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.
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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.
Injuries from fight cause teen’s death
A fight that occurred in Dodge County on Wednesday, July 25, 2018 has resulted in the death of one and the arrest of another, Special Agent in Charge of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Scott Whitley told The Dodge County News on Monday.
Whitley said during a phone interview that an arrest warrant was served on Thomas Stuart Joiner III, age 17, after he turned himself in Monday around lunch time at the Dodge County Law Enforcement Center.
Joiner was charged with voluntary manslaughter after Dakota Rowland, age 18, died as a result of injuries sustained during a fight with Joiner.
Joiner and Rowland met in a rural location in Dodge County for the fight. Whitley stated, “During the encounter Joiner pushed Rowland and Rowland hit the ground.” Rowland sustained traumatic brain injuries. He died Friday, August 17, 2018.
According to an incident report obtained from the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a call on July 25, 2018, from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office that there was a white male, identified as Dakota Rowland of Chester, in the emergency room at Taylor Regional Hospital in Hawkinsville who had sustained blunt force trauma to the head and was bleeding from the brain.
The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office deputy explained that he was unsure of how it happened, but gave the Dodge County deputy a phone number of a relative of Rowland’s who had further information regarding the incident. [Full Story »]
Whitley said during a phone interview that an arrest warrant was served on Thomas Stuart Joiner III, age 17, after he turned himself in Monday around lunch time at the Dodge County Law Enforcement Center.
Joiner was charged with voluntary manslaughter after Dakota Rowland, age 18, died as a result of injuries sustained during a fight with Joiner.
Joiner and Rowland met in a rural location in Dodge County for the fight. Whitley stated, “During the encounter Joiner pushed Rowland and Rowland hit the ground.” Rowland sustained traumatic brain injuries. He died Friday, August 17, 2018.
According to an incident report obtained from the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a call on July 25, 2018, from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office that there was a white male, identified as Dakota Rowland of Chester, in the emergency room at Taylor Regional Hospital in Hawkinsville who had sustained blunt force trauma to the head and was bleeding from the brain.
The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office deputy explained that he was unsure of how it happened, but gave the Dodge County deputy a phone number of a relative of Rowland’s who had further information regarding the incident. [Full Story »]
T-shirt fundraiser causes controversy
By Becky Holland
Should a t-shirt, intended as a fundraiser for a school-affiliated group, with religious and political implications, be allowed to be sold as a representation of a whole school or team or for all supporters of said school or team?
A group of community members in Dodge County don’t think so. A t-shirt with the images of a flag, the Dodge County High School Indians mascot, a cross and the words, ‘In Dodge County, we stand for the flag, kneel for the cross … That’s Indian pride,’ was set to be sold as a fundraiser for the competition and football cheerleading squads at Dodge County High School.
Lisa Hartley, of Heart of Georgia Signs and Tee’s, designed the shirt. Hartley told The Dodge County News on Monday in a phone interview, “I have been designing the cheerleaders’ t-shirts for several years now. They use the money for competition.”
Hartley said she normally presents the cheerleading sponsors with three t-shirt designs, and then “they pick what they want and approve it, and we make them.”
With the controversial t-shirt, Hartley said that she did it. “It was not meant to offend anyone or be racial. There was no hidden agenda in it.”
“For years, our football players have stood when the National Anthem is played, and they pray before the game. When a player gets hurt, they kneel. I considered that to mean that our Dodge County parents have raised their children right, and felt like it was respectful,” she added.
According to Hartley, she sent the design to Tammie Lewis. Lewis is one of the three cheerleading sponsors at the high school. “She showed it to Sheena Orange and Becky Colson. They are the other two sponsors, and they showed it to the girls. The girls started selling the shirts at the scrimmage game on Friday.”
And Hartley said, “That is when all the controversy began.”
As of Monday afternoon, the selling of the t-shirts by the Dodge County cheerleaders had stopped.
The controversy then escalated when images of the shirt were posted on the social media application Facebook.
Dodge Countians were divided on the appropriateness for the shirt to be sold by high school cheerleaders to represent the school and community.
Taelor Rye said, “As a Dodge County High (DCHS) graduate who was highly active in school affairs as a student, I’m disappointed in the lack of consideration that went into the design and distribution of the shirt. What may have been intended simply as a show of pride has greater implications beyond the surface level.”
He continued, “Surely, there was no ill intent behind the shirt, but the truth remains that it sends a message to students that not all are welcome – and that’s a message that I know DCHS doesn’t actually stand for. When I was a student at DCHS, I had many positive relationships with the school’s faculty and staff, many of which still hold strong today. Now, as a high school teacher myself, I have so much personal and professional respect for the faculty and staff at DCHS. Still, the shirt sends a message of exclusion, not inclusion, and someone should have been able to recognize that.”
Rye added, “People should keep in mind that purpose of the political protest that the shirt references (kneeling during the National Anthem) is to shed light on the injustices of police brutality, particularly toward Black people and other people of color – not to disrespect soldiers or veterans.”
