THOMASTON-UPSON NEW REC DIRECTOR

 ACCORDING  TO  UPSON COUNTY  MANAGER  LONNIE  JOYCE--THE  NEW  THOMASTON-UPSON  RECREATION  DIRECTOR  IS  PIKE  COUNTY  COACH  ERIK   FOSTER   AND  HE  ASSUMES  HIS  DUTIES  FRIDAY. COACH   FOSTER    IS    A  MARINE  VETERAN   AND   IS  A  FORMER  ASSISTANT  COACH  AT  UPSON-LEE .

U-L LINEBACKER CHARACTER NAMED AJC ALL-STATE

 UPSON-LEE  LINEBACKER  MALACHI  CHARACTER  WAS  NAMED  TO  THE  AJC  ALL-STATE  TEAM  ALONG  WITH  MARY PERSONS DB MASON  STEVENS.  OTHERS  WITH  HONORS  LAMAR  COUNTY  LINEBACKER  KADEN  CARTER   MANCHESTER  HIGH'S   DB   JAEDYN  TERRY    AND DL BRYSON JOHNSON  AND  LINEBACKER CODOFEE  REVELL  MADE  2ND  TEAM,    TAYLOR  COUNTY'S  D. LINEMAN  TRACE  HALL  MADE  2ND  TEAM.

CITY OF THOMASTON PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR KYLE MCGEE URGES RECYCLING CHRISTMAS TREES

 Recycle your Christmas tree… Now that our Christmas celebrations have come to an end, the City of Thomaston is requesting that residents donate Christmas trees to Lakeside Park to “give your tree a new life”… between Dec. 25, 2024, and Jan. 31, 2026, a sign will be in the parking lot of the park to show where trees can be placed… trees will be accepted from dawn to dusk, seven days per week… Lakeside Park is located at 800 County Road in Thomaston… for more information, call 706-647-7144.

THOMASTON POLICE CHIEF UPDATES DRUG CASE AT 236 PEACHBELT ROAD

 

 THOMASTON  POLICE  CHIEF  MIKE  RICHARDSON  TOLD  101  NEWS  FRIDAY  AFTERNOON 37  YEAR  OLD JONATHAN  HALL  WAS  ARRESTED  ON  DRUG  CHARGES  AFTER  A  WIRE  FRAUD    SEARCH  WARRANT  WAS EXECUTED  AT 236  PEACHBELT  ROAD   THURSDAY   AND HALL  WAS  BOOKED INTO  JAIL  ON  CHARGES OF  FELONY    MARIJUANA  WITH  INTENT  TO  DISTRIBUTE  AFTER OFFICERS  FOUND  A   HALF  POUND  OF  MARIJUANA.  HALL  WAS   RELEASED  FRIDAY  AFTERNOON  AFTER POSTING  BOND  OF  $15,000  WITH  NO  PROPERTY  SEIZED.  IN  A  THURSDAY  PRESS  RELEASE  BY  THE  PD  THE  INVESTIGATION  BEGAN   AFTER  A  VICTIM  REPORTED  BEING  INDUCED  TO  WIRE  $250,000 ON  APRIL  11TH 2025  TO  A  BUSINESS  OPERATING  UNDER  THE  NAME  WALTER  DOUGLAS  INVESTMENTS.  A    FINANCIAL  INSTITUTION DENIED  ANY  EMPLOYMENT  RELATIONSHIP  AND  NO  REGISTRATION  OR LICENSING  FOR  ANY  COMPANY   WITH  THAT  NAME  WAS  FOUND.

 

 CHIEF RICHARDSON  WOULD  NOT  SPECULATE AT  THIS  TIME  IF  A  PONZI SCHEME  IS  INVOLVED  OR  ANY  OTHER  INDIVIDUALS WERE  BEING  INVESTIGATED,  BUT HE  CONFIRMED   HIS  DEPARTMENT  IS  WORKING WITH  STATE  AND  FEDERAL  AUTHORITIES  ON THE  CASE  AND  HE  SAID  ANYONE  WHO  HAS  INVESTED  WITH  WALTER  DOUGLAS  INVESTMENTS  SHOULD  CONTACT  THOMASTON  POLICE.  THE  CHIEF  TOLD  US  THE  WIRED  FUNDS WERE  DEPOSITED  INTO  A  BUSINESS ACCOUNT AND  RAPIDLY  SPENT ON PERSONAL  EXPENSES  RATHER  THAN  INVESTED.

