COBB

Court uphold doctor’s child porn sentence

The federal appeals court in Atlanta has upheld an 8-year prison sentence imposed against a Cobb County ear, nose and throat doctor conviction of child pornography charges.

Andrew Sutton, of Kennesaw, who pleaded guilty in December 2011, had challenged the length of his prison term. But the appeals court said Sutton’s offense was “particularly serious because his actions bordered on production of child pornography.” The court noted Sutton engaged in online conversations with children and parents of children, encouraging them to engage in sex acts and to send him nude photos. Bill Rankin

Marietta teams gather calendar feedback

Marietta’s School Governance Teams are gathering feedback from their communities on which calendars the school board should approve for the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 school years.

The teams are expected to make their recommendations by Dec. 7.

The board is expected to vote on the matter at their Dec. 18 meeting.

To view the proposed calendars, visit www.marietta-city.org/schools/calendar.php.

Daarel Burnette II

Powder Springs to keep more in savings

Powder Springs City Council members voted last week to keep four months of their annual budget in savings.

The fund balance amount will be around $2.64 million for this budget year, ending June 30.

Any general fund money above this four-month cap can be used for one-time capital expenditures with no operating expenses such as this year’s police vehicle purchases, according to the city’s Finance Director Amy Davis. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Smyrna hospital to offer COPD awareness

Emory-Adventist Hospital at Smyrna will offer a free Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Awareness Class at 6 p.m. today at the hospital, 3949 S. Cobb Drive, Smyrna. Dr. Anitra Graves, internal medicine, pulmonary disease, will discuss the causes of COPD and the effects the lung disease has on health. Reservations: 770-319-2025. Veronica Fields Johnson

Association names ‘Business’ finalists

Five businesses have been named finalists for the 2012 Vinings Business of the Year award: Vinings Historic Preservation Society, LGE Credit Union, Social Vinings restaurant, The BrightSide News Vinings Edition, and the Marriott Courtyard Vinings Hotel.

The Vinings Business Association selected these businesses for their commitment to the community. The 2012 winner will be announced at the group’s Jan. 8 luncheon. Jaime Sarrio

Safety Village intros new educational tool

The Cobb County Safety Village Thursday debuted a Metro Ambulance Amphitheater, which holds 147 and cost $110,000.

The amphitheater was donated by Metro Ambulance and will be used to educate children on safety techniques.

The Safety Village is located at 1220 Al Bishop Drive in Marietta Information: cobbcounty.org/safetyvillage

Jaime Sarrio

GWINNETT

Gwinnett Place boosts security for holidays

The Gwinnett Place Community Improvement District is boosting public safety patrols during the holiday shopping season.

The Duluth business district has hired Specialized Intelligence and Security to monitor retail centers, high-traffic areas and other Gwinnett Place business areas. The extra security will be in place for the rest of 2012.

Gwinnett Place is a district of commercial property owners who tax themselves to provide road, aesthetic and other improvements.

David Wickert

Sierra Club hosts talk on population growth

The Greater Gwinnett Group of the Sierra Club will host a discussion on the relationship between population and the environment at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Berkmar High School, 405 Pleasant Hill Rd., Lilburn. Todd Daniel will explore problems and solutions in his presentation, “The Global Population Explosion - Here We Grow Again.” Socializing begins at 7 p.m. Information: Dan Friedman at dan3688@aol.com.

Veronica Fields Johnson

Chamber gathers healthcare pros

Partnership Gwinnett presents the Inaugural Healthcare Summit 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, 6500 Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth. The Healthcare Summit will explore the current state of healthcare in Gwinnett along with opportunities to strengthen the local healthcare industry. Info: 770-232-1174, www.gwinnettchamber.org.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Charter school info meeting Thursday

Students and parents interested in charter schools may attend an upcoming meeting. New Life Academy will hold an informational meeting and school tour 9 a.m. Thursday at 4725 River Green Parkway, Duluth. Information: www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Grayson changes yard waste pickup days

Grayson has begun yard debris pick-up on Thursday each week. Yard debris bags can be placed curbside on the same day with trash and recycle bins. In addition, a 95-gallon rolling recycle bin is available upon request. To obtain this larger recycle bin contact City Hall at 770-963-8017 or email info@cityofgrayson.org.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Officials promote HomeSafe Georgia

County and state officials met recently to promote HomeSafe Georgia, a federally funded program aimed at assisting more than 18,000 homeowners to avoid foreclosure by the end of 2014.

Gwinnett officials are calling on business owners, the community, nonprofit organizations and churches to host HomeSafe Georgia outreach events.

Since HomeSafe Georgia began in April 2011, more than 2000 Georgians have received assistance to help them make their mortgage payments until they find work.

