County by county news for Wednesday

Built in 1991, the building needs three new air-conditioning units, ductwork and a secure hallway for prisoners.

Funding will come from $673,000 of the previous SPLOST and $276,000 from the police station bond, leaving $77,000 in reserve. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Group to hold Smyrna Business Expo

The Women’s Entrepreneurial Exchange is sponsoring its first Smyrna Business Expo from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. March 29 at the Smyrna Community Center, 200 Village Circle. The event is free and open to the public and will feature music, entertainment and vendors offering demos and samples of their new spring lines of merchandise. Vendor booths are still available for interested businesses. Information: Trudy Holdman at 678-949-8454 or trudy@officialgowee.com. Veronica Fields Johnson

Powder Springs seeks finance director

Powder Springs is looking for another finance director.

Review of applications will begin Friday. The salary varies from around $59,000 to nearly $92,000 plus benefits.

Information: Human Resources Director Rosalyn Nealy, 770-943-1666 or cityofpowdersprings.org/index.aspx?NID=119. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

St. Andrew church to have 50th anniversary

Marietta’s St. Andrew United Methodist Church will continue its 50th anniversary celebration at its April 29 service. Former St. Andrew Pastor Gerald Thurman will be the guest speaker at the 10 a.m. service, which will be followed by a dinner at 11:30 a.m.

Cost of the dinner will be $6, adults; $3, children. Reservations must be made by calling 770-926-3488 by April 27.

St. Andrew United Methodist Church is at 3455 Canton Road, Marietta. For information: www.thepumpkinchurch.org. Laurie Hoffman

Spring home show coming March 23

First comes spring cleaning -- then, the Spring Atlanta Home Show. This year’s event runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday , and noon to 6 p.m. March 25 at the Cobb Galleria Centre.

General admission is $10. Children 12 and under, and attendees 65 and older are free. Cobb Galleria Centre is at Two Galleria Parkway, Atlanta. For information: www.atlantahomeshow.com. Laurie Hoffman

Tritt students to host community cleanup

Tritt Elementary School will host a community clean up day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the school.

Volunteers are sought for the event, which will include various school beautification projects. Donations of goods including trash bags, plants, flowers, outdoor paint, and pine straw or mulch are also sought.

Tritt Elementary School is at 4435 Post Oak Tritt Road, Marietta. For information: www.cobbk12.org/tritt. Laurie Hoffman

GWINNETT

Police: Man strangled wife, tried kill himself

A 70-year-old Gwinnett County man remained hospitalized Tuesday afternoon, a day after he allegedly strangled his wife to death and tried to kill himself, police said. Officers were dispatched to a home on Summerfield Way, in the Sycamore Crossing neighborhood of Bethesda School Road near Lawrenceville, where officers found Eva Blatt, 62, dead and her husband, Alex Blatt, in medical distress, Ritter said.

Alex Blatt was transported to Gwinnett Medical Center, where he was in critical condition Monday night, Ritter said. Alexis Stevens

School’s literary magazine wins honors

South Gwinnett High students have received national recognition for their literary magazine, Myriad 2011-Platinum Edition. They received top awards -- “First Place with Special Merit” from the American Scholastic Press Association and “Superior Nominated for Highest Honor” from the National Council for Teachers of English. Literary magazines from across the country were in contention. “I’m extremely proud that this past year’s staff was able to excel and carry on South Gwinnett’s tradition,” said Keren Giles Brown, advisor and language arts teacher. Nancy Badertscher

Donate Girl Scout cookies for military

The “A Taste from Home” project is seeking donations of Girl Scout cookies for veterans and the military. Drop off days and times: noon-6 p.m. today and Thursday from noon to 7 p.m. on Friday and 10-6 p.m. on Saturday. The location is Mattresses & More, 715 Beaver Ruin Road, Lilburn. Information: www.atastefromhome.yolasite.com. Kenneth Musisi

Gwinnett Tech summer registration to begin

Online registration begins Saturday for Gwinnett Tech’s summer mini-semester that starts June 4. Mini-semester orientation sessions are scheduled that day at 10 a.m., April 6 at 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., May 5 at 10 a.m., and May 11 at 10 a.m.

The Lawrenceville school offers more than 45 associate degree, diploma and certificate programs, as well as continuing education seminars and workshops to improve job skills. Admission specialists can be reached at 678-226-6616. Michael Alpert for the AJC

Red Cross looking for Heroes

Gwinnett HEROES campaign for the American Red Cross, under way through March, aims to recruit 65 HEROES who will raise or donate $1,000 each. So far this year, the Red Cross has provided $103,600 worth of assistance to 593 Gwinnett County residents.

