COBB
Woman accused in double homicide denied bond
Zusi Aguirre, 25, of Mableton was denied bond Tuesday for allegedly shooting and killing Byron Caceres, 23, of Norcross, and Eulalio “Freddie” Mederos-Vega, 27, of Sandy Springs inside a Sandy Springs apartment. She was arrested last month in Mobile, Ala., and charged with two counts of felony murder, armed robbery and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. She was arrested during a traffic stop days after the double homicide. Aguirre was extradited to Georgia and made her first court appearance Tuesday in Fulton County, where she was denied bond. Her next court date is set for Oct. 21. Alexis Stevens
Cobb police officers honored for service
The Cobb Chamber of Commerce honored police officers Monday. Cobb County officer Charles Vill, who was shot five times by a driver he pulled over in February, received the medal of valor for bravery. Acworth Police Agent Kyle Arnold was named the Public Safety Employee of the Year. Marietta Police officer Paul Reynolds and Smyrna Police Officer Tom Rooney won the 2014 Award of Merit. Cobb Police Detective Tom Bastis won the distinguished achievement award.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Benefactor provides trips for students
The Acworth Board of Alderman has approved a trip to New York for 12 fourth through twelfth graders during spring break in April An anonymous benefactor will pay $16,788. for the trip for students from low-income families. The unnamed supporter of the Acworth Parks and Recreation Expanding Horizons program has also sponsored monthly day trips since 2006 for up to 75 students to metro attractions and museums and spring break trips out of state. Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Powder Springs approves city vehicle
The Powder Springs City Council voted 4-1 Monday to spend $50,000 for a new SUV for city staff and elected officials.
Voting in opposition, Councilwoman Nancy Hudson said the city’s current vehicle is sufficient since it has 89,000 miles and sits in the parking lot most of the time.
Though not voting, Mayor Patricia Vaughn said the city’s current 2002 Suburban will be used by a new maintenance worker, while the new vehicle will be used by the city’s recently hired Economic Development Director Stephanie Aylworth primarily to promote the city.
Also, the new vehicle will be used for transport to training sessions for City Manager Brad Hulsey, Interim City Manager Pam Conner, Vaughn and members of the City Council and of the newly reorganized Downtown Development Authority and Development Authority of Powder Springs.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Smyrna names Acree as fire chief
The Smyrna City Council Monday unanimously approved Roy Acree, 47, to head the city’s fire department. Acree, acting fire chief since July and former deputy fire chief, has been with the department 24 years. Although he was a finalist for the job a year ago, the council chose Paige Day as chief. She was fired in July after six months for using a department credit card for personal use. Day lost an appeal to keep her job in September.Tucker McQueen for the AJC
GWINNETT
New trail opened in time to enjoy fall color
A new trail along Ivy Creek Greenway is accessible from the Environmental Heritage Center, 2020 Clean Water Drive, Buford. It adds 1.5 miles of trail to the existing walking and biking path and includes two boardwalks, an overlook, a 270-foot cable-stayed bridge, restroom and a nature observation trail. The project was partially funded by a grant from the Federal Highway Administration Transportation Enhancement Program. Gwinnett’s Greenway Master Plan calls for the new section of trail to eventually connect to the Ivy Creek Greenway path in George Pierce Park. Information: www.gwinnettEHC.org. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Braselton town hall meeting set
Braselton’s Downtown Development department will host a town hall style meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Braselton municipal building, 5040 Highway 53. The meeting is part of the town’s quest as a qualified “Main Street Program” in Georgia and will feature learning stations, an interactive downtown map, planning survey and volunteer opportunities. Pizza and soft drinks provided. Information: 706-684-0369 or apinnell@braselton.net.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Doors to Homes & Hope returns to Duluth
More than a dozen artistic doors are on display in the Duluth Town Green as part of the 2014 Doors to Homes & Hope exhibit. The exhibit is designed to help bring awareness to the issue of poverty and inadequate housing. Duluth area artists, including Duluth High School students and local downtown business Eye Candy Art Studio participated. In total, 109 doors will be exhibited throughout Gwinnett, including Norcross, Sugar Hill, Lawrenceville and Suwanee through November 1st. Proceeds will go to Gwinnett Habitat for Humanity and Artworks! Gwinnett. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Grayson farmers’ market open
Just as many local markets are shutting down for the season, the Grayson Farmers’ Market will remain open 4 to 7 p.m. each Wednesday through Nov. 26 at Grayson Community Park. In addition to fresh produce and locally made products, the market will include North Georgia apples and ornamental pumpkins. Growers anticipate tomatoes, peppers and eggplant through the end of October along with collards, sweet potatoes, and turnip greens. Information:
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Lilburn to unveil first street piano
Lilburn will unveil the first piano in their new public art project at 9 a.m. Saturday in Lilburn City Park, 76 Main St. as part of the Lilburn Daze Arts and Crafts Festival. The project is modeled on a worldwide movement called ‘Play Me, I’m Yours,’ which installs pianos in public places to become works of art and to provide musical enjoyment.
