County by county news for Tuesday

Information: Joe Tommie, purchasing director, at 770-528-8435 or joe.tommie@cobbcounty.org. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Acworth man killed in I-75 crash

Troy B. Endres, 46, of Acworth, was driving a 2004 Nissan Titan northbound on Interstate 75 north of Barrett Parkway anear Kennesaw round 4:30 p.m. Sunday when the pickup truck left the eastern edge of the roadway.

The truck collided with a guardrail and large pole before overturning down an embankment, police said.

Endres, who was not wearing a seat belt, was partially ejected and died at the scene.Mike Morris

Marietta seeks ethics committee counsel

Marietta is looking for an attorney to serve as counsel on the city ethics committee. The committee reviews complaints filed against city council members and determines violations of the ethics code. Applicants must be attorneys in good standing in Georgia. The deadline is Aug. 29. Information: City Clerk Stephanie Guy at770-794-5526 or sguy@mariettaga.gov..

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Poet laureate to speak at library benefit

U.S. poet Laureate and Pulitizer Prize winner Natasha Trethewey will talk at a Cobb Library Foundation fundraiser 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Georgian Club, 100 Galleria Parkway. The Booked at Six event will benefit the Cobb Library System. Trethewey will also recognize Cobb students who won a library system poetry contest. Information: www.cobblibraryfoundation.org.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Talk on Tuskegee Airmen Aug. 12

A free presentation on America’s first black military pilots, the Tuskegee Airmen, will be 6 to 7 p.m. Aug. 12 at the Powder Springs Library, 4181 Atlanta St.

Dr. Jennifer Dickey, an assistant professor and the Coordinator of Public History at Kennesaw State University will speak.so, “The Tuskegee Airmen: The Segregated Skies of World War II” exhibit will be on display through Aug. 29.

Information: Rhonda Lane, laner@cobbcat.org or 770-439-3600. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Marietta hanges grading for first grade

First graders at Marietta City Schools this year will receive a 1,2 or 3 on report cards instead of A, B or C grades. The City Schools Board of Education on Friday approved the standards-based change that started on the kindergarten level last year. The highest score will be a 3+ for exceeding standards and the lowest will be a 1 for limited progress or not meeting standards.

The district has seven elementary schools. Information: www.marietta-city.org.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

GWINNETT

Legal fees may cost Snellville over $300K

At last week’s City Council meeting, Snellville City Attorney Tony Powell reported legal fees from the lawsuit filed by Mayor Kelly Kautz against the council and city manager will cost taxpayer’s $115,000. Powell had previously estimated the case would incur at least $100,000 in fees. In addition, attorneys representing Kautz will bill an estimated $250,000, which the mayor has asked Snellville citizens to pay. Powell noted Kautz’ legal team may settle for the same amount as attorneys representing the city. A court hearing on the issue will be held Aug. 19. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

BrandsMart closing Gwinnett location

Electronics store BrandsMart USA will close its store at 2918 Buford Drive in Buford within the next 60 days. Reasons for the closure include retail space too large for the market and a location too far from the retailer’s Ellenwood distribution center. Stores in Stockbridge and Doraville will remain open. BrandsMart anticipates offering special sales beginning at the end of August to clear floor models and other inventory.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Fitch reaffirms Gwinnett’s AAA rating

Fitch Ratings has reaffirmed Gwinnett’s AAA credit rating; noting the county’s strong reserves, stable operating performance and favorable debt position. The rating affirmed Gwinnett’s debt of $19.1 million in general obligation bonds, $806.3 million in water and sewer bonds and $89.9 million in development authority bonds. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

New intersection near high school

South Gwinnett High School students will be safer when returning to school this week thanks to new crosswalks at the intersection of Main Street East and Wisteria Drive. New crosswalks and a pedestrian island with push-button walking signals are the joint project between the Georgia DOT and the Gwinnett DOT. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Norcross requesting quieter construction

Norcross is reminding construction crews to keep noise activity to regular weekday work hours. Per the Norcross Municipal Code, noise from construction activity is permissible on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays as long as it only occurs between the hours of 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. (7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays.) Complaint may be filed with the Norcross Police Department at 770-448-2111. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Officials break ground on fire academy

The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners will hold a groundbreaking for the Phase 2 Fire Academy expansion at 3:30 p.m. today at the Fire Academy behind the high-rise training tower at 3608 Braselton Highway, Dacula. Work completion is expected in two years. Funded by the 2009 SPLOST sales tax, the facility will feature an academic building, three-bay apparatus building with classrooms and a large training pavilion. The academic building will consist of eight large training rooms and house a student resource center, kitchen, and conference room. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Help sought in cemetery vandalism

Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office officials seek the public’s help finding the culprits responsible for a cemetery vandalism spree discovered in south Forsyth last week. Vandals — possibly teens from a nearby subdivision having a party — broke 20 tombstones in half at the historic family cemetery on Union Hill Road at Ronald Reagan Boulevard. They also kicked around and damaged smaller markers. The sheriff’s office says anybody with information should call the criminal investigations division at 770-781-2200. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Ga. 92 corridor study kicking off

Woodstock residents are invited to a meeting for the Highway 92 Corridor Livable Centers Initiative study, 7-8:30 p.m. Aug. 12 at the Chambers at City Center, 8534 Main St. The study aims to improve the Ga. 92 “gateway” between I-575 and just east of Main St., with a view toward a live/work/play/shop mix for the corridor. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Exercise fundraising effort in Woodstock

Fitness enthusiast Ty Hardison and Woodstock’s parks department are working to bring the “traveling rings” to town. A private fundraising effort is underway to installing a replica of the gymnastic rings here. Backers have raised $2,770 of a needed $10,000. Woodstock officials would provide a spot-along the Dupree Park fitness trail-and handle construction and installation. Information: startsomegood.com/bringtherings. Mark Woolsey

Cuban scholars to speak at Reinhardt

Reinhardt University in Waleska will host an unusual visit and lectures by two Cuban religious scholars next week. The Rev. Marrero Chasbar will present “The New Pearl of the Caribbean: Seeing Cuba through Different Eyes,” 2-3:30 p.m. Monday in the Lawson academic building, room 104. The Rev. Rufin Pardo will discuss “Reaching God through a Fallen Wall,” on religious education in Cuba, from 3- 4:30 p.m. Tuesday (Aug. 12) in the same spot. Both lectures are free and open to the public. Mark Woolsey

Assisted living project underway in Forsyth

The Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce says construction is underway on an assisted living and memory care facility in south Forsyth that’s expected to add nearly 300 construction and operational jobs. Two Atlanta companies are developing The Arbor Terrace of Johns Creek, set to open in late summer, 2015. It’ll be on Peachtree Parkway near the Laurel Springs Golf and Country Club. Mark Woolsey

Streetscapes project in motion in Holly Springs

The Holly Springs City Council on Monday night approved condemnation of the last tiny land parcel enabling a $2.5 million streetscapes project to proceed under the city’s Livable Centers Initiative program. The project will provide connected sidewalks from City Hall to the old Holly Springs Elementary School and along Hickory Road past Cherokee Fire Station 8.

Also included: lampposts, benches, planters and street trees. The city hopes to bid out the project this fall after getting GDOT approval. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

Sucessful year for Mayor’s reading club

The Mayor’s Summer Reading Club program distributed 15,000 books this year. The second annual event presented 40 storytelling and interactive activities.

The program is an initiative of the City of Atlanta and Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students.

Officers from the Atlanta Police Department’s Path Force Unit read “Amari’s Bike Adventure” to children along the Atlanta Beltline in July.

The program held a closing celebration at Woodruff Arts Center on Saturday.

Adrianne Murchison for the AJC

Code enforcement summit this month

The city of Atlanta is hosting a code enforcement summit for residents, 9 a.m. Aug. 16 at the Atlanta Civic Center, 395 Piedmont Ave.

The goal of the summit is to communicate and explain procedures involved in restoring distressed properties to an acceptable municipal code standard. Residents will also be informed on the importance of community involvement in reporting code concerns.

Registration for this workshop is requested. Participants who register for the summit will be able to report any code or zoning concern or inquire about any existing code violation.Information: 404-330-6044. Kent A. Miles for the AJC

Choral Guild holding auditions

The Choral Guild of Atlanta is holding auditions for its upcoming 75th anniversary season.

Auditions will take place at St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church, 1978 Mount Vernon Road. Auditions will be ongoing on an individual basis as arranged between the singer and director.

Proficiency will be determined by the director but an average skill level or better is desired. Performers of all voice parts are encouraged to audition.

Rehearsals begin on Aug. 18.

The guild will perform concerts throughout its 2014-15 season to commemorate its anniversary.

Information: auditions@cgatl.org

Kent A. Miles for the AJC

DEKALB

Police find weapons, drugs in Brookhaven

Brookhaven Police arrested three suspects on weapons and drug charges, Friday night, at Park Towne North Apartments.

Detectives collected 10 ounces of methamphetamine, an assault rife and a loaded handgun, in which the serial number had been removed.

