County by county news for Saturday

The $13,800 per week consultant agreement, signed by Brown and the former board chairman, was for Brown to begin work March 1, 2011, a day after he announced his required retirement from the company. The EMC is disputing the contract, and wants Brown to repay an consulting money he has already received.

A hearing on the matter is set for April 3. Janel Davis

Cobb EMC board elects officers

Cobb EMC’s board of directors elected new officers at its monthly meeting this week. Ed Crowell will serve as chairman, David Tennant as vice-chairman and Cheryl Meadows as secretary-treasurer. All of the new officers were elected in November and will serve until Sept. 15 when the next annual meeting will be held.

An election for six new members for the remaining board seats is set for March 31.

EMC members can also access minutes from the monthly board meetings and financial reports by registering online at www.cobbemc.com. Janel Davis

Volunteers needed for tree-planting at park

Volunteers are needed to help Keep Cobb Beautiful, Rotary Club of Marietta and Marietta Tree Keepers plant about 500 seedlings at Kennesaw National Battlefield. The tree planting event will be held at 9 a.m. today .

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and volunteers should park at the Cheatham Hill Road lot, near John Ward Road. They will then take a shuttle to the planting site.

Information: 770-528-1135.

Shelia M. Poole

Powder Springs council heads for retreat

Powder Springs elected officials plan to gather at the state-owned Brasstown Valley Resort and Spa in Young Harris next week for their annual budget retreat. The retreat will last Wednesday through Friday, City Clerk Dawn Davis told the AJC. Davis said partial funding comes from “several sponsors,” but she declined to name them.

Mayor Patricia Vaughn said

“We have to get away with no distractions so that we can work day and night,” Vaughn said. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Campbell students take first place in contest

Campbell Middle School’s Step Team took first place in the 14 and under category at the Disney Step Classic in Orlando. The competition in late February featured teams from across the United States. The team comprises 23 sixth- through eighth-grade students. A dozen of them also won awards for academic achievement. Ty Tagami

17 plots left in Smyrna community garden

A community garden at Smyrna’s North Cooper Lake Park had 17 plots left on Friday available to lease from $40 to $75 for the year.

Keep Smyrna Beautiful director Ann Kirk said the garden with 95 plots total has been popular with city residents since the 52-acre park opened in 2010. Information: akirk@smyrnaga.gov or 770-431-2863. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

GWINNETT

Gwinnett Braves ready for season opener

With the start of spring training this week and the season just six weeks away, the Gwinnett Braves announced the promotions for their fourth season at 10,475-seat Coolray Field on Ga. Highway 20 in Lawrenceville. Included are 11 fireworks shows, giveaways including fleece blankets and replica jerseys, as well as celebrity appearances. The season opens April 12, with the Atlanta Braves’ AAA affiliate hosting Durham at 7:05 p.m. The night will be honor legendary Richmond Braves’ player and manager Tommie Aaron, whose jersey No. 23 will be retired on Coolray’s outfield wall before the game. Michael Alpert for the AJC

Berkeley Lake battles invasive shrubs

The Berkeley Lake Conservancy and Berkeley Lake volunteers completed a Chinese Privet removal project in the green space along Ridge Road. Chinese Privet is an invasive, non-native shrub that spreads quickly, choking out native species.

Information about the Chinese Privet can be found at the Georgia Invasive Species Task Force website, www.gainvasives.org.

Residents who would like to get involved should contact Susan Hanson, Chair of the Berkeley Lake Conservancy through the city’s website, www. berkeley-lake.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Buford wrestler achieves milestone

Buford High’s Chip Ness completed a 44-0 season and ran his high school career to 80-0 by defeating Calhoun’s Hunter Knight for the 170-pound Class AA state championship at the Gwinnett Arena.

After pinning opponents in two of three matches to reach the final, Ness’ 9-2 decision against Knight was a fitting payback. Knight was the linebacker who forced an overtime fumble that led to Calhoun’s winning field goal in the state championship football game against Buford.

Buford’s only other two-time state champion was Heath Bowman (1995-96). Michael Alpert for the ajc

Time to check smoke detectors

When daylight saving time begins March 11, Berkeley Lake reminds residents to set clocks forward one hour, check their smoke detector batteries and donate to a worthy cause.

The city is organizing volunteers to collect canned foods and household items by delivering empty collection bags to residents and will send Can Wagons through the community to collect bags placed by mailboxes before 2 p.m. on the March 11.

