Two people died in separate shootings in Dodge County on Christmas morning, one in Eastman and one in Gresston.
At approximately 3:00 a.m. on Christmas morning, Eastman police were called to 5714 Anson Avenue where they found Rachel Pittman, age 21, suffering from a gunshot wound. Pittman was taken to Dodge County Hospital and was then flown to a hospital in Macon where she died at approximately 9:30 p.m. Christmas night.
The shooting may have been the result of four friends playing with a handgun. Pittman apparently died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after the four friends apparently were passing the gun around and pulling the trigger. They apparently believed the gun was not loaded.
Investigators are still looking into the incident.
The three others involved in the incident have been arrested and charged. They are: Timothy Harrell, age 26, is charged with illegal possession of a firearm and tampering with evidence.
Matthew Rowland, age 17, is charged with leaving the scene of the shooting and tampering.
[Full Story »]
Top Stories - Topics from December, 2014
Light Tree
The Dodge County Hospital Auxiliary held their annual Love Lite tree lighting on Friday, December 5 in the parking lot of the Same Day Surgery Center of the Dodge County Hospital. The program was dedicated in loving memory of Maggie Sue Sheffield. Reverend Cecil Barden opened the program with a prayer and Shirley Cason welcomed everyone to the ceremony. Reverend Ernest Dixon and members of this congregation provided several selections of beautiful Christmas music during the program. Doris Knowles did the honor of lighting the Christmas tree. The names of the families, family members and loved ones there were recognized during the Love Lite campaign was read by Maureen Rouse and Joann Bray. Kevin Bierschenk, chief executive officer (CEO), provided the closing remarks. He thanked the auxiliary members for their dedication and hard work. He stated that with the funds donated to the hospital by the auxiliary from their Love Lite program and other fundraising events the hospital decided to purchase and electrocardiogram EKG machine for the emergency room this year. He thanked everyone involved in the planning of this event and invited everyone to enjoy the refreshments that were being served in the Same Day Surgery lobby. Above, Maureen Rouse (l) and Joann Bray (r) read the names of the Love Lite tree honorees.
School board recognized as a 2014 Quality Board
The Dodge County School System is proud to announce the achievement and status of the Georgia School Boards Association’s (GSBA) 2014 Quality School Board recognition.
The recognition program was designed to showcase best practices in school governance and leadership. GSBA recognizes good school board governance to foster educational community cultures in order to advance student learning and achievement.
The Dodge County Board of Education met and or exceeded the criteria set forth by GSBA to earn this honor of a 2014 Quality Board. The GSBA Governance Team Recognition Program was developed by Georgia superintendents and board members based on the state board of education’s standards for effective governance to recognize exemplary leadership.
In 1998, the Georgia School Boards Association was one of the first school board associations in the nation to develop a program of standards for local boards of education. The GSBA Board recognition program is a three-tiered program beginning with the Quality Board status. This is the second consecutive year that the Dodge County Board of Education has been recognized as a Quality Board.
School Superintendent Dr. Melinda Dennis congratulates the board on this achievement. She says, “Quality Board status recognizes the commitment on behalf of every board member to meet or exceed their training requirements and their desire to see the Dodge County Schools make continuous improvements. The citizens of Dodge County have done an excellent job in selecting their representatives to the Board of Education.”
The recognition program was designed to showcase best practices in school governance and leadership. GSBA recognizes good school board governance to foster educational community cultures in order to advance student learning and achievement.
The Dodge County Board of Education met and or exceeded the criteria set forth by GSBA to earn this honor of a 2014 Quality Board. The GSBA Governance Team Recognition Program was developed by Georgia superintendents and board members based on the state board of education’s standards for effective governance to recognize exemplary leadership.
In 1998, the Georgia School Boards Association was one of the first school board associations in the nation to develop a program of standards for local boards of education. The GSBA Board recognition program is a three-tiered program beginning with the Quality Board status. This is the second consecutive year that the Dodge County Board of Education has been recognized as a Quality Board.
School Superintendent Dr. Melinda Dennis congratulates the board on this achievement. She says, “Quality Board status recognizes the commitment on behalf of every board member to meet or exceed their training requirements and their desire to see the Dodge County Schools make continuous improvements. The citizens of Dodge County have done an excellent job in selecting their representatives to the Board of Education.”
New probate judge looks to hire solicitor
By Cindy Eckles
Dodge County Probate Judge Al McCranie went before the Dodge County Board of Commissioners requesting funding for a solicitor.
Judge McCranie told commissioners that since taking office, he had been approached by superior court judges requesting that he hear misdemeanor cases involving small offenses in order to speed up the legal process of individuals charged with committing crimes. He told commissioners that he was willing to help in any way he could. Judge McCranie told commissioners that he has spoken with assistant district attorney Chris Gordon, who works in the Oconee Judicial District, and that Gordon had agreed to take the position of solicitor for $300.00 per month to handle cases under code that Judge McCranie could hear to help the county and reduce the number of cases on the docket.