Zane Gregory Taylor said, “A lot of people out there are just looking for a reason to complain…if the flag offends then stop reaping rewards that flag has provided you.”
Rye concluded, “I hope that everyone who does not see the problems with the design and distribution of the shirt can recognize that other perspectives exist and that they are valid. We should all work to be more empathetic, more compassionate, and more accepting.”
James Holland said, “Comparing patriotism or ‘standing for the flag’ to ‘kneeling at the cross’ is like comparing apples to oranges. Kneeling at the cross is a deeply personal issue where standing/kneeling at the flag has become a First Amendment issue.” Holland wondered, “How many of the people who have repeated the trending catch-phrase have actually knelt at the cross in the last 24 hours?”
Dodge County Board of Education member, Shirley Ikedionwu made a post on her Facebook page.
“It has come to my attention from several concerned citizens that a controversial shirt design was being sold through a school-affiliated organization, which gives the impression that such a message is endorsed and condoned by a school system,” Ikedionwu’s post read. “My heart is deeply saddened to learn that such a politically divisive shirt has been allowed in the Dodge County schools. This shirt is not only one-side, but offensive. I can’t imagine how our children would feel entering a place that is supposed to be welcoming and accepting of students from all walks of life, beliefs and perspectives, but instead they are faced with this type of exclusionary message.”
Ikedionwu continued, “I have contacted administrators in the school system, and at this point the shirt will no longer be sold.”
Of the shirt design, Crystal Velasquez, said, “I am a Dodge County grad. I don’t believe that any fundraiser with religious affiliation should be allowed in public schools. Cheerleading and football are not religions in public schools despite popular belief.”
[Full Story »]
Should a t-shirt, intended as a fundraiser for a school-affiliated group, with religious and political implications, be allowed to be sold as a representation of a whole school or team or for all supporters of said school or team?
A group of community members in Dodge County don’t think so. A t-shirt with the images of a flag, the Dodge County High School Indians mascot, a cross and the words, ‘In Dodge County, we stand for the flag, kneel for the cross … That’s Indian pride,’ was set to be sold as a fundraiser for the competition and football cheerleading squads at Dodge County High School.
Lisa Hartley, of Heart of Georgia Signs and Tee’s, designed the shirt. Hartley told The Dodge County News on Monday in a phone interview, “I have been designing the cheerleaders’ t-shirts for several years now. They use the money for competition.”
Hartley said she normally presents the cheerleading sponsors with three t-shirt designs, and then “they pick what they want and approve it, and we make them.”
With the controversial t-shirt, Hartley said that she did it. “It was not meant to offend anyone or be racial. There was no hidden agenda in it.”
“For years, our football players have stood when the National Anthem is played, and they pray before the game. When a player gets hurt, they kneel. I considered that to mean that our Dodge County parents have raised their children right, and felt like it was respectful,” she added.
According to Hartley, she sent the design to Tammie Lewis. Lewis is one of the three cheerleading sponsors at the high school. “She showed it to Sheena Orange and Becky Colson. They are the other two sponsors, and they showed it to the girls. The girls started selling the shirts at the scrimmage game on Friday.”
And Hartley said, “That is when all the controversy began.”
As of Monday afternoon, the selling of the t-shirts by the Dodge County cheerleaders had stopped.
The controversy then escalated when images of the shirt were posted on the social media application Facebook.
Dodge Countians were divided on the appropriateness for the shirt to be sold by high school cheerleaders to represent the school and community.
Taelor Rye said, “As a Dodge County High (DCHS) graduate who was highly active in school affairs as a student, I’m disappointed in the lack of consideration that went into the design and distribution of the shirt. What may have been intended simply as a show of pride has greater implications beyond the surface level.”
He continued, “Surely, there was no ill intent behind the shirt, but the truth remains that it sends a message to students that not all are welcome – and that’s a message that I know DCHS doesn’t actually stand for. When I was a student at DCHS, I had many positive relationships with the school’s faculty and staff, many of which still hold strong today. Now, as a high school teacher myself, I have so much personal and professional respect for the faculty and staff at DCHS. Still, the shirt sends a message of exclusion, not inclusion, and someone should have been able to recognize that.”
Rye added, “People should keep in mind that purpose of the political protest that the shirt references (kneeling during the National Anthem) is to shed light on the injustices of police brutality, particularly toward Black people and other people of color – not to disrespect soldiers or veterans.”
Zane Gregory Taylor said, “A lot of people out there are just looking for a reason to complain…if the flag offends then stop reaping rewards that flag has provided you.”
Rye concluded, “I hope that everyone who does not see the problems with the design and distribution of the shirt can recognize that other perspectives exist and that they are valid. We should all work to be more empathetic, more compassionate, and more accepting.”
