County by county news for Thursday

Janel Davis

Community market in Austell Saturday

Sellers and food vendors are invited to participate in Austell’s Community Market and Bazaar on Saturday. Spaces are available for individuals, families, crafters, artists, home-based/personally-owned businesses and fund-raising groups. Cost is $20 for each space but $5 more if electricity is needed. Money raised by the city from vendor booths will fund downtown beautification projects. The event will last from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in downtown Austell at Jefferson and Mulberry Streets, including activities for children. Information: 770-944-4309.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Schools receive grants for wellness programs

The Southeast United Dairy Industry Association awarded grants to several Cobb County Schools to promote wellness initiatives that encourage consumption of milk, fruits and vegetables. The grants range from $1,900 to $4,000 and went to Kincaid Elementary, Labelle Elementary, Lovinggood Middle, McCleskey Middle, Palmer Middle and Pebblebrook High.

Ty Tagami

Charity run in Acworth Saturday

Burn off a few calories before the Thanksgiving feast by walking, jogging or running in the Third Annual Acworth Turkey Chase on Saturday. The event for all ages kicks off on Main Street at 9 a.m. with a 5K Fun Run followed by a 2K walk at 9:15 a.m. and the “Little Pilgrim Trot” for children up to age 5 at 10 a.m.

The course meanders through the city’s historic districts and along the shores of Lake Acworth. Participants must bring a non-perishable food item to receive a race number and t-shirt.

Registration is $30 for the timed run; $20 for the untimed. Kids ages 6 to 12 are $10; younger than 5 free.

Information: 770-974-3112; Acworth.org.

H.M. Cauley for the AJC

Marijuana grow house found near school

A car accident investigation early Wednesday led police to a marijuana growing operation set up in an east Cobb County home. The wooded property where the grow house was discovered backs up to the athletic fields at nearby Pope High School.

When the driver of the wrecked car on Hembree Road ran from the scene, a subsequent investigation led police to the grow house in the 2900 block of the road. When officers entered the house, they found 194 marijuana plants growing inside. Police arrested Sheldon Mitchell, 37, and Rebba Tiller, 23. Police did not have the specific charges pending against the two. Mike Morris

GWINNETT

Furlough days eliminated for county employees

Gwinnett County employees got an early Christmas present Tuesday when the Board of Commissioners eliminated two remaining unpaid furlough days. Last February commissioners voted to require employees to take unpaid furlough days for Independence Day, Labor Day, the Friday after Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve. The move was expected to save $2.8 million at a time when Gwinnett was trying to eliminate an $18 million budget deficit. That deficit has been eliminated. Officials said the first two furlough days and other cuts saved enough to allow employees to be paid for the two remaining holidays. David Wickert

County seeks comments on budget

Gwinnett County has posted its proposed $1.3 billion 2012 budget on its web site for public comment. Residents can review the budget and submit comments through Dec. 25 at www.gwinnettcounty.com. Copies also are available for viewing from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the county finance department, Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville. In addition, the public can comment at a budget hearing at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center auditorium. David Wickert

Registration begins for GSMST

Rising freshmen at Gwinnett County Schools looking for an academic challenge can now register for enrollment at Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology.

The school offers an accelerated curriculum that exposes students to double doses of math and science that allows them to finish graduation requirements early.

Students participate in internships in their later years that expose them to math and science careers. GSMST has the highest SAT average in metro Atlanta.

For information, visit www.gsmst.org. The deadline is Feb. 3, 2012.

D. Aileen Dodd

Providence schools gives iPads to students

Providence Christian Academy in Lilburn distributed 465 iPads to students in grades 7-12.

The tech team and teachers will conduct an all-day training session for students on Nov. 21. The iPads are part of the Academy’s “Providence Tomorrow: Next Generation” capital campaign to provide state-of-the-art hardware and software for technology and equipment for visual and performing arts and athletics.

Kenneth Musisi

Collaborative fundraiser to be Nov. 19

Georgia Family Council has set the date for Atlanta’s first collaborative fundraiser to benefit 15 family-focused nonprofits, including the Gwinnett County organization Wellspring Living and the Gwinnett Children’s Shelter. “Taste Shop Give: The Ultimate Charity Experience” will be from 7 to 10 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Georgia Railroad Freight Depot in Atlanta.

The evening includes hors d’oeuvres and desserts, live music and a silent auction. Former White House Executive Chef Walter Scheib is guest of honor.

Tickets are available online at www.tasteshopgive.com.

Andria Simmons

NORTHSIDE

Roswell OKs lights, sound at school stadium

The Roswell City Council approved an appeal by Fellowship Christian School to install lights and a sound system at its campus off Woodstock Road. The appeal came one month after the city’s Design Review Board failed to approve the plan with a 2-2 vote.

