County by county for Friday

The board on Tuesday tabled the vote until the Feb. 14 meeting starting at 6 p.m. to give the public a chance to comment.

Board members said working online will help students be ready for college and career.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Georgia Ballet donates to YWCA

The Georgia Ballet recently donated $2,000 to the YWCA of Northwest Georgia during an event at the Cobb Chamber of Commerce. Proceeds were from a benefit performance of “The Nutcracker” last month. Five dollars of each ticket sold to the night’s performance was donated to the YWCA. The YWCA of Northwest Georgia runs domestic violence shelter in Cobb County. Shelia Poole

Acworth police to hold citizens academy

The Acworth Police Department is accepting online applications for its Citizens Police Academy. During the 12-week academy participants will interact with officers and learn about the operations of the Acworth Police Department and law enforcement. The class is free but space is limited. All classes will be held at the Acworth Police Department on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 9 p.m. beginning March 6.

Information and application: http://www.acworth.org/acworthga/ Jeffry Scott

‘Explore Korea’ event at Marietta library

Cobb library system will host an “Explore Korea” culture event Saturday in Marietta.

Participants will learn about the history of the country, make Korean paper lanterns and sample Korean food. “Explore Korea” begins at 2 p.m. at the Central Library, 266 Roswell St. in Marietta. A second “Explore Korea” event will be held Jan. 28 at the East Cobb Library. Pre-register: 770-509-2730 Information: www.cobbcounty.org/library Janel Davis

West Cobb Businesses to salute military

The West Cobb Business Association will hold a Military Appreciation luncheon on Tuesday in Powder Springs.

This meeting runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lost Mountain Baptist Church, 5400 Old Dallas Road. To register, visit westcobbbusiness.com/luncheons/index.html.

Information: Mark Zangari, vice president and membership director, at mark@dollarwisecartridge.com. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Chabad of Cobb hosts teen meeting

The Chabad of Cobb, located at 4450 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta, will host a teen group meeting for boys in grades 8-12, on Sunday, Jan. 29 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The meeting will be led by Noah Pawliger and will include an evening of fun, current events and community service.

Fee is $10 and snacks will be provided. Reply by Thursday, Jan. 26 to office@chabadofcobb.com. Information: 770-565-4412 ext.300. Veronica Fields Johnson

GWINNETT

Snellville man accused in 15 armed robberies

A Snellville man was in custody Wednesday, accused of 15 armed robberies across Gwinnett County, including one this week that netted him $18,000, police said.

Gwinnett police spokesman Cpl. Jake Smith said Derrick Kingsley Cage, 28, is responsible for robberies that extend to Nov. 30, 2011, and include four holdups in Norcross, Lawrenceville and Lilburn, and the remainder in unincorporated Gwinnett County.

Smith said Cage was arrested at his home Tuesday night without incident. He remained held without bond at the Gwinnett County Detention Center. Chris Seward

Gwinnett schools’ bonds receive top rating

Gwinnett County School’s general obligation bonds have received the highest-quality rating available.

Moody’s Investors Service has given the district an Aaa rating on Gwinnett’s $275 million in general obligation bonds, which are being used to give the district an advance on penny sales tax proceeds.

Moody’s officials said the rating reflects the district’s stable outlook, its fiscal management and its and large and diverse tax base. D. Aileen Dodd

Birmingham bombing survivor to speak

Carolyn McKinstry, a survivor of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham in 1963, will speak at 6 p.m. Jan. 26 at the Suwanee branch of thee Gwinnett county Public Library, 361 Main Street, Suwanee.

McKinstry was present when members of the Ku Klux Klan bombed the church, killing four of her young friends. She is the author of “While the World Watched: A Birmingham Bombing Survivor Comes of Age During the Civil Rights Movement.”

The event is free. For information, visit www.gwinnettpl.org or call 770-978-5154. David Wickert

Lasseter to meet with constituents Saturday

Gwinnett County Commissioner Shirley Lasseter will meet with constituents from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday at Fire Station 7, 3343 Bunten Road, Duluth. David Wickert

Manna Fund hosts event today

The Manna Fund is hosting a “Winter Blues” Networking and Social today from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Purple Rain Restaurant and Lounge, 3550 Mall Boulevard N.W., Duluth. The Manna Fund is a non-profit organization that provides funds for eating disorder treatment for individuals with little or no insurance coverage. Admission is free and donations are appreciated. RSVP at

Information: www.mannafund.org. Veronica Fields Johnson

Ashworth College offers scholarships

Ashworth College, an online school based in Norcross, is accepting applications for the 2012 Gary Keisling ACCESS Scholarship program.

Applicants must submit an application and an original 250-500 word essay by Feb. 1. Ashworth will award 22 scholarships on March 1.

Information: www.ashworthcollege.edu or 1-800-224-7234. Veronica Fields Johnson

NORTHSIDE

Police I.D. pedestrian struck, killed by car

Police on Thursday identified a pedestrian who died after being struck by a vehicle while crossing a street in Sandy Springs.

The victim was identified as Julie Marcella Hernandez, 39, who lived on Hammond Drive near the accident scene, Sandy Springs police spokesman Lt. Steve Rose said. The incident happened on Hammond Drive at Barfield Road around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Rose said. Rose said Hernandez was a man but was transgender.

The driver remained on the scene and will not be charged, Rose said. Angel K. Brooks

Retired colonel to run for Forsyth board

Retired U.S. Army Colonel Dennis T. Brown has announced his candidacy for the District 2 seat on the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners now held by Brian Tam.

Brown, 51, a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, retired last year after 30 years of service. He holds a bachelor’s degree in human resource management from the University of Alabama and a master’s in international business from Kennesaw State.

He is a member of the Forsyth County Republican Party and the Forsyth County Tea Party. He and his wife Susan live in Lakeside Farms subdivision in south Forsyth. Patrick Fox

Milton streamlines erosion control permits

Those seeking land disturbance permits in Milton may find the wait a little shorter now. The city has been granted authority to review erosion control plans and issue permits without concurrent approval from the state.

An agreement with the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission and the Fulton County Soil and Water Conservation District shows Milton has the capability to comply with requirements of the Clean Water Act.

Milton plan review engineer Jimmy Sanders said the agreement may cut the time it takes to issue a permit down from 35 days to 14 days. Patrick Fox

County wants input on access for disabled

Fulton residents can sound off about the county’s accommodations for the disabled in on online survey. The county is conducting an Americans with Disabilities Act self-evaluation, which will be used to update and improve services.

Areas to be evaluated include facility and program accessibility and administrative policies. To access the survey, go to www.fultoncountyga.gov and click the ADA survey tool. For a survey in an alternate format, call 404-612-7390 or e-mail ada-sep.survey@fultoncountyga.gov. Johnny Edwards

Hosts for exchange students needed

World Heritage Student Exchange Program is seeking host families for high school students from Scandinavia, France, Germany, Italy, Thailand, China, South Korea, and the former Soviet Republics. Couples, single parents, and families with or without children in the home are encouraged to apply.

Host families will provide room, board, and guidance for the 2012-13 academic year. Information: Monica Botn in Roswell at 770-289-6006 or 800-888-9040 and visit www.whhosts.com. Kenneth Musisi

ATLANTA

Reed: Cash reserves soon to be $108 million

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed predicted on Thursday that the city’s cash reserves will exceed $108 million within a year.

In a speech at the Georgia World Congress Center, Reed said the increase in the city’s reserve would allow it to begin whittling down a $1 billion backlog of local infrastructure projects that “we’ve all been talking about but haven’t been able to do anything about yet.” Reed said the city’s cash reserves have risen from $7.4 million to $94 million since he became mayor two years ago. Jeremiah McWilliams

CAU begins tribute to W.E.B. DuBois

Clark Atlanta University will kick off a tribute to scholar and former professor W.E.B. DuBois today with a discussion of “The Gift of Black Folk” and his landmark, “The Souls of Black Folk.”

Monthly panels will touch on DuBois’ writings and conclude in 2013 with the “On the Wings of Atlanta” conference, which will celebrate his legacy.

Today’s panel will feature his great-grandson Arthur McFarlane.

DuBois taught at Atlanta University from 1897 to 1910, returning in 1934 to chair the sociology department for 10 years.

Today’s event begins at noon in the Cole Research Center, 223 James P. Brawley Dr. Ernie Suggs

Event to raise money for AIDS research

An indoor cycling event to aid Action Cycling Atlanta and AIDS vaccine research at the Emory Vaccine Center will be held from noon to 6 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Athletic Club Northeast, 1515 Sheridan Road N.E.

“Spin to End AIDS 2012” will include more than 30 teams of six riders each.

Each rider spins for an hour and raises at least $100.

Action Cycling Atlanta is the producer of AIDS Vaccine 200, a two-day, 200-mile ride to raise money for the vaccine center.

To register or donate to “Spin to End AIDS 2012” go to www.SpinToEnd.org or call 404-954-2925. Shelia Poole

DEKALB

Doraville clinic owner indicted

A Doraville clinic owner, David Song Sen Cui, 43, of Duluth, was indicted this week by a federal grand jury on 11 charges of health care fraud.

Cui operated the Atlanta Hope Medical Group, which purportedly provided physical therapy to elderly patients. However, the clinic actually offered massages by unlicensed massage therapists, federal prosecutors said. Cui allegedly billed over $5.5 million to Medicare under a doctor’s name who did not render the services. Each charge of health care fraud is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine. Andria Simmons

Dunwoody council holds planning meeting

The Dunwoody City Council will hold its annual strategic planning meeting today at Perimeter Hotel and Suites, 111 Perimeter Center West.

