County by county news for Tuesday

The score for Marietta City Schools students meeting or exceeding standards remained the same as last year. Cobb County School District juniors also averaged 98 percent on the test.

Cobb and Marietta scores were above the Atlanta average of 95 percent and the state average of 94 percent. Students must pass the test to receive a regular education diploma.

Test scores were relased Friday. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Powder Springs officials get bonuses

Powder Springs mayor and the five City Council members approved Christmas bonuses for themselves of $150 each.

The city’s 85 employees received Christmas bonuses and door prizes during a catered luncheon on Dec. 12 at the Ford Center behind the library.

Bonuses were $500 to full-time employees serving more than one year, $100 if full-time for six months to one year, $50 if full-time less than six months and $150 if part-time.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

KSU receives business program donation

An Atlanta businessman and his wife have given $500,000 to Kennesaw State University to support a college to career leadership program for students in the Michael J. Coles College of Business. The donation from Thomas W. Hughes and Barbara Hughes will provide a program that combines academic and career guidance. Tom Hughes is a MBA graduate of the Coles school. Information: www.kennesaw.edu.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Marietta schools honor board members

Marietta City Schools will honor outgoing Board of Education members Tony Fasola, Ward 2, and Stuart Fleming, Ward 5, at a reception 5:30 p.m. today at district headquarters, 250 Howard St. Tucker McQueen for AJC

Tennis center wins state award

Lost Mountain Tennis Center in Powder Springs has been chosen by the United States Tennis Association as its Georgia Member Organization of the Year for the second time, the first being in 2004.

Selection is based on service to the tennis community, the organization’s members and the game of tennis.

As an example, the Lost Mountain Community Tennis Association recently donated nearly $3,000 to the SafePath Advocacy Center, which helps and intervenes with abused and neglected children to educate and stop child abuse.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Water rates to go up slightly

Marietta‘s utility company will raise water rates Jan. 1 about 40 cents a month for an average customer using 4,000 gallons a month. The council last week approved a Board of Lights and Water decision to raise water rates next year but delay power rate increases. BLW manager Bob Lewis said Marietta will have to cover a $5 million increase in power costs next year from utility providers. He said power costs to the city will increase from $93.7 million in 2013 to $98.7 million in 2014. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

GWINNETT

Buford business leaders hold networking breakfast

The Buford Business Alliance will meet for a networking breakfast at 8 a.m. todayat Springhill Suites across from the Mall of Georgia, 3250 Buford Drive in Buford. The format will include 30 minutes of open networking, followed by a five-minute presentation from Nick Johnson with Amigos for Christ.

Information: www.visitbuford.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Road construction delays today in Duluth

Repairs are scheduled to the intersection of Brock Road and Main Street . Delays are expected in the area. www.duluthga.net.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Duluth police academy spots filling up

The Duluth Police Department has only a few spots left for applicants to join the Citizen Police Academy beginning Jan. 23 and ending May 24. The thirty-hour course will meet 7 to 10 p.m. every other Thursday at 3276 Buford Highway, Duluth.

Class size is limited.

Duluth residents given first priority and must be at least 21 years old with a valid driver’s license.

Participants must submit to a check of their criminal background.

Interested persons should contact Major Woodruff at dwoodruff@duluthpd.com.

Information: 678-512-3705 or www.duluthga.net.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Christmas tree reuse to benefit parks

Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful, in partnership with Gwinnett County, will host the annual Bring One for the Chipper event Dec. 26 to Jan. 18 at various locations, for trees to be chipped into mulch and used for county parks and facilities.

After the holidays, residents can drop off their live, undecorated Christmas trees at locations listed at www.gwinnettcounty.com.

Fire stations will accept trees 24 hours a day, with other facilities accepting them during normal business hours.

Information: www.sustainablegwinnett.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Sugar Hill seeking public input for city’s future

Sugar Hill is conducting a public opinion survey to help the city with plans for the future.

Log onto www.cityofsugarhill.com/survey to weigh in on the types of events to be held at the City Hall Amphitheater and what items should be included in the Sugar Hill 75th Anniversary Time Capsule.

Survey also wants to know if residents would like to have free WiFi service at the City Hall Town Lawn or Amphitheater.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Forsyth school officials name new campus

Forsyth County Schools’ newest campus will be named Brandywine Elementary School.

A group of Local School Council representatives picked the name from three finalists, and the school board concurred.

