County by county news for Wednesday

The wreck happened shortly before 9 p.m. near the intersection of U.S. 41 and Allgood Road in Marietta, temporarily closing the southbound lanes of U.S. 41, Marietta police said.

Investigators believe the victim, whose name was not released, was not in a crosswalk when he was struck in the roadway by a 56-year-old Cobb County woman. The man was transported to WellStar Kennestone Hospital, where he died. The driver is not expected to face charges. She was not injured. Alexis Stevens

Cobb to test weather sirens today

Cobb County plans to test its weather sirens today for National Severe Weather Awareness Week. The county will participate in the statewide tornado drill at 9 a.m.

Normally the county tests the sirens the first Wednesday every month at noon. Information: www.cobbcountyga.gov.

Jaime Sarrio

Cobb Chamber COO Bass resigns

Cobb Chamber Chief Operating Officer Demming Bass has resigned. According to a chamber spokeswoman, Bass, who was hired in Nov. 2010, is planning to travel with his daughters and pursue creative projects. The chamber is not currently seeking a replacement, and instead is going to reallocate responsibilities and possibly restructure. Bass resigned Jan. 14, effective immediately.

Jaime Sarrio

Marietta has homes for low-income families

Marietta officials dedicated two homes on Lemon Street Tuesday that will be sold for about $140,000 to low to moderate-income families. The city has rehabbed or rebuilt and sold about 35 houses in 10 years using federal housing funds as an initiative to stabilize city neighborhoods. Cobb’s Community Development Block Grant agency administers the HOME program and Traton Homes built the two houses.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Chamber recognizes health heroes

The Cobb Chamber Monday gave out its Health Hero Awards to Dr. Cris Eaton-Welsh of Eaton Chiropractic and The Good Samaritan Health Center of Cobb. The awards recognize an individual and an organization that has made a positive impact on health in the community. Information: Samantha Ovsak at sovsak@cobbchamber.org, or 770-859-2374. Jaime Sarrio

African-American history explored

Stories, film and art will help participants learn about Georgia’s African-American history from 4 to 5 p.m. Thursday at the Powder Springs Library, 4181 Atlanta St.

All ages are welcome. Registration is required.

Information: Tara Klodnicki, simpsont@cobbcat.org or 770-439-3600. Carolyn Cunningham

Chairman Lee to host town hall

Cobb Commission Chairman Tim Lee will host a town hall 7 p.m. Monday at the Smyrna Community Center, 200 Village Green Circle to allow residents to hear the latest county developments and ask questions. Information: www.cobbcountyga.gov Jaime Sarrio

GWINNETT

Free wedding ceremonies for Valentine’s Day

Gwinnett Magistrate Court judges will perform free Valentine’s Day wedding ceremonies or vow renewals 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 14 in the old Justice of the Peace Office at the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse in Lawrenceville. Couples getting married must obtain a valid marriage license prior to Feb. 14 and bring original marriage license to the ceremony. Licenses will not be available at the cite. Contact Probate Court at 770-822-8250 for information on obtaining a license. No appointment is necessary. Information: Chief Magistrate Kristina Hammer Blum, 770-822-8081 or kristina.blum@gwinnettcounty.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Family caregivers conference planned

A conference for caregivers will take place 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 23 at First United Methodist Church of Lawrenceville, 395 West Crogan St. Hosted by the Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services, the event aims to educate caregivers on legal matters, fall prevention, etc. Cost is $10, which includes breakfast and lunch. Information: 678-964-4838. Mea Watkins

Gwinnett Tech offering tax preparation

In cooperation with AARP Tax-Aide, a free, volunteer-run income tax counseling and preparation service, Gwinnett Tech is offering free counseling and preparation. Walk-ins are welcome 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at the Lawrenceville school’s Busbee Center, Building 700, Room 2.201, 5150 Sugarloaf Parkway. Clients should bring last year’s tax return, proper identification and tax documents. Information: 770-962-7580. MICHAEL ALPERT FOR THE AJC

Lilburn planning fundraiser

Organizers of the Lilburn Relay Rally fundraiser, a precursor to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, are holding a planning meeting 5:30 p.m. Feb. 18 at City Hall, 76 Main St. The city’s April 26 event, which proceeds Gwinnett’s annual event in May, is at Lilburn’s downtown City Park, behind City Hall. The fair-style walk-a-thon attracts several hundred participants who take turns circling the park’s half-mile gravel path, lighted by luminaries commemorating cancer victims. Information: Pat Swan, 770-923-6550. MICHAEL ALPERT FOR THE AJC

