County by county news for Thursday

Croy Engineering sent out an apology email with the correct link Tuesday night. Janel Davis

Lee contributions below goals

Cobb Chairman Tim Lee raised $16,225 in the last six months of 2011, and has just over $18,500 in his campaign account, well below his goal of raising $200,000 to $400,000 toward his re-election bid.

Lee’s contributors include people who have done business with the county like C.W. Matthews, which contributed $4,000 between the company and employees. Lee also received an $18,000 loan from Bank of North Georgia.

Lee’s challengers Bill Byrne had about $14,000 in available cash, and retired Marine colonel Mike Boyce has raised $11,250 and has almost $10,000 available to spend. Janel Davis

Legislators to hold town hall meeting

Cobb County state Reps. Alisha Thomas Morgan and David Wilkerson, who represent the south Cobb area, will hold a joint town hall meeting today in Mableton. The meeting runs from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the South Cobb Community Center, 620 Lions Club Drive in Mableton. Information: 404-656-0116 Janel Davis

Boy, 14, breaks into Smyrna bank

The Cobb police arrested a 14-year-old who broke into a Wells Fargo bank on Wednesday at 2055 South Cobb Drive in Smyrna. Uniform patrol officers who were dispatched to an audible alarm at 2:12 a.m. saw movement inside and caught the 14-year-old juvenile suspect as he tried to flee out the same back window he used to enter the bank. Andria Simmons

Austell mayor to give state of city address

Austell Mayor Joe Jerkins will deliver his state of the city address at Tuesday’s meeting of the Austell Business Association. The luncheon meeting will begin at 11:45 a.m. at the City of Austell Threadmill Complex, 5000 Austell-Powder Springs Road, Suite 105.

Cost is $10 for members and $12 for non-members.

For information and reservations, contact felicia@servproswcobb.com. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Career center to recruit framers

The Georgia Department of Labor’s Cobb-Cherokee Career Center is teaming with Metro America, a private construction company, to fill about 60 job openings for framers in Kennesaw. The recruitment is 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Jan. 17 at the career center, at 465 Big Shanty Rd. in Kennesaw. Applicants must have a resume and be able to read a tape measure. They must have a high school diploma or Georgia Equivalency Diploma and six months framing experience. Starting salary is $14 an hour. information: 770-528-6100. Jeffry Scott

GWINNETT

Groundbreaking today for police substation

Suwanee will host a groundbreaking ceremony this afternoon for its new police substation and training facility.

The event will take place at 4:30 p.m. at 2996 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road.

The nearly $2 million facility will add a police presence to the Suwanee Gateway area and provide class space for regional police training and indoor firearms practice. Joel Anderson

Fire damages Grayson Taco Bell

Firefighters battled a blaze Wednesday morning at a Taco Bell restaurant in Grayson.

Gwinnett fire Lt. Eric Eberly said an interior blaze spread across the ceiling and caused extensive damage to the restaurant in the 1800 block of Grayson Highway.

The fire was brought under control within an hour. The cause is still under investigation. Andria Simmons

Input wanted to Snellville garden

Residents are invited to attend two meetings next week for the Community Garden @ Snellville’s new garden master plan. The sessions will take place at 7 p.m. Jan. 19 and 1 p.m. Jan. 21 in the Community Room at Snellville City Hall.

The site chosen for the garden is at the intersection of Marigold Road and Sawyer Parkway in Briscoe Park, across the street from the Snellville Recycling Center. The committee hopes to open the first phase this spring. Joel Anderson

Youth soccer registration coming up

Snellville’s Spring Youth Soccer league will soon start registration for a new season.

Registration will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Briscoe Park office on Saturday and Jan. 21, the Academy Sports Store on Jan. 28 and Creekside Sports Center on Feb. 4.

Practices will start the week of Feb. 27 and the games begin on March 10. All games are on Saturdays. Information: www.snellvillesoccer.com. Joel Anderson

County to hold volunteer work day

Gwinnett County will sponsor a volunteer work day from 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 21 at George Pierce Park, 55 Buford Highway, Suwanee.

Volunteers will cut invasive Chinese Privet shrubs. Scouts can earn conservation badges. Those who participate in five “creeper cutter” days at local parks throughout the year or adopt a park area can earn t-shirts. Information: 770-418-2331. David Wickert

Open house for schools tech program

The Grayson High School’s Technical Education Program will host an open house tonight for students interested in learning about its offerings.

The event will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. today in the technical building at Grayson High.

The technical school offers classes in biotechnology, commercial photography, computer programming, culinary arts, digital media design, engineering, law and more. Information: 770-554-7082. D. Aileen Dodd

NORTHSIDE

Supreme Court disbars Alpharetta attorney

The Georgia Supreme Court has accepted Parmesh Dixit’s voluntary surrender of his law license, an act that is tantamount to his being disbarred.

Dixit, an immigration lawyer from Alpharetta, pleaded guilty last year in U.S. District Court in Atlanta to a scheme in which he helped about 40 illegal immigrants enter or remain in the U.S. by submitting fraudulent visa applications on their behalf. In October, Dixit was sentenced to two years in prison and ordered to forfeit $1.2 million. Bill Rankin

Alpharetta approves money for streetscape

The Alpharetta City Council approved more than $450,000 in funds Monday night for streetscape and park maintenance and beautification.

The City Council approved a contract for $257,000 with Ruppert Landscaping of Lilburn for regular maintenance, seasonal colors and pruning along downtown streets and medians.

The council also signed a $198,000 contract with Tri Scapes Inc. of Alpharetta for mowing and maintenance at its nearly two dozen city parks and public facilities. Patrick Fox

Three middle schools recognized

Crabapple and Webb Bridge middle schools have been re-designated as Georgia Lighthouse Schools to Watch by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform.

Schools have to reapply for the recognition every three years. Crabapple was first selected in 2003, and Webb Bridge was selected in 2005. Each school was selected for its academic excellence, its responsiveness to young adolescents and its commitment to high student achievement.

The Lighthouse Schools to Watch program also sponsors a Beacon School distinction, an award with similar criteria that has been awarded to Holcomb Bridge Middle School for 2012. Nancy Badertscher

Arts center showcase to begin Friday

Fulton County Department of Arts and Culture’s Abernathy Arts Center presents the Annual Instructors’ Showcase Jan. 13-Feb. 17.

The exhibit in various mediums reflects the creative expressions and artistic achievements of the AAC instructors. Opening reception: Friday from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free and open to the public. The art center is at 254 Johnson Ferry Road N.W. in Sandy Springs.

Information: www.fultonarts.org and 404-613-6172. Kenneth Musisi

Barrington Hall kicks off cooking classes

Roswell’s Barrington Hall kicks off the 2012 cooking class season Tuesday with Chef John Wilson presenting basic cooking techniques.

Students will learn to prepare a full meal from main course to dessert in the historic home’s kitchen at 535 Barrington Drive. Wilson teaches cooking techniques in European, International and American cuisines.

Reservations are required and space is limited. Classes are on Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.

The cost is $50 per person, per class.

Information and reservations: 770-640-3855 Patrick Fox

ATLANTA

Safety project focuses on Boulevard

Atlanta City Councilman Kwanza Hall and the Fourth Ward Alliance are announcing a new partnership aimed at improving public safety and quality of life along the Boulevard corridor, which extends from Ponce de Leon Avenue to DeKalb Avenue.

The initiative, entitled “2012: The Year of Boulevard,” combines the efforts of Atlanta Police Department Zone 6, the city’s Departments of Public Works and Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs, the Atlanta Workforce Development Authority, Atlanta Medical Center, Wingate Management, the recently established Old Fourth Ward Safety Patrol and local neighborhood associations. Jeremiah McWilliams

French consul to honor veterans

The Consul General of France in Atlanta, Pascal Le Deunff, will bestow the Legion of Honor upon 15 American World War II veterans from across the Southeast in a ceremony to be held in Atlanta today. The National Order of the Legion of Honor is the highest honor in France and recognizes “eminent services to the French Republic.” Along with veterans from Tennessee, South Carolina and Mississippi, the ceremony at the Lenox Building will honor Rae E. Preston and Marion W. Mills of Athens, Harold Beddow of Savannah and John E. Rogalewicz of Atlanta. Jeremiah McWilliams

GSA to recognize community service

The U.S. General Services Administration will hold its annual Martin Luther King Jr. High School Summit today to recognize juniors and seniors who are demonstrating a commitment to community service.

Hosted by GSA Regional Administrator Shyam Reddy, the summit will also include local radio personality Frank Ski, as well as appearances by professional athletes.

There will also be a tour of the gallery of historic photographs at the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Building, which re-opened a year ago following a major restoration effort. It is the first federal building named after King. Ernie Suggs

DEKALN

Man gets 12 years in church scheme

A man accused of swindling more than $650,000 from church members in a Ponzi scheme pleaded guilty Wednesday to racketeering and was sentenced to 12 years in prison, DeKalb County prosecutors said.

Anthony Ray had told members of Pine Grove Baptist Church he was going to buy distressed real estate to renovate and sell at a profit, but he did not buy any properties and never returned the investments, prosecutors said. Ray, who had several prior convictions, was sentenced as a recidivist, meaning he will be ineligible for parole. Bill Rankin

Open house on flood insurance coming up

DeKalb County and the state Department of Natural Resources are teaming up to host two open houses about homeowner flood insurance.

New maps were recently completed for DeKalb’s floodplain and will be presented at the meetings.

Property owners can determine their risk of flood and the cost of insurance at the sessions as well. The first meeting will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Jan. 24 at the Porter Sanford community center, 3181 Rainbow Dr., near Decatur.

The second will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 31 at the Cofer Library, 5234 LaVista Road in Tucker. More information: Brian Shoun at 404-371-2012 or bshoun@dekalbcountyga.gov. April Hunt

Diabetes workshop for seniors March 3

Diabetes is a major health issue for many senior Georgians.

In March, Senior Connections, which provides home and community-based services for senior citizens, will offer “Truth & Consequences of Living With Diabetes,” a free health workshop for people with Type II diabetes.

On March 3, registered dietitians will lead a class at the Mack Love Community Center, 1340 McConnell Dr. in Decatur. Participation is limited.

Registration is available online at www.seniorconnectionsatl.org or call 770-455-7602.

There is no cost to register but space must be reserved with a credit card. A $50 fee will be charged if registrant doesn’t attend and fails to cancel at least 48 hours in advance. Shelia Poole

Story telling session today in Clarkston

Volunteers will host a storytelling session at a nature sanctuary this evening in Clarkston.

Shannon McNeal, a professional storyteller, will lead the event in front of a fire at the pavilion at the bottom of the Friendship Forest. Propane heat also will be provided if necessary. The free event runs from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the forest, a 4380 East Ponce de Leon Ave., Clarkston. April Hunt

DMC hold workshop on getting sleep

DeKalb Medical Center will host a workshop today in Decatur that focuses on getting a better night’s sleep.

The ABCs of Sleep workshop features a lecture from Sleep Lab Director T. Massey Arrington about sleep disorders and how to improve rest.

The free event runs from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the DeKalb Medical theater, 2701 N. Decatur Road.

More information or to register: www.dekalbmedical.org or 404-501-9355. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Fulton to focus on asthma mortality

On orders from the county commission, Fulton Health and Wellness will develop an action plan to deal with a geographic disparity in the county’s asthma-related mortality rate. Research reflects that most Fulton residents who die of the disease live in communities south of I-20. The plan, suggested by commission Vice Chair Emma Darnell, will address health care services, asthma self-management and air quality. Programs will be available countywide, but the county’s efforts will target at-risk populations. Information: 404-613-1685. Johnny Edwards

Henry schools consider ban on tobacco use

The Henry County School System is considering an updated policy that would prohibit use of tobacco products by employees on school system grounds, while supervising students or while operating a school system vehicle. The proposal is posted at www.henry.k12.ga.us for review. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Clayton rec department recognized

Clayton County Parks and Recreation recently became one of 104 park and recreation agencies in the U.S. accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies. Clayton is on the only park program in Georgia to receive the distinguished award which was announced at the NRPA 2011 Annual conference in Atlanta. Tammy Joyner

Clayton offices to close for MLK holiday

Clayton County government offices, chamber of commerce and all library branches will be closed Monday in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Tammy Joyner

Libraries to close over weekend

The Fayette County and Peachtree City libraries will be closed Friday through Sunday while software upgrades are made to the PINES system. Both will also be closed Monday for the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, as will city offices. Normal hours resume Tuesday.

The Jan. 15 book signing with Pat Butler in Peachtree City will be rescheduled. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

New officers for Fayette school board

Leadership of the Fayette County Board of Education changed hands at the Jan. 9 meeting. By a 3-2 vote, Post 5 representative Leonard Presberg was elected chair and Terri Smith, of Post 3, was named vice chair. Both will serve through 2012. Current Chair Bob Todd and Vice Chair Marion Key unsuccessfully nominated each other to retain their positions, and voted against the other two members. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Thrift shop donates to humane society

The Fayette County Humane Society has received a donation from the Clothes Less Traveled Thrift Shop, Inc. in honor of Charlie Winston and Mary Ann Haycraft, who were recently recognized for their Above and Beyond volunteer service to CLT. The $2,000 grant will be used to provide veterinary care for cats and dogs rescued by FCHS.

Information: Visit www.fayettehumane.org or call 770-487-1073. Kenneth Musisi