County by county news for Thursday

Gov. Deal to attend special ceremony

Gov. Nathan Deal is scheduled to attend a graduation today for 10 parents who completed Cobb’s Family Dependency Treatment Court, an alternative court for parents with addictions who are pregnant or have small children and ran afoul of the law. The ceremony is at 5 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 148 Church St., Marietta.

The court, which aims to hold parents accountable and keep them off drugs, currently has 42 participants with 89 children. The graduates also completed Celebrating Families, a federally-funded 16-week therapy program. Johnny Edwards

Voters to decide on fine arts center

Marietta voters will consider a bond for a $8.6 million fine arts center at Marietta High School during the presidential preference primary election in February 2012. The Marietta City Schools Board decided Tuesday not to hold a special election for the general obligation bond in November because of the estimated $50,000 cost. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

KSU initiates community garden

Kennesaw State University, in conjunction with the city and the Fountain Gate Life and Wellness, Inc. is starting a community garden on a 2.5 acre site, which includes a historic farm house in the 2900 block of Cherokee Street. The land accompanying the farm house will be cultivated by KSU for use in dining services and for charitable donations. Long term plans include developing the farm house into a community store. Rich McKay

Wild West comes to Marietta library

The Cobb Library Foundation brings the Wild West to Marietta on Saturday with the first annual Wild West Fest at Jim Miller Park.

The event will feature lasso lessons and fast-draw demonstrations by real cowboys and cowgirls. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets are $12 per person.

Information: http://www.cobbcat.org/foundationevents.html Janel Davis

Austell group collects for south Ga. firefighters

The Entertainment Design Group (EDG) in Austell is collecting items for Waycross-Ware County firefighters through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The firefighters are battling the massive blaze in the Okefenokee Swamp. Items needed include goggles, socks, t-shirts, lip balm, bandannas and other things. Donations may be brought to EDG, 7115 Oak Ridge Parkway. Information: Sharon Kraun, 678-468-0064.Carolyn Cunnigham for the AJC

GWINNETT

Truck driver charged in H.E.R.O. operator injury

Jesse Arnold, 54, the driver of a tractor-trailer that hit and seriously injured a H.E.R.O. operator Tuesday afternoon has been charged with unsafe lane change, failure to yield to emergency lights, operating an unsafe vehicle, and following too closely, according to police. Troy Moore of Conyers was outside of his vehicle when he was hit at about 4 p.m. Tuesday in the southbound lanes of I-85 at Old Peachtree Road, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation. Moore was taken to Gwinnett Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries, the DOT said. He was discharged later that day, hospital officials said. David Ibata

Norcross creamery recalls mozarella cheese

A creamery in Norcross is recalling 60 pounds of fresh mozzarella cheese sold at a half dozen metro Atlanta farmers markets after an inspection determined that it was inadequately pasteurized, the Georgia Department of Agriculture said Tuesday.

AtlantaFresh Artisan Creamery is recalling cheese sold in 8 ounce balls with a code date of “Best By 7/16.” It was sold at farmers markets in Sandy Springs, Alpharetta, Marietta and Atlanta. Ty Tagami

Renovations approved for aquatic centers

The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Tuesday approved renovations at two aquatic centers and six tennis courts. Commissioners awarded a $186,297 contract to Poolside Inc. of Roswell to renovate indoor lap and instructional pools at the Collins Hill Park and Mountain Park aquatic centers.

Commissioners also awarded a $149,250 contract to Southeastern Tennis Courts Inc. of Lilburn to renovate six tennis courts at Mountain Park Park. David Wickert

Three graduates awarded scholarships

Three Gwinnett high school graduates have been awarded scholarships from the State Farm Companies Foundation.

The students are: Kristen Hottelll, a graduate of Collins Hill High in Suwanee who will attend the University of Georgia; Wesley Mitchell, a graduate of the Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology in Lawrenceville who will attend Stanford; and Douglas Walker, a graduate of Collins Hill who will go to Georgia Tech.

The scholarships are awarded to 100 high school seniors who are the children of a State Farm agent, employee or retiree. Joel Anderson

Braselton begins movies in the park

The Town of Braselton will begin a series of free “movies in the park” with a showing of “Megamind” at dusk Saturday at Braselton Park, 126 Harrison St. Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome. The Gwinnett Braves mascot Chopper will visit with families. David Wickert

‘Hairspray’ at Broadway in the Park

Suwanee Performing Arts’ “Broadway in the Park” program will present a production of hit musical “Hairspray” on July 29 and July 30.

