GA-FL At a Glance

Published 11:17 am Thursday, August 23, 2018

Historical society meeting features singing

CHATSWORTH, Ga. —  A picnic and singing are highlights of the Whitfield-Murray Historical Society’s meeting on Saturday at 5 p.m. The event is at the former McGaughey Chapel United Methodist Church, 1009 McGaughey Chapel Road N.E. The church was established in 1882 and closed in 2015. Randy Parker, owner broker for Real Living Elite, purchased the church building last year. Parker and the Cohutta First Baptist Church Singers — Ray Knittel, Jim Nations, Phillip Sapp, Andy Stafford and Kevin Turner — will sing. Sandwiches and drinks will be provided. Attendees are asked to bring desserts. Everyone is welcome.

Gunshot fired during apparent robbery attempt

MOULTRIE, Ga. — A Moultrie man accosted by two men with a gun Monday night had a shot fired in his direction during the apparent robbery attempt. Police dispatched at about 10:15 p.m. Monday to Regency Village Drive were told by Marco Lopez that he was approached by two men on First Avenue Southeast. Lopez reported that he was walking on the sidewalk on his way to the coin laundry when two males wearing masks came up to him and pointed a gun at him. They asked for his money, and when Lopez said he had no cash one of the assailants told the other one to search him. When Lopez tried to move to the side out of the gun’s direction the gunman fired at him, he told police. The other then asked his partner why he fired the gun before they both ran away towards the end of a nearby mobile home park and heading south. Lopez was not injured, police said.

Gun charge could mean life in prison

VALDOSTA, Ga. — A Lowndes County man faces possible life in prison because of a stolen gun. Armand Rashad Brown was indicted in federal court in Valdosta on one charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and another charge of possession of a stolen firearm, according to the indictment. The weapon in question was a Kel-Tech semiautomatic pistol, court documents show. The indictment alleges he owned the pistol on May 24, knowing it had been stolen. Brown’s prior guilty pleas to sale of cocaine charges in 2000, 2007 and 2009, plus a guilty plea to possession of marijuana with intent to distribute in 2012, expose him to sentencing of at least 15 years and as much as life in prison, according to the indictment. The ultimate decision as to whether the prior cases have an impact on his sentencing will be made by the court at sentencing, court documents show. 

Buckets of Hope raises money for women’s shelter

TIFTON, Ga. — Tiftarea House of Hope has started the third annual Buckets of Hope fundraiser to support the women’s shelter at the Tifton Mall from Aug. 17-27. All proceeds go to support the work of the shelter. The Tiftarea House of Hope is a faith-based, non-denominational emergency shelter and transitional residents for women, either with or without children. It is currently the only shelter for women and children in Tift County. Each ticket is $1 and wins participants a chance at 21 different prizes donated by local businesses. The drawing for each prize will be on Aug. 27 and Mullis said that participants do not have to be present to win.