County by county news for Wednesday

The new bridge is wider and has side walks for pedestrians using nearby National Park trails.

More than 8,000 drivers daily use the winding road between Terrell Mill and Johnson Ferry Roads.

The project was funded by 2005 and 2011 SPLOT funds. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Marietta to decide development zoning

The Marietta City Council will vote on a plan Wednesday for 126 single family and townhomes on 12 acres just east of the Marietta Square.

The meeting will start 7 p.m. at City Hall, 205 Lawrence St. and the vote will come after a public hearing.

The city planning commission recommended approving the John Wieland Homes project between Roswell and Waterman Streets. The site is the former Winter Properties’ Meeting Park project that stalled three years ago.

Information: www.mariettaga.gov.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

‘End It’ benefit in Austell Saturday

The first annual “End It” Disc Golf Tournament will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the new Frog Rock Disc Golf Course, Louise Suggs Memorial Park, 3045 Veterans Memorial Hwy., Austell.

The End It Ministry of Ewing Road Baptist Church in Austell is sponsoring this event to support Wellspring Living, a local nonprofit restoring survivors of childhood sexual abuse and exploitation through four residential homes for women and girls, ages 12 to 40.

Cost: $30 (includes t-shirt, wristband and tournament disc). Registration: enditdiscgolf.eventbrite.com.

Those wanting to be a tournament sponsor may email austelldiscgolf@gmail.com or call 404-754-2275.

Information: wellspringliving.org or austelldiscgolf@gmail.com.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Taste of Acworth set for Saturday

The Taste of Acworth will have food from local restaurants, children’s activities and entertainment on two stages from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday Oct. 12 along Main Street downtown. Food samples will sell from $1 to $3. The event benefits local charities. Shuttles will run from new parking lots on School Street across the railroad tracks. Information: www.acworth.org.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Civil War presentation this weekend

The Civil War Center at Kennesaw State University, in conjunction with the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, presents Civil War historians A. Wilson Greene, George Rable, and Brian Wills 9 a.m. Saturday at the KSU Center, 3333 Busbee Dr, Kennesaw.

Greene will discuss ‘Burnside’s Mud March,’ Rable will provide insights on ‘Jackson the Christian Soldier, and Wills will share information on ‘George Thomas: The Rock of Chickamauga.’

Free. Information: www.kennesaw.edu/civilwarera. Staff

GWINNETT

College waiving application fee next week

Georgia Gwinnett College will waive its $20 application fee during the week of Oct. 14-20 to encourage students to submit early applications because the requirement to provide high school transcripts and Compass/ACT/SAT scores, etc. add a lot of steps to the process. Complete applications online at www.GAcollege411.org. Deadline for the fall 2014 semester is May 1.

GGC will hold an Open House Oct. 19; registration is required.

Information: visit www.ggc.edu.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Lilburn services now on website, app

After an eight-month redesign process, Lilburn haslauncheda new website at www.cityoflilburn.com. Residents may request city services and make requests for yard debris pick-up, report a needed street repair,etc. Newsletter, event information, police bulletins, emergency alerts, bid postings, council agendas as well as pay citations online are also available. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Vote, help select Sugar Hill’s new logo

Sugar Hill will celebrate the city’s 75th anniversary next year and is choosing a new logo to mark the occasion. Vote by Friday, Oct. 11 for one of the six final entries at www.cityofsugarhill.com/Logo-Competition.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Lilburn Daze celebrates 40th anniversary

The Lilburn Daze Arts & Crafts Festival will celebrate its 40th anniversary 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 12 in Lilburn City Park.

The opening ceremony at 9 a.m. will include a dedication of “Adventure Mountain,” the first sculpture and water feature in the park. Event includes arts, children’s activities, music and food.

Proceeds are returned to the community as scholarships, youth art competitions, school and library equipment, public safety and health support. Info: www.lilburndaze.org.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Duluth city council candidate forum set

Meet and greet candidates and at a City Council Candidate Forum beginning at 6 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Payne Corley House, 2987 Main Street. Candidate forum Q&A to begin at 7 p.m. Submit questions for the candidates at forum@paynecorleyhouse.com. Information: www.duluthga.net.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Poll workers sought for November election

Gwinnett needs an additional 100 detail-oriented individuals to join the approximately 3,000 Gwinnett residents who will be working as poll officials during the upcoming Nov. 5 special election.

Requirements for poll officials include completing an online training program and remaining at your assigned poll location from 6 a.m. until election-related duties are completed on Election Day.

