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With 16 adjudicated votes and possible provisional votes not counted, political newcomer Brian Robinson has defeated incumbent Dodge County Sheriff Lynn Sheffield. He outdistanced Sheffield by 2,450 to 2,175 votes.

Political newcomer Tom Cranford defeated incumbent Lonnie Parkerson by 3,645 to 1,600 votes to win in the Dodge County Chief Magistrate’s race.

In the Dodge County Commissioner’s race in District 1, Sharon Cobb Flanagan, at presstime, was ahead of incumbent William “Jr” Howell by 748 to 729 votes. This race, as of presstime, has not been decided. The winner will face off against democrat John Battle in the November General Election.

In the Dodge County Commissioner’s race in District 4, incumbent Karen Cheek defeated Brandon Thomas by 460 to 343 votes.

In Dodge County School Board District 2, incumbent Jessie Mincey defeated Roy Grenade by 558 votes to 168 votes.

In Dodge County School Board District 4, Michelle Wahl defeated Rodney King 516 to 299 votes.

In the Georgia Senate race, in Dodge County only, Carden Summers won against Spud Bowen 2548 to 1665 votes. Final vote totals from other counties were not available at presstime.

In Georgia House of Representatives, Robert Pruitt won against Chris Steverson, in Dodge County only, 2674 to 1856 votes. Final vote totals from other counties were not available at presstime.

A precinct breakdown for Dodge County only will be printed in next week’s edition of The Dodge County News.

The Presidential Preference Primary, General Primary and Nonpartisan General Elections are set for Tuesday, June 9, 2020.

Several local and state elections are up for consideration.

In the election, you will have to declare whether you are a Democrat, Republican or if you just want to vote in the Nonpartisan elections.

In local races, for Dodge County Sheriff, incumbent Lynn Sheffield and Brian Robinson are running on the Republican ballot. For Dodge County Chief Magistrate Judge, incumbent Lonnie Parkerson and Tom Cranford are running as Republicans.

For Dodge County Commissioner District 1, incumbent WT “Jr” Howell and Sharon Cobb Flanagan are running as Republicans. John Battle is running as a Democrat and has no opposition. He will face off in November against the winner between Howell and Flanagan.

In Dodge County School Board District 2, incumbent Jessie Mincey and Roy Grenade are running and are Nonpartisan. In Dodge County School Board District 4, Rodney King and Michelle Wahl are running and are Nonpartisan.

In Georgia State Senate District 13, incumbent Carden Summers and Spud Bowen are running as Republicans.

For the Georgia House of Representatives District 149 seat, Robert Pruitt and Chris Steverson are running as Republicans.

The polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9.

Approximately 2,300 absentee ballots were mailed to voters in Dodge County and so far, approximately 1,300 have been mailed back in.

As of Tuesday, June 2, approximately 840 people had early voted in Dodge County. The last day to early vote is Friday, June 5 at 5:00 p.m.

There are 11,550 registered voters in Dodge County.

Due to continued concerns over the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the Dodge County Recreation Department, out of concern for the health participants, parents and grandparents, has made the decision to cancel the baseball and softball spring/summer season.

The recreation department will be giving each participant in the programs a credit/refund for the full amount paid for the season. If anyone would prefer to have a refund rather than a credit, please contact the recreation department.

The recreation department will announce updated plans as more information is given to them by the CDC and DPH. Activities will resume when it has been deemed safe to return.

Please keep checking on our website and Facebook pages for these updates. 

If you have any other questions please give the office a call at 478-374-4696 or 478-374-4698. Office hours are 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday.

A parade has been set for the 2020 Dodge County High School graduating seniors.

The parade will happen on Friday, May 22 and will leave the Dodge County High School student parking lot at 6:00 p.m. Senior officers will lead the parade.

The parade will follow the traditional homecoming parade route through Eastman. Parents and community members can park along the parade route and show their support for the graduating seniors. The parade is sponsored by the senior parents.

