County by county news for Tuesday

Cobb schools chooses new operating system

The Cobb County Schools Board of Education has approved a new system for operating and leading the 114 schools in the district. The board has approved the Investing in Educational Excellence System over a district-wide charter system.

The IE2 contract with the State Board of Education will allow the district to keep $44 million in state waivers, more local control and freedom from Title 1 provisions.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Smyrna food truck season closes

Smyrna’s Food Truck Tuesdays at Taylor-Brawer Park will close for the season after today.

The final event will include fare from more than a dozen food trucks from 5-9 p.m. Tuesday in the park at 3180 Atlanta Road. The trucks will set up in the lower parking lot adjacent to the playground.

Information: www.smyrnacity.com.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

First lady to read to pre-k classes

In celebration of Georgia’s pre-kindergarten month, first lady Sandra Deal will be reading to pre-k classes statewide through October.

Deal will make her first classroom appearance Wednesday at CreekStone Academy in Kennesaw. The same day, she will also visit Ivy Hall Day School in Kennesaw.

Approximately 60 percent of all 4-year-olds in the state are served by Georgia’s pre-k program, with a statewide enrollment of nearly 84,000.

Pre-k centers across the state will celebrate Georgia pre-k Week Oct. 6-10, welcoming state, business and community leaders to visit and learn about early childhood education.

The weeklong, statewide celebration brings together a diverse group of leaders and places them in pre-k classrooms in all counties. Rose French

Wednesday deadline for youth conference

High school juniors, seniors and recent graduates are invited to a conference from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Trinity Chapel, 4665 Macland Road, Powder Springs to hear from community leaders and industry experts on preparing for achievement after high school through college, technical schools and the military.

For parents, there will be a free workshop at 2:45 p.m. on financial aid.

Wednesday is the registration deadline.

Cost: $20.

Information: trinitychapel.org, eventbrite.com/e/next-2014-tickets-12483256757.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

Man shot to death during home invasion robbery

Gwinnett County police Monday were investigating a weekend home invasion robbery and shooting that left Clifford Hogan, 38, dead. The incident happened around 4:30 a.m. Saturday in the 3100 block of Park Colony Drive near Norcross.Police said Hogan and his girlfriend, 39-year-old Christine Morris, were lying in bed when two masked males entered armed with a pistol and rifle, demanded money and shot Hogan.

The men left, taking the victim’s cell phones, marijuana, $1,400 cash and Morris’ purse. Anyone with information should call investigators at 770-513-5300. Mike Morris

Peachtree Corners Lions Club forming

Efforts are underway to form a new Lions Club chapter in Peachtree Corners. Lions members work to help their local communities, from assisting children who need eyeglasses to seniors who don’t have enough to eat. Information: Lions Club representative Edward Hashbarger, 770-995-0405 or edmclionh@bellsouth.net. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Chamber breakfast talking about athletes

The Southwest Gwinnett Chamber hosts First Friday breakfast on ‘The Impact of Grizzly Athletics’ 7:30 to 9 a.m. Friday at Hilton Atlanta Northeast, 5993 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Peachtree Corners. Darin S. Wilson, Director of Athletics at Georgia Gwinnett College and Under Armour AD of the Year award winner, will discuss athletics, community service and building champions on and off the field. Information: www.southwestgwinnettchamber.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Winters Chapel topic of town hall

Peachtree Corners City Council member Phil Sadd will host a Town Hall meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7 at Winters Chapel United Methodist Church, 5015 Winters Chapel Road. Issues to be discussed include improvements and enhancements to Winters Chapel and Holcomb Bridge roads, the Town Center vision, where to vote on Nov. 4 and items on the upcoming ballot. The Peachtree Corners Mayor and Council members, as well as other elected officials, with Q&A session following the presentation. Information: Phil Sadd at psadd@peachtreecornersga.gov.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Mind-reader to ‘edutain’ at chamber

The Greater Eastside Chamber of Commerce hosts its monthly luncheon 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 15 at Summit Chase Country Club, 3197 Classic Drive, Snellville. Anton Zellman, author, mentalist, and mind-reader will discuss memory, perception, predictions and intuition. Information: www.eastsidechamber.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Fall gardening class offered

The Community Garden at Snellville will host a free fall gardening class taught by Gwinnett Master Gardeners 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday at the garden next to Briscoe Park on Lenora Church Road. Topics covered will include preparing, planning and planting a fall garden bed.