Lilburn painter Jan Clifton Watford has turned a Queen Anne style piano into a beautiful canvas of flowers. The piano will be placed on the band shell in Lilburn City Park with an open invitation for anyone to sit down and play a song. www.lilburndaze.org.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
NORTHSIDE
Jury selection underway in Milton slaying
Jury selection began Tuesday in the murder trial of one of the three men accused of killing a 19-year-old Milton man. Christopher Walker was gunned down in the driveway of his Silhouette Court home on March 12, 2013.According to the investigation, Richard Davidson, along with Michael Grant, 24, and Matthew Goins, 21, spotted the victim at a Taco Bell wearing a gold chain. They followed him home and allegedly attempted to snatch his gold chain. A struggle ensued and Walker was struck in the head and later died at the hospital, prosecutors allege. Mike Morris
Sheriff’s office warns of power-related scam
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents not to fall for scammers who have called several in the county claiming to be from Georgia Power and have threatened to cut off service if a payment isn’t made over the phone. Sheriff’s officials say the power company doesn’t make such calls to customers, and that residents should not provide the caller with any personal information.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Services set for council member
Funeral arrangements have been set for Woodstock City Council Member Mary Tessa Basford, who passed away early Monday. A viewing is set for 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Lakeside Funeral Home, 121 Claremore Drive, Woodstock. Funeral services are planned for 2 p.m. Saturday, and will be held at the home as well. Basford was first elected to the council in 2010 to fill an unexpired term, and was serving her first full term from Ward 6 at the time of her death.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Waterway cleanup set in Forsyth
Keep Forsyth County Beautiful will stage the 2014 Rivers Alive Cleanup, beginning at 9 a.m. Oct.18, at Mary Alice Park, 1820 Mary Alice Park Road, Cumming. Families, scout troops and others are encouraged to register for the event by calling 770-205-4573 or by clicking on the volunteer tab at keepforsythcountybeautiful.org. The registration deadline is Oct. 15.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Public safety official honored in Alpharetta
The city of Alpharetta honored its departing deputy chief of public safety Monday night. The City Council presented Keith Sanders with his fire chief’s helmet and his city-issued sidearm, which had been purchased by the Alpharetta Public Safety Foundation and engraved. Sanders served the city 21 years, including stints both in the public safety role and as fire chief.He starts work as the fire chief for Sandy Springs Oct. 20, replacing the retiring Jack McElfish.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Milton to salute military vets
If you’re a military veteran living in Milton, the city wants to hear from you. After six years of work, city officials amassed have a database of more than 600 living and fallen veterans, and they’re looking to add to it for this Veterans Day, Nov. 11. Among other uses, the city plans to place newspaper ads honoring vets. To register a family or friend, go to the city’s website at cityofmiltonga.us
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
ATLANTA
Immigration agency taps new director
The federal government has tapped Brett Rinehart to lead U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ Atlanta field office, which oversees legal immigration in the region.
USCIS is holding an open house Oct. 22 to introduce Rinehart to the public. The event includes a citizenship ceremony for 75 immigrants.
A U.S. Army veteran, Rinehart worked as an inspector at the ports in Miami and Tampa for the former U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service. He recently served as special assistant to the deputy associate director for the agency’s field operations in Washington.
Rinehart replaces interim Atlanta field director Joseph Kernan, USCIS’ deputy district director for the southeast region.
During the first six months of this year, USCIS naturalized 5,543 new citizens in Georgia.
Jeremy Redmon
Morehouse hosts Ebola forum
Morehouse School of Medicine will host a public health forum on the Ebola crisis 4 to 7 p.m Thursday at the E. Ginger Sullivan Atrium, National Center for Primary Care, Building A, 720 Westview Dr., SW.
The forum is part of the quarterly Health Policy to Practice Forum series. Morehouse medical school and other national health experts will discuss the Ebola crisis and the need for a global health security agenda in West Africa.
Information: 404-752-1500
Janel Davis
Asian American leaders report on population
Asian American leaders will report on a population increase in Georgia 6-9 p.m. Monday at UPS headquarters, 55 Glenlake Pkwy NE.
According to the report, more than 3.8 million Asian Americans live in the South and have impacted elections. In Atlanta, the Asian American population grew by 88 percent in a decade.
Representatives from the Center for Pan Asian Community Services, the Asian American Pacific Council, the U.S.Census Bureau and several other organizations will host the event.
Information: 770-936-0969.
