County by county news for Thursday

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Former coach arrested for allegedly ‘sexting’

According to an arrest warrant, Ryne Thomas Thackston, a former assistant football coach at North Cobb High School sent and received sexually explicit photographs, via text messaging, to and from a 17-year-old female on March 5.

The warrant alleges that Thackston, 28, sent two digital images of his penis to the victim” and “received digital images and videos of the victim” that “showed the victim nude or partially nude and engaged in lewd acts and sexually-explicit content.” Thackston was booked into the Cobb County Jail on Friday and released Saturday on $20,000 bond. He is charged with felony sexual exploitation of a child. Mike Morris

Cops: Woman stole syringes in pet store

A Douglas County woman is accused of stealing two syringes and using them to inject heroin inside a pet store.

Julia Miller, 22, was arrested early Friday at WellStar Kennestone Hospital and transported to the Cobb County jail, where she remained Tuesday night on $10,000 bond, booking records show.

Miller, of Douglasville, allegedly stole syringes from the vertinary section at PetSmart on Cobb Parkway Friday afternoon. Miller then allegedly went into the store’s bathroom and injected herself with heroin using the syringes, according to Cobb County police. She was charged with heroin possession, drug possession and theft by taking, jail records show.

Alexis Stevens

NBA camp at Wheeler High

The fourth “In the Layne” event will feature an NBA skills camp 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 24-28 . Cost is $175 per camper between the ages of 9-14 and it will be held at Wheeler High School, 375 Holt Rd NE, Marietta..The camp will feature two local young NBA basketball stars, Marshon Brooks of the Brooklyn Nets and Kevin Murphy of the Utah Jazz.

Information: 404-759-5988 or InTheLayneSkillsCamp.blogspot.com. Marq Burnett

Lacrosse camp set at Centennial High

The 2013 Centennial Girls Lacrosse Junior Knights Summer Camp is 9 a.m. to noon June 17-20 at Centennial High School for rising 4th through 9nth graders. The cost of the camp is $125.

The camp provides the focused and intensive training essential to improvement. Every facet of the game is covered, and there are sessions on fundamental instruction, drill work, competition and games. Info at: amacouch@gmail.com.

Registration and waiver forms: www.centennialknightsathletics.com/index.cfm?action=main.teamcamps&id=24704

Nancy Badertscher

GWINNETT

Teacher accused of exposing himself at school

An arrest warrant has been issued for a Hall County teacher who allegedly exposed himself to another teacher last week.

The incident reportedly happened Friday at Johnson High School.

Hall sheriff’s Sgt. Stephen Wilbanks said a female teacher approached school officials and reported that Tony Ray Wilson, 47, of Buford, had exposed himself to her in a classroom.

Following an investigation, a warrant for Wilson’s arrest was issued Tuesday, charging him with a misdemeanor count of public indecency. Mike Morris

Lawrenceville street work to be discussed

Lawrenceville and the Georgia Department of Transportation are holding a public information open house to discuss making Ga. Highway 20 two-way in downtown Lawrenceville, instead of existing one-ways Clayton and Perry streets.

The meeting will be 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. today at Lawrenceville City Hall, 70 S. Clayton St. Drops-ins are welcome any time during the event; there will be no formal presentation.

Information: 770-963-2414.

Michael Alpert for the AJC

Pleasant Hill Road to close for upgrades

The Pleasant Hill overpass at Interstate 85 will close 9 p.m. June 7 to 5 a.m. June 10 for conversion to a diverging diamond interchange. Right-hand-turn access to and from I-85 won't be impacted, but motorists should take the planned detour of Pleasant Hill Road to Satellite Boulevard to Steve Reynolds Boulevard to Shackleford Road to Pleasant Hill Road, and the reverse. The project should be done by September. Information: www.gwinnettDDI.com.

Michael Alpert for the AJC

Project to raise money for officer’s family

Project LEO, a nonprofit fundraising organization, is asking for donations to help the family of Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Deputy Oscar Batista, who died May 9.

Batista is survived by his wife and four children, ages 13, 5, 2 and 6 weeks.

Donations are tax deductible and can be submitted through PayPal at www.projectleo.org.

Information: 770-676-8924 or michelle.couch@americanangelworks.org or email Ken Stepp at info@americanangelworks.org. Dan Klepal

Free fishing event for kids at park

Celebrate National Fishing and Boating Week at Kid’s Fishing Day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Jones Bridge Park, 4901 East Jones Bridge Road in Peachtree Corners. Fishing rod and bait provided while supplies last. Demonstrators will assist in baiting hooks and removing fish. Buford Trout Hatchery will stock more than 2,000 rainbow trout.

