Entries by Walter Geiger

By Kay S. Pedrotti

Xenya Velasco, the young woman who received the most votes for prom queen at Lamar County high school, abdicated the throne almost immediately – she gave the crown to her friend Ashlie Sweatman. “I just felt it was the right thing to do,” Velasco said. “I didn’t need that crown and I knew Ashlie would love it. She’s a special person and she worked hard to campaign for prom queen.” [Full Story »] 

By Sherri Ellington

Lamar Arts played a big role in getting the Pitmasters show filming here in town. Member Alan Stecker spoke with a production assistant at Pitmasters production company and was told the reason it chose Barnesville from the hundreds of small town celebrations was because Barnesville has Lamar Arts’ plein aire paint out included.

Lamar Arts is still seeking artists for its Paint the Town event in Barnesville, Saturday, April 27, during the BBQ & Blues Festival. [Full Story »] 

When people die, family members are left with the task of going through their stuff.

Such has been the case with our family following the death of Laura’s father, Quimby Melton Jr.

On a recent Saturday, I ventured into his stables – a place rarely visited since Quimby’s last horse, Bandy, died in 2006 at 38 years of age. [Full Story »] 

By Walter Geiger

The following cases were adjudicated in Lamar superior court April 11 with Judge Tommy Wilson presiding:

• Jason Christopher Bates, obstruction of an officer and suspended license: failed to appear, bench warrant issued.

• Michael Jones, child molestation, 15 years probation.

• Anthony Scott, two counts simple assault: 24 months probation, $500 fine plus surcharges. [Full Story »] 

By Sherri Ellington

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UPDATE: Since the following story appeared in print, Brutz English appeared at a meeting of the concerned citizens of northeast Lamar County and said he plans to open his track this weekend, charge admission and plans to have BYOB alcohol on site, according to zoning administrator Dan Gunter who said such action would constitute a violation. Those remarks resulted in multiple complaints communicated to The Herald Gazette.
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The Lamar County planning commission is advertising a May 6 hearing on allowing agritourism and agritainment as special exceptions with restrictions in agricultural-residential zones.

After this hearing, which will be held at 8:30 a.m., the county commission will take up the issue along with the planning commission’s recommendations. Commissioners could hold their public hearing in May or as late as June. They will have the final say on approval of the zoning code revision.

The change is related to Arthur “Brutz” English’s plans to open his 100-yearold family farm to visitors where they can pay to see race horses being trained on a track he is building there. The track is reportedly half complete.

[Full Story »] 

Society’s darkest secret – sexual abuse of children – is finding a voice in a program called Darkness to Light, bringing awareness training all over the state via the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy. [Full Story »] 

BBQ Pitmasters won’t be the only cable television show filming in Barnesville next week. [Full Story »] 

By Ken K. Green

The Diamond Trojans face their most important week of the season to date as they host Putnam County today and travel to Cochran Friday to face Bleckley County for what could decide the Region 4-AA baseball championship. [Full Story »] 

The Gordon State College Theatre will close its season with "Brilliant Traces," a play by Cindy Lou Johnson. [Full Story »]