Headlines

An area developer reported last week that the suddenly-hot corridor on Veterans Parkway from Rose Avenue to College Drive may soon add a large convenience store and a fast food outlet.
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Christians across the globe have begun Holy Week observances in preparation for Easter, also known as Resurrection Day. Local churches will be sharing their observances with the community during the weekend.

Several churches hosted Easter egg hunts over the weekend.

First United Methodist Church in Barnesville will prepare for Easter Sunday by hosting Stations of the Cross in the church sanctuary. [Full Story »] 

Several high profile cases are included on the March 27 criminal trial calendar to be heard in Lamar superior court before Judge Tommy Wilson.

Tanisha Alvett Murphy, a former clerk in the probate court office, is set to be sentenced on one count of felony theft by taking for allegedly diverting court funds for her personal use.

Various motions, including one for change of venue, are to be heard in the case of David McGuire. He is charged with malice murder, murder, felony murder and other counts in connection with the Sept. 15, 2016 shooting death of his mother Elaine McGuire at her home on Liz Acres Road.

The first attempt to try him involved a week-long proceeding which ended in a mistrial Oct. 27, 2017.

Motions are also to be heard in the case of Sarah Elizabeth Hart who is charged with four counts cruelty to children and aggravated battery stemming from an incident in which a child was found unresponsive in her room at Sun Inn here June 13, 2017. Hart told responding officers another child in the room poured hot sauce down the victim’s throat.

Also on the calendar is the case of Richard Bussey who faces multiple charges stemming from an alleged home invasion at a residence on Grove Street June 26, 2017.

Bussey is charged with home invasion, aggravated assault, kidnapping and two counts possession of a firearm during commission of a felony.

The March term grand jury, which convened last week, issued a no bill in the case of a woman who was involved in a crash that killed her fiancé here on July 25, 2017.

A single count of second degree vehicular homicide filed against Laura Hunter Wynne, 29, of Griffin was no-billed by the grand jury. [Full Story »] 

In their first year of existence, the LCMS Trojans will play for the CGMSAL soccer title. The locals will battle Monroe County Middle School Monday, March 26, at 4:30 p.m. at the MP soccer complex in Forsyth. The Trojans, coached by Ricci Jules are 7-1-2.

The LCMS Lady Trojans had a shot at the title game but were derailed by a perfect storm of events during make-up games played this week due to rainouts. The team lost Wednesday to Henderson and Jones County topped Mary Persons, the only scenario that could have kept the locals out of the championship game.

Lamar County Middle School has become a hotbed of athletic talent, boding well for the future of sports there and at the high school in the future.

The most recent success stories are the LCMS soccer teams.

Spalding sheriff Darrell Dix reported last week that Terry Belvin has resigned his post as a deputy with his department after issues arose with his background check.

Belvin’s hiring earlier this year set off a firestorm of criticism. He was at the wheel of a BPD patrol car on May 16, 2014 when he hit and killed two pedestrians while running in excess of 90 mph. [Full Story »] 

Among the cases on the Feb. 27 criminal trial calendar in Lamar superior court is one involving a home invasion at a home on Grove Street that allegedly occurred June 26, 2017.

Richard Lee Bussey, 49, is charged with home invasion, aggravated assault, kidnapping and two counts possession of a firearm during commission of a felony.

According to court records, Bussey forced his way into a home occupied by Judy Bussey while armed with a handgun which he pointed at her. He is also charged with holding the victim against her will during the incident. The firearms charges are tied to Bussey’s being armed while committing the offenses of kidnapping and aggravated assault.

By Will Davis
Monroe County Reporter

A Barnesville couple faces animal cruelty charges after authorities found 17 dogs, a dead cat and five cockatoos crammed into the minivan in which they lived during an I-75 traffic stop.

Sgt. Chad Beck pulled over a 1999 Honda Odyssey on I-75 around 11:34 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 23 for a traffic violation. An incident report said that Beck was “disgusted” by what he found inside. He discovered the animals in the back where seats had been removed, with feces littering the entire van.

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Qualifying for Georgia’s May 22 general primary came to an end at noon Friday. No local incumbents drew opposition.

Here is the final list of qualified candidates.

TOWALIGA CIRCUIT SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE:
Tommy Wilson (incumbent)

COUNTY COMMISSION CHAIRMAN:
Charles Glass (R) (incumbent)

COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 1:
Bennie Horton (D) (incumbent)

COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 2:
Robert Heiney (R) (incumbent)

SCHOOL BOARD AT LARGE:
Danny Turner (R) (incumbent)

SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 2:
Sue Simmons O'Neal (R) (incumbent)

SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 4:
Ron Smith (R) (incumbent)

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 3:
Drew Ferguson (R) (incumbent)

STATE SENATE DISTRICT 16:
Marty Harbin (R) (incumbent)
Bill Lightle (D)
Tricia Stearns (R)


STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 130:
David Knight (R) (incumbent)
Raymond Ray (R)

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 131:
Johnnie Caldwell (R) (incumbent)
Ken Pullin (R)
Chris Benton (D)

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 3:
Drew Ferguson (R) (incumbent)
Chuck Enderlin (D)

By Walter Geiger

Upon hearing of the passing of Billy Graham last week, Benny Tate’s recollections were dominated by a visit he made to Graham’s home in Montreat, N.C. in March, 2011.

A spirit-filled, evangelical preacher in his own right, Dr. Tate, senior pastor at Rock Springs Church in Milner, immediately sensed he was in the presence of a man of God.

“He had Parkinson’s. His daughter Gigi was in the room with us. I picked up on his spirit; his genuine humility. I could sense the presence of the Lord,” Tate said. [Full Story »]