The Dodge County News

Age: 88

Died: Saturday, November 28, 2015

Arrangements: Stokes-Southerland Funeral Home of Eastman is in charge of arrangements

Age: 55

Died: Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Arrangements: Hardy-Towns Funeral Home of Eastman was in charge of arrangements.

Age: 84

Died: Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Arrangements: Hardy-Towns Funeral Home of Eastman was in charge of arrangements.

Age: 70

Died: Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Arrangements: Towns Funeral Home of Alamo and Hardy-Towns Funeral Home of Eastman was in charge of arrangements.

1004
CONDEMNATIONS
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NO­TICE OF SEI­ZURE OF
PER­SON­AL PROP­ER­TY VALUED AT LESS THAN $25,000.00
Pur­su­ant to O.C.G.A. § 16-13-49 (n), any par­ty claim­ing an in­ter­est in the fol­low­ing prop­er­ty is here­by no­ti­fied that on Sep­tem­ber 9, 2015, said prop­er­ty was seized by the un­der­signed agen­cy in Dodge Coun­ty, Geor­gia:
THREE HUNDRED FIF­TY TWO DOL­LARS ($352.00) IN UNIT­ED STATES CUR­REN­CY
You are fur­ther no­ti­fied that you may file a claim with­in (30) days of the sec­ond pub­li­ca­tion of this no­tice of sei­zure by send­ing a claim com­ply­ing with the re­quire­ments of O.C.G.A. § 16-13-49 to the seiz­ing law en­force­ment agen­cy and to the dis­trict at­tor­ney by cer­ti­fied mail, re­turn re­ceipt re­quest­ed.
This 13th day of No­vem­ber, 2015.
CHRIS­TO­PHER C. GOR­DON
As­sis­tant Dis­trict At­tor­ney
Oco­nee Ju­di­cial Cir­cuit
P.O. Box 1027
5401 An­son Ave­nue, Room 200
East­man, GA 31023
Seiz­ing Agen­cy:
CUR­TIS HAY
Oco­nee Drug Task Force
327 Pearl Bates Ave­nue
East­man, GA 31023

