County by county news for Wednesday

The road work will continue from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. , weather permitting through Thursday.

During that the construction, one ramp at a time will be closed in each location and detour signs will be posted directing motorists to alternate routes.

Information: www.dot.ga.gov Janel Davis

Smyrna reschedules fireworks show

Smyrna has rescheduled a rained-out fireworks show forSept. 15 after the Taste of Smyrna. The city's annual birthday celebration on Aug. 4 was cancelled. Smyrna Parks and Recreation will reimburse the cost of table reservations. The Taste of Smyrna will be 11 a.m.to 8 p.m. Sept. 15 downtown on the Village Green.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Austell approves 5-year wish list

The Austell City Council voted its unanimous approval Monday of its 2012-16 short-term projects for submission to the Atlanta Regional Commission.

Among the ideas are a marketing strategy and a new Downtown Master Plan for redevelopment, an interactive community garden and educational center, more senior housing and technical industry, extension of a Cobb County Transit route to the city and a downtown commuter rail station.

This list is required by state law with pending approval from the ARC, explained Jim Graham, the city's director of the Community Development and Parks departments.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Kindergartners invited to test school buses

Cobb County administrators are offering incoming kindergartners an opportunity to ride their school bus for a trial run Friday morning.

The district offers the opportunity for kindergartners to become more familiar with riding a bus before the first day of school.

Parents are asked to identify their child's stop time, location and bus number through www.cobbk12.org and arrive at their child's bus stop five minutes before the scheduled pickup time. Daarel Burnette II

Student wins leadership award

Marietta High School junior Harry McMahon earned the Distinquished Cadet Award at the Summer Leaderhship School at Converse College, Spartanburg, SC. The Air Force Junior ROTC student competed with students from 22 high schools in North and South Carolina and Georgia. Twenty-three of 37 Marietta High students attending the school received honors.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Kaiser Permanente opens medical center

Kaiser Permanente recently opened a new $47 million expansion of its TownPark Comprehensive Medical Center in Kennesaw. The 78,000-square-foot expansion includes a new advanced care center that operates 24 hours a day. The facility also added cardiology, gastroenterology, neurology, pulmonology and oncology to its services. The projected created 100 new jobs. Misty Williams

GWINNETT

G-Braves invite fans to camp out Saturday

Fans are invited to camp overnight at Coolray Field after the Gwinnett Braves' 7:05 p.m. game Saturday against the Louisville Bats.

Those who purchase $10 passes in advance can retrieve camping equipment from their vehicles after the game and fireworks show and enter through the right field access tunnel.

A family movie will be shown for campers on the video board.

Location: 2500 Buford Dr., Lawrenceville.

Information: 678-277-0340.

Michael Alpert for the AJC

Donate fans to needy Gwinnett seniors

Gwinnett residents can donate fans to keep seniors cool this summer.

County fire stations are accepting donations of new fans through Aug. 31. They will be delivered to seniors in need. For more information, contact Gary Galloway at 678-377-3020 or gary.galloway@gwinnettcounty.com. David Wickert

State government retirees meet Monday

The Georgia State Retirees Association Northeast Metro Chapter will meet at 11:15 a.m. Tuesday at Golden Corral in Lawrenceville. No charge for attending. Individuals pay for own lunches. Register by e-mail to Ernie Melton at ErnestMelton1@bellsouth.net.

GSRA focuses on keeping retirees informed about changes in retiree and health insurance benefits. Information: www.MyGSRA.com. Kenneth Musisi

Peachtree Corners seeking volunteers

Peachtree Corners residents are invited to apply for volunteer positions on the new city's planning commission and zoning board of appeals. Interested residents may apply at www.cityofpeachtreecornersga.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Back-to-school event in Norcross

Belk at the Forum, 5165 Peachtree Parkway, Norcross, holds a 4th annual KidFest 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday to help raise school supplies for needy children. Belk is partnering with Dawn Stark from CUREchildhoodcancer to help raise awareness about cancer affecting our youth. Highlights include: performances by the nationally acclaimed local band, The Oswald Brothers, as well as youth recording artist Reed Ferguson (1:15 and 2:15 p.m.); Chef Jennifer Booker, along with The Atlanta Junior League "kids in the kitchen," will showcase healthy snacks and meals courtesy of Trader Joe's. The event coincides with Georgia's tax-free holiday on school supplies and back-to-school clothing. Nancy Badertscher

Two road races upcoming in Suwanee

Suwanee is hosting 5K runs at 8 a.m. Saturday in North Gwinnett High's 14th annual Bulldog Dash and Lambert High's fourth annual Longhorn 5K. Primary fundraisers for the schools' cross country team. Races are at the schools' stadiums at 20 Level Creek Road and 805 Nichols Road, respectively. Cost: $22 through Thursday, $25 thereafter for North's race; $20 through Friday, $25 Saturday for Lanier's. Information: active.com. Michael Alpert

NORTHSIDE

Forsyth law officers make arrest in break-ins

Forsyth County Sheriff's investigators have arrested a Dawsonville man on charges he broke into vehicles in Forsyth and used stolen credit cards at stores.

