Top Stories
Picks Up Letters
Santa Claus was in Eastman recently to pick up all the letters that children sent in to The Dodge County News. While here, he sat for a while and read some of the letters. Then, quick as a flash, he took the letters and dashed off back to the North Pole to get the toys ready to deliver to all the good boys and girls. A special thanks to Delton Perdue for making sure Santa came by the newspaper to pick up the letters from all our children. (Photo by Cindy Eckles)
Jason Cobb chosen as top candidate for city manager
By Taelor Rye
Of the three finalists for the upcoming position of Eastman City Manager, the Eastman City Council has selected Jason Cobb as its top candidate to succeed the incumbent Bea Edge.
According to city clerk Ivelyn Lampkin, while no final decision concerning the position has been made, the council is moving forward with and focusing on Cobb, pending final checks into his references. An ultimate decision will be made and announced by the year’s end, she stated.
Cobb is presently the community development planner at the Heart of Georgia Altamaha Regional Commission, whose basic mission is “to provide professional advice and assistance to its member governments and the State of Georgia, and to encourage cooperation in the areas of comprehensive planning… community and economic development, historic preservation, local government administration and management, aging services, geographic information system services, workforce investment, and coordinated transportation.”
Cobb has also served as the president of SEK Inc., managing five convenience stores, including Dairy Queen franchises. Additional work history includes being a production facilitator at Acuity Brands Lighting in Cochran and a juvenile probation/parole specialist for the Department of Juvenile Justice.
Alongside Cobb, the other two finalists interviewed last week were Tony Winborn and Dan McCranie.
Winborn’s employment history includes being the director of investigations and enforcement for the Georgia Composite Medical Board and the chief deputy sheriff for the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office.
McCranie, sitting chairman of the Dodge County Board of Commissioners, is also the business manager for Martha Sheldon Flowers & Events, LLC. His work history includes being the president of McCranie Lumber Co. Inc., and a council member for the Eastman City Council.
Of the three finalists for the upcoming position of Eastman City Manager, the Eastman City Council has selected Jason Cobb as its top candidate to succeed the incumbent Bea Edge.
According to city clerk Ivelyn Lampkin, while no final decision concerning the position has been made, the council is moving forward with and focusing on Cobb, pending final checks into his references. An ultimate decision will be made and announced by the year’s end, she stated.
Cobb is presently the community development planner at the Heart of Georgia Altamaha Regional Commission, whose basic mission is “to provide professional advice and assistance to its member governments and the State of Georgia, and to encourage cooperation in the areas of comprehensive planning… community and economic development, historic preservation, local government administration and management, aging services, geographic information system services, workforce investment, and coordinated transportation.”
Cobb has also served as the president of SEK Inc., managing five convenience stores, including Dairy Queen franchises. Additional work history includes being a production facilitator at Acuity Brands Lighting in Cochran and a juvenile probation/parole specialist for the Department of Juvenile Justice.
Alongside Cobb, the other two finalists interviewed last week were Tony Winborn and Dan McCranie.
Winborn’s employment history includes being the director of investigations and enforcement for the Georgia Composite Medical Board and the chief deputy sheriff for the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office.
McCranie, sitting chairman of the Dodge County Board of Commissioners, is also the business manager for Martha Sheldon Flowers & Events, LLC. His work history includes being the president of McCranie Lumber Co. Inc., and a council member for the Eastman City Council.
Dodge County Hospital named top hospital
By Taelor Rye
Dodge County Hospital’s convenience and excellence qualify it as one of Georgia’s hidden gems and one of its top small hospitals, according to “Georgia Trend.”
An article from its December issue – “Georgia’s Hidden Gems” by Mary Anne Dunkin – offers a breakdown of the state’s top hospitals, divided by size and ranked by aggregated information including “patient experience, outcomes of care, process of care, and efficiency and value of the services rendered,” Dunkin writes. This information was taken from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Number six on the list, Dodge County Hospital (DCH), is considered a small hospital due to its bed count – fewer than 100.
In response to the honor, Dodge County Hospital CEO Kevin Bierschenk stated; “We could not have done it without the hard work and dedication of our staff and physicians at Dodge County Hospital. I am proud to be part of the DCH family. We try to treat every patient as if they are our own family member.”
Dodge County Hospital proves that patients truly can receive quality service right here at home.
