Dodge County sheriff's deputies and members of the GBI are investigating a fatal stabbing that happened early Saturday at a campgrounds in Chauncey.

 

Authorities said a woman stabbed her two young sons before she turned the knife on herself shortly after 4:30 a.m. She died from her self-inflicted wounds.

 

The children suffered injuries that were not life threatening and were transported to Dodge County Hospital. Hospital staff said the boys were released by 4 p.m.

 

The 30-year-old woman and the boys, 5 and 6, were in town from North Carolina for a family reunion at the Jay Bird Springs Resort, about 12 miles from Eastman off Ga. 341, authorities said.

 

Jay Bird Springs staff could not confirm whether family members had left the recreation park.

 

The incident remains under investigation.
 

To contact writer Ashley Tusan Joyner, call 744-4347.

Dodge County man's baseball cap

collection exceeds 1,000

Johnny Johnson isn't all that crazy about hats. He just happens to have 1,156 of them tacked to the walls and ceiling of his two-car garage.

Back when Johnson was running the Tri-County Peanut Co., seed and fertilizer salesmen always were passing through, handing out hats bearing their companies's logos. Soon he was acquiring caps of all kinds.

"I got too many to hang on my hat rack, so I put them in my closet. Then I got too many for my closet. So when we built this garage on, I decided to start hanging them up," said Johnson, 71, who lives northeast of Eastman in Plainfield. "I've got it full now, wouldn't you say?"

 

The hanging mass resembles a cave of sleeping bats.

 

Folks riding by when Johnson's garage is open can't help noticing the eclectic display.

"It's a good conversation piece," he said. "One guy stopped one day and he says, 'How much you get for your hats? I want to buy two or three.' He thought I was a retailer."

 

Oddly enough, Johnson isn't much of a hat guy.

 

"I never wore a hat when I was growing up," he said the other day, though he was sporting an "I Served With Pride" Air Force cap. "I didn't wear one 'til I went in the service, and then I always forgot to wear it. My sergeant was always getting on me about it."

 

Nonetheless, today his garage amounts to a hat-rack hall of fame.

"I think it's a lot of history," Johnson said. "I just started it and liked doing it."

Among the hundreds of hats are a half-dozen or so cobwebby relics from the Georgia Bulldogs' early-'80s glory days. They bear declarations such as "Walker My Dog" and "Hunker Down Hairy Dogs."

 

Johnson has campaign caps from local politicians and an early-'80s jewel from Bo Ginn's gubernatorial bid: "Ginn for Governor ... Go Bo."

Other hats range from beyond-tacky numbers with foam brows to the holy grail: a vintage Red Man tobacco cap, circa 1978. Ones like it nobly graced the noggins of fishermen and beer-league ballplayers alike.

 

Others feature bumper-sticker sayings such as "Would Rather Fish ... And Usually Do" to one cap with a 9-inch bill that says "Bet Mine's Longer Than Yours."

 

Johnson's grandson, Michael, who was helping around the house recently, told a visitor admiring his grandfather's collection, "He's got a hat or two, ain't he?"

"He's a little stingy with his hats," Michael said. "You might get your plate turned over at Sunday dinner if you touch one of these."

 

But Johnson really isn't so uppity when it comes to his caps. Why, he has a Po' Folks restaurant cap hanging beside one that reads, "Duke Law" - the school, not the Hazzard Dukes from television. (He does, however, have a hat emblematic of the latter. It reads, "The Dukes," under a rebel flag. It hangs in a corner. A bird has built a nest in it.)

 

"Sometimes people bring me hats, and there'll be eight or 10 of them in a bag. I'll just hang them up," Johnson said.

 

The hats have become his own personal memory lane of businesses he has known and places he has been.

 

The caps are reminders of the likes of Jerry's Auto Parts and Shorty's Car Wash.

They take him back to trips he and others have taken - the Louise Mandrell Theater, Nevada, Stuckey's.

 

He has never worn most of them, though. After all, how many hats can one man wear?

