Age: 90
Died: Friday, October 24, 2014
Arrangements: Hardy-Towns Funeral Home of Eastman is in charge of arrangements.
Entries from October 2014
Javine Davis Vaughn
Age: 67
Died: Thursday, October 23, 2014
Arrangements: Vaughn Funeral Home of McRae has charge of arrangements.
Died: Thursday, October 23, 2014
Arrangements: Vaughn Funeral Home of McRae has charge of arrangements.

Dodge County receives health grant
Dodge County has been selected by the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) to receive one of the employee Health Promotion and Wellness Incentive Grants awarded statewide to promote worksite programs designed to enhance the health and wellness of county employees and family members.
Awards are made to members of the ACCG Group Heath Benefits Program (GHBP) underwritten by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia, based on a county’s commitment to employee health and demonstrated collaboration with other community groups and organizations engaged in health promotion.
[Full Story »]
Awards are made to members of the ACCG Group Heath Benefits Program (GHBP) underwritten by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia, based on a county’s commitment to employee health and demonstrated collaboration with other community groups and organizations engaged in health promotion.
[Full Story »]
Wilbur F. "Mr. Goodwrench" Thompson
Age: 68
Died: Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Arrangements: Stokes-Southerland Funeral Home, Inc. of Eastman has charge of arrangements.
Died: Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Arrangements: Stokes-Southerland Funeral Home, Inc. of Eastman has charge of arrangements.
The Dodge County News turns 25
Sunday, October 19, 2014 marked the 25th year since The Dodge County News began publishing a newspaper in Dodge County.
After working at the Courier Herald in Dublin for three years, Chuck Eckles decided to start his own newspaper in Eastman. After researching starting a business for a year, he and his new bride, Cindy Mullis Eckles, started the newspaper in the old Mercer AA Drive In location on First Avenue.
Later, they moved to their current location at 226 Main Street. They then incorporated under the name Middle Georgia Publishing, Inc.
In January of 2007, Chuck and Cindy purchased The Times Journal newspaper in Eastman from Rosebud Publishing, Inc. and combined the two newspapers.
Middle Georgia Publishing also purchased the Mid State Shoppers’ Guide in Cochran in September of 2013.
After working at the Courier Herald in Dublin for three years, Chuck Eckles decided to start his own newspaper in Eastman. After researching starting a business for a year, he and his new bride, Cindy Mullis Eckles, started the newspaper in the old Mercer AA Drive In location on First Avenue.
Later, they moved to their current location at 226 Main Street. They then incorporated under the name Middle Georgia Publishing, Inc.
In January of 2007, Chuck and Cindy purchased The Times Journal newspaper in Eastman from Rosebud Publishing, Inc. and combined the two newspapers.
Middle Georgia Publishing also purchased the Mid State Shoppers’ Guide in Cochran in September of 2013.

Fall Festival is set for Saturday
The Fall For Dodge Festival will be held on Saturday, October 25, in downtown Eastman from 12:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. The Eastman-Dodge County Chamber of Commerce, Middle Georgia State College, Nana’s Place Crafts and Small Gifts, Alcoa, Rescare Homecare, Rhine Discount Drugs, Ron Daniels, Graphic Packing International and Southside Market sponsor this annual event.
There will be lots to do for the entire family. There will be games, characters, bounce houses, a gladiator joust, rock wall, face painting, Carter’s Rock-n-Rides, festival food and more. Beginning at 12:00 p.m. and continuing until 5:00 p.m. will be live music and dancing. A disc jockey will provide music from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and trick or treating will take place form 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Live performances throughout the day will include Georgia Peach Academy, Paid in Full, Alaina Bond, Tyndal Mitchell, Body Blast Fitness and The Drama Scene.
[Full Story »]
There will be lots to do for the entire family. There will be games, characters, bounce houses, a gladiator joust, rock wall, face painting, Carter’s Rock-n-Rides, festival food and more. Beginning at 12:00 p.m. and continuing until 5:00 p.m. will be live music and dancing. A disc jockey will provide music from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and trick or treating will take place form 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Live performances throughout the day will include Georgia Peach Academy, Paid in Full, Alaina Bond, Tyndal Mitchell, Body Blast Fitness and The Drama Scene.
[Full Story »]

