Bainbridge -Thursday night will be one that William and Cheryl Cook will remember for a long time, but not in a good way.

First they sat and watched their home at 181 Neal Street, in Dollar Subdivision, burn completely. Then an hour later, they were arrested for manufacturing meth, possession of meth and unlawful possession of pseudoephedrine.

Cheryl Cook told us that they had cooked some hamburgers and had put some grease on the stove to cook some fries. She stated that something hit the grease, and the fire took over from there.

The mobile home was totally engulfed and half burned when the first fire truck and sheriff's deputy arrived on scene at about 1 a.m.

As the volunteer fire fighter got the water going from the truck, Deputy Dean immediately grabbed the hose and began fighting the fire. The fire was dangerously close to two vehicles, so he put his attention there first.

Soon after, Deputy Vince Edmond arrived on scene and spotted precursors used in the manufacture of meth. Deputies notified Captain Chip Nix of the incident. There have been several past drug complaints submitted to the sheriff's office regarding the Cooks’ Neal Street residence.

On arrival at the fire, there was a small fire located somewhat away from the home in between two cars in the rear. Deputies discovered more evidence in that area of the residence.

Captain Nix identified the remnants of a meth lab that had been burned, but not enough to destroy the evidence that the remnants were items used to manufacture methamphetamine.

Deputies took William and Cheryl Cook into custody.

On Friday morning, following further investigation, Captain Nix stated that the fire was caused by cooking meth. He also stated that William Cook was injured in the fire and the family dog perished in the fire.

Blakely - The Early County Hospital Authority took action at its meeting Tuesday to enter into an agreement with Pioneer Health Services of Magee, MS, to begin formalizing a lease agreement for the Early Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home.

The agreement calls for both parties to work together to finalize a lease arrangement before September 30.

The hospital and nursing home have been leased to Archbold Memorial Hospital since 1995. In January Archbold notified the authority it would not renew the lease option which expires September 30 citing ongoing financial challenges and proximity to Thomasville as reasons.

Camilla - A fatal wreck that took place last Thursday morning in Baconton claimed the life of a beloved Baconton citizen.

Ronald L. Cramer, 53, of Baconton, died after his Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck was struck by a southbound Southern Wholesale Flooring truck just before 12:30 p.m. as he was attempting to cross US 19.

According to witnesses on the scene, the commercial truck ran a red light and hit the S-10. The driver of the truck did swerve trying to avoid hitting the truck.

The red light at the intersection has been in use for around three weeks. Prior to that, it had been a caution light. Witnesses said they had witnessed several people already run the red light since it had been in operation, and a crash was inevitable.

Cairo - As expected, Grady County School Superintendent Dr. Tommy Pharis is not including a single dime for the funding of Roddenbery Memorial Library as he and his administrative staff begin the tough task of developing an operating budget for the new fiscal year, which begins July 1.

Should the school board back the superintendent it would be the first time since 1944 that the school system has not contributed funding to the renowned public library.

In the current fiscal year, the school board adopted a budget that reduced $36,000 from library funding and as the budget picture worsens for the school system, Dr. Pharis says he has little choice other than to totally eliminate the remaining $100,000 the school system has invested in the library this fiscal year.