County by county news for Wednesday

Each of the district’s elementary schools offer different magnet programs that cater to a child’s talents and needs, administrators said.

Administrators are also encouraging parents and their children to take tours of the schools.

For more information, visit http://www.marietta-city.org/curriculum/programs/choice.php. Daarel Burnette II

Arts groups recieve $10,000 grants

The Georgia Symphony Orchestra and the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre Foundation are two of three organizations in Georgia chosen to receive $10,000 Challenge America grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. The Cobb-based orchestra’s grant is to support a concert at the historic Zion Baptist Church in Marietta. The Performing Arts Centre grant is designated for a Jazz Roots concert series.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Wreaths will be placed at Marietta cemeteries

Volunteers plan to place 2,700 wreaths at gravesites at the Marietta National Cemetery on Washington Avenue and 140 at the Confederate Cemetery on Powder Springs Street on Saturday.

The memorial services at noon Saturday will be part of a national Wreaths Across America program that honors veterans.

The Marietta National Cemetery event will include a mock Civil War funeral at 11:15 a.m. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Art Station to hold holiday activities

Cobb’s Art Station - Big Shanty will host “Winter Wonderland” for children ages 2 to 13. The winter-themed workshops will be 3:30 to 5 p.m., Friday and 10:30 a.m. to noon Dec. 15.

The fee is $5 per workshop, or $12 for all three. Location: 2050 Kennesaw Due West Road, Kennesaw.

Information: www.artstationcobb.org/ or 770-514-5930 Jaime Sarrio

Foundation to host annual ball Feb. 9

The Cobb Schools Foundation will recognize alumni and community leaders at its first Leaders & Legends Ball Feb. 9 at the Hilton Marietta Conference Center.

The black-tie celebration will include special guests, dinner, dancing and a silent auction.

To reserve a table or help sponsor the event, contact Sheri Brante, the foundation’s executive director, at 770-426-3390 or sheri.brante@cobbk12.org. Daarel Burnette II

Cell phones for Soldiers collection begins

Powder Springs American Legion Post 294 is joining with the nonprofit Cell Phones for Soldiers to collect gently-used cell phones at the post home, 3282 Florence Road, Powder Springs.

All donations will be used for free prepaid international calling cards for overseas troops.

Information: 770-439-0956, cellphonesforsoldiers.com or

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

Cops: Gwinnett woman killed by rival gang

Police say a fight between rival gangs early Sunday at Liquid Ultra Lounge on Holcomb Bridge Road in Norcross led to the shooting of a 21-year-old woman.

According to a police statement, “An unknown member of one of the groups produced a gun and fired multiple shots,” striking Malia Arianne Ross Robinson, who died after being transported to a local hospital.

Anyone with informationshould contact police at 770-513-5300 or Crime Stoppers at 404-557-8477. Christian Boone

Sugarloaf Parkway bridge now open

The Sugarloaf Parkway bridge over Ga. 316 in Dacula opened to traffic shortly after a 3:30 p.m. dedication ceremony Tuesday.

The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners dedicated the bridge project, which also includes entrance and exit ramps. The bridge completes a 6-mile extension of Sugarloaf from Ga. 20 south of Lawrenceville to Ga. 316.

David Wickert

Sugar Hill City Hall nearly open

Sugar Hill’s $11 million, 33,000-square-foot city hall at West Broad Street and Temple Drive downtown is expected to be complete by Dec. 21. City Manager Bob Hail said furniture is scheduled to be installed Jan. 2-3 and information technology Jan. 5-6, with city employees set to move from the existing city hall at West Broad and Level Creek Jan. 7-8. Hail expects the building to be fully operational by Jan. 9, before its grand opening ceremony at 1 p.m. on Jan. 13 and its first City Council meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 14.

The adjoining $6 million parking deck, amenity pond, amphitheater and half-mile street scape along West Broad between Peachtree Industrial and Ga. Highway 20 is complete. Michael Alpert for the AJC

Sadd joins Gwinnett Village CID

Peachtree Corners District 1 Council Member Phil Sadd is the newest board member of the Gwinnett Village Community Improvement District. The Gwinnett Village CID is a public-private partnership made up of 550 commercial property owners who tax themselves in order to fund infrastructure, public safety and aesthetic projects within a 14-mile parameter of the county.

A 20-year resident of Peachtree Corners, Sadd is senior vice president of sales for a local technology company and has served as managing director of his company’s first international subsidiary. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Contest supports new business ventures

The 3rd annual Amazing Entrepreneur Business Plan Competition is now accepting applications.

The initiative by Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development and the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center fosters new business development in Gwinnett.

