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Susan Byars stepping down from school board

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Friday, January 11. 2019

Lifelong educator Susan Byars is stepping down from her position as the District 3 member of the Lamar County Board of Education. Byars was first elected to the board in 2000. She has been a teacher, administrator, served briefly as school superintendent and has worked at Gordon State College.

"I have always believed that, if you're not effective in what you're doing, its probably time for you to discontinue the activity. I find myself in a situation where I can no longer be an effective voice on the board. With this in mind, I have decided to retire from education in Lamar County by resigning my position on the Board of Education," Byars said. Byars last ran for re-election in 2016 without opposition.

(Note: Byars penned a lengthy statement on her resignation that will appear as a letter to the editor in the 1.15.19 print edition of The Herald Gazette)

Judge Wilson hears motion for new trial for Joshua Cox

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Walter Geiger

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Thursday, January 10. 2019

In an unusual turn of events, the Towaliga circuit public defender was put on the stand as the only witness in a hearing for a new trial for convicted killer Joshua Cox Jan. 3 in Lamar superior court.

Cox is serving life with the possibility for parole for killing his drug dealer, Donald Terrell Clark, in the driveway of Clark’s home on Chappell Mill Road. He was convicted on Jan. 26, 2017. [Full Story »]

Officials: Escort service involved in Crawford case tied to similar crimes statewide

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Walter Geiger

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Tuesday, January 8. 2019

By Kay S. Pedrotti

Suspects in the killing of Roderick Crawford of Barnesville are now in two county jails under charges including malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, kidnapping and possession of firearms in the commission of a crime. Kiera Williams, 18, is incarcerated in Upson County, according to Upson sheriff Dan Kilgore. Alleged accomplice Cameron Jones is in the Clayton County detention facility, as is Ashanti Dorsey, arrested in connection with a similar crime in that county.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation reported in a press conference Monday that the three will likely face charges in other counties, and the “escort service” for which Williams is alleged to have worked appears to be connected with similar crimes throughout Georgia. [Full Story »]

Upson sheriff says Crawford killed after contacting escort service; suspects tied to other murders

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Walter Geiger

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Friday, January 4. 2019

This is the official release from Upson County sheriff Dan Kilgore regarding the murder of Roderick Crawford:

A body was located by an Upson County Deputy on Thursday evening January 3, 2019 just before 9:00. The deceased is believed to be Roderick Crawford of Barnesville who was reported missing from Lamar County on December 29th. Two individuals are in custody charged with Murder, Armed Robbery, Kidnapping, Aggravated Assault and Possession of a Firearm while in Commission of a Felony. They are identified as Cameron Jones, 20 and Kiera Williams 18. Williams is in the Upson County Jail and Jones is in the Clayton County Jail.

Investigation reveals that Crawford contacted Williams through an internet escort website and met her in Upson County. He was subsequently murdered and left behind an abandoned house located at 1414 Grantling Street in Upson County.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been requested to handle this investigation.

Dan Kilgore, Sheriff
January 4, 2019

UPDATE:

Williams and another woman, Ashanti Dorsey, are now charged with the murder of are now charged with the Dec. 21 murder of Mario Rashaad Edwards in Forest Park.

Sheriff Kilgore said Jones faces an additional murder charge for a separate Clayton County murder.

Members of the Clayton County Fugitive Squad arrested Dorsey Thursday, hours after became the first woman to top the county’s Most Wanted List.

Squad members captured Dorsey in DeKalb County for another murder charge separate from the Forest Park case.

Investigators believed Dorsey shot and killed a wanted man Wednesday after an argument on Lakeview Way in Clayton County.

The Clayton County Sheriff’s Office described Dorsey as a known prostitute who is a suspect in a series of robberies of men who solicited her services off of the internet.

Investigators believe all of the suspects met their victims through an escort website.

Williams is being held in the Upson County Jail, while Jones and Dorsey are in the Clayton County Jail.

GBI issues release on Crawford murder

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Walter Geiger

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Friday, January 4. 2019

The following release was issued by the GBI regarding the murder of Roderick Crawford at 6 p.m. Friday:

On Friday, January 4, 2019, the GBI arrested two individuals in connection with the death of Roderick Crawford, 46, of Barnesville, Lamar County, GA. Cameron Jones, 20, of Upson County, and Kiera Williams, 18, of Clayton County, both have been charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of certain crimes, and kidnapping. Jones is being held at the Clayton County Jail and Williams is being held at the Upson County Jail.

On Wednesday, January 2, 2019, the GBI was requested by the Lamar County Sheriff’s Office to assist with a missing person investigation. Preliminary information received was that on Saturday, December 29, 2018, Crawford was reported missing by his wife and was last seen on Friday, December 28, 2018.

During the investigation, Crawford’s vehicle was found abandoned in Clayton County, GA. A search for Crawford continued and on Thursday, January 3, 2019, a deceased male was located behind a residence on Grantling Street in Thomaston, GA. Based on preliminary information, the deceased male is believed to be Crawford.

The GBI, Lamar County Sheriff’s Office, Upson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office are continuing to follow leads in this investigation. Once the investigation is completed, the case file will be turned over to the District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

Heavy rains cause flooding; no major issues here

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Walter Geiger

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Friday, January 4. 2019

Rainfall totaling two to three inches fell on already saturated ground overnight Thursday leading to some localized flooding problems Friday morning.

Brinkley Road was closed. Bottoms Road and Turner Bridge Road were in bad shape, according to county manager Bob Zellner.

Potato Creek was well out of its banks in the area of the bridges on Piedmont and Ruffner roads.

"We had two to two and a half inches overnight and there was just no place for all that water to go," noted Barnesville city manager David Rose who reported a sewer lift station problem in Milner.

