ZEBULON - The Pike County Board of Commissioners will hold its next regular scheduled monthly meeting on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. There will be a 15 minute Town Hall Meeting prior to the meeting. The public is invited to attend. Click here for more. This meeting is complete.

MEANSVILLE - Whether you are a beginner or a lifetime veteran, this is the place to be. B&D Ceramics has been owned and operated by Bob and Diana Clark since 1985. B & D is a traditional "sit down" shop where we work with customers one on one. You can make your own gifts, purchase a special gift or order a custom-made piece. We manufacture Dixie brand casting slip and we sell wholesale to other dealers. Free instruction is offered in all techniques to customers during regular shop hours. Special classes are also available upon request. We accept Masercard and Visa. Click here for 1 Free Painting Session with Personal Instruction for New Customers. Click here for more information about B & D Ceramics or call 770-567-3557. Helping Pike County Times remain a free resource to citizens since 2006.

Ms. Lynn Marie Busby Riley, age 57, of Griffin, passed away January 24, 2015 at Spalding Regional Hospital in Griffin. She was born in Sanford, Florida, daughter of the late Rustin William Busby and Willie Mae Flowers Busby. For many years she worked as a cashier for Kangaroo convenient store. She was a people person who loved children and animals and enjoyed flower gardening. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 10 years, Robert Riley, a sister, Alice Faye Avery, brothers, Leroy Busby and Larry Busby. She is survived by her children Lydia J. Marcondes of Lawrenceville and Zachary Mathis of Griffin; her twin sister: Linda C. Sparrow of Griffin; grandchildren: Andrew Marcondes, Vhanessa Marcondes and Zachary Mathis, Jr.; several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

For more information about visitation and the service or sign the guestbook go to Moody-Daniel Funeral Home.

Mrs. Una Eloise Couch Ackiss, age 82, of Williamson, passed away January 26, 2015 at Brightmoor Hospice. She was born in Atlanta, daughter of the late Luther Lloyd Couch and Alma Ruth Henderson Couch. For many years she worked as a bookkeeper for K-mart. After retiring she worked part-time for H& R Block in Griffin. She was a loving and caring person who enjoyed spending time with her family. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Roy Edward Ackiss, who passed away on January 2, and a daughter, Nancy Sims. She is survived by her children and their spouses: Robert Ackiss of KY, Sue and Charles Gasaway of Eatonton, Luke and Lynn Ackiss of Big Pine Key, FL, and Mechelle Owens of Florida; 11 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

For more information about visitation and the service or sign the guestbook go to Moody-Daniel Funeral Home.

PIKE COUNTY - Pike Countryside Sanitation is the oldest and largest sanitation service in Pike County. Pike Countryside Sanitation 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 Pike Countryside at 770-884-0088 and tell them that you read about their service on Pike County Times.com. Pike Countryside Sanitation has been helping Pike County Times remain a free resource to citizens since 2012.

Mrs. Eleanor Earlene Green, age 96, of Meansville, passed away January 23, 2015 at Brightmoor Nursing Center in Griffin. She was born in Tifton GA, daughter of the late John Miles Stewart Greene and Claudia Estelle Mangham Greene. She was a 1937 graduate of R.E. Lee High School. She was a member of Meansville Baptist Church for over 50 years. Mrs. Green was a homemaker who enjoyed gardening and loved spending time with her family. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, George Mansfield Green, and infant son, George Larry Green. She is survived by her children and their spouses: Robert and June Green of High Falls, Ronnie and Diane Green of Orchard Hill, Roger and Kay Green of Meansville, Wayne and Deborah Green of Thomaston and Jan and Jimmy Johnson of Meansville; grandchildren and their spouses: Jason Green, Joel and Tonya Green, Rhonda and Jon Maddox, Ron Green, Steven and Tara Green, Emily and Jonathan O’Steen, Erin and T.J. Ison, Ashley and Chad McDaniel, Derrick Johnson, Janna Lauren Johnson Lewis, and Catherine Green; 14 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

For more information about visitation and the service or sign the guestbook go to Moody-Daniel Funeral Home.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA) today delivered the following address to Georgians, which lays out his priorities in the Senate and how he will work to make life better for all Georgians. Here is a transcript of the video. Click here for more.

