County by county news for Wednesday

Bryan Shaw of Peachtree Communities said he wants to build five three-story houses of 53 planned in The Vineyards subdivision. Bobby Presley wants to open an automotive transmission and exhaust system repair shop at 5018 Frank Aiken Road.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Aquatic center opens after $1.3 million renovation

Cobb County’s Mountain View Aquatic Center has reopened at 2650 Gordy Parkway, Marietta after a $1.3 million renovation.

The rehab, funded by 2011 Cobb SPLOST money, included improved air quality, resurfacing two pools, an updated entrance, painting and replacing ceiling and ceramic tiles.

Registration has started for classes starting in January. Information: 770-509-4925.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Marietta grocery store to hire 90 workers

A new Walmart Neighborhood Market at 1151 Powder Springs St., Marietta is taking applications for 90 full- and part-time positions for its January opening. Apply at a hiring center at the store from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday or online at careers.walmart.com. Most workers will start in November. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Powder Springs merchants hold open house

Downtown Powder Springs merchants will hold their Holiday Open House Thursday through Saturday along Marietta Street. Free samples, drawings and discounts as well as hours of operation vary.

Information: lilytorte.com/holidayopenhouse.html?r=20121027042315 or 770-783-0955.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Parenting workshops continue at Mableton library

Free parenting communication workshops are continuing in Mableton, based upon the book How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish.

Preregistration is required for the classes, meeting 6 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 26, Dec. 3 and Dec. 10 at the South Cobb Regional Library, 805 Clay Road, Mableton.

Information: Julienne Marks, marksj@cobbcat.org or 678-398-5834.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Groundbreaking today for Austell garden

The groundbreaking ceremony for Austell’s community garden will be held at 2 p.m. today at 2736 Windy Lane at Edith Street.

The five-acre garden will be named the I. T. and Lodemia Terrell Community Garden and Education Center in honor of the late couple who gave away produce from their garden on this site for many years.

Austell received a $5,000 grant from the Soil and Water Conservation District to construct the garden that was bought from the Terrells since their land was in a floodplain.

Information: clerk@austell.org or 770-944-4326.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

Early voting sites available in Gwinnett

Early voting for the Nov. 6 general election is available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday through this Friday at 455 Grayson Highway, Lawrenceville.

Additional locations have been added this week for early voters from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at locations in Dacula, Norcross, Snellville and Suwanee.

Information: www.gwinnettcounty.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Georgia United hosts candidate forum Sunday

Georgia United, a group that encourages Hispanic residents to vote, will host a candidate forum from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Santa Fe Mall, 3750 Venture Drive Northwest, Duluth.

The event will feature candidates running for various local, state and federal offices.

Information: www.georgia-united.com. David Wickert

Chamber hosts talk on European financial crisis

The Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce welcomes the newly appointed Consul General of Germany to Atlanta.

Christoph Sander will discuss “The Euro in Crisis and Germany’s Role in the Global Economy” at 11:30 a.m. today at 1818 Club, 6500 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. Information: 770-232-3000. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Norcross Skin Alley gets a facelift

As part of ongoing rehabilitation throughout downtown Norcross, Skin Alley redevelopment continues on schedule. Construction crews have buried electric lines previously crisscrossing the alleyway. Asphalt and brick pavers will complete upgrades to the widened alley with plans to reopen by Thanksgiving.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Norcross marching band ranks high

Norcross High School’s Blue Devil Marching Band received straight superior ratings, placed 3rd in class, placed 3rd overall and was one of only three bands to earn a score of over 90 points at the Georgia Contest of Champions held recently at East Jackson High School. The band received straight superior ratings in band, color guard, drum major and percussion as well as 2nd place for visual effect and 3rd place for music performance, visual performance and music effect. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Suwanee looking for your best photos

Residents of Suwanee are invited to submit photos capturing the spirit of the community for the 2013 Snap Suwanee exhibit. Photographers may submit up to five high-resolution photos each. Deadline is Dec. 31. Complete guidelines for submission available at www.suwanee.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Gateway International Food and Music Festival Saturday

Norcross will celebrate the Gateway International Food and Music Festival 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at Lillian Web Park, 5 College St. The event will feature live music, food, arts and crafts and children’s activities. Information: 770-449-6515. David Wickert

NORTHSIDE

Plans for Woodstock presented Thursday

Presentation to the public of a finalized plan for transportation, land use and urban design in Woodstock’s town center area is set for 6 p.m. Thursday at the Chambers at City Center, 8534 Main St.

