A pair of Panthers are using their talents to make a difference for animals in need. Rising Starr Middle 8th graders Gracie Collins and Jillian Moore teamed up to publish a book that will benefit the Fayette County Animal Shelter. Written by Jillian and illustrated by Gracie, “The Adventures of Charlie and Joey” will be the first in a series of books they are calling “Peachtree City on a Leash.” The book details the adventures of their dogs Charlie and Joey through Peachtree City as the local celebrity, Manny the Manatee, drives them on his golden golf cart. Manny the Manatee is a mailbox near ..read more

While many students across the nation spent their spring break catching up on sleep or relaxing at home, the Whitewater High Band embarked on an unforgettable adventure abroad. Departing from Atlanta, students, parents, and staff eagerly boarded planes bound for the vibrant and culturally rich country of Spain. Their destination? The enchanting cities of Madrid, Valencia, Granada, and Toledo, each steeped in history and offering a tapestry of cultural experiences waiting to be explored. During their time in Spain, the band didn’t just sightsee; they fully immersed themselves in the local cultu ..read more

Ivette Whitehead shares her family’s blessings as the bookkeeper and principal’s secretary at Sara Harp Minter Elementary. In her dual roles, Whitehead keeps track of every financial move the school makes, along with handling any needs that arise for Principal Dr. Stacie Coppola. She tracks every transaction and schedules substitute teachers. She keeps Dr. Coppola’s schedule and helps plan fun events. “You know what? It keeps me busy,” joked Whitehead. Born in Nicaragua, political unrest forced her family from their home. Her father, a prominent lawyer and Christian leader, faced repeated thre ..read more

— Two-time Women’s World Cup Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Kelley O’Hara announces retirement from professional soccer; O’Hara played in four World Cups and three Olympics for the USA — CHICAGO (May 2, 2024) — Starr’s Mill High School star Kelley O’Hara, one of the grittiest defenders and fiercest competitors in U.S. Women’s National Team history, has officially announced her retirement from professional soccer, effective at the end of the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League season. Since appearing in her first Women’s World Cup in 2011, O’Hara played in every senior world championship fo ..read more

Last week I mentioned that we have come upon testing season in our schools. However, it’s also election season, which is always an interesting time in Fayette County. This month, the Republican and Democrat parties will hold primary elections to select their candidates to compete in the November general election. While there are three school board positions up for consideration this November, only one sitting school board member, Chairman Scott Hollowell, has primary opposition in the coming Republican primary. The winner of that race as well as board members Brian Anderson and Randy Hough wil ..read more

Motorists sometimes go to great lengths to keep from being identified and pulled over by police. It almost never works. According to reports, a motorcyclist escaped from law enforcement during a chase but turned himself in a few days later to face a number of charges after he was positively identified and faces warrants for his arrest. The short pursuit took place April 23 and began in a parking lot in the area of Hwy. 54 and Yorktown Drive, at which time the suspect successfully eluded deputies from the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies had tried to pull him over because he had no tag ..read more

A former Panther was the pick on the NFL’s biggest stage. Starr’s Mill High alum Cole Bishop was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the 2nd round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Bishop played defensive back for three seasons for the University of Utah before declaring early for this year’s draft. He joins fellow SMHS alum Sam Martin, a recent school Hall of Fame inductee, on the Bills. This marks the second-straight year a local alum has been selected high in the NFL Draft. Last year, Sandy Creek’s Brian Branch was picked in the 2nd round by the Detroit Lions. The post Starr’s Mill alum Bishop picked in ..read more

Sandy Creek High scored several wins at the Georgia National History Day Contest at LaGrange College. Neilah Bell and Kayla Walker won 1st place for Senior Group Performance; Alan Nguyen and Gerardo Aguilera won 1st place for Senior Group Website; and Zariyah Johnson, Taylor Gabriel, Jacobi Robinson, and Dillion Waters won 1st place for Senior Group Documentary. Deanna Walker placed 2nd for Senior Individual Performance. Chase Richardson, Blake Davis, Damion Hodrick, and Avery Moran placed 3rd for Senior Group Documentary. Deisy Anaya Plascencia and Glory-Victoria Fortuchang earned honorable m ..read more

The Inman Elementary Eagle Ensemble recently performed their spring musical “American Pop Forever.” The musical traced the history of American popular music from the 1950s to the 21st century. Under the direction of Patricia Banks and Wendy Harber, the young Eagles performed selections from Elvis, The Supremes, Karen Carpenter, Gloria Gaynor, Marvin Gaye, Survivor, Freedom Williams, Paula Abdul, Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, and more. The post Eagle Ensemble celebrates pop music appeared first on The Citizen ..read more

In front of a supportive standing room only crowd, the Fayette County Commission voted Thursday to file a lawsuit against Peachtree City Council to force a reopening of blocked Crabapple Lane. The council — at the request of some residents of Kedron Hills subdivision — more than two years ago blocked the road at the city limits so that both motor vehicles and golf carts could no longer access the road into the city. That caused some hardships to Tyrone residents who used that way into Peachtree City. The commission pointed out that no other such entrances into the city were blocked off from co ..read more