County by county news for Thursday

The change will require 51 percent of residents who receive ballots sent by the city to return them and 70 percent responding to vote in favor of speed humps. Funding will come from the 2011 SPLOST. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Man stole electricity to run grow house

By splicing into an underground power line, a man renting a Cobb County home was able to steal the electricity needed to run an elaborate marijuana grow house, police said. Dung Hoang, 42, was being held Wednesday in the Cobb County jail.

Officers first went to the Austell-area home on Ling Drive to investigate a report from GreyStone Power Corp. of electricity theft, according to an arrest warrant obtained by the AJC.While executing a search warrant at the home, investigators found approximately 450 marijuana plants growing, the warrant states.

Hoang was arrested at his actual residence in Lithia Springs and charged with numerous counts including manufacturing marijuana, drug trafficking and marijuana possession, all felonies. Alexis Stevens

Mableton nature program on Saturday

The Georgia Native Plant Society will offer an instructional program for children ages 5-14 on 10 a.m. - noon Saturday at Heritage Park, 60 Fontaine Road at Nickajack Rd., Mableton.

The event will include identification of canopy trees, wildflowers and native plants, introduction to the Southeastern Forest ecosystem, identification and removal of weeds and training in removal of invasive plants. Information:www.gnps.org/geninfo/Calendar.php#GNPS_Propagation_&_R. Carolyn Cunningham

Enrollment open for citizens police academy

Cobb County's next Citizens Public Safety Academy begins in September and residents have until July 20 to apply.

The program provides firsthand knowledge about fire, police, 911 and other public safety departments. Classes are held each Tuesday for 13 weeks beginning Sept. 4, and end with a graduation ceremony.

Applicants must be at least 21 years old, a Cobb resident or work for county government.

Registration: renee.cameron@cobbcounty.org Janel Davis

U.S Rep. Mica to Speak at Transportation Event

The Council for Quality Growth and the Urban Land Institute Atlanta have partnered to present the Countdown to July 31 luncheon at 11:30 a.m. to 1: 30 p.m. Friday at the Cobb Galleria.

The keynote address will be given by U.S Rep. John Mica, chairman, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Mica will be joined by regional leaders to offer perspective on the transportation referendum. Mica is a Republican Congressman representing the 7th district of Florida.

Tickets are $45. Register at www.uliatlanta.org or www.councilforqualitygrowth.org.

Kenneth Musisi

GWINNETT

Lilburn increases millage rate slightly

Lilburn's City Council approved a 2012-2013 annual budget increase from 4.26 to 4.45. Despite five straight years of tax digest decline, this is the first time in as many years Lilburn's budget has been revenue neutral.

The increase amounts to about 19 cents per $1,000 assessed value, meaning a home worth $150,000 will pay approximately $7 more per year. The approved budget includes a 3 percent across-the-board pay increase for city workers to fund two new positions, code enforcement and public relations officers. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Gwinnett Medical reaches milestone

Less than six month's after accreditation, Gwinnett Medical's Strickland Heart Center has performed its 100th open-heart surgery, A double bypass performed on a retired Lawrenceville teacher. More information about Gwinnett Medical's cardiac center: www.gmcheart.org.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Restaurant donates to Diaz family

The Pollo Tropical restaurant in Lawrenceville is donating 15 percent of its July 9 sales to the Diaz family. On June 30, three family members were killed when a minivan struck them while they were on a Miami sidewalk.

Esther V. Terrero De Diaz, 53, Franklin Abraham Diaz, 14, and Adriana Maria Diaz, 13, died in the accident. Magdeline Esther Diaz, 10, os still hospitalized in critical condition.Kenneth Musisi

Learn to plan a family reunion

The Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau offers a free workshop on the ABC's of family reunion planning 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at Stars & Strikes Entertainment Center, 1700 Winder Highway in Dacula. Complimentary lunch and family reunion planning guide provided. Reservations required. Contact Cricket Elliott-Leeper, celeeper@gcvb.org or 770-814-6049. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Sports retailer hosts free autograph signing

Academy Sports + Outdoors at 1585 Scenic Highway, Snellville hosts a free autograph session with UGA alum and Cincinnati Bengals tight end Orson Charles 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Friday. Kenneth Musisi

Safe driving class offered

Duluth First UMC's Health & Wellness Ministry is sponsoring an AARP Safe Driving Class 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Attend the entire 6 hours of the class in order to receive an AARP certificate which your insurance company may accept for a premium reduction.