THOMASTON CITY COUNCIL APPROVES BUDGET 3-2 VOTE

 

CITY  OF  THOMASTON  MAYOR  J.D. STALLINGS  HAD  TO  BREAK  A  2-2  TIE  TO  APPROVE  THE 2026  BUDGET  AT  A  BUDGET MEETING    THURSDAY- A   3-2  VOTE.  COUNCIL MEMBERS  JEFF MIDDLEBROOKS  AND  LAKETHIA  REEVES  VOTED  AGAINST  THE  MOTION  BY  MAYOR  PRO TEM  TROY  CHANEY  TO  APPROVE.

COUNCILMAN  MIDDLEBROOKS  STATED  HE  OPPOSES  THE  UTILITY  INCREASES  IN  THE  BUDGET    AND    HIS  CONSTITUENTS  ARE   PAYING  FOR  SERVICES  THEY  DON'T  NEED WITH  GARABAGE  COLLECTION.  CITY  MANAGER  RUSSELL  THOMPSON  COUNTERED  THE  EXTRA  CART  IS  FACTORED INTO  THE  TOTAL  COST  OF  THE  SERVICE .  MAYOR  STALLINGS  SAID  OTHER  NEAR-BY  CITIES  ARE  PAYING MORE  AND  DON'T  GET  THE  SERVICES GFL OFFERS CITY  CUSTOMERS

UPSON CO COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS

 AT  THE  FINAL  MEETING  OF  THE  YEAR  UPSON  COUNTY  COMMISSIONER  JAMES  ELLINGTON URGED  THE  PUBLIC  TO  SHUN  SOCIAL  MEDIA  AND  CALL  THEIR  COMMISSIONER  WITH  QUESTIONS    ABOUT ISSUES.  HE  ADDED  ATTENDING  COMMISSION  MEETINGS  IS  ANOTHER  GOOD  WAY  TO  STAY  ON  TOP OF  COUNTY  HAPPENINGS.  THE  CHAMBER  WAS  FULL  FOR  THE  MEETING,  MOSTLY  THOSE  IN  HIS   DISTRICT  OPPOSED  TO   SERENITY  LAKES  SUBDIVISION  THAT  GOT  ANOTHER  TURN DOWN  BY  THE  BOARD.

COMMISSION  CHAIRMAN  DAN  BRUE    HAD  SOME  CLOSING  COMMENTS  ABOUT  2025  HIS  FIRST  YEAR     AS  CHAIRMAN.  HE  SAID  IT  TAKES-UP  MORE  TIME  THAN  HE  REALIZED   AND  HE  THANKED  HIS  WIFE  FOR  HER   UNDERSTANDING  OF  HIS  MANY  ABSENCES.

ATTORNEY JOHNNIE CALDWELL APPOINTED CITY OF THOMASTON ATTORNEY 2026

 THE  THOMASTON  MAYOR AND  COUNCIL  WILL  HOLD  A  WORK  SESSION    WEDNESDAY     AT  8;30PM  AFTER  COUNCIL MEMBERS  JEFF MIDDLEBROOKS  AND  LAKETHIA  REEVES  QUESTIONED  SOME  SALARY INCREASES  IN  THE  PROPOSED  2026  BUDGET.  COUNCIL  IS   HOLDING A   LATE  MEETING  AS  STATE  LAW  REQUIRES  24  HOURS  NOTIFICATION    BEFORE  A  CALLED  MEETING.  CITY  MANAGER  RUSSELL  THOMPSON  ASKED  THE  COUNCIL  IF  THEY  WANTED  TO  GO  AHEAD  AND  ADOPT  THE   2026  BUDGET  DURING  TUESDAY'S  MEETING  RATHER  THAN  HAVE  A  CALLED  MEETING  AT  NOON  THURSDAY--BUT  THE  TWO  COUNCIL  MEMBERS  HAD  QUESTIONS  ABOUT  PAY  RAISES.

