County by county news for Tuesday

The tour will be 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. The tour raised $50,000 last year for the Marietta Visitors Bureau and Cobb Landmarks & Historical Society.

Information: www.mariettapilgrimage.com or Visitors Bureau, 4 Depot St., Marietta. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Police athletic league hopes to raise $5,000

The Marietta Police Athletic League has set a goal to raise $5,000 by Nov. 30 to buy equipment for its youth sports program. The city police department started a PAL program six years ago to promote positive experiences between police and youth through recreational activities. Information: 404-747-4095. Tucker McQueen for the AJC Austell Christmas tree lighting on Friday

The City of Austell will hold its Christmas Tree Lighting at 6 p.m. Friday at Collar Park, 2625 Joe Jerkins Blvd. next to the City Hall/Police Department Complex.

Local school choirs will provide musical entertainment.

All free, hot dogs, hot chocolate and pastries will be served.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive on their sleigh, and everyone will have the opportunity to tell him their favorite Christmas wish.

Information: austellga.gov or 770-944-4309.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

AT&T seeks comments on new cellphone tower

AT&T is seeking public comments on its plan to build a 154-foot-tall “monopole telecommunications structure” off of Bullard Road in unincorporated Powder Springs.

Comments must be received at Environmental Corporation of America, 1375 Union Hill Industrial Court, Suite A, Alpharetta, Ga. 30004, by Nov. 30.

Information: georgiapublicnotice.com/view/full_story/23961862/article-M-8873 or Bazzill, 770-667-2040, ext. 111.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Explorers to restore vintage cruiser

The Marietta Police Explorers are planning to restore a 1966 Ford Galaxie police cruiser to use for parades, car shows and other special events in the city. The group is looking for donations of shop time, parts, paint and other restoration needs. The Explorers is a youth program for ages 14 to 21 sponsored by the Marietta Police Department. Information: Lt. Jake King at 770-794-5355. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Marietta taking school Choice applications

Marietta City Schools is accepting applications through Jan. 17 for its elementary school students interested in the Choice Academy Program. The program at the district’s eight elementary schools offers a different area of learning at each school. Students can choose a school that fits their interests, including communications, arts, science and math, literacy and leadership. Information: www.marietta-city.org.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

GWINNETT

Residents may comment on 2014 budget

Gwinnett residents may comment on the county’s proposed 2014 budget at a public hearing at 7 p.m. Monday, December 9, in the Gwinnett Justice & Administration Center auditorium, 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville. Comments will also be accepted online at www.gwinnettcounty.com/dyna/budgetFeedbackForm.jsp through Tuesday, December 31. Following the public hearing and period for public comment, commissioners will vote on the budget proposal on January 7, 2014, during their first meeting of the year.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Fire, EMS collecting heaters for seniors

Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services are accepting new portable electric heaters for seniors to be distributed through Project AWARE. Drop off donations at fire stations until Feb. 28.

Monetary donations should be sent to Friends of Gwinnett County Senior Services, P.O. Box 1680, Lawrenceville, GA 30046.

Information: 678-377-4150. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Gingerbread house competition begins

Entries are being accepted through Dec. 14 for the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center’s fourth annual Sustainable Gingerbread House Competition and Exhibit.

Information: www.gwinnettehc.org/.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Animal shelter accepts goods for food banks

The Gwinnett animal shelter is collecting canned goods for local food banks through Dec. 31 by offering a $10 voucher for shelter fees for a five-item donation of such goods as peanut butter, dry beans, pasta, rice, cereal, toilet paper, diapers, soap, shampoo, deodorant and detergent.

Drop off donations to Gwinnett’s Animal Welfare and Enforcement Center, 884 Winder Highway in Lawrenceville.

Information: 770-339-3200 or www.gwinnettanimalcontrol.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Snellville Police add motorcycle unit

The Snellville Police Department has added two 2013 Harley Davidson Road King motorcycles to the city’s Special Operations Unit.

The flexibility and maneuverability of the motorcycles should enhance traffic enforcement and crash investigations. The motorcycles and equipment were purchased with funds seized in drug offenses.

