Community Message from the Tyrone Police Department.

Fayette County to observe Severe Weather Awareness Week February 6 - 12, 2011.

Citizens,

We are distributing the following information on behalf of the Fayette County Dept. of Fire & Emergency Services. Please note that they will be conducting tests of the warning siren system on February 9th at 9:00 am, which will include the two located here in Tyrone.

The Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services in partnership with the National Weather Service and the Georgia Emergency Management Agency would like to inform all residents that February 6-12th 2011 is Severe Weather Week. During this week Fayette County residents should take the time to discuss with their families the importance of preparing and planning for severe weather. Also it is a good time for all businesses, daycares, assisted living communities to develop or test their current plan of action for severe weather.

As part of Severe Weather Awareness Week, Fayette County will participate in the state wide tornado drill. On Wednesday, February 9th at Approximately 09:00 am there will be a weekly test that will be broadcasted over all NOAA weather radios. During that time, to ensure that the County siren system is functioning correctly the 911 Center will sound the severe weather sirens during the drill just as they have in the past years. If severe weather threatens on Wednesday, February 9th the drill will be moved to Friday, February 11th at 09:00 am.

IMPORTANT!!!! Please pass this information on to your neighbors, employees, and family members to inform them that this is only a test in conjunction with the statewide tornado drill and Severe Weather Awareness Week. Please do not call 911 to ask questions about the sirens. Only call 911 if you have an emergency.

Director of Public Safety Allen McCullough states “It is very important that our citizens are informed and prepared for severe weather to help ensure the safety of their family and friends.”

For additional Severe Weather Awareness Week information in Georgia and other weather preparedness information click the links below.

http://www.ready.gov/

http://www.gema.state.ga.us/

Students Headed to Literacy Days Festival

From Poetry recitation, writing, and dramatic performance, Fayette’s middle school students will show off their talents during Griffin RESA’s Literacy Days Festival on February 3.

A total of 16 students took first place in their grade levels at the Fayette County Recitation Festival last week, earning a spot in the district competition that will showcase students from school systems in Butts, Fayette, Henry, Lamar, Newton, Pike, Spalding, and Upson counties.

Contestants in the poetry recitation are Aubrey Bennett, sixth grade, Rising Starr Middle; Simone Jones, seventh grade, Fayette Middle; and Ellie Klarl, eighth grade, Flat Rock Middle.

Ready Writers representing Fayette are all from Rising Starr Middle. The students are Ethan Roland, sixth grade; Elizabeth Jowers, seventh grade; and Emma Wernecke, eighth grade.

The drama team from Fayette Middle will compete in the drama portion of the event. Students on the team are Dominque Boudreaux, Montavia Caudle, Haley Kakis, Saleena Davani, Sumvia Evans, Anna Franklin, Kezia Houston, TaNia Nash, Ashley Orta, and Cecilla Robinson. They will present “A True Princess,” an original piece written by the team.

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Burglary at PeachMac 304 City Circle, Peachtree City, GA

On January 26th, 2011, at approximately 2:30 a.m., officers discovered a burglary at PeachMac, an Apple Computer Store in The Avenues Shopping Center. Upon investigation, it was determined that the thieves forced entry into the business by ramming one of their vehicles into the front entrance of the store. While inside, the thieves took numerous computers and computer components valued in excess of twenty-thousand dollars. The vehicles used to commit the burglary included a white compact vehicle and a tan or silver mid-size vehicle. These vehicles were observed leaving the shopping center by an officer who was patrolling the area. Upon engaging the two vehicles, a vehicle pursuit was initiated in the area of Hwy 54 and Stevens Entry. Due to the suspect driving recklessly, at a high rate of speed and with complete disregard for the safety of others, the pursuit was terminated.

Investigators from the Peachtree City Police Department are investigating the incident and conducting follow-up investigations on several different leads.

If anyone has information that would assist the Police Department in this or other incidents, please contact the Peachtree City Criminal Investigations Division at 770-631-2510, or the Crime and Narcotics Information Hotline at (770) 487-6010. You may remain anonymous.

Booth Students Help Children Battling Cancer

Students show off their Math-A-Thon participation certificates. Front row (L to R): Mikey Eberle, Sam Lyon, Brandon Snapperman, Mikeila McQueston, Samantha Miller, Richard Kohlhaas, and Haven Clark. Back row (L to R): Ji-Hoon Shin, Jessica Bell, Tyler Krikorian, Matt Marhefka, Anna Brachey, Olivia Pressel, Jessica Rodriguez, Jade Ponder, Shiori Ito, and Mary Howe.

Math paid off in a big way for students at J.C. Booth Middle as they raised funds for St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

The school collected $2,323 for the hospital’s Math-A-Thon fundraiser. Students raised money by solving math problems, and asking family and friends for donations in support of their participation in Math-A-Thon. The proceeds will be used to help children battling cancer and other deadly diseases at St. Jude.

“We are so proud of our students for embracing Math-A-Thon and raising critical funds for St. Jude,” said Kristi Hardeman, coordinator of the event at Booth. “Every dollar raised will help support the St. Jude mission of finding cures and saving children in communities worldwide.”

