County by county news for Wednesday

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

Man accused of shaking, injuring baby

A Cobb County man remained in jail Monday night, more than two weeks after allegedly shaking and throwing a crying infant left in his care, according to police.

Ryne Dale Garoy, 30, of a Marietta address, faces a first-degree cruelty to children charge for seriously injuring the baby, according to his arrest warrant, obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Garoy turned himself in Nov. 19 and has since remained in the Cobb County jail, where he is being held without bond, booking records show.

Garoy was babysitting the baby between 10 and 11 p.m. on Nov. 10 when the alleged abuse occurred, police said.

The baby, whose name was not released, remains hospitalized with serious injuries, including a skull fracture, according to police. Alexis Stevens

Christmas House arts, crafts show begins

The Christmas House Arts and Crafts Show will run Friday through Dec. 9 at the Mable House Arts Center, 5239 Floyd Road, Mableton, including a Silent Auction to benefit the preservation of the adjacent Historic Mable House.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Information: mablehouse.org or 770-819-3285. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

School’s threater program honored

Kennesaw Mountain High School’s theater program was named the best in the southeast by “Stage Directions magazine. The industry magazine featured in its November issue the nation’s top five high school theater programs based on leadership, community support and how challenging their productions are. Daarel Burnette II

Two band win awards in competition

Kennesaw Mountain and Walton high school marching bands recently won accolades at the Bands of America Grand National Championship in Indianapolis. Kennesaw Mountain’s band won first place in the Class AAA preliminaries and honors for outstanding music performance, outstanding visual performance and outstanding general effect. Walton High School’s band finished among the top 20 bands. Daarel Burnette II

Marietta recognizes commission members

Marietta recognized Kenneth Dollar for serving 18 years as chairman of the planning commission. Dollar was appointed to the Marietta Housing Authority after he retired from the planning board. Also, Sam Storey Jr. was appointed to the planning commission for Ward 3 to serve a three-year term.Tucker McQueen for the AJC

GWINNETT

Rabid raccoons prompt countywide alert

Gwinnett County has issued a rabies alert after two raccoons recently tested positive for the disease.

One raccoon was found Nov. 22 on Swan Mill Court in Suwanee. The other was found the same day on Grey Park Drive in Buford.

The county asks anyone who has been bitten or scratched by a stray animal to contact the Gwinnett County Animal Welfare and Enforcement Bite Office at 770-339-3200, Ext. 5576.

David Wickert

Pleasant Hill Road open during holidays

Gwinnett County will suspend lane closures on the Pleasant Hill Road bridge over Interstate 85 during the holiday shopping season.

The county is building a new interchange at the intersection, but will keep all lanes open through Jan. 2 because of heavy traffic volumes expected near Gwinnett Place Mall. Information: www.gwinnettddi.com.

David Wickert

Three adults displaced in quadraplex fire

Three adults escaped unharmed Monday evening from a fire in a quadraplex in the 6500 block of Parton Court in Norcross.

The residents heard a loud crackling sound just before the power went out around 11:30 p.m. Monday. They went outside and saw flames around the exterior wall and chimney.

Gwinnett County firefighters extinguished the blaze, but not before it caused extensive damage that will force the residents to be displaced.

The cause of the fire is believed to be blames burning through the fire box in the fireplace and traveling up the chimney chase to the second floor, said Gwinnett fire Capt. Tommy Rutledge. Andria Simmons

School employees get pay adjustment

Gwinnett Public Schools employees, forced to take furlough days in recent years because of budget constraints in the down economy, are scheduled to receive a one-time pay adjustment this week because of higher than expected property tax revenue.

Each will receive an additional day’s pay, approximately $200 and $456 for teachers. Michael Alpert for the AJC

Jones taking over Mason Elementary

Shiloh Elementary assistant principal David Jones has been named principal at Duluth’s Mason Elementary. The educator of 15 years will replace Paula DeWeese, who is retiring from the Peachtree Ridge cluster school this week. Jones previously taught at Lawrenceville’s Craig Elementary and Norcross’ Rockbridge Elementary.

Michael Alpert for the AJC

Green Gingerbread Houses wanted

The Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center is holding a Sustainable Gingerbread House Competition. The edible treats should highlight sustainability and green building design like solar panels, rain barrels, etc.

Drop-off for entries have begun with judging to take place the week of Dec. 3.

Information:www.gwinnettehc.org.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Milton set to open its first park Saturday

Milton will celebrate its sixth birthday by opening its first completed park at the annual Christmas in Crabapple celebration Dec. 1. The 1.8-acre, still-unnamed park, located at 12785 Birmingham Highway, features a small picnic pavilion, walking path, half-court basketball and a play field.

