Entries by Sherri Ellington

Local gospel group The English Family has released its second CD, Out of the Wilderness, complete with the first radio release "Send Down Your Angels," penned by Jacob English, 15.

Jacob has three original songs on the album. Another he wrote with his father Phillip English, one Phillip wrote alone and one Reneé Smith wrote. The one spiritual on the album daughter Elizabeth English, 14, sings. There is one hymn and one song Phillip’s grandparents used to sing together.

"We included that song as a tribute to them," said mother Reneé English.

 While he credits God for his talent, Jacob said Phillip was also an influence. [Full Story »] 

The economic downturn created a boon for the Lamar County water authority as bids for the upcoming water line project came in.

With $2,933,874 to spend, the low bid from Strack, Inc., of Fairburn came in at $1,437,207. Coupled with $264,839 in engineering and legal fees, that left $1,231,828 to lay in more lines with Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority grant/loan funds.

"Bids were substantially lower than our estimated costs," said engineer Tom Sloope. "It has everything to do with the economy and lack of work. It's not uncommon now to see this sort of pricing."

What is now phase I of the project will lay lines on Highway 36 East and Etheridge Mill, Abbott, Grape Creek, Morgan Dairy, Barnesville, Five Points and Piedmont roads. Work will begin with smaller connector lines needed to loop parts of the system together then branch out to bring service to customers. So far, 45 people have signed up, raising hopes that more than the projected 50% of possible customers will sign up.
[Full Story »] 

With to the addition of another 181 people to the job market, Lamar County’s unemployment rate jumped to a record-breaking 16.4% in July, up .9% from a revised June count of 15.5%. Joblessness was 8.4% in July 2008.

Lamar’s work force numbered 8,333 people in July with 6,969 working – an increase of 80 jobs –and 1,364 looking for work. In June, the numbers were 8,152 total people, 6,889 working and 1,263 seeking jobs.
[Full Story »] 

Lamar County Family Connection Collaborative is currently conducting a Community Assessment. The assessment includes surveying 5th Grade students, Middle and High School Students, Gordon College dormitory students, Providers and Adults to gather ideas about the types of issues that concern Lamar County residents.

The Provider Survey is to gather information on Needs and Barriers to services from front-line community service providers who have daily contact with residents.
[Full Story »] 

Professional wrestling will come to the recreation department gym on Saturday, Sept. 12.

In conjunction with the Lamar County recreation department, the newly formed Old School Wrestling plans to bring former WWE and other pro wrestlers to the event.

"It's going to be huge," said OSW talent scout Joey Roberts of Barnesville. He also wrestles as Big Steel.
[Full Story »] 

Barnesville city council announced the election times for Wards 2, 4 and 5 at the Monday, Aug. 10 meeting.

Council gave notice of the Nov. 3 general election at the Barnesville Civic Center at 685 Forsyth St. from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for four-year terms. Absentee ballots are available at the board of elections office. All candidates must pay a $45 qualifying fee and apply with the city clerk at City Hall from 8:30 a.m. Aug. 31 to Sept. 2 at 4:30 p.m. [Full Story »] 

The Family Connections Collaborative has begun community surveys as part of its strategic planning. At its Aug. 13 meeting, members put out a call for local adults and service providers to visit its website and complete the surveys online. [Full Story »] 

A study of monthly sales tax distributions reflect the state of the economy, showing the ups and downs of sales via revenue gained by local governments as the recession deepens. [Full Story »] 

Kevin Downs of Barnesville, 42, took the international stage when his book Spydentity – the first bio-industrial espionage cloning thriller to date – was recently published. [Full Story »] 

When the doors to all four schools reopened for the new school year Monday, Aug. 3, thousands of students streamed through.

“We planned to welcome some 2,500 students from pre-K through the 12th grade,” said superintendent Dr. Bill Truby Monday. “The first day total was actually 2,420. Of course, that will go up tomorrow.” [Full Story »] 

Despite gains in several areas, two Lamar County schools did not meet Adequate Yearly Progress in Georgia's first round of announcements of schools meeting federally-mandated goals. [Full Story »] 

Marvin Alspach had a dream weekend June 13-15 at Michigan International Speedway as the longtime race fan announced the big words at Saturday's Michigan 200 NASCAR truck race.

That was, indeed, Lamar County's own Alspach, serving as grand marshal, announcing at the start of the race: "Gentlemen, start your engines!" [Full Story »] 

The 2009-10 school year is starting with a little bit of good news. [Full Story »] 

(from the Thomaston Times/Michele Ford).

Two Barnesville teens were arrested and a third was on the run after attempting a robbery in Thomaston July 14 that would certainly qualify them for the Dumb Crook News – especially if they were wearing the Zorro masks.
[Full Story »]