County by county news for Tuesday

Lyons said she’s been levied about $1,000 in fines by the city.

Vaugh said there is nothing she can do.

After living in her now-demolished house for nearly 30 years, Lyons said she resides in Douglasville with no plans to return to Powder Springs.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Cumberland Board of Directors to meet

The Cumberland Community Improvement District board of directors will meet at 7:30 a.m. Thursday at the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, 240 Interstate North Parkway.

Information: Melissa Crook at 770-859-2357.

Kenneth Musisi

Powder Springs honors Trinity student

Powder Springs Mayor Patricia Vaughn and the City Council awarded Trinity Chapel Academy fifth grader Quinn Higgenbotham for his reading accomplishments recently.

Every other Saturday for the last year, he has read to Buck the greyhound, owned by Jon and Lisa Poole, at the Powder Springs Library, one of 70 Georgia teams for the international CAREing Paws Program.

Information: 770-439-3600.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Tapp teachers honored by Powder Springs

Powder Springs Mayor Patricia Vaughn and the City Council honored two Tapp Middle School teachers recently with floral bouquets and framed certificates in their first recognition ceremony for local teachers.

Aimee Tait, an eighth grade teacher on the special education team, is Tapp’s Teacher of the Year. Lyn Vermilya, a bookkeeper, is Tapp’s Classified Employee of the Year.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

New theater company to open Nov. 1

A new theater company will open Nov. 1-25 at the former Theatre in the Square with a production of “The Summer of Daisy Fay,” Nov. 1-Nov. 25 at 11 Whitlock Ave.

The Marietta Theatre was started by former Theatre in the Square house manager Gene Bradley and “Tuna” plays co-author and director Ed Howard. “A Tuna Christmas” will follow on the main stage Dec. 4-23.

Information: 470-255-0074.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Church to host HIV panel discussion

First Baptist Church of Smyrna will host a panel discussion about HIV in the church at 4 p.m. Sunday at 1275 Church St. S.E., Smyrna.

Current information on HIV transmission will be shared and a panel of medical professionals will answer questions.

Other panel members will include the Rev. Dr. Jimmy Allen, author of Burden of a Secret: A Story of Truth and Mercy in a Family Faced with AIDS.

Information: 770-435-3231 or info@smyrnafirst.org.

Veronica Johnson

GWINNETT

Lilburn enhances code enforcement

Lilburn named former Gwinnett building inspector and Chamblee code enforcement officer Paul Calcaterra its first part-time code enforcement officer on nights and weekends.

The Lilburn resident joins the Planning and Economic Development Department’s full-time code enforcement officer and its building inspector. Calcaterra’s position was added at the request of residents seeking more off-hour citings of violations impacting home values, including improper storage of trash and junk vehicles, illegal parking, and deficient exterior home maintenance. MICHAEL ALPERT FOR THE AJC

Job seekers invited to transportation expo

The Georgia Department of Labor, Goodwill of North Georgia and the Atlanta Chapter of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials, will participate in the second annual Transportation Expo 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at Goodwill’s Northeast Plaza Center Center, 3337 Buford Highway.

Applicants should bring resumes, be prepared to fill out job applications and interview for available job openings.

Information: Janice Burley-Black at 404-679-0507 or Janice.burley-black@gdol.ga.gov.

Veronica Fields Johnson

Senator addresses college

Georgia Senator Jason Carter, grandson of former president Jimmy Carter, recently spoke before students, faculty and staff at Lawrenceville’s Georgia Gwinnett College.

A guest in the 9,000-student school’s Grizzly Growl Speaker Series presented by its Office of Student Involvement, Carter’s talk focused on “service,” one of the college’s four core values. He also signed copies of his new book, “Power Lines.”

MICHAEL ALPERT FOR THE AJC

Dacula seeking input on sanitation billing

Dacula’s City Council is considering the pros and cons of moving annual billing for sanitation to resident’s Gwinnett County property tax bills.

The Council is seeking input from residents and property owners.

Residents may comment by email to mayordacula@att.net or call the City Hall at 770-963-7451.

In addition, Dacula will hold two public town hall meetings at 6:00 p.m. Oct. 25 and Nov. 1. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Report illegal dumping with a phone call

Gwinnett County asks citizens to report dumping trash or debris illegally on the side of the road to Gwinnett Solid Waste and Recovered Materials Division at 770-822-7141. To report illegal dumping into storm drains call the Stormwater Management Division at 678-376-7193.

