County by county news for Wednesday

The court on Aug. 31 agreed with a Cobb Superior Court ruling a year ago that dismissed the case. The councilman sued the city in April 2011 after the council lowered maximum building heights to 42 feet on the Square.

He has 10 days to ask the appellate court to reconsider its decision. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Rockin’ Readers begins today at library

Rockin’ Readers will begin fall meetings 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. today at the Powder Springs Library, 4181 Atlanta St.

For Children 4 to 10, the free programs include music, art, reading and play and focus on a Georgia Picture Storybook Award nominee each session. Information: Tara Klodnicki at simpsont@cobbcat.org or 770-439-3600. Carolyn Cunningham

Backyard poultry group schedules parade

The Backyard Chickens Alliance of Cobb County will hold its annual parade and festival Sept. 15 down Johnson Ferry Road in Marietta.

The Parade starts at 10 a.m. and runs one mile from Princeton Lakes Drive to Fountains of Olde Towne Shopping Center. Supporters and their children are asked to wear yellow shirts if they wish to march.

In addition to entertainment, arts, crafts and carnival games, the festival is a venue for local civic groups and non-profits. The festival runs until 3 p.m.

Information: http://www.meetup.com/chickens/

Patrick Fox

Marietta School board to meet Friday

Marietta’s school board will meet at 12:30 p.m. Friday for a training and planning retreat and again 6 p.m. Tuesday for a special work session. They will hold their monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Sept. 18. All meetings will take place at the Marietta City Schools’ administrative offices, 250 Howard St. in Marietta.

Daarel Burnette II

Preview offered of Cobb Restaurant Week

Cobb Travel & Tourism will offer an early taste of Cobb Restaurant Week in a food contest today at Red Hare Brewing Company, Marietta. Several restaurants will face off for the “Kickoff Cook-Off,” 3 to 5 p.m. Party-goers can sample food and vote on their favorites.

The cost is $10, plus $5 for a souvenir glass for beer samples. Reservations are required. Cobb Restaurant Week, a promotional event involving several businesses, is from September 8-15. Information: www.cobbrestaurantweek.com. Johnny Edwards

Elton John tribute artist in concert

Elton John tribute artist Craig A. Meyer will entertain 6 p.m. Friday at the Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre, 5239 Floyd Road, Mableton.

A Cobb resident, Meyer has returned from a ten-month national tour with his “Almost Elton John and the Rocket Band.”

Tickets: $21.25 or $33.85 for individual seats with entire tables of six also available.

Information: mablehouse.org, almosteltonjohn.com/about-craig or 770-819-7765.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

Records available at Gwinnett Police headquarters

The lobby to the Gwinnett County Police Department Headquarters at 770 Hi-Hope Road in Lawrenceville has reopened to the public. The lobby closed temporarily March 19 for renovation that was recently completed. Central Precinct in Duluth was used temporarily during this renovation, but it’s no longer necessary to retrieve records from that location. Anyone requesting records in person should now go to Gwinnett County Police Department Headquarters.

The records window is open between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Andria Simmons

Lilburn park delayed again

Opening of Lilburn’s 69-acre Bryson Park has been put off again, now with no tentative opening date. Built from SPLOST funds, the $8.5 million park on Lawrenceville Highway 29 near Hood Road features a track-encircled artificial turf field, fenced and lighted soccer fields, basketball courts, playgrounds and more. MICHAEL ALPERT FOR THE AJC

Seniors teaching computer basics

The Gwinnett SenioR Learning Center, for those 50 and up, has computer workshops, taught by peers, on the basics of email and word processing.

Registration is 9 to 11 am. Tuesday at Bethesda Center, 225 Bethesda Church Road, Lawrenceville, and 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 12 at George Pierce Park, 55 Buford Highway, Suwanee. Call 770-564-4699. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Slain Navy Seal Roberts remembered

Duluth Police host “Operation One Voice” honor ride this week, featuring 24 cyclists from law enforcement, firefighters and members of the United States Special Operations Forces who will bicycle 650 miles. The event started Tuesday in Virginia Beach, Va. and ends 1 p.m. Friday at Duluth City Hall. Cyclists will join families of over 30 fallen and wounded Special Operations Forces members at Lake Lanier Islands Resort. This year’s event will honor Petty Officer First Class Neil Roberts, the first Navy Seal Killed in Afghanistan. Nancy Badertscher

Senior trip to Yellow Daisy Festival

Gwinnett Parks & Rec is hosting a senior roundup to the Yellow Daisy Festival Thursday leaving 9 a.m. from George Pierce Park Community Recreation Center, 55 Buford Highway, Suwanee and 9:30 a.m. from Bethesda Park Senior Center, 225 Bethesda Church Road, Lawrenceville.

Age 50+. $16, plus money for lunch. Registration: 678-277-0850 or www.gwinnettcounty.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Celebrity Pro-Am this week

Phil Niekro’s annual Skins & Fins Celebrity Pro-Am will be Sept. 6 to Sept. 8. at Lake Lanier Island Resort, Buford. The event pairs participants with professional athletes in either golf and/or fishing as they support Operation One Voice, a not-for-profit focused on the financial needs of families of wounded and fallen Special Operation Forces.

Information: www.philniekroskinsandfins.com, www.operationonevoice.org or 404-713-0103. Sandra Marshall Murray

NORTHSIDE

Forsyth County to modify ethics ordinance

The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on an amendment to its ethics ordinance at its meeting at 5 p.m. Thursday at the county’s Administration Building, 110 E. Main St., Cumming.

Chiefly, the amendment replaces a standing five-member ethics board with a panel of three out-of-county attorneys assembled on a case-by-case basis to consider individual complaints.

MICHAEL ALPERT FOR THE AJC

Public hearings set on new fire district

The Canton City Council holds two public hearings 10 a.m. and during the council’s worksession at 6 p.m. at Canton City Hall, 151 Elizabeth St. Thursday on the city’s just-created fire district. The Council is considering a 1.25 mill levy for the district, which was established last month to improve service and fund building fire stations. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Rabid raccoon confirmed in Forsyth

A raccoon which bit a 72-year-old man off Hopewell Road in north Forsyth County last week has been confirmed as rabid, in the second such case in the county this summer. The victim, who was attacked in his barn off Hopewell Road, is getting preventative treatment.

The other case involved a rabid fox which bit a dog, then a man in June. Residents who suspect a rabid animal are asked to call 9-1-1 or 770-781-2138. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Milton tax bills going out this week

Milton is mailing property tax bills Thursday. Homeowners can pay in person at the city’s finance office, 13000 Deerfield Parkway, Suite 107G, or by mail at that address.

Residents also can pay by phone with the city’s Revenue Office, 678-242-2500, or online at cityofmiltonga.us beginning Thursday. MICHAEL ALPERT FOR THE AJC

Cherokee seeking qualified firefighters

Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services is accepting applications for entry level firefighters EMT/Paramedics. Applicants must be a certified Georgia Emergency Medical Technician (EMT, Paramedic) or a Nationally Registered EMT-I or Paramedic.

Applications are available at www.cherokeega.com. Submit applications online or in person at the Cherokee Fire Headquarters, 150 Chattin Drive in Canton. Deadline is at 4 p.m. Sept. 21.

Information: Lt. Robbie Kennedy at rkennedy@cherokeega.com or 678-493-4017. Kenneth Musisi

Woodstock celebrates Train Depot with art

Preservation Woodstock Inc. will present an art exhibit celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Woodstock Train Depot starting Sept. 4 through Oct. 22. The exhibit will be held in the meeting room of the Woodstock Public Library during operating hours.

The art work includes paintings, sculpture, photography, needlework, woodcraft, and other craft forms.

Information: Exhibit Director Pat Bull at pbull91@gmail.com.

Kenneth Musisi

ATLANTA

Ben Hill UMC hosts family comedy night

Ben Hill United Methodist Church presents “4 Manna Quest” starring Willie Brown and Woody, a family comedy night 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 7 in the sanctuary, 2099 Fairburn Road SW. Food concession: $1 each from 6 p.m. to showtime. Tickets: $10 early/$15 at the door. Information: J.B. Thomas Jr., 888-486-7239 or jbthomas@southernco.com, and Tony Haney at thaney1911@hotmail.com.

Kenneth Musisi

DCH receives grant for background checks

The Georgia Department of Community Health has received a $2.6 million three-year grant to develope a fingerprinting system for background checks. The system will connect with the GBI and the FBI to verify identities and research criminal histories.

Implementation is planned for Oct. 1, 2013. DCH’s main office is located in Atlanta. Information: www.dch.georgia.gov.

Kenneth Musisi

Gala to help bring clean water to Haiti

A Caribbean-themed gala is set for Sept. 29 at the W Atlanta Buckhead, 3377 Peachtree Road, benefiting Food for The Poor and its efforts to deliver life-saving clean water to schools throughout Haiti. Atlanta’s Dreams Across the Sea Gala will include fine dining, live music, dancing and a silent auction.

Tickets are $125 per person. Information: (888) 404-4248 or www.foodforthepoor.org/atlanta. Nancy Badertscher

Atlanta Ballet to host Healthy Living Day

The Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education will observe National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month with an event aimed to promote healthy lifestyles. “What Moves You” Healthy Living Day will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9 at the Michael C. Carlos Dance Centre, 1695 Marietta Blvd., Atlanta. Free dance classes, nutrition seminars, food demonstrations, health assessments and performances will be featured. Information: www.atlantaballet.com or 404-873-5811. Mea Watkins

DEKALB

Teen arrested for allegedly flashing child

Decatur teen Johnta Baker, 19, was charged with felony child molestation as well as criminal trespass and two counts of obstruction of officers, according to jail records. He is being held on $53,000 bond. Channel 2 Action News reported that Baker allegedly flashed a young boy Thursday at a dowtown Decatur library.

