County by county news for Tuesday

Diversity can mean race, ethnicity, age, religion, gender or disability.

Nominations are due to county commissioners by Jan. 17. An independent committee will choose the winners.

Email submissions to ccrc@cobbcounty.org. or mail to 100 Cherokee St., Marietta 30090.

Jaime Sarrio

Two stepping down from library board

Two members of the Cobb County Public Library System Board of Trustees are retiring — Charles Switzer and Sally Rhoden. Switzer is retiring after 30 years on the board, the last 14 of which he served as chairman. Rhoden has been on the board since 2010.

Information: www.cobbcat.org

Jaime Sarrio

Cobb donates to Make-A-Wish

The Cobb Board of Commissioners last week donated $38,000 to the Make-A-Wish Georgia Foundation, with funds raised at an October 5K race.

The money will be used to grant wishes for Cobb children with life-threatening medical conditions. Since 2001, the county has raised almost $350,000 for the organization.

Jaime Sarrio

Marietta museum plans yarn installation

The Marietta-Cobb Museum of Art, 30 Atlanta St., is looking for donations of yarn from grannie squares to afghans and scarves to install on the front of the museum next summer.

The yarn installation will open July 6 through the end of summer.

To start the project, the museum plans two knit and crochet workshops 6-8 p.m. Feb. 7 and March 14.

Information:www.mariettaocbbartmuseum.org/yarn-installation.

Tucker McQueen

The Root House

WSB-TV Georgia’s Hidden Treasures segment will feature the Root House Museum and Garden 8 p.m. Wednesday.

The Root House in Marietta provides a unique example of a middle-class merchant’s house in the mid-19th century.

WSB-TV anchor Jovita Moore and staff of the Root House will give viewers a glimpse into the life of the Root family as they prepare for Christmas in the 1850s. Sandra Marshall Murray

West Cobb police will talk of traffic topics today

Precinct Five, which covers West Cobb, will host its quarterly PENS meeting at 7 p.m. today at the precinct, 4640 Dallas Highway, Powder Springs.

Lt. Hawk Hagebak of the Special Operations Unit will discuss traffic fatalities, the Stop Arm Program and other traffic-related issues. Cobb Police Department staffers use the Police Email Notification System to improve communication between the five police precincts and the communities they serve.

Information: 770-499-4185 or police.cobbcountyga.gov/pens/.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Cobb libraries closed for holidays

Cobb County libraries will be closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The libraries will close at 5 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.

For a full list of holiday hours and closure dates, go to out www.cobbcat.org/aboutustable.html#holidays.

Jaime Sarrio

GWINNETT

Commission approves aquatic center renovation

Bogan Park Aquatic Center in Buford will get a major renovation under a contract approved by the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners last week.

Commissioners awarded a $3.2 million contract to low bidder Bryson Construction. The company will install new roof panels, a new HVAC system and a new filtration system at the aquatic center. It also will renovate locker rooms.

Bogan Park Aquatic Center will close in February for the work and reopen in September.

David Wickert

Buford, Norcross win state

Buford and Norcross Highs won state football championships at the Georgia Dome. The Wolves beat St. Pius 10-3 in Class AAA, and Norcross edged Lovejoy 21-14 in new AAAAAA. The Wolves’ title was their fifth in the last six seasons and ninth overall, while Norcross’ was its first, two steps beyond its quarterfinal run of 2006. Buford finished its season 12-3; Norcross 15-0. MICHAEL ALPERT FOR THE AJC

Regent to speak at commencement

Kenneth Bernard, Jr., representative for the 13th Congressional district on University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents, is scheduled to speak at Georgia Gwinnett College’s 10th commencement 2 p.m. Thursday at the Gwinnett Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway. Appointed by former Governor Sunny Purdue in 2007 for a seven-year term, Bernard will address the Lawrenceville college’s graduating class of 260.

MICHAEL ALPERT FOR THE AJC

Duluth police needs volunteers

The Duluth Police Department is seeking bilingual residents to participate in its new program called CHIPs, Citizens Helping Interpret for Police.

Volunteers are needed to ride with police on patrol, helping interpret.

Volunteers, who must be at least 18 years old and pass a background check, will wear T-shirts while on patrol, identifying them as CHIPs.

MICHAEL ALPERT FOR THE AJC

Deer hunting concerns

Berkeley Lake

Residents of Berkeley Lake are on the lookout for suspected deer hunters inside their city limits. Mayor, Lois Salter, informed residents by email a deer stand was found and removed in the Berkeley Lake greenspace.

Residents have reported hearing gunshots in the early morning hours and one family found a dead deer just steps from their back door.