Have on hand the date and time of the dumping and description of the person and vehicle involved.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Suwanee accepting applications for 2013 events

Each year Suwanee hosts approximately 40 events in the Town Center and other parks.

Event applications for 2013 are only accepted October to December.

Information:www.suwanee.com to submit an application by the Dec. 7 deadline. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Foreclosure prevention session in Roswell

Fulton County will hold a free information session Tuesday for Northside residents in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure. It starts at 6 p.m. at North Fulton Community Charities, 11270 Elkins Road, Roswell.

Attendees can get information on foreclosure prevention and contacting U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department-certified housing counselors.

Information: 404-613-7944. Johnny Edwards

Northside hospital recognized

Global market research company J.D. Power and Associates recently recognized Northside Hospital’s maternity care for a fourth consecutive year. The service excellence distinction was determined by surveying recently discharged mothers about their experience and comparing the results to national benchmarks. MICHAEL ALPERT FOR THE AJC

Two more arrests in Cumming home invasion

Yusef Davis, 26, and Robert Nash, 21, both of Cumming, have been charged with armed robbery, burglary and theft by taking in a home invasion and robbery. Police earlier arrested Shaeem McLaren in connection with the Oct. 9 incident on Clayton Circle, in the Adair Park neighborhood north of Cumming. McLaren faces the same charges.

Three men, one armed with a semi-automatic pistol, forcibly entered the home and held a resident gunpoint while ransacking the home.

The trio fled with an undisclosed amount of cash, jewelry and electronic equipment, police said. Mike Morris

Forsyth commissioners approve 2013 budget

The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners approved the county’s $89.6 million 2013 budget at a meeting late Thursday. That compares with a $92.4 budget adopted for 2012. County officials say some the decrease resulted from closing several internal funds and creating new categories. The budget was passed with no increase in the millage rate. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Johns Creek PTSA to host candidate forum

The Parent Teacher Student Association of Johns Creek High School will host a Voter Information Night and Candidate Forum 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. today at the school auditorium.

Participants will meet candidates, pick up yard signs from candidates, and hear about the pros and cons of the proposed charter school amendment. Information: Denise Abramow at jdmom1@gmail.com or Betty Heigl at betty@scratchcat.com.

Kenneth Musisi

Veterans career expo set for Thursday

The Georgia Department of Labor and the American Legion will co-sponsor a career expo for veterans, disabled veterans and other job seekers from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at the American Legion Post No. 201, 201 Wills Rd., Alpharetta.

Applicants should bring resumes and be prepared to fill out an application and be interviewed.

Information: Michael Kotler at 770-840-2200, extension 161. Veronica Fields Johnson

ATLANTA

New rugby complex opens in Atlanta

The Atlanta Rugby Foundation opened a new rugby facility last month at 1035 Fairburn Road. The complex is one of the few international-size rugby fields in the country and home to the Atlanta Old White Rugby Club.

The venue was paid for by the “Old Boys” - alumni of Atlanta Old White RFC. The rugby complex with its proximity to downtown Atlanta and Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, has generated interest from USA Rugby and promotion from the Atlanta Sports Council. Information: www.atlantarugby.com. Kenneth Musisi

Jewelry store robbed at Greenbriar Mall

Atlanta police are investigating a robbery 2:35 p.m. Sunday at he Shirin Jewelery store at Greenbriar Mall.

Two suspects entered the store and one a round into a display case to break the glass, police said.

The suspects took several items and fled. No one was injured during the incident.

Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to contact the Atlanta Police commercial robbery unit at 404-546-4255 or Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477. Fran Jeffries

Singapore school leaders to visit Drew Charter

A leadership team from Paya Lebar Methodist Girls Primary School in Singapore, will visit Drew Charter School today. Drew officials say this may be the farthest any team has traveled to see Drew. The leaders are interested in learning more about the school’s science, technology, engineering, arts and math curriculum. Information: www.drewcharterschool.org Jaime Sarrio

Springdale Park produce on the menu at Murphy’s

Students from Springdale Park Elementary supplied the produce Monday for Murphy’s restaurant in Virginia Highland.

Each class through third grade has been taking care of lettuce, kale, chard, sorrel, and collard plants on the school’s rooftop garden. Information: www.atlanta.k12.ga.us Jaime Sarrio

DEKALB

Police identify man shot and killed in car

DeKalb County police are searching for a suspect who shot and killed a man inside a car at an apartment complex early Sunday.

Police received a report of a shooting at the Vineyard of Flat Shoals apartments off of Flat Shoals Road around 5 a.m. Officers they found the driver, Demarco Booker, 18, dead from several gunshot wounds inside a late model Jaguar with the brake lights on.

