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Dumpsters top county agenda

February 21, 2018, 5:00 am
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Complaints about trash and a city’s plea for help against crime were at the integral points of discussion at Monday night’s meeting of the Dodge County Board of Commissioners.

Chester Mayor Glynn Pittman appeared before the board to ask for help in eliminating crime in the rural city.

Pittman told the board, “I don’t normally come here to ask for anything as we try to handle things in Chester without having to bother anyone.”

“But, I have got to have some help,” he explained. “I am not here to bash the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office or Lynn Sheffield…they have a lot to do and are doing the best they can with what they have. I tried to research and find out more before coming here. I am not here to complain. I am here hoping you can give me some guidance on what to do.”

According to Pittman, the crime rate has increased in Chester. In the last few weeks, Pittman said, “We had a camp house broken into, the apartments have had windows broken out and residents’ homes have been vandalized.” He added that there have been several robberies on Phillips Street, and Pittman said the Shorty’s Quick Stop, “the only store we have in town was robbed.” Someone walked in with an aerosol can and a lighter and walked away with cash.

“I just don’t know what to do. We need some help,” Pittman pleaded.

Dodge County Commission Chair Dan McCranie told Pittman that the commissioners would look into the situation and will get back with him. “I am not real sure how that works with a city getting a police force…last year, the sheriff came before us, and we gave him an increase in his budget.”

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Qualifying for school, commission board seats will start on March 5

February 28, 2018, 5:00 am
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Qualifying for school, commission board seats starts March 5.

Four seats are up for election for the Dodge County Board of Education and two seats are up for the Dodge County Board of Commissioners for the upcoming May 22 General Primary and Non-Partisan election.

The Dodge County Board of Commissioners has four commission district seats and a commission chair. The District 2 and 3 seats for the board of commissioners are up for election. Terry Niblett holds the District 2 position and Brian Watkins holds the District 3 position, currently. No official word has been announced yet as to if Niblett and Watkins will be throwing their hats back in the ring or not.

On the Dodge County Board of Education, the following seats are up for election; District 1, District 3, District 5 and District 7. Roscoe Bennett, Robert Peacock, Mark Driggers and Shirley Ikedionwu currently hold these seats respectively. Dodge County School Superintendent Mike Hilliard told The Dodge County News on the phone Monday that he had not received official word if any of the incumbents would be running for re-election or if there would be any opposition as qualifying for election had yet to open.

Qualifying begins March 5 and ends March 9. For a candidate’s name to appear on the ballot, candidates must qualify for office, which basically means they must be a registered voter in Dodge County, live in a district if that office requires it, and pay a qualifying fee.
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Suspect in multi-county armed robberies arrested

March 7, 2018, 5:00 am
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A collaboration between several law enforcement agencies, including the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office, the Eastman Police Department, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office, brought one suspect in a multi-county armed robbery investigation into custody last week.

Lifranklin Tyrone McMillian, age 18, last known address was Helena, was charged after admitting to his involvement in multiple armed robberies in Laurens, Telfair and Dodge Counties.

The first of the armed robberies in Laurens County occurred on February 22, 2018, at the County Line Package Store in Cadwell, with four more to follow, – two at Flash Foods in Milan and Dexter.

According to a press release from the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Quick Stop in Chester on February 8, 2018. Authorities say that the store clerk reported a black male entered the store armed with an aerosol can and a butane lighter. The clerk stated to the deputies that the offender demanded money from the register. Once the offender obtained the money, he fled the store on foot.

Ten days later, on February 18, 2018, deputies from the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office responded to a similar report of an armed robbery at the Kuntry Mart in Gresston.

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Accused cop killer pleads not guilty

March 14, 2018, 5:00 am
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Royheem Deeeds, age 26, accused of killing Eastman Police Officer Tim Smith in August of 2016, appeared in a Dodge County Superior Court last week for his arraignment, and he entered a plea of not guilty to the nine charges he was indicted for by a grand jury.

