County by county news for Thursday

The left lane was reopened shortly after 6 a.m., and two more lanes were reopened about 30 minutes later.

There were no immediate reports of injuries. Mike Morris

State renews Marietta charter status

The Georgia Department of Edcuation has renewed Marietta City Schools as a charter system for 10 years. The state has 14 charter school districts. City Schools head Emily Lembeck said charter status will allow her system to be more innovative at an individual school level through waivers from state laws.

Marietta was initially approved in 2008. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Marietta school district installs silent alarms

Marietta City Schools recently installed silent alarms in its schools.

The district paid $5,000 to install the silent alarms throughout its 11 schools.

The alarms alert local 911 centers where police are automatically dispatched to the school. Daarel Burnette II

Antebellum museum offers school tours

The Root House Museum and Garden is allowing students a unique opportunity to watch Georgia history come alive. Cobb Landmarks and Historial Society is offering a first hand look at Georgia’s antebellum lifestyle and a look at the day-to-day life and activities of the William Root Family.

School group tours are scheduled Tuesday through Friday and are offered at a special rate of $6 per student. Teachers are admitted without charge. The museum is located at 145 Denmead St. NE, Marietta.

Information: program.coordinator@cobblandmarks.com Meghan de St. Aubin

Smyrna promotes

change in road name

Smyrna wants to change the name of the East-West Connector from Atlanta Road to Powder Springs Road. The new name would be to the Silver Comet Parkway. The council approved a resolution last week that will be sent to the Cobb Board of Commissioners for consideration.

The 61-mile bike and pedestrian trail, that starts in Smyrna, parallels the connector road through Cobb County. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Marietta will hosta police academy

The Marietta Police Department will host a Citizens Police Academy.

Participants will get an inside look at crime analysis, narcotics, special weapons and tactics, crime interdiction, traffic enforcement, community response, crime scene processing and more. There is no charge for the 10-week program, which begins April 8. Classes will be 6 to 9 p.m. every Monday.

Information: Police Department, 240 Lemon St., 770-794-2364 or email at dsmith@mariettaga.gov. Andria Simmons

GWINNETT

Two displaced by house fire in Buford

Two residents were displaced Wednesday after a predawn fire broke out at their house in the 5600 block of Austin Garner Road in Buford.

One person sustained a minor foot injury while evacuating, but was treated and released by paramedics at the scene, according to Gwinnett fire spokesman Lt. Colin S. Rhoden.

The fire, which is believed to have originated from a space heater, caused significant damage to the house.

The Red Cross was called to assist the residents.

Andria Simmons

Pot brownies end up at Dacula High

An 11th grader allegedly brought marijuana-laced brownies to Dacula High School and gave them to nine students, officials said Tuesday. The names of the students involved were not released.

No criminal charges were filed. But the students involved will have to attend an administrative hearing, where they’ll learn their punishment, Quintana said. Alexis Stevens

Gwinnett Police host Aviation unit program

Lou Gregoire, acting manager of the Gwinnett County Police Aviation Unit, will present a program on the unit’s operations 10:30 a.m. Saturday to the 1st Saturday Aviation Program and Breakfast.

The presentation will highlight the unit’s McDonnell Douglas MD500E helicopters. One will be on hand.

An all-you-can-eat breakfast starts at 8 a.m., in the EAA Sport Aviation Center, 690 Airport Road, at Gwinnett County’s Briscoe Field. Cost of breakfast is $6. Dan Klepal

Understand calorie intake at free class

The Gwinnett Co-Op Extension Service is offering a nutrition class about calorie intake 12:30 to 2 p.m. today in the Head Start Program Building, 84 Maddox Road , Buford.

Learn about serving sizes, how many calories and how much exercise you need each day. No pre-registration or cost.

Information: Ines Beltran at 678-377-4010 or ines.beltran@gwinnettcounty.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Snellville has reception for artist Sally Arnold

Snellville residents can greet Sally Arnold, the next featured artist in the city’s Art on the Wall at City Hall program, at a reception 4:30 today at City Hall, 2342 Oak Road. A 40-year resident of Snellville, Arnold has become acclaimed for her encaustic works, hot pigmented wax painted on boards and fused in layers with a torch. Michael Alpert for the AJC

It’s always Black Friday at the animal shelter

Every Friday is Black Friday at the Gwinnett Animal Welfare and Enforcement Center. All mostly black dogs and cats are available at the center for only a $30 cash veterinarian fee. The fee includes spaying or neutering, the first round of vaccinations, and a microchip.

