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A tractor trailer driver was taken to Dodge County Hospital after the truck she was driving turned over on the Terry Coleman Parkway on Monday, February 27 at approximately 12:02 p.m. Brittany Tarhera Hamilton, age 31, of Mount Vernon, was driving a 2009 International ProStar Premiu tractor and trailer south on the Terry Coleman Parkway between Edna Moore Road and the Rhine Highway. A rear tire on the trailer blew out and the truck and trailer rolled over on the passenger’s side, and slid down the roadway. The trailer hit the guard rail, tearing it loose and the truck skidded down the median. The accident blocked the southbound lane for approximately five hours. (Photo by Chuck Eckles)

A Gresston man was shot after he shot at law enforcement officials.

According to Special Agent in Charge of the Eastman Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) office Scott Whitley, at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 10, probation officer Terry Hood had gone to 147 Wilson Woodard Road Lot 2 in Gresston to do a routine home check on Kyle Hudson “Hut” Coleman, age 24, who was on probation. Hood knocked on the door of the mobile home several times, but no one answered.

About that time, Dodge County Sheriff’s Deputy Kirk Hartwell was driving by the trailer. Coleman ran out the back door of the trailer and Hood and Hartwell chased him.

Coleman ran by the Gresston Congregational Holiness Church and into a cemetery, where he began to shoot at the officers. Both officers returned fire and a bullet hit Coleman in the head area.

It is not known which officer hit Coleman. A ballistics test will have to be run on the bullet to determine that.

An Air Evac helicopter was called to the scene and Coleman was airlifted to the Medical Center Navicent Health in Macon.

Officials do not know why Coleman ran or began shooting at the officers.

Colony Bank submitted the lowest bid for a fixed interest rate for the $1.5 million line-of credit that was reviewed by the Dodge County Board of Commissioners at their meeting on Monday, February 6, 2017.

County commissioner chairman Dan McCranie opened bids from the Bank of Eastman, Citizens Bank and Colony Bank during the meeting. The Bank of Eastman submitted a bid of 2.8%; Citizens Bank a bid of 4.0% and Colony Bank a bid of 2.59%.

Board member Terry Niblett made the motion to accept the lowest bid of interest from Colony Bank, which was seconded by board member Brian Watkins. The motion passed unanimously. Board member Jr. Howell was not in attendance at the meeting.

Small Business Administration representative Burton Boone went before the Dodge County Board of Commissioners informing them that he would be in the area to assist businesses that were affected by the recent storm that hit adjoining Wilcox County. Boone told commissioner that low interest disaster loans were available to businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters to repair or replace real estate, personal property, machinery and equipment, inventory and business assets that were damaged or destroyed during the storm.
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By Taelor Rye
After thee years of service on the Eastman City Council, Milton Johnson announced his resignation on January 30.

Johnson explained, “I have an opportunity that – being who I am – I have to jump and go for… Many of you know me and know that I’m a person that feels that, when opportunities present themselves, you must go after them aggressively.”
“I want to thank the community, district one, for the trust that they had in me with electing me,” Johnson went on additionally thanking his fellow council members and city manager Jason Cobb for the roles that they have played in his life.

Johnson closed, “It’s definitely been a privilege and my sincere honor, and I know Eastman won’t miss a beat. I’m proud that I was part of the council.”

After Johnson’s announcement, Cobb on behalf of the city presented him with a plaque that read, “Presented to Milton Johnson in appreciation of your commitment and faithful service on Eastman City Council, January 2014 – January 2017 by the City of Eastman Council and its employees.”

City council member Buddy Pittman commented, “I really do hate to see you go, but like you said, knowing the person you are, you’re going to go halfway across the United States and tackle that and come back a more knowledgeable person. I thank you for your wisdom and input, and we have made strides. We’ve gotten a lot of things done, and there are projects in place that are going to carry on. We are going to miss you.”

