COBB
County approves residential development
The Cobb Board of Commissioners approved a residential development Tuesday in west Cobb and a townhome project in east Cobb. Local residents appeared at the zoning meeting opposing the projects.
Developer J.W. Homes will build 175-homes off Paul Samuel and Acworth Due West Roads. Plans include leaving 50 acres as green space in the 137-acre subdivision. David Pearson Communities will develop the east Cobb property with 82 townhomes off Sandy Plains Road. Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Group to collect 100,000 diapers
A community group plans to collect more than 100,000 diapers for agencies that help low-income families in Cobb.
Donations will be gathered on Cobb Diaper Day 5 p.m. Monday in Glover Park.
More than 400,000 diapers have been collected in four years to help pantries at the Center for Family Resources, MUST Ministries, Reconnecting Families, YWCA of Northwest Georgia and Sweetwater Mission.
Information:www.cobbdiaperday.com.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Marietta Schools to buy 120 computers
The Marietta City Schools Board of Education on Tuesday approved the purchase of 120 computers and four laptop carts for $89, 939 using SPLOST funds.
District head Emily Lembeck requested the additional laptops that will be used at mobile testing labs during the school year and to supplement classroom needs.
Dell Marketing was chosen from three bids.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Neighborhood Watch meeting Oct. 30
The Mableton Improvement Coalition will help kick off the Neighborhood Watch program in historic Mableton at 7 p.m. Oct. 30 at the First Baptist Church of Mableton, 5385 Church St. SW.
MIC President Joel Cope encourages Mableton area residents to attend if they are interested in forming this program in their neighborhoods.
Information: fbcmableton.com, president@mableton.org.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Art exhibit continues through Nov. 12
An Artist Guild of Northwest Georgia exhibit will continue 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays through Nov. 12 at the Mable House Arts Center, 5239 Floyd Road, Mableton.
This sixth annual juried competition is hosted by the South Cobb Arts Alliance.
These AGNWG artists from Paulding and surrounding counties connect artists, art lovers, groups and associations with one another, organizing educational events, demonstrations, member shows and exhibitions and visits to galleries and museums.
Information: georgiaart.net, southcobbarts.org, mablehouse.org, call 770-819-3285 for evening and weekend hours.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
GWINNETT
Police seek help in locating murder suspect
Anthony Meguil Luis Brooks, 21, allegedly shot Terrence Robinson in the chest outside Tailgators on Hurricane Shoals Road on Oct. 10, Lawrenceville police said. Brooks then left the area on foot. Robinson, 37, later died at Gwinnett Medical Center. Police have charged Brooks with felony murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm by convicted felon and possession of firearm during the commission of a crime. But he has eluded capture. Brooks is often spotted on a dark-colored bike and frequents the Hurricane Shoals and Curtis roads area in Lawrenceville. . Anyone with information should contact police.Alexis Stevens
Braselton distribution center to be built
Ridgeline Property Group and Hillwood Investment Properties will jointly develop a 1,074,596-square-foot distribution building less than one mile from the I-85/Hwy 53 interchange in Braselton.
A groundbreaking will take place Nov. 1 with construction complete in second-quarter 2015. Information: www.brasleton.net. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Relocation of utilities OK’d for I-85 toll lane
Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Tuesday approved a joint agreement with Georgia DOT to relocate utilities near the intersection of I-85 and I-985 to expedite the extension of toll lanes from Old Peachtree Road to Hamilton Mill Road, adding a new lane in each direction between Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road and Hamilton Mill Road.
The $110 million project will also add auxiliary lanes along southbound I-85 between the Mall of Georgia exit and Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road exit and along northbound I-85 from exit 115 to the planned exit at Gravel Springs Road. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Grayson to hire community director
The Grayson City Council will hire a community development director to work with the media, manage updates to the website and social media, as well as take over oversight and management of the Historic Preservation Society and Arts and History Center.
Applications accepted Oct. 27 through Nov. 3 .
Information: www.cityofgrayson.org.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Sugarloaf Mills holding seasonal job fair
Sugarloaf Mills will host a job fair 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today at the retail center at the junction of I-85 and Sugarloaf Parkway in Lawrenceville.
Information: www.ShopSugarloafMills.com or 678-847-5000. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Fire stations discontinue recycling
Due to a change from the recycling vendor, Gwinnett will no longer be able to accept paper, cardboard, junk mail or magazines for recycling at Gwinnett County fire stations. Residents may continue to recycle aluminum cans for the Burn Foundation at local stations.
Residents without curbside service for paper products may take items to the Recycling Bank of Gwinnett, 4300 Satellite Boulevard in Duluth.
