County by county news for Friday

The change is effective immediately, and the transition will be completed by March 31. Existing appointments will not be affected, and many of the current staff are expected to retain their positions. Clinic hours and locations will also remain the same.

Janel Davis

Kennesaw rejects bids for museum expansion

Kennesaw’s City Council this week unanimously rejected eight bids received to expand the research and education center at the city’s Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History. Bids for a 15,000 square-foot addition to the downtown museum came in above the $1.1 million budget. The city will reopen bids after reducing and redesigning the project to meet the existing budget. The expansion would allow more room for collections and railroad researchers and historians to study. Information: www.kennesaw-ga.gov.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Kennesaw State names new police chief

Kennesaw State University has named Roger Lee Stearns the school’s chief of police. Stearns has 20 years experience in law enforcement in higher education, most recently at the University of Texas-Pan American in Edingburg.

He replaces Ted Cochran who retired as chief after 30 years at KSU. Stearns will start at KSU on Feb. 1

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Farmers market to open winter season

The Marietta Square Farmers market will open its winter season 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday through March 29 on Mill Street off the Marietta Square.

The market, which will open every Saturday rain or shine, will have 43 vendors selling locally grown vegetables and artisan food products.

Information: mariettasquarefarmersmarket. net or Johnny Fulmer at 770-499-9393.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Powder Springs OKs break room

The Powder Springs City Council voted Monday to award the low bid of nearly $13,000 to Vintage Constructors of Powder Springs to revamp the break room in the Community Development building, 4488 Pineview Drive.

Don Hicks of Croy Engineering, the city’s engineer, said the space will be torn out and redone by mid-February.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Housing director to retire

Marietta Housing Authority Director Ray Buday,68, will retire April 4 after almost nine years on the job. He previously served as the authority’s counsel. Four public housing projects in Marietta were razed under his watch. He said that allowed the authority to provide better housing to low-income families, and the number of families helped during his tenure increased from 1,900 per year to 2,700. Pete Waldrep,a former Marietta council member and the authority’s development director will succeed Buday.Tucker McQueen for the AJC

GWINNETT

Improvements coming to Northbrook Parkway

Students, teachers and parents at a new middle school in the Peachtree Ridge cluster will benefit from a $1.7 million school safety project funded by the 2009 SPLOST program. The project will widen 0.6 miles of roadway at the school entrance, build a retaining wall and sidewalk and install curb, gutter and flashers at the new school located on Northbrook Parkway.

The expected completion date for the roadwork is the end of July prior to the school’s opening in August. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Animal shelter hours changing

Beginning Sunday, the Gwinnett County Animal Welfare and Enforce¬ment Center will be closed on Sundays and Mondays with new extended weekday hours for adoptions, rescues, and reclaims. For a complete list of hours visit www.gwinnettanimalcontrol.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Harlem Legends to play north Gwinnett squad

An exhibition game between the Harlem Legends and local public safety officers, politicians, community leaders, coaches and teachers is 3 to 8 p.m. March 22 at North Gwinnett High, 20 Level Creek Road, Suwanee. There will also be a basketball clinic and health fair. Admission to the game is $10, $13 at the door and $25 for VIP tickets. Tickets to the basketball clinic are $25.

A portion of the event proceeds will benefit the Michael Douglas Youth Foundation, selected local schools, and north Gwinnett community organizations.

Information: www.harlemlegends.com or 678-630-8843.

Kent A. Miles for the AJC

Suwanee run for love or chocolate

There’s a little extra incentive for runners in the Suwanee Sweetheart Sprint, the Rotary Club of Buford/North Gwinnett’s annual fund-raiser. There will be chocolate at the finish line and in the race bags. If that’s not enough incentive to run the 3.1-mile course, the event has been certified as a Peachtree Road Race qualifier. Race begins at 9 a.m. Feb. 8 at Suwanee City Hall, 330 Town Center Ave. Register at SuwaneeSweetheartSprint.com. Registration: $25/single, $40 couple through Feb. 3; Race-day, $30/single, $50/couple.

Information: www.northgwinnettrotary.org.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Theatre holding comedy auditions

Lionheart Theatre Company, Norcross’ non-profit community theatre, will hold open auditions for I Hate Hamlet 2 at 6 p.m. Sunday and 7 to 10 p.m. Monday at 10 College St., Norcross.

Information: www.lionhearttheatre.org.Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Peachtree Corners offers business guide

Peachtree Corners offers a guide to licensing, permitting and other information for businesses interested in locating in the city.

