ZEBULON - This is the current list of closings. Pike County Times will update as the information is released.
UPDATE 2.19.20 AT 11:40 A.M.
• Sunset Road
• Old Zebulon Road at Cook Road
• Fossett Road
• Old Zebulon Road at New Road by the creek

TUESDAY AFTERNOON'S CLOSINGS
• Milner Road, North of Bottoms Road
• Hunter Road
• River Road, South of Highway 362
• McKinley Road, East of Williamson Zebulon Road

Mr. Dean Woodrow Evans, age 79, of Thomaston, passed away February 14, 2020. For more information about visitation and the service or sign the guestbook go to Moody-Daniel Funeral Home.

HAMPTON - Crews shooting film scenes in the Hampton area have prompted a full closure of Georgia 20/McDonough Hampton Road from Lower Woolsey Road to Main Street/Old Highway 3 during daytime hours this Sunday and Monday, Feb. 23 and 24, 2020. The closures will be in effect from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. each day, and law enforcement will have the roadway blocked at both intersections. Signage will be posted in advance of the closures and a detour installed to direct motorists around the closed roadway. For help with alternate routes, drivers are urged to call 511 Georgia.

ZEBULON - The Development Authority of Pike County has changed their upcoming regular monthly meeting date from March 4, 2020 to February 26, 2020 at 8:00. At this time the only item of business on the agenda is an executive session germaine to acquisition/disposal of real estate.

ZEBULON - Looking for someone to help out with your tax preparation? Look no farther than H&R Block in Zebulon! Now available! You could get a Refund Advance loan of up to $3,500 within minutes of filing your taxes at H&R Block. Optional loan from Axos Bank®; not your tax refund. H&R Block is located at 9219 Hwy 19, Zebulon GA 30295. Right down from Freshway. Give them a call at (770) 567-3840 and tell them that you saw their ad on Pike County Times! Click here for details.

ZEBULON - Last week, we returned to the State Capitol for the fifth week of the 2020 legislative session. Two weeks ago, we voted on a legislative calendar to postpone meeting on the House floor in order to devote additional time to the state budgeting process, and last week, the House Appropriations subcommittees held several meetings to work to finalize the Amended Fiscal Year 2020 (AFY 2020) and Fiscal Year 2021 (FY 2021) budgets. Click here for more.

Jackie K. Cooper's Entertainment Rundown for this week can be found by clicking here. Jackie also has many movie reviews on his website at www.jackiekcooper.com along with reviews of the latest books, DVDs, television shows and columns on life and living in the South.

MOLENA - Introducing the first sponsor of Pike County Times’ Breaking News Alerts! First Bank of Pike has been serving customers in Pike County and the surrounding area since 1901 and offers Personal and Business banking with a personal touch. Services include checking, savings, money market, certificates of deposit, and IRA’s. Mobile Banking and Bill Payment services are also available! Click here for more. Please let First Bank of Pike know that you appreciate their sponsorship of Breaking News Alerts on Pike County's only FREE online newspaper! at www.firstbankofpike.com/. Tell them Pike County Times sent you!

LAGRANGE - This is the Georgia Weekly Influenza Report for Week 06 ending February 8, 2020. The Influenza-like illness (ILI) intensity indicator for Georgia during Week 06 was high-10, on the scale of 1-10, and the Georgia ILI Geographical Dispersion was widespread. So far this season there has been 47 confirmed influenza-associated deaths in Georgia and 1,799 influenza-associated hospitalizations in the eight county metro Atlanta area. Click here for more. The Georgia Department of Public Health advises that it's not too late to get vaccinated against influenza if you haven’t already.

ZEBULON - If you appreciate hometown news from www.PikeCountyTimes.com, please consider donating to help pay for the time that goes into the in depth reporting that you see there. If you are interested in becoming a breaking news subscriber, click here for all of the details that you need to know. An annual donation of $25 or more will get an email or text message sent to you with breaking news as it happens. There is a link in purple at the bottom of each page on www.PikeCountyTimes.com that enables donations through PayPal. Donations can also be sent through the mail to Pike County Times, PO Box 843, Zebulon GA 30295, delivered in person, or you can call me with a credit card and I can email or mail a receipt to you.

Are you a business owner? Pike County Times can showcase your business and business events for a price that is very competitive with readers in several counties. Pike County Times is free to read for anyone who would like to read about news that affects Pike County, but there are costs that go with this business. And that doesn't include the amount of time that it takes to do in-depth reporting and put info into an article for readers. Do you like what you're reading? Please make a contribution to support it. As always, thanks for reading and supporting your hometown online newspaper!

Jackie K. Cooper's Entertainment Rundown for this week can be found by clicking here. Jackie also has many movie reviews on his website at www.jackiekcooper.com along with reviews of the latest books, DVDs, television shows and columns on life and living in the South.

Jackie K. Cooper's Entertainment Rundown for this week can be found by clicking here. Jackie also has many movie reviews on his website at www.jackiekcooper.com along with reviews of the latest books, DVDs, television shows and columns on life and living in the South.

ZEBULON - Please join Red Clay Ministries, Inc. for a fundraising dinner for prison and jail ministry on February 29, 2020 at 6 p.m. at the Flint River Chapel located at 2556 Flat Shoals Road in Concord. Join us for a night of great food, door prizes, entertainment, and a silent auction. The Oink Joint (Zebulon) is catering this event with BBQ pork or chicken, slaw, macaroni & cheese, buns, pickles, homemade cake, and your choice of tea or coffee.

Doors open at 5:45 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person and only 100 tickets will be sold. Click here to buy tickets.

ZEBULON - As a proud citizen of Pike County, I am very excited about my campaign for Clerk of Superior Court. My platform will include not only my vision, but also a collaboration with the citizens of Pike County.

