The body that was found floating in a water hole off Frank Holder Road on Friday, May 19 has been identified as Michael Anthony Boone, age 18, by the Georgia State Crime Lab. The cause of his death has not yet been determined. Boone had been missing since around 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 18, 2017.
On May 19, a hunter from Florida was setting up cameras in the woods and discovered the body in a water hole approximately a quarter of a mile from Frank Holder Road across cutover land. That was close to where Boone’s car had been found on January 19. According to authorities, Boone was last seen leaving his girlfriend’s house in Hawkinsville. On Thursday, January 19, Boone’s vehicle, a 1999 Honda CRV, was located abandoned on Frank Holder Road with the keys missing.
Boone’s family reported him missing.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the Dodge County Sheriff’s Department at 478-559-1130, the Eastman Police Department at 478-374-7788 or the Dodge-Wilcox 911 Center at 478-374-1691.
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Body found in water hole
A body of an unidentified person was found at approximately 7:00 p.m. off Frank P. Holder Road on Friday, May 19, 2017.
A hunter from Florida was setting up cameras in the woods and discovered the body in a water hole approximately a quarter of a mile from Frank P. Holder Road across cutover land.
The body will be sent to the Georgia State Crime Lab in Atlanta to be identified and try and determine the cause of death.
The body was found near the vicinity where a missing teenager’s car was located on Thursday, January 19.
The teen, Michael Anthony Boone, age 18, was last seen leaving his girlfriend’s house in Hawkinsville and has been missing since then.
Authorities speculate that the body that was found could be that of Boone, but they will not know until results from the crime lab are available.
A hunter from Florida was setting up cameras in the woods and discovered the body in a water hole approximately a quarter of a mile from Frank P. Holder Road across cutover land.
The body will be sent to the Georgia State Crime Lab in Atlanta to be identified and try and determine the cause of death.
The body was found near the vicinity where a missing teenager’s car was located on Thursday, January 19.
The teen, Michael Anthony Boone, age 18, was last seen leaving his girlfriend’s house in Hawkinsville and has been missing since then.
Authorities speculate that the body that was found could be that of Boone, but they will not know until results from the crime lab are available.
Rogers named teacher of the year
Darci Rogers, Dodge County High School (DCHS) Teacher of the Year, was named the 2017 Dodge County Teacher of the Year at a luncheon sponsored by the Eastman Rotary Club on May 5, 2017.
Rogers is from a family of loved and respected Dodge County educators. She is the daughter of Dale Rogers and the granddaughter of “Bea” Barron. Rogers has been teaching mathematics at Dodge County High School for the past five years.
In her professional biography, Rogers wrote about many Dodge County educators, in addition to her mom and grandmother, who influenced her decision to teach. Patricia Jones made learning her multiplication facts exciting in elementary school. Janice Parkerson and Caryl Parkerson made science and math in middle school “so cool” with interactive activities. Rogers could not wait to read Susan Long’s responses to her writing in high school.
Faye Dyal’s structured and routine classroom made her feel safe and secure. Gina Cook made her feel special and creative as part of the yearbook staff for four years at DCHS.
Rogers stated in an interview, “Being named Dodge County Teacher of the Year seems so surreal for me. There are so many talented teachers in our system and I am truly humbled to be selected among them all. I am incredibly thankful to be a part of the teaching profession and for my place at Dodge County High School. I am privileged to teach with the best teachers, serve under the best leaders, work with the best coworkers, and teach the best students.”
Rogers is from a family of loved and respected Dodge County educators. She is the daughter of Dale Rogers and the granddaughter of “Bea” Barron. Rogers has been teaching mathematics at Dodge County High School for the past five years.
In her professional biography, Rogers wrote about many Dodge County educators, in addition to her mom and grandmother, who influenced her decision to teach. Patricia Jones made learning her multiplication facts exciting in elementary school. Janice Parkerson and Caryl Parkerson made science and math in middle school “so cool” with interactive activities. Rogers could not wait to read Susan Long’s responses to her writing in high school.
Faye Dyal’s structured and routine classroom made her feel safe and secure. Gina Cook made her feel special and creative as part of the yearbook staff for four years at DCHS.
Rogers stated in an interview, “Being named Dodge County Teacher of the Year seems so surreal for me. There are so many talented teachers in our system and I am truly humbled to be selected among them all. I am incredibly thankful to be a part of the teaching profession and for my place at Dodge County High School. I am privileged to teach with the best teachers, serve under the best leaders, work with the best coworkers, and teach the best students.”