Police officers make arrests
The Eastman Police Department made the following arrests for the week of October 13 through October 21, 2014.
Frank Black, age 47, Lot 20 Hawkinsville Highway, Eastman, license driving while license suspended /revoked (one count).
Juvenile, age 17, of an Eastman address, unruly (one count).
Jill Filichia, age 29, 5334 1st Avenue, Eastman, disorderly house (one count).
Jesus Cruz, age 20, 5334 1st Avenue, Eastman, disorderly house (one count).
Lotoya Butler, age 19, 5706 5th Avenue, Eastman, possession of alcohol by a minor (one count).
Brittis Level, age 20, 5517 Forrest Avenue, Eastman, probation violation (one count).
Jamie Jones, age 23, 57 Eastside Court Drive, Eastman, disorderly conduct (one count).
James Jones, age 45, 8550 Chester Highway, Eastman, consuming alcohol in public (one count).
Janet Dupree, age 40, 6044 North Street, Eastman, shoplifting less than $500.00 (one count).
Derrick White, age 46, 36 Loblolly Drive, Eastman, probation violation (one count).
Frank Black, age 47, Lot 20 Hawkinsville Highway, Eastman, license driving while license suspended /revoked (one count).
Juvenile, age 17, of an Eastman address, unruly (one count).
Jill Filichia, age 29, 5334 1st Avenue, Eastman, disorderly house (one count).
Jesus Cruz, age 20, 5334 1st Avenue, Eastman, disorderly house (one count).
Lotoya Butler, age 19, 5706 5th Avenue, Eastman, possession of alcohol by a minor (one count).
Brittis Level, age 20, 5517 Forrest Avenue, Eastman, probation violation (one count).
Jamie Jones, age 23, 57 Eastside Court Drive, Eastman, disorderly conduct (one count).
James Jones, age 45, 8550 Chester Highway, Eastman, consuming alcohol in public (one count).
Janet Dupree, age 40, 6044 North Street, Eastman, shoplifting less than $500.00 (one count).
Derrick White, age 46, 36 Loblolly Drive, Eastman, probation violation (one count).

Letter to the Editor
Dear editor,
National Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child is less than a month away, Nov 17-24. This is when our community rallies together to pack and collect thousands of gift-filled shoe boxes for needy children around the world. Along with the shoe box gift each child receives a colorful little storybook about Jesus called “The Greatest Gift of All” presented in their own language. The children will also be invited to participate in a 12-lesson discipleship program called “The Greatest Journey”, and upon graduation from that program, will receive a New Testament Bible in their own language.
Many have questioned me why we send shoe box gifts overseas when we have so many local needs. That’s true, there are many local needs, but Operation Christmas Child isn’t about sending a gift, it’s about sending a Gospel opportunity and people in this country, in this county, have many Gospel opportunities. They can attend church if they want to, they can get a Bible if they want one, they can tune into Christian radio and TV if they so choose, but it’s just not that way in most overseas countries. [Full Story »]
National Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child is less than a month away, Nov 17-24. This is when our community rallies together to pack and collect thousands of gift-filled shoe boxes for needy children around the world. Along with the shoe box gift each child receives a colorful little storybook about Jesus called “The Greatest Gift of All” presented in their own language. The children will also be invited to participate in a 12-lesson discipleship program called “The Greatest Journey”, and upon graduation from that program, will receive a New Testament Bible in their own language.
Many have questioned me why we send shoe box gifts overseas when we have so many local needs. That’s true, there are many local needs, but Operation Christmas Child isn’t about sending a gift, it’s about sending a Gospel opportunity and people in this country, in this county, have many Gospel opportunities. They can attend church if they want to, they can get a Bible if they want one, they can tune into Christian radio and TV if they so choose, but it’s just not that way in most overseas countries. [Full Story »]

