County by county news for Thursday

The proposed charge would be from $2 to $3 for adults and from $1 to $1.50 for children ages 6-11. There is no charge for children under 6.

To reply to Superintendent Nancy Walther: kemo_superintendent@nps.gov. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Free heath, wellness expo in Mableton

A free Health and Wellness Expo by Chattahoochee Technical College and Family Restoration Life Center will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at the center, 6105 Mableton Parkway, Mableton.

Advice on nutrition, exercise, feet wellness for diabetics and driver safety will be offered along with blood pressure monitoring and diabetes screening.

Information: familyliferestorationcenter.org or

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Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Senior Center to hold breakfast fundraiser

The Powder Springs Senior Citizens Center will hold a breakfast fundraiser 7 to 10 a.m. Saturday at the center, 4181 Atlanta St.Costs: $6 adults, $3 ages 4 to 12, free 3 and under.Information:

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Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Children’s success is Saturday focus

Parents are invited to attend an education summit and resource fair, “Ensuring Your Child’s Success,” 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at South Cobb High School, 1920 Clay Road, Austell.

To register, email CobbEducationSummit@gmail.com with your name, phone number and child’s school.

Information: Lee Small,

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Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Ghanian ambassador to U.S. to speak at KSU

Ghana’s ambassador to the United States, Daniel Ohene Agyekum, is scheduled to speak during a three-day international conference and business forum at Kennesaw State University today through Saturday in social sciences building 22 at Kennesaw State University, 1000 Chastain Road.

The conference is part of the university’s “Year of Ghana,” the 28th annual year-long study of a country or region of the world, and examines the West African nation’s status as a model for democratic governance, economic growth and sustainable development.

Information:www.kennesaw.edu/yearofghana/conference.html. Mea Watkins

Rummage sale to be held Saturday

Get started on your spring cleaning by donating items for an upcoming rummage sale to benefit Voice Today, a Marietta-based nonprofit organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of child sexual abuse.

Items can be dropped off at the organization’s office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 3855 Shallowford Road NE, Marietta. All donations are tax deductible. The sale will be at the same location from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Information:

or www.voicetoday.org.

Andria Simmons

GWINNETT

Town Hall meetings your chance to ask questions

The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners will conduct the first in a series of Town Hall Meetings at 7 p.m. April 2 at the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, 185 Crogan Street in Lawrenceville. Open house begins at 6:15 p.m. with questions and comments to be heard at 7 p.m. Representatives from Gwinnett departments will be at the open house to answer your questions and talk about the different services they provide. www.gwinnettcounty.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Free healthy habits for kids offered in class

Gwinnett Medical Center’s Diabetes & Nutrition Education Center will hold a Healthy Habits interactive class on nutrition and activities to help kids form healthy lifestyle choices. The class will include valuable information on how to help kids avoid the early onset of many weight-related diseases. This free class is from 6 to 7:30 p.m. today at the Glancy Campus in Duluth. Space is limited. Registration required. Information/ reservations:

or email LVergis@gwinnettmedicalcenter.org.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Lilburn police to offer gun safety seminar

The Lilburn Police Department will host a Firearm Safety Seminar at 6:30 p.m. today with the location to be announced. Topics will include gun safety, gun laws, home defense weapons and alternative weapons information. Citizens need not bring anything to the class.

Gun locks will be provided free of charge to attendees. Register by emailing Training Coordinator Sgt. Tim Allen at tallen@cityoflilburn.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Child car seat safety checks available

The Lilburn Police offer free child car seat safety checks 1 to 4 p.m. every Thursday at 76 Main St. in Lilburn.

Appointments can be made for other dates and times with Lt. Chris Dusik,

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Karen Huppertz 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.

Information: www.gwinnettanimalcontrol.com or call

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

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Wood Acres Boulevard closed through Friday

Gwinnett DOT has begun completion of pipe replacement at Wood Acres Boulevard near Howell Ferry Crossing in Duluth, resulting in the need to close the road. Repairs should take approximately one week with the road reopening by Friday. Use caution and observe warning and detour signs in this area. Information:

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Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Arrest made in crossing guard hit-and-run

Victor Baruchman, 20, was running late to his drug court graduation when he allegedly struck a crossing guard Tuesday afternoon outside Liberty Elementary School and kept going, according to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s office.

Crossing guard Jerrold Reaid, 63, suffered a broken ankle. Baruchman has been charged with felony hit and run and his bond has been set at $15,000. He is being held at the Cherokee Adult Detention Center. Fran Jeffries

Student allegedly brought gun to school

A Creekview High School freshman was arrested Tuesday for allegedly bringing a gun to school. The 16-year-old, whose name was not released, was transported to a youth detention center, officials said.

