MEANSVILLE - Troop 37 and Pack 103, sponsored by Life Springs Church out of Meansville, Georgia, would like to think everyone who donated food--and the ones who couldn’t that wanted to—for helping out with the Scouting for Food Drive 2015. Over 450 pounds of food was collected by these two scouting groups! Click here for more.

MEANSVILLE - What happens when a boy joins Boy Scouts (Troop 7) in Experiment and decides to help out with Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts as an adult? A whole lot of lives are influenced as Cub Scouts grow to be Boy Scouts and Boy Scouts work to become Eagle Scouts and boys grow up to become men. David Melton, affectionately known as Big Dave or Mr. David to Scouts of many ages in Spalding and Pike County, has touched a lot of lives in his years with Scouting. David retired as the Scoutmaster of Troop 37 out of Life Springs Church on Sunday, February 8, 2015 after a long adventure in Scouting that began back in 1985. Click here for more.

MOLENA - Massage can provide a variety of different benefits for horses. Equine massage can provide relief of discomfort that your horse may be feeling due to colic, back pain, pregnancy, stress, etc. Massage can help with nervous conditions, not wanting to be touched, preparing for the ferrier, helping a mare prepare for delivery and among many other things. Click here for more.

Jackie's 2 Minute Entertainment Rundown for this week includes Reviews of (1) Kingsman (2) McFarland, USA (3) The Duff. 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.

Ruth Baker Stromatt, age 65, of Griffin, passed away February 22, 2015, at Spalding Regional Hospital. It was Ruth's wish to be cremated and the family will hold a memorial service at a later date.

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

ZEBULON - All five commissioners were present. County Clerk Jo Anne Wrye, County Manager (CM) John Hanson and County Attorneys Tom and Rob Morton were also present. Click here for more. This meeting is complete.

ATLANTA - In 2014, Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens’ office helped thousands of Georgia consumers settle disputes with their insurance companies, returning $8.5 million in insurance claims to policyholders, money they might not have received without his help. “Last year representatives in my Consumer Services Division helped 9,719 consumers and businesses retrieve $8,549,340.02,” Hudgens said. “Many of the citizens who called my office had claim disputes with insurance companies, and our investigators were able to secure a settlement favorable to the consumer.” Click here for more.

GRIFFIN - The Griffin Choral Arts community chorus, under the direction of Dr. Stephen J. Mulder, will present “MASTERWORKS: MOZART’S REQUIEM” on Thursday, March 12, at 7:30 PM at The Griffin Auditorium (234 E. Taylor St). This concert features Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Requiem Mass in D Minor, one of Mozart’s most performed and popular but also mysterious works. Click here for more.

Mr. Toby Thomas Selph, age 40, of Meansville, passed away February 20, 2015. He grew up in Pike County, son of the late Colvin Lee Selph and Jennie Davis Selph. He enjoyed music, working on trucks, cars, and his motorcycle. He was a good man and loving husband and father. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Tony Selph. He is survived by his wife: Angie Beverly Selph; son: Timothy Blount and friend Candace Musselwhite of Thomaston; mother-in-law and father-in-law: Linda and Arthur Hewitt of Thomaston; uncle and aunt: Julian and Marie Sandefur of Pike County; special family friend: Latasha Newman Creamer of Thomaston.

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

Click here to help Toby's family with funeral expenses.

ZEBULON - Pike County High School’s Class of 1995 is currently planning for their 20 year class reunion. They need any information on members of this class in order to make sure everyone gets an invitation. Click here for more including contact information.

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! When engaging in advertising, companies must find effective ways of getting their advertisements to stand out above all of the others and catch the attention of the desired target market. It works! Click here for more. The owner of Southern Digital Captive Captive Audience Advertising has helped Pike County Times remain a free resource to citizens since 2007.

THOMASTON - The case of State of Georgia vs. James Anthony Roberts has been settled. Jim Roberts pled guilty before Judge Mack Crawford in Upson County in a plea deal today. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), a representative of the the Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney, and Attorney Virgil Brown were in court when Roberts' plea was presented to Judge Mack Crawford. Click here for more.

Jackie's 2 Minute Entertainment Rundown for this week includes Reviews that 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 - The Southside Riders Association (SRA) made a donation of teddy bears and stuffed animals to the Pike County Sheriff’s Office and Zebulon Police Department on February 11, 2015. These bears are a way to bring a smile to a kid's face in the midst of a traumatic event. This donation to help children in our area was a result of a Teddy Bear Run (a motorcycle ride) that took place last year at Truett’s Grill in Griffin. Click here for more.

