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2006 IN REVIEW
Chad Chapman was attacked by a rabid bobcat under the carport of his home. Chapman managed to fight off the rabid animal with the help of his Jack Russell terrier, Doc. Chapman suffered several bites and scratches and Doc suffered only a few minor cuts. Chapman received a series of five rabies shots and Doc was quarantined at the veterinarian’s office for 60 days. Postage for a first class letter increased from 37¢ to 39¢ on Jan. 8. Post cards increased from 23¢ to 24¢. This rate increase was the first since 2002. The Early County Historical Society recognized the Zion Fellowship Building at Zion Free Will Baptist Church with a plaque commemorating the building’s 125 year history. Mayor Ric Hall swore in councilmen Al Hutchins and Charles Middleton. Hutchins begins his third term on the council and Middleton begins his first. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division held a question and answer session Jan. 23 at Mangham Auditorium. The session gave local citizens the opportunity to ask questions concerning the 1,200 watt coal-powered energy plant proposed for construction in Early County. Lucy Major, a popular local resident, was found murdered in her home Friday, Jan. 20. Thaddeus Lee Taylor, 24, was charged with murder and armed robbery in connection with Mrs. Major’s death. The Charles and Catherine Rice Foundation is funding Early County 2055, a 50- year planning and development project for Early County. February CVS is building a new, standalone store building on the corner of Highway 62 and Flowers Drive. The local Habitat for Humanity began work on its third house. Located at the corner of Washington and Lee streets, the house is scheduled to be the future home of Tonya Tinsley and her family. The Early County News launched its electronic edition on the web at www.earlycountynews.com. March Brad Hughes of Blakely announced his Republican candidacy for representative of the Second Congressional District. Hughes, 28, challenges incumbent Representative Sanford Bishop, who has held the seat since 1992. Outgoing Blakely-Early County Chamber of Commerce Chairman Hal Still passed the gavel to Janet Payton, who serves as this year’s chamber chairman, at the organization’s annual banquet. Jay Glass exhibited the grand champion and Madison Bridges the reserve champion at the Early County 4-H Club’s annual Market Hog Show. Stage Stores announced it had acquired 78 retail locations in the southeast with the local B.C. Moore’s store among those 78. The company plans to convert the local store to a Peebles Department Store. STAR students and their teachers are Tommy McClendon, ECHS STAR student and teacher Leigh Ann Collins; and Jarrett Cook, SGA STAR student and his teacher, Ann Lewis. Primary Care of Southwest Georgia will open its doors March 31. The community health center will provide medical services to local residents, regardless of income level. Janice Sherman has been cho- sen as executive director. Opening day at Howell Park saw several hundred young baseball players take to the field for this season. A large crowd of players and supporters moved in and out of the stands as each recreation department team played their first game of 2006. April An undercover operation netted the arrest of 38 drug suspects in Early County and the discovery of meth labs in Jakin and at the Confederate Naval Yard. Norfolk Southern Railroad is upgrading railway crossings in the area, including adding flashing lights and gates at many crossings. Jerry Widener, 59, of Donalsonville died from injuries resulting from a fall in an accident at Georgia-Pacific’s Cedar Springs operation. Widener was a 39-year employee of the mill. Five suspects were arrested following a drug bust on Liberty Street. Officers discovered large amounts of both marijuana and cocaine, along with approximately $2,000 in cash. A 67-pound blue catfish caught at George W. Andrews Lock and Dam on the Chattahoochee could hold the new record for the largest catfish caught in Georgia. The catfish, which was 48 inches long, was taken to Flint River Aquarium in Albany where he later died. May A little bit of local history bit the dust literally when the old Holland Hospital was demolished. The building had served as a hospital, the health department and the extension department over its 70-year life. Lora Ann Sasnett was named Secretary of the Year at the chamber’s annual Secretaries’ Luncheon. Over 100 local citizens participated in an “Economic Opportunities Weekend” sponsored by Early County 2055. The event included sharing ideas about present and future plans for Early County. ECHS student Willie Wimberly made history as the first male elected as state president to the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America. Raymond Singletary was recognized for his 73 years of service to Blakely Rotary Club. Mr. Singletary joined the organization in 1932, only six years after the club was chartered. He remains an active member. An estimated 1,500 people showed up for a free barbecue dinner to kick off a week-long planning effort led by Placemakers and Early County 2055. Early County High School graduated 134 seniors in its class of 2006. Clint Bush and Audrey Crocker shared the honor of valedictorian. Volunteers of Early County’s museum project gave the community a preview of the museum’s future exhibits and of its present renovations at a Hardhat Tour. The building on North Main Street was toured by a large crowd throughout the afternoon. Southwest Georgia Academy’s class of 2006 included 25 students. The top three students, Jarrett Rex Cook, Amelia Carol Davis and Corrie Camille Lowe, will share speaking honors. Maverick Tubing announced that the Cedar Springs plant would not be closing as planned. This was good news to approximately 80 employees at the facility. June Residents of Sandy Bottom Road saw the beginning of work towards the paving of their road, a project funded by monies from the Department of Transportation and SPLOST. The Board of Regents has approved the transfer of Blakely’s Albany Technical College campus to Bainbridge College. The transfer makes the local campus a site of Bainbridge College which offers both associate and technical studies degrees. The Wiregrass Art League dedicated their 13th annual member exhibition to local artist Sam “Tully” Lightsey. Lightsey is a popular local artist whose work hangs in many Early County homes as well as homes throughout the southeast. Firefighters were called to a fire on Mays Mill Road and found flames and smoke coming from the roof of the High Cotton Bar and Grill. Firefighters were able to contain the blaze, but the building and most of its contents were destroyed or damaged.
The Early County Board of Education approved a tentative budget of $17.75 million which will require a 1.5 mill tax increase and will force the system to deplete most of its $700,000 fund balance, leaving $45,000 as a cushion against emergencies.
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