IN  OTHER  ACTION , IDA  ATTORNEY  JOHNNIE  CALDWELL  WAS  APPOINTED  CITY OF  THOMASTON  ATTORNEY  FOR   2026 BY  THE  CITY  COUNCIL.  CURRENT  ATTORNEY  DEANN  WHEELER   IS   REPORTEDLY   STEPPING  DOWN  DUE  TO  THE  DEMANDS  OF  HER   LAW  PRACTICE.   

UPSON NATIVE NAMED GOLF COACH OF THE YEAR IN GA.

 THOMASTON NATIVE  BEN  THRASHER   WHO  IS    DEFENSIVE  CORDINATOR   OF  THE  LAGRANGE  FOOTBALL  TEAM  WILL  BE  RECOGNIZED  AS  GOLF     COACH  OF  THE  YEAR  IN  GHSA  FOLLOWING  THE  SANDY  CREEK  CHAMPIONSHIP  FOOTBALL  GAME  AT  THE  BENZ   THAT  BEGINS  TODAY   AT  4;15PM  ON  CHANNEL  8  TV. HIS  GOLF  TEAM  WAS  RUNNERS-UP  IN  TRIPLE- A.  BEN  WILL  BE  RECOGNIZED  WITH   OVER  TWO  DOZEN  COACHES  OF  THE  YEAR  IN GA.  

PLEDGES MADE TO SILVERTOWN BAPTIST CHURCH IN THOMASTON

 

 SILVERTOWN  BAPTIST  CHURCH  IS  SEEKING $260,000  BY  THE  END  OF JANUARY  TO   UPGRADE  THE  BUILDING  OR  IT MIGHT  HAVE  TO  DISCONTINUE  SERVICES.  PASTOR  PAUL  CASPERS  TOLD  US  TUESDAY  SO  FAR    PLEDGES   TOTAL  $4150  AND  ADDED  ATTENDANCE  HAS  DROPPED  SUNDAYS  TO  ABOUT   30--NOT  ENOUGH  TO  FUND  THE  RENOVATION  OF  THE  CHURCH  BUILDING  SO  HE'S CALLING  FOR   PLEDGES  FROM  THE  COMMUNITY  AT  LARGE. THEY  CAN  BE  MADE  AT  THE  CHURCH  WEBSITE--SAVING  SILVERTOWN  B.C.

HARDEES IN THOMASTON HAS CLOSED

 THE  HARDEES  FAST  FOOD  RESTAURANT  ON  NORTH  CHURCH  IN  THOMASTON  HAS  CLOSED.  A SIGN  ON  THE  DOOR  THANKS  THOMASTON  FOR  ITS  PATRONAGE.  REPORTEDLY  THE  FRANCHISEE  IN  CARROLLTON  HAS  CLOSED  SEVERAL  HARDEES . UPSONIANS  HAVE  ALWAYS  BEEN  LINED-UP  AT  THE  DRIVE-THRU  FOR  THOSE  DELICIOUS  BREAKFAST  BISCUITS.  

QUAD GRAPHICS CLOSING IN UPSON CO

 Quad Media Statement

Facility Closure Announcement

December 16, 2025

Quad announced today that it has made the difficult decision to permanently close its printing 

facility in The Rock, Georgia, in March 2026. This decision reflects ongoing industry declines in 

long-run print categories—like weekly magazines the plant was built to produce—driven by 

frequent postal rate hikes, which have exceeded inflation, as well as persistent U.S. Postal 

Service delivery delays.

“Making decisions that affect people’s lives is the hardest part of leading a business,” said Joel 

Quadracci, Chairman, President & CEO. “After careful evaluation, we felt it was important to 

communicate openly and without delay, so employees had time to prepare for what’s next. Our 

Georgia team has been an important part of Quad’s success for decades, and we are committed 

to supporting them through this transition. Even as we make this change, print remains a vital 

part of our integrated marketing platform and a major point of differentiation among our 

competitive set.”

Quad will support affected employees through this transition by offering relocation 

opportunities for skilled equipment operators and tradespeople, or a separation package that 

includes pay, extended healthcare benefits and career counseling assistance. The company is 

also planning an on-site job fair in January to connect employees with other job opportunities 

in the area.

