County by county news for Saturday

The court ruled in favor of former employee Anthony Mitten, who is white and worked as a supervisor at Lockheed’s plant in Marietta. Mitten was fired in May 2005 after he received and then forwarded to his supervisor a racially insensitive e-mail about blacks. Mitten sued Lockheed in 2006 after he learned that two black employees had transmitted racist e-mails targeting whites but had only received temporary suspensions. Bill Rankin

Coke memorabilia meet at Cobb Galleria

More than 1,000 collectors of Coca-Cola memorabilia are gathering this weekend at the Waverly Hotel at the Cobb Galleria for the 37th annual convention of the Coca-Cola Collectors Club. Over 1,000 people representing 15 countries registered for the convention. A free swap meet and memorabilia sale is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Information can be found at http://www.cocacolaclub.org/

The Coca-Cola Collectors Club, established in 1974 to promote the preservation and collection of Coke memorabilia, is independent and not sponsored by Coca-Cola Co. Jeremiah McWilliams

Marietta takes aim at mosquito problems

Marietta is handling mosquito problems this year by dropping briquettes or dunks into standing water, creeks and ponds. The city advises residents to remove standing water on their property. Public Works spokesman Scott Lawler said that spraying for the mosquitos doesn’t kill the source, the larvae. He said instead the city upon request will send workers to property with mosquito problems. Call Public Works at 770-794-5676. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Powder Springs ready for Fourth celebration

Around 20,000 are expected on the Fourth of July to see the fireworks in downtown Powder Springs. From 4 to 10 p.m. Monday, this 16th Annual Independence Day Celebration will include, concerts, food and fireworks starting at around 9:45 p.m. Table reservations are available at $50 each.

Information: JRM Management Services, Inc., Bill Watson, 770-423-1330, billwatson@jrmmanagement.com or Kim Peterson, 770-943-8001 ext. 307, ktpeterson@cityofpowdersprings.org. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Police probe death of Powder Springs woman

Powder Springs Police are investigating a woman’s death Thursday after officers performed a welfare check at a home in the 3800 block of Deercreek Drive. Upon arrival at 10:35 p.m., officers found the 53-year-old Melodie Lynn Hudson-Honea, of Powder Springs. The cause of death is under investigation. Andria Simmons

Arrest made in Marietta man’s shooting death

A suspect is in custody for the killing of Tommy Lee Buck who was shot in the head last weekend in Cartersville. Bartow County Police and the U.S. Marshals Service Metro Atlanta Fugitive Task Force arrested Antonio Linley of Emerson on Thursday. Authorities are not releasing information on the motive. Alaya Boykin

GWINNETT

Deputies find stolen goods, drugs in search

Gwinnett County Sheriff’s deputies on Friday found a stolen motorcycle, stolen vehicle and a small amount of marijuana and methamphetamine while serving warrants in Lawrenceville.

Deputies went to a Victoria Station Boulevard address to arrest Michael Gibson, 30, and Brent Wilson, 29. Gibson was wanted for theft and violating probation. He faces a new charge of possessing methamphetamine. Wilson was wanted for false report of a crime. He was charged with an animal neglect for leaving a pit bull without food or water. Martin Gregerson, 33, was charged with possessing marijuana. Andria Simmons

Brown bag concert on courthouse lawn July 8

Gwinnett County will hold a brown bag concert from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 8 at the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse lawn, 185 E. Crogan St., Lawrenceville. Scott Douglas Steel Drums will perform. Residents can bring a sack lunch and a blanket to watch the show. The event also will feature crafts, face painting and vendors. David Wickert

Students donate benches to Suwanee

As part of a community service project, 600 students at North Gwinnett Middle School have donated six stone and mosaic-style benches to Suwanee.

The benches were presented to the City Council on June 21 and were installed at PlayTown Suwanee on Main Street earlier this week.

The eighth-grade class project was organized by parents Heather Thomas and Joni Baraban and North Gwinnett art teacher Jennifer Droske. Each student created a small clay tile that adorns the tops of the six benches. Joel Anderson

Lilburn CID receives $700,000 grant

The Lilburn Community Improvement District has been awarded a $700,000 grant from the Georgia Department of Transportation to build a multi-use pedestrian trail.

The grant stems from the Lilburn CID’s Highway 29 Corridor Study, which has been approved by the Livable Centers Initiative and thus makes it eligible for several sources of funding.

This award comes on the heels of the Lilburn CID having a second trail project make it through the first round of the upcoming Transportation Improvement Act Project List. Joel Anderson

Duluth launches new season of block parties

Duluth has announced the start of a new series of block parties on the second Thursday of each month.

Called the “No Reason Block Party,” city officials said the parties will be held on the Town Green in downtown Duluth. The series will kick off on July 14 with a performance from “Smokey’s Farmland Band.”

