Category: Sowell

It has been 25 years since Fayetteville City Councilman Walt White was sworn in for the first time. One of two of the longest-serving council members in Fayette County, White declined to run this time around and will be ending his quarter-century on the council at the end of December.

Looking back over the years, White served during the time when Fayetteville was being transformed from a more rural town into the suburban city that exists today.

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via The Citizen http://www.thecitizen.com/articles/12-25-2013/f%E2%80%99ville-councilman-walt-white-retires-after-25-years

These employees from Fayette County’s public works department installed lighting on the historic Fayette County Courthouse in downtown Fayetteville last week. From their high (and precarious) perch they got an up-close look at the facility’s iconic clock tower. Photo/John Munford.

via The Citizen http://www.thecitizen.com/articles/12-24-2013/workers-we-have-seen-high

As of next spring, two of the five members of the Board of Education will never have faced the voters of Fayette County for the posts they hold.

That’s because for the second time in just over two years, the board will have a mid-term vacancy, and must appoint — not elect — a new member of the five-person board.

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via The Citizen http://www.thecitizen.com/articles/12-25-2013/another-appointed-boe-member-fayette%E2%80%99s-future

The Ga. Dept. of Public Health (DPH) on Dec. 11 confirmed that Georgia has seen its first flu-related deaths of the 2013-2014 flu season and is advising that people receive a vaccination.

“DPH has lab confirmation of two flu-related deaths in the state. These are the first confirmed flu-related deaths in Georgia this flu season. Both of the deceased were adults,” said DPH Media Relations Manager Nancy Nydam.

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via The Citizen http://www.thecitizen.com/articles/12-24-2013/first-confirmed-flu-deaths-reported-ga

Braelinn Elementary’s annual canned food drive was a huge success. A total of 1,524 cans were collected this year. Three agencies were sponsored this year including Fayette Samaritans, The Real Life Center, and Promise Place. Photo/Special.

via The Citizen http://www.thecitizen.com/articles/12-25-2013/braelinn-students-fill-santa%E2%80%99s-food-bag

The College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) as a vehicle for assessing overall student achievement is still new, but a Dec. 16 report to the Fayette County Board of Education showed that the scoring methodology is undergoing a change.

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via The Citizen http://www.thecitizen.com/articles/12-25-2013/fayette%E2%80%99s-method-assessing-students-changing

A policy adopted by state agencies more than two years ago is finally making its way to city and county traffic enforcement agencies in Georgia. Contacted about their compliance with the Georgia Open Roads policy, all Fayette County law enforcement agencies said the policy that calls for quickly clearing roadways for traffic after accidents is already part of their operational procedure.

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via The Citizen http://www.thecitizen.com/articles/12-24-2013/departments-adopt-open-roads-policy

A grumpy elf made a special appearance at the Bennett’s Mill Middle School band concert last week. Principal Jason Byars, playing out of character with a high-pitched voice, got some laughs as the band delighted the crowd with a performance of “The Grumpy Elf” among other holiday favorites. Photo/John Munford.

via The Citizen http://www.thecitizen.com/articles/12-25-2013/grumpy-elf-principal-performance

A Peachtree City man was sentenced Dec. 12 to five years in prison for robbing three local convenience stores this summer by pretending to wield a weapon underneath his clothes.

District Attorney Scott Ballard acknowledged that the negotiated plea deal for Clayton Wallace Thomas, 26, of Valley View Drive is lighter than customarily handed down in Fayette County for such a major felony.

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via The Citizen http://www.thecitizen.com/articles/12-25-2013/local-robber-gets-%E2%80%98lighter%E2%80%99-usual-prison-term

The sign for the new Fayetteville Elementary School went up recently and a group of students were joined by administrators in showing it off. The school was renamed when Fayetteville Intermediate School and Hood Avenue Primary were combined at the beginning of the school year. Pictured, from left, are Principal Kim Herron, McKenzie Floyd, Samantha Williams, George Williams, Jacob Hartley, Zelia Houston, Alex Houston, Michael Sattinger and Assistant Principal Lisa Howe. Photo/Ben Nelms.

via The Citizen http://www.thecitizen.com/articles/12-24-2013/%E2%80%98new%E2%80%99-school-gets-new-sign