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Current finance director Sean Townsend has been named the lone finalist for the position of county administrator and will take the post if no problems come up during the 14-day public notice period.

Townsend will succeed current administrator Bob Zellner who is retiring.

The Lamar County commission spent much of the day March 11 interviewing seven candidates for the job of county administrator. Current administrator Bob Zellner is retiring but has agreed to stay on until his successor is named. [Full Story »] 

A Lamar County couple face multiple charges after a raid on an alleged puppy mill last week at their home at 900 Johnstonville Road turned up dozens of dogs living in deplorable conditions in a feces-filled kennel without food and water.

John David Matthews, 63, and Latitia Adelle Matthews, 39, were arrested March 13 when state agriculture department personnel and LCSO investigators went to the 75-acre tract following up on complaints from purchasers who bought sick puppies from the operation known as Sweet Basil Kennels.

WARNING: THE IMAGE INSIDE THIS SUBSCRIBER ONLY POST MAY BE CONSIDERED GRAPHIC BY SOME.

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Lamar County voters will go to the polls today to give the thumbs up or thumbs down on Sunday sales of package beer and wine in unincorporated areas of the county and the issuance of $15.5 million in bonds for the construction of a new jail.

Polling places throughout the county will be open today from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. [Full Story »] 

Alleged puppy mill operators John David Matthews and Latitia Adele Matthews were in Lamar County magistrate court Friday where bonds were set on 106 counts including aggravated cruelty to animals, cruelty to animals and improper disposal of dead swine.

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NOTICE:
This story and photo(s) are under copyright. They may not be republished or disseminated in any form or format - including social media - without explicit permission.
********************* [Full Story »] 

Officials at Aldora Mills hosted a delegation of local officials and business leaders last week to show off new equipment Continental Tire has invested about $9 million over the past year or so.

The company is phasing out a plant in Porterdale and moving production of single end yarns used in reinforcing conveyor belts and rubber hoses to Aldora. [Full Story »] 

The annual Peaches to the Beaches event gets underway Friday and runs through Saturday night. This unique event was founded in 2005. It begins in Barnesville and runs some 200 miles down Hwy. 341 to the Georgia coast with yard sales and other events set up in towns and at homes all along the route.

It has become immensely popular with sellers and bargain hunters.

The chamber of commerce is setting up Barnesville’s official vending areas. Call 770-358-5884 for more information.

Accustomed to fires, vehicle accidents, violent crimes and other mayhem, first responders often deal with situations that have happy endings. Such was the case last week when a female motorist on the MLK bypass spotted a small puppy on the side of the road and stopped to check on it. Frightened by her approach, the puppy fled into a culvert where it cowered.

She called for help and sheriff’s deputies, firefighters and animal control responded. Eventually, firefighters used a small firehose to force water down the culvert from the other end and fire chief Douglas Matthews eventually contained the puppy with a catch loop device (top). The motorist and her boyfriend (bottom) decided to keep the puppy, which emerged cold and wet but unharmed, after learning Lamar did not have a no-kill shelter.

A Jonesboro man, charged along with his girlfriend with the murder of Roderick Crawford of Barnesville, hatched an elaborate plan to escape as he was being transported from the Clayton County jail to the Upson County courthouse for a preliminary hearing Feb. 4. [Full Story »] 

Former UGA running backs Nick Chubb and Sony Michel were in Barnesville Sunday afternoon for a football camp that was moved here from Stratford Academy in Macon due to sloppy field conditions there. The camp was a sellout at 250 kids whose parents paid $190-$250 each for the experience. The money funded a four-year scholarship for a needy student. A throng of parents and grandparents was also in attendance. “This is great exposure for us and our facilities,” LC head coach Jeff Sloan said.

Chubb and Michel played in a national title game as UGA seniors. Chubb had 996 yards rushing as a rookie for the Cleveland Browns this past season. Michel had 931 yards for the New England Patriots and won the 2019 Super Bowl in which he scored the only touchdown.

The annual community awards banquet was held Thursday night at the Farley Estate and was a sellout...

AND THE WINNERS ARE:

Citizen of the Year: Kelly Hughes

Businessperson of the Year: Kip Pelt

STAR student and teacher: Sera Elizabeth Davidson and Tracey Muise

Career Woman of the Year: U'landa Barkley

Law Enforcement Officer of the Year: Cpl. Jerry Rafferzeder

Firefighter of the Year: Truman Boyle

Volunteer of the Year: Beverly Eskridge

UPDATE: Despite missing 14 free throws and being ice cold from behind the three-point arc, the Lady Trojans gutted out a 63-62 win over Monticello Friday night in a game that went down to the last three tenths of a second. Injured starter Trinity Fuller was not present but watched on a live video feed in her room at the Macon Medical Center. Fuller nearly lost her leg after a severe injury a week ago that ruptured an artery in her leg.

The LC Lady Trojans (24-2, 12-0) host Monticello (15-13, 8-6) in the first round of the Class AA state tournament tonight.

Tipoff at the LC gym is set for 7 p.m. Monticello enters the tourney as the #4 seed from Region 8AA. LC is the #1 seed from Region 5AA.

A win would propel LC into the second round where they would host the winner of a first round game pitting KIPP vs. Model. That game would likely be played Wednesday, Feb. 20. Top-ranked Dodge County would be LC’s most likely opponent in the Elite 8 should they survive the first two rounds.

LC went to the Sweet 16 last year before being eliminated by Rabun County.

Lamar will be without junior standout Trinity Fuller who suffered a severe leg injury in last Friday's win over Bremen in the region title game. Fuller suffered a ruptured artery in her leg and extensive ligament damage. She spent several days in ICU at the Macon Medical Center. There is hope she can attend tonight's playoff game to cheer on her teammates.

Having been raised in her mother’s Barnesville dance studio, Marianna Ozier is accustomed to the spotlight but no stage she has graced came close to the opportunity she took advantage on Super Bowl Sunday.

Marianna danced in the halftime show at the big game - one of the most watched events in the world each year. She was within touching distance of Maroon 5 lead singer Adam Levine when he leapt off the stage and into the crowd of concert fans on the turf at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta. [Full Story »] 

The Lamar County Lady Trojans defeated Bremen 54-45 Saturday night here to win the Region 5AA tournament.

The game was halted for a long period in the seond half when Lady Trojan Trinity Fuller suffered a serious leg injury involving a fracture after a collision on the court. Fuller was splinted on the floor and taken by ambulance to the Macon Medical Center.

The Lady Trojans, coaches and cheerleaders huddled together to pray for Fuller who was named to the all-tournament team.

Star Tomiyah Alford had 24 points to lead LC (24-2) and was the only Lady Trojan in double figures.

Adam Ballard's team moves on to host a state tournament first round game next week.

TROJAN CUP SOCCER:
Round two finals Saturday

LC Trojans 5 Jordan 0

LC Lady Trojans 7 Upson-Lee 0