County by county news for Wednesday

The Cobb County Police Department recently transitioned to the new police records management system. Types of crime available to search include burglaries, entering autos, thefts and criminal trespass/damage, along with data on robberies and fraud. People can also retrieve their own vehicle crash reports.

Visit: http://dps.cobbcountyga.gov/dps-p2c-pd-event-search.htm to try it out. Andria Simmons

Chamber holds business expo on Thursday

The Cobb Chamber of Commerce will hold a business-to-business expo Thursday at the Cobb Galleria featuring more than 150 area companies.

The one-day expo provides networking opportunities with potential customers, vendors, executives and other business owners. The expo runs from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Galleria, 2 Galleria Pkwy. in Atlanta. It is free and open to the public. Information: call, 770-859-2320 or email, slipari@cobbchamber.org Janel Davis

Kennesaw mayor to hold town meeting

Kennesaw Mayor Mark Matthews will talk about programs, services and policies at a town hall meeting 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Ben Robertson Community Center, 2753 Watts Dr., Kennesaw. Information: www.kennesaw.ga.gov.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Company donates $50,000 to safety village

C.W. Matthews Contracting Co., Inc. showed its support in helping keep residents safe by donating $50,000 for construction of a replica of its building in the Cobb County Safety Village. The site teaches children how to react to crime, fire and disaster emergencies. It also teaches drug and alcohol awareness and pedestrian safety. Info: www.cobbcounty.org/safetyvillage. Andria Simmons

Identity theft seminar for seniors Thursday

Parkland Manor Senior Independent Living Community is hosting an identity theft seminar on Thursday for area seniors.

Cobb Superior Court Judge Mary E. Staley and Rose Wing, a former Cobb assistant district attorney, will be the keynote speakers.

The free seminar is open to the public and begins at 5 p.m. in Parkland’s main dining hall, 3755 Medical Park Dr. in Austell. Dinner is available at 4 p.m. for $3, and proceeds benefit Parkland’s activities.

Information: call, 678-933-4783 Janel Davis

Heritage Month story time for kids Friday

County residents are invited to celebrate Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month with a special story time on Friday in Mableton.

The special event is free and open to children ages 5 and older along with their families. Activities will include stories, music, costumes and crafts celebrating Asian-Pacific American culture and history.

The celebration begins at 3:30 p.m. at the South Cobb Regional Library, 805 Clay Road in Mableton.

Information, call 678-398-5834, or visit http://www.cobbcat.org Janel Davis

GWINNETT

Sugar Hill woman convicted in baby’s death

A Sugar Hill woman was convicted of voluntary manslaughter Monday and sentenced to 25 years in prison for causing the death of her 3-month-old daughter. A Gwinnett County jury deliberated 10 hours before convicting Erica Graham. They also found her guilty of aggravated assault, aggravated battery, making false statements and cruelty to children in the first and second degree.

Graham was the only adult at home at the time her daughter was found not breathing in an upstairs bedroom in January 2009, but the child’s father babysat her earlier in the day. An autopsy revealed Aubrey died of a head injury. Andria Simmons

School board changes meeting time to 5:30

The Gwinnett County school board will meet Thursday at its Suwanee headquarters and conduct some of its business at a new time.

The board will hold a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. to cover the consent agenda and the superintendent’s report. The public hearing on the proposed FY2012 Budget will take place at 6 p.m. An open forum for public comment will begin at 6:30 p.m.

The board will continue its business meeting at 7 p.m.

It will consider several items including Ivy Preparatory Academy’s petition for new charter schools in Gwinnett.

The meetings will be held at the Instructional Support Center at 437 Old Peachtree Road. D. Aileen Dodd

Braselton offers children a beach bash

Braselton will offer 12 hours of free children’s activities at a “beach bash” Saturday at Braselton Park, 126 Harrison Street. The event will feature face painting, step team performances, a magic show, a petting zoo, bungee jumping and other activities. Vendors will sell food, toys, jewelry and gifts. Information: www.braseltonfestivals.com.

David Wickert

County to host kids fishing derby on June 4

Gwinnett County will host a kids fishing derby from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 4 at Jones Bridge Park, 4901 East Jones Bridge Road, Norcross.

The event will feature food and prizes. Rods and bait will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. No fishing license is needed. For more information call 770-417-2200. David Wickert

Duluth to honor Purple Heart recipients

Duluth will honor Purple Heart recipients May 28 as part of a Memorial Day event. The service will start at 6 p.m. at the city’s Amphitheater and Town Green at 3142 Hill Street. Mayor Nancy Harris will declare May 28 Purple Heart Day. The American Legion Riders will perform “Salute to Fallen Heroes” to military veterans and the Purple Heart recipients will receive commemorative coins at the event. Joel Anderson

Suwanee looks for park volunteers

The Suwanee Police Department is recruiting volunteers to staff its new Park Ambassador program. Those who are interested in volunteering for the program must sign up by Monday. Volunteers are scheduled to be trained on May 31.

