County by county news for Tuesday

Monica Ann Brown, 38, was being held Monday in the Cobb County Jail on aggravated assault, kidnapping and reckless conduct charges, according to booking records. Brown was arrested Tuesday at her Austell-area home and was being held on $50,000 bond, jail records show.Alexis Stevens

Commissioners discuss deputy manager

Commissioner Bob Ott would like Cobb County to create an assistant county manager position as part of the county’s succession plan. Cobb currently does not have a second-in-command under longtime County Manager David Hankerson.

Ott’s idea was made during county leaders’ review Tuesday of a citizens committee report released in February. Hankerson presented management’s report responses Tuesday, and will report back to the commission in April. Janel Davis

Transportation officials to speak to group

Transportation officials will be the featured speakers at the East Cobb Civic Association’s monthly meeting on Wednesday. Darryl VanMeter, Innovative Program Delivery Manager with the Georgia Department of Transportation and Jane Hayse, Transportation director of the Atlanta Regional Commission will lead the discussion on transportation issues affecting Cobb County and the Atlanta region. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the East Cobb Library, 4880 Lower Roswell Road in Marietta. Info: www.eastcobb.net Janel Davis

YWCA names woman of the year

The YWCA of Northwest Georgia named Becky Paden woman of the year for her efforts in historic preservation. Paden serves on Marietta’s Historic Preservation Commission and is also involved with Cobb Landmarks and Historical Society. Cobb Police Detective Lisa Wells won the Pat Head Dignity Award. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Rep. Morgan honors retired officer

State Rep. Alisha Thomas Morgan, D-Austell, recently introduced a resolution recognizing retired Cobb police Sgt. Clarence Webb.

Web began working for the count department in 1990, and help strengthen relations between the police department and south Cobb residents. He was an area schools’ mentor and youth sports coach. Webb also help start the youth track program with the Cobb Count Police Athletic League, where he is still a volunteer. Webb retired from the police department in January. Janel Davis

Marietta to remember theft of the General

Marietta will mark the 150th anniversary of the great locomotive chase with living history events and tours on April 12-15 at three city museums and the Old Zion Baptist Church Heritage Museum. The Earl Smith Strand Theatre will show the silent film, “The General” and also “The Great Locomotive Chase,” the 1956 movie that premiered at the Strand. Information: www.mariettga.gov. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

GWINNETT

Commission to consider 2 new department heads

The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners today will consider ratifying the appointment of two new department heads

County Administrator Glenn Stephens has appointed Bryan Lackey director of planning development and Kim Conroy director of the transportation department. Both men have been interim directors of their respective departments.

Lackey is a professional engineer who has worked for the county since 1995. Conroy has more than 30 years of engineering and management experience in public works and has been with Gwinnett since 1985. David Wickert

Lilburn police offers workshop on scams

The Lilburn Police Department is offering a program April 3 on scams targeting senior citizens. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Lilburn City Hall at 76 Main Street Northwest. Police Chief Bruce Hedley, Captains Mike Johnson and Ben Haynes, Senior Investigator Kim Banks and local resident Bill York will present the top 25 scams. Information: SafetySmart Lilburn at 770-921-2211. Joel Anderson

Peachtree Corners to discuss land use permit

The United Peachtree Corners Civic Association will have a land-use meeting Thursday.

The meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Christ the King Lutheran Church at 5575 Peachtree Parkway. The association will discuss a special-use permit for Bush Road.

Information: www.upcca.org or communications@upcca.org. Joel Anderson

Rep. Brockway to seek re-election

State Rep. Buzz Brockway, R-Lawrenceville, announced Friday he will seek re-election.

Brockway has represented House District 101, which includes parts of Lawrenceville and Suwanee, for the last two years. Because of redistricting, the district number will change to 102 and the boundaries will change somewhat. David Wickert

TV shoot to close Sugarloaf Parkway

Sugarloaf Parkway will be closed between Martins Chapel Road and West Campbell Road from 4 p.m. Wednesday to 8 a.m. Thursday while a crew films scenes for a television program. The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners approved the road closure Tuesday. David Wickert

Animal task force to hold public hearing

The Gwinnett County Animal Task Force will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. today in the community room at the Rhodes Jordan Park Community Recreation Center, 100 E. Crogan St., Lawrenceville. For information, visit www.gwinnettcounty.com. David Wickert

Deadline for Suwanee art fare nearing

Sunday is the deadline for artists to apply for space in Suwanee’s second annual Arts in the Park, sponsored by the North Gwinnett Arts Association. With their $75 application fee, artists must submit three photos of their work, one of them working in their studio and another of their booth set-up. The May 19 event will be at Town Center Park. Michael Alpert for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Alpharetta implements Smart911 system

The Alpharetta Department of Public Safety is implementing a Smart911 system -- an information network that lets citizens create a profile of household data. The information comes up on the 911 call taker’s screen during an emergency call.