Children are also invited to join Commissioner Lynette Howard at the park's playground for a play date and crafts. Hot dogs, drinks and prizes available. All ages invited; children ages 16 and under are invited to fish. Children must be accompanied by an adult; life jackets are recommended. Admission is free. Information: 678-277-0920 or www.gwinnettparks.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Drainage work begins on Nichols Drive

Forsyth County road crews began work this week to replace a drainage pipe on Nichols Drive between James Burgess Road and Nichols Road in southeast Forsyth County.

The temporary closure of the road to through traffic will allow crews to construct a new reinforced box culvert that will be sized to better handle heavy rains. The road is expected to reopen on or before Aug. 2.

The project is funded by SPLOST VI, a 1-percent sales tax approved by voters February 5, 2008. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Forsyth may allow brewers

The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing at 5 p.m. June 6 at the county administration building, 110 E. Main St., Cumming on proposed changes to the county alcohol ordinance, implementing licensing regulations and procedures to allow brewers to set up shop. The ordinance would impose a $1,000 annual license fee and mandate that malt beverages can be sold only to wholesalers.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Belk employees to spruce up school

Several Belk employees will paint classrooms, build bookcases, spruce up school grounds, plant gardens and install education murals at Spalding Drive Elementary School in Sandy Springs today. The event is part of a "125 days of service" the company's employees have launched to celebrate its 125th anniversary. Information: anniversary.belk.com/. Daarel Burnette II

Reinhardt to offer new graduate degree

Reinhardt University will offer a new graduate degree program beginning in the fall of 2013, the Master of Public Administration with a concentration in criminal justice, designed for careers in criminal justice administration in government, private and non-profit groups. Info session: 7:30 p.m. June 12 at the Reinhardt North Fulton Center, 4100 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta. Information: 770-720-5526 Mark Woolsey for the AJC

TopGolf to open facility in Alpharetta

Dallas-based TopGolf has announced it will open its first Georgia facility in Alpharetta. Construction is scheduled to begin this month on the 65,000-square-foot facility at 1050 Westside Parkway.

The golf center will feature competitive golfing games and advanced technology to track every player’s shot from 102 hitting bays. The facility will also offer more than 230 high-definition flat-screen TVs and an extensive food and beverage menu. Opening is tentatively set for spring of 2014. Patrick Fox

Woodstock purchasing traffic lights

Woodstock is considering spending $107,654 of SPLOST funds for its half of traffic lights near the outlet shopping center being built at Interstate 575 and Ridgewalk Parkway.

Developer Horizon Group Properties is paying the other half of the lights from North Cherokee Electrical Contractors.

The lights require 12 to 16 weeks to manufacture. Information: 770-592-6050. Michael Alpert for the AJC

ATLANTA

Lil’ Scrappy to check into drug rehab

Atlanta rapper and VH1 reality TV star Lil’ Scrappy also known as Darryl Richardson plans to check himself into a drug rehabilitation center on Wednesday.

Richardson will undergo a 30-day rehab program at an unnamed private facility somewhere in the metro area, his attorney, Mawuli Mel Davis said.

Richardson faces possible revocation of his probation for failing a court-ordered drug screening last week.

Marcus K. Garner

Woman threatens to blow up jail

Catealius Sanders, 21, was charged with terroristic threats and acts and booked into the Fulton County jail after calling 911 around 4:15 p.m. Tuesday and saying she wanted to blow up the Atlanta City Detention Center, police said.

The threat appeared to have been false and remains under investigation.

No information was released about a possible motive. Sanders remained in jail early Wednesday.

Alexis Stevens

Georgia Tech building opens after evacuation

The Baker Building on the Georgia Tech campus, which houses the Electro-Optical Systems Laboratory, was evacuated shortly before 5 p.m. Tuesday after a smell of gas was reported, a spokesman said.

Several firetrucks were dispatched to the building, and traffic was being diverted from Dalney Street, off 10th Street and Ferst Drive.

No injuries were reported and nothing suspicious was located in the building, Nagel said.

The building re-opened about 40 minutes later.

Alexis Stevens

Leadbelly screening at library

The life of blues and folk singer Huddie Ledbetter, nicknamed Leadbelly, is recounted in the film “Leadbelley” 4 p.m. June 5 at Central Library, One Margaret Mitchell Square as part of African-American Music Appreciation Month.

