County by county news for Thursday
COBB
County certified as Ready to Work Community
Cobb County has been certified as a Georgia Work Ready Community for having a skilled workforce and the educational infrastructure to drive economic growth.
The designation requires counties to demonstrate a commitment to improving public high school graduation rates through a measurable increase and drive residents who haven’t received a high school diploma to take the GED.
Cobb’s chamber helped in the effort by launching a bi-monthly workforce development forum for key county stakeholders and making education a key priority in 2011. Janel Davis
More candidates in southwest district race
The candidate count is up to five in the race for commissioner in Cobb’s southwest district, currently represented by Woody Thompson.
Thompson, the commission’s only Democrat, has been quiet about his reelection campaign. He is being challenged by law student and community activist Lisa Cupid, businesswoman Connie Taylor, Air Force Master Sergeant Michael Rhett and community organizer Monica DeLancy. Qualifying for Cobb races is May 23-25. Voters go to the polls in July to decide on a countywide commission chairman, and southeast and southwest district commissioners, in districts two and four. Janel Davis
Teen arrested after girls receive nude photos
A Cobb County teenager was arrested after he allegedly sent naked pictures of himself to three juvenile girls, according to police.
Lawrence Tyler Colin, 17, of Mableton, was charged with having obscene material, a misdemeanor. Colin allegedly sent a text message containing the pictures to the three girls’ cell phones on April 26, according to an arrest warrant. When questioned by a Smyrna police officer, the teen allegedly confessed to sending the images, the warrant states. Alexis Stevens
County to honor fallen heroes
Cobb County will honor its fallen officers today in Marietta Square as part of Law Enforcement Week.
The annual “Never Let Them Walk Alone” memorial is hosted by the Kermit C. Sanders Lodge 13 of the Fraternal Order of Police. Channel 2 Action News anchor Monica Pearson will be the featured speaker.
The service begins at 7 p.m.
Information: www.foplodge13.org Janel Davis
Marietta schools names second in charge
Marietta City Schools has promoted Dayton Hibbs to associate superintendent starting June 1. He will serve as second in charge to superintendent Emily Lembeck. Hibbs will earn $99,661 a year, $5,000 more than his current job as assistant superintendent for operations, technology and assessment. Hibbs joined the school system in 2005 as assistant principal at Marietta High School. Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Marietta Greek Festival opens Friday
The 22nd annual Marietta Greek Festival opens 3-11 p.m. Friday at Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, 3431 Trickum Road. The festival continues 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday at the east Cobb church.
Information on festival and free shuttle service: www.mariettagreekfestival.org. Tucker McQueen for the AJC
GWINNETT
County to relocated historic home
Gwinnett County will turn an historic house into an educational exhibit at its Environmental and Heritage Center in Buford.
County commissioners Tuesday agreed to accept ownership of the Chesser-Williams House and awarded a $319,130 contract to Peachtree Construction Services to move it from Braselton Highway. Gwinnett will use a sales tax fund for construction projects to cover most of the cost. The Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center Foundation pitched in $25,000. The Chesser-Williams House was built in the mid-1800s. The contractor will move it in three sections over nine months. David Wickert
Second eastbound lane opens on Ga. 20
The widening of Ga. 20 marked a milestone this Wednesday with the opening of a second eastbound lane from Ozora Road to Brand Road near Loganville.
Paving continues on westbound lanes, and lane closures and traffic shifts will continue. The state Department of Transportation is widening Ga. 20 to four lanes from Ozora to Brand at an estimated cost of $10.9 million. David Wickert
Tuskegee Airmen exhibit at Hopewell
A university exhibit on the famed Tuskegee Airmen is on display at Hopewell Christian Academy in Norcross through Friday.
The exhibit is on loan from Kennesaw State University.
HCA students learned about the pilots Tuesday during a talk by preservationist Samuel Jones of the Atlanta chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen Inc.
Jones challenged students to use a positive attitude to reach a high altitude in their studies, and reminded them they have the aptitude to be successful like the airmen.
