The Dodge County News

By Becky Holland
Spence Barron, age 43, was named as the new county manager for Dodge County Monday night at the Dodge County Board of Commissioners’ regular monthly meeting.
A two-member search committee, consisting of commissioners W.T. “Junior” Howell and Brian Watkins, reviewed through a list of applicants for the position and presented Barron’s name as the top candidate to the board during the closed session of Monday night’s meeting. After coming out of the closed session, the commissioners voted on Barron’s selection.
For the past seven years Bobby Peacock, a former Dodge County commissioner and commission chairman, has served as interim county manager. Earlier in September, Peacock presented his resignation to some of the board members, but not as an agenda item for an official board meeting.
Immediately, the board opened the position up. Approximately seven applications were turned in.
Watkins told The Dodge County News on Tuesday during a phone interview that “of all the people that turned in resumes, Mr. Barron was the most qualified. I have known him for a long time and I believe he has the demeanor and character just right for this role.”
Barron currently serves as the chief financial officer for the Dodge County-Eastman Development Authority (DCEDA), and most recently prior to that role was the strategic planner for the DCEDA. In 2015, he retired after 18 years of creditable service with the state of Georgia as a special agent with the Georgia Bureau of Investigations (GBI).
He received his bachelor of arts in criminal justice in 1997 from the University of Georgia, his master of public health from Mercer University and is pursuing his doctorate in public health from Georgia Southern University.
Barron also graduated from the GBI Basic Agent Candidate Course from the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in 2002 and was appointed as a special agent in June of that year. He also graduated from the National Forensics Academy in 2010 from the Law Enforcement Innovations Center.
[Full Story »]

The Dodge County Indians got back to action Monday night at John Marshall Peacock Field.
The game, originally scheduled for Friday night, was moved to Monday due to the power outages left behind by the wake of Hurricane Michael. Please keep all the people affected by the storm in your prayers.
The Indians, coming off a tough loss to Dublin last week, needed a win against Washington County to keep our hopes alive for a top two finish in the region. [Full Story »]

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,
I’m seeking the descendants of Sam Davis. He was the driver for President Jefferson Davis before, during and after the civil war. When President Davis was fleeing Richmond in 1865, he came through Laurens, Pulaski (now Dodge) and Wilcox County. He was captured in Irwin County. His driver was Sam Davis who was one of President Davis’ slaves.
Sam Davis returned to Laurens County after the war and married a young woman he met while driving. They married and raised a family. Somewhere around twenty years later, they moved to Dodge County. There is a photo of him standing by a marker that showed where President Davis camped while in Pulaski (now Dodge) in the first history of Dodge County.
Jack Dorsey

Patricia Ann Rambo
Age: 70
Deceased: October 10, 2018
Arrangements: Stokes-Southerland Funeral Home of Eastman