The Dodge County News

CORPORATIONS and BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS

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TRADE NAME
The undersigned hereby certifies that it is conducting a business in the county of Dodge, State of Georgia under the name Xtream and that the type of business to be conducted is Communications and that said business is composed of the following LLC: MCC GEORGIA LLC LOCATED AT 1 MEDIACOM WAY, MEDIACOM PK (CHESTER) NY 10918

GPN 06
TRADE NAME
The undersigned hereby certifies that it is conducting a business in the county of Dodge, State of Georgia under the name Xtream and that the type of business to be conducted is Communications and that said business is composed of the following corporation: MEDIACOM COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION LOCATED AT 1 MEDIACOM WAY, MEDIACOM PK (CHESTER) NY 10918

1007
DEBTORS AND CREDITORS

GPN 07
PROBATE COURT OF DODGE COUNTY
STATE OF GEORGIA
In Re: Estate of KENNETH HULAND RYKARD,
Deceased
Estate No.: P-18-9107
NOTICE TO DEBTORS AND CREDITORS
All creditors of the Estate of KENNETH HULAND RYKARD, 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 them.
This the 8th day of July, 2019.
BRYON RYKARD,
Administrator of the Estate of
KENNETH HULAND RYKARD, Deceased
BRYON RYKARD
692 Albert Lampkin Road
Eastman, GA 31023

GPN 07
PROBATE COURT OF DODGE COUNTY
STATE OF GEORGIA
In Re:Estate of JAMES FRANKLIN TOMBERLIN, Deceased
Estate No.: P-19-9213
NOTICE TO DEBTORS AND CREDITORS
All creditors of the Estate of JAMES FRANKLIN TOMBERLIN 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 them.
This the 29th day of July, 2019.
BRENT REGAN
TOMBERLIN,
Administrator of the Estate of
JAMES FRANKLIN TOMBERLIN, Deceased
BRENT REGAN
TOMBERLIN
642 Pleasant Church Road
Rhine, GA 31077

Gpn 07
NOTICE TO DEBTORS AND CREDITORS
All creditors of the Estate of ERMA A. STONECYPHER 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 8th day of August 2019.
RALEIGH FAIRON
STONECYPHER
165 Old River Road
Eastman, Georgia 31023
RITA J. LLOP
Attorney at Law
Harrison & Llop, P. C.
P. O. Box 488
Eastman, Georgia 31023
478-374-9500

Gpn 07
PROBATE COURT
OF DODGE COUNTY
STATE OF GEORGIA
In Re: Estate of WILBERT COLLINS, SR., Deceased
Estate No.: P-19-9214
NOTICE TO DEBTORS AND CREDITORS
All creditors of the Estate of WILBERT COLLINS, SR. 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 them.
This the 7th day of August, 2019.
CYNTHIA P. COLLINS,
Administrator of the Estate of
WILBERT COLLINS, SR.,
Deceased
CYNTHIA P. COLLINS
P.O. Box 1062
Rochelle, Georgia 31079

