WRECK ON U.S. 19 TUES. BLOCKS TRAFFIC

AN AIR AMBULANCE COPTER WAS DISPATCHED AROUND LUNCHTIME TUESDAY AFTER A WRECK BLOCKED TRAFFIC ON U.S. 19 IN PIKE COUNTY NEAR THE BAPTIST CHILDREN'S HOME . ONE VEHICLE REPORTEDLY FLIPPED OVER .

UPSON P&Z DENIES ZONING

MONDAY BEFORE A STANDING ROOM ONLY CROWD—MOSTLY FROM THE POTATO CREEK HEIGHTS COMMUNITY, THE UPSON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY PASSED A MOTION TO DENY A REZONING FROM A-R TO MANUFACTURING FOR JAMES FORTNER/JMF TRUCKING COMPANY AT 1409 COUNTY ROAD—AND SEND THAT RECOMMENDATION TO THE UPSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR A FINAL DECISION.

HOWEVER, MANY IN THE CROWD HELD THE OPINION THAT UPSON COUNTY GOVERNMENT GOOFED-UP AT SOME POINT PROBABLY WHEN IT IMPLIMENTED ZONING IN 1995.

FORTNER WANTED TO ADD A STRUCTURE TO HIS COMPLEX BUT WHEN HE CAME TO APPLY FOR A BUILDING PERMIT HE WAS TOLD IT WAS IN AN AGRICULTURAL-RESIDENTIAL ZONE, NOT IN A COMMERICAL ZONE. BUT MOST FOLKS IN THE COUNTY ALWAYS CONSIDERED THOSE SITES COMMERCIAL .

FORTNER WHO CLAIMS HE HAS A MILLION DOLLAR A YEAR PAYROLL WITH 23 CONTRACT EMPLOYEES ,RUNS A TOWING, DIESEL REPAIR AND TRUCK TERMINAL ON THE SITE ON THE BANKS OF POTATO CREEK, THE WATER SOURCE FOR THE CITY OF THOMASTON. FORTNER SAID FLYERS DISTRIBUTED TO NEAR-BY RESIDENTS ARE FALSE CLAIMING HE WANTED THE REZONING FOR A JUNK YARD AND DEBRIS SITE.

HIS RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORS CALLED HIS SITE JUNKY AND A BLIGHT ON THEIR PROPERTY—AND HE GENERALLY AGREED WITH THEM AND CONCEDED HE WOULD AGREE TO PUT UP A PRIVACY FENCE -IF NEED BE. THE JUNK TRUCKS ARE USED FOR PARTS SALES, FORTNER TOLD THE ZONING BOARD—BUT PLANNING AND ZONING DIRECTOR DOUG CURRIER SAID EPD WAS CALLED IN A WHILE BACK DUE TO ILLEGAL DUMPING CLOSE TO THE CREEK.

CURRIER SAID APPARENTLY WHEN UPSON COUNTY PASSED A ZONING LAW IN 1995 MOST PROPERTY WAS ZONED A-R AND THAT INCLUDED FORTNER'S PROPERTY , ALTHOUGH THE COUNTY NEVER QUESTIONED THE EXISTANCE OF BUSINESSES THERE UNTIL NOW. FORTNER SAID WHEN HE CLOSED ON THE PROPERTY 6 YEARS AGO HIS ATTORNEY TOLD HIM IT WAS COMMERCIAL.

PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBER SAM BAITY MADE THE MOTION TO DENY THE REZONING, WITH HIS MAJOR CONCERN TRUCK REPAIR WITH POSSIBLE OIL AND OTHER CONTAMINANTS LEAKING INTO THE SOIL SO CLOSE TO POTATO CREEK, THE CITY OF THOMASTON'S WATER SOURCE .

PHONE SERVICE IN NORTHSIDE TO BE DOWN 9AM WED.

ACCORDING TO UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF DAN KILGORE TELEPHONE SERVICE IN THE NORTHSIDE AREA WILL BE DOWN WEDNESDAY FOR 2 TO 4 HOURS STARTING AT 9AM—BUT 911 SERVICE WILL CONTINUE VIA PIKE COUNTY 911. SHERIFF KILGORE SAID UTILITY WORK ON THE 19 NORTH IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IS THE CAUSE OF THE DOWN SERVICE.

THE SHERIFF SAID SOME OF HIS 911 DISPATCHERS WILL BE IN PIKE COUNTY TO TAKE EMERGENCY CALLS, BUT ADMINISTRATIVE CALLS WILL NOT BE TAKEN DUE TO THE INTERRUPTED PHONE SERVICE.

UPSON AND PIKE HAVE A MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT TO HELP EACH OTHER OUT IF 911 SERVICE IS INTERRUPTED. 

