The Dodge County News

A doctor convicted of falsifying medical safety examinations for commercial drivers has been sentenced to nearly three years in federal prison.

U.S. District Judge Dudley H. Bowen on Wednesday sentenced Dr. Mark Griffis, age 61, of Eastman, to 30 months in prison for conspiring to falsify Department of Transportation (DOT) mandated medical exams for drivers who hold commercial licenses, announced Bobby L. Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.

Griffis was convicted after a three-day jury trial in June. Judge Bowen also fined Griffis $6,000.00, and ordered him to serve three years of federally supervised release after he completes his prison sentence. There is no parole in the federal system.

According to the evidence presented at trial, Jo Carol White, a DOT approved drug and alcohol screener, paid Griffis to falsely certify medical exam forms at $50.00 each without actually examining the driver. This scheme allowed 271 drivers to renew their commercial driver licenses without undergoing the appropriate medical exams to assure their fitness to drive. Earlier this year, White was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment for her role in the conspiracy.

“Motorists expect and deserve the highest standards of safety from commercial drivers who make a living transporting goods on our taxpayer-funded roadways,” said U.S. Attorney Bobby L. Christine. “Griffis violated the duties of his profession and made our highways more dangerous for no reason other than pure greed.” [Full Story »]

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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 »]

Happy Thanksgiving to all.
To desire elimination of unnecessary regulation by the EPA is not the same as wanting dirty air.
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The New York Post is a good newspaper. Check it out at NYPost.com. The New York Daily News is a Trump-hating leftwing newsrag. So are the Washington P- - - and New York Slimes.
Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch are good Supreme Court choices. Way to go, Donald Trump. Long may both live. Could you imagine the losers the Demoleft Party would propose?
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“Twenty years is too long to be in Washington.”
Laura Ingraham [Full Story »]

Ricky Lee Weston
Age: 55
Deceased: November 13, 2018
Arrangements: Stokes-Southerland Funeral Home of Eastman