Rebekah is an active member of the Pike County community and committed to serving others with excellence. As a Conservative Republican, Rebekah will serve the growing Pike community with a sound fiscal policy while focusing on moving the office of Clerk of Superior Court forward in to the decade.

Please stay tuned in the coming weeks as I unveil my 2020 campaign platform on March 6th!

Please vote Rebekah Hanson May 19!

Click here for more.

ZEBULON - Virginia “Ginny” Blakeney of Williamson officially announces her candidacy for the 2020 Pike County Probate Judge Election. Ginny is a lifelong resident of Pike County who stays actively involved with the community and is dedicated to public service.

With almost 6 years of experience working with the local government she is committed to meeting the needs of the citizens in a conservative and sincere manner.

As the community continues to experience rapid growth it will be imperative that the Probate Office move forward with new energy and a fiscally responsible approach that will both enhance and increase the services provided into the future.

Ginny would appreciate your VOTE for PROBATE JUDGE on May 19!

Click here for more.

ZEBULON - Hello! I am happy to announce I will be running for re-election May 19th, 2020 as District 4 Pike County Board of Education! When I was sworn in January 2017, my goal was to be a representative to the good people who elected me, an advocate for ALL children in Pike, and a wise steward of public funds to provide for the highest quality education while protecting tax payers. Since I was elected, the reserve fund is now at an acceptable level, graduation rate is 96% (only 4% to go!), STEM is now state certified, another Pathway for graduation is being rolled out for the Class of 2024, and the BOE has not raised the millage rate since 2017.

My prayer is the Citizens of Pike will give me another term to achieve further goals. I love this county and want to be part of the growth that is coming so strategically it will be positive rather than the chaos other counties experienced. According to Pike Building & Zoning, 700 new homes will be built in the next 36 months. Let me be part of the solution!

My experience with the Pike County Board of Education, as a parent of a recent PC graduate, volunteering in a variety of civic organizations (including the Pike FFA Alumni barn), my professional background as a Realtor/Broker since 2006 in Pike County, and my undergraduate and post graduate education in Integrative Studies and Organization Leadership gives me the unique background to represent you- because I am and have been your neighbor. We share common goals to keep our county the best place to live. I would never want to live anywhere else! Click here for more.

I am Brent Taylor and I am seeking the office of Probate Judge for Pike County because once again, God has placed this on my heart. I am married to Clint Taylor and I have 2 children and 2 stepchildren, 3 of which attended Pike County schools. I received my paralegal certification with the University of Georgia’s paralegal certification program in 2008. I recently discovered that my 4 times great grandparents (Ancel Kitchens and Mary Harris) were married in the Pike County Probate Court on January 1, 1843. I find this amazing that after 177 years, I have come full circle back to the place they were married and hopefully become the next Pike County Probate Court Judge.

I have served as a paralegal for our Pike County Administrator for 11+ years. During this time, I have gained experience in the probate process from start to finish. I have assisted many families who were faced with settling their loved one’s estate and affairs during a very difficult period in their life. I have assisted with guardianships of adult and minor Wards of the court managing their income and expenses which provided me valuable insight and capability in completing court mandated reports. I have experience in general management and office management which I will use to efficiently and effectively operate the Probate Court within the budgetary guidelines set by the County Commissioners. I can assure the citizens of Pike County that the Probate Court office will be up to date as our county is quickly growing.

I am past chapter leader and current member of the steering committee for The Compassionate Friends of Central Georgia, a self-help support group for bereaved parents and families who have lost a child, I am a member of Oak Hill Baptist Church where I serve on the bereavement missions committee and serve as Vice Chairman of the Pike County Board of Appeals. I also served as chairman and vice-chairman of the Pike County Republican Party from 2010-2018 and have worked on numerous boards over the past 20 years including the SPLOST committee, Pike Middle PTO officer and Slow Exposures. I promise integrity and I earnestly ask for your vote and support in electing me as your next Pike County Probate Judge on May 19, 2020. Click here for more.

ZEBULON - The following is a list of recent arrests from the Zebulon Police Department:
1. Phillip Searce, 29 year old black male from Upson for violation of parole.
2. Christopher Wood, 37 year old white male from Lamar for violation of parole.
3. Nicole Pope, 39 year old white female from Meansville for warrant out of Fayette.
4. Vincent Greer, 54 year old black male from Atlanta for no insurance, and driving on Suspended license.
5. Kevin Rollins, 42 year old white male from Lamar for failure to appear warrant.
6. Remondo Wright, 28 year old black male from Griffin for violation of parole.

Stand Up Comedy returns to Jailhouse Brewery with nationally touring headliner Roy Haber featuring Tim Gonzalez and Devon Gollinge. Craft Beer on tap. Tickets $6. Thursday, February 20, 2020 from 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM EST at the Jailhouse Brewing Company located at 8 Cherry Street in Hampton, GA 30228. Click here for more information and to buy tickets. Thank you to The Sellers Law Firm for supporting hometown news!

GRIFFIN - Thank you to Food Depot for advertising with Pike County Times! There are two convenient locations at 1201 West Taylor Street and 816 North Hill Street. Click here for more great deals from Food Depot. Please tell them that you read about this and other deals on Pike County Times!

ATLANTA - HB 28 was passed last year in the Georgia Legislature. This will resulted in the appointment of a 5th Superior Court judge to the Griffin Judicial Circuit that is comprised of Pike, Spalding, Upson, and Fayette Counties. Click here for more.

ZEBULON - SJ Land Surveying specializes in land surveying, planning, and subdivision design. Thank you to SJ Reeves Land Surveying for helping provide your news for free on Pike County Times!

Call Steve J. Reeves RLS at 770-584-5203 or email him at sjreevessurveying@gmail.com and tell him that you saw his ad on Pike County Times!