The Rock facility has been part of Quad’s story for more than 30 years. Built in 1995 to replace 

an aging, less efficient plant it acquired in 1989, the 797,000-square-foot facility currently 

employs approximately 260 people.

Work currently performed in The Rock will transition to Quad’s Wisconsin manufacturing 

platform, which will create efficiencies that help reduce costs and improve service to clients, 

such as volume-driven postage-saving programs.

Print remains important to Quad’s integrated marketing platform, which spans all traditional 

and digital channels and delivers measurable results for clients. Quad has seen growth in 2025 

in its Targeted Print offerings—such as Direct Mail, In-Store Signage and Packaging.

###

Other background that may be useful to you as you craft your story: 

The Rock

• Quad opened The Rock facility in 1995 to replace an older plant in nearby Thomaston 

that it acquired from W.R. Bean & Sons in 1989. 

• Quad expanded south to Georgia in the late 1980s to serve Time Inc. and titles such as 

Time, Sports Illustrated and People.

• The Rock facility is 797,000 square feet and will be sold.

Quad

• Quad (NYSE: QUAD) is a global marketing experience company that gives brands a more 

streamlined, impactful, flexible and frictionless way to go to market and reach 

consumers. Quad guides brands through every effort intended to drive an action, from 

consumer awareness and trust, to brand preference and purchase. 

• Quad serves more than 2,100 clients across industries including publishing, retail, 

consumer packaged goods, direct-to-consumer, financial services, and healthcare.

• Headquartered in Southeastern Wisconsin, Quad is led by Chairman, President & CEO 

Joel Quadracci, who is the son of company founder Harry V. Quadracci and is the 

printing industry’s longest-serving chief executive at 18 years.

• Quad employs more than 11,000 people in 11 countries with most of its operations in 

the U.S.

• Quad’s Wisconsin manufacturing platform includes locations in Burlington, Franklin, 

Hartford, Lomira, Pewaukee, Sussex and West Allis.

From: 

Claire Ho, Director, Corporate Communications 

PASTOR OF SILVERTOWN BAPTIST CHURCH ON POSSIBLE CLOSING

 PAUL  CASPERS  PASTOR  OF  SILVERTOWN  BAPTIST  CHURCH   FOR  OVER  A  DECADE   SAYS  THE  CHURCH  BUILDING  HAS  BEEN  IN  DECLINE  FOR     35      YEARS  AND  ATTENDANCE  SUNDAYS  IS  AROUND  30  PERSONS --NOT  ENOUGH  TO  FUND  THE  $262,000   THE  CHURCH     NEEDS   IN  UPGRADES  TO  CONTINUE  WITH  SERVICES.  THAT  AMOUNT IS NEEDED  BY  THE  END OF  JANUARY  OR  THE   CHURCH  PROPERTY  WILL  BE  TURNED  OVER  TO  THE  CENTENNIAL  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  THE  CHURCH  NEEDS  PUBLIC  PLEDGES  TO  CONTINUE  WITH  SERVICES.  DETAILS   ON   101.1  NEWS.

DEC. MEETING T-U IDA

 THE  THOMASTON-UPSON  DEVELOPMENT  AUTHORITY   PLANS  TO  APPLY  FOR  A  GA. RURAL  SITE  DEVELOPMENT  GRANT  ACCORDING  TO  COMMENT AT   THE    DECEMBER  MEETING. 

  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR  SLADE  GULLEDGE SAID    AWARD  AMOUNTS  ARE  UP  TO   $2  MILLION  WITH A   10%  MATCH  WITH  FOCUS  ON  INFRASTRUCTURE/ROADWAY  IMPROVEMENTS  AT THE  CENTRAL GA. BUSINESS  AND  TECHNOLOGY  PARK  NEAR  THE  AIRPORT.

THE  IDA  ALSO APPROVED  AN  ADMINISTRATION  AGREEMENT WITH  ALLEN-SMITH  GRANT  WRITING  FOR   $25,000.