The shows will start at 7 p.m. at 341 Main Street. Admission is free to the public. Information: 770-821-7654 or www.suwaneeperformingarts.org. Joel Anderson

NORTHSIDE

Milton council moves for Sunday alcohol sales

The Milton City Council gave preliminary approval Monday to formally consider measures that would loosen liquor laws for residents and businesses.

If passed on final reading next month, the measures would allow for the package sales of beer, wine and liquor by licensed retailers on Sunday and provide establishments the option to allow patrons to bring in their own wine or beer. Patrick Fox

Commission sends issue back to planners

The Forsyth County Commission sent a highly fractious zoning dispute -- whether to allow a “community center” that opponents claim is really a church to be built in the Crystal Cove Shores subdivision -- back to the Forsyth County Planning Commission. Last month the planning commission approved a permit that would allow the building of the center which, if it’s a church, is a violation of county zoning, said opponents. Another public hearing is required because the posted zoning notice did not meet the requirements of the county zoning code. Jeffry Scott

Compromise may be near for golf course

The parties involved in the long-running and litigious zoning of Lanier Golf Club may be close to a compromise whereby senior living facilities are built on the front parcel of the property and the 18-hole golf course will be reduced to a 9 holes to make room for residential development. “I’ve hard that scenario floated out there,” District 4 Commissioner Patrick Bell said Wednesday. “My understanding is that would work only if all the lawsuits are dropped.” The commission will hear the matter tonight night at a specially called meeting. Jeffry Scott

Adoption workshop Saturday at library

The Sandy Springs library will host an adoption workshop, Saturday, from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m., 395 Mt. Vernon Highway.

The workshop will focus on domestic infant adoption and international adoption. Pre-registration is required.

To register, visit www.beaconhouseadoption.com. Michelle E. Shaw

Roswell begins work on streetscape project

The City of Roswell began work Wednesday on a $187,000 streetscape project on Oak Street. Plans call for adding 5-foot brick paver sidewalks on the north and a multi-use trail on the south. Work is scheduled to take approximately 120 days. Information: www.roswellgov.com/conezone. Patrick Fox

Author to sign and discuss new book

Luis Carlos Montalván, former army captain, will be at Yawn’s Books in downtown Canton on Saturday at 2 p.m. to discuss and sign autographs for his book “Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him,” which was published earlier this year. Montalván returned from Iraq in 2007 and suffered a traumatic brain injury. Information: 678-880-1922 Elise Hitchcock

ATLANTA

Learn how to avoid infections at hospitals

Consumers can learn how to avoid infections and other dangers while hospitalized at “Town Hall Conversation: Safely and Effectively Navigating Healthcare Today.” The event is sponsored by a group of organizations -- including Georgia Watch, the Campaign for Better Care and Piedmont Healthcare -- and will be held Tuesday at the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Free health screenings will be available beginning at 6 p.m. and guest speakers will make presentations at 7 p.m. For reservations or information: hap@georgiawatch.org or 404-525-1085. Carrie Teegardin

Church moves closer to historic registry

Sardis Methodist Church on Powers Ferry Road has passed the Georgia National Register Review Board and now for approval for the National Register of Historic Places.

The congregation has worshipped on the Buckhead site since the mid 19th Century.

Sardis United Methodist Church, as it is now known, has an adjoining cemetery with headstones dating as far back as 1869. Rhonda Cook

Metro Dash at Turner Field on Saturday

Metro Dash, one of the country’s premier obstacle race series, will come to Turner Field this Saturday.

The Atlanta Metro Dash features 30 obstacles, like tire flips, rope swings, 15-foot cargo net climbs, wall jumps, monkey bars and the strongman shuffle.

The event will be in the Green Lot at 755 Hank Aaron Dr. Information and registration: www.metrodash.com/atlanta Ernie Suggs

Boys & Girls Club Carnival Day Friday

Rennie Curran, a former member the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta, will host a Carnival Day at the Brookhaven Boys & Girls Club 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. The Tennessee Titan linebacker and Miss Liberia/Miss West African Mahaja Zeon will also discuss philanthropy. Club members will collect children’s books, school supplies and clothing to donate to Liberian children. Gracie Bonds Staples

DEKALB

Dunwoody councilman won’t run again

Dunwoody Councilman Danny Ross, who represents Post 5, will not run for re-election in November. Ross, in a news release, said he never intended to “start a new career” in politics, but he wanted to lend his “experience as an entrepreneur and venture capitalist to the task of launching am new city.” Ross joins Mayor Ken Wright, who is also not seeking reelection. Ross said he never planned to serve beyond his initial term and because of that he had the “freedom to make every decision based on what I believed to be in the best interest of the community.” Michelle E. Shaw

26,329 join transit phone town hall

DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer and Decatur Mayor Bill Floyd recently led a phone discussion about transportation with 26,329 residents.

