County by county news for Tuesday

The F-22 is the world’s only operational 5th generation fighter, and uses a mix of stealth, advanced sensors and advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons. The Air Force F-22s have recently been deployed to Japan and Guam to enhance security in the Pacific theater.

The final Raptor will be delivered to the U.S. Air Force next year, and completes the operation of the F-22 fleet of 187 fighters. Janel Davis

Cobb Christmas looks for donations

Cobb Christmas, an all-volunteer organization that helps low- income families during the holidays, plans to help 1,500 families including 4,000 children this weekend at Jim Miller Park, 2245 Callaway Road, Marietta. Donations of money, gift cards, food and new and unwrapped toys can be dropped at the park from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. today through Saturday . Information: www.cobbchristmas.net.

Tucker McQueen

KSU graduations today and Wednesday

About 1,600 students will graduate from Kennesaw State University during four ceremonies today and Wednesday on campus. Students from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences graduate Tuesday and professor Karen Robinson is the featured speaker. Commencement for the Graduate College is that evening and WellStar Health System CEO Reynold Jennings is the speaker. Wednesday morning’s ceremony is for business and education graduates, with KSU Foundation trustee Tommy Bagwell speaking. The remaining students graduate that afternoon and Milton Little, president of United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta, is the speaker. Laura Diamond

Marietta charges some $20 to park in deck

Marietta is now charging people $20 to park on the City Hall parking deck at 205 Lawrence St. unless they are on city business. The city paid close to $82,000 to install an electronic gate to the deck after a new county courthouse across the street caused a parking space crunch. Parking tickets will be validated for those doing business at Marietta City Hall, Fire and Police Departments. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Charges pending for driver in fatal crash

Charges are pending against a driver in a fatal collision Friday at 677 Church Street in Marietta. A GMC Sierra pickup driven by William Webb, 23, of Powder Springs, exited a parking deck and struck a Ford Freestyle car parked at the curb.

The impact caused the Freestyle to strike Joanne Legg, 74, of Commerce, who was standing next to it. She died Saturday. Andria Simmons

Career center to recruit for shop’s jobs

The Georgia Department of Labor’s Cobb-Cherokee Career Center will assist Impression Bridal Shop recruit workers for about 15 job openings at the new bridal boutique opening on Dec. 20 in Kennesaw. The recruitment will be today and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the career center, 465 Big Shanty Road in Marietta. Information: 770-528-6100. Kenneth Musisi

GWINNETT

Raccoon in Suwanee tests positive for rabies

Gwinnett County has issued a rabies alert after a raccoon found in Suwanee tested positive for the disease.

The animal was found on Saint Aurics Drive Dec. 4.

The county advises anyone who has handled this animal or who has been bitten or scratched by a stray animal to call the Gwinnett County Animal Welfare and Enforcement Office at 770-339-3200, ext. 5576. David Wickert

Safe Kids Gwinnett receives award

Safe Kids Gwinnett recently received the Safe Kids Buckle Up Badge of Courage award at the Safe Kids USA conference for increasing awareness about the danger of leaving children unattended in vehicles.

In 2011, 30 children died from injuries related to overheating after being left unattended in vehicles.

Safe Kids helps prevent accidental injuries to children 14 and younger through the distribution of safety devices, education programs, and training programs. Andria Simmons

Norcross center hold Christmas celebration

The Norcross Welcome Center will hold its annual Christmas Celebration on today from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at 189 Lawrenceville Street. Anne Labaire will be displaying her paintings and Chaunda Walls will be singing Holiday Favorites. The event is free and open to the public. Information: ckitchen@norcrossga.net or call 678-421-2049 or visit www.aplacetoimagine.com. Sandra Marshall Murray

Bank branches sponsor Toys for Tots drive

The Bank of North Georgia is sponsoring a Holiday Toy Drive through Friday, Dec. 16. Each branch is supporting a local charity and customers and local residents can participate by bringing new, unwrapped toys for boys and girls to the bank branches located in Buford, Norcross and Suwanee. Information: www.bankofnorthgeorgia.com. Veronica Fields Johnson

Gwinnett holiday celebration on Saturday

Gwinnett County will host a holiday celebration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, 185 E. Crogan St., Lawrenceville.

The event features self-guided tours of the courthouse, holiday music and visits with Santa.

Admission is free, though the cost is $1 for a craft workshop and $5 per child for a visit and photo with Santa. David Wickert

School board to meet on Thursday

The Gwinnett County school board will gather Thursday in Suwanee for a work session and monthly business meeting.

