County by county news for Wednesday

Chamber unveils new logo, branding

The Cobb Chamber of Commerce debuted its new brand concept, logo and tagline on Monday during the annual State of the County address and Chamber first Monday breakfast. The new logo features three colored interlocking squares: green for economic development, orange for advocacy and blue for member services. The chamber also dropped the “Be Here” segment of its “Be Here. Achieve More.”

Information: www.cobbchamber.org Janel Davis

Mayor denies council appointments

Austell Mayor Joe Jerkins said Monday he will not appoint two of six City Council members to chair committees this year.

Claiming they were “working against me,” Jerkins said Councilwoman Trudie Causey and Councilman Martin Standard opposed awarding a $65,475 contract to Carlos Jones last summer to demolish nine flood-damaged houses since Jones owed about $19,000 in back taxes and penalties to the city.

“He was the cheapest and the best, and he paid his taxes (in October),” Jerkins added.

Causey and Standard said the decision was the mayor’s prerogative. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Play kicks off theatre’s fundraising drive

The Earl Smith Strand Theatre on the Marietta Square starts its 2012 fundraising drive with a cast of community leaders in a benefit production of “The Odd Couple.” Cobb Deputy Chief Assistant Attorney and Marietta Councilman Van Pearlberg and attorney Bert Reeves play the lead roles in shows Friday and Sunday and also Jan. 20-22.

Information: www.earlsmithstrand.org. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Volunteers needed to plant trees

The Marietta Tree Keepers need volunteers to plant trees in Laurel Park on Manning Road west of the Marietta Square from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday. Sign up and refreshments start at 8:30 a.m. Tools will be provided, and all ages can volunteer. Information: 770-424-4664 or www.mariettaga.gov/committees/treekeepers. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Powder Spring council work session today

The Powder Springs City Council meets at 5 p.m. today in the 2nd floor conference room of City Hall, 4484 Marietta Street, Powder Springs, for a regularly-scheduled work session to draw up the agenda for the next city council meeting, Jan. 16. Jeffry Scott

GWINNETT

Divers search lake for missing motorist

Gwinnett County divers searched a Lilburn-area lake again Tuesday morning for a motorist accused of hitting a patrol car, driving away, crashing again and fleeing on foot in the direction of the lake. But investigators weren’t sure if the man went into the water at all. Javon K. Depass, 25, of Snellville, allegedly struck a marked patrol car shortly after midnight Sunday near the intersection of U.S. 78 and Lake Lucerne Road and continued driving, according to Cpl. Edwin Ritter with the Gwinnett police department. A police dog tracked the man’s scent to the water, but lost it, Ritter said. Alexis Stevens

Two women sentenced in mortgage fraud

Two women who participated in the sale and purchase of homes based on false financial information have pleaded guilty to mortgage fraud.

Cherri Dallas, former owner of Snellville-based Dallas Team Realty, was sentenced to two years’ probation, during which time she is prohibited from seeking or obtaining a real estate license, Kane said. Charges are pending against the buyer, Wayne Pettway. Kai Fluker was sentenced to three years’ probation and a $1,500 fine. Joel Provano

Jackson EMC donates to senior services

Jackson EMC recently donated $15,000 to Friends of Gwinnett County Senior Services to help pay for senior meals.

The money will pay for meals at Gwinnett’s three senior centers as well as home-delivered meals. Friends of Gwinnett County Senior Services donated more than $68,000 to the county last year to reduce the senior meals waiting list. David Wickert

County to hold night mountain bike ride

Gwinnett County will sponsor a night mountain bike ride at 6 p.m. Jan. 19 at Tribble Mill Park, 2125 Tribble Mill Parkway, Lawrenceville. The cost is $5 per person for Gwinnett residents and $10 for others. Pre-registration is required. To register, call 770-418-2331. David Wickert

ACGO Corp. gives $75,000 to GTC

ACGO Corp. has given $75,000 to Gwinnett Technical College to help expand its bioscience technology program.

The money will be used to pay for a second full-time bioscience faculty member, allowing the college to increase enrollment in the program. The faculty member also will serve as a liaison to the region’s bioscience and environmental sustainability communities.

Information: www.gwinnetttech.edu. David Wickert

Woman, son in crash not wearing seat belts

Police say a woman and her son who were injured Monday in a wreck near Dacula were not wearing seat belts.

The woman, identified Tuesday as Graciela Salmeron, 37, of Sweet Mill Lane in Lawrenceville, was driving a 2004 Honda Odyssey minivan on Alcovy Forest Drive around 8:30 a.m. when her car left the road near Bramlett Shoals Road and struck a tree, Gwinnett County police said. Salmeron and her 5-year-old son, Benjamin transported to local hospitals. Joel Provano

NORTHSIDE

Deputy suspended

for having sex on job

A Forsyth County Sheriff’s deputy has been suspended three weeks for allegedly having sex with a woman while he was on duty.

