Board of Commissioners Special Called Meeting re: New District Maps

The Board of Commissioners of Fayette County will meet in a Special Called Meeting on Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 6 p.m. in the Public Meeting Room of the Fayette County Administrative Complex located at 140 Stonewall Avenue in Fayetteville.

The purpose of the meeting is to consider the reapportionment of County Commission Districts in Fayette County. The Board is expected to take an action in regards to this issue. The public is invited to attend.

View Proposed District maps:

2012 Proposed BOC 5 District Map

2012 Proposed BOC 3 District Map

Ladies Night at the Peachtree City Home Depot

I stopped in Home Depot a few days ago (they partnered with the Clothes Less Traveled to help get a donation of paint from Behr Paint) and was asked if I wanted to come to Ladies Night. Of course, my first question was "are you serving wine?". They're not, but they are serving food and drinks, plus they're giving away prizes!

What is Ladies Night at Home Depot? On Feb. 7th, 6 - 8 p.m., it's a FREE clinic on "How to Tile a Kitchen Backsplash". I am definitely going for this class! There will be representatives on-site to answer questions about products used also.

The only thing you have to be willing to do is email or call to reserve your space. Call Kevin Hawkins, Store Manager, at 678-364-0163 x 100 or email kevin_hawkins@homedepot.com.

How to Tile a Kitchen Backsplash
Tuesday, Feb. 7th
6 - 8 p.m.
Home Depot, Peachtree City
Prizes, Food & Drinks PLUS all ladies will receive a 10% Off coupon (max savings up to $50).

Murder suspect turns himself in...

On January 21 Fayette County Sheriff’s Investigators made an arrest in connection with a murder case on Greenview Circle that occurred on January 20, 2012. Investigators have arrested Jesus Ojeda Jimenez, 34, of Fayetteville charging him with Murder. Jimenez is currently in the Fayette County Jail where additional charges in the case may be forthcoming.

On January 20 Fayette County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to a domestic disturbance between Jimenez and his wife on Greenview Circle in north Fayette County. When Fayette County deputies arrived they discovered that Liliana Ruiz, 30, of Fayetteville had been fatally injured as a result of stabbing.

An eyewitness told Fayette deputies that the suspect in this case fled to a nearby residence. Acting on the eyewitness account, Fayette County deputies with the assistance of the Peachtree City Police Department and the City of Fayetteville Police Department established a perimeter around the residence.

Fayette County Sheriff’s Investigators worked with negotiators in an attempt to contact the suspect inside the nearby residence. Fayette County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team members with the assistance of the Peachtree City and Fayetteville Special Response Team (SRT) entered into the nearby residence and was unable to locate the suspect.

On January 21 Jimenez turned himself into the Fayette County Jail to answer to these charges. Family members of Jimenez played a crucial part to his voluntary surrender. Jimenez is currently cooperating with investigators as to the events which had transpired in this case.

Investigators are not releasing any additional information at this time due to the ongoing investigation.

Sad news, hearts go out to the family...

On January 20th, 2012, at approximately 12:26pm, Peachtree City Police Department and Peachtree City Fire Department responded to a residence on Teal Vista in the Planterra Ridge subdivision reference a 6 year old girl who had received an injury to her throat by a pellet that had been discharged from a pellet rifle.

Upon arrival, the child was unconscious and in very critical condition as a result of this wound. Peachtree City Fire Department transported her to the Piedmont Fayette Hospital in Fayetteville, where the child passed away as a result of the injury. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family as they cope with unfortunate accident. No further information will be released out of respect for the family.

Murder suspect on the loose...

On January 20, 2012 at approximately 7:52 PM Fayette County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to a domestic disturbance on Greenview Circle in north Fayette County. When Fayette County deputies arrived at 7:57 PM they discovered that a 30 year old Hispanic female had been fatally injured.

An eyewitness told Fayette deputies that the suspect in this case fled to a nearby residence. Acting on the eyewitness account, Fayette County deputies with the assistance of the Peachtree City Police Department and the City of Fayetteville Police Department established a perimeter around the residence.

Fayette County Sheriff’s Investigators worked with negotiators in an attempt to contact the suspect inside the nearby residence. At 9:49 PM Fayette County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team members with the assistance of the Peachtree City and Fayetteville Special Response Team (SRT) entered into the nearby residence and was unable to locate the suspect.

