Callula Hill industrial park rezoning postponed to May 11

UPDATE 10:45 a.m., April 30: PTC’s village concept on the line in Callula Hill rezoning request

A controversial Peachtree City industrial park rezoning request has been delayed until May 11, according to a news release from the city’s Planning Commission, which had been scheduled to hear the plan in a called meeting April 30. The called meeting itself has been canceled.

BoE: Should Fayette become a charter system?

Board of Education members will begin discussions at the work session May 4 about changing Fayette County’s governance of its school system.

Hospital boosts Fayette economy

Most people understandably think of a hospital as a place to receive healthcare. But a hospital also affects the local economy. In the case of Piedmont Fayette Hospital the yearly economic impact totals $275 million, according to a state hospital financial survey.

Kenwood Park has a problem — it’s TOO popular, some feel

Fayette County officials are looking at ways to deal with the overwhelming popularity of Kenwood Park.

The 65-acre facility, located in north Fayette off Ga. Highway 279 near Kenwood Road and the Clayton County line, opened in October 2007 and features a running track, tennis, basketball and volleyball courts, soccer fields, a walking trail, a playground and picnic facilities.

Fayette, Coweta jobless rates drop — an improvement

Fayette County got some good news last week when the latest unemployment figures were released by the Georgia Department of Labor.

Race for Riley brings increased participation, more aid

Race for Riley brings increased participation

They came to walk and run April 25 for a benefit fund-raiser that has become a regional tradition set in the rolling hills of south Fulton County.

The 5th Annual Race for Riley 5K Walk/Run grew even larger this year, with 880 runners and more than 3,000 people from across metro Atlanta and out of state assembling on the expansive grounds of Georgia Baptist Children’s Home in Palmetto.

Ga. improves in help for disabled persons

For those whose lives have not been touched by someone with the many forms of developmental disabilities, it may not seem much of a change.

Some Fayette employees to pay more for insurance

County to charge partial premium for those with single coverage

Fayette County employees will remain on Blue Cross/Blue Shield health insurance for the coming year.

Student arrested for indecent exposure

A local student is charged with exposing himself to a student after school hours on the campus of the Fayette County Alternative School, officials said.

Fundraiser held for 911 operator who needs new kidney

And the band played on. Eleven Standing Still played into the night Saturday at Bajas on Jackson Street in Newnan to help raise needed funds for Holly Chambers, a Fayette County 911 operator and Senoia resident badly in need of a kidney transplant.

Burn ban begins May 1

The Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services would like to remind all residents and developers that the outdoor burning ban will go into effect beginning Friday, May 1. No outdoor burning will be allowed until the ban is lifted on October 1.

Local WWII veterans to be honored Monday

Group will be escorted to WWII memorial in Washington, D.C.

Approximately 70 local World War II veterans are excitedly preparing for a flight to the nation's capitol on May 4th for a once-in-a-lifetime trip. “To Honor. To Cure.,” a partnership between Honor Flight Network and Theragenics Corporation, will ensure that they receive the tribute they deserve and the opportunity to visit the National WWII Memorial in Washington, DC — their monument — at no cost to the veteran.

PTC Spring clean-up this weekend

Back by popular demand and in cooperation with Keep America Beautiful and Keep Georgia Beautiful, Peachtree City will once again hold its annual Spring Clean-up on Saturday, May 2, and Sunday, May 3. 

Local health officials wait, watch swine flu outbreak

Update:
No vaccine yet available to protect against this new strain of flu virus

Area health officials are on alert for potential swine flu cases in Fayette, Coweta and 10 other nearby counties in the District 4 Public Health (DPH) area.

New Hwy. 74: 3-lane slowdown

DOT, aided by PTC police, look at raising 45 mph limit

With three lanes going in each direction, Ga. Highway 74 south of Ga. Highway 54 in Peachtree City almost begs motorists to put the pedal to the medal.

Funding still issue for 54W path bridge

Stimulus money could come into play for long-delayed project

The long-awaited completion of the cart path bridge spanning the CSX railroad tracks on Ga. Highway 54 West in Peachtree City is continuing to slug its way through state government bureaucracy.

Fayette’s Top Teacher Named

Fayette’s Top Teacher Named

The long journey for the three finalists vying for Fayette County Teacher of the Year came to an end Thursday night at New Hope Baptist Church, North Campus, with the naming of the winner.

All eyes were fixed on Superintendent John DeCotis as he opened the sealed envelope and announced that Dr. Carol Taylor of Rising Starr Middle had been selected as the 2009 Fayette County Teacher of the Year.

Cop Report 042509

The following arrests were made by Tyrone Police between April 1-21. Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty:

Tyrone Police launch new community alert service

The Tyrone Police Department has launched a new high-tech Community Information Service (CIS) platform designed to deliver important and timely information to residents. Created by Nixle, LLC, the free service delivers reliable neighborhood-level public safety and community event notifications by web, e-mail, and cell phone text messages. Tyrone is one of only 16 law enforcement agencies in the United States to go live with the service.

PTC denies big sign request

A sign variance requested by Global Aviation and World Airways was denied last week by the Peachtree City Council.

Not only that, but one of the company’s two wall signs may ultimately have to be taken down, officials said.

Help needed to box troop care packages

Herobox, a non-profit organization that sends care packages to troops overseas, is seeking volunteers for its latest “boxing” event.

See flashing lights?

Law requires you to move over or slow down

Statistically, police officers face a greater risk of being harmed in a traffic crash than being shot at, state officials have said.

Make mom a treat at Mucklow's

Mucklow’s Fine Jewelry in Peachtree City will be hosting an event for children the next two Saturdays, Apr. 25, and May 2, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Westmoreland says no to governor race

Lynn Westmoreland, who represents Georgia in the U.S. Congress, has decided against making a run for the governor’s seat this November.

2-year-old dies after pool drowning

A 2-year-old girl found at the bottom of an east Fayette pool Thursday afternoon died from her injuries, police said.

The girl was initially reported missing in a 911 call, and Fayette County sheriff’s deputies arrived at the home at 240 Felton Drive to begin a search. The girl was found in just a few minutes and was removed from the pool.

Checking out the knick-knacks

Checking out the knick-knacks

Downtown Sharpsburg was transformed April 18 and 19 into a venue for shoppers, parents and their children and anyone looking for a bargain. The ladies pictured perusing jewelry and other collectibles were just part of the fun at the Sharpsburg Spring Festival. For more photos of the event click here.
Photo/Ben Nelms.

ATM thieves got away with money

Machine, truck found in wooded area near Hwys. 54/74.

The ATM machine stolen from Regions Bank in Peachtree City early Monday morning has been recovered, police said.

The thieves were able to gain access to the interior of the machine and were able to get a large sum of money, police said.

Compliments to the chef

Compliments to the chef

Whether gourmet or down-home, the variety of food was off the chart Apr. 16 at the annual spring edition of Taste of Newnan held at the old courthouse. As usual, the occasion was a time for socializing, listening to music and just having fun. For more photos, click here. Photo/Ben Nelms.

Senoia water bills going up

City to offer outdoor water meters to curb sewer bills

The average residential water bill in Senoia will be going up by about 22 percent thanks to a measure adopted Monday by the City Council.

This is the first water rate increase since 1998, City Administrator Richard Ferry said, adding that it will not affect sewer rates.

Unemployment down a little in Coweta, lower than state average

Coweta County’s preliminary unemployment rate for March fell by one-tenth of a point to 8.9 percent, a mirror image of the slight decrease experienced in the Chattahoochee-Flint region.