ZEBULON - Pike County Times has begun compiling information for voters to help readers get to know their candidates so they can make an educated decision before voting in the May and November elections. Candidates are encouraged to send a 500 WORD OR LESS press release that tells who they are, why they are running, contact or website information, and any other pertinent information to editor@pikecountytimes.com. Click here for more. Updated 4.18.14 with more candidate press releases. This article is going to stay at the top of the page for the foreseeable future.

ZEBULON - Four roads are being resurfaced with LMIG funds from the state and a 30% match from Pike County. Sullivan, Twin Oaks, Dripping Rock, and Ethridge Mill Roads are a much easier drive today thanks to the work of Pike Public Works and ER Snell which won the bid to perform this work for the county. Click here for more.

ZEBULON - Pick Up Pike, a grassroots citizens' organization is calling on all individuals and groups to join with them in picking up trash on the sides of the public roads all over the county from 10 am to Noon on May 10.

The group is developing a Facebook page and already has an active GoFund site Click here to donate. "One very talented friend of ours is making a PUP logo that the group hopes will be used by all volunteers whenever and wherever they pick up trash or even discuss the subject," volunteer Walker Chandler said. "What we want on the 10th is for everyone to serve where they are by cleaning up along their own frontages and the roadsides leading up to them. There will be a meeting place for a larger group to join to work on Highway 19. It will be announced soon." Click here for an article from their first pick up.

MEANSVILLE - According to Sheriff Jimmy Thomas, a call was made to E911 in Pike County at approximately 5:47 a.m. on Wednesday, April 9, 2014 about shots fired at 54 Ray Drive. Update 4.17.14: Another arrest has been made in this case. Click on the link and scroll to the bottom of the page for updates in blue. Click here for more.

ZEBULON - The Offices for the City of Zebulon will be closed on Good Friday, April 18, 2014 in observance of the Easter Holiday. City Offices will resume regular business hours on Monday, April 21, 2014.

The Offices for Pike County will also be closed on Good Friday as well as the J. Joel Edwards Library.

Mr. Ernest (Ernie) Harold Ford, age 82, of Thomaston, formerly of Panama City, FL, passed away April 15, 2014 in Thomaston. He attended First Baptist Church of Panama City and resided at Thomaston Manor in Thomaston, GA. He was a veteran of the United States Army, serving in the Korean War. He retired from Bimini House in Los Angeles, CA. Mr. Ford was preceded in death by his parents, R. Harold Ford and Willa Mae Ford of Panama City, FL, sister, Barbara Ford Anderson of Myrtle Beach, SC, cousins, Melvin Corley, Albert Edmonson, Buck Harrison, James Bryant, Clarence Rutherford, and Benny Rutherford all of Thomaston. He is survived by local cousins: Sharron Corley and daughter Katrina Corley, Gloria and Gene Salter and daughter Leigh Devore and family, Mildred Edmonson, Betty Harrison, Clayra Bryant, Priscilla Rutherford, and Yvonne Rutherford and their families all of Thomaston; brothers and sisters-in-law: Ralph E. and Jan Ford of Mt. Plymouth, FL, and Victor and Sam Ford of Mt. Hermon, LA; several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews

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

Mrs. Ruby Callahan Watson, age 89, of Griffin, passed away April 17, 2014, at Brightmoor Nursing Center in Griffin. She was born in Meriwether County, daughter of the late J. L. Callahan and Maud Hubbard Callahan. She received her nursing certificate from Crawford-Long Nursing School in Atlanta. She worked as a nurse at Spalding Hospital and Brightmoor where she retired. In her early years, she enjoyed crocheting and quilting. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law: Tommy and Linda Hale of Zebulon; grandsons: David Hale and Kevin Hale both of Pike County; great-grandchildren: Brittney Hale, Daylan Fisher and Everett Hale; special nephews and a niece: Ray Dunn and wife Sylvia, Lanier Dunn, and Sophia Swindle all of Griffin; several other nieces, nephews and cousins also survived.