The name honors a revolutionary war veteran who lived in the area. The new school is projected to open in 2016 on Martin Drive near McFarland Parkway. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Sandy Springs to meet about coyote sightings

The City of Sandy Springs will host a public open house 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Sandy Springs City Hall Council Chambers, 7840 Roswell Road, Building 500, to address recent coyote sightings. Representatives from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources will explain coyote behavior, biology, habitat, management options and safety precautions.

Information: www.sandyspringsga.gov or 770-730-5600. Arlinda Smith Broady

Forsyth fire chief wins top award

Gov. Nathan Deal presented Forsyth County Fire Chief Danny Bowman with a 2013 Governor’s Public Safety Award last week. Bowman was one of seven people statewide receiving an award for outstanding contributions to the profession. Bowman has been chief of the department for a decade. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Pre-legislative luncheon set in Forsyth

The Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual pre-legislative session luncheon 11:45 a.m. Wednesday at the Forsyth Conference Center, 3410 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Cumming. Invited state representatives and senators will field pre-submitted and texted questions about the 2014 session. Cost: $15 members, $30 non-members. Informationcummingforsythchamber.org Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Holiday event to benefit children’s home

The second annual Holiday Lights of Hope gears up Thursday in Woodstock and runs 6-10 p.m. through Dec. 21 at Hobgood Park, 6688 Bells Ferry Road. The Cherokee Child Advocacy Council Inc. project benefits the Anna Crawford Children’s home and includes a holiday lights display, children’s activities, and more. Adults $10, free for kids 14 and younger.

Information: www.cherokeechildadvocates.org

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Holy Innocents’ Open House Jan. 25

Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School will hold its annual All School Open House 1 p.m. Jan. 25 in the main gym, 805 Mount Vernon Hwy. N.W. The event concludes with a reception 2:35–3 p.m. in Porter Dining Hall

All divisions as well as administrators, faculty, coaches, fine arts teachers, grade-level deans, chaplains, admissions representatives, officers of the Parents’ Association, Athletic Association, and Fine Arts Alliance, will all be on hand.

Information: www.hies.org.

Arlinda Smith Broady

ATLANTA

Wrong-way driver causes wreck, injuries

A wrong-way driver on the Downtown Connector caused a head-on collision that injured three people, authorities said.

Just after 11 a.m. Monday, a Chevrolet Cavalier traveling north in the southbound HOV lane of I-75/I-85 struck a Chrysler Sebring near the Fulton Street exit, Georgia State Patrol said.

The driver of the Cavalier as well as the driver and passenger in the Sebring were taken to Grady Memorial Hospital.

Investigators do not know where the wrong-way driver got onto the interstate, officials said.

Charges are pending against the wrong-way driver.

Marcus K. Garner

Alcohol licenses to expire by year’s end

All Atlanta liquor, beer and wine licenses expire Dec. 31 unless businesses file for a renewal, city officials said Monday.

The Atlanta Police Department’s License and Permit Unit is issuing new licenses through the end of the year.

To renew before the deadline, log onto bit.ly/ATLAlcoholRenewal to complete the renewal application and then make the payment at bit.ly/ATLAlcoholPayment. After Dec. 31, renewals must be made in person at the APD’s Public Safety Annex located at 3493 Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway.

Information: 404-546-4470. Katie Leslie

Superintendent search moving ahead

The search for Atlanta Public Schools’ next superintendent is moving closer to its conclusion, with two meetings planned this week to narrow down candidates.

The Superintendent Search Committee scheduled a Tuesday meeting in which search firms BoardWalk Consulting and Diversified Search will provide an update on their progress.

The Atlanta Board of Education will then meet Wednesday to review the search process, with a new superintendent expected to be hired early next year. Mark Niesse

DEKALB

Donations needed for animal welfare group

LifeLine Animal Project is seeking year-end donations to its animal welfare work because gifts will be matched from a grant from Anisa International, an Atlanta cosmetic firm.

The firm will match all donations up to $25,000, to be used for the group to spend on low-cost spay/neuter surgeries, veterinary care and adoption of homeless pets. Donations: www.LifeLineAnimal.org or P.O. Box 15466, Atlanta, GA 30333. April Hunt

Decatur grad rate highest in metro

In statistics recently published by the Georgia Department of Education, Decatur High School’s graduation rate was 93.9, an improvement by two percentage points over 2012, and the highest rate among school systems in metro Atlanta. The school graduated 169 out of 180 students, including 88.9 percent of its African-American students and 97.7 percent of its white students.

