The Eastman Lions Club is proud to recognize Marilynn Sanders, of Eastman, as the Grand Marshall of the Christmas parade.
Marilynn was born in Watertown, South Dakota, and raised in Wichita, Kansas. She lived in England from 1971 to 1976. She began her civil service career in 1972 with the USAF.
Marilynn lived in San Antonio, Texas, from 1976 until her transfer to Robins Air Force Base (AFB) in 1987. In 1993 she moved to Eastman when she married Randall Sanders.
After a 31 year career in civil service, Marilynn retired from Robins AFB in 2003. While at Robins AFB she was chief of Plans and Force Management, Services Directorate, Air Force Reserve Command.
My passion for Operation Christmas Child (OCC) is attributed to the lifelong friendship that I have with Fred Otiini Otanga and his family; a 10-year old African boy who received one of my shoebox gifts in 2003 and sent me a thank you letter.
The Eastman Lions Club Christmas Parade will be held on Friday, December 7, beginning at 7:00 p.m. with lineup at 5:30 p.m. on 3rd Avenue down by the Eastman Post Office. If you are interested in participating in the parade, you can obtain an application from any Lions Club member or at the office of the Eastman-Dodge Chamber of Commerce.
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Police make arrests
Eastman Police Department reported the following arrests for November 20, 2018 through November 27, 2018.
Edwin Wright, age 58, of McRae was arrested for obstructing law enforcement officers, driving while license is suspended/revoked and failure to yield when entering/crossing a roadway.
Brent Dunlap, age 30, of Eastman was arrested for simple battery and abuse/neglect of elderly/disabled.
Gregory Spikes, age 26, of Eastman was arrested for simple battery.
Antwan Parker, age 28, of Cochran was arrested for obstructing law enforcement officers.
Jason Clements, age 21, of Eastman was arrested for driving while license is suspended/revoked and first offense driving under the influence (DUI).
Rodrick Hamilton, age 33, of Eastman was arrested for probation violation.
Iesha Woods, age 26, of Eastman was arrested for probation violation.
Edwin Wright, age 58, of McRae was arrested for obstructing law enforcement officers, driving while license is suspended/revoked and failure to yield when entering/crossing a roadway.
Brent Dunlap, age 30, of Eastman was arrested for simple battery and abuse/neglect of elderly/disabled.
Gregory Spikes, age 26, of Eastman was arrested for simple battery.
Antwan Parker, age 28, of Cochran was arrested for obstructing law enforcement officers.
Jason Clements, age 21, of Eastman was arrested for driving while license is suspended/revoked and first offense driving under the influence (DUI).
Rodrick Hamilton, age 33, of Eastman was arrested for probation violation.
Iesha Woods, age 26, of Eastman was arrested for probation violation.
Griffis and Glenn sentenced to prison
A doctor convicted of falsifying medical safety examinations for commercial drivers has been sentenced to nearly three years in federal prison.
U.S. District Judge Dudley H. Bowen on Wednesday sentenced Dr. Mark Griffis, age 61, of Eastman, to 30 months in prison for conspiring to falsify Department of Transportation (DOT) mandated medical exams for drivers who hold commercial licenses, announced Bobby L. Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.
Griffis was convicted after a three-day jury trial in June. Judge Bowen also fined Griffis $6,000.00, and ordered him to serve three years of federally supervised release after he completes his prison sentence. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to the evidence presented at trial, Jo Carol White, a DOT approved drug and alcohol screener, paid Griffis to falsely certify medical exam forms at $50.00 each without actually examining the driver. This scheme allowed 271 drivers to renew their commercial driver licenses without undergoing the appropriate medical exams to assure their fitness to drive. Earlier this year, White was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment for her role in the conspiracy.
“Motorists expect and deserve the highest standards of safety from commercial drivers who make a living transporting goods on our taxpayer-funded roadways,” said U.S. Attorney Bobby L. Christine. “Griffis violated the duties of his profession and made our highways more dangerous for no reason other than pure greed.” [Full Story »]
U.S. District Judge Dudley H. Bowen on Wednesday sentenced Dr. Mark Griffis, age 61, of Eastman, to 30 months in prison for conspiring to falsify Department of Transportation (DOT) mandated medical exams for drivers who hold commercial licenses, announced Bobby L. Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.