Informtion: www.snellville.org or 770-985-3555. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Duluth councilwoman named servant of year

The Gwinnett Chamber has chosen Duluth City Councilwoman Marsha Anderson Bomar as Public Servant of the Year.

While serving in Duluth she has been active with Duluth High School, the Gwinnett Chamber, the Duluth Merchants Association, United Way and Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center Foundation. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

New fire training complex dedication set

The grand opening and ribbon cutting for the new Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services training complex is set for 12:30 p.m. Dec.10 at 3985 Holly Springs Parkway.

The new complex features a concrete “live fire” training structure, a search-and-rescue training tower and classroom.

The public ribbon cutting will feature an open house and demonsrations, plus remarks by county officials. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Cumming Christmas parade set for Dec. 7

The Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce and the Forsyth County Community Connection will hold a holiday celebration Dec. 7 on Market Place Boulevard between Buford Dam Road and Ga. 20 in Cumming.

The Jingle Jog 5K race is set for 8:30 a.m., followed by the eighth annual Cumming Christmas Parade at 10:30.

Information: cummingforsythchamber.org. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Forsyth senior officials seek holiday angels

Forsyth County Senior Services is asking local residents to take part in the 2013 Holiday Gift Angels Program.

Participants can check gift tags with local seniors’ names and gift ideas at any of the county’s senior centers.

Gifts purchased can be brought to the centers any weekday until Dec. 6. Information: 770-781-2178.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Forsyth fire holiday toy drive underway

The Forsyth County Fire Department’s 11th annual Aerial’s House holiday toy collection drive is underway. New, unwrapped toys for any age and new, tagged clothing for kids ages 6 to 14 can be dropped off at any Forsyth County fire station, fire headquarters at 3520 Settingdown Road, or any county library branch.

Information: forsythco.com

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Cherokee chamber seeks award nominees

The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for chamber’s First Citizen of Cherokee County Award.

The annual award honors a five-year-plus resident who has shown significant service to the community through family, civic and/or religious involvement.

Deadline is Dec. 9.

Presentation will be at the annual meeting Jan. 23. More info: 770-345-0400.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Board of ethics seeks new member

The Cherokee County Board of Ethics is looking to fill a vacancy immediately.

Prospective candidates should be Cherokee County residents and Democratic Party members.

The position opened up when the incumbent moved outside the county, and the term expires in January of 2016.

Information: lbahrens@cherokeega.com

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

Police: Girl had ‘significant’ hand burns

Atlanta police are trying to determine how a child was badly burned Monday morning.

The girl, who is about 8 years old, showed up at Burgess-Peterson Academy on Clifton Street with “significant burns to her hand,” police spokeswoman Kim Jones said.

She said the girl was taken to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Hughes Spalding for treatment.

An Atlanta Public Schools spokesperson told Channel 2 Action News that the girl did not get burned on campus or on the bus to school. Mike Morris

Coroner: Missing woman found dead

The missing Atlanta woman found dead Saturday morning in Henry County has been identified as 72-year-old Lucilla Rawsaw Harris, the Henry County coroner said Monday.

Harris, who had dementia, was last seen driving a gray Saturn Ion Nov. 23.

Henry County police found the Saturn Friday night off White Castles Drive in Ellenwood, but there was no sign of Harris. The vehicle had been abandoned there Nov. 25, Sgt. Joey Smith said in an emailed statement. Officers resumed their search Saturday morning and found Harris’ body.

It is not clear how she died.

“Right now,” Henry County coroner Donald Cleveland told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “we’re still awaiting autopsy results.”

Henry County is working in conjunction with the Atlanta Police Department, which is investigating the woman’s disappearance.

Alexis Stevens and Kristina Torres

Morehouse College hosts naming event

Ray Charles always said that he wanted to leave a lasting legacy for his mother.

That dream will come true at 10 a.m. today when Morehouse College will name the Music Academic Building, part of the Ray Charles Performing Arts Center, after Aretha Robinson.

The naming is the latest in a series of partnerships between the College and Ray Charles and his foundation. Arlinda Smith Broady

DEKALB

Budget committee meets today

There will be a meeting of the Finance, Audit, & Budget Committee of the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners at 2:15 p.m. today in the Maloof Building, 5th Floor, Board of Commissioners Offices, 1300 Commerce Dr, Decatur.

