County by county news for Thursday

Change your batteries when you change time

Cobb County Fire Department wants you to stay safe by changing the batteries in their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors when you change your clock this Sunday. They recommend installing dual sensor smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. Test smoke alarms each month . Andria Simmons

Seminar on kids’ vaccinations today

More than one tenth of parents say they don’t follow the recommended vaccination schedule for their children, so the Georgia chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics will hold a day-long seminar today on easing parents’ fears. “Communicate and Vaccinate” lasts from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Cobb Galleria Center. Information: 404-881-5091 or jrice@gaaap.org. Johnny Edwards

Golf tourney to benefit Kennesaw park

The third annual Kennesaw Mountain Historical Association Golf Tournament will be Friday at the Golf Club at Bradshaw Farm, 3030 Bradshaw Club Drive, Woodstock. Registration will be from 11–11:30 a.m., with the shotgun start at noon. . All proceeds will benefit the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. To register, please visit http://www.kmha.org/golf.html. Information: call 770-422-3696 or e-mail to info@kmha.org. Kenneth Musisi

Austell contractor pays back taxes

The winning low bidder for the demolition of some flood-damaged houses in Austell paid his back taxes to the city last week. Carlos Jones Construction Co. paid around $10,000 and about $9,000 in late fees and penalties, Mayor Joe Jerkins told the AJC. Duane Demeritt of the city’s Public Works Department said Monday that Jones paid a total of $19,539 to the city -- due since 2007. Jones was awarded nine demolition contracts for $65,475 by the city recently and was paid another $27,350 last year by the state to clean up Sweetwater Creek, Demeritt said. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Senior Citizens Center to hold yard sale

The Powder Springs Senior Citizens Center will hold a yard sale, including arts and crafts, on Friday and Saturday.

Baked goods and hot dog lunches also will be sold from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day at the Bill “Papa” Morris building, 4181 Atlanta St.

Proceeds will help pay for programming costs for the center. Information: Center Coordinator Dee Chappell, 770-943-1555. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

Partnership Gwinnett names economic chief

Partnership Gwinnett has named Kellie Brownlow its director of economic development.

Brownlow will manage the business development team at Gwinnett’s economic development organization beginning Nov. 28. She previously worked at the Atlanta Regional Commission, the City of Elberton and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government in Athens.

Brownlow has a bachelor’s degree in communications from Rhode Island College and master’s degree in public administration from the University of Georgia. David Wickert

Ricoh to break ground on expansion

Ricoh Electronics will break ground today on an expanded facility that will bring 70 new jobs to Gwinnett County.

The company, a supplier of office automation equipment, will break ground on a facility on Hurricane Shoals Road in Lawrenceville. Ricoh makes digital copiers, printed circuit boards, fax machines and other products in Lawrenceville and in Orange County, Calif. David Wickert

Six compete to be district’s top educator

Six Gwinnett County Schools teachers will compete tonight to become the district’s top educator. They are among 129 local school Teachers of the Year.

The finalists are: Keri Beth Tidmore Jones of Dacula Middle; Aundrea Muth of Mill Creek High; Brittany Palazzo of Mulberry Elementary; Sarah Black of North Gwinnett Middle; Lindsey Cafarella of Peachtree Ridge High; and Jennifer Dunn of Pharr Elementary. The Teacher of the Year will receive an annual award of $1,000 and a laptop. D. Aileen Dodd

Gwinnett School Board to meet tonight

The Gwinnett County school board will hold a special called meeting tonight at Gwinnett Center in Duluth to make personnel appointments. The board will meet at 6:10 p.m in the executive board room of the civic center at 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth. D. Aileen Dodd

4th L.E.A.D. class graduates in Duluth

Eleven members of the fourth class of L.E.A.D. (Learn, Engage, Advance Duluth) Academy graduated last week at the Parc at Duluth. L.E.A.D. is a six-week interactive program held every year for residents to become more knowledgeable about city operations, services and overall government functions. This year’s participants were presented certificates and T-shirts by Mayor Nancy Harris at their graduation ceremony on Oct. 25. Information: Alisa Williams at 678-475-3506 or awilliams@duluthga.net. Joel Anderson

County hosts 5K at Tribble Mill Park

Gwinnett County will sponsor a 5K road race at 9 a.m. Saturday at Tribble Mill Park, 2125 Tribble Mill Parkway, Lawrenceville. Proceeds benefit the Gwinnett Parks Foundation. Registered runners will receive a race t-shirt. The preregistration deadline is Monday. The cost is $20 per person or $25 for on-site registration. To register visit http://gwinnettparksfoundation.org/5k.html. David Wickert

NORTHSIDE

Mayors in running for national award

Sandy Springs Mayor Eva Galambos and Auburn Mayor Linda Blechinger have been named two of five finalists for the 2011 Women in Municipal Government Leadership Award.