Chairman Raymond Mullis added, “You’ve been an asset to this council, and I’ve enjoyed working with you.”

The meeting was followed by a reception in Johnson’s honor. Johnson’s resignation is set to take effect when his successor is appointed.

Sharon Cobb Flanagan of the Dodge County Farmer’s Market announced to the council that the market has hired a new market manager, Patty Martin, and encouraged everyone to visit her at the farmer’s market this weekend.

The farmer’s market, which has been open for three weeks following the New Year and a bout of extremely cold weather, has seen vendors in the single digits and customers in the double digits but has had good sales nonetheless, Flanagan stated.

The winter hours for the farmer’s market are 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and featured items for sale include greens, onions, turnips, green and red cabbage, kale and collards, among others.

A project in conjunction with Dodge County High School will see students come on different Saturdays to show off what they have made with locally grown produce. Students will share recipes and explain how they made the products.
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Dodge County Recreation Department Chairman of the Board Dr. Chip Stringer and Oconee Judicial Circuit Public Defender Steve Harrison both went before the Dodge County Board of Commissioners requesting they change the proposed budget they approved on December 29, 2016.

Dr. Stringer went before the commissioners requesting an appeal to their budget. He stated that they (the recreation department board) were not contacted when the commissioners met for their budget meeting and missed it and did not have any input and stressed that their budget was cut. He went on to remind commissioners that when he went before them at their December meeting, he explained how surrounding counties contributions towards their recreation departments compared to Dodge County.

Dr. Stringer stressed that Dodge County’s contribution was low, reminding board members that Dodge was paying $33.00/child; Bleckley County, $48.00/child and Pulaski County, $60.00/child. He went on to tell commissioners of the successes that the recreation department has hosted GRPA sub-district and district tournaments in softball, baseball and football and sent five teams to compete in state tournaments. The tournaments we hosted also brought revenue into Dodge County, stated Dr. Stringer.

Dr. Stringer explained that during 2016, operating funds had to be used to do maintenance and repairs that do not qualify for the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) such as plumbing repairs, irrigation, repainting concession stands, security system at Aloca building and adding speed bumps.

The recreation department took over their own maintenance in 2016 to help reduce their costs according to Dr. Stringer. He told commissioners their number of gallons of gas used was up, but that was where their budget had been cut. He explained that fuel prices were lower in 2016 than in 2015 and by all indication, fuel prices were beginning to increase in 2017. There are cosmetic issues and safety issues that need to be addressed at the current recreation department. Dr. Stringer requested a $30,000.00 increase in their operating budget, which would raise the cost per child to $38.00. No action was taken on the request.

Bids were presented to the board members from the recreation department for a new commercial grade lawn mower and new netting that goes behind the backstops totaling $27,978.00. The board of commissioners approved this request after interim county manager Bobby Peacock confirmed that SPLOST funds were available for the recreation department to purchase these items. Commissioner Terry Niblett abstained from voting.

Oconee Judicial Circuit Public Defender Steve Harrison then went before the board stating that he went before the board in December requesting an increase and that his budget had been decreased approximately $5,600.00. With the decrease, Harrison informed commissioners that his supplement since 2005 had also been decreased and he was taking it personally.
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Twin baby girls, born January 1, 2017, were the first babies of 2017 born at Dodge County Hospital. Anastastia Kaye Smith weighed five pounds 3.4 oz. and was 17.75 inches long. Her sister Analina Faye Smith weighed five pounds and 12.5 oz. and was 19 inches long. Anastastia and Analina are the daughters of Shannon Smith. A special “thank you” goes to the following businesses for their donation for the gift basket for the first babies: Coleman Gifts and Framing, Dinone Roger’s Designs, Georgia Theatre Company, Martha Sheldon Florist, Piddlin Peddler, the staff at first station at Dodge County Hospital, Tammy Hughes, Village Pizza and the Dodge County Hospital Auxiliary. Pictured above are Shannon Smith with Anastastia and Analina and Dr. Lou Barker.