1011
FORECLOSURES

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NOTICE OF SALE UNDER POWER
GEORGIA
DODGE COUNTY
THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.
Under and by virtue of the Power of Sale contained in a Security Deed given by JAMES ROBERT CARROLL TO MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. AS NOMINEE FOR FIRST MAGNUS FINANCIAL CORPORATION, AN ARIZONA CORPORATION, dated April 10, 2007, recorded in Deed Book 572, Page 67, DODGE County, Georgia Records, as last transferred to GREEN TREE SERVICING LLC by assignment to be recorded in the Office of the Clerk of Superior Court of DODGE County, Georgia Records, conveying the after-described property to secure a Note in the original principal amount of ONE HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND AND 0/100 DOLLARS ($150,000.00), with interest thereon as set forth therein, there will be sold at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash before the courthouse door of DODGE County, Georgia, or at such place as may be lawfully designated as an alternative, within the legal hours of sale on the FIRST TUESDAY IN SEPTEMBER, 2019, the following described property:
SEE EXHIBIT “A” ATTACHED HERETO AND MADE A PART HEREOF
The debt secured by said Security Deed has been and is hereby declared due because of, among other possible events of default, failure to pay the indebtedness as and when due and in the manner provided in the Note and Security Deed. The debt remaining in default, this sale will be made for the purpose of paying the same and all expenses of this sale, as provided in the Security Deed and by law, including attorney’s fees (notice of intent to collect attorney’s fees having been given).
Said property will be sold subject to any outstanding ad valorem taxes (including taxes which are a lien, but not yet due and payable), any matters which might be disclosed by an accurate survey and inspection of the property, any assessments, liens, encumbrances, zoning ordinances, restrictions, covenants, and matters of record superior to the Security Deed first set out above.
LOANCARE, LLC is the holder of the Security Deed to the property in accordance with OCGA § 44-14-162.2.
The entity that has full authority to negotiate, amend, and modify all terms of the mortgage with the debtor is: LOANCARE, LLC, 3637 SENTARA WAY, SUITE 303, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA 23452, 800-909-9525.
TO THE BEST KNOWLEDGE AND BELIEF OF THE UNDERSIGNED, THE PARTY IN POSSESSION OF THE PROPERTY IS JAMES ROBERT CARROLL OR A TENANT OR TENANTS AND SAID PROPERTY IS MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS 506 9TH AVENUE, EASTMAN, GEORGIA 31023.
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.
LOANCARE, LLC
as Attorney in Fact for
JAMES ROBERT CARROLL
MCCALLA RAYMER
LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC
1544 Old Alabama Road
Roswell, Georgia 30076
www.foreclosurehotline.net

EXHIBIT “A”
ALL THAT TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND LYING AND BEING IN LOT OF LAND NUMBER TEN (10) IN THE FIFTEENTH (15TH) LAND DISTRICT OF DODGE COUNTY, GEORGIA, AND DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:
BEGIN AT A POINT ON THE NORTHWEST SIDE OF NINTH AVENUE WHICH IS 580 FEET NORTHEAST OF THE NORTH INTERSECTION OF NINTH AVENUE AND U.S. HIGHWAY NO. 341, AND WHICH BEGINNING POINT IS FURTHER IDENTIFIED AS THE EAST CORNER OF LANDS CONVEYED BY MRS. MARY S. WILCOX TO MILFORD J. FRANKLIN BY DEED DATED OCTOBER 1, 1956, AND THENCE RUN ALONG THE NORTHWEST SIDE OF NINTH AVENUE IN A NORTHEAST DIRECTION A DISTANCE OF 100 FEET TO CREIGHTON STREET; THENCE AT RIGHT ANGLES ALONG CREIGHTON STREET IN A NORTHWEST DIRECTION A DISTANCE OF 410 FEET, MORE OR LESS, TO LANDS NOW OR FORMERLY OWNED BY ALBERT BARNETT; THENCE ALONG THE BARNETT LINE IN A SOUTHWEST DIRECTION A DISTANCE OF 100 FEET, MORE OR LESS, TO LANDS OF MILFORD J. FRANKLIN; THENCE ALONG THE FRANKLIN LINE IN A SOUTHEAST DIRECTION A DISTANCE OF 410 FEET, MORE OR LESS, TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING, AND BEING THE SAME PROPERTY CONVEYED BY CHARLES L. WINANS TO JAMES ROBERT CARROLL BY DEED DATED AUGUST 23, 2006, RECORDED IN DEED BOOK 550, PAGES 290-291 IN THE OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF SUPERIOR COURT OF DODGE COUNTY, GEORGIA.
SUBJECT TO EXISTING EASEMENTS FOR PUBLIC ROADS AND UTILITIES NOW IN USE.
MR/ttg 9/3/19
Our file no. 5247811 - FT7

1015
NAME CHANGE

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IN THE SUPERIOR COURT
OF DODGE COUNTY
STATE OF GEORGIA
In Re: TAMIKA LATONYA JONES
Civil Action File No. 19V-8674
NOTICE OF PETITION
TO CHANGE NAME
GEORGIA, DODGE COUNTY
Notice is hereby given that TAMIKA LATONYA JONES, the undersigned, filed his Petition to the Superior Court of DODGE County, Georgia on the 8th day of August 2019, praying for a change in the name of TAMIKA LATONYA JONES to TAMIKA LATONYA SEARLES.
Notice is hereby given pursuant to law to any interested or affected party to appear in said Court and to file objections to such name change. Objections must be filed with said Court within thirty (30) days of the filing of said Petition.
This 8th day of August, 2019.
TAMIKA LATONYA JONES
Petitioner prose

