COBB
Cobb police: Man set fire to tent where two homeless people were sleeping
Two people were badly burned at a homeless encampment near Marietta early Wednesday when a man set fire to the tent where they were sleeping, police said.
Cobb County police spokesman Michael Bowman said police responding to a 5:39 a.m. domestic incident call off Noonday Church Road near White Circle found Raymond Matthews, 49, and Wanda Kight, 51, suffering from severe burns.
Police arrested Melvin Hood, 52. The victims were taken to Grady Memorial Hospital.
Mike Morris
Powder Springs hires two police officers
Powder Springs has two new police officers, Jeremy Boatwright and Jonathan Hardy.
Boatwright has a bachelor’s degree in justice studies from Georgia Southern University.
A cannon crew member with the U.S. Army in Alaska from 2010 until this year, Hardy has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Albany State University. Carolyn Cunningham
Powder Springs renews authority
The Development Authority of Powder Springs was reactivated on Aug. 20 with six new directors — all city residents.
Six-year terms will be served by Iris Anthony, Murray Homan and Sylvia Huber.
Patrick Bordelon will serve for four years, with the other four-year seat still vacant.
Two-year terms were given to Joseph Pitman and Krystal Whatley. No salaries will be given, but they will be reimbursed for their expenses. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Peterson picked to head visitors bureau
The Marietta Visitors Bureau board of directors has picked Katie Peterson, the center’s marketing and public relations manger, to head the city tourism center on Depot Street. Peterson, 28, replaces Theresa Jenkins who retired June 28 as executive director. Peterson’s salary will be $45,000. Marietta funds $197,500 or about 75 percent of the bureau’s budget through hotel/motel and auto rental tax collections. Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Kennesaw’s Pigs and Peaches BBQ fest
The City of Kennesaw will hold its Pigs and Peaches BBQ Festival Friday and Saturday at Adams Park, 2753 Watts Drive. More than 75 teams are expected to compete for prizes and more than 150 booths will sell barbeque, beer, arts and crafts. Friday’s hours are 6 to 11 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is free. For info: www.pigsandpeaches.com.
Jaime Sarrio
GWINNETT
Body found in Atlanta ID’d as missing Gwinnett man
The body found in Atlanta on Sunday has been identified as Diego Ramirez, 33, of Lawrenceville, last seen by his wife Saturday when he left home to meet with friends, police said.
Saturday night, authorities responded to a suspicious activity call in the 6400 block of Buford Highway near Doraville, police said. Officers found blood and a spent shell casing, but no victim.
Ramirez’s vehicle was located near the crime scene.
Officers found Ramirez near Proctor and Tazor streets in Atlanta, police said. The investigation showed that the body had been brought to that location. Angel K. Brooks
Peachtree Corners to contract inmate labor
The Peachtree Corners City Council has voted to contract with the Gwinnett County Department of Corrections for occasional landscaping, trash pick-up, painting and graffiti removal to public properties. The City will pay $310 for a crew of eight to ten inmates per seven-hour workday.
Information: www.cityofpeachtreecornersga.com.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Qualifying dates for Norcross elections
Two Norcross incumbent council members, Charlie Riehm and Craig Newton, are up for re-election, along with Norcross Mayor, Bucky Johnson.
Qualifying for interested candidates is 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Aug. 30, at City Hall, 65 Lawrenceville Street in Norcross.
Contact the Norcross City Clerk’s office for details by calling 678-421-2027. www.norcrossga.net.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Organization to sponsor free SAT Prep
College Nannies & Tutors of Duluth offers a free SAT Prep class 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 17 at Gwinnett Fire Station 7, 3343 Bunten Road, Duluth.
Participants must register at least a week in advance by calling 678-259-0232.
Information: www.collegetutors.com.
Veronica Fields Johnson
SPCA to host low-cost pet vaccination clinic
The Georgia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will host a low cost pet vaccination clinic from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Georgia SPCA, 1175 Buford Highway, Suwanee.
Services offered include shots for rabies, distemper and bordetella, heartworm tests and microchip.
No appointment is needed and all proceeds from the clinic will benefit the services of the organization.
All dogs should be on a leash and all cats in carriers. Information: 678-765-2726.
Veronica Fields Johnson
Citizenship classes at Lawrenceville library
The Lawrenceville branch of the Gwinnett Public Library will offer classes to help pass the U.S. Citizenship test 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursday through Sept. 12 at 1001 Lawrenceville Highway.
No registration required.