Registration: Wes Nettleton at wesnet50@gmail.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Father on lawnmower runs over 5-year-old son

A 5-year-old boy is expected to survive after being run over by a riding lawnmower at his Cherokee County home. The boy, whose name was not released, got behind the mower shortly before 6 p.m. Sunday on Henry Scott Road in Ball Ground, but the boy’s father couldn’t see him while on the mower.

The boy had severe injuries to one of his legs and arms and cuts to his toes and fingers, county officials said. The Sheriff’s Office is investigating, but no charges are expected to be filed. Alexis Stevens

Canton to start parking enforcement

Ignoring downtown Canton parking rules will be costlier starting Wednesday. After a grace period, the Canton Police Department starts enforcing the 2-hour parking limit and other downtown restrictions Oct. 1. Overtime parking fines will start at $10. Most violations are pegged at $20. Police said several hundred warnings were handed out since mid-August.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

New fire chief in Sandy Springs

The city of Sandy Springs has hired a new fire chief. Keith Sanders will join the city Oct. 20 and will replace Jack McElfish, who retires at the end of October. City officials say Sanders has more than 35 years in fire service and public safety work, most recently serving as deputy public safety director for the city of Alpharetta. He holds a B.S. from Toccoa Falls College and a Masters in Public Administration from Columbus State University. Sanders will be paid $145, 642 annually.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Intersection hearing changed

Sandy Springs officials have moved an upcoming open house on intersection improvements to 6 p.m. today at Temple Sinai, 5645 Dupree Drive, Sandy Springs. The hearing is to show designs/answer questions on changes on Powers Ferry Road at Dupree Drive and at Heards Drive, Heards Ferry Road and Raider Drive and Interstate North Parkway and RiverEdge Parkway. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Bike trail to debut in Woodstock

Woodstock’s park system is expanding again. A ribbon cutting is set for 9 a.m. Saturday for the Dupree Park Family Mountain Bike Trail at Dupree Park, 513 Neese Road. Kids group rides and bike games, a bike clinic and a free lunch will also be offered. The trail system consists of three loops rated “easy”, plus a bike skills area. The trail results from a partnership between the city, the Greenprints Alliance and the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association. More information: www.woodstockparksandrec.com .Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Store hiring session planned

The Georgia Department of Labor will help Wal-Mart recruit workers for three stores in the Forsyth County area 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Oct. 8 at the Lanier Technical College Conference Center, 3410 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Cumming. The company’s looking for cashiers, sales associates, stockers, maintenance personnel and auto technicians. Information: 770-535-5484. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Grady receives $30 million for expansion

The Marcus Foundation is donating $30 million to help fund expansion of the Grady Emergency Department and the Marcus Stroke and Neuroscience Center.

Of the total gift, $20 million will help build a new $76 million emergency center, and $10 million will go towards renovation of the hospital and establishment of a multi-disciplinary outpatient center.

The Marcus Foundation has now given $50 million to Grady since 2009.

Work on the emergency department expansion started in March and is expected to be completed in 2016. David Markiewicz

High schools showcase marching bands

A showcase of high school marching band performances will be held 1 p.m., Sunday at Lakewood Stadium, 70 Claire Drive, SE.

Eight bands including Westlake, Tri-Cities, Jonesboro and North Atlanta high schools are scheduled to participate in the “Vanguard Invitational Showcase” presented by Band Room Nation, a non-profit organization that supports the arts in public schools.

Collegiate band directors and dance coaches are expected to attend to scout performers.

Admission is $12; $10 in advance.

Information: www.bandroomnation.com.

Adrianne Murchison for the AJC

Oakland Cemetery festival Sunday

Oakland Cemetery’s 35th annual festival, “Sunday in the Park” takes place noon-5 p.m. Sunday, 248 Oakland Ave, SE.

The Victorian-era festival includes a costume contest, live music, storytellers, and cemetery tours.

A plant sale will be held Saturday and Sunday at the cemetery. Sunday parking will be limited for transporting plants, vehicles will not be allowed on the grounds.

Proceeds from the day benefit Historic Oakland Foundation, which maintains stewardship of the cemetery with the City of Atlanta.

Information: www.oaklandcemetery.com.

Adrianne Murchison for the AJC

DEKALB

Superintendent to address school system

DeKalb County Schools Superintendent Michael Thurmond will give a state of the system address tonight at the Georgia Perimeter College campus in Clarkston.

The district would not divulge the content of his speech, which will precede a question and answer period. Thurmond’s contract ends in June, and the school board is preparing to find a successor.

The event is 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., 555 N. Indian Creek Drive.