Eastman City Council Chairman Raymond Mullis went before the Dodge County Board of Commissioners requesting that they consider moving the dumpster site located on Airport Road.

Mullis stated that the city was working hard to get new businesses to go out to the airport area, but that there were some problems. He added that the city had cleaned up the roadway from inside the city limits out to the airport. Mullis presented photos of the trash site located on the Airport Road.

Mullis stated, “We do not need a trash dump in the industrial park.”

The dumpster site is located off the Airport Road with trees surrounding it just past the airport.

The commissioners took no action on the request.

Interim county manager Bobby Peacock requested commissioners approve to solicit a line of credit from the local banks for 1.5 million dollars. Peacock stated that the amount requested went down from the $2.7 million in 2016. Commissioners unanimously approved the request.

Chairman of the annual Bible reading marathon, Lydia Daniels, went before the commissioners requesting financial assistance of $1,500.00 to help with this year’s marathon. Daniels told commissioners that the funds would be used to purchase flags, a podium, a new tent and chairs. [Full Story »] 

By Taelor Rye
The Eastman council approved motions on a handful of projects for the city, the first of which being the construction of parking spaces at Sunset Park at the meeting on December 27. According to Cobb, the city has moved the fence of the park in some to reduce the size of the park itself, allotting space for the parking spots. The project was bid to Tomberlin and Tomberlin Construction LLC for the price of $3,900.00. A competing bid from Conley Construction was set at $4,500.00. This cost covers the supply and delivery of crushed concrete, which has a longer lifespan than asphalt of the same price, Cobb stated. City employees will create the 25 to 30 parking spots themselves.

Following a successful performance review of Jason Cobb’s tenure as city manager of Eastman, the Eastman City Council elected to raise his salary. The increase in pay is set to take effect during 2017.
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By Bryan Golden
Almost 90% of Americans will make at least one New Year’s resolution.

Less than 20% will succeed in accomplishing even one.

The beginning of the year is a great time for life improving resolutions. Common resolutions include losing weight, giving up smoking, maintaining a budget, saving money, finding a better job, getting healthier, becoming more organized, and spending more time with family.

Whatever your resolutions, here are some specific strategies to help you succeed. First and foremost is to take the first step, which is to start. Without action, there will be no success.  Action creates results. Intention alone will not work.

Have written goals stating what you want to accomplish. If you want to lose weight, how much and by when? If you want to live within a budget, what is the amount? If you want to continue your education, what school will you go to and which classes will you take?

Take small but consistent steps. Habits are formed by frequent repetition over time.  Change occurs by the same process. A resolution is not all or nothing.  Partial change is okay. Any progress in the desired direction, regardless of how small, is a success. Accomplishing a resolution is a process, not a one-time effort.

Positive goals are more effective than negative ones. Rather than saying you will eat less, resolve to have a healthier diet. Instead of spending less time at work you can endeavor to spend more time at home.  Bad habits can’t just be eliminated; they have to be replaced by good ones.
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By Taelor Rye
Alfred Ford visited the Dodge County Board of Commissioners at its December 19 meeting regarding taxes paid on property within the county.

According to Ford, the property belonged to his great-grandparents since 1962. However, at some point, a relative “used it as collateral or something and lost” the land. “It was in my mom’s possession,” Ford noted, expressing confusion on how the other relative was even legally allowed to use the property as collateral in any arrangement. About two years ago, Ford visited the property and noticed that someone was building a structure on the land after having bought it through a series of sales.

With the help of county attorney John Harrington, Ford and his family were able to discover what actually happened. However, Ford stated that his mother paid taxes on the property for many years and that he has been paying taxes on it since the 1980s, paying the most recent installment just a few weeks ago.

“We would like to be refunded for something,” Ford told the board. “I don’t understand how, if the property is not in our name—why are we still getting billed for it, and why is it still getting paid?”

