Features

The 43rd annual Buggy Days festival is in the books and has been deemed a success. For full coverage, see the 9.20.16 print edition of The Herald Gazette.

Image slideshow inside [Full Story »] 

By Walter Geiger

Part family reunion, part homecoming and 100% pure Americana, the 43rd annual Buggy Days festival shifts into two-mule mode this week with multiple activities on tap.

This year’s theme is ‘See old friends and make new acquaintances’ - words adapted from the song ‘Buggy Days’ written years ago by late Barnesville native, inventor, songwriter, and unapologetic local booster Reuben Ware.

This past weekend, window decorations downtown were judged and Victoria Hatten was crowned Miss Buggy Days at the annual beauty pageant.
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In a surprise move, Bobbie Jo Sumner, who faces multiple charges stemming from the hit and run death of Alexandra Noelle Desir in 2013, took the stand in Lamar superior court Wednesday during a hearing on a motion to suppress evidence. Sumner basically refuted the defense argument and the motion was denied.
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Due to a snafu with its fax machine, the chamber of commerce may not have received your application for the Buggy Days parade if you sent it by fax. Those who faxed such applications are encouraged to send them again to be sure. The fax number there is 770.358.5886. You can also call the chamber office at 770.358.5884 or parade chairman Tim Cherry at 770.358.2789.

An Upson County man was shot by Lamar deputies Thursday afternoon after a high speed chase that ended on O'Neil Street between Lamar County High School and Aldora Mills. [Full Story »] 

Ranger First Class Keith Page of Lamar County was named Ranger of the Year for DNR’s Region IV which is centered in Macon. Page received his award Aug. 21 at a ceremony in Savannah.

Over the past year, Page conducted 460 license checks and 210 vessel inspections. He handled 32 citizen complaints and carried out 30 state property patrols.

He and his canine partner, Drake, also participated in six search and rescue operations. They located four lost children in the Oconee National Forest and rescued a family of five from swift waters on the Flint River.

Page and Drake also logged 60 hours assisting local law enforcement and other agencies. Those calls primarily involved searches for fugitives and the location of weapons and other evidence in criminal investigations.

A woman was taken to an area hospital Friday morning after a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Veterans Parkway and Atlanta Street. [Full Story »] 

In just two years, Lamar Gives 365 has grown to more than 200 members, giving more than $50,000 in grants to community organizations. This year’s Kickoff Event for Lamar Gives 365 will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25 at the Barnesville Civic Center, giving citizens the chance to make a difference in the community.

“There will be refreshments served and the Kickoff is open to both members and nonmembers,” said communications committee chairperson Lanie Long. “The Kickoff Event is an opportunity for members to renew membership and for nonmembers to learn about the program and how it benefits our community.” Recent recipients of local grants will be featured during the short presentation as they share their story and how Lamar Gives 365 has benefited their efforts in the community. [Full Story »] 

After tuneup scrimmages with Athena U17 and U18 teams from Concorde Fire earlier this week, the Gordon Lady Highlanders host a preason game tonight against Georgia Southwestern at the Gordon pitch. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m.

Regular season play begins Tuesday when Oxford College comes in for a 7 p.m. match.

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The Greenwood Cemetery Preservation Association (GCPA) was incorporated as a 501(c)3 tax-exempt nonprofit organization and recently unveiled their new website - gcpalamar. org. The mission of the GCPA is “To promote the protection, preservation, care and appreciation of the Greenwood Cemetery and to strive in all its efforts to insure the cemetery is maintained with honor and dignity for now and generations to come.” [Full Story »] 

Editor’s update: The attorneys representing Fred Barley and Casey Blaney agreed August 1 to terms establishing a trust fund for him from the $184,000 raised in the GoFundMe account by donors. The following article best sums up the situation, according to one close to it. Barley is living in student housing at Gordon State instead of a dorm, as reported earlier by The Herald Gazette.

ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUION

Sunday, July 31, 2016

In the past two weeks, Fred Barley has captured the hearts of people across the country, and a little bit of their wallets. He has Casey Blaney to thank for much of that.

Fred is the young black man who said he was homeless when he bicycled six hours to register at a college here in Middle Georgia, intent on becoming a doctor. Casey is the white housewife who started a GoFundMe campaign for him, which exploded across the internet and raised $184,000.

Their story — his determination in the face of homelessness, her offering a hand up, not a handout — became a widely beloved feel-good yarn in this summer of cynicism, racial tension and worry. But with whiplash speed, this heart-warming tale has devolved into an internet-fueled soap opera. Doubts emerged about Fred’s story. Fred and Casey clashed over who should control the money. Finally, on Wednesday evening, everything abruptly came to a halt when Casey publicly challenged the veracity of his story. [Full Story »] 

The LC Lady Trojans volleyball team opens the season today when Brooks County comes to town.

The junior varsity plays at 5 p.m. with the varsity getting underway at 6 p.m. at the Trojan gym.

Matches with Spalding originally set for Tuesday have been moved to Thursday at Trojan gym. The JV match is set for 5 p.m. with the varsity match to follow.

A teenage driver suffered a compound fracture to one arm and was briefly entrapped after rolling the SUV he was driving on Mott Road here just before noon Friday.

A male passenger was uninjured.

The driver was taken to the Medical Center in Macon by ambulance. The SUV was heavily damaged.

Lamar County schools will open at the end of July with school starting Friday, July 29.

Students and parents will meet with teachers and find their way to new classrooms during Open House Wednesday, July 27 from 2-6 p.m. at all schools. The school’s 2016-17 calendar will include 180 days of instruction with 10 professional days for teachers and administrative staff. [Full Story »]