James Holland said, “Comparing patriotism or ‘standing for the flag’ to ‘kneeling at the cross’ is like comparing apples to oranges. Kneeling at the cross is a deeply personal issue where standing/kneeling at the flag has become a First Amendment issue.” Holland wondered, “How many of the people who have repeated the trending catch-phrase have actually knelt at the cross in the last 24 hours?”
Dodge County Board of Education member, Shirley Ikedionwu made a post on her Facebook page.
“It has come to my attention from several concerned citizens that a controversial shirt design was being sold through a school-affiliated organization, which gives the impression that such a message is endorsed and condoned by a school system,” Ikedionwu’s post read. “My heart is deeply saddened to learn that such a politically divisive shirt has been allowed in the Dodge County schools. This shirt is not only one-side, but offensive. I can’t imagine how our children would feel entering a place that is supposed to be welcoming and accepting of students from all walks of life, beliefs and perspectives, but instead they are faced with this type of exclusionary message.”
Ikedionwu continued, “I have contacted administrators in the school system, and at this point the shirt will no longer be sold.”
Of the shirt design, Crystal Velasquez, said, “I am a Dodge County grad. I don’t believe that any fundraiser with religious affiliation should be allowed in public schools. Cheerleading and football are not religions in public schools despite popular belief.”
[Full Story »]
Commissioners looking to set ‘18 millage rate
The Dodge County Board of Commissioners had two meetings in the last two weeks– the first was a work session and on Monday, August 6, the board held its regular meeting.
Commissioner W.T. “Junior” Howell called the work session to order by stating, “This is the work session, and is only for information purposes, and no action will be taken.”
During the work session, Dale Jones, chief appraiser with the Dodge County Tax Assessor’s Office, stood before the commissioners and gave a presentation in regards to the consolidations and tax digest.
Jones delivered some news that baffled not only Jones, but also the commissioners. According to Jones, the “consolidations were down.”
According to Jones, the amount collected from vehicles was down $3,000,000.00 from 2017 and timber was down $4,000,000.00 from 2017 as well. She couldn’t explain exactly why that was or exactly how amounts were figured out, as per a question from Dodge County Interim Manager Bobby Peacock.
She said that she received those figures from Kay Graham, Dodge County Tax Commissioner. “So, someone sends those figures to her, and she sends to you,” Peacock asked. Jones said Graham had a system in place. (Editor’s Note: Graham told The Dodge County News on the phone Tuesday that the county only receives a percentage of what is collected. The monies are divided between the state, the county and school system. Graham said, “It changes every year as per the state part.”)
In discussing the decrease in the timber collections, questions centered on why there was that much of a decline there. “I was told that it was not collected and that it was not turned in, so it was not collected,” Jones said.
Howell added, “It is on the honor system.”
Peacock stated, “So, if it is not reported, there is nothing we can do?”
Jones added, “There is really not a very good check and balance system as of right now. The same goes for when a mobile home is brought into the county...if they don’t get a permit, we don’t know about it. When we do see it, by then they have gotten by with several years not paying for it. We are spending a lot of time cleaning up the mobile home digest.”
As per the consolidations, Jones said, “We are ready to do the reconciliations...we sent out our assessments and the proper days have passed, and if you are ready to set the millage rate, then we can do this.”
Jones said she had talked with her vendor who told her to ahead and send it in, and they would figure out the errors after they did it.
The vendor that Jones uses for the digest assistance had found a very “big error” and it could be because of the data conversion from one system to the other. The errors could be either in conservation figures or in the homestead exemptions.
Peacock asked Jones, “We didn’t have any growth did we?”
She asked, “Inflationary growth?”
Peacock said yes. Jones felt like there was some. “If there was a mistake, I can’t find it.”
She said, “I am going to transfer the file, and if there is too much off or two much difference, then we will have to go back and restructure.”
[Full Story »]
Commissioner W.T. “Junior” Howell called the work session to order by stating, “This is the work session, and is only for information purposes, and no action will be taken.”
During the work session, Dale Jones, chief appraiser with the Dodge County Tax Assessor’s Office, stood before the commissioners and gave a presentation in regards to the consolidations and tax digest.
Jones delivered some news that baffled not only Jones, but also the commissioners. According to Jones, the “consolidations were down.”
According to Jones, the amount collected from vehicles was down $3,000,000.00 from 2017 and timber was down $4,000,000.00 from 2017 as well. She couldn’t explain exactly why that was or exactly how amounts were figured out, as per a question from Dodge County Interim Manager Bobby Peacock.
She said that she received those figures from Kay Graham, Dodge County Tax Commissioner. “So, someone sends those figures to her, and she sends to you,” Peacock asked. Jones said Graham had a system in place. (Editor’s Note: Graham told The Dodge County News on the phone Tuesday that the county only receives a percentage of what is collected. The monies are divided between the state, the county and school system. Graham said, “It changes every year as per the state part.”)
