State Rep. Brooks pleads guilty to federal charge, resigns seat

Some sad news: Former state Rep. Tyrone Brooks, one of the most prominent political figures in the state originally from Warren County, has pleaded guilty to tax fraud and resigned his seat in the state legislature. As a young civil rights leader, Brooks played a major role in leading the push to desegregate the Warren County schools and businesses in Warrenton and Crawfordville. (Story at AJC.com)

Learn to be a storm spotter

Want to learn more about the weather and have the chance to help the community? Warrenton Watch just spotted a listing for National Weather Service storm spotter training March 3 at Warrenton's Community Services Building. Honest disclosure: Warrenton Watch's editor once did the storm spotter training through the Nashville NWS office. The listing says 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Gibson man lands 90-pound blue catfish

Jimmy Holbrook of Gibson reeled in the giant cat at South Carolina's Lake Moultrie on Jan. 2, reports southcarolinasportsman.com. It was just 19 pounds shy of the state's record for blue catfish. Read the story and see a full photo of Holbrook with his prize catch at this link.

Warrenton man gets nearly 20 years in robbery/chase case

A Warrenton man who used a shotgun to hold up a Thomson Dollar General store has gotten a federal prison sentence of nearly 20 years.

Jacky Ray Burley, 51, was given a 235-month sentence for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, according to a press statement posted online by WJBF-TV.

The Dollar General robbery, which occurred in November 2013, was followed by a high-speed car chase into Warren County.

Former coach Guillebeau passes

Former Warren County coach and teacher Tommy Guillebeau has died, the Thomaston Times reports. After working in Warren County, he later served as head of the Georgia High School Association. (Photo: GHSA)

GBI probes complaint against chief deputy

Warren County's chief sheriff's deputy is being probed by the GBI after someone alleged the officer pointed a firearm at him at a Christmas gathering, the McDuffie Progress reports.

(Editor's note: Warren County Sheriff Joe Peebles is my father. Ninety-nine percent of you reading this blog probably already know that, I know. It's just the principle of the thing.) 

Warrenton Hometown Christmas pictures

WarrenCountyGa.com has some good pictures of the 2014 Hometown Christmas event by Michael Huebener at this link.