Residents who see or hear suspicious activity are advised to contact state Conservation Rangers at 770-535-6922 with details. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Water begins to refill Berkeley Lake

Repairs to the Berkeley Lake dam are now 85 percent complete and Safe Dams has given the go-ahead to begin accumulating carefully monitored water into the dam’s basin.

Sod will be planted on the dam this week and North Berkeley Lake Road should be able to open by the first week of January.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Patrols increased at Cherokee County schools

Cherokee County law officers will increase their presence at county schools this week to provide an extra sense of security following last week’s Connecticut tragedy.

Sheriffs’s deputies, city officers and school police will watch arriving and departing students. Patrols will also be beefed up around schools. Sheriff’s Lt. Jay Baker says no threats have been reported in Cherokee.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Milton finance department recognized

The Milton finance department’s annual report was nationally recognized for a fourth consecutive year by Chicago-based Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada. The financial report, which combines an annual audit and analysis of historical data, was acknowledged for its disclosure and understandability. MICHAEL ALPERT

State Bridge Road being spruced up

Johns Creek is beautifying the median on State Bridge Road between Medlock and Kimball Bridge Roads.

Through mid-April, the city will plant a variety of shrubs, tall grasses, flowers, cherry trees, and crepe myrtles on the roughly four-mile stretch.

“Johns Creek is known as a pretty city, and we’re trying to make it even prettier,” the city’s Public Works Director Tom Black said. “We want people to know they’re in a special place when they drive through our city.”

MICHAEL ALPERT FOR THE AJC

Cherokee educational group picks logo

The fledgling Cherokee County Educational Foundation, Inc., recently picked a logo to represent the group. The design includes the black-and-dark-red silhouette of an apple tree over the acronym CCEF and the group’s name.

The foundation seeks to support schools in areas not fully funded by regular tax-supported programs.Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Forsyth contemplating an excise tax

Forsyth County has scheduled a second public hearing on its proposed ordinance to collect an excise tax on energy sales to manufacturers.

Implemented through an intergovernmental agreement with Cumming, the tax replaces one the state decided to phase out over four years.

The hearing will be held at 5 p.m. Dec. 20 in the county’s Administration Building, 110 E. Main St., Cumming.

Michael Alpert for the AJC

Municipal parking deck closing

The city parking deck at East Main and Mason Streets in downtown Cumming is closing at 6 p.m. on Dec. 28 in preparation for its demolition and replacement with a new courthouse built from SPLOST funds.

Jurors and others using the Forsyth County Courthouse should park in the lot at the southwest corner of Maple Street and Castleberry Road.

The courthouse and new parking are part of a $100 million project that also includes jail expansion. MICHAEL ALPERT FOR THE AJC

ATLANTA

New Georgia Lottery board member

Atlanta businessman Al Trujillo was named Friday by Gov. Nathan to the Georgia Lottery board. His appointment fills one of two vacant seats on the board. Former board member Debbie Dlugolenski Alford resigned in October to lead the lottery’s daily operations as its president and CEO.

Another former board member, Frances Rogers, quit the same month in protest. She said Deal’s involvement touting Alford for the lottery job compromised the board’s search to replace retiring lottery President Margaret DeFrancisco.

Kristina Torres

Charity Christmas Concert set for Sunday

Street Execs presents the third annual Charity Christmas Concert 6 p.m. Dec. 23 at The Tabernacle, 152 Luckie Street, Atlanta. More than 12 artists are scheduled to perform. All ages are welcome. Admission is free with an unwrapped toy or canned good. Information: 404-547-5941. Kenneth Musisi

Toys for Tots campaign ends this week

United Way of Greater Atlanta and Publix Super Markets are partnering again with the U.S. Marine Corps for the 2012 Toys For Tots campaign. Through Friday, new and unwrapped toys can be dropped off at any Publix in greater Atlanta.

By logging on to 211online.unitedwayatlanta.org or by dialing 2-1-1, families can be connected to authorized agencies in their community to request toys. Nancy Badertscher

EPS takes applications for grants

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is taking applications for $1.5 million in small environmental justice grants of up to $30,000.

The grants enable non-profit organizations to conduct research, provide education and develop solutions to local health and environmental issues in communities overburdened by harmful pollution. One to five grants will be awarded in each EPA region, with a maximum $30,000 award.

Information: www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/grants/ej-smgrants.html Nancy Badertscher

DEKALB

School officials to discuss audit

The DeKalb County School Board’s Committee on Budget, Audit, Finance & Facilities will meet at 10 a.m. Tuesday to discuss the results of an audit commissioned by Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson.