A parent at the school alerted police that the weapon was on campus Monday, according to a letter Principal Adrian Thomason sent to parents Tuesday.

There was no ammunition, Thomason said. Alexis Stevens

Man pleads not guilty in Lake Lanier death

Jeffrey Simon Hubbard, the family friend accused of causing the death of Usher’s former stepson in a jet ski incident on Lake Lanier last summer pleaded not guilty Tuesday.

He allegedly ran over 11-year-old Kile Glover with a jet ski on July 6, 2012, near Holiday Marina in Buford.

Glover, the son of Usher's ex-wife Tameka Foster and Ryan Glover — president of Bounce TV — was tubing with a 15-year-old girl when they were struck. The girl sustained minor injuries, but Glover was in a coma for almost two weeks before he died. Angel K. Brooks

Canton voters turn down fire bond issue

Canton city officials will have to head back to the drawing board on improving the city's fire service. Voters rejected a proposed bond issue by a 70-30 margin in Tuesday's special election, with 213 voters saying yes, 518 no. Turnout was less than 7% of registered voters. The bond of $6 million would have financed construction of up to three new fire stations, renovation of an existing downtown station, and acquisition of firefighting vehicles. It would have been paid off by a 20-year property tax hike. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Milton to host pocket park open house

Milton Parks and Recreation will hold an open house Thursday on a proposed pocket park at Deerfield Parkway and Webb Road. The meeting is at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of Milton’s City Hall, 13000 Deerfield Parkway Suite 107 E.

Ideas for the roughly one-acre park purchased with MARTA funding include a veterans’ memorial and walking trail with outdoor exercise stations. Other ideas are being solicited.

Information: Jim Cregge,

or jim.cregge@cityofmiltonga.us.

Patrick Fox

Canton reservoir opens this weekend

Grand opening of Canton’s Hickory Log Creek Reservoir near the intersection of Bluffs Parkway and Fate Conn Road is 9 a.m. Friday. Cost: $5 per vehicle.

Information:

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Michael Alpert for the AJC

ATLANTA

Atlanta murder suspect arrested

Wayne Sederrious Welbon, 25, was arrested Tuesday in connection with a body found wrapped in fabric and plastic last month, Atlanta police said.

Taurean Reeves’ body was discovered in northwest Atlanta on Feb. 22 after police received a tip.

An investigator from the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office said it appeared the victim had been shot multiple times. Welbon was arrested during a traffic stop and is being held at the Fulton County Jail. Angel K. Brooks

Care packs distributed to homeless

Fulton County Youth Commissioners and former homeless residents will distribute H.O.P.E. Boxes to homeless citizens from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The boxes contain toiletry items and information on how to find shelter, rehabilitation, health services, employment assistance and other programs. Distribution locations include: Majestic Lodge, 4120 Fulton Industrial Blvd. and Pine Street and Peachtree Street. Information: Reginald Crossley,

or Reginald.Crossley@fultoncountyga.gov.

Veronica Fields Johnson

Professional basketball league holds tryouts

MGBA, a new professional basketball league, will hold tryouts for men and women 9 a.m to 9 p.m. April 20 and 27 at the Campus Recreation Center at Georgia Tech. Top players from the Atlanta area are encouraged to participate in this league, which will have mixed gender teams. Information: www.mgbainc.com or

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Nancy Badertscher

Program to help smokers quit offered

The American Lung Association’s Freedom From Smoking clinic, a free program that focuses on specific skills and techniques needed to help smokers quit, will be offered at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital, 1968 Peachtree Rd. N.W. Registration is required.

For dates, times and registration, call

. To find other local programs, call

, or go to www.lungga.org.

Mea Watkins

DEKALB

DeKalb man convicted for sex trafficking teens

Darryl Bearnard Curry, who called himself “Pimp DC” and made instructional videos on how to be a pimp could serve more than 200 years in prison for running an extensive teen prostitution ring.