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CITA­TION
IN THE SU­PE­RI­OR COURT OF DODGE COUN­TY
STATE OF GEOR­GIA
DE­PART­MENT OF TRANS­POR­TA­TION
VS.
2.919 ACR­ES OF LAND; AND CER­TAIN EASE­MENT RIGHTS; AND ROSA FAYE BRAY, IN­DI­VIDU­AL­LY AND AS AD­MIN­IS­TRA­TOR OF THE ES­TATE OF JES­SIE LEE FOL­SOM; ILAH FRAZ­I­ER; DA­VID LEE WELLS A/K/A BIL­LY WELLS; ER­NEST “JUNE” ED­WARDS; JAMES “BOBO” ED­WARDS; CATHY ED­WARDS CO­OP­ER; ED­DIE ED­WARDS; TONY A. SMITH; JIM­MY SMITH; TOM­MY SMITH; RICHARD SMITH; DANTE SMITH; AN­THO­NY WIL­LIAMS; BEV­ER­LY CREW; CLAUDE WIL­LIAMS, JR.; ROD­NEY ED­WARDS; AL­VIN RHONE; MAR­VINE ED­WARDS AL­LEN; DEB­O­RAH ED­WARDS GIV­HANS; MAR­VIN ED­WARDS; ERIC ED­WARDS; GER­AL­DINE ED­WARDS HIG­GINS; CAS­SAN­DRA ED­WARDS; VICK­IE ED­WARDS JONES; MICHELLE CARS­WELL THO­MAS; KIERA JOHN­SON; RON­ALD ED­WARDS; LER­OY ED­WARDS; MARY SIM­MONS; SHARON SIM­MONS, SAM­MY SIM­MONS, ALI­CIA HOR­TON, JAMES CHRIS­TO­PHER HOR­TON, CUR­TIS ROZ­I­ER, THE HEIRS AT LAW AND DE­VISEES OF JES­SIE LEE ED­WARDS FOL­SOM A/K/A JES­SIE LEE FOL­SOM A/K/A JESSE LEE FOL­SON A/K/A JES­SIE FOL­SON; THE HEIRS AT LAW AND DE­VISEES OF PEARL­IE E. HOR­TON; THE HEIRS AT LAW AND DE­VISEES OF MYR­TICE WELLS A/K/A MUR­DIS WELLS A/K/A MUR­DIS W. JO­SEY A/K/A MER­DIS WELLS A/K/A MYR­TICE WEBB; THE HEIRS AT LAW AND DE­VISEES OF FLORENCE FOL­SOM A/K/A FLORENCE FOL­SON; THE HEIRS AT LAW AND DE­VISEES OF SON­NY “ST” ED­WARDS; THE HEIRS AT LAW AND DE­VISEES OF JAMES HOR­TON, JR.; THE HEIRS AT LAW AND DE­VISEES OF GLO­RIA PRAY; THE HEIRS AT LAW AND DE­VISEES OF LEO ED­WARDS; THE HEIRS AT LAW AND DE­VISEES OF ROSA KAYE ED­WARDS SMITH; THE HEIRS AT LAW AND DE­VISEES OF LOU­ISE ED­WARDS WIL­LIAMS A/K/A LOU­ISE ED­WARDS RHONE; THE HEIRS AT LAW AND DE­VISEES OF WIL­LIE ED­WARDS; THE HEIRS AT LAW AND DE­VISEES OF AL­BER­TA ED­WARDS CARS­WELL SIMS; THE HEIRS AT LAW AND DE­VISEES OF ES­SIE MAE ED­WARDS A/K/A ES­SIE MAE ROZ­I­ER; THE HEIRS AT LAW AND DE­VISEES OF HEL­EN ED­WARDS SIM­MONS; THE HEIRS AT LAW AND DE­VIS­ES OF LIN­DA CARS­WELL JOHN­SON; THE HEIRS AT LAW AND DE­VISEES OF HER­MAN SIM­MONS; CRED­IT ONE BANK, N.A.; THE CIT­I­ZENS BANK OF COCH­RAN, AND THE DODGE COUN­TY TAX COM­MIS­SION­ER, IN­DI­VIDU­AL­LY
DOCK­ET NO. 15V7697
PAR­CEL 156
IN REM _______________
The said named per­sons and any and all oth­er per­sons known and un­known claim­ing any right, ti­tle, pow­er, in­ter­est, ow­ner­ship, eq­ui­ty, claim or de­mand in and to the lands here­i­naft­er de­scribed, and all oc­cup­ants, ten­ants, less­ees, li­cen­sees and all hold­ers, own­ers and us­ers of ways and ease­ments in, across, over and un­der said land are here­by no­ti­fied, un­der the pro­vi­sions of the Of­fi­cial Code of Geor­gia An­no­tat­ed Sec­tions 32-3-4 through 32-3-19, pro­vid­ing for the ex­er­cise of the pow­er of em­in­ent do­main by the State of Geor­gia, or any of its sub­di­vi­sions, or by any coun­ty of such State, as fol­lows:That the above stated case, be­ing a con­dem­na­tion in rem against the prop­er­ty here­i­naft­er de­scribed, was filed in said Court on the 19TH day of No­vem­ber, 2015; That, in ac­cor­dance with pro­vi­sions of the afore­said Of­fi­cial Code, a Dec­la­ra­tion of Tak­ing, duly au­thor­ized and prop­er­ly ex­e­cut­ed as pro­vid­ed by the Of­fi­cial Code, has been made and filed in said case, de­clar­ing the ne­cess­i­ty for and ex­er­cis­ing the pow­er of tak­ing the said de­scribed lands for State-aid pub­lic road pur­pos­es, there­by vest­ing the ti­tle to same in the De­part­ment of Trans­por­ta­tion; and, in pur­suance of

Par­cel No. 156 19.

