County by county news for Thursday

Anyone wanting to sell doughnuts, for example, or solicit donations on public streets must file an application - with no fee - to City Manager Brad Hulsey for him to forward to the City Council for their vote.

“It’s a public safety issue,” he added.

Even with approval, individuals cannot block city streets, sidewalks and right-of-ways. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Chamber honors citizen of the year

Karen Hallacy was named the 2012 East Cobb Citizen of the Year by the Cobb Chamber of Commerce. Hallacy has been a volunteer and resident in east Cobb for more than more than 10 years. She is known as an advocate for local students and public education, especially through the Parent Teacher Association. She’s a member of the East Cobb Civic Association, the National Charity League and a 2012 graduate of the chamber’s leadership program. Jaime Sarrio

ReferenceUSA workshop on Tuesday

Cobb’s Central Library staff will hold a presentation from 5-6 p.m. Tuesday on how ReferenceUSA can be used as a job searching tool. The online database provides information on more than 14 million potential employers nationwide. The presentation will include tips on researching careers, gathering information for a job search, networking, application and resume writing and negotiating salary and benefits. Location: 266 Roswell St., Marietta. Information: 770-528-2369. Jaime Sarrio

County water system wins two awards

Cobb County’s water system won two awards from the Georgia Association of Water Professionals. The water protection division won the 2012 Wastewater Collection Gold award for outstanding operation of a wastewater collection system with more than 50,000 customers. The county’s “ecological tips” video series won the 2012 Public Education Innovative Initiative award. Jaime Sarrio

County parks director honored at convention

Cobb Parks Director Eddie Canon was named “distinguished professional of the year” at the Georgia Recreation and Park Association convention.

The award was presented to Canon by his peers and the association’s leadership.

Info: http://prca.cobbcountyga.gov Jaime Sarrio

Holiday homes tour in Smyrna Dec. 2

The Foundation of Emory-Adventist Hospital at Smyrna will host the Homes for the Holidays tour from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2.

The event will feature seven festively decorated homes in Smyrna. Complimentary refreshments will be available and a sealed-bid auction will be held.

Tickets are $20 and all proceeds will benefit the foundation to raise funds for new patient beds.

For tickets, a tour map and event brochure visit www.SmyrnaCares.org or call 770-438-5233. Veronica Johnson

GWINNETT

Gwinnett tree lighting ceremony today

Gwinnett County’s 25th annual Lighting of the Tree will be at 5 p.m. today at the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, 185 Crogan St., Lawrenceville.

The event will feature music and dance performances, carols and children’s activities.

The tree lighting will be at 6 p.m.

For more information, visit www.gwinnettparks.com or call 770-822-5450. David Wickert

Water conservation workshop on Dec. 3

Gwinnett County will host a free water conservation workshop from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville.

The workshop will focus on leak detection, water-efficient fixtures and other water-saving ideas. Residents who attend will receive a home water audit guide, indoor and outdoor water efficiency kits and information about a toilet rebate program.

To register, send an e-mail with your name, address and phone number to dwrconserve@gwinnettcounty.com or call 678-376-7144. David Wickert

Beaudreau meets constituents Saturday

Gwinnett County Commissioner Mike Beaudreau will meet with constituents from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday at Fire Station 30, 1052 Ozora Road, Loganville. Beaudreau represents commission District 3, which covers the eastern part of Gwinnett and includes the cities of Snellville, Loganville, Grayson, Dacula and Auburn. David Wickert

Suwanee welcomes Santa on Nov. 30

Santa and his elves will usher in the holiday season at Suwanee’s annual Caboose Lighting and Holiday Festival with music, hot chocolate, cookies and s’mores at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 30 on Main Street in historic Old Town. Choruses from Level Creek, Riverside, Roberts, and Suwanee elementary schools will perform. Santa will arrive in Suwanee, as he does every year, aboard his tractor-pulled sleigh. www.suwanee.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Suwanee looking for your best photos

Residents of Suwanee are invited to submit photos capturing the spirit of the community for the 2013 Snap Suwanee exhibit. Photographers may submit up to five high-resolution photos each. Deadline is Dec. 31. Complete guidelines for submission available at www.suwanee.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Businesses raise cash for hurricane victims

Vargas & Harbin Studio Gallery, of Norcross, recently raised $1,500 for Hurricane Sandy victims during its going away party for Gwinnett County ArtWorks! Director, Sally Corbett. The funds, which will go to the American Red Cross, were collected through raffle tickets for artwork and photography from local artists. Norcross restaurants and merchants supplied free food. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Woodstock experiments with trolley service

