BrooksCountyNews&Stories
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Local News
Trump’s iconic photograph. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
Just a Little HoneyBee buzzing around for Candy.
Colquitt Electric Membership Corporation Brings Bright Idea Grants to Teachers every year.
Local Church in Quitman, GA was set on fire. Investigation is now in progress on this as an arson case.
Brooks County Residents and surrounding areas should precautions as Hurricane Helene makes it way towards the Florida Coast.
PHIL LOLLAR Co-creator of Adventures in Odyssey who worked on Tom and Jerry, 3-2-1 Penguins and Dr. Suess
shared from Lanier County News
Skyler Perry's Journey from High School to the Film Set with PhilanthroFilms
Brittany Dunn
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Breaking News Alerts
Trump’s iconic photograph. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
Brooks County Residents and surrounding areas should precautions as Hurricane Helene makes it way towards the Florida Coast.
COLQUITT CO – The GBI is investigating a use-of-force incident death involving a Trooper and a 44-year-old Pavo man. On Thursday, August 22, 2024, at about 2:30 p.m., a Georgia State Trooper was patrolling in Colquitt County, Georgia near State Road 33 and Lanier Road. While in the area, the trooper noticed Kennedy driving a blue 4-wheeler on SR33. The Trooper was aware of recent thefts and burglaries in the area involving a blue 4-wheeler. The Trooper followed Kennedy and attempted to pull him over using the emergency lights on his patrol car. Kennedy did not stop and drove away on the 4-wheeler. The Trooper chased him through several fields, a ditch, and back to the highway. While driving through another field during the chase, Kennedy turned the 4-wheeler into the Trooper’s patrol car, causing the 4-wheeler to overturn. Kennedy then ran away. The Trooper and a GSP K-9 chased Kennedy, and the K-9 caught up to and bit Kennedy to stop him. The Trooper handcuffed Kennedy and noticed that Kennedy had an injury from the bite. EMS and local deputies who responded to assist gave Kennedy medical treatment on the scene. Kennedy was taken to a hospital in Macon for treatment for his injuries. He later died at the hospital on Tuesday, August 27th in the early afternoon. Kennedy will be taken to the GBI Crime Lab for an autopsy. The investigation is active and ongoing. Once complete, the case will be provided to Southern Judicial Circuit District Attorney Brad Shealy for review
This is for everyone who may need to commute to work on April 4, 2024 in the early morning hours from Brooks County to Valdosta, GA.
Press Release from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation pertaining to a recent shooting in Quitman, GA.
March 3, 2024--Atlanta, Georgia--Commissioner Tim Echols is spending Monday March 4, 2024 and Tuesday March 5, 2024 in Southwest Georgia visiting with Mayors, County Commissioners and Business Leaders. Echols is starting his trek in Thomasville then working his way through Brooks County and then over to Valdosta. In Valdosta he will meet with Arglass and discuss their energy needs for the future as they expand their operation. Echols will then go to Adel in Cook County. From there, he will travel over to Colquitt and Mitchell County. Mitchell County is home to more solar than any other county in Georgia. "Visiting all of Georgia is important to me as a statewide elected official," said Echols. "I need to understand the needs of South Georgia communities in order to serve them." Echols plans to stop and visit local newspapers as he travels through the aforementioned communities. He can be reached on his cell at 706-340-0773.
Quitman, GA (January 24, 2024) – The GBI is investigating the homicide of Willie Giddens, Jr., age 29, who was shot and killed inside his home in the 900 Block of South Lee Street in Quitman, Georgia. On Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at about 1:30 a.m., Quitman Police Chief Roy Hart requested the assistance of the GBI. Agents and a crime scene specialist responded to the scene to partner with Quitman Police Department officers and Brooks County deputies who also responded to assist. The preliminary investigation revealed that other people were inside the home with Giddens. One other person was injured during the home invasion and suffered severe, but not life-threatening, wounds. Agents and Quitman Police Department officers are continuing to conduct interviews and process evidence obtained from the scene. Giddens’ body will be sent to the GBI Crime Lab where an autopsy will be conducted this week. This case is active and ongoing. When complete, a copy of the case file will be provided to District Attorney Brad Shealy for prosecution. Anyone with information about this case can call GBI at 229-225-4090 or the Brooks County Sheriff’s Office. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app. Georgia Bureau of Investigation News Release
Brooks County Bridge Repair/replacement Public Notice
Barwick Banking Company in Barwick, GA was robbed and needs public help.