Those charges include two counts of aggravated assault against a police officer, three counts of possession of a firearm by a first offender probationer, two counts of felony murder, one count of malice murder and one count of aggravated assault on a peace officer.

Represented by a team of attorneys from the Capital Defender’s Office, Deeds signed his plea of not guilty on March 8, 2018.

Deeds is accused of shooting and killing Eastman Police Officer Tim Smith when Smith responded to a suspicious person call at the intersection of Smith and Main Streets on August 13, 2016. According to reports from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), officer Smith, just days short of his 31st birthday, was shot as he exited his police car.

Smith had joined the Eastman Police Department in February 2011. Smith was able to fire back at Deeds, but Deeds still was able to flee the scene. Smith died from his injuries at the hospital.

Two days later, Deeds was found in Nassau County, Florida, in a car driven by his sister at a traffic stop.

In May of 2017, the prosecutors informed the court that they were seeking the death penalty against Deeds.

Last Thursday’s arraignment, according to Dodge County District Attorney Tim Vaughn, was just the next step in the process.
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Monkeys stolen

March 21, 2018, 5:00 am
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Three monkeys, valued around $4,000.00 each, have been reported stolen to the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office.

According to Dodge County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Glen Conley, the monkeys belong to Judy Milner, of Dodge County. Milner reported that one monkey had been stolen in February and two more were stolen in early March.

Conley told The Dodge County News on Tuesday during a phone interview that it appeared on both occasions that an individual or individuals had cut through the perimeter fence where the monkeys were kept.

Prior to the thefts, Conley said it appeared that someone had tried once before to steal the monkeys.

According to reports, a reward for information about the monkeys is being offered for information pertaining to the monkeys’ whereabouts and/or the theft.

Conley stated, for safety purposes, “If you see the monkeys, don’t try to capture them or touch them…call us first.”

Anyone with any information about the monkeys or the theft should contact the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office at 478-559-1130.

In other law enforcement news, from March 17, 2018 to March 19, 2018, the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office made the following arrests:

James Harrelson, age 39, of Helena was charged with criminal trespass, simple assault- family violence and aggravated assault.

Johnathan Randall Howell, age 30, of Monticello, was charged with probation violation.

Shakkia Renee Hudson, age 35, of Dublin, was charged with theft by shoplifting.

Cedric Dwight Jenkins, age 22, of Warner Robins, was charged with probation violation and a bench warrant.

Tabitha Marie Lee, age 38, of Hawkinsville, was charged with a probation violation.

Timothy Sparrow, age 27, of Hawkinsville, was charged with a parole violation.

John Phillip Warner, age 27, of East Dublin, was charged with theft by receiving stolen property- felony, theft by taking – felony and burglary – first degree (felony).

Hataria Whitehead, age 20, of Lithonia, was charged with obstruction of law enforcement officer when engaged on official duty which results in serious physical injury.

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Dr. Bird pleads guilty

March 28, 2018, 5:00 am
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Dodge County gynecologist Dr. George “Mack” Bird, III, age 59, appeared in the United State District Court for Georgia March 21, 2018, and pled guilty to the charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

United States assistant attorneys from the Savannah and Augusta offices told the The Dodge County News in a phone interview on Monday that both of the charges were federal felonies and each carried up to five years of
imprisonment each without the possibility of parole.

Bird also agreed to forfeit approximately $2.7 million in assets and property that were seized as part of the investigation, and were traceable to his crimes.

As reported in the June 10, 2015 issue of The Dodge County News, Bird was charged and arrested with the sale of a Schedule IV controlled substance, possession of Schedule II and Schedule IV controlled substances with the intent to distribute, illegally written prescriptions and use of pre-signed prescriptions.

Those drugs included, but were not limited to, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office on March 26, opioids (such as hydrocodone combination products), alprazolam (Xanax), carisoprodol (Soma), phentermine (Adipex), and phendimetrazine (Plegine).

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Seven are arrested for dog fighting; 63 dogs seized

April 4, 2018, 5:00 am
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Law enforcement agencies shut down an alleged dog-fighting ring at a residence on Rozar-Goolsby Road in Dodge County in March.

