County by county news for Thursday

The southbound lanes of Austell Road were blocked at the East-West Connector for about an hour following the accident that was reported at 5:34 a.m., police spokesman Sgt. Dana Pierce told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Four people are being hospitalized and five more refused treatment, police said. The cause of the wreck has not been determined. Marcus K. Garner

Marietta schools to lower millage rate

Marietta City Schools plans to drop its millage rate from 19.157 to 18.682 mills at a Board of Education meeting 6 p.m. July 23 at district headquarters, 250 Howard St.

The reduction will save a homeowner about $36 in taxes a year for a $200,000 house. The 2014 fiscal year started July 1. Information: www.marietta-city.org.Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Powder Springs to repair three bridges

Powder Springs seeks contractors to repair bridges on Macedonia, Brownsville and Dallas Powder Springs roads.

Proposals must be submitted before 10 a.m. July 24 to City Hall, 4484 Marietta St. Information: cityofpowdersprings.org and click on "Bid Information" or Larry Terry at 770-971-5407 or lterry@croyengineering.com. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Women’s center opens in downtown Acworth

The Acworth Women’s Center, a free pregnancy resource and counseling center, opened Tuesday at 4805 South Main St., Acworth.

The center will open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. Information: www.acworthwomenscenter.org.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Kids can earn Braves tickets for reading

Cobb County children can earn free tickets to Braves games by reading.

The “Home Run Readers,” summer reading program, open to all Georgia students grades kindergarten through 12, will award each participant one free ticket to a Braves game when they read one book about sports or good sportsmanship.

Family and friends of readers are eligible for discounted $7 tickets as well. Information: www.braves.com/reading.

Hannah Morgan

Jazz concert planned at amphitheater

Enjoy smooth jazz at the Mable House Barnes Amphitheater 6-10:30 p.m. Saturday. Joey Sommerville will host Ronnie Laws, Howard Hewitt and Mike Phillips. Information: www.mablehouse.org, or call 770-819-7765. Hannah Morgan

Cobb electricity bills to be slightly lower

The Cobb Electric Membership Corp., which serves 489 residential homes and 14 commercial accounts, announced a $1 million reduction in its wholesale power adjustment Monday.

The adjustment will help to lower monthly power bills for EMC customers, said Board Chairman Ed Crowell. On average, the Cobb EMC residential member will save $1.14 each month on electric service, or $13.68 each year.

Information, visit www.cobbemc.com. Hannah Morgan

GWINNETT

Great American Cleanup announces results

More than 16,000 people rolled up their sleeves to help make Gwinnett cleaner, greener and safer with 186 projects and events taking place throughout Gwinnett during the 2013 Great American Cleanup Gwinnett. During the three-month campaign Gwinnett residents collected more than 1.9 million pounds of materials for recycling (a 90 % increase over 2012), removed 36,360 pounds of litter and debris from public lands and rights-of-way and cleaned and beautified 186 miles of roadways. For information about Gwinnett Challenge award winners visit www.gwinnettcb.org.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Suwanee adopts budget

Suwanee’s City Council adopted a FY 2014 budget that proposed to maintain the city’s current 4.93 millage rate. The $12,162,550 budget, 1.3 percent bigger than this year’s, includes cost of a new police detective, as well as two mowers and a replacement vehicle for public works and police. The Council also approved the city’s five-year, $18,731,122 capital improvements plan that funds 30 long-term projects, including enhancements to the Buford Highway corridor, street resurfacing and pedestrian and bicycle upgrades. Information: 770-945-8996. Michael Alpert for the AJC

Victim identified in fatal hit-and-run

The Gwinnett Medical Examiner’s office has identified Rabia Adnan, 34, of Duluth as the woman killed in a wreck on I-85 southbound Monday afternoon.

She was taken to the hospital where she died from injuries that occurred during the wreck.

Adnan was riding in a Nissan Pathfinder with a man and two children when a tractor-trailer changed lanes, forcing the Pathfinder into another lane and into the side of a box truck, police said.

The children were taken to Children’s at Egleston Pediatric Hospital, accompanied by the man driving the Pathfinder. All three are expected to survive.

Bryan Cronan

Gwinnett schools seek curriculum feedback

Gwinnett County Public Schools is accepting applications to become members of the GEMS Oversight Committee and provide curriculum feedback. Deadline is Sept. 16. Information: www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us.

Nancy Badertscher

Gwinnett applies for workforce grant

Gwinnett County Commissioners on Tuesday voted in favor of applying for Workforce Investment Act funds that would provide $106,000 to pay for job training for the county’s jail inmates.

