County by county news for Wednesday
COBB
Mableton motorist died after 'medical emergency'
County police say a Mableton man who died in a single-car wreck Monday suffered a medical emergency that caused him to lose control of his car. Eric Alexander, 50, crashed his white 2006 Land Rover on Veterans Memorial Highway near Hickory Trail in Mableton, investigators said.
Alexander was not in control of the car when it left the right side of the roadway and came to an uncontrolled stop on the shoulder, police said.
He was transported by ambulance to Wellstar South Cobb Hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said. Staff
Education topic at business luncheon
Principals and educators will discuss Austell schools during the 11:45 a.m. Tuesday luncheon of the Austell Business Association.
The group will meet on the first floor, Threadmill Complex, 5000 Austell-Powder Springs Road, Austell.
Cost is $10 for members or $12 for guests.
Information and reservations: association president Felicia Jones at felicia@servproswcobb.com.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Cobb approves ads for CCT buses
Cobb Commissioners approved a contract on Tuesday that will allow advertising on the outside and inside of CCT buses.
The three-year contact with Signal Outdoor Advertising begins Sept. 1, and includes annual compensation for the county of 55 percent of net revenues, with a guaranteed annual revenues of $60,000 the first year, $70,000 the second year and $80,000 the third year.
The exterior bus advertising will cover no more than 25 percent of the window areas.
Last August, Cobb began searching for a company to manage the sale and placement of the bus advertisement in order to generate more revenue for the county's transit system. The system has seen budget cuts, including service and route reductions over the past few years. Janel Davis
School system offers lunch pay app
Cobb administrators are encouraging their parents to pay their child's meal payments, check their account balances and review purchase history using "MyPaymentsPlus." The app is available on iPhones and iPads and me downloaded at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mypaymentsplus/id537636060?mt=8.
Daarel Burnette II
Cobb allows water containers on buses
Cobb County students will be allowed to carry water on buses this year, according to the district's website.
The liquid must be in containers with a secure lid or cap. School began for Cobb County students Monday.
Daarel Burnette II
Mayor to talk at town hall meeting
Kennesaw Mayor Mark Matthews will talk at a town hall meeting 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday Aug. 16 at the Ben Robertson Community Center, 2753 Watts Drive.
The mayor and city leaders will be available for questions. The city council is working this week on a budget for the fiscal year starting Oct. 1. The 2012 budget is $17.8 million.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
GWINNETT
Lilburn police warn of scam targeting seniors
Lilburn police are warning residents of a scam targeting senior citizens. The scam involves a white or Hispanic male who pulls alongside an elderly female while she is driving and tells her that her rear tire is low on air. When she pulls over the suspect approaches the passenger side of her vehicle and motions for the victim to roll down the window. When she does the suspect grabs the victim's purse and drives away.
Lilburn police say there have been three cases in the past month. The suspect is believed to be driving a black or gray pickup. Call police with tips. David Wickert
Duluth to sponsor block party
The City of Duluth will host the last No Reason Block Party of the season from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 16 downtown on the Town Green, 3142 Hill St. The event will feature the 2nd Annual City Council Chili Cook-Off, live bluegrass music by Smokey's Farmland Band, Best of Brews Beer Garden, mini-pies from Crave Pie Studio and other family friendly activities. Information: www.duluthga.net or 770-476-3434. Veronica Fields Johnson
Property tax dates change
Gwinnett homeowners will have to budget differently once they begin receiving property tax bills this week. Bills have a single due date of Oct. 15, instead of the previous years' two. Owners may pay on-line, by mail, at tax commissioner office drop boxes or in person at 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville.
Owners are responsible for making their escrow company aware of the change. Information: www.GwinnettTaxCommissioner.com, 770-822-8800.
Michael Alpert for the AJC
Free sterilization for feral cats in Duluth
Planned PEThood has received a grant from PetSmart Charities for free sterilizations for 1,000 feral and free-roaming cats in the 30096 ZIP code.
Cats can be brought to Planned PEThood, 2860 Buford Highway any Monday through Thursday for free sterilization. Each cat will be spayed/neutered, vaccinated for rabies and receive an eartip. Traps for catching feral cats are also available for loan at no charge.
Information: www.PlannedPEThoodGA.com
Andria Simmons
Holocaust documentary Sunday
Norcross Community Center will screen the documentary, "My Knees Were Jumping -- Remembering the Kindertransport," about how British allies helped save over 10,000 Jewish children from concentration camps. Hosted by Dr. Edie Riehm with Holocaust survivor Susi Schwarz, 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, 10 College St, Norcross. www.norcrossga.net.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Comment sought on development plan
Gwinnett County is accepting public comment on a community development program action plan which highlights recommendations to receive U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funding next year. Comment accepted through Sept. 10. To view the plan and for more information, visit www.gwinnettcounty.com.
