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Judge Fears recuses himself in Sumner hit and run case

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Thursday, June 29. 2017

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Judge Bill Fears recused himself from presiding over the upcoming trail of Bobbie Jo Sumner. Judge Fears signed the order on the fourth anniversary of the date on which Sumner allegedly ran down Gordon State College student Alexandra Noelle Desir on Rose Avenue in Barnesville and fled the scene. [Full Story »]

Schools want staggered bell schedule input

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Walter Geiger

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Wednesday, June 28. 2017

LC school system administrators are considering staggering bell schedules at the four schools beginning this summer in order to solve multiple transportation and other issues.

The proposed change would set the school day for the high and middle schools at 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. with the primary and elementary school days running from 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. [Full Story »]

Travis Ball sentenced in anthrax hoaxes

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Walter Geiger

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Tuesday, June 27. 2017

Convicted serial arsonist Travis Ball, suspected of setting multiple arson fires in Lamar and surrounding counties, was convicted of mailing hoax anthax threats from state prison to the State Bar of Georgia, Church of Latter Day Saints and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in April, 2016.

He is also the prime suspect in mailing a hoax anthrax threat to The Herald Gazette.

[Full Story »]

DA goes 71 for 72 on true bills

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Walter Geiger

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Thursday, June 22. 2017

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By Walter Geiger

In a sharp departure from what had been the norm, district attorney Jonathan Adams and his team have eschewed the practice of no-billing cases, drawing praise from Lamar County sheriff Brad White.

“My investigators and I were impressed. We feel as if the district attorney’s office has our backs again,” sheriff White said. [Full Story »]

County tables grave relocation decision

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Walter Geiger

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Tuesday, June 20. 2017

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The Lamar County commission voted unanimously Tuesday night to table approval of a burial disturbance permit for the City of Barnesville regarding the Wadsworth Cemetery off Old Milner Road.

Ctty manager Kenny Roberts spoke for the city. Many residents spoke against the permit.

The county will meet at 6 p.m. July 13 to make a decision. It added a condition that proper miltary respect be given to any military members in the cemetery. Roberts said the cty would comply with that.

Wadsworth Cemetery disinterments, reburials to be supervised

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Walter Geiger

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Friday, June 16. 2017

By Walter Geiger

In preparation for the removal of what is thought to be some 103 graves from the historic Wadsworth Cemetery to make room for industrial expansion, the City of Barnesville has done extensive research and preparation.

Its application to exhume those buried there and relocate their remains to Greenwood Cemetery will be the subject of a public hearing June 20 at 7 p.m. at the courthouse. [Full Story »]

Former teacher arrested again

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Walter Geiger

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Thursday, June 15. 2017

Brandy Lynn Nickels, 41, of Williamson and a former Griffin High School teacher, who resigned her teaching position following her arrest May 18 has been arrested again. In the original case Nickels was charge with two counts of statutory rape, two counts of sexual assault by a teacher, two counts of sexual battery, two counts of child molestation, four counts of sodomy and two counts of enticing a child. [Full Story »]

Be on the lookout for inmates who killed guards, escaped

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Walter Geiger

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Tuesday, June 13. 2017

Two state inmates have escaped after killing two prison guards and they are on the run. They are considered armed and dangerous and anyone who sees them is asked to call 911 immediately. [Full Story »]

City plans to relocate graves from industrial site

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Walter Geiger

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Wednesday, June 7. 2017

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By Walter Geiger

A public hearing is scheduled for June 20 at the Lamar County courthouse on a request by the City of Barnesville to relocate approximately 103 graves from an industrial site off Old Milner Road to Greenwood Cemetery.

The hearing will begin at 7 p.m. [Full Story »]

Casting underway for Barnesville HBO shoot

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Walter Geiger

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Tuesday, June 6. 2017

A casting call is out for extras for an upcoming HBO shoot in Barnesville June 22-July 10.

Though it is not specifically mentioned, the call is for local filming of eight episodes of the new HBO series 'Sharp Objects', based on the book of the same name by Gillian Flynn who also wrote 'Gone Girl' which was made into a major motion picture. [Full Story »]

Smith-Scott received almost $1 million; ignores repayment demands

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Walter Geiger

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Thursday, June 1. 2017

By Walter Geiger

Officials at Georgia’s Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) trusted April Smith with monies from its oft-abused Summer Food Service Program to the point they sent her nearly $1 million in public funds from 2007 to last year when it all began to unravel.

Cases of operators like Smith abusing the program were rampant until the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which provides billions for meals nationwide, mandated oversight. It was that oversight program that ended Smith’s days as an operator. [Full Story »]

Great puppy chase ends in arrests

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Walter Geiger

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Tuesday, May 30. 2017

The theft of three Yorkie puppies worth about $5000 from a Zebulon Road home in Milner resulted in a high speed chase and the capture of two of the three Cruella Deville wannabes involved. [Full Story »]

Castleberry, Waller to lead Class of 2017

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Walter Geiger

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Friday, May 26. 2017

Valedictorian Amber Castleberry and Salutatorian Brannon Waller will lead the Lamar County High School Class of 2017 through graduation exercises Saturday morning at Trojan Field at 9 a.m.

Castleberry and Waller have excelled in both their high school classes and college curriculum through the Lamar County’s dual-enrollment program with Gordon State College. Both Castleberry and Waller will continue their studies in their chosen fields at Mercer University next in the fall. [Full Story »]

Milner's Pecan Festival is Saturday

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Walter Geiger

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Thursday, May 18. 2017

Milner’s Pecan Festival will return for a second year this Saturday, May 20.

The event will be held at Milner City Park from 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. and will feature many of the same attractions as last year’s event including the Run Like a Nut 5K, about 30 food and craft vendors, a car show, a corn hole tournament, face painting and kids activities. [Full Story »]

Caps, gowns and smiles at GSC graduation

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Walter Geiger

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Friday, May 12. 2017

A huge throng of parents, family members and well-wishers was on hand at Gordon State College on a beautiful Spring morning Friday for commencement exercises on Lambdin Green. New this year were decorated mortarboards after the college relaxed its rules regarding them.

The commencement address was delivered by Dr. Tommy Hopkins of Griffin, chairman of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.