According to a press release from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia, the United States filed a civil forfeiture complaint seeking the possession of 63 pit bull-type dogs that were allegedly involved in a dog-fighting venture in violation of the federal Animal Welfare Act.

The press release stated that the animals were seized on March 19, 2018, in Eastman, Georgia, by United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG), special agents working with the United States Marshals Service, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Georgia State Patrol (GSP), the Oconee Drug Task Force, the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

The animals were seized after Georgia State Patrol troopers conducted a traffic stop, which involved a vehicle with an injured dog inside it. Upon questioning, the driver of the vehicle admitted to having been present at a dogfight at the previously mentioned location in Dodge County.

At the reported location, law enforcement agents discovered, the press release stated, “a disassembled dog fighting ‘pit’ and more than 60 pit bull-type dogs staked to the ground by heavy chains. The condition of a majority of the dogs, including scarring and aggression towards other dogs, was consistent with dog fighting and related training”.

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Law enforcement takes drugs off streets

April 11, 2018, 5:00 am
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In the first quarter of 2018, the Oconee Drug Task Force, with assistance from the Oconee Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office, has conducted large scale, multicounty drug enforcement operations with the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office, Dodge County Sheriff’s Office, Eastman Police Department, Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, McRae-Helena Police Department, and the Georgia State Patrol. These drug seizures already total more than the entire previous year. Over 30 individuals have been arrested for various felony drug charges.

Approximately $390,000.00 in methamphetamine has been taken off the streets in this short amount of time, along with over $12,000 in Cocaine, $36,000 in marijuana, $6200 in synthetic marijuana (spice), over $20,000 in illegally obtained and sold prescription medication, including 8,500 doses of Xanax, $6,000 worth of fentanyl, along with numerous amounts of heroin and ecstasy.
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Three teens injured in roll over accident

April 18, 2018, 5:00 am
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Three Dodge County teenagers were injured when the truck they were riding in hit an embankment and overturned.

According to the Georgia State Patrol report, Jordan Wayne Morgan, age 17, of Eastman, was driving a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado north on Log Cabin Road near the intersection of Rack Lane. Morgan was driving too fast for conditions and lost control of the truck after striking a rise in the roadway.

The truck began to “fish tail” and ended up hitting an embankment on the left side of the roadway. The truck then began to overturn, ejecting all three occupants of the vehicle.

Morgan and a passenger, Braydon Stokes, age 15, of Eastman were taken to Dodge County Hospital by Dodge County Emergency Medical Services. Another passenger, Kacyn Monroe, age 17, of Milan, was taken to Navicent Health in Macon by Air Evac helicopter.

The accident occurred at approximately 7:20 p.m. on Friday, April 13.

The Dodge County Sheriff’s Department reported the following arrests from April 2, 2018 through April 8, 2018.

Antermirrow Deon Smith, age 36, of Helena, was arrested for probation violation.

Joshua Bray, age 34, of Eastman was arrested for suspended license; fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer and obstructing or hindering law enforcement officers.

Ario’n Devonte Williams age 22, of Eastman, was arrested for reckless driving and speeding in excess of maximum limits.

The Eastman Police Department made the following arrests from April 9, 2018 through April 17, 2018.

Sonya Spires, age 41, of Eastman was arrested and charged for non-residential burglary, no forced entry and violation of bond conditions.

Willie Cleveland, age 59, of Abbeville, was arrested and charged for theft of lost or mislaid property.

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Authorities make arrests

April 25, 2018, 5:00 am
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The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office reported the following arrests from April 11, 2018 through April 20, 2018.

James Robert Brophy, age 48, was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine; possession of marijuana; driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol; failure to maintain lane and possession of firearm or knife during the commission of or attempt to commit certain felonies.

Lance Prentice Gilbert, age 41, was arrested for parole violation.