David Wickert
NORTHSIDE
Judge declines to dismiss case against father, son
A federal judge in Atlanta has denied a motion to dismiss tax conspiracy charges against a father and son who operate the Circle Group, a drywall business in Alpharetta.
Lawyers for Jerry Marchelletta Jr. and his father, Gerald Marchelletta Sr., had sought to dismiss the case on allegations of government misconduct. But U.S. District Judge Timothy Batten, who heard arguments Friday, denied the motion in an order signed Monday. The Marchellettas are scheduled to stand trial on Sept. 24. Bill Rankin
Court revives suit against Roswell police
The federal appeals court in Atlanta has revived a lawsuit filed by an Atlanta lawyer who contends she was wrongfully arrested by three Roswell police officers.
Sandra Gray filed suit for her arrest early last year when a homeless man she had allowed to stay in her home — and later ordered to leave — called police and accused Gray of damaging his belongings. Gray said she was arrested even though no harm was done to the man's property. A judge had dismissed Gray's suit against Officers Patrick Ferdarko, Brandon Crawford and Nick Mariani, but the appeals court reinstated it.
Bill Rankin
Hausmann questions library building
While spending millions building eight new libraries as part of a $275 million voter-approved construction project, the Fulton County Commission is may library hours to meet budget. North Fulton Commissioner Liz Hausmann pointed out the contradiction during a budget meeting, questioning where the county will get the estimated $8 million per year needed to run eight new facilities.
County Manager Zachary Williams said the money can be made up by reducing library hours. Johnny Edwards
Alpharetta movie series continues
Romantic comedy "The Princess Bride" is showing 7:30 p.m. Friday in Alpharetta's free outdoor movie series, Movies on Milton, 2 South Main St. Kids activities, food and music included. Free parking at City Hall or Milton Center, 86 School Drive. Information: 678-297-6000, alpharetta.ga.us.
Michael Alpert for the AJC
Apple sale to benefit school program
The Cherokee County Farm Bureau is sponsoring Apple Day at Cherokee Fresh Market at Cagle's Family Farm, 362 Stringer Road, Canton 8:30 to 11:30 a.m Saturday through Sept. 1. Proceeds from the apple sale will benefit the bureau's "Ag in the Classroom" program. Nancy Badertscher
Forsyth fire promotes three chiefs
The Forsyth County FireDepartment has promoted three longtime employees to division chief. Brenda Green will head administrative services, while Captain Jason Shivers and Fire Marshal Kevin Wallace will command technical and field operations respectively.The three division chief's positions were created in a departmental re-organization, with all three reporting directly to the fire chief. The promotions were announced Friday. Mark Woolsey
ATLANTA
Grenade causes scare in N. Buckhead
A report of a live hand grenade led police to evacuate three apartment buildings in the North Buckhead area Monday. A call came in around 4:20 p.m. for a grenade found ion the 4500 block of Wieuca Road NE, police said. Police took possession of the item, rendered it safe and disposed of of, police said. The scene was cleared by about 7:45 p.m. David Ibata
Barge, Reed to hold computer literacy
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and Georgia Schools Superintendent John Barge will participate in a community rally 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Thursday for digital literacy and broadband adoption at New Schools of Carver in southeast Atlanta, is being hosted by Comcast, New Schools of Carver and GivingPoint.
A meet-and-greet will follow the rally, whose goal is to bring attention to the need for more computer literacy and expanded broadband access.
Wayne Washington
Pimp gets life in prison
A 30-year-old Atlanta man was sentenced to life in prison Monday after being convicted of charges related to sexually abusing and pimping a teenage runaway, the Fulton County District Attorney's Office said.
A jury found David Pepe guilty of trafficking of persons for sexual servitude, pimping, aggravated child molestation, enticing a child for indecent purposes and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Pepe sexually abused a 14-year-old who he forced into prostitution within three days of meeting her in April 2009. Angel K. Brooks
Magazine: Georgia Tech 2nd greenest
Georgia Tech landed on another top 10 list, but this one had nothing to do with academics or engineering. Sierra magazine ranked Tech as No. 2 in the nation for being the most green.
The list released Tuesday highlighted the college's environmentally-conscious activities, such as preventing dining hall waste and encouraging students to take at least one course in sustainability. Laura Diamond
DEKALB
School system spends millions over budget
The DeKalb County School District finished the fiscal year that ended in June $34 million over budget, according to new financial figures.