Brooks County Emergency Agency and Southern Georgia Regional Commission is requesting everyone who can attend a public hearing to do so for the 2023 updated Ware County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.
EDITOR'S SECTION
Editor's Choice
Halloween, a time when kids dress up to go find those wonderful treats we all know as candy. However, Halloween has a very long history so let's dive into that a minute shall we.
Did you know that Halloween began over 2000 years ago, before Christianity itself found its path through the world. Early pre-christian Celtic festivals called Samhain (summer's end) was celebrated at the end of fall harvest. Back then people believed that this ending of the fall was when the veil between the living and the spirits were the thinnest.
In order to ward of those spirits people dressed in costumes to trick those spirits. Bonfires were lit to help ward them off as well. Children would also dress up and perform songs or other tricks to get food or money. That simple "guising" routine has continued but very little "tricks" are played now.
As immigrants came to America, they brought their traditions with them. Halloween was one of them. Since those times, the Halloween tradition continues with a variety of all the fun activities. We celebrate fall just as they did by using this year to creat fall festivals. We continue to merge that tradition with Trick or Treating as well, and of course allow those who want to dress up do so.
Have a Happy and safe Halloween this year.
Letter To The Editor
If you would like to send me a letter you can for free. Opinions on things in our county are welcome, just be sure to keep vulgar language out due to possible children coming across this page. I would love to hear from all of you so please feel free to write to me. You can send the letter via snail mail or email it to me. Be sure to include your name and contact number should I have any questions. Just find the contact page and all the information to contact me is there. You may also include a picture for Historical pics shown above, just be sure to tell me who took the picture and where it was taken. Looking forward to hearing from you all. God Bless.
Letters to the Editor have been a feature in American newspapers since the 18th century. People were given the opportunity to have their voice, thoughts, and concerns viewed by many with a simple letter to the editor. People used this feature in the early years mainly for political and social discourse. Issues people had with economic development, personal freedoms, concerns for their local towns were all printed in the only form of communication for a widespread audience.
Those traditions have continued throughout history and to this day are still a part of many newspapers that are in print today.
Amazingly however, those same letters are now being used online for blogs and for local news sites. The letters to the editor is wide spread across different platforms and often carry a lot of wait in the areas mentioned and more. This is a way for citizens of the United States to say what they need to and reach large crowds.
National & State News
State Highway 133 construction and shutdown.
Commissioner Tim Echols speaking in Finland
Sharing of WALB News report concerning 17 year old and two juvenile's arrests in Lowndes County, GA.
K9s United first aid training for local and regional K9 teams in Madison, FL
Georgians throughout the state may feel a bit of relief at the pumps starting September 13, 2024. According to a press release, Governor Kemp has signed an executive order to suspend gas tax for Georgians. Will this help you?
Several law enforcement joined together in the operation of charging 21 people in Cook County, GA with two charges. Early Thursday morning saw this joint operation capture 18 of those 21.
Georgia Department of Transportation is asking for the public's help.
APRIL 13, 2023 Atlanta, GA – Governor Brian P. Kemp today signed several education bills into law in Savannah, including the Safe Schools Act (HB 147), SB 211, HB 538, HB 440, and SB 45. A key part of the governor's legislative agenda this year, the Safe Schools Act (HB 147) builds on his commitment to keeping Georgia’s students, teachers, and school personnel safe. The legislation modernizes school safety protocols by equipping teachers with skills to protect students. It also establishes a voluntary School Safety and Anti-gang Endorsement for teachers to help them spot and prevent gang activity and recruitment in classrooms. In addition to the Safe Schools Act, Governor Kemp signed several other important bills into law, including SB 211, which establishes the Georgia Council on Literacy; HB 538, which provides for evidence-based literacy instruction and for the assessment of student needs and literacy levels; HB 440; which authorizes public and private schools to stock a supply of undesignated ready-to-use glucagon; and SB 45, which allows parents to submit seizure action plans to their child’s school and requires the Department of Education to develop and implement training guidelines and model seizure action plans for use by public schools and school systems. "I am honored to sign these important bills into law to make our schools both safer and more successful," said Governor Kemp. "These bills will help improve literacy in our state and ensure our schools have the resources they need to provide a safe and healthy learning environment for both students and teachers. As governor, and as a father of three daughters, I want to make sure every Georgia student can take part in the unprecedented opportunity here in the Peach State.” Governor Kemp would like to express his sincere thanks to Senate President Pro Tem John Kennedy, Majority Leader Steve Gooch, Sen. Billy Hickman, Rep. Bethany Ballard and others who helped to secure the caucus priority literacy legislation, and Speaker Pro Tem Jan Jones, Rep. Will Wade, Sen. Mike Hodges, Rep. Matt Dubnik, Rep. Chris Erwin, Rep. Bill Hitchens, and Rep. David Wilkerson for their work getting the Safe Schools Act passed. Their dedication has helped to make our schools safer and our communities stronger.