Those participating in the parade must be at the Dodge County High School student parking lot by 5:30 p.m. The parade will leave the parking lot promptly at 6:00 p.m. All vehicles must be decorated school appropriately (no profanity or derogatory remarks). Throwing items from vehicles throughout the parade is prohibited.

Anyone with questions or concerns should contact Jennifer Peacock at jenniferpeacockgsu@gmail.com.

Come show our 2020 graduating seniors how much we love them and how proud we are of them.

On Monday, May 11, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Eastman Office (GBI) was requested by the Telfair County Sheriff’s Office to investigate a homicide that occurred at approximately 2:17 p.m. A shooting incident occurred at a residence located at 596 East Oak Street in McRae-Helena.
Preliminary information indicates that Clint Eugene Hart, age 45, of Uvalda, was asked to leave the residence by James (Jimmy) Richard Joines, Jr., age 50, of Eastman, and a confrontation occurred that led to Joines allegedly shooting and killing Hart. Joines is a relative of the homeowner of where the incident occurred. Joines alleges he acted in self-defense. Joines is cooperating with investigators and no charges have been filed at this time.
An autopsy is scheduled to be performed on Hart at the GBI Crime Lab in Pooler. A thorough and complete investigation will be conducted. At the conclusion of the investigation, the complete case file will be provided to the Oconee Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.
If anyone has information regarding this investigation, please contact the GBI Eastman office at 478-374-6988 or Telfair County Sheriff’s Office at 229-868-6621.

According to the Georgia South Central Health District office in Dublin, Dodge County’s Coronavirus confirmed cases have now risen to 30 with one death due to the disease, as of Tuesday, May 5.
Other surrounding counties to Dodge have cases as follows as of Tuesday, May 5.
Bleckley County has 20 confirmed cases, Pulaski County has 33 confirmed cases with one death, Telfair County has 28 confirmed cases, Wilcox County has 90 confirmed cases with 10 deaths, Laurens County has 67 confirmed cases with one death, Crisp County has 169 confirmed cases with four deaths, Treutlen County has three confirmed cases, Twiggs County has nine confirmed cases and Wheeler County has five confirmed cases.
Citizens are still encouraged to stay six feet apart, wear masks and stay at home.

The Dodge County Board of Education met in a special called meeting to interview three candidates for the Dodge County superintendent position on Tuesday, April 21, 2020.

After the interviews were complete, school board chairman Jessie Mincey said that the board narrowed their search for school superintendent to one finalist.

The finalist selected was Dodge County High School (DCHS) Principal Dr. Susan Long. Although it is not yet official, the board will vote on the applicant at a called meeting on Tuesday, May 5, 2020.

Dr. Long has served as DCHS principal since 2002.

Interim superintendent Rex Hodges will end his service on June 30, 2020.

Board chairman Mincey commented, “ The member of the board of education interviewed some great applicants last week for superintendent. Dr. Long was selected as a sole finalist. As state law mandates, Dr. Long will be a finalist for two weeks and the board will make a final vote on May 5th. Dr. Long brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position of superintendent. She is proven to be a great leader to our students and staff. I am excited for her and her family. Dr. Long will continue to do great things for our system.”
[Full Story »] 

Gail Rogers was appointed interim county manager by the Dodge County Board of Commissioners at their regular meeting on April 20, 2020.
Rogers has served as county clerk for Dodge County since April 2012. Prior to working as the Dodge County Clerk, she was in the banking businesses for many years.
A native of Telfair County, Rogers is a 1972 graduate of Telfair County High School. She is married to Tommy Rogers and they have three children and 10 grandchildren.
Rogers will replace Spence Barron beginning May 1, 2020, who is the finalist for the position of Eastman City Manager.
Kim Parkerson was selected as the county clerk of Dodge County and will replace Rogers beginning May 1, 2020.
Parkerson previously worked as the deputy clerk for the Jeff Davis Board of Commissioners and administrative assistant and marketing director for Jeff Davis Hospital.
A native of Jeff Davis County, Parkerson is a 1992 graduate of Jeff Davis High School. She is married to Myron Parkerson and they have five children and three grandchildren.
Parkerson commented, “This has been a challenging time for all of us, but I believe we have an exceptional group of leaders in place who are adaptable and looking out for all the citizens of Dodge County. [Full Story »] 

The Eastman City Council met in executive session at their meeting on Monday, April 14 and narrowed their search for a new city manager from five applicants down to one.