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

BARNESVILLE - The public is invited to join Barnesville Church of the Nazarene as we hold a Sonrise service this Sunday, April 20, at 7 a.m. followed by a time of fellowship and refreshments. Then join us at 11:00 a.m. as the choir performs “I Know My Redeemer Lives.” Barnesville Church of the Nazarene is located at 744 Veterans Parkway at the corner of Thomaston Road and Hwy 341 by the railroad tracks. barnesvillenazarene.com

ATLANTA – U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today announced his annual statewide Military Academy Day will take place on Saturday, May 17, 2014, in coordination with the Georgia congressional delegation. Isakson’s annual event, which is the largest of its kind in the country, is designed to familiarize students with the application and nomination process for the nation’s five service academies. Representatives from all five academies, including the Admissions Director for the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, the Southeast Region Admissions Director for the U.S. Military Academy, the Assistant Director of Candidate Guidance for the U.S. Naval Academy and the Deputy Director of Admissions for the U.S. Air Force Academy will give presentations regarding their requirements and expectations for admittance. The event is open to students in grades eight through 12. Click here for more information including how to register.

FORSYTH - Anchor of Hope Foundation is hosting its 5th annual Autism Awareness Festival on Saturday, April 26, 2014 from 8:00am-2:00pm to raise not only awareness, but $15,000 to help fund our free monthly Parents Night Out program for parent's/caregivers of children with disabilities and siblings, family scholarships for beneficial therapies and equipment not covered by insurance, community education and training, and help us open a store front in the community. This event includes a 5K trail race, fun run, motorcycle ride, and festival with a resource fair, live entertainment, free inflatables and kids' activities, food vendors, and a dunking booth. Dayspring Presbyterian Church is located at 1045 Hwy 41 South in Forsyth, GA 31029. For more information, or to register as a runner, motorcyclist, vendor, or sponsor, please visit www.anchorofhopefoundation.com or call Juli at 478-955-5324.

LOVEJOY - Royal Family Kid’s Camp is a camp for children in the social service system. We are part of a nationwide system of camps, each working with the local social service system to provide a week of summer camp to foster children. We work with Clayton County DFCS to provide a week of love and positive memories. Last summer, 69 foster children attended our camp. Our next summer camp is scheduled for June 29-July 4, 2014. We are holding an auction on April 26, 2014 at 12 Noon at the Lovejoy Family Church of the Nazarene at 1683 McDonough Road (next to Lovejoy High School) to raise money for the 2014 camp. Many Atlanta area merchants have donated gift certificates for the auction as well as gift certificates from attractions and motels nationwide. We are also holding the auction online at the website "Bidding for Good" and this will be open until April 23. Click here to see the auction. For any questions, please call the camp director, Alice Harper at 770-461-2017

ZEBULON - The Allie Bankston Edwards Center for Seniors will host a FREE LIVING WELL WORKSHOP entitled - Chronic Disease Self Management Program. The program is open to Pike County residents aged 60 and over who has any chronic disease such as COPD, arthritis, heart disease, asthma, fibromyalgia, and diabetes. Classes will be facilitated by representatives from the Southern Crescent Area Agency on Aging. The focus of the meetings is to help people understand how they can live with their diseases. The program takes an educational, interactive approach to teaching people how to change their behaviors, in order to live healthy lives. The goal is to teach people how to set personal goals, how to talk to their doctors, how to better manage their medication, and how to deal with some of the chronic disease side effects they have to deal with every day. Space is limited to 16 and advance registration is required by April 30th. The meeting times will be from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on May 2nd, 9th, 23rd, 30th, June 6th, and 13th. Each participant will receive a free book and CD. For additional information, please contact Rhonda at 770-567-3857.

GRIFFIN — The Griffin Choral Arts community chorus, under the direction of Dr. Stephen J. Mulder, will present a concert entitled “To Thee, My Country” on Thursday, May 1, at 7:30 PM at the Griffin First Baptist Church (106 W. Taylor St). Click here for more.

