Fayette CountyNews INSIDE Cloud game-winner, THE TRUTH SINCE 1886 Allison’s 31 points highlight Whitewater-Starr’s Mill. B3 VOL. 149, NO. 9 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10 , 2021 $1.00 INSIDE: Fayette Views: What will your epitaph say? Part 2 A4 INSIDE: Black History Month: Jones lives to make a difference. B1 Fayetteville revisits marijuana ordinance BY ALEXANDER CAIN FAYETTE COUNTY NEWS [email protected] It may end up determining the difference between a person spending time in jail and going home with a few dollars less in his or her pocket. On February 4th, the Fayetteville City Council, as part of the agenda for its regular meeting, held the first of two public hearings and the first read- ing to make minor revisions on a local marijuana ordinance, known on the books as #0-14-20. Under the current ordinance, offenders young- er than 18 charged in the City of Fayetteville with possession of an ounce or less of marijuana are required to attend court with a parent or guard- ALEXANDER CAIN | FAYETTE COUNTY NEWS ian, can be fined $125 on a first offense and are Drivers wait to be tested for COVID-19. While testing in the area may be fairly easy to find, those wanting or needing a required attend a City-approved, eight-hour sub- vaccine could still find themselves waiting depending on how, when and where they choose to search. stance abuse prevention/intervention program. For adults 21 and older, there are similar fines and programs in place. A first offense lists as a $125 fine, while second and third offenses within 365 days of the original offense are currently list- COVID vaccines become competitive ed as $250 and $500, respectively. A city-approved, DVDSSRLQWPHQWVÀOOXSIDVW SEE MARIJUANA, PAGE A6 County Health Department’s Face- *DÀOPLQGXVWU\ /RFDO+HDOWK'HSDUWPHQWZRUNLQJZLWKVWDWHDQG book page stated that the appoint- ment line would re-open on Wednes- IHGHUDOJRYHUQPHQWWRUHDFKGHPDQGIRUYDFFLQHV day, February 3rd, to schedule first dose appointments, with the call UHWXUQVLQ DVUHVLGHQWVH[SUHVVFRQFHUQVWKURXJKVRFLDOPHGLD center open from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The appointment line was listed as BY ALEXANDER CAIN macies such as Publix, Kroger and (762) 888-8180. &29,'EDVHG FAYETTE COUNTY NEWS Ingles that have had difficulty keep- “We appreciate your patience as we [email protected] ing up with demand for the Covid keep working through this,” the post vaccine. Fayette County and Fayette- stated. ZRUOG On any normal day a visit to the ville, like many cities and counties What some Fayette County res- Publix in Fayetteville would mean in Georgia, have had trouble filling idents may not realize is that the having a grocery list in hand and a requests since vaccines became county does not necessarily control BY ALEXANDER CAIN search for ingredients to a family available. the number of doses or those who FAYETTE COUNTY NEWS dinner. But normal has a new mean- Meanwhile, on the testing side, the find themselves on a list to be vacci- [email protected] ing recently as concerns over the Fayette County Health Department nated. COVID-19 virus keep Fayette County on Stonewall Avenue continued to That’s the responsibility of the It’s the middle of the night. An explosion sends residents on edge. provide Covid tests as of the week State of Georgia, through the Geor- debris thirty feet into the air. Flames reflect Publix has been among the of February 5th each Tuesday and gia Department of Public Health, off of the broken glass on the ground. The glass companies that have stepped up in Friday from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. “at this District 4 Public Health. comes from an abandoned car nearby, the outside recent months to help provide public location until further notice”, ac- The D4PH covers 12 counties in covered with dents and scratches from vandals. vaccination for the Covid-19 virus. cording to its official Web site. Those Georgia, including Fayette County. Screams of anger and determination are heard Their pharmacy has provided op- interested in testing still need to go On February 2nd, the DPH stated all around as shadows and silhouettes of hu- tions through online appointments, through the State of Georgia De- on its Web site, https://www.dis- man beings can be seen hiding within the foggy provided individuals registering partment of Public Health using an trict4health.org/ , “We have made weather. meet the necessary qualifications set online screening questionnaire. appointments for all vaccine doses This was the scene of a recent movie filmed in by the federal government and the While testing in the area may be available. We will open the appoint- the downtown Atlanta area – but it could just as State of Georgia. fairly easy to find, those wanting or ment