County by county news for Tuesday

The two join board Chairman Larry Chadwick and vice-chairwoman Sarah Brown who decided last month not to run again when their terms are up next year. The first of three rounds of long-delayed elections for the 10-member board, including the seats held by Fortney and Barnett, is set for Nov. 12. Eighteen candidates have filed for the four positions up in November. Janel Davis

Paden reappointed to preservation panel

The Marietta City Council this week reappointed Rebecca Nash Paden to a three-year term on the Historic Preservation Commission, representing Ward 6. The mission of the commission’s is to preserve the city’s historical and aesthetic attractions of cultural and architectural significance . Jeffry Scott

Gala to benefit Austell food, clothing pantry

The South Cobb Rotary Club is hosting a benefit for an Austell food and clothing pantry on Oct. 22.

The Empty Plate Gala will begin at 6 p.m. with dinner, entertainment and a silent auction at the Presbyterian Village Center, 2000 East-West Connector, Austell. Cost is $50 per plate to benefit the Sweetwater Valley Christian Aid Mission Partnership (C.A.M.P.) pantry, providing food, clothing and financial assistance for 42 years to qualified recipients.

Information and reservations: 770-819-0662, ext. 15 or svcamp.org/events/empty_plate/empty_plate.htm. Carolyn Cunningham

Two appointed to Cobb SPLOST panel

The Cobb County Schools panel that oversees taxpayer-funded construction projects has two new members.

School board member David Banks announced his appointment Wednesday of Angie Delvin-Brown to the Facilities and Technology Committee. And board member Tim Stultz said he was appointing former school board member Curt Johnston. Ty Tagami

Early voting begins for Austell races

Austell voters may cast their absentee or advance voting ballots now through Nov. 4 to decide two City Council races before the Nov. 8 general election.

Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays at the City Clerk’s office, City of Austell Threadmill Complex, 5000 Austell-Powder Springs Road, Suite 137.

Information: City Clerk’s office at 770-944-4326. Carolyn Cunningham for the ajc

Powder Springs to discuss stormwater fee

Powder Springs City Council members will hold their last of three town hall meetings this week concerning the possibility of a new monthly fee to fund stormwater management projects.

The meeting will last from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Ford Center, 4181 Atlanta St. behind the city’s library.

A vote on the new $2 monthly fee is scheduled for Nov. 7, the night before the election when voters will decide on the mayor and two council posts. Information: 770-943-1666. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

Early voting beings for special election

Gwinnett County voters can now request an absentee ballot for the Nov. 8 special election.

Voters will decide the fate of a proposed penny sales tax for new school classrooms and technology improvements. They must submit a completed application before they can receive an absentee ballot.

Voters also can cast a ballot in person from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Nov. 4 at the Gwinnett County Voter Registration and Elections Office, 455 Grayson Highway, Suite 200, Lawrenceville.

For information call 678-226-7210. David Wickert

Norcross High drama production begins today

Norcross High drama students will present a tragic comedy this week at the school’s theater. The production “Crimes of the Heart” will be held today and Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. The play features a story about three sisters who reunite after one has committed a major crime. Tickets for the one hour show are on sale at the door. Information: norcrosshigh.org D. Aileen Dodd

Scott Kang group asks Isakson’s help

The Scott Kang Justice Committee on Monday visited U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson’s office to press for further investigation of Kang’s August 2010 death.

They presented a petition with over 5,000 signatures seeking a more thorough investigation of the baffling death of Kang, a Korean-American college student who was vacationing in Tokyo when he died of blunt force trauma after being found at the bottom of a stairwell. Tokyo Police labeled it an accidental fall. Relatives believe two men seen on an elevator with Kang that night beat him and threw him down the stairs. Andria Simmons

Free health fair for women on Friday

Gwinnett Medical Center and Partnership Gwinnett will host a free health fair for women from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Friday at Gwinnett Technical College, 700 Building, 5150 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville.

The event will feature health exhibits, door prizes and a panel of doctors who will answer questions about cosmetic surgery, cancer care, heart health and other issues. To register, visit www.gmc-rsvp.org. David Wickert

Sierra Club to monitor Suwanee Creek

The Greater Gwinnett Group of the Sierra Club will hold their monthly Suwanee Creek monitoring event on Saturday, Oct. 22 at 11 a.m. The location will be 100 feet south of Martins Farm Road. on the Suwanee Creek Greenway in Suwanee. Information: Michael Hallen at 678-200-0455. Veronica Fields Johnson

75,000 make Days of Service a success

The 12th annual Gwinnett Great Days of Service Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 was a success this year with 75,000 volunteers.