Dodge County Hospital’s convenience and excellence qualify it as one of Georgia’s hidden gems and one of its top small hospitals, according to “Georgia Trend.”
An article from its December issue – “Georgia’s Hidden Gems” by Mary Anne Dunkin – offers a breakdown of the state’s top hospitals, divided by size and ranked by aggregated information including “patient experience, outcomes of care, process of care, and efficiency and value of the services rendered,” Dunkin writes. This information was taken from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Number six on the list, Dodge County Hospital (DCH), is considered a small hospital due to its bed count – fewer than 100.
In response to the honor, Dodge County Hospital CEO Kevin Bierschenk stated; “We could not have done it without the hard work and dedication of our staff and physicians at Dodge County Hospital. I am proud to be part of the DCH family. We try to treat every patient as if they are our own family member.”
Dodge County Hospital proves that patients truly can receive quality service right here at home.
Santa arrives
Santa Claus arrived in Eastman on Saturday, December 12 at the annual Eastman Lions Club Christmas Parade. A tremendous crowd lined the streets of Eastman to welcome jolly ole Saint Nick as well as the entire parade. (Photo by Cindy Eckles)
Miss Chieftain Crowned
Olivia Cranford was named the 2015-2016 Miss Chieftain at the pageant held at the Magnolia Theatre on Saturday, December 12, in Eastman. Other award winners were (l-r) Marlie Moore, (People’s Choice Award); Gabby Sheffield, (fourth runner up); Madelyn Pruitt, (third runner up, Gina Cook Award, and Interview Award); Cranford, (Miss Chieftain 2015-2016, photogenic, talent and evening gown awards); Jaycie Rollins, (first runner up); and Lindsay Hardeman (second runner up). (Photo by Emory Rogers Photography)
City Council approves roundabout resolution
By Taelor Rye
The Eastman City Council voted to approve a resolution announcing the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Legion Drive and Griffin Avenue at its biweekly meeting on Monday, December 14.
The roundabout has been a topic of discussion at many meetings not only over the past few months but even the past couple of years.
Preceding the regular city council meeting, a public information session was held at city hall wherein representatives from the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) joined with members of the city council to give information regarding the roundabout to the public. Citizens were also able to see speculative plans for the roundabout including the amount of space that would be needed for the project.
Funding from the project largely comes from a grant from GDOT, with the City of Eastman paying additional costs.
The text of the resolution reads that “there is a public necessity to develop, improve, and promote the roadways for the public good, general welfare and safety due to congestion at the area of Legion Drive and Griffin Avenue,” which is well known for being a problematic area of traffic.
“I’ve sat at that intersection for eight minutes trying to make a left turn before,” said city council member Raymond Mullis.
The resolution also says that traffic at this area “adversely affects public safety and public access to businesses in the area,” including Walmart and the Dodge County Hospital among other places of business.
The construction of a roundabout “is in the best public interest as it will best promote the safety of motorists and movement of traffic in that area,” it continues.
In closing, the resolution states, “Now therefore, be it resolved, that the Council of the City of Eastman finds that such easements and/or right of ways should immediately be acquired so as to provide safe and accessible roadways for the public, and that such action is necessary to accomplish the purposes set forth herein and that they be commenced.”
When city council member Buddy Pittman asked the rest of the council to clarify whether the resolution was a vote toward the actual construction, city attorney Rita Llop stated that the intention of the resolution was to allow parties on behalf of the city, such as herself, to go forward in terms of seeking to acquire the pieces of property necessary for further work. Any continuance on the project would require further action from the council, she stated.
Freddie Dwozan asked whether the resolution was a vote or merely the public recognition of an already decided vote, to which the council responded that a vote regarding the roundabout had already been made and that this was a public resolution to enter into preliminary stages of development such as the acquisition of property.
Dwozan then read part of the Eastman City Code – a 2009 addition that every vote taken during a meeting must have a time of public participation, given that citizens have something to say. While city council meetings have a period of public participation at the end of meetings, Dwozan recognized that no public interaction had been held before the actual vote to approve the resolution.
[Full Story »]
The Eastman City Council voted to approve a resolution announcing the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Legion Drive and Griffin Avenue at its biweekly meeting on Monday, December 14.
The roundabout has been a topic of discussion at many meetings not only over the past few months but even the past couple of years.
