The Dodge County News

There will be no fireworks display this year in Eastman.

The Eastman City Council met at their regular meeting on Monday, May 11 and voted unanimously to cancel the July 4 fireworks show for this year.

They sited the Covid-19 pandemic as the reason for the cancellation, but do expect for the fireworks show to return in 2021.

The City of Milan has also cancelled their fireworks show for 2020.

BY RUSS REGAN
There is still a whole lot more talking than action in the world of sports right now. I still think that Major League Baseball will play but the big question will be how many games will be played. The pro golf tour will get back underway this weekend. They also announced when at least some fans would be able to attend events. There was also some big news from the Augusta National Golf Club.
Let’s start on the diamond with baseball. The players and owners have agreed to some things; there will be a designated hitter in both leagues for this year anyway. I wouldn’t be shocked to see that stay for good.
The second agreement is that the players will have their contracts pro-rated based on the number of games played. That is where things have hit a big standing point. The players purposed a 114 game season, meanwhile, the owners purposed a season that would only be 50 to 60 games. I know that is a bunch apart, but both sides think there will be a deal done. I still think we will have baseball by July 4.
Also, unfortunately, there will be no minor league season this year. All teams will have a real big team this year. The exact number hasn’t been announced yet.
The baseball draft will be held this week. It will only be five rounds this year compared to 40 in the past.
There are a couple of Georgia baseball pitchers that should go in the first round. Right-handed pitcher Emerson Hancock and Cole Wilcox should hear their names called early. Hancock should be a top 10 pick.
The Bulldogs were ranked number two in the nation when the season got shutdown in March.
The Braves have the 25th pick on Wednesday night. The draft will be televised by the Major League Baseball network and ESPN this Wednesday (tonight) and Thursday night starting at 7:00 p.m.
Let’s talk Braves for a minute. They will be well prepared for the designated hitter this year. They can use Austen Riley, Nick Markakes and even give Freddie Freeman a night off to be designated hitter.
Speaking of the draft, I think they will go after more starting pitching. They always seem to draft a bunch of starters. They didn’t go that route last year, so we will have to see.
We all remember the greatest moment in Atlanta Braves history when Marquis Grissom caught Carlos Baerga’s fly ball to end the 1995 World Series. Awesome night! The announcer said, “The team of the 90s finally has their world championship.” That was a great moment, without question, but were they the team of the 90s? True they won the division eight times and made it to the World Series five times and those were impressive, but only the one championship. It took four first ballot hall of famers, Chipper, Maddox, Glavine and Smoltz and McGriff should be.
The Yankees won three championships in the 90s and the Blue Jays and the Marlins had two a piece.
The Marlins, as you may recall, won both as wildcard teams.
The Nationals won the 2019 championship also as a wild card team. Of course, the Braves won the division all three times. The Braves had a real good run for 15 years but you can’t confuse them with Jordan and the Bulls, they were six for six in championship series.
Also, they was no Brady and New England because they know how to finish. On the football field, not the golf course.
How many of those division championships would you give back to win another series? One or two? If you see me around, let me hear your opinion.
Speaking of golf, the PGA tour returns this weekend. The tour returns to Colonial Country Club starting Thursday. It is a loaded field, even though Tiger will not be there.
There will be no fans but the team did announce when some fans will be back. Jack Nicklaus’ tournament, the memorial, will welcome 8000 fans, (about 20% of regular fans) will be allowed to watch. The event was re-scheduled for July 16-19 at Meer Field Village in Columbus, Ohio. It is good to see some attempt at normalcy.
There was also some big news from Augusta National Golf Club. If you have ever been to the Masters, you know it’s in downtown Augusta. There is a shopping center across from the club. It includes the Fresh Market grocery store and other stores like Wendy’s and Publix.
The Augusta National Golf Club, for right at 27 million, has bought all the property. That puts it right at 67 million the club has spent on property in the last 20 years.
I would guess the land would be used for a parking lot, but knowing the club, who knows? On thing is for sure, it will probably be ready to go by the November 12 date for the year’s first round.

Wayne Anthony Allen, age 50, of Rhine was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol (D.U.I.) and failure to exercise due care.

Aubrey Paul Evans, age 33, of Hawkinsville was arrested for probation violation.