ZEBULON - Last week the J. Joel Edwards Public Library took advantage of some computer down time to upgrade the interior of the library. With the help of a core of volunteers from the Griffin Home Depot and several community helpers, the library now has a brighter outlook on the inside. Click here for more.

Mr. Robert B. Mills, age 80, of Griffin, formerly of Hamlet, NC, passed away January 22, 2015, at Spalding Regional Hospital. Mr. Mills is survived locally by his son John F. "Jack" Mills and family.

For more information about visitation and the service or sign the guestbook go to Moody-Daniel Funeral Home.

ZEBULON - Pike County celebrated MLK Jr. Day with its annual parade held on January 19, 2015. The parade began at Fuller's Chapel United Methodist Church and went through Zebulon. Click here for more.

WASHINGTON DC - President Obama gave the annual State of the Union Address last night. Click here to read or watch this speech. Senators David Perdue and Johnny Isakson represent the entire state of Georgia in the U.S. Senate. Representative Lynn Westmoreland represents Pike County in the House of Representatives.

Senator Johnny Isakson's response, Obama's Tax Plan 'Like Pouring Water Cold Water on Small Businesses and Employers,' can be read at http://www.isakson.senate.gov. Representative Lynn Westmoreland's response, President Out of Touch with the People’s Priorities, can be read at http://westmoreland.house.gov. (I do not have a statement from Senator Perdue but that is likely because he is newly elected and I am still in the process of getting on his media press list.)

Contact information for state representatives can be found by scrolling down the advertising bar on this page and clicking on the link for Representative Johnnie Caldwell Jr. (State House) and Senator Marty Harbin (State Senate). Contact information for federal representatives can be found by clicking on the U.S. Representatives link at the top of the page.

ZEBULON - Rhonda McDougal, Director of the Allie Bankston Edwards Center for Seniors, was named the 2014 Senior Center Site Director of the Year by the Three Rivers Area Agency on Aging. Click here for more.

Jackie's 2 Minute Entertainment Rundown for this week includes Reviews of (1) Paddington (2) American Sniper (3) The Wedding Ringer (4) Blackhat. It 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.

Mr. Rondal Franklin Benson, age 76, of Manchester, passed away January 18, 2015. He was born in Cochran, son of the late Grady Franklin Benson and Christine Cook Benson. He was a veteran of the United States Army. He had worked as a truck driver for over 40 years before retiring. He enjoyed watching FOX news and was a NASCAR fan. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Mary Benson, brother, Carlis William Benson and sisters, Wynell Dean and Margie Johnson. He is survived by his children and their spouses: Diamond and Belinda Benson of Woodland, Renee and Jim Watson of Concord and Steve and Lori Benson of Thomaston; grandchildren and their spouses: Lendyl Benson and Ron Hipkiss, Wyatt Benson, Bryan and Rebekah Watson, Dana and Jeff Holcomb, David and Hannah Watson, Tyler Benson and Katlyn Benson; five great-grandchildren; brothers and a sister-in-law: Doyle and Jan Benson and Lamar Benson; sisters and brothers-in-law: Laverne Walker, Faye and Elton Knight, and J. M. Dean; brother-in-law and sister-in-law: John and Sara Floyd; several nieces and nephews.

For more information about visitation and the service or sign the guestbook go to Moody-Daniel Funeral Home.

MACON, GA – U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA) [on January 17] returned to his hometown of Macon for a ceremonial swearing-in bringing together family, friends, supporters, and community leaders in Georgia. Click here for more.

This is the first meeting of the new year with new commissioners Tim Guy and Tim Daniel attending the meeting along with three returning commissioners, County Clerk Jo Ann Wrye and Ginny Blakeney to take the minutes, County Manager John Hanson, and County Attorney Rob Morton. Click here for more.

ZEBULON - Pike County is working to be proactive with our roads and culverts. The next project on the list for repair by Pike County Public Works in replacing the culvert on Hagan’s Mountain Road on January 20, 2015. Click here for more.