One witness told police he saw a man jump out of Booker’s car, then go around to the driver’s side to argue with Booker before shooting him several times. Fran Jeffries

School construction panel appointed

DeKalb County schools Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson has named a committee to monitor school construction: Christine Avers, Paul Baisier, Cathy Blakeney, Wyvern Budram, Narwanna D. el-Shabazz, B.R. “Billy Ray” Jones, Kimberly Mitchell, Kirk A. Nooks, Charles Rogers, Kerry Williams, A. E. “Gene” Wise and Delilah Wynn-Brown. .

Voters in November approved another five-year Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, and in June Atkinson began soliciting volunteers with relevant expertise for a Citizen’s SPLOST Oversight Committee. Ty Tagami

DeKalb planning efforts honored

DeKalb County’s long-range energy and sustainability program, which addresses issues such as water consumption and transportation, was among 11 communities honored by the Georgia Planning Association.

The county’s Sustainability Committee developed the plan in the hopes of meeting residents’ needs without burdening future generations. April Hunt

Decatur officially “Bicycle Friendly”

Decatur recently became the fourth community in Georgia to be named “Bicycle Friendly” by the League of American Bicyclists.

The bronze designation recognizes Decatur’s efforts to add bike lanes and racks, the addition of bike parking for city festivals and regular group rides around the city.

Information: http://beactivedecatur.wordpress.com.

April Hunt

Harvard recognizes DeKalb court program

The youth achievement program which offers educational alternatives such as GED classes and a summer work program in DeKalb County Juvenile Court recently was honored for its innovation by Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.

About 300 youth participate in the program, which is guided by Judge Desiree Sutton Peagler. April Hunt

Superintendent to meet with parents at roundtable

DeKalb County school Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson will host two “roundtable” events 7 - 8:30 p.m. today at Redan High School, 5247 Redan Road, Stone Mountain and the same time Thursday at Lithonia High, 2440 Phillips Rd., Lithonia.

Parents can ask questions, learn about current issues and hear about new initiatives. Parents also will be asked to speak about parental engagement and desired changes in system communications. Ty Tagami

SOUTHSIDE

McDonough seeks changes in city charter

Voters in McDonough can get more information about the change in the charter at a town hall meeting 7 p.m. Thursday at city hall, 136 Keys Ferry St.

The law firm Henderson and Hundley will host the meeting which will look at whether mayoral powers should include administrative duties or whether those duties be designated to a city administrator. The McDonough City Council voted in March to ask the Georgia General Assembly to support legislation to revise its 2003 city charter. Tammyn Joyner

Seniors taught to prevent bone breaks

Fulton County and the East Point Naturally Occurring Retirement Community, in conjunction with the U.S. Bone and Joint Initiative are sponsoring a public education session 11 a.m. Tuesday in the chapel of Peachtree Christian Church, 1706 Washington Road, East Point on bone health and ways to prevent or slow down bone disease. It will focus on prevention of broken bones, lifestyle changes and ways to prevent fractures for people who have already had one.

Information: 404-762-2094. Johnny Edwards

Early voting available at various Henry locations

Early voting in Henry County is underway at election headquarters on Phillips Drive in McDonough and the Ted Strickland Community Center in Stockbridge. Saturday voting will be available at those two places plus the Fairview Library, where voting will continue next week along with the Train Depot in Hampton and the Locust Grove Recreation Center. Information: www.henrycounty-ga.org/elections. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Henry third-graders tour water facility

The Henry County Water & Sewerage Authority is hosting every third-grader in the county’s school system for field trips at the utility’s Cubihatcha Outdoor Education Center through Oct. 29.

Since 2003, the Authority has hosted approximately 27,000 students. These events are provide opportunities for experiential or “hands-on” learning for students through approved, accredited science curricula, while enhancing their appreciation of natural resources and their interest in science. Monroe Roark for the AJC

AP exam rates increase in Fayette

Fayette County’s pass rate for Advanced Placement courses is almost 14 percent above the national average.

Data from the College Board showed that the overall pass rate rose 4.3 percent in 2012 for all students, with participation and pass rates among minority students in Fayette significantly higher than the U.S. average.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Ga. State Fair coming to speedway

The Georgia State Fair is moving to Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton Friday through Nov. 4 (this is not to be confused with the Georgia National Fair in Perry).

Attractions include more than 50 midway rides, animal displays, high-wire act, escape artist, musical performances and more.

Information: www.georgiastatefair.org. Monroe Roark for the AJC