Gwinnett Tech offering new program

Lawrenceville’s Gwinnett Tech is offering a new one-year Health Information Technology certificate program in response to the healthcare industry’s rapid changes in collection, sharing and storage of patient information. The program is ideal for those with healthcare and information technology experience. Student applications are due Feb. 20, and classes begin March 4. Information: 678-226-6404, ebaggett@gwinnetttech.edu. MICHAEL ALPERT FOR THE AJC

Businesses host networking breakfast

The Buford Business Alliance is organizing Networking Over Breakfast meetings at 8:30 a.m. the third Thursday of each month. The first meeting will be Feb. 19 at Springhill Suites, 3250 Buford Dr. Information: email president@visitbuford.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Two Roswell officers wreck; pedestrian injured

A woman sustained minor injuries when her vehicle struck the median wall on Holcomb Bridge Road Monday evening. An officer responding to that crash, with lights and sirens activated, collided with another vehicle when the other driver failed to yield at Holcomb Bridge Road and Market Boulevard. There were no injuries in that wreck. A second officer responding to the Ga. 400 crash struck a pedestrian at Holcomb Bridge and Grimes Bridge roads.

The male pedestrian was taken to North Fulton Hospital in stable condition. Mike Morris

Arrests in Cumming pot grow house

Robert Wesley Williams, 52, of Cumming, was arrested and charged with manufacturing marijuana. Also arrested at the scene was Melanie Dawn Phillips, 58, of Roswell.

Forsyth County police discovered information that led to the alleged grow house during a traffic stop. Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics investigators then got a warrant to search a home in the 3200 block of Canon Bay, off of Buford Dam Road.

Williams was released Tuesday from the Forsyth County Detention Center on a $11,110 bond. He is scheduled to appear in court Feb. 18.

Phillips, was charged with possession of less than an ounce of marijuana. She was released from the Forsyth County Detention Center Tuesday on a $1,155 bond. Fran Jeffries

Forsyth to host mock trial competition.

About 120 high school students from Forsyth, Fulton and Gwinnett Counties will be in Cumming Friday and Saturday for a regional mock trial competition sponsored by the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar of Georgia. Mock trials will be held at Forsyth County and city of Cumming facilities. The winner goes on to compete at the state level in March. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Websites rated high by watchdog group.

The Cherokee County government website recently received an A+ rating for transparency from the watchdog group Sunshine Review, which evaluates the content of thousands of state and local government websites. Canton also received an A+. The ratings were based on a 10-point checklist including such factors as posted budget details and elected official contact info.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

British cars on display at Alpharetta event

A collection of iconic British cars will be featured at the Great British Car Fayre from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 23 on Milton Avenue in downtown Alpharetta. The family-friendly event will also include food and a musical performance from 5 to 7 p.m. by Abbey Road Live, a Beatles tribute band. Information: www.awesomealpharetta.com. Mea Watkins

Softball league registration set

Registration for Forsyth County’s Spring Adult Softball League will run through Friday. Teams can register at the Central Park Recreation Center, 2300 Keith Bridge Road, Cumming, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Cost is $500 per team. Information: 770-781-2215. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

Public hearing on bills to reshape Fulton

Fulton County’s state lawmakers will hold a public hearing Thursday on three bills, introduced by House Republicans from north Fulton, that would reshape the county government. House Bill 170 would double the homestead exemption to $60,000; House Bill 171 would add another north Fulton commissioner and eliminate an at-large seat; and House Bill 172 would make all new hires unclassified, meaning they can’t appeal to the personnel board if they are fired, demoted or suspended.

The hearing runs noon to 1 p.m. in room 403 of the state Capitol. Johnny Edwards

Goodwill of North Georgia hosts job fairs

Goodwill of North Georgia is hosting job fairs at several metro Atlanta locations for employers to recruit workers for professional, warehouse, and retail positions. Employers will be on-site from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at the Goodwill Career Centers in Atlanta, Duluth, Decatur, and Woodstock. Information: tinyurl.com/av4dulu or goodwillng.org/locations.

Kenneth Musisi

Child care centers sign up for rating system

More than 1,100 child care programs have enrolled in Quality Rated, Georgia’s new voluntary system for improving and promoting quality programs. It is being administered by Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning and will give three stars to high quality centers. Information:www.decal.ga.gov. Nancy Badertscher

Money management workshop offered

The Center for Financial Independence and Innovation hosts a free money management workshop 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Friday at the Atlanta Abilities Expo at the Georgia World Congress Center. The expo has resources aimed to enhance the lives of people with disabilities, their families, seniors and veterans. It runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Information: www.abilitiesexpo.com. Mea Watkins

DEKALB

County seeking additional sales tax

DeKalb County is asking the state legislature for a bill that would allow the county to raise its sales tax, if voters agree.

The legislation is required so that residents could vote on whether they want to pay an additional 1-cent sales tax to pay for transportation and other capital needs around the county.

