County by county news for Thursday

Neighbor Randy Holmes complained of the nighttime noise.

Her application is expected to come before the City Council at 7 p.m. July 16 for a final decision.

Commission member Wanda McDaniel was the only one to support her request since the City Council is expected to decide on whether to allow previously prohibited chickens in the city - also on July 16. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Tourism director to retire Friday

Theresa Jenkins, executive director of the Marietta Visitors Bureau for 29 years, will retire Friday June 28.

Her replacement will be named after July 9. Jenkins is credited with increasing tourism in the city with events including the Marietta Pilgrimage Christmas home tour and the Taste of Marietta.

The Southeast Tourism Society has given her the Dorothy Hardman and Tourism Leader of the Year awards.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Fundraiser today for Halstead, Patterson

Team Boom is sponsoring a fundraiser for Tripp Halstead, the 2-year-old boy who suffered a brain injury in 2012 when a tree limb fell on him, from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Chick-fil-A, 3951 Austell Rd., Austell.

A portion of the proceeds will go to the Halstead family, as well as to the family of Mike Patterson, who was paralyzed from injuries he sustained trying to rescue a 4-year-old girl from drowning.

Donations will also be accepted online at www.teamboom4tripp.com.

Information: 678-294-6002.

Veronica Fields Johnson

Registration for senior classes underway

Registration for quarterly Cobb senior classes began Monday. The classes beginning July 8, are for residents 55 and older and include everything from yoga to jewelry making.

Information on classes and locations: www.cobbcountyga.gov.

Jaime Sarrio

Lee’s town hall meeting moved

The town hall meeting for Cobb Chairman Tim Lee has been moved to Pebblebrook High School Cobb County Center for Excellence in the Performing Arts, 991 Old Alabama Road, Mableton.

The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Aug. 13.

Information: 770-528-3305. Jaime Sarrio

Summer J.A.M. to be July 17 in Civic Center

The Coalition of Cobb County Business Associations and Cobb Chamber of Commerce will hold Summer J.A.M. 5 to 8 p.m. July 17 at the Cobb Civic Center.

The event celebrates Cobb’s small business community and promotes local business associations.

Members of participating associations can attend for free with online registration or pay $20 at the door.

General admission is $20 online, $30 at the door.

Deadline for online registration is noon July 3.

Information: cobbchamber.org/summerjam. Jaime Sarrio

GWINNETT

Search on for suspect in attempted abduction

Lilburn Police are asking the public to report any leads that might assist in the apprehension of a suspect in an attempt to coax a 10 year-old girl into his car on June 1 at approximately 7:30 p.m. The child’s parent interrupted the incident and the suspect left the area in his car. A short while later, the victim observed the suspect at a nearby gas station. The suspect is a light skinned black male, medium build, with freckles. The suspect’s vehicle is a newer model black or gray Dodge Charger with shiny rims. Contact the Lilburn Police Department at 770-921-2211 with information regarding this or similar cases. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Certification awarded to technical programs

Gwinnett County Public Schools students will be able to enroll next school year in technical education programs that are now industry certified. The existing programs at four of the district’s schools – Duluth High, Grayson High, Lanier High, and North Gwinnett High – have successfully undergone rigorous reviews by leaders from business and industry to be recognized with this distinction. Nancy Badertscher

Portion of Duluth road closed for repairs

Clearbrooke Way between Highbrooke Trail and River Summit Trail is closed temporarily due to a storm water pipe failure. Information: www.duluthga.net.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Duluth seeks members for public arts panel

Duluth is seeking residents interested in forming a nine-member Public Arts Commission to develop the city’s performing arts, maintain its public art collection and commission new works.

Applications are available at duluthga.net and must be submitted by July 15 to the City Manager's office, 3167 Main St.

Information: 770-476-3434.

Michael Alpert for the AJC

UGA Day coming to Gwinnett July 29

The University of Georgia Alumni Association and the UGA Athletic Association have teamed up to bring UGA Day to Gwinnett County on July 29. A buffet dinner begins at 6 p.m., followed by the official program at 7 p.m. UGA Day in Gwinnett County will be at the Gwinnett Center and will feature incoming President Jere Morehead, head football coach Coach Mark Richt and basketball coach Mark Fox.

Information/registration: www.alumni.uga.edu/ugadays. Nancy Badertscher

Dalai Lama returns to Emory in October

The Dalai Lama, Presidential Distinguished Professor at Emory University, will be at Emory for a series of events, including programs on responsible citizenship, ethics and education.

Emory has had a long relationship with the Dalai Lama. In 1998, the Dalai Lama delivered the commencement address and received an honorary degree.

