COBB
Ex-guardsman convicted of child molestation
A former master sergeant with the Georgia National Guard has been convicted of three counts of child molestation in Cobb County. John Joseph Kinnaman, 41, has been in the Cobb County Jail since November. The allegations against Kinnaman in Cobb County stem from 2010 and involve a relative, according to his arrest warrant. In addition to the charges in Cobb County, Kinnaman, previously of LaGrange, faces similar charges in Troup and Franklin counties, according to a spokesman for the Cobb DA’s office. Kinnman’s sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 27 at 1:30 p.m. Alexis Stevens
Senior housing community to open
A senior housing community, expected to open in June, will start taking applications Thursday at the Marietta Housing Authority, 95 Cole St. Marietta and 4173 Kienel Drive, Acworth. The $16 million project on Spring Street is a joint effort between Marietta Housing and Walton Communities. Rental assistance based on income will be available for 55 of the 108 apartments to seniors 62 and older. Other units are open to ages 55 and up. Information: 770-419-5115. Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Marietta to study upgrading parkways
Marietta will collaborate with Southern Polytechnic State and Life Universities to look at how to redevelop stretches of South Marietta Parkway and Cobb Parkway that are adjacent to the two schools. An $80,000 Livable Centers Initiative grant through the Atlanta Regional Commission will pay for a study on promoting business in the area, adding sidewalks, pedestrian access to transit and connecting resources of both schools to the community. Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Lifelong Mableton project wins award
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Building Health Communities for Active Aging initiative selected the Atlanta Regional Commission to receive the 2011 Commitment Award for the Lifelong Mableton project.
Lifelong Mableton, a strategy to implement smart growth policies to allow residents to age in place, was one of two initiatives recognized this year. The Mableton program began in 2009, and includes a flexible zoning code for easier mixed-use development, a community garden and a community walking program. Janel Davis
Marietta gears up for July 4 parade
Marietta started registering groups this week for its Independence Day Parade. The city expects 110 entries and 2,000 participants.
Applicants can sign up online at www.mariettaga.gov or at the Parks and Recreation Department at City Hall, 205 Lawrence St.
The deadline is May 31. Information: 770-794-5601. Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Fundraiser to benefit victims of wreck
Meehan’s Public House, 2810 Paces Ferry Road NW, Vinings, is sponsoring a fundraiser today from 4 p.m. to midnight, to help with the cost of burial expenses for four members of the Carmo family and Lidiane Carmo’s continued medical costs. Lidiane is the only survivor of a Jan. 29 car crash that killed her family on I-75 near Gainesville, Fla. Information: 770-433-1920. Veronica Fields Johnson
GWINNETT
State Rep. Brett Harrell to seek re-election
State Rep. Brett Harrell, R-Snellville, announced Monday he will seek re-election.
Harrell represents House District 106, which includes most of Snellville and parts of Lawrenceville, Grayson and Loganville. He served as mayor of Snellville from 2000 to 2003 and later as executive director of the Evermore Community Improvement District. He won election to the state House of Representatives in 2010. David Wickert
Trickum students runners up in contest
Trickum Middle School students won first runner up at the Professional Association of Georgia Educators Academic Bowl for Middle Grades state championship. The Lilburn team was coached by teachers Linda LaPerre and Cary Sell.
At the PAGE Academic Bowl, teams of middle school students compete for points as they answer questions on subjects ranging from Georgia history to mathematics, science, literature and the performing arts. The goal of the program is to inspire students to excel academically and become more self-confident. D. Aileen Dodd
Peachtree Corners candidates to speak
Peachtree Corners residents will have a chance to meet City Council candidates from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Feb. 27 at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 5575 Peachtree Parkway. Peachtree Corners residents voted in November to incorporate the community. They will elect the City Council March 6. Information: www.upcca.org. David Wickert
Art teacher to pick award in New York
Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) teacher Debi West is set early next month to travel to New York City to claim the title of 2012 Outstanding National Art Honor Society Sponsor of the Year Award. West, an art teacher at North Gwinnett High, receives the honor at the 2012 National Art Education Association (NAEA) National Convention May 1-4. Nancy Badertscher
Suwanee offers citizens police academy
The Suwanee Police Department is once again offering a Citizens Police Academy.
Over the past eight years, more than 300 people have participated in the hands-on, eight-week program. Applications for spring classes are due March 2 and are available at www.Suwanee.com.
