County by county news for Thursday

The suspects were each charged with four counts of burglary, with additional charges pending. Marietta police detectives, in collaboration with Smyrna police, Georgia Power and Marietta Board of Lights and Water, have been using surveillance cameras and other devices to combat the epidemic. Mike Morris

Cobb board votes against censuring peer

Cobb County’s school board voted 4-3 against censuring board member David Banks Wednesday. Board member Kathleen Angelucci proposed censuring Banks for entering schools without administrators’ permission and sending false information in his newsletter during this summer’s Post 5 board race. Daarel Burnette II

Veterans build in Acworth progresses

Call2Recycle, a free rechargeable battery and cellphone collection program, has donated funds and volunteers for Sept. 6 and Sept. 13 to assist the North West Metro Atlanta Habitat for Humanity with the veterans build in Acworth.

The build is named the Ivey House in honor of WWII veteran Colonel Ashley Ivey, who donated land with the wish that a home be built for a disabled veteran. Information: 770-432-7954 or www.nwmetroatlantahabitat.org. Kenneth Musisi

Austell mayor names board members

Austell Mayor Joe Jerkins named a replacement Monday by for one of five members of the Austell Area Community Improvement Commission.

Members recommend community improvement expenditures on interest from the city’s $5 million Norfolk Southern settlement fund.

Ollie Clemons, replacing Merle Cato, will serve through Dec. 15, 2015 with Dennis Perrin and the Rev. Marvin (Doc) Frady. Judy Still and Dr. Gary Bullard will serve through Dec. 31, 2014.Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Citizen police academy enrollment open

Enrollment for the Kennesaw Police Department’s Citizens Police Academy program is ongoing through Sept. 25. The 11 sessions will be 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursdays starting Sept. 27. Applicants must be at least 21 years-old and submit to a criminal history check.

Applications are available at www.kennesaw-ga.gov. Information: Officer Scott Luther at 770-919-0651 or sluther@kennesaw-ga.gov.

Kenneth Musisi

Marietta church holds consignment sale

Due West United Methodist Church’s Treasure Chest Consignment Sale will be at its Family Life Center, 3956 Due West Road, Marietta. Admission is free and strollers are welcome.

Sale dates are 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. today 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. FridayS; and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday .

Gently used clothing, accessories, shoes, electronics, books, etc. are for sale.

Information: www.duewest.org or email duewesttreasurechest@yahoo.comKenneth Musisi

GWINNETT

Chamber official Moran retiring at year’s end

The Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce announced that Jim Moran, its CEO since 2003, plans to retire at the end of this year.

The former Motorola executive is credited with navigating the Chamber through its most difficult economic times.

No successor has been named for the non-profit, member-funded business organization of more than 2,000 companies.

MICHAEL ALPERT FOR THE AJC

Animal adoption this weekend in Suwanee

The Companion Animal Rescue League and the Georgia SPCA will host an animal adoption fair from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at PetSmart, 3630 Peachtree Parkway, Suwanee.

The event will feature animal adoptions, face painting and other children’s activities. For more information, visit www.georgiaspca.org.

David Wickert

Parents sought to review curriculum

The Gwinnett County school system is asking parents and community members to join in a review of some new curriculum materials. All materials must align with the school system’s Academic Knowledge and Skills curriculum. During this year’s review, scheduled to run Sept. 17-28, GCPS staff and community members will review non-fiction books for grades K-12, teacher resources for grades K-8 Language Arts, and Advanced Placement Latin materials. The review will take place at the instructional support center, 437 Old Peachtree Road, Suwanee, and will be held 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday - Friday through Sept. 28; 5 - 8 p.m. Sept. 20; and 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sept. 22.

Nancy Badertscher

Doll party on the square in Lawrenceville

Gwinnett Parks & Rec invites girls age 4 and up to bring their favorite doll for a fashion show, dancing, games and a dessert buffet 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday at Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, 185 Crogan St.,Lawrenceville.

The cost is $9 and includes a souvenir photo and craft.

An adult must accompany child. Pre-register at 770-822-5450 or www.gwinnettcounty.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Parks and Rec hosts senior sock hop

Gwinnett Parks & Rec is hosting a classic sock-hop 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday with Prime Timers Pointe at George Pierce Park, 55 Buford Hwy. in Suwanee.

The cost is $8 for those age 50 and up. Preregister at 678-277-0910 or at www.gwinnettcounty.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

North Gwinnett Tag office closed Saturday

The North Gwinnett Tag Office at 2735 Mall of Georgia Blvd. in Buford will be closed Saturday for computer maintenance.

