Fayetteville City Council members Dec. 1 voted to approve a new three-tiered structure for residential water customers. The new rates are in compliance with metro water conservation standards and will affect only high-end water users.

Plans to build two 40,000 square-foot medical and professional buildings on Ga. Highway 54 West got the go-ahead from Fayetteville Council members Dec. 1.

Fayette County Sheriff’s Drug Task Force agents nabbed 38 pounds of marijuana from a vacant house Nov. 29 that was being used as a delivery drop-off. Three men were arrested and charged with drug trafficking in Fayette and will face similar charges in Fulton.

Fayetteville Mayor Ken Steele welcomed close to 500 citizens to the 13th annual lighting of the city’s official Christmas tree Saturday night.

Fayette County Commissioner Aubrey Glen “A. G.” VanLandingham died Dec. 2, 2005. He had lived in Fayette County for 20 years.

Low-income families may apply for assistance with home heating costs through the Department of Human Resources’ Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. The State of Georgia has received federal funds in the amount of $17.9 million to assist low-income, elderly and disabled Georgians with their heating bills. In addition to these federal funds, the Georgia Public Service Commission has allocated $6 million for natural gas assistance. Local community action agencies administer all available funds for the LIHEAP program.

Heritage of Peachtree Retirement and Assisted Living is hosting a free seminar to educate Medicare Beneficiaries about Medicare's new prescription drug coverage and plans. The program, called "2006 Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, Let's Talk Specifics" is presented by Prescription Pathway, a Medicare-approved Prescription Drug Plan. A Prescription Pathway representative will conduct the seminar which will aid Medicare Beneficiaries in understanding, evaluating and choosing the right prescription drug plan for them.

Peachtree City police are warning residents to be on the lookout for a burglary suspect in light of several recent daytime burglaries reported in the Interlochen, Maple Grove, Centennial and Planterra Ridge subdivisions.

Santa Claus will arrive in the town of Brooks Saturday, Dec. 17. He will be on hand from 10:30 a.m. until noon.

He will arrive via the town fire truck to the Town Hall, the building behind the old Methodist church. The building is also known as Hardy Hall.

Allied Healthcare Clinics, Inc., Home of “The Running Doctor,” has opened another location at 170 Bastille Way in Fayetteville and is ready to celebrate. This totally free event begins at noon and goes on until 8 p.m. Dec. 13. There will also be a ribbon cutting ceremony performed by the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce at 5:30 p.m.

Starting Dec. 2, Clayton State University’s Nurse Managed Clinic will be offering flu shots to the public on a first-come-first-served basis and, with more than 300 shots available, there is plenty to go around.

On the hunt for a gift for the outdoor enthusiast in your life? No need to travel further than in front of the nearest computer screen to find the perfect present.

Police: suspect was employed by victim’s business

An elderly Fayetteville man was knocked unconscious and robbed Friday afternoon in his home off Gingercake Road, and a suspect in the attack has been identified, police said.

Physicians at Piedmont Fayette Hospital are in the spirit of giving this holiday season. The medical staff recently presented a gift for the hospital auxiliary to purchase an additional six-passenger golf cart for the campus courtesy shuttle service.

Plan to force replacement of landscaping elements tabled

A more stringent requirement for property owners to replace landscaping that dies or becomes damaged has been tabled by the Peachtree City Council.

Every year in Georgia, suicide claims the lives of approximately 900 people. Twenty-eight hundred more are hospitalized and 5,400 visit hospital emergency departments because of intentionally self-inflicted injuries, according to the Georgia Department of Human Resources’ new report, “Suicide in Georgia - State and County Statistics 2005.”

McIntosh High School senior Anne Buckle has been selected as a finalist for the 2005-2006 United States Senate Youth Program.

Leslie Adams and Lynette Fitts, seniors at Landmark Christian School are among 3,000 outstanding National Achievement Scholarship Program participants being referred to U.S. colleges and universities.

Landmark Christian School senior Aaron Thomas has qualified as a semifinalist in the 51st annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

Ruckus, new from manufacturer Hubbub Inc., is a quirky and easy-to-learn, quick-play card game for ages 7 to adult. Ruckus retails for $9.99 and has recently received the following 2005 awards: Dr. Toy 10 Best Games, the Preferred Choice Award, the National Parenting Center Seal of Approval, the iParenting Media Award, and the Parents' Choice Fun Stuff award. Ruckus is available nationally in several hundred independent toy stores as well as online.

BB&T has named Jason W. Sutton as a business banker. Sutton, based at 675 N. Jeff Davis Drive, also serves BB&T's Peachtree City location.

The following arrests were reported by local law enforcement agencies for the past week. All persons listed are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

An elderly Fayetteville man was knocked unconscious and robbed Friday afternoon in his home off Gingercake Road, and a suspect in the attack has been identified, police said Monday.

New Orleans residents displaced by Hurricane Katrina are being invited to a special town hall meeting in Atlanta Tuesday focusing on a master plan for rebuilding the City of New Orleans.

In early November, Atlanta-based real estate developer Macauley closed on its first Fayette County property.

One of the county’s most people-friendly leaders passed away early Friday morning.

Arthur English has resigned from his post as Chief Public Defender for the Griffin Judicial Circuit, which includes Fayette County.

The Tour de Georgia will return for a fourth installment in April of 2006, and for the second straight year Fayetteville will be a host city.

Give a kid a Lionel train and look what happens when he’s grown

It’s that time of year again.