The program has provided more than $1 million over the past 13 years. The money is provided through the Atlanta Regional Commission. Dan Klepal

Korean Task Force seeking members

A Korean Task Force, which will meet again Aug. 23, has been organized to identify and address challenges affecting Korean Americans and community leaders to enhance the quality of life in Duluth. Information: Jenny Wesselmann, jwesselmann@att.net or Clayton Lee, claytonclee@gmail.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Vigil will remember violence victim

A candlelight vigil is set at 7:30 tonight at the downtown Canton gazebo, 100 North St., to remember a 2012 domestic violence victim and to throw a spotlight on the problem. Canton resident DeJanirra Elrod, 19, was shot and killed July 15, 2012 after an argument with her boyfriend. Trevor Nuckles was sentenced to life in prison. District Attorney Shannon Wallace and Cherokee Family Violence Center Director Meg Rogers will speak.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Forsyth educators win technology awards

Forsyth County’s assistive technology team has received Georgia’s 2013 Tools for Life Excellence in Assistive Technology Team Award.

It recognizes promotion or facilitation of effective AT services for the disabled in schools, classrooms, workplaces and the community.

In addition, Ann Kohler of South Forsyth High School won the innovator of the year award for AT classroom design.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Courthouse, jail groundbreaking set

Forsyth County officials officially broke ground for the new courthouse and jail complex Monday at Main Street and Veterans Memorial Boulevard in downtown Cumming.

County commissioners, sheriff’s officials, judges and others will attend. The $100 million SPLOST project was approved by voters in November of 2011.

Information: forsythco.com

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Johns Creek offering $30,000 in arts grants

Johns Creek arts organizations with at least three years of 501(c)3 status have until 5 p.m. July 31 to apply for a portion of the city’s $30,000 of competitive grant funding.

Applications must be submitted to the City Clerk at 12000 Findley Road or emailed by then to grants@JohnsCreekGA.gov.

Information: 678-512-3200.

Michael Alpert for the AJC

Forsyth County wins budgeting award

The Government Finance Officers Association has given Forsyth County its Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the county’s 2013 budget book.

The group gave the county presentation required high marks on 14 different criteria. The award is the highest form of recognition in government budgeting.

The budget book is available at forsythco.com

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Holly Springs seeks park name suggestions

The city of Holly Springs is asking for citizen input on the naming of a planned 33-acre park.

The City Council decided last month to accept citizen input until July 31.

The so-called passive park on Hickory Road is tentatively set for an early summer, 2014 completion.

To make suggestions: jstanley@hollyspringsga.us or 770-345-5536.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

Hit-and-run driver strikes man in wheelchair

A man in a wheelchair was struck by a driver who didn’t stop Tuesday night, Atlanta police said.

The victim, whose name was not released, was alert after being struck near the intersection of Memorial Drive and Campbell Street in southeast Atlanta, according to Sgt. Greg Lyon. But the alleged hit-and-run driver did not stop, Lyon said.

Investigators were searching for the car involved, believed to be a gray or silver Dodge Intrepid, police said. Alexis Stevens

Cabbagetown park ribbon-cutting set

Councilwoman Natalyn Archibong will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday to celebrate improvements made to Cabbagetown’s Esther Peachy Lefevre Park.

The park now has new playground equipment, trees and sod, and structural changes including a “serpentine” sidewalk and granite wall. Renovations were made through a Community Development Block Grant, Atlanta’s Department of Parks and Recreation, Park Pride, the Waterfall Foundation and the Cabbagetown Initiative CDC.

The ribbon signing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the intersection of Wylie and Powell Streets in Southeast Atlanta. Katie Leslie

Georgia State expands downtown presence

Georgia State University purchased another building in downtown Atlanta, expanding its presence in the area.

The university’s foundation paid $33.5 million to buy 55 Park Place, the 19-story building previously known as Georgia-Pacific Plaza. Laura Diamond

Smoke School of Art to exhibit at library

In collaboration with the Smoke School of Art, an Atlanta-based nonprofit art collective, the Auburn Avenue Research Library, 101 Auburn Ave. N.E., will host a collective exhibition of Smoke School of Art members’ work through Aug. 31.

Information: 404-730-4001, ext. 100. Veronica Fields Johnson

DEKALB

Ex-con indicted on vehicular homicide

Prosecutors say Jeremiah Maurice Warthen, a convicted felon killed a Alicia Moxley, 57, of Lithonia and her 3-year-old granddaughter Jordan Hayne while fleeing police in a chase.

