Newsmakers

Who (and what) did we vote for in Fayette?

Somebody along Robinson Road in Peachtree City displayed this political sentiment on Election Day that may have carried Fayette County and Georgia, but those sentiments were not shared by slightly more than 50 percent of the electorate nationwide Nov. 6. Photo/Special.

Which races most interested Fayette voters? The vote totals tell the tale: With a nearly 79 percent turnout, Fayette voters chose the presidential race as the most important, followed by the renewal of the education local option sales tax (E-SPLOST).

Following those two were the charter school amendment, the statewide Public Service Commission race involving Chuck Eaton and then the Post 2 Board of Education race between Mary Kay Bacallao and Terri Smith. Read More»

E-SPLOST wins in Fayette, Bacallao wins BoE seat

With all precincts reporting, E-SPLOST wins renewal in Fayette 54% to 46%. Post 2 Republican Mary Kay Bacallao defeated Democrat and incumbent Terri Smith 65% to 35%.

Historic Palmetto train depot opens

The transformation of the 1914 train depot in downtown Palmetto is complete. The celebration and ribbon cutting marking the completion of the restoration was held Oct. 20. Pictured, from left, are Councilman Gregory Rusch, Mayor J. Clark Boddie, Coweta County Commissioner Bob Blackburn, Councilwoman Patty Willey and Councilwoman Laura Mullis. Photo/Special.

It took a while but the effort was worth the wait. What began with a resolution by the Palmetto City Council in 2005 came to fruition Oct. 20 with the grand opening of the historic train depot in downtown Palmetto. Built nearly a century ago, the renovated depot has been turned into a downtown showplace that features a local history museum and a large banquet hall. Read More»

Fayette imposes stricter schedules for outdoor water use

With Fayette County’s southernmost reservoir at an historic low due to the drought, county water system customers are being required to switch to the odd-even outdoor watering system to help conserve drinking water. Read More»

Frankenstein, bride marry at Fayette courthouse

Frankenstein, bride marry at Fayette courthouse

In a campy Halloween moment at the Fayette County Courthouse Wednesday, Frankenstein married his bride in a ceremony presided over by Fayette County Probate Judge Ann Jackson.

Taking place shortly afternoon, the bride (also known as Clerk of Court Sheila Studdard) and the groom (clerk Sherry Molloy) tied the knot in a brief off-kilter ceremony witnessed by various members of the clerk's staff at lunchtime. Read More»

Todd recall awaits Attorney General’s ruling

The effort to recall Fayette County Board of Education member Bob Todd has been put on hold until the Fayette County Board of Elections can take up the matter on Nov. 6. Meantime, Todd on Tuesday weighed in on the ethics violations alleged by recall chairperson and Tyrone resident Melissa Hill. Read More»

Rep. David Scott tells Fayette NAACP: ‘This election is our future’

U.S. Rep. David Scott. Photo/Ben Nelms.

Several hundred residents from Fayette County and beyond met Oct. 27 for the 15th annual Freedom Fund Banquet hosted by the Fayette County Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The event was held at the Wyndham Conference Center in Peachtree City and featured Congressman David Scott.

Scott in his remarks combined the upcoming presidential election with a view back in time to the history of the NAACP. He laid the groundwork for his comments by citing the work of 19th century abolitionist and women’s rights activist Sojourner Truth. Read More»

Leaders honored at NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet in PTC

Leaders honored at NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet in PTC

The awards were numerous at the 15th annual Freedom Fund Banquet hosted by the Fayette Branch of the NAACP. The Oct. 27 event was held at the Wyndham Conference Center in Peachtree City. Pictured were: seated, Stephanie and Ian Taylor, parents of Olympic gold medalist and Community Service Award winner Christian Taylor; and standing, from left, Community Service recipient Sam Sweat, Community Service recipient Rev. BaSean Jackson on behalf of Fellowship of Love Church, President’s Award recipient Arnold Martin, state Rep. Read More»

Solicitor Inagawa sues for pay raise; high court agrees

The Georgia Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Fayette County State Court Solicitor Jamie Inagawa in a legal battle with the Fayette County Commission over his salary for the past several years.

The court in an Oct. 15 opinion held that Inagawa’s salary was improperly calculated by the county from July 2007 through January 2009. The court also ruled that a piece of local legislation which took affect after that date to change the salary of Inagawa’s position is invalid because it conflicts with an existing state law. Read More»

Showing the colors in PTC

Showing the colors in PTC

The honor guard presented the colors at the Restoring America Rally as St. Simons Island pastor William Temple stood at attention with hat over heart. The South Atlanta Tea Party event was held Oct. 20 at Drake Field in Peachtree City and featured a variety of speakers including former Navy SEAL Benjamin Smith. Photo/Ben Nelms.