GRIFFIN - On Saturday February 15th, 2020 at 10:44 p.m., deputies with the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office received a call regarding 7 adult males that had been reported missing in the 800 block of Baptist Camp Road. Click here for more.

ATLANTA – Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger reminded Georgians Monday that they have just days to register to vote to be able to participate in the March 24 Presidential Preference Primary. Advance voting begins March 2, but the last day to register is Monday, Feb. 24, according to Georgia law. Click here for more.

ZEBULON - After serving the Pike area for many years, Driver & Adams, CPAs, a full service accounting firm, decided it was time to open a second location in Zebulon in January 2018. Driver & Adams has been proudly serving clients since 1977 by offering an array of accounting services to individuals, businesses, governments, and nonprofit organizations. Specialties include audit, bookkeeping, virtual accounting, taxation, payroll, and advisory services. Like most professions, accounting has seen many changes over the years, and improvements in technology have provided new opportunities for us to help our clients. Virtual accounting, our newest service, allows for us to provide real-time accounting and bookkeeping services to clients in lieu of hiring a full-time staff member, and clients are instead able to use those additional funds to grow their business.

At Driver & Adams, we believe that teamwork and relationships are the foundation of helping our clients meet their financial goals, and we strive to make a difference in our clients’ professional and personal lives through communication and personalized services. We pride ourselves on availability to clients for questions, advice, and assistance regarding services previously provided and in other matters or events occurring throughout the year. They enjoy their involvement in the Pike County community by being active members of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce, meeting clients at restaurants and coffee shops in the community, as well as shopping at local retail establishments.

Reshann Adams, CPA, and Sydney Sharpe, CPA are the primary contacts for the Zebulon office. Find out more about their professional staff and get a full list of services from their website www.driver-adams.com. Driver & Adams is located at 7840 Highway 19 North. Call them at 470-745-5040 and please let them know that you saw their ad on Pike County Times!

Mr. William Paul “Bill” Hawkins, age 53, of Stockbridge, passed away February 9, 2020, at Providence Heathcare in Thomaston. For more information about visitation and the service or sign the guestbook go to Moody-Daniel Funeral Home.

Mr. Alton Starling “Goatman” West, Jr., age 68, of Meansville, passed away February 13, 2020. For more information about visitation and the service or sign the guestbook go to Moody-Daniel Funeral Home.

GRIFFIN - February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness month. Dating violence is more common than many people think. Studies show one in three high school students experience either physical or sexual violence, or both, that is perpetrated by someone they are dating or going out with.[1] During February’s Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, Promise Place has partnered with the national campaign of Break the Cycle to promote teen dating violence awareness. Click here for more.

ZEBULON - This Library Board Meeting was attended by Gillian Appleton (Chair), Joy Walker, Patty Talley, Anthony Vinson (Secretary), Kathy Zellner, Library Manager Rosemary Bunn, and FRRLS Representative Natalie Marshall. Patsy Page came in after the meeting started. Attempted to bring Cynthia in by phone. Visitors: Rhonda Morgan, Becky Watts. Click here for more. [Note from the Editor: I have not attended Library Board meetings for some time--and it's a good thing! Read through this meeting to the note in blue and you will understand why. They are doing a great job!]

ZEBULON - With a comment from the public before the meeting and some discussion regarding legalities in the official meeting, the Pike County Board of Commissioners voted this morning to approve a resolution declaring Pike County as a Second Amendment Sanctuary County. The vote was approved with all five commissioners voting yes. Click here for more.

Thank you to First Bank of Pike for sponsoring Pike County Times’ Breaking News Alerts! First Bank of Pike has been serving customers in Pike County and the surrounding area since 1901 and offers Personal and Business banking with a personal touch. If you want to find out about how you can get Breaking News Alerts, click here. Thanks for reading and supporting Pike County Times.com!

FAYETTE/COWETA COUNTY - Greeting from under the Gold Dome. I have been working diligently to serve the great citizens of Coweta and Fayette Counties. The session has been very unique as we see a significant divide growing between our outstanding conservative governor Brian Kemp and the remnants of the long time establishment under the Gold Dome. The divide is not only on the details of the budget, but on the establishment push to change the election rules mid-stream. Below are a few of last week's highlights. Click here for more.

ZEBULON - On Tuesday, February 11, 2020, The Griffin Police Department received a call of an armed robbery at 1378 Experiment Street at Bowen’s Pharmacy. Click here for more.

Mr. Charles Melvin Pendley, Sr., age 70, of Meansville, passed away February 9, 2020, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Atlanta. For more information about visitation and the service or sign the guestbook go to Moody-Daniel Funeral Home.

ATLANTA – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging four members of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) with hacking into the computer systems of the credit reporting agency Equifax and stealing Americans’ personal data and Equifax’s valuable trade secrets. The nine-count indictment alleges that Wu Zhiyong (吴志勇), Wang Qian (王乾), Xu Ke (许可) and Liu Lei (刘磊) were members of the PLA’s 54th Research Institute, a component of the Chinese military. They allegedly conspired with each other to hack into Equifax’s computer networks, maintain unauthorized access to those computers, and steal sensitive, personally identifiable information of approximately 145 million American victims. Click here for more.

Latest Flooding Updates From Public Works: Update 3:19 p.m. Everything is now open and passable with the exception of Sunset Strip between Patton Road and Skyview Drive is closed due to a culvert issue.

Update 2.7.20 at 10:53 a.m. The US Department of the Interior is reporting that the Flint River near Thomaston has recieved 3.79 inches of rain the past days with 2.07 inches of that coming in the past 24 hours. This leads to flooding issues that have closed schools in our area because the buses cannot get to student houses. Here is list of closures and reopenings.

River Road, Hunter Road, Old Zebulon Road at Cook Road, Bates Road, West Fossett at Eppinger Bridge Road, McKinley Road at Williamson/Zebulon Road have all been reopened. Work is ongoing to get the rest opened as well.

