COBB
Mableton man dies after being struck by car
A Mableton man was hit by a car and killed on Floyd Road in Mableton early Sunday morning, according to Cobb County police.
John W. Kelly, 29, was attempting to cross Floyd Road and White Boulevard and was not in a crosswalk when when a maroon 2004 Honda Accord driven by Jason C. Bentley, 30, of Atlanta,. struck him. The incident happened around 3 a.m. Kelly was pronounced dead at the scene. Bentley was not injured in the crash.
Although this collision is still being investigated, Bentley is not expected to be charged, police said. Fran Jeffries
Marietta expands business zone
Georgia’s Department of Community Affairs has given Marietta the go-ahead to expand an existing opportunity zone to encourage businesses to hire new workers.
Companies can get state tax credits for five years for each new job created in areas with poverty at 15 percent or highter. The new zone is between Cobb Parkway and Interstate 75 and south of Delk Road.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Police to hold drill at Marietta High
The Marietta Police Deapartment will hold a lockdown drill 9 a.m. Wednesday at Marietta High School, 1171 Whitlock Ave.
The drill is part of an ongoing review to update security system and to coordinate police and schools’ response plans for emergencies. Tucker McQueen
Acworth to hold MLK Day ceremony
Acworth’s Parks and Recreation Department will hold a Martin Luther King, Jr. ceremony 10 a.m. Monday at City Hall, 4415 Senator Russell Ave. After the event, a mentoring and after school program at the Roberts School in Acworth will hold an annual MLK Day of service at the center at 4681 School St. Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Marietta grocery store to donate sales
Whole Foods Market – Merchant’s Walk, 1311 Johnson Ferry Road NE, Marietta, will donate 5 percent of its sales from Wednesday to In the Meantime Ministries, a nonprofit organization that provides hot meals to the homeless and a food pantry for the disadvantaged.
Four times a year, individual Whole Foods Market stores hold 5 percent days – CommUnity Giving Days, donating 5 percent of that day’s sales to a local nonprofit or educational organization. Kenneth Musisi
Democratic Committee to meet
The Cobb County Democratic Committee will host its business meeting at 7 p.m. Jan. 24 in the Marietta Fire Department Museum Conference Room. The CCDC plans to communicate details about the changes that will be made to its By-Laws in order to make it better equipped to turn Cobb County “blue”. Information: cobbdemocrats.org.
Kenneth Musisi
VA will open satellite office in Austell
A satellite office of the Atlanta Veterans Administration regional office will open in Austell on limited days.
A ribbon-cutting and open house is 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at VITAS Innovative Hospice Care, 5990 Love St.
Information: 678-398-2098 in Austell, 404-250-1806 in Decatur. Carolyn Cunningham
GWINNETT
Norcross seeks nominees for development board
The Norcross Downtown Development Authority is accepting nominations for an open position on the DDA Board of Directors.
To qualify, a nominee must be a taxpayer and homeowner in the city of Norcross or own a business operating in the city. Qualified nominees are interviewed by a citizen panel who make the final recommendations to the city council.
Information: Pat Eidt, DDA chairman via email to peidt@att.net or 770-686-2217 for additional information.
Applications must be submitted by Friday and the interviews will occur shortly thereafter. Staff
Performers wanted for May festival
The Snellville Days Committee is looking for unpaid performers for their May 4-5 festival. Application deadline is Jan. 25.
The Entertainment Guidelines and Entertainment Application can be found at www.snellvilledays.com.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Suwanee accepting Art on a Limb applications
The City of Suwanee is accepting proposals and samples from artists who wish to have their work considered for the month-long Art on a Limb program, in which two pieces of original artwork are hidden along the Suwanee Creek Greenway or at one of the city’s parks each day in May.
Whoever finds the pieces gets to keep them.
The deadline for submission is Feb. 15.
Applications are available at www.suwanee.com.
Dan Klepal
Suwanee offers citizens academy
The Suwanee Police Department will offer its eight-week Citizens Police Academy program from 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesday evenings, beginning February 19 at the Police Training Center, 2966 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road.
Applications are available at www.suwanee.com, and are due Feb. 4 by 5 p.m. Participants must be at least 19 years old.
The program is intended to build stronger bonds between police and residents.
Topics include crime scene processing, traffic stops, building searches, crime prevention, and narcotics identification. Dan Klepal
Duluth History Museum closed this month
The Duluth History Museum is closed for January to pack up Christmas and prepare new exhibits.
The facilities are still available for events. Membership fees are due this month.
Information: www.duluthhistorical.org or by calling 770-232-7584. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Fitness and nutrition classes starting
Ines Beltran, Cooperative Extension Agent, teaches healthy cooking and eating habits while exercising and losing weight 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Feb. 27 at Centerville Community Center, 3025 Bethany Church Road.
Cost is $15 for seven weeks.
Registration required by calling 770-985-4713. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
NORTHSIDE
Debate set in state rep runoff race
The two top vote-getters in the Jan. 8 state representative District 21 special election will debate at 7 p.m. Jan. 22 at the Holly Springs Train Depot, 164 Hickory Road, Holly Springs.
Republicans Scot Turner and Brian Laurens are headed for a Feb. 5 runoff.
Debate questions should be submitted by 5 p.m. Sunday to ccrpdebate@comcast.net
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Alabama student from Roswell dies in wreck
A Roswell woman, Natalie Baine, 20, has died of injuries she suffered in a wreck involving a bus that was carrying cheerleaders from the University of Alabama.
Baine was a student at University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
She was a passenger in a pickup truck that collided with a bus carrying Crimson Tide cheerleaders on Jan. 8. Officials say the bus was taking the cheerleaders back to Tuscaloosa after the BCS championship football game in Miami.
No one in the bus was injured. Police say no charges were filed in the accident. Fran Jeffries
Cherokee County reserve deputy honored
Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Deputy Helen Corbett has been named “2012 Reserve Deputy of the Year.” Corbett was honored during the unit’s annual banquet last week in Canton.
Corbett has volunteered in the reserve organization for 15 years. The group serves as a service arm of the sheriff’s office and performed nearly 6,000 hours of service in 2012
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Softball league registration set
Registration for Forsyth County’s Spring Adult Softball League will run through Feb 8.
Teams can register at the Central Park Recreation Center, 2300 Keith Bridge Road, Cumming, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday- Friday.
Cost is $500 per team. Information: 770-781-2215. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Ringling Bros. links circus tickets, reading
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey has partnered with the Atlanta-Fulton County Library System to host Reading with Ringling Brothers, a program that allows kids to earn Ringling Bros. circus tickets.
Children can enroll at any library branch.
The Ringling Brothers Ambassadors of Laughter will hold a clown show 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Sandy Springs Branch, 395 Mount Vernon Highway NE, Sandy Springs. Kenneth Musisi
Alpharetta mayor to discuss future of city
The Alpharetta Historical Society will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Mansell House and Gardens, 1835 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta.
Mayor David Belle Isle will speak on variety of topics, including Alpharetta Technology Commission plans and timelines for completion of the Alpharetta City Center.
Information: 770-475-9995.
Veronica Fields Johnson
ATLANTA
APD officer shot in face remains in ICU
An Atlanta police recruit shot in the face Friday night remains in Grady Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit, said an APD spokeswoman.
Reggie Robinson was dispatched to a southwest Atlanta neighborhood Friday night to investigate possible drug activity. The 35-year-old, who graduated from the police academy in November, gave chase when a suspicious man ran from him and was shot moments later near the intersection of Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard and Lee Street, police say.
Frank Emmitt Nance, 20, remains in the Fulton County Jail, charged with nine criminal counts, including aggravated assault against a police officer, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of cocaine. He waived his first court appearance Saturday morning and was ordered held without bond until his preliminary hearing, scheduled for Jan. 25. Christian Boone
Georgia State ranked high by dating site
Georgia State was ranked as the fastest growing Sugar Baby school in the nation by a dating website that connects wealthy men with cash-strapped co-eds.
Seekingarrangement.com reported Monday a 58 percent increase in the number of college students who signed up in 2012.
Georgia State had 292 new sign-ups, the most of any school. University of Georgia came in at No. 8 with 148 new users. The average student received $3,000 a month in “allowances and gifts,” according to a news release. Laura Diamond
Chipper Jones will be honored at banquet
Chipper Jones will be the special guest at the Braves 400 Fan Club’s annual Gameboree on Jan. 26 at the Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center.
Current and former Braves players and coaches will pay tribute to Chipper and his Hall of Fame career. A gala reception, silent auction and raffle begin at 5 p.m. with the dinner and program at 6:30 p.m.
Presentations include the Phil Niekro College Scholarships. Ticket purchase deadline is Sunday. Information: www.braves400.org or 770-416-4539. Nancy Badertscher
DEKALB
Man found shot to death in yard
Police Monday were trying to determine who shot a man found dead overnight outside a south DeKalb County home.
Channel 2 Action News reported that the 30-year-old victim was found dead around 1 a.m. in the yard of a house on Princeton Terrace.
Police have not released the man’s name or a motive for the shooting, which happened in a neighborhood off South Hairston Road. Mike Morris
Emory University selects provost
Emory University selected a current administrator to serve as the next provost, officials announced Friday.
Claire Sterk, a senior vice provost for academic affairs, will take over the job effective Feb. 1.
Sterk, an acclaimed public health researcher, was selected following a national search. She replaces Earl Lewis, who left the college to become president of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Laura Diamond
Safety patrols pay off in Stone Mountain CID
The Stone Mountain Community Improvement District recorded a steady run of potential problems with increased patrols at the end of the year.
Private security reported turning away 11 suspicious people and six suspicious vehicles in two weeks of patrols. Organizers believe vigilance will reduce crime in the area between Mountain Industrial Boulevard and I-85 in neighboring Gwinnett.
Businesses in the district tax themselves for the patrols as well as to fund roadway work and landscaping. The district’s goal is to create 2,000 new jobs in the area by the end of 2013.
April Hunt
Free workshop to focus on living without debt
The DeKalb Cooperative Extension will offer the “Living Debt Free” Workshop 6 p.m. today at its office training room, 4380 Memorial Drive, Decatur.
Brett A. Lewis, “The Income Protector,” will conduct the free workshop to help participants meet and manage their financial goals.
Information: 404-298-4080 or visit www.ugaextension.com/dekalb. Kenneth Musisi
Volunteers needed for MLK Day project
Volunteers are needed for Decatur’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Service Project on the weekend of Jan. 19-21.
Workers will do repairs at the homes of senior citizens and also help with yard work for those unable to tackle the chores or pay for help. Volunteers with carpentry skills or from other skilled trades are especially needed.
Information about shifts available or to sign up: leeann.harvey@decaturga.com or 678-553-6548. April Hunt
Business association meets Thursday
The Tucker Business Association will feature a financial planner at its monthly breakfast meeting 7:30 a.m. Thursday at Matthews Cafeteria on Main Street, Tucker.
Mark DiGiovanni, president of Marathon Financial Strategies, will discuss the resolutions for good financial habits. DeKalb Police Major Brian Harris will answer questions about community safety.
The event is free for association members and $5 for guests. April Hunt
SOUTHSIDE
Jeep carjacked with two girls asleep in back seat
Fulton County police are looking for the gunman who carjacked a sport utility vehicle Sunday night while two sisters ages 5 and 6 were asleep in the back seat. The girls were riding with their stepfather on Halligan Point in south Fulton County around 7 p.m. when another vehicle pulled in front of the Jeep Wrangler and forced it to a stop. A man got out of the second vehicle, pointed a gun at the stepfather and forced him out of the Jeep. About an hour later, the car was discovered a mile away with the girls unharmed inside. Mike Morris
Fatal wreck reported on I-75 in Henry County
Several southbound lanes of I-75 in Henry County were shut down by a fatal wreck during Monday’s soggy morning commute.
Henry County police Sgt. Joey Smith confirmed to the AM750 and 95.5FM News/Talk WSB Traffic Center that the crash, which happened before 6:30 a.m. on I-75 south of I-675, involved a fatality.
The identity of the person killed was not immediately available. Mike Morris
Three bodies found in car
Authorities have identified two of the three people found dead in a car along an I-85 exit ramp in Union City on Sunday morning as a man and woman from Alabama.
Union City police would not release more details about the incident and they have asked the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to assist in the investigation.
On Monday, the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s office identified the woman inside the trunk as Cheryl Colquitt-Thompson, 32, of Montgomery, Ala.
One of the men in the back seat was identified as Quinones King, 33, also of Montgomery.
The second body in the back seat, also a male, has not yet been positively identified.
Daarel Burnette II and Mike Morris
Youth baseball/softball registration begins
Registration for Union City Youth Baseball and Softball starts today through March 1 for both beginner and expert level players.
The activity is open to boys and girls ages 3-14.
Applications available at www.unioncityga.org. Register in the office at Ronald Bridges Park, 5285 Lakeside Dr., Union City.
Information: 770-964-1236. Veronica Fields Johnson
Peachtree City names authority members
The City Council of Peachtree City confirmed new members to several municipal authorities last week. Council member George Dienhart was appointed to the Public Facilities Authority, replacing Doug Sturbaum.
Skip Barnette was named to the Airport Authority, with Joe Woods as an alternate. Andrew Dunn and Byron Perryman will serve on the board of the Convention & Visitors Bureau. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
East Point youth track begins soon
The East Point Parks and Recreation Department is now accepting registration for Youth Track and Field. Information: 404-270-7042 . John Thompson for the AJC