Mrs. Geneva Bennett Davis Martin, age 74, of Griffin, passed away January 13, 2015. She was born in Flowery Branch, daughter of the late Hines Bennett and Medal Crow Bennett. She worked in hotel management for over 40 years and was an interior designer for most of her life. She was a loving mother who enjoyed being with her family, gardening and cooking. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her former husbands, Joe Davis and Rush David Martin, sisters, Louise Bennett Awtrey and Betty Bennett West and a brother, Joe Bennett. She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law: Russell and Ann Davis and Rick and Stephanie Davis all of NC; daughter and son-in-law: Melissa and Bobby Howard of KY; grandchildren: Amanda Davis, Christine Davis, Hannah Davis Edison and husband Blake, Caleb and Sara Davis, Riley Davis Luper and husband Cory, Roby Davis, Alex Howard and Melissa Barker; special niece and caretaker: Mollie Awtrey of Griffin; brothers and sisters-in-law: David and Karen Bennett and Royce and Anita Bennett; sister: Jeanette Bennett Smallwood; several other nieces and nephews.

For more information about visitation and the service or sign the guestbook go to Moody-Daniel Funeral Home.

Mr. James David Huckaby, age 88, of Meansville, passed away January 13, 2015. He was born in Zebulon, son of the late John David Huckaby and Wesley Mae Maddox Huckaby. He was a proud veteran of the United States Air Force, serving in WWII, the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He retired from the military after 21 years of service. After retiring, he worked for Holan Manufacturing in Griffin for 22 years. Mr. Huckaby was a life-long active member of Fincher United Methodist Church. He was a volunteer fireman and waterman for the City of Meansville and a member of the American Legion and the Pike County Lions Club. He was a loving and devoted husband and father. He was known as “Grandbuddy” to his grandchildren, who he loved more than life itself. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Norma Eitel Huckaby and brother, Lamar Huckaby. He is survived by his daughter: Barbara Huckaby Jeffreys and husband Danny of Zebulon; grandchildren and their spouses: Annette and Keith Bozeman of Meansville, Richard Griffin and K.T. Vick of San Francisco, CA, Brian and Tina Griffin of Meansville and Sergeant Shawn Wyatt, stationed in Hinesville; great-grandchildren and their spouses: Josh and Kristin Rickerson, Anlee and Derek Fekkes, Matthew Bozeman, Justin David Wyatt, Crissi and Chris Sobers, Crystal and Chris Brubaker and Troy Browning; great-great-grandchildren: Caleb Rickerson, Ezra Fekkes, Emerson Fekkes, Alley and Joshua Sobers, Elija and Donavon Browning, Davaya Russell and Draven Brubaker; brothers and sisters-in-law: Robert and Bonnie Huckaby of Meansville and Donald and Shirley Huckaby of Adel; sisters and a brother-in-law: Margaret Hutchinson of Stockbridge and Betty Ann and Nathan Cooper of Griffin; many other family members and numerous friends.

For more information about visitation and the service or sign the guestbook go to Moody-Daniel Funeral Home.

ZEBULON - Pike County has made some welcome changes to the website including an easy way to download agendas, post agendas and minutes for county meetings. Board of Appeals agendas are going online now too. Scroll down to the Notice to the Public for important instructions. Old agendas, minutes, etc. for the Board of Commissioners are still found under Resource and Archive. Click here for more.

ZEBULON - On February 3, 1943, a convoy of ships traveled through the cold night off of the coast of Greenland. A U-223 submarine fired upon the USAT Dorchester which had 902 men on board. In less than thirty minutes, the ship sank into the freezing water. 672 men died in the icy waters with only 230 surviving this ordeal. There were four Chaplains on board that night: two Protestant pastors, a Catholic priest and a Jewish rabbi willingly gave their lives for others that night. This program tell so their heroic sacrifice and the common bond that tied them together.

American Legion Pike County Family Post 197 and the 4th District American Legion Auxiliary will hold The Four Chaplains Program on Sunday, February 1 at 3:00 p.m. at Mt. Gilead Baptist Church, 14550 US Hwy 19 S, Griffin Ga 30224.

Ms. Thelma Williams Blackburn, age 73, of Zebulon, passed away January 11, 2015 at Upson Regional Medical Center. Friends may visit the family on Wednesday, January 14, from 4-6 p.m., at the funeral home. A graveside service will be held on Friday, January 16, at 2 p.m., in the Adamsville Cemetery in Coleman, FL.

