A proposal could make its way through the Georgia Legislature this coming session which would allow Georgia cities and counties to hire private firms to handle their tax collection in lieu of the state Department of Revenue.

Tyrone Town Council granted a special exception request Thursday from Crossroads Christian School to allow the continued operation of the school at First Baptist Church of Tyrone. And like Tyrone Planning Commission an hour earlier, the council required that the current student/teacher population of 69 individuals be the maximum number allowed unless upgrades are made to the septic system.

The economy may be slumping, but apparently not in terms of child care needs in the Tyrone area. That was the point Thursday as Planning Commission members voted unanimously on a site plan to build Discovery Point Day Care on Carriage Oaks Drive behind CVS Pharmacy.

A Henry County satellite television installer was arrested Thursday on charges sexual battery and solicitation of sodomy in an incident at a Fayette County residence.

A one-car accident at approximately 11:30 a.m. occurred when a woman possibly hit the wrong pedal and drove through the front entrance of Huntington Learning Center on Ga. Highway 54 in Peachtree City.

Facing several questions about the potential addition of another stoplight on Ga. Highway 54 West, the Peachtree City Council postponed a vote on the issue tonight.

An Atlanta man was arrested Wednesday evening for trying to sell heroin and cocaine to undercover officers, sheriff's deputies said.

Two residential burglaries in Fayetteville in the past two days resulted in the theft of electronics at a Knights Way apartment and household items at an unoccupied residence on Colonial Court.

They are perhaps the most famous horses in the world. And they made an appearance in Senoia again this year. A few thousand people turned out Dec. 13 to welcome the Clydesdales to Coweta County’s hot spot for family entertainment. The event was a great opportunity for kids to get up close and personal with the equine icons.

The only thing left to do is start the new term. Coweta County commissioners sworn in Dec. 16 by Probate Judge Mary Cranford include (from left) new District 5 Commissioner Alphonzo Smith, returning District 1 Commissioner Paul Poole and new District 4 Commissioner Rodney Brooks.

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.