Five hundred beautiful Crepe Myrtle seedlings were given away at Dodge County’s annual Arbor Day celebration recently.
The Eastman-Dodge County Chamber of Commerce hosts the yearly celebration, but it is a community event that involves the chamber, the City of Eastman, the Georgia Forestry Commission as well as many volunteers from around the county, including the Girl Scouts of Dodge County and the Garden Club.
More than 25 people came together Friday, February 20, for the reading of the Arbor Day proclamation by the City of Eastman and to bag and distribute Crepe Myrtle seedlings. The proclamation is one of four requirements met that will allow Eastman to renew its Tree City USA certification for the 24th year.
“Being a Tree City USA community means that we are dedicated to forestry management in Dodge County,” chamber manager Araina Reaves said. “There is true joy in continuing this annual Arbor Day tradition and we are a blessed community to have so many volunteers come together to make sure this event grows larger each year.”
Entries from February 2015

Empire School
Carl Ross brought this old picture of Empire School into The Dodge County News office recently. His mother provided the picture and believes it was around 1926 or 1927. Pictured (top row, l-r) Adoloph Mercer, Gladys Fountain, Wilkens Ross, Cora Knight and Joe Williams; and front row, l-r) Roxie Floyd, Mr. Albritton (teacher), Annie MacArnold and Mildred Jimmerson.

Global warming – bring it on
R.I.P. Richard T. Gallagher, Sr. (1919-2015) age 95.
Global warming – bring it on – please. I was in southwest Florida (Fort Myers area) last week and it went down to forty degrees or so for a couple of days, near record low temperatures, but better than almost all of the USA. In central Florida on February 20, it hit 33 degrees, the coldest day of the winter so far. Still, for most of the winter, Florida is a very nice place to live.
Clemson hasn’t won a basketball game at Duke in twenty years. I still think the NCAA basketball tournament is the most entertaining sports event of all.
Former Republican national chairman Michael Steele is one of the many losers who claim Republicans are alienating the black vote by not embracing Democrat positions. Mr. Steele, also former lieutenant governor (R) of Maryland, was unsuccessful in getting the minority vote for Republicans. As talk host Mark Levin points out, each party has exactly one U.S. Senator. A good point from Mr. Levin – you’d think since the Democrats get over 95 percent of the black vote they would have more than one Democrat senator.
The proper attitude: “Let me just say this to this President and his street-thug advisors: we’re not afraid of you, and we’re not going anywhere.”
Bill Whittle IndependentFilmNewsAndMedia.com
Bill is correct and to see the behavior of politicians after the election, you’d think Republicans were wiped out and Obama is riding high with a big Demoleft victory under his belt instead of the reverse.
“Most prejudices aren’t created by official doctrines; they result from popular experiences and the slow spreading of a group’s reputation.”
Joseph Sobran Sobran.com [Full Story »]
Global warming – bring it on – please. I was in southwest Florida (Fort Myers area) last week and it went down to forty degrees or so for a couple of days, near record low temperatures, but better than almost all of the USA. In central Florida on February 20, it hit 33 degrees, the coldest day of the winter so far. Still, for most of the winter, Florida is a very nice place to live.
Clemson hasn’t won a basketball game at Duke in twenty years. I still think the NCAA basketball tournament is the most entertaining sports event of all.
Former Republican national chairman Michael Steele is one of the many losers who claim Republicans are alienating the black vote by not embracing Democrat positions. Mr. Steele, also former lieutenant governor (R) of Maryland, was unsuccessful in getting the minority vote for Republicans. As talk host Mark Levin points out, each party has exactly one U.S. Senator. A good point from Mr. Levin – you’d think since the Democrats get over 95 percent of the black vote they would have more than one Democrat senator.
The proper attitude: “Let me just say this to this President and his street-thug advisors: we’re not afraid of you, and we’re not going anywhere.”
Bill Whittle IndependentFilmNewsAndMedia.com
Bill is correct and to see the behavior of politicians after the election, you’d think Republicans were wiped out and Obama is riding high with a big Demoleft victory under his belt instead of the reverse.
“Most prejudices aren’t created by official doctrines; they result from popular experiences and the slow spreading of a group’s reputation.”
Joseph Sobran Sobran.com [Full Story »]