1018
PROBATE NOTICES

GPN 18
IN THE PROBATE COURT
COUNTY OF DODGE
STATE OF GEORGIA
IN RE: ESTATE OF THOMAS JESSE HILLIARD, DECEASED
ESTATE NO. P-19-9221
PETITION FOR LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION NOTICE
TO: WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
THOMAS MICHAEL HILLIARD has petitioned for THOMAS MICHAEL HILLIARD to be appointed Administrator of the Estate of THOMAS JESSE HILLIARD deceased, of said County. (The petitioner has also applied for waiver of bond and/or grant of certain powers contained in O.C.G.A. § 53-12-261.)
All interested parties are hereby notified to show cause why said petition should not be granted. All objections to the petition must be in writing, setting forth the grounds of any such objections, and must be filed with the court on or before AUGUST 16, 2019.
BE NOTIFIED FURTHER: All pleadings/objections must be signed under oath before a notary public or before a probate court clerk, and filing fees must be tendered with your pleadings/objections, unless you qualify to file as an indigent party. Contact probate court personnel at the following address/telephone number for the required amount of filing fees. If any objections are filed a hearing will be held on AUGUST 19, 2019. If no objections are filed, the petition may be granted without a hearing.
AL MCCRANIE
Judge of the Probate Court
ASHLEY W. BURCH
Clerk of the Probate Court
P.O. Box 514
Eastman, Georgia 31023
478-374-3775

GPN 18
PETITION FOR LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION
NOTICE
JOHN JOSEPH FILETTI has petitioned to be appointed Administrator of the Estate of JUDITH MARIE FILETTI, deceased, of Dodge County. (The Petitioner has also applied for waiver of bond and/or grant of certain powers contained in O.C.G.A. § 53-12-261.) All interested parties are hereby notified to show cause why said Petition should not be granted. All objections to the Petition must be in writing, setting forth the grounds of any such objections, and must be filed with the Court on or before September 9, 2019, at 10:00 AM.
All pleadings/objections must be signed under oath before a notary public or before a probate court clerk, and filing fees must be tendered with your pleadings/objections, unless you qualify to file as an indigent party. Contact probate court personnel at the following address/telephone number for the required amount of filing fees. If any objections are filed, a hearing will be scheduled at a later date. If no objections are filed, the petition may be granted without a hearing.
AL MCCRANIE,
Judge of the Probate Court
5401 Anson Avenue
Eastman, GA 31023
478-374-3775

Gpn 18
PROBATE COURT
OF DODGE COUNTY
STATE OF GEORGIA
In Re: Estate of JAMES ROBERT HARRELL, Deceased
Petition For Year’s Support
Estate No.: P-19-9223
NOTICE OF PETITION TO FILE FOR YEAR’S SUPPORT
The Petition of PAMELA G. HARRELL, for Year’s Support from this Estate of JAMES ROBERT HARRELL, deceased, for decedent’s surviving spouse having been duly filed, all interested persons are hereby notified to show cause, if any they have, on or before September 11, 2019, why said Petition should not be granted.
All objections to the Petition must be in writing, setting forth the grounds of any such objections, and must be filed on or before the time stated in the preceding sentence.
All pleadings/objections must be signed before a notary public or before a probate court clerk, and filing fees must be tendered with your pleadings/objections, unless you qualify to file as an indigent party.  Contact probate court personnel at the following address/telephone for the required amount for filing fees.
If any objections are filed, a Hearing will be scheduled at a later date in the Probate Court of the above named county, located at 643 Pearl Bates Avenue / P.O. Box 514 Eastman, Dodge County, Georgia 31023 (478-374-3775). 
If no objections are filed the Petition may be granted without a Hearing.
SO ORDERED this 6th day August, 2019.
s/AL MCCRANIE,
Judge of the Probate Court
5401 Anson Avenue
Eastman, GA 31023
478-374-3775

