YEAR IN REVIEW: The Houston Home Journal’s top stories of 2025

The news that drew the most attention in 2025 often reflected moments of tragedy, accountability and community across Middle Georgia. As 2026 begins, we’re revisiting the Houston Home Journal’s top ten most-read stories last year, offering a snapshot of the events that had the greatest impact on readers.

10) Robins Air Force Base employee indicted in federal court – April 5 edition

A former Robins Air Force Base employee was indicted by the United States District Court in Macon for exposing himself to a coworker in public in early March.

According to an indictment dated July 7, 2024, Stacy Wood committed a “lewd exposure of a sexual organ” in a coworker’s cubicle.

Wood was indicted for one count of public indecency on March 19, 2025, and received a sentence of one year of probation in early July.

9) Houston County elementary teacher named finalist for 2026 Georgia Teacher of the Year – April 2 edition

Jade Thomas, Houston County School District’s Teacher of the Year, became a top 10 finalist for the 2026 Georgia Teacher of the Year in March.

Thomas, a fourth-grade teacher at Lake Joy Elementary, discovered her passion for teaching after having children and drew inspiration from her mother. She began her teaching career in 2018.

She said she felt incredible about the nomination and was honored to represent her district.

Thomas was later named runner-up for the award.

8) Warner Robins Council approves traffic study on Houston Lake, considers restricting new vape, liquor stores – Oct. 25 edition

When new development began at Houston Lake Road and Corder Road, the Warner Robins City Council began exploring ways to reduce traffic in the area, unanimously approving a traffic study.

Council also discussed rules for alcohol and vape shops at the meeting. In December, they passed a resolution to pause new vape and liquor shops for six months. Houston County and the City of Perry passed similar resolutions.

7) Historic Perry house damaged by fallen tree – May 21 edition

A storm in May caused a tree to fall on the former Powers-Beckett home in Perry, badly damaging the front porch and roof.

The house was built in the 1850s, turned into a classroom in 1919, and moved from Main Street to Beckham Circle in 1925.

In 2023, the city made the property part of the Washington-Evergreen Historic District.

6) One dead after Saturday night domestic incident – Nov. 5 edition

In November, Warner Robins police responded to a stabbing at the Westwood Apartments on Corder Road, where a 26-year-old man was killed.

The Criminal Investigations team treated the case as a domestic violence-related death. Coroner James Williams said it was the county’s 17th homicide and the 14th linked to domestic violence.

5) Teenager arrested in connection with vehicle with racist language, more may be pending – July 26 edition

Police arrested 17-year-old Sage Kolbe in July after linking him to a car found in Warner Robins that was spray-painted with racial slurs and swastikas. He faced charges for tampering with a license plate to hide it and for driving with a canceled registration.

Police said they worked together on the investigation. Mayor LaRhonda Patrick stated that hate has no place in the city.

4) One man dead after fatal car crash in Hawkinsville – May 17 edition

A man died in May after being struck by a Jeep Compass in Hawkinsville.

The crash happened on Grovania Road, where a 39-year-old man who was working nearby was hit. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

3) Warner Robins family goes all out on Halloween for a good cause – Oct. 25 edition

Brandon Carter and his family in the Woodlands Subdivision of Warner Robins put a lot of effort into decorating their house for Halloween.

Carter got the idea to decorate his own house after he helped others with their Halloween decorations.

Now, the display draws visitors and supports a good cause. The family collects donations for the Wounded Warriors Project.

2) Warner Robins woman missing after vehicle was found in North Georgia – Web exclusive

The Warner Robins Police Department asked the community for help finding a local woman who went missing in October.

Police said she was last seen when she dropped her husband off at work in Byron and had not been seen or heard from since. Her car was later found in Commerce.

Comments on the department’s Facebook post reported that the woman had been found safe.

1) Fitzgerald Man dead after Galleria Mall standoff – Aug. 13 edition

A standoff in the Galleria Mall parking lot in August left one person dead and another injured.

Police arrived early in the morning to investigate a tractor-trailer, which they believed was driven by someone involved in a domestic dispute.

The truck’s driver, Michael Dwayne Bell of Fitzgerald, shot at officers and wounded one. Bell was found dead in the vehicle. This was the second officer-involved shooting that week.