County by county news for Thursday

A detention officer noticed Postell lying unresponsive on his bed inside his cell around 7:30 a.m. Saturday. The Cobb County Police Department investigated and determined that Postell died of natural causes in his sleep. There were no signs of foul play.

Andria Simmons

Gelato company to bring 100 jobs

Ice cream company, Talenti Gelato, plans to open a production facility in Marietta, bringing up to 100 jobs.

It will maintain its existing plant in Dallas but relocate its primary production headquarters to the Marietta Industrial Park and begin operations this year.

The company qualifies for the Opportunity Zone Tax Credit program, which provides $3,500 per job created for five years. The Development Authority of Marietta will provide a $25,000 grant to Talenti when it hires a minimum of 60 new employees. Janel Davis

Rainbow Days at Six Flags Saturday

Atlanta Premier Events Group and Six Flags Over Georgia will host Rainbow Days 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday at Six Flags . Cost is $59.95 which covers parking, rides, entertainment and a 6 p.m. buffet. A portion of ticket sales benefit The Health Initiative, MEGA Family Project and Pets are Loving Support.

Information: www.rainbowdaysatsixflags.com. Kenneth Musisi

Business taxing district recommended

The unincorporated area of Mableton in south Cobb could benefit from the sustained funding that a self-taxing community improvement district of businesses could provide, planners said Monday.

Members of the South Cobb Redevelopment Authority heard an update about the area as part of a Livable Centers Initiative funded by the Atlanta Regional Commission. Janel Davis

Jazz series concludes Saturday in Mableton

The Wade Ford Summer Concert Series will conclude at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre, 5239 Floyd Road, Mableton.

Musical host will be Joey Sommerville with entertainers Peter White, Howard Hewitt and Kirk Whalum.

Tickets are $30, $45 and $65 with tables, seating six, at $450.

Information: mablehouse.org, wadeford.com or 770-819-7765.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Economic summit coming to Kennesaw

Americans for Prosperity Foundation-Georgia will host a summit 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday to promote the "3 E's" driving Georgia's future: economic freedom, educational choice and energy freedom at Mt. Paran Christian School in Kennesaw. Speakers include The Wall Street Journal's Stephen Moore, Junk Science's Steve Milloy and Georgia Tech economics professor Christine Ries. Information: www.georgiae3summit.com

Andria Simmons

GWINNETT

Gwinnett enrollment surpasses expectations

The Gwinnett County school system has surpassed its original enrollment projection by 1,400 students, officials announced Tuesday.

The system's latest count shows 164,035 students enrolled, with more expected by the final count after Labor Day.

"Given the economic uncertainties, we leaned toward a more conservative forecast. What we are seeing is that Gwinnett is continuing to grow and that we are on track to grow by more students than we have in recent years." Nancy Badertscher

Creative work on display at Hudgens

Winning and selected entries from the fourth annual Altered Books competition are on display through Sept. 1 at the Hudgens Center for the Arts, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth.

Entries could be concocted using any creative technique on an old book that was ready for recycling. The competition was open to any Gwinnett County resident.

Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children. Nancy Badertscher

Celebrate Parks & Rec's 25th Anniversary

Residents are invited to celebrate the Gwinnett Parks & Rec's 25th Anniversary with a movie night showing "Back to the Future" 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. Friday at Rhodes Jordan Park Recreation Center, 100 East Crogan St. in Lawrenceville.

Bring a small item for a time capsule to be opened in 2037 for the 50th anniversary and a blanket or lawn chair for the indoor movie.

$4 per person. Concessions available.

Door prizes include tickets to Treetop Quest.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Learn to preserve fruits and veggies

Gwinnett Cooperative Extension Service will host an interactive demonstration on canning and preserving fruits and vegetables 1 to 2:30 p.m. Friday at Centerville Community Center, 3025 Bethany Church Road in Snellville.

Cost of the class is $1 cash in exact change.

To reserve a seat call 770-985-4713.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Moonlight & Music returns Friday

Lawrenceville's Tourism & Trade Association is bringing live music from 8 to 10 p.m. Friday to the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse.

Enjoy Beatles tribute band, Abbey Road Live at this free concert on the lawn with seating available at 6:30 p.m.

Reserved tables of six available by contacting 678-226-2639.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC.

Ghost tours continue in Lawrenceville

Looking for a spooky good time? The Aurora Theatre continues Lawrenceville Ghost Tours at 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights through September. During October, ghost tours will be available every night.

