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The City of Eastman held its fifth annual stream cleanup on Saturday, October 10, 20105. The stream cleanup is an annual event to raise awareness to the importance of having clean, healthy waterways and streams. Pictured are some of the citizens and City of Eastman employees that came out and participated in the cleanup event.

By Taelor Rye
At the October 26 meeting of the Eastman City Council, councilman Milton Johnson expressed his interest in developing an intergovernmental agreement between Eastman and Dodge County to have the county building inspector perform building inspections for the city. Johnson clarified that his proposal was informal and that, at this point, he thinks that the city should merely contact the county to explore the options.

Councilman Buddy Pittman said, “I think that it’s a good move to reach out to the county.”

Johnson also spoke on the blighted property beside CVS in Eastman. He stated that, about five months ago, the council first discussed what should be done concerning the property and that now is the time to revisit those discussions. According to the Eastman City Ordinance, members of the community can ask the city to look at a plot of blighted property for action to be taken, according to Johnson. City attorney Rita Llop stated that, per Johnson’s request, she would get the paperwork together for the city to see what the next step should be, whether court-imposed fines, condemnation of the property or some alternative action.

Freddie Dwozan approached the council to speak on the idea of developing a roundabout at the troublesome intersection by the Dodge County Hospital. In his speech, Dwozan stated that he’d like to draw the council’s direction and review to the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) manual. Ultimately, Dwozan expressed that he would prefer the city to explore some alternative avenue of action, even having spoken with an involved property owner to prepare his statements. [Full Story »] 

The festive fall decorations in downtown Eastman can only mean one thing: It’s time for the 16th Annual Fall for Dodge Festival.

This Saturday, October 31, from 12:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., downtown Eastman will be filled with rides, games and activities that will thrill kids of all ages! For the first time ever, a huge zip line will fill the street in front of Goody’s, while a Velcro wall, gladiator joust, water bubbles and much more can be found throughout the festival.

Head downtown for excellent local, live entertainment, which includes The Georgia Peach Dance Academy, Alaina Bond, Paid in Full, Destiny Fitness Zumba demonstrations and more.

Trick-or-Treat will take place at the Fall for Dodge Festival from 5:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., and in participating neighborhoods following the festival. Please make sure trick-or-treaters are of appropriate age (no adults, please).

Kids should all be in Halloween costumes, and should verbally say, “Trick-or-Treat” before receiving candy at participating houses. Please do not approach houses that do not have outside lights or door lights on, or houses that have “no candy/trick-or-treaters” as many of the elderly are not able to come to the door. Drivers, please pay attention Saturday night as kids and families may be walking through neighborhoods. If you have an emergency, please contact local law enforcement. Trick-or-Treat should be fun for everyone if you make sure to follow proper etiquette!

Merchant vendors and non-selling vendors are still being accepted. Call the Chamber at 478-374-4723 to sign up.

This year, Fall for Dodge is sponsored by: Alcoa, Dodge County Hospital, Medical Center Prescription Shop, Colony Bank, Integrity Hospice, ResCare HomeCare, Bank of Eastman, The Frozen Bean, Mondi, Middle Georgia State University, United 1st Federal Credit Union, Nana’s Place, Five Otters, LLC; Saunders, Stuckey, Mullis; CB&T, Wholesale Builders Supply, Ocmulgee EMC, Quality Industrial Services, Eastman Drugs, Dodge Fitness, Joseph I. Marchant, LLC, Southside Market, Rita J. Llop, P.C., Stokes and Southerland Funeral Home, and The Dodge County News.

The streets were crowded as people from all around made their way to the sixth annual Milan Harvest Festival this past Saturday in Milan. The daylong festivities included music, a beauty pageant, plenty of food, arts and crafts vendors and a street dance. Pictured above are Mickey and Minnie Mouse taking the time to have their picture made with a happy child. (Photo by Cindy Eckles)

At approximately 5:30 p.m. on Monday, October 19, Dodge/Wilcox 911 received a call about a three year old child that had been shot.

When deputies and Emergency Medical Services arrived on the scene on Oak Grove Church Road, they found the girl had been shot in the leg.

According to Dodge County Sheriff Lynn Sheffield, the child and her mother were alone at the home at the time of the shooting. Apparently, the mother had left the child in one room while she went into the bedroom to place a television set on top of a chest of drawers.