Winners and finalists receive prizes that can be used during the critical early phases of their new ventures. Deadline is March 31. www.amazingentrepreneurcontest.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Fulton denied federal education grant

Fulton County Schools was among finalists for federal Race to the Top education funding, that didn’t receive the grant Tuesday. Rockdale County Public Schools, Morgan County Charter School System and Haralson County Schools joined Fulton as Georgia finalists whose grant applications were rejected by the U.S. Department of Education. The state has already been awarded a $400 million grant from the Race to the Top program, which is designed to encourage new approaches to improving student performance. Wayne Washington

Candidate appointed to development authority

Steve Broadbent, a Johns Creek resident who ran unsuccessfully for Fulton County Commission chairman, will serve on the Fulton County Development Authority board. He will replace John Dorris, who resigned.

Broadbent ran unsuccessfully against Chairman John Eaves in 2010, and last year he lost a runoff against Brad Raffensperger for Johns Creek City Council post 2. Johnny Edwards

Forsyth contemplating excise tax

Forsyth County has scheduled a second public hearing on its proposed ordinance to collect an excise tax on energy sales to manufacturers. Implemented through an intergovernmental agreement with Cumming, the tax replaces one the state decided to phase out over four years. The hearing will be held at 5 p.m. Dec. 20 in the county’s Administration Building, 110 E. Main Street, Cumming. Michael Alpert for the AJC

Mayor invites whole city into his home

Milton Mayor Joe Lockwood has invited all 32,661 residents to his home at 375 Dorris Road for a holiday open house 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday.

Shuttled parking will be at Milton High, 13025 Birmingham Highway. Make reservations at rsvp@cityofmiltonga.us with name and address to be sent an invitation to print out.

Information: 678-242-2492 or christine.doss@cityofmiltonga.us. Patrick Fox

Open house to feature pedestrian signal info

Sandy Springs will hold an open house 5:30 to 7 p.m. today at Holy Spirit Preparatory School, 4820 Long Island Dr. to discuss the High-intensity Activated crosswalk pedestrian signal safety project for Roswell Road between Long Island Drive and West Belle Isle Road.

Information: www.sandyspringsga.gov, or 770-730-5600. Patrick Fox

Seniors can learn to stay connected

AT&T will hold two workshops teaching Fulton County seniors to stay connected with smartphones, tablets and apps. The “Senior Tech Rallies” will be 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Benson Senior Multipurpose Complex, 6500 Vernon Woods Drive, Sandy Springs; and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at the Darnell Senior Multipurpose Facility, 677 Fairburn Road, N.W., Atlanta.

Seniors will learn about texting, mobile email and Internet, to share photos, Skype, download apps and use tablets to read books. Information: 404-705-4900 or 404-699-8580.

Johnny Edwards

ATLANTA

Feds seek dismissal of birth control lawsuit

The federal government has asked a judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta and other religious institutions seeking to overturn a provision in the federal health care law that requires group health plans to provide free birth control.

The groups argued in a lawsuit filed in October that their religious beliefs prohibit them from providing the required coverage for certain services provided for in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

In a filing Monday, lawyers for the federal government argue the groups haven’t shown any actual or imminent harm. They also argue that proposed amendments would accommodate religious groups’ objections to covering contraceptive services.

Similar lawsuits have been dismissed around the counry.

Associated Press

City prevails in water meter injury lawsuit

A Fulton County jury reached a verdict in favor of the city of Atlanta in a lawsuit brought by a man who claimed he was seriously injured after stepping onto an uncovered water meter. Steven Hollingsworth claimed that the city was negligent in failing to replace a missing water meter cover and asked for $1 million. The city contended it had no prior notice of a missing water meter cover and disputed the severity of plaintiff’s injuries. Jeremiah McWilliams

Indictment alleges plan to steal laptops

A Fulton County grand jury indicted Michael Anthony Dix last week on charges of criminal attempt to commit theft by taking, allegedly by attempting to trick a company for $13,000 worth of laptop computers.

Prosecutors say Dix placed the order for the five laptops under the name “Seth Eidt,” who supposedly worked for the fictitious Georgia “Department of Public Safety and Corrections.” When the computers were delivered to the Peachtree Street location listed on the rental order, GBI agents were there. Dix could spend up to five years in prison with a fine of up to $50,000.Marcus K. Garner

DEKALB

Decatur eyesore will be green space

Work crews began demolishing a convenience store/gas station on Columbia Drive Tuesday that’s been abandoned for 20 years. The property, a quarter mile south of the United Methodist Children’s home, was recently purchased by the nonprofit East Decatur Greenway. It’ll be turned into roughly two acres of green space, available for neighborhood kids and children at the nearby Waldorf School, Friends School and UMCH. Bill Banks for the AJC

DeKalb Workforce helps literacy project

Participants in DeKalb County’s Workforce Development program recently volunteered with a literacy program for Africa.