In discussing the decrease in the timber collections, questions centered on why there was that much of a decline there. “I was told that it was not collected and that it was not turned in, so it was not collected,” Jones said.
Howell added, “It is on the honor system.”
Peacock stated, “So, if it is not reported, there is nothing we can do?”
Jones added, “There is really not a very good check and balance system as of right now. The same goes for when a mobile home is brought into the county...if they don’t get a permit, we don’t know about it. When we do see it, by then they have gotten by with several years not paying for it. We are spending a lot of time cleaning up the mobile home digest.”
As per the consolidations, Jones said, “We are ready to do the reconciliations...we sent out our assessments and the proper days have passed, and if you are ready to set the millage rate, then we can do this.”
Jones said she had talked with her vendor who told her to ahead and send it in, and they would figure out the errors after they did it.
The vendor that Jones uses for the digest assistance had found a very “big error” and it could be because of the data conversion from one system to the other. The errors could be either in conservation figures or in the homestead exemptions.
Peacock asked Jones, “We didn’t have any growth did we?”
She asked, “Inflationary growth?”
Peacock said yes. Jones felt like there was some. “If there was a mistake, I can’t find it.”
She said, “I am going to transfer the file, and if there is too much off or two much difference, then we will have to go back and restructure.”
[Full Story »]
Woman found burned in car under bridge
A dead body was found under a bridge in Dodge County and an arson arrest was made.
Agents with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Office in Eastman arrested Doug Sheriff, age 48, of Eastman on Saturday, July 28, for one count of arson in connection with a burned white BMW vehicle that was discovered on Saturday, July 28, 2018 under the Gum Swamp Creek
Bridge off of Georgia117 (Dublin Highway) north of Eastman.
According to Eastman GBI Special Agent in Charge Scott Whitley, “Saturday morning, deputies with the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call concerning a burning car under the bridge.”
Whitley explained that a motorist traveling over the bridge was alarmed over a burning smell and stopped to investigate and called 911. The Eastman Fire Department and Dodge County deputies were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, firemen found the BMW under the bridge in flames. [Full Story »]
Agents with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Office in Eastman arrested Doug Sheriff, age 48, of Eastman on Saturday, July 28, for one count of arson in connection with a burned white BMW vehicle that was discovered on Saturday, July 28, 2018 under the Gum Swamp Creek
Bridge off of Georgia117 (Dublin Highway) north of Eastman.
According to Eastman GBI Special Agent in Charge Scott Whitley, “Saturday morning, deputies with the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call concerning a burning car under the bridge.”
Whitley explained that a motorist traveling over the bridge was alarmed over a burning smell and stopped to investigate and called 911. The Eastman Fire Department and Dodge County deputies were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, firemen found the BMW under the bridge in flames. [Full Story »]
School board tables ‘spirit section’ again
During its regular monthly meeting last Thursday, the Dodge County Board of Education decided to table the discussion, and possible approval, of making special seating for students in a ‘spirit section’ at the high school football stadium.
The proposal was presented, as reported in a previous issue of The Dodge County News, by Dodge County High School Principal Susan Long to the board at its called meeting last Monday. In her presentation, Dr. Long detailed that the section would be the stands where the band had been previously, and it would be open to students from Dodge County Middle School and Dodge County High School. There would be certain provisions that would be followed for students to be allowed to sit there, and staff members would man the gate to allow students to sit in the section.
At Monday’s meeting, school board vice chairman Jessie Mincey voiced his concerns about such a section and wanted more staff members available during the game to monitor the section.
The board decided to table it and take no action on Monday.
[Full Story »]
The proposal was presented, as reported in a previous issue of The Dodge County News, by Dodge County High School Principal Susan Long to the board at its called meeting last Monday. In her presentation, Dr. Long detailed that the section would be the stands where the band had been previously, and it would be open to students from Dodge County Middle School and Dodge County High School. There would be certain provisions that would be followed for students to be allowed to sit there, and staff members would man the gate to allow students to sit in the section.
At Monday’s meeting, school board vice chairman Jessie Mincey voiced his concerns about such a section and wanted more staff members available during the game to monitor the section.
The board decided to table it and take no action on Monday.
[Full Story »]
School board hires new superintendent
In a surprisingly unanimous decision last week, the Dodge County Board of Education approved the selection of Michael H. Ward as superintendent of schools for Dodge County.
According to a representative of the Dodge County School System district officers, Ward was named last week, and the vote was tallied at a unanimous approval of six to zero after all board members voted.
Ward retired in June 2018 after serving for 13 years as the assistant superintendent for operations and business services with the Harris County School System in Hamilton, Georgia.
Some of his duties there included negotiating all insurance and other contracts, being responsible for all operations’ planning, programs, policy analysis and fiscal management, being responsible for all student discipline tribunals and acted as a liaison for the school superintendent.
Ward also served as the director of transportation for the Douglas County School System for four years, and as the director of transportation for the Monroe County School System for four years.
