COBB
Cobb EMC announces rate reduction
Cobb EMC’s board of directors approved lower energy charges and an increased monthly fee effective January 2013.
The power rates will drop from 1.9 to 1.7 cents per kilowatt hour and monthly service charges will increase from $9.75 to $20.
Cobb EMC says more than 80 percent of customers will see unchanged or lower bills as a result of the changes.
Information: www.cobbemc.com.
Jaime Sarrio
Development Authority cancels meeting
The Development Authority of Cobb County has canceled its Wednesday meeting at the Cobb Chamber of Commerce. Info: Amanda Blanton at 770-859-2336. Jaime Sarrio
Expect lane closures on Barrett Parkway
Lanes going northbound on Barrett Parkway will be closed this week periodically from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. between Burnt Hickory Road and Cobb Parkway. Southbound lanes will be closed from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. between Cobb Place and Burnt Hickory Road. One lane will remain open at all times, but motorists should expect delays.
Jaime Sarrio
Dollar stores interested in Powder Springs
Family Dollar is building in Powder Springs, and Dollar General wants to open there.
The Family Dollar is at 3824 Powder Springs Road at Forest Hill Road next to Quik Trip.
The Powder Springs Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17 in council chambers, 4488 Pineview Drive to consider a special use application for Dollar General.
Reginald Simmons is applying to locate the store at 4400 Brownsville Road, Suite 104 in the Kroger shopping center.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Pine Mountain Road improvements talks
Cobb Department of Transportation and the City of Kennesaw will host an open house on Pine Mountain Road improvements 6-8 p.m. Thursday.
Residents can view proposed improvements and give feedback. The meeting will take place at the Ben Robertson Community Center, 2753 Watts Drive, Kennesaw. Jaime Sarrio
Lack of funds closes
Marietta Theater
Marietta Theatre will go dark until it can raise enough money to lease theater space and hire staff, according to the company’s artistic director.
The company, located in historic Marietta, will have non-profit status by year’s end and hopes to rebuild financially. “A Tuna Christmas” has been canceled.
Information: edwardwhoward@aol.com
Jaime Sarrio
Mable House to host Christmas show
The Mable House Arts Center will host a Christmas house arts and crafts show until Sunday. Visitors can shop an assortment of jewelry, fabric, pottery, soaps or dine in the tea room by calling 770-819-3285. The Arts Center is located at 5239 Floyd Road, Mableton.
Information:prca.cobbcountyga.gov/mable_house.htm Jaime Sarrio
GWINNETT
Water and sewer rate to increase in 2013
Effective January 2013, Gwinnett will implement a rate increase for water and sewer effective through December 2013.
Single-family residences will pay between $4.69 and $9.38 per 1,000 gallons for water depending on volume and $7.11 per 1,000 gallons for sewer.
All irrigation and builder accounts shall be billed at two times the tier-one volumetric rate.
Visit www.gwinnetth2o.com, or call 678-376-6700 for a complete list of rates and charges.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Pleasant Hill Road open during holidays
Lane closures on Pleasant Hill Road bridge over Interstate 85 will be suspended during the holiday shopping season.
The county is building a new interchange at the intersection, but will keep all lanes open through Jan. 2.
Information: www.gwinnettddi.com. David Wickert
Peachtree Corners to discuss retail space
Peachtree Corners will hold a Land Use Meeting 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, December 10 at Christ the King Lutheran Church on Peachtree Pkwy to discuss a proposal to develop 3.4 acres of land adjacent to Piedmont Park, across from the Forum, as retail space. The developer, Mitch Peevy, will have a site concept plan available and answer questions.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Grayson changes yard waste pickup day
Beginning this month, Grayson will begin 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
Co-op to help more than 800 families
The Norcross Cooperative Ministry has over 800 applications for families needing help. Needed: unwrapped gifts, especially children age 8 and over, gift cards and non-perishable food items.
Donations 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekday, until 8 p.m. Tuesdays and 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays through Dec. 15 at 2275 Mitchell Road, Norcross. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Norcross police seek to maintain rating
The Norcross Police Department will be reviewed to maintain its rating as one of the top law enforcement agencies in the U.S. As part of the process, the NPD is scheduled for an on-site assessment at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 12 in the Council Chambers.
The public may comment by phone 1 - 3 p.m. at 678- 421-2006. Submit written comments to the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Inc., 13575 Heathcote Blvd. Suite 320, Gainesville, Virginia 20155.
A copy of the standards is available at the Norcross Police Department.
Information: 770-448-2111, ext 2306. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
NORTHSIDE
Tech firm headed to Forsyth County
An international “green technology” firm will set up its U.S. manufacturing and distribution center in Forsyth County, bringing up to 150 jobs in the next five years.