Judge McCranie went on to state, “There is an average of 10 criminal jury trials each calendar year. Of these, an average of three weeks are reserved for misdemeanor trials. The vast majority of misdemeanor cases actually tried are DUI cases. An average of three DUI cases could be heard each week, resulting in a total of nine possible DUI trials during this time frame”. He explained that when an individual is charged with a crime, it takes from 12 to 18 months to go through the superior court system. By having a solicitor, the process would be completed in a timelier manner and he would be hearing and ruling on the cases.
Judge McCranie provided commissioners with information showing the savings for the county if a solicitor was hired and he heard the cases.
[Full Story »]
Dodge County Probate Judge Al McCranie went before the Dodge County Board of Commissioners requesting funding for a solicitor.
Judge McCranie told commissioners that since taking office, he had been approached by superior court judges requesting that he hear misdemeanor cases involving small offenses in order to speed up the legal process of individuals charged with committing crimes. He told commissioners that he was willing to help in any way he could. Judge McCranie told commissioners that he has spoken with assistant district attorney Chris Gordon, who works in the Oconee Judicial District, and that Gordon had agreed to take the position of solicitor for $300.00 per month to handle cases under code that Judge McCranie could hear to help the county and reduce the number of cases on the docket.
Judge McCranie went on to state, “There is an average of 10 criminal jury trials each calendar year. Of these, an average of three weeks are reserved for misdemeanor trials. The vast majority of misdemeanor cases actually tried are DUI cases. An average of three DUI cases could be heard each week, resulting in a total of nine possible DUI trials during this time frame”. He explained that when an individual is charged with a crime, it takes from 12 to 18 months to go through the superior court system. By having a solicitor, the process would be completed in a timelier manner and he would be hearing and ruling on the cases.
Judge McCranie provided commissioners with information showing the savings for the county if a solicitor was hired and he heard the cases.
[Full Story »]
Santa picks up letters
Santa Claus dropped by The Dodge County News on Friday, December 19 to pick up the letters to Santa sent in by all the good boys and girls that sent them into the newspaper to be printed. Santa took the letters on to the North Pole to get all the toys ready for the children of Dodge County to be delivered tonight. (Photo by Tracey Graham)
Santa Arrives in Chester
Santa Claus arrived in Rhine on Saturday night, December 13 during the annual Christmas parade. Kids and adults all enjoyed the festive event. (Photo by Cindy Pope)
Peacock Sworn In
Dodge County Probate Judge Al McCranie (r) swore in Robert Peacock (c) as the Dodge County Board of Education District 3 school board member on Monday, December 15, 2014 in the Dodge County Probate office. Pictured with McCranie and Peacock is Peacock’s wife, Dr. Brandy Wynne (l). Dodge County School Superintendent Dr. Melinda Dennis and Dodge County Sheriff Lynn Sheffield attended the swearing-in. (Photo by Cindy Eckles)
Mr. Chieftain chosen at high school
The first ever Dodge County High School Mr. Chieftain pageant was held on Saturday, December 13. The Dodge County High School soccer team booster club as a fundraiser sponsored the pageant. There were 11 male contestants and female escorts that participated from the high school.
Tad Honeycutt, a senior, was crowned the first Mr. Chieftain. Faith Manning escorted him. Honeycutt performed a comedy routine for his talent portion of the contest and his outfit of choice was Batman.
First runner-up and people’s choice award went to Austin Barrows. He performed an exercise/dance routine and his outfit of choice was Michael Jackson. His escort was Anna Kate Hickman.
Second runner-up and talent award was Brice Blocker. He performed a basketball routine to the Harlem Globetrotters music. His routine consisted of spinning the basketball on all five fingers and his nose. Blocker’s outfit of choice was from the movie Grease. Hailey Wilson was his escort.
The third runner-up, Mr. Congeniality and interview award went to Derrien Carr. He performed a gospel solo “Let go and let God.” Carr was escorted by Alona Bray and their outfits of choice for the night was On The Town.
[Full Story »]
Tad Honeycutt, a senior, was crowned the first Mr. Chieftain. Faith Manning escorted him. Honeycutt performed a comedy routine for his talent portion of the contest and his outfit of choice was Batman.
First runner-up and people’s choice award went to Austin Barrows. He performed an exercise/dance routine and his outfit of choice was Michael Jackson. His escort was Anna Kate Hickman.
Second runner-up and talent award was Brice Blocker. He performed a basketball routine to the Harlem Globetrotters music. His routine consisted of spinning the basketball on all five fingers and his nose. Blocker’s outfit of choice was from the movie Grease. Hailey Wilson was his escort.
