COBB
Pedestrian, motorist injured in collision
Marietta Police are investigating a Monday accident on Franklin Road near Twin Brooks Drive. Police believe a 1994 Nissan Sentra operated by Moses Katta, 50, of Marietta, was traveling southbound on Franklin Road around 3:30 p.m. when it veered off the road and onto the sidewalk. The Nissan struck a pedestrian on the sidewalk, Jasmine Harper, 18, of Marietta. Katta and Harper were transported to Kennestone Hospital. They were both in serious condition Tuesday.
Anyone with information should call Officer David Auld at 770-794-5352. Andria Simmons and Alexis Stevens
Cops: woman punches 79-year-old mother
Tammy Renee Johnston, 48, was driving along Shallowford Road near Canton Road in Marietta last month when her 79-year-old mother, Helen Dobbs, turned down the volume on the radio from the passenger’s seat, police said. Johnston punched Dobbs in the face, leaving bruising on Dobbs’ forehead, left eye and cheek, authorities said.
Police issued an arrest warrant last week, charging Johnston with battery of a person 65 or older. She was booked into the Cobb County Adult Detention Center Friday and released by about 2 a.m. the following morning on $2,000 bond.
Marcus K. Garner
Marietta program to encourage safer driving
The Marietta Police Department’s “Slow Down Marietta,” is a proactive effort to remind drivers to slow down, wear a seatbelt and obey traffic laws.
Two months in the making, the program is part education and enforcement. The first week, message boards, speed trailers and the “Cop Cab” were placed around the city to remind and educate drivers to obey traffic laws. Officers will now actively enforce traffic laws. Andria Simmons
Cobb ends 2012 strong, says chairman
Cobb Chairman Tim Lee delivered the state of the county address last week, highlighting the county’s progress over 2012 and discussing new initiatives in 2013.
During the speech, which was hosted by the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, Less said economic development and conservative budgeting would continue to be a focus.
“Cobb County has ended 2012 the strongest it has been in quite some time,” he said. View the speech at cobbcountyga.gov. Jaime Sarrio
DOT holds open house for improvements
The Cobb Department of Transportation will host an open house for improvement projects on River View Road and Floyd Road, 5-7 p.m. Jan. 24 at South Cobb Community Center, 620 Lions Club Drive, Mableton. Plans for the projects will be on display. Both are a part of the 2011 penny sales tax program. Jaime Sarrio
Cupid schedules town hall meetings
New District 4 Commissioner Lisa Cupid has scheduled several town hall meetings through February. They are: 7-9 p.m. Jan. 24 at the George E. Ford Center, 4181 Atlanta St., Powder Springs; 7-9 p.m. Feb. 12, Threadmill Complex, 5000 Austell-Powder Springs Road, Austell and 7-9 p.m. Feb. 28, South Cobb Community Center, 620 Lions Club Drive, Mableton. Information: 770-528-3312 or cobbcounty.org/cupid. Jaime Sarrio
GWINNETT
Two rabies cases reported in past month
Raccoons found Jan. 7 on Glen Devon Ln. in Duluth and Dec. 19 on Pendleton Place in Suwanee have tested positive for rabies. If you or your child have been bitten or scratched by any stray animals, please call the Gwinnett Animal Welfare and Enforcement Bite Office at 770-339-3200 ext. 5576.
Rabid animals may act tame or display strange or unusual behavior. They may act aggressive, avoid food and water, foam at the mouth, or have trouble moving.
Information: Gwinnett Police Animal Welfare and Enforcement at 770-513-5100. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Murder defendant pleads guilty
Khanh Dinh Phan entered a guilty plea in Gwinnett County Tuesday to the Dec. 29, 2004 slayings of a Vietnamese man and his 2-year-old son.
Hung Thai, 37, and Hugh Huan Thai, 2, were shot to death by Phan, a family friend, over a gambling debt at their home near Lilburn.
Hung Thai’s wife, Hoangoah Ta, was shot in the head but survived. Phan was sentenced to two concurrent life sentences for the murders. Phan entered the plea as part of a negotiation to be spared a death sentence if convicted at trial, according to the Gwinnett County DA. Andria Simmons
Crime down in Gwinnett Village CID
Crime inside The Gwinnett Village Community Improvement District has declined for a fifth consecutive year, according to Gwinnett County Police.
Gwinnett Village is the largest CID in the state. Last year, the district saw declines in robbery (6 percent), commercial burglary (35 percent) and motor vehicle thefts (6 percent).
The district’s board voted in 2007 to provide additional security to the 5,000 businesses in the district. The program includes consistent graffiti and litter removal, private security patrols, and additional Norcross police patrols — all of which is funded by dues paid by Community Improvmeent District members. Dan Klepal
Public schools name 3 principals
Ruth Westbrooks, Clifton Alexander and Michele Smith were named Thursday night as principals in Gwinnett County Public Schools.