Adults $12, children $9.Tickets: 678-226-6222 or www.scarystroll.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Johns Creek to discuss proposed 2013 budget

The Johns Creek City Council will meet next Monday to discuss the 2013 budget. Proposed Aug. 20, it calls for $52.2 million in overall spending, which is about $1 million less than the current year's $53.2 million budget. The proposal calls for operating expenses of $45.5 million, down about $700,000 from the current year and $3 million in capital expenses, projects such as buildings and street upgrades. That's down about $1.8 million from 2012. Adoption is scheduled for Sept. 10. Patrick Fox

Leaders program accepting applications

The Emerging Leaders Program, within the Great North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, is accepting applications from juniors that live or attend high school in North Fulton County.

The ELP program involves three class days for leadership training, a commitment to 15 community service hours and speakers from the community. Cost is $100. Applications, due by Sept. 14, are available at www.leadershipnorthfulton.org.

Kenneth Musisi

Poet appearing in Johns Creek

Award winning poet Jill Jennings will speak at 10:15 a.m. Saturday at Northeast Spruill Oaks LIbrary, 9560 Spruill Road, Johns Creek. A retired journalist, Jennings has taught Latin and English for 18 years and has developed SAT exam writing workshops. Her poems have won awards from the Georgia Poetry Society and Atlanta Writers Club. Information: Rob Lynn, robertllynn.com, 770-360-8820. Michael Alpert for the AJC

Sandy Springs adds two acres to preserve

Two acres were added to the Lost Corner Preserve Wednesday, completing long-standing plans to protect the forested land in Sandy Springs.

The action by the Sandy Springs City Council means the city will buy the land from The Trust for Public Land, a national conservation organization. The Lost Corner Preserve was created from land owned by Margaret L. Miles, who died in 2008 and lived her entire life on the property. Patrick Fox

FCHS Dance Dawgs announce members

The Forsyth Central High School Dance Dawgs have new members for 2012-2013. Amy Hudgins and Leah Heisler will continue as coaches.

Meet the dancers 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Chick-fil-A, 653 Atlanta Road, Cumming. Ten percent of all receipts collected by the team during the event will be donated to the team.

Information: fchsdancers@gmail.com or www.fchsdawgs.com. Kenneth Musisi

Senior fundraiser planned in Cherokee

The Cherokee County Volunteer Aging Council will hold its annual fundraising gala 6:30-10:30 p.m. Saturday at the Northside Hospital-Cherokee Conference Center, 1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton. Money raised by the dinner-dance event will benefit Cherokee County Senior Services programs such as Meals on Wheels. Information: http://vac-cherokeega.org/

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

Body found in northwest Atlanta

Police are investigating the discovery of a body late Wednesday morning at a home in northwest Atlanta.

The body was reported shortly before 10 a.m. on Azlee Place, just inside I-285 off Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway, according to police.

Police have not disclosed the gender or age of the body, or whether foul play is suspected.

Mike Morris

Weekend event celebrates recess

The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia Bring Back Recess movement will be part of the 10th annual Grant Park Summer Shade Festival 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sunday at 840 Cherokee Ave. S.E.

Activities include four square, Hula-Hoop and jump roping competitions and waste/laundry basketball. BCBSGa will donate $1 to a local Boys and Girls Club for every attendee who participates in the event, up to $2,000.

Veronica Fields Johnson

Career Center closed for repairs

The Georgia Department of Labor's South Metro Career Center, 2636-14 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., will be closed for the remainder of the week for repairs from water damage. Customers of the South Metro Career Center can be served at any GDOL center.

Information: 404-699-6900 or www.dol.state.ga.us.

Veronica Fields Johnson

Atlantan named Fire Chief of the Year

Chief Kelvin J. Cochran of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department was named 2012 Fire Chief of the Year by Fire Chief magazine during an international conference this month in Denver.

Cochran served as Atlanta Fire Chief from January 2008 through July 2009 before accepting an appointment from President Barack Obama to serve as U.S. Fire Administrator. Cochran returned to Atlanta in May 2010.

He directs the operations of a $74 million department with 35 fire stations and nearly 1,000 firefighters. Jeremiah McWilliams

DEKALB

Decatur awaits first two craft brewers

Decatur's city commission voted 5-0 this week to amend the city's C3 zoning district to allow craft beer brewing in the East Decatur Station area.

Both Blue Tarp Brewing, hoping to begin production next month, and Three Taverns, which should begin late in the year, will operate in East Decatur Station. Neither brewer will sell on site, but will distribute their beer to various local and regional retail outlets. Bill Banks

I-285 bridge shut down briefly

The northbound lanes of I-285 in south DeKalb County were closed for nearly 90 minutes when a man threatened to jump from an overpass, police said.

