The Dodge County News

In addition to electrical, ventilation and heating and cooling problems, inspectors found pigeons roosting in the attic of the Dodge County Courthouse.

At a called meeting on Wednesday, February 6, 2019 the Dodge County Commissioners officially closed the courthouse until further notice.

County commissioners voted to allow Dodge County Manager Spence Barron to spend up to $25,000.00 to relocate the county offices and for testing.

Due to the interruption of government services and temporary unavailability of the courtroom, Oconee Superior Court Chief Judge Sarah F. Wall and judges C. Michael Johnson and Howard C. Kaufold, Jr. signed a Judicial Emergency Order that suspends deadlines and continues court terms immediately following the meeting on February 6. Within the order it states, “The nature of this emergency is due to hazardous air quality conditions in the Dodge County Courthouse”. (A copy of the order is printed in this edition of The Dodge County News’ legal section.

Professional Environmental Management (PME) Certified Industrial Hygienist Erin Garmon and PEM Industrial Hygienist Dan Hutto conducted a site visit on Thursday, February 7, 2019.

After reviewing information from the building inspection and photographic documentation, PEM reported to county manager Barron that there were visual areas of contamination in the interior building spaces, primarily the attic (bird (pigeon) droppings) and mold in the basement.

Because of the conditions founds, PEM recommended to evacuate occupants and restrict access until further assessment and testing could be conducted.

PEM also provided a plan to gather additional information with samples collected from designated areas inside the building and the building’s exterior and obtain the results in an expeditious and efficient manner.

The proposed fee from PEM will be $27,500.00. The majority of it, $22,356.00, being the cost of laboratory testing and shipment of the samples. The remainder includes their costs for preparing the final report with recommendations, the cost of the field investigation and travel. Barron also advised that he has met with two abatement/restoration companies over the past week and both companies stated they would need the results of the environmental testing before they could determine a final cost to repair the courthouse.
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We are just a day or two prom the pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training. I would really like to be optimistic and say the Braves will make it a four-team battle in the National League East. I just don’t think so. The Braves are taking a gamble on Donaldson. If he is healthy, he will be fine. The pickups of McCann and Markakis just doesn’t excite me at all. Let’s compare to the other contender in the East. The Nationals got Patrick Corbin to have a strong top three in the rotation. They added Brian Dozier and former Braves Kurt Suzuki as well. The Phillies added Andrew McCutcher for the outfield., David Robertson for the bullpen and of course newly acquired J.T. Realmuto at catcher. I guess the Phillies are a little suspect in the starting rotation, maybe. The Mets got better as well. The key for them is the starting rotation if they are all healthy they well compete. They added Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz among others. Needless to say, the Braves did less than the other three, at least so far. They have just enough pay roll for Kimbrel? Just maybe? Thursday would be pretty good timing. I am not getting my hopes up.
The rest of the news was pretty good last week. Remember when I said the Dogs needed a “flip” on signing day last Wednesday? They go a real big one first thing in the morning. Five start wide out George Pickens flipped from Auburn to the Dogs. That was a position that was so much needed in Athens. The 2019 class was ranked second only to Alabama.
Let’s not forget the biggest pick up in Athens didn’t come from the football team; it came from the struggling men’s basketball program. The 10-13 Dogs, who are 1-9 in the conference, have singed the top high school senior Anthony “Ant Man” Edwards from North Georgia. He is a McDonalds All-American and he is a 6’5” guard. He took Georgia over Florida State, Duke and Kentucky and I really have no clue why, but the Dogs basketball team could really use it.
The NFL off season has just started but the Falcons are very busy. They have opened right at 15 million in a salary cap. Robert Alford, Brooks Reed and Matt Bryant have all been let go. The toughest move of the three was of course to Bryant. He will be 44 this May and yes, that’s old even for an NFL kicker. The Birds will turn over the job to Giorgio Tavecchio. He got a shot wile Bryant was hurt and did really well. A combination of buy outs, age, injuries and contract did in the best clutch kicker in Falcons history along with hall of famer Morten Andersen. Don’t expect the news to end soon. The team has a big decision with Vic Beasley. The Falcons will probably cut or re-do his contract. There is no way he will count nearly 13 million against the cap. There is no secret that the contracts of Julio Jones and Grady Jarrett are vital to the franchise.
Let’s wrap up things with more football. The AF is underway. The Alliance of American Football started last Saturday, and the Atlanta Legends faced Orlando and former Florida legendary coach Steve Spurrier. Honestly, the Legends were far from it as they were blown out 40-6. Matt Simms, former back up quarterback, is the starter and former Dog signal caller Aaron Murray is the back up. It’s kind of like AAA football. The league has several different rules. There are no kickoffs, you have to go for two or extra points and you can only rush 5 on defense. The Legends play at San Diego this Sunday night at 8:00 on the NFL Network.