The Dodge High Lady Indians opened their 2019 softball season on Thursday as they traveled to Perry. The game didn’t go well for the Lady Indians as they dropped a 10-2 decision. On Saturday, Dodge traveled to Harlem to play in the Chic Fil A Tournament. Dodge won the opening game 2-0 over Lakeside. The Lady Indians dropped a 6-5 decision to Washington-Wilkes. Dodge returns to play Thursday as they travel to Northeast Macon. They also play Saturday in the Watermelon Tournament in Cordele. They open with Ware County at 9:30 a.m. They play Brantley County at 1:30 p.m. Dodge will not return to home action on Tuesday, August 27. The game scheduled for Tuesday, August 20 against Dublin will not be played. Also, the game scheduled for September 12 in Dublin will not be played. Dodge will play East Laurens on August 27.
It was a rough season opener for Dodge County in Perry. Dodge couldn’t get started as they trailed 7-0 after two innings. Dodge got on the board in the fifth. Makiyah Roberson doubled and scored. Aniyah Black added a long homer to left center to cut the Perry lead to 7-2. Black added another single. Dylanna Barton added a hit in the game. The final was 10-2.
Dodge traveled to Harlem Saturday to play in the Chic Fil A Tournament. Dodge opened up against Lakeside. Linzy Bowen got the start on the mound for the Lady Indians. Dodge got on the board in the first. Dylanna Barton opened with a walk and she would score on a fly out by Aniyah Black for a 1-0 Dodge lead. Bowen worked around a walk as Ava Roland threw out a would be stolen base and the Dodge lead stayed 1-0. Bowen got on a roll after that. She retired eight in a row including four strikeouts.
Dodge added an insurance run in the fifth. Gracie Lewis led off with a single and she would score on a fly out from Dylanna Barton and the lead would go to 2-0. Bowen went the distance allowing just two hits and striking out seven.
Dodge trailed 2-0 going to the third against Washington-Wilkes. Kyla Howell would lead off the third with a single. Bailey Harvey would double her home to make it a 2-1 game. Logan White would drive in Harvey to tie the game at 2-2.
The Lady Indians took the lead in the fourth. Aniyah Black doubled to lead off the inning and Gracie Lewis walked. Ava Roland knocked in Black for a 3-2 Dodge lead. Howell would drive in Lewis for a 4-2 game. Logan White would drive in Howell and the Dodge lead would reach 5-2. Unfortunately Dodge couldn’t hang on to the lead. Wilkes would rally back in the fifth. They would score four runs and take the 6-5 win.