Griffis was convicted after a three-day jury trial in June. Judge Bowen also fined Griffis $6,000.00, and ordered him to serve three years of federally supervised release after he completes his prison sentence. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to the evidence presented at trial, Jo Carol White, a DOT approved drug and alcohol screener, paid Griffis to falsely certify medical exam forms at $50.00 each without actually examining the driver. This scheme allowed 271 drivers to renew their commercial driver licenses without undergoing the appropriate medical exams to assure their fitness to drive. Earlier this year, White was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment for her role in the conspiracy.
“Motorists expect and deserve the highest standards of safety from commercial drivers who make a living transporting goods on our taxpayer-funded roadways,” said U.S. Attorney Bobby L. Christine. “Griffis violated the duties of his profession and made our highways more dangerous for no reason other than pure greed.” [Full Story »]
Kemp takes Dodge
Last week’s 2018 general election brought changes as republicans won Georgia state offices and all the constitutional amendments passed as well as the state referendums passing in Dodge County and statewide.
As of Monday night, the Georgia Secretary of States website was reporting unofficially that all 159 Georgia counties and the 2,634 precincts were 100 percent complete.
Locally, incumbent Michael Jones won over Ellis Cofield for the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor. Jones received 3,581 votes or 59.76 percent to Cofield’s 2,393 votes or 39.94 percent. Write-in votes tallied 18 or .30 percent.
In the governor’s election, republican Brian Kemp took Dodge County with 5,213 votes compared to democrat Stacey Abrams’ 1,814 votes and to libertarian Ted Metz’s 24 votes.
[Full Story »]
As of Monday night, the Georgia Secretary of States website was reporting unofficially that all 159 Georgia counties and the 2,634 precincts were 100 percent complete.
Locally, incumbent Michael Jones won over Ellis Cofield for the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor. Jones received 3,581 votes or 59.76 percent to Cofield’s 2,393 votes or 39.94 percent. Write-in votes tallied 18 or .30 percent.
In the governor’s election, republican Brian Kemp took Dodge County with 5,213 votes compared to democrat Stacey Abrams’ 1,814 votes and to libertarian Ted Metz’s 24 votes.
[Full Story »]
Police, deputies make arrests
Eastman Police Department reported the following arrests for October 29, 2018 through November 6, 2018.
Jonathan Sheffield, age 27 of Eastman was arrested for disorderly conduct and third degree cruelty to children.
Rodger Dierks, age 63 of Eastman was arrested for terroristic threats and acts.
Sebrina Hendrix, age 38 of Eastman was arrested for public indecency-indecent exposure.
Justin Mullins, age 29 of Eastman was arrested for disorderly conduct and private criminal trespassing.
Jason Thomas, age 35 of Cadwell was arrested for probation violation.
Bradley Burnam, age 45 of Eastman was arrested for no insurance and wrong class of drivers license.
Shavanda Dassie, age 26 of Eastman was arrested for disorderly conduct.
Jon Paul Lyons, age 28 of Cochran was arrested for possession of an ounce or less of marijuana and speeding.
Jim Daniels, age 32 of Eastman was arrested for driving with a suspended or revoked license and no insurance.
Amanda Davis, age 27 of Douglas was arrested for shoplifting.
The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office reported the following arrests for the week ending November 6, 2018.
[Full Story »]
Jonathan Sheffield, age 27 of Eastman was arrested for disorderly conduct and third degree cruelty to children.
Rodger Dierks, age 63 of Eastman was arrested for terroristic threats and acts.
Sebrina Hendrix, age 38 of Eastman was arrested for public indecency-indecent exposure.
Justin Mullins, age 29 of Eastman was arrested for disorderly conduct and private criminal trespassing.
Jason Thomas, age 35 of Cadwell was arrested for probation violation.
Bradley Burnam, age 45 of Eastman was arrested for no insurance and wrong class of drivers license.
