Headlines

A man claiming to be ‘God’ was arrested in the wee hours July 27 after accosting residents on Phillip Weldon Road while in the nude.

Warren and Linda Abrams said the man tried to break in the front door of their home at about 1:30 a.m. “I went to look, armed of course, and when I turned on the carport lights I saw a completely naked man. So, I called 911,” Warren Abrams told The Herald Gazette. [Full Story »] 

Crews will begin work Tuesday on resurfacing Van Buren Road, according to county clerk Carlette Davidson. It is unclear how long the work will take.

Lakievius Eleby, sentenced to life in prison for his role in the shooting death of a Gordon student on Dec. 5, 2010, has filed a motion seeking a new trial. [Full Story »] 

Thirty-five years ago today, 28-year-old Donna Ogletree Johnson was tortured then killed - her battered body found on an old logging road. The crime, arguably the most heinous in Lamar County history, remains unsolved.

At times since the killing, which shocked the community and scared many into locking their doors for the first time, the investigation has lagged but sheriff Brad White and district attorney Jonathan Adams have made it a priority. [Full Story »] 

From the Monroe County sheriff's office:

On July 14, 2019, The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office responded to a homicide on Tingle Road in Monroe County. The victim was 42 year-old Tryeflue Lerra O’Neal who lived at the residence. The victim was transported to the GBI Crime Lab for an autopsy. A juvenile suspect is in custody in South Carolina. Arrangements are being made to have the suspect transported back to Monroe County to face charges in this case. The case is under investigation and no further information will be released at this time.

(The Herald Gazette won multiple writing and photography awards for its coverage of the Great Flood of 1994. This is the lead story from the July 12, 1994 edition.)

By Walter Geiger

A frustrated would-be Hurricane Alberto, who grew only to tropical storm strength, cried himself to sleep over Barnesville-Lamar County and the surrounding area early last week dumping up to 25 inches of rain in a 48-hour period and causing extensive flash flood damage.

For the first time in its history, Lamar County was declared a Federal Disaster Area with initial damage estimates pegged at $3.2 million.

Miraculously, no deaths or serious injuries were reported locally but neighboring counties and those downstream on both the Ocmulgee and Flint rivers were not so fortunate.

The most serious problem here was the demise of the dam at the Barnesville city reservoir along Edie Creek. The 32-year-old earthen dam fell victim to onrushing floodwaters when its spillway proved woefully inadequate to handle the volume of water.

“The worst has happened. The dam is gone,” Barnesville city manager Kenny Roberts told an emergency meeting of the Barnesville city council Tuesday evening.
[Full Story »] 

By Kay S. Pedrotti

Maxine Smith found her way to Barnesville from the Midwest – Rockford Ill., and Milwaukee, Wisc. – but she took a detour through the battlefields of France in World War II.

She celebrated her 100th birthday on May 19. Her memory for the good things is intact, but some of the worst memories she doesn't talk about. In the “tent hospital” in Cherbourg, she said, the doctors treated all the wounded, but “those who were wounded bad enough went back to the States and those whose wounds were not that bad were sent back to the front.”

She said she joined the U.S. Army because her brothers did, and it was quite an experience for a 23-year-old just out of nursing school. “I felt I wanted to be of use,” said Smith. Her medical group had landed in France just after D-Day. [Full Story »] 

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.

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 »] 

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.

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

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.