One Injured
An Eastman man was injured and taken to Dodge County Hospital when his car and another car collided at the intersection of the Eastman Milan Road and the Chauncey Rhine Road at approximately 2:42 p.m. on Saturday, May 6, 2017. According to the Dodge County Sheriff’s Department, Wynelle Fullwood, of Eastman, was driving a 2008 Honda CRV toward Milan on the Milan Eastman Road and had stopped at the intersection of the Milan Eastman Road and the Chauncey Rhine Road. Fullwood then pulled into the path of Kojack Thomas, of Eastman, who was driving a 1993 Buick LeSabre toward Chauncey on the Chauncey Rhine Road. Thomas was injured and was taken to the hospital by the Dodge County Emergency Medical Services. (Photo by Chuck Eckles)
One Injured
Chauncey man was injured when the truck he was driving ran into the rear of another truck on the WPA Road at approximately 10:29 a.m. on Monday, May 8, 2017. According to the Georgia State Patrol report, Harmond Dale Treadwell, age 74, was driving a 2002 Chevrolet S10 pickup east on the WPA Road approximately 1/10 of a mile west of Poplar Springs Church Road when he ran into the rear of a 2015 Ford DRW Super Duty work truck that was stationary parked half on and half off the roadway headed east. The driver of the Ford truck, James Gregory Self, age 53, of Cochran, and a passenger, Phillip Michael Spivey, age 35, of Cochran, were doing work on signs on the roadway. Treadwell was injured and was taken to Dodge County Hospital by the Dodge County Emergency Medical Services. (Photo by Chuck Eckles)
Police Take valuables lock vehicles
Eastman Police Chief Becky Sheffield is advising citizens to take valuables out of their vehicles and make sure they are locked. Police are investigating seven vehicle break-ins that occurred on Saturday night, May 6, 2017, in the Hawkinsville Highway area around 8th and 9th Avenues.
The Eastman Police Department reported the following arrest made from May 2, 2017 through May 9, 2017.
Justo Alvarado-Avila, age 47, of Eastman, was arrested for interference with government property and theft of services.
Shedennia Archie, age 56, of Eastman, was arrested for financial transaction card theft and financial transaction card fraud.
Aquanda Facison, age 23, of Milan, was arrested for probation violation.
Rosalin Stuckey, age 35, of Warner Robins, was arrested for two counts of disorderly conduct.
Deandre Smith, age 21, of Eastman, was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol 0.10gm or more, 21 or older and failure to maintain lane.
Chazz Gilder, age 19, of Lumber City, was arrested for possession of alcohol by a minor. [Full Story »]
The Eastman Police Department reported the following arrest made from May 2, 2017 through May 9, 2017.
Justo Alvarado-Avila, age 47, of Eastman, was arrested for interference with government property and theft of services.
Shedennia Archie, age 56, of Eastman, was arrested for financial transaction card theft and financial transaction card fraud.
Aquanda Facison, age 23, of Milan, was arrested for probation violation.
Rosalin Stuckey, age 35, of Warner Robins, was arrested for two counts of disorderly conduct.
Deandre Smith, age 21, of Eastman, was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol 0.10gm or more, 21 or older and failure to maintain lane.
Chazz Gilder, age 19, of Lumber City, was arrested for possession of alcohol by a minor. [Full Story »]
Eastman councilor proposes festival
By Taelor Rye
At the May 8, 2017 meeting of the Eastman City Council, city council member Buddy Pittman initiated discussion on the possibility of bringing an annual festival to Eastman.
Citing similar successful festivals in surrounding areas (such as the Pondtown Festival in Rhine), Pittman expressed interest in initiating something that would draw citizens and businesses to downtown Eastman. Because of the high number of pecan trees in the area, Pittman noted that it could be a pecan festival.
Pittman emphasized, “I think we’re missing the boat on getting people to come downtown,” before listing some different avenues of community involvement: churches, school clubs, civic organizations, and businesses.
In addition, Pittman stated that the city could look into establishing a regularly recurring yard sale in the same vein as Peaches to Beaches.
Pittman said that the yard sales could happen perhaps every three months or so, having citizens – not businesses – gather to sell their own items.
He said, “All this is in an effort to… get traffic coming back downtown… People go to yard sales, and people like to have them.”