The one applicant chosen was Dodge County Manager Spencer Barron. Although it is not yet official, the council will vote on the applicant at their next regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, April 27.

Eastman City Manager Jason Cobb tendered his resignation to the Eastman City Council effective April 23, 2020.

Cobb has been city manager for the City of Eastman for more than four years. He has now taken the position as county manager in White County, Georgia (Cleveland).

On Monday, April 6, 2020, shortly after 3:00 p.m., the Eastman Police Department requested the assistance of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Eastman Office to assist with an aggravated assault investigation. Law enforcement initially responded to Eastman Street in reference to a person being shot. When responding officers made contact with the victim, Terry Faulk, age 47, it was determined that Faulk was shot multiple times. Faulk was transported to the Dodge County Hospital where he was later airlifted to Navicent Hospital in Macon. Faulk was treated and released.

It was determined that the shooting incident occurred on Page Street. Faulk was involved in a verbal altercation with Roger Burnham, age 61, while both were seated in their respective vehicles. Faulk’s vehicle struck Burnham’s vehicle during the altercation. Burnham then shot at Faulk, striking him multiple times. Faulk left the scene and traveled to his residence on Eastman Street. There was a passenger in Faulk’s vehicle that was not injured during the incident.

Burnham is being held at the Dodge County Law Enforcement Center on two counts of aggravated assault.

The investigation is active and ongoing. If anyone has information, please contact the GBI Eastman office at 478-374-6988 or the Eastman Police Department at 478-374-7721.

The Dodge County Sheriff’s Department reported the following arrests from March 16 through March 31, 2020.

Micheal David Carrigg, age 41, of Milledgeville was arrested for battery/simple assault-family violence.

Christopher Marquis Cofield, age 45, was arrested for sale of methamphetamine.

With the increased spread of the coronavirus (CORVID-19), and now two positive cases in Dodge County, through a conference call on March 25, 2020, which included Eastman City Manager Jason Cobb and all council members and Dodge County Manager Spence Barron and all commissioners, they have taken additional measures because of the continued emergency caused by Corvid-19.

The additional measures include a mandatory curfew imposed from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. effective at 8:00 a.m. on March 26, 2020. Residents, unless “exempt individuals” as defined in the joint resolution dated, March 23, 2020, shall remain in their homes or on their property during the curfew period.

Violators of the joint emergency declaration and ordinance could face a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 or imprisonment for 60 days or both.

The resolution also include mandatory closure for the duration of the emergency for gyms, fitness centers, pools, social clubs, amusement facilities, bowling alleys, pool halls, theaters, massage parlors, nail salons, hair salons and any other similar facility, any facility used for an activity that involves prolonged physical proximity of individuals and any facility used for entertainment, social, grooming or general health and well being purposes.

The resolution also states that all other establishments such as grocery stores, pharmacies and other businesses, which remain open during the emergency, must post signage on entrance doors informing consumers to maintain at least six feet of personal distance between themselves and others and shall not allow more than 10 people into such establishment at any one time if such social distancing cannot be maintained.

For the complete joint resolution and ordinance and details about the resolution and ordinance additional measures, see page 12 of this edition of The Dodge County News.

With the increased spread of the coronavirus (CORVID-19) the Dodge County Board of Commissioners and the Eastman City Council signed a joint resolution and ordinance on Monday, March 23, 2020.

The Dodge County Board of Commissioners held a special called meeting on Sunday, March 22, 2020 and voted unanimously to declare a local State of Emergency.