Fayette County Sheriff’s Office Investigators have obtained criminal arrest warrants on Jesus Ojeda Jimenez, 34, of Fayetteville charging him Murder in connection with this case. Fayette Investigators have reason to believe Jimenez has strong connections to Mexico.

Investigators are not releasing any additional information at this time due to the ongoing investigation.

If anyone has any additional information please notify Detective B. Rowan at the Fayette County Sheriff Office 770-716-4755 / brentr@fayettecountyga.gov

It's Kiwanis Pancake Time!

Over 150,000! That's the number of pancakes consumed by hungry participants over the past 19 years during Kiwanis Pancake Saturday. Now it's time to add to that number. On Saturday, January 28th the Kiwanis Club of Peachtree City presents its 20th Annual Pancake Saturday, touted by many as "Peachtree City's Premier Mid-Winter Social Event". Approximately 3000 persons are expected to attend.

The function will be held in the cafeteria of McIntosh High School on Walt Banks Road. Serving hours are from 7:00 AM until 1:00 PM. The ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT menu consists of fluffy pancakes, zesty sausage, orange juice, milk, coffee and tea. The cost is $6.00 per person. Kids under 3 eat for free. Takeouts are available as well as plenty of free parking. Tickets are available from Kiwanis members or may be purchased at the door. Should snow or ice conditions exist, the event will be held the following Saturday.

The occasion is a family affair with an emphasis on entertaining children. Of course adults will also have a great time visiting with friends and neighbors. Clowns from New Hope Baptist Church will make balloon animals and provide their usual antics for the guests. Helium-filled balloons will also be distributed by youthful volunteers. Free face-painting will be provided by Key Club members from area high schools. A pancake eating contest for kids under 12 will be held around 11:00 AM with the winner receiving a Target gift card. Flapjack the Raccoon, the Kiwanis mascot, will keep a close lookout for curious kids. Various Police and Fire Department vehicles will be parked outside for children (and adults, too) to investigate. Among the vehicles are fire trucks, the Public Education Unit fire safety bus, a police squad car, and the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) trailer.All profits generated by ticket sales will be returned to the area through charitable donations and community service projects. Among many projects oriented towards our youth, the Kiwanis Club is proud to be the sole sponsor of the D.A.R.E. drug awareness program for fifth graders in six Peachtree City elementary schools. The Kiwanis motto is "Serving The Children Of The World". To see photos from last year’s pancake extravaganza visit the following website: www.peachtreecitykiwanis.org.

Armed Robbery at Verizon Wireless

Two males wearing masks robbed the Verizon Wireless store located at 105 Promenade Parkway, Fayetteville, Georgia 30214.

On Thursday, January 12, 2012 at approximately 09:12, two black males wearing dark clothes and masks entered the Verizon Wireless store on Promenade Parkway.

The men displayed pistols and demanded phones. The men left the store with an undetermined number of cell phones.

They were seen getting into a white Kia or Hyundai with a red drive out tag. The car was last seen going north on Georgia Highway 85. There were no customers in the store at the time. No one was injured.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Fayetteville Police Department at 770-461-4441.

Martin Luther King Day Parade - Traffic Delays

Traffic delays are expected for the Martin Luther King Day Parade. The Fayetteville Police Department would like to advise motorists to expect traffic delays during the Martin Luther King Jr. Parade this Monday, January 16th. The parade, organized by the Fayette County branch of the NAACP, will take place between 11:00 A.M. and noon. The primary delays will be on Ga. Highway 85 southbound near downtown and Ga. Highway 54 westbound near downtown. The parade begins and ends it route at the Fayette County High School parking lot. If you have any question, you may contact Major Kevin Gooding, Patrol Division Commander @ (770)719-4202.

Fayette Sheriffs Make Undercover Drug Bust

Fayette County Sheriff’s Office Tactical Narcotic’s Team (TNT) Investigators made an arrest on January 9, 2012 in connection with an undercover drug buy on North Lake Drive that occurred earlier that day. TNT Investigators have arrested Reese J. Neely, 26, of Peachtree City, and charged him with Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Cocaine and Sale of Methamphetamine.