Still closed due to flooding: Milner Road at Bottoms Road, Friendship Circle north of Pedenville Road, Hood Road at Friendship Circle. Sunset Strip between Patton Road and Skyview Drive is closed due to a culvert issue.

Thank you to Public Works for their hard work and Director Todd Goolsby for keeping the public informed through the media. If you see flooding or downed trees, please call 911 or the non-emergency Sheriff's Office line at 770-567-8431 to advise the Sheriff's Office of these dangers so they can work with Public Works to keep us safe. And for the love of everything you can think of, if you see water covering the road, DON'T DRIVE IN IT. You have no idea how strong the pull of the water is or whether the base of the road has been damaged by the water flowing over it. Please don't end up "famous" for doing crazy stuff. Be safe and stay dry!

ZEBULON - Dingers for Dee will be a day filled with fun and fellowship as baseball and softball players of all ages battle it out in a Homerun Derby at Pirates Stadium in Dee's honor. Vendors will circle the track with plenty of food and entertainment to keep everyone going strong throughout the day. Vendors spots are available and there will be no duplicates (contact Rachel McDaniel or Amber Shoemake for details). Be sure to purchase an event t-shirt and all proceeds from shirt sales will go to the family! Pre-order shirts by Jan. 31 to have them the day of the derby! Or shirts can be ordered the day of!

There will be five age categories for both baseball and softball athletes (6U, 10U, 14U, 18U and 19 and older) as well as men's softball. There are only 15 slots available per age group. Each player will get two minutes (and as many pitches as possible in that time) to hit as many homeruns as possible. The entry fee is $20 per player and in the first round only, homeruns can be purchased for $30. All batters 18 or under must wear batting helmets. Sponsors are being sought to support the costs involved in hosting the derby. Let's support Dee and her family as she fights! (contact Rachel McDaniel or Amber Shoemake for details on sponsors). Click here for more.

ZEBULON - Robert (Mack) Crawford stood before Judge Maureen Gottfried in the Superior Court of Pike County in order to agree to a plea in State of Georgia vs. Robert M. Crawford. Mack had been charged with one count of felony theft by taking and two felony counts of violation of oath of office by the state of Georgia. Without a plea agreement, this case would have gone to a jury trial on Monday. Click here for more.

Thank you to First Bank of Pike for sponsoring Pike County Times’ Breaking News Alerts! First Bank of Pike has been serving customers in Pike County and the surrounding area since 1901 and offers Personal and Business banking with a personal touch. If you want to find out about how you can get Breaking News Alerts, click here. Thanks for reading and supporting Pike County Times.com! [Note from the Editor: This article was updated today with a note in blue to include information and a comment from Attorney General Chris Carr's Office.]

ZEBULON - The Pike County Board of Commissioners will hold its regular monthly meeting on January 28, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. at the Courthouse, Main Courtroom, 16001 Barnesville Street in Zebulon. There will be a 15 minute Town Hall Meeting prior to the meeting where members of the public can address commissioners prior to the start of the official meeting without getting on an agenda prior. The public is invited to attend this meeting. Click here for more. [Note from the Editor: This meeting is complete.]

ZEBULON - 2020 is going to be a big election year with the Presidential Primary and Election occurring as well as local, non-partisan, state, and federal elections. Here is list of qualifying fees and local offices that will be on the ballot this year. Pike County Times will update with Griffin Judicial Circuit, and state and federal offices at a later time. Click here for more.

LOCUST GROVE HIGH SCHOOL - Operation Lunchbox has one mission—feed hungry kids. The Sellers Law Firm, LLC, is humbled to be a part of organizing the Operation Lunchbox Charity Bash to help feed hungry students in our community. This event is bringing local businesses together to provide an opportunity for all ages to be entertained by athletes and entertainers, including wrestling superstars, a former 2x World Champion boxer, film extras from The Walking Dead, & stand-up comedians, all in an effort to bring more awareness to the mission of Operation Lunchbox. Click here and scroll down to the bottom of the page for more information including tickets.

ZEBULON - The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting thousands of people across the country to assist with the 2020 Census count. Tyrone Smith, Recruiting Assistant for our area, came by a county commission meeting a while back to talk about opportunities for people in our area. Candidates must complete an online job application. The application includes assessment questions about your education, work, and other experience. He told me that the US Census is hiring to fill full and part time positions in Pike County starting at $14.50/hour after training. Click here for more.

ZEBULON - We are accepting nominations for the 2020 Prayer Power Faith Award / Scholarship. Each year we award a graduating high school senior from Pike County, the Prayer Power Faith Award / Scholarship. They may be in public school, private school, or homeschool. They must have shown growth and maturity in their spiritual life during their four-year high school experience. Nominations must be received no later than April 1, 2020. You may obtain information and requirements at www.prayerpower4u.net, by email at prayerpower4u@bellsouth.net, or by mail at Prayer Power, PO Box 1263, Zebulon, GA 30295.

ZEBULON - Prayer Power is accepting nominations for the 2020 “Saints in Light Award” which is to be presented to a non-clergy individual serving in Pike County who has been a spiritually inspiring, motivating, and encouraging influence in the community, and who openly and with love works for the betterment of the community and the people they come in contact with. By reflecting the true meaning of love and service in the community, they inspire and empower others to do the same. Nominations must be received on the proper forms by the first day of April. You may obtain information and requirements at www.prayerpower4u.net, by email at prayerpower4u@bellsouth.net, or by mail at Prayer Power, PO Box 1263, Zebulon, GA 30295.

ZEBULON - HB 734 is entitled the "Ethics in Journalism Act" and is supposed to create journalism ethics board that will govern media entities throughout the state of Georgia. This letter basically walks through my reasons that the legislation is bad and encourages any who are already signed onto this legislation to walk away from it. This legislation is in clear violation of not one but two constitutions, and it deserves a very loud rebuke in the public square. Click here for more.

