Peach Buzz

News of interest about Peach County, its government, its businesses and the people who make it a great place to live and work.

Fall Sports Registration


The Peach County Parks & Recreation Department will have FOOTBALL, SOCCER, AND CHEERLEADING Registration from August 9th through August 13th. Mark your calendars and don't let the deadline of August 13th get by.
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For more details, CLICK HERE


Posted by: Malinda Counselman on Jun 29, 2010
Last Modified by: Malinda Counselman on Jun 29, 2010

2010 Baseball/Softball Fan of the Year


It's up to adults to teach kids that it's not whether you win or lose, but good sportsmanship is how you play the game. Good sportsmanship is demonstrated when you show respect for yourself, your teammates, and your opponents, for the coaches on both sides, and for the referees, judges, and other officials. This is exactly what Raymond and Beth Davis displayed throughout the Peach County Parks & Recreation Department’s 2010 Baseball Season, earning them the “Fan of the Year” award.
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Also pictured with Raymond and Beth Davis are their son, Noah Davis, who played for the GEICO-Gegogeine Agency in the 9-10 Boys Baseball League, and the Peach County Parks and Recreation Athletic Director, David Parrish. As part of this award, The Davis Family will receive one paid in full registration fee for any future Peach County Youth Recreation Athletic Program.

 


Posted by: Malinda Counselman on Jun 17, 2010
Last Modified by: Malinda Counselman on Jun 17, 2010

County Hosts Open House at Expanded NPP

Peach County Board of Commissioners Chairman Martin Moseley, as well as other Commissioners and Peach County staff, will unveil the recent improvements at North Peach Park today at 3:15 p.m. in Byron.
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The expanded park includes a new playground, splash pad, 1.5 miles of additional walking trails, four tennis courts, two T-Ball fields, picnic shelters, parking areas and new irrigation and wells.
 

This park expansion was made possible through Special Purpose Local Options Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds and Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and Trails Grants.

 

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Posted by: Rich Bennett on Apr 30, 2010
Last Modified by: Rich Bennett on Apr 30, 2010

2010 Baseball/Softball Season


The Peach County Parks and Recreation Department’s 2010 Youth Baseball/Softball program was comprised of 616 youth, ages 5-15. This year we had seven leagues with a total of 40 teams. T-Ball, a training league with no scoring, had four Fort Valley Teams and six Byron teams. Coach Pitch had 9 Peach County Teams. Baseball had seven teams in 9-10 Boys , four teams in 11-12 Boys, and two teams in 13-15 Boys. The 13-15 Boys were entered in the Warner Robins Recreation League. There were three 9-10 Girls Slow Pitch and four 11-13 Girls Fast Pitch Softball teams. All leagues except T-Ball are Peach County teams with no Fort Valley and Byron divisions.
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Each T-Ball participant  will receive a medal at the end of the season. The first place team in all other leagues will receive individual trophies. First and Second Place Champs of an end-of-the season tournament will also receive individual trophies.

CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINKS FOR MORE:

TOURNAMENT CHAMPS:

 

TOURNAMENT BRACKETS:

 

LEAGUE CHAMPS:

FINAL GAME STANDINGS

 

GAME SCHEDULES:

RULES:

PHOTO GALLERIES:

SPECTATORS CODE OF ETHICS

 

 


Posted by: Malinda Counselman on Apr 26, 2010
Last Modified by: Malinda Counselman on Jul 6, 2010

Candidate Qualifying Completed in Peach


Political Party qualifying will be conducted in the office of Elections & Registration at the Courthouse in Fort Valley,from Monday, April 26 through Thursday, April 29 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Friday, April 30 from 9 a.m. to Noon.
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Elections Supervisor Michelle Riley and IT Manager Rich Bennett  announced today that qualifying information for Board of Commissioners and Board of Education candidates for the July 20, 2010 General Primaries will be updated in real time on the Peach County Website. 

