County by county news for Thursday

The Ivy House, named for WWII veteran Lt. Colonel Ashley Ivey, who donated the land, is the first home built for a veteran by the chapter.

With this house, the NW Metro Atlanta Habitat chapter intends to being building a house for a veteran each year.

Information: www.nwmetroatlantahabitat.org; 770-432-7954

Janel Davis

Becca's Closet seeks moving help

Becca's Closet seeks volunteers to help with its relocation 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday from Climatized Storage Unit, 1125 Roberts Blvd, Kennesaw to 660 Whitlock Ave., Marietta. Tools are needed for putting together racks and dressing rooms. Becca's Closet provides free prom dresses for needy girls. Information: www.beccascloset.org.

Kenneth Musisi

Grammy winner performs in Mableton

Four-time Grammy winner and country music artist Marty Stuart will perform at 8 p.m. Friday at the Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre, 5239 Floyd Road, Mableton.

Gates will open at 6:30 p.m. for this summer concert series presented by Amazon Tickets and Events.

Tickets are $15, $35 and $48 with tables, seating six in front of the stage, at $402.

Information: ticketmaster.com, mablehouse.org or 770-819-3285.Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Austell Natural Gas System razes houses

Austell Natural Gas System recently razed two of the four houses it has purchased since 2009. The first house was bought for $60,000 in March 2009 and the other three and a storage barn were purchased for $70,000 in January.

On a little more than an acre, they all are adjacent to the gas system offices at 2838 Joe Jerkins Blvd., Austell.

The two razed houses had been vacated and there are no plans to remove tenants from the occupied buildings.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Austell employees honored for service

Three Austell employees were honored Monday by Mayor Joe Jerkins and the City Council with a reception, plaques and pins.

Curtis McClendon has worked for the city for 35 years, Michael F. Hays for 30 years and Police Capt. Randy Henson for 10 years.

About McClendon and Hays, Jerkins noted they are the ones who work all night to repair broken water lines.

"No matter what we need done, they get on it and get it done," Jerkins added. "All of them are great employees."

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

School board may change evaluations

Cobb County's school board discussed changing the evaluation process for superintendent at its Wednesday work session.

Board member David Morgan proposed using test scores to evaluate the superintendent.

The board members plan to decide by next month new guidelines. Daarel Burnette II

GWINNETT

Norcross keeps same millage rate for 2012

The Norcross City Council approved Monday the property tax millage rate for Fiscal Year 2012.

The city's millage rate will stay at 6.424 milles, the same as the previous two fiscal years.

The council ultimately approved a lower rate than the proposed one of 7.018.

Norcross anticipates a 22 percent increase in its $598 million tax digest, largely because of an increase in real property values.

Joel Anderson

Duluth-area feral cats sterilized for free

Planned PEThood is offering free sterilizations for 1,000 feral cats in the 30096 ZIP code.

Bring animals to 2860 Buford Highway, Duluth 8 a.m. Monday through Thursday . No appointments are needed. Each cat will be spayed or neutered, vaccinated for rabies and receive an eartip. Information: 678-561-3491. Kenneth Musisi

Man charged with robbing hair store

A Lawrenceville man has been arrested for allegedly taking cash and hair extensions from a beauty supply store.

Solomon Peter Cassell, 21, was charged with armed robbery and aggravated assault in the robbery of the Top Beauty Supply on Friday. Information from a similar robbery in unincorporated Gwinnett County led Lawrenceville police to the suspect's residence.

Tuesday, detectives searched the suspect's home in the 700 block of Chapel Hill Drive, Lawrenceville. They recovered evidence tying Cassell to the armed robbery. He was being held at the Gwinnett Detention Center on charges from another jurisdiction. Fran Jeffries

State government retirees meet Tuesday

The Georgia State Retirees Association Northeast Metro Chapter will meet at 11:15 a.m. Tuesday at Golden Corral in Lawrenceville. No charge for attending. Individuals pay for own lunches. Register by e-mail at ErnestMelton1@bellsouth.net. Information: www.MyGSRA.com. Kenneth Musisi

Model train show set for Saturday

The 43rd Atlanta Model Train and Railroadiana Show and Sale will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the North Atlanta Trade Center, 1700 Jeurgens Court, Norcross. The event will have over 300 tables of model trains and railroad collectibles for sale. Attendees will be able to relive the glory days of railroading in Georgia. Admission: $7 (children under 12 are free). Information: www.gserr.com.

Kenneth Musisi

Gwinnett man DOT traffic engineer

The Georgia Department of Transportation has named a Gwinnett County man district traffic engineer for 21 counties in Northeast Georgia.

