COMING STORM GOV ISSUES STATE OF EMERGENCY

 GOV.  BRIAN  KEMP DECLARED  A  STATE  OF  EMERGENCY  FOR  ALL  OF  GA.  THURSDAY  WITH A  WINTER  STORM APPROACHING. THE  WEATHER ADVISORY  DOES  NOT   INCLUDE  UPSON,  PIKE, AND  LAMAR  BUT  DOES  INCLUDE  SPALDING  COUNTY,  BUTTS,  FAYETTE,  COWETA,  AND  HENRY  COUNTIES

U-L ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENT WITH TOY GUN

 UPSON-LEE  ELEMENTARY  SCHOOL  SENT  THIS  MESSAGE  TO  PARENTS-THURSDAY.

TODAY,  WE  WANT  TO  SHARE  WITH  YOU  REGARDING  AN  INCIDENT  AT  SCHOOL.  A  STUDENT BROUGHT  A  TOY  GUN  TO  SCHOOL  IN  HIS  BOOK  B AG.  A  TEACHER  NOTICED  A  CONCERN  AND   IMMEDIATELY  CHECKED   THE  STUDENT'S  BAG, WHERE  THE  TOY  GUN  WAS  FOUND.  THE  SITUATION  WAS  HANDLED  QUICKLY  AND  NO  STUDENTS  OR   SCHOOL PERSONNEL   WAS    INJURED.

GORDON STATE COLLEGE ACCREDITAATION REVIEW

 The Gordon State College Department of Nursing and Health Sciences will host a site visit for the continuing accreditation of its Associate of Science in Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. The public is invited to meet with the site visit team and share comments about the programs in person at a meeting scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in the Collaborative Learning Room, Room 123, of the Nursing and Allied Health Sciences Building, 419 College Drive, Barnesville, GA 30204. Written comments are also welcome and should be submitted to the ACEN via email at publiccomments@acenursing.org or to the ACEN office: Attn: Accreditation Services Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing 3390 Peachtree Road Northeast, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326 All written comments should be received by the ACEN by February 17, 2026

DEMOCRAT LEMARIO BROWN WINS IN UPSON CO.

 FT.  VALLEY  DEMOCRAT LEMARIO   BROWN  WON  THE  VOTE  IN  UPSON  COUNTY  IN  TUESDAY'S  SPECIAL  ELECTION  FOR  DISTRICT  18  STATE  SENATE--HELD  BY JOHN  KENNEDY  BEFORE  HE  RESIGNED  TO RUN  FOR  LT.  GOVERNOR.

BROWN , A   BUSINESSMAN  AND  FORMER  CITY  COUNCILMAN     AND  THE  ONLY  DEMOCRAT IN  THE  RACE-- POLLED  677  VOTES  IN  UPSON  COUNTY  TO  EDGE  EX-STATE  LEGISLATOR    LAUREN  DANIEL  WITH    654  VOTES. MACON  ATTORNEY  STEVEN  MCNEEL  WAS NEXT  WITH  515  VOTES,  THEN  EX-FORSYTH  MAYOR  ERIC  WILSON  WITH   337 .  THOMASTON'S EUGENE ALLISON  GOT  60  VOTES  AND NATHAN WARNOCK  RECEIVED 31  VOTES. 

THERE  WAS  AN   11% TURNOUT  WITH  2274  TOTAL  VOTES  CAST  IN  UPSON  CO.

THE  18TH  DISTRICT INCLUDES  ALL  OF  UPSON,  MONROE, CRAWFORD,  PEACH  COUNTIES  AND  PARTS  OF BIBB  AND  HOUSTON  COUNTIES.  IN  CASE OF A  RUNOFF  IT  WILL  BE  FEB. 17. 

UPSON CO HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETING JAN. 26/7PM

Our speaker will be Chris Madrid. He is the Secretary and board member with the Georgia WWII Heritage Trail (https://www.georgiawwiitrail.org).  The Upson Historical Society is currently on the trail featuring "Thomaston Goes to War"- a indepth look at the life and contributions of Thomaston and Upson County during World War II.  The Georgia WWII Heritage Trail is a growing network of museums, archives, historic sites, and aviation organizations dedicated to preserving and sharing Georgia's World War II history.