To become a Red Cross HERO contact Laurie Kimbrell at 404-309-6508 or lkimbrell@arcatl.org. To make a secure donation visit http://gwinnettheroes.kintera.org/. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

County yard and craft sale to be March 24

Gwinnett County will sponsor a yard and craft sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday at the Shorty Howell Park Activity Building, 2750 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth. Sellers must have reservations. The cost is $20 per space. To reserve a space, call 770-814-4914. David Wickert

NORTHSIDE

Murder conviction upheld despite long delay

The Georgia Supreme Court upheld the 1994 murder conviction against David Lee Morgan but warned about an “extraordinary” 17-year delay in resolving his motion for new trial. Morgan was convicted of killing Valencia Wright because she was leaving him. The court noted that during a 2007 hearing a Fulton County judge said the case fell through the cracks in assigning appellate counsel for Morgan and, even then, it took another year to get him a lawyer. Such delays put at risk the rights of defendants and victims and the validity of convictions, the court said. Bill Rankin

Father-in-law charged in man’s shooting

A Cherokee County man was charged Tuesday after allegedly shooting his son-in-law during an argument, authorities said.

Cherokee Sheriff’s Lt. Jay Baker said Kamoana Hopeau, 30, of Blue Ridge went to his in-laws’ house on Bascomb Carmel Road off Ga. 92 about 7:30 a.m. “to get his children.”

An argument broke out between Hopeau and his father-in-law, Tony McDowell, 47, and Hopeau was shot in the back with a small-caliber handgun, Baker said. Hopeau was treated and released from a hospital. McDowell is being held without bond at the Cherokee County Detention Center. Mike Morris

Cagle, Mrs. Deal to visit pre-k classes

Bobby Cagle, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, joins First Lady Sandra Deal on Friday in north Fulton for her “Read Across Georgia” campaign. Mrs. Deal and Cagle will visit pre-kindergarten classes at Lake Forest Elementary School in Sandy Springs; and at Roswell’s North Fulton Child Development Center, Roswell North Elementary School and Young Life Academy. Nancy Badertscher

Sandy Springs to test new tornado sirens

Sandy Springs will test its new tornado sirens between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursday.

Sirens will be activated for about one minute if weather conditions are clear. If there are indications of severe storms, testing will be postponed.

The eight new warning sirens, installed in early February, have the capacity to broadcast voice alerts.

They can be controlled remotely via radio. Patrick Fox

Gardening expert to speak in Alpharetta

Alpharetta and the Alpharetta Natural Resource Commission are sponsoring a presentation by gardening expert Walter Reeves from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday at City Hall Council Chambers, 2 South Main Street. Admission is $5 and space is limited so you must call. Preregistration, information: 678-297-6200 or tporter@alpharetta.ga.us. Patrick Fox

Author Feldman to read to kids at library

2011 Georgia Children’s Book Award-winner Jody Feldman will read excerpts from her book “The Gollywhopper Games” at a meet and greet Thursday in Johns Creek. The event, for readers ages 10 and up, starts at 4:30 p.m. at the Northeast/Spruill Oaks Library, 9560 Spruill Road. Information: 770-360-8820. Johnny Edwards

ATLANTA

Garner wants to save Daily World building

Fulton Commissioner Joan Garner, whose district includes Auburn Avenue in Atlanta, wants her colleagues to formally oppose the demolition of the old Atlanta Daily World building. She’s the lead sponsor of a resolution up for a vote today.

The city’s oldest black newspaper, a primary source of information for the black community during the civil rights era, moved out of the building in 2008 after it was damaged by a tornado. Now a developer, the Integral Group, wants to raze it to make way for apartments. The matter is before the city’s Urban Design Commission. Johnny Edwards

Three hurt in MARTA bus collision

Three people were taken to the hospital Tuesday morning following a predawn wreck involving a MARTA bus.

The crash happened about 7 a.m. on Moreland Avenue at Euclid Avenue.

MARTA spokeswoman Cara Hodgson said three bus passengers were taken to Atlanta Medical Center. The extent of their injuries was not immediately known. Hodgson said the driver of the vehicle that collided with the bus was cited for failure to obey a traffic signal. Mike Morris

Clean Air Campaign recognizes DOT

The Clean Air Campaign has recognized the Georgia Department of Transportation as one of 130 employers to encourage a high level of sustainable commuting among its workers.

At DOT, 34 percent of employees at its Midtown Atlanta headquarters last year took alternatives to driving alone all week, making the agency a “platinum partner” at the Campaign. According to DOT, that eliminated about 62,000 vehicle trips and 1.5 million miles. Ariel Hart

Grady mock trial team wins state title

The mock trial team from Grady High Sunday beat out six teams from across Georgia to win the state title for the fourth consecutive time. In May, the team will travel to Albuquerque, N.M. to represent Georgia in the national mock trial championship. Jaime Sarrio

DEKALB

Court affirms conviction in 2007 murder

The Georgia Supreme Court has upheld the murder conviction against a DeKalb County man who killed his roommate and then mutilated the body and set it on fire.

