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FRANK I~ONNrN
SMALLTO V~qq PAPERS
217 WCOTA ST
SHELTON WA 98504-2263
Serving the Hogansville-Gran lle Area Since 1944
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During the
Hogansville Library
Summer Reading
Program grand finale
Jade Crisp was the
• lucky winner of a
Nook.
By ANDY KOBER
Though it was not
actually termed as an
ante-litem notice, last
Monday evening the
Hogansville Council
rejected a notice that
could result in a lawsuit.
The situation dates
back tO July 9, When
Hogansville Police
Officers responded• to a
disturbance at 106
Marshall Street.
As a result of that call,
Tracy Regina Johnson
and Phillip Keith Brooks
were arrested on multi-
ple charges.
On July 28,
Hogansville City offi-
cials, along with various
Troup County officials,
received a "Demand for
the Preservation of
Evidence" notice from
the law firm of Sanchez
Hayes and Associates,
located in Tyrone.
OTHERWISE known
as an "anti-spoliation"
notice, the documentation
is a formal request to pre-
serve evidence pertain-
ing to the case.
The State of Georgia
. [ ,,.,reqq ir" es mat g 9-ve en-
l: tat a uw es be served an
case.
ACCORDING to the
incident report on the sit-
uation, officers were first
summoned to the address
due to complaints of
noise.
Officers apparently
attempted to simply ask
Johnson, Brooks and oth-
ers present to turn down
their music. This was
done, though allegedly
not before disparaging
comments were made at
the officers.
The report indicates
that empty and partially
empty alcoholic beverage
containers were spotted
in the front porch area
Police officers main-
tained a presence in the
neighborhood and report-
ed hearing more loud
music coming from the
address.
Officer JeffShepherd
then approached the
house and asked again for
the disturbance to end.
From that point, the
situation reportedly esca-
lated with Shepherd,
assisted later by other
officers, becoming
involved in a physical con-
frontati6ti with Br00ks
and Johnson.
antelitem notice, provid-
ing notice of intent to sue Brooks, 47, and
before a lawsuit is actu- Johnson, 43, were both
ally filed. The "demand subsequently charged
for preservation of evi- with resisting/ obstruc-
dence" does note the tion, noise prohibitions,
potential for "anticipated disorderly conduct and
litigation" regarding the public drunkenness.
By ANDY KOBER ing foot patrols and this gar-
nered praise during the meet-
The Hogansville Police ing.
Department was compli-
mented while the COUNCIL member and
Department of Mayor Pro-Tem Jean Crocker
Transportation received neg- noted receiving very compli-
ative comments during last mentary comments regard-
Monday's council meeting, ing officers walking in neigh-
Hogansville Police Chief borhoods.
Brian Harr has officers walk- By walking in neighbor-
hoods, officers have a chance GaDOT did not. "worse looking entry street the right-of-way, but then just
to interact with the general For some time council coming into Hogansville."left the cuttings to turn brown
public in non-emergency and members, especially Jimmy Because Ga. Hwy. 354 is and look even worse.
non-stressful situations. Norred, have complained a state highway, GaDOT is City Manager James
about the overgrowth of veg- responsible for maintaining Woods said GaDOT would be
IT CAN also serve to build etation along Ga. Hwy. 54, the right-of-way, including contacted,: however it was
trust between the police offi- from the Interstate into the cutting vegetation that is noted that keeping the road-
cers and the community they downtown area. overgrowing the road. way clear couldbecome a city
serve. Norred referred to the responsibility as city officials
While the police depart-street as the "corridor into NORRED NOTED that a look to draw people from I-
ment received compliments, town" and said it was the DOT work crew had cut along 85 to the downtown area.
Photo submitted
LOCAL AUTHOR HOLDS BOOK SIGNING - Crystal
Jenkins Woods will be signing copies of her "Gravity" at
Blue Train Books noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16. "Gravity"
is a collection of her poetry. A resident of LaGrange, Woods
has being teaching at Columbus State University since
2002. Her subjects include composition, creative writing
and interdisciplinaw arts class on modernism.
By ANDY KOBER It was noted the city must raise
rate increases $100,000 toward
The Hogansville City were needed to the project, say-
Council has approved an build funding ing "We have to
increase in both water and required as build up cash
sewage base rates, part of the over time."
City Manager James USDA-funded
Woods said the rate increas- expansion of the THE rate
es, $3 each for both water city's sewage increases begin in
and sewage, hadbeeninclud- treatment facility. September and will
ed in the budget when it was not be the only rate
approved. WOODS explained the increases as Hogansville
residents can look forward
to one or two more such
increases.
WOODS said that by
increasing rates a little at a
time, the city avoids a larg ,,
rate increase in the future.
The rate increases were
unanimously approved dur-
ing last Monday's council
meeting.
LaGrange Man Air Lifted to Atlanta
By ANGELA BROWN T r o o p e r s
found that
AcrashresaltedinaLaGrangeman Martin has
being air lifted to Atlanta Medical been driving
Center after wrecking his vehicle, on suspend-
Ronnie Martin, 57 was traveling ed license,
westbound on Georgia Highway 109 in but he didn't
a 1989 Mercury Grand Marquis when have a limit-
the accident happened, ed permit to
According to reports filed by travel to
Georgia State Patrol Post 34 in work and
Manchester, Martin ran off the road- school only.
way and became out of control. Troopers
After his vehicle hit a small tree it was not able
eventually ended up hitting a large pine to talk with
tree.
Martin was able to climb out of the
car before EMS and Troopers arrived
on scene.
After investigating the accident,
i!:
was aidiftedto Atlanta Medical
after i , id nt.
located inside the
vehicle:
A Marietta
Trooper from Post
9 did locate the
driver at Atlanta
Medical Center
and he said that he
fell asleep and the
he had been drink-
ing earlier the
night before when
he had three 16 oz.
beers.
Martin
Martin, but• received three
they did overhear the eme~nCy vo!-: citations for DUI, driving in violation
unteers indicate that they sfiielle a of conditions 0rlimited permit, failure
strong odor of alcohol from him.to maintain lane and no proof of insur-
An insurance card was a' anceJmotor vehicles.