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Fayette Excels For Exceptional Children

The Fayette County School System strives to ensure that all students receive the best education possible while arming them with the skills they will need to succeed in today’s competitive environment.

For the eighth year in a row since the award’s inception, the school system’s Exceptional Children’s Program has been recognized for excellence in the education of students with disabilities by the Georgia Department of Education.

The Pacesetter Award, which was presented at the Georgia Council for Administrators of Special Education (GCASE), marks the school system as a leader in the state for outstanding efforts to improve the performance of students with disabilities. Fayette is the only school system in Georgia to have received the award eight consecutive years.

The award distinguishes excellence in six areas of achievement: decreasing the number of students who drop out, achieving a higher percentage of graduates with regular education diplomas, educating students in the least restrictive environment, transitioning students to their desired postsecondary outcomes, increasing the percentage of students who meet or exceed state achievement standards and reducing the gap in achievement between students with disabilities and their general education peers.

Director Chris Horton oversees Fayette’s Exceptional Children’s Program.

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100 Pre-K Students to Get Free Monthly Books

The Rotary Club of Peachtree City and the Fayette County Public School System are working to help improve literacy skills among the county’s pre-k students.

The club has signed an agreement to establish the Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy program in Fayette County. It has committed to funding 100 eligible pre-k students enrolled in the county’s school system.

Students participating in the program will receive a book delivered to their homes each month via U.S. mail until their fifth birthday. The children’s classic, “The Little Engine that Could,” is the first book each child receives and “Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come!” is the final graduation book that is received when the child turns 5-years old. An expert committee composed of individuals from education, child development, academia, and early childhood literacy has carefully selected the books.

The purpose of the program is to increase early literacy skills by encouraging parents to read to their children at home. Research shows that the more words a child hears, the larger the child’s vocabulary, and the more likely the child will be a proficient reader. Parents cite one of the main reasons why they do not read with their child is the lack of quality books in the home.

In addition to receiving a monthly book, each child also gets a library card along with tips for the parents on how to read aloud with their child.

The program is free to participating families in Georgia and is made possible through private donations, corporate sponsorships, and grants. It costs about $36 per child, per year.

For more information about the Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy program, contact Clarice Howard, coordinator of the Fayette County Public School System’s pre-k program via email at howard.clarice@fcboe.org or call 770-486-0149; or contact Karen Stephens of the Rotary Club of Peachtree City via email at karenannstephens@yahoo.com.

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Fayette County Sheriff's Investigators Make Arrests in Prostitution Sting

On January 20, 2011 Fayette County Sheriff’s Investigators assigned to the Tactical Narcotic Team made four arrests in reference to a prostitution sting that took place earlier that night.

On January 20, 2011 the Fayette County Tactical Narcotic Team (TNT) was acting upon a complaint that provided investigators with information of an online website that was advertising prostitution in the Fayette County area.

Investigators searched the website and discovered advertisements that were offering sexual acts in exchange for money in the Fayette County area. An undercover TNT investigator responded to two advertisements where the suspects agreed to meet the undercover investigator in Fayette County to perform sexual acts in exchange for money.

Investigators have arrested Travish Sunshine Hunter, 40, of East Point and Megan Paige Johnson, 21, of Hixson, TN and charged them both with Prostitution. Johnson was also charged with Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act for being in possession of prescription medication without a legal prescription.

Investigators also arrested Corey Montez Hollie, 31, of Atlanta charging him with Pimping and Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act for being in possession of prescription medication without a legal prescription, and Alexis Charles Jordan, 30, of Atlanta charging him with Public Drunkenness and Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act for being in possession of prescription medication without a legal prescription.

Whitewater Team a Semi-Finalist for Employment Branding Challenge

Publix Super Markets is looking closely at the ideas of two students for attracting young employment applicants to their stores.

Whitewater High DECA students Yanna Banks and Lia Poulson have been selected as 12 semi-finalist teams in the Publix Brand Champion Challenge, a competition open to DECA students that involves creating a fully integrated marketing program to attract 16 to 25-year-olds to apply for work at the stores. DECA is a student organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management.

Students were given a pretend budget of $250,000 to develop their plans, and were required to create a video not exceeding 10 minutes to communicate their ideas and strategies. The competition was open to students in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Now the students must submit a written plan of their employment branding program. Publix will select three teams to participate in the final competition round. Those teams will be invited to make in-person presentations at the corporate offices of Publix Super Markets in Lakeland, FL in March.

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City of Fayetteville launches A New Facebook page

Fayetteville expands social media outreach
The City of Fayetteville has recently launched a new Facebook fan page, essentially merging the City’s old page with the Fayetteville Main Street page. This now gives citizens and “fans“ a one-stop site to obtain City news, event information and updates using the hugely popular social media tool. More than 500 million people worldwide now actively use Facebook, and there are about 1.6 million fan pages in use.

