A drug trafficking suspect in Gwinnett County opened fire on a cadre of drug agents before dawn Friday morning, including some from the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department’s Drug Suppression Task Force, officials said.

Philip Services Corp. and Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) entered into an Aug. 11 Consent Order tightening the plant’s Solid Waste Handling permit and payment of a $100,000 negotiated settlement. That announcement came with a new study to be conducted by Georgia Divison of PUblic Health came at a South Fulton/Fayette Community Task Force Aug. 14 public meeting at Sandy Creek High School.

Georgia Division of Public Health Aug. 15 announced plans to conduct a Public Health Consultation for north Fayette and south Fulton communities in response to health concerns voiced by residents after exposure to odors generated from the Philip Services Corp. plant on Ga. Highway 92. The announcement came during the Aug. 15 public meeting of the South Fulton/Fayette Community Task Force. To date, 325 residents of the affected communities believe their illnesses are due to exposure to the chemical odorant Propyl mercaptan and the pesticide MOCAP received by the plant.

A Fairburn man was charged Aug. 11 with child molestation and aggravated sexual battery against a six year-old Fairburn girl over a period of six weeks.

The time is fast approaching for this year’s celebration of Fairburn Festival of Arts, Antiques & Music. Festival organizers said this years’ event will have an accentuated focus on local, live music and no shortage of family fun.

Sandy Creek’s drill team is enduri

Residents hoped for much but received little Tuesday in the way of new information on the response by state and federal agencies on the growing controversy over illnesses in Fayette and Fulton counties, illnesses alleged to have accompanied the chemical odors emanating from the Philip Services Corp. waste treatment plant on Ga. Highway 92 near Fairburn.

James Heath’s request to be annexed into Tyrone met with some stern objections from the Fayette County Commission.

Heath wants to annex a 16-acre tract on Trickum Creek Road into the city. The tract is currently zoned Agricultural-residential in the county, which requires a five-acre minimum lot. In his annexation request, Heath asked the property to rezoned to R-42 in Tyrone, which calls for a one-acre minimum lot. He stated he plans to build one home on the land.

The Fulton County School System’s Contracting Department has received the 2006 Excellence in Procurement Award from the National Purchasing Institute and Institute of Supply Management.

The South Fulton Special Services District is healthy and financially strong with a $14 million dollar reserve fund. District 7 Commissioner William “Bill” Edwards made that declaration during a Thursday, August 10, 2006, breakfast meeting at the Georgia International Convention Center.

Fulton County Public Works Department announces Bulk Trash Amnesty Days on August 26 and November 4. Residents can drop large items of waste at three locations without paying for disposal.

First Baptist to build community building

Peachtree City First Baptist Church has received the official go-ahead to build a 25,000 square foot community center just to the west of its main campus.

The trumpet section of Starr’s Mill High School’s Marching Panther Pride give their parents a sneak peak of this year’s band program entitled, “Ode to Joy,” on their last day of summer band camp.

Wieland density same with or without townhomes

One of the main overriding community concerns about the two proposed west side annexations in Peachtree City is density.

A higher number of homes brings lots of cars, lots of traffic and other considerations. But The Seasons at Peachtree City, the “active adult” community proposed by the Levitt and Sons company, shouldn’t impact the school system in terms of additional students, as it will be restricted to persons ages 55 and up.

But moisture likely coming from ground, consultant says

To little surprise, recent air quality tests at the Peachtree City Police Headquarters confirmed the presence of mold.

A Peachtree City mother sold narcotics she had bought online in the presence of her two children ages 2 and 5 Monday at the Camden apartments, police said in court Wednesday afternoon.

On Saturday, September 23rd, vintage street rods, hot rods, and motorcycles will converge on Historic Downtown Senoia from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. for the second annual "Cruisin' to the Oldies" Antique Car Show.

By CHERYL THOMPSON
Special to the Citizen

The city of Senoia may soon be undergoing a dramatic transformation, thanks to Hollywood.

On Tuesday,a group of 32 Senoia area women met with Scott Tigchelaar and Paul Lombardi, President and CEO of Riverwood Studios and the owners of Historic Development Ventures at the Veranda Historic Bed and Breakfast.

Last week, the Coweta County School System tallied 21,111 students, and the enrollment shows no sign of slowing down.

The Coweta County Board of Education will hold three public hearings over the next two weeks (on August 24 and August 31) concerning its intention to leave the school system’s current ad valorem tax rate of 18.59 mills in place during 2006.

A Peachtree City mother sold narcotics she had bought online in the presence of her two children ages 2 and 5 Monday at the Camden apartments, police said in court Wednesday afternoon.

After hundreds of reports of illnesses from an accidental release of a pesticide odorant, Georgia Division of Public Health Aug. 15 announced plans to conduct a public health consultation for north Fayette and south Fulton communities.

Two developers seeking to annex more than 779 acres on the northwest boundary of Peachtree City and build 1,298 homes have filed their detailed applications with city officials.

By JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@TheCitizen.com
and JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizen.com

The Fayette County Commission is hoping that Peachtree City will not allow nearly 1,300 homes and more commercial development to be built on the west side of Peachtree City.

Fayette County Superior Court Judge Chris Edwards speaks to Oak Grove Elementary students Friday at a student assembly.

If 420 students don’t show proof of local residency by Friday, they will expelled from Fayette County schools.

That’s the word from schools spokesperson Melinda Berry-Dreisbach after doing an informal survey of the system’s tougher policy on out-of-county students.

A unique healthcare venture has opened its first store in Peachtree City.

Patients will enjoy the “after hours” walk-in convenience of Health-e-Station though they won’t be seeing a doctor eye-to-eye.

It went largely unnoticed when it happened, but to Fayette’s growing senior community, it’s a dream come true.

A controversial, privately-owned waste treatment plant bordering north Fayette County has been fined $100,000 by the state for environmental violations.

Students at McIntosh High School may soon have a lot fewer places to park.

A proposal before the Peachtree City Council would eliminate parking on Petrol Point due to safety concerns. The road runs behind the school and usually is lined with parked cars and some golf carts during school hours.