WGAA 1340AM Cedartown

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Two suspects are being sought in connection with the robbery of a convenience store in west Cedartown. According to Cedartown Assistant Police Chief Jamie Newsome, two black males with their faces covered entered The Smart Mart, also known as the “Bee Rite,” at 502 Adamson Road. Newsome said one of the suspects jumped over the counter and struck the clerk several times and stole an undetermined amount of cash. The other suspect is alleged to have struck a female customer. No weapon was shown during the incident, he said. Both men then fled. Newsome said the entire incident lasted about 15 seconds. At this time, there are no immediate suspects.

Javon Bledson

Rockmart Police have a man in custody they believe to have been involved in an armed robbery at convenience store on Piedmont Avenue Monday night. According to police reports, 17 year old Javon Bledson of a Rockmart address is believed to have broken into the Little Bear Store in Rockmart and used a handgun to force the employees to turn over money at the store. Bledson is charged with armed robbery, possession of a firearm or knife during the commission of a crime and wearing a mask or device that conceals identification. The incident happened between 10 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Bledson was booked at 4:10 a.m., according to the jail docket book. Police do not believe anyone else was involved at this time. An investigation is continuing.

The Polk School District Board of Education approved a low bid on the construction of a new concession stand, press box, and restroom facility on the home side of Cedartown High School Memorial Stadium. According to the recommendation by Superintendent Marvin Williams, the price will not exceed $150,000 with the remaining balanced to be paid by the Tripp Foundation. Board member Betty Faye Lewis mentioned that something needed to be done to the visitor side facilities as they are in terrible shape and that the restrooms are not ADA compliant. Dr. Harold Wingfield was very adamant about being compliant with ADA standards as well. The recommendation passed with 8-1 with Dr. Wingfield voting no. The board also discussed the upcoming budget. A budget plan with cost cutting scenarios was presented to the board. A reduction of 20 employees system wide along with cuts in funding for textbooks and school resource officers was suggested. No action was taken on the budget Tuesday. A final FY10 and FY11 report will come down from the state toward the end of the week. The board will likely vote on the issue at their regular session next Tuesday.

Polk County Commissioners voted 4-1 Tuesday to deny a request for a business permit for a mud bogging event at a site located off of Judkin Mill Road in Cedartown. A group of area residents spoke to commissioners Monday during a public hearing at their work session requesting the business approval to hold the mud bog at a location off of Judkin Mill Road. One resident, Calvin Maddox, Jr. spoke in opposition to the request, citing noise level, dangerous conditions, and causing other problems. A representative from Georgia Power also spoke saying that the event would not violate any easement or right-of-way issues as the proposed event site has high transmission lines running through it. The vote was 4-1 to deny the business request with commissioner Ricky Clark voting in favor.

Qualifying for the Republican party were:

• County Commission, District One – Jason Ward
• County Commission, District Two – Phillip Bentley
• Board of Education, District One – Susan Berry
• Board of Education, District Two – Grady McCrickard (incumbent)
• Board of Education, District Six – Crystal Sproull

Qualifying for the Democratic party were:

• County Commission, District One – Sandra Galloway (incumbent)
• County Commission, District Two – Frank Lott (incumbent)
• County Commission, District Two – Leroy Peugh
• County Commission, District Two – Raymond Barber
• County Commission, District Three – Marshalle Thaxton (incumbent)
• Board of Education, District Three – Jane Holbrook (incumbent)
• Board of Education, District Six – Dan Forsyth
• Board of Education, District Seven – Tommy Sanders (incumbent)
• Board of Education, District Seven – Nicole Moore

Multiple agencies respond to a pipe bomb discovery in a vehicle close to Dunn's Convenience Store

A simple seat belt violation turned into a full fledged bomb threat in the Van Wert area Wednesday morning. According to Polk County Police Chief Kenny Dodd, a routine traffic stop on a vehicle close to Dunn’s Convenience Store on Old Atlanta Highway revealed a live pipe bomb inside the suspects’ vehicle. Further investigations led police to the suspect’s house that had been suspected for some time to be involved in some drug activity. Dodd said that he coordinated with the Polk School District and recommended that nearby Van Wert Elementary School be evacuated as a precaution.  The children were picked up by parents at Rockmart High School following the end of the school day and were at no time in danger according to Buddy Harrison, Polk School District Director of Student Services. Chief Dodd confirmed that those arrested included 37 year old Christopher Brian Watford and 27 year old Robert Wayne Lilly both of 376 Old Atlanta Highway in Rockmart. Dodd also said the house belongs to Watford’s mother but both suspects are believed to live there. Both men face charges of meth possession and possession of explosive device. Watford also faces charges of driving with a suspended license and not wearing a seat belt.

Police are searching for stabbing suspect Carrie Crowley. Taken from previous mug shot.

Police are searching for a Cedartown teen who they believe was involved in a stabbing incident Saturday night at a Rockmart business. Reports from the Polk County Police Department say that the call to 911 came in close to 9 p.m. Saturday reporting a stabbing at the Rockmart Rent-to-Own location at 966 Cedartown Highway. The victim, identified as 25 year old Jessica B. Maulding of a Rockmart address, suffered deep cuts to her upper left arm and the left side of her ribs. Police have an arrest warrant out for 18 year old Carrie Ann Crowley of a Cedartown address. She is charged with aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. Reports state that an argument ensued over a man and it was at that time that Crowley allegedly stabbed Maulding. The victim was taken to Floyd Medical Center in Rome, where she was treated and released.

Anthony Lashuan Williams

A Rockmart man wanted on outstanding warrants has turned himself in to police. According to reports, 25 year old Anthony Lashuan Williams of 105 Morgan Valley Road in Rockmart was wanted on outstanding warrants stemming from an incident which occurred Thursday, April 15th. A traffic stop on Old Atlanta Highway revealed that Williams had a large amount of marijuana on his person. It was at that time that the suspect escaped on foot. Cedartown canine was dispatched to the Blue Hole Road area close to the Silver Comet Trail. Another police unit secured the car and found a large amount of money in a plastic bag in the trunk of the car. Money was also discovered in the glove box. His ID card was discovered as well as the drugs. Williams was charged with possession of drug related objects, possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, fleeing/attempting to elude and obstruction.

18-wheeler proved to be too tall to clear communications lines on College Dr.

An 18 wheeler delivering construction supplies to an area church Wednesday came in contact with communications lines and snapped two power poles. According to initial reports, the power lines in front of Worldview Baptist Church on College Drive are down at this time. Georgia Power was on the scene replacing the two polls that were literally snapped in half. Residents along College Dr. lost all utilities for a short time Wednesday afternoon as crews worked to repair the damage. Cedartown Police were on the scene to direct traffic around the affected area.