Lt. Todd Maloney admitted to having an affair with the woman, who was on probation, according to Forsyth Sheriff’s Office internal affairs documents. Maloney was cited with neglect of duty and conduct unbecoming a sheriff’s deputy, among other violations, in a Dec. 27 letter relegating him to 120 hours of unpaid suspension and desk duty at the county jail. Marcus K. Garner

Student withdrawn after alleged gun threat

A student at Dean Rusk Middle School in Cherokee County who is alleged to have threatened to bring a firearm to school this week was withdrawn from the school on Monday by the student’s parents, Cherokee County School District Coordinator of Community Relations and Publications Carrie Budd confirmed Tuesday.

The threat was posted on Facebook. Budd said Tuesday Cherokee County School District Police continue to investigate and the school will take “appropriate legal and/or administrative actions” if the allegations are true. Jeffry Scott

Cherokee Sheriff to run again

Cherokee County Sheriff Roger Garrison announced Tuesday he’ll be seeking a sixth term in office this year. Garrison, a Republican, said he’s pledging to maintain the high standards that contributed to his agency becoming the first nationally accredited sheriff’s office in Georgia in 1996. In November, he became the first Georgia sheriff to receive the Egon Bittner Accreditation Award, given to those who lead an accredited law enforcement agency for more than 15 years. Fighting illegal drugs continues to be a top priority of his office, said Garrison in a re-election announcement. Nancy Badertscher

Milton adopts issues for charter panel

The Milton City Council unanimously adopted a list of issues it would like its newly formed Charter Commission to consider. The commission is currently reviewing the city charter for possible changes it may recommend to the local legislative delegation.

The City Council’s list includes: the millage rate cap of 4.731 on property, powers of the mayor and city manager, salaries of elected officials, term limits and selection of the mayor pro tem. The commission has six months to compile its final list of recommendations. Patrick Fox

Science Academy tries to raise $1 million

Fulton Science Academy Middle School supporters have launched a $1 million fundraising campaign as the campus seeks a state charter.

A notice sent to parents said about $141,000 has been raised since the school’s charter application was denied by the Fulton school board last month.

The rejection will cost Fulton Science to lose its local share of education dollars for students -- about half of its funding -- when its contract expires this summer. The school’s governing board is applying to the state Department of Education for a state charter. D. Aileen Dodd

ATLANTA

Mayor: City’s cash reserves at $94 million

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed said in a presentation Jan. 6 that the city will soon announce that its audited cash reserves have risen from $7.4 million when he took office to $94 million now. Reed made the comments in a presentation about transportation issues at a roundtable luncheon with the Perimeter Community Improvement Districts. Jeremiah McWilliams

Court refuses to dismiss murder charges

The Georgia Supreme Court on Monday ruled that murder charges against a Fulton County man should not be dismissed on speedy trial grounds. Timothy Leroy Wilkie was arrested in 2005 for killing Allen Morris with a crossbow. After he was indicted in Jan. 2011, Wilkie said the charges should be dismissed. The state high court said that even though the five-and-a-half year delay from his arrest was “presumptively prejudicial,” Wilkie had waited too long before asserting his rights and there was no demonstrable proof the delay prejudiced his case. Bill Rankin

New leadership at Literacy Action, Inc.

A leadership change has been made at Literacy Action, Inc., a non-profit offering free classroom instruction and job-readiness services to Georgia adults with low literacy skills. James O. Rogers, a former BellSouth executive, will serve as interim chief executive officer. He succeeds Karen Elaine Webster Parks, who resigned as president and CEO. Rodgers has served on the boards of several local nonprofits, including Habitat for Humanity and the Atlanta Symphony. Nancy Badertscher

Young to address business association

Former Mayor Andrew Young will give the keynote address Jan. 19 at the Buckhead Business Association (BBA) annual luncheon. The luncheon will be at 11:30 a.m. at the Atlanta History Center, 130 West Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta. Tickets are $75 for association members, and $100 for visitors and guests. Information: www.buckheadbusiness.org. Laurie Hoffman

DEKALB

Store clerk shot, killed in robbery

A clerk was shot and killed Monday night during an apparent armed robbery at a convenience store in south DeKalb County.

The shooting happened shortly about 11:30 p.m. at a BP gas station and convenience store in the 2100 block of Cedar Grove Road.