Candidates for Board of Commissioners are:

  • Post 2
    • Walter Leon Smith, Democrat - Incumbent 
  • Post 4
    • Martin H. Moseley, Jr., Republican - Incumbent

 

Candidates for Board of Education are:

  • Post 2
    • Jamie J. Johnson, Democrat - Incumbent
  • Post 4
    • Robert (Butch) Hammack, Republican
  • Post 5
    • Mike Gilstrap, Democrat
    • Donald Williams, Democrat

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Posted by: Rich Bennett on Apr 26, 2010
Last Modified by: Rich Bennett on Apr 30, 2010

Cub Scout Clean Up at North Peach Park

Pack 620 of Byron
Pack 620 of Byron
HOW MANY CUBS DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE A DIFFERENC IN OUR COMMUNITY? JUST ONE PACK Cub Scout Pack 620 gathered at North Peach Park in Byron to work and play on Saturday, March 27th. Cub Master Brian Wardlaw, Den Leader Bill Childs, and several Pack members spent their morning, collecting litter and fallen limbs in and around all of the ball fields and play areas. Family members also pitched in, from toddlers to adults. The fruits of their labor are shown in the picture at the right.
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Although the Scouts had fun “working”, a grill-out and friendly baseball game followed their community service. Cubs pictured above are  LANDON ALLEN, DANIEL BELCHER, PAYTON CHILDS, JONAH DAY, BRANDON DEESE, ETHAN HARPE,  CHASE PENDLETON, GAGE SEARCY, TREY SHERRILL, BRYAN SMITH, LOGAN SMITH, KHYLER WARDLAW, JOSEPH WRIGHT. Sub-Cubs are  TRINA SHERRILL and BRADY DEESE. Peach County Parks & Recreation appreciates Pack 620 for their part in keeping our parks clean and beautiful.

 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PHOTO GALLERY


Posted by: Malinda Counselman on Apr 1, 2010
Last Modified by: Malinda Counselman on Apr 2, 2010

County building new Fire\EMS station


The Peach County Fire Department has started construction on its newest fire/EMS station after months of delays due to inclement weather. The new station on Hwy. 341 North, adjacent to the nearly-completed Hunt Elementary School,. will be designated as Station 6, but officially known as the Peach County Public Safety Complex.
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Like Stations 1 and 3, this station is being built nearly entirely by Peach County full-time and volunteer firefighters for an estimated $500,000. The new station is being funded by the 2008 SPLOST.The 19,975 square foot facility is twice as big as the department’s current new stations on Willow Lake Rd. and in Powersville
 
The Peach County Board of Education donated four acres to the county for the building site near the Buddy Reddick bypass, allowing easy access to most parts of the city and county.
 
This station will house the emergency management agency headquarters as well as emergency medical service personnel and firefighters. 
 
EMS will relocate from the old Peach County Jail built in 1925. The Jail was the first building constructed by Peach County after it was founded in 1924. The EMS portion of the Station will have three drive through bays, offices, living quarters, a day room and a shared kitchen and bathrooms.
 
The Fire Department will have five drive through bays as well as living quarters, a day room, kitchen and office space. The second story will house training facilities for both departments, offices, storage and a second kitchen. The fire department is moving from a 1,500 square foot building into this state-of-the-art public safety complex.
 
By Special Correspondent James Khoury

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Posted by: Rich Bennett on Feb 25, 2010
Last Modified by: Rich Bennett on Feb 25, 2010

2010 Basketball Fan of the Year


"CAUGHT IN THE ACT" - Ms. Ronica McKibben of Fort Valley, GA, was caught cheering and encouraging players of the opposing team from her daughter during the Peach County Parks and Recreation Youth Basketball Season! Her positive attitude, encouragement, and display of good sportsmanship earned her the “Fan of the Year” award for the 2010 Basketball Season.
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Also pictured with Ms. McKibben is her daughter, Shirionna McKibben who plays for Tapatio Mexican Restaurant (Coached by Elliot Colson) and David Parrish, Peach County Parks and Recreation Athletic Director.  As part of this award Ms. McKibben has received one paid in full registration fee for any future Peach County Youth Recreation Athletic Program.     


