County by county news for Tuesday

A procession to Kennesaw Memorial on Whitlock Avenue will follow the service. Nutt, 49 and two other firefighters responded Thursday afternoon to a motor vehicle accident with injuries on Whitlock Avenue. While helping to assist an injured patient, Nutt collapsed. He later died at an area hospital.

Contributions may be made to Georgia Fallen Fire Fighters at any SunTrust Bank. Andria Simmons

Armed, masked man robs pawn store

Cobb County Police are investigating an armed robbery which occurred Friday afternoon at Georgia Auto Pawn at 2000 South Cobb Drive in Marietta. A heavyset man wearing a ski mask and gloves demanded money from the register while pointing a silver and black revolver at the employees. He took an undisclosed amount of cash was taken. Anyone with information is asked to call 770-499-3945. Andria Simmons

8 people indicted vehicle emissions scam

A Cobb County Grand Jury on Thursday indicted Arthur Alexander, Derek Holman, Nathaniel Johnson, Tina Johnson, Daniel Lawson, Shelton Ray, Latasha Rose and Shontana Tellis for allegedly conspiring to sell fraudulent motor vehicle emission certificates and test results to motorists whose vehicles couldn’t pass the inspection. According to the indictment, the suspects carried out the activity at emission stations in Cobb and Fulton counties between Jan. 27, 2009, and March 7, 2012. The defendants allegedly would enter vehicle identifying information for one vehicle into the emission analyzer while actually connecting the analyzer to and testing another vehicle that could pass the inspection. Fran Jeffries

Registration opensfor Asian art camp

Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. March 12 for the Asian Art Adventures summer camp for ages 4-15 at the Mable House Arts Center, 5239 Floyd Road, Mableton.

Seven sessions will be offered in June and July for the 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday-Friday classes. Weekly costs are $90 for Cobb residents and $115 for out-of-county residents.

Registration: MableHouse.org or 770-819-3285.Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Business owners invited to network

Business owners are invited to attend an open networking event of the South Cobb Business Association at 8 a.m. Wednesday at Presbyterian Village, 2000 East West Connector, Austell.

Information: sc-ba.org or Dr. Richard Block, rgblock48@gmail.com.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Powder Springs meeting today

State Rep. David Wilkerson, D-Austell, will host a meeting at 6:30 p.m. today at the Ron Anderson Recreation Center, 3820 Macedonia Road, Powder Springs. Residents are invited to express their views on bills under consideration by the Georgia General Assembly.

Information: info@wilkersonforcobb.com or 770-436-7241.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

Duluth High teacher honored by his peers

Veteran educator Peter Lemonds was recently honored by his colleagues from across the state with a top teaching award.

The state chapter of the American String Teachers Association selected the Duluth High music educator as the 2013 Educator of the Year, recognizing his years of commitment to Georgia music students.

Lemonds has been on the faculty at Duluth High since 2000. He is co-director of orchestras and the district’s lead teacher for school orchestras. Nancy Badertscher

GGC begins new building

Lawrenceville’s Georgia Gwinnett College has broken ground on its $30 million Allied Health and Science Building. The three-story, 91,000-square-foot facility will feature several dozen labs, including seven for chemistry and six for biology, as well as a 14-bed clinical practice lab. Planned opening for the building is the 2014 fall semester. MICHAEL ALPERT FOR THE AJC

Health care law seminar in Duluth

The Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce is holding a new health care law seminar, Patient Protection and the Affordable Care Act, at 7:30 a.m. March 20 at Gwinnett Center’s Tommy P. Hughes Ballroom on the grounds of Gwinnett Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. Industry experts will speak at the event designed to help navigate new health care laws. Information: 770-813-7500. MICHAEL ALPERT FOR THE AJC

Lilburn community servants honored

Lilburn will host an Arbor Day celebration 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday at City Park. The celebration will include the dedication and planting of a tree in honor of former mayor Diana Preston and the dedication of a bench to honor the late Diane Bronk, a longtime city volunteer. The first 50 families in attendance will receive a 16-inch seedling to take home. The Lilburn Woman’s Club will provide refreshments. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Suwanee looking for Arbor Day volunteers

Suwanee needs volunteers to help plant Japanese maple trees at Sims Lake Park beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday in celebration of Arbor Day. Volunteers will plant trees in the landscaped area along the lake near the Sunset sculpture. To volunteer, contact Daniel Robinson at drobinson@suwanee.com. This year marks the 23rd consecutive year Suwanee has been recognized as a Tree City USA for excellence in urban forestry management by the Arbor Day Foundation. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Extension service plant sale taking orders

The Gwinnett Cooperative Extension Service has announced March 21 as the date for its 2013 plant sale, featuring blueberries, raspberries, figs, apples, camellias, azaleas and other locally grown plants. Pre-paid orders are being accepted through today at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds.