Jermain Hughes, age 28, was arrested and charged with possession of a Schedule III controlled substance; possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance; possession of firearm or knife during commission of or attempt to commit certain felonies; trafficking in cocaine, illegal drugs, marijuana or methamphetamine; possession of marijuana with intent and use of firearm by a convicted felon during the commission of a crime.

Jerod Hughes, age 28, was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana with intent; trafficking in cocaine, illegal drugs, marijuana or methamphetamine; possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance and possession of a Schedule III controlled substance.

Erica Miller, age 21, was arrested and charged with trafficking in cocaine, illegal drugs, marijuana or methamphetamine; possession of marijuana with intent to distribute; possession of a Schedule III controlled substance; possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance and possession of firearm or knife during the commission of or attempt to commit certain felonies.

Will Levi Mullis, age 22, was arrested and charged with reckless driving and DUI, refusal.

Kymberly Reshaye Swars, age 28, was arrested for probation violation.

Mark Adams, age 45, of East Dublin, was arrested for probation violation.

John Edward Barnes, age 52, of Lumber City, was arrested for a bench warrant.

Benjamin Zachary Brantley, age 22, of Eastman was arrested and charged with cruelty to children, allowing child to witness felony and/or battery and/or family violence, third degree and simple battery, family violence.

Ean Brown, age 24, of Stone Mountain, was arrested for probation violation.

Corey Hughes, age 26, of Eastman, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and probation violation.

Barbara Joiner, age 61, of Vidalia, was arrested for probation violation.

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Four teens arrested for double murder

May 2, 2018, 5:00 am
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Arrests have been made in connection with the murder of a Dodge County couple. On April 25th, law enforcement officers served arrest warrants for murder on Gary Pennamon, age 17, Kojak Thomas, Jr., age 19, and a 16 year old male, all of Eastman. Also charged with murder was a 16-year-old male from Chester. Alijah Shamir Pennamon, age 19, of Eastman, was charged with one count of theft by receiving stolen property. Additional charges are expected.

On Wednesday morning, April 25, a Dodge County Sheriff’s Office deputy conducted a welfare check at the residence of Everett Williams, age 60, and his wife Jain Williams, age 65, located on Chester-Alamo Highway near Chester. The deputy discovered Everett and Jain Williams inside, deceased, with suspected gunshot wounds. It was also determined that property was missing from the residence, including the couple’s car. The welfare check was requested by a neighbor who had not seen the Williams since Sunday, April 22nd. The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office requested the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) assist in the investigation.

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Missing child is found safe

May 9, 2018, 5:00 am
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Dodge County Sheriff Lynn Sheffield reports that the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a missing four year old child on May 5, 2018. The child was reported missing from the area of the Albert Lampkin Road at approximately 6:00 p.m.

The child is believed to have wandered into a nearby wooded area after his grandfather stepped into his residence for a moment. The grandfather also reported that a dog was also missing from the residence. At 6:00 a.m. the child was located approximately one mile from the residence in a wooded area by community volunteers. Dodge County EMS was called in to evaluate the child for any injuries with none reported.

Sheriff Sheffield would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those involved with this search including Dodge County deputies, Eastman Police Department, The Georgia State Patrol, The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, The American Red Cross, the Telfair County Sheriff’s Office Canine Unit, Chauncey Fire Department Canine Unit, the numerous volunteer firefighters from across Dodge County and all the civilian volunteers from the community who assisted with the search for the missing juvenile.

Special thank you is given to the Jeff Davis Emergency Management Agency for sending a response team to help with interagency coordination. Sheriff Sheffield states that in times of crisis, it is great to see our communities pull together to support each other!

The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office announces the following arrests:

Shayna Nichole Allen, age 26, of Chester, was arrested for a probation violation.

Wayne Anthony Allen, age 49, of Rhine, was arrested for possession of open alcohol container and driving under the influence of alcohol.

Kenneth Bennett, age 35, of Dodge County, was arrested for simple battery.

Clayton Ted Brantley, age 31, of Eastman, was arrested for possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute.

Wille F. Bryant, age 38, of Eastman, was arrested for a bench warrant.

