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(MONDAY) Fed up with crime? Here's what you can do.
Tired of worrying about crime in Milledgeville-Baldwin County? Fed up?
Well, you can start by getting out of your comfort zone. Prayer is powerful, but instead of posting a praying hands emoji on Facebook every time, why not contact your county commissioner? The five county commissioners in Baldwin County are the ones who control the wallet and the funding and the resources, and the five of them are the ones who can rattle some cages and make changes.
In general, county commissioners don't like dealing with the crime situation because it's "hard." Or, at least, it's not nearly as easy as re-paving potholes or cracks in the road, or repairing sewer lines. Even though infrastructure is really important, that's the comfort zone for county commissioners, and county commissioners don't like being taken out of their comfort zones. For a county commissioner, tackling crime means attending community meetings and having tough conversations and having to hear from the people.
Call.
Text (for the three that have their cell phone numbers posted).
Email.
If you're not sure who your county commissioner is, then call, text and email ALL FIVE OF THEM.
Here is a link to the county commissioners' contact page, the listed contacts for each of the five county commissioners:
District 1 – Emily C. Davis // 478-451-7105 // ecdavis@baldwincountyga.com
District 2 – Kendrick Butts // 478-288-6835 // kbutts@baldwincountyga.com
District 3 – Sammy Hall // 478-932-5662 // shall@baldwincountyga.com
District 4 – Henry Craig // 478-452-2531 // hcraig@baldwincountyga.com
District 5 – John Westmoreland // 478-387-5315 // jwestmoreland@baldwincountyga.com
County commissioners (not just the ones here, but everywhere) typically don't want to tackle crime unless they have absolutely have to, and the only way they'll "have to" is if enough voters and citizens call and text and email.
So, do it.
(MONDAY) College of Education makes the grade
Prior to becoming a coed school in 1967 and first admitting male students, Georgia College largely was known as a "teachers college" and a factory for future school teachers around the Peach State.
That's why it only seems natural that the university would still receive high marks for its John H. Lounsbury College of Education, which recently "earned a Level 4 rating on the 2021 Teacher Preparation Program Effectiveness Measures (PPEMs) published by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC)," according to a university press release.
Added the press release: "Level 4 is labeled “exemplary” and is the highest rating available. The Level 4 ranking is above the desired level of performance for effectively preparing future teachers. This marks the fourth year in a row Georgia College has received the highest rank."
The PPEM ratings of all Georgia educator preparation program providers are now available to the public on the GaPSC PPEM Dashboard.
"Our exemplary rating is a tribute to our faculty who are dedicated to student success and set a high bar for our students,” Dr. Joe Peters, dean of the College of Education. “It also reflects the exemplary work of our teaching and leadership candidates who rise to meet the coursework and field experience challenges set by faculty. "
The PPEMs evaluate educator preparation programs using measures like certification assessments required by the state and measures collected once candidates are in the classroom, including observations by supervisors and surveys of employers as well as newly employed teachers, and the primary purpose of the PPEMs is to give educator preparation programs detailed information that they can use to improve, added the press release.
For more information on the College of Education, visit gcsu.edu/education.
(TUESDAY) What's in the infrastructure bill for Georgia?
Flanked by a flock of Democrats and a handful of lonely-looking Republicans, President Joe Biden on Monday signed off on the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Obviously, $1.2 trillion is a lot of money – 12 billion $100 bills to be exact. However, a pair of Georgia news outlets already have broken down what the IIJA will mean for Georgia. According to an Atlanta Journal-Constitution article from late last week, Georgia is estimated to receive:
• at least $8.9 billion for roads
• at least $225 million dollars for bridges
• at least $100 million for broadband internet
• $1.4 billion for public transportation
• $619 million for airports
• $8 million for ports
• a yet-to-be-determined amount for "electric grid"
• $135 million for climate change
Meanwhile, a breakdown by Intown Atlanta and Captitol Beat News offered up matching figures, but added in "913 million for water projects."
So, how will some of the $11-plus billion allocated to Georgia trickle down to Baldwin County? Well, obviously "ports" are out of the question (Sinclair Marina and Bass Boat House and Haslam's Marina aren't exactly what Congress had in mind).
"Bridges" is a distinct possibility. Milledgeville-Baldwin County currently has six bridges built prior to 1961. One of those bridges, located over Barrows Ferry Road, already is slated to be replaced in 2022. Funding for that project, expected to come in at roughly $1.2 million, is coming from the state of Georgia.
"Bridges are expensive," County Manager Carlos Tobar recently told Baldwin2k. "I can't remember the last time that I saw a bridge project come in at less than one million dollars."
In terms of "airports," the Baldwin County Regional Airport continues to expand and has been made a priority by the county commission in recent years. County commissioners currently are exploring the option of building 30 more hangars, all privately funded, with no direct cost to the county government. Obviously, however, the supersized Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta will be the big winner, in terms of Georgia airports.
