County by county news for Tuesday

Fresenius, the largest provider of dialysis produces and services, already operates two corporate offices and four clinics in Cobb County totaling 260 employees. The Kennesaw facility will be a new billing and verification office, and initially open with 75-80 employees. The company plans to open a new clinic in Acworth later this year.

The expansion was announced Monday during the annual State of the County address. Janel Davis

Rep. Carson gets first committee assignment

Rep. John Carson, R-Marietta, has been assigned to the Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications; Insurance; and Intragovernmental Coordination committees. This is the first session for Carson, a political newcomer, who replaces Rep. Bobby Franklin, who died in July. Carson beat out former Sen. Robert Lamutt in an October runoff for the House seat.

Cobb County’s delegation, led by Rep. Ed Setzler, R-Acworth, includes 19 lawmakers. Janel Davis

Former Cobb EMC board candidate to speak

Cobb Alliance for Smart Energy’s first monthly meeting of the year will feature former Cobb EMC board member candidate Paul Phillips discussing his campaign experience.

Phillips, an accountant and Cobb business owner, ran unsuccessfully for one of four EMC board seats during the first round of elections last year.

In advance of the March elections for the remaining seats, Phillips will offer recommendations for improving the process. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. today at Rib Ranch, 2063 Canton Rd., Marietta.

Information: www.cobbemcwatch.org Janel Davis

Career training expo at KSU Thursday

Kennesaw State University’s College of Continuing and Professional Education will hold a career training expo on Thursday at the KSU Center.

The expo will highlight the available professional certificate programs and professors.

Expo attendees will receive a 5 percent discount on classes.

The free expo begins at 6 p.m. at the KSU Center, 3333 Busbee Dr. in Kennesaw. Information: 770-423-6765; www.ksuexpo.com. Registration is recommended. Janel Davis

Marietta school chief to give update

Marietta City Schools superintendent Emily Lembeck will give an update on district news at a talk at 7 p.m. Thursday at Dunleith Elementary School, 120 Saine Drive. The meeting, open to parents and the community, will include information on the March 6 city vote on a $7 million general obligation bond referendum to build an auditorium at Marietta High School. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Career Center to hold job recruitment

The Georgia Department of Labor’s Cobb-Cherokee Career Center will help Hire Dynamics recruit bilingual patient-service representatives on Wednesday, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Career Center, at 465 Big Shanty Road, Marietta. Full or part-time jobs are available. Information: 770-528-6100. Veronica Fields Johnson

GWINNETT

Woman, boy seriously hurt in wreck

A woman and a child were seriously injured Monday morning in a wreck near Dacula. The woman was driving on Alcovy Road around 8:30 a.m. when her car left the roadway near Bramblet Shoals Road and struck a tree, Gwinnett County police said.

The woman and a 5-year-old boy were trapped in the wreckage. Both were removed by emergency crews and transported to local hospitals, said Cpl. Edwin Ritter, Gwinnett police spokesman.

The boy was listed in guarded but stable condition. The woman was taken to Gwinnett Medical Center in Lawrenceville, where she was in critical condition. Joel Provano

Schools to host career fair Thursday

Gwinnett Schools is hosting a Career and Technical Education fair for high school students interested in specialized careers. The event will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Maxwell High School of Technology, 990 McElvaney Lane in Lawrenceville. High school students can learn more about career programs and meet professionals in those careers .

Gwinnett students can enroll in career and technical education courses during their junior and senior years. D. Aileen Dodd

County offices closed Monday for holiday

Gwinnett County offices will be closed Monday Jan. 16 for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday. County offices will resume regular working hours on Jan. 17. Trash and recycling will be collected as scheduled Monday. David Wickert

County asks heater donations for seniors

Gwinnett residents can help local seniors keep warm this winter by donating new portable electric heaters at county fire stations through Feb. 28.

The county will deliver the heaters to seniors in need, along with a smoke detector and information on fire safety. To be eligible, seniors must be age 60 or older, must be Gwinnett residents and must be experiencing financial hardship. For information contact Adrienne Noble at 678-377-4150 or adrienne.noble@gwinnettcounty.com. David Wickert

Schools to host career fair Thursday

The Gwinnett County School System hosts a career and technical education fair from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday at Maxwell High School of Technology. The career fair is open to all of the county’s high school students.

CTE prepares students to be college and career ready with industry-recognized credentials, postsecondary certificates and two- and four-year degrees. Info: 770-963-6838. Nancy Badertscher

Notre Dame Academy takes applications

Notre Dame Academy will accept applications for the 2012-13 school year during an open house from 2 to 4 p.m. on Jan. 22 at the school, 4635 River Green Parkway, Duluth.

Notre Dame Academy is a Marist and International Baccalaureate World School, serving pre-K3 through 8th grades. It offers a “CampusPlus” program that allows parents to customize their child’s education with before and after school care. For more information, visit www.ndacademy.org. Mea Watkins

NORTHSIDE

Flood insurance workshop to be Jan. 31

Roswell and Alpharetta are sponsoring a workshop for insurance and real estate professionals to discuss newly released flood hazard maps. The workshop, scheduled for Jan. 31 at 9:30 a.m. in room 220, Roswell City Hall, will be conducted by a representative from the National Flood Insurance Program. The focus will be on flood insurance and what options are available for clients in light of the new maps. Pre-registration is not required, but space is limited and will be filled first come first served.

Information: emailfloodinfo@roswellgov.com. Patrick Fox

Health center focuses on cervical cancer

For Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, Fulton County Health Services is encouraging women age 21 and older to get annual Pap tests.

Women who haven’t had hysterectomies are at risk. If detected early, cervical cancer is 90 percent curable.

Pelvic examinations and Pap tests are available at the North Fulton Regional Health Center, 3155 Royal Drive, Alpharetta. Exams, Pap tests and the HPV vaccine are available for eligible low-income and uninsured women through the state’s BreasTEST & MORE program.

Information: 404-332-1876 or www.fultoncountygahealth.org. Patrick Fox

Blood drive at Reinhardt College Thursday

The American Red Cross is seeking blood and platelet donations. Donors can give blood on Thursday from noon to 5 p.m. at Reinhardt College, 7300 Reinhardt College Circle, Waleska.

Information: www.redcrossblood.org or 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Veronica Fields Johnson

Volunteers needed to clear litter

Forsyth County residents can help keep highways litter-free in the coming year by volunteering to work on one of two mobile trash units. The two units, one for families and another for students, will be in different areas of the county one day each month.

The family unit will operate at 3 p.m. the third Sunday of each month. The student unit will operate at 4 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month.

Volunteers will be notified by email of cleanup locations.

To sign up and for more information: www.connectforsyth.org; or contact Kevin Smith, 678-513-5892, kdsmith@forsythco.com. Patrick Fox

Schools ask for inputon English curriculum

The Fulton County school system is seeking community feedback on English class materials under consideration for next academic year.

The materials will be on display through Friday at the following locations: the second floor lobby of the Fulton Administrative Center, 786 Cleveland Ave. S.W., Atlanta; Milton Center, Room I-105, 86 School Drive, Alpharetta; and Ridgeview Middle School’s media conference room, 5340 Trimble Road N.E., Atlanta.

The feedback will be shared with the school board for final approval.

For viewing times, visit www.fultonschools.org. D. Aileen Dodd

ATLANTA

Supreme Court disbars Atlanta lawyer

The Georgia Supreme Court on Monday said it has disbarred Atlanta lawyer Kota Chalfant Suttle because he engaged in legal work when he was prohibited from doing so. Suttle had previously been suspended from practicing law because of a residential mortgage fraud conviction, for which he received a misdemeanor sentence as a first offender. While on suspension in July 2010, Suttle agreed to handle a $2 million real estate transaction for a client and, when asked to return the money, unjustifiably kept $18,000 as a legal fee, the court said. Bill Rankin

Community cleanup Saturday, Monday

In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Atlanta City Councilwoman Cleta Winslow in partnership with former state Rep. Douglas Dean and the Pittsburgh Ministerial Alliance organization will host the 2nd Annual Pittsburgh Community Clean-up on Saturday and on Monday. Volunteers will meet at 8 a.m. on both days at the Pittman Park Recreation Center, 950 Garibaldi Street. Jeremiah McWilliams

Law firm names new partners

The law firm Jones Day has promoted four lawyers to be new partners in its Atlanta office. The new partners are Emily C. Baker, Lillian Nash Caudle, Amy Edgy Ferber and William J. Zawrotny. “These four remarkable leaders strengthen our partnership in immeasurable ways,” Lizanne Thomas, partner-in-charge of the Atlanta office, said. “And of course, I am pleased to note that three are women, bringing our ranks of female partners in Atlanta to 10 out of 45.” Bill Rankin

Author to discuss book about first black officers

Author George Logan will be at Atlanta-Fulton’s Central Library on Jan. 19 to talk about his book “The First Eight,” the story of the first black officers hired by the Atlanta Police Department in 1948. “The First Eight African-American Police Officers” starts at noon at One Margaret Mitchell Square in Atlanta. Information: 404-730-1906. Johnny Edwards

DEKALB

Grand jury: Accounting error showed shortage

A DeKalb County grand jury has determined an accounting error was the reason it appeared that $40 million of parks and greenspace bond money was missing or had been misappropriated.

The grand jury, which was empaneled for the November-December term of court, was asked to look into the matter in light of reports that the county had dipped into the fund to cover routine operating expenses. “It is our opinion that there was no wrongdoing and that no money was misappropriated or inappropriately commingled, the grand jury said in its report. Rhonda Cook

Montgomery school to hold open house

Montgomery Elementary School located at 3995 Ashford Dunwoody Road will be hosting an open house Friday from 9 to 10 a.m. The open house provides school tours and information regarding Pre-K and Kindergarten registration. Information: call 678-676-7502 or visit http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/montgomery. Sandra Marshall Murray

Group seeks donations for county libraries

The Alliance of Friends of the DeKalb County Public Library has asked residents to make monetary and reading donations to area libraries.

All of the funds raised from book donations benefit the libraries, which have seen their budgets for books and materials cut from $2.03 million in 2008 to just $100,000 in 2011. The county, which funds the libraries, has 22 branches across DeKalb. Money and books can be donated to individual branch libraries. April Hunt

Chamber legislative reception Jan. 26

The DeKalb Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual meeting and legislative reception Jan. 26. Outgoing board members will be recognized, and six newly elected members will be introduced at the event.

The reception will be held at the Retreat at Perimeter Summit in north DeKalb County. Tickets are $85. Information: 404-378-8000 or www.dekalbchamber.org. April Hunt

Police alliance to present fundraiser

The DeKalb Police Alliance will host its annual fundraiser in February to help with insurance costs for law enforcement officers. The Hearts for Heroes Ball will be Feb. 11 at the Thalia N. Carlos Hellenic Community Center on Clairmont Road in Atlanta. The event features a dinner, dancing and live auction. Funds raised go to underwrite a $100,000 life insurance policy to help families of fallen sworn officers in DeKalb county and city police departments, marshals and sheriff’s office.

Information: www.dekalbpolicealliance.org or 678-362-0392. April Hunt

Decatur namedone of ‘tastiest towns’

The magazine Southern Living has named Decatur among the top 10 “tastiest towns in the South” in its January issue.

Decatur, along with other finalists such as New Orleans and Houston, will be profiled in the April issue of the magazine.

Magazine readers will determine the winning destination by voting at www.southernliving.com/tasty. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Traffic-choked I-75 in Henry County will soon get some relief. The 1.2 mile northbound auxiliary lane between Eagle’s Landing Parkway/Hudson Bridge Road and I-675 has been approved by the state for design and construction work. The $7.5 million project includes rebuilding the Walt Stephens Road overpass above I-75 to match a southbound auxiliary lane added in 2009, giving that area four lanes in each direction. The work is expected to be completed in 2013. Details: http://tomcat2.dot.state.ga.us/ContractsAdministration/uploads/Alll2161.pdf Tammy Joyner

Motorcyclist killed in accident identified

The motorcyclist killed early Saturday on Ga. 279 in Fayette County was identified Monday as Donnolley A. Reid of Jonesboro. According to Fayette sheriff’s Major Bryan Woodie, Reid was operating a 2009 Honda southbound on Ga. 279 near Ga. 314 just after 5 a.m. Saturday when the motorcycle “for reasons not yet known, left the roadway on the right side.”

Woodie said Reid, 34, tried to steer the bike back onto the roadway, but was unsuccessful, and the Honda struck a sign post and tree.Mike Morris

Airport manager to speak to group

The Historic College Park Neighborhood Association is hosting Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport General Manager Louis Miller at its monthly meeting tonight. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. inside Woodward Academy’s Gresham Chapel. John Thompson for the AJC

East Point award grant for improvements

East Point was recently awarded $3.9 million in federal grant money to construct pedestrian, bicycle, safety and intersection improvements in the central business district. The grant will fund the type of infrastructure project that cities across the country covet to reinvigorate and increase the appeal of their central business districts. John Thompson for the AJC

Father/daughter dance registration opens

Registration is now open for the annual Father/Daughter Valentine’s Dance in Peachtree City. The event for girls ages 6-12 will be held Feb. 4 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Kedron Fieldhouse.

The cost is $35 per couple and $15 for each additional daughter for county residents, and $45 per couple for those outside Fayette County. Space is limited and fills quickly; register at the Fieldhouse or online at www.peachtree-city.org/recreation. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Fayette Middle School to be recognized

Fayette Middle School will be recognized at a conference on Jan. 21-24 in Seattle after being named a National Title I Distinguished School for 2011.

The honor, given by the National Title I Association, acknowledges schools from across the country that have helped students achieve high educational standards. Funds from the Title I program pay for resources otherwise unavailable to teachers and students.

Principal Sharlene Patterson praised the faculty, staff and parents for their innovation and commitment to student success. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

GWINNETT