A Look Back at 2014
Here we are on the brink of 2015. As we usher in another year it is customary to remember the events of the months passed whether its reveling in the joys that came with feats conquered or reminiscing about loved ones lost.
2014 racked up an interesting amount of national and local news from the price of stamps rising an additional three cents in January to the February ice storm that caused chaos and mayhem all throughout Georgia placing state officials in a controversial firestorm that was amplified by every major news outlet nationwide.
Jasper County was not without its share of controversy whether it was the disbanding of the Monticello Police Department by a narrow vote of the City Council which earlier in the year removed the city manager. The Jasper County Board of Commission had its share of issues including the ongoing problems with the landfill.
Water issues raged on with the BOC choosing to enter into an intergovermental contract with the Jasper County Water & Sewer Authority which led to a court injunction being filed by a former commissioner.
It was a good sports year for Jasper County schools and athletes. The Cougars baseball team conquered region and state while the football squad came just shy of that feat falling in the state title game.
Lady Hurricane Tierra Whitlock earned two gold medals and a championship ring for her performance in the high jump and hurdles while the middle school basketball Canes soared to great heights making it to the title game which it looks now where they will be headed again as they remain undefeated thus far this season.
Let’s give 2014 some cheers and jeers for some of the events notated in the paragraphs to follow.
{{more}}
January
Gene Trammell was named Chairman of the Jasper County Board of Commissioners. David Wease was sworn in as a new member of the Monticello City Council following a November 2013 vote. Meanwhile City Manager Tim Sweezey was voted out by a 3-2 vote of the council. The Sac O Suds reopened off Hwy. 16 under new management. The venue, as is the Jasper County Courtroom, is highly visible in the 1992 filming of My Cousin Vinny.
Monticello native Jehan El-Jourbagy was named the Monticello-Jasper County Chamber of Commerce’s 2013 Citizen of the Year.
February
Jasper County Middle School (JCMS) Hurricane boys team clinches the #1 seed in the Piedmont Athletic Conference (PAC) and serves as host team for the league championship tournament. The team earns the runner-up title in the championship game against Morgan County. Three local players, Malik Crawford, Ashton Bonner, and Mackenzie Tripp, were named All-Stars.
Jasperites Keith Tyler and Mourad Bowen hike the Kalalau Trail in Hawaii.
The Jordan-Bellew Home opens for business.
The Mat Canes send five wrestlers to state competition while the Mat Cougars had four wrestlers to earn region titles with Nolan Cleary advancing to state competition where he earned the runner up title in his weight class.
The ice storm of 2014 hits the entire state causing mayhem everywhere. Some Jasper County residents endured without electricity for several days.
Miss Georgia and Monticello native Tiana Griggs celebrated Black History at Get Ahead House/Jasper Carerra Teen Center.
JCHS wins the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Region 12 Sweepstakes for most participation throught the year.
March
Former Monticello Mayor Susan Holmes qualifies for re-election as Georgia State Representative in District 129.
Jasper County schools social worker Dr. Princess Clarke was named Social Worker of the Year for the 10th District.
The Newshounds of The Monticello News win the annual Jasper County Trivia Night contest.
Duos Katie Odegaard and Daniel Funt of Piedmont Academy (PA) and Samantha Tally and Brian Patrick of JCHS were named STAR Students and Teachers of the Year.
Ami Labriola, JCHS graduate and Mercer University undergraduate student, performs at the NCAA tournament as a Mercer Bears cheerleader as the Macon squad takes down ACC giants Duke Blue Devils in the first round.
JCHS’s FBLA and HOSA programs head to national competition.
City of Monticello is urged to increase revenues and decrease expenses by Electric Cities of Georgia (ECG).
Hurricane baseball coach Chris Jenkins is selected 4AA Region Athletic Director of the Year. Jasper County property values remained at status quo. Rosa Broadus turned 93.
JCHS receives $19,000 federal grant for technology. PA Middle School travels to Washington D.C.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Johnson celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary. Les Steele has legs amputated. Effie Banks turns 103.
April
Local author Ted Dunagan host a book signing of The Salvation of Miss Lucretia.
Jim Strength named JCMS Teacher of the Year. Jasper County landfill woes continue with the attempted move of cellulose fiber.
Jasper County coroner Michelle Haddock resigns.
The Lady Canes golf team wins region and the Lady Canes track team places second in region. The JCHS soccer team qualifies for state.
May
Local musician and recent amputee Les Steele is named Kiwanian of the Year. JCHS Lady Cane Tierra Whitlock earns two gold medals at Class AA state championship in the high jump and 300 meter hurdles.
Lena Boyd recieves the Girl Scouts of America’s highest award, the Gold Award. JCHS graduates 102 students and PA graduates 27. Baseball Cougars are region champions and advance to win the state championship. Former science teacher and technology specialist Morad El-Jourbagy retires from JCHS after 32 years.
Doug Huff is rehired as head football coach of JCHS varsity football program.
June
The Monticello Police Department goes on the chopping block due to lack of funds of the City Council. The issue spurs much community debate and outrage. Jasper County’s millage rate is raised two points. Tiana Griggs is named second runner-up at the Miss USA Pageant in Baton Rouge, La. Pam Edge is named JasperCounty Primary School principal. Dr. John DeGarmo publishes new book ”Keeping Foster Children Safe.”