The new Facebook page was launched Monday January 10th, 2011 and has quickly gained a following of more than 180 fans. The City wants to encourage its citizens and others that are interested in local information and events to become a “Fan” of the City’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/FayettevilleGA . After becoming a Fan, users can post any relevant information to the City’s page and interact with other users that monitor the page. If you were a Fan of the old City and/or Main Street Facebook page, please join our new page. The former City of Fayetteville page will be deactivated at the end of January.

Social networking sites like Facebook allow for two-way interaction with citizens by providing a platform to easily gather information, provide feedback, and encourage participation among its followers. The City’s Facebook site is just one more tool to offer easily accessible and understandable communications to its citizens and other key audiences. Some of the other communication methods used by the City include various web sites and Comcast Community Channel 25.

If you have any questions about Facebook or how to become a Fan, please visit the City’s web site at www.Fayetteville-GA.gov and click the Facebook picture on the front Page.
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State Names Distinguished Schools

A total of eight of Fayette’s elementary and middle schools have been named Title 1 Distinguished Schools by the Georgia Department of Education.

The county’s schools are among 868 public schools statewide to receive the designation. Schools are given “distinguished” status based on having made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) three or more years consecutively. Since all of Fayette’s schools receiving the honor have met AYP six or more years in a row, they will each receive a monetary award, paid out of federal funds, as well as a certificate recognizing their achievement.

Both North Fayette Elementary and Robert J. Burch Elementary have met AYP for 12 consecutive years and will each receive a $1,484 award. Both schools have been recognized as distinguished for 10 years.
Fayette Middle, Fayetteville Intermediate, Hood Avenue Primary, Inman Elementary and Oak Grove Elementary have made AYP for eight consecutive years and will each receive a $742 award. These schools have been recognized as distinguished for six years.

Flat Rock Middle has made AYP for seven consecutive years and will receive a $742 award. The school has been recognized as distinguished for five years.

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Fayette County Excels For Exceptional Children

The Fayette County School System strives to ensure that all students receive the best education possible while arming them with the skills they will need to succeed in today’s competitive environment.

For the eighth year in a row since the award’s inception, the school system’s Exceptional Children’s Program has been recognized for excellence in the education of students with disabilities by the Georgia Department of Education.

The Pacesetter Award, which was presented at the Georgia Council for Administrators of Special Education (GCASE), marks the school system as a leader in the state for outstanding efforts to improve the performance of students with disabilities. Fayette is the only school system in Georgia to have received the award eight consecutive years.

The award distinguishes excellence in six areas of achievement: decreasing the number of students who drop out, achieving a higher percentage of graduates with regular education diplomas, educating students in the least restrictive environment, transitioning students to their desired postsecondary outcomes, increasing the percentage of students who meet or exceed state achievement standards and reducing the gap in achievement between students with disabilities and their general education peers.

Director Chris Horton oversees Fayette’s Exceptional Children’s Program.

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A Birds Eye View, by Fredrick Warner - Reception at Artworks on the Square, Fayetteville

Friday Night, Feb. 4th , 7:00-9:00 PM, Artworks on the Square will be hosting a reception for the “A Birds Eye View” exhibit by Fredrick Warner, who recently moved here from Pennsylvania. The reception is in conjunction with the First Friday Night tradition of wine tasting and live music. For further information, you can contact us at 678-545-0275 or info@awots.com. The exhibit includes photograph, sculpture and drawings representing the freedom and motion of birds. It will open to the public Feb. 4th and close Feb. 28th. ArtWorks on the Square is located at 107 Stonewall Ave., Fayetteville, GA across from the clocktower.

Register Early for Kindergarten

Parents with children entering kindergarten for the 2011-2012 school year can register their students at the Welcome Center from January 24-April 1. Georgia law requires students to be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2011 to be eligible for kindergarten.

Early registration is encouraged to avoid long wait times. The Welcome Center is open 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday with extended hours every Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The center is located at 205 LaFayette Avenue in Fayetteville.

Visit www.fcboe.org, the Fayette County Public School System’s website, for additional registration information. Click the “student registration” link on the right-hand side and then select “kindergarten registration.” Parents can also contact the center by calling 770-460-3990, ext. 362.

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PTC Police and FBI Make Arrests

On January 19th, 2011 Peachtree City Investigators, working in conjunction with agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Atlanta Field Office, arrested DAVIS, RUSSELL, 22, of Kentwood Drive, Peachtree City, GA, on one count of THEFT BY DECEPTION and one count of FORGERY, which involved multiple victims. The charges were the result of an ongoing theft investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Peachtree City Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division. KIMPEL, JASON 22, of Balmoral Apartments, Peachtree City, GA was also arrested and charged with one count of THEFT BY DECEPTION and one count of PARTY TO A CRIME (FORGERY), which involved the same multiple victims. Through the course of the investigation, investigators learned that DAVIS had allegedly reprinted a legally purchased block of tickets to a concert and sold multiple copies of the fraudulently printed tickets to the victims. The victims who have been identified live throughout the southeastern United States. This investigation is still on going and there is the potential for more offenders to be identified.

If anyone has information that would assist the Police Department in this or any other incidents, please contact the Criminal Investigations Division at 770-631-2510 or the Crime and Narcotics Information Hotline, (770) 487-6010. You may remain anonymous.

