Barnesville.com

GBI issues press release on Wellmaker murder

By Walter Geiger on September 25, 2023

From Mary Chandler, special agent in charge, GBI:

Two juveniles are in custody, charged with felony murder following the death of a Barneseville man.

The Barnesville Police Department requested the GBI investigate the death of Hakim Wellmaker, age 17, on Sunday, September 24, 203, at about 7:15 p.m. At about 6:25 p.m., the Lamar County Sheriff’s Office 911 center received a call about a man with a gunshot wound on Matthews Street in Barnesville, Georgia. When deputies and officers arrived, they discovered Wellmaker shot multiple times. Wellmaker was taken to the hospital where he later died.

Preliminary information indicates that Wellmaker was driving the people that shot and killed him.

Both juveniles are in custody at the Lamar County Sheriff’s Office.

This investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Barnesville Police Department at 770-358-1234 or the GBI regional investigative office in Milledgeville at 478-445-4173.  Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

Once the investigation is complete, the case file will be given to Towaliga District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

GBI processing warrants on two juveniles in Wellmaker murder case

By Walter Geiger on September 25, 2023

BPD investigators and GBI agents were processing warrants Monday afternoon on two juveniles in connection with the Sunday evening murder of Christopher (CJ) Wellmaker. Wellmaker was gunned down near a home at 245 Matthews St.…

Shooting on Matthews Street in Barnesville; 17-year-old male victim has died

Shooting on Matthews Street in Barnesville; 17-year-old male victim has died

By Walter Geiger on September 24, 2023

A large law enforcement presence is in place at 245 Matthews Street in Barnesville following a shooting. Witnesses said at least one person was transported by ambulance.

UPDATE 3: Chief Penamon has confirmed the victim is Christopher (CJ) Wellmaker, 17.

UPDATE 2: The Herald Gazette has learned the victim in this shooting has died. Multiple reports indicate the shooting was a retaliation for a previous incident.

UPDATE: BPD chief Belinda Penamon reports the victim was a 17-year-old male who was transported by ambulance to an area hospital.

According to tax records, the property there is owned by Leroy and Janice Collier.

More to follow…

Trojans win 19-7; Olivia Ogletree is HC Queen

Trojans win 19-7; Olivia Ogletree is HC Queen

By Walter Geiger on September 22, 2023

The Lamar County Trojans (4-2) topped the Social Circle Redskins 19-7 in the annual homecoming game Friday night at Trojan Field.

Realtime scoring updates from the sidelines.

11:52 2nd qtr: LC 7 SC 0: Jordan Glover 17-yard TD run. Joe Davis PAT.

Half: 7-0

Olivia Ogletree was crowned HC queen.

8:59 3rd qtr: LC 7 SC 7: SC 38 yard TD run. PAT good.

3:40 3rd qtr: LC 13 SC 7: Qua Hughley 1-yard TD run. PAT failed.

1:44 4th qtr: LC 19 SC 7: Hughley 47-yard TD run. PAT failed.

FINAL: 19-7

LCMS Lady Trojans win district volleyball title

LCMS Lady Trojans win district volleyball title

By Walter Geiger on September 21, 2023

The LCMS Lady Trojans topped Jasper County in the semis and Mary Persons in the final match to win the CGMSAL volleyball championship Wednesday evening at the LC gym.

The Lady Trojans won both matches 2-0.

The Lady Trojans are coached by Elizabeth Branan. Her assistant is Katie Burnette.

The newly-crowned champs include Brielle Taylor, Corley Cave, Piper Wise, Neva Fletcher, Braelyn Burrow, Aubrey Studle, Finley Eubanks, Sophie Crooms, Ellie Kate Moore, Jadyn Foster, Raegyn Smith, Ava Fitzpatrick, Nadiya McEachern and Harper Osborne.

It’s homecoming week: Parade today, big game tomorrow

It’s homecoming week: Parade today, big game tomorrow

By Walter Geiger on September 21, 2023

It’s homecoming week at LCHS and the main events begin today with the parade. Units will begin forming up at 4:30 p.m. at the Gordon parking lots off College Drive.

The homecoming court (above) includes (front, l-r) Kymora Buckner, Karmen Barkley, Armani Flewellen, Faith Buice, Ally Bloxham, Olivia Ogletree; (middle, l-r) Kaney Bryan, Aniya Barron; (back, l-r) Samiya Smith, M’Kenzie Smith, Shakiria Foster and Ella Bleu Leverett. (Photo: Walter Geiger)

The parade will begin at 5 p.m. and follow the traditional Buggy Days parade route.

The Trojans will do battle with Social Circle Friday night at 7:30 p.m. The traditional homecoming festivities will take place at halftime.

The candidates for LC homecoming king are (front, l-r) Christopher Morrison, Andres Leal Crespo, Skyler Hannan; (back, l-r) Cameron King and Sullay Tyus. The king will be crowned later this week. LC battles Social Circle in the homecoming game Friday night. (Photo: Walter Geiger)

The big homecoming dance is set for Saturday night.

Shots fired at Sammie’s, no one hit. Four suspects arrested

By Walter Geiger on September 17, 2023

UPDATE: BPD investigators have identified and arrested four suspects involved in this incident. They are D’Mario Harp of Thomaston and Christopher Smith, Jr,. Quentavious Walker and Jamerius Walker, all of Brrnesville. All are in jail awaiting preliminary hearings in magistrate court.

Multiple shots were fired during a ruckus at Sammie’s on Mill Street at about dusk Saturday night but no one was hit by the gunfire. An ambulance as called to treat one person who was injured in a fall during the dust-up.

“We never could get a straight story from anyone about what happened. We did collect shell casings from the road and parking lot but no one was hit,” BPD chief Belinda Penamon reported Sunday morning.

The incident had no connection to Buggy Days.

Rain can’t halt Buggy Days

Rain can’t halt Buggy Days

By Walter Geiger on September 16, 2023

Despite on and off heavy rain, the 2023 Buggy Days parade did not disappoint as a large crowd turned out.

They were treated to everything from tacos to monster trucks, beauty queens to beautiful classic cars and even an old fashioned shootout on Main Street at the end.

Saturday night and Sunday events will go on as scheduled despite the weather.

Photos by Walter Geiger