[Note from the Editor: This editorial was written last year and still stands against this terrible legislation that is in the hopper for this year. I sent my Entreaty for Common Sense every single co-sponsor on this legislation and did not receive even one response. You can monitor this legislation through Georgia General Assembly by clicking here.]

ZEBULON - The Pike County Board of Commissioners will hold its regular monthly meeting on January 8, 2020 – 9:00 a.m. at the Courthouse, Main Courtroom, 16001 Barnesville Street in Zebulon. There will be a 15 minute Town Hall Meeting prior to the meeting where members of the public can address commissioners prior to the start of the official meeting without getting on an agenda prior to the beginning of the meeting. The public is invited to attend this meeting. Click here for more.

ZEBULON - There were many blessings as well as some tears shed in our county in 2019. There were good times, and there were arrests. There was a storm that brought crazy wind to tear up neighbor's homes. And there was flooding at the beginning of the year and a drought throughout most of the rest of the year with December finally bringing relief. Click here for more.

ZEBULON - The Georgia Department of Transportation has announced it awarded contracts for five project in District 3 (West Central Georgia region). The project bids were received on Nov. 22 and the contracts awarded to the lowest qualified bidders on Dec. 6, 2019. C. W. Matthews Contracting Company of Marietta, Georgia will resurface Georgia 3/US 19 from Atwater Road in Upson County to just north of Georgia 7 in Spalding County for the amount of $13.9 million. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2020. The largest single investment contract awarded within this round was to the Georgia 3 resurfacing project in Pike, Spalding and Upson Counties within the West Central Georgia region. Information on schedules, lane closures and detours will be made available in advance of construction activities.

UPSON AND TAYLOR COUNTIES - On Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020 (weather permitting), road construction crews will start a project to mill and lay new asphalt on nearly 14 miles of US 19 / Georgia 3 in Taylor and Upson Counties, from the Flint River Bridge in Taylor County to Cook Road in Upson County. The project is scheduled to be active seven days a week, from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. each day, until Tuesday, Mar. 31, 2020. Click here for more.

GRIFFIN- This is the fourth in a series of articles about the Griffin Police Department and its interactions with the local media. It would be helpful for readers to read Parts I, II, and III prior to reading Part IV. Click here for more.

ZEBULON - The Pike County Board of Commissioners will hold its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, December 11, 2019 – 9:00 a.m. at the Courthouse, Main Courtroom, 16001 Barnesville Street in Zebulon. There will be a 15 minute Town Hall Meeting prior to the meeting where members of the public can address commissioners prior to the start of the official meeting without getting on an agenda prior. The public is invited to attend this meeting. Click here for more. [Note from the Editor: This includes the County Manager Report for this week.]

ZEBULON - The Pike County Commission met in Executive Session last night and named the County Manager finalists after they came back into session. The finalists are Ron Alexander from Garden City, GA and Brandon Rogers, Director of Building and Grounds for Pike County. There is a 14 day waiting period before the top choice can be voted on and named publicly. The new County Manager will be appointed at the December Commission meeting. On a side note, Ron Alexander was finalist in 2018 when Bobby Bickley was chosen as County Manager. Pike County Times will be following up on this breaking news with another breaking news article about both candidates at a later date.

Thank you to First Bank of Pike for sponsoring Breaking News Alerts! If you want to find out about how you can get Breaking News Alerts, click here. Thanks for reading and supporting Pike County Times.com!

ZEBULON - The Pike County Board of Commissioners will hold its regular monthly meeting on November 26, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. at the Courthouse, Main Courtroom, 16001 Barnesville Street in Zebulon. There will be a 15 minute Town Hall Meeting prior to the meeting where members of the public can address commissioners prior to the start of the official meeting without getting on an agenda prior. The public is invited to attend this meeting. Click here for more.

ZEBULON - Many people around Pike County already "knew" where the VA facility was going to be, but Pike County Times has been unsuccessful in finding someone from the VA to confirm this information. Today's confirmation came from a quick stop along the side of the road to talk with someone who was out there doing work. This goes along with a fascinating history to this piece of property, and a promise that Pike County Times will print the actual confirmation from the VA when the final information is finally gathered and disseminated to the local media. Click here for more.

If you want to find out about how you can get Breaking News Alerts, click here.

GRIFFIN - This is the continuation of an in depth series investigating interactions between the Griffin Police Department and the media. It would be helpful for readers to read Parts I and II prior to reading Part III which is based on an interview of Chief Yates of the Griffin Police Department. Click here for more.

GRIFFIN - Pike County Times had some issues receiving press releases from the Griffin Police Department (PD) earlier this year. In the course of trying to work with the PD to obtain these press releases by email, the public information officer (PIO) for the PD made a derogatory comment about a member of the local news media complaining of being treated unfairly. Click here for more.

GRIFFIN - Pike County Times has covered news for Griffin and Spalding County when time allowed over the past several years. This investigation began because the Griffin Police Department (PD) began issuing press releases only on Facebook and not to the press at the end of January of 2019. The policy has since changed, then changed back, and then changed again, but lately Griffin PD has begun issuing regular press releases to the press again. In the course of this discussion over whether something can be called a “press release” if it is not issued and sent to the press, Pike County Times decided to investigate whether there was a difference in how the local and Atlanta media were treated as well as seeing if any news media were singled out for special treatment. This is the first part of a series of articles. Click here for more.

ZEBULON - The Pike County Board of Commissioners will hold its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, September 11, 2019 – 9:00 a.m. at the Courthouse, Main Courtroom, 16001 Barnesville Street in Zebulon. There will be a 15 minute Town Hall Meeting prior to the meeting where members of the public can address commissioners prior to the start of the official meeting without getting on an agenda prior. The public is invited to attend this meeting. Click here for more.

