Missing Milledgeville man found in Centerville

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — A man who had been missing for several days has returned to his Milledgeville home. Rico Jamal Hooks, reported missing after his sister had not seen or heard from him in two days, is with relatives after walking to Centerville, some 48 miles away, at least partially on foot. Hooks’ sister, Dinesha Mclin, told police that Hooks, who has bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, had left his Park Avenue home without warning and had last been seen by a relative walking west on Highway 22. Dispatchers called the Jones County Sheriff’s Office in Gray to see if anyone had made contact with Hooks, and were told that a deputy had given him a ride to a nearby Flash Foods shortly after 10 o’clock the previous night. Shortly before 9 p.m. Thursday, dispatchers from the Centerville Police Department called MPD to notify that an officer had made contact with Hooks. Dispatchers then ensured that a family member was en route to pick up Hooks and removed his “missing” status from the Georgia Crime Information Center.

 

Whitfield grand jury indicts two in connection with burned body

DALTON, Ga. — Two Tennessee men were indicted by a Whitfield County grand jury recently in connection with the discovery of a burned body near Carbondale Road in January. Kevin Isaza and Roberto Josue Viera-Aybar were indicted on charges of tampering with evidence, abandonment of a dead body and hindering the apprehension or punishment of a criminal. They — along with a third Tennessee man, Hector Ruiz — were arrested earlier this year in connection with the death of Luis Antonio Lopez, who authorities said was shot and killed before being brought to Whitfield County and set on fire in the woods at the end of Ellis Road in the southern part of the county near I-75. A 13-year-old boy found Lopez’s body on Jan. 10. The Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office said at the time of their arrests that investigators believed Lopez may have been killed in Tennessee and the body driven to Whitfield County to dispose of. It appeared the body was placed and partially burned less than 24 hours before it was discovered. Lopez was one of 11 people arrested in Nashville, Tenn., last summer as part of a large-scale marijuana “grow and distribution network,” according to information on the website of the Metro Government of Nashville and Davidson County. The information said Cuban nationals ran the operation. District Attorney Bert Poston said Ruiz has not yet been extradited from Tennessee.

 

Next top entrepreneur sought

VALDOSTA, Ga. — The Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce is running a contest for a chance of a lifetime offer to one local student to attend its inaugural Young Entrepreneurs Academy this upcoming academic year.  YEA! is a 30-week program that guides middle and high school students through launching and running their own real businesses or social movements. The contest winner will receive tuition-free admission to the groundbreaking program.  The deadline for entries is midnight July 21. The winner will be announced on the evening of July 25 at Mellow Mushroom in Valdosta. The public is welcome to attend.  “This is a great opportunity for a local student to experience the spirit of free enterprise and entrepreneurship within our network of local business leaders,” stated DeWayne Johnson, program manager. To enter the contest, students must send an email to johnson.yea@valdostachamber.com describing why he or she is interested in entrepreneurship and what makes him or her “Valdosta’s Next Top Young Entrepreneur.” All entries must be 150 words or less. The student must include his or her name, along with the email address and phone number for the parent or guardian. The contest is for students entering grades 6-12 during the 2017-18 calendar year.  This contest is free to enter. Call 229-588-0866 for more information or email johnson.yea@valdostachamber.com.

 

SOSMP to host Kids’ Music Camp

LIVE OAK, Fla. — It’s Kids’ Music Camp, Treble Hook and Sole Travelers’ bands this weekend at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. More than 100 children, ages 5-17, will be part of the Suwannee Spirit Kids Music Camp from Friday through Sunday. The event is already completely filled, but watch the website to sign-up for the September music camp.  Always free, this great camp helps keep the music fires burning inside today’s children with the help of many volunteers, including Custard Pie, a music group from Valdosta, Georgia, making its first appearance that will include a concert. Go to www.suwanneespirit.org/ to sign-up for September and learn more about the event for kids.  The children will perform in a Sunday afternoon concert beginning at 2:30 p.m. in the Amphitheater. Instructors are experienced musicians who have given their time and energy to ensure that this event continues to effect the lives of young people in our community. On Friday, a new Lake City band, Treble Hook, will take the stage in the Music Hall. Members are Spencer Hoefert, Stephen Quinn, Ronnie Woodall, Lauren Woodall and Seth West. Special guests just might be Bobby Hofer and Ian Suber.  A brand new band to the Music Hall is Sole Travelers coming to shake the rafters Saturday. Sole Travelers is a four-piece band of superb artists traveling the U.S. playing their special mix of Southern Americana, blues, musical virtuosity and powerful performances. Jeanie Edwards handles vocals with soft to sultry vocals and a dynamic range, a soulful blend of blues and just a pinch of country in her voice. Mike, Jeanie’s New Orleans born husband, singer, songwriter, slide guitarist, harmonica player and lead guitarist, has traveled the world making music that includes blues. Vince Haywood handles bass and vocals, bringing decades of pro experience playing with some of America’s top bands. Larry Aquilino backs the band with the drums. He’s no stranger to the music scene, having played with many well-known bands such as Confederate Railroad and Mother’s Finest and more. Free admission, doors to the Music Hall open at 6 p.m. for dinner, music from 8 p.m. – midnight Friday and Saturday night.