By PAYTON TOWNS IIIVolunteers with TLC

CASA were thanked this pastweek for their service helpingabused and neglected chil-dren.

According to MarieTownsend, CASA program di-rector, the month of April iswhen the organization want-ed to honor its volunteers. Apartnering agency with theHeart of Georgia United Way,TLC CASA gathered its vol-unteers for a luncheon atCompany Supply.

"Our volunteers do a greatjob working with the chil-dren," Townsend said. "With-out our volunteers, we can'tdo what we do. CASA is a vol-unteer-driven base. Our vol-unteers advocate and workthese cases for abused andneglected children in Laurens(County) and surrounding ar-eas."

Donna Jarrard has recent-ly been named the new CASAAdvocacy coordinator forLaurens County. Since March1, she has heard volunteerstell their stories.

Jarrard retired from thelocal Division of Family andChildren Services after 30years.

"The children had beenthrough a lot of trauma andCASA volunteers are lookingout for the children's best in-terest," Jarrard said. "I needto recruit more volunteers be-cause Laurens County is alarge county. Since I startedin March, we have gotten 15more kids who need care."

Jewel Mellinger has been avolunteer for almost threeyears. She became a CASAvolunteer when she moved toGeorgia.

"I needed something tomake me feel like this is mytown," Mellinger said. "Ifound it and I love it. Being avolunteer with CASA gets in-to your bones, and I don'tthink I can quit. These kidsneed us."

J.J. Hall has been a volun-teer for 2 1/2 years. She com-pleted her training withMellinger.

"My daughter went toschool with a girl who was infoster care," Hall said. "I feltcompelled to get involved, es-pecially once you see there isa need for children not to fallthrough the cracks. It feelsvery rewarding to help them."

Leon Garren has beenwith CASA for approximately12 years.

"You've got to love kids todo this," Garren said. "Thereis such a need for volunteersto help with this. People need

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The Courier HeraldYOUR NEWSPAPER tchnewsreporter@gmail.com • www.courier-herald.com Drawer B, Court Square Station, Dublin, Georgia 31040 • 478-272-5522 Volume 103, No. 83, Pub. No 161860

Friday, April 27, 2018

Photo by Payton Towns III

Sheryl Kurland was the guest speaker at theWomen In Need of God's Shelter luncheon

Thursday afternoon.

Photo by Payton Towns III

TLC CASA volunteers honored at the banquet included (first row,from left) Sarah Smith and Lila Weatherly, (second row) Sandy Cox,Courtney Nelson and Alan Yauck, (third row) Andrea Craft, Suzanne

Cole and J.J. Hall, and (fourth row) Mary Thomas and JewelMellinger. Leon Garren is not pictured.

See CASA page 8a

Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . 2aHometown News . . . . . 3aEditorial . . . . . . . . . . . . 4aWeather . . . . . . . . . . . . 5aNews. . . . . . . . . . . . 6a,7aSports . . . . . . . . . . . 1b,2bClassifieds . . . . . . . . . . 3bEntertainment . . . . . . . 4b

Index

NWLE students learn about journalism from Courier Herald reportersNorthwest LaurensElementary Schoolstudents in Laura

Sanders' fifth gradeclass learned aboutjournalism during avisit Thursday from

Courier Herald SeniorReporter Payton

Towns III and StaffWriter Kelly Lenz. The

class was givencopies of Thursday's

newspaper andmagazines recentlypublished by TheCourier Herald.

(Photo by PaytonTowns III)

4 charged in murder of Chester couple

From Staff ReportsFour Dodge County men

were charged Wednesday withthe murder of a elderly couplefound dead inside their houseearlier this week.

Law enforcement officersserved arrest warrants

Wednesdayfor GaryPennamon,17, KojakThomas, Jr.,19, and two16-year-oldmales, onefrom East-man and onefromChester.

Also arrested was AlijahShamir Pennamon, 19, ofEastman, who was chargedwith one count of theft by re-

ceivingstolen prop-erty. Addi-tionalcharges areexpected.

Around8:47 a.m.that day, aDodge Coun-ty Sheriff'sdeputy con-ducted a welfare check at 1169Chester-Alamo Highway, theresidence of Everett and JainWilliams. The deputy found

Everett and Jain Williams in-side dead, with suspected gun-shot wounds. It was also de-termined that property wasmissing from the residence.

The welfare check was re-quested by a neighbor whohad not seen the Williamssince Sunday, April 22.

The Dodge County Sher-iff ’s Office requested that theGeorgia Bureau of Investiga-tion assist in the case.

An autopsy is scheduled to-day at the GBI Crime Lab inMacon.

