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After a few editorial corrections and the signature of Dodge County Sheriff Lynn Sheffield, the Dodge County jail will begin having two full time nurses.

The Dodge County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the new contract proposal from Southern Correctional Medicine representatives Kelly Thrift and Kerrie Dawson.

Under the current contract, signed by former Dodge County Sheriff Jeff Hinson, services are provided to the jail for up to 79 inmates, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. for a cost of $112,455.00 per year.

Thrift and Dawson told commissioners they have spent in excess of approximately $18,400.00 in the past six months because of the increase in inmates housed at the jail and services rendered.

The new contract proposed to have two nurses, one on site for 12 hours and one on call for 12 hours, seven days a week and serve an average of 130 inmates per day. The cost of the new contract would be $198,000.00.
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Jay Brown, the late fire chief of Gresston Volunteer Fire Department, will be among the firefighters honored on Sunday, August 17 by the Atlanta Braves. The Georgia Fallen Fire Fighters Foundation will be hosting a fundraiser at the game at 8:00 p.m. in Atlanta.

Brown died in the line of duty on June 27, 2010 and he will be honored for his service to his community. 

The Atlanta Braves are paying tribute to Georgia Fire Fighters and honoring those lost in the line of duty deaths at this game. 

If you would like to attend the event and show your support please call Danson Smith at 404-614-2381 or email at danson.smith@braves.com.   

An Eastman man has been shot in an alleged robbery attempt, according to a Dodge County Sheriff’s report.

The report stated that Melvin Watson McCloud (age 24) was allegedly shot by another Eastman man that he was riding with. The two men apparently stopped on Free Gift Church Road and the driver allegedly got a shotgun and demanded money from McCloud. McCloud told the man that he didn’t have any money and an argument ensued and McCloud began to run. That is when he was allegedly shot in both legs by the driver, causing him to fall into a ditch.

McCloud stated that the driver then approached him and continued to demand money and then allegedly struck him in the head with the stock of the shotgun. McCloud managed to make his way to a residence where 911 was called.
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Dodge County Attorney John Harrington reported to the board that he had conferred with attorney Ross Schell, and that an agreement had been entered into for Mosquito Creek Properties to pay taxes, penalties and interest, which was negotiated between Harrington, Schell and Dodge County Tax Collector Rob Stanley, in the full amount of $186,198.78.

Harrington added that they were planning, at another time, to come before the board to consider an abatement of penalties and interest. According to the law, the board of commissioners cannot change the property tax amount, but they can consider the abatement of penalties and interest.

Stanley told commissioners that he had entered into hundreds of contracts with taxpayers and this agreement with Mosquito Creek Properties did not go against any policies in his office.

Commissioner Jr. Howell asked Stanley if entering into contracts saved the county money. Stanley told commissioners that it did save the county cost of advertising, running individuals down, going through the legal process and it helps the taxpayer in the long run. Howell confirmed that interest would continue to be added on the unpaid amount.

Commissioner Brian Watkins asked Stanley what would happen if a payment was not made according to the contract. Stanley told commissioners they would see the property in the newspaper (for foreclosure). People who fail on their agreements show up in the newspaper for sale at the courthouse.
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By Cindy Eckles
After three public meetings and input from citizens of Dodge County, the Dodge County Board of Commissioners voted to increase the millage rate 1.5 mills at their special called meeting on Wednesday, July 30.

After little discussion at the called meeting, commission chairman Dan McCranie informed citizens that the only thing that could be discussed or voted on was setting the millage rate.

Commissioner Terry Niblett commented, “I too am a property owner. So when we are voting here, and if we do vote to go up on taxes, I’m voting to go up on my taxes. I never thought I would vote for a tax increase. Unfortunately, at the place we are at right now, I don’t see any alternative. I feel like we have tried, we have done the best we could and I don’t see any other way except to go with a tax increase. A two-mill tax increase will be a burden on the county. I think we need to keep it as low as possible.” [Full Story »] 

Dodge County Sheriff Lynn Sheffield is pleased to announce the Dodge County Sheriff’s office is the recipient of a grant from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

The grant amount of $8,000.00 will be used to purchase a new Intoxilyzer 9000, which will replace the existing Intoxilyzer 5000. The Intoxilyzer 9000 is a new alcohol breath test machine to better determine if drivers should be behind the wheel. [Full Story »] 

An Eastman man was taken to the Medical Center of Central Georgia in critical condition after he was apparently severely beaten at a residence just outside the city limits of Eastman.

According to the sheriff’s department incident report, law enforcement and emergency medical personnel received a 911 call for an unconscious male at 9 Liberty Street at approximately 6:53 a.m. on Sunday, July 20. When they arrived, they found Lashawn Tuff (age 28) laying in a pool of blood under the carport with a large laceration to his forehead. Tuff was taken to Dodge County Hospital and then transferred to Macon. [Full Story »]