2017 in Review

As the last few days are checked off the 2017 calendar, it is interesting to look back at the events of the past year…some very memorable, others not so much. Most are worthwhile to some of the readers, and just a passing story to others.

We looked back through the pages of The Monticello News editions for 2017, and remembered the year. Below, we remind you, our readers, what occurred in 2017. We hope you enjoy a walk through history with us.

January

?Dan Jordan retired as Clerk of Court from Jasper Superior Court following 31 years of service.

?A new year meant a new chairman of the Jasper County Board of Commissioners (BOC). Carl Pennamon was named chairman and Bruce Henry vice chairman. The current board was affected by the sudden loss of sitting District 3 representative Gene Trammell who had served three years as chairman.

?Peter and Cheryl Card, local residents living abroad in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), shared their travels to Lebanon.

?A delegation of Monticello Baptist Church representatives traveled to Costa Rica for a mission trip while discovering many Sourh American wonders in the process.

?Jasper County High School (JCHS) cheerleader Morgan Blackwell traveled to London to participate in an international cheer squad.

?Kenny Conner was named Volunteer of the Year by the Jasper Senior Center.

?Tricia Armistead was recognized as the Monticello-Jasper County Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year while Norton Packaging was honored as the Business of the Year.

?Tragedy struck as the body of a young child, age nine, was recovered from Jackson Lake following an early morning boating accident.

February

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?Dr. Jamie Mitchell was inducted into the Pierre Fauchard Academy for dental excellence.

?The JCHS multipurpose facility opened for use.

?Ross Hays and Don Jernigan both declared their intention to seek the BOC District 3 seat.

?Nature enthusiast Phillip Jordan recounted his river trip to readers.

?JCHS student Amber York and Piedmont Academy student Wyatt Galloway were recognized as local Star Students as they honored their respective educators of choice Christie Alum and Leslie White.

?Jasper resident Dr. E.R. Lanier taught students in Warsaw, Poland.

?Remember the local Jasper County jail escapee from the summer of 2016, who fled to Newton County prior to being recaptured, he was sentenced to 10 years in confinement as a result of his failed attempt.

?The BOC earned a clean opinion on its 2016 audit.

?Jasper County native Lillie Peacock celebrated 98 years.

?The Cougars basketball team qualified for the Georgia Independent Schools Association (GISA) state p!ayoffs as the Canes advanced to the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) state round of 16.

?The history of Murder Creek was presented at Thomas Persons Hall.

?Black History Month was honored with stories of Monticello’s Black Wall Street, Dr. Frederick Funderburg, Jasper County Training School, and the 1955 championship basketball team.

March

Piedmont Academy’s Literary team tied for first place in the GISA state competition.

?Jasper County’s recreation age 12 and under basketball team won the District 6 championship.

?School Governance Team Chairman Roger Harrison addressed school board members.

?Former Planning & Zoning employee Sherry Braley was sentenced to time in a state detention center for theft by taking of county funds.

?Rev. Preston Campbell celebrated 10 years in the ministry.

?Rev. John. Tarver was named pastor at New Bethlehem Baptist Church.

?Julia Aldridge and Will Robinson were named to the All State Band.

?Crime Watch Daily was filmed in Jasper County as several perpetrators were arrested.

?Drucilla Pope celebrated 98 years.

?Junior Jessica Moore earned science internship to study at the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA) for the summer.

?The Jasper County Middle School (JCMS) baseball Canes repeated as Piedmont Athletic Conference (PAC) champions.

April

?Chris Finch was named Director of Emergency Management Services (EMS) & Fire Services .

?The Monticello Community Band held a classical music concert.

?Joseph Billings of Troop #331 completed his Eagle Scout project.

?Don Jernigan was sworn in as District 3 Commissioner.

?Nine were arrested for a fraud case involving Hamilton State Bank and Jasper County Middle School.

?SPLOST discussions proceeded on the split percentage between the three entities.

?Buddy Cain was named principal at JCHS.

?Tenly Tatum fought for life at the Children’s Hospital of Atlanta as doctors were amazed at her progress.

?The JCHS Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Chapter earned the Silver Award.

?Sovereign Risk Insurance acquired Waites & Foshee Insurance.

?Plans for new renovations of the Jasper Senior Center were revealed.

?Educator Scottiann Cummings was selected to attend the New Science

Teacher Academy in California.

?Jack Johnson, Bethany Carnes, and Cameron Snyder had their artwork selected for display at the High Museuem of Art.

May

?Former Jasper County deputy Micheal Barrett was arrested for 24 counts of felony theft by taking and one count of violation of oath of office.

?Eli Smallwood was named Georgia State Star Farmer.

?Wyatt Galloway earned appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy.

?City of Monticello purchased megasite of 705 acres off Hwy. 11 for future water supply.

?Josh Disharoon signed scholarship to play baseball at Savannah State University.

?Danyale Hardwick was sworn in as a Magistrate Court Judge.

?Native American ministries were celebrated at Monticello First United Methodist Church.

?Monticello Garden Club installed new officers.