SYDNEY SHARPE  WAS APPOINTED  TO  THE  IDA  BY  THE  THOMASTON  CITY  COUNCIL AND  WILL  BE  SWORN-IN AT  THE  ANNUAL  MEETING  IN  JANUARY-- A  SEAT  HELD  BY  LONNIE JOYCE  WHO  IS NOW  COUNTY  MANAGER.  A  CURRENT MEMBER  OF  THE  IDA  JENNIFER  ROGERS  HAS  REAPPLIED  FOR  ANOTHER  TERM--SHE IS  A  COUNTY  APPOINTEE.  THE  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS  POSTPONED  APPOINTMENTS  AT   THE  FINAL  REGULAR MEETING  OF  THE  YEAR  AND  THEY  WILL  APPARENTLY  BE  MADE  IN  JANUARY.

COULD SILVERTOWN BAPTIST CHURCH IN THOMASTON BE CLOSING?

 SILVERTOWN  BAPTIST  CHURCH  IN  THOMASTON  HAS  POSTED ON  SOCIAL  MEDIA  THAT    UNLESS  EXTRAORDINARY   RESOURSES  AND    OPPORTUNTIES  ARE  FOUND  THE CHURCH  WILL  CONTINUE  SERVICES THROUGH  JANUARY  AND  THEN  SETTLE  REMAINING     FINANCIAL  OBLIGATIONS  AND  TRANSFER  THE PROPERTY  AND  UNUSED  FUNDS  TO  THE  CENTENNIAL  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  THE  CHURCH  LISTED  WHAT  IT  CALLS  A  PESSIMISTIC ACCOUNTING  OF  WHAT  ITS  TRYING  TO  OVERCOME   IN  REPAIRS  AND  RESTORATIONS      TOTALS  OVER  $262,000  IN  2026.  THE CHURCH  ESTIMATES  IT   WILL  NEED  ANOTHER  $150,000 OR MORE  FROM  OUTSIDE  THE  CHURCH  IN  2027  AND   2028  TO  KEEP  MAKING  REPAIRS  AND  UPGRADES.  SILVERTOWN  BAPTIST  IS  SEEKING   PLEDGES  OF  SUPPORT  FROM  THE  PUBLIC  TO   CONTINUE  TO  HOLD  SERVICES.

NEW T-U REC DIRECTOR TO BE HIRED

 UPSON  COUNTY'S  MANAGER LONNIE JOYCE HAS  ANNOUNCED  HE  PLANS  TO  HIRE  A  NEW  RECREATION  DIRECTOR  IN  THE  NEXT  FEW  DAYS.  CITY  AND  COUNTY  OFFICIALS  HAVE  BEEN  INVOLVED  IN  INTERVIEWING  THE    7  OR  SO  APPLICANTS FOR  THE  JOB--HE  SAID.  THE  TWO  GOVERNING  BODIES  AGREED  TO CONTINUE  WITH  THE  CITIZENS  RECREATION  ADVISORY  BOARD--RECENTLY  AND  COUNTY  COMMISSIONER BEN  WATSON  TOLD   101  NEWS , ITS  WORKING.

SPECIAL ELECTION FOR DISTRICT 18 STATE SENATE IN UPSON, MONROE, CRAWFORD, PEACH, BIBB, HOUSTON COUNTIES

 A  SPECIAL  ELECTION  WILL  BE  HELD   TUESDAY  JAN.  20,  2026   IN  UPSON, MONROE, CRAWFORD,  PEACH  AND PORTIONS OF  BIBB  AND  HOUSTON  COUNTIES  FOR  GA.  SENATE  DISTRICT 18  WITH  THE  RESIGNATION OF  SENATOR  JOHN  KENNEDY  WHO  IS  RUNNING  FOR  LT.  GOVERNOR  IN  2026. QUALIFYING  WILL  BE  HELD  MONDAY  DEC.  15TH THRU  WED. DEC.  17TH  AT  THE  GA.  SECRETARY  OF  STATE'S OFFICES IN  ATLANTA.  ACCORDING  TO  UPSON COUNTY  ELECTIONS  SUPERINTENDANT  PAM RELEFORD    QUALIFYING  FEE  $400.  MONDAY,  DEC.  22ND  IS  THE LAST  DAY  TO REGISTER  TO  VOTE  AND  IN  ADVANCE  VOTING  WILL  BEGIN  MONDAY  DEC.  29TH.