COBB
$1 million lottery ticket sold in Lithia Springs
Willie Lynch of Powder Springs became an instant millionaire earlier this month.
Lynch stopped by the Sharp Shell on Thornton Road in Lithia Springs and bought the winning $1 million ticket, which was from the Georgia Lottery 20th Anniversary Extravaganza instant game, according to a news release from the Georgia Lottery Corp.
Lynch claimed his prize Oct. 10.
Michelle E. Shaw
Prescription pill take-back event planned
The Acworth Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration will collect expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, October 26 at Target, 3378 Cobb Pkwy. N.W., Acworth. The service, which aims to prevent prescription pill abuse and theft, is free and anonymous. No questions will be asked.
Needles/sharps, syringes, thermometers, IV bags, bloody or infectious waste, personal care products, empty containers, inhalers, and medical equipment will not be accepted. Information: 770-974-1232.
Mea Watkins
A.I presentation at Southern Polytech
Southern Polytechnic State University’s School of Computing and Software Engineering will host award-winning scientist David A. Ferrucci at 10:30 a.m. Friday in Room 202 of the Engineering Technology Center at the university, 1100 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta. Ferrucci, who led a team that developed Watson, an intelligent computer system that beat the highest-ranked “Jeopardy” champion of all time on national television, will speak on the topic: “Artificial Intelligence: The Present and the Future”. Information: 678-915-5572. Veronica Fields Johnson
Smyrna to hold 20th fall festival
Smyrna’s annual Fall Jonquil Festival will be 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at 200 Village Green downtown. The event will have 175 vendors selling handmade arts and crafts. The schedule also includes a kid’s zone, fresh harvest market, master puppeteer Peter Hart and acoustic musician Scott Thompson. Information: www.smyrnacity.com.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Missing man, 83, found safe
A missing 83-year-old Cobb County man was found safe Tuesday night, police said.
A Mattie’s Call was issued earlier Tuesday for Charles William Poteat, who had last been seen around noon on Westmoreland Drive in Kennesaw.
Poteat was located in good condition at a Texaco gas station off I-75 around 9 p.m., Cobb police said.
Angel K. Brooks
Lee to hold town hall meeting on Thursday
Cobb County Commission Chair Tim Lee will hold a town hall meeting 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday in the Board of Commissioners room, 100 Cherokee St., Marietta. The meeting is for all Cobb residents. Information: 770-528-3305 or www.cobbcounty.org/lee.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
GWINNETT
Simpsonwood Conference Center up for sale
The Superior Court of Gwinnett County has ruled the restrictive covenants governing the 227-acre Simpsonwood Conference and Retreat Center have expired providing the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church Board of Trustees the ability to place the land adjacent to the Chattahoochee River up for sale. Peachtree Corners Mayor Mike Mason has stated the city, Gwinnett County and National Park Services are among those potentially interested in purchasing the property. Information: www.ngumc.org/news/detail/2210.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Georgia SPCA hosts low cost pet clinic
The Georgia SPCA will sponsor a low cost vaccination clinic from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday10/26 at 4 Paws Pet Food Store, 960 Scales Rd., unit 150, Suwanee.
Tests and vaccinations available include: canine and feline rabies, feline distemper, feline combo test, canine distemper/parvo, canine bordetella, canine heartworm test, nail clipping, de-wormer.
All dogs should be on a leash and all cats in a carrier.
Information: 678-765-2726.
Veronica Fields Johnson
Lilburn Police demonstrate simulator
The Lilburn Police Department will demonstrate its new Use of Force Simulator to the public at 10 a.m. Friday at Lilburn City Hall Auditorium, 76 Main St.
Officers will train using realistic scenarios in a theater-style environment.
The simulator equips officers with training weapons matching the exact weapons they carry on their duty belt, giving them a realistic training experience.
Information: Capt. Thomas Bardugon, 770-638-2218 or tbardugon@cityoflilburn.com.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Police to raise money for Special Olympics
The Loganville Police Department is planning the first-ever Donut Dash 5K Run/Walk and 1 Mile Fun Run 9 a.m. Nov. 2 at Loganville High School, 100 Trident Trail.
Proceeds will benefit Walton County Special Olympics.
Information: www.loganville-ga.gov. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Duluth Citizens Police accepting applications
The Duluth Police Department hosts a free Citizen Police Academy Jan. 23-May 24 to introduce the functions of police work.
Each class is 7 to 10 p.m. every other Thursday at 3276 Buford Highway.
