Entries by Chris Bridges

Bethlehem to be featured as 'Hidden Treasure'

Posted by

in Top Stories & Breaking News

Wednesday, December 8. 2010

Comment (1)

Barrow County’s own Christmas city, Bethlehem, will be featured as one of Georgia’s “Hidden Treasures” in the episode that will be aired on Wednesday, Dec.15, at 8 p.m. on Atlanta’s WSB-TV.

Jovita Moore, who hosts the episode, and a film crew from WSB visited Bethlehem recently to interview local residents, film local sites and gather information about Bethlehem and its history. The Barrow County Historical Society shared historical information for the production. [Full Story »]

COLUMN: Americans asleep on personal freedom

Posted by

Chris Bridges

in Editorial Archives

Thursday, December 2. 2010

Comments (7)

It seems everyone these days is outraged over what passengers have to go through at airports.

The Transportation Security Administration is determined that terrorists use only the means of flying for getting from point A to point B and are bound and determined to cause every grandmother, every school teacher, every person (regardless of age) to put aside their dignity when going through an airport.

While some conservative-based talk show hosts are using it as an excuse to criticize the president, we should all remember how this attack on our civil liberties started. It began not long after 9-11 with the passing of the Patriot Act. While it was President Bush who rammed this through under the cover of darkness, it must be noted that President Obama has also supported it and it remains with us today. [Full Story »]

COLUMN: Thankful for family, friends and songs

Posted by

Chris Bridges

in Editorial Archives

Friday, November 26. 2010

Comments (0)

WE gather again this year around the table to give thanks.

It is a time to be thankful for the many blessings, often overlooked, which fill our lives on a daily basis. Too often we forget to be thankful for things, both big and small. We are reminded of it on a holiday, but in reality, we should be grateful 12 months a year.

Sports journalism icon Furman Bisher, my hero in this field, has penned a “Thankful” column of this nature for decades. While one of his columns (on this or any subject) is worth 50 of my efforts, I attempt to duplicate the master and offer thanks for
[Full Story »]

Former Winder resident caught

Posted by

Chris Bridges

in Public Safety Archives

Thursday, November 18. 2010

Comments (0)

FBI agents were able to capture Thomas Steven Sanders Sunday morning at a truck stop in Gulfport, Miss. Sanders is now being charged by Louisiana officials for first-degree murder for the death of a 12-year-old girl.

Sanders, who at one time was a Winder resident, had been wanted for the kidnapping of a 12-year-old girl whose remains were discovered last month in Louisiana.

Sanders, 53, was wanted on a federal warrant which charges him with the kidnapping of Lexis Kaye Roberts. Reports indicate Sanders was last seen in early September during a trip to the Grand Canyon with the girl and her mother, Suellen Roberts of Las Vegas, who is still missing.

Reports say Roberts was dating the girl’s 31-year-old mother for just a few months when the three disappeared from Las Vegas on Labor Day weekend of 2010.

Reports indicated a hunter found the skeletal remains in October in a wooded area near Harrisonburg, La. and they were identified as those of Lexis Roberts. The girl had been shot multiple times with ammunition similar to that Sanders bought at a Las Vegas Walmart.

Sanders’ family had him declared legally dead in 1994 after they hadn’t heard from him in seven years. He was recently seen on surveillance cameras in a Las Vegas Walmart, however. Sanders has been previously convicted in Barrow County in 1994 for assaulting his girlfriends 3-year-old son. Sanders pleaded guilty as was given probation. He has been arrested several other times, including drug-related charges, and he has previously served time in state prison in Georgia.

The arrest occurred without incident. The FBI was assisted by the Harrison County, Miss. Sheriff’s Office with the arrest.

Sanders waived extradition to Louisiana and is scheduled to appear in magistrate court on Friday.

COLUMN: Enjoyable trip home needed in many ways

Posted by

Chris Bridges

in Editorial Archives

Thursday, November 18. 2010

Comments (0)

I love what I do for a living. Like anyone in any profession, however, we all need a breather from time to time.

That’s why taking some time off, even a day here or there, is vital. It’s important to help recharge the batteries. [Full Story »]

Poll shows support for Social Security bonus

Posted by

Chris Bridges

in Winder Archives

Tuesday, November 16. 2010

Comments (14)

Last week’s BarrowJournal.com poll asked participants if the government should issue a $250 bonus payment to Social Security recipients to compensate for the lack of a cost of living adjustment.

Fifty-five percent of respondents favor the bonus payment while 45 percent are opposed to the estimated $14.5 billion expenditure. [Full Story »]

Barrow Farm City tour set Wednesday

Posted by

Chris Bridges

in Winder Archives

Monday, November 15. 2010

Comments (0)

Each year the Agribusiness community celebrates Farm City Week beginning the week before Thanksgiving and ending on Thanksgiving Day.

Farm City Week is a chance to bridge the gap between farmers and urban dwellers. Both of their lives are so dependent on each other but yet so different. Non-farmers depend on farmers and ranchers to produce food and fiber for existence while farmers depend on the sale of their crops and livestock to support their families.
[Full Story »]

Scholarships offered by Farm Bureau

Posted by

Chris Bridges

in Winder Archives

Sunday, November 14. 2010

Comments (0)

The Barrow County Farm Bureau is offering two scholarships to area students.

Recipients of the $1,200 scholarships will be eligible for additional scholarships from the Georgia Farm Bureau. [Full Story »]

Women exchange threatening text messages

Posted by

Chris Bridges

in Public Safety Archives

Sunday, November 14. 2010

Comments (0)

A Winder woman called police after receiving several messages in which another woman threatened to “whoop” her and her “crazy” friends.

According to the complainant, the woman had sent several messages throughout the day. The complainant was unable to show the responding officer the messages because she had allegedly deleted them from her phone. [Full Story »]

Auburn purchases $7,875 holiday tree

Posted by

Chris Bridges

in Top Stories & Breaking News

Sunday, November 14. 2010

Comments (13)

The purchase of a new Christmas tree — at a price of almost $8,000 — by the City of Auburn caused at least one citizen to express concern.

John Nelms, a regular attendee at council meetings, said he was surprised the item was added late to the agenda and then spoke against the council purchasing the tree, even though it was at a discounted rate.
[Full Story »]

Entries by Chris Bridges

Barrow Journal