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Georgia DOT Awards Transportation Investment Act Projects in Columbia and Dodge Counties

The Georgia Department of Transportation’s Office of Transportation Investment Act (TIA) announced two major construction project awards set to begin in early 2014. A $34 million widening and reconstruction project in Columbia County and a $6 million project on State Road 87 Connector in Dodge County are the latest TIA projects to get the green light. [Full Story »] 

The City of Eastman has two major renovation projects underway. The restoration of the south end of east and west Main Street is a continuance of the first streetscape. When this project is completed, both sides of the downtown area of Main Street will be completely restored. The streetscape project is majority funded with a $400,000.00 grant from the Georgia Department of Transportation. The historic preservation of the old Greyhound bus station is also in motion. (Top photo, l-r) Eastman City Council Member Floyd Walker, Eastman City Manager Bea Edge, city council members Bobby Slye, Raymond Mullis, Buddy Pittman and Prince Dawson met with contractor Mark Studstill and inspected the progress of both projects.

The City of Chester Christmas parade will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. Line up will be held at the Chester Baptist Church starting at 1:00 p.m. If you have an antique car, truck or tractor we encourage you to enter the parade. We also welcome all churches and businesses to enter a float as well.

For more information, please contact the Chester City Hall at 478-358-4550.

The Dodge County Board of Commissioners, at their regular meeting on Monday, November 18, 2013, appointed Neil Spradley to the Heart of Georgia Regional Airport Authority. Spradley will replace H. Lamar Marshall, Jr. who resigned effective October 7, 2013. [Full Story »] 

The Dodge County High School (DCHS) cheerleaders won first place in Region 3 AAA competition on Saturday, November 9 in Toombs County. This is the first time in school history that the cheerleaders have won first place in region. They will compete in Columbus on Saturday, November 16 for the state championship. Members of the squad are Jasmine Barden, Macy Coleman, Sara Kathryn Lewis, Mary Katherine Pittman, Chloe Fits, Erica Smokes, Anna Kate Hickman, Erin Mullis, Logan Taylor, Cheyenne Warrell, Taylor Cranford, Jaycie Rollins, Gabby Sheffield, Cameron Studstill, Abby Yawn, Danielle Jones, Savannah Ivey, Lauren Walker, Myranda Burch, Gabie Bedsole, Hannah Sanders and manager Bria Hines. Coaches for the squad are Kalandra Waites, Sheena Orange, Jennifer McDaniel, Angie Pritchett and Tammie Lewis.

Only nine percent of county registered voters and 13 percent of registered voters in City of Eastman Districts 1 and 5 voted on November 5, 2013. [Full Story »] 

An armed robbery suspect is in custody after he robbed the Adens Minit Mart in Rhine.

According to reports, the suspect entered Adens with a weapon at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 7 and the clerk gave him money. The suspect then left the store and Ken Lowery entered the store and found the store clerk in distress. [Full Story »] 

Firemen in the south end of Dodge County were kept busy Monday, November 4, as they had to fight two structure fires. The first happened at approximately 1:00 a.m. at 1531 El Bethel Church Road, the home of William and Jacquelyn Yeomans. When firefighters arrived, the house was engulfed in flames. The house was a total loss. The fire was believed to have started as an electrical problem in the attic. Firefighters from Milan, Chauncey, McRae/Helena, Telfair Correctional Institute and the county tanker responded. At approximately 4:20 p.m., firefighters were called out to 122 Green Street in Chauncey (pictured right) where a single wide mobile home was engulfed in flames. The trailer was the home of Betty Jackson. The trailer was a total loss. The cause of the fire was unknown at presstime. Firemen from Chauncey, Milan and a correctional facility responded. (Photo by Chuck Eckles)

In 1913, citizens of Chauncey realized the need for an expanded curriculum and a well-equipped school building.

In response, a City of Chauncey Chamber of Commerce was organized and preceded with the task of encouraging citizens to support a bond issue to raise ten thousand dollars for the construction of a new school. Four acres of land were donated, the bond issue passed and the present majestic federal-style two story building was erected. The front of the building features four large columns flanking the entrance and has twenty-six large windows. Double doors with a transom lead into the foyer. Side rooms are presently being used by the city as its city hall. In the back of the downstairs is a large meeting room with restrooms and area for food service. A winding staircase on either side of the foyer leads to the second story of the building. [Full Story »] 

Dodge County Tax Commissioner Kay Graham and Dodge County Magistrate Judge Lonnie Parkerson went before the Dodge County Board of Commissioners on Monday night requesting that they reconsider giving the county employees Veterans Day as a paid holiday. [Full Story »] 

The vote totals are in for the City of Eastman council races.
In District 1, incumbent Floyd Walker was ousted by political newcomer Milton Johnson 41 votes to 23 votes. [Full Story »]