"Climate change" essentially is code for elective vehicle (EV) charging stations, similar to the ones put up in the Milledgeville Burger King parking lot last year. Regardless if more are built in Baldwin County or not, EV charging stations inevitably will become much more common sights for people when they're traveling around Georgia.
"Broadband internet" already is an initiative that's seen a flurry of activity in recent years in Baldwin County. Between ongoing projects by Tri-County EMC and Windstream, Baldwin County already was on track to be largely blanketed by broadband internet access within the next two or three year.
With $8.9 billion allocated for Georgia "roads," inevitably some of that will trickle down to Baldwin County, where a pair of Transportations SPLOST referendums have failed in recent years. With voters refusing to approve a penny-on-the-dollar sales tax for road repairs and transportation projects, the IIJA could be just what the doctor ordered for the county commissioners and City Council members.
(TUESDAY) Menorah Lighting around the corner
Downtown Milledgeville soon will be looking a lot like Christmas.
Hanukkah, too.
The second annual Menorah Lighting is all set for Sunday, Nov. 28 at 6 p.m. The Menorah Lighting will take place on West Hancock Street in front of The Local Yolkal Cafe, according to Milledgeville MainStreet. Added MainStreet: "Anyone is welcome to attend and there will be coloring sheets, games and Hanukkah songs sung. Rabbi Bahar from Temple Beth Israel in Macon will lead the group in prayer and song and be assisted by Hillel students from Georgia College.
The nine-foot-tall menorah, which will be placed near the downtown Christmas tree, is central to the Hanukkah holiday or “festival.” According to the Jewish National Fund’s website, Hanukkah “is the Jewish eight-day, wintertime ‘festival of lights,’ celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers, and fried foods.” Hanukkah celebrates the defeat of the Greeks in Jerusalem during the second century BC.
According to Main Street, "Milledgeville resident, Allison Bloodworth spearheaded the fundraising effort in 2020 to purchase and place the nine-foot Menorah downtown on the Hancock Plaza. In an effort to move toward tolerance and diversity, this placement is extremely meaningful for the Jewish Community and our community as a whole. This is not a common occurrence in our state nor country. Supporting this new tradition is an amazing opportunity to strengthen our community and show acceptance of all people.
For more information, contact Bloodworth by phone at 770-337-2730.
(WEDNESDAY) Recent obits
• (WILLIAMS FH) Julia Ann Sellers, Whitner, Smith, Hermanson, age 83 of Macon, passed away on Monday, November 15, 2021, at The Oaks Scenic View in Baldwin, Georgia.
Julia enjoyed her roses and gardening and was always ready to wet her hook to catch a fish. She was a “cut up,” loving to play jokes and pranks on her friends and family.
Born in Mount Airy, Georgia on November 11, 1938, she was the daughter of the late Thomas Roosevelt and Lizzie Mae Owens Sellers.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by husbands Grant Smith and Jud Hermanson; her brothers Henry Harvey “Buddy” Sellers, Leon Sellers, and Frank Sellers; and sister Willie Blanch Sellers.
Surviving are:
- sons Greg Whitner (Kathy) of Comer, Georgia and Gary Whitner (Angie) of Macon, Georgia
- sisters Jane Merck (Johnny) of Cleveland, Georgia and Carolyn Sanders of Mount Airy, Georgia
- brothers Jim Sellers (Cinda) and Joe Sellers (Teresa) of Mount Airy, Georgia
- granddaughters Jennifer Hettenhouse (Ian) of Buford, Georgia and Stacy Tenner (Clint) of Turnerville, Georgia
- grandson Christian Whitner of Macon, Georgia
- and four great grandchildren
Funeral Services are scheduled for Saturday, November 20, 2021, at Williams Funeral Home in Milledgeville, Georgia. The family will receive friends from 12:00-1:00 p.m., with the service at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Macon Memorial Park Cemetery, Macon, Georgia.
• (WILLIAMS FH) Mrs. Ruby "Carol" Day, 74, passed away on November 14, 2021. A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, November 18, 2021 at 11 AM in the Williams Funeral Home Chapel in Milledgeville. Burial will follow in Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery.
The Family will receive friends at Williams Funeral Home from 10 AM until the Service hour on Thursday.
Mrs. Day was a native of Macon and had lived in Milledgeville most of her life. She was the daughter of the late Johnny James Smith and Maggie Louise Dorsey Smith and preceded in death by her son, Michael Wayne Barfield; husband, Dennis Ray Day; and 5 brothers. She loved her family and friends.