line again once more vaccine easily have taken place in Fayetteville at Trilith There’s just one major problem needing a vaccine could still find arrives”. Studios, now one of the larger and more estab- – finding an appointment time and themselves waiting depending on By February 4th, the site had lished studios welcoming Hollywood into the being able to access it. On Tuesday, how, when and where they choose to changed to read “We are preparing State of Georgia with open arms. February 2nd, Publix opened its search. for your 2nd dose” and linked to a list With the outbreak of the COVID virus in 2020, appointment access through its Web A check of the The Fayette County of locations and vaccination sites. studios such as Trilith tried to keep arms open site in the early hours of the morn- Web site, at www.fayettecountyga. If the search for information re- – but with no one able to accept the offer after ing. One Facebook user reported that gov/coronavirus_information.php , garding testing -- and later a possible the entertainment industry, like many other appointments – listed as the Publix on February 2nd had the site stating vaccine shot -- feels confusing, you industries in Georgia and around the country, locations on Pavilion Parkway and “We are completely out of vaccine are not alone. Local residents have shut down for business after the COVID outbreak Summit Point (along with a third and will not have the call center been reading through social media, soon became the center of attention. location in Peachtree City) – had open making appointments again media publications and the Internet Life only began to return to what would completely filled that same morning before Tuesday, Jan 19th.” in an attempt to find out who can become the new normal in early October. For by 6:20 a.m. That same day, however, a social It’s not just supermarket phar- media post through the Fayette SEE VACCINES, PAGE A2 SEE FILM, PAGE A7 Town of Tyrone shows off new home BY PAM DUFRESNE Leasing space was considered, but SPECIAL TO FAYETTE COUNTY NEWS Perkins said Town Council and staff realized it would be more feasible to build October 16, 2020, was a big day for the a custom solution to fit their needs. One Town of Tyrone. It was the day the town of those needs was to remain in the town moved into its new home. center. The idea for the new town hall was born After looking around and considering a in January 2018, Town Manager Brandon parcel near Handley Park office complex, Perkins recalled. He continued that they Perkins said they approached Harlie Dey- were talking about how the town had out- ton and asked if he would be willing to grown the former town hall. “We needed sell his front yard, which is located across more office space, and major repairs were PAM DUFRESNE | FAYETTE COUNTY NEWS needed to the building,” he said. SEE HOME, PAGE A3 Street view of the new Tyrone Town Hall. COMMUNITY A2-A7 FAYETTE VIEWS A4 CARTOONS/PUZZLE B2 A65BLACK HISTORY MONTH INSIDE HISTORY A5 SPORTS B3 OBITUARIES B1 CONTACT US: [email protected] • (770) 461-6317 • fayette-news.net A2 FAYETTE COUNTY NEWS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2021 City of Fayetteville seeking virtual input from residents and parts of Lafayette Avenue Photo Scavenger Hunt: Photo scavenger hunt, online design meeting this week and Grady Avenue are included, Take a photograph that corresponds with #MoreOfThisDowntown , for example...), the feedback from #LessOfThisDowntown or #MyFayettvilleFavorite and e-mail to LCI@ BY ALEXANDER CAIN tor of Community Development Fayetteville residents has no fayetteville-ga.gov with one of the themes in the subject line or share FAYETTE COUNT Y NEWS David Rast, local businesses, area borders or limits. In fact, the more on social media with the hashtags. [email protected] residents and many other individ- feedback the better, according to uals associated with the City of Brookins. ALSO: Mark your Calendar to help Fayetteville’s downtown realize its full The sidewalks of Fayetteville Fayetteville. “People are concerned about potential. Join the City on Thursday, February 11th, and Friday, February have seen a lot of foot traffic – but There will also be a Virtual traffic and managed growth. 12th for a Virtual Design Charrette with a little luck, it will see a lot Design Charrette – basically an Fayetteville is dynamic,” stated more in the future and the paths online meeting for discussion Brookins. “We’ve had opportuni- Learn more at https://www.fayettevillelcistudy.com/getinvolved will lead toward more parks, purposes – held on Thursday, Feb- ties to meet with some businesses, businesses and shops supporting ruary 11th and Friday, February and most are in favor for this— “themes” : #MoreOfThisDown- insight into the LCI study. the city. 12th.