Charles Butterworth, 34, has been charged with entering auto, financial card fraud and methamphetamine possession.

Sheriff's officials say they recovered a number of stolen and illegally-purchased items. Butterworth is being held without bond at the Forsyth jail.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Roswell fire celebrating

75th anniversary

The Roswell Fire Department is celebrating 75 years of existence 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at station No. 1, 1002 Alpharetta St.

The event will include the grand re-opening of the Roswell Fire Museum, which features the Ford American LaFrance Pumper, the department's first new truck purchased in 1947.

Michael Alpert for the AJC

Forsyth schools begin new year Thursday

Forsyth County Schools will begin the 2012-2013 school year Thursday with new facilities and higher enrollment projections. Officials forecast fourth-month enrollment at 38,348.

Last year's final total was 37,401. District officials will also open Kelly Mill Elementary School, bringing the total number of district schools to 36.

Forsyth is the 9th largest district in Georgia.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Woodstock concert series continues

Pop band The Lovin' Spoonful will headline Northside Hospital-Cherokee's 15th annual Summer Concert Series 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Woodstock's Park at City Center, 101 Arnold Mill Road.

Leashed pets are welcome at the free event, and parking is available at Chattahoochee Technical College, Woodstock Methodist Church and the Chambers at City Center.

Michael Alpert for the AJC

Woodstock town hall meeting Aug. 16

Mayor Donnie Henriques and the Woodstock City Council will host a Towne Hall Meeting Aug. 16.

Among topics up for discussion will be pending road projects, the Citizens Police Academy, and the proposed November HOST sales tax vote that would lower or eliminate the county's part of property taxes.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at The Chambers at City Center, 8534 Main St.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Roswell offering toilet rebates

In partnership with the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District, Roswell is offering residents rebates for installing low-flow toilets.

Owners or renters of single-family homes built before 1994 can receive rebates on toilets that replace older ones requiring more than 1.6 gallons per flush.

Residents must agree to inspection to ensure the new toilets have been installed.

Information: 404-463-8645, northgeorgiawater.org/toiletrebate.

Michael Alpert for the AJC

ATLANTA

Man heads to prison for gun trafficking

A federal judge in Atlanta has sentenced a man to more than 17 years in prison for using straw purchasers to buy guns later found at crime scenes.

Charles Horton, 36, persuaded four women, one of whom was homeless, to buy 20 firearms on his behalf from dealers in Georgia and South Carolina, U.S. Attorney Sally Yates said. Horton, a convicted felon, was caught on surveillance video escorting three of the women to gun stores. Law enforcement later found some of the guns at crimes scenes. Bill Rankin

Local man dies in Texas paragliding contest

CAMERON, Texas—Searchers have found the body of an Atlanta paraglider in a Texas field the day after a competition was suspended. The Texas Department of Public Safety said 50-year-old Don Bayliff was dead at the scene. Authorities said Bayliff took part in last weekend's Lonestar National Paragliding Championship.

Poor weather Sunday led organizers to call off the championship, and competitors were notified to descend. Bayliff did not return to the starting point.

The Associated Press

Fire foundation gets $10,000 grant

The Amerigroup Foundation has awarded the Atlanta Fire Foundation a $10,000 fire education grant focused on child safety to fund initiatives which include the Governor's Office of Highway Safety Child Safety Seat Program. The grant, which will also help provide car seats for needy families, was presented on Aug. 7 at the Public Safety Headquarters. Kenneth Musisi

ASO creates Florence Kopleff Chair

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra created the Florence Kopleff Choral Administrator Chair in perpetuity as a tribute to American Contralto Florence Kopleff who died on July 24. ASO said Kopleff's impact on American music and the Atlanta Symphony will be felt for generations to come.

Jeffrey Baxter, current Choral Administrator for the Atlanta Symphony, will be the first holder of the chair. Kenneth Musisi

DEKALB

Cops: Dunwoody man meeting minor for sex

A Dunwoody man was arrested in northwest Georgia Monday for allegedly trying to meet a child for sex, according to the FBI. Justin Ricks, who had come to the attention of undercover officers on the Internet, was "met by FBI agents and officers from of the FBI's Northwest Georgia Safe Child Task Force" instead of the child he had gone to meet, the FBI said.