Warthen charged with four counts of first-degree vehicular homicide, multiple counts of serious injury by vehicle, reckless driving, fleeing a police officer, aggravated assault on a police officer, cocaine trafficking and driving on a suspended license.

On the evening of Feb. 20, police attempted a routine traffic stop near Decatur, and the 27-year-old Warthen rammed the police patrol car with his SUV, authorities said.

He then hit Moxley’s vehicle, according to police. Police found more than 28 grams of cocaine in Warthen’s car when he was arrested, prosecutors said.

Warthen had pleaded guilty in 2003 to aggravated assault, pimping, and obstructing police charges, and to 2008 marijuana possession charges.

He remains in the DeKalb County jail without bond.

Marcus K. Garner

Brookhaven to launch police July 31

Brookhaven will launch a 54-member police force on July 31 – the anniversary of the vote to create Georgia’s newest city.

Officers must complete a two-week training session, starting July 15, to begin patrols.

Meanwhile, city officials are still negotiating with DeKalb County, which has provided police service in the city since its incorporation in December.

April Hunt

Lithonia picks city administrator

Phil Howland, who recently worked as city administrator in Pine Lake, is the new administrator in Lithonia.

Howland was among four finalist for the top job in Lithonia, overseeing the east DeKalb city’s daily operations.

Howland began his new job on July 8. He will earn $47,000 annually in the role.

April Hunt

Mall to host black history exhibit

North DeKalb Mall will host an African-American History Exhibition Museum through July 27 in the Macy’s wing at the mall, 2050 Lawrenceville Highway, Decatur. The free exhibit houses over 8,000 artifacts and will feature meet-and-greet sessions with storytellers, local authors and historical leaders and other activities.

James Horton, the collector, will greet visitors and answer questions. Mall hours: Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. To schedule group tours call 404-454-1462. Veronica Fields Johnson

School district names facility after mechanic

The DeKalb County School District’s bus maintenance facility was named Monday for a mechanic who collapsed and died at a school board meeting in June.

The school board voted unanimously to name the facility, which is next door to district headquarters at 1701 Stone Mountain Industrial Blvd., the Gregory K. Davis Fleet Service Center.

“He knew he stood for a lot,” said Teaonne Davis, 28, one of his three daughters. “I’m glad he was recognized.” She said he died of an aortic vein rupture.

Ty Tagami

SOUTHSIDE

Woman found fatally shot in Clayton County

Police are investigating the shooting death of a Clayton County woman on Tuesday.

Around 1:30 p.m., officers were called to a home in the 1300 block of Lake Ridge Parkway near Riverdale.

They found the 23-year-old woman’s body in her bedroom with a single gunshot wound, authorities said.

The woman has not been identified, and police continue to investigate her death.

Marcus K. Garner

Fayette commissioners want to visit

The five members of the Fayette County Board of Commissioners would like to be invited over. The commissioners issued a notice that they are available to attend local civic, homeowners association, PTO or other meetings as part of a new community outreach program.

Interested groups may contact Tameca White at 770-305-5103 or twhite@fayettecountyga.gov to schedule an appearance.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Dance company to host entertainment series

Ballethnic Dance Company will host a Cultural Cul de Sac 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 10 at the studio, 2587 Cheney St., East Point.

The event is part of its summer-fall entertainment series and will feature performances by the company’s Youth Ensemble, the adult performing company and guest musical artists. Arts and crafts vendors, children’s activities and food will be offered. Free, but donations accepted.

Information: 404-762-1416 or www.Ballethnic.org.

Veronica Fields Johnson

Community invited to block party

Center of Hope Ministries will host a community back to school block party from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 10 at 492 Roy Huie Rd., Riverdale. The event will feature music, fun, food, games and special guests.

School supplies and backpacks will be given away to children who attend.

Information: Dee Dee Dunmore at 770-807-4673.

Veronica Fields Johnson

Crabapple Elementary wins Science Olympiad

Fayetteville’s Crabapple Elementary School won first place in the recent Georgia Elementary Science Olympiad.

The team placed second in 2012, but returned this year to place in the top six spots for most of the events. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Town hall meeting set for July 27

Henry County Commissioner Bruce Holmes’ monthly town hall meeting will be at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 27, at Crossroad Christian Church in Stockbridge.

Its focus will be the future of Henry County’s public schools and Henry County School Superintendent Dr. Ethan Hildreth will be the featured guest speaker.

The meeting is open to the public and all are encouraged to attend. Crossroad Christian Church is at 5365 North Henry Blvd. in Stockbridge. Monroe Roark for the AJC