Ty Tagami

‘Trinity Triangle’ streets, sidewalks closed

Beginning this week Decatur’s closing East Howard Avenue, the southern border of the proposed “Trinity Triangle” project, to bikes/pedestrians/cars—including the PATH trail—for the next 18 to 24 months. There will also be no sidewalk service on the south side of Trinity Street between Church Street and Howard for the same period.

The closings are preliminary to grading the Trinity Triangle site, where eventually there’ll be 210-apartments and 6200 square feet of retail. But it’s still undetermined when actual construction will begin.

Bill Banks for the AJC

Rio Circle hoping to join Decatur

The Rio Circle commercial district recently filed a petition for annexation into Decatur. Roughly a half-mile east of Decatur’s current border, Rio Circle has long been on Avondale Estates’ annexation map, with city manager Peggy Merriss insisting, “We have consistently maintained that [Decatur] would respect that plan.”

But 41 of 54 private property owners representing 80 percent of the land signed the petition which Merris said was “unsolicited” by the city. Nevertheless city commissioners could approve it, though no date’s been set for a vote. Bill Banks for the AJC

Doraville task force

taking applications

Doraville City Council extended its applications deadline for a schools task force committee to today.

Three council members intend to serve on the committee. The prospective nine-member task force will provide city council with reports on Doraville’s academic environment.

Information: www.doravillega.us.

Adrianne Murchison for the AJC

County releases ethics investigations funds

The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners voted to release $97,000 in funding for the county Board of Ethics, which is handling a heavy case-load of complaints against elected officials.

The money will supplement the Board of Ethics’ $118,000 annual budget, and the funds will be used for investigations, legal counsel and administrative support.Mark Niesse

County reforms meeting scheduled

A group of longtime residents will present proposed reforms for DeKalb County government during a community meeting 6:30 p.m. today, at Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive, in Decatur.

A public feedback option is available on the group’s website.

Information: www.blueprintdekalb.org.

Adrianne Murchison for the AJC

SOUTHSIDE

Seniors group gets building donation

The Fellowship of Love Church in Fayetteville has donated $2,500 to Fayette Senior Services’ Building Expansion Fund. The Sept. 23 donation is part of the 2014 Empowerment Package that FOLC is awarding to FSS, valued at approximately $7,500. Other components of the package will include 24 fitness chairs, an elliptical machine and funds for support technology. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Fayette students are semifinalist scholars

Twelve seniors from McIntosh, Sandy Creek, Starr’s Mill and Whitewater high schools have been named semifinalists for the 2015 National Achievement Scholarship Program. David Oso, Arin Stowman, Tochukwu Awachie, Timothy Boddie, Samuel Brown, Taylor Howell, Kali Williams, David and Taylor Brunskole, Byron Daniel, Lionel Jones and Ryan May are among the more than 1,600 black students who qualified based on academic performance, leadership abilities, awards and honors.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Church holds cancer awareness events

Registration deadline for New Life Presbyterian Church’s golf tournament is Thursday . The event is part of New Life’s “Cancer Awareness Weekend” Oct. 10-12.

The tournament has a 9 a.m. shotgun start Oct. 12 at Brown’s Mill Golf Course, 480 Cleveland Ave, SE.

The weekend also includes a 3K walk with 7:30 a.m. registration and an evening gospel jazz concert Oct. 11 at the church, 6600 Old National Hwy.

Information: www.newlifepresatl.com.

Adrianne Murchison for the AJC

Hearings planned

on school closing

The Henry County Board of Education hosts hearings Oct. 21 and Nov. 3 on a proposal to close McDonough Elementary for the relocation of Patrick Henry Academy.

Students would be dispersed to three other area elementary schools.

The vote is expected in December. Information: www.henry.k12.ga.us.

Monroe Roark for the AJC

Union Citybegins roadwork

Resurfacing of Dodson Road in Union City will start Oct. 6, weather permitting, and continue through Oct. 27. Motorists will be allowed on the road during the project, however traffic will be controlled.

Separately, Buffington Road is closed to through traffic. Construction of the Buffington Road Bridge is ongoing and scheduled to be complete by July 2015. A detour map is available at www.unioncityga.org.

Adrianne Murchison for the AJC

Fayette to consider school pay raises

Budget enhancements considered by the Fayette County Board of Education include a 1 percent pay raise for salaried employees. The board is discussing how to add $3 million worth of staffing and program provisions that were cut in recent years, based on improved tax revenue. Jill Howard Church