Jose Leon-Elider, Rigoberto Santiago and Jesus Vargas-Hernandez were transported to DeKalb County Jail. The arrests are not related to the murder, last week, of Justin Acevedo, at the same apartment complex.

Adrianne Murchison for the AJC

Westchester reopens after a decade

After closing in 2004 when City Schools Decatur enrollment plummeted to 2,300, Westchester Elementary reopened Monday as a K-3 with 235 students and 35 staffers including principal Rochelle Lofstrand. This summer Westchester underwent a $500,000 renovation including knocking down walls and restoring the original classroom configuration. The first principal Rebecca Fleischman, who still lives nearby, said the school had 150 students when it opened in 1955. CSD enrollment is expected to surpass 4300 this year. Bill Banks for the AJC

Community gathers for National Night Out

Residents are encouraged to gather tonight for National Night Out, an event that promotes crime prevention.

National Night Out is meant to show criminals that neighborhoods are fighting back through programs including neighborhood watch groups, law enforcement agencies, state and regional crime prevention associations, businesses and civic groups.

The event includes food, fire drills and crime prevention technology 5 to 8 p.m. at Target, 4241 LaVista Road.Mark Niesse

Avondale increases liability insurance

Avondale Estates recently increased its general liability insurance from $600,000 – which city manager Clai Brown described as “outdated” – to $1 million. The increase, Brown said, is based on other metro-area cities roughly the same size (Avondale has a population of 2,960 residents). The insurance covers law enforcement, Public Works and city-used equipment and property.

Bill Banks for the AJC

Community activist honored at ‘Night Out’

The Creekwood Hills community will honor the late Robert Foster Sr. during its National Night Out event, 6 p.m., Tuesday, 3332 Creekway Drive.

Foster, a disabled retired U.S. Army veteran, was a community activist for nearly 30 years in South DeKalb. He died in March of stomach cancer. Adrianne Murchison for the AJC

Faith leaders educated about criminal justice

A free conference designed to educate faith leaders about the criminal justice system will be held Aug. 14.

The Sixth Annual Faith Leaders Day event, hosted by DeKalb County District Attorney Robert James and Sheriff Jeff Mann, includes a tour of the county jail, police headquarters, juvenile court and the medical examiner’s facility.

Those interested in attending may contact Lyn Armstrong at 404-640-9726 or lkarmstrong@dekalbcountyga.gov by Friday.

Mark Niesse

SOUTHSIDE

Motorcyclist killed in Jonesboro crash identified

Clayton County police Monday identified the motorcyclist killed in a weekend wreck near Jonesboro as Joseph Sims, 35, of McDonough.

Sims reportedly lost control of his motorcycle in the 3000 block of Lake Jodeco Road around 5 a.m. Sunday and ran into some trees, Clayton County police told Channel 2 Action News.

Police said Sims was wearing a helmet at the time and showed no indications of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Taylor West

Fayette schools resume Thursday

Fayette County’s first day back to school will be on a Thursday this year. Students return Thursday, with middle school running 8:10 a.m.-3:10 p.m. and high schools starting at 8:35 a.m. and ending at 3:45 p.m. Elementary schedules remain unchanged. Check individual school websites for “meet the teacher” schedules.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Girl Scouts schedule registration sessions

The Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta will be holding several registration sessions in Peachtree City for their 2014-15 Scout year.

Interested girls and their parents can sign up at 3 p.m. Aug. 17 at The Bridge Community Center; 4:30-8 p.m. Aug. 26 at Bruster’s Ice Cream; and at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 6 at the Peachtree City Library. Details: www.gsgatl.org. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Henry to lower insurance premium

Henry County has received a dividend in the amount of $103,021 from the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia—Interlocal Risk Management Association. The dividend will be used as a credit toward Henry County’s property and liability insurance premium.

Information: www.henrycounty-ga.org.

Monroe Roark for the AJC

Henry water quality report released

The Henry County Water Authority has released its 2014 Henry County Water Quality Report, which shows that the organization meets or exceeds state and federal water standards. The report includes lab data collected during the 2013 calendar year, providing consumers with information about the water system and source water, the substances and contaminants for which the HCWA monitors and tests, the water production processes that are overseen and other public information.

Information: www.waterqualityreport.hcwsa.com.

Monroe Roark for the AJC

Peachtree City board accepts applications

Peachtree City Water & Sewerage Authority is accepting application for a nonpaying position on the board of the Water & Sewerage Authority. Applicants must have lived in Peachtree City for at least six months.

The mayor and council appoint Water and Sewerage Authority members to five-year terms.

Information: www.peachtree-city.org/jobs. Applications are due to City Hall by 5 p.m. Aug. 15. Tammy Joyner