Monday, a DeKalb County Superior Court jury convicted Curry, 48, of multiple counts of sex trafficking, aggravated battery, pimping a person under 18, false imprisonment, sexual exploitation of children, first-degree cruelty to children and obstruction. Prosecutors identified at least five girls whom Curry was prostituting, but the indictments pointed specifically to two – ages 16 and 17 – under his control between Sept. 17 and Oct. 8, 2011. Marcus K. Garner

Retired educators to host service activity

The Decatur-DeKalb Retired Educators Association will sponsor a community service activity at 2 p.m. today at Regency House, 341 Winn Way, Decatur. The program will feature a musical salute to Irving Berlin and retired educators who live at Regency House will receive special recognition. The activity is in place of the regular monthly meeting and retirees from Decatur and DeKalb County schools, as well as other retired educators who live in the area, are encouraged to attend. Information:

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Veronica Fields Johnson

Drake wins Commission seat

Scott Drake barely defeated Greg Coleson in a special election Tuesday night for the city commission's District 1, Post B chair. City Clerk Janet Kindelberger said the final count was 539 to 525. Drake, 37, an interactive marketing agency employee, wins the seat held for over 20 years by longtime mayor Bill Floyd. He'll be sworn in on April 1 and his term runs through 2015. Now the youngest commissioner, Drake's the son of Walt Drake, a Decatur mayor in the 1970s. Bill Banks for the AJC

Annexation over for Decatur

Decatur city manager Peggy Merriss said that potential annexation of two heavily commercial areas just outside city limits has apparently died quietly in the legislature. The city commission voted in December to pursue annexation of the Clairemont Avenue/North Decatur Road sector and the Suburban Plaza area off Church Street. But Merriss said the plan "never got a sponsor in the General Assembly." She added that these areas have attracted multiple annexation proposals since the 1950s. Bill Banks for the AJC

Catholic healthcare discussion at Emory

Sister Carol Keehan, president and chief executive officer of the Catholic Healthcare Association of the United States, will talk on “Challenges for Catholic Health Care in a Complex World,” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Glenn Memorial Auditorium. The lecture is sponsored by the Aquinas Center of Theology and Emory’s Candler School of Theology.

Keehan will also address provisions of the new legislation at a keynote lecture at the annual conference of the Health Care Ethics Consortium of Georgia and the Center for Ethics at Emory. That talk will be held at 5:50 p.m. Thursday at the Emory University Conference Center. Admission is free to both. A reservation is needed for Thursday by emailing hcecg@emory.edu. Shelia M. Poole

SOUTHSIDE

Stockbridge Elementary gets progress award

Henry County's Stockbridge Elementary School has been recognized as a Title I High-Progress Reward School. Only the top 10 percent of Title I schools in Georgia receive this recognition for improving performance on statewide assessments. Already recognized as a Georgia School of Excellence, Stockbridge Elementary received its certificate at a school ceremony. School officials also were informed that they would receive $3,000 to provide teachers and staff bonuses and/or to purchase instructional-related supplies and services for the school. Nancy Badertscher

Forest Park mayor’s race heads to runoff

Former mayor pro tem Sparkle Adams will face local attorney David Lockhart in an April 16 runoff for mayor of Forest Park based on election results posted Tuesday night.

Voters were more decisive when it came to filling the Ward 1 seat vacated by Adams. Businessman Thomas "Tommy" Smith Jr. beat homemaker Kimberly James for the job. The special-called election was held to replace Mayor Corine Deyton who resigned last fall for health reasons. Tammy Joyner

Moore wins mayor’s seat in Hampton

Chris Moore is the new mayor of Hampton. He defeated Steve Hutchison in a March 19 special election to complete the term of R.W. Coley, who passed away in October. Moore will be sworn in at the April 2 meeting of the City Council and his term expires at the end of this year. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Henry names top media specialist

Juli Gilbert has been named Library Media Specialist of the Year for Henry County Schools. She received the honor for her outstanding media center programs for students and staff at McDonough Elementary School. The Georgia Library Media Association, in conjunction with the Georgia Association of Instructional Technology, hosts the award program. Each school system names one winner who has a chance to compete at the district and state levels. Nancy Badertscher

Fayette teacher earns foreign language award

A Starr's Mill High School teacher was given the presidential award by the Foreign Language Association of Georgia at the group's annual conference recently. The award recognizes Brandi Stone Meeks "as an exemplary teacher, for her dedication and hard work to improve foreign language instruction in Georgia." Meeks is chair of the Foreign Language department at Starr's Mill High School in Fayetteville. She is a 1993 graduate of Fayette County High School. Tammy Joyner

East Point film causes street closures

The Captive Productions film “Prisoners” will be filming scenes at the Atlanta Medical Center — South Campus at 1170 Cleveland Ave. The filming dates are tentatively scheduled through Friday.

Some filming will require a temporary closure of part of Cleveland Avenue. On the days of exterior filming, East Point police will help close the road. Residents will not be denied access to their homes and driveways; however, they will be detoured around the closure. John Thompson for the AJC