The work session will be held at 3 p.m. in the executive board room of the Gwinnett County Instructional Support Center at 437 Old Peachtree Road

A public forum will be held later that evening at 6:15 p.m. The monthly business meeting will follow at 7 p.m. Information: www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us. D. Aileen Dodd

NORTHSIDE

Power outage closes Johns Creek City Hall

A power outage has closed down Johns Creek City Hall and Monday evening’s City Council meeting.

City officials said the outage occurred at 6 a.m. Monday. City staff were told to work from home. A Georgia Power spokeswoman said the building is fed by an underground cable running beneath Medlock Bridge Road. Crews have been out all day, she said, trying to locate the source of the problem. Crews have also brought in a generator to supply power to the building if the cable cannot be repaired overnight, she said. Patrick Fox

Fulton school board to meet today

The Fulton County Board of Education will meet at a work session today to discuss school safety and pending business.

The board will meet privately in executive session at 12:30 p.m. and then meet publicly at 3 p.m. for a workshop on safety at Fulton’s Administrative Center, 786 Cleveland Ave. S.W. in Atlanta.

Following the safety talk, the board will consider several items in the work session including a charter contract renewal for Fulton Science Academy.

The board may also discuss the Dec. 20 business agenda. A public comment session will follow. D. Aileen Dodd

Vehicle charging station to be unveiled

Solar Energy USA will unveil its new solar-powered electric vehicle charging station at noon today at its headquarters at 7565 Industrial Court in Alpharetta. The station will provide free solar recharges for cars.

Solar Energy USA runs its headquarters entirely on solar power.

The Level 2 charging station will fully recharge a Nissan Leaf, Chevy Volt or another plug-in EV in four to eight hours. Patrick Fox

Workshops on parks’ future this week

Two workshops will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday to decide the future of Milton’s 200-acre Birmingham Park.

The meetings will be held in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 13000 Deerfield Parkway, Suite 107 E.

The Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan, which will include both the Birmingham Park Master Plan and Trail Plan update as components, will be delivered to the City Council in early February by project consultants Moreland Altobelli Associates.

Information: John Rebar, 678-242-2489 or john.rebar@cityofmiltonga.us. Patrick Fox

DOT to hold forum on replacing bridge

The Georgia DOT will hold a public information open house today to discuss replacing the existing Ga. 53 bridge over the Chestatee River portion of Lake Lanier at the Forsyth-Hall County line.

The Open House is from 5 to 7 p.m. in the cafeteria at Chestatee High School, 3005 Sardis Road in Gainesville. DOT engineers and consultants will be available to discuss the proposals.

Those unable to attend may send comments on the project to Glenn Bowman, State Environmental Administrator – Georgia DOT, 600 West Peachtree Street, 16th Floor, Atlanta, GA 30308. Patrick Fox

ATLANTA

Carter Center focuses on kid’s mental health

The Carter Center will host a public town hall meeting Friday to talk about ways to improve mental health services for children, teens and adults in Georgia. The center has been working since 2008 on solutions to the crisis in Georgia’s psychiatric hospitals. Frank Shelp, head of the state Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, will be among the speakers at the event, which goes from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Misty Williams

Atlanta radiologist sent to prison

An Atlanta radiologist has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison and ordered to pay $919,000 in restitution for various fraud and obstruction charges, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Rajashahker Reddy’s company, Reddy Solutions Inc., interpreted x-rays and other films for various hospitals across the Southeast. According to evidence, Reddy, 41, signed more than 70,000 radiology reports from May 2007 through January 2008, but only viewed digital computer images in less than 5,900 of the cases. Sometimes Reddy would sign reports for films he never viewed or directed staff to sign the reports, as if he had viewed them, prosecutors said. Bill Rankin

Aquarium, Ford team up for scholarships

The Georgia Aquarium and Ford Motor Company have teamed to offer the Ford Motor Company Fund Scholarship. The gift will provide free admission to 2,083 students and allow for 83 learning programs affiliated with the aquarium’s Sponsored Education Admissions Program. Melissa Ruggieri

City Council honors Tuskegee Airmen

In recognition of the 70th anniversary of the creation of the nation’s first all African-American pursuit squadron, Atlanta City Councilman Michael Julian Bond presented proclamations honoring the surviving Tuskegee Airmen of the metro Atlanta area last week at Atlanta City Hall. Twelve Tuskegee Airmen were on hand during Monday’s reception and proclamation ceremony. Jeremiah McWilliams

DEKALB

Medicaid contractor indicted in fraud

A DeKalb County grand jury has indicted a Medicaid contractor and charged her with computer theft, invasion of privacy and identity fraud, the state Attorney General’s Office said.

Romona Ferrell-Davis, who worked for Hewlett-Packard, which had a contract with the Georgia Department of Community Health, accessed the Medicaid Management Information System and changed the bank routing and account numbers of four Medicaid providers, the Attorney General’s Office said. She then allegedly diverted about $8.8 million to pre-paid debit cards she controlled.