Shavanda Dassie, age 26 of Eastman was arrested for disorderly conduct.
Jon Paul Lyons, age 28 of Cochran was arrested for possession of an ounce or less of marijuana and speeding.
Jim Daniels, age 32 of Eastman was arrested for driving with a suspended or revoked license and no insurance.
Amanda Davis, age 27 of Douglas was arrested for shoplifting.
The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office reported the following arrests for the week ending November 6, 2018.
[Full Story »]
Authorities make arrests
The Eastman Police Department reported the following arrests for October 22, 2018 through October 30, 2018.
Charles Wynn, age 38, of Eastman, was arrested for theft by taking.
John Wood, age 42, of Eastman, was arrested for burglary and probation violation.
Cortez Powell, age 25, of Helena, was arrested for probation violation.
Tina McGowan, age 29, of Milan, was arrested for a failure to appear bench warrant.
Trey Mosley, age 22, of Eastman, was arrested for driving while license is suspended or revoked and speeding.
Larry Patterson, age 33, of Eastman, was arrested for disorderly conduct.
Sheila Viehl, age 57, of Eastman, was arrested for driving while license is suspended or revoked, no insurance and failure to yield when entering or crossing roadway.
Jason Knight, age 40, of Gray, was arrested for no insurance and driving with a suspended tag.
Jessica Tucker, age 33, of Eastman, was arrested for affray.
Brandon Williams, age 32, of Eastman, was arrested for affray.
[Full Story »]
Charles Wynn, age 38, of Eastman, was arrested for theft by taking.
John Wood, age 42, of Eastman, was arrested for burglary and probation violation.
Cortez Powell, age 25, of Helena, was arrested for probation violation.
Tina McGowan, age 29, of Milan, was arrested for a failure to appear bench warrant.
Trey Mosley, age 22, of Eastman, was arrested for driving while license is suspended or revoked and speeding.
Larry Patterson, age 33, of Eastman, was arrested for disorderly conduct.
Sheila Viehl, age 57, of Eastman, was arrested for driving while license is suspended or revoked, no insurance and failure to yield when entering or crossing roadway.
Jason Knight, age 40, of Gray, was arrested for no insurance and driving with a suspended tag.
Jessica Tucker, age 33, of Eastman, was arrested for affray.
Brandon Williams, age 32, of Eastman, was arrested for affray.
[Full Story »]
Large drug arrest made
Law enforcement officials including the Oconee Drug Task Force and Georgia State troopers recently arrested Lorenzo Lamar Sanders of Perry. He was arrested in Chester Georgia and was charged with trafficking in methamphetamine and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Perry was caught with 28 ounces of suspected methamphetamine.
Eastman Police Department reported the following arrests for October 16, 2018 through October 23, 2018.
Charles Wynn, age 38 of Eastman was arrested for theft by taking.
Bridget Coffman, age 33 of Eastman was arrested for driving while unlicensed or expired/new resident.
Damars Durham, age 31 of Eastman was arrested for non-residence, no forced entry burglary.
Justin Mullins, age 29 of Eastman was arrested for disorderly conduct, simple battery, battery on 65 years of age or older, obstructing law enforcement officers and terroristic threats and acts.
Justin McLeod, age 28 of Montrose was arrested for possession of marijuana, speeding, suspended license, obstruction and possession of drug related object.
Sheri Brennan, age 48 of Eastman was arrested for theft by deception.
The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office reported the following arrests for the week ending October 23, 2018.
[Full Story »]
Perry was caught with 28 ounces of suspected methamphetamine.
Eastman Police Department reported the following arrests for October 16, 2018 through October 23, 2018.
Charles Wynn, age 38 of Eastman was arrested for theft by taking.
Bridget Coffman, age 33 of Eastman was arrested for driving while unlicensed or expired/new resident.
Damars Durham, age 31 of Eastman was arrested for non-residence, no forced entry burglary.
Justin Mullins, age 29 of Eastman was arrested for disorderly conduct, simple battery, battery on 65 years of age or older, obstructing law enforcement officers and terroristic threats and acts.
