DONALSONVILLE – A 16 year-old, black male, Seminole County High School student died after he collasped at practice according to Coroner Terry Batchelor.
Seminole County High School Principal Monroe Bonner confirmed that Monday, August 15, the male athlete collapsed. EMS technicians were called to the scene and immediately started administering CPR. The student was taken to the Donalsonville Hospital where doctors and technicians continued to attempt to resuscitate the boy for approximately two hours before death was pronounced.
The victim’s body was sent to the GBI Crime Lab for autopsy to attempt to determine the cause of death. The name of the victim was not immediately released pending notification of family members and completion of the investigation. After the autopsy was completed Coroner Batchelor released the name of the victim as Bryan Register. The cause of death has not been determined at this time.
Register was a member of the cross country track team and had just began practice the day of the incident.

The above temperature of 101º was taken at 4:10 p.m. Monday evening in Colquitt. Temperatures have hit the high 90s to 100s for the past week, and with the rains the humidity is staying close to 100 percent.
With the chance of getting the seat wet, it was suggested that windows in vehicles be left cracked. One citizens stated that the inside temperature in his vehicle was 140º when he entered it. Others have reported windows being blow out due to excessive heat and pressure.
Residents, especially the elderly and ill, are warned to stay inside in a cool area if possible. At temperatures like we are having, there are possibilities of heat strokes, which could be deadly or debilitating.

I went to a lady's birthday party last Saturday evening. This particular lady was celebrating her 90th year. She really wasn't 90 until Monday, August 15, but since some of her children, grandchildren and friends have to work, her birthday was held on the weekend.
So what's so great about going to the birthday of a 90-year-old woman?
For those of you who don't know Katie Smith, she is a tall, thin, black lady who has helped raise many black and white children in this area. She must have done good by them by the crowd that showed up on this very special day. Most 90-year-old men or women are just about worn out, or have such bad health problems they can't function too well. In fact, most of us don't live to make a 90th birthday. This woman could pass for someone in her 50s or 60s.
Those who know Katie know her to be a vibrant, bright, active person that you love to see coming and hate to see go.
How we missed having her to help us rear our two girls is beyond me. It was our loss.
As Katie smiled and looked around the room Saturday evening, she stated, "I've worked for lots of you and helped raise most of your children and some of your grandchildren."
Katie is a productive citizen of this community, a worker for her Lord and a friend to all who call on her. She is one of the writers and reporters that this newspaper depends on for much of our news.
And she said, “I work for you. You just don’t pay me.”
Katie Smith has had the joy of her life with her for some time, her granddaughter, Linda and son, Brandon, her son, Rudy and her daughter, Gwen, all together along withe the bunch that was already here for almost two weeks.
Katie has been the center of attention, and she thoroughly enjoyed it.
On Saturday, August 13, the Lane clan's project was completed with the 90th celebration of living, loving, and giving for Katie Smith. The sit-down party was held at the Community Center on Milford Street with a never-ending supply of wonderful food, drink and desserts. The large room was tastefully decorated with flower arrangements and greenery.
One hundred and twenty nine plus family and friends registered for the celebration. Many of the friends expressed their love by word or song. Ms. Smith is thankful for all of the love shown to her.
Loved ones from Georgia and Florida came and helped to celebrate the birthday of Katie Smith. Many brought gifts of one kind or another. Since she will not be able to celebrate another 90th birthday, Ms. Katie says, "I am blessed by God to have had this life to enjoy for so long.
There were ministers from several churches there to help celebrate this fine lady's 90th birthday. They all talked or sang of her great faith and works.
With that many ministers and deacons, we thought we would be there forever, but the mistress of ceremonies limited each speaker to two minutes. It was a good thing, for everyone wanted to tell how this lady had been such a positive and helpful part of their lives.
It was agreed that one of the things that made Katie so popular with the young and old was her positive attitude toward life, her great faith in her God and people and the ability not to hold grudges against anyone.
As one of the birthday girl’s 90 year-old plus cousins stated, “Katie is so well loved because she loves everybody.”
One of the participants at the party stated, “I wish that I could have a party like this when I’m 90.” Then she thought, “Katie is having a birthday party like this with so many people who love her for being herself.”
If this birthday girl keeps going like she is just getting started, she will have no problem when it comes time for her 100th.
Katie is one of those few individuals that I have met in my life that it would not be hard to follow when she gets on board for that trip to her eternal reward. She is truly one of God’s people.
Katie, this is poor pay, but it is cash. Happy Birthday and may you have many more.
Please view the photos of Katie’s 90th Birthday on our website at

The Miller County Pirates will host their first regular football game of the season Friday night, August 19, with the Calhoun County Cougars. The game will start at 8:00 p.m.
There will be six home games at Pirate Stadium this season, and the out-of-town games will not be too far off.
The coaches said that the Pirates lost some good player to graduation, but the program will produce more to take their place.
These atheletes have practiced hard in some very hot practices both heat and intensity, and are still attempting to bring it all to gether according to one coach.
Come out and support your football team this Friday night.

One of Colquitt’s most established businesses opened in their new location at 530 East Crawford Street with an official ribbon cutting Thursday, August 11, at 11:00 A.M.
By the time the ceremonies began, the parking lot was completely filled with customers and friends inside the 12,000 square foot store. They were there to congratulate the Carpenter family for having enough confidence in this area to build such a beautiful building and stock it so full of quality furniture, appliances and accessories.
The highest officials in the Badcock Corporation were there to help Ricky and Jan celebrate the opening of the 181st Badcock & more store.
Everyone was asked to come out front for the ribbon cutting, and Ricky Carpenter asked his minister to open the ceremony with a prayer.
Badcock president, Don Marks, introduced the company officials on hand. Other local dignitaries were introduced and asked to say a few words about the store and the owners.
After the ribbon cutting, everyone was invited back inside to browse through the large, well stocked and tastefully decorated store, and enjoy a delicious grilled chicken luncheon with all the trimmings.
“The local people and especially the Badcock officials from the company and other area stores were so helpful in making this day one of our best,” said Ricky.
Ricky and Jan Carpenter are the owners of the new store, but according to Ricky, his wife Jan will be in charge of the new store in Colquitt, and he will be going to the new store that they own in Donalsonville.
“I will be working in both stores, but we will work together to give our customers and friends the best service available from these stores,” Ricky stated.
“We have been very pleased with the reception that our old customers and new ones have given us since we moved to the new store in Colquitt. We have hopes of making these stores some of the finest in the Badcock family,” Carpenter continued.
It was a wonderful day for Colquitt and especially for the family of Ricky, Jan, Alicia and Lance Carpenter.
“We have a good size family in this area, and even more friends who have made our 20 year plus in the furniture business with Badcock Corporation an enjoyable and profitable business. We have been successful by treating our customers like our family, and they are,” the Carpenters stated.

Week of August 14, 2005