County by county news for Wednesday

Price Park opened over a year ago but still needs stream restoration, trails, seating and restrooms, says the new non-profit, Friends of Price Park.

The group is fundraising and seeking volunteers and will host a walk through the park from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Sept. 17. The park is at 4715 Stilesboro Road, about midway between Mars Hill and Acworth Due West roads. Information: www.friendsofpricepark.org. Ty Tagami

Democrat leaders hold transportation forum

Three of Cobb County’s Democratic state leaders will host a forum Thursday about the proposed regional transportation project list.

Sen. Doug Stoner (Smyrna) and Rep. Stacey Evans (Smyrna) and David Wilkerson (Austell), along with Faye DiMassimo, Cobb’s transportation director, will discuss the transportation tax and projects for Cobb and the region. A final list of projects will be selected by Oct. 15.

The forum begins at 5:30 p.m. at Brawner Hall, Taylor-Brawner Park, 3180 Atlanta Road in Smyrna. Information: 404-463-2518 Janel Davis

‘Ultimate Playdate’ returns to Park

The seasonal event “Ultimate Playdate” returns to East Cobb Park Wednesday with singing for children led by performer Jay Memory of the group Memory Dean. The event is from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Oct. 26 at the park, 3322 Roswell Rd., Marietta. Information: info@eastcobbpark.org. Ty Tagami

French Consul General to honor veterans

American Legion Post 160 will host a French Legion of Honor ceremony 2 p.m. today at the post.

The ceremony will honor 15 local World War II veterans. Recipients will include American Legion Post 160 members Venson Abercrombie; Ralph Ardito; Leon Barnett and Robert Spooner. The post is at 160 Legion Drive, Smyrna. For info: 770-480-9506 Laurie Hoffman

Powder Springs officials hold breakfast Saturday

Powder Springs residents are invited to ask questions of their elected officials during their monthly breakfast this Saturday.

The 9 a.m. meetings are held on the second Saturdays at Off the Bone BBQ on Brownsville Road near U.S. 278 and Kroger.

Information: City Hall, 770-943-1666. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Field of Flags to commemorate 9/11

The Kiwanis Club of Marietta will commemorate the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11 with a Field of Flags installation at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park for each life lost in the attacks.

On Sept. 10, a processional of flags will travel from Kennesaw’s Grace Community Church to the park at 8 a.m. On Sept. 11 a memorial service featuring guest speaker Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, along with a reading of names and ringing of bells, begins at the park at 7:30 a.m. The flags will fly through Sept. 16.

Information: www.911fieldofflags.com Janel Davis

GWINNETT

Gwinnett property tax bills on the way

Gwinnett County taxpayers should receive their 2011 property tax bills around Sept. 15; payment is due on Nov. 15.

The Board of Commissioners lowered the millage rate slightly this year, so many property owners will see a lower bill. If you receive a property tax bill and have applied for an appeal, a note will be mailed with your statement explaining that you have been billed for 85 percent of your property tax. Be sure to pay this by Nov. 15.

Once your appeal is complete, you will either be billed or receive a check for the difference. Andria Simmons

Norcross’ Coach Maloof wins honor, grant

Norcross High football coach Keith Maloof was selected as the NFL High School Coach of the Week. The recognition, presented by Russell Athletic, comes with a plaque and a $1,000 grant. Maloof was honored for his leadership and dedication to mentoring students.

Maloof will receive a plaque signed by Falcons head coach Mike Smith and a $1,000 grant for his school’s athletic department from the NFL’s Youth Football Fund, among other gifts. D. Aileen Dodd

McGinnis Ferry Road extension now open

The four-lane extension to McGinnis Ferry Road is now open, extending the road which formerly ended at Satellite Boulevard over Interstate 85 to meet Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road south of the interstate.

The new 2.67-mile stretch includes two new traffic signals, one at McGinnis Ferry and Old Peachtree Road and another at McGinnis Ferry and Lawrenceville-Suwanee.Andria Simmons

Film commemorates 9/11 attacks

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Gwinnett residents are invited Thursday to a free program dubbed “An America for All of Us.”

The event will start at 7 p.m. at the Gwinnett Justice & Administration Center at 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville. Joel Anderson

IT director gets national certification

John Matelski, Gwinnett County’s Chief Information Officer and Information Technology Services Director, graduated from the National Certified Government Chief Information Officers Program earlier this year. Matelski is one of 13 public sector employees to receive the certification this year.

Andria Simmons

Police offer teen driving class Sept. 12

The Gwinnett Police Department is offering a P.R.I.D.E. Program (Parents Reducing Injuries and Driver Error) safe driving class to assist new drivers and their parents on Sept. 12.

The program is a free, national award-winning, two-hour course designed to educate drivers age 14 through 16. Officers do not conduct behind the wheel training, but instruct parents and teens on what to expect during the 40 hours of supervised practice driving time required by Georgia law.

