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Rotary inducts officers; hands out member awards

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Sunday, July 7. 2019

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The Barnesville Rotary Club held its annual induction banquet June 18 at the Barnesville civic center with two members granted Hall of Honor status.

Floyd Moye accepted his induction plaque. The late Hayward Cox was also inducted posthumously. His award was accepted by his widow, Karen Cox. Linda Olivier received the president’s award and Bob Taylor was named Rotarian of the Year.

The 2019-2020 officer are Paul Stinson, president; Olivier, vice-president, president elect; Erica Johnson, secretary; Michael Keenan, treasurer; Taylor, sergeant at arms; Curtis Weaver, board of directors; Sherry Farr, chairman community and club service; Tim Turner, chairman fundraising; Kathy Oxford, chairman foundation committee; Dorothy Carter, chairman youth services committee; Kelli Mercer, chairman public relations committee; Kelvin Chute, chairman program committee; Bill Lindsey, Mr. Sunshine.

Future presidential nominees are Oxford, 2022-23; Keenan, 2023-24; and Weaver, 2024-25.

Man killed in Chappell Mill Road crash identified

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Walter Geiger

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Thursday, July 4. 2019

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Walkers out for morning exercise came upon a fatal crash scene in the 900 block of Chappell Mill Road here early July 4. The driver, a black male approximately 30 years old, had been partially ejected and his body was pinned under the vehicle, a 2004 Honda Accord.

Coroner Jim Smith has identified the victim as Thomas Jefferson Harris of 300 Patrol Rd. in Forsyth and estimate the crash time at about 2 a.m.
[Full Story »]

VFW Post to host July 4 events

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Walter Geiger

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Wednesday, July 3. 2019

The local VFW Post will hosts its annual Independence Day celebration Thursday. Events begin with the annual Hambone motorcycle ride. Registration begins at 9 a.m. with a mandatory safety meeting at 10 a.m.

The fee is $15 per rider and $5 per passenger with kickstands up at 11 a.m. The ride will begin and end at the VFW post. Events will last the day with various raffles, an auction, a bake sale, lunch plates and hot dogs for the kids. A big fireworks display will be launched when it gets dark.

For more information, call the post at 770-358-6612.

Additionally, Hamlin Hills in Forsyth will offer a big celebration Saturday, July 6 beginning at 7 p.m. which includes fireworks and a smoke-free concert. Barry Darnell and the Mobile Slim Band will headline the concert. Darnell and his band performed here earlier this year the the BBQ & Blues Festival.

Also on the bill are Eddie Johnson & The Southern Wings Band and Don Austin. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the gate. For more information, visit hamlinhills.com.

Man killed by lightning strike

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Walter Geiger

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Monday, July 1. 2019

A man was killed by a lightning strike here Monday evening. [Full Story »]

Posting addresses now mandatory on all newly-constructed homes here

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Walter Geiger

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Friday, June 28. 2019

In an effort to aid emergency personnel and first responders, the Lamar County commission is now requiring roadside address signs at all newly-constructed homes. “This is a requirement for new homes but we encourage everyone to do it,” commission chairman Charles Glass said.

The ordinance requires signs that measure at least 12 by six inches with numerals that are three-and-a-half to four inches high. Both the sign background and numerals must be reflective.

“I wish residents would go outside their homes and walk 60-100 feet down the road in both directions so they can see just how hard it is for us to spot their driveway in the dark. Rain makes it that much harder. Precious seconds spent looking for a driveway could save a life,” firefighter/EMT Charlie Muise observed.

The fire department will make and install the proper signage at your home for just $20. Forms are available at all fire stations and many other locations including Milner city hall.

For more information, call the county commission office at 770-358-5146.

Attorney blasts city after Wadsworth-Clayton cemetery win

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Walter Geiger

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Wednesday, June 26. 2019

City attorney Bobby Melton declined comment last week after the Georgia Court of Appeals issued the latest blow to Barnesville’s plan to relocate over 100 graves from the historic Wadsworth-Clayton cemetery.

In a ruling issued June 18, a three-judge panel denied an appeal filed by the city which sought to overturn Judge Tommy Wilson’s July 27, 2018 denial of a grave relocation permit. Judge Amanda Mercier wrote the opinion with justices Anne Elizabeth Barnes and Trent Brown concurring.

In the ruling, Judge Mercier wrote the evidence supported Judge Wilson’s denial, no reversible error of law appears and an opinion would have no value for setting future precedents. [Full Story »]

Youth volleyball camp upcoming

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Walter Geiger

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Tuesday, June 25. 2019

Coach Princess Banks at the Lady Trojan volleyball team are offering a youth camp for young players July 18-19 at the high school. Sessions will be held from 9-11:30 a.m. each day for kids ages 5-13.

For more information, call 770.358.8641.

