Lamar County was at 430 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 20 deaths as of the Saturday case count update from DPH. Lamar is recorded as having 45 hospitalizations.
Lamar deaths include: (latest) black male, 90+; white male, 69; white male, 73; white male, 55: white female, 88; black female, 66; white female, 70: black female, 66; white female, 72; white male, 80; black male, 49; white female, 81; white female, 83; white male, 87; white female, 88; white male, 86; white female, 85; white female, 74; black female, 87; white male, 85;
Statewide there have been 360,790 confirmed cases with 31,699 hospitalizations and 7979 deaths.
Surrounding counties:
Pike: 395 cases, 33 hospitalizations and 11 deaths.
Upson: 844 cases, 98 hospitalizations and 71 deaths.
Monroe: 771 cases, 85 hospitalizations and 55 deaths.
Butts: 747 cases, 58 hospitalizations and 44 deaths.
Spalding: 1629 cases, 209 hospitalizations and 63 deaths.
Entries from October 2020
Oct. 30: 426 cases, 20 deaths
Lamar County was at 426 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 20 deaths as of the Friday case count update from DPH. Lamar is recorded as having 45 hospitalizations.
Lamar deaths include: (latest) black male, 90+; white male, 69; white male, 73; white male, 55: white female, 88; black female, 66; white female, 70: black female, 66; white female, 72; white male, 80; black male, 49; white female, 81; white female, 83; white male, 87; white female, 88; white male, 86; white female, 85; white female, 74; black female, 87; white male, 85;
Statewide there have been 358,225 confirmed cases with 31,606 hospitalizations and 7955 deaths.
Surrounding counties:
Pike: 395 cases, 33 hospitalizations and 11 deaths.
Upson: 840 cases, 98 hospitalizations and 71 deaths.
Monroe: 767 cases, 85 hospitalizations and 55 deaths.
Butts: 746 cases, 57 hospitalizations and 44 deaths.
Spalding: 1617 cases, 209 hospitalizations and 63 deaths. [Full Story »]
Lamar deaths include: (latest) black male, 90+; white male, 69; white male, 73; white male, 55: white female, 88; black female, 66; white female, 70: black female, 66; white female, 72; white male, 80; black male, 49; white female, 81; white female, 83; white male, 87; white female, 88; white male, 86; white female, 85; white female, 74; black female, 87; white male, 85;
Statewide there have been 358,225 confirmed cases with 31,606 hospitalizations and 7955 deaths.
Surrounding counties:
Pike: 395 cases, 33 hospitalizations and 11 deaths.
Upson: 840 cases, 98 hospitalizations and 71 deaths.
Monroe: 767 cases, 85 hospitalizations and 55 deaths.
Butts: 746 cases, 57 hospitalizations and 44 deaths.
Spalding: 1617 cases, 209 hospitalizations and 63 deaths. [Full Story »]

Indians scalp Trojans 38-0
The LC Trojans saw their playoff hopes die Friday night as they got blistered 38-0 by the Dodge County Indians at Trojan Field.
Realtime scoring from the sidelines.
8:03 1st qtr: DC 3 LC 0: DC 24 yard FG.
11:21 2nd qtr: DC 10 LC 0: DC 24 yard TD run. PAT good.
3:39 2nd qtr: DC 17 LC 0: DC 36 yard TD run. PAT good.
HALFTIME: 17-0
6:23 3rd qtr: DC 24 LC 0: DC 60 yard TD run. PAT good.
4:20 4th qtr: DC 31 LC 0: DC 32 yard TD pass. PAT good.
8:28 4th qtr: DC 38 LC 0: DC 26 yard return of blocked punt for TD. PAT good.
FINAL: 38-0
Realtime scoring from the sidelines.
8:03 1st qtr: DC 3 LC 0: DC 24 yard FG.
11:21 2nd qtr: DC 10 LC 0: DC 24 yard TD run. PAT good.
3:39 2nd qtr: DC 17 LC 0: DC 36 yard TD run. PAT good.