Time to Register for Pre-K Lottery Drawing

The Fayette County Public School System is taking registrations for state funded pre-k classes January 24-March 3 from 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at the following schools: Brooks, Crabapple Lane, Hood Avenue, Inman, North Fayette, Oak Grove, Peachtree City, and Robert J. Burch.

Students must be 4-years old on or before September 1, 2010 to be eligible for the pre-k program. A student who is age eligible for kindergarten (5-years old on or before September 1, 2010) cannot register for pre-k.

A total of 20 registered students will be selected for each class by a lottery drawing on March 4. In order to register for the lottery drawing, parents/guardians must present residency information and their child’s birth certificate. If the child is selected, parents/guardians will be notified and will need to return to the school to provide the remaining registration documentation. Complete registration information is available on the school system’s website, www.fcboe.org.

For more information about the state funded pre-k program, contact Clarice Howard, 770-486-0149 or Jane Price, 770-460-3990, ext. 186.

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Fayette County Students To Make Up Three Snow Days

The Fayette County Board of Education has approved three make up days for the students as school was closed last week due to weather.

The days the schools will be in session are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of Winter Break, February 22, 23 and 24.

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Sandy Creek Patriots Parade of Champions

The Town of Tyrone is planning a Parade of Champions for Saturday, January 22, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. to honor the Sandy Creek Patriots Football Team, who placed 1st in the State Championship and the Sandy Creek Lady Patriots Volleyball Team, who finished as State Runners-Up. The parade will include the football and volleyball teams, the band, color guard, ROTC, and Varsity and Junior Varsity Cheerleading Squads. The parade will start at Handley Park at 10:00 a.m. and go south down Senoia Road to Shamrock Park, where the Mayor, Town Council and multiple other elected officials will present proclamations to both the football and volleyball teams.

Watch the parade as it goes down Senoia Road on Saturday, January 22 at 10:00 a. m. Show your support for the Sandy Creek Patriots!

For additional information please contact Jennifer Patton or Lynda Owens at (770) 487-4694.

North Fayette Home Invasion Update

On January 12, 2011 Fayette County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of the Fayetteville Police Department made two arrests in reference to a home invasion at a north Fayette County home. The incident took place when Fayette County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to a home invasion in progress where an East Point Police Officer was held at gun point inside his home by two masked suspects.

On January 12, 2011 at approximately 10:08 PM Fayette County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a residence located in north Fayette County when the victim, who is an East Point Police Officer called 911 and told the Fayette County dispatcher that two suspects wearing masks, displayed a gun and robbed him inside his home.

When Fayette County Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the incident location they found the victim duct taped inside of his home with a minor injury to his forehead. The victim told Fayette County deputies at least two masked suspects forced their way into his home displaying a shotgun. The victim said that the two suspects then bound his hands and feet with duct tape where they proceeded to steal a flat screen television, a hand gun and numerous other electronic devices before fleeing the scene. After the suspects fled the scene the victim said he was able to gain access to telephone while still being duct taped where he called 911. The victim gave the Fayette County Sheriff’s deputies a physical description of the two suspects but was unable to provide them with any possible vehicle description.

At 10:19 PM a Fayetteville Police Officer who had been monitoring the home invasion call on the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office radio frequency was traveling on Hwy 54 near Burch Road when he observed a small passenger car driving at a high rate of speed with two occupants that matched the suspect description given by the victim of the home invasion. The vehicle attempted to elude the Fayetteville Police Officer where a short pursuit took place. The Fayetteville Police Department was able to stop the vehicle on Chase Drive in the City of Fayetteville. The Fayetteville Police Officer located items taken in the home invasion inside the vehicle along with the mask and shot gun which were used in the commission of the home invasion.

Fayette County Investigators have arrested Clifton Jerome Scott, 21, and Brandon Christopher Herston, 21, both being from Fayetteville and charged them with Armed Robbery, Burglary, False Imprisonment, Possession of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime and Aggravated Assault. The Fayetteville Police Department has charged Scott with numerous traffic related offenses which occurred while operating the suspect vehicle. The two suspects are currently being held in the Fayette County Jail without bond.

The victim in this crime was treated and released by Fayette County EMS at the incident location.

If anyone has any additional information on this or similar incidents please notify Detective E. Harper at the Fayette County Sheriff Office 770-716-4763 / eharper@fayettecountyga.gov.

Fayette County Schools Remain Closed for Fifth Day Due to Icy Conditions

The Fayette County Schools will be closed again on Friday due to icy conditions.  Twelve month staff are to report at 10 am.

The big question on the minds of the students and parents is "Will we have to make it up?  And, if so, when?"

An informal survey taken at The Avenue in Peachtree City resulted in an overwhelming number of parents and children suggesting making up the days during the upcoming scheduled February winter break. 

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Smash & Grab Burglars hit Fayetteville Foot Locker

Surveillance video captured three suspects burglarizing a Fayetteville Foot Locker store early Thursday morning.

