Singer releases new single and video

DALTON, Ga. — The single “Jack Daniel’s Day” and its accompanying music video have been released by Raven Bro of Dalton in a musical return. “As a child I was attracted to any music with vocal riffs and blues, and I want my music to reflect that,” said Bro. “After singing mostly country music for over five years, I felt a distinct pull to return to the music I fell in love with in the beginning. This new single is a nod to my musical influences, and I can’t wait to explore my new, unique sound.” “Jack Daniel’s Day” is available on streaming services and in stores, she said. “I had the pleasure of first hearing Raven perform over 10 years ago and saw her talent even back then. But wow, I was totally blown away by her powerful vocals on this release and simply cannot wait to hear more of her material,” said local radio personality Rick Zeisig.

Branford man plots with inmate to steal, sell boat

BRANFORD, Fla. — A plot to steal and sell a boat and trailer fell through, leading to the arrest of a Branford man Monday.

According to a Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office report, 43-year-old Douglas Vernon Hamant, of Branford, conspired with 37-year-old Deanna Jo White to steal a boat and trailer in order to sell it in order to pay for White’s bond premium. White, who is also from Branford, was already incarcerated at the Suwannee County Jail.

The two suspects planned to have a third individual travel from south Florida to get the boat and trailer and take it back south with him to sell, according to the report.

The report states the suspects lied during phone conversations with the other person, claiming the boat was a “demo” boat that belonged to Hamant.

The plan was for the individual to travel to Suwannee County on Saturday in order to get the boat, according to the report.

However, SCSO investigators seized the boat during the early morning hours Saturday at the request of the owner for safe keeping, the report states. That led to Hamant contacting the individual to not make the trip to Suwannee County, claiming the boat was stolen the night before.

According to the report, authorities spoke with the third individual on the phone Monday who allegedly said that had he known the boat didn’t belong to the suspect, he would not have agreed to take it.

The report states the boat and trailer are valued at $13,000.

The two suspects were charged with criminal conspiracy and dealing in stolen property.

Home builder Ben Kennedy to speak at ABAC Freshman Convocation

TIFTON, Ga. — Howard Auditorium will be filled with nervous excitement on Aug. 14 as hundreds of freshmen attend the 14th annual Freshman Convocation at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. The ceremony begins at 11 a.m. and serves as the opening of the academic year as students begin their journey towards a college diploma. Dr. Jerry Baker, provost and vice president for academic affairs, said the convocation is a formal induction ceremony of the freshman class each fall semester into the academic community of ABAC.  Fall semester classes begin on Aug. 15. Ben Kennedy, recipient of the 2018 Outstanding Young Alumnus award from the ABAC Alumni Association, is this year’s convocation speaker. Kennedy owns Brighton Builders, a custom home building business in Bluffton, S.C.  He also owns two other companies, Driftwood Homes USA, LLC, and Brighton Development, LLC. Kennedy is a former member of the board of directors of the Hilton Head Area Home Builders Association.  He is also a partner with New South Living, LLC, an investment and land development company. While a student at ABAC, Kennedy was a member of the ABAC Ambassadors and president of his sophomore class. He graduated from ABAC in 2002. Kennedy and his wife, Brittany, have two children and reside in Bluffton.

‘Sting’ operation: Reward offered for missing bee

VALDOSTA, Ga. — Wild Adventures Theme Park wants someone to find Dwayne Johnson and is offering a reward for him. The park recently reported a large bee statue — named Dwayne “The Bee” Johnson — was missing, Lowndes County Sheriff Ashley Paulk said Wednesday. The figurine vanished July 27 after it was taken from a billboard on Interstate 75 near Lake Park, according to a Wild Adventures press release. The billboard was advertising the MEGABUGS! Adventure Encounters attraction at the park. Wild Adventures is offering two gold season passes to the individual who provides information that leads to the safe return of Dwayne “The Bee” Johnson. Anyone with a tip can call the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office at 229-671-2950.