The board met in executive session regarding the matter but did not make any motion once they returned to the general session.

Sharon Cobb Flanagan of the Dodge County Farmer’s Market (DCFM) announced to the board that the farmer’s market’s partnership with the Wholesome Wave Georgia program had been approved. Flanagan stated that every Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) dollar spent at the farmer’s market allows the purchaser two dollars worth of produce.
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An Eastman man has died after he poured gasoline on himself and then set himself on fire.

Dodge County Coroner Joe Smith said that Michael Coney, a 42 year old black male, of a Habitat Lane, Eastman address, died at approximately 12:30 p.m. at Doctors Hospital in Augusta on Tuesday, December 13 as a result of massive burns over 97 percent of his body.

On Monday night, December 12 around 10:30 p.m., the Eastman Police and Eastman Fire Department responded to a call at the Hop In on Oak Street where a subject had set himself on fire. According to witnesses, the man went into the store to purchase a small amount of gas, which the clerk stated she thought he had a gas can outside.

Once the pump was turned on, the man poured gas all over the front of his clothing. He then set his clothes on fire. The man was transferred by helicopter to the burn center in Augusta.

The Eastman Police Department reported the following arrests made from December 5, 2016 through December 13, 2016.

Brenton Gibson, age 32, of Chester, was arrested for printing, executing, negotiating checks, drafts, orders, debit card.

Juvenile, age 15, of Eastman, was arrested for shoplifting less than $500.00. [Full Story »] 

Dodge County Recreation Board Chairman Dr. Chip Stringer went before the board to address the “no alcohol” at the recreation department item that has been on the commissioner’s agenda for that past two meeting.
Dr. Stringer explained that there is a no alcohol policy for the day-to-day business operations at the department. He explained to the commissioners that for private events held at the Alcoa building and other facilities, the board did have a lease agreement in place. He stated that because of the incident that happened in February 2014 the board had readdressed their policy and now groups that wanted to have alcohol during their function had to go before the board requesting permission and that additional restrictions were in place for those events.
Dr. Stringer told commissioners that in 2015, the revenue from the rental of the facilities at the recreation department exceeded $12,000.00 and in 2016, the revenue from rental of the facilities is under $6,000.00. He stated that the revenue was funneled back into the program for the children for equipment, uniforms and other necessary needs.
Dr. Stringer stated that they (the board) did a survey of six other recreation departments with their annual budget and got eligible child populations numbers from the Georgia Parks and Recreation Department and that Dodge County is relatively underfunded.
The comparison went as follows: Dodge, $166,500.00 with 5078 eligible children; Jeff Davis, $365,000,00 with 4159 eligible children; Screven, $470,000.00 with 3692 eligible children; Dooly, $250,000.00 with 3163 eligible children; Evans, $213,000.00 with 2838 eligible children; Bleckley, $141,900.00 with 2952 eligible children and Pulaski, $155,000.00 with 2582 eligible children.
Dr. Stringer concluded that as a board, they are appointed to manage and run the recreation department and ask that they be allowed to do that in the best ways they see fit.
The commissioners took no action on the issue. Dodge County Farmer’s Market Chairperson Sharon Cobb-Flanagan went before the Dodge County Commissioners with an update on the farmer’s market. She stated that 11 vendors and 96 visitors at the farmer’s market on Saturday, December 3 and that the Santa stroll and run brought in additional people. Walk of Georgia sponsored the Santa stroll and run.
Flanagan stated that a cooking demonstration and live music were on the calendar for this Saturday, December 10 if weather permitted. She added that some vendors stated that they would be staying later than the scheduled market hours because of the annual Christmas parade ending at the courthouse.
Flanagan presented the commissioners with the 2016 annual report and financial statement to commissioners with the understanding that commitments and expenses had been accounted for.
She ended by telling commissioners that she wanted to do a “lessons learned” on what we learned over the last months at the farmer’s market and that vendors would be adding their input.
Flanagan ended by presenting T.I. Papel with a plaque for going above and beyond in all his volunteering efforts, being highly respected in the community, dedicated to the purpose of the farmer’s market, keeping an eye on the vendors and his input being more than its weight in gold. She added that she appreciated all he has done for the farmer’s market in Dodge County including the vendors.
Oconee Judicial Circuit Public Defender Steve Harrison went before the commissioners requesting $8,200.00 to be added to his budget to assist him in hiring a competent qualified attorney to replace attorney Stephanie Burton. Burton was selected as the new full time juvenile court judge for the Oconee circuit in September of this year.
Harrison told commissioners that six counties within the circuit fund his office and it has two budgets (an operating budget and an employee budget). He explained to commissioners since the office opened in 2005 he had not approached the board about additional funds and that he actually had returned unused funds from each year from his operating budget to the six counties that his office serves.
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By Harley Gatlin
The Eastman City Council held a meeting Monday, November 28 at the Eastman City Hall with chairman Raymond Mullis presiding.

