County by county news for Thursday

Artist and photographer, Lisa Scholder uses breast cancer survivors as the canvas. Cost: $100 per person.

Proceeds benefit The Foundation of Emory-Adventist Hospital at Smyrna.

Tickets and donations: www.SmyrnaCares.org or 770-438-5233.

Kenneth Musisi

Man, 68, accused of touching girls at water park

A 68-year-old Cobb County man accused of inappropriately touching young girls at a water park is now facing felony charges.

Jerry Dean Westbrook, of Powder Springs, allegedly touched the buttocks of three girls, believed to be between the ages of 8 and 10, while in the wave pool at Six Flags White Water on Sept. 2, according to an arrest warrant obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The warrant says Westbrook “did intentionally make physical contact with the intimate parts of the body of juvenile under the age of 16, without his or her consent.”

Witnesses reported the alleged actions to Marietta police, who began an investigation into the man’s identity. A warrant was issued for Westbrook’s arrest on Oct. 19 and he was arrested Tuesday evening at his home, according to Cobb County jail records.

Westbrook was charged with three counts of felony sexual battery and booked into jail. He was released shortly before 6 a.m. Wednesday after posting $7,500 bond. Alexis Stevens

Brumby ES students learn fall gardening

Employees with the Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority and the Cobb County Water System recently taught Brumby Elementary’s garden club how to plant in the fall and save water.

The students are sharing what they learned with the public. They suggest gardeners fertilize less, use mulch to maintain moisture in soil and choose plants native to the area. Daarel Burnette II

Powder Springs City Hall is diaper drop-off site

Powder Springs City Hall has been designated as a drop-off site for the fourth annual Cobb Diaper Day.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at City Hall, 4484 Marietta St.

Diaper packs will be taken to the mass collection point at 5 p.m. Monday at Glover Park, Marietta Square and then given to five nonprofits for distribution to low-income families.

Sizes 4-6 are most needed.

Information: cobbdiaperday.com or Powder Springs City Hall, 770-943-1666.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Cobb Middle School students to show off art

Several Cobb County middle school students will show off their art from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday at Cooper Middle School.

Art from Cooper, Floyd, Garrett, Griffin, Lindley, Mabry, Smitha and Tapp middle schools will be exhibited and judged by Diana Gregory, a Kennesaw State University professor and Ann Young, a local artist. Daarel Burnette II

GWINNETT

Suwanee lowers millage rate for third year in a row

City Council has set Suwanee’s millage rate for 2012 at 4.93 mills, a reduction of 0.72 mills from last year. This marks the third consecutive year that Suwanee has reduced its millage rate. The reduced rate was made possible, in part, by terms of the service delivery agreement reached earlier this year between Gwinnett County and its cities. Over the next six years, Suwanee anticipates receiving about $660,000 annually. The owner of a $216,200 home would pay $426 in city taxes, that’s $63 – or about 13 percent – less than last year. Property tax notices go out this month with payment due by December 20. Staff reports

Women’s health breakfast Friday in Lawrenceville

Gwinnett Medical Center and Partnership Gwinnett will sponsor a women’s health breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Friday at Gwinnett Technical College, 700 Building, 5150 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville.

The free event will feature women’s health experts, massages and door prizes. For more information and to rsvp, visit http://gmc-rsvp.org.

David Wickert

Ghost Walks to benefit Duluth Historical Society

Join paranormal investigations of the Duluth City Cemetery 7 to 9 p.m. every Friday and Saturday during October in downtown Duluth to benefit the Duluth Historical Society. Cost is $13 per person and begins in front of Steverino’s. Walk ups welcome, but reservations encouraged by calling 770-403-1795 at least 30 minutes prior. Karen Huppertz

Opportunity to inspire the next generation of architects

The Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center opens “Young Architects: Designing the Future,” an exhibit highlighting famous architects and will include various block building media for a hands-on interactive learning experience

The exhibit opens Friday, Oct. 26 and through Jan. 19 at the GEHC, 2020 Clean Water Dr. in Buford. Karen Huppertz

Laughing Pizza band holds free concert

Halloween on the Green 1 to 7 pm Saturday in downtown Duluth will feature three special performances by the Laughing Pizza Family Band on the Amphitheatre stage with the Atlanta Circus Camp as the opening act. Showtimes are 1:30 pm, 3:15 pm and 4:30 pm. Admission to the concert is free with a canned food donation for the local food bank.

Laughing Pizza is a real family band who write and perform all original pop-music for families. Atlanta Circus Camp is an experience designed to introduce children to circus, performing, and visual arts in a safe and noncompetitive environment.

Information: www.duluthga.net.Staff reports

Buford business meeting next month

The Buford Business Alliance’s next “Business After-Hours” is 5:30 p.m. Nov. 13 at Mirko Pasta, 3265 Sardis Church Road.