City council member Prince Dawson added, “I think we should get behind Buddy with this… and not drop this because we want to revive downtown.” Dawson also called for community involvement in the planning.
Pittman said that he would bring more concrete ideas for discussion at the council’s next meeting.
The council approved to use FacilityDude, an online interface that the city will use for work orders throughout the city. The 12-month contract comes at a cost of $5,520.00, with only a $4,140.00 fee for succeeding years, should the city decide to continue the services.
City manager Jason Cobb discussed “bringing some of our processes here into the 21st century,” acknowledging the potential for FacilityDude to help that. Cobb specifically stated that the service will “increase our efficiency on processing all sorts of things. Currently we use a paper work order system, which is relatively effective. However, it’s inefficient, also.”
[Full Story »]
At the May 8, 2017 meeting of the Eastman City Council, city council member Buddy Pittman initiated discussion on the possibility of bringing an annual festival to Eastman.
Citing similar successful festivals in surrounding areas (such as the Pondtown Festival in Rhine), Pittman expressed interest in initiating something that would draw citizens and businesses to downtown Eastman. Because of the high number of pecan trees in the area, Pittman noted that it could be a pecan festival.
Pittman emphasized, “I think we’re missing the boat on getting people to come downtown,” before listing some different avenues of community involvement: churches, school clubs, civic organizations, and businesses.
In addition, Pittman stated that the city could look into establishing a regularly recurring yard sale in the same vein as Peaches to Beaches.
Pittman said that the yard sales could happen perhaps every three months or so, having citizens – not businesses – gather to sell their own items.
He said, “All this is in an effort to… get traffic coming back downtown… People go to yard sales, and people like to have them.”
City council member Prince Dawson added, “I think we should get behind Buddy with this… and not drop this because we want to revive downtown.” Dawson also called for community involvement in the planning.
Pittman said that he would bring more concrete ideas for discussion at the council’s next meeting.
The council approved to use FacilityDude, an online interface that the city will use for work orders throughout the city. The 12-month contract comes at a cost of $5,520.00, with only a $4,140.00 fee for succeeding years, should the city decide to continue the services.
City manager Jason Cobb discussed “bringing some of our processes here into the 21st century,” acknowledging the potential for FacilityDude to help that. Cobb specifically stated that the service will “increase our efficiency on processing all sorts of things. Currently we use a paper work order system, which is relatively effective. However, it’s inefficient, also.”
[Full Story »]
Sheriff warns of possible scam
Dodge County Sheriff Lynn Sheffield is warning citizens about a possible scam.
According to the sheriff, on April 29, a citizen of Milan reported to the sheriff’s department about a possible scam. The citizen told sheriff’s deputies that he had posted on the Georgia Farm Bureau’s website about some bales of hay he wanted to sell.
A person by the name of Maj. Paul contacted him by text that he was interested in buying some of the hay. The citizen stated that the two agreed on a price by text and in the next couple of days, he received a certified envelope with a check inside in the amount of $1950.00
In the text, the citizen was instructed to cash the check and take out the amount agreed upon for the hay and to give the remaining amount of $550.00 to the delivery guys.
The citizen stated that he did not feel comfortable cashing the check because he thought it could possibly be a scam.
The name on the envelope was Thomas Carter, Premier Intelligence Company, 422 Pine Street, New Haven, MI.
The name on the check was Ed Mann Landscaping, Clarksville, PA.
If you encounter any situation that you believe may be a scam, contact the Dodge County Sheriff’s Department.
According to the sheriff, on April 29, a citizen of Milan reported to the sheriff’s department about a possible scam. The citizen told sheriff’s deputies that he had posted on the Georgia Farm Bureau’s website about some bales of hay he wanted to sell.
A person by the name of Maj. Paul contacted him by text that he was interested in buying some of the hay. The citizen stated that the two agreed on a price by text and in the next couple of days, he received a certified envelope with a check inside in the amount of $1950.00
In the text, the citizen was instructed to cash the check and take out the amount agreed upon for the hay and to give the remaining amount of $550.00 to the delivery guys.
The citizen stated that he did not feel comfortable cashing the check because he thought it could possibly be a scam.
The name on the envelope was Thomas Carter, Premier Intelligence Company, 422 Pine Street, New Haven, MI.
The name on the check was Ed Mann Landscaping, Clarksville, PA.
If you encounter any situation that you believe may be a scam, contact the Dodge County Sheriff’s Department.