A parent and another bystander tried to hold Baker for police, but he broke free and ran to the nearby MARTA station, WSB reported.

Once in the station, he jumped onto the tracks and ran down the tracks into a tunnel. Police blocked the exits to the tunnel, and used a K-9 unit to find Baker. Mike Morris

Citizens police academy graduates 45

A Citizen Police Academy run by DeKalb County police recently graduated 45 citizens.

The graduates studied different operations and programs within the police department during the free 11-week course. The goal is to build connections between citizens and the police in a bid to help reduce and prevent crime. April Hunt

DeKalb library offers limited-edition card

The DeKalb County Public Library is offering a limited-edition library card featuring Pete the Cat as a fundraiser.

Pete, the subject of several books and the creation of Georgia artist James Dean, is on cards for $20, which is tax deductible. The card is available at any library branch or online at www.dekalblibrary.org./foundation. April Hunt

School board to address concerns

The DeKalb County school board has scheduled an emergency meeting at 2 p.m. today at system headquarters, 1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard, Stone Mountain to discuss allegations in a recent letter from accreditation agency AdvancEd. The company sent DeKalb school officials a letter last week outlining allegations brought by employees and the public. AdvancEd gave Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson 30 days to respond from the receipt of the letter on Aug. 29.

Ty Tagami

Mobile Career Center now open

The DeKalb County Mobile Career Center schedule is now available. The unit provides residents job search assistance, adult workshops and training, resume writing, and interviewing tips. Businesses are also able to use the mobile unit for recruiting, pre-employment screenings, interviewing, and training. The center, which is also known as the county’s “jobs bus,” will be stationed at various locations throughout DeKalb County. Information: www.dekalbcountyga.gov. or 404-687-3400. Sandra Marshall Murray

Brookhaven voting street guide available

The DeKalb County elections board recently completed the redistricting of voters in Brookhaven, in preparation of its first citywide elections in November.

Precinct cards will soon be mailed to each of the voters in the new city. The board also has published a street guide, to help voters and candidates determine their proper voting district.

The guide is available online at www.dekalbvotes.com.

April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Assisted living facility owner indicted

A Henry County grand jury has indicted Madeline Laruy, who owns The Caring Place, which does business as Walnut Creek Manor in McDonouigh, for allegedly stealing more than $61,000 from Georgia Medicaid.

Laruy was not a registered nurse and was not licensed by the state, but she submitted fraudulent claims to Georgia Medicaid under the false pretense she had met the requirements to be a registered nurse and receive reimbursements, the Georgia Attorney General’s Office said. Bill Rankin

Next Clayton Citizen’s Police Academy set

The Clayton County Police Department is accepting registration packets for the next available Citizen’s Police Academy through Sept. 6.

The academy is designed to allow citizens the opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge of police responsibility.

The free, 10-week curriculum of classes will be Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Return registration packets to the headquarters, 7911 N. McDonough Street in Jonesboro.

Information: Officer C. Ashmore at community.affairs@co.clayton.ga.us or 770- 477-8028.

Kenneth Musisi

Shopping center approved for East Point

A 168,000 sq. ft. shopping center, featuring a Wal-Mart, is set to replace a blighted section of East Point. The $29 million project will be built near the intersection of Cleveland Avenue and Sylvan Road and replace 58 abandoned and asbestos filled apartment units. The project is set for completion in late 2014.

John Thompson for the AJC

Lunch on the Lawn in Fayetteville Friday

Fayetteville Main Street will host another Lunch on the Lawn 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Friday on the grounds of the Old Courthouse. The Rotary Club will sell hot dog lunches for $5 or guests may bring their own. A Charity Celebrity Dunking Booth will feature Mayor Greg Clifton and other city officials; music will be provided by Bill Turpin and the Shoulderbone Creek Orchestra. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Runway maintenance set for Hartsfield

Maintenance on runway 9L-27R is set for 11:30 a.m. Monday.

The work is scheduled to last for about 78 hours. The runway is on the southern side of the main terminal.

As a result of the taxiway construction, striping, and other work, officials expect the runway to remain closed during that time, and it will become necessary to operate Hartsfield-Jackson as a four-runway airfield. John Thompson for the AJC

Man dies in Henry County fire

A blaze reported just before 3 a.m. Saturday at a home on Clemons Road near Stockbridge left one man dead.

Five of the six residents were able to escape without serious injury, but four of those were taken to a local hospital for evaluation of possible smoke inhalation, Henry County fire officials said.

The cause of the fire remained under investigation Tuesday. Staff