Adrianne Murchison for the AJC
DEKALB
Bicyclist hit and killed by vehicle ID’d
A 19-year-old man died Monday night when he was hit by a vehicle after falling off a bicycle and into the path of oncoming traffic on McAfee Road in DeKalb County, police said.
DeAnthony Tyson was a passenger on a bicycle being driven “just off the curb” by Terrius Roberts, DeKalb police Capt. Stephen Fore told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
“The bicyclists lost control and fell into the path of the vehicle,” he said in an email.
Tyson died at the scene of the 7:40 p.m. accident, according to Fore.
He said Roberts, also 19, was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital for treatment of injuries that were not life threatening.
The driver of the vehicle stopped, and is not facing any charges, according to police.
Mike Morris
Rio Circle pleads case before commission
Mike Easterwood, representing the 60-acre commercial district “Rio Circle,” presented his case for annexation before Decatur’s commission Monday. Afterwards city manager Peggy Merriss insisted that Decatur will honor Avondale Estates’ annexation plan, which currently includes Rio. Mayor Jim Baskett added, “It wouldn’t be appropriate right now to consider [Rio]. I would urge Mr. Easterwood to very directly make his case before Avondale.” Easterwood publically asked Avondale Mayor Ed Rieker last week for removal from that city’s annexation map. Though Rieker agreed to “consider” the proposal, he abruptly resigned from office the next day. Bill Banks for the AJC
Free adoptions at animal shelter
Free pet adoptions at DeKalb County Animal Services will be extended through October.
The shelter continues to experience a high intake of dogs and cats along with a significant increase in adoptions. In September, DCAS took in more than 700 animals.
Free adoptions include vaccines, spay, neuter and microchipped services. Photos of available pet are on the shelter website: www.dekalbanimalservices.com/adopt-a-pet.
Adrianne Murchison for the AJC
Northlake library spotlght education
Citizens can learn how the International Rescue Committee Atlanta provides safety for refugees 6:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at the Northlake-Barbara Loar Library.
Separately, the library spotlights education in DeKalb County 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 25. Sue Ellen Williams, retired executive director of DeKalb History Center will examine the history of education in the county. Lauren Head, from the Emory School of Nursing and the Georgia Campaign for Grade-Level Reading will discuss the long-term benefits when parents talk with their babies.
Information: 404-679-4408.
Adrianne Murchison for the AJC
Bargain books at library sale
A books sale is 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Doraville Library, 3748 Central Ave.
The event includes books, CDs and DVDs priced 25 cents to $1.
Membership to the Friends of Doraville Library is $5 for individuals, $10 for families. Business memberships range from $50 to $100.
Information: 770-936-3852.
Adrianne Murchison for the AJC
SOUTHSIDE
Man shot eight times in College Park identified
The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s office Tuesday identified a man shot and killed in College Park Friday night as Antoine Kimble, 40, of Atlanta.College Park police are still looking for the person who fled the West Fayetteville Road apartment complex after shooting Kimble eight times.
According to witnesses, the suspect chased Kimble with a gun. The armed man shot Kimble once, then seven additional times after the victim was already down.Kimble was taken to a local hospital, where he later died. Mike Morris, Steve Visser
Fayette encourages artist competition
The Fayette County Public Arts Committee is encouraging local artists to participate in a juried exhibition on Oct. 25 to better highlight Fayette’s fine arts.
Saville Art Studios in Peachtree City is accepting submissions from artists over age 14 whose work exemplifies the theme of “Flow.” Cash prizes will be given to the top three pieces.
Entries are due by Oct. 16; applications are at www.SavilleStudios.com.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Marching Tigers named band champions
Fayette County High School’s Marching Tigers won the Grand Championship title at the Heart of Georgia Marching Band Invitational on Oct. 4 in Warner Robins.
This was the third consecutive year the band got top honors.
The band was also named Class AAAAA Champion, and won the Best Music Award.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Outdoor burning permits change in Fayette
The Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services has changed the procedure for getting outdoor burning permits in unincorporated Fayette County, Tyrone, Brooks and Woolsey to an online process.
Information:www.fayettecountyga.gov. Anyone conducting a commercial or land-clearing burn must call the Fire Marshal’s office at 770-305-5414. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Union City begins road resurfacing
Resurfacing of Dodson Road in Union City will continue through Oct. 27. Motorists will be allowed on the road during the project, however traffic will be controlled.
Buffington Road is closed to through traffic. Bridge construction is scheduled to be complete by July 2015.
A detour map is available at www.unioncityga.org.
Adrianne Murchison for the AJC
Agriculture group hosts open house
The Fayette County chapter of the University of Georgia Extension/4-H will hold an open house from 4 to 6 p.m. today at the Fayette County Public Library, 1821 Heritage Parkway in Fayetteville.
Information and displays will highlight such programs as the master gardeners, Plant-a-Row for the Hungry, Project Achievement, after-school clubs, camps and more.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
