Entries by Walter Geiger

Mrs. Laura Leigh Miller, age 41, of Barnesville passed away Monday, August 14, 2017 in a Spalding County Healthcare Facility. She is the daughter of Mr. Frank Gurr and Mrs. Brenda Gurr. She is preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Mr. Thomas and Florence Gurr and by her maternal grandparents, Mr. George and Betty Mears. [Full Story »] 

Dr. Richard Schmude says those who take lightly the threat of viewing Monday’s solar eclipse with the naked eye need to be enlightened.

Dr. Schmude, a professor of chemistry at Gordon and a world-renowned astronomer, knows what he is talking about.
[Full Story »] 

By Walter Geiger

I sat through two public hearings about a proposed increase in property taxes the other day and they went about the same as the many others I have endured over the years.
Some people arrive well informed and ask good, articulate questions. Some are not so well informed. Of those, some listen to explanations and some do not.

Those who do not listen leave such events just as uninformed as they were when they got there but feel good about having spoken their minds and I guess that is a good thing. [Full Story »] 

A second grade teacher at LCPS died Sunday after complications arose during a medical procedure.

Theresa Shirley died at Emory University Hospital, school superintendent Dr. Jute Wilson reported. Grief counselors were on hand at the school Monday to comfort students.

A memorial service will be held in Arizona but plans have not yet been finalized.

In lieu of flowers, all contributions in her honor should be made to Union Baptist Church in Griffin. The address is 1405 North McDonough Rd., Griffin, Ga 30223. These funds will go towards missions to help bring others to Jesus Christ. This was her wish.

Monitor barnesville.com for updates.
[Full Story »] 

Adam Dubose (Thomas James Adam Dubose) was born April 16, 1975 and died August 5, 2017. He is greatly missed by his family and friends.

With chicken thighs on sale this week at Giant for 69-cents a pound, this is a family pleasing recipe to try:

8 whole chicken thighs (with skin and bone in)
1-lb baby red potatoes
1 bag baby carrots (16 oz)
1 pound green beans, cleaned and trimmed
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon lemon juice
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Combine honey, soy sauce, lemon juice, garlic and spices in bowl and whisk together
Place 4 thighs in bottom of 6-quart slow cooker and pour over half of the sauce.
Add potatoes and carrots, then rest of thighs. Pour over remaining sauce
Cover and cook on low 8 hours or on high 4 hours
30 minutes before cook time finishes, add green beans.

By Kay S. Pedrotti

Lamar County Commission chairman Charles Glass had no words when the four other commissioners sat silent when he asked for a motion to approve a resolution to raise the county’s property tax rate by one mill Tuesday night.

“We’re going to be here a long time, I guess,” Glass said, looking in turn at each commissioner. Finally, commissioner Ryran Traylor moved that the rate be reduced by a half-mill to 12.095. Bob Heiney seconded, and the vote was unanimous.

The surprise move followed a public hearing with 10 speakers, all calling for tax relief for property owners. Approval of the millage reduction came about halfway through the regular meeting which followed the public hearing. It was the third and final hearing on the tax increase.

The new rate will require the commissioners to “go back and figure out how to cut about $225,000 more out of the proposed budget,” Glass said.

Mr. James Oldham, age 86 of Barnesville, passed away Sunday, August 13, 2017 at his home. [Full Story »] 

Legendary Hall of Fame kicker Kevin Butler will be the keynote speaker at the annual meeting of the Griffin Bulldog Club tonight at Stuckey Auditorium on the UGA campus.

The event begins at 6 p.m. and will be catered by The Varsity. Tickets are $30. For more information, contact Nic Bland at 706.713.0609.

John David Neighbors, of LaGrange, passed away on August 10, 2017.  He was born in Okinawa, Japan to the late William Harry Neighbors and Kathryn S. Neighbors on June 24, 1969.  He worked as a supervisor for Southern Janitorial.  He is also predeceased by his sister, Elizabeth "Betsy" Neighbors Norred and his uncle, Paul Miletich Jr. [Full Story »]