County by county news for Thursday

The city council will vote on the chief’s position Dec. 16.

Day, assistant fire chief over training and operations in Missouri City, Texas, has worked as a firefighter since 1999. She said her goal is to pave the way for diversity and inclusion in the fire service.

Day is scheduled to start work Jan. 6. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Smyrna seeks cooking oil donations

Smyrna is asking residents and restaurants to donate used cooking oil for the city’s biodiesel program.

The goal is to have a majority of city vehicles running on biodiesel fuel to reduce petrodiesel use and prevent water and sewer drain clogs.

Citizens can leave used oil curbside in sealed plastic containers or at public works department, the recycling center off Concord Road or four fire stations.

Information: www.smyrnacity.com.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Marietta to hold tree lighting on Square

Marietta will start holiday activities on the Marietta Square with a tree lighting 6 p.m. today

The event starts at 5 p.m. with local schools choruses performing and Santa Claus arriving to open his workshop in Glover Park. Santa will be on the Square 10 a.m.-2 p.m. through Dec. 24. Information: www.mariettaga.gov

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Friday deadline for driver safety seminar

The Powder Springs Police Department will host its third University of Georgia P.R.I.D.E (Parents Reducing Injuries and Driver Error) seminar 6:30-8:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Powder Springs Police Department, 1114 Richard D. Sailors Parkway.

This free training is designed to help Cobb County parents prepare their 14-to-16-year-olds to drive.

All registration forms should be submitted no later than noon Friday to the police department front desk or by email to jjmatthews@cityofpowdersprings.org.

Registration forms may be obtained at the police department 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays or downloaded at cityofpowdersprings.org/DocumentCenter/View/2199.

Information: cityofpowdersprings.org/index.aspx?nid=554 or 770-943-1616.Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Austell approves money for needy

Many Austell families in need should have a merrier Christmas with the Austell City Council’s recent approval of $53,100.

The money comes from interest earned on the city’s $5 million Norfolk Southern railroad settlement.

Among the expenditures will be $1,500 each to 20 area churches with six local schools receiving $3,000 to spend $300 on each of 10 families chosen by school officials.

Then $300 will go to each of 7 families chosen by the Council and to 10 families chosen by board members of the Austell Area Community Improvement Commission, or AACIC, which recommends to the Council uses for the interest fund.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

Reality television star accused of forgery

A Fulton County grand jury charged Domonique Scott of Lawrenceville, one of the stars of “The Sisterhood,” with first-degree forgery and three counts of giving false statements. The TLC show followed the wives of five metro Atlanta preachers.Prosecutors said Tuesday that Scott submitted bogus documents purporting false assets and liabilities related to the ownership of a tutoring company that allegedly only existed on paper in an attempt to qualify for the federal Supplemental Education Services tutoring program. If convicted, she faces up to 25 years in prison and fines of up to $400,000. Marcus K. Garner

Lilburn dirt bike fatality victim identified

Austin “AJ” Zwigart, 15, was visiting relatives in Lilburn from Valencia, Pa., when he was riding with his cousin near Arcado Road. He tried to cross a small creek that ran perpendicular to his path of travel.

The creek was 10 feet across and the banks of the creek were about three feet high, police said.

Police added that the bike hit the far bank and AJ flew head-first into the bank. The bike flipped over and past him.

No charges will be filed.

Marcus K. Garner

Parks announce new partnership for seniors

Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation has joined forces with Positive Public Image, an organization elevating the value and esteem of seniors by encouraging an active and healthy lifestyle.

Founders Sheri and Bill Eppright, are musical entertainers and photojournalists based in Atlanta who travel throughout the United States sharing their music and healthy aging message.

Through this partnership, Gwinnett will distribute more information to the senior population on arts and crafts, exercise, line dancing, bridge, tap dancing, clogging, and computer training in addition to a variety of trips and special events.

Information: www.gwinnettparks.com, or learn more about Positive Public Image at www.positivepublicimage.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Operation One Voice helps military families

Gwinnett-based non-profit Operation One Voice will help provide children of wounded or fallen Special Operations Forces with gift cards this holiday season through the organization’s Operation Saint Nick program.

Working through the US Special Operations Command’s Care Coalition, Operation One Voice will provide $100 gift cards to the parents of 362 children. To contribute contact Bill Stevens at bill@operationonevoice.org. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Animal shelter to sponsor food drive

Gwinnett County Animal Welfare and Enforcement Services will host a food drive for the Gwinnett CAN Challenge to increase donations to local food banks through Dec. 31 at 884 Winder Highway, Lawrenceville.