On January 13, 2011, at approximately 4:00AM, a silver vehicle, possibly a newer model crossover, backed up to the front door of the store. Three males exited the vehicle and shattered the front door using a tool similar to the Halligan tool fire departments use. The males then entered the store and began throwing boxes of shoes and packages of socks through the door into the rear of the vehicle.

One of the males was seen wearing a distinctive letter type jacket in the video and Fayetteville police are hopeful someone can identify the suspect. The males made off with an indeterminate amount of shoes and socks, including children’s shoes.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Mike Whitlow with the Fayetteville Police Department at (770) 719-4222.

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Fayetteville Municipal Court Rescheduling

The court cases postponed for Fayetteville Municipal Court on January 11, 2011, will be rescheduled for Tuesday, February 15, 2011, at 8:00 a.m. Additional court dates will follow for the remaining cases. Please contact the Fayetteville Municipal Court and speak with a court clerk to receive your corrected court date and time. Court reset letters have been mailed to all participants. Please log on to the City of Fayetteville website at www.fayetteville-ga.gov, the City of Fayetteville Face Book page or call 770-719-4277 for additional information.

Fayetteville Municipal Court Rescheduling

The court cases postponed for Fayetteville Municipal Court on January 11, 2011, will be rescheduled for Tuesday, February 15, 2011, at 8:00 a.m.

Additional court dates will follow for the remaining cases. Please contact the Fayetteville Municipal Court and speak with a court clerk to receive your corrected court date and time. Court reset letters have been mailed to all participants.

Please log on to the City of Fayetteville website at www.fayetteville-ga.gov, the City of Fayetteville Face Book page or call 770-719-4277 for additional information.

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Fayette County Schools Closed Wednesday Due to Ongoing Frigid Temperatures and Icy Conditions

The Fayette County Board of Education has announced the Fayette County Public Schools will be closed on Wednesday, January 12, 2011.

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Mayor Ken Steele to Share Info re: ARC / Transportation Jan 19

January 19, 2011: The Fayette Senior Services Center, 4 Center Drive, Fayetteville is hosting an informational meeting on Wednesday afternoon from 1 - 2 PM. Ken Steele, Mayor of Fayetteville and Fayette County's representative on the Roundtable Committee of the Atlanta Regional Commission, will explain and answer questions about the ARC's transportation proposals.

Click on the following link for directions: http://www.kudzu.com/m/Fayette-Senior-Services-17287577/map/

(info rec'd via Coweta / Fayette 9-12 Patriot Group newsletter)

Hwy 74 North From Peachtree City Passable

The Georgia Front Page has just received an eyewitness report that Georgia Hwy 74 North from the Kedron area in Peachtree City up to I-85 is passable.  While slick in several spots, the road is currently passable. 

The spot where the most trouble was sighted this morning on the driving adventure was on Oakley Industrial Boulevard in South Fulton County where a number of big tractor trailer trucks were stuck.

Please remember road conditions are changing throughout the day.  Take extra precautions should you have to travel.

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Sandy Creek Selected for Pilot French Program

Host ambassador Omari Allen (left) and school principal Roy Rabold presented André Peltier with a Student of the Week certificate and a book about Georgia to commemorate his visit.

A partnership between two schools, Sandy Creek High and Lycee Emmanuel Héré in Nancy France, promises to provide a unique learning opportunity for students.

Sandy Creek is one of seven high schools in the state selected by the Georgia Department of Education to participate in a pilot program aimed at bringing French students in contact with their counterparts in France. Sandy Creek was chosen because of its successful French program headed up by teacher Stephane Allagnon.

For one week last month, the school hosted a French ambassador student, André Peltier, from its partner school. Peltier stayed with Sandy Creek’s American ambassador student, Omari Allen.

Peltier spent his time learning all he could about the American school system. He says he was amazed to see how well everybody got along and the amount of respect between students and faculty.

French students at Sandy Creek seized the opportunity to increase their knowledge about France and its culture. By the end of the week, the students had hammered out details pertaining the schools’ partnership, and students from both schools began communicating with each other via the Internet.

The two schools will present the results of their partnership in May to the State Department of Education.

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Robbers caught in Fayetteville

Three suspects who attempted to rob a restaurant owner and his wife at approximately 12:01 AM on January 9, 2011 were apprehended by Fayetteville Police Officers. Brian Lemonte Hall, 21 of College Park, Demarcus Jerome Willingham, 22 and Brandon Hardy, 21 of Fairburn are all charged with Criminal Attempt-Robbery and are in the Fayette County jail.

Early Sunday morning, the victims, who own an Asian restaurant in East Point, Georgia, were apparently followed from their business and were approached by two of the suspects in their driveway while the third suspect stayed in the car. The suspects demanded money and when the male victim chased them, both suspects fled to their vehicle. The victims called 911 and reported that the three males were in a large white car. A lookout for the vehicle was issued by Fayette County Dispatch.

A Fayetteville Patrol Lieutenant patrolling nearby heard the lookout given by dispatch and made a traffic stop on the white, 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis. Hall was driving the car with Willingham and Hardy as passengers. Officers located a Tech 9 semi automatic pistol inside the vehicle.

