Sowell – Page 82 – iftttwall

Rep. Westmoreland supports bipartisan budget deal

A new federal budget that would stave off a potential government shutdown early next year has won the support of local Congressman Lynn Westmoreland as it passed the U.S. House of Representatives last week.

While as of press time Tuesday the bill faces an unknown outcome in the Democrat-controlled Senate, Westmoreland said last week that the bipartisan budget deal brokered between the Republican and Democratic party leaders “is a step in the right direction.”

via The Citizen http://www.thecitizen.com/articles/12-18-2013/rep-westmoreland-supports-bipartisan-budget-deal

After holding office for 1 year, Bacallao to run for state school superintendent

Fayette County Board of Education member Mary Kay Bacallao has announced that she will resign her Post 2 seat in March to run for the soon-to-be open post of Georgia state school superintendent.

Bacallao made the announcement at the Dec. 6 meeting of the Ga. House Republican Caucus. The announcement came as Bacallao was participating on a panel debating the Common Core standards where, as is customary, she opposed the standards.

via The Citizen http://www.thecitizen.com/articles/12-18-2013/after-holding-office-1-year-bacallao-run-state-school-superintendent

Starr’s Mill graduation rate at 93%, FCHS at 78%

Fayette County schools customarily enjoy very high graduation rates and those rates rose for some again in 2013.

via The Citizen http://www.thecitizen.com/articles/12-18-2013/starr%E2%80%99s-mill-graduation-rate-93-fchs-78

Giving workers Dec. 23 off to cost Fayette $131,480

County and PTC offices to be closed; F’ville, Tyrone will stay open to public

Fayette County’s plan next week to add an extra paid holiday to the employees’ usual 10 will cost taxpayers $131,480, according to County Administrator Steve Rapson.

via The Citizen http://www.thecitizen.com/articles/12-18-2013/giving-workers-dec-23-cost-fayette-131480

Fayette teachers get 2-day pay bump

BoE restores $1.2 million to 2,200 employees; Sup’t. Barrow tells board system is ‘out of the fiscal hole’

via The Citizen http://www.thecitizen.com/articles/12-18-2013/fayette-teachers-get-2-day-pay-bump

Just in time for Christmas — Yellow blinkie traffic lights

Contractors installed a new yellow turn light system at the intersection of Ga. Highways 85 and 92 in Fayetteville Monday afternoon. The system consists of four arrows governing the left turn lanes: the obvious red “stop” and green “go” arrows, along with a solid yellow arrow that allows turn movements and a flashing yellow that allows left turns if traffic flow allows. The lights have also been installed at several other highway locations in Fayetteville on Hwy. 85 and Ga. Highway 314. Photo/John Munford.

via The Citizen http://www.thecitizen.com/articles/12-18-2013/just-time-christmas-%E2%80%94-yellow-blinkie-traffic-lights

‘Tis the season to show extra generosity

Did you hear about the secret Santas who are paying off Christmas layaways? Wal-Mart customers in San Leandro, Calif., were called and asked to pick up their layaways after they were paid off by a total stranger.

One customer was Elizabeth Cortez, who owed a balance of $111 when she got the surprise call.

“A good Samaritan just paid for you,” said the Wal-Mart employee.

“I’m like ‘What?’”

The stranger was waiting at the Wal-Mart counter, hoping to meet her.

via The Citizen http://www.thecitizen.com/blogs/dr-david-l-chancey/12-17-2013/%E2%80%98tis-season-show-extra-generosity

Religion Briefs 12/18/13

Brooks UMC hosts party
Brooks United Methodist church will host a Christmas dinner and party tonight, Wednesday, Dec. 18, at 5:45 pm. RSVP to 770-719-7593.

St. Paul’s Christmas program is tonight
The St. Paul Lutheran School’s Advent Christmas program will be presented at 7 p.m. tonight, Dec. 18. The church is at 700 Ardenlee Pkwy., Peachtree City. For information, call 770-486-3545.

Last Advent service to be held at WOG

via The Citizen http://www.thecitizen.com/articles/12-17-2013/religion-briefs-121813

Sharing food and warmth

Members of The Summit Church make 80 lunches each month and take them to the residents of The Pine Street Shelter in Atlanta. Last month when the lunches were delivered, Betty Janes noted that many of the homeless people had plastic bags on their feet because of a lack of socks and shoes. The church has since collected socks, hats and scarves and delivered them with the lunches on Dec. 12.

via The Citizen http://www.thecitizen.com/articles/12-17-2013/sharing-food-and-warmth

Hopewell will deliver gifts, collect donations, kick off new programs

Hopewell UMC members annually collect gifts for needy children in the area. Help is needed to deliver the gifts this Saturday, Dec. 21. Those willing to help deliver gifts can see Tom Wilson or contact the church office, 770-306-7537. The group will meet at the church approximately 8:30 a.m. to load up vehicles. Volunteers should be completed by 11 a.m.

via The Citizen http://www.thecitizen.com/articles/12-17-2013/hopewell-will-deliver-gifts-collect-donations-kick-new-programs