Renato Adel was previously convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the May 2007 murder of 54-year-old Mesfin Asfaw, whose dismembered, charred body was found by schoolchildren waiting to catch a bus near Lithonia High School. In an opinion published Monday, the court noted that evidence found inside the men’s apartment and in the dumpster outside supported the conviction. Bill Rankin

Police to add 4 new SUVs to fleet

A state grant will pay for DeKalb County Police to buy four new Chevrolet Tahoe SUVs for its fleet.

The Georgia Emergency Management Agency’s grant will cover the $122,676 cost of the vehicles but not maintenance work on them. The new SUVs will replace aging models in the fleet, which should also save the county on maintenance costs. April Hunt

Volunteers needed for DeKalb cleanup

Keep DeKalb Beautiful is accepting volunteers to again participate in the Great American Cleanup.

Last year, more than 80 groups of volunteers removed more than 25,000 pounds of litter from 168 miles of county roadways in the one-day event.

The cleanup will take place on Saturday, April 28 this year.

To sign up or find out more information about routine neighborhood cleanups, call 404-371-2654.

April Hunt

John Lewis to speak at Decatur church

Congressman John Lewis will be the guest speaker at the Decatur United Church of Christ on Sunday at 109 Hibernia Ave, Decatur. The church will be celebrating “Love in Action” Sunday. The public is welcome to attend. Information: visit http://www.decaturucc.org/ or call Rev Glenna Shepherd or Ashley Robinson at 404-373-2933. Sandra Marshall Murray

Museum School gears up for move

In July The Museum School of Avondale Estates moves into the circa-1950s Forrest Hills Elementary just outside city limits. But Principal Katherine Kelbaugh said the building needs $4.5 million in renovations – mostly heating/air conditioning, roofing wiring, and getting the facility up to code – over the next five years. A million dollars will come from the school’s operating budget, she said, and the other $3.5 million will be raised through capital campaigns.

The school, which adds a fifth grade next year, recently held a lottery to fill 65 student openings out of 270 applications. Bill Banks for the AJC

Senior Connections finalist for grant

Senior Connections, a DeKalb County group that serves seniors in the metro region, is among 15 finalists for a $25,000 grant from Southwest Airlines.

If it wins the LUV Grant, the group plans to use the money to build up to five wheelchair ramps for qualifying senior-citizens.

Winners will be elected later this month. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Wreck kills teacher, hurts two others

A Sandtown Middle School teacher was killed and two others critically injured in a wreck Monday on Camp Creek Parkway in south Fulton County. Shireen Haynes, 41, died in the wreck, a spokeswoman for the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office said. A teenage girl driving a red Honda lost control and collided with a Saturn, pushing it into the path of an oncoming tractor-trailer, police told Channel 2 Action News. Parker could not confirm whether any charges had been filed Tuesday afternoon. Alexis Stevens

Man robbed, shot in neck at ATM

Police are investigating a shooting and robbery at a south Fulton County ATM.

Around 5 a.m. Tuesday, a man drove up to the Wells Fargo ATM at 5060 Old Bill Cook Road to withdraw some money, police said. A man approached with a gun and the victim surrendered his wallet. The gunman shot him once in the front of the neck, police said.

The victim was responsive and talking when he was taken to an area hospital, but his condition is unknown. Marcus K. Garner

Council members host meetings in Stockbridge

Stockbridge City Council members Robin Buschman and Richard Steinberg will host an open house Thursday from 6-8 p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall. Information: 770-389-7900, ext. 214. Also, Stockbridge City Councilman Alphonso Thomas will host a town hall meeting March 31, from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 112 Wilson Ave. in Stockbridge. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Peachtree City to auction surplus vehicles

As part of its ongoing effort to revamp its vehicle fleet, Peachtree City will begin another online auction of surplus inventory on March 28.

Trucks, cars, trailers, construction equipment and other items will be sold on www.GovDeals.com until approximately April 13. For details, see www.peachtree-city.org or contact the Purchasing Department at 770-631-2515. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Alcohol sales in Henry start Sunday

After a March 6 referendum passed with 56 percent of the vote, Sunday alcohol sales in unincorporated Henry County can begin as soon as this weekend. The new ordinance allows the sale of malt beverages and wine, not distilled spirits, to be sold in unincorporated areas of Henry County on Sundays, between 12:30 and 11:30 p.m. All of the cities in Henry County -- Hampton, Locust Grove, McDonough and Stockbridge -- approved Sunday sales in November. Monroe Roark for the AJC

East Point residents can pay bills by phone

East Point’s Customer Care Department soon will launch its Interactive Voice Response (IVR) System. The system allows residents to pay their utility bills and to obtain general account information over the phone. The automated system is accessible by calling the Customer Care Department at 404-270-7010 and selecting option one. The system is expected to launch in early April. John Thompson for the AJC