The award recognizes individual achievement in initiating creative and successful programs in local government to help citizens, particularly if their leadership serves as a mentoring model for future female leaders. The winner will be announced Nov. 11 during the National League of Cities’ Congress of Cities and Exposition in Phoenix, Ariz. Patrick Fox

Milton seeks to honor its vets

The City of Milton is seeking information on residents and their family members who served in the military for inclusion in the upcoming Veterans Day marker display Nov. 11.

Milton has amassed a list of more than 200 fallen veterans memorialized with markers placed on Deerfield Parkway the week of the holiday.

Those with information on veterans can fill out an online form at www.cityofmiltonga.us. Patrick Fox

Archery Festival to help heart transplant patient

The Forsyth County Archery Club will host its fourth annual Archery Festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Ducktown Park, 5895 Heardsville Road, Cumming. The event benefits 11-year-old Hunter Williams, a club member who underwent a heart transplant in September.

Donations can be made at the local Wells Fargo Bank or mailed to: Hunter Williams Special Needs Trust Wells Fargo – Freehome Village Branch, 12416 Cumming Highway, Canton 30115. Patrick Fox

Career expo at library targets middle schoolers

Middle schoolers can talk to company representatives from a variety of fields and learn about different career paths at a career expo Saturday at Johns Creek’s Northeast/Spruill Oaks Library. The event is for students in grades 6-8 and runs from 2 to 4 p.m. at 9560 Spruill Road. Information: 770-360-8820. Johnny Edwards

Centennial High to hold paint recycling event

Centennial High School’s Environmental Club is sponsoring a community paint recycling event on Nov. 12 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the school’s bus canopy area, located at 9310 Scott Road, Roswell. Accepted materials are latex and oil based paint in original containers from residential customers. Fee is $15 for up to 10 cans per customer.

Additional cans $2 each. Information: Cindy Eade at cindyeade@comcast.net. Veronica Fields Johnson

Sandy Springs extends deadline for inspections

Sandy Springs is extending its deadline for next-day inspections from noon to 2 p.m. The inspections will cover those needed for issuing of permits including site, mechanical, electrical, structural and plumbing. Builders can request inspections by phone at 770-730-5600, or online at http://www.sandyspringsga.org/City-Departments/Community-Development/Request-an-Inspection. Requests made by 2 p.m. on any business day will receive an inspection the next business day. Patrick Fox

ATLANTA

Reed recognized by magazine

Governing magazine has named Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed one of its “Public Officials of the Year.” The annual awards program is in its eighteenth year. This year, it included a university chancellor, police chief, judge, governor, senator, county executive, Reed and the co-chairs of a Boston IT agency. Reed was recognized for an overhaul of the city’s pension plan and an increase in Atlanta’s fiscal reserves, among other things. Jeremiah McWilliams

Kemp to speak to Buckhead group

The Buckhead Business Association will host their weekly breakfast meeting today from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the City Club of Buckhead, 3343 Peachtree Road, Suite 1850. Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp will be the featured speaker. Tickets are $10 for BBA members and $20 for visitors. Information: www.buckheadbusiness.org. Veronica Fields Johnson

Scholarship fair at City Hall today

An “I am College Material” Scholarship Fair to help students and their parents find ways to pay for college has been scheduled for today from 4-8 p.m. at Atlanta City Hall, 55 Trinity Ave SW.

The fair is aimed at low-wealth students with “average” grade point averages between 2.5 and 3.3, as well as middle-income students seeking merit-based aid.

Jeremiah McWilliams

Black Women’s Wellness expo on Saturday

The Center for Black Women’s Wellness will hold a Family Health and Beauty Expo on Saturday to help black women combat high rates of heart disease, strokes and other maladies. The event will include a hair and fashion show, free health screenings, health forums, beauty makeovers and cooking demonstrations.

The center will also introduce a new “Get the Most Out of Life” mirror attachment, with such reminders such as “Get a check-up” and “Get a balanced diet.” The expo will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 12 Atlantic Station. Information: www.cbww.org. Johnny Edwards

DEKALB

Schools to hold financial aid workshop

DeKalb County School System is holding a financial aid workshop from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday. Immediately following the workshop, there will be a college fair until 1 p.m. The goal is to help students and parents navigate the complexities of finding and filing for grants, scholarships and loans for college tuition. The event will be at the school administration building at 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd., Stone Mountain. Information: 678-676-0312. Rich McKay

Grant to help police with bulletproof vests

DeKalb County recently accepted a federal grant that will cover half the cost of new bulletproof vests for its police department.