Scott Zehngraff of Lilburn will be responsible for traffic engineering studies, safety enhancement reviews, citizen complaint investigations and other duties in the district. He is a graduate of Georgia Southern University and joined the department in 1995 as a civil engineer. He won GDOT's Wayne Shackelford Leadership Award in 2011. David Wickert

NORTHSIDE

Waleska approves package alcohol sales

The Cherokee County town of Waleska will soon allow package sales of beer and wine.

The City Council voted 5-1 Monday night in favor of the measure, after being approached by a local grocery store. City Manager Aimee Abernathy says purchases will be allowed 10 a.m. - 11:59 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

Sales could begin in about a month, after regulatory and zoning changes are approved.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Volleyball center launches adult league

The Southern Volleyball Center in Roswell has launched a new Adult Volleyball League on Wednesday nights.

Adult League play begins Aug. 22 for an eight-week session of Co-ed A and B and a Men's A and B league.

The popular Friday night Adult Open Gyms at SVC will continue; no registration is necessary for those.

Information and registration: http://southernvolleyball.com/adult-volleyball. Kenneth Musisi

Cherolee chamber business expo planned

The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce holds its 2012 Business Expo 1-5 p.m. Tuesday at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency Recreation Center, 7545 Main St., Woodstock.

Fifty local businesses and non-profit organizations will man booths to showcase their services and network.

The event is free and open to the public. Information: cherokeechamber.com

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Author book tour comes to Alpharetta

The "Time Untime" tour, a booksigning event for Sherrilyn Kenyon, author of a paranormal book series, will be 7 p.m. Saturday at Barnes and Noble, 7660 Northpoint Parkway Alpharetta.

The event will include prizes. Information: www.sherrilynkenyon.com.

Kenneth Musisi

Free classes in dance for boys at Dancefx

Dancefx in Alpharetta, a nonprofit dance studio, is inspiring all boys to step on stage by offering a free class in dance.

All boys under the age of eighteen are invited to take one hour a week of free classes at the dance studio.

The classes range from boys' hip-hop and break-dancing to ballet and Latin dance.

Information: 770-645-0110 or Ashley@dancefx.org.

Kenneth Musisi

NCJW hosts clothing and school supply drive

The National Council of Jewish Women has launched a community initiative seeking donations of new school supplies and clothes for the Fall Bargainata.

Donations can now be dropped off at NCJW, 6303 Roswell Rd., Sandy Springs and between 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 19 at 6125 Roswell Rd, Sandy Springs.

Information: 404-843-9600 or visit www.ncjwatlanta.org.

Kenneth Musisi

ATLANTA

S.T.E.M. students attend Tech boot camp

Thirty top-performing high school students are at Georgia Tech this week attending a free mobile application bootcamp sponsored by Samsung Mobile. The camp will give them an introduction to the growing mobile applications industry and a chance to develop mobile applications. Students are from: Benjamin Mays High School, Southwest Dekalb High, Georgia Cyber Academy and Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology.

Nancy Badertscher

Gang member gets 25 years in prison

A member of the notorious 30 Deep gang has been sentenced to 25 years in prison, the Fulton County District Attorney's Office announced Tuesday.

Javorris Redding, 21, was found guilty by a jury Monday of participation in criminal street gang activity, three counts of armed robbery and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Redding and an unidentified person robbed three people at gunpoint at a Motel 6 in College Park in April 2011, prosecutors said. Redding and his co-conspirator held the victims at gunpoint, pistol whipped one and took their possessions, including a Camaro. Angel K. Brooks

Man killed in forklift accident

A man was killed just before 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Owens Corning facility when the forklift he was operating fell on him, Fulton County police said.

The 35-year-old forklift operator was not wearing a seat belt amd he fell to the floor when the forklift tilted, then the forklift fell on him and struck him in the head. He died at the scene. Angel K. Brooks

Atlanta officer kills dog attacking child

An officer shot and killed a dog that was attacking a child Tuesday night in northwest Atlanta, police said. The officer was on patrol when several people alerted him to a woman screaming as a dog was trying to attack the child she was holding. The officer shot the dog. The child's wounds were treated at the scene. Angel K. Brooks

DEKALB

Georgia Perimeter rescinds name change

In an effort to save money, Georgia Perimeter College won't be adding "state" to its name. The State Board of Regents approved the name change in May to acknowledge that the historical two-year school received permission to offer limited four-year degrees. The regents rescinded that vote Wednesday at the request of Interim President Rob Watts.