Thomas Alfonso Chambers, age 47, of Eastman, was arrested for a parole violation.

Michael Lee Chatting, age 27, of Eastman, was arrested for a probation violation.

Steven Forrest Johnson, age 27, of Eastman, was arrested for probation violation.

Wendy Jones, age 36, of Guyton, was arrested for financial transaction card theft and financial transactions card fraud.

Leslie Liles, age 44, of Eastman, was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs and driving on the wrong side of the road.

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Authorities make arrests

May 16, 2018, 5:00 am
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The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office reports the following arrests:

Michael Barlow, age 20, of Danville, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and possession and use of drug related objects.

Meagan Nicole Brock, age 23, of Eastman, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, possession and use of drug related objects and crossing state or county guard lines with weapons, intoxicants or drugs without consent.

Itzel Vite Espinose, age 25, of Eastman was arrested for speeding and expired or no driver’s licenses.

Charlie Facison, age 56, of Milan, was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, driving while unlicensed and failure to maintain lane.

Sharell Shenna Moore, age 31, of Eastman, was arrested for a probation violation.

Erin Elizabeth Mullis, age 28, of Eastman was arrested for trafficking in cocaine, illegal drugs, marijuana or methamphetamine, possession and use of drug related objects and crossing state or county guard lines with weapons, intoxicants or drugs without consent.

Chasity NeSmith, age 45, of Eastman, was arrested for two counts crossing state or county guard lines with weapons, intoxicants or drugs without consent and possession and use of drug related objects .

Demetrius Tajai Oliver, age 24, of McRae, was arrested for unlawful possession, control, manufacturing, deliver, distribute, dispense, administer, purchase, sell or manufacture, deliver, distribute, administer, sell, posses with intent to distribute controlled substances and speeding.

James Burrel Patterson, age 50, of Eastman, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine.

Michael Patterson, age 31, of Eastman, was arrested for probation violation and possession of methamphetamine.

Jarvis Tillman, age 26, of Cochran, was arrested for a probation violation.

Justin Taylor Wilcox, age 27, of Eastman, was arrested for possession and use of drug related objects, trafficking in cocaine, illegal drugs, marijuana or methamphetamine and possession of a schedule IV controlled substance.

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School superintendent Mike Hilliard resigns

May 23, 2018, 5:00 am
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Thursday night’s meeting of the Dodge County Board of Education brought a surprise to the agenda when Dodge County School Superintendent Mike Hilliard announced his upcoming retirement as superintendent.

Dodge County Board of Education Chairman Ricky Hargrove confirmed that Hilliard had approached the board with his retirement announcement. According to Hargrove, Hilliard had just signed his new contract seven days prior to the meeting on Thursday.

Hargrove said that Hilliard told the board that he felt he needed to retire for health reasons and family issues.

“His last day will be June 30, 2018,” Hargrove said. Hilliard has served as superintendent for two years. “He has done a good job, and we wish him all the best.”

The board went ahead and opened up the position of school superintendent.

A call was placed to Hilliard on Friday by The Dodge County News. He returned the call, and did confirm his retirement, and said he would discuss his retirement decision at a later date.

Also at the meeting, Hargrove said the board presented the due process policy for teachers on the table. The document presented read as an open letter to the Dodge County teachers in regards to the Dodge County Board of Education’s intent to offer teachers in the school system a procedure for an appeal of if the board decides not to offer a contract of employment to a teacher.

The letter and document can be found on the Dodge County School System website.
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Graduation is set for Friday

May 30, 2018, 5:00 am
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On Friday, June 1, the 199 members of Dodge County High School’s (DCHS) Class of 2018 will celebrate personal and academic achievements by walking across the stage and receiving diplomas at Memorial Stadium.

The graduating class of DCHS includes 199 students, 51 earning the title of Honor Graduate and being awarded a gold stole. These students, over the course of their four years in high school, have taken two units of the same foreign language, a half unit of computer applications, a half unit of speech, and have earned a cumulative academic average of 94 or higher. Additionally, students who do not have a 94 average but have maintained a 90 average and have scored 1185 or higher on the verbal and math sections on the SAT, or 26 or better on the ACT, will also have the distinction of graduating with honors.

