County by county news for Wednesday

As a result, Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services donated a surplus engine to the West Hamilton Beach Volunteer Fire Department on Feb. 6.

The engine, a 1992 Pierce Arrow Red Pumper, will help the department resume operation of its truck to respond to calls for fire service delivery. Kenneth Musisi

Instagram feud fuels hot oil attack

Ashley Hardy, Jasmine Ragland, Shatericka Barrino and Stori Brown went to the Cumberland Glen Apartments to confront three women over messages sent via Instagram, a photo-sharing service.

Zawadi Clark, 20, Myzelle Armstrong, 18, and Mykhal Tait, 20, met the women outside their apartment armed with a baseball bat and a pot of hot grease. Clark splashed Hardy and Ragland with the oil, causing second- and third-degree burns. Barrino and Brown escaped injury.

The three suspects are each charged with four counts of felony battery. Christian Boone

Vince Dooley to speak at Hillgrove benefit

Vince Dooley will speak and students will perform at the third annual Performing for the Dream Benefit 7 p.m. Feb. 22 at the Joseph B. Boland Theatre, Hillgrove High School, 4165 Luther Ward Road, Powder Springs. For $50, 50 VIP tickets are available for an hour-long meet and greet with the University of Georgia’s former head football coach and athletic director. General admission tickets are $20. Information: barbaraandvincedooley.com, hillgrovefoundation.org or 678-331-3961. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Marietta to vote on plans to slow traffic

The Marietta Council tonight Wednesday will vote on plans to slow traffic at intersections near Wellstar Kennestone Hospital. Traffic calming measures are proposed on Cherokee Street at Margaret Avenue, North Avenue at Tower Road and Kennesaw Avenue at Tower Road. The council on Monday decided to send speed table plans at Kennesaw Avenue and Marble Mill Road back to the public works committee for discussion. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Quilt exhibition wraps up in Mableton

The “Thoroughly Modern Quilts Exhibition” continues 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. through Feb. 27 at the Mable House Arts Center, 5239 Floyd Road, Mableton.

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

Registration open for chamber expo

Registration is open for the 2013 Cobb Chamber Business to Business Expo, which takes place from 3 to 7 p.m. May 16 at the Cobb Galleria Exhibition Hall D.

The event is expected to draw 1,600 attendees and will feature more than 150 companies showcasing products and services.

Information: jdudley@cobbchamber.org or 770-859-2359 or visit www.cobbchamber.org/businessexpo. Jaime Sarrio

GWINNETT

Lilburn Police to hold gun safety seminar

The Lilburn Police Department will offer a Firearm Safety Seminar aimed to educate citizens on firearm and weapons safety and laws, home defense and alternative weapons.

The lecture-based seminar will take place at 6:30 p.m. Mar. 21. Location to be announced.

Free gun locks will be provided to attendees.

To register, e-mail training coordinator Sgt. Tim Allen, tallen@cityoflilburn.com.

Mea Watkins

Norcross to host Valentine’s event

Norcross will host “Valentine’s Wine & Dine” from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Downtown Historic Norcross.

Highlights for couples will include a white horse-drawn carriage, an opportunity to renew vows with a city judge, shopping, dining and watching “Heart Throbs” at the Lionheart Theatre.

Information: aplacetoimagine.com. Kenneth Musisi

Farmers market vendors wanted

The Suwanee Farmers Market is gearing up for its ninth year and is looking for farmers who can provide fresh produce as well as vendors with other items. Applications are due by March 18. Vendors may attend the Suwanee Farmers Market Annual Meeting at 7 p.m. March 18 at Suwanee City Hall, 330 Town Center Ave. Information: www.suwanee.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Child car seat safety checks available

The Lilburn Police offer free child car seat safety checks 1 to 4 p.m. every Thursday at 76 Main St. in Lilburn.

Appointments can be made for other dates and times with Lt. Chris Dusik, 770-638-2185. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Lilburn planning Relay Rally fundraiser

Organizers of the Lilburn Relay Rally fundraiser, a precursor to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, are holding a planning meeting 5:30 p.m. Monday at City Hall, 76 Main St. The April 26 event, which proceeds Gwinnett’s annual event in May, is at Lilburn’s downtown City Park, behind City Hall. The fair-style walk-a-thon attracts several hundred participants who take turns circling the park’s half-mile gravel path, lighted by luminaries commemorating cancer victims. Information: Pat Swan, 770-923-6550. MICHAEL ALPERT FOR THE AJC

Gwinnett Tech offers health tech certificate

Lawrenceville’s Gwinnett Tech is offering a new one-year Health Information Technology certificate program in response to the healthcare industry’s rapid changes in collection, sharing and storage of patient information.