Mr. Madrid has served for many years with CAF Airbase Georgia, where he currently holds the elected position of Education Officer, following six years as Development Officer.  His work has emphasized aligning historic preservation, public education, and community outreach - particularly around World War II history, aviation heritage, and youth engagement.

Come here Chris and the wonderful things happening on the Georgia World War II Heritage Trail and see how Thomaston-Upson County has influenced and contributed to its success!

TUESDAY IS ELECTION DAY IN UPSON, MONROE, CRAWFORD, PEACH, PARTS OF BIBB AND HOUSTON

  TUESDAY   IS  SPECIAL ELECTION  DAY  IN  UPSON  AND  SEVERAL  OTHER  COUNTIES  FOR  THE   18TH  DISTRICT  STATE  SENATE  SEAT  RECENTLY  HELD  BY JOHN  KENNEDY--WHO  CHOSE NOT  TO  ENDORSE  A  CANDIDATE  WHEN  ASKED  BY   101  NEWS.

THE  AJC  HAS  REPORTED  THE  ONLY DEMOCRAT  IN  THE  RACE--LEMARIO  BROWN--FORMER CITY  COUNCILMAN  FROM  FT.  VALLEY  COULD  FORCE A   RUN-OFF  WITH  HIS OPPOSITION  TO  DATA  CENTERS--SOMETHING  CAUSING  A  STIR  IN  MONROE  COUNTY  AND  A  MORATORIUM  DECLARED ON  THEM  IN  CRAWFORD  COUNTY-- AND  THE  AJC  SAID   LEADERS   FROM  BOTH  PARTIES  CONFIRM  HE  MIGHT  COULD  WIN  OUTRIGHT. THE  LEADING   REPUBLICANS  ARE   ERIC  WILSON=EX-MAYOR OF  FORSYTH,  MACON  ATTORNEY  STEVEN  MCNEEL,  AND  FORMER  LEGISLATOR  LAUREN  DANIEL. ONE  UPSONIAN  IS  IN  THE  RACE--EUGENE  ALLISON. 

THE  18TH  DISTRICT INCLUDES  ALL  OF  UPSON, MONROE,  CRAWFORD,  PEACH,  AND  PARTS  OF  BIBB  AND  HOUSTON  COUNTIES.  UPSON  HAD  945   EARLY   VOTES CAST--AND  THE  POLLS  WILL  BE  OPEN  7AM  TILL  7PM.

PIKE  COUNTY  HOUSE  MEMBER  BETH CAMP  ALSO  DECLINED  TO  ENDORSE  A   CANDIDATE  BUT  MENTIONED  THE  WINNER  WILL  FACE  CHALLENGES UNDER  THE  GOLD  DOME--12  MEMBERS  OF  THE  SENATE  HAVE  ALREADY    ANNOUNCED  FOR  HIGHER OFFICE  .  THE  WINNER  WILL  BE  GOING  TO  ATLANTA  WITH  THE   2026  SESSION  ALREADY  IN  PROGRESS  SO  EXPECT   LOTS OF   POLITICAL  BACK  AND  FORTH  DURING  THE  SESSION.

UPSON GOT 2 INCHES OF SNOW SUNDAY

 BY  NOON  SUNDAY  CENTRAL  GEORGIA'S  SNOW  EVENT  WAS  MELTING  AWAY--A  BLANKET OF  SNOW  THAT  STARTED  EARLY  IN   THE  MORNING  AND  NOW  BE  AWARE  OF  BRIDGES/OVERPASSES/SHADED  AREAS  AND  LESS-TRAVELED  ROADS  THAT   COULD  HIDE  BLACK  ICE  THIS  MORNING.

 UPSON  COUNTY  SHERIFF  DAN  KILGORE/COMMISSION  CHAIRMAN  DAN  BRUE AND  CITY  OF  THOMASTON  MANAGER  RUSSELL  THOMPSON  TOLD   101  NEWS  SUNDAY  MORNING   ALL    CITY   AND    COUNTY  OPERATIONS  WERE   WORKING  AS  USUAL.   CHANNEL  TWO   ACTION  NEWS  HAD  A  MOBILE  CRUISER  IN  UPSON  AND  PIKE  COUNTIES  AND  REPORTED  THE  ROAD  TEMPERATURE  REMAINED  ABOVE   FREEZING  -- PREVENTING ICYING.  A  WINTER WEATHER  ADVISORY  WAS  CANCELLED  SUNDAY  AT   1PM--ACCORDING  TO  SPALDING  COUNTY  EMA. UPSON, PIKE,  SPALDING,  BUTTS,  AND  MONROE  COUNTIES  HAD  THE  MOST  SNOW-FALL  IN  THE  ENTIRE  STATE.   