Participants may bring a donation of five items and receive a $10 voucher Information: or 770-339-3200.

Veronica Fields Johnson

NORTHSIDE

Fulton schools approves meetings schedule

The Fulton County Board of Education has approved a proposal to continue its practice of holding meetings in both North and South Fulton.

At the school board’s work session meeting on Tuesday, members Ok’d the measure on second reading.

Exact meeting locations have not yet been determined, but the school board will alternate its 2014-2015 meetings within the Central Learning Community, which is located in the cities of College Park, East Point, Hapeville and Sandy Springs. Rose French

Sawnee EMC overhauls power outage reporting

Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation says it has updated its online portal to expand real time power-outage information. The portal includes an interactive map spelling out affected areas, the likely cause and the estimated time of restoration and can be accessed at www.sawnee.com/outages. Cumming-based Sawnee provides power to members in seven north Georgia counties.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Holiday celebrations set in North Fulton

Several North Fulton communities plan holiday season events on Saturday. Roswell will light its Historic Town Square starting at 5 p.m. at Marietta Highway and South Atlanta Street. Alpharetta will hold its Downtown Historic District Christmas Tree Lighting and celebration at 5 p.m at 2 S. Main St. In Milton, the 6th annual Christmas in Crabapple starts at 2 p.m. at 750 Mayfield Road and 12785 Birmingham Highway. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Cherokee shelter plans no-fee pet adoption

The Cherokee County Animal Shelter will have a Home 4 the Holidays open house from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Pets can be adopted with no fee, with the shelter including all regular services such as vaccinations. In addition, the Cherokee County Interact Club will hold a fundraising pancake breakfast across the street from the shelter, which is located at 1015 Univeter Road, Canton. Information: cherokeega.com Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Nature center to host holiday market

The Chattahoochee Nature Center will host a Back-To-Nature Holiday Market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell. The market will feature ornaments, original art, eco-friendly items, toys, candles and clothing from local artisans. All visitors will receive free admission to the nature center. For vending opportunities contact 770-992-2055 ext. 236 or r.gilbert@chattnaturecenter.org. Information: www.chattnaturecenter.org. Veronica Fields Johnson

Cumming Christmas Parade Saturday

The Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce and the Forsyth County Community Connection will hold a holiday celebration Saturday, Dec.7 on Market Place Blvd. between Buford Dam Road and Ga. 20 in Cumming.

The Jingle Jog 5K race is set for 8:30 a.m., followed by the 8th annual Cumming Christmas Parade at 10:30. Information: cummingforsythchamber.org

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

Covington man killed changing tire on I-285

Dwight Moody, 54, of Covington, pulled over in the right shoulder of Interstate 285 less than a half-mile north of the Cascade Road exit and was struck and killed by a passing car about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, authorities said.

The driver who hit the man stopped, police said. It is unclear whether the driver will be charged. Marcus K. Garner

Women’s speaker series returns Friday

TEDxCentennialParkWomen returns 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday at AT&T Midtown, 725 W. Peachtree Street NW.

TEDxCentennialParkWomen is a locally-organized TED-like experience dedicated to helping women advance and excel as leaders.

This year’s theme, “Invented Here,” celebrates all forms of invention and will feature a diverse group of social entrepreneurs, corporate executives, artists, and educators.

Information: TEDxCentennialParkWomen.com. Arlinda Smith Broady

Museum hosts holiday bazaar

Hammonds House Museum, 503 Peeples St. offers jewelry, small works, CDs, books, prints, scuplture, ceramics, photography and more in its holiday bazaar of 1 - 5 p.m. Dec. 14 and 15.

Information: www.hammondshouse.org or 404-612-0481. Arlinda Smith Broady

Fundraiser for environment set

Tickets are still available for the Captain Planet Foundation’s annual benefit gala Friday.

The event takes place at the Georgia Aquarium, starting with a silent auction at 6 p.m.

The event raises money for foundation programs promoting high-quality, hands-on environmental stewardship projects that improve the environment in schools and communities.

Ted Turner will be there. Information: 404-522-4270 or www.captainplanetfoundation.org/gala2013. Nancy Badertscher

DEKALB

Clarkston offers leaf pickup

The Clarkston Public Works Dept will be picking up bagged leaves on Friday.Bags must be placed curb side by 8:30 a.m.

This service is provided by the Clarkston Public Works Department and is separate from the services provided by Waste Management.

The program was added to address the excess yard waste this season brings.