Hardy and Willingham were also charged with Giving False Information to Police and Willingham has an additional outstanding warrant from Fairburn. Police are still investigating the incident and more charges are pending.

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Fayette County Schools Closed Tuesday Due to Inclement Weather

Fayette County has announced the closing of its public schools for a second day this week.  Stay tuned for any further updates as the inclement weather across the county continues.

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Fayetteville Municipal Court Closing

The Fayetteville Municipal Court will be closed on Tuesday January 11, 2011 due to the inclement weather. City officials will make a determination on Tuesday regarding Wednesday’s court session and future rescheduling.

Transition Fair Weather Update!

Due to continued hazardous weather and travel conditions the Transition Fair has been postponed until Tuesday. 8 FEB; same time and location. Be careful out there!

Transition Fair Weather Update!
There is a chance of hazardous weather early next week. This is a reminder of the Transition Fair Sponsored by ExceptionalOPS and Exceptional Children’s Services from 7pm to 9pm on Tues, Jan. 11, 2011, at River's Elementary School, 461 Rivers Road, Fayetteville. In case of inclement weather and Fayette County schools are closed on Tuesday, the Transition Fair will be postponed to a date to be announced.

Sounds of Fayette County Tonight

We've all been waiting for the expected winter weather event to arrive in Fayette County.  Many of us have been preparing all day for sleet, ice and snow.

The exact moment the sleet hit Fayette County was audible as front doors flew open, kids ran outside, and gleeful sounds of joy were heard all over Peachtree City.  The sound of the sleet was overpowered by the school children a few minutes later as Fayette County announced the closing of the schools for Monday.

Stay safe, dry and warm!

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After School Scholarship Program Helps Struggling Families

The holidays may be over, but the gift of giving is still going strong.

Many Fayette County students and their families are in need of help for after school care so that they will have a safe place to stay until their parents can get home from work.

A scholarship fund set up in the name of a long-time advocate and retired employee of the Fayette County School System’s After School Program is aimed at providing temporary assistance to struggling families by providing scholarships for after school tuition.

The Lois Woodward After School Scholarship Fund is named in honor of Lois Woodward, who retired from the school system in October 2010 as a field supervisor of the after school program. She worked for the school system for 25 years, first as a paraprofessional before heading up the first after school program at Kedron Elementary and later at Cleveland Elementary before becoming the program’s field supervisor.

During her years with the program, Woodward worked diligently to make it a safe haven and a place to belong for every child. She disguised learning as exploration and fun, and included families as part of the after school community. Woodward created many activities that are used in the program today such as “Share Your Talent Day,” “High Five Club for Fifth Graders, “and” Family Day.”

On the day of her retirement celebration, the after school program had raised over $1,700 for the scholarship fund, part of the donations came from children and parents at Kedron Elementary who now benefit from what Woodward started.

Woodward recently visited the students in the after school program at Kedron to thank them for their donations and read out loud a copy of Shel Silverstein’s book, “The Giving Tree.”

Woodward hopes the community will remember the following when deciding to make a donation to the fund: “I want the after school program to always be something kids want to do. We had a child once who asked for the program for his birthday present. The scholarship is our present to children and families. It takes all of us to make it better.”

Donations are tax-deductible and can be made in honor of individuals. Contribution checks should be made payable to the FCBOE/Lois Woodward ASP Scholarship Fund, Attention Jane Gough, Fayette County After School Programs, LaFayette Educational Center, 205 LaFayette Avenue, Fayetteville, GA 30214.

More information about the fund can be obtained by calling Jane Gough in the after school program, 770-460-3990, ext. 255.

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Two McIntosh Students to Perform at Inaugural Gala

Jazz student musicians John O’Leary (alto sax) and Gerand McDowell (piano) will help provide musical entertainment at Governor Nathan Deal’s Inaugural Gala on January 10.

The two McIntosh students are members of the Metro Atlanta Youth Wind Ensemble Jazz Band, which has been asked by Deal’s inaugural committee to play at the event.

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Fayette Students Headed for Janfest

Five McIntosh band students will perform in the Janfest High School Band Festival hosted by the University of Georgia Bands January 20-23 in Athens.

Sarah Manley, Jesse Hu, John O’Leary, Drew Naber, and Colin Benton will be among the more than 1,000 students from states throughout the south who were selected to participate.

Participants are given the opportunity to improve their musical skills through auditions, honor and clinic bands, master classes and listening to guest bands perform. They also perform a concert at the close of the festival.

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Georgia Recognizes 13 Fayette Schools for High Academic Performance

Nearly 50 percent of Fayette’s public schools have been recognized by the state for promoting excellence in student achievement.

Out of the county’s 28 schools, nine elementary, one middle and three high schools received award designations of platinum, gold, silver or bronze based on their performance on state curriculum exams and Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status.

The state awards were given in two categories: greatest gain, for schools that showed the greatest improvement in scores on the Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT) or the Georgia High School Graduation Test (GHSGT), and highest performance, for schools that demonstrated the highest achievement on the CRCT or GHSGT.

