COBB
Police seek suspect in mugging
A woman was robbed around 11 p.m. Monday while putting groceries in her car at a Kroger store parking lot at 3300 Cobb Parkway in Atlanta. An unidentified man pointed a handgun at her and demanded all her “stuff.” He ran away in a southbound direction on Cobb Parkway after he picked up the woman’s pocketbook from the ground. The suspect is described as a thin black male between 20 and 30 years old, about 5 feet 4 inches tall, wearing a black sweater with red design around the neck, khaki pants and black sneakers. Anyone with information is asked to call Cobb police at 770-499-3945. Andria Simmons
School bus driver indicted for child porn
A Mableton man has been indicted for producing child pornography and receiving the illicit material during a time when he worked as a bus driver for Cobb County Public Schools, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
From late 2010 to April 2011, Stanley Keith Johnson, 57, placed orders with a foreign company for about 180 DVDs with videos of nude boys, an indictment said. A search of Johnson’s house in December found he had also produced images of child pornography dating back to 2004, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said, noting the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and GBI assisted in the investigation.
Bill Rankin
Food Mart robbers sought
Two unidentified men robbed a Food Mart at 360 Six flags Drive in Austell around 5:15 p.m. Monday.
One suspect held open the door while a second masked man armed with a handgun robbed an employee. The suspects fled on foot.
The accomplice is described as a black male between 20 and 30 years old, about 6 feet tall and 200 pounds, wearing dark pants and a black “hoodie” with white and red stripes. Witnesses were unable to provide a physical description of the other suspect. Andria Simmons
Mayor named to national cities’ group
Kennesaw mayor Mark Matthews has been named to a steering committee of the National League of Cities, a resource and advocacy group that works with municipalities. Matthews will serve on the community and economic development committee on issues including housing, land use, preservation and recreation and parks. Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Nominations for diversity award due
The Cobb Board of Commissioners and the Cobb Community Relations Council is accepting nominations for the 2013 Creating Community Awards through today.
The awards recognize contributions to the community.
E-mail nominations to: ccrc@cobbcounty.org.
Information: cobbcounty.org/ccrc
Meghan de St. Aubin
Cobb school board elects chair, vice chair
Recently sworn-in board member Randy Scamihorn was elected to serve as the board’s chair Wednesday.
Scamihorn, a republican, represents Post 1, the north Cobb area.
Brad Wheeler, also sworn in Wednesday, was elected to serve as the board’s vice chair. Wheeler, a republican, represents Post 7, the south and west Cobb areas.Daarel Burnette II
GWINNETT
Gwinnett Tech launches health certificate program
Gwinnett Tech, 1305 Lakes Parkway, Suite 119, Lawrenceville, has launched a one-year certificate program in Health Information Technology that also offers special funding in the form of tuition stipends for veterans, the underemployed and those unemployed.
Health information technology professionals organize and manage data and its secure exchange between all users.
Applications for the first term of the program are due by Feb. 20 and classes begin March 4. Information: ebaggett@gwinnetttech.edu or 678-226-6404. Kenneth Musisi
Peachtree Corners has new phone number
Peachtree Corners City Hall and all new city departments may be reached at a new number: 678-691-1200, or by visiting www.cityofpeachtreecornersga.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
New city has public-private partnerships
Peachtree Corners, which incorporated in July, has entered into partnerships with three public entities to provide city services. CH2M HILL, a global engineering and operations firm, will provide code enforcement, business licensing, arborist and public hearing services. Charles Abbott Associates Engineeering will handle plan reviews, building permits and inspections. Geospatial information systems services are to be handled by IT company Terremark. The three firms have begun this month with plans to be fully operational by Feb. 1.
Gwinnett County will continue to provide public safety, public works, tax collection, and emergency preparedness services for the city.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Duluth’s ‘State of the City’ address set
The eighth annual city of Duluth’s “State of the City” Address will be Jan. 22 at the Gwinnett Center. The Business Expo begins at 11 a.m. and doors open at 11:30 a.m.
General admission: $25 individuals. Proceeds will support local charities. Reservations are required by Jan. 18 to 678-957-7299 or ourduluth.com.
Kenneth Musisi
Extension service plant sale taking orders
The Gwinnett Cooperative Extension Service has announced March 21 as the date for its 2013 plant sale, featuring blueberries, raspberries, figs, apples, camellias, azaleas and other locally grown plants. Pre-paid orders are being accepted through March 12 at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds. For information about each plant and to pre-order, visit www.gwinnettcounty.com and look for the Extension Service under Community Services.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Duluth police seek bilingual volunteers
The Duluth Police Department is seeking bilingual residents to participate in its new program called CHIPs, Citizens Helping Interpret for Police.