IF  YOU  HAVE  ANY  PHOTOS  OF  THE  SNOWFALL  SEND  THEM  TO  OUR  WEBSITE  AND  WE'LL  POST  A  GALLERY .  SEND  THEM  TO    wtga@fun101fm.com.

SPALDING CO WARMING CENTERS/EMA

 With the winter months upon us, the need for winter weather preparations are imperative. To assist, Spalding County has announced that there are locations that will assist in being warming centers during regular operating hours EFFECTIVE MONDAY 12/29/2025, including:

Flint River Regional Library

800 Memorial Drive

Hours: Monday and Thursday from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 9 am-6 pm

ON A DAY BY DAY BASIS AND EVALAUTION OF WEATHER CONDITIONS:

City Park Community Center

601 Camp Northern Road

EFFECTIVE at this time, THE FOLLOWING OPERATING HOURS FOR CITY PARK DUE TO THE FORECASTED TEMPERATURES FOR THIS TIME PERIOD:

SUNDAY 1/18 10pm – Monday 1/19 at 10am

MONDAY 1/19 10PM-Tuesday 1/20 at 10 am

TUESDAY 1/20 10PM – Wednesday 1/21 at 10 am

This will be further evaluated, and additional openings will be advertised.

Please take advantage of these warming centers if you are feeling at risk. For more information, please contact Spalding County Office of Homeland Security / Emergency Management at 770-228-2129 or Spalding County Leisure Services at 770-467-4750.

A CRAWFORD CO DONKEY HAS THE LONGEST EARS IN THE WORLD

 A  DONKEY  ON  A  CRAWFORD  COUNTY  FARM  HAS  THE  LONGEST  EARS  IN  THE  WORLD  ON  A  LIVING  DONKEY     ACCORDING  TO  THE   GUINNESS  BOOK  OF   WORLD RECORDS--MATILDA  WHO  CAME  FROM  ARKANSAS--WAS 100  POUNDS  UNDER--WEIGHT WHEN OWNER  HANNAH  FROST  BOUGHT  HER  IN   SEPTEMBER  AND  HANNAH  SAID  SHE  WAS  A   WALKING  SKELETON.  EACH  EAR  IS  15  AND  A  HALF  INCHES  LONG.

2ND LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST UPSON CO OVER SERENITY LAKE SUBDIVISION

 10  ACRES  LAKE  LLC  DEVELOPER OF    UPSCALE  SERENITY  LAKE   SUBDIVISION  ON  ROLAND  ROAD  IN  WESTERN  UPSON  COUNTY  HAS  FILED  A  2ND  LAWSUIT AGAINST  UPSON  COUNTY--   THIS  ONE OVER DENIAL OF A   PRELIMINARY  PLAT--THE  FIRST  ONE  OVER  ZONING  DENIAL.  GRIFFIN  ZONING  ATTORNEY  NEWTON  GALLOWAY  ARGUED   BEFORE  THE  PLANNING  COMMISSION  THAT  THE  DENIAL  OF  THE  PRELIMINARY  PLAT  WAS  UNCONSTITUTIONAL  AND  THE   19  PAGE  COMPLAINT  FILED  THIS  MONTH  IS  SEEKING  DECLARAORY  JUDGMENT. 

ANNUAL APPOINTMENTS UPSON BOC TUES

 APPOINTMENTS  AT  TUESDAY'S  MEETING  OF  THE  UPSON  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS--JEFFREY  LITTLE  TO  THE  PLANNING  COMMISSION, TWO  NEW  TAX  ASSESSORS--CHRIS  DANIEL  AND  WILLIAM  ROBERTS,  RONNIE  PORTWOOD  REAPPOINTED.  JENNIFER  ROGERS  RENAMED  TO  THE  IDA, CHRISTOPHER  BIGGS  VICE-CHAIR  BOC FOR  2026.