Information: www.duluthga.net. Joel Anderson

Duluth festivities to have concerts, fireworks

Festivities begin Sunday at 4 p.m. with family fun, concerts and fireworks will at 10 p.m. Three concerts of varying genres from party bands to jazz will be at Scott Hudgens Park in the River Green Business Park. Admission and parking is free. Alaya Boykin

NORTHSIDE

Centennial student wins national post

A rising senior at Centennial High School in Roswell was elected SkillsUSA Region 2 National Vice-President on June 24 at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference.

Diego Carvallo was among nearly 40 students from across the country running for more than a dozen national leadership positions. As a national officer, he will meet with state and national leaders on education and workforce related issues. SkillsUSA is a national non-profit organization of students, teachers and industry. Ty Tagami

Take a bike ride down Ga. 400

There is still time to register for the Hospitality Highway Century Bike Ride, scheduled for July 10. The ride starts at exit 7 of Ga. 400, and will wind through Sandy Springs, Milton, Roswell, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, and other scenic areas of North Fulton. Registration is $40, before July 3, $45 after, including the day of the event, and includes a t-shirt, food, water and full mechanical support along the route. The ride, which is open to anyone 14 and older, has 9-mile, 22-mile, 60-mile, and 100-mile options. Information and to register, visit www.400century.com. Michelle E. Shaw

Cumming to display fireworks on Sunday

The City of Cumming is staging its Independence Day fireworks show a day earlier this year, on July 3, at the Cumming Fairgrounds, 235 Castleberry Rd., starting around 9 p.m. Food vendors will be on site as the festivities begin at 6 p.m. A band will perform at 7:30. After the fireworks display, there will be a dance competition at 10 p.m. Admission is free. Information:www.cummingfair.net/html/4th_of_july.html. Jeffry Scott

Doughnut eating champ to defend title

Last year the winner in last year’s Dutch Monkey Doughnuts Independence Day Doughnut Eating Competition, Sam Smart, wolfed a dozen glazed in 15 minutes. He and two other finalists will meet to eat on Sundayat 1 p.m. at the store at 3075 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Cumming. A child competition is at noon. There’s a hot dog sale and raffle, with proceeds going to go benefit Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Information: www.dutchmonkeydoughnuts.com Jeffry Scott

Leadership Johns Creek graduates new class

Leadership Johns Creek completed its second year by graduating 29 class members. The program is designed to develop leadership talent in individuals from business, civic, volunteer, and religious organizations.

Participants learned about business, government, community quality of life and local history. The 2011-12 session begins in September. Information: www.LeadershipJohnsCreek.com or 770-495-0545, ext. 106. Patrick Fox

Milton’s Crabapple group ready to celebrate

Milton’s Crabapple Community Association will hold a parade at 9:30 a.m. Independence Day. Participants should gather at 9 a.m. at the Braeburn Commercial buildings on Birmingham Highway. Parking is available at Crabapple Baptist Church. Information: 770-448-3860. Patrick Fox

ATLANTA

Downtown building join for energy efficiency

The City of Atlanta, businesses and nonprofit organizations are uniting upgrade energy efficiency in Atlanta’s 220 block downtown improvement district.

The goal is to improve energy performance by 20 percent by 2020.

They expect to partner with banks, funds energy service companies and others to do retrofits of downtown university, healthcare, municipal, and commercial buildings.

The retrofits alone are expected to exceed 2 million square feet.

It is part of the Better Buildings Challenge Community Partners being spearheaded by the U.S. Department of Energy. Steve Visser

Housing Authority helps seniors connect online

Atlanta Housing Authority is connecting its tenants via the web at eight of its 11 senior living properties this week.

Connected Living provides the secure web portal for seniors and the disabled who live in apartments at Barge Road Highrise, Hightower Manor, Piedmont Road Highrise, Marian Road Highrise, Georgia Avenue Highrise, Marietta Road NW Highrise, Juniper and 10th Highrise, and East Lake Highrise.

Residents will be able to surf the web and keep up with continuing education programs and health services. Steve Visser

Exhibit on Robert Smalls starts Tuesday

An exhibit starts Tuesday at the Auburn Avenue Research Library on the life of Robert Smalls, a slave who freed himself and his family by commandeering a Confederate transport ship and later served in the South Carolina state legislature and the U.S. House of Representatives.

The traveling exhibition, sponsored by the National Black Arts Festival, will have visual displays, artifacts, pictures and other memorabilia.

On July 24 at 3 p.m., historian Donald Sweeper will do a reenactment of Smalls.

The library is at 101 Auburn Avenue in downtown Atlanta. Johnny Edwards

DEKALB

Two ex-DFACS guilty in food stamp scheme

Two former Division of Family and Children Services employees have pleaded guilty to their roles in a scheme to steal $600,000 in food stamps.