The man in his 40s climbed over the fence on the Rainbow Drive overpass around 4 a.m. Wednesday and threatened to jump, police said.

Police talked him down and the interstate opened before 5:30 a.m. Mike Morris and John Spink

Westchester reopening almost a certainty

With Decatur schools growing by 12 percent in the last two years, Superintendent Phyllis Edward said reopening Westchester, current site for the system's central office, becomes necessary. Schools may grow by 230 students initially, with 400 to 430 more in 10 years. The central office would move to Beacon Hill in spring, 2014. Edwards estimates renovation costs at $800,000. The school would open 2014-15 as a pre k-3.

Bill Banks for the AJC

Epilepsy project is set for Saturday

UCB's "My Four Words" project is coming to the 29th Annual Magnolia Run and Walk for Epilepsy at 7 a.m. Saturday at Perimeter Mall. The "My Four Words" campaign enables people impacted by epilepsy to share their personal account with the condition in just four words.

The 5k run and 1 mile fun-run which starts at 7:30 a.m. will benefit the programs and services of the Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia.

UCB is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative medicines. Information: www.epilepsyga.org. Kenneth Musisi

Applications accepted for nursing scholarship

The DeKalb Medical Foundation is accepting applications for the Dr. Mark Coppage Nursing Scholarship.

The scholarship provides financial support for those who embody the characteristics of a community advocate; are dedicated to serving others, and are pursuing a nursing career.

Deadline is Sept. 15. Information: www.dekalbmedical.org/Foundation. Laurie Hoffman

DeKalb health board names new manager

The DeKalb Community Service Board has named Phil Hibbert as chief operating officer, to help the CEO direct healthcare services across the county.

The board provides community-based mental health services, ranging from substance abuse treatment to programs for developmental disabilities, to more than 11,000 residents.

Hibbert -- who holds degrees in information systems, organizational behavior and business administrations, most recently served as CEO of Atlanta's Integrated Health Resources.

Information: www.dekcsb.org. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Peachtree City police invite public comments

As part of an assessment to re-accredit the Peachtree City Police Department's Gold Standard certification, the public is invited to a meeting at 6 p.m. Monday at City Hall.

A team from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies will focus on policies and procedures, administration, operations and support services.

Comments can also be phoned in between 1 and 3 p.m. Monday to 770-632-4100. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Band students make Atlanta symphony

Seven band students from three Fayette County high schools are among 85 musicians chosen for the 2012-13 Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony. They are Luke Anders, Colin Benton and Jesse Hu of McIntosh; Addison Mason and Haley Strauss of Starr's Mill; and Brian LaBrec and Kayla Poor of Fayette County High.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Henry Parks and Rec holds photo contest

The Henry County Parks and Recreation Department holds its annual photography contest. Photos must be taken at a county park or facility of a HCPRD event. Over $400 in prizes are available for winners in three categories. The deadline to enter is Sept. 28. Photographers must be at least 18 years old. Information: www.hcprd.org or 770-288-7312. Monroe Roark

Country Club plans charity event

Eagle's Landing Country Club is sponsoring a charity car and bike show and motorcycle ride on Sept. 30. Proceeds benefit MDA — Augie's Quest, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and ClubCorp Employee Partner Care Foundation. The ride starts at Harley Davidson of Clayton and ends at the club. There will be vendor booths, entertainment, an auction, food and drink concessions, and a kid's zone.

Register: www.eagleslandingcc.com. Information: Anne Belcher: 770-389-2000 x117 or anne.belcher@ourclub.com

Nancy Badertscher

Edwards holds listening session

Fulton County Commissioner Bill Edwards will have his third quarterly community listening session 7 p.m. Thursday in the South Fulton Government Service Center's auditorium, 5600 Stonewall Tell Road.

Residents, including youth, can sound off on Southside county services, and county staff will be there to answer questions. Edwards' office can be reached at 404-612-8230 or 404-612-3079. District 7 information: www.southfultongoodthings.com. Johnny Edwards

Christian artists open music academy

Local Christian recording artists Joe Ricciardi and Jeremy Whitaker are opening Greater Things Academy for musicians wishing to serve in their gifting by bettering their music skills. The lessons, designed to be 30-minutes long, will combine skill set development and biblical discipleship.

0The open house will be 5 to 7:30 p.m. Friday and 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at 2860 W. Highway 54, Suite 200, Peachtree City. Information: www.greaterthingsacademy.com or 678-519-2927.

Kenneth Musisi