CITIZENS SPEAK OUT AT TUESDAY'S UPSON BOC MEETING

 SEVERAL  CITIZENS   WHO  TESTIFIED  IN  SUPPORT  OF   RIDGE VIEW  VETERINARY  SERVICES    ON FIRE  TOWER  ROAD AT  MONDAY'S  MEETING  OF  THE  UPSON  COUNTY PLANNING  COMMISSION--CRITICIZED  THE  PLANNING  COMMISSION FOR     DENIAL OF  A  SPECIAL EXCEPTION  AND  VARIANCE , DURING  COMMENT  BEFORE  THE    COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS--TUESDAY.  COMMISSION  CHAIRMAN  DAN  BRUE  WHOSE  WIFE, DANA,  A  NEW  VETERINARIAN,   SEEKS  TO  OPEN  AN ANIMAL  HOSPITAL ON  THEIR  PROPERTY -- MET  WITH  PLANNING  AND  ZONING  STAFF  TUESDAY  AND  HE  SAYS  HE  CAN  APPEAL    DENIAL  OF  BOTH  ISSUES  BEFORE  THE  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS.

RETIRED  DECORATED   MILITARY    CHUCK  THOMPSON  TOLD  THE  COMMISSIONERS  HE  LEFT  THE  MEETING    MONDAY  READY  TO  MOVE  FROM  UPSON  COUNTY--THE  PLACED  THAT  RAISED-ME--HE  SAID . CHUCK  SAID IT  COST  HIM $1300 TO  GET  HIS  4  DOGS VACCINATED  OUT  OF  TOWN AND     LAUDED      RETIRED  VET  DR.  MIKE  PASLEY   AND HIS  SKILLED  TREATMENT  OF  ANIMALS.  HE  SAID  THE  BRUE'S  JUST  WANT  A  CHANCE  TO   MAKE  A  DIFFERENCE.  MONDAY,  OVER  30  CITIZENS  SPOKE  IN  FAVOR OF  THE  FACILITY  WHICH  WILL  DEVOTE  30%  OF  THE  PRACTICE  TO  LARGE  ANIMALS  LIKE  CATTLE  AND  GOATS--TREATMENT  NOT  AVAILABLE  IN  UPSON  COUNTY NOW. ALLEN WHITMIRE   BACKED  THE  IDEA AND    TOLD   THE  COMMISSIONERS   YOU  SHOULD  RULE  ON  THE  ISSUE  BECAUSE YOU  ARE  ELECTED  AND  ARE ACCOUNTABLE.

NEAL  ANDREWS   REJECTED  THE  PLANNING  COMMISSION'S  TREATMENT  OF  CHAIRMAN  BRUE--WHO  MORE  THAN  ONCE  HAD  TO  CORRECT   THE  BODY'S    PROCEDURES  ON   A  PUBLIC  HEARING--SOMETHING  THAT  THE  BOC  HAS  CHANGED.

  

  DR.  DANA  BRUE  CHARGED  THE  PLANNING   COMMISSION  WAS  DISRESPECTFUL  TO  HER  HUSBAND AND  ADDED  WHEN   THE  COLONEL   RETIRED   FROM  THE  ARMY   THEY   COULD  HAVE   LIVED   ANYWHERE  BUT  CHOSE  TO  RETURN  TO  UPSON  COUNTY.   

 

 

  

UPSON CO COMMISSION CHAIRMAN DAN BRUE SEEMS TO HAVE WON AN APPEAL HEARING

 

AFTER  THE  UPSON  COUNTY  PLANNING  COMMISSION  DENIED  TO  RECOMMEND  A  SPECIAL  EXCEPTION  AND  VARIANCE  FOR   RIDGE  VIEW VETERINARY  SERVICES  TUESDAY  ON  THE  PROPERTY  OF  COUNTY  COMMISSION  CHAIRMAN  DAN  BRUE   AND  HIS  WIFE  DANA    ON  FIRE TOWER  ROAD--   AN   ANIMAL   HOSPITAL  FOR   DR.  BRUE  --- HE  TOLD   101  NEWS  HE  CONSULTED  WITH  THE  PLANNING  AND  ZONING  OFFICE  TUESDAY  MORNING  AND  BOTH  CAN  BE  APPEALED  TO  THE  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS.  DURING  THE  MONDAY  PUBLIC  HEARINGS  IT  WAS  ASSUMED  THE  SPECIAL  EXCEPTION  COULD  BE  APPEALED  TO  THE  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS,  BUT  CHAIRMAN  BRUE  TOLD   101  NEWS  TUESDAY  AFTERNOON  BOTH  CAN  BE  APPELED  TO  THE  BOC.

