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THURSDAY June 30, 2005 Volume 135, Number 384 Award-Winning Newspaper 2005 Better Newspaper Contest In BRIEF Southside Baptist to host Freedom Fest Southside Baptist Church will host “Freedom Fest 2005” from 2 until 10:30 p.m. today. Planners of the event, which will be held out doors, are anticipating that as many as 10,000 will be in attendance. Christian music, fire works and a “Kids Zone” will be highlights of the event, which is free. Food will be sold. The location will be outdoors on the large field adjacent to the church, which is at 1040 S. Houston Lake Road, Warner Robins. - From staff reports Happy BIRTHDAY! Tommie Buck Kaila Marie Hooks Jackie Klein Paula and Calvin Middlebrooks Area DEATHS Donnie Ray Forehand Margaret E Poole Obits, page 2A Correction An article in Tuesday’s edition of the Houston Home Journal misidenti fied the last woman from Houston County to be crowned Miss Georgia. Miss Cobb County Kelly Jerles, a Perry native, was crowned Miss Georgia in 1987. The Houston Home Journal regrets the error. INDEX CLASSIFIED 8A COMICS 7 A CROSSWORD ... .7A ENTERTAINMENT .9A LEGALS 4B OBITUARIES 2A OPINION 4A SPORTS 1B TV LISTINGS 7A WEATHER 2A PERIODICAL lrill>lliiiilliilliiiiili|||iii|||i,|| l |in||||| ll || 6* Gecfgsa Newspaper Project Main Librarv UN IV OF GEORGIA ATHENS GA 30602-0002 3-DIGIT 306 Serving Houston County Since 1870 EDIMGIAFAD Every Day In Middle Georgia Is Armed Forces Appreciation Day Y JCcmsttnt JComeif dim JJmmtm * LEGAL ORGAN FOR HOUSTON COUNTY, city of Perry, city of Warner Robins and city of Centerville Radio stations may expand to Perry Macon businessman Cecil Staton proposes to locate offices, studio downtown By MIKE GEORGE HHJ Staff Writer Cecil Staton is considering open ing a new business office and studio in downtown Perry for two of his radio stations. Staton, who is also a Republican state senator from Macon, said he wants to open a new studio for live broadcasts somewhere in Houston County, but is still trying to decide where to locate. “Houston County is where the growth is,” Staton said. “I could put this in Warner Robins, but it could be in Perry. Marking the Fourth « Weekend events planned to observe Independence Day From staff reports Gear up for a weekend full of activity. There are a few activities going on in Houston County and surrounding areas that will keep you and yours occupied after you’ve fired up the grill and eaten to your heart’s content. Celebrate our nation’s freedom at one or both of these local events: •The Band of the U.S. Air Force Reserve will perform at the 22nd annual Independence Day Celebration Friday at the McConnell-Talbert Stadium on South Davis Drive in Warner Robins. The free concert will also feature Warner Robins native Bobbie Eakes, a soap opera star and recording artist, for a night of music, fireworks and family fun. See FOURTH, page 6A ■g» 7 ' submitted Former state Rep. Larry Walker gestures to a plaque honoring his lifelong friend, the late Jerry Wilson, at a ceremony held at the Advanced Technology Development Center in Warner Robins. www.hhjnews.com “It is not guaranteed, but I am exploring it.” Staton told the Perry Downtown Development Authority Tuesday night that he is considering several downtown locations for the studio, including 926 Carroll St., 936 Carroll St. and 1025 Ball St. Staton went to the DDA meeting to see if the move was even possible. He said he would need to build a 60- to 80-foot radio tower to transmit a signal to the company’s main broad cast tower in Dooly County, and he will need the DDA’s permission to do it. i B j§: Ami , Jl J" A MJT rn t;. ■■ .AJM. ' -w**' mßm . /' - • ¥ Ms . v # W’# r. JyJ 'ss* m P S ' .JMp 1 «g| . . : - •. . *?J.J HHJ Tim Hoskins Perry Area Chamber of Commerce Chairman Mike Jackson, Councilman Billy Jerles and other community leaders break ground on the next phase of development at Houston Springs, a retirement community on Sam Nunn Boulevard. Houston Springs breaks new ground ‘Active adult’ retirement community to add three holes of golf, clubhouse By TIM HOSKINS HHJ Student Writer Houston Springs broke ground on its next phase of development Wednesday at a rainy-day ceremony attended by Houston If Staton decides to move to Perry, the new studio could be used to broadcast live interviews for 103.9, an FM talk radio station, and 98.3, an FM oldies station. “I see it as an ideal location,” Staton said. “We hope to bring some more local programming.” Staton told the board that he is close to finalizing a deal to broad cast Perry High School’s football games this year through his sta tions. The DDA’s board members said they wanted to bring a new station to the downtown area, but need Here they grow again Springs residents and Perry community leaders. “We are honored to be here today to be a part of the development of Houston Springs,” said Perry Area Chamber of Commerce Chairman Mike Jackson. Houston Springs is a retirement community off of Sam Nunn Boulevard near Perry and is open to those 55 and older. For Jerry Wilson honored at Advanced Technology Development Center Special to the HHJ Georgia technology, busi ness and civic leaders joined together recently to honor Jerry Wilson, the longtime manager of the Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC) program in Warner Robins. Wilson, of Perry, founded the ATDC’s technology busi ness incubator in Warner Robins and managed the Middle Georgia Technology Development Center from 1991 until his death in 2003. In the ceremony, those who had worked with Jerry recognized his vision, lead ership and enthusiasm - and honored him as a “champion for entrepre neurs.” Speakers included an Evans Family Newspaper 50$ mi nin 8 510 8 u 0001™® 4 TWO SECTIONS • 18 PAGES more information on the exact size of the tower and where it will be installed before they give Staton blanket permission. “I personally just like the downtown area,” Staton said. “If you’re going to do community radio, it’s where you need to be.” DDA board member Davis Cosey expressed concerns that a radio See RADIO, page 3A Currently, the community contains 174 homes and a nine-hole golf course. The master plan calls for around 2,000 homes and a full 18- hole course with clubhouse See GROUND, page 3A Mike Cassidy, president of the Georgia Research Alliance; former state Rep. Larry Walker, who support ed the program during his time in the Georgia General Assembly; James Calvin, president of software com pany Microcross; and Wayne Hodges, director of the ATDC and Georgia Tech’s vice provost for Economic Development and Technology Ventures. “Jerry just kept driving forward and didn’t let any body discourage him,” recalled Cassidy, who was general manager of the ATDC when the Warner Robins facility was launched. “He had a See WILSON, page 3A STATON