The school received initial approval for modifying its athletic field last July, but the City Council placed more than a dozen restrictions on its plans. The school’s modifications include adding lights, a sound system, press box and seating to its athletic fields. Patrick Fox

Fire damages Sandy Springs apartments

No injuries were reported in a fire Wednesday that damaged several units of a Sandy Springs apartment complex.

The blaze broke out around 8 a.m. at the Pointe at Canyon Ridge apartments on Roswell Road near Northridge Road.

Sandy Springs Fire Marshal Jeff Scarbrough told the AJC that the first firefighters to arrive found “heavy fire and smoke blowing out the front” of the ten-unit building. Firefighters doused the fire in about 25 minutes. The cause of the fire was under investigation, Scarbrough said. Mike Morris

Edwards to meet with constituents today

Fulton County Commissioner William “Bill” Edwards will have his last “Community Listening Session” of the year today at 7 p.m. in the South Fulton Government Service Center Auditorium, 5600 Stonewall Tell Road, College Park. Edwards’ office can be reached at 404-612-8230 or 404-612-3079. Johnny Edwards

Special science program for homeschoolers

Aerospace engineer Kevin Howard will present a special science program for homeschoolers Friday at the Roswell Library. It’s open to students ages 6-10. “Homeschool Science” starts at 10:30 a.m. at 115 Norcross Street. Registration: 770-640-3075. Johnny Edwards

Businesses decorate

for top prize

Sandy Springs business owners can display their seasonal spirit in the city’s first holiday decorating competition. The contest, sponsored by the city and local arts and business groups, will award $1,000 to the business whose storefront presents the best holiday décor.

Art Sandy Springs will guide the judging Dec. 13 and 14.

The winner will be announced during the Sandy Springs/Perimeter Chamber of Commerce’s holiday gathering Dec. 15. Information: 770-730-5600; www.sandyspringsga.gov/sparkle Patrick Fox

200 students get vision screenings

S.L. Lewis Elementary and Sight Savers America teamed up this week to provide vision screenings for 200 students.

Sight Savers worked with Project 20/20 to provide the screenings for third and fifth graders. Free follow-up services will be offered to those who require glasses, medication or other treatment. Special closed-circuit televisions were also donated to two Brookview and Mimosa elementary students with severe vision impairment. The televisions magnify images up to 75 times their normal size. D. Aileen Dodd

ATLANTA

Aquarium’s beluga expecting in spring

There’s a good chance visitors to Georgia Aquarium will see a beluga baby in late spring. Maris, a 17-year-old beluga, is pregnant with her first calf, fathered by her partner Beethoven. Maris, who became pregnant naturally, has resided at Georgia Aquarium since its 2005 opening and is one of four on site and 35 in human care in the United States. MELISSA RUGGIERI

Judge sets hearing on homeless shelter

A judge has scheduled a Dec. 16 hearing to determine the fate of the homeless shelter at Peachtree and Pine streets.

In a recent order, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Craig Schwall said he wants to determine the state of the shelter, including utilities and cleanliness. He also said he wants to receive information on the services provided to the shelter’s residents, how many people stay there each night, how many of the residents can obtain other adequate housing and what would happen to the residents if they are displaced. Bill Rankin

State DOT board holds meeting today

The state Department of Transportation board is holding its monthly meeting today.

The board expects to hear a presentation on the regional traffic operations program, a test program which is intended to manage some traffic signals all the way across road corridors rather than stopping at city or county borders.

The meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. at the DOT headquarters in Atlanta. Ariel Hart

School board changes furlough day

The Atlanta school board Monday voted to reschedule a planned employee furlough day. The second furlough day from spring break 2012 has been moved to Jan. 2 for annual duty and year round school employees and Jan. 3 for traditional calendar employees on 190, 191, 200 and 220 day schedules. The furlough day was rescheduled because employees preferred to cancel a working day rather than a paid holiday. Jaime Sarrio

DEKALB

Grant helps out Perimeter Mall area

The Atlanta Regional Commission has awarded a $3.1 million Livable Centers Initiative Transportation Grant for making the Perimeter Mall area more pedestrian-friendly.

There are plans for a bike lane on Perimeter Summit Parkway and for improved sidewalks, benches and other improvements. The project will cost almost $4.9 million. The Perimeter Community Improvement Districts will make up the difference. Rhonda Cook

County approves land deal with Chamblee

The DeKalb County Board of Education approved a land deal with the City of Chamblee at its regular meeting Monday night. The deal, which is largely a trade of two parcels between the city and the school district for the cost of $10. It also includes the clean-up of the adjacent Highland Gardens Apartment complex. The district will spend about $370,000 for removal of asbestos laden dry wall, doors and other materials from the old apartment complex to make way for the ongoing Chamblee Charter High School project. Rich Mckay

Panel to evaluate schools’ start/end times

An eight-person committee will determine which start/end times best suit Decatur High and Renfroe Middle School, a touchy subject among parents last spring when times were changed. Committee co-chair Derrick Thomas said they’d evaluate, among others, how sleep patterns influence academics, student preferences, the influence of athletic schedules and transportation costs. The committee will make recommendations to the school board on Dec. 20.