Mrs. Day is survived by:
- her daughter, Angela Barfield Evans (Earl) of Milledgeville
- stepchildren, Derrick Dennis Day, Christopher Ray Day, Brandy Leigh Day
- special grandchild, Shane Day; 8 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild,
- and lots of nieces and nephews
The family has requested, in lieu of flowers, that friends make memorial donations to assist with expenses.
And special thanks to the staff at Toomsboro Healthcare.
• (WILLIAMS FH) Mrs. Evelyn Holland Reddick Dixon, 81, passed away on November 14, 2021. A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, November 17, 2021 at 11 AM in the Williams Funeral Home Chapel in Milledgeville. A Burial Service will be held at 2 PM in the Alligood Cemetery in Laurens County.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday from 10 -11 AM.
Mrs. Dixon was a native of Eatonton and had lived in Milledgeville. She was the daughter of the late Dan Reddick and Evie Lee Holland Reddick and preceded in death by her son, Danny Dixon; and husband, Alvin Ray Dixon. She was a member at Oak Grove Church.
Survivors include her daughters:
- Donna Sue Wisenbaker, Debra Wadley (William)
- son, David Dixon (Connie)
- brother, Billy Reddick (Sandra) all of Milledgeville
- 12 grandchildren
- 17 great grandchildren
• (WILLIAMS FH) Dr. Robert Bayard Lamb, Sr., 91, passed away on November 13, 2021. A Graveside Funeral service will be held on Friday, November 19, 2021 at 1:30 in Demorest City Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Williams Funeral Home in Milledgeville on Thursday from 4 PM to 6 PM to greet friends.
Dr. Lamb was retired from the Baldwin County Board of Education where he worked as both an Educator and Administrator. He had been a member of the United States Air Force Band and was a member of The Kiwanis Club and the First Presbyterian Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Robert B. Lamb and Etta Brown Lamb.
He is survived by:
- his wife, Eloise Overby Lamb
- daughters, Susan L. Janzen (Jerome) of Leesburg, Barbara Lamb of Knoxville, TN
- son, Robert Lamb, Jr. (Kay) of Greer, SC
- grandchildren, Paul Johstono (Laura), David Johstono (Lindsey), Amy Johstono, Matthew Bolt (Ayca), Lisa Bolt, Eric Lamb
- great grandchildren, Henry, Jack, Vivian, Zehra, and Titus.
For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to the Diabetes Foundation or to the Alzheimer's Association.
• (WILLIAMS FH) Mrs. Beverly Minter Livingston, 66, passed away on November 13, 2021. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, November 20, 2021 at 11 AM in the Williams Funeral Chapel in Milledgeville with John Livingston officiating. Burial will be in True Light Fellowship Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Williams Funeral Home in Milledgeville on Friday from 5-7 PM.
Mrs. Livingston was a native and lifelong resident of Milledgeville. She had worked for both Baldwin County and Jones County Board of Education where she was a bus driver. She played piano for True Light Fellowship Church where she was a member. Mrs. Livingston was preceded in death by her mother, Iris Louise Minter; and brother in law, Larry Partlow.
She is survived by:
- her husband of 46 years, John Livingston of Gray
- sons, Nathan Livingston (Michelle) of Gray, Caleb Livingston (Frances) of Gray, Daniel Livingston (Kathleen) of McDonough
- daughter, Rebecca Livingston of Macon; father, Calvin Minter of Milledgeville
- sisters, Pam Weaver (Bobby) of Coopers, Paula Landrum (Guy) of Coopers, Shelia Partlow of South Carolina, Dawn Pinnell (Travis) of Coopers; 19 grandchildren
- 4 great grandchildren
Flowers are accepted and for those who wish, memorial contributions may be made.
• (MOORES FH) Betty Jean Washington Todd age 85, passed away Saturday, November 13, 2021. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 20th at Jordon Chapel Church of God Cemetery in Edgehill Georgia, with Rev. Jerry Sharpe officiating.
Mrs. Todd was born in McDuffie County, Georgia on May 25, 1936, to Ervin Washington and Georgia Taylor Washington. She had made her home in Milledgeville for over 48 years and worked in the textile Industry. Preceded in by her husband Kenneth Ray Todd, brothers Robert and Charles Washington, sister Velma Adkins, son Johnny Ray Todd and daughter Rosemary Todd.
Survivors include her:
- daughter Tina (Harvey) Behne
- sons Jimmy and Ken Todd
- grandchildren David S. Newsom, Jeremy (Amanda) Behne, Crystal Todd, Alyx Todd, Nickolas Todd, Kaitlyn Todd, and Caleb Todd
- 7 great-grandchildren
- one-great great granddaughter
- and several nieces and nephew
The family will receive friends Friday from 4:00 until 5:30 p.m. at Moores Funeral Home & Crematory.