The gatherings are to plan upcoming events and provide a forum for ideas to promote and improve Historic Buford. Any resident or business can attend the meetings.

Information: vicepresident@visitbuford.com. Staff reports

NORTHSIDE

Milton seeks input on intersection project

Milton is seeking resident input on improvements to the intersection of Hopewell and Birmingham roads. Opinions can be entered online or at an open house 5 to 6 p.m. Nov. 14 in Suite 107E in City Hall. The open house precedes a City Council work session in which the topic will be discussed.

The preliminary schedule includes acquiring right-of-way beginning mid-2013 with construction starting later in the year. Completion date is set for late 2014. Information: miltonintersectionprojects.com/birmingham-road-at-hopewell-road. Patrick Fox

Canton takes city manager off probation

The Canton City Council voted unanimously Thursday night to end City Manager Scott Wood’s six-month-probation. The Council took the action in April following a controversial traffic stop involving the official.

Questions were raised about whether the officer who stopped Wood gave him preferential treatment. Wood insisted he did not ask for it.

The officer subsequently resigned. In September, several council members submitted written positive performance reviews. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Forsyth fire boot program raises thousands.

The Forsyth County Fire Department says its 2012 boot drive raised more than $20,000 to support the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation and local programs. The money, collected in May, will help the foundation do fire education and safety training, support medical facilities and help burn victims recover. A portion of the funds will also support the Forsyth department’s education efforts. Mark Woolsey

Woodstock officials praise departing longtime official

The Woodstock City Council Monday night saluted departing Community Development Director Richard McLeod for his decade of service. McLeod told the council it has been a “humbling pleasure” to serve the city residents. McLeod leaves Nov. 2 to become the city of Alpharetta’s director of community development. Mark Woolsey

Woodstock man held on child sex charges

Cherokee County Sheriff’s detectives have arrested a 64-year-old Woodstock man on child molestation and sexual battery charges.

Sheriff’s Lt. Jay Baker says Shogut Hussein established a relationship with his 13-year-old female victim through a church both attend in Woodstock Baker says authorities have not ruled out the possibility of other victims.

Hussein is being held without bond at the Cherokee Adult Detention Center. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Canton senior community hosts medicare presentation

Cameron Hall Assisted Living will host “Understanding Medicare”, a special Medicare open enrollment presentation with Paige Joyner at 6:30 p.m. today at 240 Marietta Highway, Canton.

Joyner will answer questions about Medicare, Advantage Plus and any other questions from attendees.

Information: www.cameronhall.net or 770-720-0290.

Kenneth Musisi

ATLANTA

Drew Charter searches for new high school principal

Atlanta’s Drew Charter School has started the search for a new principal to lead its senior high school, which will open in 2013. In July, the Atlanta school board approved Drew to open a 9-12 school to complete its “cradle-to-college” educational plan. The school will break ground on a new 200,000 square foot facility for the high school in early 2013. Info: www.drewcharterschool.org Jaime Sarrio

State Farm donates $100K to APS high school

State Farm donated $100,000 to Atlanta’s School of Technology at Carver for its support in the company’s “Celebrate My Drive” initiative. Carver was one of 14 schools in the United States and Canada to receive the grant, which will be used to fund safety or other essential projects at the school. Info: www.celebratemydrive.com. Johnny Edwards

Opening ceremony for “France-Atlanta 2012”

The “France-Atlanta 2012” opening ceremony will be 6 p.m. today at the Melia Hotel, 590 West Peachtree St. NW, Atlanta. The Ambassador of France to the U.S., Gov. Nathan Deal and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed have been invited.

The Consulate General of France in Atlanta has partnered with the Georgia Institute of Technology to present scientific symposiums, business workshops, music, art and dance activities and humanitarian events during October and November.

Information: www.france-atlanta.org. Kenneth Musisi

Saturday voting offered at three Atlanta sites

Fulton residents can vote on Saturday at six early voting centers. “Family Voting Day” is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and children can vote in a mock election for their favorite cartoon character.

In Atlanta: Adamsville Recreational Center, 3201 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, S.W.; the Buckhead Library, 269 Buckhead Ave.; and the downtown Fulton County Government Center, 130 Peachtree St., S.W., Suite 2186.

Information: 404-730-7020. Johnny Edwards

DEKALB

Annexation will increase Decatur schools enrollment

A 10-person study group, appointed by the Decatur school system, found that annexation would add more students than the city anticipated. A copy of the report was posted Tuesday on the City Schools of Decatur annexation blog.

