Features

The LC school system is in the process of installing internet access points at four locations around the county for distance/remote learning. Location details, log-in instructions and other information will be forthcoming soon.

"Rather than use wi-fi buses, we plan to plug these devices in at public places around the county where there is safe parking for uploading and downloading of school materials," superintendent Dr. Jute Wilson said.

From Anna Lewis, MCSO:

On August 2, 2020, at approximately 11:41 pm, Monroe County Sheriff's Office Deputies were dispatched to I-75 Southbound around mile marker 184 in reference to a tractor trailer accident with an unknown object in the middle of the road. Upon arrival, it was determined that a female pedestrian, later identified as Amanda Faye Banks of Flovilla, Ga, was struck by the tractor trailer and was deceased on scene.

The preliminary investigation reveals that the vehicle belonging to Ms. Banks was broken down in the immediate area of the fatal accident, and Ms. Banks was outside of her vehicle.

This fatality is still under investigation.

The Pack your Backpack back-to-school event will be held Aug. 6 at the LC fine arts center from 3-6 p.m. This will be a drive-thru event.

Volunteers are needed to pack the backpacks on Aug. 4 beginning at 1 p.m. Call Kellie Mercer at 678.572.8286 if you can help.

Congressman Doug Collins will deliver the keynote address at a first responders appreciation celebration to be held at Summers Field Park Sept. 4. The event is sponsored by the Lamar County Republican Party and begins at 5:30 p.m.

Others on the tentative program are mayor Peter Banks, Maj. Leslie Holmes, LTC Thomas Torbert, Sen. Marty Harbin, sheriff Brad White and chief Craig Cooper.

Democrat Chris Benton and Republican Beth Camp, who will face off in the race for the District 131 state house seat in the Nov. 3 general election, will also give remarks.

The event is being coordinated by Ashley Gilles and Julia Heidbrink.

A large red-tailed hawk cleans its talons in a puddle along Greenwood Street after an afternoon meal of pigeon du jour. The aerial predator hangs around town, feasting on rats, mice, squirrels, rabbits, pigeons and the occasional snake. The hawk is accustomed to being around people and is not camera shy.

With the start of school just over three weeks away, school superintendent Dr. Jute Wilson has promised to have a detailed plan for parents, staff and students by July 21. [Full Story »] 

The Georgia High School Association voted last week to phase in the use of a 30-second shot clock for basketball games. The clocks, which speed up the game and lead to more scoring, won’t be officially mandated until the 2022-23 season.

They will be used in 2021-22 in tournaments and showcase games. Regions can also vote to use them in region games, according to LCHS athletic director Mike Oberg.

“Last year, when this was brought up by the GHSA, we were informed that the Atlanta Hawks and the NBA were going to start an initiative to help schools financially with the addition of shot clocks to each gym,” Oberg said.

Head football coach Jeff Sloan, who will take over as AD in the coming school year, said the new gym does not have shot clocks but there is an add-on for the scoreboard to run them. School officials are currently getting quotes on the new shot clocks.

From Dr. Jute Wilson, superintendent of schools:

The final state budget from last week was better than expected. The additional state revenue (along with the workload ahead to resume school this fall) led us to recommend the removal of two furlough days from the calendar, cutting the furloughs down to three for all full time employees. The three furlough days will remain Feb 24-26 (winter break).

With the approval of this proposal, Thursday, July 23 & Friday, July 24 will be scheduled Pre-Planning workdays for all employees (190 day and up).

More information regarding Open House, start date, and COVID-19 considerations will be sent out later this week. As previously mentioned, we will change as needed to address the health and academic needs of our community. Please check school email and social media sites to stay updated.

The attached calendar proposal will be submitted to the Lamar County Board of Education for approval at the July 20 Board Meeting.

Stay safe. Have a blessed 4th of July.

Rapper Al Coe (right) shot portions of a video which will support a future release here on Father’s Day. Scenes were shot at the Lamar County jail and at the main courtroom in the courthouse. With Coe is location scout Dwight Dyer who brought the shoot to Barnesville and plans to bring more production work here.

In light of the 'new norm' of social distancing in our world, the Lamar County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) recently elected to host a "Kindness Rocks" challenge for its citizens. In this month-long challenge, individuals can find hidden, painted river rocks at the Lamar County Wetlands Nature Trail off Roberta Drive and post photos of themselves holding the painted rocks to the Lamar County SWCD Facebook page.

Upon submission to the SCWD Facebook page, the individual will be entered to win a neat door prize! This allows for proper social distancing as well as a chance to explore the local nature trail with family and friends.

For more information, call 770.358.0787 ext. 3.

Lillie Mae McCoy will celebrate her 100th birthday Friday, June 26 and a special drive-by parade is planned in her honor. McCoy will also receive a proclamation honoring her milestone from mayor Peter Banks.

The parade will form up at East Mt. Sinai Baptist Church at 2 p.m. and circle by McCoy’s home on 1st Street. Participants are asked to bring a balloon to tie to a tree in her yard. For more information, call Pearlene Jones at 478.538.5325

Former commissioner Roberta Jones was honored by the Lamar County commission June 16 with a proclamation denoting her 90th birthday. Roberta Drive is named for Jones. Shown are (l-r) commissioner Bennie Horton, Culandra F. Hunter, a member of Jones' church; and her son, Dr. Curtis Jones, one of the top education administrators in the nation.

Memo from Dr. Jute Wilson, school superintendent:

We were pleased to receive notice from Governor Kemp's office late last week of a budget cut from the initial 14% reduction to a projected 11% reduction for next school year. We originally planned for 10 furlough days for all staff. However, through the assistance of Cares Act funding, savings from reduced operational expenses during the shutdown, a 2% cut to non-salary expenditures next year, and borrowing an estimated $1.2 million from the fund balance (savings), we are happy to present an approved calendar consisting of 5 furlough days (3 student days and 2 professional learning days). Employees who traditionally work 180-day (most SNP, bus drivers, many paras) will only experience 3 furlough days, since they are not scheduled to work on PL days.

We will all take 3 furlough days Feb 24-26, immediately after the 2-day winter break. July 23 & 24 will be furlough days as well. These calendar reductions will be spread out between all 12 paychecks to reduce the impact.

This calendar contains 177 student days; a full week for Fall Break, Thanksgiving Break, 2 weeks at Christmas, and a full week for Winter & Spring Break.

Preplanning is scheduled to begin Monday, July 27. Open House is Wednesday, July 29. The first day of school will be Friday, July 31. The last day of school is scheduled to be May 21st with graduation on May 22nd. Adjustments may be made depending on state or federal guidelines (COVID-19, weather emergencies, etc).

We will send out an updated calendar tomorrow with corrected margins, but we wanted to inform you of the revised schedule, so you can plan accordingly.

Thank you for your patience, understanding, and resilience as we work through these unpredictable times.

Please direct any questions to your supervisor. Enjoy your summer.

Go Trojans!

A unique event is on tap for June 27 which will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia of which the new Barnesville club is affiliated. The Duck Derby takes place along the Yellow River near Porterdale. Participants sponsor a duck for $20. On derby day, 6000 numbered ducks are dumped into the river and follow a roped course to the finish line. The owner of the winning duck takes home $10,000.

You can buy a duck at the local club building at the rear of the LCES campus or online at bgcngc.com/duckderby. If you purchase online, make sure to select Barnesville in the portal so the local club benefits from your donation. For more information, call Sandra Watts at 678.572.3156.