The Pike County Journal-Reporter

Eugene Howard Ralston, age 83, of Concord, GA passed away Sunday, February 25, 2018 at Navicent Health Medical Center in Macon, GA. He was born June 9, 1934, in Gainesville, GA, son of Estes Homer Ralston and Irma Berthel (Bertha) Burtz Ralston. He was a “Giant on Earth” in so many ways other than his six-foot, eight-inch frame. Eugene never let the truth get in the way of a good story. He was a veteran of the United States Navy, a master craftsman, an avid collector who enjoyed the thrill of the hunt, and a “PawPaw” to many. [Full story »] 

Between Monday, Feb. 19, and Monday, Feb. 26, Pike County law enforcement agencies made the following arrests: [Full story »] 

In game one of the season against Clay County, two Pike pitchers combined for a shutout victory. The pitching was strong on both sides. Pike’s pitchers struck out eight, while Clay pitchers sat down seven. Coleman Boynton struck out a Clay County batter to finish off the game. [Full story »] 

By Mike Ruffin
ruffinml@gmail.com

After Rev. Billy Graham died last Wednesday, lots of people began publishing or posting testimonies about what he meant to them. Some of them are quite moving, especially those from people who committed their lives to Jesus after hearing him preach. [Full story »] 

This weekend, graduates from the Class of 1969 will finally be honored with a graduation ceremony nearly 50 years after their last days of school at Pike County Consolidated High School in Concord. The commencement ceremony is set for 10 a.m. Saturday, March 3 at the Pike County Auditorium and will include students who earned all the necessary high school credits before taking part in peaceful protests involving integration and an un-renewed principal’s contract. [Full story »] 

School board members approved a resolution declaring the results of the Nov. 7, 2017 Educational Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax and also approved a bond resolution in order to start E-SPLOST projects by obtaining a loan. [Full story »] 

Between Monday, Feb. 12, and Monday, Feb. 19, area law enforcement agencies made the following arrests: [Full story »] 

On a mild and overcast evening at Matthews Field in Thomaston, the AAAA Lady Knights of Upson-Lee hosted the AAA Lady Pirates for the first regular season, non-conference match. The Lady Pirates wasted no time getting on the board with Sarah Licari in the second minute of play hitting her first of three goals in the net with an assist by Anna Chasteen. [Full story »] 

Pike County American Legion Post 197 will hold the next 5K/10K Run/Walk to benefit veterans in Zebulon on Saturday, Feb. 24. Start the morning with a pancake breakfast at the American Legion Post 197 at 645 Meansville Street in Zebulon from 8 to 11:30 a.m. Proceeds from the pancake breakfast will go to help veterans and their families in the community. [Full story »] 

A long-awaited graduation ceremony for local students who were excluded from graduating in 1969 will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 3 at the Pike County Auditorium.

Graduates from the Class of 1969 will include Daisy Marie Anderson, Ann Rose Blackburn, Milton Clowers, Mary Helen Colquitt, Charles Davis, John Lee Dickerson, Marie Dozier, Robert Driver, Vickie Driver, Milton Favors, Patricia Ford, Earnest Grier, Dorothy Harris, Ida Bell Horton, Robert Horton, Willie Frank Jones, Sarah King, Kenneth Leeks, Emmet Mack, Raymond Miller, Linda Mitchell, Dorothy G. Reid, Annie Bell Riggins, Samuel Starks, Mary Pearly Traylor, Ernestine Tysinger, Milton Walker, Travis Wellmaker, Johnny Weston, John Horace Williamson and Mabell Willis. [Full story »]