County by county news for Wednesday

The investigation was launched based on a tip to the county’s narcotics unit, said county authorities.

Three firefighters have been placed on administrative leave. One resigned, and another remains on the job pending the outcome of the investigation, a spokesman said. The police officer also has resigned. Officials expect the investigation to last about two weeks. Nancy Badertscher

Free Braves tickets for reading

Cobb County children can earn free tickets to Braves games by reading.

The “Home Run Readers,” summer reading program, open to all Georgia students grades kindergarten through 12, will award each participant one free ticket to a Braves game when they read one book about sports or good sportsmanship.

Family and friends of readers are eligible for discounted $7 tickets as well.

More information on registration, suggested titles and redemption forms are online at www.braves.com/reading.

Hannah Morgan

Austell honors fallen firefighters

Austell city officials will honor the 19 Arizona fallen firefighters by lowering the city’s flags this week.

During Monday’s City Council meeting, Austell Fire Chief Tim Williams encouraged residents to pray for their families.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Salute to America event today

Kennesaw’s pre-Independence day celebration, Salute to America, will be held 6 to 10 p.m. today.

The celebration will include live music, dance ensembles and food, spread around downtown Kennesaw.

The evening will end with a fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.

Information: www.kennesawjuly3.com.

Hannah Morgan

Police meeting for South Cobb

Cobb Police officials will hold their first community meeting of the year for South Cobb residents at 7 p.m. July 9 in the community room, South Cobb Government Center, 4700 Austell Road, Austell.

They want to listen to concerns and comments from residents about area crime.

South Cobb crime statistics and “sexploitation” of youth also will be discussed.

Information: Lt. Carole King, 770-499-4169.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Yarn art to be displayed on museum front

The front of the Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art will be draped in yarn opening Saturday July 6 through September at 30 Atlanta Street off the Marietta Square. A large collection of knit and cr

ochet donations were stitched together to create the installation art exhibit.

A yarn bomb exhibit inside the museum will be July 20 through Sept. 15.

Information: www.mariettacobbartmuseum.org.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

GWINNETT

Teen, parents face charges related to fatal wreck

An unlicensed 16-year-old has been charged with vehicular homicide, and his parents face prosecution for allowing him to drive unsupervised after an accident that killed his teenage passenger.

Paul Strickland died June 23 after the SUV in which he was riding rolled multiple times on Beaver Ruin Road.

Police are not identifying the 16-year-old, who they said had only a learner’s permit. In addition to vehicular homicide, the driver is facing charges of speeding and racing charges, police said. His parents are accused of allowing him to drive without proper adult supervision. Nancy Badertscher

Cops: Mom left son in car, went shopping

Mary Amber Moore, 32, of 204 Church St., Buford faces charges of contributing to the deprivation of a minor, obstructing a law enforcement officer and tampering with evidence. She allegedly told her 5-year-old son to hide under a towel on the floor of her car Saturday while she shopped at a Covington Kmart, police said.

A passerby contacted 911 after seeing the crying child alone in the car with the windows up. The boy was taken to police headquarters until a relative could come for him.

Nancy Badertscher

Police: Park ranger shooting was accident

The same bullet that killed a suicidal Qiana Moore last Wednesday on the banks of Lake Lanier accidentally struck a park ranger D.P. Wright in the stomach, Gwinnett County police have determined

Wright approached Moore’s vehicle to inform her the park was closed. Moore, 34, shot herself, investigators said, and the bullet traveled through the window of her truck and into the ranger’s torso.

Wright, 70, is expected to be discharged from the hospital this week. Christian Boone

Weather cause of fireworks cancellation

Lilburn’s Sparkle in the Park fireworks has been postponed due to the severe weather forecast. The Labor Day weekend fireworks show is still planned for Sept. 1.

Information: www.cityoflilburn.com. Hannah Morgan

Berkeley Lake to lower millage rate

The Berkeley Lake City Council has voted to adopt a millage rate of 2.67mils for 2013, a 6.32 percent lower rate than collected last year.

Recent residential and commercial annexations have broadened Berkeley Lake's tax base. www.berkeley-lake.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Cost of pet adoptions reduced in July

The cost of animal adoptions will be reduced at the Gwinnett County’s Animal Welfare department.

During the “Adoption Explosion” event, through July 27, the department will waive adoption fees and reduce veterinarian fees.

The normal cost of $90 for adopting dogs and puppies will be cut to $40; cats and kittens will cost $30. Two cats can be adopted for $40.

