County by county news for Tuesday

An unknown male forced entry to the residence, assaulted the woman and stole an unknown amount of cash and jewelry. He also threatened to hurt her if she did not cooperate.

The homeowner was treated and released from Kennestone Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at 770-794-5380.

Andria Simmons

Smyrna man killed in wreck on I-285

A Cobb County man was killed late Sunday when the car he was riding in slid off I-285 southbound near Bolton Road and struck a guard rail.

Around 10 p.m. the driver of a 2004 Ford Crown Victoria told investigators that it had just begun raining and he swerved to avoid striking a car in front of him.

The vehicle struck the end of a guard rail with its driver’s side rear door. The guard rail entered the passenger compartment of the vehicle, killing the front seat passenger.

The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s office identified him as Jeffery Warford Jr., 31, of Smyrna.

The driver and a passenger were taken to Grady Memorial Hospital in stable condition.

Investigators expect to file charges against the driver. Mike Morris

Marietta and Cobb plan annual job expo

The 10th Marietta/Cobb Career Expo will offer career and educational help from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday Sept.19 at the Cobb County Civic Center, 548 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta. Some 50 employers and four universities are on the schedule. The event is sponsored by Cobb County, Marietta, CobbWorks, Inc, Cobb/Cherokee Career Center and the Georgia Department of Labor.Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Durham Middle to kick-off ‘History Month’

Durham Middle School students will hold a celebration9:30 to 11 a.m. Thursday for Georgia’s first “history and character month.” The month was created by Durham teachers Thomas Panter and Mandy Martin and students Ryan Mulkey and Beth Ann Shires and signed into law by Gov. Nathan Deal last year. The month was created to celebrate Georgia’s history and the positive character traits exhibited by Georgians. Daarel Burnette II

Art Expressions class forming for fall

Children and teens are invited to participate in art workshops this fall to produce three projects.

The first class will be 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. today at the Powder Springs Library, 4181 Atlanta St.

Registration is required.

Information: Tara Klodnicki, simpsont@cobbcat.org or 770-439-3600.Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

District 2 town hall meeting is tonight

Cobb County District 2 Commissioner Bob Ott, who represents southeast Cobb, will hold a town hall meeting at 7 p.m. tonight at the Smyrna Community Center, 200 Village Green Circle.

Information: www.cobbcounty.org/ott. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

GWINNETT

Road maintenance in Gwinnett this week

Maintenance along Gwinnett County highways will mean shoulder or median lane closures this week.

The state Department of Transportation will repair guardrails along U.S. 78 and Ga. 20. The department also will repair shoulders on Ga. 20 and mow along Ga. 13 and Ga. 120.

The work will be done from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., weather permitting.

The agency asks motorists to slow down in these and other work areas.

David Wickert

Superintendent Alvin Wilbanks to speak

Gwinnett Schools Superintendent Alvin Wilbanks is the guest speaker at the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce meeting 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at Duluth’s 1818 Club, 6500 Sugarloaf Parkway. Wilbanks, Gwinnett’s superintendent since 1996, was named Georgia Superintendent of the Year in 2005. MICHAEL ALPERT FOR THE AJC

Loving’ Spoonful at Amigos event

Amigos for Christ presents a benefit to address the critical need for clean water in Nicaragua Oct. 6 at Suwanee Town Center Park. The event includes: Run for Clean Water 5K at 9 a.m.; Open 3v3 Soccer Tournament at 10 a.m.; Bike and Learn Family Ride at noon; 2-Man Cornhole Tournament at 2 p.m.; Cupcake Challenge at 3 p.m.; and Open 5v5 Ultimate Frisbee Tournament at 4 p.m. and Open 5v5 Ultimate Frisbee Tournament at 4 p.m. An appearance by “The Lovin’ Spoonful” at 7:30 pm. Information: www.amigosforchrist.org/festivaleventinfo.html.

Nancy Badertscher

Maxwell High gets gift of technology

Maxwell High School of Technology’s aircraft flight operations program recently received a donation of X-Plane Flight Simulation Software from Laminar Research, a longtime supporter of Maxwell High students.

The software is valued at $40,000. Nancy Badertscher

OshKosh B’gosh opens at Mall of Georgia

Atlanta’s own OshKosh B’gosh will open a retail store at the Mall of Georgia in Buford.

The store will be the first national retail location to fully incorporate the brand’s new innovative store design. A ribbon-cutting is Tuesday. Andria Simmons

Drug and alcohol prevention challenge

Helping Others Organize Kreative Everyday Differences Teen Club meets 10 a.m. to noon Saturday Shorty Howell Activity Bldg., 2750 Pleasant Hill Rd., Duluth for a drug and alcohol prevention challenge. Information: 770-418-2331. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Library holding creative chair contest

Gwinnett Public Libraries is inviting people to re-imagine a chair or bench and enter their “Chair-ish the Arts” contest. Those participating are encouraged to use their imaginations to decorate chairs and benches.