Donations will go to the Norcross Cooperative Ministry. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Donate clothes and get free dessert

Rexall Grill in downtown Duluth is accepting donations of gently used clothing to support Rainbow Village’s Gwinnett Thrift Store in Norcross. Rexall Grill is offering customers a free dessert with each donation. Rainbow Village is a transitional housing community for homeless families with children. Duluth Rexall Grill is located at 3165 Buford Highway. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Canton may relax alcohol

rules for city events

Canton residents and visitors may soon be able to imbibe alcohol more freely at downtown festivals. The City Council has asked legal staff to draw up an ordinance allowing creation of designated zones for alcohol consumption during events . The ordinance would replace an existing requirement that alcohol be consumed only in a facility that’s roped off with designated security. Mayor Gene Hobgood says the push for the proposal came from restaurateurs and event promoters. The plan could come back up before the City Council for a vote in mid-March. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Canton woman killed, 6 hurt in wreck

A Canton woman was killed and several people injured in a three-vehicle wreck Thursday afternoon in Cherokee County, according to police.

The wreck shortly after 3 p.m. temporarily closed part of Marietta Highway near exit 14 on I-575 while emergency responders worked to clear the wreck.

Amy Finn Watkins, 31, died at the scene. Six other people were hurt, including three children. Alexis Stevens and Mike Morris

Milton High educator finalist for honor

Milton High School teacher Shelby Steinhauer has been named as one of the 10 finalists for Georgia Teacher of the Year.

Steinhauer is a French teacher with experience leading classrooms in schools worldwide. She has taught in New York, Washington D.C., Nepal and India. Steinhauer is a former Peace Corps volunteer who has traveled the world.

State Department of Education officials said Thursday a panel of judges will conduct video observations an d interview each of the finalists.

The winner will be announced at the Georgia Teacher of the Year banquet June 1. D. Aileen Dodd

Canton to spiff up downtown entrance

Canton officials will hold a public information presentation on planned improvements for Waleska Street next Wednesday.

City Engineer Joby West says the project includes new sidewalks, street lighting, curbing, minor street realignment and guttering designed to provide a more pleasing entrance into downtown.

Work is set to begin this spring.

The hearing is set from 5 to 7 p.m. in the third floor council chambers at City Hall, 151 Elizabeth St. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Webb Bridge school to hold food fest

Fulton County’s Webb Bridge Middle School hosts its 8th annual “Taste of Webb Bridge” from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. March 20. Top restaurants will be dishing out delicacies in the school cafeteria.

Several restaurants will be first-time participants this year. Entertainment will be provided by the Webb Bridge Jazz Band, the Advanced Violin Ensemble and the Dynamic Entertainment’s DJ Randy. A raffle for a new iPad will be part of the festivities.

More info: www.tasteofwebbbridge.com or email Jennifer Gadecki at tasteofwb@gmail.com. The event is open to the public. The school is located at 4455 Webb Bridge Road, Alpharetta. Nancy Badertscher

ATLANTA

Davis: APS uses new way to gauge progress

Atlanta Public Schools is making progress on a new tool to measure student achievement, said Superintendent Erroll Davis in a letter to parents and community members. APS is one of the first districts in the state to launch a “value-added” system, which looks at how much a student grows academically from year-to-year rather than whether they pass or fail a standardized test. “This is a different way of looking at student achievement,” he said. “While we have a long road ahead of us, the route to getting there is getting clearer.” See the letter at: www.atlanta.k12.ga.us. Jaime Sarrio

Georgia Power work to close Howell Mill Road

Atlanta authorities are reminding residents that Howell Mill Road will be temporarily closed to traffic between Huff Road and 17th Street for a Georgia Power transmission line replacement project, which involves large cranes and bucket trucks.

The stretch of Howell Mill, a major corridor in west Atlanta, will be closed Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather permitting. Uniformed officers will be on site to help with detours. Jeremiah McWilliams

Fourth man indicted in gay beating

A fourth man has been indicted with three others accused of brutally beating a gay man in early February.

A Fulton County grand jury indicted Javaris Bradford, 24, along with Dorian Moragne, Darael Demare Williams and Christopher Deon Cain for attacking 20-year-old Brandon White on Feb. 4.

Bradford currently is not in police custody, according to Atlanta Police. Marcus K. Garner

Winslow, Howard to dedicate two homes

Atlanta City Councilwoman Cleta Winslow, consumer advocate Clark Howard and Habitat for Humanity are scheduled to dedicate two new houses on today at noon. The houses are at 1005 Dimmock St., S.W. and 1007 Dimmock St. Two additional homes are slated to be dedicated on March 17 in Council District 4. Jeremiah McWilliams

DEKALB

Teacher accused of sex with girl in classroom

A DeKalb County middle school teacher is accused of having sex with a student in his classroom and at her home, according to police.

Almarcus Dewayne Thomas, 42, of Lithonia, allegedly had a sexual relationship with the 15-year-old girl beginning last March, when the two had sex in his Tucker Middle School classroom, according to arrest warrants.