Letter to the Editor
Dear editor:
What does Osama Bin Laden, Tsarnaev Brothers and Alton Nolan all have in common? All four of these feckless cretins were and are terrorist bent on destroying this country and killing you in the most horrendous fashion. But now, with the new political correctness crowd of federal government, state, county, city bureaucrats, law enforcement and news media alike have all taken away the proper noun of (murderous criminals, suspect, subject, detainee or arrestee) and now, not to hurt the person(s) feelings, these monsters are labeled (“Gentlemen”). When Osama Bin Laden was properly dispatched to hell by our navy SEALS, a navy spokesperson advised the media, that “The gentleman was buried at sea with Muslim protocol,” when the Tsarnaev brothers killed and wounded scores of people at the Boston Marathon, Eric Bolling, talk show host of the “Five” with Fox News was opining in his news broadcast of the search by Boston Police and inserted the word “gentlemen” with regards to these two morons and then, just last month, Alton Nolan, a wanna be, home grown jihadist terrorist in Oklahoma took a knife and beheaded a lady in a meat processing plant all the while shouting some jihad non-sense before being shot by an off duty reserve deputy.
[Full Story »]
What does Osama Bin Laden, Tsarnaev Brothers and Alton Nolan all have in common? All four of these feckless cretins were and are terrorist bent on destroying this country and killing you in the most horrendous fashion. But now, with the new political correctness crowd of federal government, state, county, city bureaucrats, law enforcement and news media alike have all taken away the proper noun of (murderous criminals, suspect, subject, detainee or arrestee) and now, not to hurt the person(s) feelings, these monsters are labeled (“Gentlemen”). When Osama Bin Laden was properly dispatched to hell by our navy SEALS, a navy spokesperson advised the media, that “The gentleman was buried at sea with Muslim protocol,” when the Tsarnaev brothers killed and wounded scores of people at the Boston Marathon, Eric Bolling, talk show host of the “Five” with Fox News was opining in his news broadcast of the search by Boston Police and inserted the word “gentlemen” with regards to these two morons and then, just last month, Alton Nolan, a wanna be, home grown jihadist terrorist in Oklahoma took a knife and beheaded a lady in a meat processing plant all the while shouting some jihad non-sense before being shot by an off duty reserve deputy.
[Full Story »]

Letter to the Editor
Dear editor,
Well, well, well! The two smartest liberal Democrats on the face of this earth, (just ask them…or the New York Times or any available union leader…they’ll tell you) are subliminally at each other’s throats. “The Mad Hatter” and “The Queen of Hearts,” Obama and Hillary, have replaced the customary Republican whipping posts respectively. Now this poses a rather unique problem for the faithful electorate in that to whom do they bestow allegiance and love. Interestingly, Hillary cannot publicly trample Obama with remarks too critical of his and for that matter her, policies until the total “screw ups” have attained critical mass, less she engage in political suicide or rattle the ire of their implacable liberal base. In like manner, Obama must refrain from bashing and trashing Hillary for after all, the liberal media as our next leader has already preordained her.
And so we are presented with the window-dressing of Democratic political insincerity…a swooning pretense of Kumbaya, lollipops and roses.
Robert Breckwoldt
Well, well, well! The two smartest liberal Democrats on the face of this earth, (just ask them…or the New York Times or any available union leader…they’ll tell you) are subliminally at each other’s throats. “The Mad Hatter” and “The Queen of Hearts,” Obama and Hillary, have replaced the customary Republican whipping posts respectively. Now this poses a rather unique problem for the faithful electorate in that to whom do they bestow allegiance and love. Interestingly, Hillary cannot publicly trample Obama with remarks too critical of his and for that matter her, policies until the total “screw ups” have attained critical mass, less she engage in political suicide or rattle the ire of their implacable liberal base. In like manner, Obama must refrain from bashing and trashing Hillary for after all, the liberal media as our next leader has already preordained her.
And so we are presented with the window-dressing of Democratic political insincerity…a swooning pretense of Kumbaya, lollipops and roses.
Robert Breckwoldt