Information: www.HomeSafeGeorgia.com.

Kenneth Musisi

NORTHSIDE

Public invited to intersection upgrades talk

The Milton Public Works Department will hold an open house 5 to 6 p.m. today at City Hall in suite 107 E to discuss improvements to the Hopewell Road/Birmingham Road intersection.

The meeting will precede a formal presentation to the City Council during its regular work session.

Residents can view concept alternatives for the intersection improvements and make comments at miltonintersectionprojects.com/birmingham-road-at-hopewell-road.

Patrick Fox

Historical Society hosts November ‘chat’

The Alpharetta Historical Society presents Front Porch Chat 7 p.m. Thursday at Mansell House & Gardens, 1835 Old Milton Parkway. Five panelists will discuss how life used to be in Alpharetta, share stories and answer questions.

Information; Nan Harman-Dempsey at 770-475-9995 or Harman_dempsey@msn.com. Kenneth Musisi

Cherokee Teacher of the Year announced

Macedonia Elementary School third-grade teacher Sandy Giudice is the Cherokee County School District Teacher of the Year. Giudice, a teacher for more than a decade, was picked by a panel of community leaders. She’ll be honored at a December banquet, and will represent the district for the 2014 Georgia Teacher of the Year.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Alpharetta Rotary gives to GED fund

The Rotary Club of Alpharetta made a donation of $800 last month to the North Fulton Community Charities’ GED Scholarship fund. The donation will provide five scholarships to students preparing for the GED but cannot afford the $160 fee to take the test.

In addition, six computer workstations were donated for students to use in the learning lab as they prepare for the GED.

NFCC serves low-income families in Alpharetta, Roswell, Johns Creek, Mountain Park and Milton. Information: nfcchelp.org

Kenneth Musisi

Johns Creek holds electronics disposal

Residents can dispose of electronics between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday at The Home Depot, 5950 State Bridge Road, Johns Creek. Disposed items include computer equipment, cell phones and batteries. Disposal of televisions costs $10 and $25 for projection TVs and TVs larger than 36 inches. Information: 770-551-7766.

Michael Alpert for the AJC

Roswell Rotary sponsors veterans trip

Roswell Rotary hosted World War II veterans on Thursday to review their recent Honor Air Trip to visit the WWII memorial in Washington D.C.

It was the fifth such trip that the rotary has sponsored. The presentation included conversations with veterans while at the memorial, several of whom shared stories of liberating concentration camp prisoners.

Several veterans spoke during the “open mike” portion of the program and exchange student Andreas Hansen from Denmark, who participated in the trip thanks to a sponsorship by the Roswell Rotary, spoke about how he was moved by American patriotism, honor and care for the soldiers.

Andria Simmons

ATLANTA

Man shot, killed at Midtown apartment

A man believed to be in his 20s was shot and killed Monday afternoon in the breezeway of the Ford Factory Lofts, located in the 600 block of Ponce de Leon Avenue, police said. Officers were called to the scene around 5 p.m.

The victim, who has not been identified, was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital, where he later died.

Anyone with information should contact homicide investigators at 404-546-4235 or Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477. Alexis Stevens

Marketing expert to speak at Buckhead

The Buckhead Business Association’s weekly breakfast meeting will be from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 15 at the City Club of Buckhead, 3343 Peachtree Rd., N.E., Suite 137. Carlos Quintero, founder of Sales Effectiveness Inc., will be the featured speaker. Tickets are $10 for BBA members and $20 for visitors. Information: www.buckheadbusiness.org.

Veronica Fields Johnson

Toys for Tots campaign begins

United Way of Greater Atlanta and Publix Super Markets partner with the U.S. Marine Corps for the 2012 Toys For Tots campaign. From Nov. 23 to Dec. 22, new and unwrapped toys can be dropped off at any Publix.

Families can request help at 211online.unitedwayatlanta.org or call 211.

Donate toys for newborns through age 12. Gifts for ages 11-12 typically experience shortages, so please consider board games, basketballs, electronics, watches and more for this age group.

Nancy Badertscher

Community band gives Thanksgiving concert

The Metropolitan Atlanta Community Band will perform at the second annual Thanksgiving Concert 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Sadie G. Mays Health & Rehabilitation Center, 1821 Anderson Ave., N.W.

The event is free and open to the public. Donations will be accepted.

Information: Shirley H. Coleman at 678-420-2915.

Veronica Fields Johnson

DEKALB

Retired educators host meeting and auction

The Decatur-DeKalb Retired Educators Association will meet 2 p.m. Thursday at the Decatur First Christian Church Fellowship Hall, 601 W. Ponce de Leon Ave.