Go to www.cityofpeachtreecornersga.com to print the guide. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Cherokee commissioners set retreat

The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners will stage its annual retreat at 2 p.m. Thursday(Jan. 16) and 8 a.m. Friday at Barnsley Gardens, 597 Barnsley Gardens Road, Adairsville.

Commission Chair L.B. “Buzz” Ahrens says a number of topics will be on the table, including a potential county historic preservation ordinance and additional funding for economic development incentives. It’s open to the public. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

New public safety chief coming to UNG

A new director of public safety will take over at the University of North Georgia Jan. 21. Justin Gaines was previouslyas associate director of emergency preparedness. He’ll oversee officers and staff at all of UNG’s several campuses, including Forsyth. Gaines succeeds Michael Stapleton, who retired in November after 12 years.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Spring basketball gearing up in Forsyth

An organizational meeting’s set for 7 p.m. Feb. 18 for Forsyth County athletes interested in playing spring adult basketball. Parks and Recreation will hold the meeting at the Central Park Recreation Center, 2300 Keith Bridge Road, Cumming. Registration for league teams will follow from Feb. 19 through March 7. More information: jnmartin@forsythco.com

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Cherokee Chamber annual meeting set

The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for its annual meeting, set for 11 a.m. Jan. 23 at the Northside Hospital-Cherokee Conference Center, 1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton. Incoming Chairman of the Board Lewis Cline of the Bank of North Georgia will be installed and the First Citizen of Cherokee County and Volunteer of the Year awards will be presented. More information/registration: cherokeechamber.com

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Exhibit will explore Cherokee’s past

The Cherokee County History Museum has debuted a new temporary exhibit, “Unearthing the Past: Archaeology in Cherokee County,” which will run until April 12. The exhibit highlights more than 1,000 archeological sites and includes dozens of rarely-seen artifacts. The museum’s at 100 North St., Suite 140, Canton. Hours: Wednesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m.More information: www.rockbarn.org

Mark Woolsey

Roswell seeks input on project

The City of Roswell will hold a Public Information Meeting on the East Roswell Park Connectivity project 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23 in the East Roswell Recreation Center Multi-Purpose Room at East Roswell Park, 9000 Fouts Road.

This project will provide an alternate vehicular connectivity between Eves Road and East Roswell Park.

The concept is available to view at Roswell Department of Transportation, Suite 235, City Hall, 38 Hill St. and online at

www.roswellgov.com/evesrd.

Arlinda Smith Broady

ATLANTA

School board plans to name its leader

The newly elected Atlanta Board of Education will be sworn in Monday, and then its members will choose a chairman of the board.

The school board changed dramatically as a result of last fall’s election, when voters put six newcomers on the nine-member board.. Mark Niesse

Braves 400 Club hosts banquet, fundraiser

The Braves 400 Fan Club is hosting its annual winter banquet and fundraiser Jan. 25, at the Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center. This year’s theme is “Braves in the Baseball Hall of Fame.”

A gala reception, silent auction and raffle begin at 5 p.m. with the awards dinner and program at 6:30 p.m. The Braves 400 Fan Club supports baseball at all levels in the community.

Presentations include the Phil Niekro College Scholarship and player awards. Former Braves announcer Pete Van Wieren will be the emcee. Ticket purchase deadline is Jan. 21.

Information/reservations: www.braves400.org or 770-416-4539. Nancy Badertscher

Teen auditions planned for spring festival

TheWells Fargo ArtsVibe Teen Program is conducting auditions for its Voices & Vibes Festival Saturday and Sundayat the Woodruff Arts Center. The festival takes place May 10 and gives teens the opportunity to express themselves among their peers through all forms of art.

Registration is required.

Information: artsvibe.com/voices/. Arlinda Smith Broady

Buckhead library hosts poetry contest

The Buckhead Library, 269 Buckhead Avenue NE is hosting the Ida Williams Memorial poetry contest for children and teens where winner receive gift cards. Entries due April 19.

Information: 404-814-3500

Arlinda Smith Broady

DEKALB

Mayor: ‘We can’t sit on our laurels’

With bills proposing four new DeKalb County cities going before this year’s legislature, re-elected Decatur mayor Jim Baskett, who once opposed annexation, is now saying, “We are going to have to defend the northeast and northwest (areas currently outside city limits). We can’t sit on our laurels and let them be grabbed by newcomers on the scene.” Bill Banks for the AJC

Skating for dating violence awareness

“Skate in the Name of Love,” a teen dating violence awareness event is 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8 at Golden Glide, 2750 Wesley Chapel Road, Decatur.