Among the findings of auditor KPMG was evidence that suggested board-mandated staff reductions did not occur. The school system briefly released the report to the public on its website before retracting it, claiming a state law about accountant work product prohibited disclosure.

Board members will discuss the audit in public at the school system’s Administrative & Instructional Complex, 1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard, Stone Mountain. Ty Tagami

Hearing set Tuesday on DeKalb biomass plant

The state Environmental Protection Division will hold a public hearing 6:30 p.m. today at the Lou Walker Senior Center, 2538 Panola Road.on a permit application for a biomass plant near Lithonia.

Green Energy Partners must get an air permit for the facility, which calls for burning wood chips to create energy that it will sell to Georgia Power.

Nearby residents and community leaders have opposed the $60 million plant, to be built on Rogers Lake Road, since its proposal two years ago. A lawsuit seeking to overturn the county’s zoning change for the plant is pending.

April Hunt

One day of sanitation pickup eliminated

DeKalb County residents accustomed to four days of trash pick-up from county sanitation trucks will see one less day of service this month.

The county recently agreed to consolidate its recycling and yard trimmings collections from two separate days each week to one. Sanitation crews will continue to collect household waste twice a week and fees for the service will not change.

The change comes a month after more than 80 percent of sanitation workers petitioned for the county to recognize Teamsters Local 728, citing morale and safety concerns.

April Hunt

Brookhaven council meets Wednesday

The Brookhaven City Council will meet Wednesday night to continue reviewing potential vendors to provide city services.

The city began operations Monday and is expected to contract with DeKalb County for many services for the next several months. However, the council has signed some deals already, to provide finance work and communications.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday at St. Martin’s Episcopal School on Ashford Dunwoody Road. April Hunt

DeKalb History Center to host children’s event

Parents can drop off children at DeKalb History Center from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Dec. 20 for “Night at the Museum,” while the adults shop or dine in downtown Decatur.

Activities for children ages 7 to 12 include storytelling, a magic performance, a craft event and a light snack at the center in the Old Courthouse on the Square.

Cost: $5 for center members and $10 for nonmembers.

Information: 404-373-1088, ext. 20 or borger@dekalbhistory.org. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

$10K reward offered in T-Mobile store robberies

Crime Stoppers Atlanta is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to arrests for suspects in robberies at the T-Mobile store on Panola Road in Lithonia on Aug. 30; the T-Mobile on Mt. Zion Road in Morrow on Oct. 8 where two suspects fled in a silver Dodge Magnum; and the T-Mobile on Holcomb Bridge Road, near Norcross on Oct. 10.

Any information on the case can be submitted anonymously to the Crime Stoppers tip line at 404-577-8477 or online at www.crimestoppersatlanta.org. Alexis Stevens

Man, daughter jump from burning home

East Point firefighters responded to the home at 1419 Gus Thornhill, Junior Drive at 2:56 a.m. Heavy smoke and flames were coming from the two-story wood-frame home, according to East Point fire department .

The man and his 16-year-old daughter, who officials did not identify, were outside when firefighters arrived. They said they both jumped from a second story window after being awakened by a smoke alarm. The father landed safely. The daughter complained of arm pain and was transported to Egleston Children’s Hospital.

Fran Jeffries

Roller skating against childhood obesity

Starlite Family Fun Center, 3710 N Henry Boulevard, Stockbridge has become a member of kidsskatefree.com, a free program fighting childhood obesity by offering kids a fun way to stay active.

Information: Clint Couey at skaskating@aol.com or www.kidsskatefree.com.

Kenneth Musisi

Woodward students display their talents

Four Woodward Academy Middle School students will exhibit with Paul Angelo Vogt, a middle school art teacher at North Georgia College and State University.

They are: Cheyenne Early, 8th grade - black-white digital photograph; Shelby Etkind, 8th grade - color digital photograph; Jonathan Fitch, 7th grade - color digital photograph; and Alexa Flesch, 8th grade - black/white digital photograph.

The exhibition runs Jan. 8-24 in Price Memorial Hall at the college in Dahlonega Nancy Badertscher

Students show off signing skills

The sign language club at Henry County’s Dutchtown Middle School on Frida signed a story for students in kindergarten, fist grade and second grate at Dutchtown Elementary.

The club’s purpose is to provide students with insight into the deaf culture and attain the ability to communicate with the deaf and hearing impaired. The club meets every other week at the Hampton school and is open to students in sixth through eight grades. Nancy Badertscher

Hapeville museum seeks stories

The Hapeville Depot Museum is seeking Hapeville High School yearbooks for all years. The museum is also seeking all stories about living in Hapeville now and in the past. Information: Charlotte Rentz at historichapeville@comcast.net.

John Thompson for the AJC