All awards received by Fayette County Public Schools were in the highest performance category. These awards make up three percent of the 345 awards given statewide, and are part of the release of the state’s annual K-12 Public Schools Report Card.

Platinum award: Peachtree City Elementary, Peeples Elementary, and Starr’s Mill High. These schools made AYP for three consecutive years with a minimum of 35 percent of students exceeding standards, and 98 percent or more meeting and exceeding standards.

Gold award: Braelinn Elementary, Crabapple Lane Elementary, Kedron Elementary, McIntosh High, and Tyrone Elementary. These schools made AYP for two consecutive years with a minimum of 30 percent of students exceeding standards, and 97 percent or more meeting and exceeding standards.

Silver award: Huddleston Elementary. This school made AYP for two consecutive years with a minimum of 25 of students exceeding standards, and 96 percent or more meeting and exceeding standards.

Bronze award winners: Cleveland Elementary, Rising Starr Middle, Spring Hill Elementary, and Whitewater High. These schools made AYP with a minimum of 20 percent of students exceeding standards, and 95 percent or more meeting and exceeding standards.

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Fayette Students Perform in U.S. Army All-American Bowl

Four Fayette Band students were in San Antonio, TX over the weekend to perform at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl at the Alamodome.

Iessah Watson (piccolo), Fayette County High; Tristin Thompson (mellophone), Fayette County High; Phillip Hayes (marching baritone), Fayette County High; and Ryan Alli (sousaphone), Starr’s Mill High, were selected to be part of 125-member All-American Marching Band from hundreds of nominations received across the nation.

The students experienced an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity rehearsing and performing alongside the finest high school marching musicians in the nation for four days. The U.S. Army All-American Bowl, produced by All American Games, features the nation’s top high school senior football players and marching musicians.

The selection process is twofold. Music teachers nominate students who exhibit exceptional musicianship, marching achievement, character, and leadership. Nominees are then invited to submit an application and audition materials to the National Association of Music Education for selection.

Selected students have all of their expenses paid to participate, perform, and be recognized for their exceptional music accomplishments.

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Watch Superintendent Bearden’s Message to the Community

Dr. Jeffrey Bearden, new superintendent of Fayette County Public Schools, shares his professional background, and first impressions and future goals for the school system in a six-minute video that is currently airing on Comcast Cable Channel 24 and on demand at the FCBOE website, www.fcboe.org.

Comcast Cable subscribers can watch the video at the top and half of each hour, seven days a week, by tuning into Channel 24, the school system’s educational channel.

Non-cable subscribers, or those who prefer to watch the video at their convenience, can do so through the school system’s official website, www.fcboe.org, or by using the following link: http://74.50.2.149/DR_BEARDEN-title0.mp4.

Viewers will need QuickTime Media Player to watch the video; a free download is available at www.apple.com. Macintosh computer owners should use either Firefox or Opera web browsers; Safari is not compatible with the video.

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Celebrate National Mentoring Month, Become a Mentor

January is National Mentoring Month and the Fayette County School System’s Friends Mentoring Program is inviting the community to get involved.

Just about all of us have been touched by a special individual who encouraged and guided us and left a lasting impact on our lives. That person might be a parent, teacher, older sibling or perhaps a volunteer who spent time each week offering homework help, a listening ear, or words of encouragement. No matter what their relationship, they are all mentors.

During National Mentoring Month, those who were shaped by the mentors in their lives are invited to pay it forward by becoming a participant in the Friends Mentoring Program. Mentors meet weekly one-on-one with their students at school for one hour. The program focuses on assisting children in developing relationship skills, building positive life skills and improving academic proficiencies.

Thank Your Mentor Day will be celebrated on January 25. On that day, the community is encouraged to reach out and thank those who have made a difference in their lives. Ways to honor a mentor include contacting him or her directly to express appreciation, pass it on by becoming a mentor to a child or making a financial donation to a local mentoring program.

Many mentors with Friends have been involved in the program for years. Volunteers have selflessly given of their time and talents to help students at all school levels flourish and become productive both inside and outside the school setting.

If you are willing to commit one hour per week to helping a child at one of Fayette’s schools, or if you want to make a donation to the Friends Mentoring Program, contact Jane Gough at the LaFayette Educational Center, 770-460-3990, ext. 255.

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Transition Fair for Students with Disabilities

The transition from adolescence to adulthood is a time of anticipation, excitement, confusion and anxiety for students of all backgrounds and abilities. These emotions are often amplified for families of students with disabilities.

Students with exceptionalities and their families sometimes face challenges in identifying resources in the community that can help them meet their needs and achieve their goals after graduation. That is why the Fayette County School System’s Exceptional Children’s Department and ExceptionalOps are hosting a Transition Fair called “Building Alliances” at Rivers Elementary on January 11 from 7-9 p.m. Admission to the fair is free.

The purpose of the fair is to provide information about services that are available in the community. Local organizations that provide services for students with disabilities, whether they are still in school or transitioning out, will be on hand to discuss the assistance they offer and how they can help meet the various needs of disabled students and adults. Support and advocacy groups, employment preparation, vocational rehabilitation, supported living agencies, tutoring, private schools and recreation are a few examples of the services that will be exhibited.