The event runs from 2 to 5 p.m. and features free gifts for children, store promotions and family activities.

The city will hold its fourth annual tree lighting at Webb Road and Ga. 9 at 6:30 p.m., Nov. 29. Patrick Fox

Forsyth schools get $10,00 in grants

Car dealership RBM of Atlanta-North has awarded $2,000 in mini-grants to five Forsyth County schools.

The grants-totaling $10,000- to Little Mill and Liberty middle schools and Brookwood, Johns Creek and Matt elementary schools will support projects ranging from robotics programs to a school media center. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Woodstock plans holiday festivities

The city of Woodstock will hold its Christmas Jubilee and Parade of Lights Saturday. The parade will head north on Main Street from Ga. 92 to Woodstock Elementary School on Rope Mill Road starting at 5:30 p.m.

The jubilee at the Park at City Center, 101 Arnold Mill Road, will feature visits with Santa, a tree lighting, food and shopping vendors and more after the parade. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Canton holiday homes tour planned

The Cherokee County Historical Society plans its first annual Historic Canton Holiday Tour of Homes Dec. 14-15.

The tour will showcase three private homes, and will also feature three public and commercial buildings decorated for the season.

Proceeds will benefit the society. Info and tickets: www.rockbarn.org Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Holy Innocents helps hurricane victims

Students at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School in Sandy Springs are collecting mittens that will be sent to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Morristown, N.J., for hurricane relief in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

Students and families at Holy Innocents’ Alan A. Lewis Primary School dedicated their annual Mitten Tree to the New Jersey church, which maintained power during and after the storm and provided some food and shelter to victims.

Send or deliver mittens to Holy Innocents’ at 805 Mt. Vernon Hwy NW, Atlanta, GA 30327. Information: 404-303-2150. Jeffry Scott

Mountain Park hosts raffle Saturday

Mountain Park Elementary is hosting it’s annual Holiday Extravaganza fund-raiser 4 p.m. Saturday at the school, 11895 Mountain Park Road, Roswell.

The Holiday Extravaganza features a raffle for baskets that that contain tickets to events, baked goods, etc.

Raffle tickets may be purchased for the themed baskets at several levels from $10 for 10 tickets to $1,000 for 1360 tickets.

Information: www.mpes.org. Jeffry Scott

ATLANTA

News anchor in court Jan. for DUI charges

Amanda Davis, a veteran evening anchor at Fox 5 Atlanta, was not in court Monday when a judge changed her court date to 8 a.m. Jan 9, according to Channel 2 Action News.

Davis faces several charges related to the crash on Piedmont Avenue in Midtown Atlanta on Nov. 11.

Davis was driving northbound in the southbound lane of Piedmont Avenue near 14th Street in Midtown around 12:20 a.m. when the crash occurred, according to police.

The arresting officer said Davis smelled of alcohol and refused sobriety tests. She was taken to the Atlanta jail on charges of DUI, failure to maintain lane and reckless driving.

Davis has been at Fox 5 since 1986 and co-anchored the station’s news at 6 p.m and 10 p.m.

Fran Jeffries

Christmas at Callanwolde to kick off

Christmas at Callanwolde will open with a premiere party featuring live entertainment and gourmet food at 7 p.m. Dec. 6. The cost is $75 per person; advance reservation is required.

The holiday event, presented by the Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, 980 Briarcliff Rd., N.E., runs from Dec. 7-18. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission ranges from $12-$20 for adults, seniors and children age 4-12. Free for children age 3 and under.

Information and tickets: www.christmasatcallanwolde.org. Mea Watkins

Marcus JCC to hold Chanukah celebrations

The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta will offer Chanukah programs for all ages at various locations during the month of December.

Events planned for Saturday include: Chanukah Pajamakah Party, 6 to 8 p.m., Barnes & Noble, 2900 Peachtree Road N.E., Suite 310; Blonder Family Department for Developmental Disabilities Holiday Party, 7 to 9 p.m., MJCCA at Zaban Park, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody.

Information: www.atlantajcc.org. Mea Watkins

DEKALB

Stepfather arrested in DeKalb toddler’s death

Devon Sawyer, 23, was booked into the DeKalb County Jail Monday night on murder charges in the death of his wife’s 2-year-old son, according to Channel 2 Action News.

The toddler, Michael Weeks, suffered cardiac arrest and had bruises on his chest and thighs, according to a police report.

The child’s mother, Danielle Calhoun, told police she left her son with his stepfather while she ran errands.

Sawyer told police he and the boy had taken a nap and when he woke up he found Michael unresponsive at home in the 2000 block of Memorial Drive around 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, according to the police report.