Westbrooks will be principal at Puckett’s Mill Elementary, while Alexander and Smith will, respectively, lead Simonton Elementary and Suwanee Elementary. Nancy Badertscher
Briscoe Park celebrates renovations
Snellville will host a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to celebrate the completion of Phase II of the Briscoe Park renovations at 10 a.m. Friday.
Festivities will be at the new field/parking lot area where the original tennis courts once stood.
All Snellville citizens, community groups, and business owners are cordially invited to attend. Engineering for this project, funded by the 2005-2009 Gwinnett SPLOST program, was provided by HDR Engineering, Inc. and construction was completed by Reeves Construction.
Information: Snellville Parks and Recreation Department at 770-985-3535.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
NORTHSIDE
Woodstock tourism officials get state grant
The Georgia Department of Economic Development has awarded the Woodstock Convention and Visitors Bureau a $12,000 tourism grant. The grant is designed to pay for technological improvements to the city’s visitors center.
It will also provide for installation of two informational kiosk signs in downtown Woodstock, and one at the under-construction outlet mall. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Sandy Springs police offer teen driving class
The Sandy Springs Police Department will hold a free class 6 to 8 p.m. today at 7840 Roswell Road for teens ages 14 to 16 who just started driving or are about to start driving. The class will cover Joshua’s Law, parent coaching, teen responsibility, occupant protection and crash dynamics, and it counts toward the supervised driving hours required for a provisional license. A parent must accompany each teen, and pre-registration is required. Information: 770-551-6939 or sandyspringsteens@gmail.com. Johnny Edwards
Hosts sought for exchange students
World Heritage Student Exchange Program is seeking host families in Cherokee County for high school students from Scandinavia, France, Germany, Italy, Thailand, China, South Korea and the former Soviet Republics for the 2013-2014 school year. Host families provide room, board and guidance. Couples, single parents and families with or without children are encouraged to apply.
Information: Amy Strout, 678-371-4615 or (800) 888-9040 or www.whHosts.com.
Kenneth Musisi
Roswell Green Expo set for Feb.
The 2nd annual Roswell Green Expo will take place 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 23 at Hembree Park, 850 Hembree Road, Roswell. The expo, which aims to educate the public about green practices, will include musical performances, speakers and educational sessions, a fashion show and a market with vendors.
A featured rain barrel workshop requires pre-registration at: www.keeproswellbeautiful.org. Free and open to the public. Information: www.roswellgreenexpo.org. Mea Watkins
Exhibit focuses on marble industry
“Carved in stone: The Marble industry in North Georgia” is the new exhibit at the Cherokee County History Museum and Visitors Center. The exhibit features documents, photographs and artifacts from the Cherokee County Historical Society’s collection. It runs until May 15 at the museum, 100 North Street, Suite 140, Canton, and is free. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Woodstock considers signage program
The Woodstock City Council this week got a first look at a proposed so-called wayfinding signage program, and will discuss it further during a retreat next month. The $440,000 program would include stylized signage and kiosks at the city limits and in and close to downtown, providing information on attractions, municipal buildings, parks, traffic regulations and parking. Mark Woolsey
ATLANTA
Dance school to host auditions
Interlochen Center for the Arts will host dance auditions for students in grades 6-12 6:30 to 8 p.m. today at the Atlanta Ballet, 1695 Marietta Boulevard NW. Registration starts at 6 p.m.
Required audition dress for girls is black leotards and pink tights. Boys should wear white t-shirts and black tights.
Participating students will be considered for admission to the summer arts program or fine arts boarding high school. Information: www.interlochen.org/dance2013. Kenneth Musisi
Business coaching firm to host lunch series
Glassworks Dream Boutique will host its Vivid Talk Lunch n’ Learn session noon to 1 p.m. Thursday at 201 17th Street NW.
Participants will get business and productivity coaching on how to create motion and momentum, sharpen their thinking skills and take meaningful action to achieve their dreams.
Admission is free, including two hours of parking. Preregister at www.flipproductivity.com/lunch-n-learn. Kenneth Musisi
Career fair set for today
The Atlanta Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority will host a career fair 1 to 5 p.m. today at the Greenbriar Mall, 2841 Greenbriar Parkway.
Job opportunities will be offered in the many fields. Admission is free. Information: Diane Larche’, dianelarche@aol.com. Kenneth Musisi
Volunteers conduct homelessness survey
The first survey aimed at creating a by-name registry of homeless people in Atlanta attracted more than 150 volunteers, who weathered the cold on Thursday night and early Friday morning to visit homeless shelters and outdoor spaces. A total of 154 volunteers conducted 394 surveys over the course of the full 12 hours. The city initiative is meant to collect information about the homeless residents’ health problems and barriers to getting and keeping permanent housing. Full results of the survey are scheduled to be released in early February. Jeremiah McWilliams
DEKALB
DeKalb water rates increase
DeKalb County residents will see an increase in their water bills starting with those going out this month.