Posted by: Malinda Counselman on Feb 25, 2010
Last Modified by: Malinda Counselman on Feb 25, 2010

2010 Baseball/Softball Registration


The Peach County Parks and Recreation Department will hold youth baseball/softball registration from March 1st through March 12th. You may register your child at the Recreation Department in Fort Valley located at the Old Hunt School on Spruce Street Monday through Friday from 2:30pm until 5:00pm, or in Byron at North Peach Park from 3:00pm until 5:30pm, Monday through Friday.
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FEES:  ages 5-8 is$30.00 per child; ages 9-16 is$40.00 per child; and Adult Softball ages 16+ is $45.00.

 

OUT OF COUNTY FEE FOR ALL AGES IS

$96.00.

 

Parents must sign a consent form which is available at the Recreation Department. Any child that does not have a birth

 certificate on file at the Recreation Department must provide one at the time of registration.

 

MUST HAVE BIRTH CERTIFICATE TO REGISTER

 

The age control date for all leagues in Baseball and Softball is May 1, 2010 (Exception: Four Year Olds turning 5 by September 1, 2010 will be eligible for T-Ball). T-Ball games will not be scored. This will be a training league. Trophies will be given to all T-Ball team players.


Posted by: Malinda Counselman on Feb 8, 2010
Last Modified by: Malinda Counselman on Feb 8, 2010

Basketball News

2009 Basketball
2009 Basketball
Peach County Parks & Recreation has 90 participants in the 2010 Youth Basketball Program. There are 4 teams in the 6-8 Year Old League and 6 teams in the 9-11 Year Old League. All teams are coed.The game season will begin January 25th.
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For more info, click on the links below:
 

TOURAMENT RESULTS 6-8 League 9-11 League
GAME SCHEDULES
  6-8 League  9-11 League
GAME RESULTS  6-8 League  9-11 League
WEEKLY STANDINGS  6-8 League  9-11 League
RULES  6-8 League  9-11 League
PHOTO GALLERY
  6-8 League  9-11 League
PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT   
All Leagues
TOURNAMENT BRACKETS  6-8 League  9-11 League
TOURNAMENT RESULTS  6-8 League  9-11 League

 

 

Thanks to all of our Sponsors and Volunteer Coaches that make this program possible.


Posted by: Malinda Counselman on Dec 22, 2009
Last Modified by: Malinda Counselman on Mar 2, 2010

Peach County Breaks Ground on New Jail

Sheriff Terry Deese
Sheriff Terry Deese
Work began this week on a long-awaited project to renovate the Peach County Law Enforcement Center and expand the county's aging jail from 64 to 189 beds, according to Sheriff Terry Deese.
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In addition to being too small for the average daily inmate census, Deese said the current 20-year-old jail is in "serious need of repair." He said the roof on the existing jail has leaked constantly since the facility opened and the structure has suffered major damage from those leaks.
 
Sheriff Deese said, "Because of the lack of space, we have been forced to send inmates to jails outside the county in recent years ... and we've had to pay extra to house those prisoners. Coupled with the ever-increasing cost of upkeep in the current building, this new facility will not only relieve our overcrowding, it should reduce our maintenance costs."
 
Planning for the $9.8 million project started nearly two years ago after approval of the 2008 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax. Sheriff Deese estimated the new facility will be completed in about two years.













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Posted by: Rich Bennett on Dec 5, 2009
Last Modified by: Rich Bennett on Feb 25, 2010