ZEBULON - The Pike County Board of Commissioners will hold its regular monthly meeting on August 27, 2019 – 6:30 p.m. at the Courthouse, Main Courtroom, 16001 Barnesville Street in Zebulon. There will be a 15 minute Town Hall Meeting prior to the meeting where members of the public can address commissioners prior to the start of the official meeting without getting on an agenda prior. The public is invited to attend this meeting. Click here for more.

ZEBULON - On 11 September 2019, the Pike County American Legion Family will be hosting the annual Pike County Patriot Day Observance Program at the south side of the Pike County Courthouse Square in Zebulon, Georgia. The public is invited to attend this event commencing at 12:00 p.m. Click here for more.

On Friday, 20 September 2019, the Pike County American Legion Family will host the National POW/MIA Recognition Day Observance Program for the community at the Meansville Memorial Park located in down town Meansville, Georgia across from the City Hall. The public is invited to attend this event commencing at 10:00 a.m. Click here for more.

ZEBULON - The Pike County Board of Commissioners is seeking qualified applicants for the position of County Manager. Pike County has 130 employees and an annual budget of $14.4 million. The population of Pike County is approximately 17,941. Click here for more.

ZEBULON - The Pike County Board of Commissioners will hold its regular monthly meeting on July 30, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. at the Courthouse, Main Courtroom, 16001 Barnesville Street in Zebulon. There will be a 15 minute Town Hall Meeting prior to the meeting where members of the public can address commissioners prior to the start of the official meeting without getting on an agenda prior. The public is invited to attend this meeting. Click here for more.

ZEBULON - The Pike County Board of Commissioners will hold its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, July 10, 2019 - 9:00 AM at the Courthouse, Main Courtroom, 16001 Barnesville Street in Zebulon. There will be a 15 minute Town Hall Meeting prior to the meeting where members of the public can address commissioners prior to the start of the official meeting without getting on an agenda prior. The public is invited to attend this meeting. Click here for more.

ZEBULON - After an hour long executive session that was added at the beginning of the commission meeting by request of the County Attorney in reference to something that was brought to his attention today, County Attorney Rob Morton asked that the Board of Commissioners entertain a motion to accept County Manager Bickley's resignation. It was accepted 4-0. Click here for more. This article has been updated.

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ZEBULON - The Pike County Board of Commissioners will hold its regular monthly meeting on June 25, 2019 – 6:30 p.m. at the Courthouse, Main Courtroom, 16001 Barnesville Street in Zebulon. There will be a 15 minute Town Hall Meeting prior to the meeting where members of the public can address commissioners prior to the start of the official meeting without getting on an agenda prior. The public is invited to attend this meeting. Click here for more.

ZEBULON - The Pike County Board of Commissioners will hold its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, June 12, 2019 – 9:00 a.m. at the Courthouse, Main Courtroom, 16001 Barnesville Street in Zebulon. There will be a 15 minute Town Hall Meeting prior to the meeting where members of the public can address commissioners prior to the start of the official meeting without getting on an agenda prior. The public is invited to attend this meeting. Click here for more. [Note from the Editor: This meeting is complete.]

ZEBULON - Animal Control was on the agenda of the Pike County Commissioners today. County Manager Bobby Bickley presented a letter to commissioners concerning the possibility of a donation of not less than $225,000 that is to used to either construct or provide substantial renovations to the current animal control facility. This has been an ongoing discussion for many years with the county only providing what is mandated by the state at this time with vicious dogs. What will the next few years hold for Pike County? Click here for more.

ZEBULON - The Pike County Board of Commissioners will hold its regular monthly meeting on May 28, 2019 – 6:30 p.m. at the Courthouse, Main Courtroom, 16001 Barnesville Street in Zebulon. There will be a 15 minute Town Hall Meeting prior to the meeting where members of the public can address commissioners prior to the start of the official meeting without getting on an agenda prior. The public is invited to attend this meeting. Click here for more.

ZEBULON - The Pike County Board of Commissioners will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 30, 2019 at the Courthouse, Main Courtroom, 16001 Barnesville Street in Zebulon. There will be a 15 minute Town Hall Meeting prior to the meeting where members of the public can address commissioners prior to the start of the official meeting without getting on an agenda prior. The public is invited to attend this meeting. Click here for more. [Note from the Editor on 5.1.19: Grady's ambulance contract was on this agenda, and commissioners chose not to act on Grady's options in the meeting. If Grady chooses to sever the contract, it had to be done today because there is a 60 day clause that says, "Either party may terminate this Agreement by notifying the other party in writing not less than sixty (60) days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term." I've already put in an open records request for this information, and my breaking news subscribers will know it first. Keep an eye out here though because I'll likely upload it tomorrow night.]

ZEBULON - Prayer Power of Georgia will sponsor the Pike County celebration of the annual National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 2, 2019. Please join us for the service at noon on the Pike County Courthouse Square. Click here for more.

ZEBULON - The Pike County Board of Commissioners will hold its regular monthly meeting on April 10, 2019 at 9: 00 a.m. at the Courthouse, Main Courtroom, 16001 Barnesville Street in Zebulon. There will be a 15 minute Town Hall Meeting prior to the meeting where members of the public can address commissioners prior to the start of the official meeting without getting on an agenda prior. The public is invited to attend this meeting. Click here for more.

ZEBULON - Pike Primary celebrated Hero Day on Friday, February 8, 2019 to honor fallen police officer Chase Maddox who was a resident of Pike County and worked for Locust Grove Police Department. His son, Bradin, is a student at Pike Primary School, and the anniversary of Chase’s end of watch is February 9th. Click here for more.