Justin McLeod, age 28 of Montrose was arrested for possession of marijuana, speeding, suspended license, obstruction and possession of drug related object.
Sheri Brennan, age 48 of Eastman was arrested for theft by deception.
The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office reported the following arrests for the week ending October 23, 2018.
[Full Story »]
Barron hired as county manager
By Becky Holland
Spence Barron, age 43, was named as the new county manager for Dodge County Monday night at the Dodge County Board of Commissioners’ regular monthly meeting.
A two-member search committee, consisting of commissioners W.T. “Junior” Howell and Brian Watkins, reviewed through a list of applicants for the position and presented Barron’s name as the top candidate to the board during the closed session of Monday night’s meeting. After coming out of the closed session, the commissioners voted on Barron’s selection.
For the past seven years Bobby Peacock, a former Dodge County commissioner and commission chairman, has served as interim county manager. Earlier in September, Peacock presented his resignation to some of the board members, but not as an agenda item for an official board meeting.
Immediately, the board opened the position up. Approximately seven applications were turned in.
Watkins told The Dodge County News on Tuesday during a phone interview that “of all the people that turned in resumes, Mr. Barron was the most qualified. I have known him for a long time and I believe he has the demeanor and character just right for this role.”
Barron currently serves as the chief financial officer for the Dodge County-Eastman Development Authority (DCEDA), and most recently prior to that role was the strategic planner for the DCEDA. In 2015, he retired after 18 years of creditable service with the state of Georgia as a special agent with the Georgia Bureau of Investigations (GBI).
He received his bachelor of arts in criminal justice in 1997 from the University of Georgia, his master of public health from Mercer University and is pursuing his doctorate in public health from Georgia Southern University.
Barron also graduated from the GBI Basic Agent Candidate Course from the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in 2002 and was appointed as a special agent in June of that year. He also graduated from the National Forensics Academy in 2010 from the Law Enforcement Innovations Center.
[Full Story »]
Spence Barron, age 43, was named as the new county manager for Dodge County Monday night at the Dodge County Board of Commissioners’ regular monthly meeting.
A two-member search committee, consisting of commissioners W.T. “Junior” Howell and Brian Watkins, reviewed through a list of applicants for the position and presented Barron’s name as the top candidate to the board during the closed session of Monday night’s meeting. After coming out of the closed session, the commissioners voted on Barron’s selection.
For the past seven years Bobby Peacock, a former Dodge County commissioner and commission chairman, has served as interim county manager. Earlier in September, Peacock presented his resignation to some of the board members, but not as an agenda item for an official board meeting.
Immediately, the board opened the position up. Approximately seven applications were turned in.
Watkins told The Dodge County News on Tuesday during a phone interview that “of all the people that turned in resumes, Mr. Barron was the most qualified. I have known him for a long time and I believe he has the demeanor and character just right for this role.”
Barron currently serves as the chief financial officer for the Dodge County-Eastman Development Authority (DCEDA), and most recently prior to that role was the strategic planner for the DCEDA. In 2015, he retired after 18 years of creditable service with the state of Georgia as a special agent with the Georgia Bureau of Investigations (GBI).
He received his bachelor of arts in criminal justice in 1997 from the University of Georgia, his master of public health from Mercer University and is pursuing his doctorate in public health from Georgia Southern University.
Barron also graduated from the GBI Basic Agent Candidate Course from the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in 2002 and was appointed as a special agent in June of that year. He also graduated from the National Forensics Academy in 2010 from the Law Enforcement Innovations Center.
[Full Story »]
Schools to close
Dodge County Schools will close on Wednesday, October 10 at 1:00 p.m. and will remain closed Thursday, October 11 due to Hurricane Michael’s path that should bring it into middle Georgia as a tropical storm with high winds and heavy rainfall, according to Dodge County School Superintendent Michael H. Ward.
Ward stated that the school system will ‘play it by ear’ as to whether the schools will be closed on Friday, October 12.