IUS Technologies, the U.S. subsidiary of South Korean-based Vitzro group, manufactures devices designed to optimize the electric utility smart grid by reducing waste and greenhouse emissions and increasing grid capacity.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Holly Springs to create city council districts
The Holly Springs City Council voted 3-2 Monday night to ask the Cherokee state legislative delegation to introduce local legislation changing council elections. Currently, council members are elected at-large and can live anywhere in the city. The proposed change would create five council wards, or districts, in which council members would be required to live, although members would still be elected citywide. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Fire destroys historic home in Ball Ground
An historic home in Ball Ground was destroyed in a Monday fire. Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services officials say a 74-year-old woman renting the home at 200 Old Dawsonville Highway escaped the two-story wood structure without injury. Fire officials say the home was built around 1905 by the late Calvin Farmer, once a Ball Ground civic leader.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Open house to feature pedestrian signal info
Sandy Springs will hold an open house 5:30 to 7 p.m. Dec. 12 at Holy Spirit Preparatory School, 4820 Long Island Dr. to discuss the High-intensity Activated crossWalK pedestrian signal safety project for Roswell Road between Long Island Drive and West Belle Isle Road.
The signal is used at locations on major roadways with a high number of pedestrian crossings. The signal can be coordinated to minimize impact to the traffic flow.
Information: www.sandyspringsga.gov, or 770-730-5600. Patrick Fox
Woodstock considers trolley service
Woodstock officials are exploring possible permanent trolley service downtown and to that end, are borrowing the Cherokee Area Transportation System trolley for a month.
The city has begun to use the vehicle Fridays and Saturdays to shuttle holiday shoppers. Routes and schedules will be set next week.
If the experiment works, Woodstock may purchase the redesigned bus. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Holly Springs to contract for services
Holly Springs officials are accepting proposals from qualified companies to provide pest control and external audit services. The audit services deadline is Thursday and the pest control deadline is Dec. 12. Contracts are due to be awarded Dec. 17.
Interested parties should send proposals to: City Clerk, City of Holly Springs, 3237 Holly Springs Parkway, P.O. Box 990, Holly Springs, Ga., 30142. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
ATLANTA
Roundtable to help students graduate
As part of a 3-year commitment to helping Georgia students graduate, Communities In Schools of Georgia is hosting the first-ever Georgia Graduates: Parents Hold the Key education roundtable on Thursday. The objective is to create a twelve-month action plan for a public-private partnership to foster parental engagement in education. The event is not open to the public, but there will be live tweeting. Nancy Badertscher
Free drive-thru Nativity at Cascade UMC
Cascade United Methodist Church will host a free drive-thru nativity at the church, 3144 Cascade Rd., S.W. 7 to 9:30 p.m. Friday and 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday. The free event will feature live animals and actors depicting the story of Jesus’s birth in five scenes. Information: 404-691-5770. Veronica Fields Johnson
Clark Atlanta awarded $200k grant
Clark Atlanta University and the Chevron Corp. announced this week a $206,500 grant from Chevron to provide scholarships and support for enrichment programs in CAU’s School of Business. Clark Atlanta is the largest of the nation’s 39-member UNCF institutions and one of two private historically black colleges and universities designated by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a research university. Nancy Badertscher
Marcus center to hold Hanukkah celebrations
The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta will offer Hanukkah programs for all ages next week: Mamakkah, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, MJCCA at Zaban Park, 5342 Tilly Mill Rd., Dunwoody; Menorah Madness – Family Hanukkah Celebration, 5:15 p.m., Monday - Dec.12, MJCCA at Zaban Park; Latke Luau Singles Event, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Three Sheets, 6017 Sandy Springs Circle, Sandy Springs; MJCCA Young Adult’s Vodka & Latkes, 7 to 11 p.m. Dec.13, Shout, 1197 Peachtree Street N.E.; Mature Adult Chanukah Happy Hour, 3 to 5 p.m. Dec.14, MJCCA at Zaban Park. Information: www.atlantajcc.org. Mea Watkins
DEKALB
Cops: Woman brought gun to courthouse
Sheriff’s deputies found a weapon Monday in a purse after stopping Brooke Ingle, a law firm employee, at a public entrance to the DeKalb County Courthouse, according to a spokesman. Ingle, 27, said she was at the courthouse to file civil documents for Glasser, Currie and Bullman Attorneys at Law, her employer.
Ingle was charged with carrying a weapon in an unauthorized location and taken to jail. She was released Monday on $1,000 bond. Christopher Seward
Six charged in counterfeit sting
A federal grand jury returned a seven-count indictment on Nov. 19 charging Cameron R. Longshore, 30, and Ian J. Longshore, 27, both of Decatur, and Kenyada Barrion, 35, of Stone Mountain along with Heath J. Kellogg, 36, of Woodstock, and Stacy P. Smith, 37, and James C. Kellogg, 63, both of Marietta, with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute counterfeit U.S. currency.
