The Dodge County News

By Taelor Rye
The Dodge County Board of Commissioners voted to sponsor the annual Heart of Georgia Air Show with $2,500.00, after Henry Whitfield, director for the Cochran and Eastman campuses of Middle Georgia State University (MGSU), addressed the board at its regular meeting on June 19, 2017.

Last year, the board moved to sponsor the air show with $5,000.00, but other organizations and individuals had already pledged to sponsor the event this year. For example, the City of Eastman, the development authority, Milan State Bank, GoJet Airlines and State Bank & Trust are among those who have already decided to sponsor the air show.
Whitfield also stated that the Heart of Georgia Regional Airport Authority has tabled their decision until July. Additionally, Whitfield and Eastman-Dodge County Chamber of Commerce President Charles Williams are set to give a presentation to the chamber’s executive committee later this month.

The air show, presented by Kencoa Aerospace, is set to take place on September 30, 2017. Gates will open at 10:00 a.m., the event itself will begin at 12:00 p.m. and the air show will end at 3:00 p.m.

The air show is a “family-friendly event [that] features aerobatic performances, interactive exhibits, food, and more,” and its venue “will showcase Georgia’s only four-year public aviation school, as well as the Heart of Georgia Regional Airport and the Eastman community,” according to promotional material for the event.
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The Eastman Police Department reported the following arrests in the previous week.

Korey Lowrey, age 19, of 5335 Manhasset Cove in Atlanta was arrested for obstructing law enforcement officers and possession/ purchase alcohol under 21.

Hannah Davis, age 26, of 279 Highway 165 in Milan was arrested for criminal trespass, business.

Melinda Long, age 48, of 1623 Belleview Road in Dublin was arrested for driving while license suspended or revoked and failure to stop at stop/ yield sign.

Leonidas De La Cruz, age 42, of 334 5th Avenue Apartment C in Eastman was arrested for driving while unlicensed or expired new resident.

John Holder, age 37, of 395 Lee Street in Milan was arrested for probation violation.

Jennifer Coons, age 22, of 2661 Dublin Highway in Eastman was arrested for driving while license suspended or revoked.

Martrell Brown, age 33, of 306 South Road in Wauchula, Florida was arrested for driving wile license suspended or revoked and speeding.

Juan Felipe Reyes, age 39, of 5918 Asbury Drive Lot 5 in Eastman was arrested for driving while unlicensed or expired new resident.

Juvenile, age 12, of 120 Holder Place in Eastman was arrested for juvenile runaway.

Prophet Thomas, age 51, of 525 Plaza Avenue Apartment F28 in Eastman was arrested for terrorizing threats and acts.

Laurie Ethridge, age 64, of 5239 Smith Avenue in Eastman was arrested for failure to yield while turning left and driving under the influence of alcohol. [Full Story »]

Dear editor:
There is no doubt in this American’s mind that our country is in turmoil. Republican and Democratic parties have violently different views about the way our country should be managed. Under the Obama administration, our national debt increased astronomically. Although the unemployment rate decreased, the number of those living below the poverty level and receiving government subsidies climbed to staggering heights. The former administration’s policy of “looking the other way” regarding the influx of illegal aliens has failed, and violence, crime and illegal drug rates have increased dramatically over the last eight years. The fatality rate of our law enforcement officials has also risen exponentially. Fear has gripped our nation.
The Healthcare Reform Act, (Obamacare), has turned into the one of the most structurally unsound failures on our American economy, with high deductibles, high premiums and poor healthcare services. The silent majority that did not agree with Obama’s policies did not riot, commit crimes against our government or commit acts of terror in protest. We democratically elected Republican majority leadership in both houses of Congress, and elected ourselves a radically different executive to lead us. People wanted change. They wanted smart leadership.
Since his election, President Trump has been the center of liberal media ridicule and mutilation of character. He is our president, people! He is protecting America, its interests and livelihood as he would his own businesses. Trump’s goals are simple ones; smaller federal government allowing states to govern themselves, building a stronger military to protect our country and its allies from ever increasing threats of violence at home and abroad and bringing American companies back to America, thus creating more American jobs, and lessening the need for government subsidies. He understands the strain that illegal aliens put on our economy, and, he is working diligently to rectify the threats they impose on America.
The constant bickering across the aisle in D.C. and the constant vilification of our president by mainstream media is nothing more than a smokescreen, however, to keep Americans blind about the real issues that threaten our country.
The Congressional shooting that took place in Virginia this week has brought to light an unfavorable truth about America. The Virginia shooter, in his own words, wanted to “terminate the Republican party.” Was he just a crazy left-wing radical, or a man desensitized by the predominantly liberal media, blaming a particular party for his state of being? Did his hatred stem from his own beliefs or the propaganda presented to us each day by our own media? Who should be held accountable for the current, tremendous divide of our own people? [Full Story »]

J.C. Connaway, age 87, passed away on May 29, 2017 in West Palm Beach, Florida.
A memorial celebration was held on Thursday, June 15, 2017 at Rollins Funeral Home Chapel, with Reverend Victor Cooper presiding and Reverend Milton Hughes officiating.
Mr. Connaway was the son of the late Lewis Connaway and Vdella Walker Connaway of Empire, Georgia.
Survivors include one daughter Maetta (Milton) Hughes of Dublin; two grandchildren, Cheryl Hughes and Kevin Hughes of Orlando, Florida; four great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; one sister, Rosa Chambers of West Palm Beach, Florida and one brother, Marvin Connaway of Eastman.
Rollins Funeral Home of Eastman was in charge of arrangements.