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 »]
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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 »]
New football coach hired
In a called school board meeting on Tuesday, April 16, 2019, the Dodge County Board of Education named Ken Cofer as head football coach and athletic director. coach Cofer replaces coach Rex Hodges who recently retired.
Cofer comes back to Dodge County after spending 2016 and 2017 on Hodges’ staff. He spent the 2018 season at Wilcox County as head coach and they advanced to the Class A State tournament. Coach Cofer has been in coaching for 23 years. He has previously held head coaching stints in Cook and Bacon County.
Coach Cofer received the job over several good candidates, according to Dodge County School Superintendent Michael Ward. “We picked coach Cofer because he carried himself so well and he focuses well on the student athlete”. Ward added, “you will have a hard time finding a guy that does more for kids than Coach Cofer”. Superintendent Ward also stated that coach Cofer was completely vetted prior to being recommended to the board.
When asked why he returned to Dodge County, coach Cofer said, “it’s the work ethic of these young men that brought me back. I will miss Wilcox but I know the new coaches will do a great job”. Coach Cofer said this team would spend a lot of time in the weight room. “We are going to use our strength and speed to our advantage,” said Cofer. On offense, we are going to run a “smash mouth spread”, we are going to be fast and get things done. It’s going to be a little different,” he said.
Cofer comes back to Dodge County after spending 2016 and 2017 on Hodges’ staff. He spent the 2018 season at Wilcox County as head coach and they advanced to the Class A State tournament. Coach Cofer has been in coaching for 23 years. He has previously held head coaching stints in Cook and Bacon County.
Coach Cofer received the job over several good candidates, according to Dodge County School Superintendent Michael Ward. “We picked coach Cofer because he carried himself so well and he focuses well on the student athlete”. Ward added, “you will have a hard time finding a guy that does more for kids than Coach Cofer”. Superintendent Ward also stated that coach Cofer was completely vetted prior to being recommended to the board.
When asked why he returned to Dodge County, coach Cofer said, “it’s the work ethic of these young men that brought me back. I will miss Wilcox but I know the new coaches will do a great job”. Coach Cofer said this team would spend a lot of time in the weight room. “We are going to use our strength and speed to our advantage,” said Cofer. On offense, we are going to run a “smash mouth spread”, we are going to be fast and get things done. It’s going to be a little different,” he said.
Two dump sites to be shut down
At the recommendation of Dodge County Manager Spence Barron, the Dodge County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to close two of the approximately 18 dumpster sites in Dodge County.
Barron stated that he and commissioner Terry Niblett met with members of the Litter Free Dodge Committee last week to try and come up with a solution to the problem of illegal dumping and littering going on in Dodge County, and that the problem was getting worse by the week.
Because of household trash, household items (mattresses, refrigerators, stoves, etc.), do-it-yourself construction materials and miscellaneous yard debris from Bleckley and Pulaski Counties, the two most problematic dumpster locations were the Dubois and Ben Giddens Road dumpster sites. Barron added that it has gotten so bad, that road crew employees were being pulled several days per week to help sanitation employees.
Barron proposed to the board, “Let’s try something new. It will involve shutting down the Dubois and Ben Giddens dumpster sites, but at the same time we will open up the transfer station on Dodge Avenue starting 12 hours a day (7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.) and from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Sundays, or whatever Dodge County Public Works Supervisor Richard Harrell and the board think is best.”
Our goal with closing these sites is to reduce the amount of out of county trash while still giving the people a place to go to dump their refrigerators, mattresses and furnishings instead of piling them up all over the county.
Since the surrounding counties have gone to a fee payment system for trash, the people who do not want to pay in Bleckley and Pulaski County are bringing their garbage over to Dodge County to dump it.
County manager Barron continued by telling board members and citizens that he had gone through the budget, and for sanitation alone, $546,000.00 was budgeted for 2019. With all the trash coming in from other counties, Barron estimated an additional $142,000.00 of road department resources would be needed to help the sanitation department keep up with everything Bleckley and Pulaski are dumping in these northern dumpsters (Dubois and Ben Giddens sites).
Barron also asked commissioners to give him permission to hire either two or three part-time employees to monitor the remaining county dumpster sites and to staff the transfer station on Dodge Avenue. These individuals would also have the authority to write citations to violators. He stated that all of the rules would be published in The Dodge County News, put on the Dodge County and Litter Free Dodge Facebook pages and the Dodge County Commissioner website. The changes would go into effect on May 1, 2019.