The college cut $25 million from its budget to cover a financial shortfall. Laura Diamond

Education and career expo held in Clarkston

The Georgia Department of Labor's DeKalb Career Center is sponsoring an education and career expo 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 16 at Georgia Piedmont Technical College, 495 N. Indian Creek Dr., Clarkston. The expo will feature 50 employers, educational institutions and resource agencies, workshops on resume writing, home ownership and mortgage assistance. Information: Willie Glenn at 404-298-3970 or willie.glenn@gdol.ga.gov. Veronica Fields Johnson

DeKalb police sergeant fired after obstruction

A county police sergeant arrested in May for obstructing the investigation of a fellow officer was fired Tuesday. Former police Sgt. Jerry Banks was terminated after 14 years with the department, police said. On May 25, Banks, 42, arrived at the home of Cherise McMoore as DeKalb detectives were executing a search warrant at her home on allegations that McMoore brandished a gun at one of her neighbors and threatened to beat the neighbor.

Arrest warrants say Banks arrived with McMoore and was "boisterous and disobedient." Weeks earlier, Banks' wife was beaten and robbed outside their home while he was inside. Marcus K. Garner

Walmart protestors rally near Friday

The group opposed to a planned Walmart store at Suburban Plaza north of Decatur will hold a rally 5 - 6 p.m. Friday at the intersection of Medlock and North Decatur roads and Scott Boulevard. Good Growth DeKalb will hold signs to show opposition and unfurl scrolls of petitions trying to keep the retailer away. April Hunt

DeKalb police heading to convention

Fifteen DeKalb County police officers will work the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte. A deal would allow them to help with security during the event, so local officers can remain in the community. There is no cost to DeKalb — Charlotte will pay overtime. The officers were selected based on high performancer. The county commission is expected to approve the agreement at its Aug. 14 meeting. April Hunt

DeKalb wins federal grant

DeKalb County public safety offices will share in a $336,652 federal grant to improve the criminal justice system. The Justice Assistance Grant will award $37,873 each to the school system, police department, District Attorney, solicitor's office, drug court, juvenile court and marshal's office for case management to alternatives to school suspension.

The DeKalb Sheriff's office will receive $42,330 but must match $4,457 to replace office computers. The strategic planning office will receive $33,665 for data work. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Early voting next week in McDonough for runoff

The Henry County Elections and Registration office at 345 Phillips Drive in McDonough will be the site for early voting for the Aug. 21 runoff. Polls will be open Aug. 13-17 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Only two races are on the ballot: Board of Commissioners Chairman (incumbent B.J. Mathis vs. Tommy Smith) and BOC District 3 (Gary Barham vs. Bill Toney).

Both races are Republican, and voters who cast Democratic ballots in the primary cannot switch for the runoff. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Peachtree City reduces crossing guard posts

When school resumes in Peachtree City, some intersections will find crossing guards absent. A police survey deemed that some locations that previously had crossing guards did not require them. Signs have been posted at those sites, and parents and students are asked to be mindful of safety precautions when crossing the street.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Health board sponsors services training

The Clayton County Board of Health invites youth serving agencies and organizations to the Clayton Can Soar to the Top Teen Pregnancy and Youth Development Program Provider Academy 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday and 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday at the Morrow Center at Southlake Mall, 1180 Southlake Circle, Suite 100, Morrow. The two-day event is free and will consist of a series of interactive forums. Registration: Akisha Joseph at 678-610-7482 or akishajoseph@dhr.state.ga.us. Veronica Fields Johnson

Cat set on fire; reward offered for arrest info

A cat was set on fire in south Fulton County, and a $2,500 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest of whoever did it. Grayson, a 2-year-old gray-and-white male, was found injured about three weeks ago in an apartment complex in Union City. Someone had poured a flammable liquid on the cat and set him on fire. The Fayette County Humane Society rescued the animal who has the feline version of HIV. Information or donations: fayettehumane.org. Nicole Chavez

FSU students rank high on assessment

According to a report released on July 13 by the Council for Aid to Education, Fayetteville State University students demonstrated growth in learning that is "well above expected" on a national assessment of higher order reasoning skills.

The Collegiate Learning Assessment tool compares the actual scores of seniors to their expected scores based on their incoming academic abilities as freshmen. Kenneth Musisi

Leadership academy taking applications

The East Point Citizens Leadership Academy is accepting applications through Aug. 15. The 11-week class is designed to teach about government operations of East Point.

Applications are located on the city's website at www.eastpointcity.org and at the Customer Care and Jefferson Station lobbies and the Jefferson Park Recreation Center. The class size is capped at 25 applicants. Classes begin August 30. John Thompson for the AJC