Information: dwoodruff@duluthpd.com, 678-512-3705, or www.duluthga.net/departments/police. KarenHuppertz for the AJC
Friday last day for Duluth food trucks
The city of Duluth will sponsor Food Truck/Block Party Fridays on Main Street through Oct. 25. Festivities are from 6 to 9 p.m. each Friday and will feature entertainment, a line up of food trucks and other activities. Information: www.duluthga.net/foodtruckfridays. Veronica Fields Johnson
NORTHSIDE
Cherokee authorities seek smash-and-grab thieves
Five car break-ins Monday have Cherokee County authorities on the alert.
Vehicles at four pre-schools and a veterinary hospital were targeted, according to Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. Purses were taken from each of the vehicles, authorities said. Investigators currently have no description of the suspects, but believe they were driving in a silver four-door passenger car.
Sheriff’s officials precaution people not to leave valuables in their cars when parked in public locations. Marcus K. Garner
Dunwoody waitress scams customers
Jennifer Lynn Pringle, 25, was arrested Oct. 11 and charged with first degree forgery for allegedly stealing at least $800 from nearly 100 Applebee’s customers, Dunwoody police and restaurant officials said. For example, if a customer left a $6 tip, Pringle allegedly added an additional number in front of the “6? and pocketed the extra cash, according to police. The crimes allegedly occurred between July and September. The restaurant has issued refunds to many of the customers affected. Anyone who believes they are a victim should email the restaurant at guestissues@applebeesatlanta.com. Alexis Stevens
Roswell to host business workshop
The City of Roswell will host a Creative Alliance Workshop 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St. Optimize Marketing! Expand Your Business By Expanding Your Reach and Impact!” features panel discussions and small group break-out sessions on communication, social media marketing, search engine optimization, writing a press release and making websites compelling. Free.
Information: Morgan Timmis at mtimmis@roswellgov.com.
Veronica Fields Johnson
Roswell group gives social service grants
The Roswell Woman’s Club recently handed out a series of grants to local non-profits. The Roswell Historical Society got $1,000 for software and historic restoration.
Homestretch, which provides housing and assistance to homeless parents and children, got $2,000. Groveway Community Group, targeting the elderly and youth, received $1,500. Mark Woolsey
Cherokee schools plan leader bus tour Oct. 29
The Cherokee County School District plans its first-ever bus tour for business and community leaders Oct. 29.
Get On Board with CCSD Schools! is set to give 40 leaders an inside look at three high-performing schools, showcasing the district’s educational record and inviting the community to increase involvement with the schools, including establishing more partnerships.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Forsyth sets electronic recycling event
Keep Forsyth County Beautiful will hold an electronics recycling event 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Cumming Fairgrounds parking lot 3 off Castleberry Road. Laptops, CD players, cellphones and microwaves are accepted with a minimum donation of $5 per carload.
Information: forsythco.com. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
ATLANTA
Body found on golf course identified
Authorities have identified a man whose body was discovered late Tuesday morning in a creek near Cross Creek Golf Course as Joseph Corey Goodwin, 38, of Atlanta. The cause of death is pending lab results.
Police said there were no obvious signs of foul play, but Lyon said an autopsy would be conducted to determine the man’s cause of death.
Mike Morris
Man arrested in Boulevard shooting
Brandon Dean, 25, was charged with murder Tuesday in the death of Leon Carr, 34, of Atlanta. On Oct. 5, police were called to the 500 block of Boulevard on a report that a person had been shot. They found Carr dead from a gunshot wound.
Police said an argument had escalated into gunfire. Alexis Stevens
Library to host building design meeting
The Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System invites the community to preview a project update and design presentation for the new Stewart-Lakewood Library branch at 7 p.m. Monday at Oak Hill Child, Family and Adolescent Center, 2805 Metropolitan Parkway. Members of the architectural and engineering team for the project and library team members will be in attendance.
Questions or comments can be submitted via email at librarycomments@fultoncountyga.gov, fax at 404-335-5291 or U.S. mail to Branch Services, Central Library, One Margaret Mitchell Square, Atlanta, GA 30303.
Information: 404-730-1977.
Veronica Fields Johnson
Anti-bullying event Sunday at GSU
Georgia State University invites youth and families to come speak out against bullying and take an anti-bullying pledge 4:30 p.m. Sunday at the Student Center Ballroom. The event includes performances by the cast of Don’t Be A Bully! Speak Up! Speak Out! (A Youth Anti-bullying Stage Play), The DBAB STEP TEAM and Aleacea “Mean Girlz.”
Information: dbab.org Staff
DEKALB
Indicted Clarkston councilwoman resigns
Joan Swaney, the Clarkston city councilwoman indicted Thursday by a federal grand jury for allegedly embezzling more than $50,000 from the Clarkston Community Center, has resigned.
