County by county news for Thursday

Austell area resident Lisa Cupid and Michael Rhett, a sergeant in the Air Force Reserves, have announced their plans to run for the post. Janel Davis

Wreath laying Saturday at national cemetery

Volunteers will lay about 2,300 holiday wreaths Saturday at the Marietta National Cemetery between Washington Avenue and Roswell Street. The Georgia Civil Air Patrol organizes the annual event that is part of the national Wreaths Across America program. Wreaths will be laid at graves after a ceremony at noon. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Pharmaceutical gets tax break

Cobb County’s Development Authority approved a $564,539 tax break this week for Osmotica Pharmaceutical Corp.

In August the company announced plans to open a U.S. location in Marietta, and 144 full-time jobs will be created. The company will also receive a $300,000 state grant for equipment, $975,000 in state tax credits for the jobs and $100,000 for training and relocation costs. Two new members of the authority also pushed for greater transparency in authority deals, and have requested a budget for the board be created and presented in January. Janel Davis

Donations needed for Senior Santa celebration

Cobb Senior Services is gearing up for its sixth annual Senior Santa celebration for homebound seniors on Friday .

To make the celebration a success, Secret Santa donations of new personal care items, pajamas and blankets are needed. Donors can also adopt a senior for $30. To donate, contact LaTronda Perry, 770-528-5368. Janel Davis

Councilman to lecture on Frank lynching

Marietta Councilman Van Pearlberg will present a lecture Saturday at KSU on the trial and lynching of Leo Frank.

In 1913, Frank, a Jewish manager of an Atlanta pencil factory, was convicted of murdering 13-year-old Mary Phagan, an employee at the factory. After Frank’s death sentence was commuted by the governor, a mob kidnapped him from the prison where he was being held and lynched him in Marietta.

The free lecture begins at 7 p.m. at Kennesaw State University’s KSU Center, 3333 Busbee Drive in Kennesaw. Information: www.mynertamid.org; 678-264-8575 Janel Davis

Senior citizens center to hold fundraiser

The Powder Springs Senior Citizens Center will hold a breakfast fundraiser on Dec. 10.

Breakfast will be served from 7 to 10 a.m. at the Bill “Papa” Morris building, 4181 Atlanta St., next to the Powder Springs Library. Cost is $6 for adults, $3 for children from 4 to 12 years and free for children 3 and under. Information: center coordinator Dee Chappell, 770-943-1555. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

Hull Middle School student faces gun charges

A Hull Middle School student faces weapon charges for bringing a handgun to his Duluth school. Gwinnett Schools officials said the student turned himself into administrators as soon as he arrived on campus Monday. “The student got off the school bus and he went directly to the counselor’s office and reported that he had the weapon with him,” said Jorge Quintana, Gwinnett Schools spokesman. “He did not have any intention of hurting anyone.’’ Quintana said school police investigated and charged the juvenile with possession of a weapon on school grounds. He also faces student disciplinary action. D. Aileen Dodd

Norcross council approves 2012 budget

The Norcross City Council approved a $24.2 million budget for 2012, an increase of about $150,000 from last year’s spending plan.

Council members on Monday unanimously adopted the budget and a millage rate of 6.42 mills, which means that Norcross residents will not see an increase in property taxes.

The budget will go into effect on Jan. 1. Joel Anderson

InformationWeek 500 list cites GMC

Gwinnett Medical Center has made this year’s InformationWeek 500, an annual listing of the nation’s most innovative users of business technology for the third consecutive year.

Recently, GMC added multi-lingual text capabilities for families of patients in surgery. It’s this project that caught the attention of InformationWeek. The system works in Spanish and English, and Bosnian will be added by the end of the year.

The paging system allows families to leave the hospitals but remain in communication with medical staff. Andria Simmons

Group collects for Operation Christmas Child

Local volunteers are collecting and sending shoe boxes full of school supplies, toys, hygiene items and notes of encouragement to disadvantaged kids overseas as part of the Operation Christmas Child project through Friday. Operating hours at the Atlanta Processing Center, 665 Raco Dr. NW, Suite C, Lawrenceville are Monday to Saturday at 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Information: 770-777-9342 or visit www.samaritanspurse.org/occ. Kenneth Musisi

County sponsors Christmas tea for seniors

Gwinnett County will sponsor a Christmas tea for seniors from 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 15 at Prime Timers Pointe at George Pierce Park, 55 Buford Highway, Suwanee.

The event will feature holiday treats, tea and music. The cost is $5 per person. Pre-registration is required by Dec. 13. To register call 770-831-4173. David Wickert

Cagle to speak at Gwinnett chamber

Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle will speak to the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce at noon Dec. 14 at Gwinnett Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth.