Receiving additional academic honors with distinction will be the class’s top four students. Lane Barrows will graduate top of her class and will be recognized as co-valedictorian with Christian Grauberger, who has earned the distinction of second in his class. Michelle Zhang has earned the honor of being third in the graduating class of 2018 and serves as co-salutatorian with the fourth graduate of the Class of 2018, Jacob Snyder.

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Breaking News

May 30, 2018, 6:34 am
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The Dodge County Schools will be closed Wednesday as a result of inclement weather and questionable conditions of county roads.

The Dodge County News asked Dodge County School Superintendent Mike Hilliard, via text Tuesday night after press time, the following, 'Closing on Wednesday will not affect graduation on Friday night, correct?'

Hilliard responded via text, ' That's right.'

In regards to graduation practices and the ceremony, The Dodge County News spoke with Dodge County High School Principal, Dr.Susan Long, Tuesday evening.

Long said the safety of her students was her main concern. They were not going to require seniors to come in and practice Wednesday, but the plan was to practice hard on Thursday and Friday.

As of right now, the plan, Long said, was to hold the ceremony on the football field, but they would be prepared to have the ceremony in the gym depending on weather.
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Four are arrested for entering autos, theft

June 6, 2018, 5:00 am
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The Eastman Police Department responded to the Evergreen Circle Subdivision on Wednesday, May 30, 2018. They were called to a residence in Evergreen Circle where a vehicle was entered and a rifle and a 9 mm pistol were missing. After a short while, others in the neighborhood reported their vehicles had also been entered.

During the investigation, the Eastman Police Department, along with the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office, recovered three handguns and a rifle that had been stolen from the vehicles.

Arrested and charged with entering the autos was Bernoski Shawnquarious White, age 20, of Eastman. White was charged with 16 counts of entering an auto, participation in gang activity, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during a crime and theft by taking.

Three juveniles, all age 15, were also arrested and charged with 16 counts of entering an auto, participation in gang activity, possession of a firearm during a crime and theft by taking.

Eastman police also reported the following arrest for June 1, 2018 – June 5, 2018.

Resheena Nicely, age 32, of Eastman was arrested for have no insurance and pedestrian under the influence.

Johnathan Murray, age 24, of Eastman was arrested for probation violation.

Warren Seegars, age 31, of Eastman was arrested for obstructing law enforcement officers, terroristic threats and acts, disorderly conduct, aggravated assault - other weapon and criminal trespass - business.

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Drs. Glenn, Griffis guilty of conspiracy

June 13, 2018, 5:00 am
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Two Eastman doctors, Dr. Mark Griffis and Dr. John A. Glenn, Jr., have been found guilty in a federal court of conspiracy to falsify United States Department of Transportation Department mandated medical examinations of holders of commercial driver’s license with the intent to impede the proper administration of matters within the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Transportation.

Earlier this year, in separate court rulings, the United States District Court, Southern District of Georgia, indicted both men on one count of conspiracy. Griffis also had one count of falsification of records, where Glenn had two counts of falsification against him.

Griffis appeared in U.S. court June 4-6, 2018. He was found guilty on both counts against him. According to R. Brian Tanner, chief of the appellate division with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia, Griffis was “adjudicated guilty of the second count against after the jury returned a guilty verdict on that one.”

Tanner explained, “That means only that he is officially found guilty. It does not involve any sentence. The sentencing only happens at a later scheduled date, after the preparation of a Pre-Sentence Investigation Report.”

According to the indictments given to Griffis from the U.S. Grand Jury, from a date at least as early as February 27, 2012 and continuing thereafter until September 13, 2013, in Dodge and Telfair counties, and elsewhere within the Southern District of Georgia, Griffis did knowingly falsify medical examination reports and certifications by signing his name indicating that he had examined various commercial driver’s license holders, and certified them as medically sound (qualified) to continued to hold such license.

