County by county news for Thursday

County Commissioners voted 4-0 on Tuesday (Commissioner Woody Thompson was absent) for the referendum. If approved by voters, the Sunday sales would begin June 1.

Kennesaw, Smyrna and Acworth voters approved Sunday sales on Tuesday. Like Cobb, Marietta plans to hold its referendum in March. Cobb is saving about $400,000 by holding the vote during the presidential primary instead of holding a special election. Janel Davis

WellStar buys physical therapy company

WellStar Health System plans to buy Cobb County-based OrthoSport Physical Therapy with locations in Kennesaw, Marietta and Woodstock.

Founded in 2002, the practice has more than 20 employees. Programs include aquatic therapy, sports medicine, work injury management and spinal rehabilitation. The purchase is expected to be completed by the end of the month. Misty Williams

Donate your treats for the troops

Donna Yankovich, head of the local AdoptaPlatoon Soldier Support Effort, needs your sweet treats for the troops. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday she’ll accept donations at the Kroger store, 1720 Mars Hill Road, Acworth. Homemade goodies as well as snack items such as power bars, crackers and candy will be packaged and shipped to service people away from home for the holidays. For details, call 678-761-7507. H.M. Cauley

Deadline Friday to sign up for luncheon

A Thanksgiving luncheon for senior citizens will be held Nov. 15 in Powder Springs with a Friday ticket deadline.

Catered by West Cobb Diner, the luncheon will last from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the West Cobb Senior Center, 4915 Dallas Hwy. in Lost Mountain Park.

Bill Gleeson will entertain with “Sounds of Sinatra.”

Cost is $10 for Cobb residents and $12 for nonresidents.

Information: 770-528-8200. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Kennesaw invites vets to a free lunch

Kennesaw marks Veterans Day Friday by inviting active and retired military service people to a free lunch. From noon to 2 p.m., city officials and representatives from the American Legion North Cobb Post 304 will host the meal, catered by Bullfrogz restaurant at the Ben Robertson Community Center, 2753 Watts Drive. No identification or reservation is required; kennesaw-ga.gov; 770-424-8274. H.M. Cauley

New flood insurance maps on display

Residents can view Cobb County’s new flood maps at an open house on today in Marietta. The flood insurance maps and study are a partial revision to the current maps for the county and all six of its cities. Information will be provided about Cobb’s flood risk, flood insurance floodplain development regulations and floodplain mapping. The session runs from 5 p.m. to 6: 30 p.m. at the Cobb Water System Training Lab, 662 South Cobb Drive in Marietta. Information: Bill Higgins, Cobb Water System division manager, 770-419-6434. Janel Davis

GWINNETT

County dedicates new Ivy Creek Greenway

Gwinnett County has opened a new section of the Ivy Creek Greenway at George Pierce Park in Suwanee.

County officials dedicated a 1.25-mile trail section Wednesday . An additional 2.7 miles of the greenway runs from the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center to the Mall of Georgia area.

Construction of the next phase of the Ivy Creek Greenway – from the environmental center toward I-985 – will begin next year. Eventually the trails will link to form a 7-mile greenway system. David Wickert

Wells Fargo gives grants to nonprofits

More than 30 nonprofit groups in Gwinnett County have been selected to receive $1,000 grants from Wells Fargo as part of its “Days of Giving” program in Atlanta. Among the groups receiving checks are the Duluth Elite Mentoring Campaign, Gwinnett Children’s Shelter and Rainbow Village. On Monday, 52 groups from Gwinnett and surrounding areas were honored at a breakfast in Duluth. Joel Anderson

Sorority to hold jazz fundraiser

The Gwinnett County graduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority will hold a fund-raiser Sunday to support its community outreach programs. LaJazz, an evening of music at Footprints Café in Lawrenceville, will be from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets are $25. D. Aileen Dodd

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. Tickets are available online at www.tasteshopgive.com. Andria Simmons

College’s tree count website wins award

Gwinnett Technical College’s Gwinnett Trees Count website last week received the 2011 Grand Award in Education from the Georgia Urban Forest Council. The award recognizes outstanding work in protecting and enhancing community forests. The Gwinnett Trees Count website in an online inventory more than 800 trees at the 87-acre Lawrenceville campus. Visit the web site at www.gwinnetttech.edu/horticulture. David Wickert

Georgia Family History Expo this weekend

Genealogy and research enthusiasts are invited to attend the Georgia Family History Expo at the Gwinnett Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth. The event, which runs from 1 to 9 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday features products and services by genealogy vendors, classes and demonstrations by professional genealogists, authors and researchers, and more. To view agendas and register for classes, visit www.familyhistoryexpos.com. Information: Family History Expos, info@fhexpos.com or 801-829-3295. Mea Watkins