Information:www.gwinnettcounty.com and look for the Extension Service under Community Services.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Leadership Sandy Springs nominations accepted

Leadership Sandy Springs is accepting applications for the Class of 2014, which runs Sept. 2013 through May 2014. Participants are selected based on criteria related to prior leadership, service in the community, potential to contribute to the future of Sandy Springs, diversity and the desire to be involved. Nominations are accepted from community organizations, businesses and alumni. Interested individuals may also self-nominate. Applications due by March 25. Information: www.leadershipsandysprings.org or info@leadershipsandysprings.org. Veronica Fields Johnson

One dead in weekend Cherokere wreck

One person died in a single-vehicle wreck Sunday in Cherokee County. The Georgia State Patrol says a Ford Explorer traveling north on Interstate 575 at Bethany Road left the roadway and struck a bridge pillar. Driver Luca Garovi, 28, of Orcutt, Calif., was killed. Police say he was not wearing a seat belt. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Public safety academy set in Woodstock

Woodstock police and fire officials are accepting applications for their spring 2013 Public Safety Academy. Classes begin March 28 and run each Thursday evening through June 13 at Woodstock police headquarters, 12453 Ga. 92. Anyone living or working in the city can apply for the academy. All applicants must be at least 19 and submit to a background check. Information: cellerbee@woodstockga.gov Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Nelson may require guns in homes

The city of Nelson this week gave first-reading approval to an ordinance requiring heads of households in the city to keep a firearm and ammunition. Councilman Duane Cronic says he offered the ordinance in opposition of any attempt by the federal government to take away personal firearms. The ordinance contains several exceptions, including for those who oppose guns on religious or other grounds. Final approval is set April 1. Mark Wolsey for the AJC

Milton police to hold golf tournament

The Milton Police Department will hold a “K-9 Support” golf tournament May 1 to raise funds for a new K-9 officer to replace a retired police dog.

The tournament will be at Echelon Golf Club at 501 Founders Drive in Alpharetta. It includes registration and breakfast at 8 a.m., a shotgun start at 10 a.m. and a reception and awards ceremony at 3 p.m.

Cost to play is $125 per golfer or $500 for a team of four. Sponsorship levels include $7,500 (platinum), $3,000 (gold) and $1,500 (silver). To register, sponsor or make a donation call 678-242-2570 or email ara.baronian@cityofmiltonga.us. Andria Simmons

Kindergarten registration set

Forsyth County Schools has announced dates for kindergarten registration for the 2013-2014 school year. Registration is March 27 from 1 to 7 p.m. and March 28 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration will take place at elementary schools in individual attendance zones.

Information: www.forsyth.k12.ga.us Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

Hyde sworn in as new JQC member

Gov. Nathan Deal on Monday swore in investigator Richard Hyde to be a new member of the state Judicial Qualifications Commission.

Since coming to the JQC in 2007, Hyde has overseen investigations that led to the resignations of more than 30 judges. In January, Deal appointed Hyde to become one of the JQC’s seven members. A former Atlanta street cop, Hyde also was one of the three special investigators who uncovered widespread test-cheating in the Atlanta Public Schools. Bill Rankin

Afro-Cuban film to screen at library

Georgia State University, Spelman College and the Cinnamon Traveler Heritage Trust will host a screening of “1912: Breaking the Silence,” a documentary by Afro-Cuban scholar Gloria Rolando, 5 p.m. March 23 at the Auburn Avenue Research Library, 101 Auburn Avenue, N.E. Part of the 2013 Herstory Independent Film Festival, the event includes a discussion with Rolando. Information: 404-730-4001 ext. 100 or afpls.org/events-aarl. Veronica Fields Johnson

North Atlanta charter school proposed

Atlanta Classical Academy, a proposed charter school in the Buckhead area plans to petition the Atlanta Board of Education for approval in April.

Launch Chairman Matthew Kirby said the school would provide a liberal arts education in grades K-12, with a focus on reading classical books and primary source documents.

The school’s launch team is searching for locations, and enrollment would initially reach about 50 students per grade, he said. Mark Niesse

Tai Chi classes offered through March 25

Covenant Presbyterian Church will offer adult Tai Chi (or Ji) classes 1 to 2 p.m. Mondays through March 25 at the church, 2461 Peachtree Road. NE. Attendees will learn how to reduce stress and improve balance, coordination and flexibility.

Information and registration: 770-242-2232, innerbalancetaiji@me.com. Mea Watkins

DEKALB

Meeting Monday for stormwater fee hike

DeKalb County will host a public hearing 7 p.m. Monday at the Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Dr., Decatur on a proposal to raise its stormwater fee. Residents and businesses now pay $4 per water/sewer billing cycle for the fee, which pays to treat runoff water for pollution. A proposal would raise the amount to $5 per billing cycle, or every other month.

