County by county news for Thursday

Animal shelter to hold festival Saturday

Cobb County’s first Art, Barks and Purrs arts festival is set for Saturday at the county animal shelter in Marietta.

The festival is part of a new program to raise awareness of the county’s homeless animals and to encourage residents visit the shelter. Featured vendors will be exhibiting handcrafted, animal-related art including jewelry, bird feeders and houses, housewares, and pet portraits.

The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the front lawn of the animal shelter, 1060 Al Bishop Drive in Marietta.

Festival information: Tom Flynn, 770-590-5601; www.cobbanimalcontrol.org Janel Davis

Powder Springs has big rainy day fund

Powder Springs has been maintaining a rainy day fund of 45 percent, said the city’s new Finance Director Amy Davis.

“I’ve never seen it over 25 percent,” Davis told Mayor Patricia Vaughn and City Council members during a recent work session. “Citizens might be wondering why you’re saving so much money and not using it in the community.”

Councilman Al Thurman said, “I totally agree. We keep saying we’re broke, but we’re saving all this money.”

Davis said the city should have $1.7 million instead of $2.7 million in this fund. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Cancer Society sets 5K walk/run

The American Cancer Society has set Oct. 27 for the inaugural Cobb County Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K Walk/Run in Marietta.

The Making Strides event is the Cancer Society’s premier breast cancer event, and participants have raised more than $400 million nationwide to fight the cancer. The Cancer Society expects almost 227,000 new breast cancer cases to be diagnosed in women this year, with 39,510 deaths from the disease.

The Cobb event will begin at 8 a.m. in Marietta Square.

Registration: $25; www.stridesatlanta.org/marietta; CJ Jimerson 404-949-6474 Janel Davis

Two chefs on the Square to compete

Two chefs at restaurants on the Marietta Square will compete in a culinary competition from 10-11 a.m. Saturday in Glover Park.

April Higdon of Johnny MacCracken’s on Atlanta Street and Micah Pfister of Simpatico on North Park Square will shop at the Marietta Farmers Market from 9-10 a.m. before competing in a cook-off.

The Georgia Coalition for Physical Activity and Nutrition will also demonstrate healthy cooking. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

GWINNETT

Court upholds teen’s murder conviction

The Georgia Supreme Court has upheld the murder conviction against Tunde Alatise, who was 16 years old in July 2006 when he was charged with killing a man at a Norcross apartment complex.

In 2007, a Gwinnett County jury convicted Alatise for the murder of Aurelio German Mendoza-Garcia at the Bristol Court apartments. Alatise, one of three teens charged in the killing, was sentenced to life in prison. The motive was robbery, police said. Bill Rankin

Three intersections to get upgrades

Three Gwinnett County intersections will see improvements under contracts awarded by the Board of Commissioners Tuesday. Commissioners awarded a $579,848 contract to CMES Inc. for a new traffic light and left turn lanes at Webb Gin House Road and Bennett Road. The contract also includes a new right turn lane and other improvements along Grayson Parkway at Pinehurst Road.

Commissioners also awarded a $918,964 contract to CMES for new turn lanes, sidewalks and other improvements at Jimmy Carter Boulevard at Singleton Road. David Wickert

Lawrenceville looks for feedback tonight

Lawrenceville-area residents may attend an open house today to provide feedback on a new plan to connect the Georgia Gwinnett College campus with downtown Lawrenceville.

The meeting is from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Lawrenceville City Hall at 70 South Clayton Street.

The event will offer an opportunity to review draft recommendations for the area, including land use, transportation and urban design needs. Joel Anderson

Firefighters set for Heart Healthy Cook off

Gwinnett County firefighters will participate in a Heart Healthy Cook Off contest from 9:30 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Georgia Gwinnett College Student Center Dining Hall, 1000 University Lane, Lawrenceville. Those who attend can learn tips for healthy cooking, receive a free blood pressure check, tour a fire truck and enter a drawing for prizes. To RSVP, visit www.gmc-rsvp.org. David Wickert

Lunch and learn how to reduce cancer risk

Gwinnett is offering a free Lunch & Learn on ways to reduce your cancer risks through healthy eating on Friday from noon to 1 p.m. at 750 South Perry St. in Lawrenceville in the 2nd floor Learning Center. Guest speaker, Ines Beltran, will discuss how to add more fruits and vegetables to your diet and how to save money when buying healthy food. To register, call 678-377-4010. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Suwanee council changes meeting time

Suwanee has changed its monthly City Council meeting time from 7 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Public hearings will now be the first item on the council agenda. The rest of the meeting will follow. The next Suwanee City Council meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Joel Anderson

