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Local news:

Storms blow through area

A line of severe thunderstorms blew through Barnesville-Lamar County before dawn Sunday May 11 and the county was placed under a tornado warning for a time. The City of Barnesville activated its emergency alert system at about 5:30 a.m.

There were no immediate reports of severe damage.

Doppler radar did indicate rotation on a storm in extreme south Lamar but there has been no confirmation of a twister touching down. There are reports of some damage near the intersection of Yatesville Road and Highway 74 in Upson County.

If you have storm damage in your area, e-mail us at news@barnesville.com.

Update: A tour of the county after daylight revealed only limbs down in most areas. There is some damage in Upson County along Highway 74 and in Monroe County near the intersection of highways 74 and 42 and in the Southern Waters residential development.

Tabletop fund-raiser set for Friends

The art of dining is no slight art, the pleasure not a slight pleasure
--Michel de Montaigne

The art of dining will be on full, sumptuous display Sunday, May 18, from 1-4 p.m., when the Barnesville-Lamar County Friends of the Library host the first "Fun-Raiser Tablescapes" at the library.

“As true as the old saying may be that we are what we eat, it is equally true, if not more so, that we are how we eat,” said organizer Juanita Girardeau. “The latter concept is worth our special attention in the current fast-food, dine-and-dash, multitasking culture.

Proceeds from the event will be used to buy needed items for the library, such as chairs for Storytime and Summer Reading Program. The Friends of the Library selected decorators, interior designers, antique dealers and florists to design a "tablescape" around a specific theme, which will be punctuated by a library book based on that same theme.

Tickets are $5 each and are available at the library and at Goggans Florist, Miss Bessie's Tea Room, and at the door. Refreshments will be served.

“Come support the Library and enjoy the finer things,” said Girardeau.

For information call 770-358-3270.

Ramah plans baccalaureate

Ramah Primitive Baptist Church will hold a baccalaureate service for graduating high school seniors at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 18. Participating seniors should arrive by 1:45 p.m. for lineup at the fellowship hall.

RSVP forms with the number attending should be sent to the high school at #1 Trojan Way, Barnesville, 30204, by Friday, May 9.

Information: Vickie Hardaway, 770-358-8641.

Milner man killed in motorcycle crash

A 48-year-old Milner man was killed May 6 in a motorcycle accident on Highway 155 in Spalding County.

An operator at the Griffin post of the Georgia State Patrol identified the victim as William T. Rogers Jr. of 1172 Kendrick Road. According to the GSP report, Rogers was traveling south on Highway 155 near its intersection with Hamil Road at about 9 p.m. when he lost control of his bike and flipped it several times.

WKEU radio in Griffin reported Rogers suffered massive head and internal injuries and died while being transported to a Griffin hospital. The accident remains under investigation.

Inmate put to death at Jackson State Prison

A coroner's van (above) removes the body of William Earl Lynd (top) from the grounds of Jackson State Prison just across the county line in Butts County May 6.

Lynd's was the first execution in the country following an unofficial moratorium on carrying out the death penalty while the U.S. Supreme Court weighed - and subsequently okayed - the constitutionality of the lethal injection procedure.

The execution process began at 7:34 p.m. after a brief delay for last ditch appeals. Lynd's chest rose and fell for the final time at 7:43. He was declared dead at 7:51.

Lynd was convicted of murdering his girlfriend Virginia Moore in Berrien County in December 1988. He committed a second murder in Ohio just a few days later.

Herald-Gazette publisher Walter Geiger was one of five media witnesses to the execution. His account will be published in the May 13 print edition of The Herald-Gazette.

Barnesville pro rodeo returns

The annual Barnesville pro rodeo, put on by Charlie Lowry’s 4-L Rodeo Company, will be held Friday and Saturday, May 9 and 10, at the Ag Expo Arena. Gates will open each night at 6 p.m. with rodeo action beginning at 8 p.m.

Advance tickets may be purchased at Akins Farm and Home in Barnesville, Thomaston Dodge or Pike Feed and Seed in Zebulon through 12 noon Friday, May 9. They are $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 6-11. Those under age 5 are admitted free.

There will be pony rides, a mechanical bull, western vendors and food.

For information call 706-857-5149.

Gordon graduation is Saturday

Gordon College graduation ceremonies are slated for Saturday, May 10, at 8:30 a.m. on Lambdin Green at the center of campus.

Some 454 students are expected to graduate while about 200 have chose to take part in the ceremony.
Diplomas will be distributed by president Lawrence Weill.

Guest speaker will be Rob Watts, chief operating officer of the University System of Georgia.

A reception will be held in the atrium in the student center immediately after the ceremony.

At 11 a.m. a special candlelight pinning ceremony for 89 graduates of the nursing program will be held in Alumni Memorial Hall.

Guest speaker for this ceremony is alumni Samantha Bishop of Lamar County, Gordon assistant professor of nursing and a 1994 graduate of the nursing program. Bishop earned her master's degree in nursing as a pediatric nurse practitioner from the Medical College of Georgia in 1996.

Cancer survivor Marie Harden does a lap at Relay.