There was a 9mm pistol on top of the chest of drawers and the mother took it and placed it on the bed. Unbeknownst to the mother, the child had come into the bedroom and climbed on the bed and grabbed the handgun. The child pulled the trigger, discharging the gun and shooting herself in the leg.

The child was airlifted from Rhine to the Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon. Surgery was scheduled for the child for Tuesday, October 20.

On Sunday, October 18 at approximately 6:20 p.m., a 10 year old boy was hit by a pickup truck on the Empire Chester Highway.

According to the Georgia State Patrol report, Kaleb Balderston was riding his bicycle on a private drive at 109 Empire Chester Highway when he failed to yield the right of way and ran onto the Empire Chester Highway into the path of Justin Henry Grinstead (age 32), of Hawkinsville, who was driving a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado K1500 pickup west on the Empire Chester Highway.

After the impact, Balderston was thrown into the ditch on the north shoulder of the highway. Roddy and Gresston first responders responded to the accident. An Air Evac helicopter flew the boy from the scene to the Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon. He was later flown to an Atlanta hospital where on Monday, October 19, he was listed in critical but stable condition.

The Eastman Police Department made the following arrest for the week of October 12 through October 20, 2015.

Jose Luiz-Perez, age 23, 323 Sycamore Drive, Eastman, one count license: driving while unlicensed or expired/new resident; one count headlight requirements; and one count driving under the influence (DUI) alcohol 0.10 GM or more, 21 or over.

William Jackson, age 21, Eastman, one count failure to pay (FTP) bench warrant.

Damian Dupree, age 24, 5821 8th Avenue, Eastman, one count operating vehicle without valid tag/decal; one count no insurance; and one count safety belts violation (adults).

Sean Clemons, age 34, 54 Clemons Hill Lane, Eastman, one count no license on person; one count DUI alcohol 0.10 GM or more, 21 or over; and one count headlight requirements.

Harry Martin, age 22, 353 Irvin Street, Cornelia, one count obstructing law enforcement officers.

Arthur Whitley, age 59, 5977 James Avenue, Eastman, one count pedestrian under the influence (PUI).
[Full Story »] 

By Taelor Rye
At the October 12 meeting of the Eastman City Council, council members discussed the status of past due taxes as they apply to Eastman citizens and decided to send out notices on February 1, 2016.
Initially, the council discussed sending out the notices earlier. However, city tax statements for the most recent fiscal year will be sent out soon.
Because payments for those taxes will be due on December 20, the council decided to postpone the date for sending out notices on past due taxes so that they could include unpaid taxes for the upcoming collection.
Council member Milton Johnson noted that, last year, the council allowed citizens a full year to pay past-due taxes. “We kind of put ourselves in this position by saying that we wanted to give people an opportunity, and it doesn’t seem that many people took that opportunity,” he said.
The city is currently owed $104,622.25 in past due taxes, and that number is only expected to rise after the upcoming cycle.
Ultimately, city manager Bea Edge recommended going with Government Tax Solutions, whom the city has used before, to send notices.
Also at the city council meeting was Skeet Brown, who voiced his recommendations for the planned roundabout. Brown’s first recommendation was to make sure that at least one acre of land was allotted per street to be involved in the roundabout, given the unusual amount of semi truck traffic in the area.
Additionally, Brown recommended that the city obtain insurance because he anticipates that many lawsuits will result from having a roundabout there. Brown pointed out that the area also has a high amount of foot traffic from people who walk to Walmart, the hospital and nursing homes in the area.
In closing, Brown suggested putting a traffic light in the area instead, claiming that it would be cheaper, simpler and safer.
The council discussed the resolution to pursue a Community Development Block Grant, which Edge recommended to use on roads in the Bacon Heights area. “There are several big ditches in there… [and] drainage [issues] that we’ll need to look at… We’ll canvas houses in the area and take applications,” she said.
The resolution stated that the amount is up to $500,000.00 for city water and sewer line improvements.
“The city commits to cover the cost of the required cash matched as well as any cost over the grant… associated with the project,” the resolution reads. The project aims to improve the general public good and welfare of the City of Eastman as well as the state of Georgia by primarily assisting those in low-income areas.
[Full Story »] 

The Dodge County High School 2015-2016 homecoming queen, was chosen at halftime of the football game on Friday, October 9, 2015. Chosen, as homecoming queen was Shardae Jackson, escorted by Alex Jordan (c), first runner up was Marissa Hall, escorted by Zack Carey (r) and second runner up was Anna Kate Hickman, escorted by Austin Barrows (l). (Photo courtesy of Emory Rogers Photography)

