Fayette County news. (Thomaston, GA) 2009-current, July 19, 2023, Image 1

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Newspaper Page TextChristian City Expansion Helps MoreYoung Adults Thrive, A3 Recent Ribbon Cuttings by Fayette Chamber oj Commerce, A5 | Meetings and Events, A3 THE TRUTH SINCE 1886 FAYETTE COUNTY (1) NEWS f ay ett e-news, net Vol. 151, No. 29 Wednesday, July 19, 2023 $1. Fayetteville PD Investigating Kidnapping, Shooting Death Fayetteville Police de tectives are investigating a reported Sunday night kidnapping at a Fay etteville restaurant that led to a shooting death in Clayton County, according to a release from Fay etteville Police Depart ment. Cameron Ja’Michael Hopkins, 20, of Albany, was arrested and charged by Fayetteville Police with kidnapping and aggra vated assault. He faces ad ditional charges by Clayton County PD in the shooting death of the al leged kidnap victim - his ex-girlfriend - who died after pursuit led law en forcement into Clayton. At approximately 11 p.m. Sunday, police re sponded to multiple 911 calls reporting that a man had entered the Wingstop restaurant on North Glynn Street (Highway 85 North) and kidnapped a female employee at gunpoint, ad vising that the suspect drove away with the victim in a red Chevrolet Camaro. Pursuit of the vehicle led police out of Fayette County and into Clayton County on McDonough Road. The suspect turned the vehicle into a Lovejoy High School driveway, where officers used the PIT maneuver to end the chase, according to the re port. Police reported then hearing multiple gunshots coming from the suspect’s vehicle, including several that struck a police vehicle. The suspect exited his ve hicle after Fayette County See Kidnapping, A6 Cameron Ja'Michael Hopkins Commissioners Debate Water System Acquisition Discuss Potential Changes to Nuisance Ordinances Members of the Fayetteville Police Department with their inaugural 2023 Guns and Hoses Charity Sand Volleyball Tourna ment trophy. Courtesy of FVPD FVPD Victorious in Guns and Hoses Charity Sand Volleyball Tournament Leah Banks Investigative Reporter leah@fayette-news.net On July 15, members of Fayetteville’s city hall, fire department, and police de partment took to the court to battle for the winning title during the 2023 Guns and Hoses Charity Sand Volleyball Tournament. At the end of the full- filled morning of competi tion, the Fayetteville Police Department won the inau gural trophy in a close competition among all three teams. The competition was not only won for bragging rights, but also to raise awareness and funds for The Eden Project, A War rior Foundation. The foundation, based in Fayetteville, is most rec ognized for assisting vet erans reintegrating into civilian life. According to the foundation’s website, its overall philosophy is to “create this holistic, multi disciplinary support net- See Guns & Hoses, A6 Luke Haney Editor lhaney@upsonbeacon.com In two 3-2 votes on July 13, commissioners approved two task orders to run approximately 2,200 feet of eight-inch water main to Stearman Road and Mayfair Lane at a cost of $420,940, which will give 15 residential properties access to the Fayette County water sys tem. At the request of com missioners, the county water system staff began investigating the possibil ity of acquiring private a water distribution system located throughout the county in 2016, finding that 12 private water sys tems exist within unincor porated Fayette County, which can be problematic in times of drought as the systems utilize ground water, according to county officials. To acquire a private water system, the county must gain consent/agree ment from too percent of those owning and using the system. County Manager Steve Rapson informed commis sioners that the 15 res idents on the system and the 10 owners of the sys tem agreed, with knowl edge that the county will assume costs associated with running water main, but homeowners are re sponsible for the cost of water lines from the road to their homes. Commissioners Eric Maxwell and Charles Rousseau both expressed concerns for cost of proj ects, adding 1,500 feet of water main on Stearman Road and 700 linear feet See Commissioners, A6 PTC Council Holds 2nd Public Hearing for $514 Million FY 2024 Budget Leah Banks Investigative Reporter leah@fayette-news.net In its July 13 meeting, the city council of Peach tree City held a public hearing to discuss the pro posed $51.4 million Fiscal Year 2024 budget and cap ital improvement plan. According to proposed budget documents, the primary focuses and top priority for the city is to maintain the “Four M’s” of manpower, money, ma chines, and materials. City Manager Robert Curnow began his presen tation by resuming the conversation held during the June 8 meeting re garding the financial, op erational, and environmental sustain ability provided through the budget. “It’s very important, as you move forward through the budget process, that you align your budget and your projects based on the mission of the city and the vision of the city,” Curnow said. Curnow, along with Peachtree City Financial Advisor Paul Salvatore, began to present each facet within the proposed budget, including the mil- lage rate, general fund revenue, and key compo nents for where proposed funds will be directed in the upcoming fiscal year. According to Salvatore, staff has no intention of in creasing the millage rate and intends to maintain the 6.043 percent rate as it has been in recent years. Curnow took over after Salvatore’s breakdown of the budget to discuss sus tainability projects that the staff has considered when drafting the budget, not shying away from inform ing the council and citizens that Peachtree City is not immune to inflation, which has been considered within these breakdowns. At the end of the pres entation, members of the city expressed their con cerns about the budget and financial allocations, while also looking toward ideas for development that could potentially take away from Peachtree City’s core values. Councilman Frank De- stadio led the charge on comments, praising efforts of city staff relating to the allocation of funds and po- See PTC Budget, A6 Tyrone DDA Moves Forward with Fire Station Redevelopment Leah Banks Investigative Reporter leah@fayette-news.net In a brief meeting on July 10, the Tyrone Down town Development Au thority approved short-list applicants and the scoring committee process related to a request for quote for redevelopment of the fire station. Assistant Town Man ager Philip Trocquet read the list of applicants who are interested in the proj ect, suggesting that the DDA approve the list. Following approval, Trocquet presented a request for the DDA to ap prove establishment of two independent three- member boards to make a more “equitable” process for applicants and members of the board. He emphasized that the date for committee members to consider applicants was July 19. “We don’t have to es tablish the members themselves. You can tell me to pick at random, and I can establish those two groups of three for when we do our interviews on the 19th,” Trocquet said. “But I did want to make that process formalized for approval before we go for ward on the 19th.” INSIDE: FAYETTE VIEWS SPORTS A4 LEGALS B1 SCHOOL B2 CLASSIFIEDS B6 OBITUARIES CONTACT US: support@fayette-news.net - (770) 461-6317 - fayette-news.net B6 A2 We Look Forward To Seeing You Soon! Open for Lunch and Dinner • Seven Days A Week 180 Hwy 314, Fayette, GA • 770.703.7514 • fridasbarandgrill.com f * M

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Fayette County news. (Thomaston, GA) 2009-current, July 19, 2023, Image 1