such authority, the Department of Transportation has deposited with the Clerk of the Superior Court of said County $25,850.00 as the just compensation for the said lands described; and all persons claiming such fund or any interest therein, are hereby required to make known their claims to the Court;
In accordance with the provisions of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the Plaintiff-Condemnor has prayed the Court for Immediate possession of said property, and all persons having any interest in or claim against such property, as above set forth, are required by the Order of the Judge of said Court to surrender possession of the property to the Department of Transportation no later than 60 days from filing of the Declaration of Taking.
That in accordance with the Official Code of Georgia Annotated Section 32-3-13 through 32-3-19, if the owner, or any of the owners, or any person having a claim against or interest in said property, shall be dissatisfied with the compensation, as estimated in the Declaration of Taking and deposited in Court, such person or persons, or any of them, shall have the right, at any time subsequent to the filing of the Declaration and the deposit of the fund into Court but not later than 30 days following the date of service as provided for in the Official Code of Georgia Annotated Sections 32-3-8 through 32-3-10 to file with the Court a notice of appeal, the same to be in writing and made a part of the record in the proceedings.
The said property, as thus affected, is described
as follows:
SEE PAGE 20-A; 20-B; 20-C; 20-D; DESCRIPTION
This 19th day of November, 2015.
/s/ Rhett Walker
Rhett Walker,
Clerk Superior Court
DODGE COUNTY

Parcel No. 156 20.

Parcel Numbers: 156

Required R/W: 2.919 acres of land; and certain easement rights

Property Owner:
Rosa Faye Bray, Individually and as Administrator of the Estate of Jessie Lee Folsom; Ilah Frazier; David Lee Wells a/k/a Billy Wells; Ernest “June” Edwards; James “Bobo” Edwards; Cathy Edwards Cooper; Eddie Edwards; Tony A. Smith; Jimmy Smith; Tommy Smith; Richard Smith; Dante Smith; Anthony Williams; Beverly Crew; Claude Williams, Jr.; Rodney Edwards; Alvin Rhone; Marvine Edwards Allen; Deborah Edwards Givhans; Marvin Edwards; Eric Edwards; Geraldine Edwards Higgins; Cassandra Edwards; Vickie Edwards Jones; Michelle Carswell Thomas; Kiera Johnson; Ronald Edwards; Leroy Edwards; Mary Simmons; Sharon Simmons, Sammy Simmons, Alicia Horton, James Christopher Horton, Curtis Rozier, The heirs at law and devisees of Jessie Lee Edwards Folsom a/k/a Jessie Lee Folsom a/k/a Jesse Lee Folson a/k/a Jessie Folson; The heirs at law and devisees of Pearlie E. Horton; The heirs at law and devisees of Myrtice Wells a/k/a Murdis Wells a/k/a Murdis W. Josey a/k/a Merdis Wells a/k/a Myrtice Webb; The heirs at law and devisees of Florence Folsom a/k/a Florence Folson; The heirs at law and devisees of Sonny “ST” Edwards; The heirs at law and devisees of James Horton, Jr.; The heirs at law and devisees of Gloria Pray; The heirs at law and devisees of Leo Edwards; The heirs at law and devisees of Rosa Kaye Edwards Smith; The heirs at law and devisees of Louise Edwards Williams a/k/a Louise Edwards Rhone; The heirs at law and devisees of Willie Edwards; The heirs at law and devisees of Alberta Edwards Carswell Sims; The heirs at law and devisees of Essie Mae Edwards a/k/a Essie Mae Rozier; The heirs at law and devisees of Helen Edwards Simmons; The heirs at law and devises of Linda Carswell Johnson; The heirs at law and devisees of Herman Simmons; Credit One Bank, N.A.; The Citizens Bank of Cochran, and the Dodge County Tax Commissioner

All that tract or parcel of land lying and being in Land Lots 6 and 25 of the 20th Land District of Dodge County, Georgia, being more particularly described as follows:

Tract 1
BEGINNING at the point of intersection on the existing southwestern right of way line of State Route 87/US 23 with the existing northwestern right of way line of County Road 350, said point being 16.07 feet right of and opposite station 417+49.02 on the construction centerline of State Route 87/US 23 on Georgia Highway Project MLP00-0087-00 (045); running thence southwesterly along said existing northwestern right of way line of County Road 350 a distance of 83.02 feet to a point 98.59 feet left of and opposite station 417+58.10 on said centerline, said point also being a point on the southern property line of the condemnees; thence northwesterly along said property line a distance of 22.03 feet to a point 115.14 feet left of and opposite station 417+72.64 on said centerline; thence N 30° 30’ 36.5” W a distance of 267.74 feet to a point 115.00 feet left of and opposite station 420+40.38 on said centerline; said point also being a point on the northwestern property line of the condemnees; thence northeasterly along said latter property line a distance of 102.83 feet to a point 16.09 feet left

Parcel No. 156 20-A.

of and opposite station 420+12.28 on said centerline, said point also being a point on the southwestern right of way line of State Route 87/US 23; thence southeasterly along said existing right of way line a distance of 263.26 feet back to the point of BEGINNING.