HALFTIME: 17-0
6:23 3rd qtr: DC 24 LC 0: DC 60 yard TD run. PAT good.
4:20 4th qtr: DC 31 LC 0: DC 32 yard TD pass. PAT good.
8:28 4th qtr: DC 38 LC 0: DC 26 yard return of blocked punt for TD. PAT good.
FINAL: 38-0

Redbone dove shoots rile development’s estate owners
By Walter Geiger
[email protected]
Multiple residents of the Little Tobesofkee Creek Ranch fly in and equestrian community appeared before the county commission Oct. 20 to air grievances about commercial dove shoots held on the runway, taxiways and common areas there. Redbone Farms and the Moye family have hosted dove shoots in the area for generations.
The contingent of residents was led by Elaine Hallada who argued the area is zoned estate residential and that the common areas were deeded to the homeowners association by Floyd Moye. Lot owners pay $360 per year, per parcel to maintain those areas.
“The common areas were not to be developed and to be used for recreation. Commercial hunting was never mentioned,” Hallada told the commission. She said hunters routinely shoot across driveways. “They have no regard for the safety of the residents. They have shot out the power, cable and internet,” she added. [Full Story »]
[email protected]
Multiple residents of the Little Tobesofkee Creek Ranch fly in and equestrian community appeared before the county commission Oct. 20 to air grievances about commercial dove shoots held on the runway, taxiways and common areas there. Redbone Farms and the Moye family have hosted dove shoots in the area for generations.
The contingent of residents was led by Elaine Hallada who argued the area is zoned estate residential and that the common areas were deeded to the homeowners association by Floyd Moye. Lot owners pay $360 per year, per parcel to maintain those areas.
“The common areas were not to be developed and to be used for recreation. Commercial hunting was never mentioned,” Hallada told the commission. She said hunters routinely shoot across driveways. “They have no regard for the safety of the residents. They have shot out the power, cable and internet,” she added. [Full Story »]
Oct. 29: 424 cases, 20 deaths
Lamar County was at 424 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 20 deaths as of the Thursday case count update from DPH. Lamar is recorded as having 45 hospitalizations.
Lamar deaths include: (latest) black male, 90+; white male, 69; white male, 73; white male, 55: white female, 88; black female, 66; white female, 70: black female, 66; white female, 72; white male, 80; black male, 49; white female, 81; white female, 83; white male, 87; white female, 88; white male, 86; white female, 85; white female, 74; black female, 87; white male, 85;
Statewide there have been 356,848 confirmed cases with 31,516 hospitalizations and 7923 deaths.
Surrounding counties:
Pike: 393 cases, 33 hospitalizations and 11 deaths.
Upson: 843 cases, 97 hospitalizations and 71 deaths.
Monroe: 765 cases, 89 hospitalizations and 54 deaths.
Butts: 746 cases, 57 hospitalizations and 44 deaths.
Spalding: 1611 cases, 208 hospitalizations and 63 deaths. [Full Story »]
Lamar deaths include: (latest) black male, 90+; white male, 69; white male, 73; white male, 55: white female, 88; black female, 66; white female, 70: black female, 66; white female, 72; white male, 80; black male, 49; white female, 81; white female, 83; white male, 87; white female, 88; white male, 86; white female, 85; white female, 74; black female, 87; white male, 85;
Statewide there have been 356,848 confirmed cases with 31,516 hospitalizations and 7923 deaths.
Surrounding counties:
Pike: 393 cases, 33 hospitalizations and 11 deaths.
Upson: 843 cases, 97 hospitalizations and 71 deaths.
Monroe: 765 cases, 89 hospitalizations and 54 deaths.
Butts: 746 cases, 57 hospitalizations and 44 deaths.
Spalding: 1611 cases, 208 hospitalizations and 63 deaths. [Full Story »]

Goblins and goons under a bright full moon
Barnesville’s epic trick-or-treat event is a go for Saturday night and the costumed hordes will have a spooktacular full moon overhead to light the way as they traverse the Thomaston Street district. Participants are asked to work a mask into their costumes.
Thomaston Street will be blocked off by police and firefighters from 6-9 p.m. to halt vehicle traffic and allow for distancing. Due to COVID-19, some of those who usually hand out candy to trick-or-treaters may not participate so churches and businesses are stepping into the breach.
The chamber of commerce and several of its members will set up in the library parking lot and hand out candy.
A drive-thru trunk-or-treat event will be held at Summers Field Park from 4-6 p.m. This is for vehicle traffic only. Drivers can drive slowly around the park, stopping at each setup. Candy will be brought to kids in cars who should have their bags held outside the car window. This event is sponsored by Antioch Baptist Church, Barnesville Church of the Nazarene, First Baptist Church, First Methodist Church and New Life Anointed Ministries.
In Milner, volunteers are hosting a trunk-or-treat in a field located at 280 Liberty Hill Rd. from 6-8:30 p.m.
Thomaston Street will be blocked off by police and firefighters from 6-9 p.m. to halt vehicle traffic and allow for distancing. Due to COVID-19, some of those who usually hand out candy to trick-or-treaters may not participate so churches and businesses are stepping into the breach.
The chamber of commerce and several of its members will set up in the library parking lot and hand out candy.
A drive-thru trunk-or-treat event will be held at Summers Field Park from 4-6 p.m. This is for vehicle traffic only. Drivers can drive slowly around the park, stopping at each setup. Candy will be brought to kids in cars who should have their bags held outside the car window. This event is sponsored by Antioch Baptist Church, Barnesville Church of the Nazarene, First Baptist Church, First Methodist Church and New Life Anointed Ministries.
In Milner, volunteers are hosting a trunk-or-treat in a field located at 280 Liberty Hill Rd. from 6-8:30 p.m.

Zeta brings outages, scattered damages
The remnants of Hurricane Zeta rolled through Lamar County overnight featuring howling winds that caused some power outages and other minor issues.
Erin Cook, Southern Rivers Energy (8;45 a.m.):
Southern Rivers Energy crews have restored power to 1701 of the 2800 meters affected by the remnants of Hurricane Zeta. As of 8:45 a.m., approximately 1099 members are still without power. Outages are scattered across our nine-county service territory spanning from Coweta to Bibb. Crews are dealing with trees and limbs on lines and one broken pole on Hwy 341, south of New Hope Road. A crew is on the scene working to replace the pole but that process takes a few hours under good conditions so we appreciate our members' patience.
Douglas Matthews, LCVFR chief (8:42 a.m.):
Mulitple trees and power lines down. Had a tree fall on Old Hwy. 41 which caused a barn fire and some damage to the home there.
Kelvin Chute, BFD chief (8:37 a.m.):
No major issues.
Charles Glass, LC commission chairman (8:40 a.m.):
Trees/limbs down on Trice, McKenzie, Brent and Crawford roads. All now cleared.
Sheriff Brad White (8:36 a.m.):
No major issues. Some trees down. Cleared quickly.
David Rose, Barnesville city manager (9:02 a.m.):
No major issues.
Erin Cook, Southern Rivers Energy (8;45 a.m.):
Southern Rivers Energy crews have restored power to 1701 of the 2800 meters affected by the remnants of Hurricane Zeta. As of 8:45 a.m., approximately 1099 members are still without power. Outages are scattered across our nine-county service territory spanning from Coweta to Bibb. Crews are dealing with trees and limbs on lines and one broken pole on Hwy 341, south of New Hope Road. A crew is on the scene working to replace the pole but that process takes a few hours under good conditions so we appreciate our members' patience.
Douglas Matthews, LCVFR chief (8:42 a.m.):
Mulitple trees and power lines down. Had a tree fall on Old Hwy. 41 which caused a barn fire and some damage to the home there.
Kelvin Chute, BFD chief (8:37 a.m.):
No major issues.
Charles Glass, LC commission chairman (8:40 a.m.):
Trees/limbs down on Trice, McKenzie, Brent and Crawford roads. All now cleared.
Sheriff Brad White (8:36 a.m.):
No major issues. Some trees down. Cleared quickly.