Woodstock officials are exploring possible permanent trolley service downtown and to that end, are borrowing the Cherokee Area Transportation System (CATS) trolley for a month. The city will use the vehicle Fridays and Saturdays beginning Dec.1 to shuttle holiday shoppers. Routes and schedules will be set next week. If the experiment works, Woodstock may purchase the redesigned bus. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

School, church partner to feed hungry today

First Montessori School of Atlanta partners today with Sandy Springs United Methodist Church on their annual Thanksgiving Outreach Project. The church was expecting to provide a warm and nourishing meal for more than 350 homeless and needy individuals in the Sandy Springs area. The church is located at 86 Mount Vernon Highway N.E.FMSA parents provided the ingredients for the side dishes of macaroni and cheese, green bean casserole, squash casserole, dressing, cranberry relish and bread. Toddler through middle school students helped prepare and cook the various dishes. Nancy Badertscher

Holly Springs to contract for services

Holly Springs officials are accepting proposals from qualified companies to provide pest control and external audit services. The audit services deadline is Dec. 7 and the pest control deadline is Dec. 12. Contracts are due to be awarded Dec. 17. Interested parties should send proposals to: City Clerk, City of Holly Springs, 3237 Holly Springs Parkway, P.O. Box 990, Holly Springs, Ga., 30142. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

8 Cherokee deputies honored by board

Eight Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office deputies were recognized at Tuesday’s county commission meeting for going above and beyond the call of duty. Sgt. Pete Turcotte and Cpl. Ryan Brooks, as well as deputies Blake McCoy, Hal Daniel, Hollis Kuykendall, Brian Neal and David Wooldridge received the Sheriff’s Commendation. Deputy Adam Mayfield received the Sheriff’s Citation for Meritorious Service. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Cherokee offices closed for the holidays

Cherokee County government administrative offices will be closed today and Friday in observance of Thanksgiving Day. The Cherokee County Tax Commissioner’s Office will be closed today through Saturday. Woodstock and Canton city administrative offices will also close Thursday and Friday. Waste Management will be closed today , with pickup delayed one day. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Free mulch offered in Cherokee County

The city of Canton is offering free mulch to area residents and businesses. The public mulch site is located at Southview Cemetery off of Scott Mill road. The city says the site has easy access for loading up vehicles. Further info: 770-720-7674 from 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

Boyfriend arrested in death of boyfriend

The boyfriend of a woman who was injured at a downtown Atlanta hotel last month has been charged with her death.

According to police spokeswoman Kim Jones, officers were called to Atlanta Medical Center around 9 p.m. on Oct. 14 on a call regarding an unconscious female.

The woman, Kathleen Baxter, had severe brain injuries and later died. The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s office ruled her death a homicide, Jones said.

Wayne McWilliams was arrested Tuesday and taken to the Fulton County Jail.

Coalition buys bike racks for police

The Buckhead Coalition has purchased two bike racks for the Atlanta Police Department’s Zone 2. The civic group said the racks are meant to allow police officers to use bikes more often. The racks can hold three bikes each.

“This detachable equipment allows the three officers trained for this unit to travel to a beat or action destination quickly for the start of bike patrolling,” the Buckhead Coalition said in a statement. Over the years, the group has provided other bikes and special apparel for police officers. Last year, the Buckhead Coalition announced a new incentive program for police officers who live in Buckhead, with the group providing $2,000 and the Atlanta Police Foundation chipping in another $1,000. Jeremiah McWilliams

One dead, one hurt in apartment shooting

Two people were shot, one fatally, in the parking lot of a southwest Atlanta apartment complex Tuesday night, according to police.

Officers responded to the 200 block of Brownlee Road, off Boulder Park Drive, shortly after 7 p.m. after a 911 caller reported shots fired, Lt. Paul Guerrucci with Atlanta police said. One person died at the scene after being shot in the chest, Guerrucci said.

Another person had been shot in the leg and was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital for treatment. The names of the victims were not released. Alexis Stevens

School district loses appeal in lawsuit

The Georgia Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that a lawsuit filed against the DeKalb County School District by two employees can go forward.

The suit filed in 2011 by a teacher and a psychologist claims the county breached its contract with them and all employees that have worked for the district since 1979 when the district in 2009 suspended contributions to a tax-sheltered annuity that supplemented the employees’ state pensions.

Last year DeKalb Superior Court Judge Clarence Seeliger ruled in favor of the employees, saying the school system was not immune to the lawsuit, as its lawyers claimed. The district appealed. Now DeKalb has 10 days to notify the court that it plans to appeal this latest ruling. The plaintiffs are demanding the restoration of all payments and back payments. Jeffry Scott

Police look for man who accosted boy

Dunwoody police are looking for a man who allegedly attempted to entice a child for indecent purposes earlier this month at Perimeter Mall.

