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The Dodge County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to raise the millage rate to 10.064 from the rollback of 9.788 in 2012 at a called meeting on Wednesday, July 24. [Full Story »] 

Special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) income for the month of April 2013 totaled $158,210.64. The SPLOST fund balance as of June 30, 2013 totaled $3,425,406.00. Expenditures from the SPLOST fund balance for June 2013 totaled $746,251.17. [Full Story »] 

Dodge County Chief Deputy Michael “Mike” E. Patterson was honored by the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association, Inc. during its summer training conference in recognition “for the valiant, courageous and determined manner in which he serves the citizens of Georgia.” Patterson was working as a deputy in Bleckley County in September 2012 when he performed his heroic act. Bleckley County Sheriff Harold Lancaster presented deputy Patterson the “2013 Deputy of the Year Award of Valor” award on behalf of the Association during the annual banquet held July 18, 2013 in Augusta. [Full Story »] 

The Heart of Georgia Regional Airport Authority has stated that they will continue their lawsuit against the Citizens Bank and Trust Company. [Full Story »] 

Do you live in Eastman City Council District 5? Have you ever wanted to be a city councilperson? If so, now is your chance.

The Eastman City Council voted at their meeting on Monday, July 22 to fill the vacant seat in District 5. The council will accept written applications to fill the unexpired term of David Rawlins due to his death. [Full Story »] 

Numerous roads (paved and dirt) throughout Dodge County were impassable after the downpour of rain received early Friday morning, July 12. Pictured is an area on Plainfield Road where water was rushing across causing the road to be closed. With ponds overflowing, several houses and mobile homes were surrounded by water for several hours. (Photo by Cindy Eckles)

The millage rate for school taxes was a topic of discussion at this past Thursday night’s school board meeting. The school board approved the millage rate to remain the same at 12 mills for fiscal year 2014. The advertisement for the Dodge County Board of Education millage rate is published in today’s edition of The Dodge County News on page 8B. The school board will have a called meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 25, 2013, to officially adopt the proposed millage rate. [Full Story »] 

An ongoing issue continues for appointments to three positions now open on the Dodge County Hospital Board by the Dodge County Board of Commissioners.

Three positions, currently held by Cecil Barden, Dr. Blake Milner and Reggie Sheffield, have been on the agenda since the May 20 meeting of the board of commissioners.

At the meeting on July 7 commissioners voted to submit Barden and Dr. Milner to succeed themselves and Sheffield and Jan Jones as candidates for Sheffield’s position. [Full Story »] 

Last week the Dodge County 12 and under (12U) all-star softball team traveled to Baxley to compete in the state tournament. The games were scheduled to start on Wednesday but rain forced opening day to move to Thursday.

Dodge County took on Appling County and won that game with great pitching and defense with a final score of eight to zero. Later that afternoon Dodge County took on Adel-Cook and the bats came alive behind more solid pitching and defense for a 13 to zero win.

On Friday morning, Dodge took on Bremen and the hitting continued as Dodge made quick work of Bremen in five innings. The girls’ won the game 17 to zero. This put the team in the semi-final game against Metter. Metter held the Dodge bats in check, but the lights out pitching and defense continued as Dodge won six to zero to seal a spot in the state championship game.

Saturday Dodge County would square off against Metter again with the state title on the line. Dodge County began the game as the visitors and could not get anything going at the plate. In the bottom of the first Metter took a leadoff walk and two ground outs later took the lead, one to zero. In the top of the second inning Jade Dowdy leadoff with a single, Jessie Thomas advanced Jade Dowdy to second with a bunt and with two outs, Jenna Hickman hit a long double to right field to tie the game, one to one.
[Full Story »] 

People from all over came to Eastman to attend the first “Declaration of Mud” event at Slopoke Boggin on Fish Road July 4 through July 7, 2013. Attendees enjoyed plenty of trails, racing, concerts, mud and water. There were plenty of four-wheelers, big trucks and other types of all terrain vehicles to ride. The owners are planning on making this an annual event.

No deal was struck between the three local banks (Citizens Bank and Trust Company, Bank of Eastman and Colony Bank) and the Heart of Georgia Regional Airport Authority (HGRAA) in mediation that was held to try and resolve a lawsuit filed by the HGRAA. [Full Story »] 

Seven people were injured and taken to Dodge County Hospital after a two car collision at the intersection of Georgia 117 (Rhine Highway) and U.S. 341 (Terry Coleman Parkway) on Sunday, June 30 at approximately 9:00 p.m. According to the Georgia State Patrol report, Latrice Chantel Clark (age 23), of Alamo, was driving a 1994 Honda Civic south on Georgia 117. She was stopped at the intersection having car trouble. A friend was giving her car a jump start. After the car was started, Clark entered the intersection into the path of Keandria S. Peterson (age 23), of Helena, who was driving a 2013 Chevrolet Impala north on U.S. 341. Clark, had to be cut from her vehicle using the Jaws of Life. She was taken to Dodge County Hospital by Dodge County EMS and later transferred to the Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon. An ambulance from Telfair County was called in to help transport an infant passenger in Clark’s car. The Telfair ambulance also transported passengers in Peterson’s car, a two year old and three year old and 27 year old Stacey Jovan Patterson, of Warner Robins, to Dodge County Hospital. Keandria S. Peterson was taken to Dodge County Hospital by private vehicle. Pictured above are Eastman Fire Department personnel using the Jaws of Life to extricate Clark from her vehicle. (Photos by Chuck Eckles)

The Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) is proud to announce the City of Eastman has received a safety grant check in the amount of $1,784.00 and a liability grant check in the amount of $6,000.00 for the purchase of safety vests, barriers and a mobile video recording system. Steve Durden, director, Marketing and Field Services stated, “This program allows each city to stretch their budget dollars and provide a safer work environment for their employees.” The Safety and Liability Management Grant program is made available to members of GMA’s property and liability insurance program (the Georgia Interlocal Risk Management Agency) and GMA’s workers’ compensation insurance program (GMA Workers’ Compensation Self-Insurance Fund). Pictured, (l-r) are Eastman City Council Chairman Bobby Slye, Eastman City Clerk Ivelyn Lampkin, Eastman Police Chief Becky Sheffield, Eastman City Manager Bea Edge, councilman Raymond Mullis, councilman Buddy Pittman and councilman Floyd Walker.

The Dodge County Board of Commissioners discussed the three appointments to the Dodge County Hospital Authority at their meeting on Monday night.

Chairman Dan McCranie gave each commissioner an opportunity to make recommendations to succeed or replace Cecil Barden, Dr. Blake Milner and Reggie Sheffield.

Commissioner Jr. Howell recommended Barden, Dr. Milner and Sheffield. Commissioner Terry Niblett recommended Barden, Dr. Milner and Jan Jones.

Commissioner Karen Cheek recommended Barden, Dr. Milner and Jan Jones. [Full Story »]