Andria Simmons
County aqua triathlon, polar bear swim Feb. 25
Gwinnett County will host an aqua triathlon and polar bear swim from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 25 at Mountain Park Aquatic Center, 1063 Rockbridge Road, Stone Mountain. The triathlon will feature 10 minutes each of aqua running, aqua cycling and swimming. The polar bear swim in the outdoor leisure pool begins at 11 a.m. The events are open to those age 15 and up. The cost is a minimum donation of $26 per person and includes a t-shirt, snacks and prizes. Proceeds benefit Living Waters International. Pre-registration is required. To register, call 770-564-4650. David Wickert
NORTHSIDE
Forsyth commission to discuss beekeeping
Forsyth County commissioners will lay the groundwork today that would allow beekeepers to operate. The commission is scheduled to discuss the measure at a work session at 6:30 p.m. Last month, commissioners gave verbal approval to about two dozen beekeepers who were lobbying for a change in the code that classifies bees as livestock and makes it virtually impossible to own hives in most residential areas. Proponents of the change say honey bees are not domesticated and should not be considered livestock. Patrick Fox
Forsyth to begin work on animal shelter
Forsyth County officials expect design work to begin on a new county animal shelter in roughly 45 days. Deputy manager Tim Merritt says after a private architectural firm completes its work, construction will begin in late summer or early fall, with completion in the fall of 2013. The $2.6 million shelter on County Way just off Ga. 400 would replace a facility the county pays a private group to operate. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Cherokee deputies conduct operation
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office conducted a proactive operation to address a high-crime area in the southern portion of the county over the weekend and made eight arrests. The office’s V.I.P.E.R. Unit concentrated on serving outstanding warrants, traffic enforcement and foot patrols between 4 p.m. and midnight on Friday. Deputies made 72 traffic stops and 64 contacts in the community, resulting in a DUI arrest, three arrests for traffic charges and four arrests on outstanding warrants. Andria Simmons
Forsyth recognized for financial report
Forsyth County is being recognized for excellence in financial reporting for an 11th straight year. The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada lauded the county’s comprehensive annual financial report for fiscal year 2010. Among other things, the group said the report demonstrated a constructive spirit of full disclosure. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Lions Club pancake breakfast Saturday
The Alpharetta Lions Club annual pancake breakfast runs from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Alpharetta First United Methodist Church, 69 N. Main Street.
The club is partnering with North Fulton Community Charities to support the “Have a Heart for NFCC” fundraising campaign. The charity is trying to raise $200,000 to support less fortunate area residents. Pancake breakfast tickets are $5. Information: Jason Blalock, 678-458-2404. Patrick Fox
Woodstock holds town hall meeting
About 25 people attended last Thursday’s first Woodstock citywide town hall meeting.
City Manager Jeff Moon sketched out plans and projects for 2012, including completion of the I-575-Ridgewalk interchange set for this fall.
The meetings switched from the former by-ward presentation system in hopes of stimulating more public participation. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
ATLANTA
Bottoms to hold town hall meeting
Atlanta City Councilwoman Keisha Lance Bottoms will host a District 11 town hall meeting at 6 p.m. today at Cascade United Methodist Church, 3144 Cascade Road S.W. The third annual community town hall will give residents of the southwest Atlanta district a chance to discuss issues with top city officials. Topics of discussion may include redistricting, code enforcement, crime reduction, sanitation, water bill disputes, and street paving. Mayor Kasim Reed has been invited, as well as representatives from a range of city departments, including police, fire, watershed, public works and others. Jeremiah McWilliams
Charges pending in fatal wreck
Charges were pending Monday against the driver that collided head on with another car early Sunday in Atlanta, leaving one woman dead.
Atlanta police spokeswoman Kim Jones said Sharnaye Williams was driving east on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive near Hightower Road just after midnight Saturday night when she lost control of her vehicle, crossed the double yellow line and collided with a westbound Dodge Magnum driven by Kevin Huston. A passenger in Williams’ car, Tonikia Daunte Clark, died at the scene, Jones said. Williams was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital in critical condition. Huston was also taken to Grady for treatment of a broken leg. Mike Morris
NAACP readies ACT-SO competition
The Atlanta Branch of the NAACP is gearing up for ACT-SO by hosting a local competition March 31 at Frederick Douglass High School, 225 Hamilton E. Holmes Dr. Local winners represent Atlanta in July at the national finals Houston.
The NAACP’s nationally recognized Afro-Academic Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO), is a year-long achievement program designed to recruit, stimulate and encourage high academic and cultural achievement among black high school students.
Information: 404-756-5447 or email Mary Ross at mary@naacpatlanta.org Ernie Suggs
DEKALB
Man shot in brawl at strip club
One person was shot and wounded early Monday after a fight inside a DeKalb County strip club spilled out into the parking lot.
The shooting happened outside Pin Ups on East Ponce de Leon Avenue near Decatur.