The Still Standing Foundation is sponsoring the event. A nonprofit organization that provides a positive outlet for survivors of domestic violence, the foundation offers workshops across metro Atlanta to educate teens on the dangers of dating violence.

Tickets: $10, includes skate rental.

Information: www.eventbrite.com/e/skate-in-the-name-of-love-tickets-9977690541 or 754-777-8263. Kent A. Miles for the AJC

Decatur unveils tree ordinance

Decatur unveiled a proposed new tree ordinance which, if approved, would be its first since 1989. Most dramatically the ordinance sets a community-wide tree canopy cover goal of 55 percent to be achieved by 2039. This regulation would apply to developers, including builders of infill homes, who must allow for 55 percent tree canopy coverage on all properties. The city’s current canopy is estimated at 45 percent, down from 51 percent in 1990. City Commissioners will probably vote on the ordinance during their Jan. 21 meeting.

Bill Banks for the AJC

Residents urged to sign up for CodeRED

With severe winter weather approaching, DeKalb County residents are urged to sign up for the county’s high-speed notification system, CodeRED.

This emergency notification system has the ability to quickly deliver time-sensitive messages via voice, email, and text to targeted areas or the county during emergency situations or disasters.

To sign up go to www.dekalbcountyga.gov and follow the link to the CodeRED Community Notification Enrollment page or call 770-270-0413 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. weekdays.

Arlinda Smith Broady

Youth sports offered this month

The Marcus Jewish Community Center, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody, offers youth sports this month: swimming, dance, gymnastics and tennis. Baseball, soccer, basketball and triathalon training begins in February.

Information: 678-812-3798.

Arlinda Smith Broady

County to demolish public housing

The DeKalb Housing Authority is ready to move residents so it can raze the 50-year-old Tobie Grant Manor housing project and so it can be developed into a mixed-use development.

About 600 residents are being relocated in January so demolition can begin by spring. The new $34 million development will be a mix of public housing and market apartments and single-family homes on the Scottdale site. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Henry fire fields high call volume amid frigid temps

Officials with the Henry County Fire Department reported that firefighters Tuesday answered more than twice the average number of calls for a 24-hour period.

On a day when many cities in Georgia reached record low temperatures, more than 150 calls were dispatched including nine house fires, 41 motor vehicle collisions and more than 70 service calls for broken water pipes and other issues. The average for a 24-hour period is 62.

Information: www.henrycounty-ga.org. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Henry town hall meeting set for Jan. 25

Henry County Commissioner Bruce Holmes’ first town hall meeting of 2014 is scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Fairview Recreation Center, 35 Austin Rd. in Stockbridge. It will feature a State of the County address by commission chairman Tommy Smith and a separate discussion of the housing market by a real estate expert. Information: www.henrycounty-ga.org.

Monroe Roark for the AJC

Free storm spotter classes set for Feb. 11

In conjunction with the Henry County Emergency Management Agency, the National Weather Service office in Peachtree City will be offering two Basic Storm Spotter Classes from 2-7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, at the Henry County Emergency Operations Center, 526 Industrial Boulevard in McDonough. The training is free but space is limited, and those interested should register by Monday, Feb. 4. Contact EMA Officer Shelita Broomfield at sbroomfield@co.henry.ga.us to reserve a space.

Monroe Roark for the AJC

Host families needed for exchange students

Fayette County families interested in hosting foreign high school exchange students this fall are being sought by the group Student American International. The state-approved program places students in local schools and ensures that they have their own medical insurance and spending money. Contact Jinx Ratcliffe at 770-477-1376.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Winter rec classes begin in Fayette

Fayette County’s Parks & Recreation Department has begun registration for winter classes. Courses in dance, fitness, art, theater, photography, radio-controlled airplanes and more are outlined in the schedule available online at www.fayettecountyga.gov/parks_and_recreation.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Public hearings set for Smith-Barnes school

The Henry County Board of Education has scheduled two public hearings regarding the possible closing of Smith-Barnes Elementary School.

The first will be 4 p.m. at Wednesday night’s work session at the school system’s administrative offices, 33 N. Zack Hinton Parkway, McDonough. The second is at the regular monthly board meeting, which will be 7 p.m. Monday on the Smith-Barnes campus, 147 Tye St., Stockbridge.

Information: www.henry.k12.ga.us. Monroe Roark for the AJC