Entries by Walter Geiger

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 »] 

By T. J. Imberger
Festival Chairman

A community is a celebration of its residents and its spirit. This year Barnesville will be celebrating its 10th anniversary of the BBQ & Blues Festival, a unique blend of barbecue, blues, music and events. [Full Story »] 

Big job:
School board faces monumental task of replacing superintendent, principal and head football coach.

A love affair:
Jean and Charles Dukes are moving out of their Thomaston St. home where they have hosted dozens of benefit events.

Big bucks:
BBQ & Blues' 10th anniversary means $10,000 in prize money for top cook teams.

Honor flight:
Another group of veterans winging their way to war memorials in Washington.

Long list:
Prosecution has lengthy roster of witnesses to call in Jamarris Williams' murder trial.

By Kay S. Pedrotti

Felicia Kirby of Barnesville, 37, got what she called the “best present ever” on her birthday last Jan. 6 – she became free of breast cancer after double mastectomy surgery that day.
[Full Story »] 

The Vintage Kart Winter Nationals are underway at Lamar County Speedway located on Hwy. 36 West. [Full Story »]