Moores Funeral Home & Crematory has charge of arrangements. To plant Memorial Trees in memory ofBetty Jean Todd, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
• (PEOPLES FH) Celebration Of Life Services for Ms. Julia Mae Lewis-Fleming age 82 of Milledgeville, Georgia will be held on Thursday, November 18, 2021 at 1:00 pm at Westview Cemetery, West McIntosh Street, Milledgeville, Georgia. Reverend Eric Cabiness will officiate. Julia entered into rest on Friday, November 12, 2021 at her residence. She was a faithful lifelong member of Union Baptist Church in Milledgeville, Georgia.
She leaves cherished memories with:
- her daughter, Stacey and spouse (Reverend Eric) Cabiness
- two sons, Alvin and spouse (Laurie) Fleming and James Fleming
- two sisters, Vivian Stovall and Julia Mae Spearman
- four brothers, Jerome Ward, King and spouse (Catherine) Walls, Jessie Walls and Marvin Walls
- her devoted niece, Nikita Alexander
- five grandchildren
- and a loving host of nieces, nephews, other family and friends
Express condolences, your thoughts and prayers to the Fleming family @ www.peoplesfuneralhomemilledgeville.com To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Julia Mae Fleming, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
Peoples Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements.
• (SLATER'S FH) It is with sympathy, the management and staff of Slater’s Funeral Home, Inc. announce the passing of Mrs. Gwendolyn Stubbs, 72, of Milledgeville, Georgia. Mrs. Stubbs passed away on Friday, November 12, 2021.
Graveside services will be held on Friday, November 19, 2021at 11:00 AM from the Scenic Memorial Gardens, Milledgeville, Georgia.
She is survived by her loving family and friends. Plant a tree in memory of Gwendolyn by clicking here. To send flowers to Gwendolyn's family, please visit our floral store.
You may express condolences in our guestbook.
• (WILLIAMS FH) Louise Freeman Pursley died peacefully at her home on November 11, 2021 in Milledgeville, Georgia at the age of 98. Louise Pursley was born in Dublin, Georgia on August 1, 1923 to the late John Ernest Freeman and Gradye Thigpen Freeman. Louise’s family moved to Rome, Georgia where she attended high school, and her father worked for the Farm Bureau. After living in Rome for several years her family moved back to Dublin where her father was president of the Four County Bank.
Louise Pursley attended college at Georgia State College for Women which is now Georgia College and State University. After college she worked in the Commandants office at Georgia Military College.
On May 20, 1951, Louise Freeman married John Augustus Pursley Jr. They were married for sixty-seven years until his death in 2018. Louise will be remembered for her love of family, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She was affectionately known as Nana. Her greatest joy came from cooking meals and watching her family enjoy the fruits of her labor. Mrs. Louise was known for her famous cheese straws (they could never be too spicy!). Nana loved starting collections of Royal Doulton figurines, cut glass, and paper weights from all her travels for her children and grandchildren.
Other than her parents, Mrs. Pursley is predeceased by a brother John Ernest Freeman, and a great grandchild, Wiley McTeer Bell. Mrs. Pursley is survived by:
- a daughter Irene Pursley Miller (Charles) of Milledgeville
- a son John Augustus Pursley III (Helen) of Milledgeville
- six grandchildren, Jennifer Brown Bell (Wiley) of Georgetown, South Carolina, James Parker Brown of Athens, GA, Helen Marie Pursley Davenport (McKenzie) of Milledgeville, Molly Brown Stanton (Hayes) of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, John Augustus Pursley IV (Jean) of Milledgeville, and Eliza Pursley Smith (Garrett) of Milledgeville
- and 13 great grandchildren
The family would like to thank the wonderful extended family of caregivers, Mary Jackson, Bernasta Waller, Shirley Butts, Kim Holsey, Betty Jackson, Margie Dean, and Shandreka West. Mrs. Pursley touched the lives of many people and will be deeply missed.
A funeral service will be held Sunday, November 14, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at West View Cemetery and visitation will follow after the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Louise Freeman Pursley to First United Methodist Church Building Fund or to Georgia Military College Foundation for the John and Louise Pursley Scholarship Endowment.
• (SLATER'S FH) It is with sympathy, the management and staff of Slater’s Funeral Home, Inc. announce the passing of Mr. Calvin Eugene Rozier, III, 30, of Milledgeville, Georgia. Mr. Rozier passed away on Thursday, November 11, 2021.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 18, 2021 at 12:00 PM from Chapel of All Faiths, Milledgeville, Georgia. Interment will follow in the Second Darian Baptist Church Cemetery, Sparta, Georgia.
He is survived by his loving family and friends.
You may express condolences in our guestbook. Plant a tree in memory of Calvin by clicking here. To send flowers to Calvin's family, please visit our floral store.
• (SLATER'S FH) It is with sympathy, the management and staff of Slater’s Funeral Home, Inc. announce the passing of Mrs. Blanche Hawkins, 99, of Milledgeville, Georgia. Mrs. Hawkins passed away on Wednesday, November 10, 2021.