The meeting, which begins at 8 a.m., will include briefings on: the expectations of elected officials and staff; an overview of objectives; discussions on financial planning, capital projects, media policy and public safety. Public comment is scheduled at the beginning and end of the meeting. Patrick Fox

Legislators to hold town meetings

Two state representatives and a state senator representing central DeKalb County will host a town hall meeting later this month in Decatur.

State Reps. Stephanie Stuckey Benfield and Mary Margaret Oliver and state Sen. Jason Carter, all Democrats, will lead the meeting to discuss constituent concerns about state issues.

The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 26 at Decatur City Hall, 509 N. McDonough St. The session is free and open to all DeKalb residents. April Hunt

School Choice Expo to be Saturday

Parents seeking alternatives to their nearby public school in DeKalb County can attend an information fair about transferring to a different school.

The system will hold its fifth annual School Choice Expo on Saturday. Options include charter schools, magnet programs and transfers from failing schools as defined by the No Child Left Behind Act.

The expo is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Mall at Stonecrest, 2929 Turner Hill Rd., Lithonia. Ty Tagami

Toco Hills senior group to discuss shuttles

The Toco Hills Senior Coalition will hold a hearing on Jan. 25 to discuss proposed routes in a pilot project to run shuttle buses for senior citizens. The plan is to have routes that cover Toco Hills neighborhoods, activity centers and other places nearby . The project is a collaboration of the Senior Coalition, the DeKalb County Office of Senior Affairs and the Georgia Department of Human Services.

The hour-long hearing will start at 10:30 a.m. at the Toco Hill-Avis G. Williams Library at 1282 McConnell Drive in Decatur. Rhonda Cook

Symphony orchestra show on Sunday

The DeKalb Symphony Orchestra Presents “Around the World in 60 Minutes” Children’s Concert on Sunday at 3 p.m. at Georgia Perimeter College- Clarkston Campus, 555 N. Indian Creek Dr. Tickets are $5. Information and to purchase tickets: 678-891-3565 or visit DeKalbSymphony.com. Sandra Marshall Murray

SOUTHSIDE

Ethics concerns hold up busing contract

A contract renewal for a company busing Fulton County seniors and disabled residents is on hold after commission Chairman John Eaves raised concerns that two former county employees now work for the company, which could be an ethics violation if that helped win the contract. Eaves said he will ask the ethics board to investigate. MV Transportation Inc., won a $3.3 million contract last year to drive needy residents to senior centers, medical appointments and grocery stores, among other places. A vote to extend the job failed to get four needed votes. Johnny Edwards

Henry moves for appointed surveyor

The Henry County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution supporting the enactment of local legislation to change the position of county surveyor to an appointed position. Currently it is an elective, unpaid, four-year term of office. Henry County is one of only ten counties statewide and two in the metro Atlanta area with such an arrangement. County officials stressed recently that having the position on the ballot is costly and unnecessary. The request now goes to the Capitol to be introduced before the 2012 Georgia General Assembly. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Henry school hosts three Tuskegee Airmen

Henry County Middle School welcomes three members of the Tuskegee Airmen for an assembly Monday. This will be one of the first public appearances for Val Archer, Wilbur Mason, and Walter Richardson since the Jan. 20 premier of the Georgia Lucas film “Red Tails” about this historic fighter pilot group from World War II. First Lady Sandra Deal are among the expected participants.

Events include a reenactment of the life and history of Bessie Coleman, the first African-American to be a licensed pilot in the United States. Nancy Badertscher

Fayette pre-K registration Monday

Parents with students eligible to attend pre-K for 2012-13 can register them for the lottery drawing starting Monday.

Fayette pre-K is available at Cleveland, Crabapple Lane, Hood Avenue, Inman, North Fayette, Oak Grove, Peachtree City and Robert J. Burch elementary schools. Students must be age 4 on or before Sept. 1 to qualify.

Registration for the lottery will be held at those schools from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Feb. 29; the drawing will be held March 1.

Details are at www.fcboe.org. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Fayette schools hold mentoring meeting

The Fayette County Public School System is hosting a mentoring roundtable on Jan. 25 to encourage volunteers to work with students.

The meeting will focus on the roles mentors play in closing the achievement gap in public education. Prospective volunteers may attend alongside current mentors to learn how the program works and discuss ways to improve it.

The roundtable runs from 4 to 6 p.m. at the LaFayette Educational Center at 205 LaFayette Ave. in Fayetteville.

For information, call Jane Gough at 770-460-3990, ext. 255. Jill Howard Church for the AJC