William Al-Majeed McClain, age 27, of Jacksonville, Florida was arrested for battery- family violence (1st offense) misdemeanor, kidnapping and false imprisonment.

Juan Pablo Ramirez Ramirez, age 28, of Rhine was arrested for driving without a valid licenses and seat belt violation.

Jena Wade Upshaw, age 30, of Warner Robins was arrested for no insurance and driving while licenses were suspended or revoked (misdemeanor).

Paul Clinton Youngblood, age 35, of Eastman was arrested for forgery in the 1st degree, receipt, possession or transfer of firearm by convicted felon or felony, first offender and possession of methamphetamine.

Jesus Cruz, age 51, of Eastman was arrested for battery (family violence) and cruelty to children in the third degree.

Jimmy Paul, age 52, of Eastman was arrested for driving while licenses were suspended or revoked and possession of
methamphetamine with the intent to sale, deliver or distribute.

Tammy Claxton, age 39, of Eastman was arrested for driving while licenses were suspended or revoked and improper exhaust system.

Elisha Williams, age 17, of Eastman was arrested for disorderly conduct.

Santiago Santos, age 42, of Eastman was arrested for pedestrian under the influence (P.U.I.)

Bilal Abu Rub, age 44, of Eastman was arrested for driving without licenses and driving too fast for conditions.

Dear editor:
 The June 17th edition of The Dodge County News had an opinion piece by Mr. John Battle on the Confederate flag. I would rhetorically and respectfully add, and ask Mr. Battle’s and others in their perpetual rant about the Confederate flag, isn’t so easy in 21st politically correct Century hindsight to be so self righteous and condemn that flag in southern armies asunder? However Mr. Battle, let it be remembered that the stars and stripes also flew over slaves both north and south for generations long before the Confederate flag was in existence.  I can only  suppose Mr. Battle had a severe case of amnesia and omitted that factual historical footnote, how convenient!
As a direct descendant of General Mark Wilcox, which a county in central Georgia was named after for his valor in the civil war and state legislator,  I, along with my family, admire and appreciate the sacrifices that my late Great Uncle and others did, and not equate their patriotism and values with the perverse atmosphere that is so prevalent in America today with goose stepping skin heads with swastika and buffoons wearing cheap Walmart bed sheets.
Mr. Battle, I would ask what’s next on the hit list, The Great Sphinx in Egypt, after all, slaves built that too didn’t they?  
And for the record Mr. Battle, I too served under the stars and bars with that flag flying atop of my armored personnel carrier as an infantry soldier in Vietnam 1967-68. Governor Lester Maddox personally mailed me that flag with the approval of my commander to mount it on the radio antenna.  Other soldiers were doing the same representing their state.
For those politicians who have the backbone of a slinky toy in caving in now on monuments and statues for the political correctness, they are cowards to the core.
There is a reckoning coming for those feckless betrayers, it’s called election.
TSGT. Joseph Bryan, U.S.A.F. Ret      

COLVIN MACK WIMPEY
Retired Gilman Paper Company
Mr. Colvin Mack Wimpey, age 81, of Eastman, died Sunday, June 7, 2020 at his residence.
Graveside services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 9, 2020 at Cottondale Cemetery with Reverend Chris Dotson and Reverend Lewis Miller officiating.


DOROTHY LILA MATHEWS
Retired Department of Family and Children Services Supervisor
Dorothy Lila Mathews, age 69, of Rhine, died on Thursday, June 4, 2020 in Serenity Place in Dublin.
Graveside services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 6, 2020 in the Sharon Baptist Church Cemetery with Reverend Benny Moore officiated.


OBIE EVANS
Former Robins Air Force Base Employee
Obie Evans, age 84, died Sunday, May 31, 2020.
Graveside services will be at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 3, 2020, at Woodlawn Cemetery.


DELTON MILES BURNHAM
Former Piggly Wiggly Assistant Manager
Delton Miles Burnham, age 53, of Rhine, died Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at his residence.
Gtaveside services were helld at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 4, 2020 at Old Fairhaven Church Cemetery, with Mr. Gary Ryals officiating.


Lillie Anna Warren
Retired Licensed
Practical Nurse
Lillie Anna Warren, age 94, of Buffalo, New York died Thursday, May 21, 2020 after an extended illness of COVID-19 complications.
Private funeral services will be held at a later date.