County by county news for Tuesday

Cobb EMC appeal for investigation

A group of Cobb EMC customers requested Friday for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to rehear its denial of an investigation of Cobb EMC.

Earlier this month the FERC denied a request to investigate the co-op for violating the Federal Power Act.

The EMC failed to make required FERC disclosures and that relationships with the separate for-profit Cobb Energy company violated federal rules, according to the customers. Janel Davis

Youth group gets grant for garden

The Captain Planet Foundation -- an environmental education foundation for youth -- has awarded $2,400 to Marietta YELLS (Youth Empowerment through Learning, Leading, and Serving) for its Community Garden on Franklin Road.

Marietta YELLS youth will use the funds for their “Healthy Me, Healthy Community, Healthy Planet” initiative. They will participate in experiential learning activities related to gardening and environmental sustainability, and then plan and lead community events to share their knowledge.

Marietta YELLS is a non-profit mentoring program. Andria Simmons

Marietta school board to meet today

The Marietta school board will hold a special called meeting at 6 p.m. today .

A school system official said the topic will be personnel.

The public meeting will occur at the school administrative offices, 250 Howard St., Marietta. Ty Tagami

Hinojosa to speak at Chamber forum

Cobb County’s new school superintendent, Michael Hinojosa, will speak at a forum hosted by the Cobb Chamber of Commerce and the Cobb Schools Foundation.

The event, which costs $50 for the general public, promises “spirited conversation” with elected officials and business leaders.

It is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. today at the Georgian Club, 100 Galleria Parkway, Atlanta. Ty Tagami

Olens to speak to east Cobb association

Georgia Attorney General and former Cobb County Commission Chairman Sam Olens will be the guest speaker at the monthly East Cobb Civic Association meeting on Wednesday.

Olens’ presentation will be followed by the association’s general membership meeting.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the community room of the East Cobb Library, 4880 Lower Roswell Road in Marietta.

Information: www.eastcobb.net Janel Davis

GWINNETT

Boating accident leaves Buford teen dead

The body of a 14-year-old Buford teen who disappeared Saturday evening during a boating accident was pulled from Lake Lanier Sunday. The boy, identified Sunday as Trevor Jones, was located by Hall County divers at 1:10 p.m.

Two boats carrying a total of 15 people collided at about 7 p.m. Saturday, said Department of Natural Resources spokesman Melissa Cummings. Also injured were Kaitlyn Smith, 13, who was taken to Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta by helicopter, and Jack Struve, 57, hospitalized with a jaw injury. Cummings said the accident is under investigation and charges may be filed. George Mathis

Fliers can hear about new light sport biplane

Atlanta Light Sport Aviation owner James DeHart will speak at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in the Experimental Aircraft Association Sport Aviation Center, 690 Airport Road, Briscoe Field, Lawrenceville. DeHart will speak about the new FK12 Comet light sport biplane.

The program will be preceded by a pancake breakfast at 8 a.m. The cost of breakfast is $6 per person. For information, contact Joel Levine at 404-314-7573 or jlevine@bellsouth.net. David Wickert

Vietnamese church to hold fall festival

The Holy Martyrs of Vietnam Catholic Church will hold its 2011 Fall Festival this weekend at the church, 4545-A Timmers Way, Norcross.

The festival will feature food, entertainment and cultural programs.

All proceeds will benefit the church and its ministries.

The event is scheduled from 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. Information visit http://cttdvnatl.org/hcmt/. David Wickert

Duncan Creek student’s art to be exhibited

The artwork of a Duncan Creek Elementary School student was chosen to appear in a national exhibit.

The student, Brent Crader, will represent Georgia in the “All Kids Can CREATE” exhibition, sponsored by VSA – The International Organization on Arts and Disability and CVS Caremark’s All Kids Can program. His work, “Dreaming Just Like Chagall,” was chosen from among 4,700 entries. The exhibit debuted at Union Station in Washington, D.C. and will travel to childrens’ museums across the country for two years. D. Aileen Dodd

Belk Kid Fest raise $1,500 for school

The Belk Kid Fest held recently at the Forum in Norcross raised $1,500 in school supplies for Peachtree Elementary School. The event featured the Gwinnett County music group, The Oswald Brothers Band. The band was featured on the “Early Show” in 2009 as one of the top finalists in a nationwide singing family competition. D. Aileen Dodd

Duluth to herald road improvement project

Duluth will host a dedication for the Davenport Road Sidewalk and Road Improvement Project on Friday.

A ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. along Davenport Road. The public is invited to attend. Information: 678-957-7284. Joel Anderson

NORTHSIDE

Cherokee superintendent to show SPLOST figures

Cherokee County public schools superintendent Frank R. Petruzielo will deliver the latest finance figures to the school board at Thursday’s meeting, laying out the revenue collected over the first 48 months of a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax that was passed in 2008. Petruzielo and the board are pushing for the continuation of the SPLOST, which will be on November’s ballot, and has generated opposition from critics who say the system could run more efficiently and are angered by the board’s rejection of funding for Cherokee Charter Academy. Jeffry Scott

Cumming man drowns while fishing

A man drowned while fishing in Lake Lanier Saturday.

William G. Doster, Jr., 51, of Cumming, was at Lake Lanier with his grandson and wife when he went under just south of Browns Bridge and did not resurface, said Department of Natural Resources spokesman Melissa Cummings.

Doster was wade fishing in waist-deep water in Flat Creek at about 8:30 p.m. when he went under, said Cummings.

His body was recovered minutes later in about seven feet of water. George Mathis

Alpharetta teen named Davidson Fellow

Raja Selvakumar, 16-year-old from Alpharetta, has been named a 2011 Davidson Fellow.

Selvakumar will receive a $10,000 scholarship from the Davidson Institute for Talent Development, a national nonprofit organization headquartered in Reno, Nev.

He developed the Gastro Microbial Fuel Cell, which generates electricity using gastrobacteria to power capsular nanobots, which officials believe can play an important role in treating gastrointestinal diseases. Gracie Bonds Staples

River Eves awarded money for garden

River Eves Elementary was recently awarded a $4,585 Toolbox for Education grant from Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation to launch a garden program.

The Roswell school will use the garden to provide hands-on experience for students as they learn about the environment, nutrition, math and language arts.

Students will journal about the garden and use math skills to help them calculate the sale of produce at farmer’s markets. D. Aileen Dodd

Johns Creek K-9 officer to meet with kids

The Johns Creek Police Department’s police dog will visit the Ocee branch library on Thursday, teaching children, through demonstrations, what K-9 units do and how they’re trained. The program is for children ages 6-12 and is limited to the first 65. The demonstrations begin at 4:30 p.m. at 5090 Abbotts Bridge Road, Johns Creek. Information: 770-360-8897. Johnny Edwards

Rep. Graves to hold town hall meeting

Rep. Tom Graves, R-Ga., has scheduled a town hall meeting for 6 p.m. Wednesday in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, Suite 220, in the Forsyth County Administration Building, 110 East Main Street, Cumming.

The Board of Commissioners may attend the event, but no business will be discussed or transacted, county officials said. Patrick Fox

ATLANTA

Candidate drops out of APS race

Kwabena Nkromo is no longer in the running to fill the seat of former Atlanta school board Chairman Khaatim Sherrer El. That leaves five candidates in the race: Byron Amos, Angela Brown, Dwanda Farmer, Michael Jeter and Donald Walker. The seat for District 2 came open July 11, when El resigned with more than two years left in his term. The special election will be held Nov. 8. Jaime Sarrio

Learn about APS scholars program

Atlanta Public Schools is holding an informational meeting for parents and students regarding admission to the district’s 21st Century Atlanta Scholars program. The meeting is from 7–8 p.m. Thursday at 256 Clifton Street, SE Atlanta, 30317. Parents and students are required to attend to gain admission. R.S.V.P. by today to 404-802-5875. Details: Emmanuella Revolus Belzince, erevolus@atlanta.k12.ga.us. Jaime Sarrio

Woman convicted of killing daughter, 3

A 24-year-old Atlanta woman has been convicted of killing her 3-year-old daughter and sentenced to life in prison, the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office said. When confronted by police on Aug. 12, 2010, Shuntae Battle said she was planning to take her daughter, Jazmine, to the hospital. The child, suffering from head trauma and internal liver injuries, was flown to a hospital where she died. Battle admitted she and her boyfriend, who faces pending charges, had disciplined Jazmine with a belt, the DA’s office said. Bill Rankin

Deadline near for charter school meeting

The early registration deadline for the Georgia Charter Schools Conference ends Wednesday

The ninth annual conference “Planting, Growing and Sustaining a Quality Charter School,” will be held Oct. 5-7, at Macon Marriott City Center Hotel. Early registration prices range between $85 to $385 depending on membership, days in attendance and panel participation. To register: www.georgiacharterconference.org D. Aileen Dodd

DEKALB

Rules changed for personal care homes

Facilities that provide care for unrelated seniors, the mentally ill or addicts must now operate under new rules in DeKalb County.

The changes are designed to reduce the number of so-called personal care homes in residential areas, especially in south DeKalb.