The Dodge County Grand Jury convened in September and returned the following indictments:
Lee Shiver was indicted on one count felony obscene Internet contact with a child and one count of felony computer pornography.
Halie Jones was indicted on one count felony theft by taking.
Dorian McDuffie was indicted on one count felony possession/manufacture/distribution/etc. of marijuana, one count misdemeanor driving under the influence (DUI) drugs, one count felony fleeing/attempting to elude and officer for felony, one count defective equipment, one count headlights and one count operating vehicle without valid tag.
Dana Northcutt was indicted on one count felony possession of methamphetamine and one count felony possession/manufacture/distribution/etc. of marijuana.
James Tarver was indicted on one count felony sale of oxycodone, a controlled substance.
Tony Thomas was indicted on one count felony theft by shoplifting.
Howard Mitchell was indicted on one count felony aggravated assault, one count felony terroristic threats and acts and one count misdemeanor public indecency first or second conviction.
Daquan Guyton was indicted on one count felony criminal attempt to commit a felony and one count misdemeanor battery.
Heather Hopwood was indicted on one count felony burglary second degree.
Johnny Loden was indicted on one count felony theft by receiving stolen property.
Homar Ramirez was indicated on two counts felony burglary first degree and one count felony theft by taking.
George Mack Bird III was indicted on one count felony violation of Georgia Code 16-4-1, one count felony attempt or conspiracy to violate Georgia Controlled Substance Act, two counts felony sale of a Schedule III, IV or V controlled substance, two counts felony possession of a Schedule III, IV or V controlled substance and three counts misdemeanor unlawful prescription.
Fran Douglas was indicted on one count felony violation of Georgia Code 16-4-1 and one count felony attempt or conspiracy to violate Georgia Controlled Substance Act.
Jennifer Douglas was indicted on one count felony violation of Georgia Code 16-4-1, one count felony attempt or conspiracy to violate Georgia Controlled Substance Act, two counts sale of a Schedule III, IV or V controlled substance and one count felony possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance.
Erin Mullis was indicted on one count felony violation of Georgia Code 16-4-1, nine counts felony attempt or conspiracy to violate Georgia Controlled Substance Act and seven counts felony use of a communication facility in commission of a felony.
Brad Balderston was indicted on one count felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, one count misdemeanor driving while license suspended or revoked, one count no proof of insurance, one count operating vehicle without valid tag and one count misdemeanor possession and use of drug related objects.
Aaron Braswell was indicted on one count felony burglary second degree and one count felony aggravated assault.
Gary Edge was indicted on one count felony burglary second degree and one count felony aggravated assault.
Christopher Rigby was indicted on three counts burglary second degree, one count felony burglary first degree and one count misdemeanor theft by taking.
Charles Grimsley was indicted on one count felony receipt, possession or transfer of firearm by convicted felon and one count misdemeanor theft by taking.
Michael Barlow was indicted on one count felony terroristic threats and acts, one count felony interference with government property, one misdemeanor obstruction of officers, one count misdemeanor marijuana less than one ounce and one count misdemeanor disorderly conduct.
Tiffanie Hanson was indicted on one count misdemeanor disorderly conduct.
Matthew Barnett was indicted on two counts burglary second degree and one count felony entering auto.
Bradley Clark was indicted on one count felony burglary second degree, one count misdemeanor criminal trespass, and one count misdemeanor theft by taking.
Jennifer Biron was indicted on one count felony burglary first degree and one count felony criminal damage to property in the second degree.
Morgan Correll was indicted on one count felony burglary first degree and one count felony criminal damage to property in the second degree.
Travis Edge was indicted on one count felony burglary first degree and one count felony criminal damage to property in the second degree.
David Payne was indicted on one count felony burglary first degree and one count felony criminal damage to property in the second degree.
James Stevens was indicted on one count felony burglary first degree and one count felony criminal damage to property in the second degree.
Jonathan C. Guyton was indicted on one count misdemeanor obstruction of officers.
Jonathan N. Guyton, Jr. was indicted on one count felony terroristic threats and acts, one count felony obstruction of officers, and one count misdemeanor obstruction of officers.
Taylor Brooks one count felony burglary second degree, one count aggravated assault, one count felony possession of firearm/knife during crime/attempted crime, one count felony receipt/possession or transfer of firearm by convicted felon, one count felony fleeing/attempting to elude an officer for felony, one count driving without license, one count driving on wrong side of road, one count passing on hill or curve, one count speeding, one count reckless driving, two counts failure to stop for stop sign, one count safety belt violations, one count misdemeanor possession and use of drug related objects, and one count misdemeanor obstruction of officers.
Fredrick Holton one count forgery felony first degree, one count felony financial identity fraud, one count felony possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, one count misdemeanor possession and use of drug related objects, one count felony possession of firearm/knife during crime/attempt crime, one count felony possession/manufacture/distribution/etc. of marijuana, one count felony theft by receiving stolen property, one count felony use of communication facility in commission of a felony, and one count felony receipt/possession or transfer of firearm by convicted felon.
Daniel Gaultney was indicted on one count felony financial transaction card fraud.
Tammy Layman was indicted on one count felony financial transaction card theft and one count financial transaction card fraud.
Katie Reeder was indicted on one count felony financial transaction card theft and one count financial transaction card fraud.
Troy East was indicted on one count felony obstruction of an officer.
Molly Parkerson was indicted on one count felony theft by taking, one count felony criminal damage to property in the second degree, and one count misdemeanor possession and use of drug related objects.
Charles Mullis was indicted on one count felony possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance, one count misdemeanor giving false name/address/birthdate to law enforcement officer, and one count misdemeanor criminal trespass.
Angela Trainor was indicted on one count misdemeanor criminal trespass.
Mesha Green was indicted on one count felony financial identity fraud.
Linda Martin was indicted on one count felony financial identity fraud.
Brian Eagy was indicted on one count felony aggravated assault, one count felony armed robbery, and one count felony burglary first degree.
Danielle Eagy was indicted on one count felony aggravated assault, one count felony armed robbery, and one count felony burglary first degree.
Jeremy Mullis was indicted on one count felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance.
Willie Roy Level was indicted on one count felony theft by shoplifting and one count misdemeanor criminal trespass.
Leonard Hodge was indicted on one count felony theft by shoplifting.
Cindy Gilder was indicted on one count felony criminal damage to property in the second degree.
Johnny Frank Johnson was indicted on one count felony possession/manufacture/distribution/etc. of marijuana and one count felony possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.
Timothy Raffield was indicted on one count felony burglary first degree.
Sam Adamson was indicted on one count felony theft by taking, one count misdemeanor theft by taking, one count misdemeanor DUI alcohol, one count misdemeanor DUI (per se), and one count weaving over roadway.
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For Printis Thomas, Jr., the association that he has with Dodge County High School (DCHS) Homecoming festivities will come full circle this week as he rides in the lead car of the parade as the grand marshal. The parade will be held on Friday, October 9, at 4:00 p.m. This year’s theme is “Game Over For The Pirates” as the Dodge County Indians face the Appling County Pirates in the football game at 7:30 p.m.