[Full Story »]
According to a representative of the Dodge County School System district officers, Ward was named last week, and the vote was tallied at a unanimous approval of six to zero after all board members voted.
Ward retired in June 2018 after serving for 13 years as the assistant superintendent for operations and business services with the Harris County School System in Hamilton, Georgia.
Some of his duties there included negotiating all insurance and other contracts, being responsible for all operations’ planning, programs, policy analysis and fiscal management, being responsible for all student discipline tribunals and acted as a liaison for the school superintendent.
Ward also served as the director of transportation for the Douglas County School System for four years, and as the director of transportation for the Monroe County School System for four years.
[Full Story »]
Authorities make arrests
Eastman Police Chief Becky Sheffield reported the following arrests by officers with her department during the week of July 3, 2018-July 10, 2018.
Mitchell Payne, age 32, of Eastman, was arrested for failure to appear.
Tabitha Spikes, age 40, of Eastman, was arrested with forgery in the first degree-other object.
Patrick Williams, age 42, of Eastman, was arrested with possession of drug-related object, possession of an ounce or less of marijuana and for an FTP bench warrant.
James Hughes, age 47, of Eastman, was arrested for an FTP bench warrant.
Bernard Butler, age 24, of Eastman, was arrested for probation violation.
Herschel White, age 33, of Eastman, was arrested for probation violation.
Jason Marshall, age 36, of Eastman, was arrested for probation violation.
Christopher Fordham, age 49, of Eastman, was arrested for probation violation.
Rickie Blackshear, age 37, of Eastman, was arrested for firearms, possession by convicted felon, littering, consuming alcohol in public, pedestrian under the influence and failure to appear.
Robin Dorsey, age 53, of Lumber City, was arrested for following too closely and leaving the scene of an accident with injury/damage.
Jasmine Harrow, age 25, o f Eastman, was arrested with forgery in the third degree.
Stewart Giddens, age 36, of Eastman, was arrested with possession drug-related object and possession of drugs-methamphetamine.
Brandon Lampkin, age 30, of Eastman, was arrested with possession of a drug-related object, possession of drugs-methamphetamines and theft by receiving stolen property $500 value or more.
Brandon Dykes, age 35, of Eastman, was arrested for driving while license suspended/revoked.
Miracles Ellis, age 19, of McRae, was arrested for speeding and driving while license suspended/revoked.
Tina Watts, age 45, of Eastman, was arrested on a bench warrant.
[Full Story »]
Mitchell Payne, age 32, of Eastman, was arrested for failure to appear.
Tabitha Spikes, age 40, of Eastman, was arrested with forgery in the first degree-other object.
Patrick Williams, age 42, of Eastman, was arrested with possession of drug-related object, possession of an ounce or less of marijuana and for an FTP bench warrant.
James Hughes, age 47, of Eastman, was arrested for an FTP bench warrant.
Bernard Butler, age 24, of Eastman, was arrested for probation violation.
Herschel White, age 33, of Eastman, was arrested for probation violation.
Jason Marshall, age 36, of Eastman, was arrested for probation violation.
Christopher Fordham, age 49, of Eastman, was arrested for probation violation.
Rickie Blackshear, age 37, of Eastman, was arrested for firearms, possession by convicted felon, littering, consuming alcohol in public, pedestrian under the influence and failure to appear.
Robin Dorsey, age 53, of Lumber City, was arrested for following too closely and leaving the scene of an accident with injury/damage.
Jasmine Harrow, age 25, o f Eastman, was arrested with forgery in the third degree.
Stewart Giddens, age 36, of Eastman, was arrested with possession drug-related object and possession of drugs-methamphetamine.
Brandon Lampkin, age 30, of Eastman, was arrested with possession of a drug-related object, possession of drugs-methamphetamines and theft by receiving stolen property $500 value or more.
Brandon Dykes, age 35, of Eastman, was arrested for driving while license suspended/revoked.
Miracles Ellis, age 19, of McRae, was arrested for speeding and driving while license suspended/revoked.
Tina Watts, age 45, of Eastman, was arrested on a bench warrant.
[Full Story »]
Former teacher pleads guilty to sexual battery
Jayme Michael Fordham, a former Dodge County teacher and coach, was sentenced recently on two counts of sexual battery as a result of charges of child molestation and computer pornography that occurred in Dodge County.
According to documents released from the case and sentencing, Fordham was sentenced to a total of 10 years, with the first two and half years to be served in confinement and the remainder to be served on probation.
Though the offense occurred somewhere between May 1, 2016 and June 30, 2016, Fordham, at first, pled not guilty to the charges against him on March 21, 2017. On May 22, 2018, Fordham changed his plea to guilty to both counts of sexual battery.