Thomas was charged with four counts of aggravated child molestation and three counts of statutory rape, the DeKalb school police arrest report states. The teen’s father reported the allegations in December to school system police, who worked with DeKalb County police on the investigation. Alexis Stevens

Keyes Fleming to speak to Smoke Rise students

Gwen Keyes Fleming, Region 4 administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will address the student body at DeKalb County’s Smoke Rise Elementary School on Tuesday, Environmental Awareness Day. Fleming and her staff will teach the students how to become “planet protectors” by recycling, conserving water and reducing air pollution emissions. About 500 students in pre-k through fifth grade will be witnesses to performances by Mother Earth and an Earth Day puppet show. Nancy Badertscher

Agnes Scott to hold memorial tournament

Agnes Scott College is hosting a softball tournament today and Sunday at Oakhurst Field to honor 2006 graduate and former player Laura Giddings, who was murdered in Macon last June. Giddings, 27, also graduated from Mercer Law School. First game begins at 10 a.m. both days and admission is free. Also at Oakhurst, 2 p.m. Sunday, Decatur High is dedicating a monument to former softball player, Madison Lewis, killed in a wreck last Dec. 8. Bill Banks for the AJC

Decatur looks for a slogan

Decatur is asking residents to submit ideas for a slogan reflecting the city’s abundance of independent businesses. Linda Harris, Assistant Director of Community and Economic Development, said, “We want the slogan to reflect our emphasis on shopping local, eating local, and hiring local.” It’s hoped, she added, the slogan will be posted on businesses, tee shirts and bumper stickers. Decatur has no current slogan though its logo is “City of Homes, Schools and Places of Worship.” The contest runs until March 16 and ideas should be sent to Catherine.Lee@decaturga.com. Bill Banks for the AJC

Recycling drive for hazardous waste

Keep DeKalb Beautiful will sponsor a recycling drive for household hazardous waste on March 31 at the county’s central transfer station. Examples of electronic equipment to be accepted are: adhesives, aerosols, batteries, cleaners, flammables, fluorescent lights, lawn-care products, .mercury, paints and photo and swimming pool chemicals. Items not accepted include bio-hazards, medical and agricultural waste, pharmaceuticals and non-hazardous waste. The event runs from 8 a.m. to noon March 31 at the central transfer station, 3720 Leroy Scott Dr., Decatur.

Information: 404-371 – 2654 or kdb@dekalbcountyga.gov. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Disabled offered help getting to polls Tuesday

Disabled persons who need help casting Super Tuesday ballots in Fulton County, including alternative formats, can get reasonable accommodations by calling the Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Affairs Office at 404-612-7390. Other than Atlanta’s sales tax referendum, all Fulton ballots are solely for choosing a presidential contender. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday. To find a polling place, call 404-612-7020 or go to www.fultoncountyga.gov. Absentee ballots are due to Registration and Elections at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Johnny Edwards

Purchasing department to hold seminar

Fulton’s Purchasing and Contract Compliance Department is holding a series of free Constant Contact seminars to help small businesses boost sales through social media and e-mail marketing.

Attendees can learn to promote products, services and events.

The second of three seminars, “Integrating E-mail Marketing with Social Media,” will be Thursday from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the purchasing department, 130 Peachtree St., S.W., Suite 1168, downtown Atlanta.

Registration: www.fultoncountyga.gov/vendor-training/socialmediaemail.

Information: 404-612-5800. Johnny Edwards

Fayette project helps homeless children

Students, teachers and staff from Fayette County’s Alternative School recently participated in the United Way’s 2012 Shoebox Project for homeless children. The group filled and decorated 25 boxes with crayons, coloring books, toys, pencils, toothbrushes and other items. Students also wrote encouraging messages inside the boxes. The United Way will distribute the boxes on Mother’s Day. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Peachtree City signs deal for development

The City Council of Peachtree City is finalizing an agreement with the Fayette County Development Authority to address economic development.

As part of a “strategic partnership,” the city will pay the county $75,000 a year to help fund a new staff member who will work in both jurisdictions to promote business retention and expansion.

The arrangement, discussed Thursday , saves Peachtree City the expense of having a separate economic development coordinator. The position is scheduled to start in April. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Henry 2012 STAR student recognized

Jonathan D. James of Union Grove High School was named the 2012 STAR Student for Henry County during a March 1 breakfast hosted by the Henry County Chamber of Commerce Education Committee.

James selected Sandra Swindall as his STAR Teacher. The Student/Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) event recognized seniors from 13 public and private high schools in Henry County whose GPA ranks in the top ten percent of their class and who have the highest Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores from their respective schools. Monroe Roark for the AJC