David Rose, Barnesville city manager (9:02 a.m.):
No major issues.

Used book sale Saturday
The Friends of the Library will host a used book sale Saturday, Oct. 31 from 9 a.m.-noon at the Barnesville Library. You can fill a milk box with books for $5.
Individual hardback or softcover books are $1, paperbacks are 50 cents and children's books are 25 cents. Audio books and DVDs are $1.
For more information, call 770.358.3270.
Individual hardback or softcover books are $1, paperbacks are 50 cents and children's books are 25 cents. Audio books and DVDs are $1.
For more information, call 770.358.3270.
Oct. 28: 423 cases, 20 deaths
Lamar County was at 423 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 20 deaths as of the Wednesday case count update from DPH. Lamar is recorded as having 45 hospitalizations.
Lamar deaths include: (latest) black male, 90+; white male, 69; white male, 73; white male, 55: white female, 88; black female, 66; white female, 70: black female, 66; white female, 72; white male, 80; black male, 49; white female, 81; white female, 83; white male, 87; white female, 88; white male, 86; white female, 85; white female, 74; black female, 87; white male, 85;
Statewide there have been 355,025 confirmed cases with 31,370 hospitalizations and 7876 deaths.
Surrounding counties:
Pike: 389 cases, 33 hospitalizations and 11 deaths.
Upson: 839 cases, 97 hospitalizations and 70 deaths.
Monroe: 762 cases, 88 hospitalizations and 53 deaths.
Butts: 743 cases, 56 hospitalizations and 44 deaths.
Spalding: 1599 cases, 207 hospitalizations and 62 deaths. [Full Story »]
Lamar deaths include: (latest) black male, 90+; white male, 69; white male, 73; white male, 55: white female, 88; black female, 66; white female, 70: black female, 66; white female, 72; white male, 80; black male, 49; white female, 81; white female, 83; white male, 87; white female, 88; white male, 86; white female, 85; white female, 74; black female, 87; white male, 85;
Statewide there have been 355,025 confirmed cases with 31,370 hospitalizations and 7876 deaths.
Surrounding counties:
Pike: 389 cases, 33 hospitalizations and 11 deaths.
Upson: 839 cases, 97 hospitalizations and 70 deaths.
Monroe: 762 cases, 88 hospitalizations and 53 deaths.
Butts: 743 cases, 56 hospitalizations and 44 deaths.
Spalding: 1599 cases, 207 hospitalizations and 62 deaths. [Full Story »]

Schools closed Thursday due to weather; remote learning only
From Jute Wilson, superintendent of schools:
Due to the threat of severe weather in the early morning hours, Lamar County Schools will have a remote learning day tomorrow, Thursday, October 29th. No students should report to school. All staff members are expected to be at work by 9a.m. Staff, please contact your immediate supervisor if you have any issues in the morning.
Stay safe, we will resume normal school operations Friday.
UPDATE: Due to more dire forecasts, faculty and staff are also instructed not to report Thursday.
Due to the threat of severe weather in the early morning hours, Lamar County Schools will have a remote learning day tomorrow, Thursday, October 29th. No students should report to school. All staff members are expected to be at work by 9a.m. Staff, please contact your immediate supervisor if you have any issues in the morning.
Stay safe, we will resume normal school operations Friday.
UPDATE: Due to more dire forecasts, faculty and staff are also instructed not to report Thursday.
Police report
Between Monday, October 19 and Monday, October 26 the Barnesville Police Department made the following arrests:
[Full Story »]

Some thoughts and a prayer
By Mike Ruffin
You are probably reading this during the week before Election Day. (I am aware that with early and mail-in voting, we actually have an Election Season now. I am also aware that the presidential election may not be decided for a while. Or maybe we will know the winner when we go to bed on November 3. I’m further aware that one Georgia Senate race will almost certainly go to a runoff.)
Now that the election will soon be over or eventually will be over, I’d like to offer a few thoughts and one prayer on the subject.