The indictment alleges that from around Feb. 1, 2011, until the first arrests in this case, the defendants conspired to manufacture and distribute counterfeit U.S currency, mainly $50 bills. Fran Jeffries
Revised annexation to bring in fewer residents
Decatur city manager Peggy Merriss Monday recommended the city consider only two mostly commercial areas for annexation: the four shopping centers at Clairemont Avenue and North Decatur Road, and Suburban Plaza off Church Street.
The first area is 97 percent commercial, the second 62 percent. Merriss urged that the four other, mostly residential areas, be eliminated from annexation. She estimated the new plan would bring in 511 new residents as opposed to the original annexation figure of 2,000. Bill Banks for the AJC
Volunteers needed Thursday to fix up park
Volunteers are needed 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday to help ready Fairington Park, 2831 Fairington Parkway for a new playground installation.
The non-profit group Healing Hearts of Families and Fairington Community Association are partnering with the county to weed and plant at the entry of the park using a $1,500 grant from the Home Depot Foundation. Information: 404-289-5277 or www.healingheartsusa.org. April Hunt
County offers pet wellness clinics
PAWS Atlanta, a DeKalb County animal welfare group, will offer low-cost pet clinics 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday and again on Dec. 23 at the group’s shelter, 5287 Covington Highway, near Decatur.
The group, formerly known as the DeKalb Humane Society, will offer vaccinations, micro-chips, heartworm testing and health preventatives at the events. Information: www.pawsatlanta.org. April Hunt
Clarkston to hold tree-lighting ceremony
Clarkston officials will host a tree lighting and fireworks show 6 p.m. Saturday at the Clarkston Women’s Club, 3913 Church St. Light refreshments and holiday music will be included, as will special gifts for children.
The fireworks display will precede the arrival of Santa. The event is free and open to the public. April Hunt
SOUTHSIDE
Mail center workers plead guilty to $2.8 M theft
A supervisor at an Atlanta mail processing center pleaded guilty in federal court Monday to stealing more than 1,300 U.S. Treasury checks worth more than $2.8 million. Gerald Eason, 47, of Stockbridge, also admitted to conspiring with postal worker, Deborah Fambro-Echols, 49, of Hapeville to steal and cash additional checks. Fambro-Echols pleaded guilty Nov. 26.
Wendy Frasier, 35, and Daralyn M. Weaver, 31, both of Atlanta; Jabril O. McKee, 25, of Fairburn, and Ohmar D. Braden, 36, of Lithonia, also have pleaded guilty. Fran Jeffries
Fulton chair to try again to replace jail locks
Fulton County Commission Chairman John Eaves, trying to end federal oversight of the Rice Street jail, will try again today for votes to replace more than 1,300 substandard door locks. The move would put the county $5 million in debt, but closer to full compliance with a 2006 consent decree.
Jailers say the locks are so shoddy that inmates can pop open cell doors at will, leading to attacks on staffers and other inmates. Some commissioners, however, say the sheriff’s office just needs to supervise inmates better. Eaves lost his fourth vote last month because Commissioner Liz Hausmann wanted more information.
Johnny Edwards
Colwell named interim superintendent
The Fayette County Board of Education named former Clayton County Public Schools chief Dan Colwell as its interim superintendent Monday night.
Colwell, who was fired from Clayton in 2003 and currently works for Henry County Schools, will head Fayette’s system from Jan. 1 to June 30, 2013. Fayette is still accepting applications for a permanent replacement. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Fayette Humane needs holiday foster homes
A shortage of foster homes for large numbers of cats and dogs has prompted the Fayette County Humane Society to seek additional help over the holidays. Travel and allergic houseguests reduce the available care for rescued animals.
The FCHS will provide food, supplies and medical care.
Information: 770-487-1073 or email info@fayettehumane.org.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Locust Grove High vies for $50K grant
Locust Grove High School is in the running for a $50,000 grant from the Clorox Company’s Power A Bright Future program. Those 13 and older can visit www.PowerABrightFuture.com to vote once a day through Dec. 19.
Six schools will receive $25,000 each. If it wins, LGHS will use the money to help improve its healthcare science resources and to develop a more advanced general medicine program. Monroe Roark for the AJC
Tree lighting Thursday at Piedmont Henry
Piedmont Henry Hospital will present its 10th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting 6-8 p.m. Thursday on the hospital’s South lawn. Refreshments, hayrides with Santa and music by local choirs featured.
Information: www.piedmonthenry.org.
Monroe Roark for the AJC