ZEBULON - The Pike County Board of Commissioners held their regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, April 9, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. in the Courthouse Annex, 79 Jackson Street, Zebulon, Georgia. This meeting was attended by all 5 commissioners, County Clerk Jo Ann Wrye, County Manager (CM) John Hanson, and County Attorney Rob Morton. There was a lot of discussion that will be of interest to the public in this meeting. The budget was presented with a suggestion for a 2% raise for regular employees and discussion of our roads in general as well as one road in particular that was just resurfaced 2 years ago and is falling apart. Click here for more.

ATLANTA - Secretary of State Brian Kemp wants to remind Georgians they must be registered to vote by April 21st in order to participate in the May 20th Primary Election. “Every Georgian should have the opportunity to vote in the May 20th Primary Election,” said Kemp. “The good news is that it is easier than ever to get registered to vote or to change your registration information.” Click here for more.

WASHINGTON DC - As the April 15th tax deadline arrives, we are reminded once again of our broken system and the need for a simplified tax code.

Our current tax code is over 73,000 pages long and equally as complex. By constantly segmenting taxpayers with brackets and exemptions, the tax code is becoming more complicated. We all have an equal stake in the success of our nation and for the services our tax dollars provide. However, manipulation and abuse are more prevalent in a complicated tax system, because of its difficulty for even experts to navigate. The recent abuse from the IRS is another shining example of why the Fair Tax is needed. With a simplified tax code, there isn’t a need for the large agency. Click here for more.

Jackie's 2 Minute Entertainment Rundown for this week includes Reviews of (1) Rob the Mob (2) Captain America: The Winter Soldier (3) The Grand Budapest Hotel (4) Bad Words. 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.

ZEBULON - Auto Masterz is located on 265 Thomaston Street in Zebulon, Georgia 30295. (On the left past United Bank on Highway 19.) "Women of a Certain Age" (that is, women over age 50!) can shop on Mondays in at Auto Masterz and get a 15% discount on services and merchandise at Auto Masterz.

Auto Masterz LLC is a full service shop ranging from brakes to complete engine overhaul. Auto Masterz offers FREE diagnosis of any and all car problems and provides regular maintainence, oil changes, transmission service, brakes, cv axles, and intakes. They also sell tires, wheels, and aftermarket accessories that you can have installed right here in Zebulon. Call Eric at Auto Masterz at (770) 567-8049 to set up an appointment to take care of your automobile. Click here for more about services that Auto Masterz provides right here in Pike County.

ZEBULON - Pike County Sheriff's Investigators have arrested two men in connection with several cars that were broken into early Monday morning. Jacob Carter, 22 years of age from Woodland, Alabama and Keith Underwood, 22 years of age from Griffin, are both facing four counts of entering auto in Pike County.

Numerous suspected stolen items were found in the duo's vehicle. Investigators are working to track down where these items came from by coordinating with surrounding counties. Both suspects are currently in the Pike County jail.

ZEBULON - The Pike County High School Football team will be having a car wash this Saturday, April 12th, weather permitting, at Blimpie's located next door to Mr. B's. $5 per vehicle. 9 a.m. until ??

ZEBULON - The Mid GA Hurricanes finished up their all-star season on March 29 at Georgia Tech’s McCamish Pavilion. The Senior Level 3 squad, the Renegades, brought home a first place win and the title of Grand Champions. The Senior Level 2 squad, the Surge, finished their season with third place. Click here for more.

ZEBULON - Pike County Parks & Recreation Authority will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, April 12 at 9:00am on the upper football field of the Pike County Parks & Recreation Complex. The Easter Egg Hunt is for ages 0-12 and a special prize will be presented to the child that finds the Golden Egg in four different age groups. For more information please contact the recreation office at 770-567-2027.

