County by county news for Wednesday

The organization has raised $40,000 so far towards a budget shortfall of $155,000. The program that helps victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Cobb, Cherokee and Paulding counties has an annual budget of $1.7 million.

CEO Holly Tuchman said there has been a decrease in funding on the federal, state and local levels. Information: ywca.nwga.org. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

KSU to hold leader lecture series

The Michael J. Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State University will kick off its annual Tetley Distinguished Leader Lecture Series at 2 p.m. Sept. 11 in Prillaman Hall, 1000 Chastain Rd N.W with John Dewberry, chairman and CEO of Dewberry Capital.

KSU’s lecture series offers free monthly talks from top business executives.

Information:coles.kennesaw.edu/tetley-event/history.htm. Mea Watkins

Three jobs open in Powder Springs

Powder Springs is accepting applications for directors of the Economic Development and Finance departments and an executive assistant.

Applications: cityofpowdersprings.org/index.aspx?NID=119 or 770-943-1666.Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Registration open for police athletic league

The Marietta Police Athletic League will register youth, grades 1-12, for the fall, PAL program 4 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Lawrence Street Recreation Center, 800 Lawrence St.

Athletics, arts and counseling classes starting Sept. 9-Dec. 19 are free to income eligible families or up to $50 per child per program.

Information: Daneea Badio at 404-747-4095.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Car show to benefit hospital

The Foundation of Emory-Adventist Hospital at Smyrna will host the annual Wheels for Wellness Car Show from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15 at the hospital, 3949 South Cobb Dr., Smyrna.

Admission is free for spectators, who will enjoy classic cars, music, food and festivities. Car entry fee is $20 in advance. Day of show registration is $25 from 10 a.m. to noon. Proceeds will go toward the purchase of new hospital beds. Information: www.smyrnacares.org or 770-438-5233.

Veronica Fields Johnson

Public safety academy starts next week

The Cobb County Department of Public Safety will offer a Citizens Public Safety Academy . Participants will experience the Emergency Communications Center, Fire, Animal Control and Police, and how each performs its duties.

The free 14-week program will consist of 6:30 p.m. classes every Tuesday from Sept. 10 through Dec. 10 at various locations. Information: Renee Cameron, Cobb County Department of Public Safety Training Center, 770-590-5650 or Renee.Cameron@cobbcounty.org.

Mea Watkins

GWINNETT

Grenade may have been used in bank robbery

Police are investigating a robbery at a Wells Fargo Bank on Jimmy Carter Boulevard and Buford Highway on Tuesday morning.

The thief threatened bank employees with what looked like a grenade, Gwinnett police told Channel 2 Action News. He handed a teller a note demanding money and flashed the device. After bank employees surrendered cash, he fled the scene.

Police said they don’t know whether the grenade was real or a fake, Channel 2 reports.

The robbery occurred around 9 a.m. No injuries have been reported.Chelsea Cariker

Schools support pantries for ‘service’

Gwinnett Great Days of Service takes place Sept. 30-Oct. 4. Schools will collect canned food, personal items and paper products to support 12 food pantries in the county. Corley Elementary, Norcross Elementary, Sycamore Elementary, Lilburn Middle, Richards Middle, and Sweetwater Middle have applied for community projects on Oct. 4-5. Information: www.gwinnettgreatdaysofservice.org. Nancy Badertscher

Non-profits to attend networking fair

The Community Council of Gwinnett County will host a free networking fair from 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 18 at Gwinnett Technical College, 5150 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville. The annual event showcases several non-profit organizations and builds awareness of the programs, products and services that exist to meet the needs of Gwinnett citizens. County Commissioner Charlotte Nash will be the featured speaker. Information: www.commcouncilgc.org/.

Veronica Fields Johnson

Church to host kids consignment sale

McKendree United Methodist Church will host their Kids Clothes Closet fall consignment sale 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 14 at the church, 1570 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road, Lawrenceville. Available items include children’s fall and winter clothing and shoes, baby equipment, toys and books. Proceeds will benefit the Lawrenceville Cooperative Ministry, the United Methodist Children’s Home and world-wide missions from Mexico to Africa. Information: 770-339-9801 or www.mckendreeumc.com/ministries/events/.

