Area News

Amaya Durden, Student Body President, gave the welcome for Cook High School Scholastic Honors Night on Monday, April 24, 2023.  Laura Howard conducted the Senior Introduction, and Principal Dr. Joi Williams was Master of Ceremonies. Tetyana Ard presented the Yearbook Staff Awards: Co-Editor – Lydia Sellars and Lucas Ward; Assistant Editor – Emma Rogers; and…

On Thursday, April 20, 2023, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources requested the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) provide further assistance into a death inquiry, according to a GBI news release. Desmon Arnez Patterson, age 31, of Adel was found dead inside a car partially submerged in the lake…

Councilman Paige appointed as Mayor Pro-Tem Mayor Buddy Duke called to order the Monday, April 17, 2023, meeting of the Adel City 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…

VALDOSTA, Ga. – A former police and school resource officer who admitted to producing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) was sentenced to serve more than 15 years in prison for his crime. Jonathan Eric Hancock, 32, of Hahira, Georgia, was sentenced to serve 190 months in prison to be followed by 12 years of supervised…

A $2 million winning Georgia Lottery ticket was sold at Gaskins Grocery in Adel on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. The customer won by matching three hearts for the $2 million prize on the $20 Big Raffle scratch-off ticket. The customer wishes to remain anonymous, according to the store owner. Store employees said Lottery ticket sales…

Daniel Lee Dailey, 35, of Lakeland, Fla., was arrested April 16, 2023, and charged with aggravated cruelty to animals (eight felony counts) and cruelty to animals (six misdemeanor counts), according to the Adel Police Department and Cook County Sheriff’s Office. Adel Police Department Criminal Investigations took warrants in the case, signed July 19, 2022, by…

On Wednesday, April 12, 2023, the Cook County Grand Jury returned a “true bill” or indictment against Ivan Bernard Sumlin, 64, of Cecil for arson, first degree, possession of cocaine, terroristic threats and acts, harassing communications, and possession of drug-related objects. Sumlin was arrested as the result of an investigation into a July 10, 2022,…

Dana Tyron Belle, 54, of Quitman was arrested on the afternoon of April 4, 2023, by the Georgia State Patrol for fleeing in a vehicle on I-75. Early the next morning, he allegedly fought with deputies and detention officers and caused injuries and property damage in the Cook County Jail. According to warrants taken by…

Mayor Buddy Duke called to order the Monday, April 3, 2023, meeting of the Adel City Council.  Council Members present were Jody Greene, Terry McClain, Celestine Hayes, Walter Cowart, and Greg Paige. Others present were City Manager Mark Barber, Administrative Assistant Pam Hamilton, City Attorney Tim Tanner, Police Chief Chad Castleberry, and members of the…