No greater love … Dr. James Gordon DeVane
No greater love … Dr. James Gordon DeVane By Charles Shiver A young local doctor named James Gordon DeVane was pitted against the overwhelming horror of the Spanish flu pandemic, which reached its peak during fall 1918 in this community. Kissed by a scorpion, and on to war According to the Ray City History Blog,…
Read MoreTwo arrested in neglect to disabled adults case
Craig Theron Davis, 49, 26 Lawson Lane, Cecil, was arrested April 17, 2025, and charged with aggravated stalking, exploitation of an elder or disabled person, and neglect to a disabled adult or elder person (two counts), according to Cook County Sheriff’s Office Investigations. Davis’s mother Constance Dianna Davis, 71, of the same address, was arrested…
Read MoreChurch bookkeeper sentenced to prison for fraud
Former Alapaha, Ga., church bookkeeper sentenced to prison for fraud Florida woman stole $173,500 from church’s Peanut Butter and Jesus charitable program ALBANY, Ga. – A Florida woman who served as the bookkeeper for an Alapaha, Georgia, church was sentenced to federal prison and ordered to pay back $173,500 in restitution for falsely applying for…
Read MoreThe backyard ‘Indiana Jones’
T T The backyard ‘Indiana Jones’ By Charles Shiver I am facing two mysteries about historic artifacts recovered in South Georgia. What happened to a wall painted with the names of World War II soldiers from Cook County? And, what IS a strange blade discovered last week in Berrien County? Thirty years ago this fall,…
Read MoreThere’s a fountain flowing deep and wide
New Frontiers There’s a fountain flowing deep and wide By Charles Shiver Last week, I wrote in this column about Missionary Lola McCrae and Evangelist Ernestine Miller, Mrs. McCrae’s daughter, a local faith-healing team who seemed to be continuing the miraculous legacy of Ray City seeress Molly Reddick Hall and her younger sister Stella Wright…
Read MoreMemories of faith healing
Memories of faith healing By Charles Shiver I recently began writing about the divinations and healing practices of Ray City, Ga., seeress Molly Reddick Hall and her younger sister Stella Wright. Ms. Hall was best known for using her cards to assist a murder victim’s nephew in finding the body: Susan Hinson Moon, killed by…
Read MoreThe search for lost Bayboro
The search for lost Bayboro By Charles Shiver Bayboro, a historic African-American cemetery near Ellenton, dates back to the 1840s and doubtlessly contains the graves of slaves or former slaves. I went looking for it after I recently wrote a story mentioning the lost town or village of Bayboro. Boisy Bryant, 17 years old, fled…
Read MoreCHS honors first male wrestling state champs since 2012
During the Cook County Board of Education regular session on Monday, March 10, 2025, Superintendent of Schools Joy Folsom recognized Mr. Destry Walker, Cook High School Wrestling Coach, his coaching staff, and wrestlers for placing third in the State Duals Championship and for placing fifth in the GHSA State Wrestling tournament. Cook Wrestling placed fifth…
Read MoreState indicts alleged gang members for murder
AG Carr, DA Shealy Announce New 44-Count Gang Indictment Charging Seven Individuals in Lowndes County with Murder and Other Acts of Violence Defendants face charges related to the 2023 shooting deaths of Jaylon Smith and Brianna Long Attorney General Chris Carr and Southern Judicial Circuit District Attorney Bradfield M. Shealy today announced that seven individuals have been…
Read MoreCook County 4-H excels at Southwest District Project Achievement 2025
Cook County 4-H excels at Southwest District Project Achievement 2025 By Katrina Searcy 4-H Agent ROCK EAGLE, GA – Cook County 4-H’ers recently showcased their hard work, talent, and dedication at the Georgia 4-H Southwest District Project Achievement (DPA) at Rock Eagle 4-H Center. Sixteen outstanding 4-H’ers represented Cook County with pride, earning top honors…
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