County by county news for Tuesday

Former chairman Bill Byrne if facing incumbent chairman Tim Lee in the runoff on Aug. 21. Lee has said he will not participate in this debate or any other candidate debate prior to the runoff next week. Byrne is expected to attend. A Marietta Daily Journal editor and columnist will serve as the panelists.

Information: Wanda Becker, 770-992-1228 Janel Davis

Marietta group moves for historic district

Marietta's Historic Preservation Commission got the go ahead from the Marietta City Council Wednesday to create the city's first historic district on Kennesaw Avenue.

Preservation chair David Freedman said if the district is approved by 60 percent of its home owners and council, proposed home modifications would have to first meet preservation guidelines. The City Council approved the area as a historic district in 2010, but the vote was vetoed by Mayor Steve Tumlin. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Marietta bans minors in bars

Minors 18 and under will no longer be allowed in bars and lounges in Marietta. The ban, approved by Marietta City Council on Wednesday, will not affect restaurants, pool halls or the bar's under age employees on duty. The Marietta Police Department asked for the ban after several incidents concerning minors at foam parties at bars on Franklin Road and Church Street Extension. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Candidate to address Cobb energy alliance

Patrick Thompson, the Democratic candidate for the 11th Congressional District seat currently held by Phil Gingrey, will be the guest speaker 7 p.m. Tuesday at the monthly meeting of the Cobb Alliance for Smart Energy at the Rib Ranch, 2063 Canton Road, Marietta.

Gingrey, R-Marietta, has also been invited to participate and present his energy policies.

Information: www.cobbemcwatch.org Janel Davis

Hillgrove student wins orchestra contest

Commodore Primous, a freshman at Hillgrove High School, recently won the 2012 Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's Next Generation Contest for his piece "Lullaby," which he wrote last year at Lovinggood Middle School. Atlanta's bassist and composer Michael Kurth, will help Commodore arrange a version for the city's orchestra to perform. Daarel Burnette II

Early voting for runoff through Friday

Cobb County residents can vote 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. through Friday at five locations: East Cobb Government Service Center, South Cobb Community Center, Northstar Church, Boots Ward Recreation Center in Lost Mountain Park and the Cobb Elections main office.

Democratic races: County Commissioner Dist. 4 and state Representative Dist. 41; Republican races: Superior Court Clerk, Commission Chairman, County School Board Dist. 7; Nonpartisan race: State Court Judge Div. 2, Post 2

Information: http://elections.cobbcountyga.gov Janel Davis

GWINNETT

Man's body found in office park near Norcross

Gwinnett County police are investigating the "suspicious" death of a man whose body was found early Monday in an office park on Technology Parkway South, near Norcross. When officers arrived, they discovered a male deceased with several head injuries from an unknown origin. The man had no identification. He is about 6 feet tall, 200 pounds and has two tattoos, one of which policer said is "very unique in a unique location on the body."

An autopsy was planned to determine how the man died.

Mike Morris

Animal shelter fundraiser Saturday

Today is the last day to buy tickets for this Saturday's "You Ain't Nothin' But a Pound Dog" fundraiser to benefit the Georgia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals shelter and pet adoption center in Suwanee.

The theme of the fundraiser, to be held at the Gwinnett Center Ballroom at 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth," is "Viva Las Vegas!"

The event will feature casino games, dancing, live entertainment, food, and a silent auction and raffle.

Information: www.GeorgiaSPCA.org.

Andria Simmons

Children's clothing consignment returns

The highly popular Kidsignments, Gwinnett's largest biannual consignment sale returns at 9 a.m. today through Saturday to the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds with over 1,400 vendors selling children's clothing, toys, strollers and more.

Information:www.kidsignments.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Learn to cook with less salt, more herbs

The Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center is promoting healthy cooking with a two-part series of classes encouraging cooking with more herbs and less salt from 10 a.m. until noon Saturday and Aug. 25 at McDaniel Farm Park, 3251 McDaniel Rd. in Duluth.

Preregistration required by August 15 by calling 770-904-3500 or visiting www.gwinnettEHC.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Lilburn meeting offers foreclosure advice

Lilburn's August town hall meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, August 20 will allow residents to hear Hugh Rowden discuss Gwinnett home foreclosure trends and what residents might be able to do to keep their homes or protect their property values. Information: Lilburn City Clerk, Kathy Maner at 770-921-2210 or at kmaner@cityoflilburn.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Chili Cook-Off Thursday in Duluth

Duluth continues their No Reason Block Party event 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, August 16 with the 2nd Annual City Council Chili Cook-Off.