Funeral services were held on Sunday, November 14, 2021 at 2:00 PM from the Griffin Memorial Chapel of Slater's Funeral Home. Interment followed in the Bone Cemetery, Milledgeville, Georgia.
Mrs. Blanche Payne Hawkins was born to the late Julius and Emma Hood Payne in Washington County, Georgia on November 12, 1918. Her Family relocated to Milledgeville, Georgia when she was a young girl. As a child and young adult, Mrs. Hawkins flourished in the Oconee Heights neighborhood and attended the local churches to include, Flipper Chapel, Mt. Zion and Flagg Chapel Baptist Churches. During her young adulthood, Mrs. Hawkins worked at Central State Hospital. She often spoke about the beautiful relationships kindled among her coworkers and friends and even recalled the names of clients who were inpatients during that time, which was more than 75 + years ago. Like many African Americans during the 1930’s and 1940’s Mrs. Hawkins also became part of the big migration and she moved to Cleveland, Ohio before finally settling in Oberlin, Ohio. There, in Oberlin, she would remain for more than 70 years. Mrs. Hawkins worked for The Kirtz Family for more than 40 years. She was an integral part of the family while she provided care and assistance to the children Aaron, Eli and Lori. As professed by Mr. Doug Kirtz himself, “Blanche was an amazing person”. The Kirtz Family have remained close with Mrs. Blanche over the years and continue to honor her for the love and care she instilled in them. Most recently, Mr. Aaron Kirtz flew Mrs. Hawkins along with her granddaughter Deborah on an all expense paid trip to Upstate New York, where they honored Mrs. Hawkins during a wedding where she also gave honorary remarks. Many years prior, Mrs. Blanche was also given another all expense paid trip to the Bahamas where she and her daughter Bobbie vacationed. She also worked at Oberlin College, a Manufacturing Plant and also as a Nurses Aide for many years. Mrs. Hawkins was an active member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Oberlin where she worked on the Pastor’s Aide Committee and Kitchen Committee. She served faithfully for more than 60 years. Mrs. Hawkins worked well into her 90’s and kept house at 100 years of age! She had a knack for collecting antiques and cookware and was also an excellent seamstress and cook. She loved to dance and was a traveling member of the Oberlin Cloggers and Line dance team which traveled and performed throughout Northern United States.
Mrs. Hawkins had a real love for people and entertaining and was always hosting guests in her beautiful home. She bragged often about her only child, Bobbie and also about her eldest grandchild, Brenda. She was sure not to exclude the other grandchildren, because she truly loved her family and held them all very close to heart. Mrs. Hawkins loved children and babies and she displayed a collection of portraits that she was sent through the years of her beloved grandchildren, great- grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. She was a jokester and comedienne and had impeccable timing and was fueled by the laughter of others. Mrs. Hawkins was a very independent and proud woman. She was able to maintain her livelihood totally and independently within the last two years of her life. Mrs. Blanche Hawkins was predeceased by her husband Mr. Harry Hawkins, siblings, Mrs. Carrie Cheatham, Mrs. Leola West, Mrs. Sally Jarrett and Mr. Julius Payne, Jr., grandson, Mr. Loxie Davis, Jr.
She will certainly be missed and her life celebrated by:
- her only begotten daughter, Ms. Bobbie Davis Arnold of Milledgeville, GA
- grandchildren, Ms. Brenda Davis Murrell of Atlanta, GA, Ms. Sally Davis Daniels of Atlanta, GA and Reverend Deborah D. Arnold-Boyd (Dr. David) of Tampa, FL
- great grandchildren, Ms. LaTonya Parham of Greensboro, GA, Mr. Jason Arnold and Mr. Loxie Davis III, both of Milledgeville, GA, Ms. LaSundra Davis, Ms. Tiffanie Mitchell and Mr. Brandon Butts, all of Atlanta, GA, Mr. Bruce Butts of Mesa, Arizona, Mr. Frederick Daniels of Santa Barbara, CA, Mrs. Stephanie Mitchell Coleman (Demarius) of Mobile, Alabama, Raymon, Rayshon, Tiana, Tyler, Layla, Keenan, Jordan, and Chase
- a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends shall also mourn this great loss
You may express condolences in our guestbook.
Plant a tree in memory of Blanche by clicking here. To send flowers to Blanche's family, please visit our floral store.
• (MOORES FH) Linda Layson White age 70, passed away Wednesday, November 10, 2021. Services will be held at a later date. Interment will be at West View Cemetery.
Mrs. White was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico on June 16, 1951, to Howard Winkfield Layson and Toy Curry Layson. She grew up in Macon and graduated from Bibb County High School and Mercer University. She earned her Master’s Degree from Georgia State University. She worked at the University of Georgia for several years and later moved to Milledgeville where she taught in the Middle School System with the Baldwin County Board of Education.