Citizens can input information about their medication, pets, the names and number of residents, medical disabilities, allergies, hearing impairment, utilities and more. Unlike traditional 911 systems, Smart911 can also identify the GPS location of the caller. Info: www.Smart911.com Andria Simmons

At-risk students in Sandy Springs get help

Horizons Atlanta has begun a new student achievement program aimed at helping Sandy Springs students who may be at risk academically. Selected eighth graders who have participated in Horizons before can take part in activities this summer to learn how high school works by understanding what courses are offered and how to select the correct courses to meet graduation requirements.

In addition to career preparation, student work will focus on literacy and mathematics. Patrick Fox

School board business retreat today

The Fulton County school board will hold a business retreat at 10 a.m. today to discuss upcoming initiatives.

The meeting will be held at the North Transportation Center, 410 S. Main St., Alpharetta.

For more information, visit www.fultonschools.org. D. Aileen Dodd

Johns Creek Symphony concert April 14

The Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra will present its final concert of the season, “An Evening with Oscar & Tony!” at 8 p.m. April 14 at the Theater at Johns Creek High School, 5575 State Bridge Road. The program will feature selections from Hollywood films that have won Academy Awards and Broadway shows that have won Tony Awards. Tickets -- $30 for adults, $23.50 for seniors and $16.50 for students -- may be purchased at www.johnscreeksymphony.org. Information: 678-748-5802 or email info@johnscreeksymphony.org. Patrick Fox

Sign up for Cherokee Senior Olympics

Signup is underway for the sixth edition of the Cherokee County Senior Olympics. The games begin Friday and last through April 27, and feature more than a dozen events ranging from billiards to softball. Cost is a $12 flat fee, except for golf. The games are open to all those who will be at least 50 by April 27. Info: cherokeecountyseniorolympics.org Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Chamber looks for top professionals

The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce is hunting for the county’s top ten young professionals of the next decade. Nominations for the “Top 10 in 10” awards will be accepted through April 9. Applicants must be ages 25 to 40, must live in Cherokee County, and must submit resumes and letters of recommendation along with applications. Winners will be honored at a chamber breakfast in June. Information: www.cherokeechamber.com Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

Invest Atlanta to ask for $3 million

Invest Atlanta, the city’s economic development agency, plans to ask Atlanta’s City Council for $3 million in the upcoming budget year. During a lunch meeting in downtown Atlanta, Invest Atlanta touted several business expansions in Atlanta that amounted to nearly 600 new jobs. But City Councilwoman Felicia Moore said she wanted more information earlier in the budget process. “The Council needs to be at the table,” she said. “We need to be a part of the conversation.” Jeremiah McWilliams

Council approves $190,000 in claims

Atlanta’s City Council voted on Monday to approve about $190,000 in claims against the city for sewer backups, broken storm pipelines, automobile accidents and property damage to driveways. The 17 claims with favorable recommendations listed on the March 19 agenda ranged from $744 for an car accident on Nov. 5, 2011, to $40,000 to settle a lawsuit that was originally filed in 2006. A September 2004 sewer backup on Paces Valley Road cost the city $65,000. Jeremiah McWilliams

Cyclists gear up for Georgia Rides today

The seventh annual Georgia Rides to the Capitol event is today. Estimated departure times for originating cities are: Decatur at 10:45 a.m. and Roswell at 9:45 a.m. The bike ride will culminate in a news conference at the Capitol steps to support funding for pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. Information: www.GeorgiaRidesToTheCapitol.org. Kenneth Musisi

Man beats and runs over woman

Police are investigating an incident Monday morning in southwest Atlanta in which a woman was beaten and run over by a vehicle. Atlanta police Sgt. Jack Ludwig said residents along Atwood Street tried to stop a man from beating the woman with the butt of a rifle. When neighbors yelled at the man, he got into a vehicle and ran over the woman before driving away. The woman was in critical condition, but identified her attacker. Mike Morris

DEKALB

Man convicted leaving dog to die in closet

An Atlanta man was sentenced to 12 months in jail for locking his pit bull in a closet and leaving her there to die.

