The Colquitt/Miller County Volunteer Fire Department are some of the best, fastest and most efficient firemen in the country, and their records show it. The quicker they are called, the quicker they can extinguish a fire and diminish the damage of smoke and fire.
On Wednesday, May 17, a call came to the 911 operator that there was a house fire at 1842 Highway 91 North of Colquitt. The fire and rescue service was called at 6:30 p.m. The first trucks were en route at 6:33 p.m. Other officers were on the scene minutes sooner, but the first truck arrived at 6:39 p.m.
The eight trucks and more than 20 firemen had the blaze under control and the smoke out of the home in a matter of minutes. The firemen went into the blaze and extinguished the fire inside the home.
The last fire vehicle left the scene at 7:59 a.m.
There was considerable fire and smoke damage to the home of G. Lanbert.
According to the report the initial cause of the fire started in the kitchen, possibly from a stove where something was left on.
There were no injures in the incident although there were people at home at the time the blaze started.
The photo above shows what Fireman Kent Richardson found when he arrived at the scene. The pickup truck could not be moved since the owners had left the keys inside the home when they exited the house fire. The fire was extinguished before it did major damage to the truck.

Southwest Georgia Academy senior Leanna Burch signed a fast-pitch softball scholarship with Andrew College in a special ceremony held May 1 with her coaches, family and friends in attendance.
Leanna is the first SGA fast-pitch player to ink a college scholarship. She led the SGA Lady Warriors to a 16-8-1 record and a final eight finish in the state for the second straight year. She compiled a 9-2 record with a 1.64 ERA. Leanna made the 3AA All-Region team and was selected to play in the GISA All-Star game.
SGA Coach Tommy Manry stated, “In all my years of coaching, I have not seen a young person work any harder than Leanna did to improve herself. She is a fierce competitor.” Pitching coach, Mindy Price said, “I am proud of her and for the effort that she was willing to put forth.”
Andrew College Coach P.D. Angela said he liked her attitude, demeanor, and personality, which would help to build the program. He expects her to contribute to the team and to be an effective player.
Leanna really enjoyed high school fast-pitch softball and is excited about playing at the college level. She is also looking forward to attending Andrew College in the fall to further her education.
Leanna is the daughter of James and Lisa Burch of Blakely. She is the granddaughter of Roy and Judy Burch of Colquitt and Philip and Faye Buckhalter of Jakin.

The Miller County Hospital staff hosted and conducted a Health Fair for all of the Miller County school system faculty and staff. The event took place early Monday morning and continued until 9:00 a.m.
The health screening clinic offered checks of cholesterol, sugar and blood pressure. The health screenings often help to find potential problems that are undetected that need treatment.

The home side of Pirate Stadium was almost completely filled with parents, grandparents and friends of the Miller County High School graduates Friday evening, May 19.
It was nearly perfect weather for the commencement of the 2006 MCHS senior class, unlike the rains last year that moved the graduation inside the gymnasium. Even the mosquitoes stayed away for the solemn service.
The large crowd rose as the MCHS Band played “Pomp and Circumstance” and junior marshals led the graduating senior girls and boys under the MCHS Arch and filed into the chairs in the center of the football field.
The invocation was given by Brian Scott Kelley Jr. Sherita Danielle Perkins led in the Pledge of Allegiance. Jennifer Lynn Varnum welcomed the crowd to this commencement.
Joanna Latoya Smith introduced two featured speakers.
The salutatorian, Jessica Denise Shirley, gave her salutatorian address to the seniors on what is ahead and how they may get there.
Briana Jordan Merritt gave a thought-provoking valedictory address on the choices that are to be made and how they will affect their lives.
Next on the program was the presentation of the awards to the graduating seniors.
Then came the main event that all of these students have been waiting for so long, the roll call of the seniors and the awarding of the diplomas by Principal Ginger Webster.
After the seniors received their awards and diplomas, David Elliot McVey and Amy Lauren Lashley led in the tassel turn.
Joshua Allen Phillips recited the Graduate’s Creed.
Kelly Clarkson, Tomi Lynn Duncan, Karlie Freeman, Leah Hall and Jessica Shirley then entertained the seniors and the audience with the song, “Breakaway.” After that, the girls led everyone in the singing of the “Alma Mater.”
Nikita Lashay Newton led the crowd with the benediction.
The MCHS Band then played the recessional, “Pomp and Circumstance,” as the graduated seniors formed a single line before the audience, and tossed their caps in jubilation with a few tears.
It was a good group of young people with a caring and proud audience cheering them on to even better things.

Crooked Oak Golf Club announced a drop in the resident membership fee this past week. The previous fee of $600.00 has been lowered to $125.00
“This is the community’s golf course, and we would like the entire community to take part and be involved in their golf course,” said Winston Trively, the PGA golf professional and manager of Crooked Oak. “This fee level should not exclude any golfer from becoming a member of the club, making the golf course available and affordable for the entire community,” he continued.
John Martin, chairman of the Miller County Recreation Authority Board of Directors, said, “ Going forward, the club will have one membership fee regardless of how far someone lives from the course. We are actively seeking the support of the community. At this membership price, even the casual golfer will be able to purchase a membership to support the golf of Miller County.”
The membership is good for one year from the date of the purchase and allows the member, their spouse and any dependent children under the age of 24 to play golf anytime on the course for $16.00, including the cart and tax.

Week of May 21, 2006