Return from the Danger Zone
By Charles Shiver Donald S. “Bush” Bryan, who passed away on May 15, 2012, at the age of 90, was among the greatest of The Greatest Generation, and we will never see his like again. Cook County Airport Manager Jerry Connell, the Airport Authority, and Cook County should be commended for preserving Mr. Bryan’s awesome…
Read MoreMulti-State ATM “Jackpotting” Ring Busted in Middle District of Georgia Venezuelan Group Tied to ATM Thefts or Attempted Thefts in Georgia, Florida and Kentucky ALBANY, Ga. – A group of Venezuelan nationals involved in a series of ATM “jackpotting” thefts across Georgia and additional states have pleaded guilty to federal charges. Hector Alejandro…
Read MoreAirport terminal named for World War II ace fighter pilot
By Charles Shiver If you ever want to learn about some interesting local history, please visit the Cook County Airport terminal building named for Donald S. “Bush” Bryan. The airport has an exhibit with historic photos of the World War II ace pilot and his wife Frances, “Little One.” The exhibit features artifacts on loan…
Read MoreA lost tradition: Big Oak Tree Community Celebration on Christmas Eve
By Charles Shiver In 2019, I took photos of the Celebration Oak in the center of West Meeting Street in Adel. Over the years, everyone was invited to the Annual Big Oak Tree Community Celebration, always held beginning at 7 p.m. Christmas Eve under the Big Oak Tree that lived in the middle of West…
Read MoreSale City Man Guilty of 69 Counts in Dog Fighting Case
67 Dogs Rescued at Rural Southwest Georgia Property; Many Injured and Scarred ALBANY, Ga. – A well-known dog-fighting breeder and trainer in Southwest Georgia was convicted this week of dozens of federal animal welfare charges, along with possessing guns and manufacturing drugs. Dun Bradford, of Sale City, Georgia, was found guilty of 67 counts of…
Read MoreAdel business owners, former CMS principal indicted in federal counterfeit goods case
Last week, a federal grand jury indicted an Adel business owner, two of her daughters, the business owner’s husband, and three other defendants for conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit goods, according to court records. The defendants are identified as Michelle Meadows, owner of Michelle’s in Adel; Russell B. “Rusty” Meadows, former principal of Cook Middle…
Read MoreEight Valdosta residents sentenced to prison in fraudulent check cashing scheme Defendants ran counterfeit check cashing fraud with stolen information from USPS employee ALBANY, Ga. – Eight South Georgia residents, including a bank branch employee, were sentenced to prison for a check cashing and kickback scheme in Valdosta utilizing stolen check information from a…
Read MoreMan indicted for conspiracy to produce child pornography
On Oct. 1, 2025, the Cook County Grand Jury returned a true bill of indictment against Billy Ray Daniel, 67, of Dayton, Ohio, (currently in federal custody) for aggravated child molestation – party to a crime, aggravated sexual battery – party to a crime, conspiracy to commit production of child pornography (two counts), enticing a…
Read MoreBridge on Springhill Road dedicated in memory of Zera D. Storey
Bridge on Springhill Road dedicated in memory of Zera D. Storey On Friday morning, Sept. 26, 2025, the family of the late Zera Darrell Storey and his wife, the late Mattie Wetherington Storey, attended a sign dedication ceremony for Mr. Storey at the Cook County Courthouse. State Rep. Chas Cannon of the 172nd District and…
Read MoreOn the trail of Cain
On the trail of Cain By Charles Shiver After reading my recent article about the unsolved 1973 murder of Claude Wood, a family member asked me to report on another “cold” unsolved local case, the May 1989 murder of Benjamin “Benny” Dale Nolan, 42, of Route 1, Sparks. According to a front page article in…
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