Lights and Sirens

PTC’s CERT group gets some practice

PTC’s CERT group gets some practice

Peachtree City’s Community Emergency Response Team recently participated in a multi-jurisdictional response exercise at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Sandy Springs. The exercise was designed to test the inter-operability of CERT with other metro Atlanta programs. CERT training prepares individuals to help themselves, their family and their neighbors in the event of a disaster. Peachtree City’s CERT team is organized by Police Capt. Stan Pye. Photo/Special.

PTC to get replacement motorcycle after all

Peachtree City Police Chief Skip Clark.

The Peachtree City Police Department will be getting a new motorcycle after all to replace the current model whose lease is up in May.

The motorcycle was the subject of much criticism at the April 18 council meeting, but a more robust set of data presented Thursday night was more than enough to sway four council members to approve the $31,941 purchase.

Police said the motorcycle can respond much quicker a cart path incident than the ATV suggested by Councilman George Dienhart, who recorded the sole ‘no’ vote against the purchase. Read More»

Spring time means bear sighting time

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources provided this photo of a young black bear in a field in north Georgia, exact location unknown.

If you were living in Peachtree City in the late 1990s, you probably remember the infamous black bear scare.

As Public Information Officer Betsy Tyler remembers, somewhere around 1997 or spring 1998, a young black bear caused a commotion during his northward trek along the Flat Creek basin on his way to only bears know where.

Tyler remembers activating the crude city-wide cable alert system, warning residents on an early evening in spring to beware of a roving black bear.

“He enjoyed our cart path system,” Tyler remembered, “and visited a couple of golf courses along the way.” Read More»

Boy, 13, fatally injured in fall at PTC’s Falcon Field

Teen fell 25 feet through skylight of main hangar

A Temple, Ga., boy was fatally injured in a fall through a skylight at the main hangar at Peachtree City’s Falcon Field Airport shortly after noon Friday, police said.

The roof was in the process of being replaced by a subcontractor R&R of Villa Rica when the incident happened around 12:39 p.m., police said. Bailey stepped on a skylight, which collapsed, and fell about 25 feet to the hangar floor, police said. No other explanation was given for the presence of the 13-year-old on the hangar roof.

Because of the weather, a medical helicopter was unavailable and the ambulance had to divert to Piedmont Fayette Hospital where the youth later died, police said. Read More»

County takes first steps toward new Tyrone fire station

The ball is rolling for the construction of a new county fire station at the intersection of Ga. Highway 74 and Jenkins Road.

The fire station, once complete, will replace the current fire station in downtown Tyrone, which has suffered from septic system problems for a number of years.
The architectural contract has been awarded to The Howell Group of Marietta for $98,000. The county received proposals from 24 different companies, and four of those companies were selected for the first round. Read More»

Deputy Ross honored for pulling trapped driver from burning car

Pictured from left are lodge president J. Julian “Bubba” Haregree, Dep. Jason Ross and Lt. Russell McCollum. Photo/Special.

Coweta County Sheriff’s Deputy Jason Ross was honored recently by the Union City Elks Lodge #1167 in appreciation of his heroism and valor.

On Sept. 10, 2011 Deputy Ross placed his own life in danger saving a mororist that was involved in a two-vehicle head-on crash.

When Deputy Ross arrived on the scene, one of the vehicles was engulfed in flames. The driver was trapped inside and he was unable to put out the fire with his fire extinguisher. Read More»

F’ville man seriously injured in Hwy. 92 collision with 3 cows

A Fayetteville man sustained significant injuries early Sunday morning when he hit three cows in the roadway on Ga. Highway 92 North.

Fayette County Sheriff’s Maj. Bryan Woodie said the incident occurred at approximately 1 a.m. Sunday morning when 32-year-old Fayetteville resident Jeremy King was driving his Chevrolet Silverado south on Ga. Highway 92 South.

King sustained significant, non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Grady Hospital in Atlanta, said Woodie, adding that King’s vehicle was substantially damaged in the accident. Read More»

Police have eyes on car safety seats

A Peachtree City police officer talks about proper safety seat inspection with a local resident. Photo/John Munford.

Loose belts, harnesses won’t protect kids in a crash

When is a child safety seat not a child safety seat? When it’s not installed properly.

Statistics show that nine out of every 10 child safety seats are installed incorrectly, and that’s why the Peachtree City Police Department and Safe Kids Fayette County were checking them for local residents Wednesday afternoon in front of The Fresh Market.

Specially trained officers and volunteers inspected and re-installed the child safety seats for free, making a few friends along the way while also improving each child’s chances of surviving a horrific auto crash. Read More»

15 citations issued in St. Patty’s Day road check in PTC

A Fayette County deputy sheriff checks a driver's license during a road check on Rockaway Road. Photo/Ben Nelms.

Peachtree City Police made a statement on March 17 about drinking and driving when four arrests were made with a total of 15 citations issued at St. Patrick’s Day road checks on Flat Creek Road and at the intersection of Ga. Highway 74 and Rockaway Road.

Department spokesperson Rosanna Dove said there were four arrests with a total of 15 citations and four warnings during the road checks that began at 10 p.m. on Saturday and ended at approximately 2:30 a.m. Sunday morning. Peachtree City Police were assisted in the road checks by a deputy from the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office. Read More»

Event Sat. to help injured firefighter

Brad Boemans was one of three firefighters injured while fighting this Oct. 29 house fire in the Platinum Ridge subdivision. A benefit to help Boemans will be held Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. off Rowland Road just outside of Brooks in south Fayette County.

A benefit event will be held Saturday to assist a Fayette County firefighter who suffered severe burns while fighting a house fire in the Platinum Ridge subdivision Oct. 29.

The event, organized by friends of Brad Boemans, will include food, drinks, music, inflatables for children, corn hole competition and a bonfire. There is no charge but donations are encouraged.

The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at a location on Rowland Road just outside of Brooks in south Fayette County. Read More»