Early County News

Three non-partisan races set

07/02/2008

When qualifying for nonpartisan candidates closed Friday, three local races had taken shape for the Nov. 4 General Election. A race for the office of Probate Judge materialized the first day of qualifying when incumbent Probate Judge Tonya Holley and Clink Alexander qualified for that office.

Merchants invited to participate

07/02/2008

Early County retail merchants and small business owners are invited to participate in a seminar to discuss the local economy. The Early County News is planning the meeting to discuss problems facing the local economy, how it's affecting local merchants and to garner ideas to stimulate the economy.

Griffin murder remains unsolved

07/02/2008

The Dothan murder of Blakely native Perry Griffin, which has remained unsolved for over a year, was back in the headlines of Dothan media this past weekend. Griffin died from a gunshot during an apparent robbery in the early morning hours of June 26, 2007, at Panhandle Converter Recycling on Beverlye Road. No one has ever been arrested in connection with Griffin's murder.

BOE budget up $700,000, no property tax increase

07/02/2008

The Early County School Board of Education will meet July 22 to consider the adoption of the final budget for the 2008-09 fiscal year. The new budget comes in at $19,359,644, an approximate $700,000 increase over last year's $18.6 million budget.

Voters meet the candidates

07/02/2008

The Early County Courtroom was standing room only Monday night as candidates for local office appeared at a forum to introduce themselves and their campaigns to local voters. Nine of the 10 candidates in four contested races participated in the forum.

Fireworks July 3rd!

07/02/2008

The fireworks display will be held at Standifer Field Thursday, July 3 at dark.

New laws...

07/02/2008

A glance at some of the new laws going into effect this month... Georgians with gun permits will be able to bring their firearms in restaurants that serve alcohol, aboard public transportation and in state parks. The law only applies to permitted gun owners who have undergone a criminal background check. There are roughly 300,000 such permit holders in Georgia.

PUBLIC NOTICES

07/02/2008

061108-03 NOTICE TO DEBTORS AND CREDITORS STATE OF GEORGIA COUNTY OF EARLY IN RE ESTATE OF THOMAS H. BELL, SR. All debtors and creditors of the Estate of THOMAS H. BELL, SR.

Fulton judge delays plant

07/02/2008

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Thelma Wyatt Cummings Moore Monday delayed the constuction of the Longleaf coal-fired power plant in Early County by being the first judge in the nation to rule the permits must include limits for carbon dioxide emissions.

WIC wants to hear from you

07/02/2008

The Georgia Department of Human Resources is pleased to announce that the state's special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children will hold its annual public comment period from July 14 until July 25. During this period, Georgians are invited to comment on the program and suggest ways to improve WIC services.

Corps prepares for multi-year drought

07/02/2008

Drought conditions throughout many areas of the Southeastern United States have begun to settle in again. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District, water managers and basin stakeholders are implementing plans and operational changes to meet the persistent dry conditions.

Habitat taking applications

07/02/2008

After 20 years of work, the Blakely-Early County Habitat for Humanity is taking applications for their third house. Those interested must meet three qualifications and fill out an application which can be picked up at the First Baptist Church office Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m to 5 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m to 12 noon, or can be accessed online at www.

Sunday School Lesson

Rev. James Temples — 07/02/2008

Luke 4:31-37; 20:1-8 Many terms have been used to describe the earthly life and ministry of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the only begotten son of God. John 3:16. Among these descriptions is "teacher." The gospel writers recorded much of the teaching of this man. The lessons taught touch all areas of life. However, the underlying theme is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 4:17.

The Gospel Truth

Dr. Charles F. DeVane Jr. First Baptist Church — 07/02/2008

Three of our great character studies in the gospel of John are women who share the same name, Mary. We have already examined the texts that tell us of the great faith of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. Today we shall look at the most misunderstood of the three, Mary Magdalene. John 20:1-2, 11- 18.

Bethel Baptist Association sings

07/02/2008

"The Spirit of America," a patriotic musical event will be presented Sunday, July 6 at 6 p.m. at Mangham Auditorium in Blakely. This presentation is sponsored by the churches in the Bethel Baptist Association and is directed by Glenda Bates, minister of music at Cuthbert First Baptist Church. This special event is presented as a gift to the community of Southwest Georgia.

CHURCH NEWS

07/02/2008

Glorious Community Holiness Church Glorious Community Holiness Church of Jesus of the Apostolic Faith, Highway 62 West, cordially invites everyone to attend a Hallelujah Praise worship service which will convene June 30 through July 6 at 7:30 p.m. Elder Samuel Williams, host pastor, will speak. For more information please call 723-6990.

Blakely Senior Center

07/02/2008

Daily Events July 7 - Rhythm band practice - 10:30-11:30. Lunch: Hamburger with onion, porkbeans, coleslaw, lettuce and tomato, HB bun, fruit cobbler. July 8 - Physical fitness - 10:15 a.m. - 11 a.m. Fire Department, 11 a.m. Lunch: Sliced ham, candied yams, green beans, wheat bread, Mandarin orange.

HERE & THERE this WEEK

07/02/2008

WEDNESDAY, JULY 2 BIRTHDAYS: Victoria Rose Gregory, Jim Pyle, Alan Braswell, Jeff Johnson ANNIVERSARY: Scott & Kim Cashwell Odom THURSDAY, JULY 3 ROTARY CLUB, noon, Blakely Town & Country Club FIREWORKS, Standifer Field, 7 p.m.