Information: 404-730-1781

Sandra Marshall Murray

DEKALB

Reality TV star accused of running drugs

Ryan Garrett, 29, was being held without bond Tuesday in the DeKalb County jail on charges of manufacturing marijuana, possession of various drugs, tampering with evidence, distribution of marijuana and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Doraville police searched Garrett’s Pontiac Circle home Thursday night after smelling marijuana and seeing lights and hoses commonly used for a grow operation.The following day, SWAT officers returned and searched the home.

Officers also found Valium and Oxycontin pills in the home. Earlier this year, Garrett was one of 15 bachelors on a VH1 show called “Making Mr. Right,” according to his social media accounts. Alexis Stevens

DeKalb launching same-day permitting

DeKalb County is launching a same-day permitting program designed to streamline the ability of businesses and residents to receive necessary permits.

The county’s planning department will begin holding the sessions on Friday and will continue it on the last Friday of each month through October.

Registration is required for each month's program. Registration can be by calling DeKalb's 311 or online at www.dekalbcountyga.gov/samedaypermit/. April Hunt

Dunwoody schedules community bike ride

Bike Walk Dunwoody hosts its monthly Sunday Cycle community bike ride 2:30 p.m. June 3. Gather in front of Bruster's, Dunwoody Village. The ride, a 4.5-mile loop of mostly right turns, begins at 3 p.m. and lasts an hour. Cyclists must wear helmets; training wheels and tricycles not permitted. Information: dr_barbara@bellsouth.net Patrick Fox

Tucker approved as new DeKalb CID

The DeKalb County Commission recently approved Tucker as the county’s newest community improvement district.

Properties inside the district have agreed to self-tax to fund CID operations such as roadway improvements and landscaping.

The boundaries follow along LaVista Road, Lawrenceville Highway and Hugh Howell Road between I-285 and Mountain Industrial Boulevard.

The new district bumps up against the existing Stone Mountain CID. DeKalb also is home to Perimeter CID in Dunwoody. April Hunt

DeKalb adds 26 police officers to its ranks

The DeKalb County Police Department recently swore in 26 new officers to its force.

The addition brings the department to 922 sworn members. New officers receive their badges after a 26-week academy training program. They also must complete an additional 12 weeks of field training while on the road. April Hunt

YMCA expansion put on hold for now

Decatur’s commission temporarily halted a planned renovation for the Decatur Family YMCA. The Y wants to renovate its entire building while constructing an additional 3,500 square feet on the second floor and adding 41 parking spaces. The new parking includes tearing down two homes on adjoining Maediris Drive, which the commission rejected, asking the Y to revise its master plan without the home removal. Bill Banks for the AJC

SOUTHSIDE

Police: Ex-boyfriend stabs Fayette woman to death

Jessica Tolbert, 29, was alone Friday night at her parents’ home at 325 Elderberry Trace in Fayetteville when 45-year-old Terry Bernard Davis forced his way in, and stabbed her several times, officials said. Tolbert had recently moved out of the residence the couple shared. She died after being transported to Fayette Piedmont Hospital.The knife Davis is alleged to have used was recovered from the crime scene, authorities say. Davis was arrested several hours later in Atlanta and is now in custody at the Fayette County jail charged with murder. Christian Boone

Fayette Commission calls special meeting

The Fayette County Board of Commissioners has called a special executive session meeting at 4 p.m. today at the Administrative Complex conference room at 140 Stonewall Ave. in Fayetteville.

The board is expected to announce whether it will appeal a recent judge’s ruling that declared the current at-large voting system a violation of the Voting Rights Act.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Peachtree City offers summer camps for kids

Peachtree City’s Recreation Department is offering a variety of summer camps and classes for kids age 5-16.

Interests include basketball, volleyball, swimming, arts & crafts, Spanish, LEGOs, theater and more.

Schedules and online registration are available at www.peachtree-city.org/recreation.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Pedestrian struck and killed in Fayette County

A pedestrian was struck and killed around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday on Ga. 85 at Edgewood Parkway.

A southbound tractor-trailer struck the man, who was in the roadway, officials said.

The man, whose name was being withheld until relatives could be notified, died at the scene.

No charges have been filed against the truck driver.

Mike Morris

Peachtree City opens updated visitors center

The Peachtree City Convention & Visitors Bureau has opened a newly renovated and expanded visitors center.

Located at 201 McIntosh Trail, next to the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater, the center offers details about city history, area attractions, the local film industry and city-related merchandise.

It is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

Information: www.visitpeachtreecity.com. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Humane Society needs foster families

The Fayette County Humane Society is seeking foster families to care for the many kittens and puppies needing temporary homes pending adoption. The FCHS will provide food, supplies and medical care.

Volunteers also are needed to help with adoption events in Peachtree City.

Information: 770-487-1073 or email info@fayettehumane.org.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC