County by county news for Thursday

Cpl. Gene Crawford, 53, was northbound on South Cobb at Ridge Road about 3 p.m. when a 1997 Nissan Maxima turned left into the officer and his motorcycle, police said. The suffered two broken ankles, a broken leg and a fractured hip. The Nissan’s driver, Jennifer Karen Cook, 21, fled the scene but was located a short time later, police said. She was charged with hit-and-run and serious injury by vehicle, both felonies, and failure to yield while making a left turn, a misdemeanor. Christian Boone

Kaiser completes expansion in Kennesaw

Kaiser Permanente of Georgia recently completed a $47 million expansion at its Kennesaw facility, adding internal medicine, pediatrics, behavioral health and other new services.

TownPark Comprehensive Medical Center, at 750 TownPark Lane, also includes cardiology, neurology, pulmonology among its services, as well as a pharmacy, laboratory and imaging and diagnostic services.

Kaiser has been expanding in Georgia, opening 12 new medical offices since late 2009. Misty Williams

5K to benefit Swift-Cantrell Park

A 5K run and one-mile walk in Kennesaw at 7:30 a.m. Saturday will benefit Swift-Cantrell Park, the city’s largest park on Old US Highway 41. The Swift –Cantrell Classic, starting at First Baptist Church,2598 North Main Street, is the first of six races in Kennesaw for community projects and improvements at city facilities. The classic has raised $16,000 for the 42-acre park in two years. Information: www.swiftcantrellclassic.com. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Summer basketball registration next week

Registration will be held next week for Cobb’s summer adult basketball leagues.

Leagues will be at Fullers Recreation Center, 3499 Robinson Road, Marietta and, both in Powder Springs -- Ward Recreation Center, 4845 Dallas Highway and Ron Anderson Recreation Center, 3820 Macedonia Road.

Registration for new and returning teams will be 6 to 8 p.m. May 15 at Cobb Parks and Recreation, 1792 County Services Parkway, Marietta.

The league fee is $320 for a seven-game season and post-season tournament.

Information: prca.cobbcountyga.gov/adult_basketball.htm. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Austell to get disc golf course

Austell will get a new disc golf course this year.

City council members voted 5-0 Monday to approve the project with its cost of around $8,000 coming from the city’s Norfolk Southern Railroad interest fund.

The nine-hole course will be on 12 of 50 acres at Louise Suggs Memorial Park, the former Lithia Springs Golf Course.

Of 3,000 U.S. courses, 70 are in Georgia with 17 in metro Atlanta and one in Cobb at Oregon Park, said John Ritger of the Atlanta Disc Golf Association, designer of Austell’s course.

Information: discgolfatlanta.com or pdga.com. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

Radloff switches parties to run for re-election

Veteran Gwinnett County school board member Louise Radloff will switch parties and seek re-election to an 11th term this year, it was announced Wednesday. Radloff, 77, is currently the state’s second-longest serving local school board member, having been a Republican member of Gwinnett’s board nearly 40 years. She had been on the fence after running again after local school board districts were redrawn and her’s became a majority minority district. Democrats welcomed her decision, and Radloff said she was comfortable with making the switch. Nancy Badertscher

County to host seniors for a picnic

Gwinnett County will sponsor a picnic for seniors from 11 am. to 1 p.m. May 18 at Bethesda Park Senior Center, 225 Bethesda Church Road, Lawrenceville.

The event will feature hot dogs, horseshoes and other activities. It is open to those age 50 and up. The cost is $4 per person. Pre-registration is required by May 15. To register, call 770-564-4680. David Wickert

Schools ask public input on 2013 budget

The Gwinnett County Board of Education holds a special called meeting tonight to take public input on the proposed 2013 school system budget. The meeting is at 7 p.m. at the system’s instructional support center, 437 Old Peachtree Road, Suwanee. Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks and staff will give a brief overview of the budget, which calls for two days of furloughs for most employees, two additional students per class and leaving vacant more than 500 jobs. The public will have additional time to comment on May 17, prior to the budget’s adoption. Nancy Badertscher

Dacula to dedicate park

Dacula officially has named its new downtown park Olde Mill Park at Historic Downtown and will have a dedication ceremony at noon on Memorial Day. Michael Alpert for the AJC

Sierra Club to discuss transportation tax

The Greater Gwinnett Group of the Sierra Club will discuss the pros and cons of the proposed transportation sales tax measure at 7 p.m. May 17 at Berkmar High School, 405 Pleasant Hill Road, Lilburn.

Voters in 10 metro Atlanta counties will decide July 31 whether to approve a one-cent sales tax for a variety of road and transit improvements.

Information: Dan Friedman at dan3688@aol.com. David Wickert

Authors to give tips on publishing

Two authors of novels for young adults will offer advice on writing and publishing books for young readers on Saturday from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Collins Hill Library in Lawrenceville. Janice Hardy, author of the trilogy “The Healing Wars,” will give tips for creating a successful plot in a novel.

Shelli Johannes Wells, author of “On the Bright Side,” will discuss marketing and self-publishing. The event, sponsored by the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, is free and open to the public. To attend, contact Cathy Hall at cathyhall55@hotmail.com. Bob Howard

NORTHSIDE

Man critical after being shot by Milton police

A man is in critical condition after being shot by a Milton police officer Tuesday night Police told Channel 2 Action News that the shooting happened at a townhouse on Morris Road. Police responded to the home after friends of Jeff Hamilton, 43, called 911 and said he had made threats to himself and others. Police said Hamilton pulled a gun on officers. He was shot twice and was taken to North Fulton Hospital in critical condition, Channel 2 reported. The officer is on paid leave pending an internal investigation. The GBI is also investigating the incident. Joel Provano

Police: Man was viewing porn at McDonald’s

A man who police said was seen viewing pornography on his laptop computer at a McDonald’s restaurant in Roswell was in custody Tuesday night, charged with obstruction after he allegedly tried to run away from officers.

Brent Merrill Kellogg Jr., 43, a convicted sex offender, could face additional charges, depending on what investigators find on his computer, police told Channel 2 Action News.

The incident happened about 1:30 p.m. Monday at the McDonald’s at 591 Holcomb Bridge Road, according to Roswell police.

He is being held in the Roswell lockup on $6,000 bond. David Ibata

Teacher tapped for training seminar

A Fulton County Schools teacher has been selected to participate in a national training seminar hosted by the Library of Congress this month.

Dianna Locke of Heards Ferry Elementary School was chosen from more than 300 applicants to attend the “Teaching with Primary Sources Summer Teacher Institute,” which will held between May 21 -- 25.

Teachers will work with education experts to learn how to use primary sources in the classroom more effectively and access digitized historical artifacts available on the Library’s website www.loc.gov. D. Aileen Dodd

Nine Fulton seniors earn scholarships

Nine Fulton County Schools seniors were recently named as 2012 National Merit Scholars and won $2,500 scholarships for their college education.

The students are: Alpharetta High School’s Nathan S. Corbin, Alexandra Edquist and Ananth Punyala; Centennial High School’s Adam D. Silverman; Chattahoochee High School’s Sushmitha R. Muppidi; Northview High School’s

Sitan Chen, Kevin K. Do and Yubo Su; and Roswell High School’s Jiyan Xie. D. Aileen Dodd

Indian festival this weekend

Cherokee County’s Indian Festival & Mothers Day Pow Wow is this weekend at Boling Park in Canton. The 23rd annual event from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Adult admission costs $10, children $5. Kids five and under are free. Michael Alpert for the AJC

Forsyth sheriff candidates to debate

Forsyth County Sheriff candidates Duane Piper, Lauren McDonald and incumbent Ted Paxton are scheduled to face off in another debate on Monday at the county’s administration building at 7 p.m. Michael Alpert for the AJC

ATLANTA

Ethics panel to look at APS complaints

The Ethics Commission of the Atlanta Board of Education will meet Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to continue an investigation into whether board members Courtney English, Yolanda Johnson and Nancy Meister violated ethics guidelines. In March 2011, complaints were filed against the three board members for various alleged violations, including not disclosing conflicts of interest. The meeting will be closed, and will be held at the district’s headquarters, 130 Trinity Ave. Atlanta. Jaime Sarrio

Ludacris to speak to Dobbs students

Atlanta-based rapper and actor Ludacris is scheduled to visit Dobbs Elementary today to tour the school’s teaching garden with second graders and talk about anti-bullying with third through fifth graders. Ludacris has been an active supporter of Dobbs for several years. His foundation helped fund the teaching garden, and volunteers from the organization will plant vegetation in the garden today. Info: www.atlanta.k12.ga.us. Jaime Sarrio

Grady High finishes second in trial tourney

Grady High School’s team finished second in the 28th Annual National High School Mock Trial Championship, held last weekend in Albuquerque, N.M. The hometown team from Albuquerque Academy won the 2012 title.  This marked the Grady team’s sixth time representing the Georgia High School Mock Trial program at the national level and the team’s fourth top ten finish. Bill Rankin

Buckhead business meeting set

The Buckhead Business Association will hold its weekly breakfast meeting from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. today at the City Club of Buckhead. Denise Starling, executive director of the Buckhead Area Transportation Management Association and Liveable Buckhead, will be the speaker. Tickets are $10 for BBA members and $20 for visitors and guests. Information: www.buckheadbusiness.org. Kenneth Musisi

DEKALB

Georgia Perimeter adds ‘state’ to name

Four of Georgia’s traditional two-year colleges will add the word “state” to their names to reflect that they now offer limited four-year degrees, under action the State Board of Regents took Wednesday.

The new names are: Atlanta Metropolitan State College, Darton State College, East Georgia State College and Georgia Perimeter State College.

The regents instructed the schools to “be judicious” in making the change to manage costs. When the regents approved a name change for Georgia Health Sciences University President Ricardo Azziz estimated it would cost about $2.5 million, with the largest expense going to new signs.

The regents voted last year to let the four colleges and two others offer bachelor programs in select areas. Laura Diamond

Decatur to replace old sewer line

City approval of easements on Decatur’s Superior Avenue paves the way for DeKalb County to replace 900 feet of aging sewer line running underneath and alongside Superior, heading north across North Decatur Road. Two-thirds of the line’s located inside city limits. The old pipe, occasionally only 10 inches in diameter, frequently backs up raw sewage into backyards and into the south fork of Peachtree Creek. Once all easements are secured the project, featuring a new uniform pipe of 18-inch plastic, should begin “very quickly” according to Deputy city manager Hugh Saxon. Bill Banks for the AJC

Officer investigated in kicking of woman

A DeKalb County police officer is under criminal investigation after being accused of kicking a woman who was almost nine months pregnant, Channel 2 Action News reported.

Raven Dozier said she was trying to help her brother calm down during a child custody issue that involved police. She said she started crying and questioning officers after a Taser gun was used on her brother.

Dozier gave birth to her now 4-month-old son two weeks later. The baby is healthy.

Officer Jerad Wheeler described the incident as “a front push kick to the abdomen, as he was taught to do at the academy,” in his police report.

Two other complaints been filed against Wheeler, including when he allegedly shot a family’s dog after responding to the wrong address, the report said.

Angel K. Brooks

Celebrate Chamblee bursts out May 19

Chamblee will host a citywide festival later this month designed to showcase its diversity through activities, food and music. Celebrate Chamblee will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 19 at City Hall on Peachtree Road. International and American food also will be available for purchase from local vendors. April Hunt

Parks department to plant fruit trees

A national nonprofit and DeKalb County’s parks department recently teamed up to plant three dozen fruit trees in a county park. The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation supplied the apple, peach, pear and pawpaw trees for DeKalb Memorial Park, a 17-acre park on Wilkinson Drive in Atlanta. Volunteers from the nearby Parkview community have pledged to take care of the trees, which were planted after crews cleared an overgrown section of the park. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Grim budget outlook for Fayette schools

At a called meeting May 7, the Fayette County Board of Education reviewed a preliminary budget plan for next year that reflects ongoing cutbacks. Comptroller Laura Brock’s report outlined projected revenues and costs that will use up all of this year’s estimated $15 million fund balance. “We are going to be operating next year bare bones,” she said. Personnel salaries and benefits make up 91 percent of expenditures, followed by fuel, insurance and utilities. The official budget proposal will be presented at the June 4 meeting. Jill Howard Church

Bell honored with leadership award

Clayton County Commission chairman Eldrin Bell has received the Emory Greene Leadership award, the highest honor from The Association of County Commissioners of Georgia. The association cited numerous accomplishments, including Bell’s guidance to the Clayton County Housing and Urban Development programs which earned the agency regional state and national awards for excellence. Bell spearheaded a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax in 2008 that provided $300 million to Clayton for parks and roads. Tammy Joyner

Hapeville residents seek new ZIP code

There is a citizen initiated petition requesting residents and business owners to sign a petition asking the U.S. Postal Service to create a separate ZIP code for Hapeville. Interested parties may sign the petition at Hapeville City Hall at 3468 North Fulton Avenue. John Thompson for the AJC

Help offered to caregivers for elderly

Those taking care of elderly or disabled persons can find resources, including crisis support, at a workshop today offered by Fulton County, East Point Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities and Jewish Family and Career Services. Caregivers can learn about financial help, in-home care solutions and other services, and sign up for programs. The workshop starts at 11 a.m. at Peachtree City Christian Church, 1706 Washington Road, East Point. Reservations: 404-762-2094. Johnny Edwards

Hapeville offers youth law program

The Hapeville Police Department is offering Law Enforcement Exploring to give young men and women the chance to experience law enforcement opportunities. Youth must be at least 14 years of age and have completed the 8th grade to join. The next meeting is scheduled today at 6:30 p.m. at the Hapeville Police Department at 700 Doug Davis Drive.

John Thompson for the AJC

Geranium Festival to put on concert

The annual Geranium Festival will host it’s inaugural Geranium Jam on May 19 at Alexander Park, Atlanta Street/Highway 42, McDonough. The outdoor concert will feature the Drivin N Cryin Rock N Roll band, Highway 55 playing country and a little southern rock, and Bogey and the Viceroy band with Motown and R&B. Purchase advance tickets for $15 at www.TourMcDonough.com/jam or call 770-898-3196. Sandra Marshall Murray