ZEBULON - The Pike County Board of Commissioners will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 – 6:30 p.m. at the Courthouse, Main Courtroom, 16001 Barnesville Street in Zebulon. There will be a 15 minute Town Hall Meeting prior to the meeting where members of the public can address commissioners prior to the start of the official meeting without getting on an agenda prior. The public is invited to attend this meeting. Click here for more.

ZEBULON - The Pike County Board of Commissioners will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, October 30, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. at the Courthouse, Main Courtroom, 16001 Barnesville Street in Zebulon. There will be a 15 minute Town Hall Meeting prior to the meeting where members of the public can address commissioners prior to the start of the official meeting without getting on an agenda prior. The public is invited to attend this meeting. Click here for more.

ZEBULON - The Pike County Board of Commissioners will hold its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, August 8, 2018 – 9:00 a.m. at the Courthouse, Main Courtroom, 16001 Barnesville Street in Zebulon. There will be a 15 minute Town Hall Meeting prior to the meeting where members of the public can address commissioners prior to the start of the official meeting without getting on an agenda prior. The public is invited to attend this meeting. Click here for more.

ZEBULON - The Pike County Board of Commissioners will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, July 31, 2018 – 6:30 p.m. at the Courthouse, Main Courtroom, 16001 Barnesville Street in Zebulon. There will be a 15 minute Town Hall Meeting prior to the meeting where members of the public can address commissioners prior to the start of the official meeting without getting on an agenda prior. The public is invited to attend this meeting. Click here for more.

ZEBULON - The Pike County Board of Commissioners will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, July 31, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. at the Courthouse, Main Courtroom, 16001 Barnesville Street in Zebulon. There will be a 15 minute Town Hall Meeting prior to the meeting where members of the public can address commissioners prior to the start of the official meeting without getting on an agenda prior. The public is invited to attend this meeting. Click here for more.

ZEBULON - The Pike County Board of Commissioners will hold its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, July 11, 2018 – 9:00 a.m. at the Courthouse, Main Courtroom, 16001 Barnesville Street in Zebulon. There will be a 15 minute Town Hall Meeting prior to the meeting where members of the public can address commissioners prior to the start of the official meeting without getting on an agenda prior. The public is invited to attend this meeting. Click here for more.

JAPAN - A contract was issued for bid out of the NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Yokosuka, Site Singapore (FLCYS) for Archeological Survey and Remains Recovery Work in Northeast India late last year that was awarded in May of 2017. The solicitation was specifically to follow up on recovery of remains of WWII service members from sites in Northeast India. [Note from the Editor: This article came about because I have been covering the recovery of 1st Lt. Robert Eugene Oxford from the WWII crash site for "Hot as Hell" in India for the past 10 years.] Click here for more.

ZEBULON - Do you enjoy reading Pike County Times for FREE? Please say thank you to those who advertise with me and provide this service to you. How can you say thank you? You can help Pike County Times by doing business with each of these advertisers and making sure that they know that you appreciate their support of your free, independent online newspaper -- Pike County Times.

THOMASTON - Danny Shumate from CGA Comp is the webmaster for Pike County Times. Danny designed Pike County Times as you see it today and has taught me how to hand code this entire website. (He truly has the patience of a saint because I am NOT a programmer.) He helped me with a complete revamp of Pike County Times in 2007 and again in 2011. Danny can put together a website for your business. From a basic website to a website full of bling, CGA Comp can help you promote your business on the world wide web at a price that is right for your budget. Danny Shumate at CGA Comp can be reached at 706-741-5929. Tell him that the Pike County Times sent you!

ZEBULON - Standing in line at a business counter and need something to do? How about looking at the ads on the screen provided by Southern Digital Captive Audience Advertising. This advertising combines digital signage with advertising for your business in local businesses on a big screen tv. For more information about how you can showcase your business through captive audience advertising, call 770-616-5412. Tell them that the Pike County Times sent you!

ZEBULON - NO WEEDS. NO BUGS. NO PROBLEMS. Pike Pest Management is owned and operated by Mark Andrade. Pike Pest Management has a special for Pike County Times readers. Mention that you saw their advertisement on Pike County Times and ask for 10% off of your initial service. Call Pike Pest Management at 770-567-FLEA (3532) for all of your pest control needs! Tell them that the Pike County Times sent you!

BARNESVILLE - Looking For a Good Chiropractor? Mid Georgia Chiropractic is owned by Mark Fink from Pike County. His business is located on 818A College Drive, Barnesville right down from Subway. I have been going to him for more than fifteen years. Mid Georgia Chiropractic is now open on Thursdays and closed on Fridays. New hours are: Mondays 10 a.m. to 12 noon and 2 to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesdays 9 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 to 3 p.m.; and Wednesdays and Thursdays 9 a.m. to 12 noon and 2 to 6 p.m. Mid Georgia Chiropractic is now closed on Fridays and remains closed on Saturdays and Sundays. Call Mid Georgia Chiropractic at 770-358-2003 for more information. Tell them that Pike County Times sent you!

ZEBULON - Prayer Power of Georgia, Inc. is a faith based 501(c)3 private foundation dedicated to developing and maturing the spiritual lives of those in our community, as we aspire to fulfill the Great Commission. Through educational materials, instructional programs, and community leadership in discipleship, Prayer Power of Georgia shall demonstrate and promote a richer more fulfilling spiritual and prayer life in our community. Prayer Power sponsors the annual National Day of Prayer and Pike County Baccalaureate Graduation event each year as well as awarding the Saints in Light and Faith Awards each year. Click here to find out more about Prayer Power of Georgia, Inc. and get signed up to receive daily devotionals.