 

"Only one at a time," Johnson said.

 

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Chester woman arrested after standoff

with sheriff's deputies

 

 

Alcoa in Eastman to expand, adds jobs

Alcoa Architectural Products held a ground-breaking ceremony Thursday for its new 2,500-square-foot office expansion in Eastman.

Alcoa recently hired nine new employees for the expansion, according to a news release. Construction is scheduled to be completed by the end of summer. The Eastman plant produces products that have been used in buildings including the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Cleveland Browns Stadium, Home Depot Headquarters in Atlanta and most recently the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium, the release stated. Alcoa is Dodge County's largest exporter of manufactured goods, representing more than 94 percent of Dodge County products exported through the Georgia Ports Authority, the release stated. The plant has more than doubled its business since 2003. The office expansion will include Dodge County's first "green" parking lot, made with a product called FilterPave, a hard-surfaced, recycled-glass porous pavement that filters water.

 

Dodge County product in mix at tailback

ATHENS --One-third of the way through spring practice, true freshman tailbacks Richard Samuel and Dontavius Jackson are still neck-and-neck in the battle for the third-string tailback spot.

 

That's the word from offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, who added there's a third serious contender for the spot - Dodge County product Kalvin Daniels.

"Kalvin Daniels has done a nice job," Bobo said. "He's had a nice first eight or nine days of practice. He's shown a better (ability for) being able to run between the tackles. He's always had speed."

Daniels, who rushed for 44 yards on eight carries last year, was an honors graduate at Dodge County and the team's MVP his final two years. The walk-on is the underdog in the race.

Most of the spotlight so far has been placed on Samuel and Jackson. Both of those backs said their first live college action, last Saturday's scrimmage, was a combination of good and bad.

"It wasn't a shock to me. The only thing that got me, that I was a little behind on, was knowing what to do on every play," said the 6-foot-2, 215-pound Samuel, Scout.com's No. 4 running back in the nation last year. "You have to know it all and know what to look for and know if you block or run a route. The split-second decision of knowing what to do is what got me."

Jackson, 5-10, 190 pounds, could play running back or slot receiver because of his size, but he has practiced exclusively at running back this spring. Both Jackson and Samuel enrolled early so they could participate in spring practice.

"Both (Samuel and Jackson) are still having to be told everything to do every play, but I like their effort, and I like the way they practice every day," Bobo said.

Either Daniels, Jackson or Samuel will have to be ready to play next year, and it's possible two of the three will be in the rotation, Bobo said. Sophomore Knowshon Moreno will start, and redshirt freshman Caleb King is expected to back up Moreno. King suffered a minor knee injury last week but has been cleared after having an MRI.

WRAPPING UP

Starting free safety Reshad Jones and backup strong safety Quintin Banks, both redshirt sophomores, are beginning to get the hang of things, Richt said.

"I'm seeing a lot more direct hits by our safeties, Reshad and Banks, especially," Richt said.

Jones is becoming a better open-field tackler, and Banks is validating his reputation as a big hitter, Richt said.

"(Starting strong safety CJ) Byrd is a very good tackler, a good sure tackler," Richt said. "Maybe he just hasn't had as many opportunities as the other guys, but there have been some really good solid shots by Banks."

Banks is a graduate of Houston County. Redshirt freshman John Knox is the top backup at free safety, Banks said.

PRAISE FOR WYNN

GMC transfer Jarius Wynn isn't a starter and may not be at any time in his collegiate career, but that doesn't mean he's not making a positive, Richt said.

Wynn, a senior, is backing up junior Rod Battle at defensive end.

"Wynn is playing very well, but Roderick is, too," Richt said. "Jarius keeps coming on. I just think it's clicked for him on how to work, what kind of effort it takes, what kind of focus it takes to be a great player. He's really practicing like he wants to be special.
 

He's definitely going to play a lot of snaps, and Roderick is going to play a lot of snaps."

Wynn, 6-5, 273 pounds, had nine tackles last year.