Relay for Life raises $65,000

Relay for Life, held May 2-3 at the recreation department track, surpassed its goal of $57,000, raising a total of $65,000 for the American Cancer Society.

In addition to donations from major sponsors, money came in increments of as small as a quarter for paper chain links.

A record number of luminaria lined both sides of the track and the 45 torches were the most ever.

Of the $65,000, 90% will go to services for cancer pateints and their families right here at home.

Nineteen teams took part in Relay. The team raising the most money onsite was the Merry Methodists with $8994.

Dolly touting upcoming events

The Dolly Goodpuppy Society, Inc. has multiple events on tap over the next several months.

First up is an Adorable Pet Photo Contest with categories for most adorable dog, most adorable cat and most adorable pet with kid(s). Entrants must be 18 years of age or older. Send photos or digital media to the society at P.O. Box 361, Barnesville, Ga. 30204.

Also, the society will offer canine behavior clinics for dogs of all ages taught by its behavior specialist Jerry Hope. Registration deadline is May 16.

Hope will also lead a seminar entitled 'Developing Superstar Dogs' for Dolly on June 28. Nicole Wilde will offer a session on 'Helping Fearful Dogs' on August 2.

For more information, see Dolly's website at http://dollygoodpuppy.org

Hope's website is www.k9fixer.com.

Barnesville police probe Atlanta Street death

City police are looking into a death at a residence on Atlanta Street that was reported on the morning of May 5. City investigator Al Moltrum (left) was on the scene. Moltrum said preliminary indications are the death was from natural causes.

The victim was not identified pending notification of next of kin.

Adult softball league eyed

Are you interested in competing in an adult softball league? Joe Sims is one of several persons looking to organize a league for summer play at the recreation department.

At least four teams are needed. Each team must have at least 10 players and costs will run about $1000 per team.

For more information, call Sims at 770-358-8652 or 770-358-1246.

Soaking wet for Relay

Bill Hewitt comes up sputtering after a dousing in the dunk tank May 2 at the Lamar County Rel ay for Life. Relay drew a record crowd to the recreation department track and field facility and raised a record $65,000.

And they’re off...

Eight local races contested

By Walter Geiger

Political season has heated up in a big way with eight contested local races on tap for the July 15 general primary.

The biggest surprise came near the close of qualifying May 2 when longtime tax commissioner Geraldine Pippin did not qualify on the advice of her doctors. Her deputy, Andrea L. Anthony, was the lone qualifier as a Republican and will take office in January 2009.

The contested races are:

Sheriff: Incumbent Joe Buice will do battle with James D. McLarty and former Barnesville police officer Alonzo Taylor for the Democratic nomination. The winner will face lone Republican qualifier - former sheriff Larry Waller - in November.

County commission, district 3: Democrat Aaron Brown and Republican Jimmy Hearn were their parties’ lone qualifiers and will do battle in November for the seat being vacated by commissioner Ray Brinkley who is not seeking reelection.

County commission, district 4: Incumbent Gene Hardwick and challenger Nancy Thrash face off in the Republican primary July 15. The winner will have no Democratic opposition in the fall.

School board, district 3: Republican incumbent Susan Byars faces a challenge from Democratic challenger Danny Turner in November. Byars is the current school board chairman.

Coroner: Incumbent Jim F. Smith and challenger Spencer Williams will battle for this post in the July 15 Democratic primary. The winner will face no Republican opposition in November.

District attorney, Towaliga circuit: Incumbent Richard Milam and challenger George Hartwig will compete in the Republican primary. The winner will face Democrat Karen Martin in November.

State house, district 126: Republican incumbent David Knight faces a fall challenge from Democratic challenger Bill Mauldin.

State senate, district 16: Republican incumbent Ronnie Chance will face off with Democratic challenger Jerry Brillant in November.

Running unopposed are school board district 3 member Horace Hightower, a Democrat; clerk of court Frank Abbott, also a Democrat; Democratic county surveyor James Butler; Republican state representative Jim Cole of district 125; Republican state representative Billy Maddox of district 127; and Republican state representative Tony Sellier of district 136.

Candidates for non-partisan posts - probate judge, magistrate judge and superior court judge - will qualify in late June and run in November.

Community award winners named

The 2008 crop of superb citizens was unveiled May 1 at the Barnesville-Lamar County Chamber of Commerce Awards night banquet held at the Barnesville Civic Center.

Pictured are (l-r) Career Woman of the Year Virginia Carter; Farmers of the Year Neal and Diane Anderson; Distinguished Service Award winner Dick Esco; Law Enforcement Officer of the Year LouAnn Ramsey; STAR student Nathaniel Rowe; STAR teacher Scott Turner; Firefighter of the Year Mary Duffee, Businesspersons of the Year George, Janice and Rip Moore, Volunteer of the Year Jaunita Griffin; and Citizens of the Year Jean and Charles Dukes.

Click Here To View The Print Edition Front Page.

This week's headline news in the Herald-Gazette:

• Outstanding citizens, award winners saluted
• Relay For Life $65,000 90% will stay in Lamar to help battle cancer
• And they’re off 8 races contested
• Gordon graduation is Saturday

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Lamar County datebook, 5/5 through 5/11: