County by county news for Tuesday

The meeting at Life University’s Chiropractic Education Building off Barclay Circle is a joint effort between the city and the two schools.

Information: www.mariettaga.gov.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Marietta choice deadline Jan. 18

Marietta parents will have until Jan. 18 to apply to Marietta City Schools’ choice academies.

Each of the district’s elementary schools offer different magnet programs that cater to a child’s talents and needs, administrators said.

Administrators are also encouraging parents and their children to take tours of the schools.

Information: www.marietta-city.org/curriculum/programs/choice.php. Daarel Burnette II

Farmers market to operate year round

The Marietta Square Farmers Market plans to operate year round Saturdays except for a break Christmas week. A holiday market is open 9 a.m. to noon on Mill Street off the Square through Dec. 22, and reopen Jan. 5. The winter market will include 38 vendors selling Georgia grown vegetables, milk, eggs, meat, shea butter, jelly and honey. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Marietta picked for recycling challenge

Marietta is one of 50 communities from around the country selected to participate in a recycling competition that could add $100,000 to the city’s conservation efforts. The city with the most residents reporting their recycling efforts will win the six-month, SC Johnson Green Choices Recycling Challenge through Dec. 31. Information: www.recyclebank.com/greenchoices.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Mable’s Tea Room taking reservations

Mable’s Tea Room will be open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Saturday at the Mable House, 5239 Floyd Road, Mableton. This 20-year tradition includes the serving of salads, sandwiches and homemade soups and desserts. Profits go to art scholarships at the Mable House Arts Center and to underwrite school field trips to the Mable House.

Reservations: 770-819-3285 or mablehouse.org.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Hope for Christmas donations needed

Participants, volunteers and donations are sought for Hope for Christmas.

Registered families may come to a party where children will make a craft, see Santa and visit the Secret Santa Shop to choose a gift for their parents.

Donation locations: West Ridge Church, 3522 Hiram Acworth Highway, Dallas; West Ridge Church, 245 S. Tennessee St., Cartersville; GracePointe Marietta Church, 505 Atlanta St., Marietta and Trinity Chapel, 4665 Macland Road, Powder Springs.

Information: hopeforchristmas.com/help.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

Man to stand trial in drug slaying

A trial began Monday for Brandon L. Mosley, accused of gunning down a teenager during a drug rip-off at an apartment complex on June 28, 2011.

A courtesy officer found 19-year-old Angelo Larocca’s body in a stairwell at the Columns at Paxton Apartments in Lilburn.

The incident allegedly occurred when the victim went to buy prescription drugs from Mosely, who lived in the complex, and another man, Hunter Mason Davis.

Andria Simmons

Gwinnett to honor homicide victims

The Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office will host a candlelight vigil to honor crime victims at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville. The event will honor those who have died in homicides in Gwinnett County. District Attorney Danny Porter will speak. David Wickert

Library vending machine unveiled

The Gwinnett Public Library System has installed a book and DVD vending machine at its newly reopened Five Forks branch, 2780 Five Forks Trickum Road, Lawrenceville. The exterior machine, from which residents can check out items even when the library is closed, was unveiled at the branch’s grand reopening celebrating the $1.6 million upgrade that kept it closed for much of the past year. Among the library’s upgrades are a conveyor belt handler for items, a tech studio for music and video creation, and revamping of a branch’s long-plagued utilities.

Michael Alpert for the AJC

Online learning expanding

Gwinnett Online Campus, the 13-year-old virtual learning environment for thousands of middle- and high-school age students, is expanding to include fourth- and fifth-grade curriculum.

An information meeting is at 7 p.m. Saturday at the campus’ facility, 2595 Beaver Ruin Road, Building F, Norcross. Michael Alpert for the AJC

Suwanee looking for your best photos

Residents of Suwanee are invited to submit photos capturing the spirit of the community for the 2013 Snap Suwanee exhibit. Photographers may submit up to five high-resolution photos each. Deadline is Dec. 31. Complete guidelines for submission available at www.suwanee.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Fundraising ongoing for Snellville K-9s

Project Paws Alive is conducting a fundraiser to provide ballistic vests for Snellville Police K-9s.

These vests help protect the K-9s from gun shots, stabbings, and other blunt force trauma such as being kicked or punched while on duty. Each body armor vest donated by the nonprofit is custom manufactured to fit the body shape and size of each K-9 police dog.

The fundraising goal is $5,000. Checks can be mailed to Project Paws Alive, 1911 Grayson Highway, Suite 8-158, Grayson, GA 30017. Donate online at projectpawsalive.org/donate/. Kenneth Musisi

NORTHSIDE

Ga. 400 improvement projects finished early

Georgia Department of Transportation officials say their latest Ga. 400 improvement projects finished up two months early.

A third northbound lane from the McGinnis Ferry Road overpass to the Big Creek Greenway Bridge opened over the weekend, as did a project to widen and extend the northbound entrance ramp to the highway from Abernathy Road.

Completion had been set for Jan. 31.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Cherokee school board to vote on priority list

The Cherokee County Board of Education will weigh adoption of its 2013 legislative priorities at this week’s meeting. Among items on the “wish list” for local lawmakers: ending state austerity budget cuts, and developing a strategy for containing skyrocketing state health plan costs. Meeting: 6 p.m. Thursday at the Historic Canton High School/School Board Auditorium, 111 Academy St., Canton. Mark Woolsey

Milton HS coach dies of cancer

A Milton High School football coach died Saturday after losing a battle with pancreatic cancer, Channel 2 Action News reported.

Mike Scott, 36, was a teacher and coach at the school in Alpharetta for six years. An offensive line and strength coach, he was diagnosed with cancer in early October and was given six to eight months to live.

He previously played football at the University of Kentucky and coached college football. He is survived by his wife and two children. David Wickert

Roswell police retains accreditation

The Roswell Police Department has received accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies for a sixth consecutive time since 1995. The roughly 200-member department reports on its website a .2 percent personal crime rate and 2.5 percent property crime rate for its nearly 100,000 residents in 42 square miles. Michael Alpert for the AJC

Stolen trailer and cribs recovered

Police have recovered a trailer and some of the baby gear inside taken from the Hope Center in Woodstock early Wednesday.

Based on a tip, police arrested Carl James Borque, 44, of Marietta and Bobbie Jean Colston, 31, of Woodstock at a Cobb County motel Thursday night.

Police say two of the five cribs for new moms inside the trailer when it was stolen have been recovered. They say Borque and Colston are being charged with theft by taking, and that they’re hunting a third suspect. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

North Fulton Hospital names CFO

Sherry Henderson has been named Chief Financial Officer of North Fulton Hospital, the Roswell facility announced. With more than 20 years of experience in healthcare, Henderson most recently was CFO at Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory, N.C. She held positions in Dallas, Texas, Houston, Texas and Kenner, La. Michael Alpert for the AJC

ATLANTA

Christmas at Callanwolde to kick off

Christmas at Callanwolde will open with a premiere party featuring live entertainment and gourmet food at 7 p.m. Thursday. The cost is $75 per person; advance reservation is required.

The holiday event, presented by the Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, 980 Briarcliff Road, N.E., runs Friday through Dec. 18. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission ranges from $12-$20 for adults, seniors and children age 4-12. Free for 3 and under.

Information: www.christmasatcallanwolde.org. Mea Watkins

Virginia-Highland tour in 18th year

The Virginia-Highland Civic Association will present its 18th Annual Virginia-Highland Tour of Homes 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 the weekend of the tour. Proceeds benefit various neighborhood improvement projects. Information: vahi.org/tour-of-homes. Mea Watkins

Early learning focus of issues breakfast

United Way will host its fifth annual Coffee & Community Issues Breakfast 8 to 10 a.m. Thursday at the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center, 800 Spring St., N.W.

Keynote speaker Earl M. Phalen is CEO of Reach Out and Read and founder of Summer Advantage. Panelists include Erroll Davis, superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools; Gail Hayes, director at Annie E. Casey Foundation; Comer Yates, executive director, Atlanta Speech School; and moderator N. Jean Walker, United Way vice president of education.

Nancy Badertscher

Holiday event comes to Piedmont Park

The Season of Magic in Piedmont Park with a holiday carousel and carriage rides, is 4 to 10:30 p.m. through Jan. 6. Free admission. Charge for rides which originate at Park Tavern, 500 10th Street N.E. Proceeds benefit Piedmont Park. Information: www.piedmontpark.org. Mea Watkins

DEKALB

Libraries seek public input on plans

The DeKalb County Public Library wants public input on its priorities for the next three years.

Meetings have been set: 7 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Chamblee library, 4115 Clairmont Road; 7 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Tucker library, 5234 LaVista Road and 7 p.m. Jan. 8 at the Hairston Crossing library, 4911 Redan Road.

Information: 404-370-8450, x. 2228. April Hunt

Santa breakfast to benefit nonprofit

Santa Claus will visit Stone Mountain 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Stone Mountain Evergreen Marriott Conference Resor to help raise money for Friends of Disabled Adults and Children, Too, a DeKalb County non-profit that provides crutches, walkers and wheelchairs to children and seniors with disabilities.

Tickets for breakfast with Santa are $30 for adults and $20 for children between 5 and 11 and include a buffet breakfast, parking, park admission, a toy and photo with Santa. Children under 5 are free.

Information: 770-491-9014, x. 112, pamholley@fodac.org or www.fodac.org April Hunt

DeKalb History Center hosts free book event

Author Jeff Clemmons will discuss his new release, “Rich’s: A Southern Institution,” about the department store, at a book signing 5:30 p.m. today at the Historic DeKalb Courthouse, 101 E. Court Square, Decatur.

Information: www.dekalbhistory.org. April Hunt

Registration underway for Santa breakfast

Chamblee’s parks department is registering children for a breakfast with Santa 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the Chamblee Civic Association, 3540 Broad St., Chamblee. For $5, children will receive breakfast and get a photo with St. Nick. Arts and crafts and live reindeer also will be on hand. Additional photos are $5.

Registration is required. Information: 770-986-5016. April Hunt

Nature center to offer winter kid camps

The Dunwoody Nature Center will offer camps for kindergarten through fifth-grade students Wednesdays through Fridays after Christmas and New Year’s Day.

The camps offer an education on the effects of the cold climate on animals, plants and the habitat, through games, crafts, hikes and a wildlife expert.

Early morning drop-offs and late afternoon pick-ups will be available. Information: www.dunwoodynature.org/Camps. Ty Tagami

DeKalb rape crisis center in jeopardy

A nonprofit organization that offers assistance to rape victims in DeKalb County is in jeopardy of closing.

The DeKalb Rape Crisis Center has already begun to stop accepting new clients because of lack of funds. The facility counseled more than 600 people last year and gave hotline help to more than 1,500 callers.

However, center officials said the facility will close its doors by year’s end if it does not receive additional financial support.

More information/to help: 404-377-1429 or www.dekalbrapecrisiscenter.org. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Fulton lobbyists could cost $260,000

The Fulton County Commission on Wednesday will consider hiring an outside lobbying firm at a cost of $260,416. Arnall Golden Gregory scored the best out of three bidders for the state- and federal-level lobbying job. Rusty Paul, a former Republican state senator and leader of the Georgia GOP, is a senior policy advisor at the law firm and co-chairs its government affairs team.

Some commissioners have said spending hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars to lobby other elected officials would send the wrong message about fiscal responsibility. Johnny Edwards

Fayette school transfer period begins

Requests for second-semester student transfers in Fayette County are being accepted now through Dec. 21. Hardship and curriculum transfers are subject to specific guidelines. Application forms and related details are available at www.fcboe.org and must be submitted to the Office of School Operations.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Piedmont Henry IT analyst recognized

Patricia Hickey, a senior clinical analyst at Piedmont Henry Hospital, recently received the 2012 Ventana Research Information Technology Leadership Award in the Information Applications category for its patient management application.

The program can access data that provides understanding of the processes that impact a patient’s experience. Hickey, an eight-year employee of Piedmont Henry, has worked in the IT field for 11 years and has 10 years clinical experience. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Tax rate hike meeting today in south Fulton

Fulton County is proposing to raise the tax rate by 19 percent for unincorporated south Fulton. The proposed 2-mill increase would mean an extra $100 on a $200,000 home.

South Fulton Commissioner Bill Edwards is holding a meeting 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. today at Cliftondale Auditorium, 4645 Butner Roadto keep residents informed about the process.

Information: 404-612-3079. Johnny Edwards

Peachtree City Dog Park free for holidays

The Peachtree City Dog Park will offer free admission between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. The nonprofit association that runs the park, located in the McIntosh Recreation Area, is waiving its membership and fee requirements to allow more local and out-of-town guests to enjoy fun with their dogs. Information at www.ptcdogpark.com.

Jill Howard Church

Adopt-A-Senior needs volunteers

Approximately 140 seniors in Henry County, many of whom are homebound, are yet to be adopted under the Adopt-A-Senior program coordinated by the county’s Senior Services department and Council on Aging. Individuals, families, businesses and church or civic groups can sponsor seniors by purchasing suggested gifts and delivering them if they so choose. Interested would-be sponsors can call Rita Green at 770-288-7010 or Anne Marie Quincey at 770-288-7000. All gifts should be in place at Heritage Senior Center in McDonough by Thursday.

Monroe Roark for the AJC