County by county news for Saturday
COBB
Former teacher sentenced on child porn charges
William Villemez, 30, pleaded guilty and was convicted in April of charges that he bought and received DVDs and digital images of child pornography and child erotica. A federal court found that between July 2008 and March 2011, Villemez, a former Pace Academy teacher, ordered 32 pornographic DVDs worth $750 from a website based outside the United States. Law enforcement officers traced those orders to his Smyrna home.
Villemez was ordered to serve 10 years under supervised release following a five-year prison sentence. Chelsea Cariker
Church to hold college fair
A free college fair will be held at Turner Chapel AME Church, 492 N. Marietta Parkway, Marietta. noon to 3 p.m. Oct. 26. A pre-college fair workshop about making the right choices will be held 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in Turner Chapel AME’s chapel.
Representatives from dozens of colleges including Harvard, Howard and Tuskegee universities will be on hand.
Students and parents can learn about college admission and financial aid. Information: tcccollegefair@gmail.com. Angela Tuck
Barbecue to benefit Marietta museums
Local barbecue restaurants and food trucks will set up on the Marietta Square from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday for the Whole Hawg Happenin’ Barbecue & Music Fest.
The annual event will benefit the city’s Marietta Museum of History, Gone with the Wind Museum, Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art and Earl Smith Strand Theatre.
Information: www.wholehawgbbqfest.com.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Ghana president to speak at forum
The Ghana Council of Georgia, in partnership with Kennesaw State University, will sponsor a free community forum at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Ritz Carlton Buckhead, 3434 Peachtree Road N.E. Ghana President John D. Mahama will be in attendance.
The Ghanaian community is invited to submit questions to pro@ghanacouncilofgeorgia.org. Information: www.ghanacouncilofgeorgia.com. Veronica Fields Johnson
KSU to host casino night fundraiser
The Kennesaw State University College of Continuing and Professional Education will host a Casino Night Scholarship Fundraiser 6 to 10 p.m. today at the KSU Center, 3333 Busbee Dr., Kennesaw.
Tickets are $100.
Information: www.ksufundraiser.com or 770-499-3340.
Veronica Fields Johnson
Cobb County adoption event planned
Cobb County Animal Control will hold an adoption event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 5 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
GWINNETT
Barrett first Peachtree Corners municipal judge
Peachtree Corners City Council recently approved Judge Charles Lewis Barrett III as the city's first municipal court judge. A resident of Gwinnett County since 1984, Barrett lives in Berkeley Lake and currently serves as Municipal Court Judge for Lilburn, Berkeley Lake and Sugar Hill. He is also the Chief Judge and Court Administrator of Duluth's Municipal Court. www.cityofpeachtreecornersga.com.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Suwanee man wins $1 million in Powerball
A Suwanee computer analyst has a $1 million win to analyze.
Carlton Davis, 49, matched the first five winning numbers from the Sept. 14 Powerball drawing to win his prize.
Davis bought the winning ticket at Kroger, 3651 Peachtree Parkway in Suwanee. Fran Jeffries
Food Truck Tuesdays in Peachtree Corners
Each Tuesday in October from 5 to 9 p.m. food trucks and local musicians will gather at Pinckneyville Park's baseball/softball complex. The month long event will benefit the Norcross Youth Baseball and Softball Association. Peachtree Corners Councilman Jay Lowe, an active NYBSA coach said, "Food Truck Tuesdays will get people out of their offices and enjoying time with co-workers and friends as they sample food from some of the best trucks in Atlanta." Information: www.norcrossbaseballsoftball.com.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Lilburn Daze celebrates 40th anniversary
The Lilburn Daze Arts & Crafts Festival will celebrate its 40th anniversary 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 12 in Lilburn City Park. Event includes arts, children's activities, music and food. Proceeds are returned to the community as scholarships, youth art competitions, school and library equipment, public safety and health support. Information: www.lilburndaze.org. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Public safety fall festival this weekend
The county police and fire departments will host a public safety fall festival 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at Coolray Field, 2500 Buford Drive, Lawrenceville. The free event features fire truck, police motorcycle and helicopter displays, safety training demonstrations, kids’ activities, pet adoptions, and a softball face-off between police and firefighters. Information: 770-513-5119 or 678-518-4845.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Norcross to host clean-up, recycling day
Norcross will sponsor Neighborhood Clean-Up and Recycling Day today at Norcross City Hall, 65 Lawrenceville St. American Security Shredding will collect up to five medium-size boxes per vehicle from 9 a.m. to noon. Electronics Recycling will provide disposal of old cellphones, computers and keyboards from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Norcross Community Center. Information: www.norcrossga.net. Veronica Fields Johnson
NORTHSIDE
Higher water, sewer rates for Canton
Canton residents and businesses will pay higher water and sewer rates beginning Tuesday. The 4.5 percent hike is part of the fiscal 2014 budget approved early this month.
