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EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the third in a four-part series looking back at the year 2023 in Troup County. The third part covers July through September.

July 1

MARTIN TAKES OVER COUNTY SANITATION

Martin Environmental Services officially took over residential sanitation services for Troup County. Owner Brandon Hurst said the weekend transition mostly went smoothly with a few hiccups. He said they had more than 2,000 last-minute signups over the week prior to the turnover.

July 9

KATE McATEER WINS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Kate McAteer was voted Athlete of the Year by readers of The LaGrange Daily News. The Callaway High volleyball standout was recognized for her resilience and overcoming injuries and the loss of her father for a stellar senior year.

July 9

SHERIFF’S DEPuty SAVES LIVES OF COUPLE

Troup County Sheriff’s Deputy Carrla Querry’s quick action saved the lives of two people who were trapped in a vehicle after a crash on Highway 54 and Hammett Road. When Querry discovered the trapped occupants, she risked her own life, busted open the vehicle’s windows and helped the occupants escape before it was fully engulfed in flames.

July 7

NELLY SELLS OUT SWEETLAND IN MINUTES

Rapper Nelly sold out Sweetland Amphitheatre in around 20 minutes after his performance was added in a surprise announcement earlier in the week. The concert was the fastest-selling that Sweetland has had so far.

July 12

COMMISSIONERS APPROVE PAY INCREASE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL

The Troup County Board of Commissioners approved a $6,000 raise for certified deputies and firefighters. Jailers were also given $4,500 raises. The change was made to help with the recruitment and retention of public safety employees.

July 20

LAGRANGE COLLEGE KICKS OF NEW AVIATION PROGRAM

LaGrange College kicked off its new aviation program with a ribbon cutting at the LaGrange- Callaway Airport. The new program will allow students to minor in Aviation and receive flight training.

July 28

MOSS AND WOOD PARK OFFICIALLY OPENS

The City of LaGrange held a ribbon cutting for the new Moss and Wood Park. The park is named after local icons Rev. Otis Moss and Dr. Benjamin T. Wood.

Aug. 6

MAN ARRESTED AFTER STANDOFF IN HOME

Troup County sheriff’s deputies arrested Michael Cornelison, 51, after he held authorities at bay for several hours. Cornelison had made threats to harm himself and any law enforcement that approached his residence. SWAT teams were called to the scene and Cornelison ultimately exited the home without shots being fired.

Aug. 8

LAGRANGE SIGNS OFF ON PROPERTY TRANSFER FOR NEW REMINGTON SITE

The City of LaGrange okayed an agreement between RemArms LLC and the development authority to sell 43.4 acres near Ridley Lake for the gun manufacturer’s new headquarters.

Aug. 13

DISAFFILIATION VOTE FAILS AT FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

The LaGrange First United Methodist Church disaffiliation vote failed to receive the required two-thirds majority to leave the United Methodist Church. A majority of congregants present, 64.3 percent, voted to disaffiliate. A total of 535 votes were cast in the decision.

Aug. 16

PUBLIX OPENS ON VERNON ROAD

Publix at Merganser Commons at Hills and Dales Farm Road officially opened with a ribbon cutting. Despite traffic concerns, the 46,000-square-foot store opened to the joy of many on the west side of LaGrange.

Aug. 24

MAN KILLED AFTER GUNSHOTS AT LOCAL GAS STATION

Three men were injured and another was killed after a shooting incident at the 76 fuel station on New Franklin Road. Laderek Ferguson, 22, was killed during an overnight shooting in and outside the business.

Aug. 25

NELLY TAKES SWEETLAND STAGE TO A SOLD-OUT CROWD

Hip-hop superstar Nelly took the state at Sweetland Amphitheatre. Attendees of the highly-anticipated concert danced the night away on a hot summer night at Sweetland.

Aug. 26

JUNIOR SERVICE LEAGUE CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY

The Junior Service League of LaGrange celebrated its golden anniversary with a gala at Del’Avant in LaGrange. Past and current members and supporters gathered to celebrate five decades of service to the LaGrange community.

Aug. 28

MAN SHOT AND KILLED AT SUNNY POINT LAKE ACCESS

Kenneth Stanley Dial, 69, was found shot to death in the Sunny Point Access off Mooty Bridge Road in an apparent early morning robbery.

Aug. 30

SUSPECT ARRESTED FOR SUNNY POINT ACCESS MURDER

Police arrested Billy Joe Tyler III, 38, for the murder of 69-year-old Kenneth Dial. Dial was allegedly on his daily walk when Tyler attempted to rob him, then shot him and fled the area. Tyler was later arrested on Park Avenue in LaGrange.

Sept. 14

GBI ASKED TO INVESTIGATE ALTERATION BETWEEN COUNCIL MEMBERS

LaGrange Police turned over an investigation to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation into an alleged altercation between LaGrange council members Nathan Gaskin and Leon Childs, where both men allegedly threatened each other during an executive session of the council. The GBI has concluded its investigation but will not turn over investigative documents due to the case being under review by the district attorney’s office.

Sept. 16

ROTARY CLUB CELEBRATES A CENTURY IN LAGRANGE

The LaGrange Rotary Club celebrated its 100th anniversary with a pair of events. The club hosted a gala at Del’Avant and a fundraiser 5k road race titled Running for Rotary.

Sept. 21

FOUR CALLAWAY PLAYERS RULED INELIGIBLE, CEDARTOWN VICTORY FORFEITED

Callaway High School was forced to forfeit one of the biggest wins of its football season after four players were declared ineligible due to their siblings not moving with them to Troup County.

Sept. 22

LAGRANGE WATER INCLUDED IN WATER SYSTEMS THAT TESTED POSITIVE FOR FOREVER CHEMICALS

City of LaGrange water was one of 11 water systems that tested positive for trace amounts of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), otherwise known as forever chemicals. City officials have ensured that the water in LaGrange is safe and up to EPA standards.

Sept. 29

LAGRANGE MEMORIAL LIBRARY REOPENS AFTER RENOVATIONS

The LaGrange Memorial Library reopened after nearly four years of renovations. The completely renovated facility includes new meeting rooms, maker spaces, a game room, quiet rooms, separate computer labs for research and instruction, and of course, books — lots of them.