COBB
Man charged in $5.5 million ID theft scheme
Bradford Thomas, 46, of Acworth, was arraigned Thursday on multiple charges of wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and theft of government funds after being indicted by a federal grand jury last week, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
The scam ran from January 2010 through May 2013, using the names and social security numbers of victims — including inmates — to file fraudulent tax returns claiming more than $5.5 million in refunds. The money was directed to be deposited into bank accounts controlled by Thomas or people working with him, according to officials. Angel K. Brooks
West Cobb Business Association to meet
Wear your favorite team jersey at the annual pep rally luncheon of the West Cobb Business Association at 11:15 a.m. Tuesday at Lost Mountain Baptist Church, 5400 Old Dallas Road, Powder Springs.
Cost: $15, members; $20, guests. Information: westcobbbusiness.com/events.html#luncheon.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Taiji courses offered at Marietta church
Two 10-week sessions of Taiji (Tai Chi) are set to begin in September at The First Presbyterian Church of Marietta, 189 Church St. The low-intensity movements of Taiji aim to improve muscle strength, circulation, balance, flexibility, and posture, and promote increased relaxation and mental alertness.
Day and evening sessions will be available. The first evening class is scheduled for 5 p.m. Sept. 11; the first day class will take place at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 12
Information: www.KalilaTAIJI.com or 770-427-0293 or www.fpcmarietta.org. Mea Watkins
Cumberland CID Board of Directors to meet
The Cumberland Community Improvement District Board of Directors will meet at 7:30 a.m. Thursday at the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, 240 Interstate North Parkway, Atlanta. Information: Melissa Crook 770-859-2357. Veronica Fields Johnson
Acworth police to help special needs athletes
The Acworth Police Department will host the Covering the Bases fundraiser from 7 p.m. Sept. 13 through 7 p.m. Sept. 14 at Horizon Field within the Acworth Sports Complex, 4000 S Main St., Acworth.
Proceeds from the event will support scholarships for special needs athletes, provide equipment for the participants and maintenance for the only special needs ball field in Cobb County. Admission is free but donations are requested.
Information: Capt. Tony Bailey at 770-974-1232 or www.acworth.org/covering-the-bases. Veronica Fields Johnson
Cobb seeking diaper donations in October
Cobb will hold its fifth annual “diaper day” to collect diapers for low-income families through the month of October.
A collection will take place at 5 p.m. Oct. 28 at Glover Park on the Marietta Square. All donated diapers will be given to C.A.M.P., the Center for Family Resources, MUST Ministries, Reconnecting Families and the YWCA of Northwest Georgia.
Information: Barbara Hickey, Cobb Diaper Day Committee, esatlanta@bellsouth.net.
Jaime Sarrio
GWINNETT
Trickum Middle gaining safety upgrades
Gwinnett will add dual left turn lanes from Arcado Road onto Killian Hill Road, a new sidewalk and a 1,300-foot right turn lane on the north side of Killian Hill into Trickum Middle School. 2009 SPLOST funds will cover the $979,352 improvements. The work also includes drainage improvements in the area, traffic signal upgrades and timing, new curb and gutter and striping. “We combined these two projects to avoid multiple disruptions as we work to improve school safety in this area,” said Kim Conroy, Gwinnett’s transportation director.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Relay for Life needs committee members
Gwinnett Relay For Life is seeking individuals to participate on the 2014 Relay For Life Committee. The American Cancer Society event, which honors cancer survivors and pays tribute to those fighting cancer, needs creative, take charge individuals who enjoy exceeding goals. Volunteer applications available at www.cancer.org under Get Involved.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Berkeley Lake seeks fall candidates
Berkeley Lake will accept applications for candidates to fill council spots during qualifying beginning 11 a.m. Monday until 4 p.m. Thursday at City Hall, 4040 S. Berkeley Lake Road.
Information: www.berklake.org/org/info/election.html or call George Sipe at 770-446-8432.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Seniors can register for computer classes
Gwinnett SenioR Learning Center will hold fall registration for senior computer classes from 10 a.m. to noon on Sept. 10 at the Bethesda Park Senior Center, 225 Bethesda Church Road, Lawrenceville and from 10 a.m. to noon on Sept. 11 at George Pierce Park Community Center, 55 Buford Highway, Suwanee. Classes will begin the week of Sept. 16.
Information: www.gsrlc.org or 770-564-4699.
Veronica Fields Johnson
Garage sale to benefit Alzheimer’s walk
The Eastside Heritage Center and the H2U-Health to You program will host a garage sale to support the Alzheimer’s Memory Walk from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6 and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, at the Eastside Heritage Center, 2160 Fountain Dr., Snellville.
