Entries by Walter Geiger

The Gordon College Theatre is closing its season with a performance that promises to be different – really different – but very exciting.

“Fight Night” is a presentation of scene work that focuses on stage combat.

Lamar countians in the cast include: Kit Weber, Katie Janssen, Santo Bowles, Kelby Smith and Marc Muneal [Full Story »] 

By Walter Geiger

The American Dream is still alive and well these days.

But, when so many make only the effort to reach as far as is needed for a handout, we have to look a little bit harder to find success stories.

Haskell Ward is one of those stories. Haskell grew up in Griffin and is married to Leah Sears Ward, former chief justice of the Georgia Supreme Court. I had the pleasure of hearing him speak recently. [Full Story »] 

By Walter Geiger

The prosecution has a long list of witnesses to call in the murder trial of Jamarris Latuan Williams.

Williams allegedly stabbed local cab company owner John Dixson in the throat and left him to die in a southeast Lamar County ravine on March 16, 2012. [Full Story »] 

By Walter Geiger

The big house on Thomaston Street built in 1920 by local industrialist Walter B. Smith beckoned to Jean and Charles Dukes.

They were drawn into its orbit when Jean’s mother Charlotte Edwards died suddenly in 1981. The couple went to Zebulon to be with her father Red Edwards and never really went back to their Atlanta home. [Full Story »] 

Mrs. Mildred Moore Jackson, 79, of Barnesville passed away Wednesday, April 2, 2014 at her home. [Full Story »] 

CHICKEN AND RICE WITH BROCCOLI
serves 4

Ingredients
2 ½ pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken breast
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, chopped (1 ½ cups)
2 small heads broccoli, cut into florets (about 2 cups)
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon turmeric or pinch of saffron threads
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (plus more to taste if desired)
3 cups low sodium chicken broth
1 ½ cups basmati or long-grain white rice
3/4 cup frozen peas
2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley leaves
Lemon or lime wedges, for serving
Procedures
1
Season chicken on all sides with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until lightly smoking. Add chicken skin-side down and cook without moving until well browned, 6 to 7 minutes. Flip and brown second side, about 5 minutes longer. Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.

2
Reduce heat to medium, and add the onions, broccoli and a pinch of salt, stirring until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the garlic, cumin, turmeric, and cayenne and cook for until fragrant, about 30 seconds longer. Add the chicken stock to the pan and then add the rice and lay the chicken carefully on top.

3
Bring the liquid to a boil and then lower the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cover and cook until the rice and chicken are finished cooking, 15-20 minutes. Add the frozen peas during the last 3 to 4 minutes of cooking.

4
Remove from heat. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley and serve with lemon or lime wedges

Monroe County Sheriff John Cary Bittick is asking for the public's help in finding a missing Monroe County man. On Sunday, March 30, 2014, Willie James Thomas, 54 years of age, checked himself out of Whispering Pines Personal Care Home, located in south Monroe County on Hwy. 41, to attend church services at a nearby church. Thomas was reported missing by the Care Home around 1:30 a.m. Monday morning. Monroe County deputies searched for several hours for Thomas but were not able to locate him. A Mattie's Call was issued yesterday afternoon, Monday, March 31, for Thomas.

Thomas is a black male, 6 ft. 2 in. tall and weighs approximately 170lbs. He is usually wearing a hoodie type shirt with a green colored coat but was last seen wearing a shiny, gray coat and jeans. He is usually not clean shaven and has stubble and has dark hair that is graying. His eyes are brown. He may not be lucid and may be in need of immediate medical attention.

Another resident at the Care Home told investigators that Thomas was observed getting into a small, white, two-door vehicle, possibly a Honda or Toyota, being driven by an older, white male. This information has not been substantiated. Thomas may be attempting to travel to Ft. Valley or Macon, GA or to Orlando, FL where he may have family.

If anyone has any information about Thomas or his whereabouts, please contact the Monroe County Sheriff's Office at 478-994-7010.

-Allison Selam-Willis, MCSO

Paul Wood, president and CEO of Georgia Electric Membership Corporation, will speak at Gordon State College Thursday, April 10. [Full Story »] 

Between Friday, March 21, and Thursday, March 27, the sheriff’s office processed the following people through its jail: [Full Story »] 

[Full Story »] 

During the early morning hours of Tuesday, April 1, officers from the Griffin Police Department responded to Spalding Regional Medical Center ER in reference to a subject that had been shot. [Full Story »] 

Leroy Holsclaw of Milner was extracted safely Tuesday morning after a wreck pinned him in his Nissan pickup truck on Highway 19 north. [Full Story »]