ZEBULON - The Pike County 4-H Rabies Clinic will be held on Saturday, April 12 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the parking lot of the Pike County Cooperative Extension Office located at 74 Gwyn Street in Zebulon. The cost of each rabies vaccination for a domestic pet is $15. The vaccination will be administered by Dr. Jennifer Gardner of Gardner Veterinary Services. Anyone that has a domestic pet that needs the rabies vaccination can bring their animal. We ask that all animals be leashed or in pet carriers for safety purposes as shots will be administered outside of vehicle at the station. Other shots can also be given on this day for additional fees. For more information, contact the Pike County Cooperative Extension Office at 770-567-2010.

ZEBULON - Old Zebulon Road between Eppinger Bridge Road and Union School Road will be closed until further notice due to culvert failure.

ZEBULON - The Pike County Board of Commissioners held its regular monthly meeting Tuesday, March 25, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. Click here for more.

ZEBULON - In spite of threatening rain, a small but hopefully influential group of community leaders gathered at Mt Gilead Church on Highway 19 to conduct the first of a series of trash pick up efforts. They picked up litter on both sides of the highway northward to the Pike County Line. Click here for more. Anyone who would like to donate toward funds needed to dispose of trash at the landfill can donate at http://www.gofundme.com/7kudoc.

WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., sent a letter along with 28 of his Senate colleagues to President Obama this week requesting the denial of a U.S. visa to Hamid Abutalebi, Iran's choice to be its Ambassador to the United Nations. By his own admission, Abutalebi was part of the group that took over the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979 and held 52 Americans hostage for 444 days. Click here for more.

Jackie's 2 Minute Entertainment Rundown for this week includes Reviews of Reviews of (1) Noah (2) Cesar Chavez (3) Sabotage. 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.

ZEBULON - Wanna become a part of our storm? Tryouts are May 9th and 10th! Kids 8 and under will try out from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on the 9th. On May 10th, ages 9-13 will try out from 9 to 10:30 a.m. and ages 14-18 will try out from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Try out fee is $25. Click here for more about Mid GA Hurricanes.

ZEBULON - Georgia Military College Fairburn Campus proudly announces that the following student from Pike County has achieved academic distinction for the 2014 Winter Quarter. DEAN’S LIST - 3.20 – 3.69 GPA. Casey Sandt of Zebulon.

Georgia Military College is a two-year liberal arts college offering a student-centered educational experience to scholars across the state of Georgia. The main campus is located in Milledgeville. Distant Learning Centers are located in Augusta, Columbus, Fairburn, Valdosta, and Warner Robins with extension centers in Madison, Sandersville, and Stone Mountain. Our Online Campus is now available. Georgia Military College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award Associate Degrees.

Prayer Power of Georgia on Thursday May 1, 2014 will sponsor the Pike County celebration of the annual National Day of Prayer. Please join us for the service at noon on the Pike County Courthouse Square. The Pike County High School Chorus will provide the music. The National Day of Prayer is a patriotic and spiritual celebration of our great nation; a time to join together to honor those who have served in many different capacities and to ask blessings for those who are serving our community and nation as they are called. We will offer prayers for our community, state, nation, and all that need salvation.

For further information please contact, Chaplain Ben Maxedon, Prayer Power of Georgia, PO Box 1263, Zebulon, GA 30295. 770-689-7549. prayerpower4u@bellsouth.net or prayerpower4u.net. Click here to see pictures from last year.

BARNESVILLE - The McIntosh Trail Gardening Associates (formerly McIntosh Trail Master Gardeners) would like to invite you to an unusual program to be presented at the wetlands trail in Barnesville (between Akins and the Sheriff's Office) on Thursday, April 10 or Monday, May 5. Both programs will begin at 3:00 p.m. and last about two hours. You are welcome to attend one or both programs. These programs are being sponsored by the McIntosh Trail Gardening Associates and are free. We will also offer free water, lemonade and iced tea. Click here for more.

THE ROCK - A free, outdoor egg hunt will be held Saturday, April 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Rock Ranch, Truett Cathy’s 1500-acre property in Upson County. This event, appropriately called The Easter Eggstravaganza, will feature 40,000 plastic prize-filled eggs. Staff and volunteers will spend hours hiding eggs by hand for the event. Age-specific egg hunts will begin at staggered times at different location across the ranch. Click here for more.