Food will be available for purchase from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, with all proceeds donated to the Alzheimer’s Association. The event will take place rain or shine. Information: 770-982-2358. Mea Watkins
SPCA to host low-cost pet vaccination clinic
The Georgia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will host a low cost pet vaccination clinic from 1 to 4 p.m. today at the Georgia SPCA, 1175 Buford Highway, Suwanee.
Services offered include shots for rabies, distemper and bordetella, heartworm tests and microchip.
No appointment is needed and all proceeds from the clinic will benefit the services of the organization.
All dogs should be on a leash and all cats in carriers. Information: 678-765-2726. Veronica Fields Johnson
NORTHSIDE
Sex ed materials on display in Fulton schools
Fulton County Schools wants parents, school employees and other community members to give feedback on sex education materials. The state Board of Education requires that all materials dealing with human sexuality and HIV/AIDS be approved by the Health Education Advisory Committee and the local school board in each district. Materials are on display at Independence High, Alpharetta; Ridgeview Charter School, Sandy Springs; Fulton County Schools Administrative Center, Atlanta through Sept. 25.
Wayne Washington
Church to host mini job fair
Roswell United Methodist Church will host a Job Networking Mini Job Fair beginning at 12:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 26 at the church, 814 Mimosa Blvd., Roswell. Participants can attend career workshops, learn how to develop a professional resume, practice interviewing skills with a job coach and have a LinkedIn photo taken. Dinner is free, but a $3 donation will be accepted. Information: www.rumcjobnetworking.com or 770-993-6218. Veronica Fields Johnson
Canton approves fiscal 2014 budget
The Canton City Council has given final approval to its 2014 budget, at $31.2 million. The budget leaves the millage rate unchanged at 6.80. Council members made cuts to proposed firefighter hires and other changes to back off an earlier proposal to hike the millage rate to 7.98. The budget does contain a 3% raise for city employees. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Theater night at Roswell arts center
The Roswell Historical Society will host a theater night featuring the dress rehearsal of Almost Heaven: John Denver’s America 5:30 p.m. Sept. 3 at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St.
A reception will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the Roswell Archives, located on the second floor of the Cultural Arts Center. Showtime is at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $20 per person, available at the Roswell Historical Society. Tickets may also be purchased, by check only, at the Roswell Visitors Center, 617 Atlanta St.
Information: www.roswellhistoricalsociety.org. For information on Georgia Ensemble Theatre visit www.get.org.Mea Watkins
Library has grand opening today
The Forsyth County Public Library plans a grand opening for its new fourth branch from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. today at 5010 Post Road. The 23,500-square-foot Post Road Branch is located in west Forsyth near the Drew Campground/Kelly Mill Road Intersection.
The $7.2 million facility was funded by SPLOST VI and a state grant.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Woodstock may change noise ordinance
The Woodstock City Council may approve a revision of the city’s noise regulation. The change would replace the current up-to-$100 per violation fine with escalating penalties of up to $1,000. City Manager Jeff Moon says complaints about outdoor music downtown triggered the proposal, which will be up for final adoption Sept 9.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
ATLANTA
Voter registration training event planned
The League of Women Voters of Atlanta Fulton County will mark the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington with a voter registration training event 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Fulton County Government Center, Voter Registration Office, 141 Pryor St. S.W., Suite 2186. Free and open to the public. Reservations: ltanya@grierlawofficepc.com on or before Aug. 26.
Information: kygrier@grierlawofficepc.com or 404-658-9999. Mea Watkins
Fundraiser to benefit Gigi’s Playhouse
A craft beer tasting and brewery tour to benefit Gigi’s Playhouse Atlanta Down Syndrome Achievement Center will take place 7 to 10 p.m. Sept. 6 at Monday Night Brewing, 670 Trabert Ave. N.W. Tickets, $29 in advance and $35 at the door, include beer tasting, light food and live music.
Tickets: gigisplayhouse.org/atlanta/atlanta-events. Sponsorship information: 404-384-5613. Mea Watkins
Applications accepted for advisory council
The Georgia Department of Education encourages APS high school students to apply for Student Advisory Council.
Applications will be accepted through Sept. 13.Members will meet with State School Superintendent John Barge three times during the school year.
Student Advisory Council members will discuss with the superintendent how state-level decisions affect students, and act as liaisons between the DOE and their schools.
Information: rculver@doe.k12.ga.us. Mark Niesse
Schools participate in ad-free Web program
Atlanta Public Schools is one of the first school systems in the nation to participate in a Microsoft Corp. program that allows students to search the Web through Bing.com without advertisements.
The Bing for Schools pilot program aims to avoid the commercialization of student Web searches and adds filters to block adult content. Mark Niesse
DEKALB
New plan pleases neighborhood group
Good Growth DeKalb didn’t specifically endorse the new plan for Decatur Crossing that Fuqua Development presented this week. But Co-Chairman Louise Runyon was clearly pleased the developer removed a five-story apartment unit from the proposed retail center at North Decatur Road and Scott Boulevard.