 

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Supreme Court overturns Dodge County

drug conviction

 

The Georgia Supreme Court has ruled that the Georgia Court of Appeals was wrong to uphold the validity of a search warrant that led to a man's arrest in Dodge County and his subsequent sentence to 25 years in prison on drug charges.

 

In June 2005, agents arranged an undercover drug buy from Greg Beck, according to a court summary of the case. The agents later took out a warrant to search Beck's home.

 

Denae Douglas, who had been appointed by the chief magistrate to serve under the title of "assistant magistrate," signed the search warrant after consulting by phone with the chief, who was at home sick.

 

In searching Beck's residence, agents found large packages of marijuana packed in a Gatorade cooler, a digital scale and crack cocaine. They then arrested Beck.

 

Before trial, Beck filed a motion to suppress evidence found at his home, challenging the qualifications of the magistrate who issued the warrant. The trial court denied it.

 

In June 2006, Beck was convicted of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. Based on prior guilty pleas, he was sentenced as a repeat offender to 25 years in prison with no chance of parole. After the Court of Appeals upheld the convictions, Beck appealed to the Supreme Court.

 

In Monday's unanimous opinion, written by Justice Hugh Thompson, the Supreme Court found that the trial court and Court of Appeals erred in determining that a search warrant signed by an "assistant magistrate" was valid when such an office did not officially exist. "Although the county commissioners and Superior Court judges may have been authorized by law to create an assistant magistrate's office, É they did not do so here," the opinion said.

 

"It follows that the office of assistant magistrate did not exist and the acts of the individual who purported to occupy that office were invalid."

 

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Eastman drug store employee has been

helping folks for 50 years

By Chuck Thompson - cthompson@macon.com

EASTMAN --

Ed Horne was driving his boss's personal truck Wednesday when he was making rounds, delivering prescriptions to the sick and shut-in of Eastman.

 

The Dodge he normally drives was in the shop.

"The pins in the door hinge were worn from opening and closing the door so much, so it was sagging a bit," he said.

 

He's in and out of the truck a lot, making 30 to 50 deliveries a day, five or six days a week.

 

No one knows for sure how many vehicles Horne has worn out or how many miles he's driven in his career at Eastman Drugs. It has been 50 years, after all.

 

Horne was a couple of weeks shy of his 18th birthday when he began working for H.L. Alford and Lon Collins at their drugstore.

 

"I grew up on a farm out in the country," said Horne, now 68. "I worked on the farm growing up and for other farmers around where we lived."

 

When he graduated from high school, he didn't know what he wanted to do with the rest of his life, but one thing he was sure of. He didn't want to farm.

"That was a tough life," he said

.

So in February 1958, Horne got a job at the drugstore, one of three Eastman had at the time.

 

He didn't start out delivering prescriptions.

 

"I worked the soda fountain, making milkshakes, dipping ice cream, pouring Cokes.

 

 And I helped around the store, stocking or whatever was needed," he said. "They had a high school boy who made deliveries on his bicycle."

 

But soon he did begin making some deliveries during the morning before the high school boy came to work.

 

But he didn't have to pedal a bicycle.

 

"Mr. Alford let me drive his car, a big Chrysler," he said.

 

Finally, in 1962, Alford and Collins bought a used Ford pickup for Horne to use for deliveries.

 

"They had it waiting for me when I got back from my honeymoon," Horne said. "I still worked the soda fountain some and helped out in the store, but making deliveries was my main job. I'd make at least two runs a day, in the morning and late afternoon. And sometimes I'd work late and make deliveries after we closed."

 

Horne met his wife, Geraldine Bowen, at the soda fountain counter.