Travis Johnson, age 28, of Eastman, was arrested for simple battery.

Timothy Poole, age 22, of Eastman, was arrested for a probation violation.

Andrew Benjamin, Jr., age 24, of Rochelle, was arrested for a bench warrant.

Nakia Girtman, age 36, of Eastman, was arrested for disorderly conduct and interference with government property.

Sequoia Wilcox, age 28, of Eastman, was arrested for driving while unlicensed or expired, new resident.

Tom Rouse, age 45, of Danville, was arrested for driving while licenses were suspended or revoked, no insurance and driving with a suspended tag.

McKenley Outlaw, age 42, of Helena, was arrested for driving while licenses were suspended or revoked and headlight requirements.

Kovorseya Powell, age 20, of Helena, was arrested for possession of alcohol by a minor and open container violation.

Ricky Bronson, age 59, of Milan, was arrested for two (2) counts shoplifting, more than $500.00 and one (1) count theft by deception.

Kenneth Bronson, age 63, of Milan, was arrested for shoplifting, more than $500.00 and theft by deception.

Tamatha Knight, age 36, of Eastman, was arrested for possession drug related objects, possession of a schedule II drug, possession of methamphetamine and driving under the influence (DUI) drugs less safe.

Marsha Bronson, age 63, of Milan, was arrested for shoplifting, more than $500.00.

Courtney Clark, age 20, of Helena, was arrested for shoplifting, less than $500.00.

Juvenile, age 16, of Eastman, was arrested for affray.

Justin Rowell, age 27, of Eastman, was arrested for improper exhaust system.

Jonathan Baxter, age 31, of Eastman, was arrested for a probation violation.

Juvenile, age 16, of Eastman, was arrested for affray.

Juvenile, age 15, of Eastman, was arrested for affray.

Michael Green, age 54, of Prentiss, Mississippi, was arrested for pedestrian under the influence (PUI)

Dear editor,
Crying for help.
Although there is no presence of tears, our younger generation is crying.
In their own way they are saying, “I am tired of living and I am afraid to die”. God blessed man and a woman with the ability to bring a child into the world and they are told how to raise the child. Children for failing because of their first school, the home. Parents and many other adults have become more comfortable with pleasing children rather than loving them. We are failing in discipline and holding our younger generation accountable for their actions.
We are failing in training children in the ways of our Lord and Savior. Are we doing more than just going to church?
There was a time our young boys and girls were going from holding hands to the wedding band. Now we just accept the life style of living together with no commitment. It was our Heavenly who said no sex before marriage.
When we celebrate with a baby shower, we are saying that God’s word does not count. Is it that hard to get back to loving children for who they are instead of who they are not? There will always be times when some will go in the wrong direction, however we must balance each day with the power in our hand and with the love of God in our heart.
Always look to history to prevent past mistakes and to Christ for guidance. I pray that most of this nation will remember that Jesus is the answer for our world today; without him there is no other for Jesus is the way. Lord bless and Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you beautiful ladies.
Msg. (R) Johnny L. Black

Joyce Jacquelene Peacock Jones
Age:90
Deceased: February 4, 2019
Arrangements: Stokes-Southerland Funeral Home