COBB
Austell commission elects 2014 leaders
The Austell Planning and Zoning Commission voted Tuesday for Bill Foster to serve another one-year term as chairman and for Diane Evans as vice-chairman.
Other members are Don Foster, Julie Lemaster, Sara Parker and Curtis Stanfield.
One vacancy remains due to the resignation of Ollie Clemons upon his election as an Austell City Council member, who will take office on Jan. 6.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Smyrna to hold Christmas events
Smyrna’s Santa House will open 6 -8 p.m. Friday through Sunday at Aunt Fanny’s Cabin, 2875 Atlanta Road . The event is sponsored by the city of Smyrna and the Smyrna Optimist Club. Pictures with Santa are 5 - 8 p.m. Friday at Brawner Park, 3180 Atlanta Road. Activities will include a candy cane hunt and jingle bells hayride Admission is a new or gently worn winter coat. Information: ww.smyrnacity.com.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Smyrna seeks used cooking oil donations
Smyrna is asking residents and restaurants to donate used cooking oil for the city’s biodiesel program.
The goal is to have a majority of city vehicles running on biodiesel fuel to reduce petrodiesel use and prevent water and sewer drain clogs. Citizens can leave used oil curbside in sealed plastic containers or at the public works department, the recycling center off Concord Road or four fire stations.
Information: www.smyrnacity.com.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Aquatic center closed until early 2014
The reopening of the West Cobb Aquatic Center at 675 Macland Road, Powder Springs, has been extended from December to early 2014 while improvements are being made.
They include a new pool surface, roll-up door, metal roof and dehumidifier unit, and painting. Information: prca.cobbcountyga.gov/Aquatics-WestCobb.htm.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Secret Santas needed for club
Secret Santas are needed for the A.W. “Tony” Mathews Boys and Girls Club, 785 Fontaine Road SW at Floyd Road, Mableton to provide Christmas gifts for more than 50 children.
The Mableton Improvement Coalition is asking each Secret Santa to spend around $50 per child.
Donations may be made through mableton.org/Christmas.html.
Information: bgcma.org/club/matthews or MabletonSanta@gmail.com.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Explorers to restore vintage cruiser
The Marietta Police Explorers are planning to restore a 1966 Ford Galaxie police cruiser to use for parades, car shows and other special events in the city. The group is looking for donations of shop time, parts, paint and other restoration needs.
The Explorers is a youth program for ages 14 to 21 sponsored by the Marietta Police Department. Information: Lt. Jake King at 770-794-5355. Tucker McQueen for the AJC
GWINNETT
Biotech company expands in Peachtree Corners
Genomics and biorepository services company, AKESOgen will more than triple its square footage and add up to 10 additional employees with its move to a 13,727-square-foot facility at 3155 Northwoods Place in Peachtree Corners next year. AKESOgen provides biomarker profiling and genomics services for the research and development market, including biobanking, DNA/RNA extraction, and genetic technologies. Founded in 2010, the company serves the clinical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, academic and government sectors. Information: www.akesogen.com or www.gwinnetteconomicdevelopment.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Library system hires new director
The Gwinnett County Public Library board has appointed Charles Pace as the county’s new library director. Pace will receive a $125,000 annual salary, replacing Nancy Stanbery-Kellam who was removed from the position in June. Pace is expected to bring experience raising funds and building new branches to Gwinnett. www.gwinnettpl.org.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Kudos and support available for veterans
Hearts for Veterans meets to support the achievement of veterans, answer questions and assist with filling out VA claims 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each Monday and Wednesday at the Buford Human Services Center, 2755 Sawnee Ave., Buford. Information: 404-834-9784. Karen Huppertz
Lawrenceville rings in 2014 on the square
The Historic Lawrenceville Square will ring in the New Year 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Dec. 31 with live music, dancing, kid’s zone, vendors and fireworks. Reservations available for tables of six by calling 678-226-2639 or www.visitlawrenceville.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Center offering candlelight farm tour
The Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center will celebrate the holidays with a candlelight tour 6 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday of the 1930s McDaniel Family Farm, 3251 McDaniel Road, Duluth. A costumed guide will guide guests through historic customs and traditions celebrated during the holiday season. Tour ends with a mug of hot chocolate or apple cider and a special holiday craft. Register online at www.gwinnettEHC.org.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Lilburn Citizens Police accepting applications
Lilburn Police host a 10-week Citizens Police Academy beginining Feb. 11 to provide members of the Lilburn community with additional knowledge about their police department. Deadline for applications is 5 p.m. Jan. 31. Info and applications: www.cityoflilburn.com/index.aspx?nid=281. Questions: Sgt. Tim Allen, 770-279-3712 ortallen@cityoflilburn.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Blood drive Friday in Snellville
The Red Cross hosts a holiday 3 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Centerville Community Center, 3025 Bethany Church Road, Snellville. Walk-ins welcome, but appointments encouraged by calling 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or www.redcrossblood.org. Photo ID required. Karen Huppertz
NORTHSIDE
Legislative town hall meeting set in Cherokee
The Cherokee County state legislative delegation will hold a town hall meeting at 6 p.m. Friday night at the Cherokee County Administration Building, 1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton.
The session is designed to give residents a chance to say what they’d like lawmakers to tackle in 2014.
