Mistrial declared on arson charge

A partial mistrial has been declared in the arson case against a south Fayette woman who admitted to setting grease rags afire in her garage Feb. 18, 2008.

Northgate’s Lady Vikings lost to Whitewater, the top ranked team in the Class AAAA, but defeated McIntosh, also highly ranked, in penalty kicks. Northgate’s girls are currently ranked third in AAAA. For more on local soccer, visit the sports section. Photo/Stan Prophitt/KidzSportsPhotography.

It will be a needed upgrade to existing emergency services that will cost little but pay big dividends. Coweta commissioners march 17 voted to spend a requested $6,772 to create an emergency operations center in the newly opened 911 Center on Walt Sanders Memorial Drive.

It might not seem like much now, but it could be a significant move for Coweta County government in years to come. Talk that began more than a year ago and resumed last month over having a countywide commission chairman resulted Tuesday in an agreement to form a committee to study the possibility. Though there was virtually no discussion on the matter, each commissioner agreed to provide a name for the committee at the April 7 meeting. Commissioners Paul Poole and Randolph Collins will also serve on the committee. If approved, the move could not occur until the 2010 census numbers are finalized.

Several possibilities for repairing streets in the Martinwood subdivision were batted around by the Senoia City Council Monday night.

Senoia officials are looking at ways to honor longtime resident Jimmy Hutchinson, whose hardware store was a long-time fixture in the downtown area.

Taking ‘dream job’ with FAA in Washington

Citing an offer he couldn’t refuse, Senoia Councilman Keith Harrison announced he would be resigning so he can take a “dream job” with the Federal Aviation Administration in Washington.

Coweta County commissioners agreed with a traffic study along McIntosh Trail in east Coweta linking Sharpsburg and Senoia that recommended a reduction in the speed limit from 55 miles per hour to 45 miles per hour. The change will not go into effect until it is approved by Georgia Dept. of Transportation (GDOT).

It will be a new type of training venue for law enforcement officers. Coweta County commissioners March 17 voted unanimously to approve the construction of a “tire shoot house” that will give officers the ability to move freely while firing in an enclosed training facility at the law enforcement shooting range.

Georgia Clean Air Campaign came to Coweta County Tuesday, with representatives receiving approval from commissioners to inquire if any county employees are interested in the no-cost program.

Second defendant acquitted of attempted rape, but guilty of criminal trespassing

Two men were convicted today in connection with the rape of a 19-year-old Peachtree City woman at the Harmony Village apartment complex August 30.

Only one of the men, Ulises Chavez, was convicted of rape and burglary. The jury acquitted the other defendant, Isreal Martinez Ruiz, of criminal attempt to commit rape but convicted him of criminal trespassing instead of the initial burglary charge.

Both men also lived at the apartment complex at the time of the incident, police said. Sentencing has been set for next week.

A Peachtree City man accused of violently shaking his 10-week-old son was convicted Wednesday by a Fayette County jury.

George Anthony Bowman Jr. was convicted of two counts of misdemeanor battery (reduced by the jury from felony aggravated battery counts) and one felony count of cruelty to children.

Volunteers with the Metro Fayette Kiwanis Club dish out hotcakes and sausage Saturday during the club’s annual pancake breakfast
fund-raiser at Fayetteville First United Methodist Church. The Easter Bunny visited youngsters and winners of the annual student art contest were also on display in what turned out to be a rainy-day option for many canceled sports activities. Photo/John Munford.

Feds, governor say we’re not poor enough to qualify for extra school funding this year

Fayette County Board of Education members got a glimpse Monday night of how federal stimulus dollars might impact state education and the local school system.

Here’s how you can appeal your property value assessment

Fayette County property owners still have a chance to challenge their most recent property assessment, but time is short.

Fayette County’s unemployment rate has not been immune from the recent lumps of the economy.

Fayette’s unemployment jumped from 4.4 percent in January 2008 to an estimated 7 percent in January of this year, according to the most recent data from the Georgia Department of Labor.

The Pigeon Drop. The Secret Shopper. The Canadian Lottery. If you are not aware of these terms, it is time to learn. These are some of the more well-used scams targeting the elderly and others in Fayette County and beyond.

Two Peachtree City pools initially targeted for closure due to budget cuts may remain open this summer after all, but under new management, if a proposal is approved Thursday night by the City Council.

The Fayetteville City Council Thursday is set to hear the first reading of a budget amendment that will trim approximately $263,000 from the 2009 general fund budget due to a decrease in local options sales tax (LOST) revenues.

Money will be used for down-payment program

To help dispose of hundreds of foreclosed homes in Fayette County, county officials will receive $1.18 million in federal funds that will be used to offer down-payment assistance to purchasers.

The Fayette County Board of Education voted unanimously Monday to replace the current student information system (SIS) that will cease to be operational in Georgia on Aug. 1.

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

Judge hands down 20 year sentence

A Fayette County jury convicted a College Park teen this morning of pointing a gun at two Fayetteville police officers while he ran away from them behind the Tinseltown movie theater Aug. 30.

‘Walking’ signs becoming more common

Peachtree City may look at loosening its window signage and banner restrictions in the near future to help businesses struggling during the economy.

The McIntosh High School Student Academic Honors Luncheon was held on Thursday, March 5th, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church.

Peachtree City residents can rejoice, as plastic and glass recycling is available again thanks to Keep Peachtree City Beautiful and a private waste hauler.

Reserve officers would perform all police duties, carry weapon

Peachtree City is seeking volunteers for its new “reserve” police officer program.

Mayor thinks papers should pay for receptacles attached to mailboxes

Peachtree City Mayor Harold Logsdon wants the city to consider requiring all newspapers to be delivered in special receptacles instead of being thrown in driveways.

The Peachtree City Police Department is again warning residents to avoid leaving valuables in their vehicles, which can make them a target for thieves.

Hoffmann + Krippner in Peachtree City, a branch of a German company, is offering a $2,500 engineering scholarship to recognize projects in the field of human-machine interface (HMI) applications and input devices.