On Friday, May 31, members of Dodge County High School’s (DCHS) graduating Class of 2019 will celebrate personal and academic achievements by walking across the stage and receiving diplomas at Memorial Stadium.
The graduating class of DCHS includes 187 students, 46 earning the title of honor graduate and being awarded a gold stole. These students, over the course of their four years in high school, have taken two units of the same foreign language, a unit of intro to business technology, a half unit of speech, and have earned a cumulative academic average of 94 or higher. Additionally, students who do not have a 94 average but have maintained a 90 average and have scored 1260 or higher on the verbal and math sections on the SAT, or 26 or better on the ACT, will also have the distinction of graduating with honors.
Receiving additional academic honors with distinction will be the class’s valedictorians and salutatorians. Mary Beth Dopson and Jacey Dowdy are the co-valedictorians. Annie Knight and Austin Roberson are the co-salutatorians.
“We at Dodge County High School are very proud of the graduating class of 2019,” says principal Dr. Susan Long. “We have seen them grow from ninth graders into young men and women, and we are assured that they will make a positive impact in the world wherever their futures lead them.”
[Full Story »]
Top Stories - Topics from May, 2019
Hodges named interim superintendent
The Dodge County Board of Education has named former Dodge County High School Head Football Coach and Athletic Director Rex Hodges as interim school superintendent.
Hodges just recently retired from Dodge County High School (DCHS).
The board voted 5-2 to hire Hodges. Dodge County Board of Education Chairman Jessie Mincey and board member Shirley Ikedionwu voted against hiring Hodges. The board gave Hodges a one year contract.
Mincey stated, “Mr. Hodges brings a lot to the table for our system. He has held many positions throughout his career while working his way up the ladder of success. He has taught for many years in the classroom and was previously a part of the DCHS administration team as an assistant principal. He brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership values with him. When current superintendent Mr. Ward announced his retirement for May 31, the board started planning and preparing for a superintendent search. Mr. Hodges was named interim superintendent for the 2019-2020 school year and we will open the superintendent’s position in January of 2020. The applicant selected will began on July 1, 2020.
Some other candidates for interim superintendent were discussed by the board in executive session, but those names were not released.
Hodges will begin his duties on June 1, 2019.
In the last month, board of education members have accepted numerous resignations, retirements and accepted recommendations and transfers.
[Full Story »]
Hodges just recently retired from Dodge County High School (DCHS).
The board voted 5-2 to hire Hodges. Dodge County Board of Education Chairman Jessie Mincey and board member Shirley Ikedionwu voted against hiring Hodges. The board gave Hodges a one year contract.
Mincey stated, “Mr. Hodges brings a lot to the table for our system. He has held many positions throughout his career while working his way up the ladder of success. He has taught for many years in the classroom and was previously a part of the DCHS administration team as an assistant principal. He brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership values with him. When current superintendent Mr. Ward announced his retirement for May 31, the board started planning and preparing for a superintendent search. Mr. Hodges was named interim superintendent for the 2019-2020 school year and we will open the superintendent’s position in January of 2020. The applicant selected will began on July 1, 2020.
Some other candidates for interim superintendent were discussed by the board in executive session, but those names were not released.
Hodges will begin his duties on June 1, 2019.
In the last month, board of education members have accepted numerous resignations, retirements and accepted recommendations and transfers.
[Full Story »]
Man charged in girlfriend’s death
A Dodge County man has been charged with murder for allegedly killing his girlfriend and setting his car on fire. Michelle Bazemore, age 50, was found inside the burned car.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) served a murder warrant on Doug Sheriff, age 48, on Thursday, May 9 at the Dodge County jail where he is currently incarcerated and charged with arson in the burning of his vehicle.
A dead body was found inside the burned vehicle under the Gum Swamp bridge on Georgia 117 (Dublin Highway) on Saturday, July 28, 2018.
Agents with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Office in Eastman arrested Doug Sheriff, of Eastman, on Saturday, July 28, for one count of arson in connection with a burned white BMW vehicle.
According to then Eastman GBI Special Agent in Charge Scott Whitley, “Saturday morning, deputies with the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call concerning a burning car under the bridge.”
Whitley explained that a motorist traveling over the bridge was alarmed over a burning smell and stopped to investigate and called 911. The Eastman Fire Department and Dodge County deputies were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, firemen found the BMW under the bridge in flames. After extinguishing the fire, firemen and deputies discovered a body in the driver’s seat of the vehicle.
An autopsy was performed on the body at the GBI Crime Lab in Decatur to determine the identity of the body, cause of death and cause of the fire.
Bazemore was reported to be Sheriff’s girlfriend. Sheriff was taken into custody at the GBI office in Eastman and transported to the Dodge County jail.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) served a murder warrant on Doug Sheriff, age 48, on Thursday, May 9 at the Dodge County jail where he is currently incarcerated and charged with arson in the burning of his vehicle.