Information: www.gwinnettcounty.com/employment for a list of qualifications, job descriptions, and salaries for each position.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Cops: Woman drunk driving with 3 kids in car

Victoria Lynn Tucker, 42, of Cherokee County was stopped around 11 a.m. Saturday when a Milton police officer spotted an SUV driving erratically on Ga. 9. When Tucker pulled over, she allegedly had problems opening her eyes and had slurred speech, the incident report states. Although Tucker allegedly told the officer she was fine, the officer could smell alcohol on her. Tucker was arrested, and three children, including one identified as Tucker’s daughter, were released to other parents. Tucker was charged with DUI and child endangerment. Alexis Stevens

Precinct changes on hold in Cherokee

A proposal to reduce the number of voting precincts from 42 to 28 in Cherokee County is on hold. The Board of Elections and Voter Registration tabled it Monday. Chairman Randy Gravely says the board wants to digest residents’ input presented at a public hearing that preceded Monday’s scheduled vote. The board will next meet at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 28 at the Stone Elections Building, 400 E. Main St., Canton. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Forsyth High hosts band competition

South Forsyth High School’s Marching War Eagle Band sponsors the Talon Marching Showcase starting at 3 p.m. Saturday at the school, 585 Peachtree Parkway, Cumming. Bands entered in the competition include Allatoona, Berkmar, Buford, Forsyth Central, Lakeside, Hart County, Lambert, North Forsyth, Northgate, Sprayberry and St. Pius X Catholic high schools as well as Marist and Mt. Paran Christian.

Tickets:$10; $5 for senior citizens and children.

Information: fhsbands.org and go to the Talon tab, (770) 475-2201 or mtd_agri@bellsouth.net STaff

Golf tourney to benefit displaced children

The All Kids Count Golf Classic will be held Oct. 22 at Roswell’s Ansley Golf Club at Settindown Creek.

Registration for the four-man scramble will be at 10 a.m. The $250 registration fee includes the greens fee for 18 holes of golf; a cart, and a box lunch. The event will also include an awards celebration, and a silent auction. Tourney proceeds will assist foster, and displaced children in Georgia.

Information and registration: 770-280-7831, or events@fostercares.org.

Laurie Hoffman

Students meet for faith-sharing event

Students from Cherokee County will be joining thousands from across the country as they share their Christian faith during the eighth annual national Fields of Faith event. In Cherokee, students will gather 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. today at Tommy Baker Field at Cherokee High School, 930 Marietta Highway, Canton. Nancy Badertscher

Cherokee arts group plans fundraising gala

The Cherokee Arts Center presents its Harvesting The Arts Ball 7 p.m. Oct. 19 at the center, 94 North St., Canton. Proceeds will be used to bolster the center’s operating funds and for special facilities projects.

Information: info@cherokeearts. org or 770-704-6244. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

Group charter granted to KIPP schools

The Atlanta Board of Education unanimously voted Monday to organize six charter schools: KIPP Atlanta Collegiate Academy, KIPP STRIVE Academy, KIPP STRIVE Primary Academy, KIPP Vision Academy, KIPP Vision Primary Academy and KIPP West Atlanta Young Scholars Academy as a cluster, to pool resources and operate more efficiently.

The charter cluster plan gives KIPP primary school students the opportunity to enroll in KIPP middle schools before the general public, and it puts all the schools on the same five-year schedule to seek renewals of their charters from the school board. Mark Niesse

Sickness prevention clinics scheduled

Fulton County’s SPARC Atlanta clinics (Sickness Prevention Achieved through Regional Collaboration) for older adults will offer these services: flu, breast exams, mammography, pap test referrals, STD/HIV testing, blood glucose, blood pressure, healthy mind, BMI, colorectal pre-screens and vision.

Clinics are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the following locations:

today, Refuge Temple Ministries, 105 Lowery Blvd. S.W.

Thursday, West Hunter Street Baptist Church/SWEEAC, 1040 Abernathy Blvd. S.W.

Saturday, Fountain of Hope, 829 Hollywood Rd. N.W.

Tuesday, Baptist Gardens, 1901 Myrtle Dr. S.W.

Oct. 16, Simpson Street Church of Christ, 800 Joseph E. Boone Blvd. N.W.

Information: 404-613-6000.

Mea Watkins

Wheelchair ramp dedicated today

Toomer Elementary School in eastern Atlanta is dedicating a new wheelchair ramp today to celebrate Walk to School Day.

The wheelchair ramp will ensure inclusion and accessibility for all of the school’s students, according to Atlanta Public Schools.

Students, parents, administrators and community leaders plan to gather for a ribbon cutting for the ramp, which provides access to the school’s playground. Mark Niesse

DEKALB

Vote clears way for DeKalb union

The DeKalb County Commission has approved a change to a local law that lays out how worker representatives can bring concerns directly to human resources instead of department heads.