New Eastman council member is sworn in
By Taelor Rye
The Eastman City Council began its regular meeting on April 24 by swearing in its newest council member, Sebrina Williams.
After the ceremony, city council member Prince Dawson said, “Welcome to our new city council member. We look forward to working with you.”
Additionally, city council member Buddy Pittman told Williams, “We look forward to working with you… You have a very good job ahead of you… Any time you have any questions or anything you need to know, we’ll be glad to help you!”
Additional welcomes came from Carl Hofstadter of Hofstadter and Associates, Inc.; Charles Williams of the development authority; and Catherine Parker, a community member who said, “I’m just happy and proud of… [Sebrina] that she took our district to represent.”
The meeting also served as the first weekday of Georgia Cities Week, which runs until April 29.
[Full Story »]
The Eastman City Council began its regular meeting on April 24 by swearing in its newest council member, Sebrina Williams.
After the ceremony, city council member Prince Dawson said, “Welcome to our new city council member. We look forward to working with you.”
Additionally, city council member Buddy Pittman told Williams, “We look forward to working with you… You have a very good job ahead of you… Any time you have any questions or anything you need to know, we’ll be glad to help you!”
Additional welcomes came from Carl Hofstadter of Hofstadter and Associates, Inc.; Charles Williams of the development authority; and Catherine Parker, a community member who said, “I’m just happy and proud of… [Sebrina] that she took our district to represent.”
The meeting also served as the first weekday of Georgia Cities Week, which runs until April 29.
[Full Story »]
College planning annual air show
By Taelor Rye
Henry Whitfield, director for the Cochran and Eastman campuses of Middle Georgia State University (MGSU), addressed the Dodge County Board of Commissioners concerning the Heart of Georgia Air Show, whose first planning meeting took place last week.
At the April 17 meeting of the board of commissioners, Whitfield stated that the annual air show, set for September 30, will begin at 12:00 p.m. although the event itself will run from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Last year’s air show saw over than 2,700 spectators from all over the state, with one school bringing around 40 students and chaperones. Its fundraising goal of $50,000.00 was slightly exceeded, with the county providing funding of $5,000.00 as an entertainment sponsor.
The air show is a “family-friendly event [that] features aerobatic performances, plus food, fun and interactive exhibits.” Promotional materials for the show tout MGSU’s Eastman campus as Georgia’s only four-year public aviation school.
Charles Williams, director of the Eastman-Dodge Chamber of Commerce, informed the board that the Dodge County Board of Education approved to sign Dodge County High School (DCHS) as the first school in Georgia to work with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) under HUNCH: High School Students United with NASA to Create Hardware.
[Full Story »]
Henry Whitfield, director for the Cochran and Eastman campuses of Middle Georgia State University (MGSU), addressed the Dodge County Board of Commissioners concerning the Heart of Georgia Air Show, whose first planning meeting took place last week.
At the April 17 meeting of the board of commissioners, Whitfield stated that the annual air show, set for September 30, will begin at 12:00 p.m. although the event itself will run from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Last year’s air show saw over than 2,700 spectators from all over the state, with one school bringing around 40 students and chaperones. Its fundraising goal of $50,000.00 was slightly exceeded, with the county providing funding of $5,000.00 as an entertainment sponsor.
The air show is a “family-friendly event [that] features aerobatic performances, plus food, fun and interactive exhibits.” Promotional materials for the show tout MGSU’s Eastman campus as Georgia’s only four-year public aviation school.
Charles Williams, director of the Eastman-Dodge Chamber of Commerce, informed the board that the Dodge County Board of Education approved to sign Dodge County High School (DCHS) as the first school in Georgia to work with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) under HUNCH: High School Students United with NASA to Create Hardware.
[Full Story »]
Williams named new Eastman councilperson
By Taelor Rye
The Eastman City Council moved to select Sabrina Williams as its newest city council member at its regular meeting on April 10. Williams will fill the unexpired term of former city council member Milton Johnson, who had to vacate his position after moving out of state.
The council also considered Charlene Montford for the position, with city council member Buddy Pittman stating that Williams and Montford were both “two very fine, qualified candidates.” He added, “It’s exciting to see… that people are interested to fill the position.”
Candidates submitted letters of interests and résumés for council deliberation, which took place at a work session prior to the meeting. Regarding qualifications, chairman Raymond Mullis said, “It’s a shame we can’t have both of them.”