Survivors include:
- her husband Jerry Witmeyer of Milledgeville
- her sister Cecelia Layson (Severens) of Milledgeville
- a niece Leah Brenner Patman and a nephew Nicholas Layson Sanders
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society. To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Linda Layson White, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
Moores Funeral home & Crematory has charge of arrangements.
(WEDNESDAY) New "pet funeral home" on the way
Rebecca Edwards recently told the City Council that when she and her late husband – Dr. Russ Edwards – first purchased the Animal Hospital of Milledgeville in 2009, the couple became concerned about "what happened to pets after they passed away."
"At the time, the only option if you didn't have burial at home was to take them to the landfill," Edwards said.
With this in mind, Edwards currently is gearing up to open Milledgeville-Baldwin County's first full-service pet funeral home and crematorium. The City Council unanimously approved a zoning ordinance for the site of the new pet funeral home – 2936 Heritage Place, located near Walmart and across the street from the skating rink and next to Beyond Bronzed & Smoothie. The property previously was home to Georgia Mowers.
Edwards added that the Animal Hospital has been contracting out its pet cremation services to a company "that's an hour-and-a-half away." A small pet crematorium – Peaceful Pets – has been in operation in Milledgeville for several years. However, Edwards told the City Council that "at this time, they are just not equipped to support the growing community and our (veterinarian) practice and all of the cremations that we do there."
The central piece of the zoning change will be a new 21,000-pound incinerator, complete with digital readings "built to follow all Federal clean air act guidelines," according to Edwards.
(WEDNESDAY) New details from "rolling gunfight"
Charges now have been brought forth against all four suspects from Saturday's "rolling gunfight" through the southside and Central State Hospital.
The occupants of the first vehicle, an Audi SUV, were 25-year-old Kibias Mosley and a 16-year-old juvenile, according to the Milledgeville Police Department. Meanwhile, the occupants of the second vehicle, a Lincoln Town Car, were Ja-quarius Marshall, 25, and Jakobe Brown, 19, added the MPD.
Brown, 19, pictured above in the maroon shirt, already has been booked for one count each of aggravated assault, giving false name/information and probation violation. Marshall, who was hospitalized with "serious injuries," ultimately will be charged with aggravated assault, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, reckless endangerment and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
In terms of the Audi, Mosley, pictured above in the black shirt, already has been booked for five counts of aggravated assault and one count of aggravated battery. It's not immediately clear if the juvenile has been processed, but he is facing charges of aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and reckless endangerment.
Mosley is a popular, up-and-coming rapper with hundred of thousands of views on his Youtube channel. In his most popular music video – "Rack In" – he is featured playing tennis with his friends at Walter B. Williams Jr. Park.
According to the MPD press release:
While officers were enroute, they were advised of a male subject down in front of the old laundromat building located at Swint Avenue and Bypass Road. Officers arrived on scene and found a Lincoln Town Car wrecked into a utility pole with multiple bullet holes behind the building, and 25-year-old Ja-Quarius Marshall on the front side of the building suffering from at least one gunshot wound. 19-year-old Ja’Kobe Brown was also located with Marshall. Further investigation revealed Marshall and Brown were the occupants of the Lincoln Town Car. J. Marshall was transported by EMS to an area hospital with serious injuries and listed in critical condition.
The Audi, meanwhile, was located several minutes later on nearby Lee Street. Added the press release:
Further investigation revealed 25-year-old Kibias Mosley as the driver of the Audi SUV and a 16-year-old juvenile as the passenger. The preliminary investigation indicates, K. Mosley and the juvenile passenger of the Audi SUV and J. Brown and J. Marshall of the Lincoln Town Car were in a rolling shootout with one another. When the Lincoln Town Car struck the utility pole, both J. Brown and J. Marshall got of the vehicle and fled on foot. During this time J. Marshall sustained a gunshot wound to his back and was also ran over by the Audi SUV. The occupants of the Audi SUV then got out of the SUV and began beating J. Marshall.
The incident, which began somewhere between Caraker Avenue and the Milledgeville Manor, most likely is not related to last week's homicide in a nearby trailer park, according to investigators. Nor is it most likely related to a drive-by shooting later Saturday across the Vinson Highway on Pennington Road, added investigators.
Prior to their arrests over the weekend, Brown and Mosley's respective criminal histories in Baldwin County were relatively brief. Brown, listed with "Walmart" as his "last known employer," was booked for carrying a pistol without a license earlier this year, while Mosley was arrested for criminal trespass earlier this year.
All totaled, there were five shootings over the weekend. Here's a chronology:
• 12:30 a.m. Saturday – Deputies were dispatched to McKinley Street, located in the shadow of the Milledgeville Manor, after a home was shot up during a drive-by shooting.