The change clears the way for Teamsters Local 728 to represent the county’s 450 trash haulers and drivers.

The change does not allow collective bargaining or strikes. April Hunt

Commission considers house/tree moratorium

Decatur’s city commission is considering a moratorium on single-family home demolitions and tree removal. City manager Peggy Merriss said that over the last “14 to 18 months,” a distinct chasm has evolved between those who can afford new, larger homes (or “McMansions”) whose construction often involves demolishing older homes and trees, and longtime homeowners preferring bungalow homes and who believe “[McMansions] aren’t consistent with existing development in the community.” If approved the moratorium would last Oct. 22 to Jan. 24. Bill Banks for the AJC

Code enforcement class for volunteers

DeKalb County will train resident volunteers to help identify and report code violations in a two-hour class that begins at 6 p.m. Thursday 10/10 in the Maloof Auditorium in downtown Decatur.

The Neighborhood Ambassador program will include information such as an overview of code violations and DeKalb’s illegal sign ordinance.

Volunteers are needed to help because the county has just 25 code enforcement officers in the field to serve about 700,000 residents.

Information: sbhaynes@dekalbcountyga.gov. April Hunt

Pit bulls can be spayed or neutered for free

A new program at DeKalb County Animal Services will provide free spay and neuter procedures to pit bulls and pit bull mixes owned by DeKalb County residents. The Free Pit Fix program, funded by a private grant, aims to combat pit bull overpopulation and reduce the number of pit bulls euthanized.

The free spay/neuter service will be provided by LifeLine Animal Project in Avondale Estates, and will include vaccinations.

Information: www.dekalbanimalservices.com or DeKalb County Animal Services, 845 Camp Road. Mea Watkins

Oktoberfest coming to Stone Mountain

Stone Mountain will host a free Village Oktoberfest party Saturday and Sunday to celebrate the arrival of fall.

The festival in the historic downtown will feature German beer and food, as well as live music and dancing.

There also will be an arts festival celebrating locally produced work. April Hunt

Group forms to benefit Brookhaven park

Several residents have formed the Murphey Candler Park Conservancy to raise money for improvements in Brookhaven’s largest park.

The group has already raised about $20,000 and plans to partner with the new city on plans and projects at the 135-acre park.

Information: murpheycandlerpark.org. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Fayetteville police capture suspected robber

Fayetteville police have arrested Marquis Raphiel Jackson, 20, of Hampton and charged him with robbing a woman outside the AT&T store at Fayette Pavilion on Sept. 25.

Although Jackson initially eluded police, two other suspects were arrested near the scene for aiding the crime.

Three other individuals have also been charged with offenses related to the robbery. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Fayette seeks SPLOST questions

To counter claims of “smoke and mirrors” regarding the proposed Core Infrastructure SPLOST in Fayette County, the Board of Commissioners is asking the public to bring any unresolved questions in writing to its meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday (Oct. 10) in Fayetteville. Chairman Steve Brown said, “[H]aving the questions on the official record and supplying the answers…will show we are not hiding anything.”

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

McDonough Job Fair set for Oct. 18

The city of McDonough sponsors a job fair 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 18, at McDonough Presbyterian Church, 427 McGarity Road.

Registration is not required and there is no cost to attend. The Atlanta Regional Commission’s Mobile Career Resource Center will also be on site, with 13 stations that will allow visitors to perform various activities such as online job searches, resume and cover letter development, and individual assessments and exploration of training eligibility and options. Information: www.mcdonoughga.org.

Monroe Roark for the AJC

Early voting in Henry begins Monday

Voters in Henry County may cast ballots beginning Monday at the county election headquarters, 345 Phillips Dr., McDonough. And Monday through Saturday until Nov. 2.

The polls open Oct. 19 at the Ted Strickland Community Center, 130 W. Berry St., Stockbridge. And starting Oct. 28: Hampton Depot, 17 E. Main St.; Locust Grove Recreation Center, 10 Cleveland St.

Voters in all of Henry County will decide a SPLOST referendum. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Fire department kicks off cancer fundraiser

The Union City Fire Department is selling T-shirts in support of breast cancer awareness and education. Funds go to the Canton-based Georgia Breast Cancer Coalition. Price: $13 or $15.

Information: demoore@unioncityga.org

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Road race Oct. 19 to benefit clinic

The 10th Annual Goblin Gallop, a 5K and 10K run to benefit Hands of Hope Clinic, is scheduled for 9 a.m. Oct. 19, at Heron Bay Golf & Country Club on Hwy. 155 south of I-75 in Locust Grove.

Hands of Hope Clinic is Henry County’s free medical and dental clinic for the underserved and uninsured residents of the county.

Information: www.handsofhopeclinic.org. Monroe Roark for the AJC