Commissioner Niblett made the motion to accept Barron’s proposal to shut down the Dubois and Ben Giddens dumpster sites, to open the transfer station additional hours, and to hire two to three individuals part-time to help with the litter problem. It was seconded by commissioner Cheek. Before the vote was taken, commissioner Brian Watkins clarified that the Dodge County transfer station and Dodge County dumpster sites were only for Dodge County citizens. Anyone from another county that goes to the transfer station will be turned away and if they are seen dumping at the other locations they will be cited. The motion passed unanimously.
Barron also asked the commissioners for permission to reinstate the Probation Community Service program using individuals working off their community service hours for DUI’s (driving under the influence) and other misdemeanors sentences. These individuals could pick up trash beside the road or around the dumpsters. “It will take some work to figure it all out, but I would like to try to put it together,” Barron stated. No action was taken on this request.
[Full Story »]
Barron stated that he and commissioner Terry Niblett met with members of the Litter Free Dodge Committee last week to try and come up with a solution to the problem of illegal dumping and littering going on in Dodge County, and that the problem was getting worse by the week.
Because of household trash, household items (mattresses, refrigerators, stoves, etc.), do-it-yourself construction materials and miscellaneous yard debris from Bleckley and Pulaski Counties, the two most problematic dumpster locations were the Dubois and Ben Giddens Road dumpster sites. Barron added that it has gotten so bad, that road crew employees were being pulled several days per week to help sanitation employees.
Barron proposed to the board, “Let’s try something new. It will involve shutting down the Dubois and Ben Giddens dumpster sites, but at the same time we will open up the transfer station on Dodge Avenue starting 12 hours a day (7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.) and from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Sundays, or whatever Dodge County Public Works Supervisor Richard Harrell and the board think is best.”
Our goal with closing these sites is to reduce the amount of out of county trash while still giving the people a place to go to dump their refrigerators, mattresses and furnishings instead of piling them up all over the county.
Since the surrounding counties have gone to a fee payment system for trash, the people who do not want to pay in Bleckley and Pulaski County are bringing their garbage over to Dodge County to dump it.
County manager Barron continued by telling board members and citizens that he had gone through the budget, and for sanitation alone, $546,000.00 was budgeted for 2019. With all the trash coming in from other counties, Barron estimated an additional $142,000.00 of road department resources would be needed to help the sanitation department keep up with everything Bleckley and Pulaski are dumping in these northern dumpsters (Dubois and Ben Giddens sites).
Barron also asked commissioners to give him permission to hire either two or three part-time employees to monitor the remaining county dumpster sites and to staff the transfer station on Dodge Avenue. These individuals would also have the authority to write citations to violators. He stated that all of the rules would be published in The Dodge County News, put on the Dodge County and Litter Free Dodge Facebook pages and the Dodge County Commissioner website. The changes would go into effect on May 1, 2019.
Commissioner Niblett made the motion to accept Barron’s proposal to shut down the Dubois and Ben Giddens dumpster sites, to open the transfer station additional hours, and to hire two to three individuals part-time to help with the litter problem. It was seconded by commissioner Cheek. Before the vote was taken, commissioner Brian Watkins clarified that the Dodge County transfer station and Dodge County dumpster sites were only for Dodge County citizens. Anyone from another county that goes to the transfer station will be turned away and if they are seen dumping at the other locations they will be cited. The motion passed unanimously.
Barron also asked the commissioners for permission to reinstate the Probation Community Service program using individuals working off their community service hours for DUI’s (driving under the influence) and other misdemeanors sentences. These individuals could pick up trash beside the road or around the dumpsters. “It will take some work to figure it all out, but I would like to try to put it together,” Barron stated. No action was taken on this request.
[Full Story »]
Woman arrested for man’s murder
On Monday, April 8, 2019, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) was requested by the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office to assist with a death investigation that occurred earlier on this date at 38 Indigo Lane in Eastman.
A 911 call was received at approximately 12:23 p.m. after family members returned home and found Gary Peacock, age 62, deceased inside the residence.
Cassi Roosa, age 24, was arrested for the murder of Peacock. Roosa resided at the residence with Peacock’s step-son.
Roosa has been charged with one count of malice murder, one count of felony murder and one count of aggravated assault. Roosa is being held at the Dodge County Law Enforcement Center.
An autopsy will be performed by the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office.