ZEBULON - The Moody-Daniel Funeral Home is independent and locally-owned by the Moody Family and has been serving families since 1982. Currently, owned and operated by Terrell and Sherri Moody and Tim Daniel, the firm was founded by Terrell’s parents, Charles and Betty Moody. Tim Daniel joined the Moody family in 2012, and the funeral home became Moody-Daniel Funeral Home and Cremation Services. It continues to be a family-centered firm. The words, “our family serving your family” are at the heart of everything we do." For more information about Moody-Daniel Funeral Home, click here or call 770-567-8642. Tell them that you read about Moody-Daniel Funeral Home on Pike County Times!

CONCORD - Pike Countryside Sanitation, the oldest and largest sanitation service in Pike County, is available for all of your recycling and sanitation needs. Pike Countryside Sanitation. It specializes in 20, 30, and 40 yard industrial roll-off containers and has 2, 4, 6, and 8 yard front load containers too. Pike Countryside Sanitation provides curb and home pick up in Pike, Meriweither, and Spalding Counties. Call 770-884-0088 and tell them that Pike County Times sent you!

ZEBULON - Racquethause South Fitness Club provides total healthcare fitness in Zebulon. You won't get the body that you want overnight, but with hard work and dedication, you will get it soon enough. Let us help! Racquethause South offers equipment to work out at your own pace, trainers, and classes of all types to fit all kinds of lifestyles. Step class, Yoga, Crossfit, Spin, Bootcamp, and Silver Sneakers are just a few of the classes that we offer! You can check out Racquethause South on Facebook or drop by and see what they have to offer at 11500 Hwy 19 North in Zebulon. Call Racquethause South at 770-567-4487 to find out what specials they are running for new members. Tell them that Becky Watts at Pike County Times sent you! You may even see me there!

HAMPTON - Full Blown Firearms is a faith-based Christian company that is family owned, family oriented and kid friendly. Call Brad Ward at Full Blown Firearms at 678-463-8155 for all of your firearm needs or check out http://www.fullblownfirearms.com for more details about training and gunsmithing and follow Full Blown Firearms on Facebook.

Full Blown Firearms is located at 1074 Bear Creek Blvd, Suite L in Hampton just south of the racetrack. Hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10 am to 8 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm. Closed Sunday and Monday.

Call Brad Ward at Full Blown Firearms at 678-463-8155 for all of your firearm needs. Tell him that you read about Full Blown Firearms on Pike County Times.com!

MOLENA - Introducing the first sponsor of Pike County Times’ Breaking News Alerts! First Bank of Pike has been serving customers in Pike County and the surrounding area since 1901 and offers Personal and Business banking with a personal touch. Services include checking, savings, money market, certificates of deposit, and IRA’s. Mobile Banking and Bill Payment services are also available! Click here for more. Please let First Bank of Pike know that you appreciate their sponsorship of Breaking News Alerts on Pike County's only FREE online newspaper! at www.firstbankofpike.com/. Tell them Pike County Times sent you!

GRIFFIN - Thank you to Food Depot for advertising with Pike County Times! There are two convenient locations at 1201 West Taylor Street and 816 North Hill Street. Click here for more great deals from Food Depot. Please tell them that you read about this and other deals on Pike County Times!

ZEBULON - SJ Land Surveying specializes in land surveying, planning, and subdivision design. Thank you to SJ Reeves Land Surveying for helping provide your news for free on Pike County Times!

SJ Reeves Land Surveying is located at 11491 Highway 19 North in Zebulon. Call Steve J. Reeves RLS at 770-584-5203 or email him at sjreevessurveying@gmail.com and tell him that you saw his ad on Pike County Times!

CONCORD - Let us be your 1st Choice for all of your electrical, heating and air conditioning, commercial refrigeration, alarm systems and more! We also install and service alarm systems for the discriminating building owner. 1st Choice Mechanical provides residential and commercial HVAC and electrical installation and service.

We are licensed and insured. Click here for more.

GRIFFIN - The Sellers Law Firm is located at 100 South Hill Street Ste 502 in Griffin, Georgia and specializes in Criminal Defense/DUI, Family Law, Personal Injury, Simple Wills, Social Security Disability and Worker's Compensation.

Please tell them thank you for supporting Pike County Times! Click here for more.

ZEBULON - Need tires? Call 770-567-8333 and see what Rooster's Garage can do for you. They can mount and balance your tires right here in Zebulon. Looking for a car or truck that is reasonably priced right here in Pike County? Do you need an oil change or have a windshield that needs to be replaced? Do you need brake work? What about paint and body on your vehicle? Rooster's Garage is the place to go! Thank you to Pike County Times' newest advertiser who is helping keep Pike County Times FREE to readers. Click here for more.

GRIFFIN - Looking for a complete wellness care for your cats and dogs including preventative and diagnostic services? Look no further than North Griffin Animal Hospital located at 1799 North Expressway, Griffin, GA 30223. Does your pet need surgery including spay or a neuter, urgent care, or dental work? The experienced vets and techs of North Griffin Animal Hospital would love the opportunity to provide this much-needed care for your beloved pet.

Call NGAH at 770-227-4125 to set up an appointment. Click on their advertisement on the right side of the page to read more about them on their website. Tell them that the Pike County Times sent you!

MOLENA - If you need some work done around your house from decks and porches to flooring and handmade cabinets, all Anthony Reagan at Reagan Remodeling. He has 40 years of experience that he can put to work for you! Click here to see examples of his work.

If you're looking for quality work, look no further than Reagan Remodeling. Anthony Reagan from Reagan Remodeling has 40 years of experience. And he's local! Give Anthony a call at 404-886-8508 for an appointment or estimate. Tell him that you saw his work on Pike County Times!

WILLIAMSON - Has the recent rain made your driveway a mess? Do you need rock or sand for a foundation or other project around your home or barn? Call Brad Armistead at (678) 588-9465 and find out how easy it is to have a delivery made! Southern Rock, Sand, and Gravel is locally owned and operated. Click here for more.