The story was tragic and the judgment swift, though justice never really showed up for those who needed it most. For those who lived in Henry County in the 1970s, Jerry Banks, a local African American man, was the name on everyone’s tongue. He was convicted for the brutal murders of Marvin King, a Jonesboro High School band director, and Melanie Ann Hartsfield, a college student. Both were white. Their bodies were found off Rock Quarry Road by Jerry Banks. Within one hundred and seven days, Banks was sentenced to death with no motive and little evidence. A lifelong Henry...
All In a Day’s Work
Serving and protecting Henry County is the business of Officer Todd Powell and his K9 partner, Erin. Officer Powell has been in law enforcement in Henry County for 13 years and has been a member of the Henry County Police Department since July 2021. Officer Powell first met and began training with his K9 partner when she was just 14 months old. Erin was born in Hungary nearly six years ago–even has a Hungarian passport-where she received special law enforcement training from birth. Erin is an Explosive Ordnance Detection K9 (EOD K9).“She is certified on 27 different odors,” explains Officer...
Rachel’s Gift
On December 5, 2006, a precious baby girl named Rachel was seven weeks away from being born when her family was in a tragic car wreck. Her mother, Lori Beth Blaney, was flown to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta. Unfortunately, Rachel was stillborn. From the lonely depths of grief the family experienced during that trial, Rachel’s Gift, Inc. was born. The Blaney family transformed this devastating experience into a much needed and appreciated service. Rachel’s Gift, Inc. has partnered with Piedmont Henry to assist parents through the initial phase of infant loss with comfort from caring and knowledgeable volunteers. The...
Moses To The Rescue
My wife Bobbie and I have had dogs all of our lives. All sizes and shapes: purebred, mixed breeds and strays. We were a foster home for the Humane Society at one time. We love our dogs and they are all special in their own ways. This is the story about one of them, Moses. In 2005, after losing a couple of our favorite dogs, we backed off looking for replacements. Losing them is very hard. A few months passed and while on a business trip to Wisconsin, I saw on TV where some search dogs had found a man...
Name Dropping
You know that person who always seems to be “name-dropping” as if they really know important or famous people? If I was honest, I’m probably guilty of name-dropping too! The truth is we may know about the person, but we don’t really know them. We love to claim the association. We can act the same way when it comes to God. We name-drop and talk about God; but do we really know him. My hope is not to just know about God but to know God on an intimate level. Truly knowing God will lead to a relationship rather...
A Simple Test That Can Save A Life
On the morning of May 19, 2014, Jackie Taylor’s gynecologist called her with test results from a BRCA test. The doctor ordered the test, which reveals whether a hereditary cancer gene exists in a person who has a strong family history of cancer, because there have been multiple cancers in Jackie’s family. Fortunately, the test results were negative, which gave Jackie a great sense of relief. Jackie asked her physician if she should keep her mammogram appointment at Piedmont Henry Hospital Breast Health Center, which was scheduled for laterthat day. Because she still had some concerns with Jackie’s last breast...
Ready For Anything
Jennifer Maddox may call Stockbridge home, but her active lifestyle keeps her constantly on the move. As a member of the Special Olympics USA Equestrian Team, when she is not rigorously training at the Calvin Center, she is traveling to competitions around the country. Her efforts have paid off. She recently returned from the Special Olympics World Games with gold, silver, and bronze medals! Jennifer did not learn of her natural ability to connect with horses until she began riding western-style at a local barn in 2009. In 2011 she began a more advanced training schedule and switched to riding...
Panola Mountain’s Hidden Face
The gates to Panola Mountain State Park are nestled under tall grey pines in the northern parts of Henry County. The park is situated just off Highway 155. If you’re not on the lookout for the park, you’ll miss it in the blink of an eye. I’ve visited the park a number of times for picnics and bike riding over the years. However, this summer was the first time I’d actually climbed to the top of Panola Mountain. Panola Mountain sustains a fragile ecosystem upon its broad granite shoulders. Intricate mosses and lichens grow slowly on the face of...
Maclovia Cribbs – Military Matriarch
Long time Henry County resident, Maclovia (Mac) Cribbs, was born nearly 93 years ago in Pharr-San Juan-Alamo, a small rural community in the Rio Grande Valley. Her parents, Martin and Maria Cavazos, immigrated there from Mexico in the early twentieth century. The youngest of six, Mac learned early about hard work from her father, an irrigation canal horse rider responsible for lifting the irrigation gates to allow water to flow and irrigate vegetable and fruit farms in the Rio Grande Valley. The Cavazos family, like many others during the Depression era, was very poor. Her parents, and the children as...