The $14,300 U.S. Department of Justice grant must be matched with the same amount from the county. The police department, the District Attorney’s Office and the Sheriff’s Office will split the money to buy vests for their employees at between $500 and $1,500 each. April Hunt

Project Runway comes to mall for contest

Project Runway co-host Tim Gunn will be at the Perimeter Mall in November for a runway show and contest.

The fashion guru will host a Lucky Brand contest where new and existing customers are invited to walk a runway in the clothes from the fall line. Gunn will also do a question-and-answer session with the audience following the contest.

Casting for the contest will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Lucky shop in the mall. The runway show begins at 1 p.m. Nov. 12 in the lower level of the mall. April Hunt

Grant to help with DUI enforcement

DeKalb County recently accepted a $66,000 grant that renews its participation in a Metro Atlanta task force that cracks down on drunken and aggressive driving.

The county must match the grant with $99,500 to participate in the DUI-Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic, or HEAT, task force. The funds pay for salaries and regular operating and training for the increased enforcement.

The county has participated in the task force for 11 years. April Hunt

County buys land for soccer fields

DeKalb County recently agreed to buy an 8-acre lot in Belvedere Park to build soccer fields for the county’s park system. The price tag, including due diligence, is not to exceed $135,000. Funding will come from the 2001 parks bond.

The fields will be built on Columbia Drive near Belvedere Plaza. April Hunt

Watson holds breakfast on Saturday

State Rep. Stan Watson’s monthly DeKalb Legislative Community Cabinet breakfast is set for 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday at Chapel Hill Middle School. Speakers will be DeKalb County Magistrate Court Chief Judge Berryl Anderson and Alison Weissinger, who is the director of DeKalb’s library system. Also, someone from the New Beginnings, Life Changing Network will talk about what it takes to be a foster parent.

The school is located at 3535 Dogwood Farms Road in Decatur. Registration is not necessary and there is no charge to attend. Rhonda Cook

SOUTHSIDE

Marching Mustangs march away with prize

The Ola High School Marching Mustangs has hit a high note for Henry County Public Schools. The band participated in Saturday’s Bands of America competition at the Georgia Dome and marched away as the #1 AA Class Band and a finalist in the overall event. This was the first time a local band placed as a finalist in the Top 12 in the overall competition. Thirty-two bands from eight states competed in four classifications. “It’s incredible to see where this band has grown from since 2006...,” said Todd Manson, the Mustang’s director. Nancy Badertscher

Clayton water finance department wins award

The Clayton County Water Authority’s Finance Department recently was given The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. It is the seven consecutive year the authority has received the award which is the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting. Tammy Joyner

Henry rec department division honored

The Henry County Parks and Recreation Department Therapeutic Recreation Division was recently honored when its annual Geranium Festival Tournament was named the 2011 Wheelchair Tournament of the Year by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Georgia. Therapeutic Recreation Wheelchair Sports Coordinator tournament organizer Harlon Matthews accepted the award. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Fayette encourages national survey

Fayette County is encouraging students, parents and educators to complete a national online survey about education and technology use.

The Speak Up National Research Project survey consists of about 30 mostly multiple-choice questions. Results will be made available early next year to local school districts and other entities to help shape future funding, policies and programs. The link is at www.fcboe.org and is open through Dec. 23.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Peachtree City needs volunteers for boards

Volunteer positions are open on four Peachtree City governing boards. The Airport Authority, Water & Sewerage Authority and the Recreation and Special Events advisory boards each need members for five-year terms.

The Convention & Visitors Bureau is looking for two specific members for two-year terms: an owner/operator from the hotel/motel industry and a local retail business owner or manager.

Applications are at www.peachtree-city.org/jobs and are due Dec. 9. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Lake Spivey Road Race on Saturday

The Lake Spivey 5K and 15k Road Race, Kids Outdoors Festival and BBQ Cookoff is Saturday at the Clayton County International Park in Lake Spivey in Jonesboro. The event is sponsored by the Lake Spivey Community, Clayton Parks and Recreation and State Rep. Glenn Baker. It benefits a program started by Rep. Baker called Kids Outdoors. Details: www.lakspiveyroadrace.org. Tammy Joyner