On Monday, March 6, 2006, at the Early County Courthouse in Blakley. Superior Court Judge Joe Bishop was in charge of the sentencing of Joe Elvin Cloud.
The murder case that was moved from Miller County where it occurred, to the adjoining county of Early, was completed on Friday, February 3, with guilty verdicts given by the Early County jurors picked by the state and defense attorneys.
The murder trial that came from the shooting death of Rocky Heard of Colquitt, started at the Early County Courthouse on Monday, January 30, when most of that day was devoted to selecting a jury. The murder case occurred when Rocky E. Heard and his brother, Ray Dean Heard, were in a fight with Joe Elvin Cloud.
The attorneys gave their closing arguments to the jury on Friday, February 3. Judge Bishop charged the jury, and the jury returned verdicts as follows: The case of State v. Joe Elvin Cloud # 2005-CR-056 - The jury heard and viewed all of the relevant evidence admitted in the case and found in Count 1, Malice Murder- Guilty; Count 2, Felony Murder arising out of the alleged aggravated assault of Rocky Heard - Guilty; Count 3 - Felony Murder arising out of the alleged aggravated assault of Ray Dean Heard - Guilty; Count 4- - Aggravated Assault - Guilty; Count 5 - Aggravated Assault - Guilty; Count 6 - Possession of a Firearm during the commission of a crime - Guilty; Count 7 - Affray - Not Guilty.
Cloud was sentenced to life imprisonment on count one of malice murder. On counts two and three convictions of felony murder, Cloud was sentence to merge with count one. On counts four and five of aggravated assault, count four received a sentence of 20 years to serve 10 consecutive with count one. Count five received a sentence of 20 years to serve concurrent with count four. Count six-possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, drew a sentence of five years consecutive with count one. Count eight-affray drew a 12 month sentence concurrent with count one. The battery conviction drew a 12 month sentence concurrent with count one. Cloud also was sentenced a cash restitution totalling $15,752.00 and other court costs.
Cloud’s attorneys have 30 days to file for an appeal from the time his sentencing is filed.

On March 3, at the First Friday Colquitt/Miller Co. Chamber of Commerce breakfast, Birdsong Peanut Company sponsored the program and breakfast at Tarrer Inn.
COC president, Russ Henley, welcomed those present and asked to bless the food and invited everyone to enjoy the breakfast.
Henley then asked for reports from various offices of government and businesses. Gerald Garland, general manager of Birdsong Southeast, was introduced to speak to the large crowd of COC members.
Garland showed a photo program of who and what Birdsong Peanut Company was and how they do business.
He told how the company is privately held, family owned, with seven peanut shelling plants and one peanut oil mill. Birdsong has approximately 650 employees. He showed Birdsong’s first shelling plant built in 1940, and still in operation. He showed the photos of the plant locations in Memphis, TX; Brownfield, TX; Gorman, TX; Suffolk, VA; Arlington, Blakely, Sylvester and last but not least, Colquitt.
Garland discussed the 54 buying point locations under Birdsong Southeast, located in four states (GA, FL, AL, SC) and one farming operation in Lee, FL. He showed how in 2005, 2,263,000 tons of peanuts were produced in the U.S.A.; of that, Georgia produced 1,055,100 tons, or 45 percent of peanuts grown on U.S. soil. He gave a breakdown of where the crops were grown and who bought them.
Garland showed how although the peanuts bought at the Colquitt plant were only five percent of those purchased by the company, most of those peanuts were processed for seed peanuts for the next season.
He named some of the users of the peanuts purchased such as J.M. Smuckers (Smuckers/Jif), Unilever (Skippy), Conagra (Peter Pan), Hershey, Kraft (Planters, Nabisco), M&M Mars, and Nestle. The peanuts are used in the following ways: peanut butter-52%, Snacks - (roasted, salted) - 25%, Candy - 22%, others- 1%.
Then Garland told the crowd why he was so happy to be with this plant that was started by the late Hunter Rawls, and Jerry Grimsley. He said he called Grimsley to ask for a job here in Colquitt, and Grimsley asked when he could start. Since then, other people from Colquitt work and live here like Sally Wells, logistic manager; Gregg Grimsley, manufacturing manager; and Kevin Calhoun, procurement/quality assurance manager.
He said Birdsong Peanut Company was continuing a vision and giving young people an opportunity to live and work at home, accept responsibility and be good stewards.
President Henley thanked Mr. Garland for Birdsong Peanut Company hosting the breakfast and for giving a talk on one of Colquitt’s leading employers and for using the talented employees that are homegrown.

For the third year in a row, NFL great, Charles Grant, player for the New Orleans Saints as well as a former Miller County High School football star and former U.G.A. football star, remembers where he came from with his “Kid’s Day Out” held last Saturday, March 4, at his home in Colquitt.
This year, Charles Grant, now playing with the New Orleans Saints, hosted his Kid’s Day Out again at his home at North Fourth Street in Colquitt.
The spacious yard was filled with hundreds of young people, rides, inflatable play units, sports of all types, food and drink for all and lots of NFL players who entertained the youth and the not-so-young.
It was like a festival, except better. There was plenty of people to help keep the youth in line, but everyone seemed to have a wonderful time. There was an abundance of games, rides, food, beverages and music for everyone of all ages.
Charles stated that his coming up in Colquitt was humble. This was just his way of giving back to the community, and especially to the young people. He stated it’s just his way to give back some of his good fortune for the Good Lord’s blessing him with the talent of sports.
Just as his giving back to his community gets bigger and better each year, his record as a great football player seems to get better. The 6’3”, 290 NFL football player, Charles Grant say , “You’re the man to one of the young fans, and I want to be a good example.”
Gifts and T-shirts were given to many of the youth who attended the event as well as food and cold drinks for everyone. Some of the best dancers even got the hard cash rewards for their dancing abilities.
Grant hosted his NFL football friends and others at L.A.P.D. Saturday night and at the Tarrer Inn for Sunday lunch.
Charles stated, “If it weren’t for my mother, Theresa, and my many Colquitt friends, this annual event would not be possible. It seems to be getting better each year, and the kids really enjoy it.”

