Adel News-Tribune

07/22/2025

07/22/2025

07/21/2025

About a century ago, a dangerous religious movement - snake handling - had spread into Cook and Berrien Counties in Georgia. On July 11, 1938, Jeffie Mae Stanley Smith, a widower who had four small children, passed away at the age of 30 in Ray City. She had been bitten by a rattlesnake and a moccasin on the same day during snake-handling rituals.
Please read the full article about this dark part of South Georgia's history at the following link:
https://www.adelnewstribune.com/2025/07/21/the-cross-and-the-canebrake/

07/21/2025

Richard Wayne Webb, known affectionately to friends and family as Wayne, passed away after a lengthy illness on July 18, 2025, at Archbold Grady in Cairo, GA. Born on October 10, 1966, in Sebring, Florida, to the late Richard Wiley Webb & Rose Mary Bryan Webb. Wayne's warm smile and boundless courage would come to define his 58 years of life, touching the hearts of all who knew him.

Wayne devoted 35 years to serving his community as a paramedic, a role in which he not only excelled but also found a deep sense of purpose. His unwavering commitment to helping others earned him multiple life-saving awards, a testament to the countless lives he impacted throughout his admirable career. Those who were fortunate enough to work alongside Wayne will remember him as a man who brought dedication, kindness, and a reassuring presence to every emergency call.

Beyond his professional life, Wayne's stories of his experiences as a paramedic were filled with a blend of heroism and humanity that captivated listeners. He had a unique gift for recounting his adventures, infusing each tale with the same love and care that he showed to every person he aided. It was through these stories that Wayne's legacy as a courageous and loving individual shone brightly, leaving an indelible mark on the community he served so selflessly.

Wayne's personal life was rich with the love of his family. He is survived by his children, Amber (Jason) Carver of Cairo, and Jessica Webb of Nashville; his cherished grandchildren, Landen Carver, Paisley Carver, McKenzie Harper, and Makayla Harper; his brother, Marvin Webb of Moultrie; and his sister, Vicki Webb (Faithe Wempen) of Indiana. His sister-in-law, Cheryl Webb of Adel, together with several nieces and nephews, also mourn his passing. Wayne's life was further blessed by the love of his late wife, Susan Webb, whose memory he held close to his heart following her passing. He was also preceded in death by his granddaughter, Alexis Harper, and his brother, Tommy Webb.

Known for his kind heart and loving nature, Wayne was the kind of person who left a lasting impression on everyone he met. While his presence will be deeply missed, the legacy of Wayne Webb will continue to live on through the stories he shared, the lives he saved, and the immense love he had for his family and friends. His was a life that exemplified the very best of what it means to be courageous, loving, and kind.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Purvis Funeral Home with the family sharing special memories. Interment will follow at Fellowship Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will be receiving friends Monday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Purvis Funeral Home.

07/19/2025

Come on out for Adel Main Street's Christmas in July, until 2 p.m. today in downtown Adel! It's hot, but there is plenty of lemonade and cold drinks. About 74 food and arts/crafts vendors, and specials at downtown businesses.

07/18/2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Donald Brocston Moore,40, on July 15, 2025. Broc was born on September 25, 1984, to Ricky and Tonita Moore.

Of all of Broc’s achievements in his life, he was most proud of his loving wife and two children. They were the true joy of his life and the legacy he cherished above all else. Being a fourth-generation farmer, he had a deep-rooted love for the land. Like the generations before him Broc took great pride and love in raising his children and instilling in them the same family values from which he was raised.

In addition to farming Broc was an avid outdoorsman. His love for people wouldn’t let him meet a stranger. From his involvement with Kourageous Outdoor Kids, Top Bait Outdoors, and their newest adventure Roasted Rage Feed he created many lasting friendships. Broc believed in helping others and giving back every chance he got. In 2021 he became involved with Kourageous Outdoor Kids and organized the first annual Moore Farms deer hunt benefiting children with life altering illnesses. Seeing hunting through the eyes of these children was something that Broc loved.