As per the inventory of special conditions of probation regarding Fordham, the following will hold true: (1) Fordham is sentenced under the provisions of the probation management act sentencing options system; (2) Fordham will have to submit to a search of person, residences, papers, vehicle and/or effects at any time of day or night without a search warrant whenever requested to do so by a probation officer or other law enforcement officer upon reasonable cause to believe that Fordham is in violation of probation or otherwise acting in violation of the law, and
Fordham shall specifically consent to the use of anything seized as evidence in any judicial proceedings or trial; (3) Fordham will have to produce upon oral or written request by a Probation Officer, a law enforcement officer or official of a Georgia Department of Health and Safety approved substance abuse or mental health provider personnel a breath, saliva, urine and/or blood specimen for analysis for the presence of drugs including alcohol, and Fordham shall waive evidentiary foundation for admissibility of the laboratory results.
[Full Story »]
According to documents released from the case and sentencing, Fordham was sentenced to a total of 10 years, with the first two and half years to be served in confinement and the remainder to be served on probation.
Though the offense occurred somewhere between May 1, 2016 and June 30, 2016, Fordham, at first, pled not guilty to the charges against him on March 21, 2017. On May 22, 2018, Fordham changed his plea to guilty to both counts of sexual battery.
As per the inventory of special conditions of probation regarding Fordham, the following will hold true: (1) Fordham is sentenced under the provisions of the probation management act sentencing options system; (2) Fordham will have to submit to a search of person, residences, papers, vehicle and/or effects at any time of day or night without a search warrant whenever requested to do so by a probation officer or other law enforcement officer upon reasonable cause to believe that Fordham is in violation of probation or otherwise acting in violation of the law, and
Fordham shall specifically consent to the use of anything seized as evidence in any judicial proceedings or trial; (3) Fordham will have to produce upon oral or written request by a Probation Officer, a law enforcement officer or official of a Georgia Department of Health and Safety approved substance abuse or mental health provider personnel a breath, saliva, urine and/or blood specimen for analysis for the presence of drugs including alcohol, and Fordham shall waive evidentiary foundation for admissibility of the laboratory results.
[Full Story »]
School board, Anderson can’t agree on contract
After naming Tony Anderson as the lone finalist in the search for someone to fill the role of Dodge County school superintendent last week, the Dodge County Board of Education recanted its decision.
During a phone interview with The Dodge County News on Monday, June 25, 2018, Dodge County School Board Vice-Chairman Jessie Mincey said, “The Dodge County Board of Education and Mr. Anderson couldn’t come to terms on a contract.”
A meeting of the board is set for Wednesday, June 27. Mincey said during the phone interview, “This will be to discuss and do follow up interviews with the other candidates…and we have several as of right now.”
He said they would also need to consider naming an interim school superintendent on Wednesday. When asked if there were any interim candidates in mind, Mincey didn’t comment. He did say that the board could decide on someone within the system or someone “who has been here before.” Later on Monday, The Dodge County News confirmed that a list of candidates for interim superintendent was being compiled so that the board could make a decision vote on an interim on Wednesday.
The need for a superintendent came after current Dodge County School Superintendent Mike Hilliard made the surprise announcement in May that he would be retiring and that June 30, 2018 would be his last day. Hilliard made this announcement approximately seven days after the board presented him with an increase in his salary and a new contract.
[Full Story »]
During a phone interview with The Dodge County News on Monday, June 25, 2018, Dodge County School Board Vice-Chairman Jessie Mincey said, “The Dodge County Board of Education and Mr. Anderson couldn’t come to terms on a contract.”
A meeting of the board is set for Wednesday, June 27. Mincey said during the phone interview, “This will be to discuss and do follow up interviews with the other candidates…and we have several as of right now.”
He said they would also need to consider naming an interim school superintendent on Wednesday. When asked if there were any interim candidates in mind, Mincey didn’t comment. He did say that the board could decide on someone within the system or someone “who has been here before.” Later on Monday, The Dodge County News confirmed that a list of candidates for interim superintendent was being compiled so that the board could make a decision vote on an interim on Wednesday.
The need for a superintendent came after current Dodge County School Superintendent Mike Hilliard made the surprise announcement in May that he would be retiring and that June 30, 2018 would be his last day. Hilliard made this announcement approximately seven days after the board presented him with an increase in his salary and a new contract.
[Full Story »]
Tony Anderson is finalist for superintendent position
The Dodge County Board of Education, at its meeting on Thursday, June 14 selected a lone finalist in its search for a new school superintendent.
Upon coming out of a second closed session, the board voted on a recommendation from Robert Peacock to consider William Anthony ‘Tony’ Anderson the finalist.
Robert Peacock, David Yawn, Mark Driggers, chairman Ricky Hargrove and vice-chairman Jessie Mincey voted to approve the recommendation after Peacock seconded the motion. Roscoe Bennett abstained from the vote, and Shirley Ikedionwu voted no.
Ikedionwu said, “I just feel like this is too fast a decision to make for such an important decision.”
