It’s white-knuckle time for many of Coweta’s students this week.

Retesting was completed this work for more than 750 students who didn’t meet expectations on the Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT) that were given to students this spring. If the students don’t meet expectations, they won’t advance to the next grade this fall.

It’s that time again; summertime, and by all accounts, barbecue time! Once again Coweta County is preparing for its second annual Coweta Up In Smoke Barbecue Cook-off.

A Peachtree City man was seriously injured Wednesday afternoon when his motorcycle was hit by a car, police said.

Thomas Shergold, 50, was going north on Lester Road near Buckingham Drive when the crash occurred after 4 p.m., according to Lt. Col. Wayne Hannah of the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office. The car, a 1994 Honda Civic driven by Norman Hart IV, 17, of Fayetteville, was going south and crossed the center line just prior to the collision, Hannah said.

It will prove to be tough going for students that illegally attend Fayette County schools beginning this school year. But that lesson will pale in comparison to the one facing a parent or guardian responsible for the child’s attendance. Stiff new penalties for defrauding the school system by lying on an affidavit include fines, prison time and reimbursement for the cost of educating the student.

It’s white-knuckle time for many of Fayette’s students this week. For them, summer vacation has yet to begin.

Retesting is underway for 513 students who didn’t meet expectations on the Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT) that were given to students this spring. If the students don’t meet expectations, they won’t advance to the next grade this fall.

Members of Marquis De LaFayette Chapter of Sons of the American Revolution fire muskets and demonstrate period clothing and weapons techniques at Picnic Park June 23 as part of a presentation at the Peachtree City Library.

A brazen thief who smashed vehicle windows and stole purses from cars in broad daylight at Peachtree City businesses has been caught, thanks to the watchful eye of an off-duty policeman, officials said.

The rolling terrain along Redwine Road will soon be one of the county’s newest high-dollar addresses.

The Fayette County Commission unanimously approved rezoning 124 acres from Agricultural-Residential and R-72 to R-50. The rezoning downgrades the property’s classification from a five-acre minimum site for a home to a one-acre minimum. Dan Cathy and his father, Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy, own 119 acres on the tract, while George and Regina Larkin own the other five acres.

Three juveniles were arrested after they assaulted a woman in the parking lot of a Fayetteville grocery store early Sunday morning, police said.

A Fayette County man was arrested Monday for growing suspected marijuana on the rear deck of his home. The suspected marijuana has a new leaf arrangement recently identified in cultivation.

CSX Railroad has officially begun using its rail siding in Peachtree City.

The siding, stretching north from the Home Depot, is an extra lane of track where trains can park so others may pass them, railroad spokesman Craig Camuso explained at a City Council meeting last week.

A late-night fire Saturday damaged a home in Peachtree City, also killing three family pets, fire officials said.

The fire at 223 Cedar Drive started in the garage area, but firefighters were able to keep the flames from spreading throughout the home, said Assistant Fire Marshal David Williamson. When firefighters first arrived, flames were visible from the garage, Williamson said.

For 26 years, Peachtree City’s Preston Garner was one of the many Fayette County employees who try to help people untangle the web of local government.

Because The Citizen newspaper offices will be closed Tuesday, July 4, earlier advertising and news deadlines will be observed this week.

Two Peachtree City teens have been arrested for breaking into six businesses at the Wilshire Pavilion shopping center early Thursday morning, police said.

Peachtree City Library will be hosting a family program by County Historian Carolyn Cary as part of the Picnic in the Plaza event July 2nd.

Fayette County High School will celebrate the 40th anniversary of its Marching Tigers band with a special alumni ceremony Sept. 8 during the football game against Jonesboro High School.

The National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) has recognized the achievements of the Fayette County School System’s public relations office with three Merit Awards.

According to Safe Kids Worldwide, more than 4,000 children ages 14 and under are treated in U.S. emergency rooms for injuries involving fireworks each year. Most of these injuries occur in the few weeks before and after July 4. Children ages 5 to 9 have the highest rate of injury from fireworks.

With various issues on their upcoming council agendas, the senior adults of the PTC Senior Council are looking for some answers to issues of specific interest for senior adults. A forum to hear county and state candidates is planned July 9 from 2 p.m until 4 p.m. at The Gathering Place in Peachtree City. Their questions concerning funding, transportation, housing, redistricting, and more will be presented. The format also allows opportunity for questions from the audience and informal conversation while enjoying refreshments. All interested voters are encouraged to attend. Committee chair Clora Griffith expects a full turnout of interested voters as we need to know where the candidates stand on these issues especially impacting adults 50 years and older.

The following arrests were reported by local law enforcement agencies for the past week. All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty.

Two Peachtree City teens have been arrested for breaking into six businesses at the Wilshire Pavilion shopping center early Thursday morning, police said.

A late-night fire Saturday damaged a home in Peachtree City, also killing three family pets, fire officials said.

The fire at 223 Cedar Drive started in the garage area, but firefighters were able to keep the flames from spreading throughout the home, said Assistant Fire Marshal David Williamson. When firefighters first arrived, flames were visible from the garage, Williamson said.

Three juveniles were arrested after they assaulted a woman in the parking lot of a Fayetteville grocery store early Sunday morning, police said.

In a surprise to some in the unincorporated areas of South Fulton County, commissioners Wednesday announced the addition of a previously unaccounted for $34 million in property tax revenues. That increase led to an adjustment that reduced an anticipated three mill tax hike for unincorporated property owners into a one mill increase. The move has positive implications for next year’s vote to form the cities of South Fulton and Chattahoochee Hills.

With July 4 rapidly approaching, adults and children alike can learn some basic prevention tips to avoid tragedies with fireworks, drownings/near-drownings and alcohol related accidents.

Chattahoochee Hill Country Conservancy has received national recognition for wetlands conservation thanks to a grant from one of the world’s leading environmentally conscious wine brands, Banrock Station Wines, in cooperation with The Conservation Fund, America’s top-rated environmental charity. The partnership announced grants to 10 environmental and conservation groups committed to saving wetlands and waterways across the nation.

The jug of laundry detergent may not have been heavy duty, but the blow to the burglar certainly was. A June 18 burglary at a residence on Valleybrook Drive in Fairburn ended with the homeowner coming out on top, literally. The homeowner is a regular guy, and a hero in his own home.

A decision by Community and Housing Development Corporation (CHDC) on the proposed 264-unit Ashton Park Apartments at South Fulton Parkway and Ga. Highway 92 and the 80 percent low-to-moderate residents that would call the complex home has been temporarily put on hold. A June 7 public meeting on the proposal was met with resounding opposition by area residents.

Union City officials moved forward with the annexation of unincorporated islands June 20, holding 28 public hearings to consider the rezoning and annexation of a portion of those islands. There was only minor opposition to the moves that had been requested earlier in the year by Fulton County.