Opinion

By T. J. Imberger
Event chairman

The national spotlight will be on Barnesville soon as the smell of hickory smoke starts to work its way through town. The stars and crew of the TV reality show BBQ Pitmasters will soon find out what we already know – Barnesville is a great example of what small town USA is all about.

The Barnesville BBQ and Blues Festival is in its ninth year of showcasing some of the best barbecue and music in the Southeast. So much so that several months ago we were contacted by Discovery Channel’s producers of BBQ Pitmasters to bring the filming of a one hour episode here to Barnesville, only one of 10 episodes to be filmed for season four of the show. [Full Story »] 

By Kay S. Pedrotti

Nobody’s talking “yes or no” on whether the Arkansas giant Walmart will try to stomp down in Barnesville. If it happens -- and where it’s supposed to happen -- it could be a bigger nightmare than the city or county has faced in the eight years I’ve been here, other than the 2011 tornado. [Full Story »] 

By Walter Geiger

I’ve heard a lot of motivational speeches in my life. Quite frankly, most have been snoozers with an occasional treat thrown in. Last week, however, I was spellbound as Jackie Harmon spoke at an academic achievement banquet.

Harmon, then 15, moved to Griffin with her mother and a man her mother had taken up with.

Turns out the man was an abusive drunk who beat Jackie’s mom and once split open her skull.

When he was through kicking them around, the man kicked Jackie and her mom out of the house [Full Story »] 

It is rare, but occasionally, reporters become part of the story or stories they are covering.

The first example that springs to mind is that of Woodward and Bernstein and the Watergate scandal. They basically created ‘investigative reporting’ as they dug into the Watergate burglary and the scandalous coverup that followed it. They and their sources became part of the story and some actually were subpoenaed to give testimony that ultimately forced President Richard Nixon out of the White House. [Full Story »] 

By Walter Geiger

As I sipped coffee and slowly brought my brain to life on the second morning of the Daylight Saving Time period, I began pondering the whole notion of messing with our clocks - both inner and outer. Maybe I am just older and grumpier but I hate the time change. [Full Story »] 

Saturday was not a great day for soccer along the banks of the Chattahoochee River in Duluth.

It was freezing. A biting wind was blowing in off the river and the occasional snow flake or frozen rain drop hit the bill of my cap. [Full Story »] 

By Walter Geiger

Decades ago, a pending trip to Atlanta brought excitement. Back in the 1970s, Atlanta was electric. Now, not so much.

I’m older. Atlanta has changed. [Full Story »] 

An Atlanta publication has come up with a list of just what Georgia will see cut if sequestration goes through. It is not pretty. [Full Story »] 

By Walter Geiger

Imagine, if you will.

It is the early 1960s.

You’re a successful young businessman who has already served five years on the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. You have begun what will be a seven-term stint in the Georgia House of Representatives where you will soon become chairman of its most powerful committee. [Full Story »] 

By Laura Melton Geiger
Publisher

My Daddy, Quimby Melton Jr., was a Southern gentleman. He grew in grace and in spirit and in love. When he left this mortal Earth he left it as a Christian. He was 90 years old.

Most of all, he loved and cherished my Mama. For 69 years they were true to the vows they took on June 30, 1943 before they passed under the crossed sabers in their full military wedding at Fort Riley, Kansas. They indeed loved and cherished each other, till death they did part. [Full Story »] 

Ray Lewis has a Super Bowl trophy but Richard Lollar and Jacinth Baker are 13 years in the grave - stabbed to death outside an Atlanta nightclub in the aftermath of a party that followed the 2000 Super Bowl in Atlanta. [Full Story »] 

At long last, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton appeared before lawmakers at a Congressional hearing last week to answer questions regarding the attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya which occurred on September 11, 2012. [Full Story »] 

By Judge William Thomas
Lamar County chief magistrate

Most of us recognize decisions have consequences.

Responsible parents teach their children this. We know better decisions mean better results. The decision to “party like there’s no tomorrow” may be literally true. The decision to imbibe in a variety of controlled or illegal substances, including that new “killer party drink” may have dire consequences. [Full Story »] 

The inimitable Sheila Tolley now has her own blog. [Full Story »]