The Eastman Police De-partment, Georgia Depart-ment of Community Supervi-sion, Georgia Department ofJuvenile Justice, OconeeDrug Task Force, OcmulgeeDrug Task Force, Georgia De-partment of Natural Re-sources and Georgia State Pa-trol also assisted in the inves-tigation.

Anyone with informationon the case is asked to contactthe GBI office in Eastman byphone at 478-374-6988 or viaemail at Tips@gbi.ga.gov

G. PENNAMON THOMAS

Tell It!To whom it may concern,

someone needs to paint thestripes in the street betweenWalmart and the service sta-tion. Someone is going tohave a head-on collision be-cause people don't realizethere is a turning lane to turninto Walmart. Please helpwith this. - 5a

Everyday heroes

Local TLC CASA volunteers honoredfor their work 'helping the children'

"Being a volunteerwith CASA getsinto your bones,

and I don't think Ican quit. These

kids need us.”---- JJeewweell MMeelllliinnggeerr,,

CCAASSAA VVoolluunntteeeerr

Kurland urges womento find their 'Fabulosity'

By PAYTON TOWNS IIISheryl Kurland recalled

watching a hairstylist limpto her chair. The hairstylistfound out that Kurland wasthe president and founderof Find Your Fabulosity, anorganization that helpswomen with domestic vio-lence.

The woman leaned downand whispered into Kur-land's ear, "I'm a victimright now but I can't talkabout it."

Kurland shared this sto-ry and more during theWomen In Need of God'sShelter luncheon held atthe Dublin Country ClubThursday afternoon.

Heather Mullis, execu-tive director of WINGS,said they originally hopedto have 50 women attendthe event. They ended upwith more approximately80.

"We are really pleaseabout the response from ourcommunity," Mullis said."We were pleased that theywanted to learn more aboutdomestic violence. We weresuper excited."

Kurland asked people toraise their hands if theyhad a daughter, sister,grand daughter or niece orgreat-niece. Kurland'spoint was that everyone inthe room knows somebodywho is a victim of domesticviolence.

"The statistics arealarming," she said. "Everynine seconds, a woman inthe United States is beat-ing or assaulted. One inevery four women will be avictim of domestic violencein her lifetime. One in fivewomen in college will be a

victim of sexual assault, aform of dating violence. Onein three women in juniorhigh or high school, will bea victim of physical, verbalor emotional abuse from adating partner."

Kurland wanted thewomen attending the lun-cheon to leave with ideasthey could do to make a dif-ference in preventing do-mestic violence and datingviolence.

Kurland told the storyabout the hairstylist whoseboyfriend beat her up be-cause she was out with hergirlfriends. Kurland toldthe audience about awoman who had been beat-en in a store.

"This is truly a silentepidemic," Kurland said."It's a desire to kill awoman's confidence or self-esteem or whatever it takesto have complete controlover her. It does happen tomen, but overwhelminglywomen are the victims andmen are the perpetrators."

There are six categoriesof domestic violence anddating violence: physical,emotional, verbal, sexual,financial and digital.

"The digital is the mon-ster that keeps getting big-ger because of social me-dia," Kurland said. "We'vegot the emailing, textingand sexting and everyone ofthose is the perpetrator'sdream."

According to Kurland,police officers have told herthat digital abuse is worsein junior high school. Youngboys have been known tosend out text messages to

Additional mancharged withtheft by receivingstolen property

See WINGS page 8a

Newpaper article - Speaking Engagement

more than one young girlasking for sexy pictures.They take the pictures andembarrass the young girls.

"This is what's going on,"Kurland said.

Kurland asked for partici-pants to go to her website atfindyourfabalosity.org., andclick on a link with the ques-tion, "Am I Being Abused?"She said there are 72 differ-ent behaviors typical ofsomeone abusing someone.

"I encourage you to useit," she said. "This is a com-prehensive checklist. Peopleknow they are in a relation-ship that is not right andthat is very, very unhealthy."

A dating violence rela-tionship becomes more andmore isolated over time andmost victims do not realizeit, Kurland said.

"They keep buying intoit," she said. "The womanfeels really stuck."

Domestic violence is simi-lar. Kurland talked about afamily member who seem tohave the perfect marriage.

"One day she told me thatshe was scared for her life,"Kurland said. "She said shecould not get out of the rela-tionship because she was astay at home mom and if shereported him he would be ar-rested. The number one rea-son for homelessness inwomen is domestic violence."

She eventually divorcedher husband, who was an at-torney. The woman losteverything, but got her lifeback.

"She's a true survivor,"Kurland said.

The speaker wanted thewomen in the audience to re-member that they are "fabu-lous."

