Area News
Health care fraud takedown
Two Tifton business owners charged in connection with largest Health Care Fraud enforcement action in U.S. Justice Department history As a part of the largest Health Care Fraud Enforcement Action in Department of Justice History, The Eastern District of Louisiana Strike Force Announces Charges Against Four Individuals. On Tuesday, July 1, 2o25, Acting United States…
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 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…
Read MoreGuilty Verdict in Cook County Armed Drug Trafficking Conspiracy Trial
Guilty Verdict in Cook County Armed Drug Trafficking Conspiracy Trial Drug Trafficking Organization Leader Guilty on All Counts; Five Kilograms of Pure Meth, 15 Firearms Seized VALDOSTA, Ga. – The head of an armed drug trafficking organization (DTO) based out of Cook County, Georgia, and two co-conspirators were found guilty this week of numerous federal…
Read MoreThree accused of cruelty to animals
Three accused of cruelty to animals Three local defendants have been arrested for allegedly causing the suffering and deaths of several dogs by starvation and neglect, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. Mandalin Nichole Watkins, 36, Jonathan Michael Burke, 28, and James Lee Definbaugh, 35, all of a River Trace Road, Hahira, address, were…
Read MoreGBI Investigates Inmate Death in Cook County Jail
Adel, GA (December 19, 2024) – At the request of the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, GBI agents are investigating an inmate death in the Cook County Jail. On Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at about 7:00 a.m., John Vanhouten, age 47, of Adel, GA, was found unresponsive in his cell. Jail officers and responding EMTs attempted…
Read More2024 Christmas at the Courthouse
Cook County Officials, in conjunction with Cook County Pre-K, held Christmas at the Courthouse today in Adel. Approximately 175 children from Cook County’s Pre-K program got to visit with Santa Claus. After visiting with Santa, the children received coloring books, teddy bears, candy, and other goodies from Sheriff Doug Hanks, Probate Court Judge Chase Daughtrey,…
Read MoreAdel woman faces arson charge
Haven Patricia Hewett, 28, of Adel was arrested Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, and charged with arson in the first degree and criminal damage to property, second degree, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. According to warrants, the offenses occurred between 10:20 a.m. and 12:06 p.m. Nov. 23 at a residence on Pond Road. Cook…
Read MoreTrump carries Cook in Presidential election
On Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, former President Donald J. Trump was elected the 47th President of the United States. Official results showed he carried Cook County, Ga., by more than 73 percent of the total vote. Trump, also the 45th President, will take office in January 2025. Nationwide, Trump, a Republican, won both the electoral…
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