County by county news for Wednesday

Tripper Sharp, one of the plaintiffs who sued Cobb EMC in 2007, has decided to run for a seat on the co-op’s board of directors.

Sharp plans to officially announce his candidacy on Monday.

EMC members will vote March 31 on directors for six of the 10 board seats. Four new members were elected last year.

Sharp’s candidacy is a reversal of the plaintiffs’ previous decision not to run for board seats. None of the other suing members plan to run, Sharp said. Janel Davis

Commissioners to hold town hall meetings

Southeast Cobb Commissioner Bob Ott will be hosting a town hall meeting on Thursday at the Smyrna Community Room. A second meeting is set for Feb. 15 at the East Cobb Library. Chairman Tim Lee will hold the first of four community meetings on Feb. 13 at the West Cobb Senior Center. The remaining meetings over the next three months will be held in other parts of the county.

Northeast Cobb Commissioner JoAnn Birrell will hold a town hall meeting on Feb. 16 at the Mountain View Community Center in Marietta. Dana Johnson, county Planning Division manager, will be the featured speaker. The meetings will begin at 7 p.m. Information: www.cobbcountyga.gov Janel Davis

Train strikes truck stuck at crossing

Three members of a freight train crew were taken to a local hospital Monday after their train struck a truck hauling scrap metal in Marietta, Channel 2 Action News reported.

The accident happened about 4 p.m. at the CSX Transportation crossing in an industrial area near Loudermilk Drive and Marble Mill Road. A freight train struck a Blaze Recycling truck that had gotten stuck on the crossing, Marietta police said. The impact severed the truck’s cab from its trailer and damaged the tracks. The truck driver was out of the cab was not hurt, three members of the train crew complained of neck and back injuries. David Ibata

Powder Springs to auction used vehicles

Three Powder Springs used police vehicles will be available for online bidding from Friday through Feb. 17.

They include a 1990 Ford Econoline 350, 1994 GMC Yukon and vehicle parts from a 2004 Ford Crown Victoria, according to the city’s website at cityofpowdersprings.org.

Those interested may register to bid for free at GovDeals.com.

Information: police station, 770-943-1616. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

Snellville city manager quits for new job

Snellville city manager Russell Treadway submitted his resignation Tuesday after accepting a similar position with Sevierville, Tenn.

Treadway will become the city administrator in Sevierville, an east Tennessee town of about 14,000 where he once served in the same position for 16 years. In his resignation letter, Treadway said that his time in Snellville had been “challenging and stimulating.”

Snellville Mayor Kelly Kautz said she will nominate an interim city manager within days and then task the City Council with conducting a search for a permanent replacement. Joel Anderson

Early voting to start in Gwinnett

Early voting for Gwinnett County’s March 6 presidential primary and nonpartisan election will be from Feb. 13 to March 2. Early voters can cast their ballot from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the county elections office at 455 Grayson Highway, Lawrenceville. Voting also will be on Saturday Feb. 25 at the elections office and at satellite locations from Feb. 27 to March 2. Information: www.gwinnettelections.com or call 678-226-7210. David Wickert

Rabid raccoon found near Lawrenceville

Gwinnett County has issued a rabies alert after a raccoon found in Lawrenceville tested positive for the disease.

The raccoon was found Jan. 30 on Bailing Road. The county urges anyone who has been bitten or scratched by a stray animal to call the Gwinnett County Animal Welfare and Enforcement Bite Office at 770-339-3200, ext. 5576. David Wickert

Grant helps Lanier Middle with technology

The Lanier Cluster Education Foundation was recently awarded a $5,000 grant to upgrade reading technology for students. The grant from Insperity, a provider of human resources and business performance solutions, will be used to purchase eReaders and electronic books for Lanier Middle in Sugar Hill.

For information on the foundation: www.laniercluster.org. D. Aileen Dodd

Volunteers pitch in for injured vet

Dozens of volunteers from Home Depot and Operation Homefront will help a Georgia veteran transform his yard to make it more accessible.

The veteran, Sgt. first-class Mark Allen, was injured while serving in Afghanistan in 2009. As a result of his injury, the Loganville father of two must use a wheelchair and needs round-the-clock care.

The upgrades will include installing a drain pipe, retaining wall and fence, assembling a play set and shed and landscaping the front and back yards. Shelia Poole

Police captain, author to speak at church

Lilburn police Capt. Mike Johnson along with Bill York will talk about crimes against seniors, identity theft, scams, home and personal safety on March 19 at 10:30 a.m. at Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church on Pleasant Hill Road in Duluth. Johnson’s responsibilities include Neighborhood Watch programs in the Lilburn area. York is a retired furrier and author of six novels. Kenneth Musisi

NORTHSIDE

Fulton adds $200,000 to help HIV patients

The Fulton commission added $200,000 to this year’s budget to help keep HIV patients from missing medications while on the state’s waiting list for drug help. Georgia’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program is for low- to moderate-income patients without health insurance, and 275 people in line are enrolled in Fulton’s Ryan White program. The funds will also ensure uninterrupted treatment during the three-month process of getting help through pharmaceutical companies’ assistance programs. Treatment regimens cost about $1,000 per month. Johnny Edwards

Early voting in Forsyth to begin Monday

Early voting begins Monday in Forsyth County for the March 6 presidential primary and special election. Registered voters may cast ballots through Feb. 25 at the Forsyth County Administration Building, 110 E. Main St. in Cumming. Monday through Friday voting will run from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday voting will occur only on Feb. 25 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition to presidential primary balloting, voters will decide on whether to permit Sunday package alcohol sales in both Cumming and across the rest of Forsyth County. Info: www.forsythco.com or 770-781-2118, ext .9 Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Wireless sensor tackles rush-hour issue

Sandy Springs transportation officials have solved a rush-hour problem they hope will stick.

Crews have installed an underground traffic sensor at Mount Vernon and Roswell roads to correct a malfunction created by afternoon sunshine on the traffic signal cameras.

The new wireless, underground sensor detects vehicle presence and movement.

Transportation officials said that since the sensor was installed in December, reports of issues at the intersection have dropped to zero. They said they plan to install the device at other areas where the problem exists. Patrick Fox

Cherokee ranked highly for transparency

Cherokee County has earned an A+ ranking from the non-profit Sunshine Review for work on its transparency project, aimed at providing comprehensive information on county government operations and tax dollar expenditures. The watchdog group rated Cherokee tops in such areas as: budget information, lobbying disclosures, meeting minutes and access to contracts. Cobb, Fulton and Clayton counties also earned highest-level marks from the group. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Golf instructor earns recognition

Jackie Cannizzo, director of instruction at the Country Club of Roswell, was recognized recently as a Master Kids Teacher for 2011 by U.S. Kids Golf at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando. Cannizzo has been a junior golf instructor for more than 25 years and serves as director of national team development for Junior League Golf.

The Master Kids Teacher award distinguishes individuals named to the U.S. Kids Golf Top 50 Kids Teachers list three or more times. That list recognizes golf professionals who focus much of their time and energy on developing young golfers. Patrick Fox

ATLANTA

Onyx Con founder to speak at library

As part of Black History Month, Joseph R. Wheeler, founder of Atlanta’s Onyx Con Convention, will host a community discussion Thursday on how African-rooted culture appears in art and society, both historically and in modern times. “Introduction to the Black Age of Comics: Past, Present and Future,” starts at 7 p.m. at the Auburn Avenue Research Library, 101 Auburn Ave., downtown Atlanta. Information: 404-730-4001 Ext. 100. Johnny Edwards

Hospitality foundation to hold job fair

The Hospitality Education Foundation of Georgia will hold a job fair and trade show Friday for high school seniors and juniors exploring careers in the hospitality and food service industries.

The Hospitality Expo will include colleges, businesses, industry associations and community organizations, with four industry leaders sharing personal stories in a career workshop. The expo lasts from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at AmericasMart, Building 2W, first floor, 230 Spring Street, Atlanta. Johnny Edwards

Massell to speak to business group

Former Mayor Sam Massell will deliver his annual state of Buckhead address at the weekly breakfast meeting of the Buckhead Business Association on Feb. 16 from 7:30-9 a.m. at the City Club of Buckhead. Tickets are $10 for BBA members and $20 for visitors and guests. Information: www.buckheadbusiness.org. Kenneth Musisi

GSU to show art exhibitions through May 11

The Ernest G. Welch School of Art & Design Galleries at Georgia State University presents a fresh series of M.F.A solo exhibitions beginning Feb. 13 through May 11. The solo exhibitions are a culmination of the intensive full time three-year Master of Fine Arts studio program. Events are free and open to the public. For a calendar of reception dates, please visit www.gsu.edu. Information: 404-413-5230. Kenneth Musisi

DEKALB

Schools to hold forum on technology needs

The DeKalb County School System will host a public forum on Feb. 15 to gather opinions about technology needs for its triennial technology plan update.

Officials will be assessing technology needs in the classroom and offices before applying for grants, including federal eRate funds, to make upgrades.

The meeting is from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at school system headquarters, 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd., Stone Mountain. Ty Tagami

More asbestos work needed at rec center

Renovation of Decatur’s Recreation Center will need further asbestos abatement work costing an additional $26,800. Deputy City Manager Hugh Saxon reports that additional asbestos materials were found under the gym floor, but he added that the center, which originally opened in 1958, should re-open next January as scheduled. The $6.9 million project includes a new gym and an elevated running track approximately 130 yards. Other features include a climbing wall, catering kitchen and a computer lab for after-school programs. Bill Banks for the AJC

Seniors offered diabetes workshop

Senior Connections is offering a free workshop for senior citizens who are learning about how to live with diabetes.

The nonprofit will provide registered dieticians for a two-hour class March 3 at the Mack Love Community Center. Registration is limited, so that the session can be hands-on and as interactive as possible.

To register: www.seniorconnectionsatl.org or by mail to Diabetes Workshop, Senior Connections, 5238 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, GA 30341. April Hunt

Stone Mountain CID to meet Thursday

The Community Improvement District for Stone Mountain will hold its quarterly meeting this Thursday.

The session will update security, landscaping and economic development efforts by the district. The meeting begins at noon at Eagle Rock Distributing on Beverage Dr.

More information: www.StoneMountainCID.com. April Hunt

Children’s Home hopes to win $25k

The United Methodist Children’s Home of the North Georgia Conference in Decatur is one of four nonprofits in the running for February’s Aprons in Action award, which would mean a $25,000 gift card from The Home Depot for the winner. The winning organization will be based on the number of votes posted on

If the children’s home collects the most votes, it will use its winnings to build a safe, age-appropriate playground for the organization’s youngest children. Voting ends on Feb. 23. Rhonda Cook

Community Action Center to hold meeting

The Community Action Center will hold its annual meeting onFeb. 14 from 8 to 10 a.m. at Dunwoody United Methodist Church, 1548 Mount Vernon Rd., Dunwoody. The meeting will discuss the center’s 25 years of service to Sandy Springs and Dunwoody including plans for the future. RSVP by Thursday at 770-552-4889 or e-mail meetings@ourcac.org. Kenneth Musisi

SOUTHSIDE

Father of accused teen faces deportation

The father of a teen accused of killing a Clayton County deputy was convicted Monday of bribing an immigration officer and is expected to be deported. Hing Bun, 43, of Riverdale was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials after being sentenced to six months of home confinement and four and a half years of probation, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced. He is expected to remain in custody until his deportation to Cambodia. Bun is the father of Johnathan Bun, 17, who allegedly shot Clayton deputy Richard “Rick” Daly in July 2011. Angel K. Brooks

Fayette recycling center accepts paint

The Fayette County Recycling Center is now accepting liquid paint for disposal and recycling.

Latex, alkyd and acrylic paints must be in their original, non-leaking containers (including spray cans and drywall or joint compound cans).

Lacquer, thinners, stains, lubricants or unlabeled containers are not accepted.

Disposal rates are $1.25 per quart, $5 per gallon and $25 per five-gallon bucket. For information, see www.fayettecountyga.gov. Jill Howard Church

Fayette to test weather sirens today

Fayette County is asking its residents not to call 911 this morning during a test of the county’s emergency weather sirens.

The tornado sirens are set to go off at approximately 9:15 a.m. as part of a statewide readiness drill for Severe Weather Week. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Hampton Chocolate Festival on Saturday

Hampton’s Chocolate Festival will be Saturdayfrom 7 -10 p.m. in the Hampton depot. Tickets are on sale for $15 each at Hair Barn and Moye’s Pharmacy in Hampton. The event will benefit future Main Street events. Information: www.hamptonchocolatefest.weebly.com. Kenneth Musisi

Clayton schools get weather radios

Clayton County Emergency Management donated more than 60 severe weather radios to Clayton County Public Schools Monday night at the Clayton County Board of Education’s monthly meeting.

Fire chief Jeff Hood made the donation which was made possible by a grant recently given to the emergency management agency.

The radios will be delivered to the school district administrative complex this week. The donation was part of Severe Weather Awareness Week, which is Feb. 6-11. Tammy Joyner

Henry arts educator elected to office

Beth Scarboro, English/language arts coordinator for the Henry County School System, has been named president of the Georgia Language Arts Supervisors (GLAS) for the next two years, after having served two years as vice president for the group.

She has been an educator for 17 years in four school systems in Georgia, and has been on the English/Language Arts Advisory Committee for the State of Georgia for the past five years.

Monroe Roark for the AJC