Veronica Fields Johnson

Barge to visit Schools of Excellence

State School Superintendent John Barge will recognize four local schools that have been named Georgia Schools of Excellence. The honor goes to elementary, middle and high schools in each of the state’s 14 congressional districts that are either academically superior or demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement.Nancy Badertscher

Organization to offer free SAT Prep class

College Nannies & Tutors of Duluth will offer a free SAT Prep class 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 17 at Gwinnett Fire Station 7, 3343 Bunten Road, Duluth.

Participants must register at least a week in advance by calling 678-259-0232.

Information: www.collegetutors.com. Veronica Fields Johnson

NORTHSIDE

Cherokee Chamber program seeks nominees

The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominees for the 2014 Leadership Cherokee class through Oct. 1.

Nominees will fill out a written application and be interviewed for possible placement in the nine-month leadership training program which begins in January.

Those selected must live and/or work in Cherokee. Info: 770-345-0400. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Alpharetta hosts youth triathlon

IronKids Alpharetta, the largest youth triathlon in the U.S., will take place Sept. 15 at Wills Park, 1825 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta. Athletes ages 6 to 15 can register at www.awesomealpharetta.com.

Participants receive a medal upon crossing the finish line and the top three athletes within each age category will be awarded a placement trophy. Registration is $50 online and $65 onsite. Race morning registration will not be available.

Information: hy-veeironkids.com/alpharetta/. Veronica Fields Johnson

Cherokee exhibit traces history of cotton mills

The Cherokee County History Museum and Visitors Center presents the temporary exhibit “Life with the Mills: The Canton Cotton Mills” through Sept. 14.

The free exhibit traces the mills from 1900 to 1981 and features documents, artifacts and photographs.

The museum is at 100 North St., Suite 140, Canton.

Information: rockbarn.org

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Drive-by flu clinic to be offered in Cherokee

The North Georgia Health District and its member health departments will begin a series of drive-by flu shot clinics in September.

The Cherokee County clinic is set for 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 1 at the Woodstock Health Center, 7545 N. Main St., Woodstock.

Cost for a regular flu shot is $22, the over-65

Fluzone high-dose shot is $50.

Information: www.nghd.org

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Historical society hosts yarn-making demo

The general meeting of the Roswell Historical Society will be 7 p.m. Thursday at the Historic Gardens of Great Oaks, 786 Mimosa Boulevard, Roswell.

Beth Woodward will be the featured guest and will demonstrate wool and cotton yarn making on her spinning wheel.

The event is free and open to the public.

Information: www.roswellhistoricalsociety.org/.

Veronica Fields Johnson

Cherokee inaugurates kids fire safety program

The Cherokee County Fire Department recently kicked off a new safety program called Safe Start. The classroom program’s designed to reduce home fire and burn injuries for 3 to 6-year-olds, the group said to be at greatest risk of injury and death.

Cherokee fire officials have taught the 5-hour class to teachers and childcare owners from across the county. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

Georgia Tech students robbed at gunpoint

Two Georgia Tech students were robbed at gunpoint early Monday while walking along a campus street.

The students were walking east on Sixth Street near Fowler Street at about 2:15 a.m. when two men, one of them armed with a handgun, approached and demanded their belongings, according to a Georgia Tech Police crime alert.

The suspects were last seen headed east on Sixth Street toward Techwood Drive.

The students were not injured. Mike Morris

Library to show Otis Redding movie

The Central Library will host a showing of The Legacy of Otis Redding documentary from noon to 2 p.m. Thursdayat the library, One Margaret Mitchell Square.

Information: 404-730-1700. Veronica Fields Johnson

Church to sponsor blood drive

The Veterans Ministry of Ben Hill United Methodist Church will host a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday in the church fellowship hall, 2099 Fairburn Road.

To schedule an appointment contact Brenda Aiken at 678-429-5768 or Colonel Anthony C. Aiken at 404-308-7077 or visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code: benhill.

All participants will receive a free gift. Veronica Fields Johnson

Shrine to host African unity festival

The Shrine of the Black Madonna Social Action Committee will host the West End African Unity & Cultural Festival from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 14 at 944 Ralph D. Abernathy Blvd.

Activities will include live entertainment, vendors, an African gala, farmers market, health fair and workshops on alternative education and health and wellness.

Sponsors, co-host and volunteers are needed.

Information: 404-444-6696 or talkingdrum@live.com.

Veronica Fields Johnson

DEKALB

Two shot at boarding house

DeKalb County police are investigating a shooting 8:30 p.m. Monday night at a boarding house on Shamrock Drive.Channel 2 Action News reported that there was an argument or fight between residents that led to the gunfire.