All after school activities and field trips are cancelled for Wednesday and Thursday. Ward stated, “With the approaching weather we want to err on the side of caution to take care of our students and staff and that is why we are releasing early.”
Ward stated that the school system will ‘play it by ear’ as to whether the schools will be closed on Friday, October 12.
All after school activities and field trips are cancelled for Wednesday and Thursday. Ward stated, “With the approaching weather we want to err on the side of caution to take care of our students and staff and that is why we are releasing early.”
Beware of drug ‘candy’
A drug seizure still under investigation in the Chester community that happened earlier this year has law enforcement agencies in Eastman and Dodge County urging parents to take extra caution this Halloween when their children come home with bags of candies.
Law enforcement stated that a large amount of the drugs seized tested positive for methamphetamine and MDMA (ecstasy).
According to court officials in Dodge County, three individuals, Jermaine Hughes, Jerod Hughes and Erica Miller were arrested in April 2018 and indicted in June 2018 in conjunction with the drug seizure. The indictments are public record, and the following info was discovered.
Erica Miller was indicted on one count of possession of a Schedule III controlled substance, one county of possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance, one count of possession/manufacturing/distribution of marijuana, two counts of traffic in cocaine/marijuana/illegal drugs, one county of trafficking in ecstasy, one county of possession of a firearm/knife during crime/attempt crime and one count of receipt, possession or transfer of firearm by convict.
Jermaine Hughes was indicted on one count of possession of a Schedule III controlled substance, one count of possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance, one count of possession/manufacturing/distribution or marijuana, two counts of traffic in cocaine/marijuana/illegal drugs, one count of trafficking in ecstasy, one count of possession of a firearm/knife during crime/attempt crime and one count of receipt, possession or transfer of firearm by convict.
[Full Story »]
Law enforcement stated that a large amount of the drugs seized tested positive for methamphetamine and MDMA (ecstasy).
According to court officials in Dodge County, three individuals, Jermaine Hughes, Jerod Hughes and Erica Miller were arrested in April 2018 and indicted in June 2018 in conjunction with the drug seizure. The indictments are public record, and the following info was discovered.
Erica Miller was indicted on one count of possession of a Schedule III controlled substance, one county of possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance, one count of possession/manufacturing/distribution of marijuana, two counts of traffic in cocaine/marijuana/illegal drugs, one county of trafficking in ecstasy, one county of possession of a firearm/knife during crime/attempt crime and one count of receipt, possession or transfer of firearm by convict.
Jermaine Hughes was indicted on one count of possession of a Schedule III controlled substance, one count of possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance, one count of possession/manufacturing/distribution or marijuana, two counts of traffic in cocaine/marijuana/illegal drugs, one count of trafficking in ecstasy, one count of possession of a firearm/knife during crime/attempt crime and one count of receipt, possession or transfer of firearm by convict.
[Full Story »]
Bird sentenced to 100 months
Former gynecologist George “Mack” Bird III, age 59, was sentenced to more than eight years in prison and fined $20,000.00 on Tuesday, September 18, for dispensing and prescribing addictive opioids and other drugs to people who received little or no medical services from clinics in Dublin and Eastman. Bird also agreed to forfeit $2.7 million of seized assets and real estate that he admitted were traceable to proceeds of his crimes.
Bird, who pled guilty in March before Senior U. S. District Court Judge Dudley H. Bowen Jr. to charges of Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, was indicted in 2017 on multiple felonies. The negotiated plea with a sentence of 100 months in prison does not include the possibility of parole, and Bird will be subject to 36 months of supervised release following his incarceration.
Starting in 1992, Bird owned and operated a gynecology practice in Eastman, Ga., about an hour southeast of Macon, and later opened a weight loss clinic in Dublin. He admitted the offices sold and prescribed drugs including the opiate hydrocodone, along with alprazolam (Xanax), carisoprodol (Soma), phentermine (Adipex), and phendimetrazine (Plegime) to customers who typically paid in cash and received no legitimate medical services. In the years leading to his arrest in 2015, Bird increasingly delegated his patient care responsibilities to unqualified employees who used pre-signed prescription forms and preprinted medical notes to give the appearance that Bird was performing examinations.