The first order of business addressed was the 2017 proposed general operations budget. The budget is proposed to be $6,746,105.00, that being operating and SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) funds. The general budget was said to be about $3.6 million, which is a nine percent decrease from last year’s due to removing and separating SPLOST and general funds. Cobb stated, “Other than this there are no big changes or major adjustments being made.”

Raymond Mullis excused himself for the discussion of item six seeing he was related to the subject and turned it over to vice chairman Buddy Pittman. Item six is the first reading for annexation of GLH Development Properties, LLC. The annexation is for the 9.64 acres located on Griffin Avenue and across from Wal-Mart. This space has been an ongoing topic for proposed commercial use, but the company specifically wants it to have access to city services including: sewer, water and trash services. All voted in favor of the first reading, pending the county’s approval.

The second addition to the agenda item seven is that of a proposed 5-K run put on by the Dodge County High School student council. The 5-K would begin at First Baptist Church and would not include state routes. The race will take place on December 17, 2016 with all the council voting in favor of the motion.

The minutes of the November 14, 2016 regular meeting were all approved.

Charles Williams, director of Eastman-Dodge Chamber of Commerce, had nothing new to bring to the council but stated,” Lots of good projects are in the works, but I have nothing to share with you this evening and I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.”

The bid for the workers compensation insurance for 2017 was analyzed. The council has only received one bid from the Georgia Municipal Association for a bid premium in the amount of $98,949.00. “This is a substantial increase from the amount before,” explained Jason Cobb, city manager, “however, we have had two substantial claims with those two being worker comp claims from police officers in the past few months.” The motion was approved for the workers compensation bid.

A decision had to be made on an engineer for the renovations on the vacant lot next to the Magnolia Theater on Main Street. The city sent out requests for qualifications for architecture firms and had received three back, including Goodwyn Mills Cawood, Carter Watkins and Associates and David Woodburn. Cobb recommended Goodwyn Mills Cawood stating, “We have already selected them to complete the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) in 2017.” The council approved Goodwyn Mills Cawood as the engineer to renovate the vacant lot.
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Three arrests have been made in connection with the shooting death of Abdul Lucas. Lucas was shot to death at his residence in Rhine on November 1 while in the presence of immediate family members. On November 18, Dodge County deputies arrested Lucas’ step-son Antoine Squire on one count of voluntary manslaughter and one count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

Also arrested on one count each of false statements were Lucas’ step-daughter Destiny Rogers and widow Donna Lucas. These individuals originally told law enforcement that Donna Lucas was the one who shot and killed Abdul Lucas; however, the investigation has resulted in Squire being charged as the alleged shooter.

The arrests were made simultaneously at the Lucas residence at 52 Cleveland Lane in Rhine.

The investigation was conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call the GBI at 478-374-6988 or the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office at 478-559-1130.