Homes now will be allowed in residential areas with up to three clients. The Board of County Commissioners would have to approve any facilities with four to six clients in residential areas. The regulations allow for seven or more people to be in homes only in commercial areas. April Hunt

Milliron to run for Avondale Estates mayor

Avondale Estates Commissioner David Milliron announced Saturday he would run for mayor, challenging incumbent Ed Rieker. Commissioner since 2008, Milliron said the annexation of unincorporated land between Decatur and Avondale would be a major campaign issue. He also cited that “development decisions including the Fenner Dunlop property,” 14 undeveloped acres annexed into the city earlier this year, are critical issues. In a Monday letter to residents he wrote, “We have not seen the leadership we need to be protected from over-taxation and urban blight. This has to change.” Bill Banks for the AJC

Biomass gasification plant on hold

A proposed $60 million biomass gasification plant in south DeKalb County is on hold, after developers withdrew its state permit application.

Green Energy Partners withdrew the application in July but has pledged to file a new application that answers questions on the proposed process from the state Environmental Protection Division.

The plant, which plans to turn wood chips into energy to sell to Georgia Power Co., also has drawn vocal objection from residents.

A group of residents calling themselves Citizens for a Healthy and Safe Environment, or CHASE, filed the suit in DeKalb Superior Court to appeal the county’s approval of a special land use permit for the project.

Green Energy must receive a state air quality permit before it can begin construction. April Hunt

Grease causes sewage spill into creek

Grease clogged a sewer main Sunday afternoon on New Haven Drive in DeKalb County, dumping an undetermined amount of raw sewage into the North Fork of Peachtree Creek.

Crews were able to stop the overflow by turning off the water to nearby apartments.

The county plans a $1.35 billion overhaul of its water/sewer system to meet a federal consent decree to prevent such spills in the future. April Hunt

Last meeting tonight on animal shelter

A final public meeting will more citizen input Tuesday on the county animal shelter.

The task force aims to increase adoptions, encourage more responsible pet ownership and reduce euthanasia rates at the county animal shelter.

The meeting will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at the Goodwill Career Center, 1295 Columbia Dr. in Decatur.

More information: dila@dekalbcountyga.gov. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Man, 24, convicted killing man during dispute

A Fulton County jury has convicted 24-year-old Robert Smith Jr. of killing a man during an argument over a long-standing dispute from their childhoods, the District Attorney’s Office said.

At one point during the April 4, 2010, argument, Smith warned Raymond Brewer that if he crossed the threshold of the door at Smith’s girlfriend’s apartment in College Park, “it was on,” the DA’s office said. Smith then shot Brewer five times with an assault rifle. Smith fled the scene but later turned himself into the police. Bill Rankin

Teacher selected for CDC program

A Woodward Academy science teacher was selected to attend a national education program at the Center for Disease Control. Danise Fields, a sixth grade science teacher at Woodward Academy in College Park, was one of a dozen educators chosen for the CDC’s Science Ambassador Program, a five-day professional development workshop. Science ambassadors team up with CDC scientists to develop a public health-based lesson plan aligned with National Science Education Standards. D. Aileen Dodd

Workshop helps those with chronic diseases

Fulton County’s Office of Aging will sponsor three six-week programs to help people suffering from chronic diseases -- such as diabetes, arthritis, asthma and heart disease -- manage their daily lives. The workshops cover, among other things, dealing with fatigue and pain, strength-improving exercises, medications, nutrition and making treatment decisions.

The first “Living Well” program starts Thursday at Camp Truitt, 4320 Hershel Road, College Park. It will be held every Thursday, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., through Oct. 6. Registration: 404-613-6000. Johnny Edwards

NASCAR drivers give cancer survivors a ride

Atlanta Motor Speedway and the Team Chevy NASCAR drivers are holding a special event to give breast cancer survivors the thrill of a ride around the track in themed pace cars and trucks.

The event is from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Friday, , Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton. Chevrolet is proud to support the American Cancer Society in raising awareness of breast cancer. Sandra Marshall Murray

Honor guard to commemorate Sept. 11

The Henry County Fire Department Honor Guard present colors and lead in the honors for the tenth anniversary memorial of the 9/11 attacks in an event set for Sept. 11, at 1 p.m. at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth. More than 40 honor guards from both law enforcement and the fire service ranging from across the state have been invited to participate in the event. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Bid accepted for Moseley Park improvements

The Henry County Board of Commissioners accepted a bid of $249,370 for design/build services regarding the construction of a restroom facility, two new pavilions and two new playgrounds at J.P. Moseley Park in Stockbridge. The park improvement project is expected to take 60 days to complete. Monroe Roark for the AJC