Gene Tell, of East Point, and Kristy Nicole Williams, of Decatur, both of whom worked for DeKalb County DFCS, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and wire fraud charges in federal court in Atlanta.

State Attorney General Sam Olens, whose office helped prosecute the case, said Tell and Williams “stole hundreds of thousands of dollars intended for some of our neediest citizens who rely on assistance to put food on the table.” Bill Rankin

Schools to hold hearings on millage rates

The DeKalb County Schools will hold the first of three public hearings on the millage rate at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

The school system sets the millage rate each year. It determines how much property owners must pay in property taxes to the school system.

The other hearings are noon and 6 p.m. July 11.

They all occur at the school system’s administrative complex, 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd., Stone Mountain. Ty Tagami

Blood drive Monday in Dunwoody Village

The LifeSouth Community Bloodmobile will be in Dunwoody Village Monday, from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. All blood donors will be entered into a drawing for a digital camera/camcorder that will be given away. Michelle E. Shaw

St. Anthony’s schedules wine classes

Here is one class you may not expect to find in church.

Don Reddicks, a wine expert, will explain how religious orders developed different wines.

The event, sponsored by the Order of St. Anthony the Great, will be held during five weekly classes beginning July 11 at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, 4755 N. Peachtree Road. Classes start at 7:30 p.m.

Wine sample and light refreshments will be served. The cost is $10 per person, per class or $40 for all five. To reserve a spot email: br.kenneth@gmail.com. Shelia Poole

Teens invited to life-sized Monopoly game

Teens looking for big fun this weekend should check out the life-size Monopoly game, Saturday, from 2:30 p.m. until 4 p.m., at the Doraville library, 3748 Central Ave., Doraville. The event is part of the library’s Saturday Teen Zone and is free and open to the public.Information: 770-936-3852. Michelle E. Shaw

Dunwoody residents learn about fire safety

DeKalb County Fire Rescue Public Education Unit and the City of Dunwoody are offering fire safety training to teach residents and businesses how to prevent fires, how to respond to one safely and drive home the importance of exit drills.

The course is open to citizens in DeKalb county and Dunwoody residents.

The course will be at Dunwoody City Hall, 41 Perimeter Center East, suite 103, on July 18 from 10:30 a.m.to 11:30 a.m. or 2:30 p.m.to 3:30 p.m. and July 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 3 p.m. 4 p.m. Call 678-406-7748 or visit www.dunwoodyga.gov. Steve Visser

SOUTHSIDE

County to hold classes on booster seat safety

Georgia’s new Booster Seat Law went into effect July 1, and Fulton County’s Safe Kids Division is offering free child safety seat workshops. Certified safety technicians will teach parents and caregivers about the law’s requirements, as well as proper car seat and booster seat installation.

The next workshop will be Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Emory Medical Building, 49 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive, Atlanta, near Grady Memorial Hospital. Registration: 404-613-1309 or www.fultoncountygahealth.org. Johnny Edwards

Woman found dead in car at gas station

The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s office Friday was trying to determine the identity of a woman found dead Thursday inside a car at a Fairburn gas station. The woman, who had apparently been shot at another location, was discovered around 11 p.m. at a Citgo station on Ga. 74 at I-85.

The woman was not carrying any identification. Mike Morris

CSU hold business financing seminar

The Clayton State University Small Business Development Center is holding an “Alternative Financing in Today’s Marketplace” Seminar on July 25 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Henry County Chamber of Commerce, 1709 Hwy. 20 West in McDonough. The free seminar is sponsored by Borrego Springs Bank NA. Registration is required. Details: http://www.georgiasbdc.org/?page_name=description&product=110728&referrer=view_classes&city=Morrow

Tammy Joyner

Peachtree City adds weather siren

Peachtree City has added another weather siren to its system and revised its storm warning policy. The new siren was installed at Peachtree City Christian Church at Ga. 74 and Kedron Drive.

Sirens will sound during tornado warnings and/or if there is a confirmed tornado sighting in Fayette County. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

East Point set for holiday celebration

Residents on the southside can head Monday to the heart of downtown East Point for the oldest and largest July Fourth celebration in south Fulton County, “Salute to the Red, White and Blue Hometown Celebration.” The celebration is held across from the East Point MARTA station and East Point City Hall. This fun filled event features activities for the whole family, including a professional carnival complete with carousel and a Ferris wheel, rides, games and more. The evening’s fireworks show starts at 9:30 p.m. Patrons are invited to bring blankets and chairs to the event. John Thompson for the AJC

Homebuyer workshop to held July 8

A U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department-approved housing counseling agency will hold a homebuyer workshop July 8 at the Lang Carson Community Center, 100 Flat Shoals Ave., S.E., Atlanta, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The class covers mortgage loans, inspections, appraisals, credit reports, working with Realtors, down payment assistance and legal rights. The cost is $30. Information: 404-525-4130 Ext. 17. Johnny Edwards