Information: 404-371-3681.

April Hunt

CEO continuing private home “chats”

DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis will continue his in-home conversations around the county this week to talk about government priorities.

A meeting is set for 7 p.m. tosday at the home of Booker and Jessica Daniels on Shoal Creek Boulevard. Two additional meetings are scheduled for March 19 and March 21. The meetings are open to the public.Information: 404-371-2881. April Hunt

Brownfield to become central county park

DeKalb County recently began clean-up efforts on a nearly 5-acre parcel off Briarcliff Road destined to become greenspace.

The county paid $275,000 for the land at Chrysler Drive, with the intent to convert it into parkland. The owner dropped the price after a county inspection found several drums containing various chemicals, including arsenic, on the property.

The lower price will help the county pay for cleanup and restoration. Once that work is done in about a year, public meetings will be held for how to develop the park. April Hunt

Boundaries revised for proposed Lakeside city

Organizers examining whether to carve a new city out of DeKalb County have changed the boundaries for the proposed town.

Under the changes, Lakeside would take in the mostly residential area of Sagamore and Leafmore, as well as parts of more commercial Toco Hills.

Removed from the city, expected to have about 60,000 people, is the commercial gem of Century Center at Interstate 85 and Clairmont Road as well as the nearby neighborhoods of Clairmont Terrace and Dresden East.

Lakeside City Alliance leaders said the map is still subject to change, as organizers solicit donations to pay for a cityhood study.

Information: www.lakesidealliance.org. April Hunt

Clarkston holding Arbor Day planting

Clarkston will celebrate Arbor Day 9 a.m. Saturday with a tree planting in the Friendship Forest Nature Preserve, 43830 East Ponce de Leon Ave.

The event will also celebrate improvements made to the park, such as new wildlife trails.

Information: 404-296-6489. April Hunt

South River group best in state

The South River Watershed Alliance has been named Watershed Group of the Year for its work to protect the DeKalb County waterway. The Georgia River Network will present the group with the award during the River Celebration Award Ceremony in April.

Information: www.garivers.org April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Police: Roommates’ argument turns deadly

An argument between roommates in the 4800 block of Miller Road off Roosevelt Highway escalated into gunfire overnight that left one dead and the other in police custody, Fulton County police said.

Police said the two roommates had been “arguing all day,” when one “finally just pulled a gun and shot the other.” When police arrived on scene, the suspect was still there. The names of the 30-year-old victim and the 29-year-old suspect were not immediately released. Mike Morris

Jury selection begins in double homicide

Attorneys have begun choosing a jury to hear the murder trial of Christopher Bradshaw accused in the June 2011 shooting death of Dion Leonard Brice, 16, and Devonta Emon Stembridge, 19.

Stembridge and Brice were both found shot to death inside a car in College Park on the night of June 25, police said. Police said they were able to link Bradshaw, 28, and Michael Boykin, Jr., 20, to the shooting, even reportedly finding the murder weapon in one of the men’s homes.

A motive to this point has not been clear, but investigators say Boykin and Bradshaw knew their alleged victims. Marcus K. Garner

Brain Awareness workshop planned

The Harriett G. Darnell Senior Multipurpose Facility, 677 Fairburn Road, will observe National Brain Awareness Week with a workshop focused on the aging brain at 11 a.m. today.

Information: Meletta Clayton, 404-699-8580. Mea Watkins

Peachtree City allows anonymous crime tips

The Peachtree City Police Department is now letting residents submit anonymous crime tips by text message or online.

The TipSubmit app can be used to send photographs, videos and other information about crimes, missing children and other situations.

Text “PTCTIPS” plus the information to 274367 (CRIMES) or use the Crime Tips link at www.peachtree-city.org/police.

The department also has a Facebook page with a tips link.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

After-school program offered in East Point

Jefferson Park Recreation Center, 1431 Norman Berry Drive, East Point, offers an after-school program until 6 p.m. that includes homework assistance, afternoon snack, reading, writing, arts and crafts, movies, and age-appropriate organized sports and games. Cost: $25/week.

Information: 404-270-7054.

John Thompson for the AJC

Free seminars on gun safety in Henry

A series of free seminars in gun safety have been scheduled for citizens 21 years of age and older, through a joint effort by Henry County’s law enforcement agencies.

Sessions are 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Merle Manders Conference Center, Stockbridge; March 28 at Henry County Administration Building, McDonough; April 11 at Atlanta Motor Speedway’s Tara Ballroom, Hampton; April 23 at Locust Grove Senior Center. Monroe Roark for the AJC