On Tuesday, Calhoun told Channel 2 that an autopsy revealed her son had been abused. Fran Jeffries

Avondale purchases license plate reader

Avondale Estates’ Board of Mayor and Commissioners recently approved the purchase of an automatic license plate reader that will be mounted on a patrol car and allow officers to instantly scan plates and determine if a vehicle is stolen, or connected with a crime.

Traditionally, police had to type a tag number into a car computer or call the number in to a dispatcher. The new plate reader will allow police to quickly evaluate data through digitally reading and automatically transcribing the license plate. The cost is $19,560. Bill Banks for the AJC

Avondale cleans up abandoned properties

Avondale Estates abolished structures at 129 Oak Street, 3612 Franklin Street and 6 Lake Street and is cleaning up the property at 2786 East College Avenue. These were tied up in bankruptcy proceedings for two years but are now owned by Flagstar Bank.

Mayor Ed Rieker has vowed to maintain and landscape these “nuisance” properties until they’re sold. Early last month Weingarten Realty contracted with Flagstar to develop a plan, possibly for a grocery, on four acres facing North Avondale Road. The city has 18.43 downtown acres sitting empty or undeveloped. Bill Banks for the AJC

DeKalb rape crisis center in jeopardy

A nonprofit organization that offers assistance to rape victims in DeKalb County is in jeopardy of closing.

The DeKalb Rape Crisis Center has already stopped accepting new clients because of lack of funds. The facility counseled more than 600 people last year and gave hotline help to more than 1,500 callers. Center officials said the facility will close by year’s end if it does not receive additional financial support.

Information: 404-377-1429 or www.dekalbrapecrisiscenter.org. April Hunt

Tax volunteers needed in DeKalb

The nation’s largest free, volunteer-run tax preparation and assistance service is looking for volunteers to help DeKalb County taxpayers with their 2012 returns.

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers will receive free training and be reimbursed for qualified program-related expenses. Volunteers do not need to be AARP members or retirees.

Deadline for application is Dec. 15. Information: 1-888-687-2277 or www.aarp.org/tavolunteer8. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Adopt-A-Senior program needs volunteers

Approximately 140 seniors in Henry County, many of whom are homebound, are yet to be adopted under the Adopt-A-Senior program coordinated by the county’s Senior Services department and Council on Aging. Individuals, families, businesses and church or civic groups can sponsor seniors by purchasing suggested gifts and delivering them if they so choose. Interested would-be sponsors can call Rita Green at 770-288-7010 or Anne Marie Quincey at 770-288-7000. All gifts should be in place at Heritage Senior Center in McDonough by Dec. 6. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Fayette singers picked for state chorus

Twelve Fayette County fourth and fifth graders were chosen for this year’s Georgia Music Educators Association Statewide Elementary Honor Chorus.

he Peeples and Peachtree City Elementary students, led by choral directors Jennifer Stadelmayer and Bill Stadelmeyer, are Gabriela Ramos, Kendall Robinson, Trey-Lee Orndorff, Naomi Johnson, Olivia Herrmann, Ryan Baker, Hope Hartley, Caroline Ginder, Anna Samson, Jessica Doyal, Sydney Turnier and Noah Stadelmeyer. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Fayette has Facilities Authority openings

Two positions are now open on the Fayette County Public Facilities Authority. The county seeks volunteers to fill one-year terms related to the acquisition, construction, equipment, maintenance, operation, sale and/or lease of municipal buildings and their facilities. Submit applications to the Board of Commissioners via fjones@fayettecountyga.gov by Dec. 21.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Clayton has economic development forum

A public forum will be held 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 6 at Mundy’s Mill High School, 9652 Fayetteville Road, Jonesboro to discuss the Clayton County Economic Development Strategic Plan. Tammy Joyner

Holmes honored by minority groups

Henry County District 5 Commissioner Bruce Holmes was named the 2013 Commissioner of the Year by the Georgia Minority Business Awards, and he is one of more than 300 prominent black business leaders named in the Who’s Who in Black Atlanta this year.

He is the first person from Henry County to receive these honors. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Fayette ethics board convenes today

The Fayette County Ethics Board will meet 5:30 p.m. today in the Fayette County Board of Commissioners’ Public Meeting Room at the Fayette County Administration Complex, 140 Stonewall Avenue West, Suite 100, Fayetteville.

The meeting is open to the public and will deal with a filed ethics complaint. Tammy Joyner

Peachtree City debuts golf cart ornament

The Peachtree City Convention & Visitors Bureau has released its 2012 Christmas ornament.

The golf-cart themed collector’s item is available for $15 from City Hall or the Peachtree City Visitors Center, 201 McIntosh Trail. Information: www.peachtree-city.org. Jill Howard Church