The Livable Centers Initiative 10-year update was developed after a series of design workshops and community meetings.

Final adoption is set for some time in December.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Milton seeks input on intersection project

Milton is seeking residents’ input on improvements to the intersection of Hopewell and Birmingham roads. Opinions can be entered online or at an open house 5 to 6 p.m. Nov. 14 at City Hall, Suite 107E.

The open house precedes a City Council work session.

The preliminary schedule includes acquiring right-of-way in mid-2013 with construction starting later that year. Completion is set for late 2014.

Information: miltonintersectionprojects.com/birmingham-road-at-hopewell-road. Patrick Fox

Church will host holiday bazaar Nov. 10

A holiday bazaar, sponsored by St. Benedict Catholic Church Women’s Guild, will be held 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 10, at the church, 11045 Parsons Road, Johns Creek. Sixty vendors will be selling items from jewelry to fused glassware and yard art. There also will be raffle drawings, lunch, and baked goods.

Nancy Badertscher

Library to host publishing workshop

Author Diane Z. Shore will present a workshop on getting published in children’s book industry 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the Northeast/Spruill Oaks branch of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library, 9560 Spruill Road, Johns Creek.

The event is free and open to the public. Advance registration is required.

Information: Stephanie Moody at moodyviews@bellsouth.net or Karen Swenson at 770-360-8820. Veronica Fields Johnson

Sandy Springs offers early voting, flu shots

Fulton County residents can cast ballots in the 2012 presidential race, then get their annual flu shots, all in one stop. One offering will be in north Fulton: from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at the North Fulton Service Center, 7741 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs.

The county’s “Vote and Vax” program is geared to adults age 50 and older. Piedmont Healthcare and Grady Health System are donating the vaccine and providing staff to give the shots.

Information: 404-613-6000.

Johnny Edwards

Special needs classes offered in Forsyth County

The Forsyth County Parks and Recreation Department is offering a new series of classes for adults with mild to moderate developmental disabilities. The Special Needs Club meets 5-7 p.m. the 1st Friday of the month at the Fowler Park Recreation Center, 4110 Carolene Way, Cumming, and offers music, art, fitness and games.. Information: www.forsythco.com

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

APS conducting communications survey

Atlanta Public Schools is asking parents to complete a survey to help inform the district’s communication strategies. The seven-question survey is available on each school’s website. Printed copies are available at all schools. The survey will close today. Information: www.atlanta.k12.ga.us Jaime Sarrio

Fundraiser to highlight National Diabetes Month

The Georgia Diabetes Coalition will host it’s annual fundraiser, “Defeat Diabetes in Denim and Diamonds,” 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the Mitchell Ballroom at the Georgia Terrace Hotel, 659 Peachtree St. N.E.

Diabetes expert Dr. James Gavin and Rosa Rosen, a diabetes self-management coach, are the featured speakers.

Tickets are $20. Information: John C. Riley at 678-557-7044 or jriley@GDCToday.org or www.gdctoday.org. Veronica Fields Johnson

Tribunal to deliberate Thursday on Moon case

A three-member Atlanta Public Schools’ tribunal will deliberate Thursday on whether to recommend that the school board not renew the contract of M.A. Jones Elementary School teacher Precious Moon. APS attorneys argued Monday that Moon should be terminated for prompting students to change answers on the 2009 Criterion-Referenced Competency Test. Moon’s attorney said APS has no evidence, or witnesses, to substantiate those allegations.

Jeffry Scott

Falcon’s Babineaux serves lunch to middle schoolers

Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux donned an apron and chef’s hat to serve lunch last week at Bunche Middle School The 6 foot 2 inch, 300 lb lineman encouraged students to partake of the new lunch menus required this year by federal nutritional guidelines, which means more vegetables and fresh fruits. “It is important for youth to intake the right foods and nutrients,” Babineaux explained. “We want to try to help our kids make the right decisions and choices as far as the foods they eat.” Jeffry Scott

DEKALB

Title I school wins ‘STEM’ certification

Henderson Mill Elementary School has earned a certification for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math curriculum that will be awarded in a ceremony 10 a.m. today at the campus, 2408 Henderson Mill Rd. NE.

The DeKalb County school’s “STEM” program focuses on a “cross-curricular, critical thinking approach” to incorporate the topics into all content areas. Teachers use tools such as LEGOs, a garden rain collection system provided by local engineers and an outdoor classroom built by parents. Henderson Mill is a traditional Title I public school, meaning it qualifies for federal funding because of a relatively high poverty rate.

