County by county news for Tuesday

State School Superintendent John Barge, along with Gretchen Corbin, deputy commissioner of Global Commerce for the state’s economic development department and 11Alive News education reporter Donna Lowry will participate in the celebration.

The invitation-only breakfast at 9 a.m. will be followed by a public pep rally at Roswell Street Baptist Church, 774 Roswell Street in Marietta.

Information: www.cobbchamber.org Janel Davis

College fair Thursday at Pebblebrook High

Representatives from more than 25 colleges and universities will participate in a college fair Thursday at Pebblebrook High School. The college fair will also include workshops on financial aid and scholarships, along with information on free SAT prep classes. The fair begins at 6:30 p.m. at the school, 991 Old Alabama Road in Mableton. Information: paul.gordon@cobbk12.org or, 770-819-2521, ext. 274 Janel Davis

Youth Council Summit in Marietta Saturday

Middle and high school-aged youth representing a school or community youth group are invited to the Cobb Alcohol Taskforce’s annual Youth Council Summit set for Saturday in Marietta.

The summit will include leadership training highlighting ways youth can motivate adults to prevent underage and youth binge drinking.

The summit runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mt. Zion UMC, 1770 Johnson Ferry Road, in Marietta.

Registration by Thursday at: www.cobbat.org/youth_council Janel Davis

Blood drive today at Robertson center

The Kennesaw Parks & Recreation Department is hosting an American Red Cross blood drive 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. today at the Ben Robertson Community Center, 2753 Watts Drive, Kennesaw. Most healthy people at least 17 years old and who weigh 110 pounds or more are eligible to donate blood. Information, and to make a reservation: 1-800-733-2767). Walk-ins are also welcome. Jeffry Scott

Help with college financial aid on Nov. 1

Help with college financial aid will be available in Powder Springs on Nov. 1.

The free meeting will be 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Powder Springs Library, 4181 Atlanta St.

Representatives from Georgia Perimeter College of the University System of Georgia will share information on sources of financial aid and government application forms.

Those attending do not need to be students at the college.

Information: 770-439-3600. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Schools win robotics competition

Students from two Cobb County high schools won the Georgia Robotics Invitational Tournament and Showcase, a competition involving over 500 students from four states.

The winners were part of an alliance of teams with students from Kell and Walton high schools in Cobb and from Mauldin, S.C., according to Cobb officials.Ty Tagami

GWINNETT

Work on interchanges to begin next spring

The Georgia Department of Transportation recently awarded a contract to build new interchanges on Ga. 316 at Collins Hill Road and Ga. 20.

G.P.’s Enterprises Inc. won the $37.4 million contract, which includes two new bridges over Ga. 316 and 2.2 miles of new roadway. The project will extend limited access on Ga. 316 from Ga. 120 to Ga. 20. When the project is finished motorists will access the highway via ramps instead of the existing intersections. The work is expected to begin next spring and run through December 2014. David Wickert

House fire displaces family of three

A family of three was displaced Sunday after a house fire broke out in the 4900 block of Wycliffe Drive near Stone Mountain. Firefighters found a small fire burning on the exterior of the two-story house on arrival at 7:50 p.m. The fire extended inside, sending smoke throughout the home. It appears to have originated in an area where the electrical service enters the house. Three occupants escaped unharmed. Andria Simmons

County to display new flood plain maps

Gwinnett County will host an open house on new flood plain maps from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville. To view a map of the study area, visit www.gwinnettcounty.com.

For more information, contact Toni Faulk at 678-376-7126 or toni.faulk@gwinnettcounty.com. David Wickert

Senior Softball League honored for work

The Georgia Recreation and Park Association recently honored the Gwinnett Senior Softball League for its volunteer efforts. The league won the association’s District 7 Volunteer Award for providing opportunities for senior citizens to play softball in an organized league. For more information on the Gwinnett Senior Softball League, visit www.gwinnettparks.com. David Wickert

Shiloh High Marching Brigade wins awards

The Shiloh High Marching Brigade won several awards at a recent show tournament.

The band competed at the ninth annual Adrian Carroll Official Historical Black College and University/High School Battle of the Bands. The students participated in the Class AAA division and overall competition. The majorettes won first place. A second place award was given to the band for general effect and drum major. The band placed third for music and dance. D. Aileen Dodd

County offers water conservation workshop

Gwinnett County will hold a free water conservation workshop from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 3 at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville.

Those who attend will receive a low-flow retrofit kit for showers and faucets, an outdoor water efficiency kit and a home water audit guide.