The exhibit is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Information: 770-903-3387. D. Aileen Dodd
Duluth to celebrate faith and diversity
Duluth will host the “The City on the Hill” All City Faith event starting at 7 p.m. Friday. People of all faiths are welcome to enjoy an evening of music, dance, art and worship at Duluth’s town green. Participants can bring a canned food donation for the Hands of Christ food pantry. Information: Tim Shearer at tshearer@duluthga.net. Kenneth Musisi
Sugarloaf Leisure Living Tour to begin
The Sugarloaf Leisure Living Tour and Boat Show will be Friday and Saturday at the Sugarloaf Country Club in Duluth. The two-day tour will showcase four homes within the Sugarloaf Country Club community. The event benefits Mothers And Daughters Against Cancer, Foster Children’s Foundation, Rainbow Village and Spectrum Autism Support Group. Tickets are $20 at the entrance gate or purchase at www.sugarloaftour.com. Kenneth Musisi
Sugar Hill outdoor movie series begins
The “Reels at Robinson’ outdoor movie series begins Friday in Sugar Hill with “The Adventures of Tintin.” The free movie will begin at dusk at the E.E.Robinson Park amphitheater. Information: www.cityofsugarhill.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
NORTHSIDE
Woodstock council to address restaurant issues
The Woodstock City Council Monday will look at concerns about downtown restaurants at its regular work session. Saying that the core area parking situation is “nuts”, council member Chris Casdia this week suggested a possible moratorium on new eatery permits until parking issues are addressed. City Manager Jeff Moon suggested that restaurant noise level complaints be looked at as well. Monday’s meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Chambers at City Center, 8534 Main St. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Cherokee fire department honored
Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services was recently honored as “Lead Agency of the Year” by the group Safe Kids Georgia for its efforts to help prevent accidental childhood injury.” The fire department leads the Safe Kids Cherokee group and provides equipment, people and supplies for such programs as child safety seat checks and distribution of free safety equipment and information. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Forsyth to mail water quality report
The Forsyth County Water and Sewer Department is mailing the 2012 Water Quality Report to county water and sewer customers with their bills this week. Forsyth County’s water met all U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and state drinking water health standards in 2011, said Tim Perkins, water and sewer department director. Patrick Fox
Milton needs volunteers for landscaping
Milton’s Better Together is organizing a beautification project Saturday at Fire Station No. 43 on Hickory Flat Road.
The group is looking for volunteers with gardening tools to help plant flowers and spread mulch at the station from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Better Together is funded through the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities’ Real Communities Initiative: Milton.
Information: 770-833-1201. Patrick Fox
Driving class for seniors upcoming
AARP Driver Safety will hold a defensive driving class from 8:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday at Northside Hospital Forsyth to refresh senior motorists on new driving laws, strategies to avoid collisions and minimizing distractions. Participants receive a certificate for potential auto insurance discount. Cost: $12 for AARP members, $14 for non-members. For information, call Ralph Szweda at AARP Driver Safety, 770-343-9500. Michael Alpert for the AJC
‘Strings on the River’ to be May 19
Ray’s on the River and the Ken Ford Foundation have teamed up to host “Strings on the River,” a Saturday fundraiser for music education programs. The restaurant known for its jazz brunches and musical entertainment will offer food and beverage concessions, and attendees are encouraged to bring unused musical instruments to donate.
Performances will be held between 1 and 4 p.m. Tickets are $45-$55; stringsontheriver.eventbrite.com. H.M. Cauley for the AJC
ATLANTA
Dunbar Elementary teacher resigns
Pamela Cleveland, a Dunbar Elementary School teacher accused of erasing student answers on the 2009 Criterion-Referenced Competency Test, resigned today, said Keith Bromery, spokesman for Atlanta Public Schools. Cleveland was scheduled to face a tribunal Wednesday that was considering a variety of charges against her.
Cleveland’s class was flagged in 2009 for having an exceptionally high number of wrong-to-right answer changes on the CRCT. Wayne Washington
Hall invites volunteers for Boulevard cleanup
Atlanta City Councilmember Kwanza Hall is inviting Atlantans to a “grand community cleanup” focused on Boulevard on Saturday. Participants are scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. for refreshments in the parking lot of Fort Street United Methodist Church, 562 Boulevard NE 30308. Information: khall@atlantaga.gov. Jeremiah McWilliams
Residents weigh in on service satisfaction
Atlanta residents surveyed on their satisfaction with city services gave the Fire Rescue Department the highest marks, with 85 percent positive feedback on average. Results are posted on the Atlanta City Council’s website at http://citycouncil.atlantaga.gov/satisfaction.pdf Jeremiah McWilliams
Publix earns 2 awards for service
Publix Super Markets, Inc., has been awarded two Summit awards for community service.
The awards, presented by United Way Worldwide, are given annually to recognize corporations’ commitment to strengthening their community. Publix’s 2011 United Way national campaign raised $45.6 million, a 12 percent increase over 2010 despite a challenging economy. Its associates also put in some 900,000 volunteer hours.
Locally, the chain runs the largest workplace fundraising campaign for United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta, raising $5.9 million in 2011. Gracie Bonds Staples
DEKALB
Man who eluded standoff arrested
A man who eluded officers in a SWAT standoff in Clarkston last week has been arrested.
DeKalb sheriff’s deputies arrested Jarvis Lamar McElroy, 29, Tuesday in Jonesboro on armed robbery charges, Clarkston police said Wednesday.
McElroy is suspected in several home invasion robberies, armed street robberies and burglaries in Clarkston and other parts of DeKalb County, police said.