The group estimates 276 children would enter the system in August 2014, if annexation is approved. But most dramatically, the group projected that enrollment will more than double by 2018, to 7,839 students from the current 3,600. The school board will publicly discuss the report Monday. Bill Banks

Skating Center hosts fundraiser for breast cancer

The All American Skating Center, 5400 Bermuda Road, Stone Mountain is hosting a skate for the Cure Breast Cancer Awareness Skate from 6 to 9 p.m. today. Proceeds from admissions will go to the Susan G. Komen Atlanta affiliate. Information: www.aaskating.com or 770-469-9775.

Kenneth Musisi

DeKalb Medical hosts ‘Doc Talk’ today

DeKalb Medical at Hillandale will host ‘Doc Talk’ with Dr. Augustine Conduah from 6 to 7 p.m. today in the hospital’s Community Room.

Conduah, an orthopedic surgeon and specialist in sports medicine, will answer questions and have tips on how to avoid injury, and treatment options. Information: 404-501-9355. Kenneth Musisi

Fall fest, breast walk coming in DeKalb

DeKalb County will host a fall festival and breast walk 9 a.m. Saturday at the Exchange recreation center, 2771 Columbia Dr.

Registration is $15 for adults and $10 for children and begins at 7:30 a.m. The festival, featuring food and games, will follow.

Teams with at least five members can register for $50.

Information: 404-687-3430.

April Hunt

Early voting expands in DeKalb

Early voting will expand to three additional spots in DeKalb County starting Monday through Nov. 2.

Voters have been able to cast early ballots at three locations, including the elections office at 4380 Memorial Dr., since Oct. 15.

Starting Monday, voters also may advance vote at the Berean Christian Church Community Center, 2440 Young Road, Stone Mountain; the Chamblee Civic Center, 3540 Broad Street; and the Clark Harrison Building, 330 West Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur.

There is no early voting on Nov. 3 or Nov. 5. Voters who did not early vote must report to their assigned polling place on election day, Nov. 6.

Information: www.dekalbvotes.com. April Hunt

Parking a concern for Decatur commission

Decatur’s Zoning Ordinance Task Force presented drafts last week of new city ordinances.

These will determine how transitional areas between commercial and residential developments are built. City commission and some community members expressed concern over shared commercial and residential parking and the potential for gridlock.

Two possible new development sites include 315 E. Ponce De Leon Ave. and E. Howard St. in the Old Decatur neighborhood. Bill Banks for the AJC

SOUTHSIDE

Hiring fair for veterans, military spouses today

“Hiring Our Heroes – Atlanta”, a hiring fair for veterans and military spouses will be 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park.

More than 45 employers will be offering jobs of all ranks and levels of experience.

The event will feature a GE employment workshop with one-on-one mentoring sessions on resume building and writing, and interviewing techniques. Walk-in job seekers are welcomed.

Registration: www.recruitmilitary.com. Kenneth Musisi

No charges in death of boy headed to school bus

No charges will be filed in the death of 11-year-old Thomas Conor Burch, of Locust Grove who was struck by a car as he headed to his school bus, the Georgia State Patrol said Tuesday.

The boy died April 12 after stepping into the roadway at Tanger Boulevard and Locust Grove Griffin Road.

Connor was airlifted to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, where he died. Alexis Stevens

Henry sophomore picked for Barge’s council

Brendan Bell, a sophomore student at Stockbridge High, has been named by State School Superintendent John Barge’s 2012-2013 Student Advisory Council. More than 750 students applied for the council, and 50 were selected.

Nancy Badertscher

Early voting, vaccine offered in College Park

Fulton County residents can cast ballots for the Nov. 6 election, then get their annual flu shots, all in one stop.

In south Fulton: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday at the South Service Center, 5600 Stonewell Tell Road, College Park.

Information: 404-613-6000.

Johnny Edwards

Top Henry school employees honored

The Henry County School System recognized some classified employees at the Harvest of Heroes ceremony last week:

The Service Employee winner is Hickory Flat Elementary custodian Elizabeth Webster.

Susan Whitehorn, Ola High’s school nutrition manager, is the winner in the School Nutrition category.

The Transportation award went to Eagle’s Landing Middle bus driver Lisa Cox.

The winner in the Support Personnel category is Woodland High paraprofessional Tiffany Price.

The Media Specialist of the Year is Jennifer McCrary of Cotton Indian Elementary. Monroe Roark

Clayton DA collects cell phones for charity

Clayton County District Attorney Tracy Graham Lawson is collecting used cell phones through the end of the month to be turned over to Verizon Wireless in exchange for a donation to Clayton County Association Against Family Violence Inc. for Securus House, where victims can get shelter, counseling and other support.

The company will donate $1 for each phone up to $5,000.

Phones can be left at about 40 locations in the county including any police department or fire station or at the Harold R. Banks Justice Center at 9151 Tara Boulevard, Jonesboro.

Rhonda Cook