City Manager Scott Wood said a typical homeowner will pay about $3 more monthly. Wood said a major impetus for the hike is the need to modernize and upgrade the city’s wastewater treatment plant.
Information: www.canton-georgia.com Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Cherokee High band receives coveted invite
The Cherokee High School Marching Band of Warriors has accepted a coveted invitation to perform in the largest New Year’s Day parade in the world in London in 2015.
Catherine Longworth, the former Lord Mayor of Westminster, and Robert Bone, executive director of London’s New Year’s Day parade, traveled to the school Thursday to extend the formal invitation to the band.
Nancy Badertscher
Johns Creek library to host teen writing club
The Northeast/Spruill Oaks Library branch will host the NESO Writer’s Club for Teens at 2:30 p.m. on most fourth Sundays at the library, 9560 Spruill Road, Johns Creek.
NESO writing tutor Sarah Calhoun will lead monthly workshops on writing and youth ages 12-18 are encouraged to bring works in progress to share and discuss.
Registration is required. Information: 770-360-8820.
Veronica Fields Johnson
Truck passing lanes now open in Cherokee
Motorists driving Ga. 20 in Cherokee County are poised to find an easier ride.
The Georgia Department of Transportation says truck passing lanes have been completed and are open. Officials say 4.3 miles of lanes from west of Union Hill Road to east of Greenwood Court are done in a project which began in September of 2010.
The new lanes cost some $11.2 million.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Registration open for kids golf tourney
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
Free math tutoring available at library
Children in grades K-8 can receive free math tutoring 2 to 4 p.m. Sundays at the Ocee Library Branch, 5090 Abbotts Bridge Road, Johns Creek.
Tutors will provide math instruction and students should bring an assignment or topic with which they are struggling.
Information: 770-362-8897.
Veronica Fields Johnson
ATLANTA
Clean up at MLK National Historic Site
In celebration of the 20th anniversary of National Public Lands Day, CeeLo Green’s GreenHouse Foundation, the U.S. Department of the Interior and the Environmental Protection Agency will partner with the National Environmental Education Foundation to clean up the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site.
Veronica Fields Johnson
Criminal record forum held today
The Real Effects of a Criminal Record in Georgia forum will be 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 25 Boulevard N.E. Topics will include how to understand criminal records and the impact on individuals and communities, employment discrimination based on a criminal record and the food stamps ban for people with drug felony convictions. Lunch will be provided.
The event is sponsored by the Georgia Justice Project and other community organizations.
Information: www.gjp.org or 404-827-0027.
Veronica Fields Johnson
NAACP will host gun buyback event
The NAACP Atlanta Branch will host a Gun Buy Back Talk from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Howell Park, 983 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd. Information on gun violence and other social issues will be shared. Free food and live entertainment will be available. The event is part of the organization's Atlanta Project Rescue initiative, which focuses on educating and assisting the community on the risks and dangers of domestic violence and black- on- black crime. Information: 404-524-0580. Veronica Fields Johnson
Library to host new and used book sale
The Friends of the Stewart-Lakewood Library will host a fall book sale from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday at the library, 2893 Lakewood Ave. S.W. New and used books will be available, and proceeds will support library programs. Information: 404-762-4054. Veronica Fields Johnson
DEKALB
Possibilities for North Decatur Road
During a community meeting Thursday night DeKalb commissioner Jeff Rader said a "road diet" for North Decatur Road from Clairmont Road to Willivee Drive is potentially "a long-term solution." He said the county and city for now must focus on short-term possibilities, including a sidewalk on the south side, clearing overgrowth and keeping it cleared, and better signage. In the last 17 months both a bicyclist and a pedestrian were killed along that stretch where 19,000 cars travel daily. Bill Banks for the AJC
DeKalb tax installment due Monday
The first installment of property taxes in DeKalb County are due Monday 9/30.