Broc is survived by his loving wife Lyndsay Wade Moore of Lenox; his cherished children, Canton Moore and Atalee Moore; his parents, Ricky and Tonita Moore of Lenox; his father and mother-in-law, Johnny and Cindy Wade of Lenox; his sisters Whitney (Brett) Tomlinson, and Emily (Tyler) Sumner; brother, Buck (Mikelyn) Moore, sister and brother-in-law, Missy (Buddy) Griffin all of Lenox. He also leaves behind a host of nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly. Broc was preceded in death by his grandparents, Loyd and Carolyn Moore, and Bruce and Jo Ann Rutland. He will be greatly missed.

Serving as active pallbearers will be Buck Moore, Tyler Sumner, Brett Tomlinson, Ray Lundy, Kenneth Meeler, Wesley Barber, Brent Fletcher & Buddy Griffin
Honorary Pallbearers will be Brelan Brookshire, Benny Brookshire, Ryan Rutland, Josh Rutland, Kyle Rutland, Timmy Domingue, Wesley Smith, Jay Maxwell, Todd Franklin and employees of Top Bait Outdoors.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 19, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Lenox Baptist Church. Burial will follow on the farm at 285 Garrett Rd., Lenox, GA. The family will be receiving friends Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the Family Life Center of Lenox Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to be made to the Kourageous Outdoor Kids, 1101-L Hillcrest Parkway #535, Dublin, GA 31021.

07/18/2025

7/18/25
The heat will be increasing this weekend into next week. Expect temps to be in the upper 90s, approaching 100°F. We will be approaching Heat Advisory criteria this weekend into the start of next week.
Stay hydrated and check on elderly, kids, & pets.

07/18/2025

A superior court judge has sentenced a Berrien man to life without the possibility of parole plus 25 years in prison. On July 8th, 2025, a Berrien County jury took less than 45 minutes to convict Jared Dean Zisman of murdering his uncle and viciously attacking his mother and brother with a baseball bat. The crimes occurred on July 24th, 2021, and shocked the small southern town of Nashville, Georgia.

Evidence presented to the jury during the trial showed that the defendant called 911 after the attacks and stated that he had killed his family with a baseball bat, but “the job wasn’t done”. After the attack on his uncle and mother, the defendant’s brother managed to wrestle the bat from the defendant and escape.

District Attorney Chase L. Studstill stated that “The brutality of the crimes caused a visceral reaction in the community and to the jury who heard and saw the case over a two day period.

Studstill said that his office managed to obtain custodial communications made by the Defendant from the Berrien County Law Enforcement Center after the crimes were committed. In several of these communications, Zisman admitted he had “done the unthinkable” and that he had planned the attacks.

Studstill went on to say that the jury was shown the bodycam of responding officers to the scene which revealed the aftermath and savagery of the attack. “His mother’s injuries were so severe that she was hospitalized for months and almost died. He attacked and killed his uncle, then attacked his own mother while she slept. His mother lost permanent use of her left eye and both of her arms were broken when she tried to defend herself.”

The autopsy on the defendant’s uncle revealed that the victim Mark Pagan died of blunt force trauma to the head.

On Wednesday, July 16th, 2025, Chief Superior Court Judge Clayton Tomlinson sentenced Zisman to life without the possibility of parole followed by 25 years in prison. During the sentencing hearing, the state told the Court, “this man tried to destroy his entire family. His sentence should reflect the vile, viscous and inhumane way he treated his family.”

“I would like to thank the Nashville Police Department and Berrien County Sheriff’s for their excellent work and professionalism in bringing Mr. Zisman to justice.” This case was prosecuted by Chief Assistant District Attorney Allen Lawson and Assistant District Attorney Michelle Avis. Studstill said that his team “did an excellent job in maneuvering through a number of legal obstacles in presenting this case. We have had four murder convictions in less than 12 months in Berrien County which is a remarkable feat and a testament to the hard work of our office. Our administrative assistants, investigators, and victim advocates continue to perform amongst the best in the state. We will keep working hard to try and make our community safe.”