Information: www.gwinnettpl.org.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
NORTHSIDE
Commissioners sell building, set hearing
The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners Tuesday approved a deal with Westbridge Partners to sell the former Jones Mercantile Building in downtown Canton, which housed county government offices until 2008. The $1. 8 million deal includes a $200,000 reimbursement for removal of the wood and stucco façade of the building. Commissioners also approved a public hearing on the proposed 2014 budget for 6 p. m. Sept. 17.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Fulton announced manager finalists
On Tuesday Fulton County named Dwight A. Ferrell, former deputy general manager for MARTA; Fulton County Finance Director Patrick O’Connor; and Morris E. Williams III, chief of staff of the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners, as finalists.
Ferrell and O’Connor were among three finalists for the job announced in May. But after the third finalists — Cobb County Manager David Hankerson – withdrew, commissioners decided to readvertise the job.
Fulton has been without a manager since December.
David Wickert
Non-profit to hold celebration in Roswell
Second Wind Dreams, an Atlanta-based nonprofit providing services to the elder community, will hold a celebration in Roswell 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. Sept 7 at Riverside Park, 575 Riverside Road. The free event’s part of National Second Wind Dreams Day and will events and booths for elders, music and raffles. More info: www.secondwind.org
Veronica Fields Johnson
Forsyth jail, courthouse construction on web
Forsyth County residents can monitor construction of the new courthouse and jail in downtown Cumming via time-lapse videos of the construction at forsythco.com.
Videos will be updated weekly. Completion of the $100 million project is set for December, 2014.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Holly Springs council settles on park name
The Holly Springs City Council voted unanimously to name its soon-to-be-constructed 33-acre park on Hickory Road after James Baxter Owens, the last agent for the L and N Railroad at the Holly Springs train depot. The depot now serves as a community center. J.B. Owens Park is set to open in early summer, 2014, after construction of trails, a playground and other amenities.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Alpharetta hosts youth triathlon this fall
IronKids Alpharetta, the largest youth triathlon in the U.S., will take place Sept. 15 at Wills Park, 1825 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta. Athletes ages 6 to 15 can enter to win a free registration at www.awesomealpharetta.com through July 31. Participants receive a medal upon crossing the finish line and the top three athletes within each age category will be awarded a placement trophy. Registration is $50 online and $65 onsite. Race morning registration will not be available. Information: hy-veeironkids.com/alpharetta. Veronica Fields Johnson
ATLANTA
Man shot at Buckhead restaurant
Officers arrived at Benihana in the 2100 block of Peachtree Road around 10:15 p.m. Tuesday to find a man shot in the buttocks.
The man was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital in stable condition.
The man was leaving the restaurant with a group of people when two suspects approached him, Chafee said. He was shot while trying to go back inside.
The suspects were last seen in a tan Dodge Charger fleeing the scene northbound on Peachtree Road, police said.
Angel K. Brooks
Still time to register for stadium presentation
The Council for Quality Growth, in partnership with the Atlanta Falcons and Georgia World Congress Center Authority, will host a public event discussing the new $1 billion stadium from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Aug. 28 at the GWCC Sidney Marcus Auditorium. Falcons owner Arthur Blank will be among the speakers. Cost: $30. Register: www.councilforqualitygrowth.org. Katie Leslie
KIPP STRIVE Primary opens new building
The grand opening of a building for KIPP STRIVE Primary School was held Tuesday as 200 kindergartners and first graders start their school year.
The West End charter school was housed in KIPP STRIVE Academy last year before a fundraising campaign helped build the $10 million facility.
KIPP STRIVE Primary School will eventually grow to serve about 400 students in kindergarten through fourth grade.
Mark Niesse
Porter appointed to judicial watchdog
Patsy Porter, chief judge of the Fulton County State Court, has been appointed to serve on the seven-member Judicial Qualifications Commission.
Porter, appointed by the Georgia Supreme Court, will replace Muscogee County Superior Court Judge John Allen, who once chaired the judicial watchdog agency. Porter will serve the remainder of Allen’s term on the commission beginning Sept. 1 through Jan. 4, 2015.
Bill Rankin
DEKALB
Same-day permits continue in DeKalb
DeKalb County’s same-day permitting program, designed to streamline the ability of businesses and residents to receive necessary permits, continues later this month.
The county’s planning department will hold the sessions on the last Friday of each month through October. The next program will be Aug. 30 but requires registration by Friday.
Registration: 404-294-2000 or www.dekalbcountyga.gov/samedaypermit/. April Hunt
Brookhaven seeks park director
Brookhaven is looking locally and nationally a parks director who will oversee eight parks in the new city.