Volunteers are needed to ride with police on patrol, helping interpret.
Volunteers, who must be at least 18 years old and pass a background check, will wear T-shirts while on patrol, identifying them as CHIPs.
MICHAEL ALPERT FOR THE AJC
NORTHSIDE
Demolition set to begin in Cumming
Structures at the site of Forsyth County’s new courthouse and jail in downtown Cumming are slated for demolition next week. The area near East Main and Mason streets will be cleared to make way for new construction. The demolition process is scheduled to last 45 days.
No extended road closures are expected, but intermittent lane and sidewalk closures may occur.
A map of nearby public parking locations is available on the Forsyth County Web site, www.forsythco.com. Patrick Fox
Commissioners switch retreat location
The location of the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners’ 2013 Annual Planning Review has been changed. It will be held 2 p.m. today and 8 a.m. Friday at 9300 Lisa Circle, Gainesville. The retreat had been set at Barnsley Gardens in Adairsville. Directions are available on the county website, cherokeega.com
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Trio facing copper theft charges in Cherokee
Three men have been arrested by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office after the theft of 162 pounds of copper from a Georgia Transportation Corporation power substation in Waleska this week. Donnie Chastain, 40, of Talking Rock; Charles Johnson, 34, of Marble Hill; and Michael Smith, 31, of Ellijay were jailed on felony theft by taking, criminal damage to property and trespassing charges. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Cherokee reserve deputy of 2012 named
Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Deputy Helen Corbett, a volunteer for 15 years, was named the 2012 Reserve Deputy of the year during the group’s annual banquet in Canton on Wednesday.
The CSO Reserve Unit is made up of 14 Deputies, staffed by seven certified and seven auxiliary members. The unit functions as a service arm of the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office.
Meghan de St. Aubin
Roswell conducting housing surveys
Roswell is asking residents to participate in a survey to assess fair housing perceptions. Go to www.surveymonkey.com/s/RoswellFairHousing this month. Surveys can be mailed to Roswell Grants Manager Danny Blitch, 38 Hill St., Suite 115, Roswell, Ga. 30075. MICHAEL ALPERT FOR THE AJC
Woodstock approves redistricting plan
The Woodstock City Council voted 5-1 Monday night to approve the first reading of an ordinance reshaping the city’s six council wards, or districts. The redistricting is required by law and results from 2010 census figures detailing growth in the city’s northern and southern neighborhoods. Final approval is set for late this month.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Cherokee ag office has staff expansion
The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension office in Cherokee County will stage a ribbon cutting 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 23 at 100 North St., Suite G21, Canton marking a beefing up of its staff. The office is adding an agriculture and natural resource agent and a 4-H associate. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
ATLANTA
Shirley Franklin to teach in Texas
Shirley Franklin, who served two terms as mayor of Atlanta, has joined the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas as the Barbara Jordan Visiting Professor in Ethics and Political Values.
Franklin will teach in the areas of ethics and political values, city government, sustainable urban development and the role of women in politics. The school said Tuesday that Franklin will be instrumental in the creation of a new urban management program while participating in lectures on public issues and helping to encourage students from under-represented communities to choose careers in public service. Jeremiah McWilliams
Christ the King School gets new head
Frank McNamee, pastor – Cathedral of Christ the King appointed Tricia Ward as principal of Christ the King School in Atlanta. Ward worked at Christ the King School for 23 years, including teaching social studies in the Middle School, serving as vice principal for 15 years and interim principal most recently.
Kenneth Musisi
Participants for cancer research study sought
The American Cancer Society is inviting men and women ages 30 to 65 who have never had cancer to join the organization’s Cancer Prevention Study-3. A Kick-Off Breakfast will be held at 7:30 a.m. and an informational program will begin at 8 a.m. today at the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel, 2450 Galleria Parkway. Enrollment in the study is free and will take place at various locations in March. Information: www.cps3atlanta.org or 1-888-604-5888. Veronica Fields Johnson
Church to host ‘Friend’s Day’
Bible Way Ministries, 894 Constitution Road SE, Atlanta, presents “Fellowship of Friend’s Day-A Celebration of Music & the Word,” at 5 p.m. Saturday.
The guest speaker is Bishop Eric McDaniel of The Lord’s Church of New York, and Debbie Dixon of North Carolina is guest soloist. Kenneth Musisi
DEKALB
Church hosts benefit for Handy Ace workers
Lawrenceville Road United Methodist Church has established an account to receive donations for the 35 Handy ACE Hardware employees who are out of work because the store burned down last month.