The one-hour call was one in a series of regional telephone meetings being held to gauge the public’s transportation priorities and concerns. The 10-county region votes in 2012 on whether to pay an extra penny in sales tax for transportation improvements across the region. April Hunt

County wins award for Marquel’s Pledge

Marquel’s Pledge, a community initiative to raise awareness of the dangers of celebratory gunfire, has earned DeKalb County a national award.

The National Association of Counties honored DeKalb with its 2011 Achievement Award for the effort. The initiative was created last year after 4-year-old Marquel Peters was killed by a stray bullet as he say in his church on New Year’s Eve.

This year, DeKalb saw 47 percent drop in the number of 911 calls for gunfire during New Year’s Eve. April Hunt

Doraville library offers teen activities

Teens looking for something to do this summer can attend several events every Saturday at the Doraville library.

The activities range from cooking sessions, gaming and craft making. The free events run from 2:30 to 4 p.m. every week at the library on Central Avenue. More information: www.dekalblibrary.org. April Hunt

Library to holds International Cafe

Meet new friends and practice your conversational English and Spanish Saturday at the Doraville Library, 3748 Central Ave. The International Cafe will be held from 10 a.m. until noon Saturday at the library. The event is free and open to the public. For information, call 404-370-8450, ext. 2257 Michelle E. Shaw

DeKalb Watershed exceeds standards

The annual water quality report, released this week, shows that the DeKalb Watershed Management continues to exceed all for the applicable drinking water standards.The 2011 Consumer Confidence Report reports on data gathered from water quality testing during the year 2010.

Serving more than 700,000 customers, DWM is responsible for treating and distributing drinking water, and collecting and treating wastewater.

The report is being distributed in water bills, and will be available at county libraries, apartment complexes and at www.dekalbwatershed.com. Staff reports

SOUTHSIDE

Fayette school board adopts 2012 budget

Following months of discussions about balances and projections, the Fayette County Board of Education adopted a final budget for 2012 on Tuesday .

The $186.6 million budget includes an end-of-year fund balance of $8.6 million as a hedge against increased costs, decreased revenue or both. This year’s fund balance was $25 million.

The new budget does not require any reduction in staff or student days, as had been discussed at previous meetings. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Peachtree City Girl Scouts earn award

Seven Peachtree City teens have earned the highest award in Girl Scouts. They were among 79 Girl Scouts from Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta to receive the Girl Scout Gold Award. They are Katherine Burke, rising junior at Fayette County High School; McIntosh High School graduates Hannah Chambless, Catherine Chapman, Catherine Keen, Evelyn Keysar, Christina Marty and Elizabeth Schmidt. The award is given to young women in grades 9-12 who complete more than 65 hours on a community project. Tammy Joyner

McDonough to vote on Sunday alcohol sales

The McDonough City Council voted Monday to place the issue of Sunday alcohol sales on the ballot for the November election. McDonough is the second city in Henry County to do so, as Stockbridge passed a similar ordinance one week earlier. Monroe Roark for the AJC

‘Dinner’ on the Lawn in Fayetteville

Fayetteville Main Street will host its first “Dinner on the Lawn” event Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. on the grounds of the Historic Courthouse. Chicken and rib dinners will be offered for $8 per person by Cheers Family Sports Grill, accompanied by the Brilliant Inventions band performing on the nearby stage. The Ford Focus “Drive with Purpose” tour will showcase the new 2012 model. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

East Point applies for money to hire cops

The East Point City Council approved submitting an application to the Department of Justice to provide funding to hire or rehire three police officers. The officers would assist in the city’s efforts to establish community policing capacity and crime enforcement. John Thompson for the AJC

Clayton Democrats hold meeting tonight

The Clayton County Democratic Party will meet at 7 p.m. today at the Lake City municipal building for its June meeting. The municipal building is at 5455 Jonesboro Rd. in Lake City. Tammy Joyner

Henry Players open show tonight

The curtain rises today on the Henry Players’ latest production, “The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe,” at the Henry County Performing Arts Center in McDonough. Show times are 7:30 p.m. today through Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Visit www.henryplayers.com to find ticket outlets or purchase tickets online. Monroe Roark for the AJC