News

Nat. Weather Service holds ‘storm spotter’ workshop

Residents of Coweta and Fayette counties on March 12 received a wealth of information on becoming severe storm spotters from preparedness coordinator Barry Gooden with the National Weather Service in Peachtree City. The workshop was held at the Coweta County fairgrounds. Photo/Ben Nelms.

Ever wonder how the National Weather Service (NWS) gets so much information about severe storms to pass on to the public? One way is with a wealth of sophisticated equipment at their disposal.

Another is from people in communities across America who are trained as storm spotters and who relay critical on-the-ground information that is included in the storm warnings. And that is where the NWS SKYWARN storm spotter program comes in. Read More»

Jobless rate rises in Coweta, Fayette

What had been an improving picture for unemployment in Coweta and Fayette counties during much of 2012 took a turn for the worse in January as the jobless rate in Coweta jumped a full percentage point while edging up one-third of a point in Fayette. Read More»

ClearWater Academy students honor Dr. M.L. King, Jr., for Black History Month

ClearWater Academy students honor Dr. M.L. King, Jr., for Black History Month

Patrons of the Tyrone Public Library recently attended a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from the students of ClearWater Academy. The students presented the poem “Standing Tall” by Jamie McKenzie and favorite quotes by Dr. King in response to many activities and experiences during Black History Month. The Tyrone Public Library offers “Children’s Time” each Wednesday from 10:30-11:30 a.m. ClearWater Academy serves students, ages 6 - 17, with Asperger’s Syndrome, mild autism, ADHD, non-verbal learning disability, pervasive developmental delay and other learning differences. Read More»

PTC to begin hydrant flushing next month

Flushing hydrants helps ensure water flow is adequate to fight fires. Photo/Special.

The Peachtree City Fire Department will be conducting its semi-annual fire hydrant testing in April, May and possibly extending into early June, in accordance with national requirements.

These procedures may cause the water in your area to contain some sediment and you may notice that your water may be brownish in color. Every effort will be taken to ensure this situation does not occur.

If such discoloration should occur, however, the situation can be resolved by flushing your home’s system until the water is clear again. Read More»

PTC police reaccredited

PTC police reaccredited

Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) representative Lou Dekmar, at left, on March 7 announced the three-year re-accreditation of the Peachtree City Police Dept. Receiving the “gold standard” assessment were Chief H.C. “Skip” Clark, center, and Mayor Don Haddix. Photo/Ben Nelms.

Suicide prevention training coming to Fayette County

Data shows young people are particularly susceptible to suicide risk

A local organization aiming to combat suicide among America’s veterans is branching out to help fight suicide in Fayette County, particularly among young people.

Armed Forces Mission of Tyrone will offer a two-day course to train community leaders to use Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) to help those who may be thinking of suicide, according to AFM Executive Director Kenneth Koon, an Army Reserve Chaplain living in Sharpsburg. Read More»

MADD wants designated drivers for St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day is one of the most dangerous times of the year for drunk driving fatalities

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Georgia is calling on Georgia residents to make a pledge for safety this St. Patrick’s Day: pledge to be the non-drinking designated driver for your friends and family, or pledge to not drive after drinking.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 38 people in the U.S. were killed in drunk driving crashes on St. Patrick’s Day (and the early morning hours of the next day) in 2011, which represents 34 percent of all highway fatalities for that time period. Read More»

Woman unharmed in armed robbery attempt at Fayette Pavilion

It was a close call Thursday night for the manager of the PetSmart store at the Fayette Pavilion as she avoided an attempted armed robbery.

Fayetteville Police Det. Mike Whitlow said the manager had closed the store and was leaving at approximately 9:45 p.m. As she approached her vehicle the woman noticed that she had a flat tire, Whitlow said. Read More»

3 Atlanta area teens arrested in Fayette Pavilion carjacking

Two teenage males from Atlanta and one from DeKalb County were taken into custody Thursday after a high-speed chase that began at the Fayette Pavilion as a carjacking and ended near downtown Atlanta after the stolen vehicle was disabled.

The three juveniles, one age 14 and the others age 16, were charged with armed robbery, aggravated assault, theft by taking motor vehicle and fleeing and attempting to elude, according to Fayetteville Police Det. Mike Whitlow. The juveniles will be charged as adults and gang charges are also expected to be filed, Whitlow added. Read More»

Fire destroys F'ville apartment building

Firefighters respond to three-alarm blaze at apartment complex off Ga. HIghway 54 East in Fayetteville. Photo/Ben Nelms.

A Thursday afternoon fire in Fayetteville resulted in the total loss of an apartment building at the Weatherly Walk Apartments on Knight Way. No injuries were reported in the blaze.

Fire Chief Bill Rieck said the fire call came in at 1:20 p.m. and was initially reported as a brush fire and then re-dispatched as a commercial structure fire. Rieck said the first fire units arrived within four minutes, though the nature of the fire resulted in it being upgraded to a three-alarm fire.

The fire resulted in the 700 building being fully involved and subsequently a total loss, Rieck said. Read More»