The economic downturn and escalating fuel costs will be on the radar screen of Fayette County Board of Education members as they discuss the 2008-2009 budget at the May 21 meeting and at a budget workshop in early June. The budget will be adopted prior to July 1.

Commissioner Robert Horgan indicated Tuesday that he is not going to get into an ongoing battle with former County Commission Chairman Greg Dunn in the Post 1 commission race.

First Baptist Church in Fayetteville was packed May 8 as officers from across the Griffin Judicial Circuit were honored at the Second annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Banquet sponsored by District Attorney Scott Ballard.

All it took was a handshake with Fayette County Sheriff Randall Johnson for Fayetteville Police Chief Steve Heaton to walk away with $79,615.51. But that was the easy part.

All reservoirs either full or near it, Fayette will ask state to loosen restrictions

Itching to wash your own car at home? Or turn on your yard’s irrigation system? Or blast the accumulated pollen off the house?

The May 7 workshop at Fayette County School Board did not come with a lengthy agenda, but it did come with concerns over a policy that some parents viewed as questionable.

Hood Avenue Primary School is pleased to announce that Kindergarten teacher Michelle Wing is Teacher of the Year. Wing was selected by her peers as being a teacher who constantly goes beyond the call of duty to help the students that she serves. She makes learning fun and exciting for our students by creating innovative ways to reach each individual child’s learning style. “It is a pleasure to watch her teach and interact with our students on a daily basis”, says Principal Dr. Kiawana Kennedy.

The following arrests were reported by local law enforcement agencies for the past week:

Fayette County Sheriff’s Office

A citizen’s tip led police to arrest three Fayetteville teenagers Monday for a burglary from a residence at Cobblestone Apartments, officials said.

During the investigation officers located the car described by the caller, Fayetteville police said. Inside that car was an Xbox 360 video game system taken from the apartment, police said.

Larris J. Marks of Fayetteville was selected by the Secretary of the Army to receive the Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service, the highest civilian honorary award granted for a Department of the Army civilian.

State open to changes, but warns drought could worsen over summer

Though nearby Spalding County was one of six Georgia counties to have water restrictions eased by the state this week, Fayette can expect no such break just yet, according to state officials.

A disgruntled customer pointed a gun at a McDonald's employee late Tuesday night before driving off, Fayetteville Police said Wednesday afternoon.

Seventeen-year-old bagpiper and McIntosh High School student Brian Forsyth leads the mass of caregivers to the sounds of “Amazing Grace” in the silent Caregivers Walk near the beginning of the 2008 Fayette County Relay for Life.

When qualifying closed Friday afternoon for the three County Commission races, one name towered above the rest.

Former County Commission Chairman Greg Dunn qualified to run against Commissioner Robert Horgan in the Post 1 race.

The upcoming political season will be interesting at the Fayette County Courthouse, as incumbent District Attorney Scott Ballard faces a former employee wanting to take his place and three other Republicans seek the office of retiring Probate Court Judge Martha Stephenson.

Incumbents Smith, Key and Smola draw 4 challengers for July 15

The Fayette County Board of Education had no shortage of candidates to qualify for the seats in Post 1, 2 and 3 to be decided later this year. A total of four challengers will face incumbents Janet Smola, Terri Smith and Marion Key.

The news doesn’t seem to be getting any better for the county’s staggering economy.

In statistics released last week by equitydepot.net, Fayette’s homes up for foreclosure could easily double the 2007 number.

It was electric, but it had nothing to do with storm fronts. It was transcendent, but it had nothing to do with mysticism.

An 11-year-old boy avoided a potential child abduction Thursday afternoon, according to deputies with the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office.

It could soon cost you more to adopt a pet from the Fayette County Animal Shelter.

During today’s (May 7) workshop meeting, the Fayette County Commission will consider a request from Animal Control Director Miguel Abi-Hassan to increase the fee structure at the shelter. In an earlier meeting this year, he told the board that the fee structure had not been reviewed since 1980.

Facing a multitude of repair problems with its 7-year-old police headquarters, the Peachtree City Council voted Wednesday night to pursue legal action against the project’s architect: Don Cobb and Associates of Peachtree City.

Four state legislators who represent parts of Fayette County will face political opposition this year.

South Fayette resident Rick Williams will face long-serving Rep. John Yates of Griffin for the Republican nomination for Yates’ seat in the 73rd district. That district includes the Brooks area In Fayette and a large chunk of Spalding County.

If you’ve happened to spot a logging truck headed into or out of the current dead-end of TDK Boulevard towards Planterra Ridge golf course, don’t worry. The dormant TDK Extension project into Coweta County hasn’t been revived.

Honor Flight sending vets on free trip to WWII memorial in D.C.

Next Wednesday, a group of Fayette WWII veterans will embark on a journey to Washington D.C. on an all-expenses-paid day long trip to the World War II memorial.

The Board of Directors of United Community Banks, Inc. appointed Cathy Cox, the former Secretary of the State of Georgia and the current President of Young Harris College, to serve as a director of the company.

Is most of Turkey’s land area located on the continent of Africa or Asia? Would a mesa or arroyo be more dangerous during a flash flood? If you are struggling with these answers, then eighth grader Jacob Nails might be able to help.

The long journey for Fayette’s three Teacher of the Year finalists came to an end Thursday night with the naming of the winner.

A pin drop could be heard as all eyes watched Superintendent John DeCotis open the sealed envelope and announce that Kim Fisher of J.C. Booth middle had been selected as the 2008 Fayette County Teacher of the Year.

DOT: Due to Hwy. 74 construction, sensors removed; timing system now controls many intersections

By JOHN MUNFORD, jmunford@TheCitizen.com
and CAL BEVERLY, editor@TheCitizen.com

So, it’s the middle of the night and you’re sitting — steaming — waiting, waiting, waiting on a red light to change to green on Ga. Highway 74 South — and there’s not another vehicle in sight on the side streets or the highway. And still you wait ...

With perfect weather predicted for the weekend, the Fayette County Board of Realtors is hoping for a large turnout at a big open house. More than 200 homes will be open for the public to view during The Fayette County Board of Realtors-sponsored countywide open house weekend May 3 and 4.

“If My People Pray.”

Prayer will be the main event May 1 as Christians from Fayette County and surrounding areas hold an interdenominational National Day of Prayer event at the Villages Amphitheater in Fayetteville at 7 p.m.