Boys and Girls Club construction fast tracked

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Walter Geiger

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Friday, June 21. 2019

Barring unforeseen circumstances, at-risk children in Barnesville-Lamar County will have access to a Boys & Girls Club by early next year. At a steering committee meeting June 11, it was announced the opening date for the club is Jan. 13, 2020. [Full Story »]

Wadsworth descendants win again

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Walter Geiger

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Wednesday, June 19. 2019

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The Georgia Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of those fighting for the preservation of the Wadsworth-Clayton Cemetery and against the City of Barnesville which wants to move the cemetery to make room for industrial expansion.
[Full Story »]

Likely shooter in Fredonia Church Rd. double murder/suicide was charged in another shooting here in 2011

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Walter Geiger

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Thursday, June 13. 2019

At a press conference Thursday evening, sheriff Brad White indicated his suspicions that Frenchie Fambro was the likely shooter in a double murder/suicide earlier in the day on Fredonia Church Road.

Pending confirmation from GBI crime scene techs, White said it was likely Fambro, 55, shot Al Ogletree, 50, at his home at 159 Fredonia Church Road. Ogletree did not report for work Thursday morning and a relative checking on him found his body blocking the door. He had trauma to the head - likely a gunshot wound.

Fambro is also thought to have shot his stepfather, 88-year-old Charlie Sutton, who was found dead in a bed in his home at 234 Fredonia Church Road. Fambro was also dead in a bed in that home from what is likely a self-inflicted gunsot wound to the head. A gun was found near his body. Sutton's wife Annie is currently a superior court bailiff for the sheriff's department.

Fambro was invovled in another shooting here in 2011 but was one of the first people exonerated under Georgia's Stand Your Ground law which was new at the time.

Here is our online coverage from the day he was freed, Nov. 12, 2012:

For the second time, Frenchie Fambro has been cleared of any wrongdoing in connection with the July 21, 2011 shooting death of Christoper Martin Stepanski, 26.

Stepanski was shot and killed in the parking lot of JR Food Mart on College Drive in Barnesville.

Judge Bill Fears signed an order November 12, noting his finding that Fambro shot Stepanski in self defense. Testimony and forensics indicated Stepanski was in - or very near - Fambro's car when Fambo fired, striking Stepanski twice.

Judge Fears' order grants Fambro immunity from prosecution in the case.

Fambro, 49, had originally been charged with murder but chief magistrate William Thomas dropped that charge at a hearing on September 8, 2011. Fambro was later indicted on one count of involuntary manslaughter - the charge which Judge Fears has effectively dismissed.

Fambro has long been free on bond.

Three dead on Fredonia Church Rd.; bodies identified

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Thursday, June 13. 2019

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Lamar County sheriff's deputies are working two separate crime scenes on Fredonia Church Rd. where a total of three people are confirmed dead, according to Sheriff Brad White. [Full Story »]

Couple stranded by burst dam needs help

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Walter Geiger

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Tuesday, June 11. 2019

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A Lamar County couple is stranded at their home at 181 Ponderosa Lane after heavy rains burst a dam adjacent to their driveway, cutting a 12-15 foot ravine through their only means of access to their property.

James and Vivian Parker said a neighbor measured over seven inches of rain before the dam burst sometime Sunday night. The half-acre pond yielded only two fish after it was suddenly drained. A considerable amount of water is still running through the waterway and fire chief Douglas Matthews is trying to find some help for the couple. "It is going to take someone with an excavator," Matthews said.

If you can help or know someone who can, contact the Parkers at 770.358.2234 or chief Matthews at 678.603.5630.

No injuries in Hwy. 36 crash

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Walter Geiger

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Tuesday, June 11. 2019

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The driver of a tandem tractor-trailer rig walked away from this crash Tuesday morning on Hwy. 36 East. The driver told responding deputies he was talking on the phone to his boss when he lost control and ran off the roadway. The westbound rig overturned in a ditch on the northbound side of the highway at about 9:30 a.m.

75 years ago, Barnesville was bracing for news from D-Day invasion

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Walter Geiger

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Thursday, June 6. 2019

By Walter Geiger

As home to an outstanding military college with many decorated veterans on its faculty, Barnesville was well aware the D-Day invasion of Normandy was imminent 75 years ago this week.

By just after 7 a.m. on Tuesday, June 6 1944, everyone was tuned into their radios and street traffic was higher than normal as citizens discussed the turning point of the war, according to coverage in The News Gazette.

Multiple local soldiers were known to be in England preparing for the invasion. They included three brothers, T.Sgt. Cleveland Zellner, Pfc. Preston Zellner and Pfc. Cornell Zellner. They were the sons of Mrs. and Mrs. R. G. Zellner of Redbone. [Full Story »]

Puppy mill couple arrested again; bonds set, passports surrendered

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Walter Geiger

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Wednesday, June 5. 2019

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Investigators from the Georgia Department of Revenue and Lamar sheriff's deputies were back at the Matthews property at 900 Johnstonville Road Wednesday morning. John David and Latitia Matthews have been taken to jail on two counts each of tax evasion. More charges are possible. [Full Story »]