Star-Mercury-Vindicator Thursday, July 17, 2025
Another Talbot Teenager Charged in Bryant Murder
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Another Talbot Teenager Charged in Bryant Murder
The Columbus Police Department has arrested a second teenager from Talbot County in the murder of Daryus Bryant of Manchester, who was shot and killed in Columbus in April 2024. After the arrest of Zion Horton, Semj Copeland, 18, of Talbot County, turned himself in to police on Tuesday, July 8. Horton, 17, was taken into custody on Thursday, July 3 in Coweta County and transported to Columbus. Horton has been charged with murder, three counts of aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. He appeared in Muscogee County Recorder’s Court on Tuesday, July 8. He pled not guilty to the charges filed against him and is being held without bond until his case is moved to the Superior Court.
Commissioners Continue November Lane Discussion
The Meriwether County Commission met on July 7 and had an extended discussion regarding the addition of November Lane to the county road system. Residents of the road were in attendance to discuss the issue with the Commissioners as the item was tabled from an earlier meeting. Cynthia Dunlap represented the residents in speaking with the Commission, and she said the road’s residents thought all they would need to do is quit-claim the right of way to the county. Commission Chairman Adam Worsley replied that the county will need a professional survey done on the road to determine which properties would be impacted, and that survey will have to be paid for by the property owners. Worsley said November Road is not a county road and never has been. Dunlap replied that November Road was never a private road, saying “someone” made it a private road and the county should have documentation of that somewhere. She said the road has been county-maintained, but Worsley noted that the county has proof it was never a county-maintained road.
What was the longest recorded year in human history?
And we’re up to our knees in summertime, enjoying the season. I hope you’ve had a chance to go on your vacation, and if you haven’t yet done so, that you’ll get to enjoy one very soon. Vacation … there’s a word I don’t use very often. I like working, apparently. Maybe, as many of my friends have told me repeatedly, I need my head examined. They once took x-rays of my head and found nothing. (Apologies to Yogi Berra for that one.) Okay, enough old jokes. Let’s get to some new trivia.
Take Precautions Against the Heat
Oh my, it’s been hot, hot and hotter. We actually got a break a few days when the temperature dropped below 90. It’s been so hot, the other day I bought a loaf of bread and by the time I got it home it was toast. Okay, I won’t keep boring you with the hot weather jokes that are stupid. We know how weather is in the south, you can tell how hot it is when you pass a person and you smell the aroma of fried meat. That means it’s too hot to cook. We understand hot weather in the south and we know there are four seasons each year, there is tolerable, hot, really hot and then there is “YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME.” In the south we love warm weather because those days are the ones when we can actually drink sweet tea or lemonade and not feel guilty about it. Unfortunately, most of the time we have to drink it hot because the ice melts before you can get it in the glass.
Walton Retiring From IDA; Sharpe Hired
The Meriwether County Industrial Development Authority (MCIDA) Board of Directors announced the retirement of long-time employee, Velinda Walton and the appointment of Jodi Sharpe on June 30. Walton worked for the Development Authority for 26 years. Prior to taking a position with the Authority, Walton was employed by Goody Products and Woodbury Banking Company. “Velinda knew every aspect of Economic Development,” said Jane Fryer, President of the MCIDA.
So … I Did a Thing …
As we move along in life, we discover that the two biggest, most important purchases we have to make are (1) a home and (2) a car. I want to relate my experience with my most recent automobile purchase. (I bought a house back in the 1990s but that is another story for another time.) The first time I bought a car, I was 19 years old and picked up a 1966 Chevy Impala four-door sedan for $595. A good price now, it was also a good price in 1978. Like most people do with their first set of wheels, I adored that car - and sometimes, even now, I wish I still had it. The last time I purchased a vehicle was 2012. My car at the time had basically given up the ghost and I decided to get something new while I could still get some trade-in value from what was left of a very dependable Honda.
An Easy Choice to Make
Last week “Alligator Alcatraz” was officially opened drawing widespread attention and becoming the subject of numerous social media memes. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has provided a staging facility, or detention center, for illegal immigrants. Located on a former airport in the Everglades swamp, it has been reported the center can house 5,000 illegal immigrants. The center is surrounded by the Everglades, home to alligators, invasive pythons, and other critters that a person would not want to meet in the daylight -- much less in the dark. While the presence of an alligator in the local area still proves somewhat of a novelty, I grew up with them in fairly close proximity. Like other potentially dangerous wildlife, one learns to at least respect them if not avoid them altogether. The latter can be a bit problematic as there were occasions when one would have to stop their car to allow an alligator to cross a road. While ‘possums and armadillos tend to be fair game for motorists, alligators can cause serious damage to a car and prove fatal for humans.
Arrest Made in Bryant Murder
The Columbus Police Department has made an arrest in the murder of Daryus Bryant, who was shot and killed in Columbus in April 2024. Zion Horton, 17, was taken into custody on Thursday, July 3 in Coweta County and transported to Columbus. Horton has been charged with murder, three counts of aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. The report does not indicate why Horton shot and killed Bryant.
Commissioners Hear Budget Requests
The Meriwether County Commission heard six budget requests at their June 24 meeting, each a state agency asking for an increase in this year’s operating expenses. Ashley Harmon, County Extension Agent, asked the Commissioners for a $4,165 increase for salary and benefits. County Administrator John Gorton pointed out that Harmon had not asked for additional money or a raise for the past eight years, and said that county staff recommended a hike in her budget of $6,478, to a total of $60,871. Gorton’s request was approved. Cynthia Kilby with the Pine Mountain Regional Library System asked the board for a $5,000 budget increase, and informed the Commissioners that the system will be opening a third library in Meriwether County, this one in Luthersville. Kilby said the county will have library coverage in the north, central and south areas of the county as the new library joins Greenville and Manchester. The budget increase was based on health insurance premium costs, and the request was approved.