Internet and telephone renewals will not be available from 7 p.m. Friday until 6 a.m. Monday. Information: www.GwinnettTaxCommissioner.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Woman dies after struck by hit-and-run driver

Lanshen Pan, 67, of Sandy Springs died overnight at North Fulton Hospital afrter being struck by a hit-and-run driver. Witnesses said Pan was walking southbound along Roswell Road and crossed Hightower Trail at about 8:11 p.m. when she was hit by a dark-colored sport-utility vehicle turning onto Hightower Trail.

Anyone with information about the accident or the vehicle should contact Investigator Shelly Weed at 770-551-6939 or Sandy Springs Call Center, 770-730-5600. A reward of up to $2,000 is being offered. Mike Morris

Contract awarded for Forsyth jail project

Forsyth County Commissioners Tuesday voted 5-0 to award the nearly $4 million engineering and architectural contract for the planned courthouse and jail expansion project to Wakefield Beasley and associates.

Final approval is expected Sept. 20. Voters approved the $100 million jail-courthouse plan in November. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Vendors wanted for Rosewell festival

Vendors are being sought for a community festival taking place at 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 13 in conjunction with the popular pumpkin patch at Bridge to Grace Church, 2385 Holcomb Bridge Road, Roswell.

The festival will include live music, a clown, a kids’ maze and more. Proceeds will go to community projects that include Project LIFT, a free mentoring program for at-risk middle and high school students.

Vendor fees are $50. Applications due Sept. 15, are available at www.b2gc.org.

Information: Roxanne Hester at 404-247-7901. Kenneth Musisi

Woodstock switches garbage hauler

The city of Woodstock will switch to a new residential trash-hauling firm effective the week of Oct. 15.

The City Council approved the contract with Waste Management, Inc. replacing Advanced Disposal late last year.

City officials say quarterly trash bills will drop, and that most residents won’t see a change in their pickup days.

Inforomation: www.woodstockga.gov

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Johns Creek festivity upcoming

Johns Creek is celebrating with a Hoe Down dance at 6 p.m. Friday and Heritage Day at 11 a.m. Saturday at Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center, 9770 Autrey Mill Road.

The hoe down includes line dancing and trivia games, and Heritage Day features gem and gold panning and exhibition of toli, the Native American precursor to lacrosse.

Information: 678-366-3511.

MICHAEL ALPERT FOR THE AJC

Milton elementary honored nationally

Milton’s Crabapple Crossing Elementary, a Georgia School of Excellence in 2004 and 2010, has been named a national Blue Ribbon School.

One of 269 nationally, it received the honor for its academic excellence.

The school is located at 12775 Birmingham Highway, Milton.

The school will be presented its award in mid-November during a ceremony to be held in Washington, D.C.

MICHAEL ALPERT FOR THE AJC

ATLANTA

Smoke from strip club, no flames found

When fire crews forced entry into Kamal’s 21, an adult entertainment club on Piedmont Avenue, after 5 a.m. Wednesday, they found a theatrical smoke machine that had been inadvertently left on when the club closed Tuesday night.

An Atlanta Fire Department spokesman said that once crews cleared the smoke, they realized there was no fire. Mike Morris

Educators get free admission to zoo

Educator Appreciation Day is set for 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m Sept. 22 at Zoo Atlanta. The zoo is partnering with Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning to offer educators free admission.

Educators also can receive $2 off general admission for each of their guests. Educators must show identification, such as an employee ID. Nancy Badertscher

Atlanta Police to host career fair

The Atlanta Police Department is seeking dedicated, community-minded men and women to join the ranks of sworn officers.

The department is hosting a series of career fairs Monday, Sept. 24 and Sept. 29.

Interviews and testing will begin at 8 a.m. at 226 Peachtree St., SW, 2nd floor. Business attire and a valid photo government-issued identification card are required. Prepare to be in attendance for at least six hours. Information: www.joinatlantapd.org. Kenneth Musisi

APS board urges votes against charters

Atlanta Public Schools’ school board issued a decree at their board meeting Monday urging Georgians to vote against the constitutional ammendment on this November’s ballot that will create a seperate state panel to approve charter schools.

The decree read, in part, “To support the system currently in place for appealing and funding locally-denied charter schools and to focus on improving and supporting what works rather than creating a wasteful redundancy at the taxpayers’ expense…” Daarel Burnette II

DEKALB

Teen shot dead near Lithonia

A 16-year-old male was shot and mortally wounded around 8 p.m. Tuesday in unincorporated DeKalb County near Lithonia, Channel 2 Action News reported.

A neighbor found the teen and drove him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The victim’s identity and other details about the shooting were not immediately available. David Ibata

Decatur changes some school bus routes

Decatur will change six bus routes affecting Renfroe Middle and Decatur High on Tuesday. All the routes were changed because of low ridership and efficiency, and although middle and high school students will ride together in the morning, they won’t ride together in the afternoon because of Decatur’s many after-school activities.

