Headlines

Gov. Brian Kemp’s order shutting down all Georgia public schools last week was not unexpected but it was a big blow to the seniors of the Class of 2020. [Full Story »] 

(Note: This story was written for print at 1 p.m. Monday, April 6.)

Lamar County had 14 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of noon Monday, according to the state department of health (DPH). That count doubled from the total of seven listed at 7 p.m. Sunday. As Easter approaches, health officials expect this to be the worst week of the coronavirus pandemic.

Statewide, there were 7314 confirmed cases with 1332 hospitalizations and 229 deaths. Lamar was not listed as having a recorded death but coroner Jim Smith confirmed a local resident who died at an area hospital earlier this month tested positive for coronavirus.

Nearby, two people - males ages 50 and 73 - died in Spalding County. A 77-year-old male from High Falls in Monroe County also succumbed. All had underlying medical issues.

“Six feet apart or six feet under. Which do you prefer?” That is how one local official summed up the predicament facing the citizens of Lamar County who are, along with everyone in Georgia, under a shelter in place order.
[Full Story »] 

Butts County sheriff Gary Long has updated information on Sunday's murder at Jackson Glenn subdivision just across I-75 on Hwy. 36 and near the Lamar County line.

The dead man has been identified as William Ryan Ray, 30, of Jenkinsburg. He was gunned down near the subdivision's swimming pool. Cody Bryce Matthews, 20, is wanted for murder but remains at large.

Additionally, Autumn Keara Finlay, 21, who was originally thought to have been taken hostage by Matthews, is now believed to be aiding him in avoiding capture. Warrants have been taken for her for aiding and abetting a fugitive. Matthews and Finlay are still thought to be in the area.

They are considered to be armed and dangerous. If you spot them, call 911.

A portion of McKenzie Road has been closed to replace a broken pipe.

Johnstonville Rd. has been reopened.

The LC school system has released an informational video regarding instruction, etc. for the rest of the school year. Schools will not reopen but lessons will continue.

Next week was originally spring break. Community meal delivery will be suspended for that week. [Full Story »] 

By Kay S. Pedrotti

Milner council member George Weldon revealed last Monday that he had “signed off” on a change in house sizes in Vintage Park in 2018, from 1700 square feet to 1400 square feet, without receiving approval from the city council.

Weldon’s initials appear on a subdivision agreement with Henco Development, owned by Keith Kenney; the builder is Alan Atha. The reason given for wanting the change, Weldon said, was because “1,700 square feet would put the house prices out of reach” of first-time home buyers. [Full Story »] 

Peaches to Beaches got underway Friday and runs through Saturday at 6 p.m.

The official stops in Lamar County are Antiques on Atlanta, 100 Atlanta St., Barnesville; Buggytown Auction, 1315 Hwy. 41 S., Barnesville and Barnesville Lamar County Chamber of Commerce. The official vendor sites are marked with large banners with the logo.

Participants can enter the Shop ’Til You Drop Contest by having the entry form stamped at at the official sites. Information and forms can be obtained at the Barnesville-Lamar County Chamber of Commerce, 770-358-5884.

A Pike County man is in the Lamar County jail on charges of child molestation, incest, statutory rape and enticing a child for indecent purposes after being sentenced on a similar charge in Pike County last week.

Isrrael Paredes Guadarrama, 36, of 16124 Barnesville St. in Zebulon, is in jail here awaiting trial. [Full Story »] 

Heavy rains falling overnight on already soggy ground played havok with local roads but only one - Brinkley Road - is closed this morning.

That could change with more rain on the way. Commission chairman Charles Glass reported all other roads were passable but urged drivers to use caution.

Human remains - a skull and assorted bones - found in woods off the MLK bypass here Oct. 9, 2018 have been identified by the GBI crime lab. [Full Story »] 

The driver of a pickup truck died Tuesday morning when his truck was hit by a train. The accident occurred near the Monroe County line on Hwy. 41 South. The crash happened about 11:20 a.m.

UPDATE: The victim has been identified as Ben. F. Day of Griffin. [Full Story »] 

A 70-year-old Lamar County man was arrested Feb. 12 and charged with one count of child molestation after he allegedly touched the genital area of a six-year-old girl. [Full Story »] 

Following the lead of several other counties, the Lamar County commission agreed last week to contract out right-of-way mowing and litter pick-up on county roads. BCLS of Dacula, Ga. got the contract with a bid of $212,940. [Full Story »]