Barnesville.com

A Lamar County couple face multiple charges after a raid on an alleged puppy mill last week at their home at 900 Johnstonville Road turned up dozens of dogs living in deplorable conditions in a feces-filled kennel without food and water.

John David Matthews, 63, and Latitia Adelle Matthews, 39, were arrested March 13 when state agriculture department personnel and LCSO investigators went to the 75-acre tract following up on complaints from purchasers who bought sick puppies from the operation known as Sweet Basil Kennels.

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Lamar County voters will go to the polls today to give the thumbs up or thumbs down on Sunday sales of package beer and wine in unincorporated areas of the county and the issuance of $15.5 million in bonds for the construction of a new jail.

Polling places throughout the county will be open today from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. [Full Story »] 

An endowment to honor the late Ray Brinkley and his wife Margie of Barnesville has been established at Gordon State College by their children. The fund will support a scholarship to a deserving student accepted into the Gordon State College School of Education.

Ray Brinkley was an alumnus of Gordon, and all three of his children are graduates. All of his grandchildren attended or graduated from Gordon. Three of his children and one of his grandchildren chose to become teachers.
[Full Story »] 

The 16th annual BBQ & Blues festival will rock Barnesville tonight with live music, a steak cook-off, food and lots of fun for the kids on tap.

Live music begins at 5 p.m. at the stage near the United Bank drive-thru windows. Blues legend Robert Lee Coleman and his band will open the show followed by Crossroads. The headline act is Barry Darnell & The Mobile Slim Band. Coleman won the Georgia Music Legend award in 2014. Darnell won it in 2017. This event is free and music lovers are invited to bring chairs, blankets and coolers.

Coleman has played here previously and Crossroads, is a fixture at the event but this will be Darnell’s first appearance in Barnesville. Long known as ‘Mobile Slim’, Darnell was born on the Gulf Coast and later moved to Georgia where he played for spare change on the streets of Underground Atlanta back in the day.

Now living in Macon, Darnell usually brings a five-piece band, including tenor sax and trumpet, and three backup singers.

BBQ and festival food will be available all evening and local civic groups will provide treats along Taster’s Alley for a cost of $3. The Kids Park will be open and heated competition is expected in the cornhole tournament.

New this year is the steak cook-off. For a $20 entry fee, backyard chefs can set up their grills and prepare a steak provided by the chamber for judging. The winner will take home $250 and a trophy. Steaks must be cooked on site.

WEATHER: Rain is expected to move out in time for tonight's events. The temperature is expected to be about 60 at 5 p.m. and down to 52 by the end of show. so, come prepared.

For more information, contact the chamber at 770.358.5884.