Letter to the Editor
Dear editor,
Well, the United States of America has now sunk to a new low in “wimpiness” with this present commander in chief (Barrack Obama) in fighting the war on terrorism. This new breed of Muslim terrorist that is systematically overtaking the world in their so called “caliphate” in Islamic religion of my way, or the highway, short definition, your head sawed off with a rusty blade or worse, immolation by fire.
The countries of Jordan, Egypt, Britton and the UAE, get it, by bombing these sub-human cockroaches into the stone age, whereas, our brave, brave, President Obama wants to kill these monsters with kind words and a job. Marie Harf, the spokesperson for the state department explained to the press on February 16 that America needs to take a nuance in fighting this Islamic army (ISIS), by offering employment opportunities and other benefits to these “poor souls” and then Mr. Obama doubled down in his remarks in a summit on terrorism by (ISIS) on February 19 by saying, “The ISIS terrorist may have legitimate grievances and we need to understand the core problem of their purpose with dialogue and jobs.”
[Full Story »]
Well, the United States of America has now sunk to a new low in “wimpiness” with this present commander in chief (Barrack Obama) in fighting the war on terrorism. This new breed of Muslim terrorist that is systematically overtaking the world in their so called “caliphate” in Islamic religion of my way, or the highway, short definition, your head sawed off with a rusty blade or worse, immolation by fire.
The countries of Jordan, Egypt, Britton and the UAE, get it, by bombing these sub-human cockroaches into the stone age, whereas, our brave, brave, President Obama wants to kill these monsters with kind words and a job. Marie Harf, the spokesperson for the state department explained to the press on February 16 that America needs to take a nuance in fighting this Islamic army (ISIS), by offering employment opportunities and other benefits to these “poor souls” and then Mr. Obama doubled down in his remarks in a summit on terrorism by (ISIS) on February 19 by saying, “The ISIS terrorist may have legitimate grievances and we need to understand the core problem of their purpose with dialogue and jobs.”
[Full Story »]

Dodge deputies make arrests
The following arrests were reported by the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office for the dates February 10, 2015 through February 22, 2015.
Hali McCurdy – 2/10/15 – theft by taking (one count) and criminal trespass (one count).
Daniel Jones – 2/20/15 – burglary (one count).
Wesley Sutton – 2/20/15 – sale of methamphetamine (one count), possession of methamphetamine (one count)and possession of marijuana-less than one ounce (one count).
Melissa Dykes – 2/20/15 – possession of methamphetamine (one count) and possession of marijuana-less than one ounce (one count).
Timothy D. Poole – 2/20/15 – possession of methamphetamine (one count) and possession of marijuana-less than one ounce (one count).
Keith L. Jackson – 2/20/15 – possession of methamphetamine (one count) and possession of marijuana-less than one ounce (one count).
Amy Thompson – 2/20/15 – burglary (one count).
Karen Evans – 2/20/15 – driving under the influence (DUI) (one count).
Hali McCurdy – 2/10/15 – theft by taking (one count) and criminal trespass (one count).
Daniel Jones – 2/20/15 – burglary (one count).
Wesley Sutton – 2/20/15 – sale of methamphetamine (one count), possession of methamphetamine (one count)and possession of marijuana-less than one ounce (one count).
Melissa Dykes – 2/20/15 – possession of methamphetamine (one count) and possession of marijuana-less than one ounce (one count).
Timothy D. Poole – 2/20/15 – possession of methamphetamine (one count) and possession of marijuana-less than one ounce (one count).
Keith L. Jackson – 2/20/15 – possession of methamphetamine (one count) and possession of marijuana-less than one ounce (one count).
Amy Thompson – 2/20/15 – burglary (one count).
Karen Evans – 2/20/15 – driving under the influence (DUI) (one count).