The second installment is due Nov. 15 to avoid late fees. Properties under appeal are billed a reduced amount until the case is decided. April Hunt
Federal grant for school police
DeKalb County won a $919,987 federal grant for ten school resource officers and law enforcement positions, according to U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates in Atlanta.
The money comes from the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, which is giving nearly $45 million nationally to fund 356 new school police positions. The program provides salary and benefits for new hires for three years.
Winners were selected based on need, crime rates and community policing plans, with a focus this year on school safety programs.
Ty Tagami
Lithonia to host collard greens festival
The Metro Atlanta Collard Greens Cultural Festival will be 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. today at Lithonia City Park & Amphitheater, 2501 Park Dr., Lithonia. The event, hosted by the City of Lithonia and the Black is Green Institute, will feature live music, arts and crafts, an African Marketplace, children’s Sproutland, health and wellness pavilion, sustainability pavilion, farmer’s market, a collard greens cook-off and collard green ice cream.
Information: www.collardgreensculturalfestival.com or 678-828-4008. Veronica Fields Johnson
Public invited to rally for football classic
In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Atlanta Football Classic, the 100 Black Men of Atlanta and Hot 107.9 will host a pre-game celebratory kick-off rally from 2 to 5 p.m. today at Sam’s Club, 2994 Turner Hill Rd., Lithonia. The family friendly event will feature food, drinks, music, prizes, face-painting, caricatures and other activities. Atlanta Falcons player Asante Samuels will sign autographs from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. The game is scheduled for Oct. 5 at the Georgia Dome.
Veronica Fields Johnson
Community health and wellness fair scheduled
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Lambda Epsilon Omega Chapter, and the William C. Brown Library will hold a community health and wellness fair from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at the library, 2861 Wesley Chapel Road, Decatur.
The fair will include exercise coaching, games, giveaways and guest speakers. Tests for vision, dental, diabetes, blood glucose and blood pressure and flu vaccines will be available.
Mea Watkins
SOUTHSIDE
Union City firefighter gets five years for child porn
A federal court convicted Justin D. Corley, 31, a Union City firefighter, of collecting and sharing images of child pornography.
He was implicated last November in a Department of Homeland Security sting. In February, federal agents executed a search warrant at Corley's home and seized his laptop, which held more than 9,000 photographs and videos of child pornography. He pleaded guilty and was convicted of these charges in July. Corley was sentenced to five years in prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release. He must pay $1,000 in restitution. Chelsea Cariker
Load bus with books for charity
The Books for Miles Foundation, in partnership with Fulton County's Youth Leadership Academy for Boys, will load a charter bus with hundreds of colorful children's books and wooden bookshelves today. Members will deliver the books and shelves to Sheltering Arms of Union City, Sheltering Arms of Dunbar, and My Sister's House of Atlanta, nonprofits dedicated to serving children. The Books for Miles Foundation collected hundreds of books with the help of the Fulton County Youth Leadership Academy. The Academy, an initiative created by Fulton County District 7 Commissioner Edward Williams, helped collect more than 800 books. Information: www.booksformiles.org
Angela Tuck
Fayette seniors among Merit semifinalists
Ten seniors from Fayette County high schools are among 454 statewide semifinalists for the 2014 National Merit Scholarship Program.
They are Catherine Delage and Menaka Reddy from Fayette; Monica Jamison, Xu Liang, Maria McCranie and Jessica Roberson from McIntosh; James Crew and Austin Palmer from Starr’s Mill; and Davis Hubbard and Samuel Palmer from Whitewater.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
McIntosh musicians chosen for orchestra
Two McIntosh High School band members have been chosen to perform with the Atlanta Youth Symphony Orchestra. First chair trombone player Luke Anders and percussionist Parker Olson competed in a blind audition with more than 300 other students.
The orchestra will begin a three-concert series Nov. 17 in Atlanta.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Dragon Boat races commence today
Peachtree City’s sixth annual Dragon Boat Races will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at Lake Peachtree.
More than 40 teams will compete, and other events include martial arts, music and dancing.
International foods will be offered, as will kids’ activities.
Admission is free.
Information: www.ptcdragonboats.org.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Peachtree City cancels council meeting
The regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council of Peachtree City has been canceled.
The next council meeting will be 7 p.m. Oct. 3 at City Hall.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