To register for the workshop send an e-mail to dwrconserve@gwinnettcounty.com. David Wickert

NORTHSIDE

Residents to weigh in on Highway 9 corridor

Residents of Alpharetta and Milton are invited to a public input meeting Thursday to discuss the future of the Highway 9 Corridor. The meeting is at 6 p.m. at Milton City Hall, 13000 Deerfield Parkway. The Atlanta Regional Commission has awarded a $100,000 Livable Centers Initiative grant to both cities for a planning study of the Ga. 9 area. After completion and adoption of the plan, the area becomes eligible for additional money to implement transportation projects identified in the study. Information: 678-242-2538 or michele.mcintosh-ross@cityofmiltonga.us. Patrick Fox

Holly Springs gears up for Christmas parade

Christmas may still be weeks away, but planning for the festivities is now. Holly Springs is taking applications for its 7th annual Christmas parade. The parade will be at 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 3. Applications are available at www.hollyspringsga.us, via phone at 770-345-5533 or by emailing Jennifer Stanley at jstanley@hollyspringsga.us. Nancy Badertscher

Session to help with Medicare enrollment

The Fulton County Office of Aging’s second session helping seniors with Medicare Part D enrollment will be Wednesday in Sandy Springs.

Wednesday’s session will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Dorothy S. Benson Senior Multipurpose Complex, 6500 Vernon Woods Drive. Registration: 404-613-6000. Johnny Edwards

Ball Ground seeks parade participants

Ball Ground plans to kick-off the 2011 Christmas season by hosting a Christmas parade on Dec. 2 at 6:30 p.m. starting at Ball Ground Elementary School, located at 480 Old Canton Rd. Organizations, businesses, schools, bands, marching units, beauty queens, public officials and other groups interested in participating in the parade should contact Nancy Butterworth at ncbutterworth@bellsouth.net or 770-924-2176. Veronica Fields Johnson

‘Super CPR Saturday’ returns Nov. 5

Johns Creek’s “Super CPR Saturday” returns Nov. 5 with free lifesaving classes for residents and business owners in how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use an automated external defibrillator (AED).

The classes will be taught by Johns Creek Firefighters/paramedics at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. at the Newtown Community Clubhouse (adjacent to Newtown Park) at 3115 Old Alabama Road in Johns Creek. The non-certification classes are most appropriate for ages 10 and older. To register, call 678-474-1641. Andria Simmons

Leadership nominations due Nov. 1

Nominations for Leadership North Fulton are due Nov. 1. The program was established to help identify and develop local leaders by promoting community awareness, instilling civic responsibility and building relationships. The new Leadership North Fulton program schedule has been compressed to six months. The first class session will be in January.

The online form is available at www.LeadershipNorthFulton.org.

Information: 678-526-6831, Jennifer.Hall@SunTrust.com. Patrick Fox

ATLANTA

Meister to host community meeting

Atlanta Board of Education member Nancy M. Meister will host a community meeting Thursday from 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. in the auditorium of North Atlanta High School, 2875 Northside Dr. The purpose of the meeting is to provide information about the new North Atlanta High School and SPLOST IV. Superintendent Erroll Davis is scheduled to attend the meeting. Ernie Suggs

Holder recognizes four prosecutors

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has recognized four prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Atlanta for their distinguished public service. At a ceremony in Washington, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Randy Chartash, Douglas Gilfillan, Christopher Huber and Sally Molloy from Atlanta were among more than 340 Justice Department employees recognized. The Atlanta prosecutors received the John Marshall Award for Participation in Litigation for reaching a $600 million settlement with Allergan Inc. over the company’s illegal, off-label promotion of Botox. Bill Rankin

Town hall meeting on ‘soft skills’ Thursday

Gov. Nathan Deal’s Office of Workforce Development will host a town hall meeting from 6:30- 8 p.m. on Thursday at Atlanta Technical College about plans to teach non-academic skills for the workplace.

The panel will be comprise of state lawmakers, officials from state agencies and local school and government officials. Ty Tagami

Event to raise money for Alzheimer’s research

The Emory University’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra will host its annual event to raise funds for Alzheimer’s Research on Thursday. Dinner will start at 6:30 p.m. and will follow with the concert at 8 p.m. at the Atlanta Symphony Hall, Woodruff Arts Center, 1290 Peachtree Street Northeast. Information: contact Mary Rose Taylor at mary@maryrosetaylor.com or 770-509-4141. Sandra Marshall Murray

DEKALB

Caregiver gets seven-year sentence

A DeKalb County caregiver was sentenced to seven years in prison for using a credit card belonging to one of her elderly charges to pay the utility bills of other. Cheryl McCann pleaded guilty Monday to identity fraud and elder exploitation. Once out of prison, McCann can never again work with senior citizens. McCann worked at the Clairmont Oaks senior living center in Decatur, where the victim, whose name was not released, lived. McCann made computer payments, using a stolen credit card, to pay bills totalling about $14,000. Rhonda Cook

Police get $112,000 from U.S. Marshals Service

The DeKalb County Police Department recently accepted more than $112,000 from the U.S. Marshals Service.