The volunteers spent their time meeting various needs in the community, including working on 126 school projects and assisting 78 nonprofit agencies to complete 315 projects.

The event was organized by the Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services. Andria Simmons

NORTHSIDE

Deal taps businessman for advisory panel

Gov. Nathan Deal has appointed Johns Creek businessman and City Councilman Ivan Figueroa to the Georgia Workforce Investment Board.

Figueroa, regional sales and business development manager for Revenue Discovery Systems, will serve with others to advise the governor and help draw up a strategy to bring business, labor, education and government together to develop support efforts for the state’s workforce and employers. Patrick Fox

School forum today in College Park

Fulton County Schools residents can attend a community meeting tonight to learn more about district initiatives.

School Board Vice President Linda Bryant will hold her community forum at 6:30 p.m. at McClarin High in College Park to discuss pending business including the district’s plans to become Georgia’s largest charter school system.

Information: www.fultonschools.org. D. Aileen Dodd

Sandy Springs, N. Ireland city in trade talks

The mayor and two aldermen from the City of Lisburn, Northern Ireland, will be in Sandy Springs Wednesday to continue efforts to open up markets. The delegation visited the north Fulton city last year, meeting with Chamber of Commerce officials. This year, the group will tour Holy Innocents Prep School and Riverwood High in the morning, then convene at City Hall at 11:15 for a roundtable discussion on public-private partnerships. Patrick Fox

Alpharetta to display floodplain maps

Alpharetta will hold a public information open house on the new federal floodplain maps from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 3 at the Engineering / Public Works building, 1790 Hembree Road.

There will be no formal presentation.

The revised maps were developed by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division Department of Natural Resources in conjunction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

DNR staff will be available to answer questions. Information: http://www.alpharetta.ga.us/index.php?p=477. Patrick Fox

Last book sale of the year in Cherokee

The Friends of Cherokee County Public Libraries will have its final book sale of the year from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday at the Rose Creek Public Library, 4476 Towne Lake Parkway in Woodstock. A preview sale for Friends members will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday. Non-members may join at the door. Proceeds go to the libraries for materials. Mea Watkins

Johns Creek offers fire inspections

The Johns Creek Fire Department is offering its expertise in fire prevention by volunteering to send an expert to inspect your home for fire hazards. Through October, a Johns Creek firefighter will conduct a free, limited examination of your home.

Call 678-474-1641 to schedule a visit. Patrick Fox

ATLANTA

Transportation panel to discuss ‘speed humps’

The Atlanta City Council’s Transportation Committee has scheduled a public work session to discuss changes to the procedures for installing “traffic calming devices,” sometimes called “speed humps,” in the public right of way.

The work session is scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20 in Council Committee Room 2. Jeremiah McWilliams

Companies donate to train future chefs

Feld Entertainment, producers of Disney on Ice, presented Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed with a $5,000 check last week to support efforts to add a culinary arts curriculum to the city’s Centers of Hope recreation center initiative.

The program is meant to introduce young people to possible careers in the food and hospitality industries. Jeremiah McWilliams

Cookie shop gives $5,000 to help troops

Executives from Atlanta-based Great American Cookies presented a $5,000 check to Jim Bugg, founder and chairman of the Yellow Ribbon Fund, Inc., on Oct. 14.

The Yellow Ribbon Fund assists injured service members and their families as they recover at designated military hospitals.

The check presentation marks the conclusion of the brand’s first ever Yellow Ribbon Campaign.

Information: www.yellowribbonfund.org. Sandra Marshall Murray

Providence church celebrates 140th year

Providence Missionary Baptist Church at 2295 Benjamin E. Mays Drive will present an evening of theater as part of its 140th Church Anniversary celebration.

The featured play is “Forecast”, written and directed by Janet Milton. Performances: 7 p.m. Oct. 28 and 29 . Tickets are $10.

For information or tickets, call 404-752-6869 or visit www.providenceatlanta.org. Sandra Marshall Murray

DEKALB

Officials to discuss saving failing schools

Parents can hear Georgia school officials talk about “radical solutions” to save failing schools, at a meeting of the Emory Lavista Parent Council Wednesday morning.

Two officials with the Georgia Department of Education will talk about the federal No Child Left Behind Act, from which the state is seeking a waiver. The meeting is at 9:15 a.m. at Fernbank Elementary School, 157 Heaton Park Drive, NE Atlanta. Go early for refreshments. Information: www.emory-lavista.org. Ty Tagami

Parent honored for work in charter schools

A DeKalb County parent was honored for her advocacy efforts at the ninth annual Georgia Charter Schools Association conference in Macon.