By Joey Marchant
Dodge County opened the 2019 football season by traveling to Hawkinsville for a preseason scrimmage with the Red Devils. Many Dodge County fans braved the heat in order to get an early look at this year’s team. On the field, Hawkinsville was outnumbered and outmanned from the start.
Hawkinsville started on offense. On the first play from scrimmage, Caleb Fluellen got immediate penetration up the middle flushing the quarterback out of the pocket where Elisha Williams sacked him for a 10 yard loss. On second down, Jamal Mahan dropped the running back for a loss of three yards. Hawkinsville got 14 yards back on third down, but Keldrick Beck dropped the quarterback well short of the first down forcing a punt.
Dodge took over at its own 45 yard line where Noah Cummings faked a handoff and hit Mikhail Carr for a 65 yard touchdown pass. Carr ran right past his defender on a simple vertical route, and Cummings hit him in stride. Mason Mangham added the extra point for a 7-0 Dodge lead.
Dodge held Hawkinsville to only three plays on its next possession highlighted by Daylon Gordon dropping the quarterback for a six yard loss.
After a Hawkinsville punt, Dodge took over at the Hawkinsville 45 yard line where Gordon took a handoff running over one defender and spinning out of the arms of another defender on his way to a 32 yard run. Cummings would later roll right and hit Timmy Johnson on a 12 yard pass to the one yard line. Cummings would call his own number from there taking it in for the one yard touchdown. The extra point was no good, and Dodge had a 13-0 lead.
On Hawkinsville’s next possession, Javon McNeal dropped the running back for a loss of two yards on first down. Blaine Pritchett blew up Hawkinsville’s second down play when he hit the ball carrier five yards in the backfield allowing Cummings to fly in to finish him off for a seven yard loss. Hawkinsville was able to complete a long third down pass for a first down at the Dodge 46 yard line. Three plays later, Carr intercepted a pass at the Dodge 30 yard line and set sail down the sideline for what appeared to be a 70 yard return for a touchdown. However, a Dodge defender turned blocker could not resist an opportunity to level the Hawkinsville quarterback well behind the play. Until recently, this type of block would have been legal as players were warned to “keep your head on a swivel.” However, the block is no longer legal in high school football due to player safety concerns. As a result, the interception would stand, but Carr’s touchdown was negated and a penalty marked off from the spot of the foul leaving the ball at the Hawkinsville 45 yard line.
Kade Harpe came in to run the Dodge offense. Nathan Coley used his speed as he went around the left side for a gain of 35 yards to the Hawkinsville 10 yard line. Fluellen blocked both the defensive end and the linebacker on the play. Another Coley run moved the ball to the 1 yard line. On the next play, Coley lined up for a direct snap. Hawkinsville got penetration, and Coley fumbled the snap which Hawkinsville recovered.
On the next play, Hawkinsville went to the air again resulting in another interception for Carr as his momentum carried him out of bounds at the Hawkinsville 30 yard line. After Tyrese Johnson rushed for 7 yards on a jet sweep, Harpe went to work on the short passing game. He hit Jackson Bowen for 3 yards and a first down. A five yard pass to Ja’lon Jaynes was backed up due to a holding call on the perimeter. Harpe hit Beck on what appeared to be a 23 yard touchdown on a wide receiver screen pass, but another holding call on the perimeter negated the touchdown. Dodge would eventually miss a field goal.
Hawkinsville took over on its 35 yard line where they managed to start a drive aided by Dodge penalties. However, Carr intercepted a pass on the Dodge goal line and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown. Gabe Thompson added the extra point giving Dodge a 20-0 lead early in the second quarter.
On the next Hawkinsville possession, Jamerius Hines hauled in a one handed interception and returned it 38 yards. Later, Coley took a direct snap from the Hawkinsville 15 yard line and ran up the middle behind lead blockers Cummings, McNeal and Davis Marchant before cutting to the sideline for an apparent touchdown run, which was again negated by a holding penalty on the perimeter. Coley then carried for 9 yards, and Elisha Williams carried for five yards to the Hawkinsville one yard line. On the next play, Williams muffed the direct snap giving Hawkinsville the ball on its own five yard line.