On Saturday March 4, 3 Frog Gallery opened its “staircase” in Colquitt on the Square. 3 Frog Gallery is located on the top floor above Cedar Head Mayhaw Co. This unique 3 Frog Gallery held its Grand Opening where customers browsed the colorful folk artwork and were served ice cold bottle Cokes and Moon-Pies.
This exceptional space is the first Folk Art Gallery of its kind to be established in Colquitt. 3 Frog Gallery houses such famous folk artists as “Missionary Mary” and R.A. Miller which both have been featured in the House of Blues and the Smithsonian.
Nicki Trawick, folk artist and owner of 3 Frog Gallery, explains that folk art is produced by artists who have had no formal training but who have been compelled to paint or sculpt.
3 Frog Gallery’s wide variety of mostly Georgia artists is an educational opportunity to learn more about different types of artwork and emerging folk artists.
Featured artist, Maggie Whitley, who goes by MoMaggie, played hostess to the groups of customers who had questions about the different artwork housed at 3 Frog Gallery.
3 Frog Gallery’s good-natured, fun artwork is full of stories and experiences of these artists. The Gallery also sells hand-crafted and out-of-the-ordinary gifts for art enthusiasts.
To get to 3 Frog Gallery, you must enter downstairs at Cedar Head Mayhaw Company, which is located on the corner of Main and First Streets. The two businesses are run as a family co-op between sister Nicki Trawick and brother John Trawick.
3 Frog Gallery hours are Tuesday-Saturday 10-5:30 and special hours during Cotton Hall performances.

In the last Miller County Grand Jury, held February 27, 2006, the following cases were disposed of as follows:
True Bills
James Kinard was charged with two counts kidnapping, three counts aggravated assault, and possession of firearm during crime.
Sedric Demond Miller was charged with attempting to elude an officer, reckless driving, driving with suspended license, leaving scene of accident, failure to maintain lane, speeding, and no seat belt.
Wayne Burney was charged with 14 counts of forgery in the first degree.
Stacy Williamson was charged with simple battery and aggravated assault.
Michael Tyrone Roberts was charged with two counts of interference with government property.
Tony Cox was charged with manufacture of marijuana and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
Dorothy Grant was charged with possession of cocaine, obstruction of an officer, theft by shoplifting, and criminal trespass.
Linda Dawn Davis was charged with burglary.
Michael Tyrone Roberts was charged with two counts of burglary.
Charles E. Clemons Jr. was charged with aggravated assault, kidnapping, first degree arson, second degree arson, three counts of terroristic threats, simple battery, and obstructing 911 call.
No Bills
Sedric Demond Miller was charged with theft by receiving stolen property.
Shalinda V. Eafford was charged with aggravated assault.
Michael Tyrone Roberts was charged with criminal trespass.
Continuing Bills
One aggravated child molestation case was continued until the next court.

The impact that our very first teacher has on us usually makes a lasting impression, and that is obviously true for Jarrett Cook. He has been named the 2005-2006 school and county STAR student. He chose K4 teacher Mrs. Ann Lewis as his STAR teacher.
“I chose Miss Ann because she got me started on the right foot. She taught me how to read and write, and by doing so, she gave me the drive to succeed,” says Jarrett.
He says that he can remember coming in from the playground ready to read the colorful little pamphlet books. He says that Miss Ann is responsible for sparking his interest to learn more.
Miss Ann says, “At four years old, Jarrett was a student every teacher dreams of having. He was very well-mannered, intelligent, and eager to learn.” She says that she remembers Jarrett being one of the few who never had to stand by the post at playtime, and she never remembers him getting into trouble.
Jarrett says Miss Ann is a good choice for STAR teacher because “she is a good model teacher to me and left me with a desire to learn more and more.”
In order to become a STAR student, one must be in the top 10 percent of his class and score the highest in his class on the SAT. As the county-wide winner, Jarrett will represent Early County in the district competition in Americus.
He is currently the Student Council president and serves as Mr. SGA. He was a participant in the Governor’s Honors program this past summer. He served as a junior marshal, received a UGA Certificate of Merit, and has been a class superlative all four years of high school.
He is a member of the Beta Club, FCA, Bible Study, HANDS, and is the feature editor of The Warriors’ Word. He plans to attend the University of Georgia and major in biology. Jarrett is the son of Donna and Rex Cook of Colquitt.
Miss Ann, who began teaching K4 at SGA in 1990, has been teaching for 16 years.
When asked how she feels about receiving this honor, she says, “I feel very surprised and undeserving, but extremely humbled and honored.” She and her husband Davis reside in Blakely.
Jarrett says, “When I was young, I just had a burning desire to learn, which has continued in me as I have grown. I thank Miss Ann for instilling this in me.”

Week of March 5, 2006