If anyone has information about this case, please contact the GBI Eastman office at 478-374-6988 or Dodge County Sheriff’s Office at 478-374-8131.
At the time of the murder, the Eastman Police Department was actively seeking to find Roosa in connection to a domestic dispute that occurred on Sunday, April 7. That incident involved the beating of a 58 year old female with a lamp at 5740 Main Street.
At the time of the murder on Monday, April 8, the Eastman Police Department was waiting on deputies (because the address was in the county and not in the city) to go with them to 38 Indigo Lane where it was believed Roosa may be.
Deputies were currently tied up with a fatality wreck on the Cochran Highway.
A 911 call was received at approximately 12:23 p.m. after family members returned home and found Gary Peacock, age 62, deceased inside the residence.
Cassi Roosa, age 24, was arrested for the murder of Peacock. Roosa resided at the residence with Peacock’s step-son.
Roosa has been charged with one count of malice murder, one count of felony murder and one count of aggravated assault. Roosa is being held at the Dodge County Law Enforcement Center.
An autopsy will be performed by the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office.
If anyone has information about this case, please contact the GBI Eastman office at 478-374-6988 or Dodge County Sheriff’s Office at 478-374-8131.
At the time of the murder, the Eastman Police Department was actively seeking to find Roosa in connection to a domestic dispute that occurred on Sunday, April 7. That incident involved the beating of a 58 year old female with a lamp at 5740 Main Street.
At the time of the murder on Monday, April 8, the Eastman Police Department was waiting on deputies (because the address was in the county and not in the city) to go with them to 38 Indigo Lane where it was believed Roosa may be.
Deputies were currently tied up with a fatality wreck on the Cochran Highway.
Authorities investigate murder, stabbing
An Eastman woman has died after she and another woman were stabbed early Monday morning.
Althea Etheridge, age 60, of Eastman, was found stabbed to death in a 2004 Ford Expedition near the corner of First Avenue and Calahan Street in Eastman. Another woman, Alexia Williams, age 38, was also stabbed and was flown by helicopter to Navicent Health in Macon where she was listed in stable condition.
The incident happened at approximately 4:28 a.m. on Monday, April 1. The Eastman police requested the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) to assist in the case.
The vehicle had run into a tree on Calahan Street. The GBI is possibly looking for a black male in connection with the case.
If anyone has information regarding the case, they are asked to contact the GBI Eastman office at 478-374-6988 or the Eastman Police Department at 478-374-7788.
Althea Etheridge, age 60, of Eastman, was found stabbed to death in a 2004 Ford Expedition near the corner of First Avenue and Calahan Street in Eastman. Another woman, Alexia Williams, age 38, was also stabbed and was flown by helicopter to Navicent Health in Macon where she was listed in stable condition.
The incident happened at approximately 4:28 a.m. on Monday, April 1. The Eastman police requested the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) to assist in the case.
The vehicle had run into a tree on Calahan Street. The GBI is possibly looking for a black male in connection with the case.
If anyone has information regarding the case, they are asked to contact the GBI Eastman office at 478-374-6988 or the Eastman Police Department at 478-374-7788.
Law enforcement takes a student after a message
A Dodge County High School student is in the hands of local law enforcement after sending a message to another student referencing taking a gun to school on Monday, March 11. (Editor’s note: Because the student is 16 years old and a juvenile, the name can not be printed in the newspaper)
According to Dodge County School Superintendent Michael H. Ward, a law enforcement officer was notified after the message became known by another student on Monday night. Local law enforcement went to the home of the student and were informed by the parents that there was no gun available to the student.
The student was allowed to ride the bus and go to school on Tuesday but was taken into custody by Dodge County Sheriff’s deputies after additional information was discovered.
Superintendent Ward stated that because of the misinformation on social media, local law enforcement personnel returned to the high school again on Thursday, March 14 to talk with students about the incident.
[Full Story »]
According to Dodge County School Superintendent Michael H. Ward, a law enforcement officer was notified after the message became known by another student on Monday night. Local law enforcement went to the home of the student and were informed by the parents that there was no gun available to the student.
The student was allowed to ride the bus and go to school on Tuesday but was taken into custody by Dodge County Sheriff’s deputies after additional information was discovered.
Superintendent Ward stated that because of the misinformation on social media, local law enforcement personnel returned to the high school again on Thursday, March 14 to talk with students about the incident.