Donations should be made payable by check to “LRUMC,” and marked with ACE on the memo line. The address is 3142 Lawrenceville Highway, Tucker.
All donations are tax deductible and will be distributed equally to the employees.
Information: 770-939-3717 or LRUMC@bellsouth.net.
Kenneth Musisi
‘Art Walk’ and gallery set to open in February
The Dunwoody Fine Art Association has teamed up with 30 local Dunwoody businesses to celebrate the arts and highlight the work of local artists with an “Art Walk” through the community.
The grand opening for the Dunwoody Fine Art Association Pop Up Gallery in the courtyard of Dunwoody Village Shopping Center will be Feb. 23. Information: www.dunwoodyfineart.org.
Kenneth Musisi
Emory surpasses fundraising goal
Emory University culminated its seven-year fundraising goal having raised more than $1.69 billion, officials announced Monday. Nearly 150,000 people donated to Campaign Emory, which had a goal of $1.6 billion.
More than $225 million was raised for student scholarships and programs. Laura Diamond
Leadership DeKalb gets new director
A DeKalb community group that looks to educate and connect people from various parts of the county has a new leader.
Maria Balais had run her own consulting group and managed the ING Corporate Foundation before being tapped to head Leadership DeKalb.
She replaces Sara Fountain, who served as director of the group for 11 years.
Information: www.leadershipdekalb.org. April Hunt
Decatur exploring in-town trail sites
Decatur planning director Amanda Thompson said Wednesday the city’s examining design possibilities and cost estimates for three walking/biking trails for the Oakhurst area.
All three would begin at Olympic Place, with one ending at the north end of Meade Road, another at Meade Road in front of Oakhurst Elementary School, and a third ending at Ansley Street in the Oakhurst Village.
Thompson said she hopes to present a plan before area neighbors next month, and that construction might begin in the next four to six months. Bill Banks for the AJC
Brookhaven names first city clerk
Brookhaven recently named a clerk known to cities around the metro area as its first city clerk.
Susan D. Hiott had served 10 years as clerk in Smyrna before being named to the same job in Brookhaven. She also worked as a clerk in Roswell and Acworth.
Hiott holds an MBA degree from Kennesaw State University and a bachelor’s degree in business from North Carolina Wesleyan College in North Carolina. She will earn $85,000 a year in Brookhaven. April Hunt
SOUTHSIDE
Peachtree City struggles to fill WASA posts
After declining to appoint two existing applicants to the Water and Sewerage Authority last week, the City Council of Peachtree City is soliciting more volunteers to fill the posts amid debate over recent rate hikes.
Applications for the five-year appointments will be accepted through Feb. 15. Go to www.peachtree-city.org/jobs for details.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Work-Based Learning recognizes student
Jordan McDuffie, a senior at Henry County High School, is the Henry County School System’s Work-Based Learning student of the month for December 2012.
He works at Publix in McDonough while maintaining an A average and participating on the varsity track team.
His college plans include studying to become a forensic anthropologist at a four-year university. Information: www.henry.k12.ga.us.
Monroe Roark for the AJC
Ringling Bros. to host reading program
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey has partnered with the Clayton County Library System to host Reading with Ringling Brothers, a reading program that allows kids to participate and earn Ringling Bros. circus tickets.
Children ages 2-12 can enroll with a librarian for their reading at any library branch between now and March 1. The reading program is sponsored by WSB-TV Family 2 Family.
The Reading with Ringling Clown Circus Show will be 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Friday at the Clayton County Headquarters Library, 865 Battle Creek Road, Jonesboro.
Information: ReadingWithRingling.com.
Tammy Joyner
Sheriff’s Dept. to provide school security
The Henry County Sheriff’s Department is piloting a program to provide retired and reserve officers on a rotational basis to the Henry County School System’s elementary schools, at no cost to the school district.
The plan was announced by HCSD Chief Deputy David Foster at the Jan. 9 meeting of the Henry County Board of Education.
Monroe Roark for the AJC
Qualifying fees set for election
East Point adopted a resolution establishing the qualifying fees for the November election.
The qualifying fee for the mayor is $405 and $330 for city council candidates.
The mayor’s position and four city council posts will be on the ballot. Qualifying dates will be announced at a later time.
John Thompson for the AJC
City adopts backflow prevention program
The city of East Point’s efforts to install 11,502 backflow preventers is well underway.
The city has installed 4,987 and the preventers help protect water customers from possible water contamination when water flows backwards in the pipes.
John Thompson for the AJC