 

Police seek help in identifying stabbing

victim

 

 

Campbell is New Dodge Co.   Coach   Last Update: 2/15/2008 12:18:28 AM Author: Hugh Zeitlin Late Thursday night, the Dodge County school board voted to hire Hawkinsville head coach Lee Campbell as the Indians new head coach. Campbell told Eyewitness Sports that Dodge County superintendent Dr. Lynn Rogers called to offer him the job and he accepted. On making the move from Hawkinsville to Eastman, Campbell said, "I need a new challenge. I need a change." The Hawkinsville alum spent the past nine years coaching the Red Devils, winning four region championships and two state titles. Campbell takes over a Dodge County program that finished 9-3 each of the last two seasons.     Published February 12, 2008 10:42 pm - MOULTRIE – It was almost an afterthought that made Greg Robinson send his resume to Houston County to apply for its vacant head coaching job. “I really didn’t think I had a chance at it,” the former Colquitt County High quarterback and Dodge County head coach said. But at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Robinson received a call at his Eastman home telling him he was the new head coach of the Bears. Robinson named head coach at Houston County Wayne Grandy   MOULTRIE – It was almost an afterthought that made Greg Robinson send his resume to Houston County to apply for its vacant head coaching job.   “I really didn’t think I had a chance at it,” the former Colquitt County High quarterback and Dodge County head coach said.   But at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Robinson received a call at his Eastman home telling him he was the new head coach of the Bears.   And he knew exactly when he would be facing his alma mater.   “Saturday night, Nov. 1,” he said of the date the Bears will play host to the Packers in a Region 1-AAAAA game.   Click here for rest of story         Eastman council names Edge     as city manager        Eastman city council voted Tuesday, January 29 to make Eastman City Clerk Bea Edge the interim city manager. The action came after Eastman City Manager James Wright (79) suffered a heart attack and later died from complications from heart surgery on Friday, January 25.

 

2/1/08

 

Drug Sweep at Dodge County High

 

School

 

By Eric Lee
 

 

 

 

 

01/26/08

 

Eastman's City Manager Dies
 

Rebecca Stewart

The City of Eastman is mourning the loss of their City Manager, James Wright.

Family members say 79 year old Wright suffered a heart attack earlier in the week, causing him to undergo open heart surgery Friday night.

They say due to complications from the surgery, Wright passed away around 7:30 p.m.

The flag outside of City Hall has been lowered to half staff to show respect for one of the city's leaders.

A spokesperson at Stokes & Southerland Funeral Home says they are handling the funeral arrangements, but could not release any details at this time.

They also say Wright is survived by his wife, Inez and son, Jimmy.

Keep checking with 13WMAZ and 13wmaz.com for updates on this story.
 

 

01/25/08

 

No hire yet at Howard

 

By Jonathan Heeter - jheeter@macon.com

 

 

 

01/23/08

 

Macon Howard gets Dodge Co.

 

coach

Robinson moving to new Region 4-AA school

By JEFF HAWS
 

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

 

 

 

Jan. 16, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

Jan. 10, 2008

 

 

By Ashley Tusan Joyner

 

 

 

Jan. 7, 2008

 

Midstate woman charged in baby's

 

death

 

By Amy Leigh Womack

 

 

 

Jan. 07, 2008

 

 

 

Click here for rest of story

 

Baby Dies in Dodge County

 

Last Update:1/4/2008 7:55:45 PM
Web Editor: Kate Harrison

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating the death of a three-month-old baby in Dodge County.

According to Special Agent Greg Harvey with the GBI post in Eastman, paramedics got a call about a child in distress just after noon on Wednesday. The baby was rushed to the Dodge County Hospital, where she died.

According to Harvey, the death was ruled a homicide after an autopsy.

He says officers arrested the child's babysitter, 36-year-old Amy Rogers Jones, Friday afternoon.

The GBI and the Dodge County Sheriff's Office are still investigating the death.

 

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12/30/07

Man dies in hunting accident

 

By Ashle Tusan Joyner -

 

John Peacock, 39, died at 9:55 p.m. at The Medical Center of Central Georgia, from a gunshot wound to the abdomen, Bibb County Coroner Leon Jones said.

 

Peacock and his 12-year-old son were hunting deep in the woods when the accident involving a rifle occurred, Jones said.

 

The Dodge County Sheriff's Office responded to the incident. No other information was available.

 

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