[Full Story »]
Bird, who pled guilty in March before Senior U. S. District Court Judge Dudley H. Bowen Jr. to charges of Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, was indicted in 2017 on multiple felonies. The negotiated plea with a sentence of 100 months in prison does not include the possibility of parole, and Bird will be subject to 36 months of supervised release following his incarceration.
Starting in 1992, Bird owned and operated a gynecology practice in Eastman, Ga., about an hour southeast of Macon, and later opened a weight loss clinic in Dublin. He admitted the offices sold and prescribed drugs including the opiate hydrocodone, along with alprazolam (Xanax), carisoprodol (Soma), phentermine (Adipex), and phendimetrazine (Plegime) to customers who typically paid in cash and received no legitimate medical services. In the years leading to his arrest in 2015, Bird increasingly delegated his patient care responsibilities to unqualified employees who used pre-signed prescription forms and preprinted medical notes to give the appearance that Bird was performing examinations.
[Full Story »]
Commissioners seek new county manager
Even though a letter stating his (Bobby Peacock’s) desire to resign from his position of interim county manager was given to two county commissioners last week, the Dodge County Board of Commissioners have not, as a body, been given a copy of the letter nor have they approved the resignation.
In the September 12, 2018 issue of The Dodge County News, Dodge County Board of Commissioners Vice Chairman W.T. ‘Junior’ Howell stated that Peacock had not officially presented the letter during a meeting with the commissioners.
Yet, after a 10 minute executive session on Monday, September 17 during the board’s monthly meeting, chairman Dan McCranie asked for a motion to approve a job advertisement for the role of county manager for two weeks in the newspaper.
When asked Tuesday, September 18, 2018, if the board as a whole had officially accepted Peacock’s resignation, McCranie said, “Well, I don’t know… I don’t think so.”
He was then asked how could an advertisement for the job be allowed? “But then, as you all (The Dodge County News) have stated, he has been the interim county manager, so I believe under the charter of Dodge County, an interim’s status is really at the discretion of the board. I am not sure why they did it that way. He said he would stay until we got someone and he could help train them.”
The advertisement, which can be found on page 4B of this edition, states that the Dodge County Board of Commissioners is accepting resumes for the position of county manager. Resumes will be accepted until noon on Friday, September 28, 2018.
During Monday’s meeting, Charles Williams, representing the Eastman-Dodge County Area Chamber of Commerce and Development Authority, spoke about the October 20, 2018 event to be held in downtown Eastman, called ‘ Music on Main Street.’
According to Williams, “this is a community event which we are partnering with the Dodge County Farmers’ Market and downtown merchants. It will feature food and craft vendors, and entertainment throughout the day.”
[Full Story »]
In the September 12, 2018 issue of The Dodge County News, Dodge County Board of Commissioners Vice Chairman W.T. ‘Junior’ Howell stated that Peacock had not officially presented the letter during a meeting with the commissioners.
Yet, after a 10 minute executive session on Monday, September 17 during the board’s monthly meeting, chairman Dan McCranie asked for a motion to approve a job advertisement for the role of county manager for two weeks in the newspaper.
When asked Tuesday, September 18, 2018, if the board as a whole had officially accepted Peacock’s resignation, McCranie said, “Well, I don’t know… I don’t think so.”
He was then asked how could an advertisement for the job be allowed? “But then, as you all (The Dodge County News) have stated, he has been the interim county manager, so I believe under the charter of Dodge County, an interim’s status is really at the discretion of the board. I am not sure why they did it that way. He said he would stay until we got someone and he could help train them.”
The advertisement, which can be found on page 4B of this edition, states that the Dodge County Board of Commissioners is accepting resumes for the position of county manager. Resumes will be accepted until noon on Friday, September 28, 2018.
During Monday’s meeting, Charles Williams, representing the Eastman-Dodge County Area Chamber of Commerce and Development Authority, spoke about the October 20, 2018 event to be held in downtown Eastman, called ‘ Music on Main Street.’