Letter to the Editor
Dear editor,
I have just returned from a delightful four day “fishing” expedition in Eastman researching the 1949 championship season of the Eastman Dodgers in the old Georgia State League. As part of my visit, I was particularly interested in finding any photographs or artifacts from Legion Field where the Dodgers played their home games-a venue that no longer exists. My chief guides in this search were Hal Smith, Jr. and Jim Harp, Eastman residents with connections and memories of the 1949 team. Even though we didn’t uncover any photos, their help was invaluable and I want to express my grateful appreciation for their many leads and introductions to local residents.
I want to salute the entire fellow Eastman “fishermen” who took time from their busy schedules to help in this search effort, Andrea McCranie, Ann Bowen, Cindy Eckles, “Skeet” Brown, Debbie Daniels, Calvin Yawn, Rueben Whittle and Vicky Bohannon. There were others at city hall, Dodge County Courthouse and the library whose names unfortunately I did not get. Many, many thanks to you all! (If any of your Dodge County News readers come across any old Legion Field photos, please let them know.)
Last but not least, I want to thank Miss Helen at the Dodge Hill Inn whose gracious hospitality made my stay comfortable and whose bountiful breakfasts fueled my daily rounds. Sorry I missed Ann Dobbs who was out of town.
To all of you, thanks again for your interest and help. God bless!
Sincerely,
James P. Holl
I have just returned from a delightful four day “fishing” expedition in Eastman researching the 1949 championship season of the Eastman Dodgers in the old Georgia State League. As part of my visit, I was particularly interested in finding any photographs or artifacts from Legion Field where the Dodgers played their home games-a venue that no longer exists. My chief guides in this search were Hal Smith, Jr. and Jim Harp, Eastman residents with connections and memories of the 1949 team. Even though we didn’t uncover any photos, their help was invaluable and I want to express my grateful appreciation for their many leads and introductions to local residents.
I want to salute the entire fellow Eastman “fishermen” who took time from their busy schedules to help in this search effort, Andrea McCranie, Ann Bowen, Cindy Eckles, “Skeet” Brown, Debbie Daniels, Calvin Yawn, Rueben Whittle and Vicky Bohannon. There were others at city hall, Dodge County Courthouse and the library whose names unfortunately I did not get. Many, many thanks to you all! (If any of your Dodge County News readers come across any old Legion Field photos, please let them know.)
Last but not least, I want to thank Miss Helen at the Dodge Hill Inn whose gracious hospitality made my stay comfortable and whose bountiful breakfasts fueled my daily rounds. Sorry I missed Ann Dobbs who was out of town.
To all of you, thanks again for your interest and help. God bless!
Sincerely,
James P. Holl

Random thoughts
Amanda Swafford, running as a Libertarian for the open U.S. Senate seat from Georgia, has said that if elected, she would consider caucusing with the Democrats. Does that tell you something about the Libertarians? They aren’t all offshoots from the Republican Party. Generally they claim the other two parties are alike. There is still a vast difference between the two parties, though not quite enough. At least all Senate Republicans voted against Obamacare, while all Senate Democrats voted for it.
A full 20 percent of people in the USA speak a foreign language at home, according to a study by the Center for Immigration Studies, as reported by Washington Times writer Stephen Dinan.
“The report found that nearly half of all California school-age children speak a language other than English at home, as do a third of Texans and Nevadans, according to the report, which is based on Census Bureau numbers.”
WashingtonTimes.com Stephen Dinan 10-6-14
Democrats are the “party of the rich”: President Obama, the Ebola man, headed a left coast fundraiser at the home of liberal actress Gwyneth Paltrow (estimated net worth $140 million), truly a high-end Hollywood leftist event. Tickets ran from $1,000 to $32,000 per head. They always charge big bucks for having your picture made with the head man, of course.
“If you think that only Republicans have deep pocketed donors for PACs, your name is increasingly likely to be Harry Reid.”
Ed Morrissey 6-23-14
[Full Story »]
A full 20 percent of people in the USA speak a foreign language at home, according to a study by the Center for Immigration Studies, as reported by Washington Times writer Stephen Dinan.
“The report found that nearly half of all California school-age children speak a language other than English at home, as do a third of Texans and Nevadans, according to the report, which is based on Census Bureau numbers.”
WashingtonTimes.com Stephen Dinan 10-6-14
Democrats are the “party of the rich”: President Obama, the Ebola man, headed a left coast fundraiser at the home of liberal actress Gwyneth Paltrow (estimated net worth $140 million), truly a high-end Hollywood leftist event. Tickets ran from $1,000 to $32,000 per head. They always charge big bucks for having your picture made with the head man, of course.
“If you think that only Republicans have deep pocketed donors for PACs, your name is increasingly likely to be Harry Reid.”
Ed Morrissey 6-23-14
[Full Story »]
Stanley Malloye "Stan" Dupree
Age: 68
Died; Saturday, October 11, 2014
Arrangements: Stokes-Southerland Funeral Home of Eastman was in charge of arrangements.
Died; Saturday, October 11, 2014
Arrangements: Stokes-Southerland Funeral Home of Eastman was in charge of arrangements.
Thomas Edwin Walker
Age: 85
Died: Saturday, October 18, 2014
Arrangements: Stokes-Southerland Funeral Home of Eastman has charge of arrangements.
Died: Saturday, October 18, 2014
Arrangements: Stokes-Southerland Funeral Home of Eastman has charge of arrangements.
Comments