Houston County has had many ups and downs this year, full of challenges and improvements, but also stories of resiliency and community outreach. Hopefully, most of the stories published in this year’s paper made readers aware of what is happening in their community. Whether the news was big or small, it has been a privilege to write and share it with Houston County; we hope to bring it all again in 2024. Happy New Year!
Here are some highlights, hand-picked and written by Brieanna, our editor:
•”Warner Robins PD investigating string of burglaries on Monday,” Jan. 18 edition.
Early in the morning on Jan. 16, three gun shops were targeted in a burglary spree, carefully planned with four stolen vehicles. Officers investigated scenes at Oakridge Arms, Chuck’s Bait and Tackle, and Centerville Gun and Pawn.
Two suspects activated an alarm at Oakridge Arms, forced their way into Chuck’s Bait and Tackle and used the car as a battering ram, driving through Centerville Gun and Pawn’s Storefront. Officers discovered multiple firearms and ammunition missing from two of the shops. Law enforcement arrested two juvenile suspects in Knoxville, Tennessee, connected to the incident.
•”Honoring the past, inspiring the future: City of Perry unveils banners for Black Heritage Month” Feb. 8 edition.
A passion project led by Perry Councilmember Phyllis Bynum-Grace, 28 banners were displayed in Downtown Perry and along Courtney Hodges Boulevard in February, honoring Black History Month. The banners featured notable firsts in Perry’s Black community, such as the first Black dentist, doctor, county commissioner and recording artist.
Bynum-Grace said Perry’s Black History Month banners connect the community with knowledge and reflection on various achievements in the Black community. They did precisely that for Anya Turpin, the city’s special events manager at the time, who helped organize the project.
•”Honoring Houston High: Former school commemorated for Black History Month” March 1 edition.
The banners were just the beginning for the City of Perry in its observance of Black History Month. The Houston County School District hosted a dedication ceremony for Houston High School, which became fully integrated in the early 70s but has since been demolished.
At the ceremony, alumni spoke about fond memories at the school. Rev. Dr. Kelly D. Dawson was among the speakers. He served on the committee to bring a monument back to the school’s former location. The school district unveiled the monument at the dedication ceremony as a reminder of the school’s history.
•”Helping all it’s ‘quacked’ up to be: Locals band together to rescue disabled duck,” March 4 edition.
Community members, law enforcement, and an area veterinarian banded together to care for a disabled duck abandoned at Houston Lake in late February.
The docile duck was first seen in the evening by a local couple. The Houston County Sheriff’s Office assisted, suggesting the couple leave the duck at the lake so animal control could pick it up in the morning. The morning of pickup, another local spoke with animal control and volunteered to take the injured bird to an animal rehab facility in Byron. The duck was diagnosed with bumblefoot and put on antibiotics, making a recovery alongside three other duck friends.
•”‘Repurposed with a purpose:’ Community celebrates student support center” April 19 edition.
On 81 Tabor Drive stood a former elementary school, transformed by the Houston County School District into the Lindsey Student Support Center. A central hub for multiple programs meant to help students and adults is at the newly refurbished center, which opened in April.
A needs assessment survey conducted by the school district earlier in the year saw 17,000 responses, pinpointing certain areas of need in the community and among students. In response, the school district provided resources at the center, like a food pantry, clothing closet, computer labs, a literacy center and student and teacher supply closets.
•”Feeding the passion: Canards fly in Perry over the weekend,” May 31 edition.
Pilots nationwide showcased hand-built experimental aircraft at Perry-Houston County Airport during the third annual Canard Fly-In. Despite windy weather, the event drew a crowd interested in aviation. Multiple pilots displayed their planes on the tarmac, and some aircraft took off and landed during the event.
Mike Beasley, the organizer of the fly-in, spent 19 years building his plane called “Scooter.” Beasley has taken his plane on various flights, including a 6-hour non-stop trip from Utah to Oklahoma. Beasley and James Marquardt, the airport’s manager, hope the yearly event inspires others to pursue aviation.