The program is ideal for those with healthcare and information technology experience.

Student applications are due Feb. 20, and classes begin March 4. Information: 678-226-6404, ebaggett@gwinnetttech.edu. MICHAEL ALPERT FOR THE AJC

NORTHSIDE

Boater believed missing on Lake Lanier

Authorities were searching for a missing boater on Lake Lanier Tuesday after a boat was spotted going in circles on the lake with no one on board. State Department of Natural Resources officials said a caller about 10 p.m. Monday reported that a jon boat was “doing circles” with nobody in it near Bald Ridge Creek in Forsyth County. When authorities arrived, they found the boat on the bank, out of gas. Divers and others continued searching the lake Tuesday for the 47-year-old man believed to have been operating the boat. Mike Morris

Woodstock approves development plan

The Woodstock City Council has given final approval to a 10-year update to its Livable Centers Initiative plan. The Town Center Master Plan is a roadmap for the city’s commercial, residential, industrial and mobility development over the next 25 years, and is a requirement for continued participation in the Atlanta Regional Commission LCI program. The plan now goes to the ARC for acceptance, and will be the basis for future grant applications. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Cherokee explorers win competition

Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services Explorer Post No. 469 scored four first-place trophies in the 39th annual Winterfest fire and emergency services competition in Gatlinburg, Tenn. this past weekend. The team took honors in three drills, including exercises simulating rescuing a downed firefighter and navigating disoriented firefighters to safety. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Alpharetta considering food truck event

Alpharetta’s City Council will consider at its Monday meeting a food truck event , where at least four trucks and a local restaurant would gather on Thursdays on Milton Avenue to vend. Cost to the city would be about $78,000 annually, and it would share no profits with the trucks, but instead benefit from foot traffic. A sticking point is the trucks’ proposal to sell alcohol, which would require special pouring permits. MICHAEL ALPERT FOR THE AJC

Forsyth fire officials host poster contest

The Forsyth County Fire Department is calling on all third grade students to take part in a Fire Safety Poster Contest. The deadline for submitting original designs and artwork is March 15.

Three winners will enjoy a pizza party with their class and local firefighters. Information: 770-781-2180, ext 4028.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Citizen fire academy taking applications

The Johns Creek Fire Department will accept applications for its Citizens Fire Academy through Friday. The eight-week academy includes instruction in equipment, fire prevention, CPR, first aid, fire training and emergency medical exercises. Classes take place 7 to 10 p.m. Tuesdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, Mar. 12 through Apr. 30. Cost: $25.

Applications are available at www.johnscreek.gov or at the Johns Creek Fire Department Headquarters, 10205 Medlock Bridge Pkwy.

Information: 678-474-1641. Mea Watkins

ATLANTA

Cops: Woman killed by estranged husband

Melanie McQueen-Moultrie, 35, was shot multiple times in her vehicle in front of of her home Emerald Court, off Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, according police. Police are looking for a suspect, Dondrelle Moultrie, who is believed to be driving a 2008 teal Chevrolet Silverado with Georgia tag BCQ 8516.

Anyone with information should call police at 404-546-4235. Alexis Stevens

Arrest made in January shooting on Boulevard

Officers responding to a Jan. 14 gambling call in the 600 block of Boulevard heard gunshots in the area on arrival just after 10 p.m. A man with a gunshot wound to the torso was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital in critical condition. A second victim was found at the intersection of Boulevard and North Avenue, and was taken to Atlanta Medical Center, where he died of a gunshot wound to the torso. The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s office identified the dead man as Rickey Medrano, 27, of Atlanta.

On Monday, police arrested Marcus Morris, 32, and charged him with murder and aggravated assault. Mike Morris

Buckhead Business group meets Thursday

The Buckhead Business Association’s weekly breakfast meeting will be 7:30 to 9 a.m. Thursday at the City Club of Buckhead.

Wes Moss, chief investment strategist at Capital Investment Advisors, will present on the state of the economy.

Tickets: $10 for members and $20 for visitors. Information: www.buckheadbusiness.org.

Kenneth Musisi

Summer food programs seeks sponsors

The Summer Food Service Program is looking for sponsors to serve nutritious meals to children. The SFSP, administered by Atlanta-based Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Information: www.decal.ga.gov or 1-855-550-SFSP or SFSP@decal.ga.gov Nancy Badertscher

DEKALB

No parole for shooter in boy’s death

Cody Dane Bauer, 21, was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole, plus an additional life sentence and 675 years for killing 11-year-old Nicholas Sheffey in February 2010.

Nicholas was struck in the head by one of seven bullets fired into his Chamblee home. He died five days later.