[Full Story »]
You are probably reading this during the week before Election Day. (I am aware that with early and mail-in voting, we actually have an Election Season now. I am also aware that the presidential election may not be decided for a while. Or maybe we will know the winner when we go to bed on November 3. I’m further aware that one Georgia Senate race will almost certainly go to a runoff.)
Now that the election will soon be over or eventually will be over, I’d like to offer a few thoughts and one prayer on the subject.
[Full Story »]

Quarry opening is not a done deal
Reports surfaced last week that Vulcan Minerals would be opening its long-mothballed rock quarry off Hwy. 36 East but that decision is not yet set in stone.
“It’s not a done deal. We are trying to do our due diligence to see if we are going to open it,” company spokesman Jimmy Fleming said Friday. [Full Story »]
“It’s not a done deal. We are trying to do our due diligence to see if we are going to open it,” company spokesman Jimmy Fleming said Friday. [Full Story »]

43% of Lamar voters have already cast ballots
From Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger...
With slightly more than 1 week to go, 43% of active voters in Lamar County have already cast ballots. This is a significant surge from past years and is part of the record early turnout that Georgia has seen so far ahead of the November elections.
“The record turnout is a testament to the hard work our state and local elections officials are putting in to uphold election access for Georgia voters,” said Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. “We are setting records every hour. Adjusting to a new voting system or turning on a dime to accommodate a surge in absentee by mail voting would be enough to challenge even the most seasoned elections officials. Doing so with the added complications of COVID-19 has made this effort truly Herculean.”
[Full Story »]
With slightly more than 1 week to go, 43% of active voters in Lamar County have already cast ballots. This is a significant surge from past years and is part of the record early turnout that Georgia has seen so far ahead of the November elections.
“The record turnout is a testament to the hard work our state and local elections officials are putting in to uphold election access for Georgia voters,” said Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. “We are setting records every hour. Adjusting to a new voting system or turning on a dime to accommodate a surge in absentee by mail voting would be enough to challenge even the most seasoned elections officials. Doing so with the added complications of COVID-19 has made this effort truly Herculean.”
[Full Story »]
Oct. 27: 422 cases, 20 deaths
Lamar County was at 422 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 20 deaths as of the Tuesday case count update from DPH. Lamar is recorded as having 45 hospitalizations.
Lamar deaths include: (latest) black male, 90+; white male, 69; white male, 73; white male, 55: white female, 88; black female, 66; white female, 70: black female, 66; white female, 72; white male, 80; black male, 49; white female, 81; white female, 83; white male, 87; white female, 88; white male, 86; white female, 85; white female, 74; black female, 87; white male, 85;
Statewide there have been 353,372 confirmed cases with 31,256 hospitalizations and 7844 deaths.
Surrounding counties:
Pike: 387 cases, 32 hospitalizations and 11 deaths.
Upson: 838 cases, 97 hospitalizations and 70 deaths.
Monroe: 756 cases, 88 hospitalizations and 53 deaths.
Butts: 740 cases, 56 hospitalizations and 44 deaths.
Spalding: 1588 cases, 207 hospitalizations and 62 deaths.
Confirmed cases of COVID-19 in long-term healthcare facilities here and in surrounding counties from Dept. of Community Health as of Oct. 27: (The positive case count is cumulative and does not necessarily reflect the current number of cases in a particular facility.)
Heritage Inn (Lamar): 66 patients, 32 positive cases, 12 deaths, 19 patients recovered, 12 staff positive.
Sunny Grove (Lamar) 27 patients, 7 positive cases, 1 death, 11 patients recovered, 0 staff positive (DCH no longer has this facility on its report. These are the last numbers reported.).
Renaissance Center (Spalding): 98 patients, 25 positive case, 3 deaths, 24 patients recovered, 13 staff positive.
Riverside Health (Upson): 51 patients, 59 positive cases, 17 deaths, 42 patients recovered, 21 staff positive.
PruittHealth - Forsyth (Monroe): 47 patients, 57 positive cases, 9 deaths, 48 patients recovered, 23 staff positive.
Pruitt-Health Griffin (Spalding): 51 patients, 0 positive cases, 0 deaths, 5 staff positive.