A public talk and a panel session will be held Oct. 8 at the Arena at Gwinnett Center. Admission to both events is included in the tickets which are now on sale at GwinnettCenter.com or 1-888-9-AXS-TIX (297-849) .

Information: www.dalailama.emory.edu Shelia M. Poole

NORTHSIDE

Sandy Springs police search for robbery suspect

A man robbed the Shell gas station in the 7800 block of Holcomb Bridge Road around 4 a.m. Friday with a semi-automatic. Authorities said the same man robbed three other gas stations — in Rockdale County on June 16, and in Chamblee and Cobb County on June 18. The suspect, a black male between 5-foot-6 and 5-9, and 140 to 160 pounds, was wearing a black wave cap and tan and white shoes. Anyone with information should contact Detective J.T. Williams at 770-551-6937 or jtwilliams@sandyspringsga.gov or at www.crimestoppersatlanta.org or 404-577-8477. Staff

Forsyth park closed; reopens Saturday

Forsyth County Parks and Recreation Department officials say that Chattahoochee Pointe Park will be closed today and Friday.

The temporary closure will allow for construction work near the park entrance which will slightly change the alignment of the park entrance roadway.

The facility at 5790 Chattahoochee Point Drive is scheduled to re-open Saturday.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Preserve closed; no reopening set

Due to the recent storms, the city Sandy Springs has closed the Big Trees Preserve. Officials say the storms felled many large trees which are now blocking trails and making walking difficult.

There is no estimate on the date for reopening the preserve. Pat Fox

Centennial High seeks softball players

All rising sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade girls zoned for Centennial High School, 9310 Scott Road, Roswell, who want to play softball must register by July 15.

Softball season begins in August.

Information: Marty at alymart@att.net or 678-230-5155. Veronica Fields Johnson

Woodstock approves budget; to set mills

The Woodstock City Council has approved its fiscal year 2014 budget, which goes into effect July 1.

The $33.8 million document is an increase from the $30.7 million initial budget for 2013.

City officials say an increased tax digest allows for the higher number.

The budget plan provides for a limited number of new positions, including two new police officers, and aims to keep the same millage rate as in 2013.

The mill levy will be set in August. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Adventure Runs get shoes to those in need

Soles4Souls Inc., a non-profit anti-poverty organization, will team up with Road Runner Sports to collect footwear for those in need.

The first of seven scheduled Adventure Runs takes place at Road Runner Sports, 3756 Roswell Road, N.E.

Participants are invited to donate gently worn shoes at the event, which will feature free 60-minute scavenger hunts, score giveaways, raffles and live music.

Dates: June 29, July 18, Aug. 15, Sept. 19, Oct. 17 and Nov. 21.

Information: www.youradventurerun.com or www.giveshoes.org. Mea Watkins

ATLANTA

‘Baton Bob’ arrested for run-in with officer

Bob Jamerson, 61, who performs on the street as “Baton Bob,” was arrested Wednesday afternoon following an altercation with a security guard, Atlanta police said.

Jamerson was allegedly involved in a verbal altercation with security at a Midtown building. Alexis Stevens

Ex-tax preparer gets 3 years for fraud

Eugene Gibbons, a former tax preparer, claimed more than $1.2 million in fraudulent funds over a nine-year period, federal prosecutors said, claiming phony deductions, expenses and credits, which resulted in refunds for his clients that they did not deserve. Gibbons, 65, was sentenced to three years, six months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release. He is also ordered to pay $1.2 million in restitution to the U.S. Treasury.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of aiding and abetting in the preparation of false tax returns in July 2012. Marcus K. Garner

Power knocked out at MARTA station

Rail service through the Lindbergh MARTA rail station was out for an hour after an apparent lightning strike briefly knocked out electricity to the station.

MARTA officials said northbound trains were terminating at the Arts Center station, while southbound trains were stopping at the Lenox and Buckhead stations due to a power outage at Lindbergh between 8 and 9 a.m. Wednesday, and that buses would be shuttling passengers between those stations. Mike Morris

APS plans tax meetings

Atlanta’s school system is scheduling public meetings July 3 and July 11 because taxes are going up due to rising property values. Millage rates will remain unchanged in the 2013-2014 school year, but property taxes are projected to increase by 1.2 percent. The Atlanta Board of Education voted June 17 for its property tax rate within the city to stay at 21.64 mills, with a 0.1 mill for bond payments. Mark Niesse

DEKALB

Troublesome crosswalk gets upgrade

Avondale Estates is giving a much-needed overhaul to the crosswalk at Ashton Place and Covington Road, which some residents claim is nearly impossible to negotiate during high-traffic hours.