The victims, whose names have not been released, were in critical condition Tuesday morning. The suspect remained at large. Mike Morris

Man’s body found in sleeping bag

Atlanta police and the DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s Office are working to determine what killed a man whose body was found early Tuesday in a sleeping bag along DeKalb Avenue.

The body was discovered about 12:30 a.m. inside a sleeping bag in a parking lot.The man’s identity has not been released. Mike Morris

Man shot inside store on Monday

A shooting happened around 1 p.m. Monday at the QuikTrip in the 7200 block of Rockbridge Road. A male victim was taken to a local hospital in serious condition, police said.

No further information about the victim or what led to the shooting has been released.

Mike Morris

Construction underway on key road

Crews have begun a $7.2 million overhaul of Candler Road which includes new utility lines, sidewalks, repaving and landscaping on the nearly four-mile segment between I-285 and Memorial Drive.

The state Department of Transportation is paying $1.7 million of the cost on the road, which is a state highway. April Hunt

Robbery suspects probably not local

Suspects in three Decatur Friday-night robberies are probably not local, or at least none were recognized as Decatur students. The robberies occurred between 9:45 and 10:40 in the Decatur High vicinity, after the school’s football game. In two robberies a semi-automatic handgun was used, but none of the seven victims (all Decatur High students) were hurt. A total of three iPhones were taken, and the three suspects, black males in their late teens to early 20s, remain at large. Decatur PIO Jennifer Ross said six officers worked the game Friday, but there were “delays and misinformation about locations and the nature of the calls as the robberies were reported.” She added these crimes appear unrelated to a cell-phone snatch last Wednesday on West Howard Avenue where the two suspects, high school age males, appear to be local.

Bill Banks for the AJC

Police to host recruitment fair

The DeKalb County Police Department will host a recruitment fair from 4 to 8 p.m. todayat Fire Rescue Headquarters, 1950 West Exchange Place, Tucker. The department seeks applications to fill approximately 80 officer positions for an upcoming police academy class. Applicants must be at least 20 years old, a U.S. citizen, have no felony or domestic violence convictions, have a high school diploma or GED and a valid driver’s licence. Veterans should have received an honorable discharge. Information: 770-724-7445.

Veronica Fields Johnson

SOUTHSIDE

Henry SPLOST vote approved for Nov. ballot

The Henry County Board of Commissioners last week approved placing a referendum for the next installment of the special-purpose local option sales tax on the Nov. 5 ballot. If approved, the sales tax would be collected beginning in April of next year, right after the current SPLOST expires, and last for six years. County officials expect about $190 million to be collected, and the money is designated for a variety of specific capital and transportation projects. The county’s four cities would also receive a portion of the money. Information: www.henrycounty-ga.org.Monroe Roark for the AJC

Palmetto changing residential trash pickup

The City of Palmetto is changing its trash pickup schedule effective Sept. 1.

Previously residents of the eastern half of the city had Monday as their pickup day, with the western half on Tuesday.

Beginning Sept. 10, Waste Management will collect all garbage on Tuesday. City officials say pickup times and pricing will not change. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Lake McIntosh Park closed for paving

Peachtree City’s new Lake McIntosh Park will be closed today through Friday to allow for the paving of the access road from TDK Boulevard.

The project was scheduled for after the Labor Day weekend to avoid interfering with public access during the holiday.

Direct questions or concerns to the Fayette County Water System at 770-461-1146.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Library has promotion workshop for writers

The College Park Library will host a promote and grow workshop for writers at 2 p.m. Sept. 14 at the library, 3647 Main St., College Park.

Book promotion techniques will be shared. Reservations are required.

Information: 404-762-4060. Veronica Fields Johnson

Clayton to provide CPR classes

Clayton County Fire & Emergency Services, located at 7810 Highway 85, Riverdale, will offer CPR Certification Classes for the general public on the fourth Friday of every month.

Classes begin at 9 a.m. and are approximately four hours long. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Fee is $25 per student and $6 per student for seniors 65 and over.

Only money orders or cash will be accepted via mail or in person.

Information: www.ccfes.org or 770-473-7833.

Veronica Fields Johnson

McDonough quilt show this weekend

Busy Needles Quilt Guild of McDonough is sponsoring “The Down South Quilt Show” at McDonough Presbyterian Church 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday,.

There will be silent auction baskets, a donation quilt and several vendors, including two quilt shops and The Scissor Man.

Admission is $5, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project.

Nancy Badertscher