The 11 percent increase that took effect Jan. 1 is the second year of a three-year plan to raise rates to pay for a $1.35 billion overhaul to the county’s aging water and sewer system. Rates increase by 11 percent again next year as part of that plan.
The increase translates into about $7.14 more a month for the average customer using 5,000 gallons of water monthly. Before the three-year rate hike, DeKalb water rates last increased in 2008, when they went up by 16 percent. April Hunt
Brookhaven launches online reporting system
Brookhaven has launched a new service that lets residents and business owners report non-emergency problems via an outside website or smart phone application.
The SeeClickFix.com site takes reports of potholes and other public works issues and places them on a map for everyone to see. The site allows anyone to create their own watch areas, and the program will alert them by e-mail when new issues are reported. April Hunt
Nature Center receives grant award
The Dunwoody Rotary Club presented the Nature Center with a $4,800 grant.
The first portion of the funding is for a leadership training program that will provide rising high school students with the skills needed to become the next generation of responsible decision makers.
The remaining funding will establish a weather station at the Nature Center. Patrick Fox
Storytelling Festival this weekend
The Southern Order of Storytellers presents the annual Storytelling Festival Friday and Saturday at First Baptist Church of Decatur, 308 Clairemont Ave.
The two-day festival features 30 local and national storytellers who will present 14 events.
Admission (without workshops): $50 adults; $15 youth (12 & under); $42 seniors/students. Information: southernorderofstorytellers.org/tickets/. Veronica Fields Johnson
Community discussion at Friends school
Civil rights icon Andrew Young and state Sen. Jason Carter will lead a dialogue on civil and human rights 6 p.m. Saturday at the Friends School of Atlanta, 862 Columbia Dr.
The Beloved Community Dialogue is $10 for general admission and $100 for a reception with the panelists beforehand.
Information: 404-373-8746 x. 8135 or nancy.bent@friendsschoolatlanta.org. April Hunt
Lecture series to start at Dunwoody UMC
An eight-week lectures series hosted at Dunwoody United Methodist Church called the “Great Decisions” lecture series encourages people to develop an informed opinion on the role of the United States in world affairs.
The lectures are at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through March 14. Register at www.gciv.org/programs/gd/dunwoody.
The Jan. 24 lecture is about the “Future of the Euro” presented by Dr. Vicki Birchfield, Associate Professor at the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Andria Simmons
SOUTHSIDE
Special election will fill District 71 seat
Following the appointment of newly elected House District 71 Rep. Robert Stokely to the Magistrate Court in Coweta County, a special election to fill the seat will be held Feb. 5 in the affected portions of Coweta and Fayette County.
The qualifying candidates are Democrat Cynthia Conradt Bennett and Republicans Thomas C. Crymes, Michael Farbo, Jr., Darryl Marmon, David J. Stover and Richard Weisser. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Fairburn seeks bids for Duncan Park
The city of Fairburn is soliciting competitive sealed bids for an expansion to Duncan Park, 6000 Rivertown Road, Fairburn.
The deadline for acceptance of bids is 10 a.m. Thursday when bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at Fairburn City Hall, 56 Malone St., Fairburn.
Information: Jennifer Neikirk at jneikirk@loseassoc.com.Lisa Gibson for the AJC
Youth baseball, softball registration open
Registration for baseball and softball is under way in Union City. Boys and girls ages 3-14 can participate in the annual Parks and Recreation program. To register and for costs, visit unioncityga.org/index.aspx?page=205.
Information: 770-964-1236
Lisa Gibson for the AJC
Sunday school class gives $2,010 to HCPD
The Henry County Board of Commissioners voted on Jan. 15 to accept a $2,010 donation from Henry County Police Chaplain Ralph Easterwood and the Grace Bible Class at Glen Haven Baptist Church in McDonough.
The funds will go to purchase equipment for the Henry County Police Department’s SWAT Unit.
Information: www.henrycountypolicedepartment.org. Monroe Roark for the AJC
ELMS wins math competition
Eagle’s Landing Middle School finished first in its division at the recent Griffin RESA math competition. Thirty middle schools from Butts, Fayette, Spalding, Henry, Lamar, Newton, Pike, and Upson counties participated.
Each competition consists of a multiple choice test and a ciphering round.
Divisions were based on student enrollment of the participating schools. Awards were based on the total team score on the written test and the ciphering event.
ELMS won first place in Division II (Medium Schools).Monroe Roark for the AJC
Peachtree City offers homestead exemption
Qualifying individuals can apply for the Senior Homestead tax exemption through March 1 in Peachtree City.
Homeowners must be age 65 by Jan. 1 and have already applied for the Fayette County exemption.
Proof of income is required.
Information: visit City Hall, call 770-487-7657 or email info@peachtree-city.org. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
