Lights and Sirens

Winds cause havoc, damage in Coweta

A fast-moving storm packing high winds made its way through Coweta County the evening of March 18. The storm damaged half a dozen homes and downed numerous power lines and trees but resulted in no injuries.

Coweta County Emergency Management Agency Director Jay Jones said the Monday night storm resulted in more than 100 calls countywide reporting both trees and power lines downed by high winds. Jones said the storm also damaged six homes, Jones said, adding that damage occurred in locations around the county. Read More»

Monday hailstorm causes only minor damage in Fayette

A surprise hailstorm early Monday evening lasted for more than 10 minutes in downtown Fayetteville but it failed to do much damage countywide.

No injuries were reported due to the hailstorm, according to representatives of the Peachtree City and Fayette County emergency medical services.

There was no serious damage in Peachtree City, and the county only suffered a few downed trees that landed on power lines, officials said. 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.

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»

F’ville cop resigns after 2 women complain of groping

An investigation by the Fayetteville Police Dept. led to the mid-February resignation of Lt. Glen Askew based on the statements of two local women and Askew’s polygraph results that indicated deception. Read More»

As outside business ties are questioned, Fayette chief resigns

UPDATED for print Wednesday, March 13 — Fayette County Fire and Emergency Services Division Director Allen McCullough’s three decades with the county will come to an end in July, but his parting is under a cloud related to an alleged conflict of interest. Read More»

Left-lane laggards, new law coming up on your rear

A bill in the Georgia House of Representatives would give law enforcement officers more power to ticket drivers who travel in the left lane, obstructing the flow of faster vehicles approaching from behind. Read More»

Volunteer storm spotter training set for Coweta

Ever wonder how the National Weather Service gets all the severe storm information that is passed on to the public? One way is through communications with volunteer storm spotters. To that end, representatives from the Coweta County Emergency Management and the National Weather Service will present a SKYWARN Storm Spotter class on March 12. Read More»

Local faith groups challenged to aid in emergencies

Fayette County Fire Chief Tom Bartlett (L) points toward a table-top mock-up of a disaster area during the Fayette County Faith-based Disaster Network conference held Feb. 16 at Harp’s Crossing Baptist Church. Ga. Emergency Management Agency Director Charley English was the keynote speaker. More than 100 area residents from 18 churches attended. Photo/Ben Nelms.

When there’s a disaster, be ready to step up and help, the head of Georgia’s Emergency Management Agency challenged representatives of 18 local churches last week.

The reality that churches play a vital role in disaster response was reiterated by Ga. Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security Director Charley English. Read More»

Local citizens spearhead aid for Adairsville tornado victims

Residents of Adairsville will get a helping hand from Fayette County residents on Feb. 23 when a local group will caravan to the northwest Georgia town to bring needed items to the city after the area was hit by a devastating tornado Jan. 30. Read More»