• 3:30 p.m. Saturday – The "Grooving at the Grove" concert/meet-and-greet at the Central State Hospital pecan grove is interrupted by the aforementioned "rolling gunfight." In the process, the home at 143 Edwards Street received structural damage from passing bullets.
• 5 p.m. Saturday – A home on Pennington Road near the old Southside school is shot up during a drive-by shooting. The same house now has been shot at some many times that "we have difficulty determining which bullet holes are new and which bullet holes were already there," according to Chief Dray Swicord. Twenty-five shell casings were found in the roadway, although no one who was inside at the time "was cooperative" and "did not hear anything." This is the drive-by shooting is the one that's possibly related to last week's murder trial at the courthouse, according to Swicord.
• 9:30 p.m. Saturday – Another drive-by shooting is reported near the intersection of McKinley Street and Barnes Avenue, not far from the one early that same morning.
• 11:30 p.m. Saturday – A bullet travels through the home at 110 Barnes Avenue in the fourth drive-by shooting of the day in the same general area.
(THURSDAY) Meet your new county Teacher of the Year!
EDITOR'S NOTE: Content courtesy of the Baldwin County School District
Congratulations to Seticia Smith, your 2021-2022 Baldwin County Teacher of the Year. Smith, who teaches at Oak Hill Middle, now moves on to the statewide competition. Smith is pictured with Oak Hill Principal Draymond Ray.
"Each year," according to a Baldwin County School District statement, "the Baldwin County School District goes through a rigorous process to select educators as finalists for the Teacher of the Year Recognition. Finalists complete an application and are interviewed by a committee that includes representatives from the schools, central office, and our Partners In Education. The selection committee also conducted classroom observations of the Teacher of the Year Finalists."
Also, of course, congratulations to all of the finalists:
- Judith Blount, Midway Hills Primary
- Erica Jackson, Baldwin High School
- Wichelle Norton, Lakeview Primary
- Smith, Oak Hill Middle School
- Schlonda Spikes, Lakeview Academy
- Yvonne Thompson, Midway Hills Academy
(THURSDAY) BHS ag program looking for community partners
As the Baldwin High agriculture program continues to "grow," community sponsors are being sought for the expansion of its Baldwin Grows Learning Garden.
The garden, according to a press release, "is located on the campus of Baldwin High School and provides students with hands-on agricultural learning experiences. School gardens are a great way for students to learn where food comes from and can promote healthy lifestyles. To provide handicap accessibility around the Baldwin Grows Garden, we are in need of additional brick sponsors to help us create a brick pathway around the garden."
Added the press release:
"To make this dream come true, we need 100 more brick donors. All sponsors will have a permanent place in the garden for years to come, so don't miss out on this opportunity. Attached is the Brick Order Form for Gold Sponsorship $100.00, Silver Sponsorship $50.00, and Friends of Baldwin Grows $30.00. Make checks payable to the Charter System Foundation of Excellence and in the memo section write "Brick Project". Please mail your check to the attention of Gina Whitaker at 110 North ABC Street, Milledgeville, Georgia 31061. Thank you in advance for your support.
Click HERE to find the a downloadable form to help out the cause. The "Brick Form" is located at the bottom of the press release in a PDF form.
(FRIDAY) 3 days, two vehicular homicide arrests
Driving while intoxicated changes lives forever.
Case in point is a pair of recent fatal DUI crashes here in Milledgeville. While the families bury the victims, the men responsible are facing felony vehicular homicide charges.
The Milledgeville Police Department oversaw both accident investigations and ultimately turned over its case files to the District Attorney's Office. On Monday, multiple charges were issued against Contavious Phelps, a 23-year-old Hancock County man facing charges of felony homicide by vehicle, serious injury by motor vehicle, DUI, driving on wrong side of the road and speeding.
Phelps is still recovering from his injuries, and he hasn't been arrested and processed yet. Following the wreck, he was airlifted away from the scene and flown to a Macon hospital.
According to an MPD press release:
The preliminary investigation indicated a 2011 Mazda 3i was traveling east on Lakeside Drive, crossed over the centerline and collided head on with a 2020 Jeep Wrangler that was traveling west on Lakeside Drive. The driver of the Mazda has been identified as 23-year-old Contavious Phelps of Milledgeville. Phelps was taken by helicopter to an area hospital with serious injuries. The passenger was pronounced deceased on scene and has been identified as 17-year-old Chelsa Hurt of Milledgeville.
Hurt was a senior at Baldwin High. She leaves behind her parents, three grandparents, three siblings and a host of other family.
Three days prior to taking out charges against Phelps, meanwhile, the MPD arrested a man for felony vehicular homicide and DUI. Trey Aaron Ramage, 35, already was on parole, according to his arrest report. He was charged with felony homice by vehicle, DUI/drugs, failure to maintain lane and parole violation.
