Come on and take a free ride New Year’s Eve

News

DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Lumpkin County Coroner Jim Sheppard wants to make sure everyone gets home safely from their New Year’s Eve Party so he and Deputy Coroner Frank Goss are offering free rides to those too impaired to get behind the wheel.

“We just want to make sure folks get home safely,” said Sheppard, a 28-year law enforcement veteran. “I would rather deliver folks to their homes than to have to deliver a death notice. That is one of the most awful things you can do.”

The men will be using their own personal vehicles so there is no liability to the county.

“We will be available all night,” Sheppard added. “Just call or text me at 706-973-7677 and we will come and get you.”

If the two men receive more calls they can handle, Sheppard said they will reach out to their law enforcement partners for help and that no questions will be asked.

 

 

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LC Sheriff inducted as president of Georgia Sheriff’s Association

Community, Feature News

DAHLONEGA, GA

Lumpkin County Sheriff, Stacy Jarrard, was sworn in as the 2019-20 president of the Georgia Sheriff’s Association (GSA) on Thursday, July 25 during their annual Sheriff’s Summer Conference.

The conference is typically three days, ending with the induction ceremony. This year, the conference was located at Lake Lanier Islands Legacy Lodge and went from Tuesday, July 23 until Thursday, July 25.

Jarrard was sworn in by Lumpkin County Probate Judge, Michael Chastain. Judge Chastain told FYN that it was “certainly an honor and a privilege to have the opportunity to administer the oath to the officers of the Georgia Sheriffs Association, and in particular Sheriff Jarrard…As a resident of Lumpkin County, I am very proud of what Sheriff Jarrard has accomplished during his tenure as our Sheriff and during his career in law enforcement.” Chastain also explained why he felt Jarrard was “well suited to serve as the president of the Georgia Sheriff’s Association,” with the main reason being that he was “elected to the position by his peers…As a whole, the 159 Sheriff’s of the state of Georgia chose him to serve as their representative. This shows me an incredible amount of confidence in his abilities from the people who know best what is needed to be successful in the position.”

When asked what he hoped to accomplish as GSA president, Jarrard told FYN that his main goal was to make it so that Georgia’s local jailers, dispatchers, and anyone working in public safety would be able to receive Peace Officer’s Annuity and Benefits (POAB), “Unfortunately, when people first enter law enforcement, they have to work without it counting towards their retirement. I want to make that happen….Just like with a lot of professions, the entry-level employees are the hardest working of the whole establishment…that’s what I’m working hard for; I have a year to try and make this happen.”

Before being elected as GSA president, Jarrard had to work his way through the GSA, including being president of the GSA youth homes for  three years, “I was already planting bugs at that time that I was going to run for this [GSA President] and that’s what my main mission was [POAB for all public safety employees].”

Lumpkin County Coroner, Jim Sheppard, attended the ceremony with his wife, Rhonda, and their daughter. Sheppard also expressed his elation over Jarrard as GSA president, “I am so, so proud of Stacy. Him being named the president of the GSA just furthers our footprint here in North Georgia that Lumpkin County is one of the top counties when it comes to elected officials, public support, the community, and the partnerships we’ve created together…he’s [Jarrard] is going to be a major player down at the capital. He’s going to have a strong voice.”

Former GSA president, Gilmer County Sheriff Stacy Nicholson, told Fetch Your News that during his term, his number one goal was to, “restore and rebuild bridges with our state politicians.” Nicholson further explained that collectively, the main priority of the GSA is public safety. He described his experience of handing the gavel over to Jarrard as a “very rewarding experience. I was very happy to hand over the gavel to Sheriff Jarrard; I feel like he’s going to do a great job.”

The GSA was founded in 1954 and is a non-profit corporation that is limited to 159 elected sheriffs who support the law enforcement community. According to the GSA website, their mission is, “To promote and further professionalize the Office of Sheriff in order to enhance public safety throughout Georgia.”

FetchYourNews.com attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month for ad server. FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and has between 15,000 to 60,000 per week Facebook page reach. For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or visit [email protected]

 

Goss Named Georgia’s Deputy Coroner of the Year

News

Deputy Corner Frank Goss

MACON, Ga. – The Georgia Coroners Association selected Lumpkin County’s Frank Goss to receive its Deputy Coroner of the Year Award at the association’s fall meeting at the Macon Marriott City Center Saturday.

“I have been honored to have received this award. Working with the Coroner’s office and the citizens of Lumpkin County has given me the opportunity to give a comforting word to a grieving family that has lost a loved one and to give them the support they need to get through this most difficult time of their lives.”

Goss became Lumpkin County’s interim coroner in 2016 when the former Coroner Ronald Fortner was indicted on 18 felony charges. The interim title was removed following Fortner’s conviction. Despite the turmoil that engulfed the office at the time, Goss provided steady leadership and managed the operation and caseload without the assistance of a subordinate.

When Jim Sheppard was elected coroner last year, Goss agreed to remain as Chief Deputy Coroner.

Sheppard, who nominated Goss for the award, said, “I am extremely proud of the work our Chief Deputy provides the citizens of Lumpkin County and I’m happy to see that the Georgia Coroners Association recognizes the hard work Mr. Goss is involved in. His commitment to the people of Lumpkin County is a testament to the ongoing efforts of the coroner’s office to provide a much needed service.”

 

 

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

 

Frank Goss Nominated for Dep. Coroner of the Year

News

Lumpkin County Deputy Coroner Frank Goss

DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Lumpkin County Chief Deputy Coroner William Frank Goss been nominated as Georgia’s Deputy Coroner of the Year.

Goss became interim coroner in 2016 when the former Coroner Ronald Fortner was indicted on 18 felony charges. The interim title was removed upon Fortner’s conviction. Despite the turmoil that engulfed the office at the time, Goss provided steady leadership and managed the operation and caseload without the assistance of a subordinate.

When Jim Sheppard was elected coroner last year, Goss agreed to remain as Chief Deputy Coroner.

Looking back over the transition period, Sheppard said Goss, “readily accepted the tasks required of him as he continued to lead his community and restore the public trust. He worked day and night single handedly to restore the Lumpkin County Coroner’s office to a level of professionalism and integrity with his knowledge, skills and abilities. He always went over and beyond for his community by willfully putting his caseload first no matter what. It is for that reason it is an honor and privilege to recommend him for Georgia’s Deputy Coroner of the Year.”

The award will be presented during the Georgia Coroner’s Association’s Fall Training Event this weekend.

 

Sheppard, Mayfield, Turner Win Lumpkin County Races

News, Politics

DAHLONEGA, Ga. — All Lumpkin County General Primary runoff races resulted in landslide victories last night. Veteran law enforcement officer Jim Sheppard coasted to victory in the coroner’s race, beating challenger Amanda Jones-Holbrooks 1,704 to 462. Bobby Mayfield defeated incumbent District 2 Commissioner Steve Shaw 1,596 to 549 and longtime educator Mera Turner beat Catherine Ariemma 1,597 to 719 to win the vacant school board seat.

After his resounding win, Sheppard said, “I’m honored the Lumpkin County citizens have elected me to represent them as their next coroner. The campaign has been a humbling experience, one filled with new friendships and discovery. As your Lumpkin County Coroner, I’ll work hard daily to maintain the honor and integrity that you expect of me. Thank you for my supporters who never gave up, especially my wife Rhonda and my daughter Anna who were with me each and every day of the campaign.”

Jones-Holbrooks was plagued by personal and legal problems. After winning the General Primary last May, she was arrested and charged with first-degree forgery, a felony one week before the early voting began. Lumpkin County authorities are also investigating a complaint of theft by deception leveled against her by her ex-husband.

After two terms on the Board of Commissioners, Shaw suffered the same fate as many incumbents across the state and nation in his loss to Mayfield, who captured 74.4 percent of the vote.

Turner, who captured 68.9 percent of the vote en route to winning a seat on the Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners, said, “I am looking forward to serving on the Board of Education now that voters have selected me to see that Lumpkin County continues to provide a quality education for all students. I appreciate all that helped me achieve this position.”

Mayfield, Sheppard, Turner Win Runoff Elections

News

In Tuesday’s General Primary runoff races, Bobby Mayfield defeated incumbent District 2 County Commissioner Steve Shaw 1,596 to 549. Jim Sheppard captured the coroner’s race, beating Amanda Jones-Holbrooks 1,704 to 462 and Mera Turner was elected to the school board, besting Catherine Ariemma 1,597 to 719. All results are unofficial until certified by the Lumpkin County Elections Office on Friday.

