The Pike County Journal-Reporter

A case of rabies was confirmed in the Second District area of Pike County after two dogs killed a raccoon Saturday, Dec. 16 in the area of 379 Kendrick Road. The raccoon was taken to Pike’s animal control officer Tanya Perkins on Monday, Dec. 18 and it was sent off to the tested for rabies. [Full story »] 

Mrs. Martha Louise Cochran, age 86 of Meansville, Georgia, passed away on Saturday December 23, 2017 at Atlanta Medical Center, as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
Mrs. Cochran was born in Concord, Georgia on November 16, 1931. She is preceded in death by her parents, Mark Oliver Carter and Delphia Denham Carter and her husband Carl Guy Cochran, Jr. She retired from the Pike County Probate Court and after retirement helped her husband on their family farm then continued that after his death. She loved reading, spending time outdoors and was very passionate about her special kitties. She is a member of Life Springs Church. [Full story »] 

The year 2017 included several historic moments and was a year of growth, renovation, loss and stormy days for many in Pike County. See the Journal Reporter’s special Year in Review section on pages 1-8B.

Thousands from the Pike County community and across the U.S. took part in welcoming home Lt. Robert Eugene Oxford of Concord as he returned to his hometown in June for burial - more than 73 years after he was killed in action during World War II. His remains were discovered high in the Himalayan Mountains where the bomber plane he was aboard crashed on Jan. 25, 1944. A packed out memorial service was held at the Pike Auditorium and hundreds of citizens lined the roads from Zebulon to Concord during the funeral procession to Magnolia Cemetery where he received full military honors, including taps and a rifle volley. [Full story »] 

Zebulon Police Department officers and Santa Claus recently performed ‘safety checks’ in the city and then visited with children and gave a cash gift to their parents. [Full story »] 

For David Shirah and Jared Guy, there’s nothing more enjoyable than hooking up the horses and going on an old-fashioned wagon ride down scenic country roads. They have plenty of experience with horses and wagon trains after having spent summers at Yellowstone National Park coordinating trail rides and cowboy cookouts for visitors.

“Working teams and pulling wagons is a lost and forgotten art and we’re just trying to bring it back and make sure it doesn’t die out,” said David. “We love to ride up the road with the stage coach and wagons and see the smiles on children’s faces. There’s nothing like riding down the road in a wagon on a nice afternoon.” [Full story »] 

Mr. Norman Robertson Hillidge, age 85, formerly of Pike County, passed away December 4, 2017. He was born in Latabatiere, Canada, son of the late Norman Hillidge and Blanche Robertson Hillidge. He was a veteran of the United States Army, serving as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division. In his early career, he worked in law enforcement for the Miami-Dade Police Department and the Jackson Diagnostic State Prison, then later worked at Ford Motor Company, and retired from Atlantic Steel Company. [Full story »]