PruittHealth- Hwy. 42 (Monroe): 57 patients, 16 positive cases, 7 deaths, 11 patients recovered, 8 staff positive.
Bolingreen Health and Rehab (Monroe): 68 patients, 47 positive cases, 14 deaths, 28 patients recovered, 16 staff positive.
Providence Healthcare (Upson): 80 patients, 65 positive cases, 15 deaths, 50 patients recovered, 31 staff positive.
Harborview Health (Upson): 96 patients, 74 positive cases, 19 deaths, 55 patients recovered, 13 staff positive.
Brightmoor Health Care (Spalding): 89 patients, 83 positive cases, 20 deaths, 63 patients recovered, 0 staff positive.
Brightmoor Senior Living (Spalding): 51 patients, 0 positive cases, 0 deaths, 1 staff positive.
Westbury Health Care & Rehab (Butts): 125 patients, 128 positive cases, 34 deaths, 89 patients recovered, 56 staff positive.
NOTE: Some nursing home residents' deaths are not listed in the county's overall numbers because their residence was in a different county. Oct.
Lamar deaths include: (latest) black male, 90+; white male, 69; white male, 73; white male, 55: white female, 88; black female, 66; white female, 70: black female, 66; white female, 72; white male, 80; black male, 49; white female, 81; white female, 83; white male, 87; white female, 88; white male, 86; white female, 85; white female, 74; black female, 87; white male, 85;
Statewide there have been 353,372 confirmed cases with 31,256 hospitalizations and 7844 deaths.
Surrounding counties:
Pike: 387 cases, 32 hospitalizations and 11 deaths.
Upson: 838 cases, 97 hospitalizations and 70 deaths.
Monroe: 756 cases, 88 hospitalizations and 53 deaths.
Butts: 740 cases, 56 hospitalizations and 44 deaths.
Spalding: 1588 cases, 207 hospitalizations and 62 deaths.
Confirmed cases of COVID-19 in long-term healthcare facilities here and in surrounding counties from Dept. of Community Health as of Oct. 27: (The positive case count is cumulative and does not necessarily reflect the current number of cases in a particular facility.)
Heritage Inn (Lamar): 66 patients, 32 positive cases, 12 deaths, 19 patients recovered, 12 staff positive.
Sunny Grove (Lamar) 27 patients, 7 positive cases, 1 death, 11 patients recovered, 0 staff positive (DCH no longer has this facility on its report. These are the last numbers reported.).
Renaissance Center (Spalding): 98 patients, 25 positive case, 3 deaths, 24 patients recovered, 13 staff positive.
Riverside Health (Upson): 51 patients, 59 positive cases, 17 deaths, 42 patients recovered, 21 staff positive.
PruittHealth - Forsyth (Monroe): 47 patients, 57 positive cases, 9 deaths, 48 patients recovered, 23 staff positive.
Pruitt-Health Griffin (Spalding): 51 patients, 0 positive cases, 0 deaths, 5 staff positive.
PruittHealth- Hwy. 42 (Monroe): 57 patients, 16 positive cases, 7 deaths, 11 patients recovered, 8 staff positive.
Bolingreen Health and Rehab (Monroe): 68 patients, 47 positive cases, 14 deaths, 28 patients recovered, 16 staff positive.
Providence Healthcare (Upson): 80 patients, 65 positive cases, 15 deaths, 50 patients recovered, 31 staff positive.
Harborview Health (Upson): 96 patients, 74 positive cases, 19 deaths, 55 patients recovered, 13 staff positive.
Brightmoor Health Care (Spalding): 89 patients, 83 positive cases, 20 deaths, 63 patients recovered, 0 staff positive.
Brightmoor Senior Living (Spalding): 51 patients, 0 positive cases, 0 deaths, 1 staff positive.
Westbury Health Care & Rehab (Butts): 125 patients, 128 positive cases, 34 deaths, 89 patients recovered, 56 staff positive.
NOTE: Some nursing home residents' deaths are not listed in the county's overall numbers because their residence was in a different county. Oct.