Information: Elias Casanas at ecasanas@suwanee.com or 770-904-7612. Joel Anderson

NORTHSIDE

Forsyth schools may raise millage rate to pay debt

Forsyth County Schools may have to raise the millage rate to make its bond debt payments. The district has five outstanding bonds and the current 1.418 bond millage rate will not generate enough revenue to make the other required bond payments, according to school system budget information. Decreases in home values and sales tax collections are to blame for this short fall, said school spokesperson Jennifer Caracciolo. The school board won’t make this decision until the final 2012 budget is approved June 9. Jeffry Scott

Stay off Hickory Log Creek Reservoir

Some residents have been trespassing on the new Hickory Log Creek Reservoir.

City officials will allow limited public use later, but no access points have been built and it is not legal to sneak in to take a dip or fish. The warm weather began bringing out some people who were unable to or resist, according to city officials.

The cash-strapped city is looking for an appropriate access point , but for now, residents will just have to wait. Christopher Quinn

Canton Festival of Arts this weekend

Georgia writer Terry Kay will be a featured artist at this weekend’s Canton Festival of the Arts. The event will start this Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. and Sunday also at 10 a.m. in downtown Canton’s Brown Park. Thirty authors will be present and talk, including Kay at 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Information: http://www.cherokeearts.org/festival/ Christopher Quinn

Alpharetta, Milton to hold water workshop

Alpharetta and Milton have scheduled a free water-wise gardening workshop from 7 to 8 p.m. May 24 at Alpharetta City Hall, 2 South Main Street. Louise Estabrook, UGA Cooperative Extension Agent for Fulton County, will discuss ways to reduce water run-off, soil erosion and pollutants by caring for your yard in an environmentally friendly way. Information: 678-242-2509; cindy.eade@cityofmiltonga.us Patrick Fox

Forsyth planners host meeting today

The Forsyth County Planning Commission will host a meeting at 6 p.m., today in the Planning & Development Conference Room, suite 100, in the Forsyth County Administration building, 110 E. Main Street, in Cumming. The Project Management Team has organized the meeting for the Steering Committee to discuss the character area descriptions of the county as planners seek public opinion in updating the county Comprehensive Plan. Jeffry Scott

Alpharetta rejects license fee increase

The Alpharetta City Council rejected a proposal Monday that would have increased license fees for insurance companies. The measure would have hiked annual fees from $100 currently to $150, bringing in an additional $26,700 a year to city coffers. By law, Georgia cities with populations over 50,000 can charge insurance companies a license fee of $150. City Councilman D.C. Aiken balked at the proposal, saying “imposing a tax just because we can” would not be the best course of action. Patrick Fox

ATLANTA

Fundraising launched for Civil Rights center

Two relatives and the business partner of late Atlanta mayor Maynard Jackson launched on Tuesday an effort to raise $2.5 million for the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. Jackson’s widow Valerie Jackson, his daughter Brooke Jackson Edmond and his partner Daniel Halpern pledged $250,000 for the project through their company, Jackmont Hospitality. The center plans to begin construction later this year on its home in downtown Atlanta. Leon Stafford

YWCA holds award luncheon today

The YWCA of Greater Atlanta will holds its 28th annual “Salute to Women of Achievement” luncheon at noon today at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis hotel downtown. Kathy Betty, owner of the Atlanta Dream, will be named the 2011 Woman of Achievement. Tad Hutcheson, vice president of marketing and sales for AirTran Airways, will be honored at the 2011 Y’s Man. Shelia Poole

Business League honors Mayor Reed

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed was named “CEO of the Year” by the Atlanta Business League at their 33rd annual CEO Appreciation Luncheon on Tuesday.

The ABL serves as the leading advocate for minority business development and advocacy in metro Atlanta. This is the first time in the organization’s 78-year history that it has given the award to a seated mayor. Ernie Suggs

Contentious vote changes name of street

In the most contentious major vote this year, the Atlanta City Council voted 9-5 to rename downtown’s Harris Street to John Portman Boulevard. In January, the council balked at the vote after an uproar by downtown neighborhood advocates and historical preservationists. Yolanda Adrean, Ivory Young, Cleta Winslow, C.T. Martin, Keisha Bottoms, Joyce Sheperd, Michael Bond, Aaron Watson and H. Lamar Willis, voted to rename the street. Alex Wan, Howard Shook, Felicia Moore, Carla Smith and Natalyn Archibong voted against. Ernie Suggs

DEKALB

Schools’ 10-year plan, project list input wanted

A proposal for DeKalb Schools’ 10-year master facilities plan and the draft projects list for the upcoming penny sales tax resolution will be released at 9 a.m., May 27 at the district’s headquarters, 1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard, Stone Mountain. Questions regarding the plan can be submitted starting May 27 at www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/vision-2020/master-plan. A final vote on the resolution is expected June 13. The final resolution will appear on the November 2011 voting ballot with projects from Atlanta Public Schools and Decatur City Schools.