“It’s great that we forced them to change,” she said. “The original plans had tremendous community opposition.”
Current plans call for a 50,000 square-foot center, the largest tenant a 25,000 square-foot “health food grocery” that Fuqua declined to name.”
Bill Banks for the AJC
Boil water advisory canceled in Tucker
A boil water advisory was canceled in the Tucker area on Thursday, the DeKalb County Watershed Division said.
A temporary fluctuation in water system pressure Wednesday could have posed a health hazard, which led to the advisory, the county said. In an abundance of caution, the county urged citizens to boil all water prior to use for drinking, cooking or preparing baby food.
DeKalb technicians working with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division collected and tested water samples and canceled the boil water advisory when the review was completed.
Information: Watershed Department at 770-391-6015. Alexis Stevens
4 arrested in Dunwoody shooting
Sabor Crosby, 33, Lois Romine, 35, Anthony Thompson, 41, and Michael Williams, 26 — were charged with aggravated assault n connection with a shooting at a Dunwoody apartment building, police said.
Crosby also was charged with burglary and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Additional charges are pending, police said.
Officers found a wounded man Sunday afternoon inside his fourth-floor apartment at the Terraces of Dunwoody on Dunwoody Park Drive with the person who called 911. The man was transported to the hospital, where he remained Thursday in stable condition.
The victim knows the suspects, who allegedly were in his apartment when a fight started and weapons were drawn, police said. The victime returned fire after he was shot, hitting Crosby in the forehead. Angel K. Brooks
Autumn equinox storytelling event set
A fundraising event marking the autumnal equinox will take place at 2 p.m. Sept. 21 at the Fernbank Science Center, 156 Heaton Park Drive N.E. “Stories Among the Stars” will feature members of the Southern Order of Storytellers who will share tales of the autumn constellations underneath the starlit night sky of the center’s planetarium dome. .
Cost: $10. Tickets: www.fernbank.edu. Mea Watkins
Clarkston offering weekly farmers market
A $89,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture grant paid for an expansion of both the market and a subscriber-based fresh food program in Clarkston.
The weekly market will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays at the Clarkston Community Center’s activity field off College Avenue. Updates are available on the community center’s Facebook page. April Hunt
SOUTHSIDE
Woman killed in Union City shooting
A Fulton County Public Works employee discovered a woman in the middle of McClure Road off Ga. 92 shortly after 9 a.m. Friday, dead of apparent gunshot wounds, according to Union City police. A man was found lying in the woods near the side of the road, also suffering from gunshot wounds.
The man, whose name has not been released, was taken to a local hospital for treatment, said Hodgson, who didn’t know the man’s condition. Police have also not identified the woman. Mike Morris
Fayette water employees disciplined
Five employees at the Fayette County Water System have been disciplined following an investigation of recent water quality problems.
The actions include performance improvement plans, suspensions without pay, probationary periods, pay classification and title changes.
County Manager Steve Rapson said all water system personnel will undergo retraining.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Fayette schools revise naming policy
New schools and related buildings in Fayette County may no longer be named after individuals. The Fayette County Board of Education adopted a new policy Monday stating that “school facilities shall be named for geographic locations, streets and other landmarks.”
The policy was adopted to avoid potential controversy and conflicts, and does not affect existing buildings.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Frozen yogurt fundraiser today
The Southern Crescent Walk to End Alzheimer’s will host a fundraiser 2 to 8 p.m. today at TCBY, 532 Crosstown Drive, Peachtree City. TCBY will donate $1 for every 16 oz. of yogurt sold. Information: Sue Shaffer at alzwalkshaffer@aol.com.
Veronica Fields Johnson
Festival, fireworks reset for Labor Day
The Henry County Fireworks Extravaganza - originally scheduled for July 4 but rained out - will take place Labor Day, Sept. 2, at Nash Farm Park near Hampton. The Henry County Board of Commissioners approved the new date at its Aug. 6 meeting. Information: www.hcfireworks.com.
Monroe Roark for the AJC
Workshop offers
end-of-life planning
Piedmont Fayette Hospital and Fayette Senior Services will host a workshop on “The Importance of End-of-Life Planning” 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 29 at the Life Enrichment Center, Fayetteville. cludes lunch; pre-register at 770-461-0813. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Grant funds available in Stockbridge
The Stockbridge City Council is taking applications from local nonprofits competing for a portion of $100,000 available in the city’s Community Partnership Grant Program.
Application deadline is Aug. 28. Information: www.cityofstockbridge.com.Monroe Roark for the AJC