Residents are invited to enjoy music, and old-fashioned fun while they taste-test the council's best chili and cast their votes for the winning recipes.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Roadwork planned for Ga. 400

Overnight lane closures are planned the next few months as crews resurface Ga. 400 from Ga. 306 in Forsyth County to Ga. 53 in Dawson County, a distance of nearly nine miles.

Closures will occur between 5:30 p.m. and 8 a.m Sunday overnight through Thursday. Completion is set for Nov. 30.

Work will begin at Ga. 53 and will proceed southward.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Fired Canton police official appealing

The attorney for Canton's fired assistant police chief says he'll appeal the dismissal through city channels, but has also threatened a potential lawsuit. Todd Vande Zande was terminated lastweek for what City Attorney Bobby Dyer says were "internal management issues" with new chief Robert Merchant. Vande Zande's attorney, Lance LoRusso, says the termination resulted from retaliation by City Manager Scott Wood, following several disagreements between Wood and Vande Zande. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Early voting through Friday in Forsyth

In-person advance voting is underway in Forsyth County for the Aug. 21 runoff and will continue through Friday at five locations: the Hampton Park Library, the Sharon Springs Park Community Building, Cumming City Hall, the Forsyth County Administration Building and the Midway Park Community Building. Hours vary. Information: www.forsythco.com Mark Woolsey for the AJC

School zone signs in use

Johns Creek's new flashing school zone signs went into operation this week. They're updated remotely, saving time and money and making them more reliable. Previously, technicians spent four or five days a year manually adjusting the city's 26 flashing signs and relied on police and residents to discover problems. Now, signs send cell phone signals to a secure website, indicating malfunction and condition of signs' clocks and solar-powered batteries. If school is unexpectedly closed due to weather, technicians adjust signs all at once through the site. Michael Alpert for the AJC

Forsyth emergency center operational

Forsyth County's 911 Center has resumed normal operations following last week's power interruption at the county's public safety complex. When strong storms caused brownouts, emergency calls were transferred to Hall County and relayed via radio to Forsyth.

Michael Alpert for the AJC

Milton police force expanding

Milton is recruiting police officers at salaries from $32,500 to $40,000 annually to patrol its roughly 33,000 residents. A high school diploma or GED is required for U.S. residents age 21 and older. Valid driver's license and satisfactory driving record also are required. Felony or domestic violence convictions are disqualifiers. Preference given to GA Peace Officer Certified. Information: 678-242-2500, recruiter@cityofmiltonga.us. Michael Alpert for the AJC

ATLANTA

Animal control mired in bullhook dispute

With the county's animal control services agreement with Atlanta about to expire, Fulton commissioners will decide Wednesday whether to sign a new contract lasting until June 2013. Several commissioners, miffed that the city won't go with its ban on elephant bullhooks, have suggested the county stop providing Atlanta's animal services, which includes picking up dead, stray or dangerous animals.

The Atlanta City Council adopted an animal control ordinance this year that did not abolish the training tool, which has been assailed by animal rights activists. Concerns have been raised that a ban may run Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus out of Philips Arena. Johnny Edwards

Davis 'state of schools' speech set

Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Erroll Davis will give the eighth-annual "state of the schools" address 7:30 a.m. today at The Carter Center, 453 Freedom Pkwy, NE. Business leaders, community members and elected officials are expected to attend. Jaime Sarrio

Homebuying workshop and tour Saturday

Atlanta City Council Member Cleta Winslow and Invest Atlanta, the city's economic development agency, will host a homebuying workshop and tour 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m Saturday in the City Hall Council Chamber, 55 Trinity Ave.

The bus tour will begin at 11:45 a.m. Attendees will receive information on tax credits and Neighborhood Stabilization Program and may be eligible to receive up $40,000 in down payment assistance to purchase a home. Jeremiah McWilliams

Deputy police chief to speak at breakfast

Shawn L. Jones, deputy chief of the Atlanta Police Department, will speak at the Buckhead Business Association weekly breakfast on Thursday at the City Club of Buckhead, 3343 Peachtree Rd. Jones previously commanded the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport police precinct. Jeremiah McWilliams

DEKALB

Police identify man fatally shot by officers

A man who was fatally shot by DeKalb County police officers early Sunday morning has been identified as Michael Perryman, 52.

A county spokeswoman said Monday he lunged at the officers with a knife. She said no other information was available and that the shooting was being investigated.

