July

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

The Board of Education met July 22 to consider the adoption of a $19,359,644 budget, a $700,000 increase over last year's $18.6 million.

The Early County Commission adopted a $7,857,441 million budget for FY 2008-09 which is approximately 10 percent over last year's $7,132,905 budget. The new budget will require $1 million from the county's fund balance and an estimated onemill property tax increase.

Fireworks filled the sky over Standifer Field July 3 at the annual fireworks display.

Bethel Baptist Association featured many of its member churches in a musical presentation "The Spirit of America" at Mangham Auditorium.

The July 15 primary resulted in a runoff between Sheriff Jimmie Murkerson and challenger Donald Bryant. In other races, Todd Hunter won coroner without a runoff.

Incumbent tax commissioner Sylvia Hood defeated challenger Jerry Howard 2,208 to 1,058.

Incumbent county commissioner Hank Jester of Arlington held on to his District 2 commission seat by defeating challenger Vivian Pounder 450 to 286.

City voters approved general obligation bonds to finance an expansion of the waste- water treatment facility and the renovation of City Hall.

The Board of Commissioners and School Board were forced to increase ad valorem tax rates by 1.5 mills after the county's tax digest decreased by over $30 million due to a $31 million increase in conservation exemptions.

August

The Georgia Attorney General and Longleaf Energy Associates filed application for appeal with the Georgia Court of Appeals to reverse a ruling by a Fulton County Superior Court judge's decision to throw out permits issued by the Georgia EPD for the Early County power plant project.

Early County school officials reported a smooth first day for the system's 2,400 students.

Bainbridge College Early County had 17 students complete the campus' first EMT program.

Sheriff Jimmy Murkerson defeated Donald Bryant by 395 votes in the runoff for the office of sheriff.

Bryant Gov. Sonny Perdue announced that Early County had been awarded a $500,000 community block development grant for renovation of the Early County Health Department.

Primary Care of Southwest Georgia held a ribbon cutting for its facility on College Street.

The Georgia Court of Appeals agreed to consider reversal of Fulton Superior Court Judge Moore's ruling on the Longleaf Power project.

The Early County Commissioners agreed to enter into a contract with EC2055 for economic development services for a fee of $80,000 per year.

September

The community was saddened when Billy and Pat Parish of Blakely were killed in a single vehicle accident in Bowie, Texas.

A Sawyer Brown performance highlighted EC 2055's annual block party.

Henrinel Middleton and Anagene Gibbs were honored for their service as educators. Each has logged 50 years in the field.

Two teenage burglars who went on a weekend crime spree were caught after one of the suspects activated a stolen cell phone with his own cell phone number.

Murkerson Gas prices rose to almost $5 a gallon after Hurricane Ike halted production in the gulf.

The Bainbridge College Early County Site saw enrollment climb from 585 last fall to 763 this semester.

Tori Askew of Arlington was crowned homecoming queen at Southwest Georgia Academy.

October

The ECHS Band of Blue performed on Georgia Tech's Grant Field.

The 38th annual Kolomoki Festival drew a large crowd from around the tri-state area to Kolomoki Mounds.

Shaquina Reed was named homecoming queen and Escondarious Yarbrough king at Early County High's homecoming festivities.

A candidate forum gave voters the chance to hear from candidates on the ballot Nov. 4.

The Early County News entered it's 150th year of operation.

November

Heath Busby of the Early County High School FFA chapter was a national winner in landscape management competition.

Alaina White, daughter of Wayne and Loretta White, made her acting debut in "Savage," a movie being filmed in Early County by Fearmakers Studios.

Delia Denise Conley, 24, was stabbed to death at her home. Keith Lee was apprehended in connection with the crime.

Barack Obama was elected the nation's first African American president. Locally, incumbent Probate Judge Tonya Holley defeated challenger Clink Alexander and Denise Williams defeated incumbent Phyllis Craft for school board seat district 2. A runoff for the BOE district 5 seat between Ronnie Ashley and Cynthia Levatte is set for Dec. 2.

Early County Elementary School received a "distinguished" school label for achieving adequate yearly progress for five consecutive years.

Blakely Commons, a 64-home rental housing development on North Church, is nearing completion with some homes almost ready for families to rent.

Anthony Early, popular Early County High School student, was killed in a car accident on his way to work the day after Thanksgiving.

December

Cynthia Levatte edged out incumbent school board district 5 member Ronnie Ashley in a runoff 1,628 to 1,622. A recount showed no change in the six vote margin.

The Blakely City Council approved a $15.64 million budget for the 2009 fiscal year.

The Court Square Arts Council held an organizational meeting to plan a program of work for 2009.

Home intruders kicked in the back door of 95-year-old Vivian Moore's home. Mrs. Moore was not discovered until several hours after the incident.

Holidays on the Square drew a large crowd downtown to enjoy arts and crafts and the annual Christmas parade.

Hoyt Patterson was named acting mayor and Kevin Tabb mayorpro tem of Damascus after Mayor Heath McDowell and councilwoman Connie Mc- Dowell resigned from the Damascus city council.

A wreck claimed the life of Michael Fussell of Albany. Cedric Miller of Blakely faced multiple charges as a result of the accident, including DUI and homicide by vehicle.

The DOT completed the upgrade of eight intersections in Blakely. The upgrades include new traffic lights, new curbing and walk/don't walk signals for pedestrians.