Gov. Kemp signs HB162
Brooks County Commissions and Brooks County Family Connections was awarded one of the New Transformation Grants out of 18 community groups by the GA Dept. of Early Care & Learning (DECAL).
Breaking News Alerts
Trump’s iconic photograph. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
Brooks County Residents and surrounding areas should precautions as Hurricane Helene makes it way towards the Florida Coast.
COLQUITT CO – The GBI is investigating a use-of-force incident death involving a Trooper and a 44-year-old Pavo man. On Thursday, August 22, 2024, at about 2:30 p.m., a Georgia State Trooper was patrolling in Colquitt County, Georgia near State Road 33 and Lanier Road. While in the area, the trooper noticed Kennedy driving a blue 4-wheeler on SR33. The Trooper was aware of recent thefts and burglaries in the area involving a blue 4-wheeler. The Trooper followed Kennedy and attempted to pull him over using the emergency lights on his patrol car. Kennedy did not stop and drove away on the 4-wheeler. The Trooper chased him through several fields, a ditch, and back to the highway. While driving through another field during the chase, Kennedy turned the 4-wheeler into the Trooper’s patrol car, causing the 4-wheeler to overturn. Kennedy then ran away. The Trooper and a GSP K-9 chased Kennedy, and the K-9 caught up to and bit Kennedy to stop him. The Trooper handcuffed Kennedy and noticed that Kennedy had an injury from the bite. EMS and local deputies who responded to assist gave Kennedy medical treatment on the scene. Kennedy was taken to a hospital in Macon for treatment for his injuries. He later died at the hospital on Tuesday, August 27th in the early afternoon. Kennedy will be taken to the GBI Crime Lab for an autopsy. The investigation is active and ongoing. Once complete, the case will be provided to Southern Judicial Circuit District Attorney Brad Shealy for review
This is for everyone who may need to commute to work on April 4, 2024 in the early morning hours from Brooks County to Valdosta, GA.
Press Release from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation pertaining to a recent shooting in Quitman, GA.
March 3, 2024--Atlanta, Georgia--Commissioner Tim Echols is spending Monday March 4, 2024 and Tuesday March 5, 2024 in Southwest Georgia visiting with Mayors, County Commissioners and Business Leaders. Echols is starting his trek in Thomasville then working his way through Brooks County and then over to Valdosta. In Valdosta he will meet with Arglass and discuss their energy needs for the future as they expand their operation. Echols will then go to Adel in Cook County. From there, he will travel over to Colquitt and Mitchell County. Mitchell County is home to more solar than any other county in Georgia. "Visiting all of Georgia is important to me as a statewide elected official," said Echols. "I need to understand the needs of South Georgia communities in order to serve them." Echols plans to stop and visit local newspapers as he travels through the aforementioned communities. He can be reached on his cell at 706-340-0773.
Quitman, GA (January 24, 2024) – The GBI is investigating the homicide of Willie Giddens, Jr., age 29, who was shot and killed inside his home in the 900 Block of South Lee Street in Quitman, Georgia. On Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at about 1:30 a.m., Quitman Police Chief Roy Hart requested the assistance of the GBI. Agents and a crime scene specialist responded to the scene to partner with Quitman Police Department officers and Brooks County deputies who also responded to assist. The preliminary investigation revealed that other people were inside the home with Giddens. One other person was injured during the home invasion and suffered severe, but not life-threatening, wounds. Agents and Quitman Police Department officers are continuing to conduct interviews and process evidence obtained from the scene. Giddens’ body will be sent to the GBI Crime Lab where an autopsy will be conducted this week. This case is active and ongoing. When complete, a copy of the case file will be provided to District Attorney Brad Shealy for prosecution. Anyone with information about this case can call GBI at 229-225-4090 or the Brooks County Sheriff’s Office. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app. Georgia Bureau of Investigation News Release
Brooks County Bridge Repair/replacement Public Notice
Barwick Banking Company in Barwick, GA was robbed and needs public help.
Brooks County Emergency Agency and Southern Georgia Regional Commission is requesting everyone who can attend a public hearing to do so for the 2023 updated Ware County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.