County by county news for Wednesday

Cobb taxpayers group endorses Bill Byrne

Former Cobb County Commission Chairman Bill Byrne picked up an endorsement Monday from the Cobb Taxpayers Association. Byrne, who is one of three candidates, challenging incumbent Tim Lee for Cobb's top elected post, was endorsed last month by the county's fraternal order of police. The CTA touted Byrne's opposition to the July 31 regional transportation referendum, and a county millage rate increase approved by commissioner's last year, along with his support for local SPLOST reform as reasons for its endorsement. Janel Davis

Local students place in national braile contest

Two local students were finalists in the national "Braile Challenge" that took place in L.A. recently. The contest tests blind and visually impaired students on their knowledge and literacy of braile. Aunya Anderson, a student at Russell Elementary School and Christopher Abel, a student at Chalker Elementary School both were among 60 finalists out of the more than 900 students who competed. Daarel Burnette II

Mablton scavenger hunt on Wednesday

A Scavenger Hunt is planned for 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday Heritage Park, 60 Fontaine Road, Mableton. Cost is $2.

Information: Karen Faucett at karen.faucett@cobbcounty.org or 770-528-8803. CAROLYN CUNNINGHAM FOR THE AJC

Resident wants chickens to roost in Marietta

Kristen Picken wants to add a chicken coop to her less than an acre back yard In Marietta. The city ordinance requires five acres for livestock and poultry. Picken, a member of Backyard Chickens Alliance of Cobb, spoke at the city council meeting in May and is on the agenda for today's meeting. She said she'll keep talking at council meetings to promote a change. A city committee looked at the ordinance a few years ago, but did not recommend dropping the acerage required.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Powder Springs Council changes two meetings

The Powder Springs City Council will hold its next work session at 3 p.m. July 18 instead of 5 p.m. July 11.

Work sessions are held at City Hall, 4484 Marietta St., second floor conference room.

Also, the council's next voting meeting will be 7 p.m. July 23 instead of July 16.

That meeting will be in the Council Chambers, 4488 Pineview Drive - preceded by a 6:30 p.m. meeting in an adjacent conference room.

Information: City Clerk Dawn Davis, DDavis@CityOfPowderSprings.org, 770-943-4349.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

Duluth daycare worker wins $400K lottery prize

A Duluth daycare worker decided to buy a scratch-off ticket during her afternoon walk, and strolled away with a $400,000 prize. Patsy Wehby won her top prize playing the instant game 20X The Money. Wehby, 56, claimed her prize recently at the Georgia Lottery District Office in Duluth. The mother of three was out for a walk when she stepped into Kroger, 12870 State Hwy. 9, in Alpharetta, where she bought her lucky ticket. Although dazed, Wehby intends to "sit down and collect myself."

"My practical husband, Robert, will keep me grounded," she said. Staff reports

Math workshop offered for grades 5-8

Norcross Human Services Center offers a math workshop provided by One 2 One Education Support July 23 -27. Two-hour sessions for grades 5 -- 6 are 9 - 11 a.m.; grades 7 -- 8 are 1p.m. - 3 p.m. Cost: $50 includes supplies. Preregister at the center, 5030 Georgia Belle Court, Norcross. Information: 770.638.5661. Karen Huppertz

USDA hosts farmer conference

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service will host a Multicultural Sustainable Agriculture and Leadership Conference from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 12 at the Cultural Arts and Community Center, 10 College Street, Norcross.

The free event for multicultural ranchers and farmers will provide information on careers in agriculture and on how to use federal, state and local programs to improve operations. Information: 770-963-9288. David Wickert

Learn to can fruits and veggies

Gwinnett County Cooperative Extension Service is hosting a demonstration on canning and preserving fruits and vegetables 1 to 2:30 p.m. Thursday. Learn the correct way to freeze, store, and preserve fruits and vegetables and make your own salsa. Cost: $1 cash.

Information: Ines Beltran, 678-377-4010. Reservations: 770-985-4713. Karen Huppertz

Leadership program for female athletes offered

The Athena Leadership Academy will hold leadership training workshops aimed at teaching young female athletes how to succeed on and off the field by using skills learned in sports.

Sessions are 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday evenings through July 31 at The Pitcher's Mound, 2150 Boggs Rd., Suite 250, Duluth. Information: Hope Howell at (404) 408-3480 or email AthenaLeadership1@gmail.com. Mea Watkins

Registration open for fun run

Help celebrate National Parks and Recreation month by joining the Daybreak Dash July 14 at Settles Bridge Park, 380 Johnson Road in Suwanee. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m., with the run starting at 8 a.m.

Run, walk, stroll or even skip while enjoying the serene park surroundings. Ages 12+ $10/person includes t-shirt. Ages 5 to 11. $5/person includes special goodie bag. Ages 5 and under are free.