“The board interviewed five good candidates for the superintendent position,” Hargrove stated. “After deliberating on the candidates, the majority of the board thought it was best because of the short time we had before Mr. Hilliard’s retirement that we go ahead and name one finalist for the position.”
Current school superintendent Mike Hilliard presented his request for retirement to be effective at the end of this month to the board during the month of May. His retirement came just a few short days after Hilliard’s new contract had been renewed, which included a raise a pay.
Hargrove continued, “Mr. Anderson was voted as the finalist. I look forward to working with Mr. Anderson as a leadership team to forward the Dodge County school system.”
Anderson currently serves as the director of Human Resources and Personnel, the Title II Coordinator and the Teacher Keys Effective System (TKES) and Leader Keys Effective System (LKES) Coordinator for the Brooks County School System.
Many in Dodge County will remember Anderson during his seven-year term as a coach, teacher and driver education instructor at the Dodge County High School.
As of presstime Tuesday, no contract offer had been made to Anderson.
[Full Story »]
Upon coming out of a second closed session, the board voted on a recommendation from Robert Peacock to consider William Anthony ‘Tony’ Anderson the finalist.
Robert Peacock, David Yawn, Mark Driggers, chairman Ricky Hargrove and vice-chairman Jessie Mincey voted to approve the recommendation after Peacock seconded the motion. Roscoe Bennett abstained from the vote, and Shirley Ikedionwu voted no.
Ikedionwu said, “I just feel like this is too fast a decision to make for such an important decision.”
“The board interviewed five good candidates for the superintendent position,” Hargrove stated. “After deliberating on the candidates, the majority of the board thought it was best because of the short time we had before Mr. Hilliard’s retirement that we go ahead and name one finalist for the position.”
Current school superintendent Mike Hilliard presented his request for retirement to be effective at the end of this month to the board during the month of May. His retirement came just a few short days after Hilliard’s new contract had been renewed, which included a raise a pay.
Hargrove continued, “Mr. Anderson was voted as the finalist. I look forward to working with Mr. Anderson as a leadership team to forward the Dodge County school system.”
Anderson currently serves as the director of Human Resources and Personnel, the Title II Coordinator and the Teacher Keys Effective System (TKES) and Leader Keys Effective System (LKES) Coordinator for the Brooks County School System.
Many in Dodge County will remember Anderson during his seven-year term as a coach, teacher and driver education instructor at the Dodge County High School.
As of presstime Tuesday, no contract offer had been made to Anderson.
[Full Story »]
Drs. Glenn, Griffis guilty of conspiracy
Two Eastman doctors, Dr. Mark Griffis and Dr. John A. Glenn, Jr., have been found guilty in a federal court of conspiracy to falsify United States Department of Transportation Department mandated medical examinations of holders of commercial driver’s license with the intent to impede the proper administration of matters within the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Transportation.
Earlier this year, in separate court rulings, the United States District Court, Southern District of Georgia, indicted both men on one count of conspiracy. Griffis also had one count of falsification of records, where Glenn had two counts of falsification against him.
Griffis appeared in U.S. court June 4-6, 2018. He was found guilty on both counts against him. According to R. Brian Tanner, chief of the appellate division with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia, Griffis was “adjudicated guilty of the second count against after the jury returned a guilty verdict on that one.”
Tanner explained, “That means only that he is officially found guilty. It does not involve any sentence. The sentencing only happens at a later scheduled date, after the preparation of a Pre-Sentence Investigation Report.”
According to the indictments given to Griffis from the U.S. Grand Jury, from a date at least as early as February 27, 2012 and continuing thereafter until September 13, 2013, in Dodge and Telfair counties, and elsewhere within the Southern District of Georgia, Griffis did knowingly falsify medical examination reports and certifications by signing his name indicating that he had examined various commercial driver’s license holders, and certified them as medically sound (qualified) to continued to hold such license.
It was stated in the indictment that Griffis provided J.C.W. with blank, pre-signed medical examination reports (MERs) and examination certificates (MECs) that could be used by J.C.W. when she conducted purported medical examinations of CDL holders.
Between January 10, 2013 and September 24, 2013, the indictment stated that Griffis received payments of at least $5,200.00 from J.C.W. in exchange for falsifying the documents.
Around September 13, 2013, Griffis, the court document stated, did knowingly falsify documents, to wit, a MER and MEC, pertaining to a DOT mandated medical examination of a person known to the grand jury, and having the initials D.D., the holder of a commercial driver’s license, to allow D.D. to renew his commercial driver’s license without a proper medical examination.
After the guilty verdicts were passed, Griffis was remanded into the custody of U.S. Marshals. Tanner stated that Griffis will be “detained” in prison until a sentencing hearing will take place. During this time period, which could be anywhere from six to eight weeks, Griffis’ attorney will have the opportunity to challenge the convictions by providing documentation for appeals for the conviction.
[Full Story »]
Earlier this year, in separate court rulings, the United States District Court, Southern District of Georgia, indicted both men on one count of conspiracy. Griffis also had one count of falsification of records, where Glenn had two counts of falsification against him.
