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ELECTION RESULTS Find out the results of the local District Attorney’s race online at pikecountygeorgia.com after the polls close on Tuesday, Feb. 9. E COUNTY JOURNAL REPORTER ONE DOLLAR www.pikecountygeorgia.com WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2021 PIKE'S PEEK Dad Daughter Dance set for Feb. 13 Life Springs United Methodist Church will host a Daddy Daughter Dance for girls 12 and under on Saturday, Feb. 13 from 2 to 4 p.m. The Daddy Daughter Dance is primarily for girls 12 and under, but all are welcome. The cost is $10 per ticket and that includes tiaras for the daugh ters, snacks, games and visits from real Disney princesses. Tickets for the Daddy Daughter Dance can be purchased the day of or on the Life Springs website at LifeSpring- sPike.org. Deaths from COVID-19 rise to 19 in Pike Pike County has lost another resident to COVID-19 with the 19th victim confirmed as of press time Monday. There have been 86 confirmed cases in the past two weeks, com pared to 93 for the pre vious two-week period. There have been a total of 924 confirmed cases since March with 19 deaths, 10 probable deaths and 60 hospital izations. Of the 19 confirmed victims of the corona- virus, the average age was 70, the youngest was a 42-year-old male and the oldest was listed as 90+ years old on the Georgia Depart ment of Public Health website at dph.georgia. gov/covid-19-daily- status-report. See TROOPER page 3A PHOTOS BY RACHEL McDANIEL / PIKE COUNTY JOURNAL REPORTER Above, Shayley Jones and Skyler Conkle sign a poster in Jamori’s memory at Pike County High School. At right, Jamori Williams was well loved at school, in his community and by family and friends. A benefit fund has been set up at United Bank and donations may be made at any branch location. Community mourns, remembers Jamori SPECIAL PHOTOS At left, a table by the trophy case at PCHS was completely covered in flowers in memory of Jamori. At right, Jamori Williams in his Class of 2021 graduation photo. BY RACHEL McDANIEL news@pikecountygeorgia.com A tragic accident took the life of 17-year-old Jamori Williams on the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 2. Around 6:20 p.m. that evening, Pike County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the Fourth Street home in Concord where the accident hap pened inside the house. Jamori was transported for medical treatment but unfortunately suc cumbed to his injuries. A firearm was dropped in an adjacent room and it discharged when it hit the floor, traveling through the wall at an upwards trajectory and striking Jamori. “This was a tragic ac cident and our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and all those involved,” said Maj. David Neal, investigator with the Pike County Sheriff’s Office. A benefit fund was set up at the Williamson United Bank and dona tions to help with ex penses may be made at all United Bank branches. Jamori, known by his classmates as Mari, was a senior of the Class of 2021 at Pike County High School and students mourned his untimely death, gathering outside to remember him and pray for his family the day after the accident. Students at the high school, middle school and elementary school wore Jamori’s favorite basketball team’s colors - blue and gold for the Golden State Warriors - on Friday. During his high school years, Jamo ri had been a basketball player, FFA member and was a PCHS Pirate through and through. “Jamori was a great kid, with a smile you’ll never forget. He was always in a great mood, and brightened every one’s day. Jamori will be missed but not forgot ten. The class of 2021 will not be the same without you and your smile,” said PCHS princi pal Kevin Huffstetler. Pike County High School students wore blue and gold in memory of Jamori Williams as did students at the elementary school. PCHS graduation is Sunday, May 30 at Atlanta Motor Speedway Big news for seniors at Pike County High School was an nounced Friday as the school revealed graduation ceremo nies will be held Sunday, May 30 at Atlanta Motor Speedway starting at 8 p.m. The Class of 202 l’s top stu dents were announced as well as Caitlyn Foster earned the honor of being valedictorian and Davis Huber will be salu- tatorian. All Honor Graduates were recognized as well and thanked for all their hard work. “Just because you are Honor Graduates doesn’t mean you took the easiest course load to get good grades,” said PCHS principal Kevin Huffstetler who noted they were also the students with the best AP test grades and students who are dual enrolled in college as well. “You are the ones who make Pike County High School such high academic achievers.” Teacher Laura Douglas an nounced the students voted as Mr. and Ms. Pike County High School (PiCoHi). PHOTOW BY RACHEL McDANIEL Above, Alexis Patterson was named Ms. PiCoHi and John Lovett (right) was named Mr. PiCoHi. At right, Caitlyn Foster (left) will be the Class of 2021 valedictorian and Davis Huber (right) will be the Class of 2021 salutatorian. Mr. PiCoHi for the Class of 2021 will be John Lovett and Ms. PiCoHi for the Class of 2021 will be Alexis Patterson. The students to earn this honor must display outstanding citi zenship, attitude, academics, service, leadership and sports manship. Trooper cleared SPECIAL PHOTO Adam Salter of Pike was one of 32 GSP troopers recently cleared and recertified after POST reversed the decision of an investigation, showing the troopers were told by instructors that they could use electronic devices and work together on the radar gun test. GSP 106th reinstated A Pike County man was among nearly an entire class of Georgia State Patrol troopers that was cleared after a Janu ary 2020 investigation resulted in their POST decertification and the subsequent firing of the troopers already hired. Before the investiga tion was completed, the newly graduated troop ers of the 106th trooper class were assigned to several posts throughout the state. Adam Salter of Pike County, who was as signed to GSP Post 26 in Thomaston, was termi nated. The Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, which over sees the certification of every state and local law enforcement officer in Georgia, cleared all but one member of the Geor gia State PatroFs 106th trooper class accused of cheating during their training. The trooper who actually cheated submitted his resignation and the other 32 were fired after an internal investigation determined they had passed an unsu pervised speed detection exam with help. The 2019 training academy mem bers reportedly cheated on the radar gun test. The POST executive director Mike Ayers said the consistency of the cadets’ story helped confirm they were telling the truth since they were all adamant that they had been told by instruc tor that they could use computers and electronic devices and consult with one another on the test. Of the 32 troopers wrongfully accused, 28 have filed whistleblower lawsuits against the agen cy according to attorney Jeff Peil who represents two of the clients. “It appears those in charge didn’t want to take the blame and put it all back on the cadets,” Peil said. One of the fired cadets, Daniel Cordell, said he thinks the academy was saving face since the class president and a squad leader of the 106th troop er class had already failed the test and it would be an embarrassment to the instructors if the rest of them didn’t pass. See TROOPER page 3A