The center located at 884 Winder Highway in Lawrenceville is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Information: www.gwinnettanimalcontrol.com or 770-339-3200. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Big Creek Parkway workshops planned

Roswell has scheduled workshops for 7 p.m. March 5 and 11 at Doubletree Hotel Grand Ballroom, 1075 Holcomb Bridge Road on the Big Creek Parkway project where conceptual designs, garnered from early public input, will be discussed.

The project will connect eastern and western parts of the city to relieve congestion along Holcomb Bridge Road near Ga. 400. The proposal also calls for a multi-purpose path for pedestrians and bicyclists. Patrick Fox

Woodstock fills economic development

The city of Woodstock has hired a new director of economic development. Brian Stockton, who has served as city planner since May of 2006, will transition into his new role on March 6. He replaces Billy Peppers, who left in November of 2012 to take a job with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Woodstock to hold self-defense course

The Woodstock Police Department will host a free self-defense course 10 a.m.-noon Saturday at the Woodstock City Hall Annex, 12453 Ga. 92. The course will provide one-on-one instruction. Registration is first-come, first-served and all participants must sign a waiver. Information: 770-592-6000 ext. 1134 Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Watershed group to hear author

The Upper Etowah River Alliance’s annual meeting will include a guided walk, museum tour and a speech by environmental activist and author Don Wells 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Funk Heritage Center at Reinhardt University in Waleska.

The UERA is a non-profit community-based watershed education group. More info: www.etowahriver.org

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Forsyth County spring parks guide is online

The Forsyth County Parks and Recreation Spring Activity Guide is now available.

The 16- page guide lists county park and recreation facilities, spring camps for kids, youth and adult athletic leagues and programs and recreation center arts programs.

Information:www.forsythco.com/parks.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

School registration set in Cherokee district

Registration for Cherokee County School District kindergarteners and first-graders entering school for the first time in 2013-14 is 3:30 - 6 p.m. April 4 and 9 a.m. to noon April 5 at schools.

Information: www.cherokee.k12.ga.us Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Town Hall meeting this week in Woodstock

Woodstock city officials will hold a town hall meeting 7 p.m. today at the Deer Run West Clubhouse, 7032 Hunters Ridge, Woodstock. Mayor Donnie Henriques, Woodstock City Council members and department heads will attend. Among discussion topics: Towne Lake Parkway widening, downtown parking improvements, trails and law enforcement.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

Tree topples onto Buckhead apartments

A handful of residents were displaced Tuesday evening when a huge tree came crashing down onto a Buckhead apartment building.

The tree that hit the building on Terrace Drive was one of many that toppled across metro Atlanta Tuesday after a night of heavy rain and gusty winds.

No injuries were reported, but the tree left four of the apartments in the two-story building off Peachtree Road uninhabitable. Mike Morris

Arrest made in MLK Drive fatal hit-run

Erick Demons, a suspect accused of running down Cassandra Head, 53, while she crossed Martin Luther King Jr. Drive on Feb. 19 and fleeing was taken into custody Tuesday, charged with homicide by vehicle.

Police say Demons drove through a light and struck Head around 6 a.m. She died at the scene after suffering massive injuries, police said.

Demons, 40, is also charged with hit and run, failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk and driving with a suspended license. Christopher Seward

Law school to host seminar for students

John Marshall Law School will host the Discover Law program for minority students from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the school’s Blackburn Conference Center, 1405 Spring St. The free event will provide high school and college students an introduction on preparing for law school. Register: admissions@johnmarshall.edu.

Information: 404-348-8919 or www.johnmarshall.edu.

Veronica Fields Johnson

‘Versailles ’73’ screens at SCAD Atlanta

The Savannah College of Art and Design will offer a free screening and discussion of the fashion documentary, “Versailles ’73: American Runway Revolution,” at 5 p.m. today at SCAD Atlanta, 1600 Peachtree St. N.W. The film follows the events that lead up to the 1973 fashion show battle at the Chateau de Versailles between American and French designers.

Information: scad.edu. Mea Watkins

DEKALB

Brookhaven manager now permanent

Brookhaven City Council voted Tuesday to make its interim city manager permanent.

The city first hired Marie Garrett in December, to handle the city’s start up.

After a nationwide search, however, city officials agreed that Garrett, a former interim manager in Johns Creek with 30 years’ experience in metro Atlanta governments, was the best choice for the job.