Mr. Glenn Scott Sorrell, age 51, of Meansville, passed away February 15, 2015. Those who knew him describe Scott as sweet, creative, adventurous, kind-hearted and hard working. He was preceded in death by his mother, Gladys Sorrell, brother, Johnny and sister, Linda. He is survived by five children and seven grandchildren; father: Phillip Sorrell of Meansville; brother and sister-in-law: Gary and Mary Ann Sorrell of Meansville, and sister: Sheila Sorrell Watson of Griffin; five nieces and nephews.

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

CONCORD - The lights, the crowd, the anxious looks as children wait for Santa. All of this was in evidence on December 5, 2014 in Concord, Georgia. Click here for more.

MEANSVILLE - Emergency units responded to a call about a fire at 691 Adams Road last night shortly before 10 p.m. Pike County Emergency Services (PCES) arrived on the scene less than 10 minutes after the call went out and began fighting a fire that was approximately 25% involved at the time including fire going through the roof. They remained on site until the fire was extinguished. Click here for more.

ZEBULON - Pike County Emergency Services Fire Chief Rick O'Barr advised that Pike County will be undergoing an Insurance Services Office (ISO) Audit in April. Chief O'Barr said that there will probably be no changes anywhere but in the Molena area because it was left out of the last ISO evaluation. Hopefully residents close to hydrants and the fire station in Molena will get a drop in their insurance rates based on the results of this ISO evaluation. Click here to read a 2011 article that explains ISO. Keep in mind that some things have changed from 2011 because that was before the Molena Fire Station was even completed, but there is some good info in this article.

ZEBULON - Pike County played Starrs Mill this week. Pike won, 4-1. Tristin English pitched two innings. He struck out 5, issued one walk and no hits. Click here for more.

Mr. David Bruce Cates, age 63, of Meansville, passed away February 13, 2015. He was an avid outdoorsman with a quiet strong spirit who was born before his time. David loved the Lord. He retired from Perimeter Bobcat and was a very loving uncle. He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Agnew Cates. He is survived by his father: James H. Cates of Live Oak, FL; brothers and sisters-in-law: Ronnie Cates of Live Oak, Greg and June Cates of Griffin, and James and Lola Cates of McDonough; sister: Linda Guest of Meansville; nieces and nephews: Layla, Keith, Ashley, Harry, Alayna, Brannen and Ethan; great nephew and great niece: Aedan and Tenley; and his dachshund: JoJo.

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

MEANSVILLE - Pike County Sheriff's Office Traffic Investigators responded to a single car accident on Kings Road at 5:56 p.m. today. A Chevrolet pick up truck traveling north bound appears to have overcorrected while negotiating a curve and left the roadway causing the vehicle to roll over and partially ejecting the driver. The driver was deceased upon arrival of emergency units, and there was only one occupant of the vehicle. The investigation is on going at this time and a name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. The Coroner's Office and Pike County Emergency Services also responded to the scene. Update 2.14.15: David Cates, 63 years of age, was the driver and victim of yesterday's fatal accident on Kings road. He was a Pike County resident.

ZEBULON - Joel Edwards Library has decided to expand upon its already great and welcoming environment by introducing Table Top Time! “Joel Edwards Library has an immense interest in improving and community of Zebulon involving all age groups. Table Top Time is a game hour that will be hosted every 3rd Saturday of the month from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM,” explains Justin Silver, the program facilitator. “Our target audiences will be from middle school to college, and our goal is to create a public meeting place for the community to spark new interests, hobbies, and friendships.” Click here for more.

THOMASTON - A presentation on flower photography will be given by Thomaston native King Davis on Saturday, February 21st, at Massee Lane Gardens as part of the 2015 Festival of Camellias. The program is scheduled for 1 pm in the auditorium, with ample time following for attendees to photograph throughout the gardens and greenhouses. Click here for more.

GED classes and are offered at Concord Baptist Church (8670 Hwy. 18). Amy Tate is there every Tuesday and Thursday 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Students may also register for the program at the same location and times. All classes, books, and materials are free. Scholarships for GED testing fees are available. Contact Amy at atate@sctech.edu or 770-467-6036 for more information. (Amy spoke to Kiwanis Club of Pike last week. Thanks to Mike Cox and Kiwanis of Pike for this information.)