Jaime Sarrio

Health official to speak to Chamblee group

DeKalb County’s manager of public health programs will speak at the monthly meeting of the Chamblee Business Association on Thursday . The meeting begins at 7:30 a.m. at the Chamblee Civic Center, 3540 Broad St. Dr. Sandra Elizabeth Ford, serves as district health director for the county’s Board of Health, will address the group at 8 a.m. The public is welcome to attend. April Hunt

Child safety seat class today at Northlake Mall

DeKalb County residents can take a free class this week to learn about the proper installation of child safety seats into their vehicles.

The county Fire Rescue Department will host the class from 9:30 to 10:30 this morning at the OneDeKalb Resource Center at Northlake Mall.

The program concludes with residents installing their own seats for review by a certified technician. Information: 770-414-2124. April Hunt

DeKalb educators hand our scholarships

The Organization of DeKalb Educators awarded 29 scholarships to graduating seniors in DeKalb County Schools and children of members. The $1,000 grand prize was awarded to Vasselina Kotzeva from Cross Keys High School. Scholarships were also awarded in $750, $500 and $250 increments. The organization named Rep. Stacey Abrams and Rep. Billy Mitchell Legislators of the Year; Commissioner Lee May and Rep. Stephanie Stuckey-Benfield were named Community Service Award winners and Oliver Dean, principal of Toney Elementary, was named Administrator of the Year. Jaime Sarrio

DeKalb Tech graduates 24 in law enforcement

DeKalb Technical College recently announced the graduation of 24 recruits in its law enforcement academy.

The 17-week program ends with basic law enforcement certification from the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council. Graduates also receive 59 credits toward and associate degree in criminal justice. The class graduated last week. More than half are already employed by various law enforcement agencies in the region. April Hunt

Landscape artist to talk in Doraville

A landscape artist will host a program gardening in small pots and flower boxes this weekend at the Doraville library. Tracy Howe’s program on container gardening, which is free, begins at 10:30 a.m. Saturday 5/21 at the library, 3748 Central Ave. Information: 770.936.3852 or www.dekalblibrary.org. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Clayton Commissioners honor Freedom Rider

Rex resident Dr. Pauline Knight-Ofosu was honored Tuesday by Clayton County Commissioners for her work as a civil rights activist and Freedom Rider while a Tennessee State University student. In 1961, she participated in the Freedom Rides, was arrested and imprisoned in Jackson, Miss. “She was among those many brave men and women, black and white, who put their lives in danger to help end segregation in all interstate public transportation facilities throughout the South during those rides,” said Commissioner Sonna Singleton who hosted the reception. Tammy Joyner

Fulton schools look for parents’ feedback

Fulton County teachers and principals are soliciting parents’ feedback about local schools.

They’ve posted a five-minute survey on-line at their web site and are looking for responses by 5 p.m. on May 24.

The web address is www.fultonschools.org. Nancy Badertscher

Fulton fire chief burnishes credentials

Fulton County Fire Chief Larry Few has been designated a “Chief Fire Officer” by the Commission on Professional Credentialing with the Center for Public Safety Excellence Inc. Earning the designation requires a lengthy process of proving technical expertise, professional development, contributions to the profession and community involvement, with applications judged by a peer review panel. Few is among less than 800 chief fire officers worldwide. He has been Fulton’s fire chief since 2006. Johnny Edwards

Redistricting passes first hurdle in McDonough

The McDonough City Council approved the first reading of its redistricting ordinance at its May 16 meeting. The second reading is scheduled for June 6, after which the plan would require Justice Department approval. McDonough is the only city in Henry County that uses district voting to elect council members. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Leadership workshop set for College Park

State Representative Joe Heckstall will conduct “The Art of Dynamic Leadership,” a free workshop to encourage leadership during tough economic times. Rep. Heckstall will conduct the workshop at College Park City Hall Thursday at 7 p.m. John Thompson for the AJC

East Point police chief bids farewell

East Point Police Chief Leander Robinson said goodbye to the City Council during Monday’s meeting. Robinson is retiring and has served as chief in the city for five years. He thanked the council for allowing him to experience professional growth during his tenure as chief.

John Thompson for the AJC

March for Babies raises $97,000

Approximately 325 people participated May 6 in the recent March for Babies in McDonough’s Heritage Park, raising more than $97,000 for the March of Dimes to fund research, awareness, education and local community grants for programs related to premature birth. Monroe Roark for the AJC