NORTHSIDE

Commission signs off on contracts for libraries

The Fulton County Commission has signed off on architectural and engineering contracts for five new libraries, including two in north Fulton, being built as part of a $275 million countywide construction program approved by voters three years ago. For the new Alpharetta branch, the panel approved a $612,000 contract with Atlanta-based Cooper Carry, Inc., to provide design and construction administration services. For the new East Roswell branch, the commission approved a $548,731 contract with Atlanta-based KHAFRA Engineering Consultants, Inc. Johnny Edwards

Seniors can get help with energy bills

North Fulton seniors can get help Monday and Tuesday signing up for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which offers help paying energy bills. Households with members age 65 or older who meet income guidelines, or any household facing a life-threatening crisis, are eligible.

Help will be offered both days from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Dorothy C. Benson Senior Multipurpose Facility, 6500 Vernon Woods Drive, Sandy Springs. Information: 404-613-6000. Johnny Edwards

Library program focuses on suicide prevention

Parents concerned about teen depression and suicide can get prevention information today at Johns Creek’s Ocee Library. The program is for children and teens ages 12-18 and their parents, helping parents recognize and understand the signs and symptoms of depression.

The program starts at 6 p.m. at 5090 Abbotts Bridge Road. Information: 770-360-8897. Johnny Edwards

Genealogy workshop today at Forsyth library

The Forsyth County Public Library will conduct a free genealogy workshop at the Cumming Branch, located at 585 Dahlonega Road, on today at 6:30 p.m. Professional genealogist Ted Brooke will present FindAGrave.com. Registration is required. Information: 770-781-9840 or “Ask a Librarian” at www.forsythpl.org. Veronica Fields Johnson

Nature Center to host Craft Week Nov. 21

The Chattahoochee Nature Center will host Craft Week starting Nov. 21, from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. for ages 4 – 12 years. Visitors will be able to reuse and recycle common items to make fun, take-home projects. General admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, $5 for children 3-12 and free for children 2 and under and members. Information: visit www.chattnaturecenter.com or 770-992-2055 ext. 224 Sandra Marshall Murray

Wildlife Habitat Project to provide grants

The Johns Creek Community Wildlife Habitat Project has launched an effort to provide educational grants to local schools. The new program is funded through grants from the Cox Conserves Heroes Award program and Whole Foods Market of Johns Creek. One of the main goals is to educate the community about conservation and the importance of maintaining its natural environment. Information: E-mail jcwildlife@gmail.com or visit www.johnscreekwildlifehabitat.org. Kenneth Musisi

ATLANTA

Council member not cited in accident

Atlanta City Council member Michael Julian Bond was involved in a traffic accident on Nov. 3 along Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, but was not cited for any traffic violations.

A Jeep driven by Bond struck Benjamin Cox, who was riding a bicycle, at about 8:51 p.m. after Cox swerved into Bond’s lane, according to a police report.

Cox was cited for not following the rules of the roadway, and was recovering at Grady Hospital last week.

Bond said his “thoughts and prayers” were with Cox and his family. Jeremiah McWilliams

Architecture group honors councilman

The Atlanta chapter of the American Institute of Architecture has established an annual award named for Atlanta City Councilman Kwanza Hall.

The award “honors an individual from outside the field of architecture for exemplary leadership in increasing the value of architecture and design in our culture,” according to a statement.

He is the first recipient of the award. Jeremiah McWilliams

Teens bound for Freedom Awards Gala

Eighteen Atlanta teens and 12 adult mentors travel to Memphis on Saturday for the Freedom Awards Gala honoring Dr. C.T. Vivian, a civil rights icon and close friend of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Mosaica Education, Inc. is covering the expense of their gala tickets, bus trip and overnight stay in Memphis.

The teens attend the CT Vivian Leadership Institute’s Male Scholars Program at Atlanta Preparatory Academy. Mosaica is the parent organization of the academy, the venue where the male scholars program meets. Nancy Badertscher

Wan to hold town hall meeting Nov. 15

District 6 Atlanta City Council member Alex Wan will host a town hall meeting with representatives of the Atlanta Police Department on Nov. 15 at the YWCA at 957 North Highland Ave.

The meeting is scheduled for 6:30-8 p.m. Jeremiah McWilliams

DEKALB

Man suspected in iPad robberies

Dunwoody Police on Tuesday charged a man in connection with the robbery of an iPad 2.

Sahr Menjor, 20, of Decatur, was arrested in the city Oct. 21 on an unrelated robbery warrant from DeKalb County.

Further investigation revealed that on March 19, Menjor went to a Wal-Mart parking lot to meet with a victim who advertised the sale of an iPad 2 on Craigslist. He grabbed the device and ran away with it, police said.