Class size limited to 35 students, ages 17 and over, with registration on a first come, first served basis. Cost is $12 for AARP members, and $14 for non-AARP members. Register: 770-338-9235.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Daybreak Dash Fun Run

Gwinnett Parks and Recreation is hostin a Daybreak Dash and Fun Run 7:30 a.m. Saturday in Settles Bridge Park, 380 Johnson Rd., Suwanee. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Cherokee to consider cemetery regulations

The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners holds a public hearing at its July 24 meeting on a series of proposed changes in its cemetery ordinance. Officials say the alterations would chiefly add a process for creating a cemetery, and update the process for developing property close to an existing cemetery. The hearing is

set for 6 p.m. at the Cherokee County Administration Building, 1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Milton police conduct defense classes

Milton's police department is offering rape defense classes for females 13 and older. Classes will be taught by request. The 12- to 14-hour courses, taught over several days, demonstrate practical responses to verbal confrontation, as well as physical attacks. Information: ara.baronian@cityofmiltonga.us or visit www.rad-systems.com.

Michael Alpert for the AJC

Food service scholarship presented in Cherokee

The Cherokee County School Nutrition Association presented its Judy Johnson Memorial Scholarship to Tiana Welch, the granddaughter of Indian Knoll Elementary School Assistant Cafeteria Manager Phyllis Hunter. The $1000 scholarship is awarded to the child or grandchild of a group member with a strong academic and community service record. Welch, a Woodstock High School graduate, is a senior majoring in chemistry at Spelman College.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Bike Alpharetta celebrates anniversary

Bike Alpharetta celebrates its first anniversary by hosting a Tour de France viewing party 7 - 11 p.m. today at Buffalo Wild Wings, 2375 Mansell Rd., Alpharetta. Admission is free and 10 percent of food purchases will be donated to Bike Alpharetta.

Information: www.bikealpharetta.org. Kenneth Musisi

Butterflies abound at nature center

Hundreds of butterflies will be released at Flying Colors Butterfly Festival 10 a. m. 10 3 p.m. Saturday at Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Rd, Roswell.

The Butterfly Encounter exhibit allows visitors to hand-feed more than 250 flying butterflies.

The event includes live music, arts and crafts and face painting. Kids can wear butterfly costumes in a parade.

Cost is $10, $8 for nature center members.

Information: 770-992-2055, ext. 236, or www.chattnaturecenter.org. Michael Alpert for the AJC

5K race, movie upcoming in Alpharetta

Alpharetta's 16th annual Mayor's Challenge Race 5K has moved two blocks north to downtown on South Main Street and will be run at night for the first time on July 20.

The event, sponsored by the city and its Rotary Club, begins at 7:45 p.m. at the corner of Milton Avenue and Old Canton Street. Also new this year is the race's block party theme and free outdoor movie, "Mirror, Mirror," shown at 9 p.m. on Milton Avenue.

Information: 678- 297-6000.

Michael Alpert for the AJC

ATLANTA

Police investigate Buckhead shooting

Atlanta police are investigating a shooting Wednesday at a Buckhead apartment complex.

A man shot at the Darlington Apartments was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital. The victim told police he had come to the location to sell a firearm. Investigators didn't find the gun that was being sold.

Police questioned a man on the scene who fit the victim's description of a person he was meeting, and arrested him for outstanding warrants. It is unclear what charges he faces. Marcus K. Garner and John Spink

Football moms hold charity gala

The Professional Football Players Mothers' Association will hold its 15th annual semi-formal gala to raise money to help youth and underserved communities at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Westin Buckhead Atlanta.

Some proceeds will benefit the Atlanta Day Shelter for Women and Children and gift bags will be donated to the Marietta Youth Detention Center.

Tickets are $125. Information: www.pfpma.org or call Chris Johnson at (814) 321-6820

Shelia M. Poole

Charity honors Falcons' Babineaux

The public is invited to a gala Friday at the Georgia Aquarium, 225 Baker Street NW benefiting the Thanks Mom & Dad Fund, a charity created by the Atlanta Regional Commission and the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta that supports programs and services for senior citizens. Atlanta Falcons player Jonathan Babineaux will honor his mother at the event. Tickets are $125 each. Information: www.thanksmomanddadfund.org. Veronica Fields Johnson

Journalists group to hold meeting

The Atlanta Association of Black Journalists will hold a chapter meeting at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at WSB-TV, 1601 W. Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta.

Panelists will discuss transferring skills from newsrooms to become freelancers, commentators, authors, business owners, etc. The cost is $5 for nonmembers. Information: www.aabj.org. Kenneth Musisi

DEKALB

Man stabs woman during doctor visit

A man wanted for stabbing a woman at a doctor's office was arrested Tuesday. Larry Dannell Hull got into an argument Monday morning with a woman during a visit to the Kirkwood Family Medicine office at 1863 Memorial Drive, police said. Hull allegedly stabbed Yolanda Williams twice in the chest with a pocket knife.