Dodge grand jury returns indictments
The Dodge County Grand Jury convened in February and returned the following indictments:
Jordan White was indicted on one count felony possession of methamphetamine and one count brake lights and turn signals required.
James King was indicted on one count felony burglary second degree.
Adrian Garcia was indicted on one count felony aggravated assault.
Charles King was indicted on one count felony terroristic threats and acts; one count felony obstruction of law enforcement officer when engage; one count misdemeanor criminal trespass; one count misdemeanor disorderly conduct; and one count misdemeanor public drunkenness.
Eric Wright was indicted on one count felony aggravated sodomy- commit sodomy with force and one count misdemeanor battery.
Dontae Robertson was indicted on one count felony aggravated assault and two counts cruelty to children in the third degree or subsequent.
Cathleen Price was indicted on three counts felony burglary first degree; two counts misdemeanor theft by taking; and one count misdemeanor public drunkenness.
Bobby Rickerson was indicted on one count felony inmates in possession of drugs or weapons; one count felony interference with government property; and one count felony criminal attempt to commit a felony.
Kelechia Hamilton was indicted on one count felony possession of a schedule III controlled substance with intent to distribute; one count felony possession/manufacture/distribute drugs within 1,000 feet of schools; and one count misdemeanor obstruction of officers.
Charles McKay was indicted on one count theft by shoplifting.
[Full Story »]
Jordan White was indicted on one count felony possession of methamphetamine and one count brake lights and turn signals required.
James King was indicted on one count felony burglary second degree.
Adrian Garcia was indicted on one count felony aggravated assault.
Charles King was indicted on one count felony terroristic threats and acts; one count felony obstruction of law enforcement officer when engage; one count misdemeanor criminal trespass; one count misdemeanor disorderly conduct; and one count misdemeanor public drunkenness.
Eric Wright was indicted on one count felony aggravated sodomy- commit sodomy with force and one count misdemeanor battery.
Dontae Robertson was indicted on one count felony aggravated assault and two counts cruelty to children in the third degree or subsequent.
Cathleen Price was indicted on three counts felony burglary first degree; two counts misdemeanor theft by taking; and one count misdemeanor public drunkenness.
Bobby Rickerson was indicted on one count felony inmates in possession of drugs or weapons; one count felony interference with government property; and one count felony criminal attempt to commit a felony.
Kelechia Hamilton was indicted on one count felony possession of a schedule III controlled substance with intent to distribute; one count felony possession/manufacture/distribute drugs within 1,000 feet of schools; and one count misdemeanor obstruction of officers.
Charles McKay was indicted on one count theft by shoplifting.
[Full Story »]