Candidates questioned

07/02/2008

Hilary Halford and Edwin James await beginning of Monday night's candidate forum along with Representative Gerald Green, right.

Other Voices

Mitch Clarke — 07/02/2008

Uga VI is dead, and I don't feel so good myself. I had to paraphrase that line from Lewis Grizzard because, well, it pretty accurately describes how I feel as I write this Saturday afternoon. If I have to explain to you who Uga is or why so many grown men are sad at the death of a dog, you're probably not going to understand anything I write today.

Political Cartoon

07/02/2008

Mumbles

Billy Fleming — 07/02/2008

I smell a rat! And, I think we've been had. Let me put it another way... in my opinion, the Longleaf permit appeal didn't end up in Judge Thelma Wyatt Cummings Moore's court by chance. Can't state that as fact, but I have a very strong suspicion, and I am tending to follow my gut feeling on this one.

All That's Fit to Print

Brenda Wall — 07/02/2008

Evan will soon hit the six month mark. He's past that bobble head stage and his smiles are more about emotion than gas. I like that part. To see a baby smile when you walk in the room lights up a day. He wants to take off. Put him down on a blanket and he's like a bug turned on its back, all four legs flailing away.

Dog daze in the south again

Alex McRae — 07/02/2008

It happens every summer in the south. Sooner or later, the last breezes die away, the temperature and humidity race to see who can outdo the other, and every living creature realizes there's nothing to do but find a shady spot and hang on until it's over.

Shipp's Georgia

Bill Shipp — 07/02/2008

This may be an answer to Georgia's woes. The University of Georgia has decided to spend a relatively paltry $1.44 million to buy a full-fledged commercial TV station and set it up in Athens. The purpose of acquiring WNEG-Channel 32 of Toccoa is to train communication students in TV and to make money.

From our Files

News from the past — 07/02/2008

10 YEARS AGO July 2, 1998 THE SKIES of Standifer Field will be illuminated with a fireworks specular tonight, July 2 with activities beginning at 8 p.m.

Ronnie P. Hunter

07/02/2008

Funeral services for Ronnie Pitts Hunter were Friday, June 27, 2008, at 12 p.m. in Clearwater, Fla., at St. John Primitive Baptist Church. Graveside services were Saturday, June 28, 2008, at Midway Missionary Baptist Church in Jakin at 3 p.m.

Jewell Mowrey

07/02/2008

Jewell Holder Johnson Mowrey, 93, of Blakely died Monday, June 30, 2008, at Early Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Mowrey was born in Early County Oct. 19, 1914, to the late Jessie Clarence Holder and Hallie Perry Holder.

Bernice Still

07/02/2008

Miriam Bernice Still, 90, of Blakely died Monday, June 30, 2008, at Southeast Medical Center in Dothan, Ala. Mrs. Still was born in Early County Sept. 8, 1917 to the late Clarence Wilson Mosely and Lucy Corean Reed Mosely.

FSA News

Ty Godfrey — 07/02/2008

Producers have until September 30 to sign up for the 2008 Direct and Counter-cyclical Payment program. Producers can fill out their 2008 DCP contract at any USDA Farm Service Agency county office. Signup can also be completed online by going http://www. fsa.usda.gov/FSA/edcp and clicking on "Access eDCP Service.

USDA loan rates announced

07/02/2008

USDA's Commodity Credit Corporation has announced 2008 crop loan rates for four types of peanuts. CCC calculated the price support levels for each peanut type using the same method as last year. CCC uses the national average loan rate of $355.00 per ton and five-year average quality factors along with a three-year simple average weighted production.

Sunbelt Expo Field Day July 8

By Sharon Omahen University of Georgia — 07/02/2008

Farmers can see firsthand the latest seed varieties, chemicals, irrigation and precision agriculture technology at the Sunbelt Ag Expo Field Day at Spence Field in Moultrie July 8. The field day includes tours of 130 field plots, focusing on traditional row crop varieties.

BIRTHS

07/02/2008

Charlie and Stefanie Cowart of Arlington proudly announce the birth of their son, Charles Weston. Weston was born Monday, June 16, 2008, at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany. He weighed 7 pounds, 11 ounces.

Catering is an option for your next event

07/02/2008

Throwing a bash to share with friends and family is something many people enjoy doing. Part of enjoying the celebration for hosts and hostesses is being able to mingle and share the festivities with guests. But this isn't always possible when they're responsible for preparing and serving the food among a bevy of other responsibilities.

CAMPUS NEWS

07/02/2008

Cole Johnston Hunt graduated in spring 2008 from the Georgia College and State University with a bachelor of science in athletic training. He is a graduate of Miller County High School. His internship involved working with the NBA team, the Utah Jazz.

Crocker named to dean's list

07/02/2008

Audrey Crocker, a native of Blakely, has been named to the Shorter College dean's list for the spring 2008 semester. The dean's list honors traditional students who complete a minimum of 12 semester hours and earn at least a 3.5 GPA for the term.

THANKS

07/02/2008

On behalf of our family, we would like to express our gratitude for your visits, phone calls, cards, flowers, memorials, food and all other acts of kindness. The love and support shown to us during this very difficult time will always be cherished and remembered.