Marney Mayo was named the first “Power to the Parents” Parent Advocate of the Year. The event was in early October at the Macon Marriott City Center Hotel. Ty Tagami

History center opens ‘Champion’ exhibit

An opening reception for the DeKalb History Center’s newest exhibit, honoring The Champion Newspaper on its 20-year anniversary, is today, 5:30 to 7 p.m., on the first floor of the historic DeKalb Courthouse, 101 East Court Square in Decatur. For information on the exhibit, which runs through March 30, contact Forgey at 404-373-1088. Bill Banks for the AJC

Watson to hold small business forum

DeKalb County Commissioner Stan Watson will hold a small business forum later this month, to help local firms learn more about getting involved in the county’s $1.35 billion overhaul of its water/sewer system.

The session will include information about getting bonded and insurance needs for small companies. Work on the project is expected to break ground early next year.

The meeting runs from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Lou Walker Senior Center, 2538 Panola Road, near Lithonia.

To register: goteamwatson@gmail.com. April Hunt

Retired educators to meet on Thursday

The Georgia Retired Educators Association in Decatur and DeKalb will host a nutritionist to talk about healthy snacks at its monthly meeting this week.

Retirees from Decatur and DeKalb schools, both public and private, as well as retirees of other districts who live in the county, are welcome in the group.

The meeting will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Decatur First Christian Church fellowship hall, 601 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur.

More information: 770-498-9493. April Hunt

Judges to discuss recorders court changes

Operations and improvements at the DeKalb County Recorders Court will be the focus of an open-house with judges today.

Chief Judge Nelly Withers and two additional judges also will discuss future plans for the court, what to expect when reporting to the court and also offenses that can result in a driver license suspension.

The free event runs from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Dr., Decatur. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Clayton man’s murder conviction upheld

The Georgia Supreme Court, in a 4-3 ruling Monday, upheld the murder conviction against a Clayton County man who argued his jury should have been instructed that the girl he was found guilty of killing could have died because of an accident.

On Sept. 30, 2007, Tory Sears took care of his girlfriend’s children while she went to work. Later that day, 16-month-old Jakyila was taken to the hospital where she died. Doctors and the medical examiner testified at trial that Jakyila suffered a severe brain injury and showed signs of being hit on the head. Bill Rankin

Henry fire department add 2 new engines

The Henry County Fire Department replaced two engines in its fleet with new ones earlier this month. The new engines with higher-capacity pumps were placed at Station 3 and Station 9 in Stockbridge, with the older engines moving to Station 2 and Station 4. The stations receiving the new engines responded to nearly 3,600 emergency calls in 2010, part of a record year in which the department responded to more than 20,000 calls countywide. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Woman to get new trial in murder

The Georgia Supreme Court on Monday ordered a new trial for a woman convicted in Fulton County for the 2005 murder of her former girlfriend, while also upholding the murder conviction against the woman’s son.

Tonya Miller and her son, Jabaris Miller, were both convicted of the beating and stabbing death of Cheryl Miranda, 55, with whom Tonya Miller had a romantic and tumultuous relationship. The court said Tonya Miller deserves a new trial because Miranda’s sworn statements in requests for protective orders against Miller were incorrectly allowed into evidence during the 2008 trial. Jabaris Miller had told police he had driven a truck with Miranda’s body inside to a secluded area and set it on fire. Bill Rankin

Medicare changes can be made through Dec. 7

Medicare drug plans can be joined, switched or dropped through Dec. 7, and Fulton County’s Office of Aging will offer help with Medicare Part D enrollment in four sessions before the end of October.

The first session will be Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Helene S. Mills Senior Multipurpose Facility, 515 John Wesley Dobbs Ave., S.E., Atlanta. Registration: 404-613-6000. Johnny Edwards

Last concert of season in Hapeville Friday

Hapeville’s final Downtown Live concert is this Friday and features the Hudson Road Band.

The city’s annual chili cook-off is also Friday and both events run from 7 p.m.to 11 p.m. The events take place at the Jess Lucas Teen Park on Central Avenue. John Thompson for the AJC

College Park keeps its millage rate

The College Park City Council voted to keep this year’s millage rate at 11.56 mills. The rate is the same as last year’s and residents with a $200,000 home should see a tax bill of $924.80 for city taxes.

Taxes are due to the city by Dec.5.

John Thompson for the AJC