NORTHSIDE

Ham radio operators to hold ‘Field Day’

The North Fulton Amateur Radio League will hold its annual “Field Day” demonstration, a chance for ham operators to show off their skills and what they can do with radios in a disaster, from 2 p.m. Saturday to 2 p.m. Sunday at Waller Park Extension, 160 Dobbs Drive, Roswell. Operators will also show new technology for communicating with ham stations worldwide through digital modes, as well as voice and Morse code. The event is free, and guests can participate. Information: www.nfarl.org. Johnny Edwards

Deanery holds ‘welcome home’ for vets

The North Metro Deanery of the Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta will hold a “Welcome Home” event for veterans on Saturday. It starts at 10 a.m. at St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church, 11330 Woodstock Road, Roswell. The event will offer ways the faith community can help returning veterans transition from warrior to civilian.

Information: militaryministry@stpeterchanel.org. Johnny Edwards

Cherokee history museum opens exhibit

The Cherokee County History Museum and Visitors Center has debuted a new temporary exhibit entitled “What We Wore: Mid-20th Century Women’s Fashion.” The exhibit features historic photographs, artifacts and documents and runs through Sept. 30. Admission is free at the museum, 100 North St., suite 140, Canton. Info: cherokeecountyhistorymueum.com Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Cherokee chamber need venders for expo

The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce is seeking vendors for its Business Expo Aug. on 14. The event showcasing local businesses and those with a Cherokee connection has a maximum of 57 spaces for general exhibitors, and another 10 spots reserved for eco-friendly vendors. Chamber officials say around 37 slots remain. Information: www.cherokeechamber.com Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Candidates forum in Cherokee today

The Cherokee County Farm Bureau and Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce are co-hosting a Political Forum at 6:30 p.m. today in the pavilion at Cagle’s Family Farm, 362 Stringer Road, in Canton. All local, state and national candidates are invited. All candidates with opposition will have a chance to speak.

Candidates with no opposition will be introduced. Information: 770-479-1481, ext. 0. Jeffry Scott

Dikembe Mutombo to speak in Alpharetta

Former Atlanta Hawks basketball player Dikembe Mutombo will be the keynote speaker at the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce’s Eggs & Enterprise breakfast at Alpharetta’s Metropolitan Club on June 28 at 7:30 a.m. The retired NBA player of 17 years is renowned for his 15-year-old Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, which works to eradicate childhood disease in his native Democratic Republic of the Congo.

For information, contact Debbie Ryals, 678-397-0556. Michael Alpert for the AJC

ATLANTA

Keep Atlanta Beautiful adds new site

Keep Atlanta Beautiful now has a second drop-off location for paper shredding and recycling of latex paint, electronics and Styrofoam. The new site is in Buckhead at 2715 Peachtree Rd. at the corner of Bolling Road and East Wesley Road. It will operate on the first Saturday of every month, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Another location in the Old Fourth Ward, at 320 Irwin St., operates on the second Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jeremiah McWilliams

Black faith leaders seek immigrant reform

African American faith leaders will join forces with members of immigrant and human rights groups to seek more comprehensive and humane immigration reform. The event will be held at noon Friday at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 25 Boulevard N.E. Leaders will announce the formation of a new coalition of religious, social and labor organizations called “Building the World House.” Shelia Poole

Ceremony heralds building for city offices

Atlanta City Councilmen Kwanza Hall and Michael Julian Bond cut the ribbon on last week on office space to be used by Atlanta’s Police Department and other city agencies in the Old Fourth Ward. Hall has been pushing for a restoration of Boulevard and has touted the APD’s increased presence. The property, near the corner of Boulevard and Angier Avenue, was donated by Wingate Management. Jeremiah McWilliams

City council approves $25,900 in claims

Atlanta’s City Council voted Monday to approve about $25,900 in claims against the city for property damages and bodily injuries from automobile accidents and other mishaps. The eight claims ranged from $597 for property damage alleged to have been caused by an automobile accident last September near Candler Park to $9,250 for personal injuries alleged to have been sustained in April 2010 by a person who walked into a storm grate on Euclid Avenue. Jeremiah McWilliams

DEKALB

Ex-county supervisor goes to prison

A former engineering supervisor for the DeKalb County Department of Public Works was sentenced Wednesday to three years in federal prison for extortion and bribery.

Fidelis Ogbu, 60, pleaded guilty in April to exploiting his position to extort payoffs in a “pay to play” scheme from a private contractor. The contractor went to the FBI and worked in an undercover investigation that led to Ogbu’s arrest. The contractor, while working in the probe, paid Ogbu $18,300 in bribes to secure work on a project and get future work, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. Bill Rankin

Student wins president’s volunteer award

Nancy Ramos, an eighth grader at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School, has won the President’s Volunteer Service Gold Award.

Middle school students there must volunteer at least eight hours to 24 hours a year, depending on grade level, but Nancy did 281 hours, according to school spokeswoman Melinda Martin. Ty Tagami

Rally at Marist School to protest mandate

A “Stand Up for Religious Freedom -- Stop the HHS Mandate” rally is set for 7 p.m. Friday at the football stadium at Marist School.

The rally is organized by a grassroots group that objects to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ mandate that employers provide free contraceptives, sterilization and abortion-inducing drugs through their health plans.

“This is a grassroots, ecumenical and non-partisan event open to men and woman across the Atlanta area, regardless of religious or political affiliation,” said organizer Ken Athaide. Nancy Badertscher

Stone Mountain Historic Society to meet

The Stone Mountain Historic Society meets tonight , 7 to 8 p.m. at the Wells Brown House on Ridge Avenue in the Stone Mountain Village.

The meeting features a cookout , an indoor showing of historical photographs and an update on the Society’s current research projects.

Information: www.stonemountainhistoricsociety.org. Bill Banks for the AJC

County set to buy flood-prone homes

The DeKalb County Commission recently accepted a federal grant to buy 10 flood-prone and flood damaged homes to be demolished. The houses are on Bobbie Lane, Brookfield Lane, Creek Stone Court, Drew Valley Road, Grey Point Cove, Rowland Road and Scott Circle.

The grant will pay 75 percent of the cost, or $1.78 million. The county is using $594,000 from its stormwater fund to cover the remaining expense. April Hunt

County completes list of projects

DeKalb County, one of only two in the state with a penny homestead option sales tax, recently completed its yearly project list with the money with funds left over. That $907,000 includes an additional $560,000 that will be sent to DeKalb’s cities for their share of the HOST money, which is to be used for capital improvements such as roadways or sidewalks.

The county plans to use most of its share to match grant awards for projects such as a traffic study for I-85. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Grounbreaking for Hampton High July 9

The Henry County Board of Education hosts a groundbreaking ceremony for Hampton High School at 1 p.m. on July 9.

The school will be adjacent to Hampton Middle School, 799 Hampton-Locust Grove Road, and is slated to open at the start of the 2014-15 school year.

It will be the county’s 10th regular high school and is projected to cost $38 million, a school system spokesman said. Nancy Badertscher

Rising Starr teacher wins award

Rising Starr Middle School math teacher Carol Taylor is among 97 national recipients of the Presidential Award for Mathematics and Science Teaching for 2012. She was the only Georgia teacher chosen this year.

Winners were selected by a panel of distinguished scientists, mathematicians and educators following an initial state-level process.

Taylor will receive a $1,000 award from the National Science Foundation and is invited to the awards ceremony in Washington, DC. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Dragon Boat Race registration begins

The Peachtree City Rotary Club has begun registration for its annual Dragon Boat Race on Sept. 22. Team registration is $600 for 10 rowers and one drummer. Artisans, performers and craft vendors can also apply to participate. See www.ptcdragonboats.org for information. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

HCFD’s Mitchell now a fire officer

Brandon Mitchell, a 19-year veteran of the Henry County Fire Department, has been designated as a fire officer by the Commission on Professional Credentialing, an entity of the Center of Public Safety Excellence. A firefighter/paramedic and battalion captain with the HCFD, he is one of only 101 fire officers worldwide and the first for the state of Georgia, according to county officials. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Hospital names director of nursing resources

Travis Cochran, RN, BSN, is the new director of nursing resources at Piedmont Henry Hospital.Cochran began his nursing career nine years ago at Piedmont Newnan Hospital before spending time on the west coast as a traveling nurse. He came to Piedmont Henry Hospital in 2008 where he has worked as a staff nurse, night shift house supervisor and most recently, as the hospital’s day shift supervisor. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Fulton gets grant to help teen dads

Fulton County is getting $25,000 in federal funds for its Teen DADS program, which provides career counseling, parenting classes and other services to help fathers bond with their babies and co-parent. Teen DADS, which stands for Determined Active Dedicated Supportive, was started by Commissioner Bill Edwards in 2009. It has been featured on the Oprah Winfrey Network, and by next week, 115 fathers will have graduated. Johnny Edwards