County adds trucks to fire department

Johnathan Burgasser, Ryan Roberts, Cheif Jeff Doles, Blake Doles, Alan Whittington, Tim Bechtel
Johnathan Burgasser, Ryan Roberts, Cheif Jeff Doles, Blake Doles, Alan Whittington, Tim Bechtel
FORT VALLEY — The Peach County Fire Department recently rolled out two new $293,000 engines — a long way from the sole fire knocker the department had when it was created 34 years ago.
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The department didn’t even have a building in which to house the fire knocker, a refurbished state forestry truck used to knock down brush with a water pump attached, said Jeff Doles, Peach County fire chief and Emergency Management Agency director.
The Peach County Fire Department was established in 1975 as an all-volunteer force, according to Peach County’s Web site. Back then, the Methodist Church in Powersville provided a small plot of land to park the truck, said Doles, 48, who left the Peach County Fire Department in 1983 to fight fires for Fort Valley and pursue other endeavors before returning as Peach County fire chief in 1995. In the ’70s, the first firefighting classes for Peach County’s volunteers were taught in a Sunday School classroom in the church, Doles said.
So it is not surprising that when the new, shiny, red fire trucks were brought home this month, Peach County firefighters were excited.
“I’m ecstatic about them,” said Assistant Chief Tim Bechtel, who was among the firefighters who traveled to Lyons, S.D., to take delivery of the new trucks. “It’s been a while since we’ve gotten something new.”
Peach County firefighters are known for their thriftiness and abilities to transform vehicles and build stations. One of the brush trucks, for example, was converted by firefighters from its original function as a Fort Valley garbage truck, Doles said. Firefighters purchased a 1,500 gallon tanker from military surplus for $300.
“We work hard at being good stewards,” Doles said.
The Peach County fire station in Powersville is valued by insurance adjustors at $990,000 but cost $289,000 to build because firefighters did most of the work themselves, Doles said.
“We are just blessed with great personnel,” Doles said. His combination force of 60 paid and volunteer firefighters includes electricians, plumbers and steel fabricators, he said.
The next project for firefighters is construction of a new public safety building along Ga. 341 that will house firefighting headquarters and the Peach County Emergency Medical Service.
About $475,000 is earmarked from a special purpose local option sales tax for the new building, but Doles said he expects it will be valued at close to $1.2 million once completed. The tremendous cost savings is once again attributed to the skills and volunteer labor of firefighters.
Today, the department’s fleet includes seven fire engines, a dozen tankers, four brush trucks, two air and light support trucks, a 111-foot ladder truck and one snorkel (bucket) truck, Doles said. The department has six stations and covers about 151 square miles.
But there’s nothing like new equipment, especially two new fire trucks, to stir up morale. “When firefighters find out they have a new toy, it helps them to rise up more,” Bechtel said.
One truck was purchased with SPLOST money. The other was bought with departmental funds.
The engines replace a 1982 fire truck and a 1989 fire truck. One of the older trucks has been sold to Taylor County.
Alfred Edwards, 33, used to drive one of the older trucks.
“That one’s mine,” Edwards said with a smile as he pointed to Engine 3, one of the new trucks. He especially likes the GPS. He also likes the air conditioning.
Edwards already has taken Engine 3 out for a test drive.
“It’s like driving a Cadillac,” Edwards said.
The new trucks are equipped with 1,000-gallon water tanks and are capable of pumping 1,250 gallons a minute. As a result, Doles said, “We can deliver more water to the fire quicker.”
The fire trucks have larger cabs and other distinguishing features — primarily because they are custom-built, unlike older trucks that were built as shell trucks to serve multiple purposes, Doles said.
The bigger cab allows a better view of traffic and can carry six firefighters instead of two. The seats are built so that firefighters sit down and buckle up into fire fighting gear mounted on the seats.
Another feature is a center control panel on a platform between the cab and the back of the truck. The control panel on the older trucks was on a side of the truck — often placing a firefighter at the controls with his back to oncoming traffic at a fire scene. The same firefighter often would have to run around to the other side of the truck to be able to see the full fire scene, Doles said. Now, the firefighter at the controls can see the entire fire scene from atop the truck where he is also protected.
“These are very functional trucks,” Doles said. “They don’t have a lot of bells and whistles on them.”
But there is one on each truck: a fire bell. It no longer has a string attached as in days gone by, but it is a shiny silver bell nonetheless.
“We’ve got to have one for the parade,” Doles said with a smile. “It’s just not a fire truck without a bell.”

