By Amy Mullis
When the 2017 homecoming parade starts its course toward downtown Eastman, the reason for recognition may be different, but anyone who has had ties to the Dodge County School System in the past 30 plus years will recognize the face of one waving from the lead car.
For her dedication to work for and love of Dodge County and the Dodge County School System, Dr. Melinda Dennis will ride as this year’s Grand Marshal.
Dennis began her educational career in Dodge County in 1987 as a high school English teacher. During her time at Dodge County High School, Dennis was honored as both the school and district Teacher of the Year for Dodge County High School. In 2000, Dennis shifted gears and moved into administration as the assistant principal at Dodge County Middle School.
Four years later, Dennis’ course took another turn - one that took her out of Dodge County for the first time in her career in education.
She became the principal for Wheeler County Middle School and then served as the director of both the Alternative Learning Center and the Patriot Academy for Student Success with the Wilcox County schools. Her time away from home was short-lived, as she returned to Dodge County in 2011 to serve as the superintendent of schools until her retirement in 2016.
“I am a product of the Dodge County Schools. I was a student, teacher, school and district level administrator in this system, and it will always mean more to me than words can express,” she said. “From various perspectives, I have witnessed its growth and improvement for more than four decades. I am honored that the homecoming committee selected me, and I will always be proud to represent Dodge County High School and the Dodge County School System.”
Dodge County High School Principal Dr. Susan Long, whose relationship with Dennis stretches back to early in both of their careers in education, is very excited to have Dennis represent the school in this week’s parade.
“Dr. Dennis is the ultimate professional and educator,” Long said. “[She] is a class act, and she has always been a positive influence and motivator. We are honored to have her as our homecoming parade Grand Marshal.”
Recently, Dennis began using her expertise in education in a new way.
In January of this year, she was appointed to serve as the Georgia Department of Corrections Director of Academic Education, a role through which she now oversees the operations and oversight of academic programming of nearly 52,000 felony offenders across the state of Georgia.
[Full Story »]
Top Stories - Topics from October, 2017
Police, deputies make arrests
The Eastman Police Department reported the following arrests from October 3, 2017 through October 10, 2017.
Amanda Pate, age 30, of Eastman was arrested for shoplifting less than $500.00.
Antwan Parker, age 27, of Cochran, was arrested for simple battery and cruelty to children in the third degree.
Albert Purvis, age 42, of Eastman, was arrested for a failure to pay bench warrant.
Jesus Cruz, age 50, of Eastman, was arrested for driving while license is suspended and/or revoked.
Chasity King, age 24, of Dexter, was arrested for a failure to pay bench warrant.
Tami Kilgore, age 33, of Vale, North Carolina, was arrested for two counts of shoplifting less than $500.00.
Robert Lewis, age 33, of Eastman, was arrested for no tag and driving while license is suspended and/or revoked.
Jessica Brown, age 27, of Eastman, was arrested for probation violation.
The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office reported the following arrests from September 25, 2017 through October 10, 2017.
Juan A. Alejos, age 40, of Eastman, was arrested for probation violation.
Tasha Ann Allen, age 39, of Eastman, was arrested for probation violation and possession of a controlled substance, marijuana, less than one ounce.
Aszey Lovell Anderson, age 34, of Warner Robins, was arrested for speeding in excess of maximum limits (state speed and zone limits) and suspended license.
Brian Alexander Brooks, age 20, of Savannah, was arrested for obstructing or hindering law enforcement officers and felony interference with government property.
James Donald Burnam, age 33, of Eastman, was arrested for illegal stop and/or stand and/or park where prohibited; failure to signal lane change or turn; failure to maintain lane; driving of the wrong side of an undivided street; suspended license; failure to obey stop sign; expired for no registration or title; failure to yield right of way to emergency vehicle; motorcycle equipment not properly used; too fast for conditions and/or prima facie speed; obstructing or hindering law enforcement law enforcement officers; fleeing or attempting to elude police officers and no insurance.
Santiago Bush, age 21, of Albany, was arrested for a bench warrant.
Brandon Mikel Conner, age 32, of Eastman, was arrested for probation violation.
Andrew Christopher Ellis, age 47, of Eastman was arrested for failure to register as a sex offender and/or failure to comply with requirements and/or providing false information and a failure to register bench warrant.
Michael Fred Flanders, age 58, of Chauncey, was arrested for possession and use of drug related objects and possession of methamphetamine.
Sherry Hardy, age 28, of Eastman, was arrested for probation violation.