After declaring the state of emergency, commissioners agreed to waive tax and tag penalties, postpone tax sales, limit access to public buildings, suspend the county bid process for the purchase of emergency items, prohibit public dining, request a voluntary curfew from 10:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m. and a voluntary ban on gatherings of 10 or more individuals.

The joint resolution and ordinance between the City of Eastman and Dodge County has specifically closed all restaurants until April 20, 2020.

For the complete joint resolution and ordinance and details about the resolution and ordinance, see Page 8A of this edition of The Dodge County News.

The Eastman City Council held a special called meeting on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 and voted unanimously in an official statement to discontinue all in-person services at city hall and restricted public access to city buildings to appointments only, that city council meetings would be closed to the public until further notice but meetings would be available via live stream and rescind all special events and special administrative permits for such events effective immediately.

Council members also agreed that citizens could utilize the 24- hour drop box located at city hall for water bills, tax bills and other payments. Water bills and tax bills could also be paid on-line.

Due to the Coronavirus Dodge County schools are closed indefinitely as of Tuesday, March 17, according to interim school superintendent Rex Hodges. Hodges told members of the school board at a called meeting on March 16 that after a week of closing, they would reassess the situation and go from there.

This closure will apply to all school-related events, practices competitions and activities. Please know that there are no positive cases of COVID-19 in the middle Georgia area at this time. The concern and precaution results from the lack of test kits for the virus in the county.

He also stated that when the school had been told that it was safe, then he would set a resume date. He said that the object of closing the school was to not have a large group of people together at one time.

Teachers will work from home, but can go to school buildings as needed. The custodial and maintenance staff will continue to work.

Transportation will work their normal hours and will be providing food to those in need. The schedule for food distribution is as follows, according to school board chairman Jessie Mincey.

* Emergency feeding service begins Wednesday, March 18th.

* Breakfast and lunch will be served.

* FREE to ANY child age 18 or younger


* Meals will be delivered by the regular daily bus route running daily from 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.


* Drive-thru Grab n’ Go meals will be issued at Dodge County High School from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. daily.

If you do not ride a bus and would like meals, please come down to the street and the bus will stop, or contact Dena Barrows at dbarrows@dodge.k12.ga.us to be added to the daily route.

School principals and assistant principals will be at the schools from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon daily. Parapros will be at the schools as needed.

Hodges stated that the most important thing was for people to “use common sense”.

The district would like to reiterate this is not a vacation or school holiday. This precautionary measure should be taken seriously by all students and families in our district.

Qualifying has ended for several local and state races.

The following are those offices that are up for election and the candidates that have qualified for those offices.

Dodge County Sheriff. Those qualifying are incumbent Lynn Sheffield and Brian Robinson.

Dodge County Magistrate Judge. Those qualifying are incumbent Lonnie Parkerson and Tom Cranford.

Dodge County Clerk of Court. Incumbent Rhett Walker qualified.

Dodge County Probate Judge. Incumbent Al McCranie qualified.

Dodge County Tax Commissioner. Incumbent Kay Graham qualified.

Dodge County Coroner. Incumbent Joe Smith qualified.

Dodge County Board of Commissioners Chairman. Incumbent Dan McCranie qualified.

Dodge County Board of Commissioners District 1. Those qualifying were incumbent Jr. Howell, Sharon Flanagan and John Battle.

Dodge County Board of Commissioners District 4. Those qualifying were incumbent Karen Cheek and Brandon Thomas.

Dodge County Board of Education District 2. Those qualifying are incumbent Jessie Mincey and Roy Grenade.

Dodge County Board of Education District 4. Those qualifying are Rodney King and Michelle Wahl.

Dodge County School Board District 6. Elvis Davis qualified.

Georgia House of Representatives District 149. Those qualifying are Robert Pruitt and Chris Steverson.

Georgia Senate District 13. Those qualifying are incumbent Carden Summers and Spud Bowen.

The election will be on Tuesday, May 19.