The far-reaching recession encompassing the nation and metro Atlanta has hit a little closer to home. Officials with Piedmont Newnan Hospital have announced a delay in the beginning of construction of the $194 million Poplar Road facility.

Coweta commissioners maintained they had no choice last week but to follow a court order to approve a special use permit by T-Mobile to construct a 150-foot cell phone tower on Minix Road and another on Orren’s Pond Road. Commissioners heard concerns and objections by adjacent residents but voted unanimously to approve the permit.

Coweta County commissioners Dec. 11 signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Georgia Division of Public Health (DPH) District 4 to address aspects of the county’s participation to facilitate the planning, plan evaluation and future exercises relating to pandemic influenza. While not present in the United States, the H5N1 strain of influenza, commonly referred to as avian flu, has been slowly spreading among humans in Asia and Africa and has become one of the world’s most virulent killers.

It seems that some hunters are taking advantage of the situation on Chattahoochee Bend State Park property in north Coweta. And that is something Coweta commissioners believe should stop. Commissioners Dec. 16 voted to request that Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR) either eliminate hunting or limit the number of hunters and hunting days on the property.

The Optimist Club of Senoia hosted its annual Youth Appreciation Banquet on December 4, 2008 in recognition of students at East Coweta High School and Northgate High School. Senoia Optimist member David Gay was the chair of the event which was held at the Senior Citizens’ Center in Senoia.

Vandals hit the Planterra Ridge subdivision in Peachtree City overnight, police reported.

Several mailboxes were damaged and a number of vehicles parked on the street had punctured tires, police said. The incidents occurred sometime between midnight and 8 a.m.

As the holiday season moves into full swing, the Atlanta Red Cross urges families to follow simple safety tips to keep the season merry and to prevent holiday fires. During the winter holiday season, the incidence and severity of home fires dramatically increases.

Part-time temporary workers are being sought to help administer the U.S. Census starting next year.

Most of the positions require working evenings and weekends. Potential employees must take a test at a selected date and time.

Debbie Anderson of Peachtree City reports she was so impressed with the brightness of the full moon that she photographed it around 6 a.m. Dec. 12 as it was setting across Lake Peachtree. She used a Nikon D300 with a Nikkor 85mm/f1.4 lens. Turns out the moon was at its brightest and closest to earth in its full phase since 1993. Photo/Debbie Anderson.

Employees urge Fayette BoE not to make them pay more for health benefits; number of teacher slots may be cut to meet budget

Will we ever see gas prices this low again? The bottom occurred Monday at Flash Foods in Fayetteville, but by Tuesday prices were beginning to climb again. Photo/Cal Beverly.

Yet another traffic light may be coming soon to the traffic-choked commute on Ga. Highway 54 West in Peachtree City, and the City Council’s hands apparently are tied from trying to stop it.

What is the future of transportation in Fayette County for the period of time ranging from 2013-2028?

That was the question put to nearly 180 citizens Dec. 9 at the “Fayette Forward” public visioning workshop held at Fayette Senior Center. The meeting was the first of several on the issue.

A Peachtree City man has been charged with 16 counts of fiduciary theft for writing $29,000 in checks from his homeowner’s association to himself and two of his companies.

Thanks to the generosity of the Keith Brooking Foundation and some help from family-owned Smith and Davis, 160 elementary school students from Atlanta have new shoes for the holidays.

Herb Frady opened a new chapter in Fayette County’s political history Tuesday morning.

He was sworn in for a record fifth consecutive term, which also makes him the “most experienced” county commissioner Fayette has ever seen.

Christian churches on the Southside are getting ready for one of their busiest seasons and one of the holiest events on the Christian calendar, the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas. The season is always highlighted with special musical performances, parties, charitable giving and other events reflecting the spirit of the season. Special candlelight services usually are planned for Christmas Eve and many churches hold services on Christmas Day.

When Fire Chief Allen McCullough strode to the podium Thursday night, it was well after several residents again voiced their displeasure on the possibility of Fayette County adopting a defined benefit pension plan.

She has been working in Fayette County for a few weeks, but the formal reception for new Fayette Department of Family and Children’s Services (DFCS) Director Susan Boggs was held Dec. 12 at the Fayetteville Library.

A 66-year-old Fayetteville man was left unconscious Dec. 12 after being assaulted but not robbed in the parking lot shared by Long Branch Steakhouse and Talbot State Bank on North Glynn Street.

Fayette Citizens for Open Government (FAYcog) members at their first press conference Dec. 11 said they are determined to make a difference in pushing for local government that is open and transparent.

The Peachtree City-Falcon Field Composite Squadron has been named the nation’s premier Civil Air Patrol (CAP) squadron.

Yet another traffic light may be coming soon to the traffic-choked commute on Ga. Highway 54 West on Peachtree City, and the City Council’s hands apparently are tied from trying to stop it.

The Peachtree City Police Department is preparing to assign one of its officers to the Drug Task Force operated by the Fayette County Sheriff's Department.

’Not in imminent danger of immediate closure,’ Riverdale hospital seeks Clayton County help in refinancing $40 million in bonds

Mayor urges legislature to start electronic collection of sales taxes at each merchant’s cash register

Flat Rock Middle School Symphonic Band, along with an interesting character looking in on the action, are only two of the attractions accentuating the evening Dec.

Peachtree City Police are looking for a man who attempted to steal a flat-screen television and an Xbox 360 Wednesday from the Kedron Kroger grocery store. A flat-screen television was stolen three days earlier at the same store in a similar incident.

For the third year in a row, a Peachtree City man’s holiday labor of love has turned into a light and sound extravaganza ... and all on the exterior of his Peachtree City home.

Committee says more info needed

A proposal to adopt a defined benefits plan for Fayette County employees was postponed Thursday night at the request of the committee charged with making a recommendation to the Fayette County Board of Commissioners.