COBB
Ex-deputy gets 40 years for sexually assaulting inmates
Alvin Blake Sutherland, 52, of Douglasville, was sentenced to 40 years, 20 of which will be served in prison. The former Cobb County sheriff’s deputy, admitted having sexual encounters, including some that were forced, with five inmates between June 2009 and January of this year. Sutherland was arrested in January and indicted two months later. He was being held in the Douglas County jail without bond. Sutherland’s 11-year-old daughter was among three people who asked the court for leniency during the hearing Monday morning, the DA’s office said. Alexis Stevens
Volunteers needed for clean-up
Keep Marietta Beautiful is looking for volunteers from 9 a.m.-noon Saturday to spruce up the Paces Mill Recreation Area off Cobb Parkway at the Chattahoochee River. The Marietta group is coordinating the event with the U.S. National Park System. Trash bags and t-shirts will be provided while they last. Volunteers under 18 must have a signed parental release. Information: www.mariettaga.gov. Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Belly dancing at Austell library on Monday
The Sweetwater Valley Branch Library will present “An Introduction to Belly Dancing” class from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Sweetwater Valley Branch Library, 5000 Austell Powder Springs Road, Austell on the first floor of the Threadmill Complex.
Information: Rhonda Lane, sweetwab@cobbcat.org or 770-819-3290. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Kennesaw battle site added to national park
The Trust for Public Land has purchased 42 acres for $1.76 million to expand the 2,900-acre Kennesaw National Battlefield Park.
The property off Dallas Highway in west Marietta is the site of Union and Confederate fighting during the Atlanta Campaign in June 1864. The site is noted for having union entrenchments, rifle pits and cannon placements.
Attempts failed in 2005 to secure adjacent land that was developed as a subdivision. Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Church holds free festival in Austell
Gospel Nation Christian Fellowship will host a free Hallelujah Festival from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Legion Field, 5514 Austell Powder Springs Road, Austell.
Highlights: Winter shoes and clothing giveaway, movies, hayride and a trackless train.
Information: gospelnationchurch.org or 770-943-9964. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Powder Springs approves park building
Powder Springs City Council members will hire Abatech Services, Inc. for $215,000 to construct the Linear Park restroom and concessions building.
This building also will include an overhang for the picnic area and should be ready by spring, Dave Hicks of Croy Engineering said.
The 10-acre park stretches about a half mile between the Silver Comet Trail and Richard D. Sailors Parkway across from the Powder Springs Police Station. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
GWINNETT
County leaders dedicate renovated shelter
Gwinnett managers and supervisors taking part in a leadership program are hosting a dedication ceremony for the newly renovated SaltLight Center in Lawrenceville at 2 p.m. today. The 16 members of the Gwinnett County Executive Competence, Excellence and Leadership management development program partnered with Family Promise of Gwinnett to replace worn floors, create a play area and make other needed maintenance improvements to the SaltLight Center, the first and only emergency homeless shelter for women and children in Gwinnett County. Information: 770-822-7135. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Veterans recognition ceremony next week
Lilburn will celebrate veterans with a recognition ceremony and ice cream social 2 p.m. Nov. 10 in Lilburn City Park. Bring worn, tattered, and damaged American flags for proper retirement.
Lilburn VFW Post 12096 will provide this service free of charge.
Information: www.cityoflilburn.com. Arlinda Smith Broady
Online campus hosts semester registration
Registration for Gwinnett school system’s online campus extends through Nov. 20 for grades 4-12.
Gwinnett Online Campus will host meetings 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 4 and Nov. 19 at the school, 713 Hi Hope Road, Lawrenceville.
Information: www.gwinnettonlinecampus.com/attend-goc.html Nancy Badertscher
Duluth Citizens Police accepting applications
The Duluth Police Department is beginning a Citizen Police Academy. Citizens may attend this free academy to introduce functions of police work beginning Jan. 23 and ending May 24. Each class will be approximately three hours, meeting every other Thursday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at 3276 Buford Highway in Duluth.
Information: Contact Major Woodruff at dwoodruff@duluthpd.com, 678-512-3705, or www.duluthga.net/departments/police. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Duluth extends Food Truck Fridays
Due to popular demand Duluth’s Food Truck/Block Party Fridays will continue at 6 p.m. Fridays through Nov. 15 . The licensed merchant zones allow patrons to purchase alcohol and walk around downtown and the Town Green. Information: www.duluthga.net/foodtruckfridays. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Simpsonwood Center property up for sale
The Superior Court of Gwinnett County has ruled that the restrictive covenants governing the 227-acre Simpsonwood Conference and Retreat Center have expired, providing the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church Board of Trustees to place the land adjacent to the Chattahoochee River up for sale.