The money comes from drug forfeitures and sales, as well as confiscated funds. It will be transferred to the department for general purchases, salaries and expenses. April Hunt

County donates firefighter gear

DeKalb County is donating used turnout gear from its fire department, such as boots and helmets that can no longer be fixed, to a local charity for use.

Gear for the Brave was started by a DeKalb fire captain from Ecuador who sends the equipment to fire squads in his native country, where firefighters have limited access to such items. April Hunt

Volunteers need for river cleanup Saturday

Clarkston’s Rivers Alive clean-up effort this weekend will focus on removing trash from the South Fork of Peachtree Creek.

Residents are encouraged to participate in the event, which begins at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Avalon at Montreal apartment complex, 1086 Montreal Road.

The first 20 volunteers will receive a free T-shirt commemorating the event. Information: 404-296-6489. April Hunt

Dunwoody to host pill drop Saturday

The Dunwoody Police Department is teaming up with the Drug Enforcement Agency and Safe Kids Georgia to conduct Operation Pill Drop again from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

The prescription drug take-back event lets the public dispose of expired or unused prescription drugs and medications. Residents can bring unwanted medication to the police department at 41 Perimeter Center East, Suite 100.

They won’t accept needles, thermometers, IV bags, bloody or infectious waste, personal care products, empty containers, inhalers, medical equipment or hydrogen peroxide. Andria Simmons

Decatur students to get passes for buses

Decatur’s school system will begin issuing bus passes to students, possibly as early as next week. The passes, which include a child’s name and bus number, have become necessary because some students are riding the wrong buses, or are inconsistent where they exit and enter. “We haven’t lost anyone,” superintendent Phyllis Edwards said, “but we’ve had a lot of confusion.” Additionally, for several months each bus will have monitors chronicling when and where students engage buses. Edwards said Decatur has roughly 1,000, or one-third of its student body riding buses. Bill Banks for the AJC

SOUTHSIDE

Kedron Fieldhouse pool repairs to cost more

Unforeseen complications are adding to the cost of fixing the Kedron Fieldhouse and Aquatic Center pool in Peachtree City.

Last Thursday , the city council authorized the city manager to approve up to $100,000 in additional repairs necessary to complete the project. The city council already allocated $454,000 to replace the all-weather “bubble” covering and the aging concrete foundation. As repairs got under way, problems related to water lines, lighting and wiring were discovered in the 17-year-old structure. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Transportation offered to East Point seniors

East Point seniors who need rides to medical appointments, shopping malls and other places can use the Transportation Reimbursement for East Point Program, run by the East Point Naturally Occurring Retirement Community.

Under the program, residents age 60 and older who are unable to drive or use public transportation can buy voucher books for $10, worth about six to 10 trips. The seniors must pick someone who lives outside their home to be their driver and be compensated for their time. Information: 404-762-2094. Johnny Edwards

Clayton teacher wins $25,000 prize

Shekema Silveri, a teacher at Mount Zion High in Clayton County, is Georgia’s 2011 National Milken Educator of the Year, the state Department of Education announced Friday. This prestigious national recognition from the Milken Family Foundation comes with a no-strings-attached cash prize of $25,000. Nancy Badertscher

Police chief, clerk to appeal firing

The Locust Grove City Council has a special called meeting set for today at 4 p.m. at City Hall to hear the appeals of Police Chief Jesse Patton and City Clerk Theresa Breedlove, both of whom were terminated last week by City Manager Don McKenzie.

The council’s agenda includes an executive session for votes on those appeals and, if necessary, new appointment Monroe Roark for the AJC

Teacher awarded Georgia Power grant

Daniel Medders, a fourth-grade math and language arts teacher at Henry County’s Hampton Elementary School, has been awarded a New Teacher Assistance Grant from Georgia Power. A graduate of Gordon College, Medders can use the money to buy books, educational materials, computers and other supplies.

He is one of 40 teachers to receive a grant. Nominees had to be in the top 25 percent of their class academically, be a first-year public school teacher,and demonstrate a high aptitude for teaching. Nancy Badertscher

Fayette County Tea Party to meet today

The Fayette County Issues Tea Party will meet today from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Whitewater Creek Neighborhood Clubhouse, located at 175 Birkdale Dr. in Fayetteville. Dr. Bob Todd, Chairman of the Fayette County Board of Education, will be the guest speaker. Information: http://fayettecountyissuesteaparty.org/. Veronica Fields Johnson