The woman, a relative, was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital with severe injuries, but was released Wednesday, police said. Hull is being held in the DeKalb County jail on felony aggravated assault and battery charges. Marcus K. Garner

School system to borrow millions for operations

The DeKalb County School District is borrowing $90 million to finance operations during the fall semester. The full school board gave unanimous approval Monday to Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson's request to borrow the money until Dec. 28 at a 0.6 percent interest rate.

The school system has spent its reserves, and the borrowed funds will cover salaries and other costs until taxes are collected. The cost for financing and issuance is about $330,000, according to finance chief Michael Perrone. Ty Tagami

New policy on immigrant students

The DeKalb County School District has revised its policy on immigrants.

The new policy, approved by the school board Monday, says officials "shall not inquire" about the legal status of immigrants and non-visa holders. The old policy defined "foreign" students, but did not address legal status.

All five present members of the school board voted for the change, which was recommended as part of a policy review. Ty Tagami

Online charter school rejected

A proposed online academy failed to get charter approval from the DeKalb County School District. The five school board members present Monday voted unanimously to deny Nexus Academy's application.

The administration of Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson recommended rejection in part because most of the teachers would not be on site and because the curriculum was not aligned wtih the school system's. Ty Tagami

School media centers to lose staff

DeKalb County school officials will ask state school Superintendent John Barge to waive a requirement for minimum staffing of media centers. On June 28, the DeKalb school board voted to eliminate 25 media specialsists and 28 media clerks to save $2.6 million. Some centers will have "only part-time coverage throughout the school day," according to a letter that the DeKalb school board approved sending on Monday.

Georgia law allows waivers from state requirements in cases of "substantial hardship," and DeKalb argues that it's revenue declines qualify it for a waiver. Ty Tagami

Tucker Civic Association to meet

The Tucker Civic Association will hold its monthly board meeting at 7 p.m. today at Tucker First United Methodist Church, 5095 LaVista Rd., Tucker. The public is invited. Information: http://tuckercivic.org/. Kenneth Musisi

SOUTHSIDE

Fayette CRCT score remain high

Fayette County's CRCT scores for this year remain among the highest in the state, according to figures released by the Georgia Department of Education. Most test subjects in grades 3, 5 and 8 showed improvement over last year; eighth-grade science scores were up 7 percent and social studies increased 4 percent. There were slight decreases in third-grade science and social studies and fifth-grade math. Only Forsyth County and several smaller school systems had higher pass rate percentages in some content areas.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Camp 911 offered to kids in south Fulton

Registration has opened for Fulton County's Camp 911, a camp for children ages 9-12 that will be held July 23-27. It will last from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day at the Public Safety Training Center at 3025 Merk Road, near the Wolf Creek Amphitheater.

Campers will learn about fire safety, first aid and crime prevention. Sessions will also cover bullying, self-defense and gang resistance. Children must live in unincorporated south Fulton or be the child of a county employee to be eligible. Applications are at www.fultonpolice.org. Johnny Edwards

'The Smurfs' showing in Stockbridge park July 15

The "Stars over Stockbridge" Moonlight Movie Series continues with a showing of "The Smurfs" Sunday, July 15, at Clark Community Park. The film is scheduled to start at dusk. Movie goers are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs and picnic. Alcohol is not allowed in the park. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Piedmont Henry offers CPR/first aid course

Piedmont Henry Hospital will conduct a HeartSaver CPR & First Aid course 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug 17. Course length may vary depending upon the skill level of participants. The course is taught by a certified American Heart Association instructor and includes CPR and first aid for adult and pediatric victims. The first aid portion includes medical, injury and environmental emergencies. Registration is required for this class. To register, visit www.piedmonthenry.org/classes/prevention or call the Piedmont Henry Hospital community education department at 678-604-1040. Monroe Roark f

Union City seek interns for parks department

Union City's Parks and Recreation Department's Youth Athletic Programs are seeking student interns studying Physical Education, Sports Management, Health and Fitness Management who are in need of field experience credit hours. Interns will work on a volunteer basis and would be responsible for coaching at least one youth football and basketball team or one cheerleading squad. Internships will run for approximately 8 months starting in July. Please submit resumes to Jaye Pearson at jpearson@unioncityga.org. Sandra Marshall Murray

Movie showing on McDonough square

The next installment of McDonough's "Cinema on the Green" series is scheduled for 8 p.m. July 28. "The Three Stooges" will be playing.

Monroe Roark for the AJC