•”‘Every single act counts:’ Middle Georgia synagogue takes a stand against anti-Semitism,” July 5 edition.
Houston County and Bibb County experienced anti-Semitic packages and a neo-Nazi extremist group attack at Macon’s Temple Beth Israel on June 23. In response, Middle Georgia’s Jewish community and supporters held a “Service of Love and Unity” at Mulberry United Methodist Church. Around 900 people attended, with many more watching online.
The event emphasized that hate has no place in the community and that they stand united against discrimination. Rabbi Elizabeth Bahar organized the event and expressed gratitude for the community’s support, highlighting the dangers of unchecked anti-Semitism and the need to combat hatred.
•”SWEG’s internship program teaches innovation, technology to local college-bound students” This is Robins, July 29 edition.
Robins Air Force Base offers a paid summer internship program for graduating high school students interested in pursuing a career in technology. Roughly 30 students are chosen from local high schools each year to participate in the program, which provides hands-on experience in coding and engineering and soft skills like teamwork and problem-solving.
Many students return for multiple summers to further develop their skills. The program aims to prepare students for a career in the industry. Also, it helps generate interest in the base’s line of work.
•”‘We’ve just scratched the surface:’ District Attorney: task force made 38 drug arrests in 40 days” Oct. 18 edition.
During a press conference on Oct. 13, District Attorney Will Kendall announced The Houston County Counter Narcotics task force made 38 arrests, including 15 involving fentanyl, since its inception on Sept. 3. Fentanyl is a highly potent synthetic opioid that is being mixed with various drugs by dealers due to its lower cost and more powerful effects.
The task force is working to combat the increasing number of overdose cases in the county; Coroner James Williams said during the conference that overdose deaths could have doubled or tripled this year.
At the event, Kendall, law enforcement, and first responders praised the task force’s efforts and stressed the importance of collaboration. Kendall also warned drug dealers that they would be pursued, arrested, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
•”Sweet victory for Sweet Evelyn’s: Cory Jones and team named Holiday Wars champions,” Dec. 20 edition.
Cory Jones, owner of Sweet Evelyn’s in Downtown Perry, won the national competition Holiday Wars on Food Network earlier this year. Jones and teammates Pege Yates and Brian Valencia created an edible display inspired by Christmas lights for the final challenge, building a diorama of a Christmas-decorated houseboat.
The judges were impressed with their display and praised Jones’ cookie work. Jones expressed gratitude for the win and plans to use the $25,000 prize money to invest in his business and buy a sheeter. He also mentioned writing a book and thanked the community for their support.
Here are some highlights, hand-picked and written by Sandra, our reporter:
•”MGA hosts panel educating students on local Native tribes,” April. 1 edition
Returning to the beginning of April, Middle Georgia State University hosted a panel discussion on Native American tribes in central Georgia. Among the panelists was the Director of Advocacy at Ocmulgee National Park, Tracie Revis, who educated students on the mounds surrounding central Georgia, including Houston County. She and other panelists also discussed bringing back their Creek (Muscogee) and Cherokee roots to their land.
•”Veterans celebrate Vietnam Veterans Memorial Parkway anniversary,” April 15 edition
A local Vietnam Veterans group called the Romeos celebrated 14 years in 2023 since the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Parkway was named. The road is located just off Russell Parkway near Buc-ee’s, and members of the club reunited in front of the sign and reflected on their service. Vietnam veterans but also those who served in Afghanistan and Iraq compose the club’s membership. They come together every week to share their stories and form friendships.
•”WRHS student organizes first annual academic National Signing Day,” May 13 edition.
Towards the end of the 2022-2023 school year, a Warner Robins High School student spent her term organizing a National Signing Day. Alana Bennett proposed her idea to the principal about having a day similar to the sports signing day, celebrating all students and their paths after graduation. Bennett and her mother, Demetria Bennett, hope this will be a yearly school tradition brought into 2024.
•”Mercer University hack incident endangers personal information of students, parents,” June 7 edition.