The 39-year-old victim died at Grady Memorial Hospital after being shot in the chest, according to DeKalb police Sgt. H.K. Stafford. A second employee who was inside a cooler restocking drinks was uninjured, Channel 2 Action News reported. Stafford said the two suspects fled the store on foot. Mike Morris

Board member addresses band probe

It’s still unclear what incidents triggered the investigation of marching band activities in DeKalb County, but Eugene Walker, the new school board chairman, gave a hint.

He said at Monday’s board meeting that he’d spoken with Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson about her probe, “and we totally agree that the system will have zero tolerance for any kind of hazing or bullying.”

Walker was responding to a complaint by band parent Keith Sailor.

“You’ve done a poor job of taking control of this situation,” Sailor had said. “You’ve made all of our kids suspects.” Ty Tagami

Avondale Estates swears in new officials

Before a nearly-packed City Hall, Avondale Estates swore in two new city commissioners Monday night.

Lindsay Forlines and John Quinn won their seats in a Nov. 8 election against four other candidates.

After taking their oath, the commission unanimously elected Terry Giager as mayor pro tem. Giager, who’s served on the commission since Jan. 2010, will run meetings when Mayor Ed Rieker is absent.

He replaces David Milliron, who lost to Rieker in November’s mayoral election. Bill Banks for the AJC

Man struck by vehicle identified

A pedestrian walking across the street died after being hit by a vehicle in DeKalb County on Monday night, Channel 2 Action News reported.

The incident happened along Snapfinger Road near Flat Shoals Parkway around 7:30 p.m.

The victim was identified as Robert McCartha, 66, of Lithonia, by the DeKalb Medical Examiner’s Office Tuesday.

Investigators told Channel 2 that McCartha was in the middle of the road when he was hit, and the driver remained at the scene. Angel K. Brooks

Bike league raises funds for athlete

The Winter Bike League of Athens will host a fundraiser at The Marlay House in Decatur on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. to benefit Ryno Barnett’s sporting endeavors with the US Biathlon World Cup team. Barnett was paralyzed after

being hit by a car while on his bike in 2008.

He has been nordic skiing with the US Ski Team. Make donations payable to Ryno Barnett and send to The Law Offices of David Crowe, 230 College Avenue, Athens 30601. To donate online, visit http://winterbikeleague.com. Information: Ryno Barnett at trbarnett@hotmail.com. Kenneth Musisi

SOUTHSIDE

Fayette school board settles voting lawsuit

The Fayette County Board of Education approved a consent decree Monday to settle a lawsuit over district voting.

The state and local branches of the NAACP, as well as 10 county residents, sued to replace the current at-large election process on the grounds that it violates the Voting Rights Act of 1975 and puts black candidates at a significant disadvantage. Candidates themselves already must live in their respective districts. The Board also adjusted the boundaries of the five districts to reflect the 2010 census, per Georgia law. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Woman peppered sprayed and robbed

East Point police are investigating an incident Monday where in which a robber pepper-sprayed a woman outside a bank then snatched her purse.

City spokesman James Hammond said that the victim was attacked as she was entering the Wells Fargo Bank in the 2800 block of East Point Street.

He described the robber as a slender black male “wearing a yellow baseball style cap, colorful shirt and blue jeans.”

Hammond said the man fled on foot, but a red sedan was seen leaving the area at a high rate of speed immediately after the robbery. Anyone with information can call 404-559-6287. Mike Morris

Henry extension holds fruit plant sale

The spring planting season is right around the corner and so is the annual Henry County Cooperative Extension Office’s “Small Fruit Plant Sale,” with proceeds going to support extension programs. Plant orders are being taken until March 9. Order forms may be found at www.ugaextension.com/henry. Checks should be made payable to Henry County 4-H. Heritage Park is located at 97 Lake Dow Road in McDonough. Information: 770-288-8421. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Peachtree City gets grant for equipment

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has given the Peachtree City Fire Department a grant to purchase new emergency medical equipment.

The $136,000 Assistance to Firefighters Grant will pay 90 percent of the cost of four Life Pak 15 EKG monitors for the Advanced Life Support Teams. The remaining $15,200 will come from the department budget for 2012. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Discussion on East Point corridor Jan. 19

East Point business owners and residents are invited to a meeting Jan. 19 to discuss development on the city’s Main Street Corridor.

The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Jefferson Park Recreation Center at 1431 Norman Berry Drive. John Thompson for the AJC

4-H Center to host spring camp

Fortson 4-H Center will host Camp EcoAdventure April 2-6.

Activities will focus on team building, survival, archery, pond ecology, herpetology, canoeing and Native American studies. Classes will also be offered on the zip line, and climbing wall. The camp will be at Fortson 4-H Center, 999 Fortson Road, Hampton.

For registration and fees information: www.fortson4h.org. Laurie Hoffman