The class is at 6:30 p.m. at the East Precinct in Dacula.

Info: 770-338-7430 ext. 5696. Andria Simmons

NORTHSIDE

Eaves: Discuss judge’s threats in closed session

Fulton County commissioners might keep their remarks about a federal judge’s threats to lock them up between themselves on Wednesday, when they meet for the first time since U.S. District Judge Marvin Shoob gave them 60 days to enter into a binding contract with Atlanta to purchase the city jail. Chairman John Eaves said he wants to talk about jail overcrowding during the open meeting, but discussing Shoob’s threat to incarcerate them should be done in closed session. The law allows secret meetings to discuss real estate acquisitions, he noted. Johnny Edwards

Forsyth chamber pushes for more movie shoots

The Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce, the Forsyth County Commission, and an Alpharetta-based company, FLIPSFilm, are collaborating to make it easier to make movies in Forsyth, starting with expediting and coordinating the permitting process. Several films have been shot in Forsyth over the last 18 months. During the filming of “American Reunion” 400 room nights were booked at two local hotels, said county commission chairman Brian Tam. Jeffry Scott

Veterans to be honored at senior center

Belmont Village Senior Living, in Sandy Springs, will honor veterans and local first responders during a ceremony at 1 p.m. Friday. Mayor Eva Galambos and Rep. Joe Wilkinson, will give remarks and present awards. A reception will follow the ceremony, to be held at Belmont Village Senior Living, 5455 Glenridge Dr. NE. The event is free and open to the public. Michelle E. Shaw

It’s scarecrow time in Alpharetta

Alpharetta is laying plans for its sixth annual Scarecrow Harvest along Main Street.

Students, businesses, non-profit organizations, neighborhoods, families and individuals can participate by completing an application on the city’s website, www.alpharetta.ga.us.

Scarecrows will go up Sept. 26 and remain along Main Street for about a month.

Patrick fox

Chamber holds accounting workshop

The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce is hosting a business accounting workshop from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 14. The workshop, which costs $30 for members, $55 for non-members, is presented by Reinhardt University. It will provide an overview of three financial statements, cover basic accounting principles and provide an update on new tax issues. The workshop will be held at the Chamber building at 3605 Marietta Parkway in Canton. Register by Sept. 12. Info: info@CherokeeChamber.com Andria Simmons

Ball Ground school hosts 5K benefit race

The Ball Ground Elementary School PTA is hosting the 2nd Annual Run to Remember in Ball Ground on Sept. 10 at 8 a.m. The event is a 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run to benefit the school as well as the Paralyzed Veterans of America. The cost is $20 prior to race day or $25 on race day. Registration forms can be emailed. Information: Lucy Pence at g8rfutbol@yahoo.com. Kenneth Musisi

ATLANTA

No sentence yet for dad who tried to kill son

A Fulton County judge on Tuesday postponed the sentencing of a man accused of smothering his baby at Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital.

A security guard watching a video monitor saw Michael Callaway place his hands over the mouth and nose of his then 3-month-old son in the child’s hospital room in March 2007, police said. Last year, Callaway was found incompetent to stand trial but, was later deemed competent and recently entered a guilty plea. His sentencing is now set for Sept. 28. Bill Rankin

City adopts rules for food truck vendors

The Atlanta City Council on Tuesday voted 15-0 to codify rules and regulations for food vending trucks, which will open up a new category of restaurant in the city.

Food trucks have become popular nationwide. The trend has started to catch on here in Atlanta. The trucks will be allowed on private property in commercial districts throughout the city from 5 a.m. until 2 a.m. Ernie Suggs

Ice cream festival in Piedmont Park Saturday

Piedmont Park will host its second Annual Atlanta Ice Cream Festival from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday.

Piedmont Park is situated near the intersection of 10th Street and Charles Allen Drive. Andria Simmons

CME church to hold 25th convocation

The Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church will hold its 25th Annual CME Convocation Sept. 27-30.

The 140th anniversary of the CME Church will also be celebrated during the Convocation. About 3,000 people from around the country are expected to attend the four-day event at the Hyatt Regency Hotel at 265 Peachtree Street NE in Atlanta. The theme is, “The Essential Church: Reaching the Masses.”

U.S. Rep. John Lewis will be featured speaker at the Awards Night Gala Sept. 29.

To register, visit www.c-m-e.org/convocation or call 1-855-263-1870. Andria Simmons

DEKALB

School board to have training session today

The 9-member DeKalb Board of Education has a training session at 8 a.m. today sponsored by AdvancED, the parent company of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, which accredits DeKalb. School chairman Tom Bowen said that the meeting is designed to help the board engage in best practices. The meeting, at 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd., is open to the public. Rich McKay

Recorders Court opens new courtroom today

A fourth courtroom will open at DeKalb Recorders Court this morning, to help ease a space crunch that has helped generate a backlog of at least 40,000 trials. The temporary courtroom, created out of a converted file room, will handle up to 500 trials a week. It will operate as the county plans a $4 million overhaul of the courthouse and operations.