Preceding the regular city council meeting, a public information session was held at city hall wherein representatives from the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) joined with members of the city council to give information regarding the roundabout to the public. Citizens were also able to see speculative plans for the roundabout including the amount of space that would be needed for the project.
Funding from the project largely comes from a grant from GDOT, with the City of Eastman paying additional costs.
The text of the resolution reads that “there is a public necessity to develop, improve, and promote the roadways for the public good, general welfare and safety due to congestion at the area of Legion Drive and Griffin Avenue,” which is well known for being a problematic area of traffic.
“I’ve sat at that intersection for eight minutes trying to make a left turn before,” said city council member Raymond Mullis.
The resolution also says that traffic at this area “adversely affects public safety and public access to businesses in the area,” including Walmart and the Dodge County Hospital among other places of business.
The construction of a roundabout “is in the best public interest as it will best promote the safety of motorists and movement of traffic in that area,” it continues.
In closing, the resolution states, “Now therefore, be it resolved, that the Council of the City of Eastman finds that such easements and/or right of ways should immediately be acquired so as to provide safe and accessible roadways for the public, and that such action is necessary to accomplish the purposes set forth herein and that they be commenced.”
When city council member Buddy Pittman asked the rest of the council to clarify whether the resolution was a vote toward the actual construction, city attorney Rita Llop stated that the intention of the resolution was to allow parties on behalf of the city, such as herself, to go forward in terms of seeking to acquire the pieces of property necessary for further work. Any continuance on the project would require further action from the council, she stated.
Freddie Dwozan asked whether the resolution was a vote or merely the public recognition of an already decided vote, to which the council responded that a vote regarding the roundabout had already been made and that this was a public resolution to enter into preliminary stages of development such as the acquisition of property.
Dwozan then read part of the Eastman City Code – a 2009 addition that every vote taken during a meeting must have a time of public participation, given that citizens have something to say. While city council meetings have a period of public participation at the end of meetings, Dwozan recognized that no public interaction had been held before the actual vote to approve the resolution.
[Full Story »]
Fatal accident happens
A single vehicle accident resulted in a fatality on Tuesday, December 15 at approximately 8:22 a.m. The wreck happened on West Chicken Road in north Dodge County. Christy Lynn Noles (age 34), of a West Chicken Road address, died as a result of injuries she sustained in the accident. The vehicle she was driving was headed east on West Chicken Road when it ran off the right side of the roadway and the driver over corrected. The car went back across the roadway into the ditch and hit a tree. Noles and a passenger, A.J. Foskey, were ejected from the vehicle. Foskey was transported to Bleckley Memorial Hospital with minor injuries. (Photo by Chuck Eckles)
Roundabout meeting is set for December 14
On Monday, Dec. 14, the Georgia Department of Transportation and the City of Eastman will hold an informational meeting to discuss the roundabout design for the State Route (SR) 117/Griffin Street and Legion Drive intersection. The gathering is scheduled from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Eastman City Hall at 333 College St.
Citizens will be able to view the design and ask Georgia DOT engineers questions related to the roundabout project. The Department won’t be recording comments or offering a formal presentation. The purpose of the proposed project is to improve the operational efficiency at the existing Griffin Street and Legion Drive intersection, while reducing the frequency and severity of crashes. Georgia DOT determined a roundabout would be the best solution based on current traffic patterns. The Department recently altered the proposed design from a 100-foot to an 80-foot diameter to lessen the impact on local rights-of-way.
The modern roundabout is a type of circular intersection defined by the basic operational principle of entering traffic yielding to vehicles on the circulatory roadway. Roundabouts have geometric features providing a reduced speed environment that offers substantial safety advantages and excellent operational performance. Studies show roundabouts reduce fatal and injury crashes from 60 to 87 percent at a given intersection. Not only do roundabouts create a much safer intersection, the cost of construction and maintenance can be significantly lower than installing signals. Roundabouts improve traffic flow, while being friendlier to bikers and pedestrian. Semi-trucks will be able to move freely without stopping for long periods as well. To learn more about roundabouts, visit http://www.dot.ga.gov/DS/SafetyOperation/Roundabouts.
Citizens will be able to view the design and ask Georgia DOT engineers questions related to the roundabout project. The Department won’t be recording comments or offering a formal presentation. The purpose of the proposed project is to improve the operational efficiency at the existing Griffin Street and Legion Drive intersection, while reducing the frequency and severity of crashes. Georgia DOT determined a roundabout would be the best solution based on current traffic patterns. The Department recently altered the proposed design from a 100-foot to an 80-foot diameter to lessen the impact on local rights-of-way.
