With July 4 rapidly approaching, adults and children alike can learn some basic prevention tips to avoid tragedies with fireworks, drownings/near-drownings and alcohol related accidents.

Chattahoochee Hill Country Conservancy has received national recognition for wetlands conservation thanks to a grant from one of the world’s leading environmentally conscious wine brands, Banrock Station Wines, in cooperation with The Conservation Fund, America’s top-rated environmental charity. The partnership announced grants to 10 environmental and conservation groups committed to saving wetlands and waterways across the nation.

The jug of laundry detergent may not have been heavy duty, but the blow to the burglar certainly was. A June 18 burglary at a residence on Valleybrook Drive in Fairburn ended with the homeowner coming out on top, literally. The homeowner is a regular guy, and a hero in his own home.

A decision by Community and Housing Development Corporation (CHDC) on the proposed 264-unit Ashton Park Apartments at South Fulton Parkway and Ga. Highway 92 and the 80 percent low-to-moderate residents that would call the complex home has been temporarily put on hold. A June 7 public meeting on the proposal was met with resounding opposition by area residents.

Union City officials moved forward with the annexation of unincorporated islands June 20, holding 28 public hearings to consider the rezoning and annexation of a portion of those islands. There was only minor opposition to the moves that had been requested earlier in the year by Fulton County.

The construction date is not yet set but nearly all the hurdles are cleared for Score Indoor Sports soccer facility on Oakley Industrial Boulevard. Fairburn City Council June 19 approved the revised site plan for the 48,000 square-foot facility.

Magician Ken Scott entertained the kids this week at storytime at the Tyrone Library.

Accused murderer Richard Nelson Brown has pleaded not guilty in the Sept. 30 murder of Senoia businessman Ken Crook. No trial date was set at the June 13 arraignment in Coweta Superior Court in Newnan.

Crime usually increases in a community as the population increases. But that is not what is currently happening in Fairburn. The most recent weekly crime reports tracking both criminal and law enforcement activity by the week, month and year-to-date show that the more serious Part 1 crimes have increased less than one-half percent since January compared to the same period in 2005, even though the city’s population has increased more than 9 percent in the past year.

There was plenty to see and plenty to buy June 10 at Fairburn’s annual citywide yard sale at Duncan Park.

They have not been as visible lately as when the group formed last year, but the newly re-named Tri-County Alliance is back and determined to find a way to alleviate the growing traffic concerns in South Fulton, Fayette and Coweta counties.

South Fulton Regional Municipal Water and Sewer Authority board members June 9 received an audit report outlining the authority’s current financial status. A cash analysis by authority Financial Manager Dan Post in connection with the issuance of $42 million in Series 2003 Bonds showed that the authority has spent $7.185 million as of Dec. 31, 2005.

Due to overwhelming opposition by residents of the Fife neighborhood the City of Union City has amended its Annexation Map to remove approximately 220 acres of property centered at the intersection of Spence Road and Fayetteville Road. The Annexation Map illustrates areas of close proximity to Union City’s existing limits that have been considered for annexation in response to recently passed Senate Bill 552 which gives existing municipalities until October 30th to annex property prior to setting the potential boundary for incorporation of South Fulton.

The next meeting of the Fairburn Business Association takes place June 19, 2006 at 6:30 p.m. at the Fairburn Annex, 40 Washington Street in Fairburn. Barkley Russell will be the featured speaker.

Fairburn firefighters and those from Union City and Fulton County fight a blaze that caused extensive damage to a residence at 43 Washington Street.

“This is the new South Fulton.”
The message June 7 to the Community and Housing Development Corporation (CHDC) and Fulton County Housing Authority could not have been more clear. Residents of unincorporated South Fulton were adamant in their resistance to a proposal to build a 264-unit, revenue bond-funded apartment complex for largely low-to-moderate income families near the intersection of South Fulton Parkway and Ga. Highway 92. Articulate and determined, the 125 residents that filled the meeting room at Fulton County’s Stonewall Tell complex came through loud and clear. Their response to the proposal was “No.”

Services provided by Fulton County may be on the wane, but in Palmetto that cloud has a silver lining. The city council June 5 unanimously approved a Facility Use Agreement with Fulton County over recreational programming at Wilkerson Mill Park.

The gubernatorial campaign trail made its way to South Fulton Chamber of Commerce Thursday with the appearance of Georgia Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor. The long-time politician focused many of his comments on the importance of local business and his aim to restore cuts to the HOPE scholarship and provide healthcare to all Georgia children.

Like a microcosm of cities and towns across America once the school year ends, Fairburn is seeing a jump in crimes committed by some of its younger residents. Four young Fairburn offenders, ages 12-15, were arrested in the past two weeks for burglary, stalking, simple battery, trespassing and curfew and tobacco violations.

Union City became the first of the South Fulton cities to hold a public meeting to address residents’ questions and concerns about the proposed annexation of 7,000 acres, a move that would more than double the geographical size of the city.

Reece Center for Handicapped Horsemanship has a long history of enhancing skills and confidence in riders with disabilities.

The June 1 meeting of the South Fulton Parkway Alliance was primarily an occasion for representatives from the City of East Point to present their annexation plans to the South Fulton County group intent on having only quality development on the local landscape. Alliance members also heard from Fulton County Commissioner Bill Edwards, who responded to the East Point proposal and to Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin’s recent invitation to residents of unincorporated South Fulton to be annexed into Atlanta.

The rezoning and annexation recommendations of properties located in four unincorporated islands within Union City was largely uneventful at the Planning Commission’s May 30 meeting. The fly in the ointment was the opposition by two of the affected property owners and the ongoing determination by residents along High Point Road who objected to rezonings that mirror the already densely populated subdivisions on Union City’s north side. They said that density and the City Council’s lack of accountability is causing major problems for the community.

It has been around forever but it is still brand new. Members from in and around the Rico Community gather May 18 for food and good conversation at the grand opening of Rico Cultural Center, Rico Library and Chattahoochee Hill Country Conservancy.

The City of East Point announced last week its intentions for annexation into unincorporated South Fulton County. Not only do those plans more than double the size of the existing city, they also overlap with the annexation plans of Union City.

The Fairburn City Council meeting June 6 may have a short agenda but it will be one that is significant for soccer fans across south metro Atlanta.

The following arrests were made by Fairburn Police Between May 17 and May 30:

Mary Garrett, 32, Palmetto, theft by takig

Palmetto police are searching for an armed robbery suspect who held up a motorist May 19 at the U.S. Highway 29 Chevron station.

Residents from around the Chattahoochee Hill Country area meet May 20 at Cochran Mill Park to pick up roadside trash along Cochran Mill Road and South Fulton Parkway.