Hawkinsville was able to escape the shadow of its own goal line with the help of a questionable pass interference call. On third down, AJ Melvin applied pressure up the middle causing an incomplete pass and forcing a Hawkinsville punt.
Dodge took over on the Hawkinsville 35 yard line. On third down, Cummings hit Seth Cossett for 12 yards on a tight end screen pass. On the next play, Gordon took the handoff and with Cossett leading the way ran untouched up the middle for a 23 yard touchdown. Mangham added the extra point for a 27-0 Dodge lead.
Hawkinsville tried to put together a drive before halftime, but Coley intercepted a pass inside the Dodge 20 yard line. Harpe came back in to run the offense. Harpe hit Kevin Sykes for 15 yards and Timmy Johnson for 12 yards. Harpe scrambled for a 19 yard gain. Coley had a nine yard run, and Jayleen Lemon had a six yard run. Harpe hit Lemon on a screen pass, and Lemon raced 30 yards for a touchdown.
Thompson nailed the extra point, and Dodge led 34-0.
Dodge forced another Hawkinsville punt, and Cummings came back out to run the offense. Carr had a 10 yard run. Cummings hit Tyrese Johnson running a post pattern for 21 yards and Gordon on a screen pass for 22 yards. However, Dodge could not score after reaching the Hawkinsville 16 yard line as the first half ended.
Coach Ken Cofer would sit most of his starters to start the third quarter. Hunter Kirkley came in to run the offense behind the first team offensive line, which was still in the game. Jakevious Bray had runs of 35 yards and 8 yards to open the drive. Kirkley would later score on a 5 yard quarterback keeper. Mangham added the extra point, and Dodge led 41-0.
Javarious Collins had an interception to give the ball back to Dodge at the Hawkinsville 40 yard line. Ty Denton came in to run the offense. Behind the running of Bray and Rico Caines, Dodge drove to the Hawkinsville 10 yard line where Thompson connected on a 27 yard field goal giving Dodge a 44-0 lead.
Dodge then stopped Hawkinsville on fourth down and took over at its own 30 yard line. Kirkley re-entered at quarterback and hit Jonah Collins with a 15 yard pass. Kirkley then faked a handoff and rushed around the right side for a 55 yard touchdown to cap the scoring. Mangham added the extra point making the final score: Dodge 51 Hawkinsville 0.
Statistical leaders for Dodge were as follows: Nathan Coley led the team in rushing with 68 yards on 6 carries with a long of 35 yards. Jakevious Bray had 67 yards on six carries with a long of 35 yards. Daylon Gordon had 66 yards on 5 carries including a 23 yard touchdown. Hunter Kirkley had 60 yards on 2 carries including a 55 yard touchdown.
Noah Cummings was 4/9 passing for 110 yards with 1 touchdown. Kade Harpe was 6/10 passing for 63 yards with 1 touchdown. Hunter Kirkley was 1/1 passing for 15 yards.
Eleven different receivers caught passes for Dodge. Timmy Johnson led in receptions with 2. Mikhail Carr had a 55 yard touchdown reception. Jayleen Lemon had a 30 yard touchdown reception.
Javon McNeal led the defense with eight tackles including five tackles for loss. Daylon Gordon had 4 tackles including two tackles for loss. Elisha Williams had 3 tackles including a sack. Noah Cummings had three tackles including two tackles for loss. Blaine Pritchett had two tackles including one tackle for loss.
Mikhail Carr had three interceptions including one returned 100 yards for a touchdown. Jamerius Hines, Nathan Coley and Javarious Collins each had one interception.
Mason Mangham was 0/1 on field goals and 4/4 on extra points. Gabe Thompson was 1/1 with a 27 yard field goal and 2/3 on extra points.
I would be remiss if I did not mention the offensive line. These guys are the most important position group on any football team and often the least recognized. Starters were Center Pat Stevenson, Right Guard Hunter Rahn, Left Guard Jarred Frost, Right Tackle Colby Lee, and Left Tackle Noah Pace. Davis Marchant started at Tight End. Five of the six were making their first varsity start. Caleb Fluellen, Cameron Gooch, Seth Cossett and Javon McNeal also played extensively. They did a good job opening holes in the running game and protecting the quarterbacks all night.
The game was never in question, but Dodge had plenty of mistakes that will need to be corrected before the regular season starts on August 23rd at 7:30 pm as the Indians host 6A Bradwell Institute. Come out and support the Indians.