Bill Banks for the AJC

County holds shredding event on Saturday

DeKalb County is inviting all to bring their sensitive documents -- credit cards and microfilm as well as paper-- to the sanitation division’s central transfer station to be shredded at no charge on Saturday, America Recycles Day.

Each person can bring up to five boxes. Items from businesses will not be taken.

Neighborhood groups that have collected from several households must make reservations by calling 404-371-2654.

Used tires from passenger cars also can be recycled at 3720 Leroy Scott Drive for $1 each. The limit is 10 tires per person. Rhonda Cook

Parent council to hold meeting today

The South DeKalb Parent Council is holding a meeting at 6:30 p.m. today at Columbia Middle School, 3001 Columbia Dr., Decatur. The group, formed in 2010, is a collection of parents and volunteers concerned about all the public schools in South DeKalb and seeks way to help improve the schools. Information: www.sdpc-dekalb.org. Rich McKay

Holiday Tour of Homes needs volunteers

The Decatur Holiday Candlelight Tour of Homes needs help.

The DeKalb History Center, which is putting on the tour, is looking for volunteers to staff the houses the evenings of Dec. 2 and 3. And to thank them for their help, each volunteer will get a ticket to take the tour as well. Those interested should send an email to director@dekalbhistory.org or call 404-373-1088, extension 22. Rhonda Cook

SOUTHSIDE

20 children get new families Saturday

Fulton County Juvenile Court expects to place more than 20 children in permanent homes Saturday as part of its tenth annual National Adoption Day ceremony. Juvenile Court Chief Judge Belinda Edwards and U.S. Rep. John Lewis will take part, along with court staff, attorneys, Department of Family and Children Services officials and adoptive parents. In last year’s ceremony, 24 children were placed with 16 families. Saturday’s event runs from 9 a.m. to noon at the Judge Romae T. Powell Juvenile Justice Center, 395 Pryor St., S.W. Atlanta. Johnny Edwards

ARC awards $8.3 million in grants

Several southside communities have received Livable Centers Initiative grants from the Atlanta Regional Commission totaling $8.3 million. The three southside were among 13 communities selected for the money. They are: East Point, Downtown-MARTA Connectivity Project, $3.9 million; Fairburn, West Broad Street bike and pedestrian facilities, $3.1 million and McDonough, Town Square connectivity and pedestrian safety, $1.3 million. Tammy Joyner

Work to impact traffic on Peachtree Parkway

The Fayette County Water Department is making repairs along a section of Peachtree Parkway North in Peachtree City that are expected to affect traffic through Monday.

The crews are working in the southbound lane near the entrance to the Peninsula subdivision. Drivers are asked to use caution and to expect delays. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Health and wellness center opens Friday

Unique Minds, Inc. will celebrate its Grand Opening with a ribbon cutting by the Chamber of Commerce on Friday at 4 p.m. at 409 Arrowhead Blvd., suite C3 in Jonesboro. The health and wellness center is a 501(c)(3) organization that provides medical and mental health services, community outreach programs, referrals as well as entrepreneurship services to underserved communities. Tammy Joyner

Sunday sales to begin McDonough

One of Henry County’s four cities is ready to begin Sunday alcohol sales this weekend. The McDonough City Council passed an ordinance a few months ago in anticipation of the referendum that allows package sales by retailers of malt beverages and wine from 12:30-11:30 p.m. beginning this Sunday . Officials in Hampton, Locust Grove and Stockbridge are working to get their ordinances in place in the coming weeks. Voters in all four cities passed Sunday sales Nov. 8. Monroe Roark for the AJC

NBA anti-bullying hoops game on Sunday

Former Atlanta Hawks star Dion Glover brings the “Hoops and Hope -- Stop the Bullying Tour” to Riverdale at 7 p.m. on Sunday. The all-star game will be at Drew High School, 6237 Garden Walk Blvd. Sunday’s game features current Atlanta Hawks players Joe Johnson, Josh Smith and Damien Wilkins; New Orleans Hornets’ Jarrett Jack, Lou Williams of the Philadelphia 76ers and Solomon Jones of the Indiana Pacers. Tickets: $10. Children under the age of 11 get in free with a paid adult. Tammy Joyner