Community Corner
Patch's Most Popular
Here are some of the most read stories on Oconee County Patch this week:
News:
Friends and family mourned the loss of Howard "Hot" Thomas, who owned the famous Hot Thomas Barbecue restaurant off Highway 15 south of Watkinsville.
Thomas, whose health had recently declined, took his own life Tuesday behing an Athens restaurant.
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Thomas converted an old grocery store on his family farm in the early 80's into the simple barbecue restaurant, which he ran for more than 30 years.
Police and Fire:
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Oconee County Judge Lawton Stephens gave Thomas Heath King a 30-year sentence, 15 of which must be spent in prison, after he was found guilty of child exploitation, according to the Oconee County Sheriff's Office.
King was arrested last year after a cell phone store clerk noticed inappropriate images of children on King's phone and reported it to the Sheriff's Office.
Government:
Former Oconee County Democrats Chairman Dan Matthews, who waged an unsuccessful run for State House District 113, will face Charles Ivie, a sales manager for Baldwin Filters and former Watkinsville city council member Nov. 8.
The two candidates are running for a seat that will be left open by one-term mayor Joe Walter at the end of the year.