Deadline: Sept. 30. Information: www.gwinnettpl.org.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Johns Creek reveals FY 2013 budget

Johns Creek approved its $52.2 million budget for FY 2013 without raising property taxes from the 4.614-mill rate it’s had since incorporating in 2006.

The budget from October through September includes a $45.5 million general fund, up from this year’s $44.8 million.

The upcoming budget includes $1.26 million to resurface streets, $1.475 million for capital improvements and $368,000 to replace eight patrol cars.

MICHAEL ALPERT FOR THE AJC

Meetings scheduled to discuss projects

Roswell will hold the first of four public information meetings 2 to 4 p.m. today at Adult Recreation Center, 830 Grimes Bridge Road, to discuss November’s vote on a $14.7 million bond referendum for capital projects.

Included are are $6 million of enhancements to the Georgia 400 interchange at Holcomb Bridge and a $2.5 million therapeutic pool at the recreation center.

Other meetings will be at East Roswell Park on Sept. 27, City Hall on Oct. 1 and Roswell Area Park on Oct. 11. MICHAEL ALPERT FOR THE AJC

Shore cleanup set for Lake Lanier

Keep Forsyth County Beautiful and the Lake Lanier Association are teaming up for the 24th annual Lake Lanier Shore Sweep8 a.m.-1p.m. Sept. 29 at the Bald Ridge, Habersham and Port Royale marinas.

Volunteers will be given trash bags and a shoreline trash pickup assignment. Information: www.lakelanier.org

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Cherokee schools host

boundary redrawing

The Cherokee County School District is hosting boundary redrawing meetings starting Sept. 24 at schools where the feeder and grade setups will be affected by opening E.T. Booth Middle School fall and at Ball Ground Elementary School on its future grade configuration.

Information: www.cherokee.k12.ga.us

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Forsyth schools seek input on policy changes

Forsyth County Schools is seeking feedback on proposed Board of Education policy changes: requiring board members to file affidavits when meetings are closed to certify that only lawful topics were discussed; and to set an end-of-first-semester deadline for students seeking to transfer outside their attendance districts for the following school year. The board is set to vote on Oct. 18.

Information: www.forsyth.k12.ga.us Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Workshop to focus on City Center plans

Sandy Springs will host a meeting 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall Council Chambers, 7840 Roswell Road to collect input for a master plan to transform downtown.

Preliminary drafts will be presented. The public may ask questions and provide feedback during break-out workshops. The first two sessions focused on the city’s strengths and key assets and garnered the public’s thoughts on their downtown vision. Patrick Fox

ATLANTA

Merritt, Rimes honored by chamber

The Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce on Friday recognized Sheila Merritt and Adam Rimes at its community awards dinner at the W Atlanta-Midtown hotel.

Merritt, a vice president for Q&A Events, received the chamber’s businesswoman of the year award. Rimes, who founded Administrivia and is the chief financial officer of the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus, is the chamber’s businessman of the year.

SunTrust received the “Corporate Ally” award and Richard Rhodes was given the Lifetime Achievement Award. Bill Rankin

Atlanta school board committee to meet

The Atlanta school board’s policy review committee will meet at 12:30 p.m. today at the district’s headquarters, 130 Trinity Ave. Atlanta. The committee will discuss potential changes or additions to school board policy. Info: 404.802.2200. Jaime Sarrio

Lowery to lead voter registration march

The Rev. Joseph E. Lowery will deliver the keynote address at CAU’s annual Fall Convocation 11 a.m. today in the Epps Gymnasium on the corner of Atlanta Student Movement Boulevard and Vine Street.

Immediately following his speech, the 90-year-old Lowery will lead a voter registration march to the Bishop Cornelius L. Henderson Student Center on campus.

In 2001, the Joseph E. Lowery Institute for Justice and Human Rights was founded on CAU’s campus. Ernie Suggs

Gala to help bring clean water to Haiti

A Caribbean-themed gala is set for Sept. 29 at the W Atlanta Buckhead, 3377 Peachtree Road, benefiting Food for The Poor and its efforts to deliver life-saving clean water to schools throughout Haiti. Atlanta’s Dreams Across the Sea Gala will include fine dining, live music, dancing and a silent auction.

Tickets are $125. The hotel is located at Information: (888) 404-4248 or www.foodforthepoor.org/atlanta. Nancy Badertscher

DEKALB

Construction started on new Walmart

Crews have torn down and cleared away a former car dealership on Memorial Drive for construction of a Walmart store near Stone Mountain.

The 149,000-square foot store is slated to be open in August 2013. It is being built according to standards of nearby Stone Mountain Village and will include sidewalks and bike racks to encourage less driving.