The rain, which has lasted all year, has ended. The sun will be out Saturday and Sunday with temperatures in the mid to high 60s.

Two 2018 mysteries carry over to New Year

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Walter Geiger

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Thursday, January 3. 2019

Two mysteries that fell into the laps of local law enforcement in 2018 will apparently carry over into the new year labelled ‘unsolved’. [Full Story »]

Missing person

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Staff Writer

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Sunday, December 30. 2018

Commission sets planning sessions

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Walter Geiger

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Thursday, December 27. 2018

The Lamar County commission has set two planning sessions at the Gordon nursing building to meet with constitutional officers to set goals and plan projects for 2019.

Meetings with the officers (elected officials) and department heads will be held in 15-minute increments on Jan. 4, 2019 from 8 a.m. - noon. A planning session to discuss findings will be held Jan. 11 from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Additionally, the commission will hold a public hearing Jan. 8 at 7 p.m. at the courthouse to take input on the comprehensive plan.

Bumbling robbers take their act to prison

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Walter Geiger

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Wednesday, December 26. 2018

Three hapless armed robbers, who bumbled their way through two armed robberies in the area, are now headed to prison after hearings before Judge Bill Fears in Monroe superior court. [Full Story »]

Kids say the darnedest things in sharing their lists with Santa

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Walter Geiger

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Friday, December 21. 2018

Christmas is upon us and the season just wouldn’t be the same without letters to Santa from children. This newspaper has been publishing them for generations and this year is no exception.

Hundreds of letters are included in the Dec. 18, 2018 print edition of The Herald Gazette which is on sale now.

Kids’ lists have changed over the years to include fancy electronics, iPhones, drones and Timberland boots but old favorites like Mario Brothers games, Playdoh, bikes, trampolines and go-karts still make many lists.

Exaggerations of good behavior to spur Santa to fill those lists is also a constant. This year, Elijah McKenzie writes, ‘Hey. I have been a good boy, even my Mom would agree’ before asking for a Nintendo Switch, PlayStation5 and games to go with them.

Aubrey has a very long list so she opened her letter with a glowing Christmas behavior resume. “I have been very good this year. I have done these very nice things like being nice to my friends, being good in school and cleaning my play room. Does Rudolph have a shiny nose?”.

“I have been kinda good. Please bring me a dinosaur that can open his mouth,” wrote Nicholas.

Clint Willoughby had an unusual request. He wrote, “I need presents. I would like a school bus.”

Caleb left part of his list to Santa’s imagination. “I want a trampoline and a pool, a hover board and a TV and Nerf guns and $100 and I want your hat. So, can I have one more thing please with ice cream on top and a cherry on top?”.

Keaston Brownlee went a different route, deciding to go big or go home with his list. “I want for Christmas an Overwatch, and I want an iPhone X. I want 500,000 dollars. I want Call of duty 4, a Nerf gun, Fortnite and Madden 19. I want Baseball 19 also. I want GTA 5 and 6. I want some Nikes, a ticket to an NBA game and a new PS4,” he pleaded.

As Art Linkletter said, “Kids say the darnedest things”.

Merry Christmas.

Man on run after local high speed chase was charged in murder of deputy in 2006

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Walter Geiger

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Wednesday, December 19. 2018

By Walter Geiger

A Macon man who is on the run after a high-speed chase here on Dec. 4 was one of five people arrested after the murder of Bibb County deputy Joseph Whitehead on March 23, 2006. Whitehead was shot and killed as he and other officers served a no-knock warrant at an alleged drug house in Macon.

Thomas Mason Porter was among those arrested. He later went to prison for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute in the aftermath of the shooting and was released on parole on September 24, 2010.

Porter now faces more prison time after the chase which began on I-75 at about 4:15 p.m. Sgt. Anthony Thompson and Dep. Hunter Hemphill were working the interstate as a two-man patrol when they spotted a white 2018 Dodge Charger weaving across the fog line of the southbound lane and stopped it. Porter, 32, was the driver. [Full Story »]

He's a champion!

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Walter Geiger

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Monday, December 17. 2018

Former LC standout Pippin Davis is celebrating a national championship after his Valdosta State team topped Ferris State 49-47 in the NCAA Division II championship game Saturday night in McKinney, Texas. Davis is the starting long-snapper on the team. He was a long snapper for the Trojans and starred at middle linebacker.

Pippin is the son of Pippa Lee and Jay Davis of Barnesville.

Growth, changes coming as new year draws nigh

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Walter Geiger

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Friday, December 14. 2018

By Walter Geiger

With a booming American economy that has filtered down to the local level, growth, change and some new projects will be coming to fruition in Barnesville-Lamar County during the coming new year.

On the industrial front, major expansions are expected at two existing local industries and at least two new industries will open or make great strides toward opening in 2019.

Continental Tire is nearing the end of an expansion of its tire cord manufacturing operations at Aldora Mills. The company has spent over $9 million on new equipment and improvements and expects to add 109 jobs this year. Employees at a plant in Porterdale, which the company is closing, have been offered some of those positions but many will be filled by new hires from the community.

Any sort of growth in the textile industry is a rarity in this day and time. Continental Tire credits the local expansion to the stability and reliability of the local workforce.
Jordan Forest Products is also moving toward serious expansion and reportedly hopes to acquire more land, including the abandoned Rivera Parts building across Grove Street from the current plant. [Full Story »]

Sharp Objects earns three Golden Globe nominations

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Walter Geiger

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Wednesday, December 12. 2018

HBO’s ‘Sharp Objects’ which was largely filmed here in 2017, earned a Golden Globe nomination last week for Best Television Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television. [Full Story »]