Those costs include spay/neuter of each animal, a microchip and the first round of shots. Dan Klepal

NORTHSIDE

Roswell picking up storm debris on Saturdays

Roswell Public Works Department is making special pick-up on Saturdays for residents west of Ga. 400 hit hardest by recent storms. Residents are asked to put leaves in paper composting sacks or 50-gallon containers marked “yard waste” and cut tree limbs into sections 4 feet or shorter, 6 inch or less in diameter. Waste should not be stacked in the street or block sidewalks, Fire hydrants, utility boxes or mailboxes.

Information: 770-641-3727 or customerservicepublicworks@roswellgov.com. Michael Alpert for the AJC

Forsyth considering election changes

The Forsyth County Board of Voter Registrations and Elections is proposing a series of changes in election day voting locations and precinct lines that would begin in 2014. The changes would cut the current 25 precincts to 16.

Officials say they’re considering the plan to save money, and because a large number of voters now cast ballots before election day. Three public input meetings are set for this month and next.

Information: forsythco.com

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Cherokee exhibit traces history of mills

The Cherokee County History Museum and Visitors Center presents the temporary exhibit “Life with the Mills: The Canton Cotton Mills” through Sept. 14.

The free exhibit traces the mills from 1900 to 1981 and features documents, artifacts and photographs.

The museum is at 100 North St., Suite 140, Canton.

More information: rockbarn.org Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Johns Creek offering arts grants

Johns Creek arts organizations with at least three years of 501(c)3 status have until 5 p.m. July 31 to apply for a portion of the city’s $30,000 of competitive grant funding.

Applications must be submitted to the City Clerk at 12000 Findley Road or e-mailed by then to grants@JohnsCreekGA.gov. Information: 678-512-3200.

Michael Alpert for the AJC

Courthouse, jail groundbreaking set

Forsyth County officials will officially break ground for the new courthouse and jail complex at 8:30 a.m. Monday at Main Street and Veterans Memorial Boulevard in downtown Cumming.

County commissioners, sheriff’s officials, judges and others will attend. The $100 million SPLOST project was approved by voters in November of 2011.

Information: forsythco.com

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Forsyth County wins budgeting award

The Government Finance Officers Association has given Forsyth County its Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the county’s 2013 budget book.

The group gave the county presentation required high marks on 14 different criteria. The award is the highest form of recognition in government budgeting.

The budget book is available at forsythco.com

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

Police: Son sets fire to parents’ home

What started as an argument between a man and his parents with whom he lived turned into a conflagration that Atlanta Fire and Rescue arson investigators are probing, police said.

Police were called just before 3 a.m., Tuesday to a report of a man kicking in the door to the home in the 1800 block of Greystone Drive in northwest Atlanta.

The son returned and set the house on fire, using an accelerant, police said. The son, who has not been identified yet, fled on foot as the home burned. Marcus K. Garner

Pedestrian killed crossing I-285

Russel Buckley, 33, of Norfolk, Mass. was crossing I-285 southbound at Cascade Road Monday night with a gas can in hand when he was hit by a tractor-trailer, police said. The name of the tractor-trailer driver hasn’t been release, but there are no charges pending against him. Cailin O’Brien

City council approves film office

The Atlanta City Council approved Monday the creation of a film office within Mayor Kasim Reed’s administration. Officials say the Office of Film and Entertainment will streamline the permitting and fee collection process while serving as an information hub for residents whose neighborhoods are affected by film projects. The director of the film office will be paid anywhere from $63,000 to $105,000 annually. The legislation passed 11 to 2. Katie Leslie

Georgia State expands downtown presence

Georgia State University purchased another building in downtown Atlanta, expanding its strong presence in the area.

The university’s foundation paid $33.5 million to buy 55 Park Place, the 19-story building previously known as the Georgia-Pacific Plaza.

Georgia State has acquired real estate throughout downtown and the college’s footprint will now include the entire eastern side of Woodruff Park.

The college now has access to more than half a million square feet of office space.

Laura Diamond

DEKALB

Cops: 2 shot in fight over loud music

Two men were shot multiple times Monday during a confrontation with a neighbor upset about loud music, DeKalb County police said.

The incident happened around 2 p.m. at the Ridge Stone Townhomes in the 1000 block of Holcomb Road.

The suspect pulled out a weapon and began to fire, police said. The wounded men were transported to a hospital in unknown condition.

Cailin O’Brien

Work underway at three senior centers

DeKalb County leaders broke ground recently on a senior center at Mason Mill Park, the last of three new such facilities now under construction across the county.