This case involved an undercover TNT investigator purchasing approximately (1) gram of methamphetamines from Neely in a parking lot located on North Lake Drive in Peachtree City. Neely was taken into custody after the methamphetamines were purchased for $120.00 by the TNT investigator. After taken into custody, Neely was found to be in possession of an additional (1) gram of methamphetamine and (1) gram of crack cocaine.

Fayetteville Police Nab Griffin Man for Burglary

On January 7, 2012 Fayetteville Police arrested Stephen Michael Jones, 21 of Griffin, after receiving a call from an alert citizen about a suspicious person in the Lakeside on Redwine subdivision. Fayetteville patrol officers responded to the area and spotted Jones pushing a bicycle which was later confirmed to have been stolen from a residence in the subdivision. Jones dropped the bicycle and fled on foot but was captured shortly after in a pick up truck he had hidden for his escape. Jones was also found in possession of numerous other items he had taken from the home. Jones is charged with Burglary, Loitering and Prowling, and Obstruction. Fayetteville Police are investigating the possibility that Jones has been involved in other crimes in the area.

School Board Agrees to District Voting

After a careful review of all of its options, the Board of Education has taken steps to resolve the litigation filed by the NAACP and local citizens. Under the existing local constitutional amendment, which has been in place since 1970, the board is responsible, after every census, for revising election districts from which board members are selected. The plan developed and unanimously approved by the board for the new districts has been agreed to by the plaintiffs in the lawsuit and provides for districts that are compact and follow existing voting precinct lines to the maximum extent possible while still meeting the requirements of the Constitution that each voter be equally represented.

The board has also agreed to ask the court to enter a consent order that will change the election of board members from an at-large process to one where the voters of each election district elect their own representative. In making this decision, the board realizes that there are valid and convincing policy arguments on both sides of this position and they have heard from constituents favoring both sides. But after considering those arguments, the advice of its legal counsel, and the cost of the litigation in this time of financial austerity facing the school district, the board is convinced that this is the right action for the school district and the community.

False Alarm Ordinance

The City Fayetteville will be implementing a false alarm ordinance.

The Fayetteville Police Department answered 2066 police-related alarm calls in 2011. 1656 of those alarms, approximately 80%, were false activations, the result of operator error or a malfunctioning alarm system. The alarm call numbers for 2009 and 2010 also consistently show that 75% - 80% of the alarms that the Fayetteville Police Department responds to are false activations.

Response to alarm calls represents a significant expenditure of police resources. It only makes sense that real time and money could be saved if alarm system users were more aware of this problem and took steps to prevent false activations. The City of Fayetteville has drafted an ordinance that will address the false alarm problem by requiring the responsible involvement of alarm users and alarm companies.

The first public reading of the proposed false alarm ordinance will be at next week's Fayetteville City Council meeting at 7:00 PM on January 19th, 2012.

If you use an alarm system at your business or private residence it is important that you know about the new ordinance. The Fayetteville Police Department will advertise important dates and opportunities to learn about the ordinance requirements in the next several weeks.

If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact Major Kevin Gooding, Patrol Division Commander at (770)719-4202.

Free Parenting Seminar “Raising Christ-Like Kids in a Crazy World”

Free Parenting Seminar “Raising Christ-Like Kids in a Crazy World” featuring author and national speaker Jeff Reed on Saturday, January 21st from 9 AM – 12 Noon at Peachtree City United Methodist Church, 400 Windgate Road, Peachtree City, GA 30269. Free childcare provided. For information or questions, contact Brian Loper at 770 487-6499. www.ptcumc.org

Peachtree City Library to Close over MLK Jr. Weekend

Peachtree City Library will be closed from Friday, January 13 through Monday, January 16, due to a major upgrade to the PINES system. Georgia Public Library Service (GPLS) plans to shutdown their servers Thursday evening in order to perform the upgrade over the MLK Jr. weekend. PINES will be "offline" - meaning both staff and patrons will be unable to access the circulation system or catalog during that time.

Library patrons are asked to refrain from returning materials in the book drop until the library reopens on Tuesday, January 17. No late fees will accrue over the weekend.

For more information, contact Peachtree City Library at 770-631-2520 or visit us on the Web at www.peachtree-city.org/library