Tract 2
BEGINNING at the point of intersection on the existing southwestern right of way line of State Route 87/US 23 with the southeastern property line of the condemnees, said point being 16.11 feet left of and opposite station 423+20.08 on said centerline of State Route 87/US 23on Georgia Highway Project MLP00-0087-00 (045); running thence southwesterly along said property line a distance of 98.91 feet to a point 115.00 feet left of and opposite station 423+18.05 on said centerline; thence N 30° 32’ 23.4” W a distance of 452.26 feet to a point 115.00 feet left of and opposite station 427+70.31 on said centerline; thence N 69° 27’ 23.8” E a distance of 15.23 feet to a point 100.00 feet left of and opposite station 427+67.67 on said centerline; thence N 30° 32’ 22.0” W a distance of 674.30 feet to a point 100.00 feet left of and opposite station 434+41.97 on said centerline, said point also being a point on the northwestern property line of the condemnees; thence northeasterly along said latter property line a distance of 84.86 feet to a point 16.18 feet left of and opposite station 434+28.70 on said centerline, said point also being a point on the southwestern existing right of way line of State Route 87/US 23; thence southeasterly along said existing right of way line a distance of 1108.61 feet back to the point of BEGINNING.
Said described land being the required right of way and is shown colored yellow on the attached plats marked Annex 1-A.

A temporary easement for removal of an encroachment is condemned for the right to remove a structure, said easement is described as follows:

BEGINNING at a point 100.00 feet left of and opposite station 427+67.67 on the construction centerline of State Route 87/US 23 on Georgia Highway Project MLP00-0087-00 (045); running thence southwesterly along a straight line to a point 152.65 feet left of and opposite station 427+76.95 on said centerline; thence northwesterly along a straight line to a point 137.05 feet left of and opposite station 428+55.63 on said centerline; thence northeasterly

Parcel No. 156 20-B.
along a straight line to a point 100.00 feet left of and opposite station 428+48.06 on said centerline; thence southeasterly along a straight line back to the point of BEGINNING. The easement will begin on the date possession is granted and continue until the building is removed or until January 1, 2019, whichever comes first, at which time said easement will expire. Said easement is shown colored green on the attached plats marked Annex 1-A.

Also to be acquired by condemnation are four temporary easements for the construction of driveways being described as follows:

Driveway #1
BEGINNING at a point 115.00 feet left of and opposite station 417+88.00 on the construction centerline of State Route 87/US 23 on Georgia Highway Project MLP00-0087-00 (45); running thence northwesterly along a straight line to a point 135.00 feet left of and opposite station 418+10.00 on said centerline; thence northwesterly along a straight line to a point 135.00 feet left of and opposite station 418+50.00 on said centerline; thence northeasterly along a straight line to a point 115.00 feet left of and opposite station 418+72.00 on said centerline; thence southeasterly along a straight line back to the point of BEGINNING.

Driveway #2
BEGINNING at a point on the southeastern property line of the condemnees, said point 115.00 feet left of and opposite station 423+18.05 on the construction centerline of State Route 87/US 23 on Georgia Highway Project MLP00-0087-00 (045); running thence northwesterly along a straight line to a point 135.00 feet left of and opposite station 423+33.00 on said centerline; thence northwesterly along a straight line to a point 135.00 feet left of and opposite station 423+63.00 on said centerline; thence northeasterly along a straight line to a point 115.00 feet left of and opposite station 423+85.00 on said centerline; thence southeasterly along a straight line back to the point of BEGINNING.

Driveway #3
BEGINNING at a point 115.00 feet left of and opposite station 424+49.00 on the construction centerline of State Route 87/US 23 on Georgia Highway Project MLP00-0087-00 (045);

Parcel No. 156 20-C.

running thence northwesterly along a straight line to a point 135.00 feet left of and opposite station 424+71.00 on said centerline; thence northwesterly along a straight line to a point 135.00 feet left of and opposite station 425+01.00 on said centerline; thence northeasterly along a straight line to a point 115.00 feet left of and opposite station 425+23.00 on said centerline; thence southeasterly along a straight line back to the point of BEGINNING.

