The Georgia Canine Coalition will honor Rep. Bobby Reese in Buford on Monday for his work on anti-dog fighting legislation. The public is invited to come and toast him, said Gail LaBerge, coalition president. The Republican Reese represents District 98, which includes Suwanee, Buford and Sugar Hill. "He put the anti-dog fighting bill through, and we've named him the 2008 legislator of the year," LaBerge said.

The Canine Coalition represents dog owners and dog clubs around the state. Signed into law on May 6, House Bill 301 strengthens Georgia's laws against dog fighting by implicating those who train dogs and those who watch dog fights, she said. If there are no spectators, soon there will be no dog fights, said LaBerge. The reception is from 5 to 7 p.m. at Puckett's Restaurant, 4360 South Lee Street. There will be iced tea and a sheet cake, but those who attend are welcome to enjoy, at their own expense, supper at the restaurant.

— Rebecca McCarthy