OVER   30  CITIZENS  TESTIFIED IN  FAVOR   OF  THE  PROJECT  INVOLVING  DR.  DANA BRUE  BUT  HER  HUSBAND  SAID  HE  WILL  CONTINUE  LOOKING  FOR  ANOTHER  SITE  FOR  THE  ANIMAL  HOSPITAL  RATHER  THAN  LOCATING  IT  ON  THEIR  PROPERTY .  HE  CONTENDS  THE  ZONING  ORDIANCE  HAS LEGAL  FLAWS  AND  A  PROVISION  THAT  REQUIRES  LOCATION ON  AN  ARTERIAL  ROAD  IS  UNJUST.

NEW DATA CENTER AND NEW FIRM RECOMMENDED IN SPALDING COUNTY

 THE  SPALDING  COUNTY  PLANNING/ZONING  COMMISSION  HAS  RECOMMENDED  A  3RD  DATA  CENTER  TO  THE  COUNTY COMMISSION  AFTER  A   4  TO  1  VOTE  MONDAY  THIS   ONE  AT  WALLACE/JACKSON  ROADS  WILL BE  ABOUT  A  MILE  FROM  THE  OTHER  TWO  AND  WILL  INCLUDE  10  BUILDINGS   UP  TO 790,000  SQUARE  FEET ON  189  ACRES.

A  CITIZEN  WHO LIVES  NEAR-BY SAMUEL  WEEKS,  CHARGED  THAT  DEVELOPER DOUG   ADAMS  HAS  BOUGHT-UP 3500  ACRES  IN  SPALDING  COUNTY  AND  CLEAR  CUTS  ALL  HIS PROPERTY   AND  NEVER  REPLANTS    TREES.

THE  PLANNING  COMMISSION  VOTED  TO  APPROVE  THREE  ZONING/VARIANCE ISSUES  RELATED  TO  THE  DATA  CENTER PROPOSAL.

IN  OTHER  ACTION  THE  SPALDING  COUNTY  PLANNING  COMMISSION  RECOMMENDED  A  NEW INDUSTRY ON  HIGH  FALLS  ROAD  FROM  THE  NEW  COLD  COMPANY  PLANNING  TO  HIRE  175  EMPLOYEES  TO OPERATE  24  HOURS  A  DAY  --7  DAYS  A  WEEK -- TO  QUICK  FREEZE  FOOD  FOR  FROZEN  FOOD  COMPANIES.  THE  PLANT  IS  A  $400  MILLION  INVESTMENT  AND    WILL  BE  14  STORIES  TALL  AND  WILL  ONLY  BE  ABOUT   3  MILES  FROM  THE NEW  REGIONAL    AIRPORT -- BUT  COMPANY OFFICIALS  SAID  THE  FAA  HAS  APPROVED  THE  PLANS.  NEW  COLD  COMPANY HAS  SEVERAL    PLANTS  ACROSS THE  U.S. 

FUNERAL SERVICES FOR JAXON SKELTON 6TH GRADER AT U-L MIDDLE SCHOOL

 

FUNERAL  SERVICES  FOR    JAXON  SKELTON  WHO  DIED  IN  A  TRAFFIC  ACCIDENT  IN  PIKE  COUNTY  WILL  BE  HELD  WEDNESDAY    AT  2;30PM AT  THE  CIVIC  CENTER IN  THOMASTON. VISITATION  WILL  BE    TUESDAY    5  TO  7PM  AT  SHADY  GROVE BAPTIST  CHURCH  ON  WEST  MOORE'S  CROSSING  ROAD  AND  THE  REPAST  WILL  BE  IN  THE  WORTHY  GYM  ON  MLK  DR.  IN  THOMASTON.  PETERSON'S  FUNERAL  HOME  SERVING   THE  FAMILY. 

UPSON COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY MEETS THURSDAY 6PM 103 SOUTH HIGHTOWER