The modern roundabout is a type of circular intersection defined by the basic operational principle of entering traffic yielding to vehicles on the circulatory roadway. Roundabouts have geometric features providing a reduced speed environment that offers substantial safety advantages and excellent operational performance. Studies show roundabouts reduce fatal and injury crashes from 60 to 87 percent at a given intersection. Not only do roundabouts create a much safer intersection, the cost of construction and maintenance can be significantly lower than installing signals. Roundabouts improve traffic flow, while being friendlier to bikers and pedestrian. Semi-trucks will be able to move freely without stopping for long periods as well. To learn more about roundabouts, visit http://www.dot.ga.gov/DS/SafetyOperation/Roundabouts.
Christmas parade is set for Saturday
Following distinguished Eastman-Dodge County Citizens, Bobby Schell has been named grand marshal of the 2015 Eastman Lions’ Club Christmas parade. Schell is a past president of the Lions Club, retired insurance agent, and former owner of Saunders, Stuckey and Mullis, Inc.
A resident of Eastman since 1963, his community knows him for his service. Among his accomplishments other than the Lions Club, he is a Mason and has served the Eastman Jaycees as president and held regional, state, and national offices in the Jaycees. He was a member of the Eastman City Council and a member of the
Dodge County Board of Education. He was the announcer for Dodge County High School football for 40 years.
He was the recipient of the Community Service Award from the Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia and was named Distinguished Citizen of the Year by the Eastman-Dodge County Chamber of Commerce.
[Full Story »]
A resident of Eastman since 1963, his community knows him for his service. Among his accomplishments other than the Lions Club, he is a Mason and has served the Eastman Jaycees as president and held regional, state, and national offices in the Jaycees. He was a member of the Eastman City Council and a member of the
Dodge County Board of Education. He was the announcer for Dodge County High School football for 40 years.
He was the recipient of the Community Service Award from the Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia and was named Distinguished Citizen of the Year by the Eastman-Dodge County Chamber of Commerce.
[Full Story »]
Wreck produces drugs
After two vehicles collided on Georgia 117 (Dublin Highway) just outside of Eastman, the drug task force, along with “Red” (the drug sniffing dog), were called to the scene. According to the Georgia State Patrol report, witnesses saw two male passengers in a 2004 Pontiac Grand Am exit the vehicle after the wreck, open the trunk, take out a stroller, shake it, remove an object and go behind a nearby house. Drug task force agents recovered suspected cocaine from behind the house. The two suspects were taken into custody. The accident happened on Tuesday, November 3 at approximately 4:08 p.m. No one was seriously injured. (Photo by Cindy Eckles)
Miss Chieftain Pageant to be held December 12
The 38th annual Miss Chieftain Pageant will be held Saturday, December 12, at 7:00 p.m. in the Magnolia Theater in downtown Eastman. Seating is limited, so if you want to guarantee yourself a seat, you will need to see any Miss Chieftain contestant, the Dodge County High School (DCHS) yearbook staff, or Darci Rogers about your advanced tickets. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m.
This year there are 19 lovely contestants in Miss Chieftain. The contestants’ day will begin with the interviews at 12:00 p.m. in the DCHS Media Center. The Anchor Club will be hosting a reception for the girls also.
April Rudshaugen, last year’s queen, has been busy choreographing the opening number dance with the assistance of Sarah Ashley Winans. You will enjoy seeing “Flapper Girls Living In A Gatsby World.” The master of ceremonies is Hudson Christian. The night will be full of excellent entertainment, including our reigning Miss Chieftain April Rudshaugen.
Trophies will be given for the top scorers in the interview, talent and the evening wear categories. Trophies will also be given to Miss Photogenic, People’s Choice, Miss Gina Cook Award and Miss Congeniality. Flowers and trophies will be given to the first through fourth place runners up.
[Full Story »]
This year there are 19 lovely contestants in Miss Chieftain. The contestants’ day will begin with the interviews at 12:00 p.m. in the DCHS Media Center. The Anchor Club will be hosting a reception for the girls also.