Last Wednesday, Clarkston police executed a search warrant at an apartment with McElroy and two other suspects inside. Two of the suspects surrendered but McElroy got away, police said. Joel Provano
Funds to held with senior services
DeKalb County recently accepted $1.78 million in federal funds to help deliver services to senior citizens in the county.
The county’s community development department will help deliver meals to 600 housebound seniors with the money, as well as sponsor meals at four neighborhood centers across the county and help pay for personal care for disadvantaged seniors.
The money will cover services beginning July 1 through June 2013. April Hunt
Buy a brick to support library branches
Library supporters can make a concrete gift to four new expanded branches in DeKalb County through a brick fundraising program.
For $100, bricks will be inscribed with a donor’s name, family or company, or in memory of a loved one and then installed in the entryway of the Hairston Crossing, Salem-Panola, Stonecrest and Tucker libraries.
All money will go to the DeKalb Library Foundation to pay for programs, materials and literacy services at all 22 county libraries.
Information or to donate: 404-371-8459, Ext. 2238 or www.dekalblibrary.org/foundation. April Hunt
Flag football league starts up for officers
The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department has started a flag football league for metro law enforcement agencies.
The idea came after a game two years ago between the sheriff’s office and DeKalb Police, to raise public awareness about the dangers of celebratory gunfire.
Now, eight teams from DeKalb, Gwinnett, Henry, Fulton counties and the city of Atlanta play games every Sunday at Hallford Memorial Stadium in Clarkston.
Several games are held weekly, with initial kickoff at 1 p.m. each Saturday through June 9. Cost is $5 for adults and children over 10.
Proceeds benefit the Gold Shield Foundation, which assists families of police and firefighters killed or injured in the line of duty. Information is on Facebook at the Metro Atlanta Public Safety Flag Football League page. April Hunt
Career expo for vets, others in Decatur
The Georgia Department of Labor and New Life Community Center host a career expo for veterans and other job seekers from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 23 at 3592 Flat Shoals Road in Decatur. Veterans have priority entrance into the expo from 10-11 a.m. Information: 404-298-3990 or 404- 298-3970. Kenneth Musisi
SOUTHSIDE
Package prompts Wal-Mart evacuation
A suspicious package prompted authorities to evacuate a south Fulton County Wal-Mart Tuesday night. Fulton County sheriff’s Lt. Robert Abercrombie told Channel 2 Action News that security video showed a man placing a briefcase on the ground in the parking lot of the store on Old National Highway near College Park, then driving off. The store was evacuated and the sheriff’s bomb squad was called in to investigate. The all-clear was sounded after the bomb squad blew up the briefcase and discovered that it contained papers, CDs, a pair of glasses and a Bible. Mike Morris
Walk to benefit hurt CSU student
A community walk and rally for an injured Clayton State University basketball player will be Saturday at 9 a.m. The walk begins at North Clayton High School and ends at Flat Shoals Park. Riverdale resident Zac Bradley, a stellar athlete, was severely injured a year ago when a tree struck by lightning fell on his car. The walk is part of a fundraiser. Donations go to Help Hope Live. Help Hope Live is a nonprofit group that helps the catastrophically injured. Tammy Joyner
Peachtree City offers camp discounts
Peachtree City’s Recreation Department is offering a $20 discount on several of its summer camps during walk-in registration this Saturday.
The discount will apply for the Summer Adventure Camps (weeks 2, 3, and 5); Triptackular Camps (weeks 6 and 7); and the Fusion Teen Trip Camp.
Registration will be at the Glenloch Recreation Center at 601 Stevens Entry from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Space is limited; see www.peachtree-city.org/camp for a list of programs. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Hapeville movie season starts Friday
Hapeville’s movie season starts Friday with a showing of “Moneyball.” The movie will be shown at the Hapeville Football Stadium at 3444 North Fulton Avenue. The event starts at 7:30 p.m. with the movie showing at dusk. Admission is free.
John Thompson for the AJC
Henry sheriff sponsors summer camp
Henry County Sheriff Keith McBrayer has announced that his office’s summer camp program is returning in 2012, and this year there will be two separate week-long camps in June and July. Each camp is limited to 30 resident children of Henry County who are 12-14 years of age. The cost is $45 for each participant. Applications are available at the Sheriff’s Office or www.henrycountysheriff.net. Applications must be submitted in person at the Sheriff’s Office. Monroe Roark for the AJC
Downtown Fayetteville to host busy weekend
Downtown Fayetteville will host both its Fine Art Show and Taste of Fayette this weekend on the main square.
Works from about 75 artists will be featured on the Old Courthouse lawn Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., along with live music and a special children’s art area.
The Taste of Fayette begins Sunday at noon until 5 p.m. Samples from local restaurants will be offered for 50 cents to $3 each. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
