For the 2009-2010 school year, Fayette’s projected teacher/student ratio numbers for all grades are adjusted for up to 157 announced reductions in school staff. Board members have said they hope that all the reductions can come through attrition. To date, approximately 64 teachers have said they would not be returning next school year.

Dreary and misty skies Saturday morning in Fayetteville could not alter the enthusiasm of several hundred volunteers from across metro Atlanta who poured into the parking lot at Lowe’s Home Improvement and at the construction site on Bradley Drive that will be the new home of Fayette Counseling Center.

Sheriff Wayne Hannah presented Fayetteville Police Chief Steve Heaton Feb. 11 with a check for $285,564.69 for the department’s participation with the Sheriff’s Tactical Narcotics Team (TNT) in two Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) program investigations code named Operation Shooting Star and Operation Latitude Adjustment.

911 center expansion also approved by commission

Fayette County’s finances are on solid ground, according to the most recent audit conducted of its fiscal books.

The Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office will be hosting the 3rd Annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Banquet at 6:00PM on May 7th at the Fayetteville First Baptist Church, 205 East Stonewall Ave.

A retired engineer and current member of the Peachtree City Recreation Commission is the latest resident to announce candidacy for a seat on the City Council.

Eric Imker, 53, has declared his bid to run for the Post 1 seat that will be vacated by Don Haddix, who has already announced his plans to run for Mayor. The winner of the Post 1 seat will fill the remaining two years on Haddix’s term in office.

Peachtree City police are looking for a lone robber who hit the Kedron Village Kroger supermarket in the middle of the night Monday.

“The suspect entered the Kedron Village Kroger and demanded money from a cashier,” police said. “After approaching the cashier with his hand in his coat pocket, he claimed to have a concealed .357 caliber pistol. The suspect exited the store through the front doors and walked behind the north end of the shopping center, where he went to the alleyway behind the Blockbuster store.”

Sheriff Wayne Hannah presents Tyrone Police Chief Brandon Perkins Feb. 11 with a check for $285,564.69 for the department’s participation with the Sheriff’s Tactical Narcotics Team (TNT) in two Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) program investigations code named Operation Shooting Star and Operation Latitude Adjustment. TNT is a multi-agency unit that includes Fayette Sheriff’s Office, Fayetteville Police, Tyrone Police and Peachtree City Police. Photo/Ben Nelms.

Tyrone Planning Commission Thursday voted unanimously to recommend a plan proposed by Fayette County that would create two new business districts along Ga. Highway 74 North from Sandy Creek Road to the Fulton County line. The study that includes property situated both in the town and county will go to the town council next week.

A project to prevent flooding at the Tinsley Mill Village condominiums just off Lake Peachtree is endangered.

The project is slated for grant funding, for which the Tinsley Mill homeowner’s association has committed $166,000. But so far the HOA has only been able to collect $40,000.

Developer may foot bill to close other path in Cedarcroft

Peachtree City officials are working with Cedarcroft developer Mike Rossetti to come up with a ballpark figure for installing a path from a tunnel under MacDuff Parkway to the retail area on the east side of the road.

The Peachtree City Tourism Association (PCTA) is the newest participant in The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) Dream Pass Program.  The Georgia Dream Pass is a free consumer “membership rewards” affinity program that gives members access to special offers and benefits that are exclusive to cardholders and these benefits are now available at the Peachtree City Visitor’s Center.

Tyrone’s Triangle Park on Senoia Road got a name change Thursday and will soon begin to transform into a memorial to honor veterans.  Council members Feb. 5 also approved the use of drug seizure money secured by the town’s participation in the sheriff’s Tactical Narcotics Team to fund needed repairs and remodeling to the police department basement.

A Peachtree City Realtor announced this week that she will seek election to the Post 3 City Council seat currently held by Cyndi Plunkett.

Vanessa Fleisch said she decided to run in part because she disagrees with some of the major decisions from council in recent years.

She cited the recent vote approving a new traffic light on Ga. Highway 54 west as one example where council’s vote didn’t reflect the wishes of residents who spoke out against the light.

For many students, the challenges of a new school marking period can be overwhelming.  And it is often reflected in the first report card.  If you are unhappy with your child’s report card, Larry Sussberg, Executive Director with the Huntington Learning Center of Fayette/Coweta, offers helpful advice and tips.

It has been in the works for a long time, but the announcement finally came earlier this week that Harrisburg, Pennsylvania computer products and consumer electronic company D&H Distributing will open a 476,000 square-foot high-tech distribution center in Newnan in early May and will create approximately 100 jobs.

Theirs is a completely different take on an issue that had hundreds of citizens up in arms recently and the Coweta County Commission responding to citizen demands. But for Coweta resident Justin Huggins and his group, Cowetans for Starship, Coweta’s denial of a business license to the Thomas Crossroads location of Starship Adult Novelties & Gifts drew support for store owner Kelly Rogers at a rally Feb. 7 by a handful of the group’s reported 454 members.

Senoia Downtown Development Authority (DDA) voted unanimously Feb. 10 to recommend that the city council establish an ordinance to address commercial vehicles parking on Main Street. Board members said they will review sample ordinances before presenting a recommendation to the council.

Coweta County School Board announced Feb. 10 that Elm Street Elementary School Principal Dr. Julie Raschen has been selected to head the new Brooks Elementary School on Jim Starr Road in north Coweta when it opens for the 2009-10 school year.

Green isn't just the color of Spring in Coweta County; it's also the theme of a new arts event sponsored by the Cultural Arts Committee of Senoia's Downtown Development Authority. On Saturday, April 25th from 10 to 6, Historic Downtown Senoia will celebrate Earth Day with a sidewalk art show featuring artists who work with recycled materials.

Newnan High School's recently announced valedictorian  Emily Traylor was the recipient of the General Daniel Newnan Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, 2008 Good Citizen Scholarship Award.  She received a cash scholarship award, certificate and Good Citizen pin at the January meeting of the General Daniel Newnan Chapter.

Rep. Virgil Fludd (D-Tyrone) writes bill he says will add to the state’s coffers without a tax increase

The weight of the Fayette County School System’s $14.5 million budget deficit will fall on teachers and instructional personnel — between 150 and 175 of them.

Finances were front and center at the Fayetteville City Council annual retreat Monday. A preview for the upcoming budget amendment in March included a continuation of falling revenues and numerous cost cutting measures. Among those were the ongoing voluntary 2.25 percent salary cuts for managers and directors and an employee-initiated reduction in hours worked ranging from 2-8 hours per week.

Three Peachtree City Council members blasted fellow Councilman Don Haddix last week about accusations he has posted online about them, including many on The Citizen’s website.

Last Friday, the Fayette County Lady Tigers completed the regular season with a 24-0 record. They did it in amazing fashion, knocking off Mays, the only other unbeaten team in Class AAAA and ranked second in the state behind Fayette, 73-50.

To keep Fayette County’s budget in line for the coming year despite significant revenue decreases, officials are taking several drastic measures.

Could Fayette County one day have an office park off Ga. Highway 74 north near the Fulton County line?

County planners think so, and the Fayette County Commission has adopted a plan that with the blessing of Tyrone officials would call for just that.

A proposal to build 80 homes and an event center on a 37-acre tract zoned for industrial use was scrutinized Monday night by the Peachtree City Planning Commission.

The Fayette County Commission voted unanimously last week to reject all bids received for a defined benefits pension plan for county employees.