Investigators say Menjor may be involved with similar robberies. Anyone with information should contact Detective William Yeargin at 678-382-6916. Andria Simmons

Board gives Decatur school chief a raise

Tuesday night Decatur’s school board awarded both a raise in base pay and expenses reimbursement to Phyllis Edwards, the district’s superintendent since 2003. Edwards’ annual salary was increased by three percent to $175,000, her first raise in three years. Her expenses reimbursement, for automobile mileage and out-of-town educational events and seminars, was raised $200 to $3,400 per month. Edwards is currently on a two-year contract that expires June 30, 2013. Bill Banks for the AJC

Home ownership seminar offered today

The Stone Mountain-Lithonia Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. will host a free homeownership education seminar today in Lithonia.

The “Life After Foreclosure and Revitalizing Your Blighted Neighborhood” forum begins with dinner at 6:30 p.m., followed by the presentation at 7 p.m. The seminar will be held at Marbut Elementary School, 5776 Marbut Road in Lithonia. Janel Davis

ARC recognizes heritage area

The Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area in south DeKalb County was recently named one of the region’s most innovative developments by the Atlanta Regional Commission. The heritage area covers 64 square miles in parts of DeKalb, Rockdale and Henry counties, including the City of Lithonia and contains all types of development from single-family homes to office properties, Stonecrest Mall and schools like the LEED-certified Arabia Mountain High School.

It also boasts the Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve, Panola Mountain State Park, the Monastery of the Holy Spirit and Vaughters’ Farm. April Hunt

Grant awarded to help seniors with repairs

Senior Connections recently won a $5,000 grant from Georgia Natural Gas to help county seniors with emergency home repairs. The utility’s Blue Flame Award is designed to help non-profit organizations with their services. Senior Connections will use its funds on home repairs for low-income seniors. April Hunt

Dunwoody Veterans Day ceremony Friday

Dunwoody will host a Veterans Day ceremony for all local veterans Friday afternoon at Brook Run Park. The event begins at 2 p.m. in the veterans’ memorial at the park, 4770 North Peachtree Road. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Fairburn’s Educational Campus gets honor

The city of Fairburn’s Educational Campus -- home to satellites of Georgia Military College and Brenau University -- has been recognized as an innovative development by the Atlanta Regional Commission and the Livable Communities Coalition. The campus received the Livable Centers Initiative Achievement Award last week. The four-acre campus came through a $10 million project funded mostly by a Fairburn Development Authority bond issue. It includes two brick classroom buildings, an administrative building and two retail buildings. Johnny Edwards

Fayette looks at school board candidates

The Fayette County Board of Education is preparing to choose from among seven candidates to fill its open Post 5 seat. Letters of interest and resumes were submitted by Sharon Collins, Richard Coulson, Rasheed Dawodu, Charles Fuller, Leonard Presberg, Emory Wilkerson and Bonnie Willis to replace Sam Tolbert, who died in September. The documents are available at www.fcboe.org. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

School employees to be honored

Outstanding employees at Fulton County Schools will be honored Friday at the district’s annual recognition luncheon.

More than 900 employees, business leaders and invited guests will meet for the celebration at 11:30 a.m. Friday at the Georgia World Congress Center. The luncheon honors each school’s and administrative building’s employees of the year. D. Aileen Dodd

It’s a bird! It’s plane! No, it’s a blimp!

Henry County residents have seen an unusual sight in the skies during the past few days. Tara Field in Hampton has been host to the DIRECTV blimp this week and will remain so until Monday. According to management officials at the airport, Tara Field is one of only three airports in the metro Atlanta area that can support blimp activities. These aircraft are often brought to the area to participate in televised sporting events. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Auletta to hold town hall meeting

Henry County District II Commissioner Fred Auletta will host a town hall meeting Nov. 17, at 7 p.m. at Dutchtown Elementary School, 159 Mitchell Road in Hampton. Guest speaker will be Michael Harris, Henry County Planning and Development Services Division Director.

The meeting is open to the public. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Adopt a senior for the holidays

Henry County Senior Services has begun its 2011 Adopt a Senior Program. Individuals, businesses, churches and civic groups can adopt needy senior citizens for the holidays by purchasing presents, making cash donations or helping with other needs. Nearly 300 seniors are currently on the adoption list, and many are homebound. Anyone interested in adopting a senior can call Anne Marie Quincey at 770-288-7000 Or Rita Green at 770-288-7010. All gifts should be tagged and wrapped or placed in a gift bag, and delivered no later than Dec. 8 to the Heritage Senior Center in McDonough.

Monroe Roark for the AJC