Mr. Jeremy Levette McGill, age 45, of Molena, passed away February 12, 2015, at Atlanta Medical Center. He grew up in Pike County and graduated from Pike County High School where he played football. For 27 years he worked in law enforcement. He served as Chief of Police in Zebulon and was also a deputy for the Pike County Sheriff’s Department. Jeremy was currently a Lieutenant for the City of Manchester Police Department. He enjoyed yard work, grilling, and especially loved his family, helping other people and his son Brodey. He is survived by his wife: Donna DeGraw McGill; children and their spouses; Brodey McGill, Jennifer McClure of Molena, Laura DeGraw of Molena, Nicole Wooten of Griffin, and Nicholas DeGraw of Molena; mother: JoAnn McGill of Molena; father: J.B. McGill of Thomaston; brothers and sisters-in-law: Johnathan McGill and Viola Robinson of Thomaston, Jeffrey McGill of Molena, Johnny (Chuck) and Brandy McGill of Adairsville; twin sister and brother-in-law: Teremy and Harry Seweelam of Snellville; special uncle and aunt: George and Christine Stinson of Molena; nine grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

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

Mr. Gerald Lloyd “Jerry” Giroux, Sr., age 77, of Williamson, passed away February 11, 2015 at Spalding Regional Hospital. He was born in Michigan, son of the late Lloyd Giroux and Rosanna Murphy Giroux. He was a pilot for Delta Airlines for 30 years before retiring. In his early years, he was a general contractor. Jerry was a member of the Griffin Moose Lodge and enjoyed building and working on aircraft. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Daniel. He is survived by his children and their spouses: Karen and Greg Smith of WA, Charlotte and Rick Hall of Cleveland, GA, Janet Arnold of Woodstock, GA, Gerald Lloyd (J.R.) and Virginia Giroux of Coral Springs, FL and Catherine Giroux of Norcross, GA; 7 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, Judith Giroux of Williamson; and a sister: Carol.

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

BARNESVILLE - Pastor Lonnie Grant has given his resignation at Barnesville Church of the Nazarene. He has accepted the appointment as Pastor at Valdosta Church of the Nazarene, and he and his wife Donna will soon be moving to Valdosta where he will begin preaching on March 1, 2015. Lonnie and Donna will remain at Barnesville Nazarene Church through the end of the month where Lonnie will preach his last sermon on Sunday, February 22 during the morning service. Click here for more.

ZEBULON - There will be a regular meeting of the Pike County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at 9 a.m. along with a Town Hall Meeting that begins at 8:45 a.m. in which any citizen can address the commissioners without getting on an agenda prior to the meeting. Click here for more.

ZEBULON - Boy Scout Troop 37 at Life Springs Church is participating in the annual Scouting for Food event during the first week of February in which items are collected to help out a local food bank. This was also the same week of the annual Spring Cleaning at Fincher's Chapel and Scout House events in Meansville. (Look for pictures from this soon too as well as an article about Mr. David's retirement and honors 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.

Ms. Cynthia “Cindy” Kim Tschudy, age 58, of Monroe, passed away February 8, 2015 at the Clearwater Regional Medical Center. She was born in Atlanta on August 14, 1956. She enjoyed collecting Angels of any kind and Indian dolls. Cindy loved her boys dearly. She is survived by her sons: Kevin William Tschudy of Monroe and Chris and Kathy Tschudy of Hampton; two grandchildren: Marissa Wright and Matthew Wright; sisters: Vicky Dollar, Terri Hihir, Dorthia McPherson and many other adopted family members.

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

$30 paid for Open Records Requested documents.
$150 paid to have a website with Aplus.net. (I am not including other fees like internet, phone, and PO Box, but those are necessary as well.)
826 miles driven to get pictures and information for articles that were read by readers on Pike County Times.
Having a local online newspaper that people can read for free AND where I can support businesses (and private citizens) who support this labor of love through their donations? PRICELESS!
Thank YOU for reading Pike County Times!

BARNESVILLE - Are you dealing with a pain in your neck or a backache? I have been going to see Dr. Mark Fink at Mid Georgia Chiropractic, Inc. for thirteen years and swear by chiropractic treatment to keep my back in alignment for better health and productivity. Mid Georgia Chiropractic Center, Inc. is located at 818-A College Drive in Barnsville. Call Leah at 770-358-2003 and tell her that you heard about Mid Georgia Chiropractic Center, Inc. on Pike County Times.com. Helping Pike County Times remain a free resource to citizens since 2009.

Jackie's 2 Minute Entertainment Rundown for this week includes Reviews of (1) The Loft (2) Project Almanac (3) Black Or White. 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 - Former Commissioner Tamra Jarrett began an online blog for Pike County that went online last week. The blog site is open to the public with plans to address items of interest like potholes and road concerns as well as articles about people and items of interest in the community. Click here for more.