The cost is $45 for chamber members and $55 for non-members, or $500 for a table of 10.

The deadline to register is today . Information, visit www.gwinnettchamber.org.

David Wickert

NORTHSIDE

Public works chief leaves for Sandy Springs post

Fulton Public Works Director Angela Parker is leaving after 29 years with the county government. Parker will become Sandy Springs’ Community Development Director, overseeing code enforcement, redevelopment and environmental compliance.

In a send-off, the county commission declared Wednesday “Angela Parker Appreciation Day,” crediting her with helping create the Johns Creek Environmental Campus and seeing the public works department nationally accredited, among other accomplishments. Johnny Edwards

County buys time on inmate mental services

Still seeking a cheaper way to provide physical and mental health services to jail inmates, the Fulton commission has bought time by halving a contract renewal with Corizon, Inc., making it a six-month $7.3 million contract. Asked to look for alternatives, County Manager Zachary Williams said Grady Memorial Hospital won’t be able to take over any services until 2013, if at all, and he’s unsure whether bringing the services in-house would save money.

Chairman John Eaves said a rushed decision could affect the county’s compliance with a federal consent order. Johnny Edwards

Sandy Springs rates highly in fire protection

Sandy Springs officials learned this week that the Insurance Services Office has awarded the city’s fire department a Class 3 rating, placing it among the top 5 percent in the country.

The ISO rating plays a key role in the underwriting process and pricing structure used by insurance companies.

The last time the Sandy Springs area was evaluated was in 1988 when it received a 3 as part of unincorporated Fulton County.

City officials said the updated rating will result in substantial cost savings in insurance premiums for property owners. Patrick Fox

New chief for Galloway School

The Galloway School will be under new leadership next academic year.

The school’s board of trustees has approved the appointment of Suzanna Jemsby as its next head of school effective July 1, 2012.

Jemsby, an educator for 17 years, is executive director of the Center for the Advancement and Study of International Education, a non-profit that provides professional development for teachers.

She was a former head of the upper school at Atlanta International School and has a master’s degree from Cambridge University, among other credentials. D. Aileen Dodd

Woodstock to hold Christmas Eve event

The city of Woodstock will host its Christmas Eve experience event in downtown Woodstock City Park on Dec. 24 at 5 p.m.

The free event will include music, cocoa, an appearance by Santa on a Woodstock Fire engine and also enough snow to play in.

The snow area will be open from 4:30 p.m. to 6:15 p. m. Information visit www.ChristmasinWoodstock.com. Sandra Marshall Murray

ATLANTA

Students to be honored for human rights essays

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed will join former U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand Carol Moseley Braun and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights for a luncheon celebrating International Human Rights Day todayat Atlanta City Hall, 68 Mitchell Street. The event will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Three Atlanta-area high school students and five middle school students will be honored for their human rights essays and will be awarded scholarships from Ford Motor Co. Braun will also participate in a discussion moderated by CNN anchor Kyra Phillips. Jeremiah McWilliams

Grady students share stories of discrimination

Students at Grady High School will share personal stories of discrimination at an assembly Friday afternoon, as part of a story-telling project with The Moth.

For more than a year, the storytelling organization has been partnered with the USA Network to hold storytelling workshops in high schools around the country.

Students receive in-depth training on the art of storytelling in order to develop a five-minute story about facing discrimination or bigotry and how the experience impacted their identity.

For information and to hear more stories, go to themoth.org. Ernie Suggs

Open Hand delivers 20 millionth meal

Atlanta-based non-profit organization Open Hand this week delivered its 20 millionth meal to a chronically ill resident of metro Atlanta.

Open Hand delivers about 1.7 million meals annually in 17 Georgia counties. The organization says it is nearing a $4.2 million capital campaign goal.

“For more than 23 years, Open Hand has provided warm, nutritious meals to residents in need of care and assistance,” Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed said in a statement. “Open Hand and its volunteers reflect the best of Atlanta. I deeply appreciate the vital work they do in the community every day.” Jeremiah McWilliams

DEKALB

Decatur surveys parents on school times

Decatur’s school system is surveying parents on the often-controversial subject of start/end times for the city’s schools. The last day the survey’s available is this Friday. Parents can go to the city schools website at http://www.csdecatur.net/, then log into the parent portal to fill out the survey.

The survey data will be evaluated by an eight-person committee determining which start/end times best suit Decatur High, which currently goes from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Renfroe Middle, 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

The committee will make final recommendations in February. Bill Banks for the AJC

Latin American group hosts toy drive

The Latin American Association is collecting toys this week to give to needy children served by the organization.

