County by county news for Wednesday

Kathy Strickland of Cobb County 911 Emergency Dispatch will discuss what to expect when calling 911 for emergency services.

Information: Precinct 5, 770-499-4185.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Cobb program to help 1,200 families

Cobb Christmas, Inc. is accepting donations of new toys and food from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. today through Saturday at Jim Miller Park, 2245 Callaway Road.

The all volunteer group plans to help 1,200 low-income families this year. Cobb County Community Transit’s stuff-a-bus collection for the program will be noon-1 p.m. Wednesday Dec. 11, Stasco Mechanical, Inc., 1391 North Cobb Parkway and One Overton Park, 1:30 p.m.-3 p.m.

Information: www.cobbchristmas.net.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Christmas blood drive on Thursday

An American Red Cross blood drive will be 1 to 6 p.m. Thursday at Lost Mountain Baptist Church, 5400 Old Dallas Road, Powder Springs.

Appointments: church, 770-428-5335.

Information: info@lmbc.us.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Mayor to recognize retiring council

Marietta Mayor Steve Tumlin will recognize outgoing council members Jim King, Johnny Sinclair and Annette Lewis at a town hall meeting 4 p.m. today at the Earl Smith Strand Theatre, 117 North Park Square.

The city will also honor them at a reception 3 p.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Marietta Fire Museum, 112 Haynes St. King and Sinclair are retiring and Lewis lost reelection last month by one vote.

Information: www.mariettaga.gov.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Chamber lunch meeting today

The South Cobb Area Council of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce will meet 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at the George E. Ford Center, 4181 Atlanta St., Powder Springs.

Costs: $10 online or $20 at the door for members, $30 for guests online or at the door.

Reservations: cobbchamber.org/cwt/External/WCPages/WCEvents/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=3959. Deadline: noon Monday.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Volunteers needed to pack gift bags

The nonprofit Family Life Restoration Center in Mableton is seeking volunteers to pack bags of gifts for families at 7 p.m. Thursday at 6105 Mableton Parkway.

Toys for children from 500 families will be supplied by the United States Marine Corp Toys for Tots campaign during the center’s Unwrap the Gift of Love Toys for Tots Celebration.

Information: familyliferestorationcenter.org or 770-944-1066. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

Lilburn Citizens Police accepting applications

Lilburn Police host a 10-week Citizens Police Academy beginining Feb. 11 to provide members of the Lilburn community with additional knowledge about their police department. The Academy allows citizens to learn about police procedures and experience first-hand the pressures associated with law enforcement. Chief Bruce Hedley invites applicants from a diverse group of people who either live or work in Lilburn. Deadline for applications is 5 p.m. Jan. 31. Info and applications: www.cityoflilburn.com/index.aspx?nid=281. Questions: Sgt. Tim Allen, 770-279-3712 or tallen@cityoflilburn.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Braselton honors council service

The Braselton Town Council honored veteran councilman Dudley C. Ray at the close of his last official meeting this week. Town Manager Jennifer Dees, Barrow Commission Chair and former Braselton Mayor Pat Graham, Jerry Hood of Engineering Management and Mayor Bill Orr offered tributes and toasts. Ray, who completes sixteen years of service to the council, made the symbolic last motion of the meeting, saying “I make a motion, with pride and honor, to adjourn!”

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Duluth Giving Tree to benefit needy families

Duluth will present Winter Fest on the Duluth Town Green 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Entertainment will include performances by Duluth Idols, Miss Cindy’s Dance Studio and The ALL STAR Performing Arts Academy. Donations made in exchange for an ornament at the Duluth Giving Tree will support Rainbow Village and Toys-For-Tots. Info: www.duluthga.net.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Last mobile career lab of year on Thursday

The Atlanta Regional Workforce board’s Mobile Career Lab will visit The Gwinnett County Public Library 9:30 to noon Thursday, Dec. 12 at the Centerville Branch, 3025 Bethany Church Road in Snellville and 1:30 to 4 p.m. at the Lawrenceville Branch, 1001 Lawrenceville Highway in Lawrenceville. Services include access to computer workstations, photocopying, printing, resume and interview skills, resource materials for job searching and career guidance. www.qwinnettpl.org.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Maxwell High begins registration

Gwinnett County’s Maxwell High School of Technology will begin registration for the 2014-2015 school year on Jan. 13 with an on-line application. A recruitment open house will be offered Feb. 13.

