Amelia Maine Spires, 46, 736 Register Road, Adel, was arrested March 14, 2023, and charged with sexual exploitation of a child (60 felony counts), incest, aggravated child molestation, aggravated sexual battery, computer or electronic pornography (three counts), cruelty to children, first degree (two counts), enticing a child for indecent purposes (two counts), possession of a…

Devonia Inman, who spent more than 23 years behind bars for a murder he did not commit in Adel, is currently seeking $1,610,000 of compensation from the state for his wrongful conviction, according to the Georgia Innocence Project. In November 2021, a Superior Court judge granted Inman’s petition for habeas corpus relief. On Dec. 20, 2021, Inman…

Mayor Buddy Duke called to order the Monday, March 6, 2023, meeting of the Adel Mayor and Council.   Council Members present were Terry McClain, Greg Paige, Walter Cowart, Celestine Hayes, and Jody Greene. Others present were City Manager Mark Barber, City Clerk Rhonda Rowe, City Attorney Tim Tanner, Police Chief Chad Castleberry, and members…

Alapaha Judicial Circuit District Attorney Chase L. Studstill reports that in the last thirty days, the Alapaha Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s office has obtained convictions on three separate cases resulting in life sentences in each case and assisted in the federal prosecution of a fourth case resulting in a 60 year sentence. Jason Aaron Clendenen,…

County officials confirmed that the rezoning request was withdrawn shortly before the deadline of noon Friday, March 3, 2023, for a convenience store on property near the Highway 37/76 intersection east of Adel. Thus, the public hearing before the County Commissioners scheduled for Monday night, March 6, was cancelled because no decision was to be…

Sheriff Doug Hanks and Capt. Brent Exum discussed with the County Commission on Monday, Feb. 6, 2023, that the Sheriff’s Office will be taking over policing in the City of Cecil. Cecil Mayor James Spencer sent a letter that states he wants the Sheriff’s Office to provide law enforcement coverage in that town because Cecil…

Tornadoes have slammed Cook County in recent years, causing seven deaths in January 2017, damaging homes and businesses in April 2020, and again impacting about two dozen homes in January 2023, six years to the day of the deadliest natural disaster in local history. Local leaders have responded by seeking to add another method of…

Churches, individuals and groups such as the Hornet baseball team, and local government agencies joined forces last week to help with relief and cleanup efforts after an EF-2 tornado smashed through Adel on late Sunday afternoon, Jan. 22, 2023. Thankfully, no one was injured, although the twister damaged about two dozen homes in the Kent…

 On Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, the Adel-Cook County Chamber of Commerce announced the 2022 Community Award Honorees.  The honorees are:  • Sharon Harnage, Woman of the Year. She is owner of Quick Consulting & Business Services and TSR Boutique LLC. She has been instrumental in many community activities; for example, helping coordinate the community response…