Perryman allegedly pulled a knife on three women at a Chevron gas station in the 4400 block of Glenwood Road around 8:30 a.m.

Two of the women flagged down two police officers at an Exxon gas station across the street.

The two officers, one who was in training, approached the man at a business next door to the Chevron station and gave him repeated instructions to drop the weapon, according to police.

When he failed to comply, the officers opened fire. Perryman was taken to Grady Hospital where he later died. Staff

Walmart breaks ground for new store

Work has begun to tear down a former car dealership on Memorial Drive and turn it into a Walmart store near Stone Mountain.

The 149,000-store is being built according to standards of nearby Stone Mountain Village and will include new sidewalks and bike racks to encourage less driving to the store.

The giant discount retailer plans to hire 250 full-time and part-time workers for the store, which is slated to open in the fall of 2013 and generate about $5 million in sales taxes annually. April Hunt

Commissioners named to national board

DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson has been appointed vice chair of the Healthy Counties Advisory Board of the National Association of Counties. The board helps the national professional group develop priorities to help counties across the country create and maintain health communities. April Hunt

Meeting focuses on crime prevention

Residents and business owners in the Wesley Chapel Corridor of south DeKalb County are invited to a meeting Wednesday Aug. 15 that focuses on safety concerns.

The DeKalb Solicitor-General, County Commission's presiding officer and members of the county police department will be on hand to talk about ways to keep crime away.

The meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. 8/15 at the South DeKalb Family YMCA, at 2565 Snapfinger Road, near Decatur. Breakfast will be provided.

Information/reservations: 404-371-2234 or snbrown@dekalbcountyga.gov. April Hunt

Stone Mountain CID holds kicks off

The Stone Mountain Community Improvement District is kicking off its economic development efforts with a community meeting 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Eagle Rock Distributing, 1375 Beverage Dr., near Stone Mountain.

The district wants to gather public input on its development plans at the session.

Businesses in the district tax themselves fund operations such as roadway improvements and landscaping.

The goal is to add 2,000 new jobs to the area by the end of 2013. April Hunt

Congressman to host free health fair

U.S. Congressman David Scott will host the eighth annual 13th Congressional District Health Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Mundy's Mill High School, 9652 Fayetteville Rd., Jonesboro.

The 13th District of Georgia is in portions of 6 counties: Cobb, Clayton, Douglas, Fulton, Henry, and DeKalb.

The event will feature free health screenings and information provided by area doctors and healthcare providers.

Information: www.davidscott.house.gov or 770-210-5073.

Mea Watkins

New center helps unemployed in Fulton

Fulton County residents looking for work can get help at the Adamsville Workforce Development Resource Center, which recently opened inside the Adamsville Regional Health Center, 3700 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, Atlanta. Hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.

Workforce Development offices help job seekers sharpen interview skills, fill out online applications, update resumes and upgrade job skills. Information: 404-613-6381. Other workforce development locations: www.fultoncountyga.gov/divisions-and-programs/workforce-development.

Johnny Edwards

Holmes town hall meeting Aug. 25

Henry County District 5 Commissioner Bruce Holmes will host his monthly town hall meeting at 9 a.m. Aug. 25, at the Fairview Recreation Center in Stockbridge.

The meeting will update residents on the future of the Fairview community, including issues affecting zoning and future land use, as well as ideas for West Panola Road and plans to bring the Exigence Group to the area. Several county staff members are scheduled to speak. Monroe Roark for the AJC

A5 and Fusion Volleyball Club merge

The A5 Volleyball Club, a Junior Olympic volleyball program in Roswell and Alpharetta, has merged with Fusion Volleyball Club in McDonough. Fusion Volleyball Club is now A5 South beginning with the 2012-2013 season.

Merging of the two programs gives A5 a presence on the southside and stronger teams on either side of Atlanta.

Information: www.a5vball.com. Kenneth Musisi

Fayette library hosts film series

The Fayette County Public Library will host a free three-film series based on books by Georgia author Carson McCullers.

The films are "Member of the Wedding," "Reflections in a Golden Eye" and "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter."

Screenings are 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and 3 p.m. Saturdays starting tonight and this Saturday and continuing Sept. 4, 8, 11 and 15.

Information: 770-461-8841.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Peachtree City Library expands hours

With school now back in session in Fayette County, the Peachtree City Library has resumed its fall and winter operating hours.

The library will be open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday--Thursday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Jill Howard Church for the AJC