Two hundred FCHS band members will be part of a 2,000-piece mega-band that will play during opening ceremonies and accompany athletes as they enter the Olympic Stadium.

Australian officials issued an invitation to Atlanta schools to send 10 percent of the 2,000 musicians, and Fayette simply was first to follow up and get its application in, said band director Kenny Beard.

You'll be hearing about fund-raising activities over the next year. Each player must raise $3,000 to participate.

*Fayette County's department of fire and emergency services is also getting ready for the year 2000.

The department's software is not Y2K compliant, but the Board of Commissioners has authorized spending $6,490 for new Fire Point software.

*Three new communications towers will soon rise above the south Fayette landscape if county commissioners follow the advice of the Planning Commission.

The Planning Commission Thursday recommended approval of 180-foot monopole towers on 201.4 acres on Arnold Road near Ebenezer Church Road; on 26.2 acres at McBride and Old Greenville roads, and on 127 acres on Morgan Road at the county line.