Information: 770-822-8886. Pre-register morning of the event or online at www.gwinnettcounty.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Woodstock approves 2013 city budget

The Woodstock City Council approved a $30.9 million dollar budget for fiscal year, on a 4-1 vote Monday night. The budget is up from 2012's approximately $27.5 million, but City Manager Jeff Moon says the general fund portion of the budget has declined 28% in the past four years due to a decline in the tax digest. The budget is funded by a "revenue neutral" millage rate of 7.862. The budget includes no salary increases and elimination of several programs.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Roswell to discuss strategic plan

Roswell will hold a meeting on the city's first Strategic Economic Development Plan from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at Roswell City Hall, Room 220. The meeting will include a presentation of the SEDP and a question-and-answer session.

The plan focuses on redevelopment and economic growth in the city. City leaders have appointed a 24-member advisory committee composed of residents and business owners to help develop the plan.

Information: www.roswellgov.com/SEDP. Patrick Fox

Mechanics offer car care tips

DeKalb Tire will offer tips on keeping vehicles in tip-top condition in a class 1 p.m. Thursday at the Sandy Springs Library, 395 Mt. Vernon Highway. Registration: 404-303-6130. Johnny Edwards

ZooMobile in Sandy Springs on Thursday

Zoo Atlanta's ZooMobile will bring live animals, activities and a lesson on conservation to the Sandy Springs Library, 395 Mt. Vernon Highway for 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. sessions for children ages 5 - 12 on Thursday.

Sign-up: 404-303-6130 or shannon.duffy@fultoncountyga.gov. Johnny Edwards

Canton to hold budget workshop

Canton city officials will hold an initial workshop on development of the 2013 city budget Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Canton City Hall, 151 Elizabeth St. City Council members, City Manager Scott Wood and Chief Financial Officer Nathan Ingram will convene the public meeting. Wood says plans are to adopt a final budget in August, before the new fiscal year begins October 1. Wood says challenges in preparing the budget include a tax digest that is down almost 5% this year.

Mark Woolsey for the JC

One chance to sound off on tax rate

Any Fulton County residents who want to publicly sound off to elected officials about a possible 5 percent property tax rate hike will have just one shot at it, at Wednesday'sJune 11 commission meeting. Since the proposed new rate is estimated to bring in the same amount of revenue as last year, compensating for declining property values, state law requires just one public hearing, right before the vote.

Adding 0.51 mills to the tax rate would translate to an extra $36 on a $250,000 home with a homestead exemption. The meeting starts at 10 a.m. in the Government Center's Assembly Hall, 141 Pryor St., S.W., downtown Atlanta. Johnny Edwards

ATLANTA

Carley hears last arguments

Chief Justice George Carley, who is retiring next week after more than 30 years as an appellate judge, stepped down Tuesday from the Georgia Supreme Court bench for the final time.

The gallery, which included judges, family and friends, erupted into applause. Carley's colleagues voted last year to let him serve briefly as chief justice before he retired. While presiding as chief this week, Carley asked opposing lawyers to approach the bench and shake hands with the court's justices when their arguments were finished. Bill Rankin

Tax preparer's prison sentence upheld

The federal appeals court has upheld the 57-month prison sentence imposed against an Atlanta man convicted of a tax refund conspiracy.

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the sentence imposed against Michael Romeo St. Romain was reasonable. In 2010, St. Romain pleaded guilty to conspiring to file false federal income tax returns in other people's names and depositing the refunds in his bank account. St. Romain also was ordered to pay $451,735 in restitution. Bill Rankin

Pizza deliverer shoots would-be robber

An Atlanta pizza delivery guy overpowered and shot a would-be armed robber, police said.

Northside Drive Papa John's employee, Javares Scott, was attacked Monday around 11:45 p.m. while delivering pizza to the 100 block of Holly Street in northwest Atlanta. He pried the gun away from the attacker and shot the robber in the process. Police believe Scott's alleged attacker, Paul Hammonds, was shot in the abdomen and right thigh and was treated at Grady Memorial Hospital. Hammonds told police a man jumped from bushes on Holly Street and shot him for no reason. Investigators linked the phone used to report the shooting to the number that called to order the pizza.

A third man involved in the case, Ahmad Eli Thomas, was charged with giving false information to police, lying about his age, police said.

No one has been arrested, Jones said, and the investigation is ongoing. Marcus K. Garner

DEKALB

Early voting underway

Advance voting is underway in DeKalb County for the July 31 primary.

On the ballot are races for CEO and several county commission seats, as well as the penny-sales tax referendum. Voters in Brookhven will also decide on cityhood for that area.

Early voting is being held from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays at the county's elections office, 4380 Memorial Drive, near Decatur.