Runoff Races Front and Center in Dawson, Lumpkin today

News, Politics

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — Georgians will head back to the polls today to decide key races, including several in Dawson and Lumpkin counties.

In Dawson County, voters will vote in a new sheriff and tax commissioner.

The sheriff candidates are veteran law enforcement officers Captain Tony Wooten and Major Jeff Johnson. Nicole Stewart and Andi Henson Juliette are competing for the tax commissioner job.

In Lumpkin County, voters will choose who they want to represent them on the county commission in District 2 and in the coroner’s office. Steve Shaw is the incumbent Dist. 2 commissioner and Bobby Mayfield is the challenger.

The candidates for coroner are Amanda Jones-Holbrooks and Jim Sheppard. Jones-Holbrooks was arrested earlier this month on a felony charge of first-degree forgery and is awaiting trial. Sheppard is a veteran law enforcement officer who will resign at the end of this year after 28 years of service.

Early Voting for Primary Runoffs Ends Friday

News, Politics

LUMPKIN COUNTY, Ga. — Early voting will end Friday for the July 26 general election primary runoffs, which include two key races in Lumpkin County — county commission and coroner.

The coroner’s race has drawn particular interest due to the arrest of one of the candidates. Amanda Jones-Holbrooks was arrested earlier this month and charged with first-degree forgery, a felony. If convicted of a felony, she would not be eligible to hold public office even if she wins the election. Sources also say she is also under investigation for theft by deception.

Her opponent is Jim Sheppard, a veteran law enforcement office who is retiring this year after 28 years of service.

The county commission race is between incumbent Steve Shaw and challenger Bobby Mayfield. Mayfield was the top vote getter in the District 2 race with 1,511 votes to Shaw’s 1,187.
Early voting started July 5.

The Lumpkin County Elections Office reports 919 votes were cast in-person and 82 absentee ballots have been returned since July 5.

Georgia law requires a runoff if no candidate wins a majority in a general primary.

Lumpkin County Coroner Candidate Arrested

News

DAHLONEGA, Ga. — Lumpkin County Coroner candidate Amanda Jones-Holbrooks was arrested Thursday and charged with forging her ex-husband’s signature on a quit-claim deed transferring land he owns to her.

Jones-Holbrooks, who goes by the name Amanda Jones in her campaign for coroner, turned herself in to Lumpkin County authorities at 7:20 a.m. and was released on $5,000 bail. She declined to comment, but referred all questions to her attorney Andrea Conarro.

Jones-Holbrooks did post a comment about the incident on her facebook page, asking that the community respect her privacy. “My family is dealing with custody and civil matters initiated by my former in laws, for which I have hired counsel. I regret that these civil matters are being turned into a political play and posted on social media.”

The charge against Jones-Holbrooks, however, is not a civil matter. First-degree forgery is a felony crime punishable by not less than one nor more than 10 years in prison.

Jones-Holbrook’s ex-husband Ricky Edmondson, Jr. filed the complaint against her and the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division and Lumpkin County District Attorney’s office determined there was probable cause for her arrest.

Edmondson told Fetch Your News, “I did not sign a quit claim deed. I only learned about the quit claim deed when I attempted to transfer ownership of the land to my parents and my attorney Angela Clark discovered the land was now in my ex-wife’s name.”

Edmondson said the notary who witnessed the quit claim deed, Johnathan Fitzpatrick, stated that Edmondson personally appeared before him on Sept. 24, 2015. “That’s not true. I was in Murphy, N.C. on that day,” Edmondson said.

Jones-Holbrooks is one of two candidates involved in the July 26 runoff. Her opponent is Jim Sheppard, a veteran law enforcement officer who is retiring after 28 years with the DeKalb County Police Department.

This is not Jones-Holbrooks first brush with the law. She was arrested in Lumpkin County in 2000 for obstructing a peace officer and in again in 2007 when she was charged with deposit account fraud/bad checks.

Arrest Warrant Issued for Lumpkin Co. Coroner Candidate

News

DAHLONEGA, Ga. — An arrest warrant has been issued for Amanda Jones-Holbrooks, a candidate for Lumpkin County Coroner.

On June 1st, Holbrook’s ex-husband Ricky Edmondson Jr. filed a report with Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office alleging Holbrooks had filed a Quit Claim Deed for a piece of property owned by him with the Lumpkin County Clerk of Courts. Mr. Edmondson further stated his signature on the Quit Claim Deed had been forged by Ms. Holbrooks.

Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division along with Lumpkin County District Attorney’s office investigated the allegation and determined there to be sufficient probable cause to seek formal charges.

Today, Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office applied for and received an arrest warrant for Ms. Holbrooks, charging her with first degree forgery, a felony.

Edmonson told Fetch Your News, “I did not sign a quit claim deed. “I only learned about the quit claim deed when I attempted to transfer ownership of the land to my parents and my attorney Angela Clark discovered the land was now in my ex-wife’s name.”

Edmondson said the notary who witnessed the quit claim deed, Johnathan Fitzpatrick, stated that Edmondson personally appeared before him on Sept. 24, 2015. “That’s not true. I was in Murphy, N.C. on that day,” Edmondson said.

Holbroks, who goes by the name Jones in her campaign, is one of two candidates involved in the July 26 runoff. Her opponent is Jim Sheppard, a veteran law enforcement officer who is retiring after 28 years with the DeKalb County Police Department.

This is not Holbrooks first arest. She was arrested in Lumpkin County in 2007 and charged with deposit account fraud/bad checks.

Sheppard Picks Up Endorsement in Race for Coroner

News

DAHLONEGA, Ga. — Jim Sheppard’s campaign for Lumpkin County Coroner got a major boost recently when former opponent Diane Kimmel endorsed him for the important position.

“I’m grateful to have her support in the runoff,” Sheppard said. “I value her wisdom and integrity so her support means a lot to me personally,” Sheppard said.

Sheppard is a veteran law enforcement officer who will retire after 28 years of service to the DeKalb County Police Department at the end of this year. Sheppard is experienced in handling felony investigations and multi-million dollar budgets.

“Not all of the coroner’s work involves criminal cases, but some do and when they do, I have a lot of experience in that area,” Sheppard said.

Sheppard said he would also like to look into grants that are available to coroner’s offices like the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program that helps to improve the quality and timeliness of forensic science and medical examiner services. Among other things, funds may be used to eliminate a backlog in the analysis of forensic evidence and to train and employ forensic laboratory personnel, as needed, to eliminate such a backlog. Units of local government may apply for competitive funds.

Sheppard and his wife give back to the Lumpkin County community through their ownership of Waters Mill, a wedding and event facility they use to host fundraisers for non-profit organizations. In fact, Sheppard has said if he is elected, he will donate his first year’s salary to Jeremiah’s Place, a group of living facilities for families and single women who are temporarily homeless, Rainbow Children’s Home, a facility that exists to provide hope, security and opportunity to girls between 12 and 18 who are victims of abuse and/or neglect and No One Alone, for victims of domestic violence.

Sheppard will face Amanda Jones in the July 26 runoff election.

Voters Elect Dockery to Second Term as Chairman

News, Politics

LUMPKIN COUNTY, Ga. — Chairman Chris Dockery was re-elected to a second term on the Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners Tuesday.

The Army veteran received 2,089 votes to defeat District 1 Commissioner Doug Sherrill who had 1,692 votes.

Dockery said the one thing he most wants to accomplish in his second term is to build a better relationship between the city and county. “That is important,” he said. “What we do as a county impacts the city and what the city does impacts us. So, we have to work together.”

Dockery is a business owner who has held many leadership roles in civilian and military life.

“I’ve commanded troops in peace time and in war time overseas,” he said. “That experience prepared me. There is nothing like leading men when their lives are on the line. I’ve also held leadership positions here in the county. I chaired the Development Authority for several years and served as Vice Chair of the Water Authority.”

David Miller beat Bill Scott 2,150 to 1,430 to win the District 1 County Commission seat.

All other local races will have to be contested in the June 26 runoff.

Bobby Mayfield, who had 1,511 votes in Tuesday’s County Commission District 2 race, will run against Steve Shaw who had 1,187.

Long time teacher Mera Turner and Catherine Ariemma will also meet in next month’s runoff. Turner had 1,668 votes to Ariemma’s 1,152.

Amanda Jones won the closest race of the day beating Jim Sheppard by just 18 votes. Jones had 1,262 votes to Sheppard’s 1,244. Incumbent coroner Ronald Fortner finished a distant third with 1,014 and Diane Kimmel had 246. Jones and Sheppard are headed for the runoff.

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