Bauer, Alexander Sidloskas and Stedmund Anthony, were arrested within days of the shooting, which investigators called retaliatory.

Police said the trio was targeting the boy’s 16-year-old brother, accused in a 2009 robbery, but instead shot the younger child.

In March 2010, Bauer, Sidloskas and Anthony were indicted on charges of malice murder, felony murder, several counts of aggravated assault, and additional charges of illegal gang activity.

Sidloskas and Anthony pleaded guilty last year and were each sentenced to 50 years, with 25 years to be served in prison and the remainder on probation. Alexis Stevens

Hearing set on Decatur Walmart appeal

An appeal filed by the attorneys of Good Growth DeKalb, a group opposed to the building of a Walmart store in North Decatur, will go before the DeKalb County Zoning Board of Appeals at 1 p.m. today n the DeKalb County Auditorium, Manual Maloof Building, 1300 Commerce Dr.

The appeal contends that a permit issued by the county for the proposed supercenter does not comply with county ordinances governing storm water control, tree protection and truck traffic associated with development. Mea Watkins

Poet is speaker for Emory commencement

Poet Rita Dove will serve as Emory University’s commencement speaker, officials announced Tuesday.

Dove, a Pulitzer Prize winner, served as the U.S. Poet Laureate from 1993 to 1995. Dove, an English professor at the University of Virginia, will receive an honorary degree from Emory.

Commencement will be held May 13 on the campus quadrangle. Laura Diamond

Career fair set for special needs students

The DeKalb County School District and the DeKalb Council of PTAs will host an education, resources and college fair for students with special needs 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the DeKalb County Administrative Complex.

Highlights of the fair include information about employment, staffing services, career exploration, college and vocational programs, and more.

Information: Ron Brown, chair of family engagement and special needs, at rbrown011914@gmail.com.

Kenneth Musisi

Students selected for All State orchestra

Five Chamblee Charter High School orchestra students passed their final audition and are now members of the Georgia All State Orchestra.

They are Aomemg Cui, Erin Pitts, Hannah Shute, Malhar Kute and Joseph Fan. They will perform in Savannah in March.

Ben Campbell and Conner Hart were selected for the Statewide Honor Orchestra.

Kenneth Musisi

SOUTHSIDE

Four Fayette schools face closure

Four Fayette County schools are slated to be closed under a budget-tightening plan introduced by the school board. The proposed school closings is an effort to address a $15 million budget shortfall. The plan has angered parents of students at Tyrone Elementary, Brooks Elementary, Fayette Middle School and Fayetteville Intermediate School. The first of two hearings on the matter will be held Thursday at 7 p.m. at Sams Auditorium, 205 LaFayette Ave. in Fayetteville. The next hearing will be Feb. 25. Tammy Joyner

Board sets called meeting

The Henry County Board of Commissioners has scheduled a special called meeting 6:30 p.m. today at the county administration building at 140 Henry Parkway, McDonough. According to the agenda posted on the county’s web site, the board will considers resolutions regarding a name change for Atlanta South Regional Airport as well as the status of the airport’s management company. Monroe Roark for the AJC

City looks for input on uses for former mall

Union City officials are looking for feedback for redevelopment of the Union Station Mall site at a workshops at 7 p.m. today at the Etris Community Center, 5285 Lakeside Dr. The meeting includes a presentation to explain the project background, discuss key findings of a market analysis, and present redevelopment scenarios for public review and comment. The scenarios also address the potential for relocating the South Fulton Park & Ride lot that is currently located one exit north of the mall. Public input gathered at the meeting will be used to identify a preferred development concept for the mall site. The concept will address land use and design, traffic circulation and multi-modal connectivity, parking, green space, and preliminary implementation strategies. Information:contact@peqatl.com contactcontact@peqatl.com

John Thompson for the AJC

Peachtree City mailing surveys to residents

Peachtree City has mailed letters to 1,200 randomly selected residents asking them to complete a Needs Assessment Survey online. The approximately 40 multiple-choice questions ask about citizen satisfaction with services related to police, fire, public works, recreation and the library as they relate to current property tax rates. Recipients are encouraged to reply promptly.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

McDonough sponsors ladies night out

The City of McDonough’s February Ladies Night Out on the McDonough Square will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday.

Participants will enjoy shopping and dining at the various restaurants and businesses in the area.

Information: 770-898-9868.

Veronica Fields Johnson

Break week camp set for Feb. 18-22

The Henry County Parks and Recreation Department is offering a Mid-Winter Break Camp Monday - Feb. 22. Cost: $100. Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. for ages 5-12. Information and register:www.hcprd.org. Monroe Roark for the AJC