According to Williams, “this is a community event which we are partnering with the Dodge County Farmers’ Market and downtown merchants. It will feature food and craft vendors, and entertainment throughout the day.”
[Full Story »]
Peacock resigns?
Dodge County Interim County Manager Bobby Peacock has unofficially resigned and decided to retire after seven years of serving as the interim county manager.
After the Tuesday, September 4 meeting of the county commissioners was adjourned, Peacock handed letters to commissioners Terry Niblett and Brian Watkins that stated: “This is to advise that I have been here almost seven years and I think it is time for me to go. I have enjoyed my time here and appreciate the fact that I have enjoyed the strong support and I do not think our working relationships with the board of commissioners, the county employees, elected officials and the citizens of Dodge County could have been better.”
Peacock told The Dodge County News on the phone before lunch Tuesday, September 11, that he felt his letter stated exactly how he felt about his role and years of service. “I have no complaints. I have enjoyed working with all of the commissioners and the county employees and the elected officials, and of course, the citizens.” Prior to his role as interim county manager, Peacock had served two terms himself on the board of commissioners and, during one of which, he had been the commission chairman.
As per his last date of employment before beginning his retirement, Peacock said, “I didn’t put a date on there because I wanted to give them enough time to find someone to do the job.” He didn’t say what he planned to do when he retired.
Dodge County Board of Commissioners Vice Chairman W.T. ‘Junior’ Howell stated Tuesday that Peacock had not officially presented the letter during a meeting with the commissioners as of yet. “He told me he would stay at least until the end of the year. I am very sad to see him go, but also very happy for him. He has been very positive for us and has been able through his conservative spending and management to get us out of debt, and back into the black. He is really easy to get along with.”
[Full Story »]
After the Tuesday, September 4 meeting of the county commissioners was adjourned, Peacock handed letters to commissioners Terry Niblett and Brian Watkins that stated: “This is to advise that I have been here almost seven years and I think it is time for me to go. I have enjoyed my time here and appreciate the fact that I have enjoyed the strong support and I do not think our working relationships with the board of commissioners, the county employees, elected officials and the citizens of Dodge County could have been better.”
Peacock told The Dodge County News on the phone before lunch Tuesday, September 11, that he felt his letter stated exactly how he felt about his role and years of service. “I have no complaints. I have enjoyed working with all of the commissioners and the county employees and the elected officials, and of course, the citizens.” Prior to his role as interim county manager, Peacock had served two terms himself on the board of commissioners and, during one of which, he had been the commission chairman.
As per his last date of employment before beginning his retirement, Peacock said, “I didn’t put a date on there because I wanted to give them enough time to find someone to do the job.” He didn’t say what he planned to do when he retired.
Dodge County Board of Commissioners Vice Chairman W.T. ‘Junior’ Howell stated Tuesday that Peacock had not officially presented the letter during a meeting with the commissioners as of yet. “He told me he would stay at least until the end of the year. I am very sad to see him go, but also very happy for him. He has been very positive for us and has been able through his conservative spending and management to get us out of debt, and back into the black. He is really easy to get along with.”
[Full Story »]
Man is charged with 13 counts in fatality wreck
Charles Bradley Howell, age 29, of a Helena address is now being held in the Dodge County jail after the Georgia State Patrol charged him as being the driver of the fatal accident that took the lives of three adults, Jonathan Long, age 37, and Alicia Cherry, age 35, both of Milan, and Casey Kroesser, age 30, of Eastman and Kroesser’s unborn child on Wednesday, August 22, 2018.
Howell was air lifted from the scene and transported to Navicent Health in Macon because of injuries sustained from the accident.
In the August 29 edition of The Dodge County News, it was reported that Howell had warrants against him for three counts of vehicular homicide and one warrant for feticide.
Howell was released from Navicent Health in Macon on Sunday, August 26, 2018. He was picked up by Dodge County deputies on Wednesday, August 29 and taken to the Dodge County Law Enforcement Center to be booked.