This is the final week to donate to the “Spirit of Giving Toy Drive.”

Unwrapped toys for children up to age 13 can be dropped off at 2750 Buford Highway in Atlanta through Friday.

Contributions can also be made online. Information: www.thelaa.org or contact 404-638-1834. D. Aileen Dodd

Concert to benefit victims of violence

St. Simon’s Episcopal Church in Conyers will hold a concert to benefit Project Renewal, an organization that helps victims of domestic violence.

The concert will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday and will feature Angel Biscuits, the Skeeters and East Dixie Boys.

The church is at 1522 Highway 138 N.E. in Conyers. Admission is a suggested $10 donation. Shelia M. Poole

Civic association to hold meeting and party

The Tucker Civic Association will hold a board of directors meeting at 7 p.m. today at Sangria’s Mexican Restaurant, Cowan Road.

The short business meeting will be followed by an annual holiday party to celebrate the association’s work and dedication to the Tucker Community.

Kenneth Musisi

DeKalb History Center hosts parents night out

Parents can drop off children at the DeKalb History Center for activities one evening next week, while they shop or dine in downtown Decatur.

The Night at the Museum event, for children ages 7 to 12, features storytelling, a magic performance, a craft event and a light snack at the center in the Old Courthouse on the Square.

The event, which runs from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on today costs $5 per child for center members and $10 for nonmembers.

More information: 404-373-1088, ext. 20 or dhs@dekalbhistory.org.

April Hunt

Donations needed for appreciation lunch

State Rep. Stephanie Benfield is asking residents and neighborhood associations for food donations for the annual appreciation luncheon for the South DeKalb Police Precinct.

The event, which is also a holiday party, runs from 2 to 5 p.m. Dec. 14 at the precinct headquarters, 1816 Candler Road in Decatur.

More information or to donate: Linda Kirkland at lskirkland@comcast.net or 404-819-2816.

April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Fulton OKs library technology contract

Fulton County has approved a $1.08 million technology design services contract covering 10 libraries. The work involves computer network planning for eight new branch libraries and two renovated and expanded libraries, part of a $275 million countywide construction program. The three-year contract went to Jacksonville, Fla.-based TLC Engineering for Architecture. The board held off on it last month, with the contract unable to garner the four needed votes, amid concerns that minority and female contractors are being marginalized. Johnny Edwards

Morrow searches for new police chief

Morrow has launched a national search for a new police chief. Police chief Jeff Baker recently resigned after being arrested for alleged drunk driving. Baker was placed on administrative leave without pay after the Nov. 16 incident. Greg Tatroe is serving as interim police chief of the Clayton County town. Tammy Joyner

Lovejoy to discuss gas station proposal

Two town hall meetings will be held this month in Lovejoy regarding the development of vacant property at the intersection of Panhandle and McDonough Roads. A gas station is slated to be built on the site which has drawn the ire of residents in the surrounding neighborhood. The meetings are slated for this Friday and Dec. 16. Both meetings are at 6:30 p.m. at the Public Safety Complex, 2296 Talmadge Road in Lovejoy. Tammy Joyner

Clayton police collect for officer in Cuba

The Clayton County Police Department is assembling a Christmas care package for officer Ronald Stern who is serving in the Army in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Stern joined the Clayton Police in 2007. Community donations of nonperishable foods, hygiene products and other items are welcome. Details: community.affairs@co.clayton.ga.us or 770-477-3539. Items must be donated by Dec. 14. Locations: CCPD South Precinct, 1669 Flicker Road, Jonesboro; North Precinct, 6335 Church Street, Riverdale or headquarters,7911 N. McDonough St., Jonesboro. Tammy Joyner

Two public meetings in Fayette canceled

Two mid-December public meetings in Fayette County have been canceled.

The Planning Commission Meeting/Workshop set for Dec. 15 and the Zoning Board of Appeals Public Hearing scheduled for Dec. 19 will not be held.

However, the Board of Education will meet as scheduled on Dec. 12, and the Board of Commissioners will hold its next meeting on Dec. 15. Each begins at 7 p.m. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Ornament workshop for kids Friday

Arts Clayton will host an ornament-making workshop for children on Friday at 10 a.m. at the Arts Clayton Gallery, 136 S. Main Street in Jonesboro. Details: artsclayton.org/gallery. On Saturday, don’t forget to stop by the Arts Clayton’s Third Annual Trunk Sale at 10 a.m. The event features jewelry artisans and light refreshments. Details: 770-473-5410. Tammy Joyner