The third runner-up, Mr. Congeniality and interview award went to Derrien Carr. He performed a gospel solo “Let go and let God.” Carr was escorted by Alona Bray and their outfits of choice for the night was On The Town.
[Full Story »]
New ambulances ready for service
By Cindy Eckles
Using funds from the 2003 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, the Dodge County Board of Commissioners purchased two new ambulances approximately six months ago.
Emergency Management Service (EMS) Manager Rickie Coleman, brought one of the ambulances to the regular meeting of the commissioners on Monday, December 15, 2014 for them to see. Coleman commented, “They are going to be beneficial in serving the citizens of Dodge County and the surrounding area.”
Coleman added, “Due to mechanical breakdowns of the current fleet of ambulances, we as a department got in a bind and had to resource, and call for mutual aid. Laurens County came to Dodge’s rescue by loaning the Dodge County EMS an ambulance.”
[Full Story »]
Using funds from the 2003 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, the Dodge County Board of Commissioners purchased two new ambulances approximately six months ago.
Emergency Management Service (EMS) Manager Rickie Coleman, brought one of the ambulances to the regular meeting of the commissioners on Monday, December 15, 2014 for them to see. Coleman commented, “They are going to be beneficial in serving the citizens of Dodge County and the surrounding area.”
Coleman added, “Due to mechanical breakdowns of the current fleet of ambulances, we as a department got in a bind and had to resource, and call for mutual aid. Laurens County came to Dodge’s rescue by loaning the Dodge County EMS an ambulance.”
[Full Story »]
Pondtown parade is set for Saturday
The Pondtown Christmas Parade, sponsored by the Rhine Volunteer Fire Department, will be held on Saturday, December 13. The parade will begin at 7:00 p.m.
Any reigning queens, local churches, businesses and citizens of Pondtown and Dodge County are invited to enter and attend.
The entry fee for the parade is a new, unopened toy in a box for a boy or girl.
Anyone can bring toys to help with this effort.
Any reigning queens, local churches, businesses and citizens of Pondtown and Dodge County are invited to enter and attend.
The entry fee for the parade is a new, unopened toy in a box for a boy or girl.
Anyone can bring toys to help with this effort.
Enjoy Milk & Cookies
Children enjoyed milk and cookies, listening to Christmas stories and visiting with Santa at the Eastman-Dodge County Chamber of Commerce Hall on Friday, December 5. The successful event benefited the Eastman Firefighters’ Club Toy Drive. (Photo by Araina Reaves)
McCranie Sworn in
Al McCranie (l) was sworn in as Dodge County Probate Judge by Dodge Superior Court Judge Freddie Mullis (r) on Friday, December 5 in the Dodge Superior Courtroom. Many family and friends attended the swearing-in. (Photo by Tracey Graham)
Santa arrives
Santa Clause arrived in Eastman on Saturday, December 6 during the annual Eastman Lions Club Christmas Parade. The parade is usually the biggest parade in Eastman of the year, and this year was no exception. A huge crowd gathered in downtown Eastman to enjoy all the entries in the parade and welcome Santa. (Photo by Nikki Graham)
Williams named Christmas Parade 2014 Grand Marshal
The Eastman Lions Club proudly announces the unanimous selection of James R. (Jim) Williams as grand marshal for the 2014 annual Lions Christmas Parade. Williams has been a member of the Lions Club for thirty-seven years and has served as president, treasurer and member of the board of directors.
Following a banking career that spanned forty years, Williams retired from Citizens Bank and Trust Company in 2012 having served as president, chief executive officer (CEO) and director. He served the banking industry at the state and national levels and is past chairman of the Georgia Bankers Association. He has also served on the boards of Mercer University, Brewton-Parker College, Central Georgia Council Boy Scouts of America, Eastman-Dodge County Chamber of Commerce, Orphans Cemetery and the Eastman First Baptist Church. [Full Story »]
Following a banking career that spanned forty years, Williams retired from Citizens Bank and Trust Company in 2012 having served as president, chief executive officer (CEO) and director. He served the banking industry at the state and national levels and is past chairman of the Georgia Bankers Association. He has also served on the boards of Mercer University, Brewton-Parker College, Central Georgia Council Boy Scouts of America, Eastman-Dodge County Chamber of Commerce, Orphans Cemetery and the Eastman First Baptist Church. [Full Story »]
Fire Damages Structures
Damage to a barn, shelter and several hay bales occurred Monday, December 1, 2014 at the residence of Sandy Coleman. At 12:10 p.m., the Eastman Fire Department answered a call to Coleman’s residence at 1556 Chester Highway. The Dodge County Fire Association’s tanker and Gresston Volunteer Department tanker were also called for assistance after the fire began to spread to fields. Firemen were able to contain the fire. The cause of the fire was undetermined at presstime. (Photo by Cindy Eckles)
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