Information: 770-242-6433.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
NORTHSIDE
Forsyth schools discuss Ebola procedures
Forsyth County Schools officials met Tuesday to review and update communicable disease procedures in light of nationwide concerns about the Ebola virus. The final decision on enrolling any new student with the disease would rest with the district’s Health Services Facilitator. Any similar instance involving existing students would be handled by the district’s policy on all communicable diseases that is already in place.Officials said their updated protocols are in line with Georgia heath department recommendations. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Family flees burning home
Smoke detectors are being credited with helping a Johns Creek family escape their burning home early Wednesday. Fire officials say the fire shortly after midnight caused extensive damage to the home at 385 Waters Bend Way. The family of four was able to escape with no injuries after being awakened by the alarm. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Roswell meeting on school replacement
A community meeting about the replacement of Esther Jackson Elementary School is 6:30 p.m. Nov. 10 at 400 Martin Road, Roswell. Construction officials will show the proposed design. Esther Jackson will be torn down and replaced after the current school year. A new school for use in the interim is under construction on Ga. 9. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Holly Springs purchases park land
The city of Holly Springs has signed off to buy 58.35 acres of land for $3.5 million dollars for a future park. Officials had negotiated for three months on the land near Stringer and Hickory roads held by Ben and Vicki Cagle. No specific plans have been set for the proposed park and there’s no timetable, other than a 10-year development window. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Sandy Springs weighs management options
A consultant on Sandy Springs’ planned performing arts center is recommending operation of the facility be turned over to a private management company, either a for-profit or non-profit entity. The Venue Solutions Group’s draft report to the Mayor and City Council submitted Wednesday looked at several options, including the city operating the center itself, private management, or some sort of hybrid. The consultant also recommends a private management firm be hired 18 to 24 months before City Center’s opening day. The facility would be a centerpiece of the Sandy Springs City Center redevelopment project. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Cherokee deputies honored
A dozen deputies were recognized at Tuesday’s Cherokee County Board of Commissioners meeting. Corporal ordan Strong, Deputy Bryan Ledford, Deputy Matthew Butler, Deputy Jeffrey Henley and Deputy Lance Wright got lifesaving awards. Sergeant David Barone, Sergeant Wayne Turner, Deputy Richard Pike, Deputy Lauren Denson, Deputy Thomas Hult, Deputy Jeff Hardt and Deputy George Greene got sheriff’s commendation awards. Sheriff Roger Garrison presented the awards. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
DEKALB
Skateboard festival to close North Ave.
North Avenue will be closed to traffic for the “King of North Ave” skateboard competition and slide jam benefit noon-7 p.m. Nov. 2.
The competition will take place outside The Masquerade, 695 North Ave. An arts festival and crafts fair will be held throughout the street, along with food trucks and live bands.
Spectator admission is $5.
Proceeds benefit Lost-N-Found Youth. The non-profit provides shelter for LGBT youth.
Information: lili139.wix.com/king-of-north-avenue.
Adrianne Murchison for the AJC
Truck driver wins big haul
Truck driver Randolph Adams always stops by the same Atlanta QuikTrip for coffee and a lottery ticket.
During a recent 10-minute break, the 72-year-old great grandfather of five stopped by the QuikTrip at 5705 Fulton Industrial Blvd. SW for the usual: coffee, juice and a Decades of Dollars ticket.
Adams, who has been driving for 54 years, matched all six numbers from the Oct. 13 drawing, winning $250,000 a year for 30 years. He selected the cash equivalent of $7.5 million before taxes.
Adams said he plans to use his winnings to do some holiday shopping for underprivileged children. Rodney Thrash
Civil Rights panel discussion on Tuesday
The Atlanta History Center and the Center for Civil and Human Rights will present a Civil Rights panel discussion with history professors from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at McElreath Hall, Woodruff Auditorium, Atlanta History Center, 130 West Paces Ferry Road NW.
“Civil War to Civil Rights: The Legacy of Race and Relevance” will be moderated by Julian Bond with panelists Eric Foner, Leslie M. Harris and Charles Reagan Wilson.
Costs: $5, members; $10, guests.
Information: atlantahistorycenter.com/program/civil-war-civil-rights-legacy-race-and-relevance or 404-814-4150.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
SOUTHSIDE
Fayette schools vote to boost salaries, staff
The Fayette County Board of Education voted 5-0 Monday to increase staff pay and add back some key positions. The $2.9 million measure, effective Nov. 1, will give salaried employees a 1 percent raise and restore four high school assistant principal positions that were cut in the recession. It will also bring back 19 parapros for elementary and middle schools and provide more funds for school operating budgets. The system’s expenses are already $2 million under budget, so the funding transfer is not expected to result in an overall budget increase. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Commission to vote on path proposal
The Fayette County Board of Commissioners will consider whether to extend golf cart path access to the Starr’s Mill school complex at its 7 p.m. meeting today in Fayetteville. The project would spend $214,600 to add path segments along Redwine Road between Birkdale Drive and Carnoustie Way and between Preserve Place and Foreston Place. The proposal is part of a larger plan to give Starr’s Mill cart access similar to that already available at McIntosh High School.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Fayette completes first stormwater project
Fayette County has completed the first stormwater infrastructure project financed by its new Stormwater Utility Fund. Following the defeat of last year’s SPLOST proposal, the county has been struggling to address overdue road and culvert repairs.
Construction to alleviate persistent flooding on Brittany Way in Fayette Villa Estates was the first of a list of projects that will be done based on severity of need and availability of funds. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Henry schools personnel recognized
The Henry County Schools will recognize Teacher of the Year and other winners during the “Harvest of Heroes” 7 p.m. today at the Performing Arts Center in McDonough.
The three finalists are Alicia Loughner (McDonough Elementary), Mark French (Ola Middle) and John Wood (Luella High).Monroe Roark for the AJC
Public information meeting Oct. 30
The Henry County SPLOST Department will hold a public information meeting regarding the Jodeco Road and Blackhall Road intersection improvement project 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at Red Oak Elementary School, 175 Monarch Village Way in Stockbridge. Information: www.henrycounty-ga.org/splost. Monroe Roark for the AJC
Commissioner’s ball set for Oct. 26
Henry County Commissioner Bruce Holmes will host the Third Annual Commissioner’s Masked Ball 5:30 p.m. Sunday in the Egyptian Ballroom of the Fox Theatre in Atlanta.
The evening’s honorees include the Rev. Timothy McDonald III, Henry County Sheriff Keith McBrayer, Shane Persaud, Sarah Billups, Marilyn Flynn, Joni McCrae and Alexandria Johnson.
Tickets: $60. Proceeds benefit the Commissioner Bruce Holmes Youth Foundation.
Information: www.cbhyf.org, 404-310-0460 or 770-597-7544.
Monroe Roark for the AJC