The office also will offer Saturday hours on July 14 and 21. April Hunt

DeKalb school board to consider layoffs

The DeKalb County school board has scheduled a meeting 12:30 p.m. todayto consider layoffs. The school district included no detail in its announcement Tuesday, saying only that the meeting was so the board could consider another "reduction in force.

On June 28, the school board approved 412 layoffs of paraprofessionals, media clerks and specialists, interpreters, school resource officers, central office workers and bus monitors.

Meeting location: 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd., Stone Mountain. Ty Tagami

Death row inmate seeks new trial

Clayton Jerrod Ellington deserves a new trial because his trial attorneys were not allowed to fully probe potential jurors' thoughts about sitting on a case involving the murder of young children, his lawyer argued Monday.

Ellington was sentenced to death in 2008 for the bludgeoning deaths of his wife, Berna, and their twin 2-year-old sons.

Ellington's lawyer, David DeBruin, told the Georgia Supreme Court that because of restrictions placed on questions that could be asked during jury selection, Ellington was denied his right to a fair and impartial jury. Bill Rankin

Learn to identify poisonous wildlife

DeKalb County is hosting three training sessions this week to help residents learn to identify poisonous snakes, insects and plants.

The sessions, led by Natural Resources Manager Charlie Monroe, also will focus on plants and animals that are beneficial.

The first session runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Exchange Recreation Center on Columbia Drive near Decatur.

Two sessions will be held from Thursday 7/12. The first runs from 10 a.m. to noon at the Porter Sanford arts center on Rainbow Drive near Decatur. An evening session will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Briarwood Recreation Center on Briarwood Way in Atlanta.

All sessions are free. To register: 770-484-3060. April Hunt

Date announced for Taste of Chamblee

Chamblee's annual street festival that features international food and music has been set for September.

Organizers expect several dozen restaurants and other vendors at the fifth-annual Taste of Chamblee, scheduled to be held in the downtown area on Sept. 15.

The festival will also include kids' play area, live entertainment and a beer garden.

To recommend eateries and artists or for more information, email info@chambleebusinessassociation.com. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Final sales tax feedback session Thursday

South Fulton's last feedback session on transportation needs before the July 31 sales tax referendum will be ThursdayJuly 12. It starts at 6:30 p.m. at Renaissance Middle School, 7155 Hall Road, Fairburn.

If approved, the tax is expected to raise $6.14 billion over 10 years for a list of transportation projects already drawn up, as well as another $1 billion for local governments. Unincorporated south Fulton is expected to get about $2.9 million per year, and the county wants residents' input on a project list.

The commission has not taken a formal position on whether the sales tax should be approved.

Johnny Edwards

Scavenger hunt is on in Henry

Henry County, in cooperation with its four cities, has developed a Park Scavenger Hunt to encourage families to get out and explore local parks and amenities while competing for a prize. The official Scavenger Hunt Form can be found at www.hcprd.com on the main page under What's Happening Now.

Completed forms should be emailed to jernst@co.henry.ga.us. The first correct entry will be determined by the time stamp of the email. The winner must be a Henry County resident. Information: 770.288.6020.

Monroe Roark for the AJC

Two Southside accounting firms merge

Two of the southside's largest accounting firms have merged. Tomasello, Plageman & Associates (TPA) is joining McDonough-based Robinson, Whaley, Hammonds & Allison. Tomasello has offices in Forest Park, Stockbridge, The merger creates the new firm of Whaley Hammonds Tomasello, P.C.

The two firms collectively represent a number of local, municipal and county governments and agencies. The new firm will continue to have Clayton and Henry offices but will expand to include business across Georgia. Tammy Joyner

Henry County students offered school supplies

An estimated 3,000 students and parents are expected to attend the 3rd annual Stockbridge Back-to-School event hosted by Henry County school board member Erik Charles and the City of Stockbridge.

Henry County students of all grade levels will receive backpacks and school supplies for the upcoming school year. The event takes place 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Stockbridge High, 1151 Old Conyers Road, Stockbridge. Activities include face painting and door prizes.

Nancy Badertscher

More events booked at Wolf Creek

Tickets are on sale for two more events at south Fulton County's Wolf Creek Amphitheater. The concerts will be the second and third this year at the $6.1 million facility off Merk Road.

The lineup for the Summer Nights Jazz Festival, on Aug. 4, has South African guitarist Jonathan Butler, Michael Franks, Rachelle Ferrell, Warren Hill, Maysa Leak and Jimmy B featuring Andre Grant. Tickets range from $40 to $65.

The Labor Day Music Festival, an R&B show on Sept. 1, has "American Idol" winner Fantasia Barrino, Joe, Tony Terry and Dru Hill. Prices range from $45 to $75. Tickets: www.ticketmaster.com or 1-800-745-3000. Johnny Edwards