[Full Story »]
Two arrested in triple murder
Two men have been arrested and charged in the deaths of three Chauncey residents.
According to law enforcement reports, Ronnie Wayne Hackle, Jr., age 27, Mercedes Maelyn Hackle, age 17 and Bobbie Lynn Moore, age 22, had been missing from their Chauncey residence since Tuesday, March 12, after Moore’s car was found burned off of Highway 135 at the Alapaha River near the Atkinson County line in Berrien County.
None of the three had responded to attempts to make contact with them. The three lived off a dirt road in Chauncey.
By Thursday, March 14, all three deceased bodies had been found. All three bodies were found just miles from where the car was discovered. The bodies were sent to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation crime lab to be identified and later were identified as the three persons that were missing. Wayne Hackle and Bobbie Lynn Moore’s bodies were found in Atkinson County on Wednesday, March 13 and Mercedes Hackle’s body was found in Berrien County on Thursday, March 14.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) said Jonathan Douglas Vann, age 20, of Nashville, has been charged in Atkinson County with two counts of malice murder in the deaths of Wayne Hackle, Jr. and Bobbie Lynn Moore. Vann is also being charged with malice murder in Berrien County in the death of Mercedes Hackle and arson in regards to the burned vehicle, according to the GBI.
A second person has been arrested in the case and is charged with concealing the death of another in Berrien County and was also charged with two counts of concealing the deaths of another person in Atkinson County. He is Keyante Greene, age 25.
According to law enforcement reports, Ronnie Wayne Hackle, Jr., age 27, Mercedes Maelyn Hackle, age 17 and Bobbie Lynn Moore, age 22, had been missing from their Chauncey residence since Tuesday, March 12, after Moore’s car was found burned off of Highway 135 at the Alapaha River near the Atkinson County line in Berrien County.
None of the three had responded to attempts to make contact with them. The three lived off a dirt road in Chauncey.
By Thursday, March 14, all three deceased bodies had been found. All three bodies were found just miles from where the car was discovered. The bodies were sent to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation crime lab to be identified and later were identified as the three persons that were missing. Wayne Hackle and Bobbie Lynn Moore’s bodies were found in Atkinson County on Wednesday, March 13 and Mercedes Hackle’s body was found in Berrien County on Thursday, March 14.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) said Jonathan Douglas Vann, age 20, of Nashville, has been charged in Atkinson County with two counts of malice murder in the deaths of Wayne Hackle, Jr. and Bobbie Lynn Moore. Vann is also being charged with malice murder in Berrien County in the death of Mercedes Hackle and arson in regards to the burned vehicle, according to the GBI.
A second person has been arrested in the case and is charged with concealing the death of another in Berrien County and was also charged with two counts of concealing the deaths of another person in Atkinson County. He is Keyante Greene, age 25.
Barron gives update on courthouse
By Cindy M. Eckles
In a prepared statement, Dodge County Manager Spence Barron told a group of approximately 30 citizens an update on the situation and proposed solutions for the issues involving the Dodge County Courthouse closing. He stated that the meeting was two fold, being (1) to make sure the public was informed of what has occurred up to this meeting and (2) for the board of commissioners to make a decision to either bid the repairs to the temporary courthouse for a period of four weeks or more or to declare an emergency situation exists and waive the formal bidding process and begin work on the AT&T building.
Barron stated, “Our goal is to make the process as transparent as possible, to be good stewards of the taxpayers’ money and to consider the will of the citizens of Dodge County”.
Barron went on to explain to citizens about the electrical and noxious smells in the courthouse along with the water flowing in the basement that had visible mold growing on the walls. He reminded citizens that the front attic space of the courthouse had most recently been remodeled in the late 1990s or early 2000s and that visibly there was termite damage, some leftover debris and even burned timber and scorch marks on some of the bricks in the attic from when the courthouse had burned.
With no visible pigeon debris or odor, he went on to explain how hard it was to gain access to the back attic, which was heavily infested with pigeon debris, live pigeons, dead pigeons and active nests. Barron added that there were still other attic spaces that they did not find a way to get in without removing interior drop ceilings in the offices.
Following the discovery of the pigeon problem, several abatement companies and certified industrial hygienist were consulted and all recommended that the courthouse be tested and inspected to determine the extent of possible contamination from the pigeon droppings. None of the abatement teams would commit to a firm price but speculated between $600,000.00 and $1.5 million to just clean and abate the pigeon infested areas. These costs did not include repairs to what was removed, repair and sealing of the basement, rewiring the building or replacing the contaminated air conditioning system.