Three state senators and four state representatives represent all or parts of Cherokee, all of them Republicans. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Cherokee says budget year ending well
Cherokee County’s Chief Financial Officer is painting an upbeat picture of fiscal year 2013 preliminary budget results. Janelle Funk says revenues totaled $153.3 million, $8.2 million above the projected $145.1 She also told the Board of Commissioners Tuesday that expenses totaled $174.5 million, well below the budgeted $191 million. She said among reasons for higher revenue were better than expected tax collections, court fines and building permits.Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Forsyth teachers win classroom grant
Three Forsyth County school district teachers have won Bright Ideas classroom grants under a program from the Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation Jessica Griffin of West Forsyth High School and Benita Burruss of North Forsyth High School got $1,500 to sponsor students to a state youth assembly and Jennifer McCutchen of Forsyth Central High School received $1,315 to create an outdoor classroom for plant studies. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Forsyth graduates fire recruit class
The Forsyth County Fire Department graduated its latest recruit class this past Friday, with 10 firefighters taking the oath, along with four part-timers upgrading to full-time. The department also announced a number of promotions, including Zachary John Buice and Paige Colwell to Battalion Chief. Twenty Life Saved and United Citation awards were also presented. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Alpharetta seeks street names
Alpharetta city officials want the public’s help naming five downtown streets that are part of the developing City Center project. Names should reflect the history, character or essence of downtown or the community as a whole. Streets can’t be named for the living.
For a depiction of the streets and to submit suggestions: www.alpharetta.ga.us.
The 22-acre, multi-use project is set for completion in the summer of 2014. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Forsyth fire holiday toy drive underway
The Forsyth County Fire Department’s 11th annual Aerial’s House holiday toy collection drive is underway.
New, unwrapped toys for any age and new, tagged clothing for kids ages 6 to 14 can be dropped off at any Forsyth County fire station, fire headquarters at 3520 Settingdown Road, or any county library branch.
Information: forsythco.com
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
ATLANTA
Man shot, killed along MLK Jr. Drive
Martin Luther King Jr. Drive was shut down early Wednesday morning while police investigated a fatal shooting.
According to police dispatchers, the victim was found by a passerby just before 4:30 a.m., lying in the street near a gas station in the 3600 block of MLK.
The caller said the man had possibly been shot in the head. Mike Morris
Missing 23-year-old woman found safe
A Mattie’s Call has been canceled for a missing 23-year-old woman, police said Wednesday.
Bianca Pache, who reportedly is bipolar and schizophrenic and was last seen in the 900 block of Rice Streetabout 4 p.m. Saturday, has been found safe, according to authorities.
Angel K. Brooks
Annual Christmas concert Sunday
The 20th annual Nicholas Bowden and Friends Christmas Concert is 6 p.m. Sunday at Peachtree Presbyterian Church, 3434 Roswell Road NW.
Bowden, the church’s principal organist, will amass some of Atlanta’s most prolific soloists, 40+ professional musicians – many of whom are members of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra - and over 130 choral singers.
Featured this year is two-time Grammy award winning Soprano Sylvia McNair. Free, but an offering will be collected.
Information: 404-842-5800 or www.peachtreepres.org.
Arlinda Smith Broady
APS performs well on national report card
Atlanta students made the biggest improvements in fourth grade reading and eighth grade math compared to nine other urban school systems over the last 10 years, according to results of National Assessment of Educational Progress tests released Wednesday.
Atlanta Public Schools tied with Los Angeles for making the greatest gains among those cities in eighth grade reading, and it was second only to Washington, D.C., in raising fourth grade math scores.Mark Niesse
DEKALB
Improvements planned for Buford Highway
Brookhaven recently hired a design firm to help lead its efforts to plan improvements along Buford Highway.
The city will pay Jaeger Co. about $100,000 to help develop a redevelopment plan that includes safe housing and workforce programs.
The plan also will focus on pedestrian accessibility and streetscapes.
The work will be done alongside the year-long comprehensive plan for the city, which launches this month. April Hunt
Clarkston seeks zoning board candidates
Clarkston is looking for residents to help fill three vacancies on its planning and zoning board.
There are no requirements beyond being a resident of the city interested in serving. The mayor will nominate appointees, for approval by the City Council.
Letters of interest and resumes should be sent to Jason Gaines at jgaines@cityofclarkston.com. April Hunt
Festival benefits law enforcement
DeKalb County Commissioner Stan Watson recently donated $10,000 to the DeKalb Police Alliance, the proceeds of an international food and music festival held in the county earlier this year.
The funds will go toward the alliance’s efforts to supply bulletproof vests to county sheriff’s deputies, police officers and marshals. April Hunt
Nonprofit earns accreditation
The non-profit group that supports behavioral health and developmental disability services in DeKalb County recently received a three-year accreditation for services.
The decision by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities International gave the DeKalb Community Service Board its highest level of accreditation for meeting organizational and industrial standards.
Information: www.dekcsb.org. April Hunt
Money set aside for DeKalb park
DeKalb County commissioners recently agreed to set aside $65,000 to plan a new park in Ellenwood.
The county bought the 44-acre parcel on River Road in 2003 but has yet to conduct a site analysis and recreational study for the area.
The funding for the study comes from the park bond fund from Commission District 3, which stretches from Decatur to Ellenwood. April Hunt
SOUTHSIDE
Fayette named school reward district
The Georgia Department of Education has named Fayette County a Title I Reward District in recognition of achievements made by economically disadvantaged students.
Fayette is one of four such districts in the state; each will receive $50,000 and other honors at a state conference next June. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