"When you feel fabulous,you feel a strong since ofself-esteem and the confi-dence that you can ward offthe negative," Kurland said."You get the strength youneed to fight and say, "Iwon't be the victim."

While doing workshops,Kurland came across theidea of giving out lipsticks towomen who are victims ofdomestic violence.

"I wanted these women tofeel like women again," she

said. "I went and bought awhole bunch of lipstick atWalmart. At the end of theworkshop, I gave them lip-stick as a thank you gift,telling them to pick out anycolor they wanted."

What happened next sur-prised her.

"The energy of the roomcompletely transformed intopositivity," Kurland said."They all helped each otherpick out the right color. Theywere laughing and havingfun. The woman in themshowed up. That's what Icall fabulosity."

This has continued to oc-cur at every workshop. It ledto Kurland starting FindYour Fabulosity, a 501c3nonprofit. Thursday's lun-cheon was free for everywoman who donated lip-stick.

"With all of the lipstickyou brought today, will makean amazing difference in thewomen who will receivethem," Kurland said. "Thesewill stay here with WINGSand be given to the womenthere. That's super awe-some."

Kurland said victims ofdomestic violence and datingviolence need to know theydeserve better than what ishappening to them.

"You have to be the one tomake a decision," Kurlandsaid. "You deserve a reallygood healthy life. There is noreason for anyone to violateyou. It is not your fault andyou are not to blame. Youcould never do anything badenough that's worthy of theviolence you are experienc-ing."

Kurland urged those whoare in a violent relationship,to call WINGS at 478-275-5880.

"The advocates they haveworking at the shelter areamazing," she said. "Theyare available 24/7. You don'thave to be ready to go to ashelter or willing to get outof a relationship. The advo-cates are trained to meet youwhere you are emotionally.You have to be the one toreach out and get help. Youare not stuck and you arenot to blame. You can have asafe free life."

Sometimes other women

knows another woman is be-ing abused. Kurland wentover some the signs, whichincludes a change in behav-ior, a change in doing thingsor a change in their appear-ance.

"You can tell that they arenot the same and they maynot be able to focus like sheused to," Kurland said. "Itmay be that her demeanor issad. You need to reach out tothem and tell them you areconcerned."

Kurland encouraged thewomen to take some of herFabulous cards that has thenational domestic violencehotline number on it.

"If someone tells you theyare being abused, believethem," Kurland said."Women just don't say thosefor no reason."

Kurland brought back upthe hairstylist who told hershe was being abused. Kur-land took action by callingthe national domestic vio-lence hotline.

"I found the names of theshelters in that area," shesaid. "I wrote down all theinformation."

Kurland bought a cardand left the information forthe hairstylist.

"I went back and gave herthe envelope," she said. "Ididn't expect to hear fromher anymore. I got a textmessage telling me, "thatwas the nicest and sweetestthing someone has done forme in a long time. I'm cryinghappy tears right now.Thank you so much forreaching back and caring. Ican't tell you how much thismeans to me."

"In doing these things,you may not know how muchyou are making a differ-ence," Kurland added. "Justknow that you are making adifference."

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Continued from 1a

WINGSto help look after these kids."

Garren said the DFCS Ser-vices is overworked and over-whelmed.

"These volunteers helpout," Garren said. "I neverthought I'd do this for 12years. It was something I waslooking to volunteer for andsee what it was like. Once youdo it and see that child reunit-ed with their parents or adopt-ed out, it is kind of addictiveafter that."

Lila Weatherly calls herself"a newbie," having completed-her training in 2016. Weather-ly, who is retired, was going tobecome a volunteer with herson.

"He had to drop out,"Weatherly said. "I talked withMarie and went on and joined.A lady in our church was ac-tive in CASA and she told methat they needed volunteersreally badly. I felt like I need-ed to give back because I'vebeen so blessed in my life."

Andrea Craft has been withCASA for a year and a half.When she stopped working,she wanted to give back to thecommunity.

"Children are my passion,and CASA is that avenue,"Craft said. "It's sad, but weare able to give a voice to thechildren who are in the fostersystem. So far, I haven't hadany happy reunions or adop-tions yet. That part is hard,but I feel like these childrendeserve to be in a safe and lov-ing home."

Alan Yauck has helped withthe yard at CASA for the last10 years. He has been an ad-vocate for the last two or threeyears.

"I enjoy working with thekids," Yauck said. "It's toughsometimes and heartbreaking.I don't think people realize thesituations these kids are goingthrough. I think people hearabout it at church and I reallyhope they will become volun-teers and help these kids.

Yauck said opioids are thebiggest problem currently.

" I don't think people reallyknow what these kids are go-ing through and what theyhave to put up with," he said.

