Headlines

It’s been anything but a typical senior year, but Pike County’s top seniors will still have an opportunity to speak during formal graduation ceremonies set for Saturday, July 25. Pike County High School’s Valedictorian is Jolie Turner and the Salutatorian is Isabel McClelland. CrossPointe Christian Academy’s valedictorian is Maddy Fulop and the Salutatorian is Cameron Haney.

“The pandemic definitely cut off our school year unexpectedly, but I’m glad our administrators are helping us have our activities later in the summer,” said PCHS Valedictorian Jolie Turner. “To all the students affected by the pandemic, we’ll get through this together! While some of us may be quarantined with only our families, we’re not alone in this. And to everyone testing online, good luck!”

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Citizens can vote early this week through June 5 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Pike board of elections office at 81 Jackson Street and Saturday voting will be offered May 30, also from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.   [Full story »] 

The state of Georgia reported a $1.03 billion - or 35.9 percent - decrease in tax collections for April 2020 compared to collections in 2019. Pike County is also reporting a decrease in collections but with the office reopening this week, tax commissioner Donna Chapman said she expects those collections to pick up.
For April 2020, there was a decrease in TAVT collections  of $147,000 from what was collected in April 2019. [Full story »] 

Pike citizens remained in quarantine but several farm animals bucked the shelter in place orders last week and went for a stroll around the county, including two horses, a bull and a billy goat, all from different homes. [Full story »] 

Starting this week, the J. Joel Edwards Public Library will offer residents throughout Pike County, and the state of Georgia, the opportunity to sign up for a free library card that will allow temporary access to digital materials through June 1. This card will allow patrons access to thousands of e-books, audiobooks and digital magazines that can be read on any device at any time. [Full story »] 

Stewart Esary, president of the Pike Division of United Bank, was honored as the recipient of the Golden Eagle award presented by Kiwanis Club of Griffin and The Associates Group Insurance on March 12. He and his family have lived in Pike County for more than 17 years. [Full story »] 

Georgia Military College’s (GMC) Zebulon Campus recently welcomed Laura Chambley-Shadrick as the new Extension Center Director. She comes an extensive background in higher education, serving at Gordon State College for 15 years, prior to entering her new role at GMC. [Full story »] 

According to Pike's animal control officer Tanya Perkins, a raccoon was sent off March 16 for testing and the results came back as positive for rabies. The rabid raccoon came from the 2800 block of Williams Mill Road (not far from Highway 109 and Pine Valley Road in Meansville). Another case of rabies was confirmed in the county on March 12.
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The Pike school system and Georgia Military College Zebulon campus recently released information about maintaining a safe environment for students and staff as fears about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) spread. Several cases have been confirmed in Georgia and 34 who could have been exposed to the virus were transferred from the Grand Princess cruise ship off the California coast to Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta to be tested and quarantined. [Full story »] 

A few final 2020 Census Job Fair events will be held in Pike and Lamar County as hiring winds down and the Census work begins. The jobs pay $14.50 per hour plus mileage and applicants need to be 18 or older and have a photo ID at the the events. The job also offers paid training, flexible hours and weekly paychecks. [Full story »] 

The J. Joel Edwards Public Library in Zebulon will host its eighth annual Seussabration at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 7. In honor of Dr. Seuss’s 116th birthday, local “celebrities” will share some of their favorite childhood stories, illustrating Dr. Seuss’s own belief that “You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child.” [Full story »] 

Pike Outfitters was recently packed out for a special event to honor three local archers who competed at the The Vegas Shoot 2020, Indoor World Series 1000 archery event from Feb. 7-9.

Cole Frederick, 17, shot a perfect 300 score all three days of the competition for a championship score of 900, edging out the second place finisher by one point for an out-right win and $2,000 for first place. Out of a field of 3,800 from all over the world, Cole was one of only five who shot a perfect score. [Full story »]