Howell has 13 charges against him because of the accident. Those include: three counts of homicide by vehicle in first degree, a felony; one count of feticide by vehicle – first degree, a felony; fleeing and eluding an officer, a felony; one count of expired or no driver’s license; one count of failure to maintain lane; one count of speeding in excess of maximum limits (state speed and zone limits); one count of passing in no passing zone; one count of seat belt violation; one count of passing within 200 feet of oncoming traffic; driving under the influence and reckless driving.
As of September 4, 2018, Howell is still incarcerated in the Dodge County Law Enforcement Center and no bond had been set.
Howell was air lifted from the scene and transported to Navicent Health in Macon because of injuries sustained from the accident.
In the August 29 edition of The Dodge County News, it was reported that Howell had warrants against him for three counts of vehicular homicide and one warrant for feticide.
Howell was released from Navicent Health in Macon on Sunday, August 26, 2018. He was picked up by Dodge County deputies on Wednesday, August 29 and taken to the Dodge County Law Enforcement Center to be booked.
Howell has 13 charges against him because of the accident. Those include: three counts of homicide by vehicle in first degree, a felony; one count of feticide by vehicle – first degree, a felony; fleeing and eluding an officer, a felony; one count of expired or no driver’s license; one count of failure to maintain lane; one count of speeding in excess of maximum limits (state speed and zone limits); one count of passing in no passing zone; one count of seat belt violation; one count of passing within 200 feet of oncoming traffic; driving under the influence and reckless driving.
As of September 4, 2018, Howell is still incarcerated in the Dodge County Law Enforcement Center and no bond had been set.
Three die in car crash
One man, two women and an unborn infant were killed after the car in which they were passengers left the roadway and hit several trees.
According to the Georgia State Patrol, Charles Bradley Howell, age 29, of Helena, was driving a 2008 Honda Civic EXL east on Georgia 46 (Soperton Road) near Lester Saunders Road. Howell was attempting to elude a Dodge County Sheriff’s Deputy and was traveling at a high rate of speed.
Howell failed to maintain his lane, traveling across the centerline into oncoming traffic. He then overcorrected and ran off the roadway into the right hand ditch. The vehicle then struck a large oak tree on the front driver’s side. The vehicle then rotated and overturned striking several more trees before coming to rest in the ditch. Howell, Jonathan Long, age 37, of Milan and Casey Kroesser, age 30, of Eastman, were thrown from the vehicle after impact. Alicia Cherry, age 35, of Milan was not thrown from the vehicle.
Long, Cherry, Kroesser, and her unborn infant, all died from the accident.
The accident occurred at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 22. Georgia 46 was shut down to traffic for several hours due to the crash.
An Air Evac helicopter flew Howell from the scene to Navicent Health hospital in Macon.
The Georgia State Patrol has since sworn our warrants for three counts of vehicular homicide and one warrant for feticide for Howell. The warrants are expected to be served as soon as Howell is released from the hospital.
According to the Georgia State Patrol, Charles Bradley Howell, age 29, of Helena, was driving a 2008 Honda Civic EXL east on Georgia 46 (Soperton Road) near Lester Saunders Road. Howell was attempting to elude a Dodge County Sheriff’s Deputy and was traveling at a high rate of speed.
Howell failed to maintain his lane, traveling across the centerline into oncoming traffic. He then overcorrected and ran off the roadway into the right hand ditch. The vehicle then struck a large oak tree on the front driver’s side. The vehicle then rotated and overturned striking several more trees before coming to rest in the ditch. Howell, Jonathan Long, age 37, of Milan and Casey Kroesser, age 30, of Eastman, were thrown from the vehicle after impact. Alicia Cherry, age 35, of Milan was not thrown from the vehicle.
Long, Cherry, Kroesser, and her unborn infant, all died from the accident.
The accident occurred at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 22. Georgia 46 was shut down to traffic for several hours due to the crash.
An Air Evac helicopter flew Howell from the scene to Navicent Health hospital in Macon.
The Georgia State Patrol has since sworn our warrants for three counts of vehicular homicide and one warrant for feticide for Howell. The warrants are expected to be served as soon as Howell is released from the hospital.
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