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(A link to the online survey is inside this open post.)

The school board is seeking input into the upcoming decision on the 2021-22 school calendar. The options being considered are:

Option 1: Earlier completion (May 20), reduced "Winter Break"
Teacher workday Tuesday, January 4, 2022
School starts Wednesday, January 5, 2022
Winter Break Monday, February 21, 2022
Teacher workday Tuesday, February 22, 2022
LAST STUDENT DAY Friday, May 20, 2022
LAST TEACHER DAY Wednesday, May 25, 2022

Option 2: Later Completion (May 27), full week of "Winter Break"
Teacher workday Wednesday, January 5, 2022
School starts Thursday, January 6, 2022
Winter Break Monday, February 21 - Friday Feb 25, 2022
Teacher workday Monday, March 21, 2022
LAST STUDENT DAY Friday, May 27, 2022
LAST TEACHER DAY Thursday, June 2, 2022



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A 37-pound grass carp gave veteran local fisherman Johnny Torbert and his wife Nadine all they could handle on a trip to a local pond last week. Johnny saw the big fish struggling and assumed it was wrapped in fishing line or had something in its throat. He threw a lure and hooked it. The fish came to life, making several runs and finally breaking Johnny’s rod. [Full Story »] 

The early childcare program at LCHS has established a mock childcare lab and needs various items for its project-based learning initiatives.

Essential needs include shelves. book storage, mats, a baby crib, high chair, toys, baby walkers, car seats of various sizes, a child-size table set and other related items.

If you can help, contact Princess Banks at 770.358.8641 or e-mail [email protected]

DPH and the local health department have cancelled Thursday's drive through COVID-19 testing event at Southern Rivers Energy due to the forecast of cold, rainy weather.

There is a full schedule of vaccinations today at the same location. Appointments are required.

Pre-K packets for Lamar County Primary School will be available starting February 16 at the primary school. The packets will be in a bin in front of the Lamar County Primary School at 154 Burnette Rd.

Registration will begin at the primary school on Monday, March 8 and every Monday thereafter in March (March 8, March 15, March 22, and March 29 only). Registration will begin at 8 a.m. and end at 4 p.m. on March 29, 2021. At that time, if we do not have 132 students, it will become a first come, first served registration.

We will be checking temperatures at the door. All parents are required to wear a mask. Due to Covid-19, we are only allowing the parent into the building to register the child. Please leave all children at home. If you are sick with any cold symptoms, please wait until the next Monday. Lottery, if necessary, will be held Wednesday, April 14 at 1:00 p.m. at the Fine Arts Building located beside the primary school.

If 132 students are registered for the Pre-K program on March 29, then it will not be necessary to have the lottery to draw numbers.

Children must turn 4 years old on or before September 1, 2021 to be age-eligible for the program.

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Stephanie Nash at the Lamar County Primary School at 770-358-8661.

The Red Cross Blood Drive held here Jan. 28 was deemed a success by Charles Glass who spearheads collection efforts here.

“Last year we got 44 units at our January drive. The Red Cross set our goal for this month at 46 units. We collected 53 units. We had seven Power Red donors, our most ever,” Glass reported.

The drive was sponsored by the Rotary Club, Women’s League and First United Methodist Church. The next drive is set for March 25.

The LC Wrestling team defeated Dodge County last weekend 54-22 and will host the GHSA Class AA State Duals Championships Saturday beginning at 9 a.m.

The meet will be held in the new high school gym.

Eight teams qualified. In addition to Lamar, they are Oglethorpe County, Dade County, Lovett, Banks County, Vidalia, Toombs County and East Laurens.

The City of Barnesville is warning of water service interruptions beginning Wednesday, Jan 27 on Washington, Jenkins, Jackson, 1st and 2nd streets. The disruptions will be intermittent for the next three weeks.

There may also be some water discoloration after service is restored. Residents should run their cold water until it is clear before drinking or doing laundry.

The city is improving water and sewer infrastructure in the areas listed and received $750,000 in CDBG funds to do the work. The water line work is 90% complete. Sewer line work will begin within the next month.

If you need more information or have questions, call city hall at 770.358.0181.

A Red Cross Blood Drive will be held here Jan. 28 from 1-6 p.m. in the fellowship hall at First United Methodist Church. The drive is sponsored by the Barnesville Rotary Club and the Women’s League.

Safety protocols will be in effect including a mask requirement, distancing and hand sanitizing. The Red Cross will screen for COVID-19 antibodies so donors will be able to learn if they have been exposed to the virus.

Lamar County has been very supportive of blood drives. The previous 42 drives have collected almost 2000 units of blood. The goal for this drive is 55-60 units.

You can make an appointment and get more information by calling 1.800.RED CROSS or by visiting redcrossblood.org and using the sponsor code ‘lamar’.

Registration and orientation for the extended semester program at Lamar County High School is set for Jan. 21 at the media center from 3-6 p.m. The program is designed to help students who have failed one or more classes.

For more information, call the high school at 770.358.8641.

Lamar County is growing, adding homes and the people who live in them. Fire chief Douglas Matthews and his team have to plan to grow their department to meet the ever expanding needs that growth brings.

“As the number of structures increases and our population increases, our call volume grows,” Matthews said. So, the county fire department is looking to hire six full time firefighters and is currently taking applications. [Full Story »] 

The Centennial Monument on the courthouse lawn will be unveiled Friday, Jan. 8. The observance will begin at 11 a.m.

Commissioner Nancy Thrash will welcome those in attendance and the LCHS Junior ROTC color guard will present the colors.

Commissioner Bennie Horton will lead the Pledge of Allegiance and offer the invocation. Commission chairman Charles Glass and commissioner Robert Heiney will speak on the history of the county.

Commissioner Ryran Traylor will read a proclamation and the monument will be unveiled. Glass will deliver closing remarks.

The event is open to the public.

Todaysia Colquitt, a Lamar County native and 2007 LC grad, has joined the Lamar County administrative staff as an accountant. She began her accounting career with the State of Georgia and has vast knowledge of governmental accounting.

She is currently pursuing a masters degree through Clayton State University with the goal of becoming a CPA.

She is an active member of The American Institute of CPAs and enjoys spending time with family, engaging with her artistic talents and serving her church.