City council member Prince Dawson said, “I am here to assist her in any way. She has some concerns that are concerns of the council, so we all will work with you on those.”
Pittman added, “Welcome aboard. We look forward to working with you and answering any questions and helping get you guided and going.”
Williams will be sworn in at the council’s next meeting on April 24, which will also serve as the first weekday of Georgia Cities Week, which runs from April 23 to April 29. City manager Jason Cobb said that the meeting will serve as a “great time to introduce our new council member to the community.” Following the meeting will be an open reception with refreshments for all attendees.
Georgia Cities Week celebrations will follow on at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 25, in the form of the second annual State of the City address at the Magnolia Theatre.
Wednesday, April 26, will see a work session hosted in the media center of Dodge County High School (DCHS). Here, the city council will meet with the high school’s student council for collaborative dialogue with students. Although the event is geared toward the student council, Cobb stated that the public is invited to it.
Regarding last year’s work session at the high school, Pittman stated, “Those kids come up with some extremely interesting questions!”
Tentatively scheduled for Thursday, April 26, is a district 9 listening session in Hazlehurst.
Charles Williams, director of the Eastman-Dodge Chamber of Commerce, informed the council that the Dodge County Board of Education approved to sign DCHS as the first school in Georgia to work with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) under HUNCH: High School Students United with Nasa to Create Hardware.
Williams said that HUNCH “is a huge step in the right direction of training high school kids for jobs in the technical world… There’s a real enthusiasm for teachers and kids at Dodge County High School (DCHS).”
Not only is DCHS the first Georgia school to become involved with HUNCH, but it is also one of fewer than 100 schools across the nation to do so.
[Full Story »]
The Eastman City Council moved to select Sabrina Williams as its newest city council member at its regular meeting on April 10. Williams will fill the unexpired term of former city council member Milton Johnson, who had to vacate his position after moving out of state.
The council also considered Charlene Montford for the position, with city council member Buddy Pittman stating that Williams and Montford were both “two very fine, qualified candidates.” He added, “It’s exciting to see… that people are interested to fill the position.”
Candidates submitted letters of interests and résumés for council deliberation, which took place at a work session prior to the meeting. Regarding qualifications, chairman Raymond Mullis said, “It’s a shame we can’t have both of them.”
City council member Prince Dawson said, “I am here to assist her in any way. She has some concerns that are concerns of the council, so we all will work with you on those.”
Pittman added, “Welcome aboard. We look forward to working with you and answering any questions and helping get you guided and going.”
Williams will be sworn in at the council’s next meeting on April 24, which will also serve as the first weekday of Georgia Cities Week, which runs from April 23 to April 29. City manager Jason Cobb said that the meeting will serve as a “great time to introduce our new council member to the community.” Following the meeting will be an open reception with refreshments for all attendees.
Georgia Cities Week celebrations will follow on at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 25, in the form of the second annual State of the City address at the Magnolia Theatre.
Wednesday, April 26, will see a work session hosted in the media center of Dodge County High School (DCHS). Here, the city council will meet with the high school’s student council for collaborative dialogue with students. Although the event is geared toward the student council, Cobb stated that the public is invited to it.
Regarding last year’s work session at the high school, Pittman stated, “Those kids come up with some extremely interesting questions!”
Tentatively scheduled for Thursday, April 26, is a district 9 listening session in Hazlehurst.
Charles Williams, director of the Eastman-Dodge Chamber of Commerce, informed the council that the Dodge County Board of Education approved to sign DCHS as the first school in Georgia to work with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) under HUNCH: High School Students United with Nasa to Create Hardware.
Williams said that HUNCH “is a huge step in the right direction of training high school kids for jobs in the technical world… There’s a real enthusiasm for teachers and kids at Dodge County High School (DCHS).”
Not only is DCHS the first Georgia school to become involved with HUNCH, but it is also one of fewer than 100 schools across the nation to do so.
[Full Story »]
Pondtown festival begins on Friday; Harrell named grand marshall
Wright T. Harrell, Sr. will be honored at the annual Pondtown Festival as the grand marshall for 2017 on Saturday, April 8 in Rhine.
Harrell has been married to Jerry Stuckey Harrell for 65 years. They have two children: Wright Harrell, Jr. “Wrighty” of Rhine and Cindy H. Jursick of Moultrie and five grandchildren: Tom, Kelly, Tyler Bracket, Jason and Anna Jursick and two great grandchildren.