[Full Story »]
Amanda Pate, age 30, of Eastman was arrested for shoplifting less than $500.00.
Antwan Parker, age 27, of Cochran, was arrested for simple battery and cruelty to children in the third degree.
Albert Purvis, age 42, of Eastman, was arrested for a failure to pay bench warrant.
Jesus Cruz, age 50, of Eastman, was arrested for driving while license is suspended and/or revoked.
Chasity King, age 24, of Dexter, was arrested for a failure to pay bench warrant.
Tami Kilgore, age 33, of Vale, North Carolina, was arrested for two counts of shoplifting less than $500.00.
Robert Lewis, age 33, of Eastman, was arrested for no tag and driving while license is suspended and/or revoked.
Jessica Brown, age 27, of Eastman, was arrested for probation violation.
The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office reported the following arrests from September 25, 2017 through October 10, 2017.
Juan A. Alejos, age 40, of Eastman, was arrested for probation violation.
Tasha Ann Allen, age 39, of Eastman, was arrested for probation violation and possession of a controlled substance, marijuana, less than one ounce.
Aszey Lovell Anderson, age 34, of Warner Robins, was arrested for speeding in excess of maximum limits (state speed and zone limits) and suspended license.
Brian Alexander Brooks, age 20, of Savannah, was arrested for obstructing or hindering law enforcement officers and felony interference with government property.
James Donald Burnam, age 33, of Eastman, was arrested for illegal stop and/or stand and/or park where prohibited; failure to signal lane change or turn; failure to maintain lane; driving of the wrong side of an undivided street; suspended license; failure to obey stop sign; expired for no registration or title; failure to yield right of way to emergency vehicle; motorcycle equipment not properly used; too fast for conditions and/or prima facie speed; obstructing or hindering law enforcement law enforcement officers; fleeing or attempting to elude police officers and no insurance.
Santiago Bush, age 21, of Albany, was arrested for a bench warrant.
Brandon Mikel Conner, age 32, of Eastman, was arrested for probation violation.
Andrew Christopher Ellis, age 47, of Eastman was arrested for failure to register as a sex offender and/or failure to comply with requirements and/or providing false information and a failure to register bench warrant.
Michael Fred Flanders, age 58, of Chauncey, was arrested for possession and use of drug related objects and possession of methamphetamine.
Sherry Hardy, age 28, of Eastman, was arrested for probation violation.
[Full Story »]
Over 2,000 attend annual air show
By Becky Holland
More than 3,000 people were expected to attend the Third Annual Heart of Georgia Air Show at the Heart of Georgia Regional Airport in Eastman Saturday. Clouds and questionable weather brought in a little more than 2,000 people.
Attendees enjoyed touring the aviation college as well as trying out the flight simulator and other interactive exhibits. They also were able to tour a passenger airplane. Eight food vendor trucks were on site as well.
Hosted by Middle Georgia State University, and presented by Kenocoa Aerospace, the family-friendly event was set to have aerobatic performances by pilots, like Jimmy Burke, Buck Roetman, The Silver Wings, The Twin Tigers and Gary Ward.
Ward was to be the grand finale. A native of north Georgia, he began his air show career in 1998 in a Pitts S2-B. In 1999, he moved to the Giles 202 and in 2006, he became the first pilot to begin flying air shows in the awesome new MX2. While waiting for the weather to clear, attendees were able to view all of the airplanes that would be used in performances. Ward’s was a popular one for viewing.
[Full Story »]
More than 3,000 people were expected to attend the Third Annual Heart of Georgia Air Show at the Heart of Georgia Regional Airport in Eastman Saturday. Clouds and questionable weather brought in a little more than 2,000 people.
Attendees enjoyed touring the aviation college as well as trying out the flight simulator and other interactive exhibits. They also were able to tour a passenger airplane. Eight food vendor trucks were on site as well.
Hosted by Middle Georgia State University, and presented by Kenocoa Aerospace, the family-friendly event was set to have aerobatic performances by pilots, like Jimmy Burke, Buck Roetman, The Silver Wings, The Twin Tigers and Gary Ward.
Ward was to be the grand finale. A native of north Georgia, he began his air show career in 1998 in a Pitts S2-B. In 1999, he moved to the Giles 202 and in 2006, he became the first pilot to begin flying air shows in the awesome new MX2. While waiting for the weather to clear, attendees were able to view all of the airplanes that would be used in performances. Ward’s was a popular one for viewing.
[Full Story »]
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