Walmart plans to hire 250 full-time and part-time workers. The store is estimated to generate about $5 million in sales taxes annually. April Hunt

Decision to investigate school system looms

A school accreditation agency says it expects to decide by the end of this week whether to send an investigative team into the DeKalb County school system.

AdvancEd, parent company of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, sent a letter to Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson last month containing allegations that her school board had micromanaged administrative matters while failing to effectively oversee system finances.

Atkinson sent a response last week, and AdvancEd spokeswoman Jennifer Oliver said the agency should decide by Friday whether to investigate. Ty Tagami

Former state employee charged with tax fraud

The DeKalb County grand jury has indicted a former state Department of Revenue official for allegedly stealing about $200,000 in illegal tax refunds, the state Attorney General’s Office said.

Naterica Burkes and 14 co-defendants are charged with racketeering. Burkes is accused of creating fraudulent accounts in the revenue office’s computer system and issuing tax refund checks to herself, former colleagues, family members and others, who would deposit the checks or cash them and then divvy up the proceeds, the AG’s office said. Bill Rankin

Woman charged with identity theft

A Stone Mountain woman has been indicted for stealing identities of homeless and disabled individuals and using their names and Social Security numbers to file false tax returns, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Atlanta said.

Cora Cadia Ford, 54, faces charges of mail fraud, aggravated identity theft and filing false claims. From January 2007 to May 2011, Ford targeted disabled and homeless individuals and told them she would obtain government assistance for them, but she instead used the information to file false tax returns for her own benefit, federal prosecutors said. Bill Rankin

Seeliger speaks at ‘Lunch and Learn’

Judge Clarence F. Seeliger speaks today during the DeKalb History Center’s monthly Lunch and Learn series, noon to 1 p.m. at the Historic DeKalb Courthouse, 101 E. Court Square in Decatur.

Seeliger will discuss his role in the Presidential Parkway, which resulted in the creation of Freedom Parkway. Admission is free. Bill Banks

Superintendent gives state of schools talk

DeKalb County schools superintendent Cheryl Atkinson will give a state of the system address 9:15 a.m. Wednesday at Lakeside High School, 3801 Briarcliff Rd NE. Refrshements served at 8:45 a.m. Ty Tagami

SOUTHSIDE

Fayetteville woman killed in weekend wreck

Carrie W. Dunn, 37, of Fayetteville was killed in a single-vehicle wreck Saturday night. Dunn was driving a 1995 Geo Tracker northbound around 6 p.m. near the intersection of Ga. 92 and Peters Roadwhen she lost control, ran off the roadway and was ejected from the automobile.

She had been alone in the car and was taken to Piedmont-Fayette Hospital, where she later died.

Authorities said she was not wearing a seatbelt. Mike Morris

Fayette EXPO to showcase businesses

The Fayette County Chamber of Commerce’s free Community EXPO will be 3-7 p.m. today at the New Hope Baptist Church, 551 New Hope Road in Fayetteville.

Presented by the Delta Community Credit Union, the event will feature more than 100 booths showcasing local businesses and services, plus food samples, prizes and health screenings. Details at www.fayettechamber.org.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Fayette students make National Merit cut

Nine seniors from four Fayette County high schools are among 483 Georgians selected as semifinalists for the 2013 National Merit Scholarship Program. Logan Austin, Parker Bradford, Nicholas Chang, Jesse Hu and David Sweet are from McIntosh; Erin McCord and Shane Mudrinich are from Starr’s Mill; Caleb Davidson is from Sandy Creek; and Kevaghn Hinckley is from Whitewater. All will have the chance to compete for National Merit Scholarship Awards next spring worth more than $32 million.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Olympian to speak at alma mater

The public is invited to hear Olympian Christian Taylor speak from noon to 1 p.m. today at Our Lady of Victory Catholic School, 211 Kirkley Rd., Tyrone. Taylor, an alumnus, will share his success story of his gold medal win in the Triple Jump at the London 2012 Olympics. Information: 770-306-9026 or lgrace@olvpatriots.org.

Veronica Fields Johnson

HamptonTour of Homes cancelled

City of Hampton announced that the Holiday Tour of Homes for this year has been cancelled. The city will plan a tour of homes for 2013. Information: Candy Franklin at cfranklin@cityofhampton-ga.gov or 770-946-4306. Kenneth Musisi

Eagle’s Landing plans charity event

Eagle’s Landing Country Club is sponsoring a charity car and bike show and motorcycle ride on Sept. 30. Proceeds benefit MDA — Augie’s Quest, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and ClubCorp Employee Partner Care Foundation.

The ride starts at Harley Davidson of Clayton County and ends at Eagle’s Landing Country Club. There will be vendor booths, entertainment, an auction, concessions, etc. Register: www.eagleslandingcc.com. Sponsorships and vendor opportunities are available.

Information: Anne Belcher: 770-389-2000 x117 or anne.belcher@ourclub.com

Nancy Badertscher