--Becky Purser, The Sun News

 

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Posted by: Rich Bennett on Nov 20, 2009
Last Modified by: Rich Bennett on Nov 20, 2009

Fall Sports News


Recreation Football, Cheerleading, and Soccer are well underway in Peach County. 2009 Fall Sports Registration resulted in the development of 14 Football, 11 Cheerleading, and 8 Soccer teams. Game Season began on October 5th. Click on the following links for additional information such as registration statistics, game schedules, rules, results and standings, etc.:
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(If you have trouble with the links, please cut and paste the url provided.)

v  TOURNAMENTS

§  SUPER BOWL CHAMPS           www.peachcounty.net/files/Dept33_09fssbweb.pdf

§  PEACH CUP CHAMPS           www.peachcounty.net/files/Dept33_09fspcweb.pdf

§  BRACKETS                         www.peachcounty.net/files/Dept33_Brackets1.pdf

 

v  RESULTS & STANDINGS

§  LEAGUE CHAMPS       www.peachcounty.net/files/Dept33_09fsleaguechampsweb.pdf

§  FINAL STANDINGS           www.peachcounty.net/files/Dept33_09FSSTNDS.pdf

§  GAME RESULTS                     www.peachcounty.net/files/Dept33_09FSRESULTS.pdf

v  GAME SCHEDULES

§  6-8 SOCCER                 www.peachcounty.net/files/Dept33_gameschedule68soc.pdf

§  9-12 SOCCER              www.peachcounty.net/files/Dept33_gameschedule912soc.pdf

§  6-8 FOOTBALL            www.peachcounty.net/files/Dept33_09FSSoccerrules.pdf

§  9-11 FOOTBALL         www.peachcounty.net/files/Dept33_gameschedule911ftb.pdf

§  CHEERLEADERS USE APPROPRIATE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

§  WEEKLY SCHEDULE OF ALL GAMES   www.peachcounty.net/files/Dept33_MSTSCH.pdf

v  RULES

§  6-8 & 9-12 SOCCER                   www.peachcounty.net/files/Dept33_09FSsoccerrules6-12.pdf

§  6-8  FOOTBALL                           www.peachcounty.net/files/Dept33_09FSfootballrules6-8.pdf

§  9-11 FOOTBALL                         www.peachcounty.net/files/Dept33_09FSfootballrules9-11.pdf

§  CHEERLEADERS                         www.peachcounty.net/files/Dept33_09FScheerleadingrules.pdf

v  REGISTRATION

§  PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT               www.peachcounty.net/files/Dept33_parentcode.pdf

§  LEAGUE AND TEAM DATA                    www.peachcounty.net/files/Dept33_09FSlgandtmdata.pdf

v  PHOTO GALLERIES

 

§  TOURNAMENTS

¨       SUPER BOWL      www.peachcounty.net/photo.cfm?pid=1255

¨       PEACH CUP          www.peachcounty.net/photo.cfm?pid=1275

 

§  GAME SEASON CANDID SHOTS

¨       FOOTBALL & CHEERLEADING              www.peachcounty.net/photo.cfm?gid=89

¨       SOCCER                                                        www.peachcounty.net/photo.cfm?gid=87

               

RELATED ARTICLES:

                Fall Sports Registration                  www.peachcounty.net/news.cfm?ID=286

 


Posted by: Malinda Counselman on Oct 13, 2009
Last Modified by: Malinda Counselman on Dec 2, 2009

ParkPass Library Loan Program

With a valid library card you can borrow a Georgia State Parks Annual ParkPass and an individual Historic Sites Visitors Pass for up to 7 days. The ParkPass exempts you from paying the daily parking fee at state parks and the Historic Site Visitors Pass exempts one visitor from admission fees to any state historic site in the state. A copy of the Guide to Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites featuring descriptions, photos, directions and a map of all locations is included. So take your family or yourself to a state park or historic site and see how much fun being outdoors can be. Come discover the treasures of Georgia in your own backyard. For more information about this program, ask your librarian.

Posted by: Billie Tripp on Jun 3, 2008
Last Modified by: Billie Tripp on Jun 3, 2008
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