Handicap-accessible ramps will be built on each side of Covington Road, and flashing lights with accompanying push buttons will be installed, similar to the Agnes Scott College crossing on East College Avenue.

Total cost will be around $15,000, and the project should be finished in two months at the most. Bill Banks for the AJC

South police precinct opens Saturday

The DeKalb Police department will open its new south precinct Saturday after two years of work.

The county spent more than $700,00 to relocate operations from Candler Road to a former Toys R Us store at 2842 Shepherd Drive, near Decatur.

An open house will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday for residents to tour the new facility and meet command staff.

April Hunt

Free resource fair, activities Saturday

An event to promote DeKalb County businesses and services will be held Saturday near Decatur.

The Family Fun Day will mix information about buying homes and budget counseling with free food and entertainment.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the DeKalb Community Achievement Center, 4522 Flat Shoals Parkway, near Decatur

April Hunt

Dive into Shabbat at MJCCA outdoor pool

Celebrate Shabbat at the MJCCA’s Outdoor Pool and Splash Park 5–7 p.m. Friday, July 12, July 26 and Aug. 9 at Zaban Park, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody.

Bring a picnic or purchase kosher food at Goodfriend’s Outdoor Grill.

Open swim begins at 5 p.m. followed by Shabbat songs and blessings with Rabbi Glusman at 6 p.m.

Free.

Information: Rabbi Brian Glusman, brian.glusman@atlantajcc.org or 678-812-4161. Mea Watkins

Free HIV testing in DeKalb this month

DeKalb County’s Community Service Board will offer free HIV testing and a community health fair 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. today at the DeKalb Addiction Clinic, 455 Winn Way, Decatur.

Test results will be available in 20 minutes.

The event also includes a free lunch starting at 11 a.m. and health information and resources from other community organizations.

Information: 404-508-6430. April Hunt

Service board seeks volunteers

A non-profit group that supports behavioral health and developmental disability services in DeKalb County is seeking new board members.

The DeKalb Community Service Board requires only that would-be members be a county resident, not employed by a provider and have an interest in the services.

Information: 404-508-7875 or www.btfdekalb.org. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

S. Fulton adult novelty store catches fire

No injuries were reported in a fire Wednesday morning at an adult novelty store in south Fulton County.

The Love Shack store on Fulton Industrial Boulevard was unoccupied when the fire broke out. The fire department received the call at about 7:30 a.m. and that firefighters could see smoke coming from the roof line. Officials had the fire under control by 8 a.m. The fire is believed to have originated around the roof line of the building, but officials do not yet know what caused the smoldering. Cailin O’Brien and John Spink

Henry teen arrested for rape attempt

Police arrested a 15-year-old Mondayaccused of trying to rape a woman in Henry County last month.

According to police, a woman reported being sexually assaulted on May 20 as she walked through the Villas at Eagles Landing apartment complex.

Police said the suspect approached the woman and attempted to sell her marijuana before propositioning her for sexual acts.

When the woman refused him, police said the suspect pushed her down and sexually assaulted her.

The teen, who lives near the complex where the incident occurred, has been charged with criminal attempt to commit rape and is being held at a youth detention center.

Marcus K. Garner

Hampton hosts family talent show

Hampton’s Got Talent will have open auditions on 6:30 p.m Saturday at McBrayer Park, 10 Central Ave. Any family-friendly talent is accepted. Information forms will be filled in prior to the auditions.

Information: 678-758-0606 or mayormooreofhampton@gmail.com.

Veronica Fields Johnson

Breakfast fundraiser to benefit child advocacy

The Southern Crescent Child Advocacy Center is sponsoring a country breakfast fundraiser 7 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the Hampton Masonic Lodge No. 70, 34 McDonough St., Hampton. Activities will also include a blood drive, conducted by LifeSouth. Monetary donations are appreciated and a portion of the proceeds will benefit SCCAC.

Information: 770-507-7772. Veronica Fields Johnson

Peachtree City holds summer photo contest

The Friends of the Peachtree City Library is sponsoring a “Summer in the Bubble” photo contest for children and adults.

Photos must be taken within the city limits and will be judged based on theme, quality, composition and personality.

Winners will receive awards. Entries are due July 12.

Information: Events page at www.peachtree-city.org for details. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Clayton hosts fishing derby for kids, adults

A fishing derby hosted by Clayton County Parks & Recreation is from 8 a.m. to noon Aug. 3, at Clayton County International Park, 2300 Highway 138, Jonesboro.

Bring bait and equipment.

Prizes will be awarded.

Cost: $5. Nancy Badertscher