Mrs. Sara Jane Beasley Lumley, age 71, of The Rock, passed away March 30, 2014 at Upson Regional Medical Center. She was born in Soperton, Georgia, daughter of the late Estus Beasley and Lucille Wood Beasley. She was a seamstress for Sherri Lynn Manufacturing and 1888 Mills in Zebulon for many years. She attended Christian Fellowship Baptist Church in Zebulon, enjoyed sewing, baking and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William “Bill” Lumley who passed away on February 26, 2014, her son, Trooper Tony Lumley, brother, Hubert Beasley, and sister and brother-in-law, Wynelle and Hollis Barwick. She is survived by her son: Tim Lumley of The Rock and fiancé, Jenny Kersey of Ft. Valley; daughter and son-in-law: Kimberly and Joel Smith of Augusta; granddaughters: Heather Lumley McLendon and husband Michael, Abigail Lumley, Nikki Lumley and Brooke Lumley; great-grandchildren: Aubree, Anslee, Adalyn and Colton McLendon, and Henley Kelley; sisters and brothers-in-law: Myrtle Hall of Dublin, Betty Burgamy of Alaska, Flora Mae “Duck” Lumley, and Margaret and Darwin Crabb all of Dublin; brother: W. C. Beasley of Dublin; brother-in-law and sister-in-law: Tommy and Margie Lumley of Dublin; numerous nieces and nephews.

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

ZEBULON - The Pike County Chamber of Commerce and Farm Bureau of Pike will be hosting a Political Forum on Tuesday, May 6, 2014 from 7 to 9 p.m. This event will be held at the Christ Chapel Teen Building located at 6127 Highway 19 South, Zebulon beside the watertower. This event is free to the public and the public is invited to attend in order to meet the candidates and listen to their responses on a variety of topics.

If you have a policy/question that you would like to have asked at the forum, please submit your questions to the Pike County Chamber of Commerce by calling 770-567-2029 or by faxing it to 770-567-7290. You can also email it to them by clicking on the link that leads to their web page. Click here for more.

Jackie's 2 Minute Entertainment Rundown for this week includes Reviews of (1) Muppets: Most Wanted (2) God's Not Dead (3) Divergent. 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.

ZEBULON - Elections Superintendent Lynn Brandenburg heard a challenge to a candidate’s residency on Friday, March 21st in the Pike County Courtroom. Candidate Robert E. Adams, Jr. filed a challenge to Incumbent Charles “Charlie” Garrard’s residency in the Board of Education District 4 race. The outcome of this hearing was to determine whether or not Mr. Garrard is eligible to be on the ballot against Mr. Adams. Click here for more.

ZEBULON - On Wednesday, March 19, four staff and ten volunteers joined forces to provide the children’s area of the J. Joel Edwards Public Library with a brand new look. (Photos above and below the article are courtesy of the J. Joel Edwards Public Library.) [Note from the Editor: These staff and board members and volunteers did a fantastic job! Stop by the library and check it out!] Click here for more.

ZEBULON - Schools in Upson and Pike County have received prank calls over the past week that could result in prosecution and jail time. Dr. Michael Duncan, Superintendent of the Pike County School System issued this statement in response the bomb threat at Pike County High School on Friday: Click here for more. Update 3.25.14 from Dr. Duncan: "We are offering a $500 reward for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for bomb threats made toward Pike County High School."

ZEBULON - Animal control has been a hotly debated topic in Pike County for years. Those who support it do so with the knowledge that it will cost money and that the cities will need to participate and pay a portion of the cost. Those who are against it have various reasons including the fact that some people in the country take care of their own problems. Lack of animal control in Pike County has been discussed for a long time, but the talk turned to something more in 2007 and the State of Georgia has now mandated some aspects of animal control for all counties including Pike County which does not have an animal control facility. Click here for more.