Members helped sort and pack donated books for the Books For Africa mission, which helps boost literacy across the continent. The program was part of an emphasis on volunteer work for Workforce participants, who are being trained and coached to find permanent work. April Hunt

Christmas concert to benefit DeKalb youth

Jazz trumpeter Joey Sommerville will headline a Christmas party and concert 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Sanford Performing Arts Center to benefis youth in the care of juvenile court in DeKalb County.

Tickets are $20 and an unwrapped toy. All proceeds benefit DeKalb Court Appointed Special Advocates program. The CASA program advocates for abused and neglected children under protection of the court.

Information: klajoie@dekalbcountyga.gov or 404-371-3681.

April Hunt

Libraries seek public input on plans

The DeKalb County Public Library wants public input on its priorities for the next three years. Strategic plan meetings are 7 p.m. Thursday at the Tucker library, 5234 LaVista Road and 7 p.m. Jan. 8 at the Hairston Crossing library, 4911 Redan Road.

Information: 404-370-8450, x. 2228. April Hunt

Community groups to meet this month

The resident-advisory boards that review zoning and land use applications have scheduled upcoming meetings:

The Community Council for District 5 will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Redan library on Wellborn Road.

The District 1 and 4 councils are scheduled to meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Chamblee library on Clairmont Road and the Stone Mountain library on Leon Street, respectively.

The District 2 and 3 councils are to meet at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 19 at Maloof Auditorium on Commerce Drive and at the Wesley Chapel library on Wesley Chapel Road, respectively. April Hunt

DeKalb History Center to host children’s event

Parents can drop off children at DeKalb History Center from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Dec. 20 for “Night at the Museum,” while the adults shop or dine in downtown Decatur.

Activities for children ages 7 to 12 include storytelling, a magic performance, a craft event and a light snack at the center in the Old Courthouse on the Square.

Cost: $5 for center members and $10 for nonmembers.

Information: 404-373-1088, ext. 20 or borger@dekalbhistory.org. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Ex-corrections officer accused of accepting bribe

Kenneth Holsey, a former corrections officer at the U.S. penitentiary in Atlanta was arraigned Monday on federal charges that he accepted a bribe and smuggled contraband in to an inmate, authorities said. He was indicted on Nov. 27 and released on bond.

Holsey,45, of Riverdale, allegedly accepted a cash bribe between May and September 2011 to smuggle a cell phone and a carton of cigarettes into the prison. The charges carry a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Angel K. Brooks

Clayton middle places in LEGO contest

A group of North Clayton Middle School students placed second Saturday in the Georgia First LEGO League 2012 Senior Solutions competition. The RoboTigers team built a robot, prototype and answered questions about the core values of the program. The team’s robot was created using LEGO parts and a small computer. The team members were: Bailey Jordan, Dagm Behailu, Jason Purce, Ali Sesay, Terrance Dorsey, Kendall Jordan, Victoria Haggwood and Camille Taylor. Nezetta Johnson, Mark Smith and Stacy Nelson coached the team and Zenobia Johnson and Sandra Caughman were the parent mentors.Tammy Joyner

East Point offers recycling program

Keep East Point Beautiful is offering a residents to get rid of their unused cars. Recycle your car with Pull-A-Part, the Georgia Recycling Coalition and Keep East Point Beautiful and turn your car into cash. Give car parts and materials a second chance by helping them to be recycled and reused. Information: 1-888-237-7198 and mention recycle2. Free towing is also offered. John Thompson

Inauguration for commissioner Dec. 21

An inauguration ceremony and reception will be held for Clayton County commissioner-elect Shana Rooks 7 p.m. Dec. 21 at New Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, 7725 Highway 85, Riverdale. The event is open to the public. Tammy Joyner

‘Feed My People’ event Saturday

New Vision Christian Church will sponsor a community event called “Feed My People” on Saturday, Dec. 15. The church is at 5300 Frontage Rd., in Forest park. Food, clothing, toys and household merchandise will be distributed to more than 400 families at the 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. event.

Tammy Joyner

Commissioners tighten game room ordinance

The Henry County Board of Commissioners has made some changes in the county’s ordinance regarding amusement game rooms to more closely mirror state law and give officials more control by enabling the county to suspend business licenses of violators. According to Police Chief Keith Nichols, Henry County has seen a growing number of complaints in recent years regarding illegal gambling and other unlawful activities, and his department has been challenged in its ability to monitor and regulate these establishments under the current code of ordinances. Information: www.henrycounty-ga.org. Monroe Roark for the AJC