Entries by Walter Geiger

A phalanx of law enforcement officers swarmed a home at 151 Grove Street in Barnesville Monday evening, hoping to locate suspects in a drive-by shooting that took place on Greenwood Street in Barnesville Saturday night. No one was in the residence. Officers then relocated to Fuller's Trailer Park and made two arrests.

Capt. Al Moltrum identified those arrested as Kahlif Lee, 25, and Raphael Khalil Kelley, 19. Kelly is the suspected shooter. [Full Story »] 

In an effort to aid emergency personnel and first responders, the Lamar County commission is now requiring roadside address signs at all newly-constructed homes. “This is a requirement for new homes but we encourage everyone to do it,” commission chairman Charles Glass said.

The ordinance requires signs that measure at least 12 by six inches with numerals that are three-and-a-half to four inches high. Both the sign background and numerals must be reflective.

“I wish residents would go outside their homes and walk 60-100 feet down the road in both directions so they can see just how hard it is for us to spot their driveway in the dark. Rain makes it that much harder. Precious seconds spent looking for a driveway could save a life,” firefighter/EMT Charlie Muise observed.

The fire department will make and install the proper signage at your home for just $20. Forms are available at all fire stations and many other locations including Milner city hall.

For more information, call the county commission office at 770-358-5146.

A brief farewell ceremony for the old high school building has been set for 9 a.m. Friday. The public is invited to watch as demolition begins in earnest.

The event will be held in the area between the college and career academy building and the rear entrances to the old campus. Parking will be available in the gym parking lot.

By Mike Ruffin

Some of you are familiar with Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot’s 1971 song, “If You Could Read My Mind.” It’s a great song.

The song was inspired by the divorce that ended Lightfoot’s first marriage. In the recorded version of the song, Lightfoot sings,

If you could read my mind, love,
what a tale my thoughts could tell.
Just like an old time movie,
'bout a ghost from a wishing well.
In a castle dark or a fortress strong.
with chains upon my feet.
But stories always end,
and if you read between the lines,
you'd know that I'm just tryin' to understand
the feelings that you lack.
[Full Story »] 

Official groundbreaking ceremonies for the new Boys & Girls Club are set for Monday, July 1 at 1 p.m. at the construction site behind Lamar County Elementary School off Roberta Drive. Crews have been busy backfilling the site, eliminating a slope.

Construction of the club has been fast-tracked with opening set for next January.

The club steering committee is chaired by Joe Edwards

Lamar County sheriff's investigators are working a rape case that occurred Monday afternoon at a home on Camp Road. Deputies were dispatched at 5:08 p.m.

A woman reported a male came into her home, placed a bag over her head and raped her. The investigation is ongoing and no further details will be released at present, sheriff Brad White reported.

Coach Princess Banks at the Lady Trojan volleyball team are offering a youth camp for young players July 18-19 at the high school. Sessions will be held from 9-11:30 a.m. each day for kids ages 5-13.

For more information, call 770.358.8641.

Lamar Arts is seeking out the artwork of late Barnesville artist Laura King for an August exhibit at the Depot Gallery.

King worked and taught out of a studio at her home on Atlanta Street where she replicated the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel on the ceiling of her basement. Sadly, the home was torn down years ago and the work not salvaged.

If you have a piece of King’s art and would be willing to loan it for the exhibit, contact Kay Pedrotti at 678-603-7268. This will be a memorial exhibit and not works will be offered for sale.

Note: The Herald Gazette is also looking for a photo of Mrs. King for use in future coverage of this event.

A grease fire erupted in the kitchen at the Barnesville Zaxby's Friday morning, shuttering the fast food franchise right at the lunch hour.

All employees made it out safely. BFD and LCFD personnel repsonded and controlled the situation quickly though there was extensive smoke billowing out of the building.

The original 911 call went out at 11:47 a.m.

Barring unforeseen circumstances, at-risk children in Barnesville-Lamar County will have access to a Boys & Girls Club by early next year. At a steering committee meeting June 11, it was announced the opening date for the club is Jan. 13, 2020. [Full Story »]