Ty Tagami

Rape crisis center in jeopardy

A nonprofit organization that offers assistance to rape victims in DeKalb County is in jeopardy of closing.

The DeKalb Rape Crisis Center has already begun to stop accepting new clients because of lack of funds. The facility counseled more than 600 people last year and gave hotline help to more than 1,500 callers.

However, center officials said the facility will close its doors by year’s end if it does not receive additional financial support.

Information: 404-377-1429 or www.dekalbrapecrisiscenter.org. April Hunt

Construction nearing to replace oldest fire station

DeKalb County officials are working to begin construction on a new fire station that will replace the county’s oldest facility.

The $2.6 million replacement of Station No. 3 in Avondale Estates is slated to begin in early 2013. Federal grant money will cover the project, which will be built on county land adjacent to the current station, built in 1947.

Bids for construction are due soon. Once complete, the new station will accommodate larger fire vehicles and include for the first time space for female firefighters. April Hunt

Smaller Walmart planned for Lithonia area plaza

Walmart plans to build one of its Neighborhood Market stores in a spot now occupied by a Big Lots near Lithonia.

Big Lots holds the lease through February, but Walmart has confirmed plans to put its own shop in the 41,000 square foot center on Covington Highway.

Neighborhood Markets offer groceries, pharmacies and general retail items from a smaller footprint than the larger Supercenters.

Two Neighborhood Markets are under construction in DeKalb, on Winters Chapel Road, Dunwoody and on Tucker Norcross Road. April Hunt

Decatur School Board delays annexation

Decatur school board members admitted Monday night they needed to wait at least 30 days before making a recommendation on annexation. In a 24-page report the school system’s Annexation Work Group projects that the system’s enrollment will more than double from its current 3600 to 7839 by 2018.

“It’s not that we’re against [annexation],” superintendent Phyllis Edwards said, “but we’re looking for answers. Where do we find the space [for more students], how much will it cost, and how do we get the money.” Bill Banks for the AJC

SOUTHSIDE

East Point shooting

victim identified

Police have identified one of two men who were fatally shot in an East Point apartment late Sunday night.

The men, both in their 50s, were discovered in the Regency Park Apartments on Desert Circle. The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s office identified one of the men as 51-year-old Price Fisher of Atlanta. Authorities are withholding the name of the second man, pending notification of his next of kin.

Police investigators said the shooter may have been trying to steal prescription drugs. Angel K. Brooks and Marcus K. Garner

McDonough hosts Holiday Festival of Arts

The Holiday Festival of Arts is set for noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11, on the square in McDonough. It will feature art, live music, food, and a visit from the Grinch. Guests can shop for holiday gifts and bid on items at the silent auction to support the arts in the community. Information: www.mcdonougharts.net.

Monroe Roark for the AJC

19-year-old charged with child molestation

A Jonesboro man is charged with child molestation in incidents involving a girl, beginning when she was 12.

Daniel Lee Wenzel, 19, of Jonesboro, was arrested Oct. 26 and charged with child molestation and aggravated child molestation.

Wenzel is accused of molesting the girl between 2010 and 2012, according to a press release from the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office.

The girl, who is now 15, reported the case to a Fayette school resource officer Oct. 3.

Wenzel is being held in the Fayette County jail without bond. George Mathis

Piedmont Henry names new head of emergency

Jay Connelly is the new director of the emergency department at Piedmont Henry Hospital. He began his career in healthcare 20 years ago, working in rehabilitation medicine before moving into emergency care. Connelly has a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Clayton State University and is a member of the Emergency Nursing Association. He joined the Piedmont Henry team two years ago. Piedmont Henry Hospital’s emergency department has experienced tremendous growth, according to hospital officials. This year, that number is expected to increase to 80,000 people. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Peachtree City WASA hosting open house

The Peachtree City Water & Sewerage Authority will hold an open house 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at its facility at 1127 Highway 74 South.

WASA will offer refreshments and tours to educate the public about its history and operations as it celebrates 25 years in the city. Information: www.pcwasa.org. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Ga. State Fair held at speedway

The Georgia State Fair has moved to Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton through Sunday. (This is not to be confused with the Georgia National Fair in Perry.)

Attractions includemore than 50 midway rides, animal displays, a high-wire act, an escape artist, musical performances and more.

Information: www.georgiastatefair.org. Monroe Roark for the AJC