It was stated in the indictment that Griffis provided J.C.W. with blank, pre-signed medical examination reports (MERs) and examination certificates (MECs) that could be used by J.C.W. when she conducted purported medical examinations of CDL holders.

Between January 10, 2013 and September 24, 2013, the indictment stated that Griffis received payments of at least $5,200.00 from J.C.W. in exchange for falsifying the documents.

Around September 13, 2013, Griffis, the court document stated, did knowingly falsify documents, to wit, a MER and MEC, pertaining to a DOT mandated medical examination of a person known to the grand jury, and having the initials D.D., the holder of a commercial driver’s license, to allow D.D. to renew his commercial driver’s license without a proper medical examination.

After the guilty verdicts were passed, Griffis was remanded into the custody of U.S. Marshals. Tanner stated that Griffis will be “detained” in prison until a sentencing hearing will take place. During this time period, which could be anywhere from six to eight weeks, Griffis’ attorney will have the opportunity to challenge the convictions by providing documentation for appeals for the conviction.

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Tony Anderson is finalist for superintendent position

June 20, 2018, 5:00 am
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The Dodge County Board of Education, at its meeting on Thursday, June 14 selected a lone finalist in its search for a new school superintendent.

Upon coming out of a second closed session, the board voted on a recommendation from Robert Peacock to consider William Anthony ‘Tony’ Anderson the finalist.

Robert Peacock, David Yawn, Mark Driggers, chairman Ricky Hargrove and vice-chairman Jessie Mincey voted to approve the recommendation after Peacock seconded the motion. Roscoe Bennett abstained from the vote, and Shirley Ikedionwu voted no.

Ikedionwu said, “I just feel like this is too fast a decision to make for such an important decision.”

“The board interviewed five good candidates for the superintendent position,” Hargrove stated. “After deliberating on the candidates, the majority of the board thought it was best because of the short time we had before Mr. Hilliard’s retirement that we go ahead and name one finalist for the position.”

Current school superintendent Mike Hilliard presented his request for retirement to be effective at the end of this month to the board during the month of May. His retirement came just a few short days after Hilliard’s new contract had been renewed, which included a raise a pay.

Hargrove continued, “Mr. Anderson was voted as the finalist. I look forward to working with Mr. Anderson as a leadership team to forward the Dodge County school system.”

Anderson currently serves as the director of Human Resources and Personnel, the Title II Coordinator and the Teacher Keys Effective System (TKES) and Leader Keys Effective System (LKES) Coordinator for the Brooks County School System.

Many in Dodge County will remember Anderson during his seven-year term as a coach, teacher and driver education instructor at the Dodge County High School.

As of presstime Tuesday, no contract offer had been made to Anderson.

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School board, Anderson can’t agree on contract

June 27, 2018, 5:00 am
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After naming Tony Anderson as the lone finalist in the search for someone to fill the role of Dodge County school superintendent last week, the Dodge County Board of Education recanted its decision.

During a phone interview with The Dodge County News on Monday, June 25, 2018, Dodge County School Board Vice-Chairman Jessie Mincey said, “The Dodge County Board of Education and Mr. Anderson couldn’t come to terms on a contract.”

A meeting of the board is set for Wednesday, June 27. Mincey said during the phone interview, “This will be to discuss and do follow up interviews with the other candidates…and we have several as of right now.”

He said they would also need to consider naming an interim school superintendent on Wednesday. When asked if there were any interim candidates in mind, Mincey didn’t comment. He did say that the board could decide on someone within the system or someone “who has been here before.” Later on Monday, The Dodge County News confirmed that a list of candidates for interim superintendent was being compiled so that the board could make a decision vote on an interim on Wednesday.

The need for a superintendent came after current Dodge County School Superintendent Mike Hilliard made the surprise announcement in May that he would be retiring and that June 30, 2018 would be his last day. Hilliard made this announcement approximately seven days after the board presented him with an increase in his salary and a new contract.

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