Peachtree Corners, Gwinnett County and National Park Services have expressed interest in the property.
Information: www.ngumc.org/news/detail/2210. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
NORTHSIDE
Father was too drunk to recall severe child abuse
Gregory Odell Barnett of Johns Creek pleaded guilty to child abuse charges in the January attack that left his 5-week-old daughter with brain damage. He said he was too drunk at the time to remember what he did to the girl. Barnett was arrested in January after the baby’s mother, Courtney Johnson, returned home to find the child suffering from severe swelling to her head. Johnson, said that her boyfriend had been violent with her in the past, but she never thought he would harm their child. Barnett was sentenced to 10 years in prison and 10 years probation. Alexis Stevens
Cherokee school up for statewide honors
Cherokee County’s Teasley Middle School has been named as a Breakout Middle School by the Georgia Association of Secondary School Principals.
Only six middle schools statewide copped the honor, which recognizes high-performing assistant principals.
In addition, Teasley Assistant Principal Amy Graham is one of four statewide finalists for assistant principal of the year. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Roswell offers cultural and arts guide
The city of Roswell’s 2013-2014 Arts and Cultural Organizations Directory has been released.
The resource guide contains information about 21 organizations in the city which offer arts and cultural programming.
Residents can download the guide at www.roswellgov.com/ArtsMonth. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Restaurant Week set for Alpharetta eateries
Alpharetta Restaurant Week will be Nov. 2-9. At least 15 restaurants will participate in this year’s observance. Restaurants will have a variety of options on prix fixe menus for lunch and dinner.
Reservations are recommended.
Information: 678-297-2811. Laurie Hoffman
Ribbon-cutting set for Cherokee roadway
Cherokee County officials will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. today to open phase two of Northside Cherokee Boulevard to traffic.
The new segment is nearly a mile, and will result in an artery running between Ga. 20 and Ga. 140 along the east side of I-575.
The $8.1 million project will give access to Northside Hospital-Cherokee’s replacement campus, scheduled to open in 2015. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Sandy Springs to repair Lake Forrest Drive slope
During its Oct. 15 meeting, the Sandy Springs City Council directed city staff to proceed with completing structural plans for stabilization of the slope along Lake Forrest Drive utilizing a design that contains structural components within the city’s right-of-way.
With the directive, staff will finalize structural plans.
inal design options will be reviewed with the Council.
Contractor selection will be conducted utilizing an emergency procurement procedure. Barring unforeseen complications, Lake Forrest Drive should reopen in early 2014. Arlinda Smith Broady
ATLANTA
City supports greenspace pledge
City officials are supporting the PARC Pledge, an initiative to improve Atlanta’s parks system. The Parks Atlanta Rescue Coalition is a partnership between Park Pride and community organizations to improve greenspaces with a broader goal of improving quality of life issues. The pledge consists of four goals, including funding of park operations and maintenance, acquisition and development of new park land, programs to engage children, and promoting crime-free parks. Information:t www.parkpride.org Katie Leslie
Free family health expo this Saturday
The Center for Black Women’s Wellness will host a free Family Health & Beauty Expo 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Atlanta Civic Center, 395 Piedmont Ave. Health screenings, information and educational programs will be available. Attendees can also participate in Zumba, urban ballroom, aerobics, toning, sculpting and more. Pre-registration is requested. Information: cbww6thannualexpo.eventbrite.com. Veronica Fields Johnson
Lung cancer vigil to be held Saturday
The fifth annual Shine A Light on Lung Cancer Vigil will be 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday in Historic Fourth Ward Park, 680 Dallas St., N.E. The free event, sponsored by the Lung Cancer Alliance, will feature a cookout, flag football, games, prizes, educational material on lung cancer screenings and more. Attendees may also light and release floating lanterns to honor someone lost to lung cancer. Information: www.lungcanceralliance.org. Veronica Fields Johnson
Super search reaches out to candidates
The search firms looking for Atlanta’s next superintendent have contacted more than 350 people about the position, with between three and five finalists expected to be presented to the school board in January.
Because the superintendent answers to the school board, some candidates are waiting to decide whether they’ll apply until after the Nov. 5 election. Mark Niesse
DEKALB
Doraville library hosts November book sale
The Friends of Doraville Library will hold a book sale from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 2 at the branch to support programming at the branch.
The sale includes fiction hardcover books, as well as paperbacks, CDs and DVDs for adult and children.
Donations are still be accepted at the library, 3748 Central Ave., Doraville.
Information: 770-936-3852. April Hunt
Audit confirms flaws in district accounting
The DeKalb County School District failed to properly track funds and costs, potentially jeopardizing federal subsidies, a new audit says.