Each center – in the central, north and southern parts of the county – will be 15,000-square feet and are slated to open late this year or early next.

The $11.3 million price tag for all three facilities is being covered with federal block grant money, not local tax dollars.

April Hunt

Mall to host black history exhibit

North DeKalb Mall will host an African American History Exhibition Museum through July 27 in the Macy’s wing at the mall, 2050 Lawrenceville Highway, Decatur. The free exhibit houses over 8,000 artifacts and will feature meet and greet sessions with storytellers, local authors and historical leaders and other activities. James Horton, the collector, will greet visitors and answer questions. Mall hours: Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. -9 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. To schedule group tours call 404-454-1462.

Veronice Fields Johnson

School district names facility after mechanic

The DeKalb County School District’s bus maintenance facility was named Monday for a mechanic who collapsed and died at a school board meeting in June.

The school board voted unanimously to name the facility, which is next door to district headquarters at 1701 Stone Mountain Industrial Blvd., the Gregory K. Davis Fleet Service Center.

“He knew he stood for a lot,” said Teaonne Davis, 28, one of his three daughters. “I’m glad he was recognized.” She said he died of an aortic vein rupture.

Ty Tagami

Storytelling program at History Center

A storytelling series for children returns to DeKalb History Center 10 to 11 a.m. every Wednesday through July 31 at the historic Biffle Cabin, 720 W. Trinity Place. The programs, for children ages 6-12, are $4 for children of members and $6 per session for others.

Information: 404-373-1088, ext. 22 or www.dekalbhistory.org. April Hunt

Service board seeks volunteers

A non-profit group that supports behavioral health and developmental disability services in DeKalb County is seeking new board members.

The DeKalb Community Service Board requires only that would-be members be a county resident, not employed by a provider and have an interest in the services.

Information: 404-508-7875 or www.btfdekalb.org.

April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Police seek tips about Peachtree City robberies

Peachtree City police are asking for help to identify the person or persons responsible for two armed robberies last weekend. The Flash Foods on Crosstown Drive was robbed at 9:45 p.m. Saturday by a white male about six feet tall and 200-230 pounds who fled on a motorcycle. The suspect in Sunday's 8:15 p.m. robbery of the Pit Stop on Petrol Point was described as a white male of similar height and weight, with scruffy facial hair; he fled on foot. Call 770-487-8866 with information or anonymously at www.peachtree-city.org/police. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Peachtree City plans for bad Fourth weather

Peachtree City may change July 4 holiday plans if storms arrive. Thursday’s parade will be held at 9 a.m. rain or shine, but rain might force the fireworks display at Lake Peachtree to be either delayed until later that evening or postponed until Saturday night. Notices will be posted at www.peachtree-city.org. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Church to host free summer camp

Handley Helping Hands Inc., an outreach ministry of Mathalama AME Church, will host a free, one-week summer camp 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 15-19 at the church, 5570 Handley Blvd., Morrow, for ages 5-14. The camp will offer academic enrichment, social skills, physical activities and character building. Breakfast, lunch and snack will be served. Fifty slots available at no cost. Before and after care available for small fee. Register by July 9 at mathalamaamec@bellsouth.net or http://www.mathalamaame.org. Information: 404-366-7302.

Veronica Fields Johnson

Peachtree City hosts July 4th celebration

The City Council of Peachtree City has approved amendments to two ordinances that will restrict how early spectators can set up tarps and blankets to watch the July 4th parade and fireworks. Such items cannot be placed in public areas before dawn on the holiday. Unattended items, including golf carts, are subject to removal and disposal. Stakes, tents, and other obstructive items are prohibited altogether.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Peachtree City holds summer photo contest

The Friends of the Peachtree City Library is sponsoring a “Summer in the Bubble” photo contest for children and adults.

Photos must be taken within the city limits and will be judged based on theme, quality, composition and personality. Winners will receive awards. Entries are due July 12.

Information: Events page at www.peachtree-city.org for details. Jill Howard Church

Locust Grove woman killed in hit-and-run

Alexandria Desir, 20, of Locust Grove was struck by a vehicle believed to be a Saturn Vue while she was walking on Rose Avenue in Barnesville late Saturday night, the Georgia State Patrol said Monday.

Desir, a student at Gordon State College in Barnesville, was en route to a job at the Huddle House, the school said.

Anyone with information should contact the Georgia State Patrol at 770-254-7201 or the Barnesville Police Department. Angel K. Brooks