Garrett Barnett, age 13, killed following automobile accident in Mansfield. Roger Harrison is named to Georgia Piedmont Technical College Foundation Board of Trustees. Brian Patrick is JCHS Teacher of the Year. Coaches Danny Camp and Rhette Farmer leave PA.
July
Nancy Lynch retires from Care Corps after 41 years of service.
Peter Card leaves the states to teach math in Abu Dhabi in the Persian Gulf. Dr. Shamita Williams joins the Primary Care Center (PCC) of Monticello.Devon Andrews and Quinton Standifer finished ninth in the nation at FBLA Conference.
The MPD is officially dissolved and the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department takes over policing the city’s jurisdiction.
Brent Honeywell signs a major league baseball contract with the Tampa Bay Rays. Mission Mania is conducted locally as a cooperative effort between several local churches. A back to school rally is held at JCPS.
Jasper County Recreation Department fees are increased.
Monticello native Chris Kelly graduates from Massachusetts Institution of Technology (MIT) and accepts a job with the Apple Corporation. Ulysses and Lottie Norris celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary.
Baxter Pharmaceuticals, located in the Four-County Industrial Park in Covington, continues to hire employees. The News sports writer and Barrow County Journal editor Chris Bridges is honored by the Georgia Press Association. Dr. Mike Newton has his superintendent contract renewed through 2016.
August
Nancy and Larry Lynch celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Trevor Wilson, PA and University of Georgia honor graduate, begins work at Microsoft. The ice bucket challenge makes its way around business in Jasper County. Janet Jernigan named Outstanding Citizen by the Turtle Cove Women’s Club.
Jasper County agrees to intergovernmental agreement with Jasper County Water & Sewer Authority (JCWSA) for $50,000 per year.
September
Stars and Stripes has a ribbon cutting at former Kenny D’s location, and closes shortly thereafter. JCHS Ag Barn construction is complete. Stan and Lucy Humphries celebrates 60th wedding anniversary.Word Alive Ministries opens at new location on Hwy. 83 South.
Reva Standifer, 97, was honored as oldest alumni member of the D.F. Walker High School.
October
Trey Gafnea joins the Jasper County Extension Service as its newest Ag Agent. The Taxpayer’s Watchdog Group conducts a town hall meeting for the public to critique the governmental bodies.
Lady Cougar Mari Jablonski wins state competition in 1600 meter run. Fatal wreck kills one in north Jasper. Phillip Jordan completes 329 mile paddle down the Ocmulagee River in 11 days.
The city of Monticello changes vacation and paid time off (PTO) policies. Cougar Nicholas Adamczyk committed to Elon University as a soccer recruit.
Jasper County considers taking on monthly billing duties and day-to-day maintenance of customer base of the JCWSA. The services are currently handled by the City of Monticello personnel.
Marching Hurricane band earns superior ratings at competition.
Couples George and Janet Sharp and Mike and Martha Moscardelli celebrated their 50th wedding anniversaries. Cancer survivor Stephen Cargile and wife Roxie attend “Survivor” weekend celebration in Oklahoma at Cancer Center of America.. PA honors fallen alumnus Blake Hammock.
Jasper County Dairy Team performs well at National State Fair in Perry. Lady Cougar Alina Jablonski became region champ in 3.1 mile run. Husband and wife duo B.J. and Tamika Thomas begin revamping the JCHS basketball program. as new head coaches.
Haunticello traffic yielded staggering numbers.
November
The 48th annual Deer Festival was met with its usual fanfare with Alan Black again dominating the 5K morning run which kicks off the event. Katelin Villareal was named Deer Festival Queen with Madison Fish named runner-up. Laynie Matthews was named Little Miss Fawn.
It was a General Election year for voters and Jasper County went “red’ with incumbent Governor Nathan Deal defeating Jason Carter, grandson of former President Jimmy Carter and David Perdue triumphing over Michelle Nunn, daughter of longtime Georgia senator Sam Nunn.
Our local U.S. veterans were once again saluted in picture with the annual Veterans Section published. Alcovy Shores Water & Sewer Authority (ASWSA) increased its rate schedule for fines and penalties. Piedmont one-act play wins state competition.
December
Dr. John DeGarmo holds book signing for new book, Love & Mayhem. County Commissioner Craig Salmon takes oath of office following November re-election to board. Tiana Griggs recieves the key to the city and is honored by the community.
Cheyene Galloway signs letter of intent to play softball at Emmanuel College. Grant Land wins the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl tickets in the annual football contest drawing.
James and Louise Westbrook celebrate their 60th wedding anniversray. The varsity Cougar football squad is state runner-up in the GISA Class AA title game and has three players named to the All-Star team. Howard Anderson Smith was honored for 74 years of service to St. James A.M.E. Church and the community for organist service.
William and Marguerite Crenshaw celebrated their 77th wedding anniversary. American Legion Post #110 and Cub Scout Troop #751 conducted a flag retiring ceremony on the Square. MS Hurricane boys squad remains undefeated and seems well on way to another PAC championship title game.
Ol’ Saint Nicholas makes his annual trek across the globe leaving goodwill and cheer in Jasper County as the community comes together to support the ML&J Fund with gifts bestowed upon those less fortunate at the Polar Express.