The Leaf Pick-up Services provides for residents to place an unlimited number of bagged leaves curb side Arlinda Smith Broady

Holiday pet adoption program underway

DeKalb County Animal Services has launched its ‘Home for the Pawlidays” promotion. Now through Jan. 1 canines can be adopted for $20 and felines for $10.

All adopted pets will be spayed or neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, heartworm or combo tested and dewormed – services with a retail value of over $200.

Standard adoption screening criteria still applies.

Information: www.dekalbanimalservices.com.

Arlinda Smith Broady

Street clean-up this weekend

The Wesley Chapel Curb Appeal Task Force has organized a community clean-up 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. Saturday to remove litter, illegal temporary signs and clear curb gutters.

The group will meet in the parking lot of Economy Inn, 2565 Wesley Chapel Road.

Information: wesleychapelcurbappeal@gmail.com

Arlinda Smith Broady

Nonprofit hosts Santa, special guest Saturday

Aimee Copeland, an amputee who suffered from a flesh eating bacteria, will be a featured guest at the Friends of Disabled Adults and Children Too breakfast 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Stone Mountain Evergreen Marriott Conference Resort. Tickets: $30, $20, children under 5 free.

Information: 770-491-9014 or www.fodac.org/breakfast.

April Hunt

McDonough to include innovative filtration

Decatur’s long-planned improvements for McDonough Street, between Trinity Place and Howard Avenue, will include 17 “bio-filtration” water beds, the first such system in metro Atlanta. McDonough will be narrowed from four to two lanes with a two-way bicycle track on the west side, the bio-filtration beds along the track.

Each includes plants in a soil mixture that’s 75 percent sand, 25 percent organic dirt, that will filter and cleanse water, thus keeping much of it off the steeply inclined street. Work on the $2 million project should begin next fall. Bill Banks for the AJC

Decatur to annex six more properties

Decatur’s commission approved annexing six properties, all single-family residences, three on McKinnon Drive and three on Kirk Road. It was the third such annexation this year with five properties in the same area approved in January and four more in June.

City Manager Peggy Merriss said the city is trying to “round out” that area in southeast Decatur where some properties are half in Decatur, half out, and some aren’t contiguous. Bill Banks for the AJC

SOUTHSIDE

Woman killed in S. Fulton home invasion

Pamela Williams called police just after 8 p.m. Saturday to report that someone was breaking into her home.

Officers arrived to the home in the 3000 block of Amhurst Parkway in South Fulton to find that Williams, 43, was unresponsive.

She was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital with gunshot wounds, and died on Tuesday, police said.

Police have not determined a motive or identified a suspect.

Marcus K. Garner

Fayette board has positions open

Fayette County’s Ethics Board has vacancies for two alternate positions for three-year terms who meet as needed to receive, review and process complaints about standards violations.

Applications are due Dec. 27; contact Floyd Jones at 770-305-5102 or fjones@fayettecountyga.gov. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Pearl Harbor ceremony this weekend

Henry County will mark the 72nd anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor with a special ceremony hosted by the Andrew McBride Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Heritage Park, 101 Lake Dow Road, McDonough. Information: www.henrycounty-ga.org.

Monroe Roark for the AJC

Peachtree City elects first female mayor

City Council member Vanessa Fleisch beat former mayor Harold Logsdon in Tuesday’s runoff election to become the first female mayor of Peachtree City. Fleisch won 72 percent of the votes to Logsdon’s 28 percent. Only 1,904 of the city’s 22,385 registered voters participated. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Clayton festival opens Friday

The Clayton County Parks and Recreation Department along with the Rainbow House Inc. present their annual Festival of Tree and Lights tour at the Clayton County International Park, 2300 Hwy 138 SE in Jonesboro.

The event opens Friday and runs through Dec. 22. The tour includes entertainment, pictures with Santa, cake walk, arts and crafts, gingerbread-making, games, hayrides, shopping and concessions. The tour is open from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays and costs $5 for cars, $7 for vans and $15 for buses.

On Friday-Sundays, the event runs from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. and costs $7 for cars, $10 for vans and $20 for buses.

Information: 770 377-3766 or www.claytonparks.com.

Tammy Joyner

College Park kicks off reporting campaign

College Park officials say that “If You See Something, Say Something.” It’s a new campaign urging city employees and the public to report such infrastructure issues as utility line problems, potholes, broken sidewalks and code enforcement issues.

City Manager Terrence Moore says the campaign stems from a power line issue left unaddressed. To report problems: 404-669-3756 normal business hours, 404-766-3618 other times. Mark Woolsey for the AJC