The review by the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts covers fiscal year 2012, which ended in June of that year. The document, dated Oct. 21, confirmed that DeKalb ran a deficit of as much as $14 million. It also said school officials filed tardy requests for millions of dollars in federal grant money and charged non-allowed costs in connection with a federal “Ed Tech” grant. The costs that were properly billed to that technology program were filed too late, which means local taxpayers had to cover $166,000 that might otherwise have been subsidized.
The errors were blamed in part on a failure to fill key oversight positions after employees quit or were terminated. The audit covers a period prior to the tenure of the current superintendent, Michael Thurmond. He responded, saying DeKalb has already taken steps to strengthen financial oversight, including hiring a new finance chief. The school district is also trying to recover any federal grant moneys due. Ty Tagami
Lithonia hosting kids’ Halloween event
Lithonia will host a Trunk or Treat with candy for kids from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 31 on Main Street. Information: 770-482-1411. April Hunt
Library workers hosting their own art show
Staffers in the DeKalb County Public Library are hosting an expo of their designs to help offset department budget cuts.
The works will be displayed, and for sale to benefit the library system, now through November at the Decatur Library, 215 Sycamore St. Information: www.dekalblibrary.org. April Hunt
Animal welfare group hosts fundraiser
PAWS Atlanta, an animal welfare group, will host its annual Walk for the Paws fundraiser on Nov. 2 in Avondale Estates.
Proceeds will benefit homeless animals and help provide veterinary service at its no-kill shelter in central DeKalb.
Information: www.pawsatlanta.org. April Hunt
Brookhaven accident reports available online
Brookhaven has partnered with the Georgia Electronic Accident Reporting System to make traffic incident reports available online at www.buycrash.com.
The city will be reimbursed $5 per report purchased. The city is not paying for the service. Reports may also be purchased 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday at Brookhaven City Hall, 200 Ashford Center North, Suite 150 or Brookhaven Municipal Court, 2 Corporate Blvd., Suite 125 Arlinda Smith Broady
SOUTHSIDE
Fayetteville robbery suspect arrested
Fayetteville police charged William Robert Paul, 33, with armed robbery and aggravated assault and battery after he allegedly beat a store clerk with a metal pipe and stole two cash drawers from the Greenway BP station at 450 N. Glynn Street at 1:20 a.m. Monday. Paul was apprehended by Fulton County police following the robbery of a Waffle House several hours after the BP incident. The clerk is recovering at Atlanta Medical Center. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Park celebration set for Chattahoochee Hills
Friends of Chatt Hills Parks and the City of Chattahoochee Hills Parks Commission will host Chatt Fest from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10 at Cochran mill Park, 6875 Cochran Mill Rd., Chattahoochee Hills. The event is a celebration of the parks in the city and will feature live music, line dancers, food, family activities and more. A memorial and dedication program to honor Zack Wansley will be held at 2:30 p.m. Pre-event activities include an Equestrian Ride, Fat-Tire Bike Ride and Hike to the Waterfalls. Information: www.friendsofchatthillsparks.org. Veronica Fields Johnson
Commissioner hosts second masked ball
Henry County Commissioner Bruce Holmes will host the second annual Commissioner’s Masked Ball from 7 to 11 p.m. Oct. 31, in the Egyptian Ballroom of the Fox Theatre in Atlanta. A.J. “Buddy” Welch Jr., June Wood, and Dr. Cynthia McCray will be honored during the evening’s festivities.
Proceeds benefit Commissioner Bruce Holmes Youth Foundation. Tickets: www.cbhyf.eventbrite.com. Information: 404-310-0460 or 770-597-7544. Monroe Roark for the AJC
Fayette board restricts tattoo parlors
Tattoo parlors wanting to make their mark in unincorporated Fayette County won’t have many places to do it.
Last week the Fayette County Board of Commissioners voted to restrict tattoo parlors and sexually oriented businesses to areas zoned light industrial, or M-1.
Such zones exist only in three small areas of the county. Commissioner Allen McCarty said the measure amounts to “a big discouragement” to such businesses. Jill Howard Church
Two spaces open on planning commission
The Fayette County Planning Commission has two vacancies open for application.
Members of the five-person volunteer board serve three-year terms, meet twice monthly and make recommendations regarding zoning, subdivisions, floodplains and watershed protection.
Contact Floyd Jones at fjones@fayettecountyga.gov or 770-305-5102 before Nov. 22. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Trunk or Treat at Piedmont Henry
Piedmont Henry Hospital is hosting Trunk or Treat 7:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 31, in the Foundation Education Center parking lot.
Participants are encouraged to bring healthy snacks to share.
Information: piedmonthenry.org. Monroe Roark for the AJC
