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Tuesday, December 12,2023 barnesville.com Barnesville, Ga. 30204 Retirement reception for Peter Banks is tonight The City of Barnes ville is hosting a retire ment reception for Mayor Peter Banks to night. The event will be held at the civic center from 6-7:30 p.m. Banks has served four full terms as mayor, spending a total of 16 years in office. He did not run for reelection this year and will be suc ceeded by Kelly Hughes, who ran unopposed for the post. Banks is a native of Barnesville. He attended Gordon Military High School and Gordon Military College where he served as battalion commander. He went on to graduate from the University of Georgia and the UGA law school. BANKS He served for many years as legal counsel and lobbyist for Atlanta Gas Light. Later he was elected to the state senate where he served from 1975-1979. Upon the retire ment of U.S. Rep. Jack Flynt, Banks ran for that congressional seat in a battle that was eventually won by Newt Gingrich. Banks worked for a time for Hansel-Post, a prestigious Atlanta law firm, and then came home to practice law in Barnesville with By ron Smith and Charles Lambdin. For more information on tonight’s event, call city hall at 770.358.0181. THE HERALD GAZETTE/WALTER GEIGER Hometown hero leads parade Former Trojan great and current Georgia Bulldog star CJ Allen calls the Dawgs during Saturday night’s Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree Parade in downtown Barnesville. Allen, who served as grand marshal of the parade, rode atop a firetruck and got a standing ovation from all those along the parade route. Subscribe. Your name goes on the label in this box. 96852 78853 Christmas events abound locally The Christmas sea son is upon us and mul tiple holiday events are on the schedule which feature local children and adults with musical and acting talent. Local schools and churches are the primary venues for these events. Here are the ones we have been made aware of: Ongoing: Hope Tree Minis tries is collecting toys for kids ages two-12. They ask that toys be brought in by Dec. 15 to allow for timely deliv ery. Tuesday, Dec. 12: Lamar County El ementary School Christ mas Performance, Fine Arts Center, 6:30 p.m. Info: 770.358.5556. Thursday, Dec. 14: Greater Springhill Missionary Baptist Church in Milner is holding a drive-through food giveaway. The event begins at 11 a.m. and runs until supplies are exhausted. Lamar County Middle School Band and Cho rus Performance, Fine Arts Center, 6:30 p.m. Info: 770.358.8652. Friday, Dec. 15: Barnesville’s Winter Wonderland, Depot Plaza, 5:30 p.m. Runs through Saturday at 7:30 p.m.. Info: 678.815.5102. Saturday, Dec. 16: Photos with Santa, Milner Community Library, 3 p.m. Info: 770.358.5063. Milner Christmas Golf Cart Parade, Milner Community Library, 5 p.m. Cart decorating prior. Info: 770.358.5063. Sunday, Dec. 17: Christmas Cantata, First United Method ist Church (FUMC), Barnesville, 5 p.m. Re ception to follow. Info: 770.358.1494. Thursday, Dec. 21: Longest Night Service, FUMC, Barnes ville, 6 p.m. Info: 770.358.1494. Sunday, Dec. 24, wor ship services, FUMC, Barnesville. Modern 9 a.m. Traditional 10 a.m. Christmas Eve Candle light Service, 5 p.m. Info: 770.358.1494. 10735 Unitedtank THE HERALD GAZETTE/WALTER GEIGER Great night for ESF Blane Parker, Vice President of United Bank (center) presents a check to Vicki and Glenn Forsyth during last week’s After Hours event to benefit the Empty Stocking Fund held at the bank. Attendees donated $11,663 to help supply needy Lamar County kids with Christmas presents this year. Matching grant funds out there for B&G Club As you are considering your end-of-year, tax ex empt donations, you might consider the Barnesville- Lamar County Boys & Girls Club. The B&G Club opened in February 2020 and is located behind Lamar County Elementary School on Roberta Drive. It provides a safe after school space where 65 local youth learn and grow while having fun. Through Dec. 22, all do nations to the club will be doubled through matching grant funds. For more information, contact club director San dra Watts at 678.572.0135. Judge Fears to hear criminal cases The following criminal cases will be heard in Lamar su perior court Dec. 20 with Judge Bill Fears presiding. Andrew Clark, fleeing and attempting to elude, failure to maintain lane and obstruction. Wayne Jones, burglary; probation revocation. Sammie Furlow, pos session of a firearm by a convicted felon; probation revocation. Ian Pilgrim, theft by receiving stolen property; probation revocation. April Downs, theft by taking and criminal dam age to property; probation revocation. Jerome McFadden, possession of drug related objects and suspended license; probation revoca tion. Larry Hamby, posses sion of meth and posses sion of a firearm during the commission of a felony; probation revocation. Nautica Love, posses sion of cocaine; probation revocation. Timothy Lance, theft by receiving stolen property; motion to recall bench warrant. Timothy Lance, theft by receiving stolen property; motion for bond. Criminals sentenced The following cases were adjudicated in Lamar superior court Nov. 30 with Judge Bill Fears pre siding. Amber Marie Thomas, possession of meth and speeding; three years pro bation, $500 fine. Alicia Lynn Howell, attempt to violate the controlled substances act; three years probation, $500 fine and 40 hours community service. Rekeymia Shatayla Henley, criminal trespass; 12 months probation, $250 fine and stay away from victim. SEE CRIMINALS 3A FEARS ©2023 THE HERALD GAZETTE, BARNESVILLE, LAMAR COUNTY, GA 30204, 770.358.NEWS