After receiving this information, a joint decision between the county commissioners and court officials was made to close the courthouse until the risk could be accurately assessed.
County manager Barron was given authority by the board of commissioners to spend $25,000.00 to relocate the county offices and for testing at the February 6, 2019 meeting and a Judicial Emergency Order was issued and signed by Oconee Superior Court Chief Judge Sarah F. Wall and judges C. Michael Johnson and Howard C. Kaufold, Jr. that suspended deadlines and continued court terms immediately following the meeting.
Most of the offices were relocated to the back room of the Eastman-Dodge County Chamber of Commerce. When the testing results came back, contamination was found on both the first and second floors of the courthouse.
With county services and court functions having to continue, Barron and county commissioners met with the Eastman-Dodge Development Authority to find the most cost effective and functional solution for the county offices. They determined that the old AT&T building on Pearl Bates Avenue near the Dodge County High School would work and the county purchased the building for $5.00. It was determined that it was large enough to hold all the court officials, county officials and include functioning courtrooms.
Barron made it clear to citizens that no decisions regarding the future of the current courthouse had been made because accurate estimates of the cost of repairs to bring it back into operation had not determined. He added that he is preparing a detailed request for proposals to obtain accurate and time estimates to repair and upgrade the courthouse. Once those estimates are available, Barron stated that they (the estimates) would be made available to the public for input and discussion.
[Full Story »]
In a prepared statement, Dodge County Manager Spence Barron told a group of approximately 30 citizens an update on the situation and proposed solutions for the issues involving the Dodge County Courthouse closing. He stated that the meeting was two fold, being (1) to make sure the public was informed of what has occurred up to this meeting and (2) for the board of commissioners to make a decision to either bid the repairs to the temporary courthouse for a period of four weeks or more or to declare an emergency situation exists and waive the formal bidding process and begin work on the AT&T building.
Barron stated, “Our goal is to make the process as transparent as possible, to be good stewards of the taxpayers’ money and to consider the will of the citizens of Dodge County”.
Barron went on to explain to citizens about the electrical and noxious smells in the courthouse along with the water flowing in the basement that had visible mold growing on the walls. He reminded citizens that the front attic space of the courthouse had most recently been remodeled in the late 1990s or early 2000s and that visibly there was termite damage, some leftover debris and even burned timber and scorch marks on some of the bricks in the attic from when the courthouse had burned.
With no visible pigeon debris or odor, he went on to explain how hard it was to gain access to the back attic, which was heavily infested with pigeon debris, live pigeons, dead pigeons and active nests. Barron added that there were still other attic spaces that they did not find a way to get in without removing interior drop ceilings in the offices.
Following the discovery of the pigeon problem, several abatement companies and certified industrial hygienist were consulted and all recommended that the courthouse be tested and inspected to determine the extent of possible contamination from the pigeon droppings. None of the abatement teams would commit to a firm price but speculated between $600,000.00 and $1.5 million to just clean and abate the pigeon infested areas. These costs did not include repairs to what was removed, repair and sealing of the basement, rewiring the building or replacing the contaminated air conditioning system.
After receiving this information, a joint decision between the county commissioners and court officials was made to close the courthouse until the risk could be accurately assessed.
County manager Barron was given authority by the board of commissioners to spend $25,000.00 to relocate the county offices and for testing at the February 6, 2019 meeting and a Judicial Emergency Order was issued and signed by Oconee Superior Court Chief Judge Sarah F. Wall and judges C. Michael Johnson and Howard C. Kaufold, Jr. that suspended deadlines and continued court terms immediately following the meeting.
Most of the offices were relocated to the back room of the Eastman-Dodge County Chamber of Commerce. When the testing results came back, contamination was found on both the first and second floors of the courthouse.
With county services and court functions having to continue, Barron and county commissioners met with the Eastman-Dodge Development Authority to find the most cost effective and functional solution for the county offices. They determined that the old AT&T building on Pearl Bates Avenue near the Dodge County High School would work and the county purchased the building for $5.00. It was determined that it was large enough to hold all the court officials, county officials and include functioning courtrooms.
Barron made it clear to citizens that no decisions regarding the future of the current courthouse had been made because accurate estimates of the cost of repairs to bring it back into operation had not determined. He added that he is preparing a detailed request for proposals to obtain accurate and time estimates to repair and upgrade the courthouse. Once those estimates are available, Barron stated that they (the estimates) would be made available to the public for input and discussion.
