County by county news for Friday

According to the suit, the Department of Labor created a spreadsheet with the names, social security numbers, ages, home phone numbers and email addresses of 4,757 individuals over age 55 who had visited the department’s Cobb-Cherokee Career Center. On Sept. 5, 2013, an employee sent the spreadsheet containing the personal information … to approximately 1,000 individuals, the lawsuit claims. Mike Morris

Business association to meet Tuesday

The West Cobb Business Association will meet for lunch 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at Lost Mountain Baptist Church, 5400 Old Dallas Road, Powder Springs.

Chiropractor Paul Blumsack will discuss healthy ways to relieve stress, and Our Father’s Hands of Powder Springs will be the recognized nonprofit.

Also, WCBA101 will be 10:30 to 11 a.m. for those interested in learning more about the association and how to get involved.

Costs: $15 online or $20 at the door, members; $20 online or $25 at the door, guests.

Information: westcobbbusiness.com/events.html#luncheon. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Youth Baseball sign-up ends Saturday

Registration for Powder Springs Youth Baseball concludes Saturday for ages 4 through 14. Registration is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily at the Ron Anderson Recreation Center, Wild Horse Creek Park, 3820 Macedonia Road, Powder Springs.

Information: 770-943-4041. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Farmers market open in winter season

The Marietta Square Farmers market will open its winter season 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays 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

Housing director to retire in April

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.Pete Waldrep,a former Marietta council member and the authority’s development director will succeed Buday. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

West Cobb Business Association plans expo

Wednesday is the early registration deadline to reserve an exhibit table for the annual West Cobb Business Association Community Expo from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at Hillgrove High School, 4165 Luther Ward Road, Powder Springs.

Costs: $75, members; $125 that includes a one-year WCBA membership, nonmembers.

Prices go up by $10 after Jan. 15.

Information: email WestCobbCommunityExpo@gmail.com  Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

Commissioners approve airport improvements

The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners approved more than $400,000 worth of improvements to Briscoe Field in Lawrenceville at their Tuesday meeting. The improvements include control tower improvements and paving projects. Commissioners also agreed to conduct an environmental assessment for proposed runway rehabilitation and taxiway extension projects.

The projects were among those recommended by a citizens review committee and are intended to make the airport safer and more efficient for general aviation, county officials said. Molly Bloom

Simpsonwood property to be discussed

The United Peachtree Corners Civic Association hosts a community meeting on plans for the Simpsonwood Retreat Center property 7:30 p.m. Monday at Christ the King Church, 5575 Peachtree Parkway. David Haddow, owner/partner of Haddow and Associates, the Broker/Representative for the North Georgia Methodist Conference will have background and updated information. Information: www.upcca.org. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Emergency volunteer training is available

The Gwinnett County Office of Emergency Management is offering Community Emergency Response Team training 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesdays beginning Jan. 28. The training consists of eight sessions concluding with a course review and disaster simulation 8 a.m. to noon March 15.

Information: ema@gwinnettcounty.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Business kickball league opens

Duluth Parks and Recreation is accepting registration for a business kickball program for adults 21 and up that wil play Sundays March 2 through May 4 at Bunten Road Park, 3180 Bunten Road. Fee: $200 with 70 percent comprised of Duluth residents/$250 non residents. Register: www.duluthga.net/registration or Bunten Road Park. Information: 770-814-6981 or parksaandrecreation@duluthga.net. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Senior center will help with medical needs

Friends of Gwinnett County Senior Services has received a $4,800 grant from Griswold Cares Foundation and a $3,000 donation from Lawrenceville Woman’s Club to assist seniors with transportation to and from medical appointments for dialysis treatment and to improve the quality of seniors’ lives.

Information: www.fogcss.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Citizens project committee meets

The Citizens Project Selection Committee meets 6 p.m. Monday at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley Dr., Lawrenceville to review roads projects for 2014 SPLOST funds and vote on previously presented road safety and alignment projects.

Representatives for homeowners, businesses, civic leaders, environmental concerns, schools, and senior citizens make up the committee. Information: www.gwinnettcounty.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Early voting underway in state House runoff

Advance voting has been set through Jan. 31 in Cherokee and Forsyth Counties for the Feb. 4 runoff in the Ga. House District 22 special election. In Forsyth County, voters will cast ballots at either the Forsyth County Administration Building, 110 E. Main St., Cumming or the Midway Park Community Building 5100 Post Road. In Cherokee County, voters can head to the county elecions office, 400 E. Main. St., Canton. Cherokee residents Sam Moore and Meagan Biello are vying for the seat. Information: voter.cherokeega.com and forsythco.com Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Forsyth chamber sets economic forecast

The Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Economic Outlook Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Feb 4 at the Forsyth Conference Center, 3410 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Cumming.

Real estate expert Frank Norton Jr., will deliver his 2014 forecast. Registration is $20 for members, $30 for non-members. More information and to register: cummingforsythchamhber.org Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Fulton County Sheriff top dog dies

Fulton County sheriff deputies are mourning the loss of K-9 Deputy Marco Henry.

Marco, a Belgium Malinois, was euthanized Wednesday after a veterinarian discovered he had inoperable cancer.

The 6-year-old dog was designated as an “All Patrol” canine and was partnered with Sgt. Corey Henry, who commands the sheriff’s K-9 unit. They had worked side-by-side for five years.

Marco immigrated from Germany and was trained to sniff out illegal drugs and track suspects.

A photo gallery is planned at

Steve Visser

Sandy Springs to unveil new fire truck fleet

The Sandy Springs Fire Department will present its new fleet of fire trucks at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Target, 125 Johnson Ferry Road.

The total cost of the vehicles is $4.88 million, with the city financing $3.5 million of the cost.

Information: www.sandyspringsga.gov  Kent A. Miles for the AJC

Reception set for retiring library head

A public reception has been set for 5:30- 7:30 p.m. Jan. 31 at the RT Jones Memorial Library in Canton for retiring Sequoyah Regional Library System Director Susan White.

White is stepping down that day after more than 42 years with the system, and will be replaced by current Assistant Director Anita Summers.

The system serves Cherokee, Pickens and Gilmer Counties. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Registration underway for Guns and Hoses run

Registration is underway for the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency’s eighth annual Guns and Hoses 5K and Fun Run, 8 a.m. Feb. 15 at Hobgood Park, 6688 Bells Ferry Road, Woodstock.

A portion of entry fees will go to charities designated by the sheriff’s and fire and emergency services departments.

Registration/more information.gunshoses5kandfunrun.blogspot.com Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

Interim staffer named for Grady High School

Atlanta Public Schools announced Thursday it has placed an interim P.E. teacher and football coach at Grady High while the school system continues investigating ineligible players.

Lee Hannah III moved from Mays High School, where he was a P.E. coach and assistant football coach, to Grady High as a temporary replacement for former head coach Ronnie Millen Jr., who was reassigned to APS’ South Region Office.

The school system is investigating whether more than 20 football players or their parents falsified documents to enroll at Grady High even though they live outside the school’s geographic area. Mark Niesse

Trayvon Martin focus of artistic exhibition

A meet and greet session with the artists contributing to “Remembering Trayvon: A Community Collective Exhibit” is 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the AARL Satellite Gallery at Hammonds House Museum, 503 Peeples St. Free.

The exhibition presents artistic interpretations and images of Trayvon Martin, the Sanford, Fla., teenager whose shooting death in 2012 ignited controversy and debate on race in society and perceived inequalities in the criminal justice system.

Information: 404-612-0500. Kent A. Miles for the AJC

Breman archivist invites questions

The Breman Museum archivist Jeremy Katz will discuss “Curating your Family Archives” 2 p.m. Sunday at the museum, 1440 Spring St. NW during the Jewish Genealogical Society of Georgia meeting.

Bring family documents, photos and heirlooms for advice on the best organization and preservation practices.

The Breman’s Cuba Library will be open at 1 p.m. Sunday with mentors available to help with family research.

Admission: $12, adults; $8, seniors; $6, students/educators; free, children under 3.

Information: thebreman.org or 678-222-3700. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

DEKALB

Beer truck overturns at I-285/I-85

If you like your beer cold – really cold – and don’t mind drinking it out of a dented can, then the I-20/I-285 interchange in DeKalb County was the place for you early Thursday.

That’s where a truck loaded with Bud Light flipped before 2 a.m. on the ramp from I-285 southbound to I-20 eastbound, dumping cases of beer. Mike Morris

Activist: City needs to favor homeowner

“Trees Decatur” leader Catherine Fox favored Tuesday night’s tabling of the city’s proposed tree ordinance, saying she wants it to be “less onerous for single-family homeowners to remove trees that aren’t development related.” She didn’t, however, like a proposed amendment reducing the costs for tree removal from $1.50 per square foot to 75 cents, which she believes favors clear-cutting developers. Decatur’s commission will tackle the ordinance again on March 3. Bill Banks for the AJC

Lithonia selected for development initiative

Lithonia will serve as one of three communities in Sustainable Atlanta’s EcoDistrict Initiative.

The program will include training to increase civic engagement on issues such as land-use planning and long-term inclusiveness on projects.

Information: www.sustainableatlanta.org. April Hunt

Edwards to hire new principals next month

City Schools Decatur Superintendent Phyllis Edwards hopes to fill openings for principals next month. She has 50 applications for Westchester Elementary, reopening in August, and plans to announce the principal in February. Meantime, although the new Decatur High principal won’t come on board until July, she wants to name the replacement for Lauri McKain – recently promoted to CSD’s Director of Secondary Education – by late February.Bill Banks

DeKalb trying to expedite permits

As part of an overhaul to its permitting process, DeKalb County is set to launch an expedited process for commercial applicants.

The county is seeking certified architects and engineers who will serve as “peer reviewers” to help it meet its goal of issuing commercial permits in 10 days.

The county has struggling to turn around applications as quickly as surrounding counties, prompting complaints about loss of business.

Information: www.planningdekalb.net/expediteplans. April Hunt

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 call 754-777-8263. Kent A. Miles for the AJC

SOUTHSIDE

Peachtree City implements pay raise

The City Council of Peachtree City voted on Jan. 16 to implement a pay raise for the mayor and council that had been approved in 2007 but delayed by the recession.

The measure increases the mayor’s annual salary to $18,000 and council members’ salaries to $12,000, double the previous rates that had been unchanged since 2001. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Ground breaking set for new library

Ground breaking for the newest branch of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System will take place 11 a.m. Thursday at 9111 Cascade Palmetto Highway, Palmetto.

The 10,000-square-foot library is part of the first phase of the library building program approved by Fulton voters in 2008.

The Palmetto branch is scheduled to open later this year.

Information: www.afpls.org  Kent A. Miles for the AJC

Fayette lowers lake level

Fayette County has begun lowering the water level in Lake Peachtree in Peachtree City.

The city and county do so every few years at the request of waterfront property owners, to facilitate maintenance on docks and shorelines.

The water will be raised to normal levels in late March. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Clayton School board retreat Saturday

The Clayton County Board of Education will meet Saturday for a retreat to discuss student achievement, legislative agenda and other issues.

The 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. meeting will be at S. Truett Cathy Professional Learning Center, 1087 Battlecreek Road, Jonesboro. The retreat is open to the public. Tammy Joyner

Fayette seeks input on academics

The Fayette County Public School System has set up an online survey to get public input on future academic needs.

The questions relate to potential course offerings and career pathways for high school students.

Replies due by Jan. 31.

Information:www.surveymonkey.com/s/FayetteParents-CareerInterests. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Sign-up for baseball league Saturday

The Helping Other People Excel Park Miracle League registration is 4 - 6 p.m. Saturday at Dutchtown Middle School from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The league is open to people with special needs who would like to play baseball.

There are no age restrictions. Children and adults are welcome to play.

Each player will be paired with a “Buddy” to assist them when needed.

Registration: $25, including shirt and hat.

Games will be played at Dutchtown Middle School, 155 Mitchell Road, Hampton.

Information: 231-360-3469, lori@ourhopepark.com or ourhopepark.com. Tammy Joyner