Hotline established for Swine Flu questions: 1-888-899-9788;

As health officals revealed today the first confirmed case of Swine Flu in Georgia, they are also urging people to avoid panic but use simple precautions such as frequent hand washing.

A Peachtree City man has announced he will seek election as Georgia’s next Secretary of State.

Gary Horlacher filed paperwork Tuesday to run for the Democratic nomination in the race. Horlacher, an attorney, has practiced law for the past nine years, also serving as a legislative lobbyist on issues including technology, healthcare, transportation, land use, labor and employment.

John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods, Inc., an Atlanta-based home builder that has numerous subdivisions in Fayette County, is being accused of unlawfully engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination against black sales agents in a lawsuit filed today by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

A Union City woman died after her car collided with a dump truck at the intersection of Ga. Highways 279 and 314 Wednesday, according to the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office.

A Peachtree City man vehemently denied accusations that he ever punched, kicked and assaulted his wife with drumsticks.

Michael William Ellicott, on trial for a slate of criminal charges related to physical and sexual assaults on his wife, also denied ever raping his wife.

No one was seriously injured when a Clayton County ambulance collided with a car in front of Captain D's in downtown Fayetteville just before noon today.

According to witnesses the ambulance was traveling south on Ga. Highway 85 when a white passenger car pulled into its path while attempting to turn onto the highway heading north.

Board of Education members will begin discussions at the work session May 4 about changing Fayette County’s governance of its school system.

Most people understandably think of a hospital as a place to receive healthcare. But a hospital also affects the local economy. In the case of Piedmont Fayette Hospital the yearly economic impact totals $275 million, according to a state hospital financial survey.

Fayette County officials are looking at ways to deal with the overwhelming popularity of Kenwood Park.

The 65-acre facility, located in north Fayette off Ga. Highway 279 near Kenwood Road and the Clayton County line, opened in October 2007 and features a running track, tennis, basketball and volleyball courts, soccer fields, a walking trail, a playground and picnic facilities.

Fayette County got some good news last week when the latest unemployment figures were released by the Georgia Department of Labor.

They came to walk and run April 25 for a benefit fund-raiser that has become a regional tradition set in the rolling hills of south Fulton County.

The 5th Annual Race for Riley 5K Walk/Run grew even larger this year, with 880 runners and more than 3,000 people from across metro Atlanta and out of state assembling on the expansive grounds of Georgia Baptist Children’s Home in Palmetto.

For those whose lives have not been touched by someone with the many forms of developmental disabilities, it may not seem much of a change.

County to charge partial premium for those with single coverage

Fayette County employees will remain on Blue Cross/Blue Shield health insurance for the coming year.

A local student is charged with exposing himself to a student after school hours on the campus of the Fayette County Alternative School, officials said.

And the band played on. Eleven Standing Still played into the night Saturday at Bajas on Jackson Street in Newnan to help raise needed funds for Holly Chambers, a Fayette County 911 operator and Senoia resident badly in need of a kidney transplant.

The Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services would like to remind all residents and developers that the outdoor burning ban will go into effect beginning Friday, May 1. No outdoor burning will be allowed until the ban is lifted on October 1.

Group will be escorted to WWII memorial in Washington, D.C.

Approximately 70 local World War II veterans are excitedly preparing for a flight to the nation's capitol on May 4th for a once-in-a-lifetime trip. “To Honor. To Cure.,” a partnership between Honor Flight Network and Theragenics Corporation, will ensure that they receive the tribute they deserve and the opportunity to visit the National WWII Memorial in Washington, DC — their monument — at no cost to the veteran.

Update:
No vaccine yet available to protect against this new strain of flu virus

Area health officials are on alert for potential swine flu cases in Fayette, Coweta and 10 other nearby counties in the District 4 Public Health (DPH) area.

The long journey for the three finalists vying for Fayette County Teacher of the Year came to an end Thursday night at New Hope Baptist Church, North Campus, with the naming of the winner.

All eyes were fixed on Superintendent John DeCotis as he opened the sealed envelope and announced that Dr. Carol Taylor of Rising Starr Middle had been selected as the 2009 Fayette County Teacher of the Year.

Lynn Westmoreland, who represents Georgia in the U.S. Congress, has decided against making a run for the governor’s seat this November.

A 2-year-old girl found at the bottom of an east Fayette pool Thursday afternoon died from her injuries, police said.

The girl was initially reported missing in a 911 call, and Fayette County sheriff’s deputies arrived at the home at 240 Felton Drive to begin a search. The girl was found in just a few minutes and was removed from the pool.

An employee at the Breast Health Clinic at 325 North Jeff Davis in Fayetteville escaped serious injury early Wednesday morning when she fell 13-15 feet into a two-foot diameter sinkhole that may be the remnants of an old well.

Fayette property values ‘weathered the storm’ better than most in metro, says assessor

By BEN NELMS

Fayette County will unveil its revised road alignment for the second phase of the West Fayetteville Bypass at a public meeting Tuesday, May 5 from 4-7 p.m. at the large meeting room at the county’s Stonewall government complex in downtown Fayetteville.

The name of the new store on Ga. Highway 85 South near Goza Road says Resurrection Clothing & More.

As an arm of Fayette County-based Action of Faith Ministries, the site is a multi-pronged approach aimed at filling a host of needs and turning lives around. Its proceeds provide a solution for recidivism in the criminal justice system. But more than anything, it is a symbol of a spiritual mission aimed at serving the whole person.

Christian City has long been a landmark for services for children and adults at its Union City campus. Executive Director Robert Crutchfield announced Monday a significant expansion to be detailed at a future town hall meeting.

On April 18, 2009, North Georgia College and State University dedicated the historic drill field in honor of General (Retired) William J. “Lipp” Livsey of Fayetteville.

The Fayette County School Board voted unanimously Monday to authorize the refinancing of the 1999 bond for which the school system owes $24.9 million. The board approved Morgan Keegan & Co.. The move will save approximately $1 million in interest.

A quick response Tuesday by neighbors on Tanglewood Drive in Fayetteville led to the recovery of some of the items stolen at a residential burglary and the arrest of one of the three believed to be involved.

A faked prescription for Schedule II cough medicine led to the April 19 arrest of a College Park juvenile on forgery charges and the discovery of suspected cocaine and a concealed handgun in the vehicle of the three males who had traveled to several cities attempting to get forged prescriptions filled.