News

Mass transit to roll into Fayette June 1

For the first time in recent history, Fayette County is about to be served by mass transit.

No tax hike?

Fayette County commissioners are digging into a proposed $48.6 million budget for fiscal year 2000 that would hold the line on tax rates with no increase anticipated.

J.C. Booth takes 4th national science title

J.C. Booth Middle School's science Olympians were welcomed home to Peachtree City Sunday night with a police escort, and a fire hose salute after capturing first place for the fourth consecutive year in the 15th annual National Science Olympiad Tournament in Chicago.

Planners set vote on 163 homes proposed at 314, New Hope Rd.

Now that Fayette Pavilion's third phase is being developed in large retail stores, Fayetteville's plan for the west side of Ga. Highway 314 has to change, says developer Bob Rolader.

City planners taking closer look at hospital area

An explosion of professional office development around Fayette Community Hospital, long predicted but slow in coming, is suddenly bearing down on city of Fayetteville officials like an oncoming freight train.

County honors 911 operators who helped solve carjacking

Fayette County officials last week spent some time basking in the afterglow of a hostage situation in which everything went right and lives were saved.

City seeking a way out for pair trapped by progress

When Mr. and Mrs. H. Emory Holbrook moved into their home on Sandy Creek Road in 1986, they thought it would be the last time they would have to move.

Commissioners to name impact fee committee next week

It's not too late to throw your hat into the ring for appointment to a task force to study impact fees in Fayette.

County, cities ready with joint service agreements

Governments of Fayette's cities, the county and the Board of Education are ready to submit a joint service delivery strategy to the state Department of Community Affairs.

Thomas wins round in battle for phase 3 sewer

A stumbling block to construction of phase three of Fayette Pavilion shopping center may be removed soon.

Ground breaking set for county water plant

Fayette County officials will break ground today for a $12.3 million water treatment plant at 880 Antioch Road.

Summer school registration under way

Early registration for middle and high school summer school classes is now open until June 4 at local schools. The regular registration date for elementary, middle and high school students is June 14.

Students finding best part of day is after bell rings

For about 1,250 Fayette County Public School children, the dismissal bell signals the start of their favorite time of day the after school program.

Only 1 suspect remains free in SUV murder case

All but one of the suspects law officers believe were involved in the drug-related murder of a man found March 30 in north Fayette County in a burned sport utility vehicle are in custody, and the lone holdout has apparently fled the country, according to authorities.

Collins calls for end to Balkan bombing

Fayette County's representative in Congress is calling on President Bill Clinton to stop bombing Yugoslavia.

Drug arrest nets four charges

A Riverdale man has pled guilty on four counts relating to a 1996 drug arrest.

Health department to offer vaccine for lyme disease

The Fayette County Health Department is expecting its first shipment of LYMErix to arrive sometime during the week of May 17. LYMErix is the vaccine developed by SmithKline Beecham to immunize against lyme disease.

Safety concerns continue to occupy school board

In the wake of the Littleton, Colo. tragedy of last month, safety issues continue to occupy the Fayette County Board of Education.

After-school program now receiving students

The Fayette County Schools After School Programs are now accepting student applications for the 1999-2000 school year.

Fayette students outshine state on grad test scores

Fayette County students have surpassed the state average in all areas of the Georgia High School Graduation Test, according to scores released by Dr. John DeCotis, county school superintendent.

Sometimes it's useful to take a step back from the argument of the day and look at basic philosophies.

Fayette's loss is Clayton's gain
By LEE N. HOWELL
Politically Speaking

That could just as well have been the headline over the stories I recently read about John Boothby, an old friend of mine who left his job as executive director of the Fayette County Development Authority to take a similar position with the city of Forest Park.

Flashdunce on capitalism
By BILLY MURPHY
Laugh Lines

I used to work. I mean really work.

PTC mayor waffling on buildout population, sewer system growth

The recent op-ed column by Cal Beverly was timely, perceptive and to-the-point.

Simple solution for firing range proximity to McCurry

Resolution of Brendan Wilson's complaint about the proximity of the firing range and the other facilities in the McCurry Park area is simple.

Make vehicles stop for pedestrians

Earlier this month, a Booth Middle School student was hit by an auto while crossing Peachtree Parkway. Last week, in another area, two girls were struck by a vehicle attempting to avoid colliding with a school bus.

America's military: You don't miss what you had 'til it's gone

Thank you, [Rep.] Mac Collins, for keeping your constituents informed as to what is going on in Congress. I may not always agree with how you vote on every issue, but wholeheartedly agree with you on the support you have given the military and the support you have given to the people who defend our country.

'Taste of Fayetteville' could use better taste in pizza

I've been down here for three and a half years now and it's time to go back to civilization. I've decided to return to the mid-Hudson Valley in New York for a number of reasons. I'd like to share them with your readers in the hopes that some eyes will be opened, seeing as you are in the process of unbridled growth and doing nothing effective to slow it down.

Value of life in U.S. has declined

The reports of the killings at the school in Colorado are a sad reflection on the declining value of a life in the U.S.A. Many reports question what would make young people do this. The influence of the violence in music, movies and video games have been suggested as the possible reason. In recent years the focus on death these types of entertainment have taken are undermining the efforts of many parents to instill a respect for life in their children.

We will march for Jesus Saturday, May 22, provided he doesn't come between now and then. The march will bring together, under the banner of Jesus Christ, the wide diversity known as the Christian church. You will see Baptists and Catholics marching shoulder to shoulder. You will see liturgical church members marching in rank with Pentecostal church members. That's why it's so exciting. All of us folks marching to the beat of the same drummer.

Carolyn on brazil

I have just returned from an exciting trip to Brazil in which I enjoyed Sao Paulo, the fourth largest city in the world, Santo Andre, a city of 200,000 people just 20 miles from Sao Paulo, where I lived for a week, and Americana, also a city of 200,000 people.

Coffeehouse scene comes to Fayette County

The Stars on the Southern Crescent Coffee House returns this Saturday at National Heights Baptist Church.

Southern Crescent Symphony to perform famous operetta

The Southern Crescent Symphony Orchestra will present a concert version of Gilbert and Sullivan's comic operetta "Trial by Jury" on Friday, May 21 at 8 p.m.

Notables

Fayette Community Theatre serves up comedy, murder, and dessert

This weekend, the Fayette Community Theatre will present the comedy "Next Victim Please."

Collins to serenade Ampitheater this weekend

The Webb, Stuckey and Lindsey, Attorneys at Law, Summer Concert Series continues at the Frederick Brown Jr. Ampitheater this weekend with music legend Judy Collins.

Star Wars

It's finally here. The wait has seemed excruciatingly long and the hype has been piled higher than a ton-ton's nostril. Today, "Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace" opens