Garrett, who had been making $200 an hour in the interim job, will earn $170,000 a year as manager. April Hunt

DeKalb hires nonprofit for animal control

Running DeKalb County’s animal shelter will soon be the job of a private animal welfare group.

The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners Tuesday awarded a contract to LifeLine Animal Project to handle all animal services except for animal pickup and cruelty investigations.

The contract will cost about $ 2 million a year and can be renewed for up to five years.

LifeLine, which runs two high-volume spay-neuter clinics in DeKalb and Fulton, also recently won the job to run Fulton’s animal control services.

It takes over operations there on Friday.

No date has yet been set for when LifeLine will begin in DeKalb. April Hunt

Meeting today for park expansion

DeKalb County Recreation and Parks and Commissioner Kathie Gannon will hold a public meeting 6:30 p.m. today in the cafeteria of Cedar Grove High School, 2360 River Road, Ellenwood on the improvements and final plans to expand Fork Creek Mountain Park.

The county used Greenspace Bond money to purchase 20 acres adjacent to the existing 35 acre park. Kenneth Musisi

Free large dog spay/neuter available

Stopping Pet Overpopulation Together wants to get as many large unfixed dogs spayed and neutered before puppy season as part of the Power to the Pups campaign.

The organization will provide vouchers for free spay and neutering services to DeKalb pet owners for large dogs over 50 pounds until grant funding runs out.

Information: 404-584-7768 or spotsociety.org. Veronica Fields Johnson

Food drive to benefit Atlanta food bank

Food collection barrels to benefit The Atlanta Community Food Bank will be set up through Thursday in the lobbies of county buildings in Decatur: the Maloof Building, 1300 Commerce Drive; the Clark Harrison Building, 330 W. Ponce de Leon Ave.; the DeKalb County Courthouse, N. McDonough St.; and the Tax Commissioner’s Office, 4380 Memorial Drive. April Hunt

Black History Month event to honor four

The DeKalb History Center will honor Clarence Carter, Jason Lary, Don P. Roberts and Beverly “Guitar” Watkins in a Black History Month Celebration 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at the Old Courthouse.

Honorees includeThe program includes a luncheon and entertainment. Cost is $30 for history center members and $35 for nonmembers. Information: director@dekalbhistory.org or 404-373-1088, ext. 22. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Early voting begins in Forest Park

Early voting has begun in the special-called Forest Park municipal election, despite testing of the voting machines which delayed voting by a few hours at the start of the week. There are four candidates for mayor and two for Ward 1 council seat.

Advance voting will be available at Forest Park City Hall, 745 Forest Parkway, began Monday and runs through March 15. Voting is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays.

A runoff election will be April 16, if needed. Tammy Joyner

Rock Quarry Road bridge opening delayed

The reopening of Rock Quarry Road in Stockbridge has been delayed again due to the recent rainfall.

Construction of a new railroad bridge was originally set to be completed in December but was pushed back to March.

The new completion date is May 1, according to county officials. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Edwards hosts community meeting

Fulton County Commissioner Bill Edwards will host a public meeting on three proposals to reshape Fulton County government at 7 p.m. today at the Cliftondale Multipurpose Center Theater, 4645 Butner Road, College Park.

Republicans in the Legislature want to redraw commission districts, double the county’s property tax homestead exemption and make all new employees unclassified. They say the proposals will reform county government, while Democrats say they’re an attempt to seize power. David Wickert

Fayette to decide school closures

The Fayette County Board of Education will meet in a called session at 7 p.m. Monday at Sams Auditorium, Fayetteville to make a final decision about school closures.

The issue, prompted by a projected $15 million budget shortfall for 2013-14, involves whether to close Brooks Elementary, Tyrone Elementary, Fayetteville Intermediate and Fayette Middle schools.

Closures would also result in countywide redistricting.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Extension office

selling fruit plants

Orders are being taken until March 8 for the Henry County Cooperative Extension Office’s Small Fruit Plant Sale, with proceeds supporting extension programs.

Informatin: www.ugaextension.com/henry or 770-288-8421. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Fayette programs to recruit tournaments

Fayette County has created an initiative to help recruit more sports events to the county. The Peachtree Fayette Sports Alliance is the brainchild of the Peachtree City Convention and Visitors Bureau, which will finance the initiative.

The new group will be governed by a seven-member board of directors that include the county recreation department and the Peachtree City convention bureau.

The alliance wants to work with local sports groups to plan and organize tournaments. Information: 678-216-0282 or www.visitpeachtreecity.com. Tammy Joyner