A DeKalb County State Court jury convicted Aaron Laws of two counts of animal cruelty on Friday. The dog’s remains, found during an eviction at a Clarkston rental property where Laws had lived, were surround by empty plastic containers and dog feces. Prosecutors said the carpet in the closet had been dug up and there were deep claw marks on the door, indications that the dog had tried to get out. Prosecutors said towel was stuffed under the door to mask the odor. Rhonda Cook

Victim beats up would-be robber

A would-be robbery victim turned on his alleged attacker overnight, beating up the gunman who tried to rob him at a MARTA bus stop on Fairington Road near Lithonia.

“The subject stopped in a Jeep Cherokee and asked him to give him his laptop bag,” DeKalb police Lt. J.D. Johnson said. When the suspect looked into the bag, which only contained textbooks, the victim began beating the suspected robber.

“The suspect was able to get away and get into his vehicle, at which time he fired several shots at the victim, and got into his vehicle tried to run him over,” Johnson said. The suspect, crashed the Jeep into a tree trying to get away.

The victim was not injured. Mike Morris

Composting firm withdraws application

A composting firm that wanted to set up shop in south DeKalb County has withdrawn its proposal in the face of public opposition. Greenco Environmental informed the county of its decision last week, though by voluntarily removing its permit application, the firm can come back, said associate planning director Andrew Baker.

The withdrawal came just a little more than a week after the county Planning Commission deferred the controversial plan to turn organic food waste into compost on 22 acres of the LaFarge Quarry in Lithonia, where it would be about a mile from neighborhoods.

Hundreds of residents have opposed the plant, saying it is would still be too close to their homes. April Hunt

MADD recognizes DeKalb solicitor

Mothers Against Drunk Driving Georgia has recognized DeKalb County assistant solicitor Teri Walker with their Jerry Thompson Law Enforcement Partnership Award.

The award -- presented during MADD’s eighth annual Golden Shield Honors last week -- recognizes law enforcement officers, agencies and prosecutors for their efforts to keep drunken drivers off the roads.

Rhonda Cook

Forum to explain new health benefits

The Fulton DeKalb Hospital Authority is holding a forum to explain the benefits now available under the Federal Affordable Care Act. Presenters -- Natalie Cales with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Joyce Wilkerson with the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services and Jeffrey Taylor from Oakhurst Medical Center --will take questions. The forum is 12:30-3 p.m. on Wednesday at the Maloof Center at 1300 Commerce Drive in Decatur. Rhonda Cook

SOUTHSIDE

Board of assessors picks new chief appraiser

The Fulton County Board of Assessors has chosen David Fitzgibbon to replace Burt Manning as chief appraiser. Manning left in February, after six years, to work as a development and training specialist for the state Revenue Department.

Fitzgibbon served as an assistant chief appraiser under Manning. His resume includes more than four decades of real estate and assessment experience, including serving as chief appraiser in Henry and Gilmer counties and as director of the Property Tax Bureau in Mississippi. Johnny Edwards

Whitewater students to compete in poetry slam

Five Whitewater High School students are among 15 contenders for the finals of the Atlanta Hawks Poetry Slam Contest.

Haris Aslam, Ellen Husted, Patrick Pietrzak, Morgan Ritson and Andrea Vargas wrote original poems about their personal or generational uniqueness for the contest theme, “I Was Born This Way.” The finalists were required to attend a two-hour workshop in preparation for performing their pieces before a judging panel on Thursday . Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Tax help at library starting Thursday

Certified volunteers offering free help with 2011 tax returns will be at the College Park Library starting Thursday. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, or VITA, is an IRS program that helps taxpayers earning $49,000 per year or less. Preparation service, including e-filing of both federal and state returns, is available from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, then on April 6 and April 9.

Volunteers are at two other south Fulton libraries during the tax season -- the East Point and South Fulton branches. For a schedule, go to www.afpls.org or call 404-730-1700. Johnny Edwards

Clayton offers diabetes screening for seniors

In recognition of World Wide Diabetes Alert Day, the Clayton County Senior Services Department will offer free diabetes screening and education to seniors today from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Frank Bailey Senior Center, 6213 Riverdale Road, Riverdale.

Information will be provided on the “Get a Jump On Diabetes” program. Information: http://www.claytoncountyga.gov/news-and-events/diabetes-alert-day.aspx Veronica Fields Johnson

Government offices in Henry closed April 6-9

Henry County Government offices and the Henry County Recycling Center will be closed two days over the Easter weekend -- April 6, for a floating holiday and April 9, for a planned furlough day. Government offices will reopenApril 10. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Volunteers needed to be foster parents for pets

The Fayette County Humane Society is looking for volunteers to become pet foster parents to care for animals until permanent homes are found. FCHS provides food, supplies and medical care for foster animals. For information: http://www.fayettehumane.org/foster_program.htm or 770-487-1073 or info@fayettehumane.org. Veronica Fields Johnson