County by county news for Thursday

Survey to help redevelopment plan

Marietta has an online survey on the city Web site it will use to plan redevelopment in an area near Life University and Southern Polytechnic State University. The city is working with the two schools on a plan to make improvements on Cobb Parkway and South Marietta Parkway that will connect the schools to the community. Information: www.mariettaga.gov.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Smyrna hires police chief, library director

The Smyrna City Council on Tuesday approved David Lee as Chief of Police and Mary Wallace Moore as Smyrna Public Library Director. Lee, who worked with the Marietta Police Department for 31 years and was deputy chief, will start work Feb. 4. Moore will start Feb. 25. She has 21 years experience and worked at the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library in Huntsville, Ala.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Host families sought for exchange students

World Heritage Student Exchange Program is seeking host families in Cobb County for high school students from Europe and Asia for the 2013-2014 school year. Host families provide room, board and guidance. Couples, single parents and families with or without children are encouraged to apply.

Information: Amy Strout, 678-371-4615 or (800) 888-9040 or www.whHosts.com. Kenneth Musisi

ECCS holds open house next week

East Cobb Christian School will host its annual open house 7 p.m. Monday. ECCS is a private K-8, covenant Christian school that partners with Christian families to educate within the context of a biblical worldview. Information: www.eccs.org, or 770-565-0881, or

Staff

Powder Springs names acting city manager

Powder Springs City Council members voted 5-0 Monday to name City Clerk Dawn Davis as the acting city manager.

Davis will serve temporarily in the absence or short-term disability of City Manager Brad Hulsey. Carolyn Cunningham for

Volleyball tournament may attract thousands

The Cobb Galleria Centre will host the Southern Volleyball Tournament and A5 Volleyball Club for the Hope and Will First Lady’s Challenge Feb. 16-18. Four to five thousand people are expected to attend the competition, which will include 18 volleyball courts. Tournaments are open to the public and admission is $5 a day. Jaime Sarrio

GWINNETT

Schools saw 610 take retirements in 2012

Gwinnett saw 610 employees retire in 2012, the school board was told last week: 353 teachers, seven principals, 18 assistant principals, 53 paraprofessionals, 50 clerical workers, 38 school nutrition workers, 16 custodians, 37 transportation workers, 40 central office staffers and eight other school support staffers, according to a report given to the school board.

Teachers had an extra pension benefit that was phased out for 2013 and beyond. Nancy Badertscher

Chamber to recognize accomplishments

The Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce’s 65th annual gala will honor Citizen of the Year, Public Service person and Ambassador of the Year and recipient of the D. Scott Hudgens Humanitarian Award for charitable giving at 6 p.m. Feb. 1 at the Gwinnett Center’s Tommy P. Hughes Grand Ballroom, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway.MICHAEL ALPERT

Museum honors Black History Month

The Hudgens is celebrating Black History Month with three new exhibits sponsored by The Primerica Foundation. Artworks include “The Dream: Five Black Artists, Five Voices,” nine prints in “Reflections from 1965: The Civil Rights Movement” and collage artists from “The Atlanta Collage Society: Shared Visions.” The public is invited to a free reception 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday. Karen Huppertz

Commissioner seeks community feedback

District 2 Commissioner Lynette Howard will host a Town Hall Meeting 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday at Norcross City Hall, 65 Lawrenceville St. Recycling will be discussed. residents may ask questions or express concerns. Karen Huppertz

Lilburn accepting garage sale forms

The Lilburn 2013 City Garage Sale spaces, scheduled for March through October. Information: Melissa Penate, 770-921-2210 or mpenate@cityoflilburn.com or www.cityoflilburn.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Workshop to be held on proper care of roses

Learn how to care for roses at the Gwinnett Extension Service Lunch & Learn noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Gwinnett County Government Annex Building, 750 South Perry St., Suite 400, Lawrenceville.

Registration is required by Monday. Information: Timothy Daly, 678-377-4010 or timothy.daly@gwinnettcounty.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Emancipation Proclamation honored

The Southeastern Stamp Expo will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation Friday through Sunday at the Hilton Hotel Atlanta Northeast, 5993 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Norcross.

Highlights includethe Emancipation Proclamation stamp.

Show hours: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Parking and admission are free.

Information: www.stampclubs.com. Kenneth Musisi

NORTHSIDE

Father accused of critically injuring infant

Gregory Odell Barnett, of Johns Creek, allegedly assaulted his 5-week-old daughter after a fight with the child’s mother Jan. 12, according to a police report. The baby’s mother, Courtney Johnson said she left the home for about 20 minutes, returning to find the baby suffering from severe swelling to her head, according to police. The baby was flown to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite and Barnett was charged with cruelty to children, three counts of aggravated assault and aggravated battery and was being held without bond, according to jail records. Alexis Stevens

Hotel installs free charging stations

Hilton Garden Inn Johns Creek has added two electric-vehicle Blink charging stations. It is the first business in the city to install the free charging stations, funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s ECOtality program.

ECOtality, is still recruiting businesses and others to become host sites. The stations will eventually be adapted to require payment for the charges. Patrick Fox

Cherokee forklift driver killed in accident

An employee at Little River Marina on Lake Allatoona was killed Thursday morning during an accident while operating a forklift.

The unidentified male was killed a little after 11 a.m. at the marina off Bells Ferry Road, said Cherokee County Sheriff’s office spokesman Lt. Jay Baker. No foul play is suspected.

The sheriff’s office and OSHA are investigating, Baker said.

Christian Boone

Historical Society meeting rescheduled

The Alpharetta Historical Society’s January meeting has been rescheduled for 7 p.m. today at the Mansell House and Gardens, 1835 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta.

Mayor David Belle Isle will address members about his first year in office, city projects, and the energy created for downtown Alpharetta through events and community involvement.

Information: Nan Harman-Dempsey at 770-475-9995 or Harman_dempsey@msn.com.

Kenneth Musisi

Tax preparation volunteers needed

The Community Assistance Center seeks volunteers to prepare taxes for lower income residents in Dunwoody and Sandy Springs.

Volunteers are needed for four hours per week during the evening, or 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. No experience is required.

Simple tax law training will be provided through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program of the Atlanta Prosperity Campaign.

For training and certification requirements, visit www.atlantaprosperity.org.

Information: Carlos Diaz, vita@ourcac.org. Mea Watkins

Roswell conducting housing surveys

Roswell is asking residents to participate in a survey to assess fair housing perceptions. Go to www.surveymonkey.com/s/RoswellFairHousing this month. Surveys can be mailed to Roswell Grants Manager Danny Blitch, 38 Hill St., Suite 115, Roswell, Ga. 30075. MICHAEL ALPERT FOR THE AJC

ATLANTA

Tech awarded grant for sustainablility program

The Ray C. Anderson Foundation has awarded Georgia Tech a $43,700 grant for the Vertical Integration of Research and Technical, Undergraduate and graduate Education for Sustainability program.

The VIRTUES program, a joint effort with the Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems and the Strategic Energy Institute, will place emphasis on creating a more sustainable Georgia workforce to take on increasing technical and business challenges. Kenneth Musisi

Guinea worm program posts milestone

An international effort to eradicate Guinea worm disease, spearheaded by former President Jimmy Carter and the Carter Center announced that the campaign has reached “its final stages” with 542 cases reported worldwide in 2012.

These provisional case numbers, reported by ministries of health in the remaining four endemic nations, show that cases of the disease were reduced by nearly half last year.

According to the Carter Center, there were 3.5 million cases of Guinea worm in 21 nations in Africa and Asia in 1986. Shelia M. Poole

Event warns of “thug life” perils

The Auburn Avenue Research Library will host a community discussion 6 p.m. Saturday at 101 Auburn Ave., N.E. aiming to steer young black men away from “thug life.”

“The Consequences of Thug Life: Be Brave or Be a Thug,” is a collaboration with the Davis Bozeman law firm and will be facilitated by civil rights attorney Mawuli Mel Davis.

Information: 404-730-4001, Ext. 100. Johnny Edwards

Korndörfer to headline Spelman concert

Jens Korndörfer, organist at First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta, will perform in concert as part of the Spelman College Harreld-James Organ Recital Series, 4 p.m. Sunday at at Sisters Chapel, 350 Spelman Lane S.W.

The event is free to the public. Information: www.spelman.edu or call 404-270-5476. Ernie Suggs

DEKALB

Decatur special election set for March

Decatur’s commission made it official Tuesday, setting March 19 for the special election to fill the unexpired term of District 1 commissioner Bill Floyd, commissioner since 1991 and mayor for the last 13 years. The commissioners set the qualifying fee at $144, or 3 percent of the annual city commission salary of $4,800. The qualifying period is February 13 through February 15, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day. To date, Decatur businessman Scott Drake is the only person who’s announced his candidacy for the seat. Bill Banks for the AJC

Library book sale open to public

The Friends of the Decatur Library will host a book sale 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 2 at the library, 215 Sycamore St. Sale items include gently used books, DVDs and CDs. Prices start at $.50 and only cash or checks will be accepted. Proceeds benefit library programs and collections. Information: 404-370-8450. Veronica Fields Johnson

Church to host job search workshop

St. Philip AME Church will host a social networking workshop 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the church, 240 Candler Rd. S.E. Job seekers will learn how to use Linked-In to increase on-line exposure and improve their professional profile. A $5 donation to cover materials is requested. Information: karenjames2507@yahoo.com or www.saintphilip.org.

Veronica Fields Johnson

DeKalb approves excise tax

The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners recently OK’d an excise tax on the energy used in manufacturing.

The move will make up money lost from a new state law that gradually eliminates sales taxes on the energy used by manufacturers. The excise tax, which starts at .25 percent this year, will grow to 1 percent by 2016, to recover those lost dollars.

The revenue collected will be divided between the county and its 10 cities, though not Atlanta. The cities’ share is expected to be between half and three-quarters of the money collected. April Hunt

DeKalb Workforce office moving locations

Starting in late February, DeKalb Workforce Development will move its operations to a new site in central DeKalb.

The office will move from its location in downtown Decatur to a new facility about three miles away, at 751 DeKalb Industrial Way.

Operations will be shut down for about a week, in late February to early March, for the move. April Hunt

Lecture series hosted by Dunwoody UMC

Increase your awareness and understanding of global issues through an eight-week lectures series hosted at Dunwoody United Methodist Church.

The “Great Decisions” lecture series encourages people to develop an informed opinion on the role of the United States in world affairs. The lectures are at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays beginning today through March 14. Register at www.gciv.org/programs/gd/dunwoody.

Today’s lecture is about the “Future of the Euro” presented by Dr. Vicki Birchfield, Associate Professor at the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Andria Simmons

SOUTHSIDE

First black, female water authority head honored

Clayton County officials will honor the first black woman to hold the office of chair of the county water authority at a 6 p.m. reception Thursday.

Marie Barber will head the water authority.

Oscar Blalock will serve as vice chair.

The reception, which is being hosted by Commissioner Sonna Singleton and State Rep. Sandra Scott, will be at the J. Charley Griswell Senior Center, 2300 Hwy 138 SE in Jonesboro. Tammy Joyner

CPR/first aid course at Piedmont Henry

Piedmont Henry Hospital will offer a HeartSaver CPR & First Aid course from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8. Taught by a certified American Heart Association instructor, the course includes instruction on CPR, use of an automated external defibrillator and first aid for adult and pediatric victims. The first aid portion includes medical, injury and environmental emergencies. Registration is required. Actual course length may vary. To register, visit piedmonthenry.org/classes/prevention or call 678-604-1040. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Cooking demonstration for cancer patients

Cancer Wellness at Piedmont Henry Hospital will host a cooking demonstration aimed at helping patients battling cancer.

The Eat Smart, Feel Better, Cook Less demonstration is noon to 2 p.m. Jan. 30, in the Foundation Education Center.

Cancer Wellness classes at Piedmont Henry are free of charge to cancer patients, survivors and caregivers.

Information: 678-604-1040 or piedmonthenry.org/classes. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Empowerment summit for youth scheduled

A youth empowerment summit, “Color Me Confident,” for ages 13-19 will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 9 at the College Park Public Safety building, 3717 College St., in the Community Room 302.

The free occasion will cover relationship building, life skills training, health and nutrition, teen dating violence prevention, skits, and panel discussions.

Registration is required by 5 p.m. Jan. 31.

Information: tinyurl.com/bztuole. Lisa Gibson for the AJC

Fayette schools to host mentor roundtable

As part of National Mentoring Month, the Fayette County Public Schools Friends Mentoring Program will host a public roundtable 4 to 6 p.m. today at the LaFayette Educational Center, Fayetteville.

A panel of teen and adult mentors, school administrators and business and publishing leaders will discuss the pros and cons of digital communication use.

Information: 770-460-3990, ext. 255. Jill Howard Church

Mayor’s Road Race planned in Union City

Cyclists can gear up for the 2013 Union City Mayor’s Road Race that’s scheduled for March 16-17 in Union City. The annual event attracts participants to south Fulton from across the United States.

Information: 770-964-2288.

Lisa Gibson for the AJC