DeKalb spent $808.6 million in fiscal year 2012, according to a financial report released by the school system this week.
n the system budgeted $774.6 million. Ty Tagami
A fifth of school buses run late
More than one in five school buses were running late on the first day of school in DeKalb County. Deputy Superintendent Kendra March said 65,500 students — a third of the student population — rode DeKalb school buses Monday. March said 78 percent of the buses were on time. While speaking at a 6 p.m. meeting, March said several buses had not yet reported arriving at their destinations that evening. Ty Tagami
Chamber offers email marketing session
The DeKalb Chamber of Commerce is offering free training on email marketing for businesses. The hands-on session will focus on building a permission-based list using Constant Contact and techniques for how to reach customers. The session runs from noon to 1:30 p.m. Aug. 21 at the DeKalb Convention & Visitors Bureau, 1957 Lakeside Parkway, Tucker.
Registration is required. Information/to register: www.dekalbchamberofcommerce.org.
April Hunt
Program offers support for caregivers
A DeKalb County mental health organization is offering a free 12-week course for family and other caregivers of people with serious mental illness.
The program from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, or NAMI DeKalb, will cover current information, medication and research about illnesses such as schizophrenia and major depression as well as strategies for handling crises and relapse. The course also offers care for caregivers, including coping skills and ways to find outside support.
The program begins Aug. 26 at DeKalb Medical Center near Decatur.
Registration: 770-498-5992.
April Hunt
Small businesses summit Thursday
DeKalb County will host a summit on small businesses Thursday as part of an effort to boost their growth in the county. The session runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Letitia Pate Evans Dining Hall at Agnes Scott College in Decatur. The summit will include tips on getting access to capital and how to identify other public and private resources.
Registration is $40. Information or to register: http://dekalbsummit2012.eventbrite.com or 404-687-2730.
April Hunt
Retirees Association meeting scheduled
The Central Metro Chapter of the Georgia State Retirees Association, a nonprofit organization, will meet at 2 p.m Thursday at the Avis G. Williams Library, 1282 McConnell Dr., Decatur.
Tim Sweeney of the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute will discuss national and local healthcare issues and how they affect the State Budget. Information: Sam Shepherd at wise@mindspring.com.
Kenneth Musisi
SOUTHSIDE
Taxi driver killed in College Park wreck
A taxi driver was killed late Monday night when his cab ran off a College Park interstate ramp and struck a tree. The wreck happened on the ramp from I-85 to Riverdale Road. Channel 2 Action News reported that the cabbie had worked for Day & Night Cab Co. for six months.
The driver's name was not immediately released.
The taxi was carrying no passengers when it crashed.
Mike Morris
Manager: Plugging Fulton's deficit do-able
Fulton County Manager Zachary Williams has offered commissioners a plan to close a projected $70.3 million budget deficit next year. It involves taking nearly $40 million from reserves, furloughing workers, suspending building projects, scaling back grants to arts groups and cutting library hours.
Other ideas include combining Superior and State courts, ending inmate outsourcing, consolidating health clinics with Grady Health System and outsourcing some services. Johnny Edwards
1 teen killed, 1 injured in Fayette crash
Malcolm Williams died Friday when the car he was riding in was struck by a teen driver that investigators believe ran a red light. On Monday, police said the teenager that apparently caused the wreck is expected to face charges. Williams, of Fayetteville, was a passenger in a Honda Accord being driven by Bismarck S. Delarosa, 18, shortly after 1 p.m. Friday at the intersection of Ga. 54 and South Sandy Creek Road.
Delarosa, also of Fayetteville, had a green light and was attempting to drive through the intersection when his car was struck by a Toyota Prius driven by Joshua M. Staley, 17, of Fayetteville. Investigators believe Staley ran a red light, causing him to hit the Honda.
Williams was transported to Piedmont Fayette Hospital, where he later died. Delarosa was flown to Grady Memorial Hospital, where he remained in critical but stable condition on Monday. Alexis Stevens
Clayton sponsors school immunizations
The Clayton County Board of Health is offering back to school vaccinations 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Friday at 1117 Battle Creek Rd., Jonesboro.
To avoid delays, parents are asked to bring copies of their children's immunization records. Hearing, Vision & Dental screenings will be available for a maximum fee of $25, based on income.
Information: 678-610-7199. Veronica Fields Johnson
NRA American Warrior 300 set for Sept. 1
The National Rifle Association has partnered with Speedway Motorsports Inc. for the NRA American Warrior 300 on Sept. 1 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. The event will celebrate and honor American troops.
The NRA and Atlanta Motor Speedway are giving away 25,000 free race tickets for those who sign-up for a free subscription to the NRA American Warrior magazine. Visit www.NRA.org/warrior or text "Warrior" to 64274.
Kenneth Musisi