[Full Story »]
Tax commissioner moves to courthouse annex
Dodge County Manager Spence Barron announced that beginning Tuesday, March 5, 2019 the Dodge County Tax Commissioner’s Office would be selling vehicle tags out of the annex building across from the Dodge County Courthouse.
According to Interim Dodge County Tax Commissioner Jackie Smith, they hope to be able to process tax payments before the end of the week.
In their Monday, March 4 meeting, Dodge County commissioners voted unanimously, after coming out of executive session, to hold a public meeting on Wednesday, March 6, 2019 at 5:30 p.m. at the courthouse annex to discuss the renovations to the building (old AT&T building) located at 643 Pearl Bates Road for use as an additional courthouse annex building. [Full Story »]
According to Interim Dodge County Tax Commissioner Jackie Smith, they hope to be able to process tax payments before the end of the week.
In their Monday, March 4 meeting, Dodge County commissioners voted unanimously, after coming out of executive session, to hold a public meeting on Wednesday, March 6, 2019 at 5:30 p.m. at the courthouse annex to discuss the renovations to the building (old AT&T building) located at 643 Pearl Bates Road for use as an additional courthouse annex building. [Full Story »]
County will use AT&T building
Dodge County Courthouse offices and the courtroom will be moving into the old AT&T building on Pearl Bates Avenue after renovations to that building are complete.
This comes after the Dodge County Eastman Development voted unanimously on Friday, February 22 to lease or sell the building and property to Dodge County for a nominal fee.
Renovations to the AT&T building are expected to take approximately six to eight weeks.
Currently, since the courthouse has been closed, county offices have been temporarily moved into the Eastman/Dodge County Chamber of Commerce building on College Street.
On February 6, 2019, Professional Environmental Management (PEM) was contacted by Dodge County Manager Spencer Barron, to discuss the results of a building inspection conducted in the Dodge County Courthouse, along with photographic documentation. The information provided indicated visually gross areas of contamination in interior building spaces, primarily the attic (bird/pigeon droppings/excrement) and basement (mold). It is noted, other animals (bats, squirrels, etc.) may also be inhabiting areas of the building.
[Full Story »]
This comes after the Dodge County Eastman Development voted unanimously on Friday, February 22 to lease or sell the building and property to Dodge County for a nominal fee.
Renovations to the AT&T building are expected to take approximately six to eight weeks.
Currently, since the courthouse has been closed, county offices have been temporarily moved into the Eastman/Dodge County Chamber of Commerce building on College Street.
On February 6, 2019, Professional Environmental Management (PEM) was contacted by Dodge County Manager Spencer Barron, to discuss the results of a building inspection conducted in the Dodge County Courthouse, along with photographic documentation. The information provided indicated visually gross areas of contamination in interior building spaces, primarily the attic (bird/pigeon droppings/excrement) and basement (mold). It is noted, other animals (bats, squirrels, etc.) may also be inhabiting areas of the building.
[Full Story »]
TWO INJURED
Two people from Helena were injured and flown by Air Evac helicopters to Navicent Health in Macon after the 2007 Mercury Mariner they were in ran into an 18 wheeler. According to the Georgia State Patrol report, Willie Wes Jacobs, age 54, (driver) and Yvette George, age 53, (passenger) were driving south on Georgia 31/US 441 when their vehicle crossed the center line and hit Ronald Henry Cosby, age 57, of Kissimmee, Florida, driving a 2018 Freightliner 18 wheeler. The front driver’s side of the Mariner hit the front driver’s side of the Freightliner. Then, the Mariner began to overturn and landed off the west side of the roadway on the shoulder upside down. An extrication crew from McRae had to use the Jaws of Life to remove the driver of the Mariner. Firemen, emergency medical personnel, law enforcement and first responders from Laurens County, Telfair County, Wheeler County and Dodge County responded to the wreck. The accident happened on Friday, February 15 at approximately 3:53 p.m.
Courthouse to remain closed
By Cindy Eckles
According to Dodge County Manager Spence Barron, preliminary results are starting to come in from the from Professional Environmental Management Certified Industrial Hygienist Erin Garmon. Barron added that they are still waiting for the more preliminary and final results of the testing for the potentially hazardous air quality conditions at the courthouse.