Driveway #4

BEGINNING at a point 115.00 feet left of and opposite station 425+83.00 on the construction centerline of State Route 87/US 23 on Georgia Highway Project MLP00-0087-00 (045); running thence northwesterly along a straight line to a point 135.00 feet left of and opposite station 426+05.00 on said centerline; thence northwesterly along a straight line to a point 135.00 feet left of and opposite station 426+35.00 on said centerline; thence northeasterly along a straight line to a point 115.00 feet left of and opposite station 426+57.00 on said centerline; thence southeasterly along a straight line back to the point of BEGINNING.
Said described lands being temporary easements for the construction of driveways and are shown colored orange on the attached plats marked Annex 1-A.

The title, estate, or inter-
est in the above described lands, required by condemnor and now taken by condemnor for public use is as follows: Fee simple title to the above described lands as shown colored yellow on the plats dated 10th day of March, 2008: Last Revised: Sheet Nos. 47 and 48 on August 4, 2015, and Sheet No. 49 on April 28, 2015, and attached hereto as Annex 1-A.

A temporary easement for the removal of encroachment is condemned for the right to remove a building. The temporary encroachment easement will begin on the date possession is granted and continue until the building is removed or until January 1, 2019, whichever comes first, at which time said easement will expire. Said easement is shown colored green on the attached plats marked Annex 1-A.

Four temporary easements are condemned for the right to construct driveways to connect the newly constructed road and right of way to the condemnees remaining lands for driveway purposes. Said easements will expire on January 1, 2019, and are shown colored orange on the above mentioned plats. Upon completion of the project, the driveways will remain in place for use by the condemnees [Full Story »] 

