Entries by Walter Geiger

By Walter Geiger

New laws passed by the state legislature earlier in the year went into effect July 1 and one which has received little or no attention adds tight restrictions on young people who desire to marry. The intent of the law is to crack down on child trafficking.

The age of consent for marriage has been raised from 16 to 17 so those under 17 cannot be issued a Georgia marriage license under any circumstances. Those who are 17 can marry but must first be ‘emancipated’ via the court system. The law refers to them as ‘children’. A 17-year-old is also prohibited from marrying anyone over the age of 21.

Children wishing to marry must file a petition for emancipation in the juvenile court of the county in which they reside. The petition must have complete identification information including a certified copy of birth certificate. Also required are names and all contact information for parents, guardians or legal custodians. The petitioner must also provide the name of his or her nearest living relative who resides in Georgia. [Full Story »] 

Sheriff Brad White and his investigators are awaiting results from DNA testing in a sexual assault case that occurred on Camp Road June 24. The initial 911 call came in at about 4:30 p.m.

The female victim reported a white male entered the home, placed something over her head and sexually assaulted her. [Full Story »] 

Walkers out for morning exercise came upon a fatal crash scene in the 900 block of Chappell Mill Road here early July 4. The driver, a black male approximately 30 years old, had been partially ejected and his body was pinned under the vehicle, a 2004 Honda Accord.

Coroner Jim Smith has identified the victim as Thomas Jefferson Harris of 300 Patrol Rd. in Forsyth and estimate the crash time at about 2 a.m.
[Full Story »] 

The local VFW Post will hosts its annual Independence Day celebration Thursday. Events begin with the annual Hambone motorcycle ride. Registration begins at 9 a.m. with a mandatory safety meeting at 10 a.m.

The fee is $15 per rider and $5 per passenger with kickstands up at 11 a.m. The ride will begin and end at the VFW post. Events will last the day with various raffles, an auction, a bake sale, lunch plates and hot dogs for the kids. A big fireworks display will be launched when it gets dark.

For more information, call the post at 770-358-6612.

Additionally, Hamlin Hills in Forsyth will offer a big celebration Saturday, July 6 beginning at 7 p.m. which includes fireworks and a smoke-free concert. Barry Darnell and the Mobile Slim Band will headline the concert. Darnell and his band performed here earlier this year the the BBQ & Blues Festival.

Also on the bill are Eddie Johnson & The Southern Wings Band and Don Austin. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the gate. For more information, visit hamlinhills.com.

Between Friday, June 14 and Thursday, June 27 the following were processed through the Lamar County jail: [Full Story »] 

An 18-year-old white male is in stable condition at Navicent Health/Macon Medical Center after being shot late Saturday night at Magnolia Apartments on Greenwood Street in Barnesville.

The victim was in an apartment when a shot was fired, apparently through a window, and struck him in the neck at 11:43 p.m.

The probe into the shooting is ongoing and there have been no arrests thus far, according to Sgt. Belinda Penamon of the Barnesville Police Department.

No one was seriously injured Friday afternoon when a Mercury Villager pulled out in front of a Norfolk Southern freight train in downtown Barnesville about 1:15 p.m. The train struck the van and dragged it along the tracks for some distance.

The passengers were frightened but unhurt. The van is totaled.

Traffic is a mess. Avoid the area. State troopers are on the way to process the scene and clear the tracks.