Channel 2 Action News reported that 10 to 15 men were involved in the fight, which was broken up by the club’s bouncers.
Once bouncers got those involved in the fight out of the club, one of the men got a gun from his the trunk of his car and fired into the crowd.
A 31-year-old man was shot in the lower back, but was alert and in stable condition when taken to Grady Memorial Hospital, Channel 2 reported. Mike Morris
Remodeled fire station to be dedicated
DeKalb County Fire and Rescue and county officials will dedicate a remodeled station on Constitution Road on Wednesday at 10 a.m.
Community block grant funds were used to remodel fire station No. 10 -- built in 1960 at 1686 Constitution Road in Atlanta.
Once the ribbon is cut, the station will be open again. Rhonda Cook
Price to speak to Brookhaven Yes group
U.S. Rep. Tom Price will be the featured speaker at a fundraising event today for Brookhaven Yes, the group advocating cityhood in north-central DeKalb County.
Several other local and state officials will attend, including the mayors of Sandy Springs, Dunwoody and Chamblee and state rep. Mike Jacobs, who is pushing the cityhood issue in the Legislature.
The event runs from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Pub 71, 4058 Peachtree Road.
To attend, RSVP at 678-571-2889 or Laura.Goss@peachgov.com.
Commission overrides CEO veto
The DeKalb County commission recently voted to override the chief executive’s veto of a new program that lets county workers buy large-ticket items at a significant markup through a payroll deduction.
CEO Burrell Ellis said the Purchasing Power program violates the state Constitution by creating a gratuity. He also noted that the broker for the program, state Senator Fran Millar, pledged to give 10 percent of his commission to the county but there was no information on how much the county will spend to administer the deductions.
The commission overrode the veto 5-2, with commissioners Kathie Gannon and Jeff Rader dissenting. April Hunt
Walmart opposition group to meet
A group trying to stop Walmart from opening in a North Decatur shopping center will host a community forum on its plans this week.
An attorney will present the legal options facing Good Growth DeKalb and a representative fighting the retail giant in Athens will also attend the forum.
The event begins at 7 p.m. Thursday at North Decatur Presbyterian Church on Medlock Road.
Developer Selig Enterprises announced last year its planned redevelopment of aging Suburban Plaza on North Decatur Road would be anchored by a Walmart supercenter. April Hunt
SOUTHSIDE
Fulton science projects chosen for competition
Forty-five Fulton County Schools science projects were selected to compete at the Georgia Science and Engineering Fair in March. The projects were among those featured at the 2012 Fulton County Schools Regional Science and Engineering Fair.
More than 200 students participated in the regional competition, which was open to students in middle school and high school whose research projects were deemed exemplary at their school fair. The state division will be held March 29-31 at the University of Georgia. D. Aileen Dodd
Pedestrian killed on Camp Creek Parkway
A 24-year-old man was hit by several vehicles and killed early Monday while trying to cross a busy south Fulton County highway. The incident happened around 3 a.m. on Camp Creek Parkway near Fulton Industrial Boulevard. Fulton police Cpl. Kay Lester said the drivers of all of the vehicles that struck the man stopped after hitting him.
The name of the man killed was not immediately released. Mike Morris
Teacher to start educational garden
A science teacher at the Fayette County Alternative School is laying the groundwork for a new educational garden. Dr. Margrite Wimbish received a $500 minigrant from the Georgia Science Teachers Association to begin a “Garden of Hope” that will be used as an outdoor lab for students to learn about science and personal development. Students, parents and volunteers are preparing the site for planting.
To donate money, supplies or time to the project, contact Dr. Wimbish at 770-460-3990, ext. 128. Jill Howard Church
Renovations to begin on senior center
Renovations at the Gathering Place senior center in Peachtree City will soon begin now that the City Council has approved a $60,000 construction budget. The Council signed off on the measure Thursday. The renovations are part of an agreement between the city and Fayette Senior Services to manage and provide older adult programming at the facility. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Input asked for project in East Point
East Point is developing a Transit-Oriented Development plan and market feasibility study for two nodes along U.S. 29 as catalyst redevelopment sites located near the East Point MARTA station and the Lakewood/Ft. McPherson MARTA station. Residents can offer their input at a community meeting today at 6:30 p.m. at the Jefferson Park Recreation Center. John Thompson for the AJC
Fayette chamber to hold networking event
The Fayette County Chamber of Commerce will host a speed networking event on Feb. 28 at its office at 200 Courthouse Square in Fayetteville.
The 7:30 a.m. meeting will let professionals of all types meet each other and exchange business cards for one minute at a time before switching to a new introduction.
The free event is open to members and nonmembers; for information, see www.FayetteChamber.org or call 770-461-9983.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
About the Author