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NOTICE OF SALE UNDER POWER
GEORGIA, DODGE COUNTY
By virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Security Deed from LEWIS D BLANKENSHIP to MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS INC. AS NOMINEE FOR GMAC BANK, dated May 7, 2004, recorded May 12, 2004, in Deed Book 474, Page 150, Dodge County, Georgia Records, said Security Deed having been given to secure a Note of even date in the original principal amount of Sixty-Six Thousand and 00/100 dollars ($66,000.00), with interest thereon as provided for therein, said Security Deed having been last sold, assigned and transferred to NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC, there will be sold at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash at the Dodge County Courthouse, within the legal hours of sale on the first Tuesday in December, 2015, all property described in said Security Deed including but not limited to the following described property:
TRACT ONE: ALL THAT TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND LYING AND BEING IN THE CITY OF EASTMAN, DODGE COUNTY, GEORGIA, AND BEING KNOWN AS LOTS 25, 26, 27, AND PART OF LOT NUMBER 28 OF HILLCREST HEIGHTS SUBDIVISION AS SHOWN BY A PLAT OF SURVEY RECORDED IN THE OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF DODGE SUPERIOR COURT IN DEED BOOK 26, PAGE 271, AND MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT A STAKE ON THE NORTHWEST MARGIN OF SEVENTH AVENUE WHICH STAKE IS LOCATED 118 FEET NORTHWEST FROM THE MOST NORTHERLY CORNER OF THE INTERSECTION OF SEVENTH AVENUE AND PALM STREET; AND RUNNING THENCE ALONG THE NORTHWEST MARGIN OF SEVENTH AVENUE A DISTANCE OF 82 FEET BACK TO A STAKE, THENCE TURNING AND RUNNING IN A NORTHWEST DIRECTION A DISTANCE OF 150 FEET TO A STAKE; THENCE TURNING AND RUNNING IN A SOUTHWEST DIRECTION A DISTANCE OF 75 FEET TO A STAKE; THENCE TURNING AND RUNNING IN A SOUTHEAST DIRECTION A DISTANCE OF 75 FEET TO A STAKE: THENCE TURNING AND RUNNING IN A SOUTHWEST DIRECTION A DISTANCE OF 7 FEET TO A STAKE; THENCE TURNING AND RUNNING IN A SOUTHEAST DIRECTION A DISTANCE OF 75 FEET TO A STAKE AND THE POINT OF BEGINNING.
TRACT TWO: ALL THAT TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE CITY OF EASTMAN, DODGE COUNTY, GEORGIA, AND KNOWN AS LOT NUMBER 24, FRONTING ON THE NORTHWEST SIDE OF SEVENTH AVENUE A DISTANCE OF 25 FEET AND EXTENDING IN A NORTHWEST DIRECTION A DISTANCE OF 150 FEET, IN BLOCK “C” OF THE HILLCREST SURVEY AS SHOWN ON THE PLAT RECORDED IN THE OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF SUPERIOR COURT IN DEED BOOK 26, PAGE 271, AND BY REFERENCE INCORPORATED HEREIN.
Said legal description being controlling, however the property is more commonly known as 718 7TH AVENUE, EASTMAN, GA 31023.
The indebtedness secured by said Security Deed has been and is hereby declared due because of default under the terms of said Security Deed and Note. The indebtedness remaining in default, this sale will be made for the purpose of paying the same, all expenses of the sale, including attorneys’ fees (notice to collect same having been given) and all other payments provided for under the terms of the Security Deed and Note.
Said property will be sold on an “as-is” basis without any representation, warranty or recourse against the above-named or the undersigned. The sale will also be subject to the following items which may affect the title: any outstanding ad valorem taxes (including taxes which are a lien, whether or not now due and payable); the right of redemption of any taxing authority; matters which would be disclosed by an accurate survey or by an inspection of the property; all zoning ordinances; assessments; liens; encumbrances; restrictions; covenants, and any other matters of record superior to said Security Deed.
To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the owner and party in possession of the property is LEWIS D BLANKENSHIP, or tenants(s).
The sale will be conducted subject (1) to confirmation that the sale is not prohibited under the U.S. Bankruptcy
Code and (2) to final confirmation and audit of the status of the loan with the holder of the Security Deed.
NATIONSTAR, holds the duly endorsed Note and is the current assignee of the Security Deed to your property. NATIONSTAR, acting on behalf of and, as necessary, in consultation with Federal National Mortgage Association (the current investor on your loan), is the entity with the full authority to negotiate, amend, and modify all terms of your loan. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 44-14-162.2, you may contact NATIONSTAR at:
NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC
8950 Cypress Waters Blvd
Coppell, TX 75019
888-480-2432
Please note that, pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 44-14-162.2, you are not entitled by law to an amendment or modification of the terms of your loan. The entity having full authority to negotiate, amend or modify all terms of the loan (although not required by law to do so) is: NATIONSTAR, Loss Mitigation Dept., 8950 Cypress Waters Blvd, Coppell, TX 75019, Telephone Number: 888-480-2432.
NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC
as Attorney in Fact for
LEWIS D BLANKENSHIP
THE BELOW LAW FIRM MAY BE HELD TO BE ACTING AS A DEBT COLLECTOR, UNDER FEDERAL LAW. IF SO, ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.
Attorney Contact:
RUBIN LUBLIN, LLC
3740 Davinci Court
Suite 150
Peachtree Corners, GA 30092
Telephone Number: (877) 813-0992
Case No. NAT-15-02387-4
www.rubinlublin.com/property-listings.php [Full Story »] 

By Taelor Rye
After an undefeated season, the Dodge County High School Indians football team lost to the Elbert County Comprehensive High School Blue Devils in the third round of state playoffs on Friday, November 20.
In the first quarter of the game, the Blue Devils scored a touchdown with 8:32 left on the clock. The kicker’s attempt at a point after touchdown (PAT) was blocked, however, leaving Elbert County in the lead with a score of 0-6.
With 2:21 left in the first quarter, Elbert scored another touchdown, this time with a successful kick. The score became 0-13 in favor of the Blue Devils. [Full Story »] 