Information: 770-963-3838. Nancy Badertscher

Police Holiday Task Force to prevent crime

The Gwinnett County Police Department’s Holiday Task Force continues every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 31. Officers from the Crime Prevention Unit will be conducting vehicle safety checks during the holidays, encouraging shoppers to do their part to prevent property theft.

Information: www.gwinnettcounty.com/departments/police.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Hammond Drive to see lane closures today

Lane closures are planned Wednesday for portions of Hammond Drive near the intersection of Peachtree Dunwoody Road in Dunwoody. East and westbound lanes will be closed between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for repaving, however at least one lane will be open in each direction at all times. The impacted portion of Hammond Drive is between the Sandy Springs city limits near the Fairfield Inn and Peachtree Dunwoody Road. The repaving could be moved to Thursday or Friday due to inclement weather. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and seek alternate routes. Andria Simimons

Gardening program seeks volunteers

The UGA Cherokee County Cooperative Extension Service is seeking applicants for the 2014 Georgia Master Gardner Extension Volunteer Program. Applicants must have an interest in gardening, take part in an intensive training program and be willing to share their knowledge with the community.

Application deadline is March 31.

Applicant selection is set May 1, with training in June.

Information: 770-721-7803.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Woodstock council member recognized

Outgoing longtime Woodstock City Councilman Randy Brewer was honored for his years of service at a Monday night reception.

The Ward 1 representative was first elected to fill an unexpired term in 2001. Brewer, who chose not to run again, was presented with a rocking chair with his name and council tenure monogrammed on it.

He leaves office Dec. 31.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Forsyth planning law enforcement academy

The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office is accepting applications for its first 2014 Citizens’ Law Enforcement Academy. The 10-week course starting Feb. 3 will cover such topics as constitutional law, traffic stops, use of force and K-9 and SWAT demonstrations.

It’s open to all Forsyth residents, employees and business owners.

Information: 678-513-5880.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Alpharetta library hosts exhibit by local artists

The Alpharetta Library Branch hosts the Alpha Arts Guild Art Exhibit at the library, 238 Canton St., Alpharetta, daily during library hours through the end of the year.

The display features artwork in a variety of styles and media by members of the Alpha Arts Guild, an organization for North Fulton-based artists.

Information: 770-740-2425

Veronica Fields Johnson

Digital conference set in Cumming

The Georgia Technology Authority will hold a conference on North Georgia’s digital future from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday at the Forsyth Conference Center, 3410 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Cumming.

The conference, aimed at community, economic and educational leaders, is meant to highlight best practices in getting and using broadband connectivity. Cost: $20, including lunch.

Information: gta.georgia.gov

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

Ethics board rejects complaint against BOE

The Atlanta school board Ethics Commission decided Monday not to open an investigation into a complaint against Board of Education Chairman Reuben McDaniel.

The commission’s chairwoman, Rebecca Pentz, said the commission lacked facts to support claims that McDaniel received an improper benefit, and the ethics complaint was filed too long after the alleged violations occurred.

The complaint filed by parent Molly Read Woo, who supported McDaniel’s opponent Cynthia Briscoe Brown in theyear’s school board election, questioned whether the school board hired a marketing agency to promote controversial policies, violated state law by privately discussing budget issues, or compromised the superintendent search process by including an associate of Mayor Kasim Reed in executive sessions. Mark Niesse

North Atlanta High School work finished

Atlanta’s school system celebrated the completion of construction at North Atlanta High School with a ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday.

Most of the $147 million North Atlanta High opened before this school year began, but a theater and gymnasium were recently finished.

The ceremony included Superintendent Erroll Davis, Board of Education Chairman Reuben McDaniel, Cooper Carry Principal Jerome M. Cooper, JE Dunn Construction Vice President Paul Fenzl, North Atlanta High School Principal Gene Taylor, sports booster club members and the local school council. Mark Niesse

Paperless water bill available

The city of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management now offers e-billing for customers who wish to discontinue receiving paper bills. A video tutorial on e-billing registration is available at www.atlantawatershed.org/customer-service/billing/

Payments may still be made on the first floor of Atlanta City Hall, 55 Trinity Ave. SW or by phone at 404-658-6500.

Arlinda Smith Broady

DEKALB

Sewer line needs more support

Decatur Assistant City Manager David Junger said an east-side wall alongside Shoal Creek, near Derrydown Way, needs strengthening to give added support to a sanitary sewer line running alongside.

Without the repair, Junger said, “there’s potential for us to lose that [line] and contaminate the creek.”