?Pirate Fest was held on Jackson Lake.

?Armed robbery occurred at Family Dollar.

June

?Diamond Cougars were GISA state champs for the fourth consecutive year.

•Jay Sheets signed to play baseball at Piedmont College.

•County approved budget of $10 million and the city approved budget of $9.1 million.

•Dr. Susan Stone was named principal of Washington Park Elementary School.

•Mari and Alina Jablonski excelled at GHSA state track meet where they earned several medals in distance running while teammate Jay Johnson earned second in the state for the long jump.

?Dr. John DeGarmo attended an International Foster Care Conference where he was a special guest speaker.

?Douglas Gotel earned credentials as a Play Therapist Supervisor in Washington, D.C.

?Chris Bridges earned awards for his column and sports writing.

?MKR Red McMichael Memorial conducted its initial race of the season.

?Fugitives killed two guards on a transport bus in the area as the nation went on an intense manhunt for them throughout the Southeast.

?Trisha Yearwood had a wax figure molded in her likeness at Madame Tussaud’s in Nashville,Tenn.

?JCHS Counselors Amy Cox and Jessica Sanders were named Counselors of the Year.

July

?Monticello, Shady Dale, and Jasper County representatives agreed on SPLOST fund split with the county receiving 78 percent, Monticello 19 percent, and Shady Dale three percent.

?Retreat Nursing Home received a Cutomer Satisfaction Award.

?Mitch Marsh competed on area shotgun team that earned second in the nation.

?Jonathan Green is named Jasper County Recreation Director.

?Lynda Gasses announced candidacy as Clerk of Court.

?Parker Grey earned second in state in pistol competition at Explorer State Conference.

?JCHS Beta Club students earned third place in national competition held in Florida.

?The local post office began it remodel project.

?Jasper County Board of Education adopted annual millage rate and budget.

?Young graduates began Positive Pineapple business in a quest to spread positivity.

?Monticello resident Daniel Benton helped save the life of stranger while studying abroad in Paris, France.

?A head on automobile collision injured five.

?MFUMC conducted annual tailgate service.

?The Public Safety Cup game was held with the Sheriff’s Office being victorious over the Fire/Rescue Team.

August

?Local schools were back in session.

?David Artessa was named Senior Pastor at Monticello Baptist Church.

?Former JCHS band mates Tristan Harper and James Sampson shared the field as Valdosta State University drum majors.

?Total darkness solar eclipse was observed by many in the nation including near darkness in Jasper County where many gathered to observe it.

?City of Monticello approved Transportation Enhancement project that included Seven Island Road.

?Never Too Late Home received furnishings for its site.

?Several local residents traveled to Honduras on mission trip.

?Jasper County Charter School Superintendent Dr. Mike Newton was elected as GSSA Officer.

?Jasper Memorial Hospital upgraded its x-ray services.

?Jackson Lake subdivision zoning issue was visited with great interest by many.

?Avery Barton competed on softball fast pitch team that earned second place finish nationally.

?MKR Kart racing in Jasper County raised $6,000 for Shriners.

?Indictments were handed down from the August Grand Jury.

?Southern Crescent hosted a job fair that drew attendance of one hundred plus individuals.

September

•Leadership Jasper Class of 2017 graduated.

•Ed Hall won the first edition of the annual Football Contest.

•Jasper County received a $750,000 Community Block Grant that will fund the renovation of the Jasper Senior Center.

•Hurricane Irma caused havoc all over the Central and Southeast portion of the U.S. Many power lines were downed and homes damaged from the torrential winds and rain.

•Faith Galloway endured a third brain surgery with success.

•A fire at the Jasper County Landfill erupted.

•Nathan Jordan featured his World War I artifacts at the national Archives show held in Atlanta.

October

•The Valdosta Blazin’ Brigade Marching Band performed at Rose Bowl Field under the direction of drum majors Tristan Harper and James Sampson, both former Hurricanes.

•U.S. Army buddies convened for a reunion at the Monticello home of Woodie Perkins.

•Jasper County kindergarterner Mykenzi Adams began school “cancer free” after battling neuroblastoma.

•Piedmont Academy and JCHS conducted homecoming festivities.

•Three are injured in an automobile accident.

•Jasper Senior Center conducted a fashion show.

•Several REACH scholars are honored by the Board of Education.

•Kathi Lindsey Parchem became interim pastor at Monticello Presbyterian Church.

•Lady Cougars won the GISA state softball championship.

•Never Too Late Home conducted an Open House.

•Katie Odegaard was accepted into the Neuroscience PhD program at Nebraska medical Center.

November

•Reva Standifer celebrated 100 years.

•Counterfeit money appeared in local businesses.

•County and city employees competed in a softball game.

•Code enforcement was a hot topic at Monticello City Council meeting.

December

•Three were arrested in Hillsboro home invasion.

•Monticello City Council voted to sell excess electricity.

•O’Neil Sealy and Lauren Mosley signed scholarships to play collegiate softball.

•An officer involved shooting took the life of a local man.