County by county news for Friday

Funding will come from the 2011 SPLOST penny sales tax. The fire department has 135 employees and six stations. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Summer camp expo Saturday in Kennesaw

Atlanta Parent Magazine will hold its Camp Expo 2012 on Sunday at Town Center Mall in Kennesaw.

The expo will preview camp offerings in the metro area, including special interest camps like equestrian to drama, and water sports and Internet surfing. Representatives from the area camps will attend and provide additional information.

The free expo runs from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the mall, 400 Earnest W. Barrett Pkwy. in Kennesaw.

Information and a complete listing of camps: www.atlantaparent.com Janel Davis

Chamber honors alcohol taskforce

The Cobb Alcohol Taskforce received the 2012 Health Hero Award this week from the Cobb Chamber of Commerce.

The Taskforce is an alliance of 227 individuals and 66 organizations working to reduce underage and youth binge drinking. The award recognizes agencies that have made significant positive impact on the community’s health.

The Cobb Alcohol Taskforce was formed in 2000.

Its next open bi-monthly meeting is Feb. 14 at 1:30 p.m. at Turner Chapel AME Church, 492 North Marietta Parkway in Marietta.

Information: http://www.cobbat.org Janel Davis

Vanpools being formed in Powder Springs

Vanpools from Powder Springs to workplaces in the Perimeter Mall area are being formed by the Perimeter Transportation and Sustainability Coalition.

Vans depart at 6:45 a.m. weekdays from the Powder Springs Park and Ride, 5100 Powder Springs-Dallas Road.

Vanpool riders may receive cash prizes from the state through CommuterRewards.com and register for a free Guaranteed Ride Home from work up to five times a year through MyRideSmart.com.

Information: 770-394-4540, email info@perimetergo.org or visit perimetergo.org. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Auditions at Six Flags this weekend

Six Flags Over Georgia will hold auditions for entertainers Saturday and Sunday at the park’s Crystal Pistol Music Hall.

Registration will be 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to noon Sunday.

Comedic actors, emcees, singers, dancers and costumed characters are needed for pop and 60s musical revues, the Looney Tunes dance revue and the comedy gunfight show.

Apply online before this weekend’s auditions at sixflagsjobs.com. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

SACS to recommend accreditation renewal

An official with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation said Wednesday that the group will recommend a five-year renewal for Gwinnett Schools.

A team of reviewers visited 28 schools to examine policies, practices and talk to parents about their kids’ education. Business leaders also were interviewed.

A formal report will be presented on their findings that show areas of high achievement for the district and those that can be improved. Accreditation from SACS provides an independent endorsement for school districts. D. Aileen Dodd

Deputy accused of having sex with inmate

A Gwinnett County sheriff’s deputy was in jail without bond Thursday after allegedly having sex with an inmate.

Deputy Duone Clark, 40, was arrested on Wednesday and charged with sexual assault and violation of oath by a public officer, according to Gwinnett sheriff’s Lt. Sean Smith. Clark, of Lilburn, has resigned.

He will be housed at another facility “for safety and security reasons.” Mike Morris

Sexton to run for Superior Court Judge

Giles Sexton has officially announced his candidacy for Gwinnett County Superior Court Judge.

A campaign kick-off and fundraiser is from 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 23 at Hamilton Mill Golf and Country Club in Dacula.

Food and beverages will be served, and a contribution is requested. RSVP to dtoth@canongategolf.com by Feb. 15.

Sexton is the second generation of his family with a local law practice. He joined his father’s practice, and took over after his father died in 2008.

He handles civil, domestic, and criminal cases. Sexton lives in Dacula with his wife and two daughters. Andria Simmons

Berkeley Lake gets $723,000 from FEMA

Berkeley Lake officials announced this week that they received a $723,000 check from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to repair their flood-battered dam. In January, FEMA announced that it would send a total of $2.6 million to Berkeley Lake for dam repairs. Berkeley Lake’s dam suffered major damage during the storms of September 2009.

Mayor Lois Salter said the city recently hired J.M. Wilkerson Construction Co. of Marietta to handle the repairs. City officials expect the project to take about 340 days. Joel Anderson

Lawrenceville asks input on corridor

Members of the greater Lawrenceville area are invited to attend the inaugural meeting for the Georgia Gwinnett College-Downtown Lawrenceville corridor study on Feb. 23.

The event is scheduled from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Lawrenceville City Hall at 70 South Clayton Street.

The meeting is the first of four quarterly public events that will be used to collect ideas from residents, property owners, businesses, and college community members about future improvements to the area between the Downtown Overlay District and GCC.

Information: www.ggc-law-corridorstudy.com. Joel Anderson

NORTHSIDE

Cherokee district attorney won’t run again

Cherokee County District Attorney Garry Moss said he will not run for re-election in 2013. Moss was first elected DA in 1989.

He said he will support the candidacy of Assistant District Attorney Shannon Wallace to replace him.

Wallace has been assistant DA for four years.

Moss said he’ll finish his term, but he’s not sure what he’ll do next. No other candidates have yet announced plans to run. Jeffry Scott

Libraries offer free help with taxes

An IRS program offering free help with 2011 tax returns will have certified volunteers at 12 Fulton County libraries -- three of them in north Fulton -- during the tax season. Assistance with e-filing of both federal and state returns is available for seniors and those earning $49,000 per year or less.

On various dates and times leading up to the April 17 deadline, VITA, or Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, will be at the Roswell Library, the Sandy Springs Library and Johns Creek’s Northeast/Spruill Oaks Library. For a schedule, go to www.afpls.org or call 404-730-1700. Johnny Edwards

Albers elected to World Chamber board

State Sen. John Albers, R-Roswell, was elected to the Board of Directors of the World Chamber of Commerce at the group’s annual membership meeting and awards dinner Feb. 2 in Atlanta. Albers serves as vice chairman of the Senate Finance and Science and Technology Committees, and as an active member of the Senate Economic Development Committee.

The World Chamber of Commerce is a public charity and nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering international business, cultural and social exchange in the international arena. Patrick Fox

Shelter president earns honor

The Martha Stewart Bulloch Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is honoring Kathy Swahn, of The Drake House in Roswell, with an Award in Community Service.

The Drake House is a homeless shelter for single mothers in North Fulton County which offers crisis housing and empowerment programs.

She is the founding president, and she has served on the Capital Campaign Committee and the board of directors. Swahn has also been awarded Volunteer of the Year from Alpharetta Rotary and Top 10 Phenomenal Women of North Fulton. Andria Simmons

Cherokee libraries to rotate evening hours

Nighttime hours will be returning to public libraries in Cherokee County-sort of. Sequoyah Regional Library System director Susan White says evening hours were cut last year in a budgetary move, and a survey in September showed an overwhelming desire for night operation.

White says as a result, each of the five branches in Cherokee will shift hours on one designated weeknight to stay open until 8 p.m., beginning March 1.

Information: www.sequoyahregionallibrary.org Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

HUD, GSA to hold discussion today

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the General Services Administration will host the White House Community Partnership Summit at the Martin Luther King Federal Building in Atlanta today .

HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan and GSA Administrator Martha Johnson will lead a discussion on a number of issues, including key aspects of President Obama’s plan to help responsible borrowers and heal the housing market.

The summit will begin at 8 a.m. at the Martin Luther King Federal Building, 77 Forsyth Street. It is an invitation only. Ernie Suggs

Chamber issues supply chain awards

The Metro Atlanta Chamber this week awarded the Supply Chain Professional of the Year to John J. Mascaritolo, assistant professor of supply chain management at Clayton State University and a 35-year veteran of global logistics and supply chain management industries. The chamber also named Insight Sourcing Group. a fast-growing private company, the “Supply Chain Company of the Year.”

Metro Atlanta has the nation’s fifth-largest concentration of supply chain companies, according to the chamber. Atlanta has more than 130,000 supply chain jobs. Jeremiah McWilliams

Atlanta police to hold career fair Monday

Crime doesn’t pay, but the Atlanta Police Department does. As part of its goal to have a 2,000-member sworn force, the APD will hold a career fair on Monday.

Interviews and testing will begin promptly at 8 a.m. at police headquarters at 226 Peachtree St.

Candidates should dress in business attire and have a valid government-issued identification card.

No one will be admitted at 8 a.m. and candidates should be prepared for a six-hour day.

In the past two years, APD has hired almost 500 new officers to swell the ranks to 1,959.

Information: www.joinatlantapd.org Ernie Suggs

DEKALB

Famed immunologist joins Emory on April 1

Dr. Ignacio Sanz, an internationally renowned immunologist, has been named Emory’s 13th Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar and director of Emory’s Kathleen B. and Mason I. Lowance Center for Human Immunology. He also will teach medicine and pediatrics at Emory. He will start at Emory on April 1. Carrie Teegardin

Schools cited for AP achievement

Chamblee Charter, DeKalb School of Arts, Dunwoody and Lakeside high schools have been named AP Honor Schools by State School Superintendent Dr. John Barge.