The program will feature a silent auction to raise money for the DDREA Scholarship and the Georgia Education Museum. Contributions can be made to: Georgia Perimeter College Foundation and mailed to Ruth Shaw, DDREA Treasurer, 335 West Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur, GA 30030.

Information: 770-498-9493.

Kenneth Musisi

Vandals hit cemetery before Veteran service

Vandals spraypainted offensive words and images in Bell Street cemetery shortly after 9 a.m. Saturday. With headstones dating back to 1827, more than 1,000 soldiers were laid to rest in the Decatur cemetery.

Workers were able to wash away some of the damage before officers arrived.

It’s the second time in a month the cemetery has been targeted. Officers are checking a discarded can of spray paint for fingerprints.

A community group is offering a reward for information on those responsible for the vandalism.

Alexis Stevens

Final planning meeting for Stone Mountain CID

The final community meeting to help the Stone Mountain Community Improvement District plan for economic development will be 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday in a warehouse at 1569 Stone Ridge Dr.

The district wants public input on ways to attract employers to the area between Mountain Industrial Boulevard and Interstate 85. Registration: 678-333-0476 or Amanda.hatton@jacobs.com.

April Hunt

Free big-band dance at Northlake Mall

The monthly big-band dance returns later 6-8 p.m. Nov. 27 at Northlake Mall, 4800 Briarcliff Road, Tucker.

The Atlanta-New York Connection provides the music at the free event held in the mall’s food court. This month, Santa Claus will make an appearance at the event.

April Hunt

Chamblee hosts breakfast with Santa

Chamblee’s parks department hosts breakfast with Santa to take place 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Dec. 8 at the Chamblee Civic Association, 3540 Broad St. For $5, children will receive breakfast and get their photo taken with St. Nick. Arts and crafts and live reindeer also will be on hand. Additional photos are $5.

Registration is required: 770-986-5016.

April Hunt

DeKalb taps assistant for interim police chief

Lisa Gassner, an assistant chief of the DeKalb County Police Department, will take over as interim chief.

Gassner, the department’s first female major, will serve until the county names a permanent successor to Chief William O’Brien, who is out of the office and using leave time until he retires on Nov. 30.

Gassner is a 28-year veteran of the department and was a sniper on the force’s SWAT team.

She has not applied for the permanent job.

However, two other assistant chiefs have: D.A. Holmes of the uniform division and A. Williams, head of special operations.

April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Fayette schools shelve tuition plan

The Fayette County Board of Education has “tabled indefinitely” a plan to allow tuition-paying students to enroll from outside the county.

School staff drafted a nonresident enrollment policy and application, but public criticism and concerns about redistricting-related capacity prompted the board to set aside the measure at Monday’s meeting.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Target gives $2,444 grant to Henry police

The Henry County Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division was awarded a $2,444 grant from Target to purchase stripe readers and audio/visual recorders to assist in credit card fraud detection and apprehension. The devices are expected to allow police to investigate and prosecute cases in a more timely manner.

Monroe Roark for the AJC

Free child seat checks in Peachtree City

The Peachtree City Police Department and the Fayette County Safe Kids Organization will offer free child car seat safety inspections 1-4 p.m. today in the Target parking lot in Kedron Village Shopping Center. No appointment is necessary, but allow 30 minutes to complete. Call 770-487-8866 to schedule checks at another time.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Police ID man shot after domestic dispute

Marquis Harris, 33, has been identified as a man officers shot following a public domestic dispute. Harris got into a dispute with the mother of his childen during a meeting to exchange custody. The incident started at a Quik Trip and spilled across the street to Pars Cars auto dealership. Harris fired at officers when they arrived at the 6800 block of Mt. Zion Boulevard just off the I-75 exit.

He was taken to Atlanta Medical Center where he is listed in critical condition. The unidentified officers were assigned to desk duty pending the outcome of an investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Fran Jeffries and Ty Tagami

Clayton recognizes World Diabetes Day

The Clayton County Board of Health will host its own World Diabetes Day Recognition 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today.

Residents can participate in free blood sugar testing at 1117 Battle Creek Road, Jonesboro. A healthy cooking demonstration with meals forh diabetics and non-diabetics will be at noon.

CCBOH will offer free “Road to Health” classes at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. “Road to Health” was developed by the CDC to help those with diabetes or diabetes risk factors control and manage their diabetes successfully. Information: www.claytoncountypublichealth.org.

Kenneth Musisi

Clayton school board to meet today

The Clayton County school board will hold a special-called meeting 5:30 p.m. todayat the school district complex, 1058 Fifth Ave., Jonesboro. Among the agenda items: recommendations from executive session, which may include filling some administrative positions.

Information: Sherry Smith, 678 817-3080.

Tammy Joyner