Legals February 25, 2015, Page 1
1007 DEBTORS AND CREDITORS
gpn 07 NOTICE TO DEBTORS AND CREDITORS
All creditors of the Estate of ANNIE MYRLE CUMMINGS late of Dodge County, Georgia, deceased, are hereby notified to render in their demands to the undersigned according to law, and all persons indebted to said estate are required to make immediate payment.
This 25th day of February 2015.
MS. RHONDA DENISE HELMS
2002 STANTON STREET
BRADY, TEXAS 76825
RITA J. LLOP
Attorney at Law
Harrison & Llop, P. C.
5007 9th Avenue
Eastman, Georgia 31023
478-374-9500
gpn 07 NOTICE TO DEBTORS AND CREDITORS
STATE OF GEORGIA,
COUNTY OF DODGE.
IN RE: ESTATE OF JOSEPH JEFFERSON MCCRANIE
All creditors of the Estate of JOSEPH JEFFERSON MCCRANIE are hereby notified to render in their demands to the undersigned in accordance with the law, and all persons indebted to said Estate are required to make immediate payment to us.
This the 9th day of February, 2015.
TIMOTHY WAYNE McCRANIE
Executor of the
Estate of JOSEPH JEFFERSON MCCRANIE
3910 McRae Highway
Chauncey, GA 31011 [Full Story »]
gpn 07 NOTICE TO DEBTORS AND CREDITORS
All creditors of the Estate of ANNIE MYRLE CUMMINGS late of Dodge County, Georgia, deceased, are hereby notified to render in their demands to the undersigned according to law, and all persons indebted to said estate are required to make immediate payment.
This 25th day of February 2015.
MS. RHONDA DENISE HELMS
2002 STANTON STREET
BRADY, TEXAS 76825
RITA J. LLOP
Attorney at Law
Harrison & Llop, P. C.
5007 9th Avenue
Eastman, Georgia 31023
478-374-9500
gpn 07 NOTICE TO DEBTORS AND CREDITORS
STATE OF GEORGIA,
COUNTY OF DODGE.
IN RE: ESTATE OF JOSEPH JEFFERSON MCCRANIE
All creditors of the Estate of JOSEPH JEFFERSON MCCRANIE are hereby notified to render in their demands to the undersigned in accordance with the law, and all persons indebted to said Estate are required to make immediate payment to us.
This the 9th day of February, 2015.
TIMOTHY WAYNE McCRANIE
Executor of the
Estate of JOSEPH JEFFERSON MCCRANIE
3910 McRae Highway
Chauncey, GA 31011 [Full Story »]

Dodge County High School Indians play first two region games of year
On Saturday, February 21, the Dodge County High School (DCHS)Indians traveled to Savannah for their first two region games of the year.
The 1:00 p.m. game was against Jenkins High School. The Indians controlled the game up until the last inning. Cain Peterson got the start on the mound for the Indians. After a shortened appearance, Craig Barton came on in the relief. Barton held the Warriors to only one run through the sixth inning. The Indians had a good day at the plate and had pushed across seven runs. [Full Story »]
The 1:00 p.m. game was against Jenkins High School. The Indians controlled the game up until the last inning. Cain Peterson got the start on the mound for the Indians. After a shortened appearance, Craig Barton came on in the relief. Barton held the Warriors to only one run through the sixth inning. The Indians had a good day at the plate and had pushed across seven runs. [Full Story »]
Lois Griffin Warren
Age: 78
Died: Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Arrangements: Stokes-Southerland Funeral Home of Eastman has charge of arrangements.
Died: Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Arrangements: Stokes-Southerland Funeral Home of Eastman has charge of arrangements.
Wilsene Barbara Cook Andrews
Age: 74
Died: Monday, February 23, 2015
Arrangements: Stokes-Southerland Funeral Home of Eastman has charge of arrangements.
Died: Monday, February 23, 2015
Arrangements: Stokes-Southerland Funeral Home of Eastman has charge of arrangements.
David Troy Higgins
Age: 42
Died: Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Arrangements: Mathis Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Died: Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Arrangements: Mathis Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
James "Eddie" Mullis, Jr.
Age: 60
Died: Saturday, February 21, 2015
Arrangements: Low Country Cremation Services and Burial is in charge of arrangements.
Died: Saturday, February 21, 2015
Arrangements: Low Country Cremation Services and Burial is in charge of arrangements.
Lutrelle Selph Knowles
Age: 82
Died: Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Arrangements: Vaughn Funeral Home of McRae was in charge of arrangements.
Died: Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Arrangements: Vaughn Funeral Home of McRae was in charge of arrangements.
Billy Columbus Spires, Jr.
Age: 50
Died: Thursday, February 19, 2015
Arrangements: Stokes-Southerland Funeral Home of Eastman was in charge of arrangements.
Died: Thursday, February 19, 2015
Arrangements: Stokes-Southerland Funeral Home of Eastman was in charge of arrangements.

Wrestlers place at tournament
Four Dodge County High School (DCHS) Grappling Indians recently competed in the 2015 Georgia High School State Wrestling Championships at the Macon Centreplex.
[Full Story »]
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