The city is slated to take over control of its green space from DeKalb County on Sept. 3. It hopes to have a new director of parks and recreation, who will plan for growth and programs, shortly thereafter.
Information/applications: www.brookhavenga.gov/jobs.html. April Hunt
Volunteers still needed for book festival
Volunteer are still needed to help with the AJC Decatur Book Festival, which comes to the city Aug 31 to Sept. 1.
Hundreds of volunteers are needed to help with set up, book signings, sales and other activities.
Information: 678-615-0915 or sherry.jackman@decaturga.com.
April Hunt
Hispanic organizations to host bilingual job fair
The National Society for Hispanic Professionals, in partnership with LatPro, will host the NSHP Atlanta Bilingual Professional Job Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22 at the Courtyard Marriott Atlanta Decatur Downtown/Emory, 130 Clairemont Avenue, Decatur. All job-seekers are invited to attend. Participants should bring resumes and dress for on-site interviews. Information: http://network.nshp.org/events/atlanta-job-fair-4 or 954-678-1807.
Veronica Fields Johnson
Retailers donate equipment to park
The Atlanta Retailers Association Foundation recently donated a fitness station to park in central DeKalb County.
The value of the gift at Dearborn Park is estimated at $40,000 and is the result of a partnership between the retailers and the county’s parks and recreation department. The equipment is already set up in the 7-acre park.
April Hunt
Zoning delayed for development
Tuesday night Fuqua Development unveiled a far different plan for its 50,000 square-foot retail center “Decatur Crossing,” at North Decatur Road and Scott Boulevard, than previously shown at three neighborhood meetings. The new plan eliminates both a five-story, 262-unit apartment building and (at least initially) the closing of Barton Way. Because of the plan’s radical alteration, DeKalb County’s District 2 Community Council deferred any recommendation of rezoning the current property, which includes the Scott Boulevard Baptist Church (down to 75 members) until it can be reviewed by the county’s planning commission on September 10.
Bill Banks for the AJC
SOUTHSIDE
Dutchtown teacher earns national honor
Nancy Adgate of Dutchtown High School is the Georgia honoree on this year’s list of Outstanding Earth Science Teachers released by the National Association of Geoscience Teachers. She is a 20-year teaching veteran who began at Dutchtown High in 2009. She has been a part of various leadership teams and was a member of the host committee for the 2008 International Science and Engineering Fair in Atlanta. Information: www.henry.k12.ga.us.
Monroe Roark for the AJC
Commissioner hosts ‘listening session’
Fulton County Commissioner William “Bill” Edwards, District 7, will host a Community Listening Session at 7 p.m. Thursday at the South Fulton Service Center Auditorium, 5600 Stonewall Tell Rd., College Park. Residents may comments about county services. Staff from Fulton County agencies will answer questions and follow up on inquiries. Information: 404-612-8230 or 404-612-3079. Veronica Fields Johnson
Peachtree City election qualifying Monday
Candidates intending to run for Peachtree City seats may file the qualifying paperwork 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday - Aug. 30 at City Hall. Candidates must be registered voters over 21 years old who have lived in the city for at least six months before the election. See www.peachtree-city.org or email info@peachtree-city.org for details. Jill Howard Church
Soccer association seeks referees
The Peachtree City Youth Soccer Association wants to hire more officials for the fall season. A training session will be held 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the Kedron Fieldhouse. Trainees must be age 12 or older and no previous experience is required. Register online at www.gareferees.com or contact Larry@ptcsoccer.org.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
AFPLS offers online learning suite
The Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System will offer a free eCampus back-to-school online learning suite designed to support test preparation and educational resources. The program is accessible with an AFPLS library card.
The learning suite will feature online one-on-one tutoring sessions, homework assistance, basic learning skills, GED preparation, foreign language classes, literary resources for early learning, assistance with naturalization and citizenship tests, career exploration, employment search and assistance, continuing education classes.
Information: www.afpls.org/ecampus or contact Jurée Hall, juree.hall@fultoncountyga.gov.
Mea Watkins
Town hall set to discuss road improvements
District III Commissioner Gary Barham will host a town hall meeting at 9 a.m. Aug. 31, in the Activity Center of Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church, 992 Mt. Bethel Road, McDonough.
Potentially closing River Road will be the topic of discussion. Improving safety at the intersection of Wynn Road and Mt. Bethel Road at Highway 81 will also be discussed.
Monroe Roark for the AJC