Dodge County was represented at the 2019 National Archery in Schools Program Championship in Nashville, Tennessee held in late July. Noah Coleman participated in the bullseye flight and scored 294 out of a possible 300. Noah, along with Jacob Towns and Deanna Yancey shot in the 3-D championship. They all ranked in the top twenty-five percent of the national archers participating. “ These archers practiced hard and showed a true commitment to their team, school,” stated Elaine Pittman, head coach of the Dodge County Team Bullseye. Coaches Jason and Brenda Williams escorted these team members to the competition. The Dodge County Team Bullseye is so grateful and appreciative for the Williams’ contribution to the team as well as the entire coaching staff. We are also so thankful for the contributions made to this team by Gabby Ellis Cossett, George Johnson and Chris Bass.

By Russ Ragan
I really debated on whether to talk baseball this week, but I decided to go ahead anyway. If you can watch the Braves bullpen pitch regardless of the lead, you are tougher than me. Despite blowing a couple of wins and making some big leads very interesting, the Atlanta lead was still 6.5 games going into the start of a huge home stand against the Mets and Dodgers. Thanks to the Nationals playing no better over their last 10 games, both were at 5-5.
The big story has been the bullpen. They have now had Jackson, Greene, Melancon and now Jackson as the team’s closers, all of the changes have happened in the last two weeks. On the bright side, the offense has been really good and it’s led by the kids. Albies has been really good the last two weeks. He has been 25 for 62 with three homers. The hot streak has put his season average over .300. The only hitter that has been hotter is teammate Ronald Acuna. Acuna has 20 hits with eight homeruns and 16 RBIs. Throw in four stolen bases and its been a good role. He now has 33 homeruns, 80 RBIs and 28 stolen bases. No Brave has ever had a 40 homerun, 40 stolen base season. Not a bad season so far for the 21 year old. Very quietly, Freeman has been very good as well. He has 32 hits the last 14 games with six homeruns and 27 RBIs. He has 29 homeruns and 95 RBIs for the season and better than a .300 average.
Let’s take a look at the young Braves at AAA Gwinnett. Drew Waters has recovered from a slow start and is hitting better than .300 for the season. The other big prospect Cristian Pache is off to a slow start. He is just hitting .228 but it’s way too early to judge as both of them have only played six games at AAA. The big pitcher that made his way to AAA is right-hander Ian Anderson. He got his first win in Gwinnett on Monday in a 3-1 win. He went six innings allowing only three hits and an earned run. Hopefully all three of these young very talented players will play a major role in the 2020 Atlanta season.
One thing about the Falcons’ pre-season, they aren’t giving out any secrets. So far there has been no Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, Sanu or Freeman in pre-season play. Back up quarterback Matt Schaub was much better in the second game. Hopefully some of the stars will get at least a little playing time Thursday night against the Jets. Don’t put anything in the Birds’ pre-season. They have lost 10 in a row. In case you missed it, they traded back up tight end Eric Saubert to the Patriots for a conditional seventh round draft pick. I guess Brady needed a new tight end after Gronkowski retired last year.

Loye Fuller McCranie Luginbill
Age: 90
Deceased: August 8, 2019
Arrangements: Stokes-Southerland Funeral Home of Eastman

William John Steele
Age: 82
Deceased: August 8, 2019
Arrangements: Stokes-Southerland Funeral Home of Eastman

Jackie Payne
Age: 57
Deceased: August 5, 2019
Arrangements: Stokes-Southerland Funeral Home of Eastman

Mary Peake Register
Age: 69
Deceased: August 8, 2019
Arrangements: Stokes-Southerland Funeral Home of Eastman

Sherman Edward "Eddie" Peacock
Age: 69
Deceased: August 8, 2019
Arrangements: Hardy-Towns Funeral Home of Eastman

Dear editor,
When the proposal was made recently to raise the property millage rate, it was pointed out to me that several on social media attributed this proposed raise to an “inherited mess”. This is a completely false assumption. The financial condition of the county has improved every year for the past several years. At the end of 2018, the county was arguably in the best financial condition ever and for the first time that anyone could remember, the county did not need to borrow any operating funds.
According to a recent article in The Dodge County News, the (Dodge County) Board of Commissioners are considering an increase in property tax. This is because of a projected fund deficit due to an increase in operating expenses for 2020.
Bobby Peacock

Dear editor,
As our nation mourns the loss of so many killed this past weekend in senseless violence, can we not come together as a nation and stop blaming everyone else? The only ones to blame here are the individuals who pulled the trigger.
There are many factors that lead to violent murders: mental illness, hatred and the number one cause and some culpability and liability sure lays at the feet of the parents too. Insomuch, these doggone stupid video games where murder is rewarded and unloved, disregarded, abused individuals.  There are so many of these so called millennials or generation “Y” youths who stay locked up in their bedrooms for as much as eight hours a day with their heads buried in a computer screen playing this nonsense, while mom and dad are sitting on their fat derrieres in their Lazy Boys not being parents!  So quit blaming President Trump and go back to the basics and get that little snot nose spoiled brat away from that tool of the devil (these electronic gizmos), finish your homework, get a part time job and go to church.  
Mom and dad, I think there is a subtle meaning in this opinion letter for you too!   
T/Sgt. Joseph L Bryan, U.S.A.F. Ret    

The Eastman Heat travelling basketball teams participated in the KB Sports Gold Championship held on July 27 and 28 in Macon. Three teams from Eastman participated including the middle school girls and boys and the high school girls. The middle school boys and the high school girls both came in first place. A special thanks to Robert Carr for organizing the Heat and for his dedication to the teams. This year coach Carr used the quote from coach John Peacock “All it takes, is all we got” to help motivate the kids. Pictured above (kneeling, l-r) are team members Jaedon McClendon, Cameron Mills and Omari Jackson. Back row (l-r) are Lamarie Mitchell, Sherman Clay, Jr., coach Smoke, Ja’Boree Graham and Keontez Champion.