AP classes and exams are administered by the College Board, and students with good enough grades can get college credit. Ty Tagami

Mental health courts receive grants

Mental health courts in DeKalb and Cobb counties were among 20 statewide that received $353,676 in grants, the Administrative Office of the Courts said.

The DeKalb Magistrate Court’s Diversion Treatment Court received a $37,500 grant, and the Cobb Family Dependency Treatment Court and Cobb Juvenile Drug Court were each awarded $4,473. The state Judicial Council approved grants for courts that bring together mental health professionals, social programs and judicial monitoring to cut recidivism rates of mentally ill offenders. Bill Rankin

Decatur studies declining tree canopy

In a project partially funded by grant money, Decatur is spending $30,000 on its Urban Forest Management Plan, a high-priority item on the city’s 2010-20 Strategic Plan. The first step, according to Planning Director Amanda Thompson, is determining how much of the city’s tree canopy has been lost in recent years, as confirmed by aerial studies. She said this initial information will be presented in March. “After we’ve determined our actual canopy,” Thompson said, “we’ll have a series of public meetings to determine how green, or how large a canopy, the community wants.” Bill Banks for the AJC

Tucker meeting to help seniors

Residents of Tucker and Smoke Rise are invited to a community forum, hosted by the Tucker Civic Association, on Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. at the First Baptist Ministry Center, 2367 Main Street, Tucker.

Attendees will learn about the Atlanta Regional Commission’s “Aging In Place” program, which helps communities find resources to improve services for senior citizens and help them stay in their homes.

Information: ppluz@tuckercivic.org

Veronica Fields Johnson

Society of Professional Engineers to meet

The Georgia Society of Professional Engineers will hold a monthly dinner meeting on Mondayat the Piccadilly Cafeteria, 2000 Crescent Centre Blvd., Tucker at 6 p.m. Dr. Ben T. Zinn will make a presentation on a new versatile, ultra-low emissions combustion technology. The meeting is open to engineering professionals, students, and the public. RSVP to 404-919-3640 or e-mail ronscinta@hotmail.com. Kenneth Musisi

SOUTHSIDE

Waites wins legislative seat in special election

Atlanta resident and Federal Emergency Management Agency contract worker Keisha Waites is joining the General Assembly. On Tuesday, she defeated fellow Democrats LaTrenka Riley and Theresa Middlebrooks to take the state House District 60 seat, which Gloria Tinubu vacated to run for Congress in South Carolina. Waites will be Georgia’s fourth openly gay state legislator, The Georgia Voice reported. The district covers parts of Fulton, DeKalb and Clayton counties. Waites won Tuesday with 54.2 percent of the vote. Johnny Edwards

Purchasing department workshop today

Fulton’s Purchasing and Contract Compliance Department is holding a day-long event today to help aspiring county contractors get a foot in the door. Businesses can hear about upcoming contract opportunities, meet county staff, learn about the bid process and start networking at Vendor Opportunity Day, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the county Government Center in downtown Atlanta.

County departments and other government agencies looking for specialized products and services will also be on hand. Information: 404-612-5800. Johnny Edwards

Clayton hearing landfill expansion Tuesday

The Clayton County Commissioners are seeking public opinion about the proposed expansion of the Stephens C&D Landfill at a public hearing on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Clayton County Board of Commissioners’ Boardroom, 112 Smith Street in Jonesboro. The landfill is at 5173 Pelican Drive in College Park. Tammy Joyner

2 Clayton schools win grants for music

Forest Park High School and Babb Middle School will get new musical instruments through the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation grant. The money also will be used to fix old instruments. The two Clayton County schools were given the honor for the 2011-2 school year. The Mr. Holland’s Opus foundation stems from the 1995 movie “Mr. Holland’s Opus,” starring Richard Dreyfuss. The movie is about a music teacher who changed his students’ lives. The film’s composer started the foundation in 1996. Some 10,000 U.S. kids benefit from the foundation annually. Tammy Joyner

Fish fry to benefit wheelchair football

The Henry Hurricanes Football team will host a fish fry Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Locust Grove Recreation Center, 10 Cleveland Street in Locust Grove.

Meals are $5 a plate and all proceeds go to support the Hurricanes wheelchair football program.

Details: Harlon Matthews at 770 288-7293 or hmatthews@co.henry.ga.us. Tammy Joyner

Henry County offices closed Feb. 20

Henry County government offices and the Henry County Recycling Center will be closed on Feb. 20 for a planned furlough day.

It is one of four furlough days for county employees scheduled for the 2011-12 fiscal year. County government offices will reopen the following day. Tammy Joyner