April Rudshaugen, last year’s queen, has been busy choreographing the opening number dance with the assistance of Sarah Ashley Winans. You will enjoy seeing “Flapper Girls Living In A Gatsby World.” The master of ceremonies is Hudson Christian. The night will be full of excellent entertainment, including our reigning Miss Chieftain April Rudshaugen.
Trophies will be given for the top scorers in the interview, talent and the evening wear categories. Trophies will also be given to Miss Photogenic, People’s Choice, Miss Gina Cook Award and Miss Congeniality. Flowers and trophies will be given to the first through fourth place runners up.
[Full Story »]
Cabin burns
Eastman, Plainfield and Crossroads firefighters were called to a structure fire at 313 Glyn Hickman Road at approximately 10:15 p.m. on Saturday, December 5. When they arrived, the cabin was already on the ground and was a total loss. The state fire marshal has been called in to investigate the cause of the fire. (Photos courtesy of Griffin Lovett, The Courier Herald)
Six year old injured
A six year old girl was injured and taken to the Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon after two vehicles collided on the Soperton Road (Georgia 46) on Wednesday, November 25 at approximately 1:02 p.m. According to the Georgia State Patrol report, Renee Lee Vega (age 18), of Eastman, was driving a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu north on South Carolina Avenue and stopped at the stop sign at the intersection of the Soperton Road. She then pulled into the path of Angela Stanley Anderson (age 56), of Rentz, who was driving a 2002 Nissan Altima west on the Soperton Road. Gabriela Patrick (age 6), of Macon, a passenger in the Nissan Altima, was injured and was taken to the Macon hospital. (Photo by Cindy Eckles)
Who are they?
This old picture was taken at the Stuckey’s store in Eastman that was located across from the Eastman Motel. Do you know who the men are in the picture? (Photo courtesy of Paula Rogers)
Eastman police make arrests
The Eastman Police Department made the following arrests for the weeks of November 16, 2015 through December 1, 2015.
Hannah Davis, age 25, 279 Highway 165, Milan, one count shoplifting less than $500.00.
James Bridges, age 34, 1077 China Hill Road, Milan, one count failure to pay (FTP) bench warrant.
Jacob Lampe, age 20, 947 Highway 295, Danielsville, one count possession of alcohol by minor.
Edwin Williams, age 49, 3239 Highway 87, Eastman, one count obstructing law enforcement officers, one count possession of schedule IV drugs, one count no tag, one count license driving while license suspended/revoked, one count no insurance, on count reckless driving, one count fleeing/attempting to elude police, one count failure to stop at stop/yield sign, and one count tags use of tag to conceal identity.
Shelba Hickman, age 33, 88 South Carolina Road, Eastman, FTP bench warrant.
Juvenile, age 16, one count unruly and one count disrupting public schools.
Joshua Westbrook, age 26, 958 McRae Highway, Eastman, one count no insurance and one count speeding.
Tina O’Connor, age 48, 818 Jay Bird Springs Road, Eastman, one count obstructing law enforcement officers, one count open container violation and one count driving under the influence (DUI) refusal.
Alfonzo Riley, age 53, 5454 Taylor, Lot 7, Eastman, one count pedestrian under the influence (PUI).
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Hannah Davis, age 25, 279 Highway 165, Milan, one count shoplifting less than $500.00.
James Bridges, age 34, 1077 China Hill Road, Milan, one count failure to pay (FTP) bench warrant.
Jacob Lampe, age 20, 947 Highway 295, Danielsville, one count possession of alcohol by minor.
Edwin Williams, age 49, 3239 Highway 87, Eastman, one count obstructing law enforcement officers, one count possession of schedule IV drugs, one count no tag, one count license driving while license suspended/revoked, one count no insurance, on count reckless driving, one count fleeing/attempting to elude police, one count failure to stop at stop/yield sign, and one count tags use of tag to conceal identity.
Shelba Hickman, age 33, 88 South Carolina Road, Eastman, FTP bench warrant.
Juvenile, age 16, one count unruly and one count disrupting public schools.
Joshua Westbrook, age 26, 958 McRae Highway, Eastman, one count no insurance and one count speeding.
Tina O’Connor, age 48, 818 Jay Bird Springs Road, Eastman, one count obstructing law enforcement officers, one count open container violation and one count driving under the influence (DUI) refusal.
Alfonzo Riley, age 53, 5454 Taylor, Lot 7, Eastman, one count pedestrian under the influence (PUI).
[Full Story »]
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