DeKalb has a 400-mile backlog of county roads that need to be resurfaced. April Hunt

Ellenwood teen shot and killed in Atlanta

Atlanta police are investigating a shooting that left a teenager dead.

The shooting happened about about 3:30 p.m. Monday in the 500 block of James P. Brawley Drive.

Atlanta police spokeswoman Kim Jones said officers found the victim lying on the ground, bleeding heavily from a gunshot wound to the head.

The victim, identified by the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s office as 17-year-old Wilton Smith-Muirhead of Ellenwood, was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital, where he later died. Mike Morris

Proposal would make CEO post non-partisan

A state senator from north DeKalb County has filed a bill that would make the county’s CEO post a non-partisan position.

Senate Bill 95, sponsored by Fran Millar, R-Dunwoody, would require all counties that use a CEO/county commission government structure to make the chief executive election non-partisan. DeKalb is the only metro Atlanta county to use that system, which is more common in large urban communities nationwide than in Georgia. April Hunt

Muslim culture, history coming to libraries

Four DeKalb County libraries recently received a federal grant to help provide information about Muslim history, culture and beliefs.

The National Endowment for the Humanities award will pay for 25 books, three films and other resources at branch libraries in Clarkston, Decatur, Northlake and Stonecrest.

Programs will be planned throughout the year to highlight the collection. Information: www.dekalblibrary.org. April Hunt

County pushing back on Decatur annexation

The DeKalb County Commission recently approved a resolution opposing the annexation of two shopping plazas by the city of Decatur.

The city, meanwhile, has asked state lawmakers to take in Suburban Plaza and North Decatur Center, both on North Decatur Road, as well as about 60 homes.

The county objects to the annexation, saying it would increase the tax burden for residents in the annexation zone as well as the rest of unincorporated DeKalb. April Hunt

Little League signups through Feb.

The Belvedere Little League will hold registration for baseball for boys and girls (ages 4-12) from noon to 4 p.m. each Saturday through Feb. 23 at Shoal Creek Park, 3640 Glenwood Road, Decatur.

Register online at www.eteamz.com/belvederelittleleague2. Volunteer coaches are needed.

Information: 404-289-3073. Kenneth Musisi

SOUTHSIDE

High school students arrested after food fight

Nine students were arrested following a food fight at Ola High School in McDonough, and more students could face charges. Administrators were aware of the plans for the food fight and warned students of the possible consequences. But the fight took place on Friday anyway. One student was injured during the fracas and the cafeteria was damaged, school officials said. Nathan Brunnert, Whitney Camp, Jimmy Dobson, Devin Graziani and Courtney Striplin were arrested, in addition to four juveniles, whose names were not released. Alexis Stevens

Fayette schedules stormwater meetings

The Fayette County Board of Commissioners has scheduled three town hall meetings to discuss the recent Stormwater Utility charges for residents in the unincorporated areas of the county.

The meetings will explain the current infrastructure problems and related repair costs. Public input is invited at 7 p.m. on Feb. 13, March 4 and March 25 at the administrative meeting room at 140 Stonewall Ave. in Fayetteville. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Public safety meeting set for today

East Point’s police and fire departments are staging a community meeting at 6 p.m. today at the law enforcement center gym at 2727 East Point St. The meeting will focus on residents’ public safety concerns.

Information: 404-761-2177 John Thompson for the AJC

Valentine’s Day social for College Park seniors

The College Park Police Department is hosting its 7th annual Valentine’s Day Senior Social 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 8 at the Georgia International Convention Center for College Park seniors.

This free event is in appreciation for the contributions the College Park senior citizens have made toward improving the quality of life in this city. For more information and to make reservations by Feb. 1, call 404.761.3131, Ext. 2020 or Ext. 2005. Lisa Gibson for the AJC

Free tax preparation available to seniors

AARP and the Clayton County Senior Services Department, are offering free tax preparation for seniors thrugh April 12.

Appointments are available 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays at The Frank Bailey Senior Center, 6213 Riverdale Road, Riverdale. Information: 678 479-5505. Tammy Joyner

Break week camp set for Feb. 18-22

The Henry County Parks and Recreation Department is offering a Mid-Winter Break Camp Feb. 18-22. Cost: $100. Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. for ages 5-12. Information and register:www.hcprd.org. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Arts Clayton plans black-tie gala in Morrow

Arts Clayton is presenting Arte’ Gras, its 7th annual black tie gala that it calls “an evening on the French Riviera” 7 p.m. March 9 at the Morrow Center, 1180 Southlake Mall No. 100, Morrow. A dinner buffet and an annual benefit raffle are among the features. Information: Linda Summerlin, 770-473-5831. Lisa Gibson for the AJC