Dear editor,
On this November 26, 2015, as you carve the turkey and look around the table at your loved ones, there are important lessons you can teach both young and old about our American Thanksgiving holiday.
When the Pilgrims traveled to America on the Mayflower, before coming ashore, they wrote a Compact, or an agreement, on how they would govern themselves. That document inspired the Founding Fathers as they drafted our United States Constitution. The Pilgrims are among the few colonists during the Colonial period who practiced self-governance.
The Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indians wrote a treaty, once they made contact in New England, that allowed them to live together peacefully for 50 years. Plymouth Colony stood out admirably for its consistent attempt to treat Native Americans fairly in the courts, for paying Natives for land, and for allowing the courts to settle differences between the Pilgrims and Indians.
As you enjoy your delicious meal on our national Thanksgiving holiday, you are repeating a celebration the Pilgrims shared with the Native Americans in 1621, one year after they arrived in America. After gathering a bountiful harvest, a three-day Thanksgiving celebration was enjoyed with 90 members of the Wampanoag Tribe including Chief Massasoit. Their shared thanksgiving included food, games and fellowship.
In honor of the 1621 celebration between the Pilgrims and Native Americans, on October 3, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation declaring the last Thursday in November to be a day of “thanksgiving and praise.”
Hopefully, discussing the Pilgrim story will create meaningful conversation around your table on Thanksgiving Day. There are some 10 million people in America who are Mayflower descendants so it is important that we not forget this unique American story. The Pilgrim story is about how we became who we are. The Pilgrim story is America’s story.
Lea Sinclair Filson

Dear editor,
Sometimes I think of someone from the past and naturally turn to the Internet.
I wondered last week whatever became of years-back track star Houston McTear and was shocked to find out he had died of lung cancer in Sweden at age 58 eleven days ago, Nov. 1 (it was Nov. 12 when I looked him up). His death received little or no mention in the sports media even though he had been on the cover of Sports Illustrated long ago.
I’ve heard ESPN said nothing about his death; probably didn’t know. He was an amazing athlete with a sad story, growing up dirt poor living in a small shack in a small Florida panhandle town. He was said to race trains as a schoolboy running alongside the tracks in tennis shoes.
I can remember long-ago stories of him smoking cigarettes while he competed in track, one time grinding out a finished smoke with his track shoe as he stepped into the starting blocks, not an approved training regimen.  
With little or no track training in high school, Houston began winning most races he ran in and became known as the fastest runner in the world, even with an unlikely build of around 5’7” and 170 lbs. He once turned in the fastest time ever, finishing the 100 yard dash at 9.0 seconds. Later he spent several years homeless and on drugs living on a California beach.
There is a website about him: 9Seconds-theMovie.com. A sportswriter in Crestview, Florida wrote about Houston’s life, mentioning that he only read at a third grade level, even though he attended college briefly in California, to run track, of course.
His is an amazing and sad story worth retelling. His name always rang a bell with me, but I’ll bet few sports fans today outside of some old track coaches have ever heard of him, track not being a big money sport.
Best Wishes
Marshall Miller

From TheoSpark.net: ISIS murders 140 people in Paris  11-13-15   Paris closes its borders   Donald Trump’s wall doesn’t seem so stupid now, does it?
TheoSpark.net: highly recommended. So is CanadaFreePress.com. I check both daily.
Contributing factors to the Paris tragedy: gun-free zone plus open borders.
Donald Trump is media-savvy, also runs better among blue collar workers than any of the other candidates and don’t forget: Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan ran very well with working class whites and won big. Some are reluctant to admit it but this is the key to success. Groveling for the overrated Hispanic vote is futile for Republicans and the numbers prove it.
Bumper sticker of the day: Hillary for Prison 2016.
Hillary Clinton wants you to give up your SUVs for the common good, of course, but keeps her own and a chauffeur when she doesn’t take her private jet, which burns 347 gallons of jet fuel per hour. Leftists like Hillary always know what’s best for you.
Remember the Carly Fiorina media boomlet? Big media promoted her to bring down Trump. Now the media pet appears to be Marco Rubio. Carly’s numbers are hitting bottom. She would still be better than any Democrat – who wouldn’t?
“We have now had the fourth straight Republican debate in which Rubio was not asked one question about his single legislative accomplishment: Passing amnesty in the U.S. Senate.”
Ann Coulter on HumanEvents.com  AnnCoulter.com
Marco and left-winger Chucky Schumer (D-NY) made a secret deal to block all conservative enforcement amendments. Every conservative amendment was blocked by the Gang of Eight, says Senator Ted Cruz. Lately Marco sounds a bit better on illegal immigration, feeling a need to sound conservative enough to win the nomination. Talk is cheap, and politicians cheapen it constantly.
Maybe it’s now Donald Trump and Ted Cruz against the Republican elite candidates. Trump increases his lead; therefore, he must get out of the race, claim establishment Republicans. They know how to lose without him.
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