Harrell was born and raised around Mitchell Fire Department. He attended Union School and later attended Rhine High School graduating in 1946. In January of 1955, Harrell joined the Army and less than a year later he was granted honorable discharge where he was stationed in Germany. After leave, Harrell went to work at a pulpwood yard.
Eleven years after graduating high school in 1957, Harrell and Stuckey married and made their home in Rhine. In 1962, he purchased a wood yard. His duties at the wood yard were to unload wood, book keep and measuring trucks while doing 90 percent of everything that was done. In 1991, Harrell retired from the wood yard and the doors were closed. He also delivered mail for ten years at the Rhine Post Office. Harrell is the owner and operator of W.T. Harrell Pulpwood in Rhine.
[Full Story »]
Harrell has been married to Jerry Stuckey Harrell for 65 years. They have two children: Wright Harrell, Jr. “Wrighty” of Rhine and Cindy H. Jursick of Moultrie and five grandchildren: Tom, Kelly, Tyler Bracket, Jason and Anna Jursick and two great grandchildren.
Harrell was born and raised around Mitchell Fire Department. He attended Union School and later attended Rhine High School graduating in 1946. In January of 1955, Harrell joined the Army and less than a year later he was granted honorable discharge where he was stationed in Germany. After leave, Harrell went to work at a pulpwood yard.
Eleven years after graduating high school in 1957, Harrell and Stuckey married and made their home in Rhine. In 1962, he purchased a wood yard. His duties at the wood yard were to unload wood, book keep and measuring trucks while doing 90 percent of everything that was done. In 1991, Harrell retired from the wood yard and the doors were closed. He also delivered mail for ten years at the Rhine Post Office. Harrell is the owner and operator of W.T. Harrell Pulpwood in Rhine.
[Full Story »]
Eastman YDC requests community involvement
By Taelor Rye
Misty Winter, director of the Eastman Youth Development Campus (YDC), and Kiwarren Reese, regional volunteer coordinator from the central office in Atlanta, visited the Eastman City Council at its March 27 meeting to discuss updates to the program and to request community involvement.
Winter began by discussing the changes that have taken and continue to take place at the YDC, stating that, over the past three to four months, the center has been transitioning into more of a vocational and educational building “geared toward reentry services.” Specifically, Winter noted that the center is adding programs for culinary arts, medical coding and billing, horticulture and Microsoft Office suite, among others.
Barbering is set to start April 1, and the YDC is looking into partnering with the aviation school for other options. In the meantime, Winter added that the center is looking for instructors for auto tech and construction.
The YDC also holds soft-skill group sessions concerning topics such as tying a tie and holding mock interviews “to better prepare them for the outside world,” according to Winter.
Winter also stated, “It’s a pleasure to see them grasping the things that we instill in them.”
The current population of the YDC is 64 “lower-risk youth,” often in their first time at the YDC.
In addition, the YDC is looking to hold more community service learning projects, allowing the youth to give back to the community. Winter said, “This is a great community that I would like to see more involved with Eastman YDC.”
Reese noted that the YDC took some of the young men in the YDC to volunteer at the food bank in Macon.
Reese said, “My plea to the council and to the community… is to really show some support by soliciting volunteers to go out… and talk with the kids that are looked for [in the real world]… because, at some point, they’re coming home.”
Winter closed by stating that the YDC is looking for members for its advisory council, which meets quarterly, as well as correctional officers for the center.
Concerning a speed limit reduction request, Eastman City manager Jason Cobb stated that he is in talks with Eastman Police Chief Becky Sheffield and Dodge County Sheriff Lynn Sheffield to figure out a plan of action, with an expectation to finalize the plan by the next city council meeting.
[Full Story »]
Misty Winter, director of the Eastman Youth Development Campus (YDC), and Kiwarren Reese, regional volunteer coordinator from the central office in Atlanta, visited the Eastman City Council at its March 27 meeting to discuss updates to the program and to request community involvement.
Winter began by discussing the changes that have taken and continue to take place at the YDC, stating that, over the past three to four months, the center has been transitioning into more of a vocational and educational building “geared toward reentry services.” Specifically, Winter noted that the center is adding programs for culinary arts, medical coding and billing, horticulture and Microsoft Office suite, among others.
Barbering is set to start April 1, and the YDC is looking into partnering with the aviation school for other options. In the meantime, Winter added that the center is looking for instructors for auto tech and construction.