Kelly Butler, 48, was traveling north on North Columbia Street towards Putnam County when his Nissan Altima was struck head-on by a pickup truck that lost its lane, according to a Milledgeville Police Department release. Butler was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Butler, a Hancock County man, worked as a maintenance supervisor for Reynolds Plantation at its golf courses on Lake Oconee, according to his obituary. He leaves behind two sons and a host of other family.
The crash occurred around 5:30 in the morning. The pickup truck "was traveling southbound on North Columbia Street, crossed over the center lane, into the inside northbound lane and collided head on with" Butler's vehicle, according to a press release. The driver of the pickup, Ramage, was rushed to the hospital with injuries.
(FRIDAY) Main Street going all out for Christmas Tree lighting
EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is a press release from Milledgeville Main Street, word-for-word.
It’s beginning to look very festive in downtown Milledgeville as City decorations are being installed. The holiday season is underway and there is no better place to get shopping done than historic downtown Milledgeville. Downtown has several new shops with great gift options. The annual First Friday Tree Lighting is back on December 3rd at 6pm, this year with performances, fun and some surprises along the way!
Per tradition, the City of Milledgeville, Fowler Flemister and Custom Signs and Designs have partnered to host the annual Tree Lighting in downtown Milledgeville. The tree lighting will take place at 6:00pm on West Hancock Street in front of The Local Yolkal Café with the Honorable Mayor Mary Parham Copelan doing the honors. Then the Sweet Georgia Sound, a registered Sweet Adelines International chorus, will be delighting the crowd with its four-part a cappella barbershop-style harmonies at the tree lighting and throughout the evening.
Immediately following the tree lighting, Santa Claus will make his entrance, by fire truck, to The Local Yolkal for the Exchange Bank’s Cookies with Santa experience. Children and family are invited to visit with Santa and enjoy complimentary cookies.
At 6:30pm the Vibe Dance Center will give a sneak peek of their Christmas performance. They will showcase various styles of dance featuring children ages 2-18 and showcase hip hop, jazz, tap, ballet, and contemporary styles. Catch the full performance on December 4th at 3:00 pm, and also at 6:00 pm at Baldwin High School’s Fine Arts Center.
The Georgia College Department of Theatre and Dance will have performers on hand in costume promoting the GCSU 25th anniversary of the Nutcracker. The performance will run December 10th and 11th at 7:00 pm and also December the 12th at 2:00 pm at Russell auditorium on the beautiful campus of Georgia College & State University.
Each year Milledgeville Main Street hosts a window decorating contest with the downtown businesses. This year Main Street included the residents in the fun. Downtown homes will be lit up with holiday cheer! The winners, who will get $250 in Milly Money and bragging rights, will be announced at the tree lighting. After First Friday is a wonderful time to drive around and see all the lights.
Visit Milledgeville will have the cynical, grumpy Grinch at the Visitor’s Center for pictures and fun! Strolling around downtown, patrons will enjoy visiting with several community organizations offering activities for children and information about their cause. Crowds will also enjoy music from the talented, local, saxophonist Shaquille Wright.
Special Thanks to Fickling Lake Country, LLC, Exchange Bank, The City of Milledgeville Public Works and Fire Departments, the downtown merchants and residents, The Vibe, The Local Yolkal Cafe, the Georgia College Department of Theatre and Dance, Visit Milledgeville, Custom Signs and Designs and Fowler Flemister for making this First Friday incredible!
For more information about First Friday or how to get involved, contact Milledgeville Main Street by phone at 478-414-4014 or by email mainstreetdesk@milledgevillega.us
(FRIDAY) Pediatric vaccine not exactly popular with local parents
In general, COVID-19 vaccines have been less popular in Baldwin County, relative to the state of Georgia as a whole. While the statewide "fully vaccinated rate" recently crossed the 50 percent mark and now stands at 51 percent, the local fully vaccinated rate remains stagnant at 43 percent.
Now, there's data suggesting that the pediatric vaccine really really isn't very popular in Baldwin County. A total of 26 local children between the ages of 5 and 9 had received the first dose of the Phizer COVID-19 pediatric vaccine, as of Friday morning. The Department of Public Health listed that number as 1 percent of the total population for that age group here in Baldwin.
Statewide, a total of 36,787 children between the ages of 5 and 9 had received the first dose, according to the DPH's database. That represents 5.3 of the statewide population for that age group.
For some nonsensical reason, the DPH classifies the age ranges as 5-9 and 10-14, even though the pediatric vaccine is only available for children ages 5-11. In other words, it's not clear how many total children have received the pediatric vaccine, based on the fact that 10- and 11-year olds are lumped in with 12-, 13- and 14-year olds in the DPH's database.