With the help of debit card companies, the Department of Community Health recovered all but $17,533 of those funds, the Attorney General’s Office said. Bill Rankin

GPC graduates first 3-year student

Georgia Perimeter graduated on Saturday the first student to complete a program that lets students earn a four-year degree in three years.

Catherine Cospelich received a bachelor in business administration from Georgia Perimeter College and Georgia Southwestern University.

Students spend one and a half years at Georgia Perimeter and then transfer to Georgia Southwestern and take the remaining classes online. Students take more courses each semester and summer to finish faster.

Colleges started three-year programs to save students time and money. Laura Diamond

Decatur to record coyote sightings

After last week’s Decatur Commission meeting, where several pleaded with the city to take a more aggressive stance toward coyotes, the city’s asking residents to detail their coyote sightings. Go to the city’s website at http://www.decaturga.com/, and under “What’s New” there’s a category called “coyote sightings.” Here they’ll be asked to record time, date and place of a sighting along with specific comments. “In the long run this will give us more detailed and objective data,” city manager Peggy Merriss said.

“It may eventually change our approach to coyotes.” Bill Banks for the AJC

Parks bond panel to meet Wednesday

The DeKalb Parks Bond Advisory Committee and Initiative for a Green DeKalb Advisory Council will hold a joint meeting on Wednesday.

The session will include an update on greenspace acquisitions and current parks projects.

The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. at the One DeKalb office in the lower level of Northlake Mall, near the Macy’s entrance, on Briarcliff Road in Tucker.

Information: 404-371-2082. April Hunt

Donations needed for appreciation lunch

State Rep. Stephanie Benfield is asking residents and neighborhood associations for food donations for the annual appreciation luncheon for the South DeKalb Police Precinct.

The event, which is also a holiday party, runs from 2 to 5 p.m. Wednesdayat the precinct headquarters, 1816 Candler Road in Decatur.

More information or to donate: Linda Kirkland at lskirkland@comcast.net or 404-819-2816. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Report: Fulton jail population is down

In a required response to an order by U.S. District Judge Marvin Shoob, Fulton County reported that the average daily jail population in November was 2,002 people -- lower than the federally-mandated 2,500 cap. Shoob is enforcing the county’s compliance with a consent order stemming from a lawsuit that documented filthy, dangerous and overcrowded conditions in the Rice Street jail. Fulton’s response cited such programs as the county’s Second Chance Re-entry, the sheriff’s Floor-tech Program, and the court’s Bond Review Project as reducing recidivism. Johnny Edwards

School fights prompt public forum

The Fulton County high school where a couple jaws have been broken in fights since last month will hold a public forum this evening.

Last month, five students allegedly jumped a junior at Westlake High, breaking his jaw and nose. Last week, a student there suffered a broken jaw in another fight.

The forum is billed as a chance for “challenging conversations” to improve the school’s culture. The event is 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the school, 2400 Union Road, SW, near Atlanta. Thoughts can be emailed to Principal Grant Rivera at riverag@fultonschools.org. Ty Tagami

Health center opens in Palmetto Friday

A center to serve those with little or no health insurance is opening in Palmetto with a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. Friday.

Palmetto Health Council, Inc., a network of seven federally qualified health centers, will be celebrating completion of a new 21,000 square foot medical office. The center was built with a $6.3 million grant under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The facility, at 643 Main St., will be open for tours and free health workshops beginning Sunday through Dec. 20. Information: www.phcga.com. Ty Tagami

Toy for Tots program struggles with demand

The Toys for Tots programs in Fayette and Coweta counties are struggling to meet demand this year. Demand is up but donations are down making it difficult for the program , which is sponsored by the Marien Corps League Detachment 1325, to meet its goal of at least two toys for every qualified applicant under the age of 13. Marine Corp League members and supports will be out this Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. collecting donations at Walmart stores in Peachtree City, Fayetteville and Newnan as well as The Big Lots store in Newnan. Tammy Joyner

GDOT hosts meetings on reversible lanes

The Georgia Department of Transportation will host two open houses on the proposed reversible express lanes on I-75 through Henry County. The meetings will be from 5-7 p.m. today at Eagle’s Landing High School; and on Thursday Dec. 15 at Southside Christian Fellowship on Mt. Carmel Road in McDonough. The proposed project involves constructing barrier-separated reversible lanes (carrying northbound traffic in the morning and southbound traffic in the afternoon) within a 12.24-mile section of I-75 between Highway 138 in Stockbridge and Highway 155 in McDonough.

Monroe Roark for the AJC