The YDC also holds soft-skill group sessions concerning topics such as tying a tie and holding mock interviews “to better prepare them for the outside world,” according to Winter.
Winter also stated, “It’s a pleasure to see them grasping the things that we instill in them.”
The current population of the YDC is 64 “lower-risk youth,” often in their first time at the YDC.
In addition, the YDC is looking to hold more community service learning projects, allowing the youth to give back to the community. Winter said, “This is a great community that I would like to see more involved with Eastman YDC.”
Reese noted that the YDC took some of the young men in the YDC to volunteer at the food bank in Macon.
Reese said, “My plea to the council and to the community… is to really show some support by soliciting volunteers to go out… and talk with the kids that are looked for [in the real world]… because, at some point, they’re coming home.”
Winter closed by stating that the YDC is looking for members for its advisory council, which meets quarterly, as well as correctional officers for the center.
Concerning a speed limit reduction request, Eastman City manager Jason Cobb stated that he is in talks with Eastman Police Chief Becky Sheffield and Dodge County Sheriff Lynn Sheffield to figure out a plan of action, with an expectation to finalize the plan by the next city council meeting.
[Full Story »]
Commissioners OK servers for E-911
The Dodge County Board of Commissioners approved a request from Dodge/Wilcox E-911 Director Dianne Millwood to purchase new servers for the center.
Director Millwood went before the commissioners at their regular meeting explaining that the E-911 center works off two servers that have been in place since 2004 and that one of the servers was down last week and can not be repaired. She presented the board with a proposal to purchase two new servers from Baker Audio and
E-911 Cad Mapping for a total of $130,692.30. According to the contract, half of the money is due when ordering the servers and the remainder after installation.
Millwood went on to tell commissioners that when the new system was installed, the citizens of Dodge and Wilcox counties will not be without any of the services provided by the center. Laurens County E-911 has agreed to help at any time during the installation process.
Interim county manager Bobby Peacock told commissioners that the funds to replace the servers were available through the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax capital improvements fund. Commissioner Jr. Howell made the motion, which was seconded by commissioner Brian Watkins, to approve the request. The motion passed with all commissioners voting for the motion.
[Full Story »]
Director Millwood went before the commissioners at their regular meeting explaining that the E-911 center works off two servers that have been in place since 2004 and that one of the servers was down last week and can not be repaired. She presented the board with a proposal to purchase two new servers from Baker Audio and
E-911 Cad Mapping for a total of $130,692.30. According to the contract, half of the money is due when ordering the servers and the remainder after installation.
Millwood went on to tell commissioners that when the new system was installed, the citizens of Dodge and Wilcox counties will not be without any of the services provided by the center. Laurens County E-911 has agreed to help at any time during the installation process.
Interim county manager Bobby Peacock told commissioners that the funds to replace the servers were available through the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax capital improvements fund. Commissioner Jr. Howell made the motion, which was seconded by commissioner Brian Watkins, to approve the request. The motion passed with all commissioners voting for the motion.
[Full Story »]
Dr. Byrd indicted on federal charges
A federal grand jury sitting in Savannah returned a 176-count indictment against George Mack Bird, III, age 58, a Georgia physician who operated a medical practice in Dodge County and a diet clinic in Laurens County.
According to the indictment, Bird instructed certain of his employees to dispense and distribute various controlled substances and highly addictive opioids using prescription forms that he had pre-signed in violation of federal law. The indictment further alleged that, because Bird rarely saw or examined his patients, he directed his employees to utilize pre-printed medical notes to give the appearance that patients had been thoroughly examined, when in fact, they had not. Bird’s unlawful dispensation scheme was remarkably lucrative, generating more than $4.5 million in proceeds, according to the grand jury. The indictment alleged that Bird and others conspired to illegally launder those proceeds by using them to pay for the operating expenses of Bird’s clinics.
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According to the indictment, Bird instructed certain of his employees to dispense and distribute various controlled substances and highly addictive opioids using prescription forms that he had pre-signed in violation of federal law. The indictment further alleged that, because Bird rarely saw or examined his patients, he directed his employees to utilize pre-printed medical notes to give the appearance that patients had been thoroughly examined, when in fact, they had not. Bird’s unlawful dispensation scheme was remarkably lucrative, generating more than $4.5 million in proceeds, according to the grand jury. The indictment alleged that Bird and others conspired to illegally launder those proceeds by using them to pay for the operating expenses of Bird’s clinics.
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