Until then, and pending results of those tests, the Dodge County Courthouse will remain closed.
The Dodge County Commissioners voted at their meeting on Monday night to sign a resolution to designate the courthouse annex, located at 5016 Courthouse Circle, and the Dodge County Law Enforcement Center (DCLEC), located at 85 Industrial Boulevard, as the alternative courtroom locations for motions and non-jury matters because of public health concerns relating to air quality conditions and the ongoing need for testing at the Dodge County Courthouse.
A motion for the resolution was made by commissioner Jr. Howell and seconded by commissioner Terry Niblett. The motion passed unanimously.
Oconee Superior Court Chief Judge Sarah F. Wall then stated for the public that the DCLEC courtroom has a separate door for the public and that the law requires that it is open to the public.
Dodge County Attorney John Harrington added that unless there was a special motion or juvenile court matter that is sequestered, all court matters are to be deliberated in open court.
Judge Wall then commented that after an amended order to the declaration of judicial emergency pending expert testing into the air quality of the courthouse is filed with the Georgia Supreme Court (which will be Tuesday, February 19, 2019) then court will resume.
The order also suspends deadlines relating to filing requirements, designates alternative courtroom locations for motions and non-jury matters and authorizes juvenile court to resume normal operations.
Offices that are officially working out of the Eastman-Dodge County Chamber of Commerce chamber hall are Dodge County Probate (478-374-3775), Dodge County Clerk of Superior Court (478-374-2871), Dodge County Tax Commissioner (478-374-2154) and Dodge County Registrar (478-374-8123). Dodge County Building Inspector/Tax Collector Rob Stanley is working out of the chamber hall and an office at the courthouse annex and can be reached at 478-374-8127.
Commissioner Howell then made a motion, which was seconded by commissioner Brian Watkins, for a resolution to go into a temporary lease with the Dodge County-Eastman Development Authority to take control of what has been identified as the AT&T building, for the temporary time period, for the purpose of continuing services and the potential future designation of some courtrooms.
Attorney Harrington stated that the location (AT&T building) was not added in the first resolution as a designated court location until the modifications that are made are approved by the court system.
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According to Dodge County Manager Spence Barron, preliminary results are starting to come in from the from Professional Environmental Management Certified Industrial Hygienist Erin Garmon. Barron added that they are still waiting for the more preliminary and final results of the testing for the potentially hazardous air quality conditions at the courthouse.
Until then, and pending results of those tests, the Dodge County Courthouse will remain closed.
The Dodge County Commissioners voted at their meeting on Monday night to sign a resolution to designate the courthouse annex, located at 5016 Courthouse Circle, and the Dodge County Law Enforcement Center (DCLEC), located at 85 Industrial Boulevard, as the alternative courtroom locations for motions and non-jury matters because of public health concerns relating to air quality conditions and the ongoing need for testing at the Dodge County Courthouse.
A motion for the resolution was made by commissioner Jr. Howell and seconded by commissioner Terry Niblett. The motion passed unanimously.
Oconee Superior Court Chief Judge Sarah F. Wall then stated for the public that the DCLEC courtroom has a separate door for the public and that the law requires that it is open to the public.
Dodge County Attorney John Harrington added that unless there was a special motion or juvenile court matter that is sequestered, all court matters are to be deliberated in open court.
Judge Wall then commented that after an amended order to the declaration of judicial emergency pending expert testing into the air quality of the courthouse is filed with the Georgia Supreme Court (which will be Tuesday, February 19, 2019) then court will resume.
The order also suspends deadlines relating to filing requirements, designates alternative courtroom locations for motions and non-jury matters and authorizes juvenile court to resume normal operations.
Offices that are officially working out of the Eastman-Dodge County Chamber of Commerce chamber hall are Dodge County Probate (478-374-3775), Dodge County Clerk of Superior Court (478-374-2871), Dodge County Tax Commissioner (478-374-2154) and Dodge County Registrar (478-374-8123). Dodge County Building Inspector/Tax Collector Rob Stanley is working out of the chamber hall and an office at the courthouse annex and can be reached at 478-374-8127.
Commissioner Howell then made a motion, which was seconded by commissioner Brian Watkins, for a resolution to go into a temporary lease with the Dodge County-Eastman Development Authority to take control of what has been identified as the AT&T building, for the temporary time period, for the purpose of continuing services and the potential future designation of some courtrooms.
