DeKalb Beautiful participated in providing compost and mulch. The Atlanta Community Food Bank provided many of the seeds, and Global Grower's Network helped plan and coordinate this effort.
The initial plot is 100 feet long by 60 feet wide and is farmed by a Bhutanese refugee family living less than a mile from the mall. But other interested parties — neighborhoods, churches, etc. — can have their own plots, volunteer to help new gardeners and to be a part of the community garden and its programs.
Information: Taylor Dozier, general manager at (404) 320-7960 or taylor@northdekalbmall.com. Nancy Badertscher
Revitalization focus of summit
DeKalb County is holding a "Sustainable Communities" summit 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday at St. Philip AME Church, 240 Candler Road designed to inform residents about efforts to battle the foreclosure crisis.
Information: 404-371-3689. April Hunt
DeKalb libraries offering free movies
DeKalb County libraries will screen "Big Miracle" Saturday at the Tucker-Reid H. Cofer branch on LaVista Road in Tucker, on July 20 at the Stonecrest Library on Klondike Road near Lithonia and on July 28 at the Covington branch on Covington Highway. All movies start at 2 p.m. April Hunt
SOUTHSIDE
Leadership Academy taking applications
The 2012 East Point Citizens Leadership Academy will be accepting applications through August 15 for an 11-week class designed to educate residents about the government operations of East Point. Gain first-hand knowledge about the functions and operations of each city department and also meet the City Council. Go to www.eastpointcity.org or the Customer Care and Jefferson Station lobbies and the Jefferson Park Recreation Center for applications. The class size is capped at 25 applicants. Classes begin August 30. John Thompson for the AJC
Pointers offered on home irrigation systems
Fulton residents can get tips on using home irrigation systems at two workshops held by the Water Resources Department. The first will be 6 - 7 p.m. Tuesdayat the Southwest Arts Center, 915 New Hope Road, Atlanta. Topics include programming controllers; inspecting for leaks; adjusting sprinkler head height, spray patterns and positions; and rain sensor installation. Information: 404-612-8745 or jennifer.mclaurin@fultoncountyga.gov. Johnny Edwards
Peachtree City considers annexation
Peachtree City is moving forward with plans for a possible annexation of 77 acres at its southern border. Southern Pines Plantation Commercial Group wants to build 90 homes and two office buildings at the intersection of Ga. 74 and Redwine Road, and connect to the city sewer system. The City Council voted Thursday to allow the company to present conceptual plans to staff for the next phase of discussion.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Lake McIntosh to get boat docks, playground
The City Council of Peachtree City has approved an easement variance at the Lake McIntosh site to allow for construction of boat docks, ramps and a park. The 100-foot buffer and 50-foot setback will be waived to make room for a parking area, restroom, pavilion and playground. The lake will serve as a local reservoir.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Peachtree City begins tennis court resurfacing
Work has begun on resurfacing public tennis courts in Peachtree City. In June, the city council approved $230,000 to replace the cracking courts with a synthetic material touted as being more durable. Work has begun on the Glenloch courts and will continue with those at Braelinn, Smokerise and Bluesmoke. The project should be done in September.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
City seeks quiet zones
College Park has applied for funding to create quiet zones and traffic safety measures at railroad crossings along Main Street. The estimated cost is $670.000. If awarded, the city would be required to provide 50 percent in matching funds.
College Park City Engineer Jackson Myers explained that creating quiet zones would reduce noise from trains traveling parallel to Main Street.
Myers amassed letters of support from numerous Main Street merchants in favor of quiet zone, stating that their businesses would be greatly enhanced if the city successfully secured the grant. John Thompson for the AJC