A dead body was found inside the burned vehicle under the Gum Swamp bridge on Georgia 117 (Dublin Highway) on Saturday, July 28, 2018.
Agents with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Office in Eastman arrested Doug Sheriff, of Eastman, on Saturday, July 28, for one count of arson in connection with a burned white BMW vehicle.
According to then Eastman GBI Special Agent in Charge Scott Whitley, “Saturday morning, deputies with the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call concerning a burning car under the bridge.”
Whitley explained that a motorist traveling over the bridge was alarmed over a burning smell and stopped to investigate and called 911. The Eastman Fire Department and Dodge County deputies were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, firemen found the BMW under the bridge in flames. After extinguishing the fire, firemen and deputies discovered a body in the driver’s seat of the vehicle.
An autopsy was performed on the body at the GBI Crime Lab in Decatur to determine the identity of the body, cause of death and cause of the fire.
Bazemore was reported to be Sheriff’s girlfriend. Sheriff was taken into custody at the GBI office in Eastman and transported to the Dodge County jail.
Dodge school superintendent resigns
Dodge County School Superintendent Michael Ward has resigned his position.
At Monday night’s board meeting, May 6, Ward presented the board with a letter that stated, “It has been my sincere honor to serve as superintendent of Dodge County schools. I am gracious for the opportunity to serve the students, staff, parents and community. After much reflection, prayer and discussions with my family, I have decided to retire. I have missed many milestones with my children and opportunities to support my wife in raising our two boys.
Although I appreciate the excellent evaluation from the board and a verbal commitment to extend my contract with an increase in salary, my family needs must come first. I am hopeful that each board member can understand just how important family is particulary when younger children are involved.
I do not want to leave the district in a lurch to find a new superintendent; however, my last day will be on May 31, 2019. As stated in my contract, the board will pay me for any unused vacation days. I currently have 10 unused vacation days available.”
[Full Story »]
At Monday night’s board meeting, May 6, Ward presented the board with a letter that stated, “It has been my sincere honor to serve as superintendent of Dodge County schools. I am gracious for the opportunity to serve the students, staff, parents and community. After much reflection, prayer and discussions with my family, I have decided to retire. I have missed many milestones with my children and opportunities to support my wife in raising our two boys.
Although I appreciate the excellent evaluation from the board and a verbal commitment to extend my contract with an increase in salary, my family needs must come first. I am hopeful that each board member can understand just how important family is particulary when younger children are involved.
I do not want to leave the district in a lurch to find a new superintendent; however, my last day will be on May 31, 2019. As stated in my contract, the board will pay me for any unused vacation days. I currently have 10 unused vacation days available.”
[Full Story »]
Safeguard from medical identity theft
Identity theft affects millions of Americans every year, causing financial ruin and damaging credit histories that can take months or years to repair. Unfortunately, a specific type of identity theft is on the rise: medical identity theft. What is medical identity theft, and how does it differ from a classic case of identity theft?
Medical identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal information in order to obtain medical care, buy drugs or submit fake billings to Medicare in your name, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Unlike financial identity theft—which occurs when someone illegally uses your personal financial information to empty your bank account or rack up charges on credit cards taken out in your name—medical identity theft can have other serious consequences and is more difficult to clear up. Any type of treatment, diagnosis or surgery that occurs with a stolen identity could become a part of your medical record. This could affect your access to medical care, insurance benefits and the acquired debts could end up on your credit report.
For someone to commit medical identity theft, your Social Security number isn’t necessarily needed as your name, birthday and address could be enough. Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the Federal Trade Commission offer the following advice to help prevent your medical information from falling into the wrong hands:
• Watch out for red flags. Signs of medical identity theft may include receiving a bill for medical services you never received, medical collection notices on your credit report you don’t recognize or a call from a debt collector about a medical debt you don’t owe. If you see a mistake, contact your health insurance provider and report it.
• Keep copies of your medical records. Keep copies of your medical history, receipts and/or bills from treatments or doctor visits. [Full Story »]
Medical identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal information in order to obtain medical care, buy drugs or submit fake billings to Medicare in your name, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Unlike financial identity theft—which occurs when someone illegally uses your personal financial information to empty your bank account or rack up charges on credit cards taken out in your name—medical identity theft can have other serious consequences and is more difficult to clear up. Any type of treatment, diagnosis or surgery that occurs with a stolen identity could become a part of your medical record. This could affect your access to medical care, insurance benefits and the acquired debts could end up on your credit report.
For someone to commit medical identity theft, your Social Security number isn’t necessarily needed as your name, birthday and address could be enough. Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the Federal Trade Commission offer the following advice to help prevent your medical information from falling into the wrong hands:
• Watch out for red flags. Signs of medical identity theft may include receiving a bill for medical services you never received, medical collection notices on your credit report you don’t recognize or a call from a debt collector about a medical debt you don’t owe. If you see a mistake, contact your health insurance provider and report it.
• Keep copies of your medical records. Keep copies of your medical history, receipts and/or bills from treatments or doctor visits. [Full Story »]
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