Bill Banks for the AJC

Twist on Peter Pan tale offered in January

MJCCA Arts & Culture presents Peter Pan and Wendy a co-production with Synchronicity Theatre, 10:30 a.m. Jan. 9 and 16; 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Jan. 12 and 19 at the MJCCA’s Morris & Rae Frank Theatre, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody. Although based on the classic, in this musical, Peter Pan’s not the only one who won’t grow up. Wendy’s having trouble coming to terms with moving out of her childhood room and putting on adult clothes. In this swashbuckling adventure, which includes opportunities for audience participation, the heroes must decide if growing up is really all that bad.

Information: www.atlantajcc.org/boxoffice or 678-812-4002.

Arlinda Smith Broady

Emory offers new mother resource

Emory University School of Medicine has launched MotherToBaby Georgia, a free statewide counseling service that connects experts in the field of birth defects research with expectant moms, health care providers, and the general public. For counseling, call 866-626-6847. MotherToBaby GA is funded by the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.

Information: www.MotherToBaby.org or www.emory.edu/msacd.

Arlinda Smith Broady

Holiday pet adoption program underway

DeKalb County Animal Services has launched its “Home for the Pawlidays” promotion through Jan. 1. Dogs can be adopted for $20 and cats for $10.

All adopted pets will be spayed or neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, heartworm or combo tested and dewormed — services with a retail value of more than $200.

Information: www.dekalbanimalservices.com.

Arlinda Smith Broady

Grant to help train DeKalb police

DeKalb County recently won a $3,000 Homeland Security grant designed to help train officers as part of a task force focused on electronic crimes.

The funding also can be used for certifications, which must be completed by January. Training is already underway as part of the program. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Visioning survey available in person

Fayette residents without Internet access who want to take part in the county-wide Visioning Survey can go to several locations this week to do so in person.

Representatives will be available from 9 a.m. to noon today at Fayette Senior Services in Fayetteville and Wednesday at the Fayette County Library.

The survey can also be completed from 10 a.m. to noon Friday at the Peachtree City Library. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Stockbridge chosen for Main Street Start-up

Stockbridge is one of 19 cities in Georgia selected recently by the Department of Community Affairs to join the Main Street Start-up Program, which provides technical assistance to cities looking to improve their downtowns.

These cities will vie for $1.8 million in available local downtown program funding, according to city officials. Information: www.cityofstockbridge.com. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Clayton NAACP’s dinner Dec. 20

The Clayton County Branch of the NAACP’s Annual Freedom Fund Dinner Dance is 6 p.m. Dec. 20 at the Renaissance Concourse Hotel Atlanta, 1 Hartsfield Center Pkwy. Edward O. Dubose, the immediate past president of the civil rights organization’s Georgia State Conference, will be honored.

Tickets can be purchased at the NAACP satellite office, 136 Hwy 138, Riverdale. Information: www.naacpclayton.org.

Tammy Joyner

Senior center hosts Kwanzaa celebration

The H.J.C. Bowden Senior Multipurpose Facility, 2885 Church St, East Point will hold a Kwanzaa Celebration on 10 - 11:30 a.m. Dec. 27. Participants will learn the history of Kwanzaa and the principles behind the celebration. The presentation will include a dance performance. Information: 404-762-4821.Arlinda Smith Broady

Fundraiser today to benefit injured officer

Humble Heroes Georgia, a nonprofit dedicated to aiding injured or fallen first responders and their families, and Brake Pad restaurant in College Park are holding a benefit for Hapeville Police Department officer James Smith who was injured in an off-duty motorcycle accident while leading a funeral procession. Brake Pad, 3403 Main St., College Park is donating a portion of sales to Smith to off-set medical costs. Information: 404-766-1515.

Katie Leslie

Fayette ethics board looking to fill 2 posts

Fayette County Ethics Board is looking to fill two alternate positions on the volunteer panel. The appointments have terms that end Dec. 31, 2015 and Dec. 31, 2016.

Fayette Commissioners are accepting applications with resumes for the two positions.

Applications can be obtained by contacting Floyd Jones at 770-305-5102 or at fjones@fayettecountyga.gov.

All applications must be returned to Jones at 140 Stonewall Ave. West, Suite 100, Fayetteville by 5 p.m. on Dec. 27. Tammy Joyner