Changes: routes 30, 33 and 24 in the Clairemont area; routes 31, 32 and 50 in the Glennwood area; routes 70 and 80 in the Oakhurst area and routes 90 and 92 in the Winnona Park area. Bill Banks for the AJC

Saint Philip AME offering acting classes

Saint Philip AME Church Theatre Guild is hosting acting classes for adults (16 years and older) 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Oct. 17 and for children (8-15) 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays through Oct. 20.

Acting classes will be conducted in the Marcia Moss Fellowship Hall B, 240 Candler Road, SE. Registration: $60 per student or $10 per class.

The showcase finale will be Oct. 28, immediately following the 11 a.m. service. Information: Roblyn Allicia at 678-437-4149 or www.saintphilip.org.

Kenneth Musisi

Tucker association hosts blood drive

Tucker Civic Association invites members of the community to its September Give an Hour: a Red Cross blood drive from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 16 in the Wesley Center building of Tucker First UMC, at 2397 Fourth Street.

Blood donors must be at least 17 years-old with a photo ID. Sign up at www.tfumc.org/giveblood. Information: Evelyn Burkett at 404-727-1582.

Kenneth Musisi

Lithonia mayor named to state committee

Lithonia Mayor Deborah Jackson was recently appointed to the legislative council of the Georgia Municipal Association.

The council helps set the group’s annual legislative agenda and works with city officials across the state in legislative issues year-round.

An attorney, Jackson was tapped for her knowledge of local issues as well as the state’s legislative process. April Hunt

Run benefits DeKalb Police Alliance

A 5K race this weekend in Tucker will benefit the DeKalb Police Alliance.

The “Beat The Badge” race is open to runners and walkers and is a qualifier for the Peachtree Road Race. It starts at 9 a.m. Saturday in front of the county’s police headquarters, 1960 W. Exchange Place, Tucker.

Registration is $25 and can be done on race day or online at www.dekalbpolice5k.org.

The police alliance provides life insurance for all full-time sworn DeKalb officers as well as support for the families who have lost someone in the line of duty. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

College Park staging Utility Awareness Day

The city of College Park’s Customer Service Department invites residents to the first Customer Service Utility Awareness Day 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at College Park City Hall.

The day will be an opportunity to learn about the utility billing process, updates related to the department, and provide an opportunity to ask questions related to Customer Service operations and residents will receive free energy efficient light bulb from Retrofit-A-Million. John Thompson for the AJC

FOGAH schedules annual meeting

The Friends of Georgia Archives and History will hold its annual business meeting at 10 a.m. Saturday at Georgia Archives, 5800 Jonesboro Road, Morrow.

Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. Admission: $10 non-members.

Dr. John C. Inscoe, the Albert B. Saye Professor of History at the University of Georgia, will speak. The topic will be Inscoe’s newest book, “The Civil War in Georgia”.

Information: friendsofgeorgiaarchives@yahoo.com or 678-364-3732. Kenneth Musisi

Archives hosts ‘Secret City’ symposium

The National Archives at Atlanta, 5780 Jonesboro Road, Morrow, will host a symposium 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday about Oak Ridge, Tn. “The Secret City in the Tennessee Hills: From Dogpatch to Nuclear Power” looks at the formation of the East Tennessee City which was the largest of the Manhattan Project “secret” cities. Oak Ridge is where parts of the atomic bomb were built during World War II.

The archives houses the largest holdings of the Atomic Energy Commission records in the nation. Pre-registration is required and free. Lunch will be provided.

Information: joel.walker@nara.gov or 770-968-2530. Tammy Joyner

Farmers market is Saturday

The East Point Farmers Market is offering residents an opportunity to purchase sustainable local produce close to home.

The market is an initiative of the East Point Main Street Association and the City of East Point and runs from 9 a.m to noon Saturday at East Point Commons at 2757 East Point St.

John Thompson for the AJC

Annual fall race set for Saturday

East Point’s Jefferson Park neighborhood’s annual Autumn Rush 5k run takes to the streets Saturday.

The run starts at 8 a.m atTri-Cities High School at 2575 Harris St. Fees are $10 for the tot trot, $20 for 6-18, and $25 for adults. Information: www.active.com/running/east-point-ga/jefferson-parks-autumn-rush-5k-2012.John Thompson for the AJC

Downtown Live concert is Friday

Hapeville’s free concert series continues Friday with the music of the city’s own musicians Darwin Conort and Jimmy Lovern.

The concerts run from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.at Jess Lucas Y-teen Park at 680 South Central Ave. John Thompson for the AJC