Attorney Harrington stated that the location (AT&T building) was not added in the first resolution as a designated court location until the modifications that are made are approved by the court system.
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Commissioners, judges close courthouse
In addition to electrical, ventilation and heating and cooling problems, inspectors found pigeons roosting in the attic of the Dodge County Courthouse.
At a called meeting on Wednesday, February 6, 2019 the Dodge County Commissioners officially closed the courthouse until further notice.
County commissioners voted to allow Dodge County Manager Spence Barron to spend up to $25,000.00 to relocate the county offices and for testing.
Due to the interruption of government services and temporary unavailability of the courtroom, Oconee Superior Court Chief Judge Sarah F. Wall and judges C. Michael Johnson and Howard C. Kaufold, Jr. signed a Judicial Emergency Order that suspends deadlines and continues court terms immediately following the meeting on February 6. Within the order it states, “The nature of this emergency is due to hazardous air quality conditions in the Dodge County Courthouse”. (A copy of the order is printed in this edition of The Dodge County News’ legal section.
Professional Environmental Management (PME) Certified Industrial Hygienist Erin Garmon and PEM Industrial Hygienist Dan Hutto conducted a site visit on Thursday, February 7, 2019.
After reviewing information from the building inspection and photographic documentation, PEM reported to county manager Barron that there were visual areas of contamination in the interior building spaces, primarily the attic (bird (pigeon) droppings) and mold in the basement.
Because of the conditions founds, PEM recommended to evacuate occupants and restrict access until further assessment and testing could be conducted.
PEM also provided a plan to gather additional information with samples collected from designated areas inside the building and the building’s exterior and obtain the results in an expeditious and efficient manner.
The proposed fee from PEM will be $27,500.00. The majority of it, $22,356.00, being the cost of laboratory testing and shipment of the samples. The remainder includes their costs for preparing the final report with recommendations, the cost of the field investigation and travel. Barron also advised that he has met with two abatement/restoration companies over the past week and both companies stated they would need the results of the environmental testing before they could determine a final cost to repair the courthouse.
[Full Story »]
At a called meeting on Wednesday, February 6, 2019 the Dodge County Commissioners officially closed the courthouse until further notice.
County commissioners voted to allow Dodge County Manager Spence Barron to spend up to $25,000.00 to relocate the county offices and for testing.
Due to the interruption of government services and temporary unavailability of the courtroom, Oconee Superior Court Chief Judge Sarah F. Wall and judges C. Michael Johnson and Howard C. Kaufold, Jr. signed a Judicial Emergency Order that suspends deadlines and continues court terms immediately following the meeting on February 6. Within the order it states, “The nature of this emergency is due to hazardous air quality conditions in the Dodge County Courthouse”. (A copy of the order is printed in this edition of The Dodge County News’ legal section.
Professional Environmental Management (PME) Certified Industrial Hygienist Erin Garmon and PEM Industrial Hygienist Dan Hutto conducted a site visit on Thursday, February 7, 2019.
After reviewing information from the building inspection and photographic documentation, PEM reported to county manager Barron that there were visual areas of contamination in the interior building spaces, primarily the attic (bird (pigeon) droppings) and mold in the basement.
Because of the conditions founds, PEM recommended to evacuate occupants and restrict access until further assessment and testing could be conducted.
PEM also provided a plan to gather additional information with samples collected from designated areas inside the building and the building’s exterior and obtain the results in an expeditious and efficient manner.
The proposed fee from PEM will be $27,500.00. The majority of it, $22,356.00, being the cost of laboratory testing and shipment of the samples. The remainder includes their costs for preparing the final report with recommendations, the cost of the field investigation and travel. Barron also advised that he has met with two abatement/restoration companies over the past week and both companies stated they would need the results of the environmental testing before they could determine a final cost to repair the courthouse.
[Full Story »]
ONE SERIOUSLY INJURED
A Dodge County woman was seriously injured and was air lifted by helicopter to Navicent Health in Macon after the pickup truck she was driving hit a tree. As of a last report, she was listed in critical condition. Kandice Janie Sharpton, age 28, of a 733 Jay Bird Helena Dirt Road address, was traveling north on Jay Bird Helena Dirt Road when the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado pickup she was driving ran off the right side of the roadway. The truck then turned sideways and traveled back across the roadway into the opposite ditch and struck a tree on the passenger’s side. The accident happened at approximately 8:29 a.m. on Friday, February 1, 2019.
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