Griffis appeared in U.S. court June 4-6, 2018. He was found guilty on both counts against him. According to R. Brian Tanner, chief of the appellate division with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia, Griffis was “adjudicated guilty of the second count against after the jury returned a guilty verdict on that one.”
Tanner explained, “That means only that he is officially found guilty. It does not involve any sentence. The sentencing only happens at a later scheduled date, after the preparation of a Pre-Sentence Investigation Report.”
According to the indictments given to Griffis from the U.S. Grand Jury, from a date at least as early as February 27, 2012 and continuing thereafter until September 13, 2013, in Dodge and Telfair counties, and elsewhere within the Southern District of Georgia, Griffis did knowingly falsify medical examination reports and certifications by signing his name indicating that he had examined various commercial driver’s license holders, and certified them as medically sound (qualified) to continued to hold such license.
It was stated in the indictment that Griffis provided J.C.W. with blank, pre-signed medical examination reports (MERs) and examination certificates (MECs) that could be used by J.C.W. when she conducted purported medical examinations of CDL holders.
Between January 10, 2013 and September 24, 2013, the indictment stated that Griffis received payments of at least $5,200.00 from J.C.W. in exchange for falsifying the documents.
Around September 13, 2013, Griffis, the court document stated, did knowingly falsify documents, to wit, a MER and MEC, pertaining to a DOT mandated medical examination of a person known to the grand jury, and having the initials D.D., the holder of a commercial driver’s license, to allow D.D. to renew his commercial driver’s license without a proper medical examination.
After the guilty verdicts were passed, Griffis was remanded into the custody of U.S. Marshals. Tanner stated that Griffis will be “detained” in prison until a sentencing hearing will take place. During this time period, which could be anywhere from six to eight weeks, Griffis’ attorney will have the opportunity to challenge the convictions by providing documentation for appeals for the conviction.
[Full Story »]
Four are arrested for entering autos, theft
The Eastman Police Department responded to the Evergreen Circle Subdivision on Wednesday, May 30, 2018. They were called to a residence in Evergreen Circle where a vehicle was entered and a rifle and a 9 mm pistol were missing. After a short while, others in the neighborhood reported their vehicles had also been entered.
During the investigation, the Eastman Police Department, along with the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office, recovered three handguns and a rifle that had been stolen from the vehicles.
Arrested and charged with entering the autos was Bernoski Shawnquarious White, age 20, of Eastman. White was charged with 16 counts of entering an auto, participation in gang activity, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during a crime and theft by taking.
Three juveniles, all age 15, were also arrested and charged with 16 counts of entering an auto, participation in gang activity, possession of a firearm during a crime and theft by taking.
Eastman police also reported the following arrest for June 1, 2018 – June 5, 2018.
Resheena Nicely, age 32, of Eastman was arrested for have no insurance and pedestrian under the influence.
Johnathan Murray, age 24, of Eastman was arrested for probation violation.
Warren Seegars, age 31, of Eastman was arrested for obstructing law enforcement officers, terroristic threats and acts, disorderly conduct, aggravated assault - other weapon and criminal trespass - business.
[Full Story »]
During the investigation, the Eastman Police Department, along with the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office, recovered three handguns and a rifle that had been stolen from the vehicles.
Arrested and charged with entering the autos was Bernoski Shawnquarious White, age 20, of Eastman. White was charged with 16 counts of entering an auto, participation in gang activity, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during a crime and theft by taking.
Three juveniles, all age 15, were also arrested and charged with 16 counts of entering an auto, participation in gang activity, possession of a firearm during a crime and theft by taking.
Eastman police also reported the following arrest for June 1, 2018 – June 5, 2018.
Resheena Nicely, age 32, of Eastman was arrested for have no insurance and pedestrian under the influence.
Johnathan Murray, age 24, of Eastman was arrested for probation violation.
Warren Seegars, age 31, of Eastman was arrested for obstructing law enforcement officers, terroristic threats and acts, disorderly conduct, aggravated assault - other weapon and criminal trespass - business.
[Full Story »]
Breaking News
The Dodge County Schools will be closed Wednesday as a result of inclement weather and questionable conditions of county roads.
The Dodge County News asked Dodge County School Superintendent Mike Hilliard, via text Tuesday night after press time, the following, 'Closing on Wednesday will not affect graduation on Friday night, correct?'
Hilliard responded via text, ' That's right.'
In regards to graduation practices and the ceremony, The Dodge County News spoke with Dodge County High School Principal, Dr.Susan Long, Tuesday evening.
Long said the safety of her students was her main concern. They were not going to require seniors to come in and practice Wednesday, but the plan was to practice hard on Thursday and Friday.
As of right now, the plan, Long said, was to hold the ceremony on the football field, but they would be prepared to have the ceremony in the gym depending on weather.
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