Only some things this year were as great as others. Over the summer, a ransomware group hacked students and parents with data in Mercer University’s system. The hack happened on May 11, but students and parents didn’t receive a letter from the university until May 29 informing them of what happened. The ransomware group “Akira” was responsible for the attack and claimed the university refused to pay the “affordable” ransom. Dynasty Ramirez, a Mercer student and resident of Warner Robins, admitted at the time that she hadn’t received a letter and wasn’t aware of the attack.
•”AAUW honors women in STEM all summer long,” June 28 edition.
This year’s summer heat didn’t stop the American Association of University Women from putting their STEM Barbie display in libraries all over the county. The organization teamed up with the Nola Brantley Library, which allowed them to put together their display highlighting women in STEAM.
The display included many icons, including Astronaut Sally Ride, Aviator Pilot Amelia Earhart; Scientist Jane Goodall; Florence Nightingale, who was involved in the medical field; Mathematician Katherine Johnson; and aviator Bessie Coleman, who was the first Black and Hispanic aviator. The organization hopes to continue bringing more engagement and education to children and the community.
•”Suspicious anti-Semitic packages found in WR neighborhoods,” June 28 edition
One of the more significant stories that happened this year was when neighborhoods along Peach Blossom and Highway 96 woke up to anti-Semitic packages. The packages contained pine pellets resembling rat poisoning and multiple hate messages towards the Jewish community. Warner Robins Mayor LaRhonda Patrick even released a statement via Facebook condemning the hate messages, saying the hate is not welcome in the International City.
•”Local mother in fear after Rigby’s Water World refused to let her breastfeed her child,” July 22 edition
Not only was the weather hot, but also Rigby’s Water World when employees told a local mother she could not breastfeed her child. Controversy sparked on Facebook when Tiffany Francis shared her experience at the park. A lifeguard approached her and said she wasn’t allowed to breastfeed her child while they were in the lazy river. Francis then asked for the manager, Steve Brown, who made a joke, saying, “Well, there’s no food and drinks allowed in the water.” Many members of the community either supported Francis or spread hate. Steve Rigby contacted Francis and apologized for what happened, but a final solution is unknown.
•”Former Warner Robins police chief arrested of multiple charges,” Aug. 5 edition
A former Warner Robins Police Chief was arrested on July 27 on multiple charges, including child sexual abuse, sodomy, and incest. George Johnson served as chief during the late 1980’s and early 1990’s and since then has committed crimes. In 1993, police arrested Johnson for blackmailing a former Warner Robins city council member. Johnson had multiple copies of a compromising video of the council member, threatening to send copies to other city officials if he didn’t resign. The Houston County District Attorney’s Office received the new case.
•”‘We are one:’ International City celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month,” Oct. 14 edition
Hispanic Heritage Month was extra special this year in Houston County. The city of Warner Robins hosted its first annual Hispanic Heritage Month celebration in the North Houston Sports Complex. The city partnered with Moises Velez, owner of the newspaper “Que Pasa?” to unite the Hispanic community and celebrate their culture. The event symbolized that the Hispanic community is part of the International City and is better together.
•”Best Buy crisis ends peacefully on Monday,” Dec. 16 edition
Finally, to end the top news stories this year, this story is very recent and caused a lot of concern. On Monday, Dec. 11, a woman was experiencing a mental health crisis outside of Best Buy in Warner Robins. Lt. Matthew Moulton with the Houston County Sheriff’s Department spoke to The Journal about what happened that day. The incident started as a call to a residence about the woman’s well-being, and the caller informed law enforcement she traveled to Academy Sports and Outdoors. After law enforcement contacted the store, they discovered she had bought a handgun.
Then, the sheriff’s office did a telephone analysis to find her location, the Best Buy parking lot. The area was closed off for two and a half hours, and negotiators and mental health professionals were on the scene to calm down the woman. Law enforcement took her into custody without incident and turned her over for mental health evaluation and treatment, leading to a peaceful resolution of the incident.
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