The problem was discovered recently when the city rebuilt an old pedestrian bridge over Shoal Creek and found the east wall failing and falling into the water.

Work should be completed by the end of this month. Bill Banks for the AJC

Lakeside meeting to discuss cityhood report

The Lakeside City Alliance will hold a meeting Thursday to brief the community on its recent feasibility report for cityhood in the north-central DeKalb County area.

The meeting runs from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Lakeside High School, 3801 Briarcliff Road.

Information: www.lakesidealliance.org. April Hunt

Brookhaven to revamp Buford Highway

Brookhaven recently hired a design firm to help lead its efforts to plan improvements along Buford Highway.

The city will pay Jaeger Co. about $100,000 to help develop a redevelopment plan that includes safe housing and workforce programs.

The plan also will focus on pedestrian accessibility and streetscapes.

The work will be done alongside the year-long comprehensive plan for the city, which launches this month. April Hunt

Jobs bus stops this week in DeKalb

DeKalb County’s “jobs bus” – an RV outfitted with computers, private interview area and office gear for job seekers – has several stops this week for job seekers.

The bus will be stationed 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at the Department of Family and Children Services office, 178 Sams St., Decatur.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, the bus will be at the Wesley Chapel Library, 2861 Wesley Chapel Road, south of Decatur.

April Hunt

Stone Mountain hosts annual home tour

The Annual Christmas Home Tour of the GFWC Stone Mountain Woman’s Club will be held 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 14. A donation of $25 provides the self-guided tour and lunch at the GFWC SMWC Clubhouse, 5513 E. Mountain St.

Tickets are available at ART Station and the Old Post Office Emporium in Stone Mountain.

Information: dandewells@bellsouth.net. Arlinda Smith Broady

Holiday pet adoption program underway

DeKalb County Animal Services has launched its ‘Home for the Pawlidays” promotion. Now through Jan. 1 canines can be adopted for $20 and felines for $10.

All adopted pets will be spayed or neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, heartworm or combo tested and dewormed – services with a retail value of over $200.

Standard adoption screening criteria still applies.

Information: www.dekalbanimalservices.com.

Arlinda Smith Broady

SOUTHSIDE

Bowler named Henry schools superintendent

A 23-year employee of the Henry County schools system has been named the new superintendent. Rodney Bowler succeeds Ethan Hildreth who will retire in April. Bowler is currently the assistant superintendent for administrative services, a position he has held since 2011. He has held various roles throughout the system, including working with top county administrators through the superintendent’s senior staff.

He gained his start in the district as a special education teacher at Eagle’s Landing High School.. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Hearings on school closing set for January

The Henry County Board of Education will conduct two public hearings in January regarding the possible closing of Smith-Barnes Elementary School and the relocation of Patrick Henry Academy to the Smith-Barnes campus. The first hearing will be Jan. 8 at the school system headquarters in McDonough in conjunction with the board’s regular monthly work session. The board will convene Jan. 13 at Smith-Barnes in Stockbridge for its regular monthly meeting. Information: www.henry.k12.ga.us.

Monroe Roark for the AJC

Peachtree City extends application deadline

Peachtree City will accept applications through Jan. 3 for volunteer positions open on four boards. One member and one alternate are needed on the Recreation & Special Events Advisory Board, the Airport Authority and the Water & Sewerage Authority; three members and one alternate are open on the Convention & Visitors Bureau. See www.peachtree-city.org/jobs for details.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Group seeks help for military families

The Peachtree City nonprofit group Embracing Military Families is collecting donations of new toys, gift cards and monetary donations to support the local families of service members over the holidays. See www.embracingmilitaryfamilies.com or contact EMF_Cathy@att.net.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Adopt-A-Senior needs help for holidays

The Henry County Council on Aging and Henry County Senior Services are looking for someone to adopt a senior citizen for the holidays.

Through the Adopt-a-Senior program, a participant can buy gifts for a designated senior or make a cash donation to the program.

There are 275 seniors who receive in-home services from Henry County Senior Services.

Information: 770-288-7010, 770-288-7000 or www.henrycounty-ga.org/seniorservices.

Monroe Roark for the AJC

Stockbridge chosen for Main Street Start-up

Stockbridge is one of 19 cities in Georgia selected recently by the Department of Community Affairs to join the Main Street Start-up Program, which provides technical assistance to cities looking to improve their downtowns.

These cities will vie for $1.8 million in available local downtown program funding, according to city officials. Information: www.cityofstockbridge.com. Monroe Roark for the AJC