This is earlier than the normal time.

To access videos of committee meetings, go to www.dekalbcountyga.gov/dctv/video.htm. Arlinda Smith Broady

First responders get special training

Decatur-based All About Developmental Disabilities will be training DeKalb officers and first responders Wednesday at Police/Fire Headquarters on best ways to deal with and identify people with developmental disabilities.

AADD notes that individuals with developmental disabilities are considerably more likely to be victims of crimes than perpetrators.

AADD has already trained over 2,000 law enforcement officials in 86 counties.

Information: www.AADD.org or 404-881-9777. Arlinda Smith Broady

Pool should reopen on schedule in May

Despite a recent change order in construction costs, Ebster Pool will reopen as scheduled on May 1.

Key changes include a thorough renovation of the bath house, reducing the pool length from 25 meters to 25 yards, widening it to eight lanes, heated water and overhead lighting.

Ebster falls under the Beacon Municipal Center redevelopment, total cost $38.3 million. The center’s first section, the city schools’ central office, should also open by next May.

The new gym and police station/courts building should open in late July. Bill Banks for the AJC

Animal shelter offering ‘classics’ for adoption

The new “shelter classics” program at DeKalb County’s animal shelter is offering discounts on adoptable pets that have been overlooked for homes. Animals that have been at the facility for at least one month can be adopted for $20, while pets at the center for two months can be adopted for free. The animals come fully vaccinated and fixed.

Regular adoption screening rules apply.

Information: www.dekalbanimalservices.com. April Hunt

Decatur to annex six more properties

Decatur’s commission approved annexing six properties, all single-family residences, three on McKinnon Drive and three on Kirk Road. It was the third such annexation this year with five properties in the same area approved in January and four more in June.

City Manager Peggy Merriss said the city is trying to “round out” that area in southeast Decatur where some properties are half in Decatur, half out, and some aren’t contiguous. Bill Banks for the AJC

House delegation to hold town halls

State representatives from DeKalb County will hosttown hall meetings to get citizen input on issues: 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Porter Sanford performing arts center, 3181 Rainbow Dr. and 6 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Dr.

Information: 404-697-8006.

April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Busy holiday weekend on McDonough square

McDonough’s Holiday Downtown Christmas Kickoff Party is 6-9 p.m. Friday in and around the square. The Kids Downtown Shop Around 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and is free for children 13 years of age and under. The annual Christmas Parade through downtown McDonough begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, while the tree lighting celebration and Christmas concert is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. Santa Saturdays on the Square are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each of the three remaining Saturdays before Christmas. Information: www.mainstreetmcdonough.com. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Adopt-A-Senior needs help for holidays

The Henry County Council on Aging and Henry County Senior Services are looking for someone to adopt a senior citizen for the holidays.

Through the Adopt-a-Senior program, a participant can buy gifts for a designated senior or make a cash donation to the program.

There are 275 seniors who receive in-home services from Henry County Senior Services.

Information: 770-288-7010, 770-288-7000 or www.henrycounty-ga.org/seniorservices.

Monroe Roark for the AJC

Peachtree City boards need volunteers

Three municipal boards in Peachtree City have vacancies for volunteers.

The Recreation & Special Events Advisory Board and the Airport Authority each need one new member and one alternate; the Convention & Visitors Bureau needs three members and one alternate from local business and hotel/motel companies.

Information: www.peachtree-city.org/jobs through Dec. 6. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

‘An Atlanta Christmas’ coming to Stockbridge

The Academy Theatre and Atlanta Radio Theatre Company bring their annual holiday show, “An Atlanta Christmas,” to the Stockbridge Community Arts Center Dec. 7-8.

Showtimes are 8 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. The center is at 146 Burke St., Stockbridge. Info: www.academytheatre.org. Monroe Roark 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

Online gallery features area students’ art

Paintings, pottery, sketches and other artwork created by Fayette County students are now viewable on a newly created online gallery.

The project was started by Bennett’s Mill Middle School art teacher Melissa Raymer and other teachers as a way to more widely share and promote art.

The gallery is at http://tinyurl.com/FCBOE-Art.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC