SUNDAY EDITION: Around Northeast Georgia

*Most government offices at all levels will be closed Monday in observance of Marthin Luther King, Jr., Day.   Some private concerns/businesses will also be closed.

*The South Hall Business Coalition meets Jan. 21 at Flowery Branch City Hall.  Guest speaker:  Paul Chambers, AT&T Regional Director.

*Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School students will bring the original production “Cirque Arqadia” to the school's Rearden Stage February 13-15.  Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children, available online at rabungap.org/cirque.

*Piedmont College artist-in-residence and pianist  Dr. Jeri-Mae G. Astolfi will perform works by three famed composers at 4 p.m.January 26 in a free on-campus concert.

*The Georgia Department of Labor is partnering with KIK Custom Products to host a job fair Jan. 23 from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. at the Gainesville Career Center, 2756 Atlanta Highway.  KIK Custom Products will be looking to hire cleaning and sanitation operators.

*Also for job-seekers, the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission's Career Coach will be in Cumming Jan. 22 at Sharon Forks Library 11:00-2:30.

*Staff from 10th District Congressman Jody Hice's office will be available to meet with constituents in Winder Jan. 28, 10:00-12:00 at Lobby at the Maddox on Broad Street.  

*Due to a decrease in blood donations throughout the holidays and an increase in need at area hospitals, LifeSouth Community Blood Centers is facing an emergency need for all blood types.  For additional information about donation or to find a blood drive near you, call LifeSouth toll-free at 888-795-2707 or visit www.lifesouth.org. Appointments can also be made online.  LifeSouth has a blood donation center on McEver Road in Gainesville.

*Flowery Branch Police say they are noticing "quite a few" motorists who are stopping while backed up in traffic on the railroad tracks that run through the middle of town. "Please understand," reads a posting on the department's Facebook page, "that not only is this a violation of the law but you are putting yourself at extreme risk of injury!"  Police promise that if officers see violations, the law will be enforced. 

*Sawnee EMC is getting ready to return about $10 million to its nearly 115,000 customers as part of an annual mandated refund program.  The electric co-op's service area includes portions of Forsyth, Fulton, Dawson, Lumpkin, Cherokee, Hall, and Gwinnett counties.