Area News

By Charles Shiver On Jan. 28, 2022, Chief Superior Court Judge Clayton Tomlinson sentenced Derek Vasi, 32, of Sparks to 30 years’ probation for criminal attempt to commit murder, according to court records. In a case brought by the Sparks Police Department, at a Church Street, Sparks, residence, on Nov. 5, 2019, Derek Vasi used…

A Southwest Georgia resident and gang member with an extensive criminal history was found guilty on all counts by a federal jury following a four-day trial in Valdosta federal court. Quinton Jarod Simmons, 30, of Adel, Georgia, was convicted of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and…

By Charles Shiver A woman who was recently arrested for committing major traffic offenses turned an officer’s Taser against officers in jail a few days later, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. Taqiyyah Faith Gerald, 31, of Orange, N.J., was initially arrested Jan. 23, 2022, and charged with felony – fleeing from or attempting…

VALDOSTA — Valdosta State University recently partnered with the City of Adel to develop a plan that will restore the city’s downtown area to its historic prominence as a center of community activity and pride. Working through VSU’s Center for South Georgia Regional Impact, Dr. Joseph Robbins, professor and head of VSU’s Department of Political…

Recent shots of beams being set for the new SR 122 bridge over Mule Creek in Brooks County. The old bridge was built in 1940. The road closed at the bridge in November 2021. It’s about 33% complete. Total cost (preliminary engineering + construction) = $3.9 million. Photos: Edward Erb, Southern Concrete. Source: Georgia Department…

Derrick Brandon Thomas, 38, of Douglas was arrested Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, and charged with felony murder, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). According to a warrant taken by the GBI on Jan. 26, Thomas caused the death of Jonathan Taylor McManus, 29, of Wedowee, Ala., in Adel, Ga. on Sept. 11, 2021,…

– Picture of the dog that Lockett kept at his residence at 107 Stanton in Warner Robins. This is the dog that could not be saved by the veterinarian. It died two days after being seized. Its wounds had been stapled shut and it was extremely injured and lethargic. WASHINGTON – Two Georgia residents convicted…

Bruce Howell, Adel, Ga., accepts the Outstanding Georgia Peanut of the Year Award for District 2 on behalf of his father, LeRoy Howell. The award was presented by the Georgia Peanut Commission during the 45th annual Georgia Peanut Farm Show and Conference, Jan. 20, 2022, at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center, Tifton,…

On Friday afternoon, Jan. 21, 2022, the Adel-Cook County Chamber of Commerce announced the 2021 Community Award winners. They are Dr. Tom Fausett – Man of the Year; Zoe Myers – Woman of the Year; Justin Shealey – Agri-Business Person of the Year; Colombo NA – Company of the Year; Dr. Courtney Holley – Entrepreneur…

By Erika Bennett South Georgia Medical Center honored Wendy Benka, practice manager for multiple SGMC clinics, as the Hospital Hero at its monthly Board of Directors meeting. Benka was honored for her leadership and servant attitude during the operation of SGMC’s COVID-19 Infusion Center. According to Chief Human Resources Officer Brenda Alexander, “Often times it…