For more information about visitation and the service or sign the guestbook go to Moody-Daniel Funeral Home.

WILLIAMSON - On November 15, 2014, a vintage de Havilland Tiger Moth aircraft crashed upon departure from Peach State Airport in Williamson. The NTSB has investigated and issued a final report on this crash. Click here for more.

ATLANTA — State Representative Allen Peake (R-Macon) (yesterday) met with Governor Nathan Deal to announce changes to Rep. Peake’s medical cannabis legislation, House Bill 1, for the 2015 legislative session. Click here for more.

House Passes Jobs Bills - This week, the House passed three bills to provide job opportunities and security, and stability to American energy production. The three bills were H.R. 22, the Hire More Heroes Act of 2015, H.R. 30, the Save American Workers Act, and H.R. 3, Keystone Pipeline XL Act. Congressman Westmoreland strongly supported each of these bills. Click here for more.

GRIFFIN - Spalding County Sheriff Wendell Beam Reports that on Wednesday, January 7, 2015, members of the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office and the Griffin Police Department arrested 44 people for illegal drug activity. The arrests are the results of a four month investigation by the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit and the Griffin Police Department’s Narcotics Unit. Click here for more.

ZEBULON - The Pike County Sheriff's Office responded to an accident with injuries at approximately 12:20 a.m. on Highway 19 in the area of Gresham and Patton Road in which a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer collided head-on with a Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) truck. Click here for more.

ZEBULON - Promise Place will be holding a Law Enforcement Appreciation Luncheon to honor those in law enforcement for all that they do on a daily basis to assist victims of domestic violence and their children in our communities. This event will be held on February 5, 2015 at the Zebulon Opportunity Center. Contact Tammy Bradberry at 770-692-3333 or legal.spaldingadvocate@promiseplace.org for more information or to make your reservation.

CONCORD - REACH Inc., located at 480 Second Street Concord, Georgia 30206, is blessed to announce an extension of services provided to the community. Although our food needs may vary, we are now able to offer assistance to our ill, needy, and senior members of the community. Click here for more.

Financial Aid - U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., joined a bipartisan group of senators in introducing the FAST Act, a bill to simplify the process of applying for and receiving federal financial aid to attend college, to allow year-round use of Pell Grants, to discourage over-borrowing and simplify repayments. Click here for more.

Isakson Chairs Two Committees – U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today was officially named chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, which will play a key role in ensuring that critical reforms passed by Congress last year are implemented to improve services and health care delivery for our nation’s veterans. Isakson also was named chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Ethics, becoming the only Senate Republican to chair two committees in the 114th Congress. The Senate Republican Conference will meet Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015, to ratify committee-elected chairs for the 114th Congress. Click here for more.

Keystone XL Pipeline Legislation – U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and David Perdue, R-Ga., co-sponsored legislation to approve the Keystone XL pipeline, highlighting the importance of the project to secure America's energy future, improve national defense and create tens of thousands of jobs for Americans. **Upon passage, a presidential permit would no longer be needed to approve the project. Click here for more.

Westmoreland Writes First Column of the New Year - January 6, 2015 marks a new era for the Republican party – it’s not only the first day of session in the 114th Congress, but it’s the day the Republicans take back control of both chambers. It’s the day we get our nation headed back in the right direction. Click here for more.

ZEBULON - Boy Scout Troop 37 at Life Springs Church will be participating in the annual Scouting for Food event during the first week of February. This will also be the same week of the annual Spring Cleaning at Fincher's Chapel and Scout House events in Meansville. These events will kick off on Saturday, February 7, 2015 with the annual clean up at Fincher's Chapel and Scout House. They will also pass out Scouting for Food bags during this time. Sunday, February 8 will be Scout Sunday at Life Springs Church or the church of your choice. Boy Scouts are asked to wear their uniforms to church that day. Saturday, February 14 will be the day that members will pick up the Scouting for Food bags. Unfortunately they cannot cover the whole county to pick up items, but anyone who wants to participate can drop off canned good under the carport at the scout house located on Highway 109 West across from Fincher's Chapel. Call Matthew Evans at (470) 219-0751 with questions.