Annie Graddy has been vol-unteering with CASA for 18years.

"I was stuck with it once Igot involved," Graddy said."I've seen some good outcomesand some bad ones."

Of course, Graddy enjoysthe good outcomes.

"I had one child grow upand go off into the service,"she said. "That made me soproud."

Suzanne Cole retired andjoined CASA three years ago.

"I wanted to do somethingin my community and thisspoke to me," Cole said. "Youdon't know what is out thereuntil you get out there. Thatfirst hug from a child meansthe world to me."

Cole was very surprisedwhen she got into cases.

"You don't know it until youactually see it," she said."There have been tears in thecourtroom and I've seen achild adopted. Some cannot goback with their parents andthat can be very emotional. Asan advocate, you are affectinga child for the rest of their life.You are shaping that child'sfuture."

Mary Thomas has beenwith CASA for 17 years. Hergoal is to reunite the childrenwith their parents.

"I've seen it go either way,"she said. "At the end of theday though, it's all about thechild. No matter what thechild is going through, theylove their parents. We've gotto do what is in the best inter-est of the child. The parentsunderstand that I'm workingfor the child. We have to makesure the child returns to a safeenvironment and a goodhome."

Sandy Cox has been aCASA volunteer for five years.Cox hopes to make life betterfor the children in her cases.

"I like trying to make thebest choices for children andhelp the court out," Cox said.

"It's very worthwhile and avery rewarding experience tosee the kids get a home."

Courtney Nelson has beenwith CASA as an intern. Shestarted in January and fin-ished a few weeks ago.

"It was an eye-opening ex-perience," Nelson said. "Thepeople in the organizationmakes you feel included, andthey are really ready to help."

Nelson is thinking aboutbecoming a volunteer.

"I got to see some of the cas-es," she said.

Sarah Smith is close to be-coming a new volunteer forCASA.

"I just have a few morecourtroom hours and I'll besworn in," Smith said. "I'mlooking forward to it. I alwayswanted to be involved withchildren and I have a back-ground in the legal field. I stayhome with my daughter nowand I thought this was a wayto help children. I'm lookingforward to getting my firstcase."

Townsend said anothertraining class will be startingsoon. Part of the training isonline, while the other part iscalled in-person training. Vol-unteers have to go through 10hours of courtroom observa-tion before being sworn in bythe juvenile court judge to ad-vocate for a child.

"You have to be 21 years oldor over and have a clean back-ground check," Townsendsaid. "Once all of that is done,they can be sworn in as an ad-vocate."

Anyone interested in volun-teering for CASA can call Jar-rard at 478-275-8100, ext. 2.

"We definitely need more,"Townsend said. "Unfortunate-ly, we are picking up morechildren to bring them intofoster care. Without volun-teers, we can't do what whatwe do."

Cox said it is worth becom-ing a volunteer.

"You are helping a child,"she said. "Their lives willhopefully be more productiveone day because of this."

Continued from 1a

CASA

Photo by Payton Towns III

Lipstick donated for admission to the luncheon will be handed out towomen at the WINGS shelter.

Explosion rocks Wisconsinrefinery, forcing evacuations

SUPERIOR, Wis. (AP) — Anexplosion rocked a refinery innorthwestern Wisconsin onThursday, injuring at least 11people, forcing the evacuationof homes, schools and a hospi-tal, and sending a plume of nox-ious smoke into the air.

Authorities said a tank con-taining crude oil or asphalt ex-ploded at the Husky Energy oilrefinery in Superior, a city ofabout 27,000 that borders Min-nesota and the westernmost tipof Lake Superior.That prompted them to orderthe evacuation of a three-mile(five-kilometer) radius aroundthe refinery, as well as a 10

mile (16 kilometer) corridorsouth of it where the smokewas heading.

It was unclear how manypeople were being evacuated.The refinery is in an industrialarea, but there's a residentialneighborhood within a mile tothe northeast. The corridordownwind to the south of therefinery is sparsely populated.

There were no reporteddeaths, but at least 11 peoplewere injured, including oneperson who was seriously hurt.They were being treated at hos-pitals in Superior and nearbyDuluth, Minnesota.

Fire officials said the explo-

sion happened around 10 a.m.and the fire was extinguishedby 11:20 a.m., though the plantwas still smoking. Superior po-lice later tweeted that the firehad reignited and urged resi-dents living within the evacua-tion area to leave. Policeblocked roads into the areaaround the refinery.Three schools and St. Mary'sHospital in Superior were be-ing evacuated as a precaution.

Essentia Health spokes-woman Maureen Talarico saidfive people injured in the explo-sion are being treated at St.Mary's Medical Center, a LevelII trauma center in Duluth.