Just when we thought you had seen everything. Drug use and creative drug paraphernalia is always evolving. Showing up on the streets of South Fulton these days is an even more innovative way to smoke crack or ice. And making the quick high even easier, some drug dealers are pre-loading impromptu pipes found in the vast majority of convenience stores.

A party at a Palmetto residence Aug. 25 following a high school football game resulted in a fight and one man shot in the arm.

A Union City man was charged Aug. 24 with the murder of long time city resident Thelma Ransom.

David Bates, 53, was charged with murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, according to Union City Police Public Information Officer George Louth.

The following arrests were made by Fairburn Police between Aug. 8-29:

Alan Hemrick, 30, Fairburn, child molestation

A group of Chattahoochee Hills residents did what seemed at the outset to be unlikely, even improbable. They decided two weeks ago to forego the plans of having their own city and to link up instead with the City of Palmetto. In that two weeks, organizers said they obtained the signed petitions of more than 60 percent of the registered voters and 60 percent of property owners, the requirement for obtaining annexation. City officials are currently validating the petitions so that the mayor and city council can take up the issue.

Sandy Creek played Starr’s Mill last ni

“This is a huge partnership and a huge achievement,” said Fulton County Public Works Director Angela Parker at Thursday’s opening of the bridge between Oakley Industrial Boulevard and Ga. Highway 92.

Residents of Fayette and Fulton counties facing health issues they say were caused by the release of chemicals from the Philips Services Corp. (PSC) plant in Fairburn might have more to be concerned about than they first realized.

It was not exactly the average meeting of the South Fulton Community Improvement District, at least from Fairburn’s perspective. The Aug. 17 meeting brought the announcement that Fairburn is annexing large parcels owned by CSX Railroad along Roosevelt Highway and Hodges and Excel properties along Oakley Industrial Boulevard.

Fairburn City Council Aug. 14 continued its goal of establishing more industrial development with approval of the conceptual site plan for a 500,000 square-foot warehouse on Creekwood Road near Oakley Industrial Boulevard.

Diane Whitman, a business coach with Realized Potential Incorporated is one of a kind. She is the only person in the nation with memberships in three prestigious professional organizations; the PGA (Professional Golfers Association of America), LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association), and the International Coaches Federation. Serving as a Business Coach with Realized Potential Incorporated, Whitman prides herself on bringing the expertise derived from all three organizations to benefit her clients. Based in Tyrone Georgia, Realized Potential provides business coaching services to the sports, entertainment, and hospitality industries nationwide.

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.

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.

Fulton County and Georgia Office of Public Health have weighed in again on the illnesses suffered by south Fulton and north Fayette residents after exposure from chemicals at the Philip Services Corp. waste treatment plant on Ga. Highway 92. And late last week, the growing group of affected and concerned residents formed the South Fulton/Fayette Community Task Force to keep the pressure on local, state and federal governments and to find answers to lingering questions relating to the widespread illnesses suffered after exposure to the onion-like smell of the chemical odorant Propyl mercaptan and pesticide MOCAP.

Palmetto moved ahead Monday with annexation plans for 900 acres as the City Council voted nearly unanimously to rezone and annex land on the northwest and southwest sides of the city. Unlike the atmosphere at the Planning Commission the week before, most of the 80 area residents attending objected to the annexations, though their stated objections were far fewer in number.

Union City council members Aug. 15 will hold a public hearing and likely approve the city’s $12.8 million general fund budget. Representing a 17 percent increase over the current fiscal year, the major differences on the revenue side reside in transfers from various enterprise funds and other sources. The city is considering a two mill property tax increase.

Every motorist traveling the roads of South Fulton County can attest to the tremendous increase in traffic congestion in the past few years. A prime example of that congestion is the intersection of I-85 and Ga. Highway 74. A new effort to tackle current and future congestion sprang to life Thursday with the South Fulton Freight Mobility Tour.

Southside Theatre Guild in Fairburn hosted the first-ever Metropolitan Atlanta Theater Awards last Sunday evening and walked away with a number of awards, including Best Play.

The site plan for Southcrest Bank and retail center at Carriage Oaks Drive and Ga. Highway 74 was approved Thursday by Tyrone Planning Commission. The recommendation came with a unanimous vote.

Fresh off a re-election victory, Fulton County Commissioner Bill Edwards shares his thoughts on annexation and municipalization with members of South Fulton Chamber of Commerce at the Aug.

The next meeting of the Fairburn Business Association takes place on August 21, 2006 at 6:30 PM at the Fairburn Annex, 40 Washington Street in Fairburn. Courtney Power of Integrated Services and Engineering will be the featured speaker. Power will update the members on the Fairburn Comprehensive Plan and explain how the plan is to be implemented over the next several years.

Congressman David Scott’s 2nd Annual Health Fair will be held Saturdy, Aug. 19 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Mundy’s Mill High School, 9652 Fayetteville Road in Jonesboro. Leading non-profit organizations, hospitals, government agencies, and members of the health care industry that have agreed to participate include: Pfizer, Inc., Georgia Transplant Foundation, Southern Regional Health System, Emory Healthcare, AID Atlanta, Grady Health System, Henry Medical Center, AARP, American Heart Association, Riverdale Fire Services, American Red Cross, Social Security Administration, Nanston Dental, Resurgens Orthopedics, SAFE America, Fulton County Office on Aging, and many others! A complete list and footage from last year's health fair are available online at www.house.gov/davidscott.

The Rico Community is holding the Green Eyes Arts & Crafts Festival Aug. 19 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. at the Rico Community Center, located one block east of Campbellton Redwine Road.