The dedication begins at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the court, 3630 Camp Circle, near Decatur. April Hunt

North Shallowford section to be closed

North Shallowford Road, between Dunwoody Park and Chamblee Dunwoody Road, will be closed to through traffic from 7 p.m. today until Thursday at 6 a.m. During the closure a storm drain pipe will be replaced. Detours will be posted. For information , contact Carl Carver, deputy director of Public Works, at 678-382-6850 or carl.carver@dunwoodyga.gov. Michelle E. Shaw

Decatur adds new kindergarten teachers

A full month into the school year, Decatur Superintendent Phyllis Edwards is adding seven new kindergarten positions. Edwards said Tuesday that these would be “temporary hires,” or “full-time subs who are certified teachers that we’ll hire for this year, with the possibility that we could bring them back next year.” Edwards has already hired two positions at Oakhurst Elementary, and will soon add five more at the remaining three K-3 schools. Decatur’s overall kindergarten class climbed to 352 students this year, a 24 percent increase over 2010-11. Bill Banks for the AJC

Registration now for Walk of Heroes

Registration has begun for a 5K walk to benefit DeKalb County residents with developmental disabilities, substance addiction and mental illness.

The Walk of Heroes will be held Sept. 22 in Decatur. All proceeds benefit the DeKalb Community Service Board.

Registration is open through race day, but only those who sign up by Friday Sept. 9 will be guaranteed a T-shirt.

Registration is $20 for the general public and $15 for those receiving mental health, addiction or developmental disability services.

Sign up or more information: www.walkofheroes5k.com. April Hunt

Avondale Estates candidates qualify

Six Avondale Estates candidates officially qualified to run for office in the Nov. 8 election. Incumbent Ed Rieker and David Milliron will run for Mayor. Meantime, John Washburn, Randy Beebe, John Quinn and Lindsay Forlines will run for the Commission seats vacated by Milliron and Michael Payne. Commissioner since 2008, Payne announced last month he would not seek re-election.

Bill Banks for the AJC

SOUTHSIDE

Public safety workers to mark 9/11 with service

Fulton County public safety workers will take part in a memorial service at 10:45 a.m. Sunday marking the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks -- remembering the dead, honoring survivors and thanking emergency personnel for keeping residents safe. The service, at Cliftondale United Methodist Church, 4095 Stonewall Tell Road, College Park, will include testimony from a retired lieutenant colonel who lived through the Pentagon attack.

The county’s fire rescue, police, emergency services, sheriff’s and marshal’s departments will participate. Johnny Edwards

Fayette chamber to host community expo

The Fayette County Chamber of Commerce will showcase more than 130 local businesses at its Community Expo on Sept. 13. The free event features booths from retail and service companies as well as health screenings, product demonstrations and food samples.

The Expo runs 3-7 p.m. at the New Hope Church at 551 New Hope Road in Fayetteville. For information visit www.FayetteChamber.org or call 770-461-9983. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Schools’ choral groups to remember 9/11

The combined choral programs at several Clayton schools will present a concert at 7 p.m. Thursday ( at the McDonough Road Baptist Church to honor heroes of 9/11. Choral groups at Lovejoy High School, Lovejoy Middle School, Eddie White Academy and River’s Edge Elementary School under the direction of Phillip McKibbin, Cherynne Hinton, Chantae Pittman and Elizabeth Rawls -- will perform songs by British composer Ralph Vaughan-Williams and presentations by individual choirs. Tammy Joyner

Peachtree City rec building closed

Starting this week, the Peachtree City Recreation Administration building at 201 McIntosh Trail is closed to the public.

A reorganization of city staff will relocate some employees to The Gathering Place senior center and others to the Kedron Fieldhouse and Aquatic Center.

Cajen Rhodes has been named the new Recreation and Special Events Administrator. Other former Leisure Services Division staff have been assigned to new positions. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

HMC breast health program is Oct. 25

Henry Medical Center will host its Breast Health Connection Program on Oct. 25 in the Stockbridge hospital’s education center from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Women who already qualify for existing programs will receive a referral for a clinical breast exam and mammogram through the local health department.

Visit www.henrymedical.com for more information. Misty Williams

Lovejoy Fallfest to be this Saturday

Lovejoy will host its annual Fallfest from 1 p.m. until 9 p.m. Saturday at the Lovejoy Community Center, 11622 Hastings Bridge Road.

There will be food, fun, games, and entertainment, including R&B artist Anthony David. The event is free and open to the public. Michelle E. Shaw