In his many years of service to DCHS, one area of work Thomas committed to was working with the homecoming committee to select the grand marshal each year.

“This is quite an honor to me,” Thomas said. “I never thought I’d retire and come back as Grand Marshal myself.”

On behalf of the faculty, staff and students at DCHS, principal Dr. Susan Long said that she is honored to have Thomas as this year’s grand marshal. “Mr. Thomas’ professionalism, his vision and his leadership have made positive impacts on Dodge County High School and Dodge County for many years, and we are happy to welcome him home to lead our homecoming parade,” Long said.

Though Thomas said that he questions if he really “deserves all of this,” DCHS Assistant Principal Pam Melvin reiterated Long’s enthusiasm and affirmed how deserving Thomas is of the honor.
[Full Story »] 

Members of the Dodge County High School 2015-2016 Homecoming Court are (l-r) Anna Kate Hickman, escorted by Austin Keith Barrows; Shardae Simone Jackson, escorted by Alex Egan Jordan; Jaycie Maya Rollins, escorted by Tyair Blue Ahmad Blackman; Kaylee Rae Peterson, escorted by Ryan Wade Bowen; Monica Ellis, escorted by Jaterrian Shields; Monique Ellis, escorted by John Michael McCoy; Logan Suzanne Taylor, escorted by Justin Dewayne Sowell; Marissa Leigh Hall, escorted by Zachary Gene Carey; Taylor Kiley Cranford, escorted by James Dalton Evans; and Laura Leigh Taylor, escorted by Aaron Michael Kitchens. (Photo by Emory Rogers Photography)