Ricks, 27, was charged with attempted aggravated child molestation and violation of the Computer Pornography Act, and is being held in the Catoosa County Jail. Mike Morris

Parks, green councils meet today

The DeKalb Parks Bond Advisory Committee and Initiative for a Green DeKalb Advisory Council will hold a joint meeting at 5 p.m. today at the One DeKalb office at Northlake Mall, near the Macy's entrance, on Briarcliff Road in Tucker.

The session will include an update on green space acquisitions and current parks projects. Information: 404-371-2082

April Hunt

Road near Stone Mountain closed

A main road near Stone Mountain that was closed earlier this summer will remain shut down for another month due to a sewer project. Crews began digging to replace the sewer main that runs under South Stone Mountain-Lithonia Road in DeKalb County in June.

The segment between Marbut and Chapman roads was slated to be shut down until Aug. 5 but that closure has been extended to Sept. 3.

Information, call 770-780-2013. April Hunt

Organizers planning next Taste of Chamblee

Chamblee's annual street festival that features international food and music has been set for September.

Organizers expect several dozen restaurants and other vendors at the fifth-annual Taste of Chamblee, scheduled to be held in the downtown area on Sept. 15.

The festival will also include kids' play area, live entertainment and a beer garden.

To recommend eateries and artists or for more information, email info@chambleebusinessassociation.com. April Hunt

Gardening club receives $500 grant

The Georgia Master Gardener Association awarded $500 to the Master Gardeners of DeKalb County to update an information board on the grounds of the Donaldson-Bannister Farm and Cemetery in Dunwoody.

When the property opened to the community, participants took educational information with tips on growing vegetables, perennials and grasses, composting, insects, etc.

The gardeners meet every Thursday in a community effort to donate produce to the Community Action Center that is harvested from the site.

Kenneth Musisi

Police conduct child car seat event

The Dunwoody Police Department will conduct a "Child Seat Check" 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 10 at Dunwoody Baptist Church, 1445 Mount Vernon Road, Dunwoody.

Certified child passenger safety technicians will check car seats for proper installation and advise parents and caregivers on how to choose the right car seats at the free event. Kenneth Musisi

SOUTHSIDE

Fulton assessor fined for 'incompetent' appraisals

Finding him "negligent or incompetent" in appraisals for private clients, a state administrative law judge has fined Fulton County Board of Assessors member Donald Johnson $2,000 and suspended his residential appraiser's license for six months. Johnson must also take seven hours of coursework on preparing appraisals.

The state Real Estate Commission and Appraisers Board accused Johnson, a self-employed appraiser, of overvaluing Atlanta properties during the height of the housing bubble. Johnny Edwards

Fayette examines another school-closing

The Fayette County Board of Education has added a fifth school-closing scenario to its redistricting talks. A proposal to close Inman and Tyrone elementary schools and Fayette Middle School, as well as consolidate Fayette Intermediate and Hood Avenue Primary, was added Monday at the urging of board members Bob Todd and Marion Key. A citizen advisory committee will soon begin public meetings. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Moss prevails in commission race

An official recount Monday confirmed Bo Moss' win over incumbent Warren Holder in the Republican primary for the

District 1 seat on the Henry County Board of Commissioners. Moss won by 17 votes out of 3,783 cast. Holder was seeking his fifth term as a county commissioner. Moss will face Democrat James Mays in November.

Monroe Roark for the AJC

McIntosh High getting more cart parking

McIntosh High School is adding more golf cart parking as part of a revision to Peachtree City's street parking ordinance. The City Council voted Aug. 2 to ban parking on Stevens Entry, Petrol Point and Prime Point north of Ga. 54 because it impeded other traffic and visibility. Adding approximately 200 more on-site cart spaces will alleviate student parking overflow. Jill Howard Church

Union City to host Movies by Moonlight

The Parks and Recreations department in conjunction with Union City, will host the third annual Movies by Moonlight series and a Back-to-School Drive at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Ronald Bridges Park, 5285 Lakeside Drive, Union City. The event will have fun activities for children, food, school supplies, and a screening of The Help. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets, and picnic baskets.

Kenneth Musisi

Registration underway for girls volleyball

Registration for the Fayette County Parks and Recreation Department youth girls volleyball league this fall, is ongoing through Aug. 17. Girls, in grades 3-8, can register for $40 per resident or $60 per non-Fayette resident. Fee includes one t-shirt per player.

Divisions are based on grade level with bronze division (grades 3 and 4), silver division (grades 5 and 6), and gold division (grades 7 and 8).

Information:www.fayettecountyga.gov/parks_and_recreation or 770-716-4324, or register in person at 980 Redwine Road, Fayetteville. Kenneth Musisi