In her Oct. 22 letter, Swaney says she doesn’t want pending legal matters to distract from city business and noted the indictment doesn’t involve city finances.
Swaney is set to be arraigned Friday in U.S. District Court. April Hunt
Major drug dealer gets prison term
A DeKalb County drug dealer has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for trafficking massive amounts of BZP, a synthetic designer drug similar to ecstasy, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Otis Henry was a major distributor of BZP and marijuana in the metro area, prosecutors said.
During an October 2010 search of Henry’s DeKalb residence, law enforcement officers found about 700,000 tablets of BZP, one of the largest domestic seizures of the drug in U.S. history, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said, noting the street value of the drugs was estimated at $2.8 million. Bill Rankin
Several events to help with Obamacare
Events beginning 7 p.m. today at the Community Achievement Center, 4522 Flat Shoals Parkway will help residents with questions or to enroll in the federal healthcare program known as Obamacare.
A second event runs from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at the Clarkston library branch, 951 North Indian Creek.
A third event runs from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Stronghold Christian Church, 724 Rock Chapel Road, near Lithonia. April Hunt
Free health screenings for seniors
Senior Connections and the Atlanta Regional Commission are teaming up to provide clinics offering free health screenings and other services for seniors.
The first clinic will be held f10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at the DeKalb Atlanta Senior Center, 25 Warren St., Atlanta.
The second will be held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 31 at Mason Mill Senior Center, 1430-B McConnell Dr., near Decatur.
April Hunt
Commissioners approve salary survey
The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners recently agreed to spend about $475,000 on a pay and classification survey that is expected to recommend trimming staff and boosting salaries for remaining workers.
The Archer Company is slated to begin the study in November and take a year to 18 months to make its recommendations. April Hunt
County paying more for worker insurance
The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners recently approved paying $86 million for worker health insurance in 2014, a 4 percent increase.
Employees will not see their rates increase, though most must pay $250 more in their deductible.
Those changes, and a 15 percent jump in rates for former employees who took the county’s early retirement program, helped the county cut from a projected 9 percent cost increase if it had kept its insurance as is. April Hunt
SOUTHSIDE
Restaurant robbery suspect shoots self
Leandro Bernard Johnson, 27, of Ellenwood, an alleged suspect in the armed robbery of China Cafe in Fayetteville on Oct. 11, barricaded himself in a Rockdale County apartment and shot himself Tuesday, police said. Police said Johnson and Alonzo Starks, 25, of Morrow, entered the restaurant with guns, but an employee shot Starks in the face. Johnson then allegedly fired back, critically injuring the employee. Three days later, the alleged getaway driver, Alvin James Scott, 26, was arrested in Jonesboro. Scott lead police to Starks body. Alexis Stevens
Clayton Police host open house today
The Clayton County Police Department will hold its annual Open House 5 to 8 p.m. today at police headquarters, 7911 N. McDonough St., Jonesboro.
The event includes tours of the station, activities for the kids, and the display and demonstration of equipment.
Refreshments will be served. Information: 770 473-3935. Tammy Joyner
Meet Tuskegee Airman Friday
The Clayton County Board of Commissioners hosts a Movie in the Park this Friday to celebrate the life of Tuskegee Airman Brew Graham. The event will be at the Clayton County International Park, 2300 Hwy 138 SE in Jonesboro.
It begins with a 7:30 reception with the movie “Red Tails,” which is about the legendary Tuskegee Airmen who flew during World War II, to follow at 8 p.m.
The movie is free and open to the public. Popcorn will be served.
Information: 770 473-3834 or www.ClaytonCountyGa.gov.
Tammy Joyner
Trunk or Treat at Piedmont Henry
Piedmont Henry Hospital is hosting Trunk or Treat 7:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 31, in the Foundation Education Center parking lot. Participants are encouraged to bring healthy snacks to share. Information: piedmonthenry.org. Monroe Roark for the AJC
S. Fulton business expo to be held this week
South Fulton County business owners are invited to participate in the IGNITE South Fulton business expo from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Atlanta Technical College, Cleveland L. Dennard Center, 1560 Metropolitan Parkway.
The event promotes growth and sustainability for entrepreneurs and small and mid-size businesses.
Topics will include teamwork, community investment and the global economy.
Information: 404-612-2880.
Veronica Fields Johnson
Halloween party planned for Fayetteville
Downtown Fayetteville will combine its Market Day and Pumpkin Festival events starting at 10 a.m. Saturday Market Day vendors will sell local products until 5 p.m.
Halloween costume contests for dogs (rotaryfayettevillega.com) and kids (rmjoiner678@gmail.com) begin at 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. respectively, with hay rides, train rides and games as well.
Information: 770-719-4173.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