According to Dunwoody police Sgt. Mike Carlson, a 15-year-old boy was in a restroom at the mall around 7 p.m. on Nov. 12 when he was approached by the suspect. Police are looking for a bald male in his late 30s or early 40s, about 6 feet tall and weighing around 200 pounds. Anyone with information is asked to call Dunwoody police at 678-382-6911. Mike Morris

Stone Mountain parade planned

Stone Mountain’s annual Christmas parade and fireworks show has been set for the evening after Thanksgiving.

Festivities run from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, with the parade beginning at 6 p.m. along the town’s Main Street. Fireworks begin just after Santa’s arrival and a tree lighting ceremony, at 7:30 p.m. The event features classic cars, pony rides and other activities. Information: 770-413-0607 or www.stonemountainvillage.com. April Hunt

Doctor recognized for humanitarian efforts

Dr. Gulshan S. Harjee, CEO and president of First Medical Care in Decatur, received the 2012 Jack A. Raines Humanitarian Award at the Medical Association of Georgia’s House of Delegates meeting in Savannah on Oct. 20. Harjee was recognized for her outstanding humanitarian contributions beyond the normal practice of medicine.

Harjee’s vast humanitarian contributions include conducting health fairs for the indigent and uninsured in DeKalb County for the last seven years and establishing scholarship programs for high school and college students. Kenneth Musisi

Annual “Tree of Love” kicks off this month

The annual charity effort to make the Christmas season better for disadvantaged kids in DeKalb County kicks off later this month.

The Tree of Love program creates wish lists for holiday gifts for low-income children as well as those in foster care. Residents can select names from the tree, to help make sure the children have something to open for the holidays.

The tree will be set up at South DeKalb Mall, 2801 Candler Road, near Decatur. The kickoff event will begin at noon Saturday at the mall, with all gifts due back by Dec. 15.

Information: 404-964-4936.

April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Peachtree City police to host toy drive

The Peachtree City Police Department is hosting its third annual Light Up the Night toy drive on Nov. 26 in the parking lot of the Peachtree City Walmart. Future dates are Nov. 27 and 28, Dec. 4-6, and Dec. 10-12. All donation times are 5 to 9 p.m. Volunteers will be accepting unwrapped, new toys, and cash donations for families in need. Donations also may be made at the Peachtree City Police Department headquarters, 350 South Hwy. 74, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Information: Captain Stan Pye, spye@peachtree-city.org or 770-487-8866. Tammy Joyner

Peachtree City Dog Park free for holidays

The Peachtree City Dog Park will offer free admission between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. The nonprofit association that runs the park, located in the McIntosh Recreation Area, is waiving its membership and fee requirements to allow more people to enjoy fun with their dogs. Information at www.ptcdogpark.com.

Jill Howard Church

Adopt-A-Senior program needs help

Approximately 140 seniors in Henry County, many of whom are homebound, are yet to be adopted under the Adopt-A-Senior program coordinated by the county’s Senior Services department and Council on Aging. Individuals, families, businesses and church or civic groups can sponsor seniors by purchasing suggested gifts and delivering them if they so choose. Interested would-be sponsors can call Rita Green at 770-288-7010 or Anne Marie Quincey at 770-288-7000. All gifts should be in place at Heritage Senior Center in McDonough by Dec. 6.

Monroe Roark for the AJC

Holiday festival Nov. 27 in Stockbridge

The Stockbridge Holiday Festival is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 27, at Clark Community Park and the Merle Manders Conference Center. There will be appearances by Santa & Mrs. Claus, live reindeer, puppet shows, entertainment from local schools, and more. Shuttle service will be provided from City Hall. Information: www.cityofstockbridge.com. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Starrs Mill students launch pillow drive

The Starrs Mill High School Pantherettes Dance team is conducting an outreach project to collect new bed pillows for The Community Welcome House, a local women’s and children’s shelter. Pillows can be dropped in the collection box in the rotunda at SMHS, 193 Panther Path, Fayetteville. The deadline is Nov. 25. Information: cheryl.whetstone@me.com. Kenneth Musisi

Kiwanis drawing to benefit abused children

The Kiwanis Club of McIntosh Trail is hosting a drawing for a 1968 Mustang GT convertible to benefit The Children’s Village at Christian City in Union City. Tickets are $100.

The drawing will be Dec. 6 at the Chair-ity Event at the Dolce in Peachtree City. Get tickets by mailing checks to Kiwanis Club President Kay McInroe, c/o Prudential Realty, 246 City Circle, Peachtree City. Purchase online at www.mcintosh-trail.kiwanisone.org. Information: Kay McInroe at 678-570-0717. Kenneth Musisi