Pike County journal and reporter. (Zebulon, Ga.) 1980-current, August 09, 2023, Image 1

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Newspaper Page TextPOLICE CHASE Molena Police pursued a fleeing motorcylist and the PCSO helped stop the chase on the square. See page 2A PIKE COUNTY JOURNAL REPORTER ONE DOLLAR www.pikecountygeorgia.com WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2023 What is 8/11 Day? Pike Extension will host the second annual 8/11 Day to promote digging safety by pro viding free biscuits and iced coffee to those who pledge to call 811 before digging. It’s that simple. Visit the Pike County Extension of fice at 74 Gwyn Street in Zebulon Aug. 11 from 7 to 9 a.m. “Drive thru to re ceive a free breakfast while supplies last,” said Pike Extension’s Brooklyne Wassel. “It’s the perfect way to start the school or work day. PCHS grads to celebrate 30 years The Pike County High School Classes of 1991, 92 and 93 will have the chance to at tend a 30-year class re union to catch up with former classmates. All alumni from the 1991-93 gradu ating classes and their spouses are invited to at tend the reunion. Festivities will begin Friday night, Sept. 15, at the Pike County High School Homecoming Football Game where family and friends can attend as well. A reunion for class mates and spouses only will be held from 1 to 4:30 p.m. on Satur day, Sept. 16. Class of 1992 alumni Jason Lindsay is putting the reunion together from out of state and needs help to coordinate events. See PCHS GRADS page 3A County hears results of audit Pike commissioners received a clean audit for the Fiscal Year which ended June 30 from Driver, Adams + Sharpe at their July 25 meeting. There were a few record management issues detailed and it was noted that there was employee turnover (the county’s finance director) which led to improperly main tained support and records for expenditures. The audit also noted that the county recently hired a new finance officer and management will develop procedures to ensure that records are properly maintained. County manager Brandon Rogers told the Journal Reporter that the recent audit was similar to previous ones in that there were findings but “none that negatively reflect the status of the county’s financial secu rity or integrity.” He also noted that the timeframe for the audit was more than 12 months longer than previous audits and that made locating docu mentation very difficult, especially with the turnover in the finance department. There were 28 tested invoices and eight journal entries from 2022 that the county did not have ade quate records to support. The county did not moni tor interfund receivable and payable accounts monthly to make settle ments between the funds. See COUNTY page 3A PHOTOS BY RACHEL McDANIEL / PIKE COUNTY JOURNAL REPORTER Fifth grader Alizabeth Archer helps her mom and primary school teacher Kadie Archer set up the reading area under the loft that was built in the classroom for her first grade students. Many primary school classrooms had special reading areas. Students start new chapters in school Around 3,700 Pike County students will start the school year with the first day on Wednesday, Aug. 9. There are around 125 pre-K students, 725 primary students, 800 elementary students, 875 middle schoolers, 300 Ninth Grade Academy students and 875 high schoolers. “Over the summer the district has seen several security upgrades. There have been technology en hancements and numer ous aesthetic improve ments to our facilities. Our staff is eager to welcome approximately 3,700 students when the doors open for the new school year,” said interim superintendent Ross Iddings. “We continue to seek ways to improve the educational process for our students. The art of teaching has evolved significantly over the last generation. We focus so much more on working with students on how they process information instead of simply the ac quisition of information which was the standard for so long. There are many opportunities wait ing for our students dur ing the 23-24 school year and we are ready to go!” Pike County Primary School counselor Cassie Pierce holds some of the items she has to help young students understand and deal with their emotions during the school year. SCHOOL YEAR! r ~ - • * i 1 1 m \ m 3 -Hi ii r / j \ 1 i\ Ml | I %' y \ \ \ / if Pike Primary School second grade teachers Laura Edge (left) and Amy Jones (right) ‘Get In Gear for a Groovy School Year.’ Bobby Blalock dies at 86 Former Zebulon mayor and local leader Bobby Blalock died at age 86 on Aug. 3. He served as Zebulon mayor and as a council member and was part of many lo cal boards, including the McIntosh Trail Council on Aging and the Nelson Memorial Garden Club Foundation. He worked with his wife and mem bers of the community to beautify the city of Zebulon’s park through projects sponsored by the Crepe Myrtle Garden Club. He was also an active member of Faith Baptist Church where he served for many years as dea con and Sunday school teacher. See full obituary on page 2A. BOBBY BLALOCK Help teen, family as they battle brain cancer A benefit ride will be held Saturday, Aug. 26 for Caden Speck with motorcycles, jeeps, cars and trucks joining the ride from Doodlum’s Barbecue and Fruit Stand on Main Street in Wood bury to American Legion Post 18 at 710 West Point Parkway in Opelika. The event will include food trucks, music and a raffle and the cost is $25 for motorcycles and $10 for passengers and $40 for all other vehicles. Registration starts at 11 a.m. with kickstands up at 2 p.m. “Caden is more than just a young man fight ing a rare form of brain and spinal cancer. He is a loving son, big brother, avid baseball player and an all-around fun guy. He dreams of the days he can return to play ing baseball with his friends,” said Amanda Reynolds. See BATTLE page 3A

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Pike County journal and reporter. (Zebulon, Ga.) 1980-current, August 09, 2023, Image 1