For more information about the fair, contact Linda Williams, Fayette County Public Schools Exceptional Children’s Services, 678-796-5695.

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Late night party leads to 10 arrests for underage possession

The Fayetteville Police responded to a loud party complaint early Thursday, December 30, 2010 and arrested 10 people for underage possession of alcohol.

Fayetteville Police received the call at approximately 2:00AM at the Swan Brook Apartments in Fayetteville. Upon their arrival, officers found several people inside and outside the party at 1003 Swan Brook Dr.

Officers issued breathalyzer tests to each of the party goers and the following 10 tested positive for alcohol consumption: Ashton Frederick Soles, 18 of Tallahassee, Florida; Devin Anthony Bengley, 18 of Fayetteville; Marcus Joseph Gilliam, 18 of Jonesboro; Matthew Dominique Benton, 18 of Jonesboro; Pierre L Bowles Jr, 19 of Fayetteville; Tamara Briana Grissom, 19 of Jonesboro; Moniqua Rowland, 20 of Hampton; Jessica Machelle Swan, 20 of Jonesboro; Terrell Hollis, 20 of Jonesboro.

Grissom was also arrested on an outstanding warrant out of Morrow. The suspects were all arrested and turned over to the Fayette County jail. The Fayetteville Criminal Investigations Division is also investigating the incident and there may be additional charges forthcoming against the apartment leasee.

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Winter/Spring 2011 Parks and Rec Registration Deadline Jan 21st

The Fayette County Parks and Recreation Department registration for the Winter/Spring 2011 brochure will be taken at the Activities House, 980 Redwine Road, Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The brochure can be obtained at the offices of the Fayette County Parks and Recreation Department, Administration Complex, Library, and school offices. To download brochures from the web site go to http://www.fayettecountyga.gov/parks_rec/brochure_parks.asp. Early registration is encouraged as these programs fill up fast and transportation is limited on the adult trips.

COURSE CODES NEW 2011! New this year is course codes that have been assigned to each program. Please use the code that corresponds with the title of the program when you register online, by phone, by mail, or when you walk-in. Tree climbing, table tennis, massages, and archery still required everyone to register by mail or walk-in.

BOYS AND GIRLS YOUTH TRACK PROGRAM

BOLT TRACK PROGRAM Course # W11001

This program is designed to teach the sport of track and field, promote youth physical fitness, and provide fun learning experiences. This program is a recreation based program that is open to runners of all abilities.

Day: Practices on Tuesday and Thursday Nights
Meets on Saturdays
Date: Practices begin February 1
Time: 6:15 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.
Fee: $100 per person
Age: 7 – 14 (as of December 31, 2011)
Location: McCurry Park Track

Birth Certificates and Proof of Residency required prior to the GRPA District Track Meet. Anyone participating in middle school track will not be allowed to advance to the GRPA District or State Track Meet. Non-Fayette County residents will not be allowed to advance to the GRPA District or State Track Meet.

Deadline to register will be January 21, 2011 by 5:00 p.m.
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Missing 12-Year Old Child

On December 28, 2010 Fayette County Sheriff’s Office began investigating a missing person’s case which involved the disappearance of a 12 year old Hispanic female, Isabeth Yanez, of Fayette County.

Yanez was reported missing by her parents on December 28 at approximately 6:00 AM. Yanez was last seen at her Fayette County home on December 27, 2010 wearing light colored blue jeans, white shirt and a black jacket. Yanez has long brown hair, 5’02” tall and weighs approximately 115 lbs.

Fayette County Investigators believe Yanez may be in the company of Simon Quintana Guiterrez, a 20 year old Hispanic male.

Fayette County Investigators thought it was likely that Yanez and Guiterrez may be traveling in a loaned red 1996 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible bearing Georgia license plate BMH 2049. On December 30 the red 1996 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible was recovered at the Publix grocery store on South Hwy 74, in Peachtree City.

Fayette County Investigators believe that Yanez and Guiterrez are currently located in a city near Acapulco, Mexico. Fayette County Investigators are working with the local Mexican authorities, the United States Marshals Service and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to locate the missing child.

If anyone has any contact with these individuals please notify Detective E. Harper at the Fayette County Sheriff Office 770-716-4763 / eharper@fayettecountyga.gov

Fayette County 4-H Rifle Club Registration

Fayette County 4-H Youth Air Rifle Club will hold registration for the Winter/Spring 2011 season on January 15th at 10:00am in Suite 210 of the Fayette County Administrative Complex. Parent’s interested in learning more about the programs that will be offered for youth age 9 through 12th Grade are encouraged to attend this informative session. The 4-H Project S.A.F.E. Program objectives are to enhance youth development of self-concept, character and personal growth through safe, educational and socially acceptable involvement in shooting activities. The program consists of both a 5 meter BB Gun program and a 10 meter Olympic-style Air Rifle program for the older youth. For more information, contact the County Extension Coordinator, Craig Gross, at 770.305.5135 or visit the club’s website at www.eteamz.com/fcss.