AS OF 11AM TUESDAY UPSON CO. WATER OFF IN NSIDE

A BULLETIN FROM THE UPSON COUNTY WATER DEPARTMENT—A CONTRACTOR HAS RUPTURED A COUNTY WATER LINE AT U. S. 19 AND GARDNER STREET—AND COUNTY WATER CUSTOMERS WILL BE WITHOUT SERVICE FOR 2 TO 6 HOURS TODAY WHILE REPAIR WORK IS UNDERWAY.

JAN 2019 MEETING AGENDA UPSON PLANNING COM

REGULAR MEETING AGENDA Thomaston-Upson County Government Administration Complex 106 East Lee Street – R.E. Lee Building City/County Meeting Room, #140 Monday, January 14, 2019, 5:30 P.M. (Please silence all audible alarms.) 1. Call to Order and Roll Call 2. Adoption of Meeting Minutes - December 10, 2018 Regular Meeting – Minutes Provided 3. Old Business - None 4. New Business A. Application for Rezoning – REZ2019-01, James Fortner/JMF Trucking Co., 1409 County Road; Parcels #030 046, 046A and 046B, To Allow Existing Towing, Diesel Repair and Truck Terminal – Material Provided 1. Public Hearing 2. Commission Discussion B. Discussion of Backyard Chicken Ordinance – Materials Provided C. Discussion of Solar Ordinance – Materials Previously Provided 5. Other Business A. Election: 2019 Chair B. Election: 2019 Vice Chair C. Approve 2019 Meeting Schedule – Material Provided 6. Planning Commissioner Issues and Announcements 7. Secretary’s Issues and Announcements A. Update: Manufactured Home Ordinance B. Update: TRRV Program C. Update: Matis Rezoning 8. Adjournment

PIKE CO. CHASE ON 19 SAT=ARRESTS

Pike County Deputies were involved in a vehicle pursuit this evening. A Deputy stopped to check a suspicious vehicle that was near a neighborhood on Highway 19 in North Pike County. The suspect vehicle fled upon seeing the Deputy and a pursuit ensued that ended on Adams Street in Zebulon when the vehicle wrecked. Three occupants were taken into custody and a bag containing methamphetamine and marijuana was located on the side of the roadway after being thrown out by the suspects. 

The driver was found to be a fifteen year old. The other individuals that were arrested are Emma Echols , 18 years old , and Dustin Adkerson  , 28 years of age, both from Griffin.  Echols and Adkerson are currently in the Pike County Jail and the juvenile is being turned over to the Department of Juvenile Justice.

THOMASTON CITY COUNCIL AGENDA JAN. 15

CITY OF THOMASTON

MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL – AGENDA

JANUARY 15, 2019 – 7:00 P.M.

City-County Meeting Room, Main Floor, R. E. Lee Building

A. Call Meeting to Order / Invocation / Pledge Allegiance to the Flag.

B. Approval of Minutes of January 7, 2019.

C. Adoption of Agenda.

D. Public Comment and Announcements.

E. City Attorney’s Report.

F. Assistant City Clerk’s Report.

G. City Engineer’s Report.

H. City Manager’s Report.

1. Approval of Resolution – City Property Rental Fees.

2. Approval of Appointments of Individuals to Serve on the City Committees and Joint Committees.

3. Approval of New Phone System for City Hall Offices and Police Department.

I. Other Business.

J. Executive Session.

K. Adjournment.

UGA FOOTBALL NEW OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR

ATHENS----------James Coley, who served as Co-Offensive Coordinator at the University of Georgia this past season, has been promoted to Offensive Coordinator at UGA according to an announcement Friday by Bulldog head coach Kirby Smart.

Coley has been on the UGA coaching staff since Smart took over as head coach in 2016.

“James has been an critical part of our staff since we came to Georgia,” said Smart.  “He’s done an incredible job in all aspects of his responsibilities including coaching wide receivers for two years, serving as co-offensive coordinator this past season coaching the quarterbacks, and recruiting.  James has extensive coordinator experience during his entire coaching career and will transition easily into his new role.”

Coley was named Co-Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach at Georgia in 2018 after two seasons coaching the Bulldogs’ wide receivers

PIKE CO. FOOTBALL COACH BRAD WEBER NOMINATED NFL HONORS

THE ATLANTA FALCONS HAVE NOMINATED PIKE COUNTY FOOTBALL COACH BRAD WEBER NFL HIGH SCHOOL COACH OF THE YEAR FOR AN 9-4 RECORD AND THE STATE PLAY-OFFS FOR THE 3RD YEAR IN A ROW. MOREOVER, COACH WEBER GUIDED HIS TEAM THROUGH THE CHALLENGE OF DEALING WITH THE TRAGIC DEATH OF LINEBACKER DYLAN THOMAS .

THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF COACH OF THE YEAR WILL BE MADE AT THE PRO BOWL JAN. 27TH.  

UPSON HISTORICAL SOCIETY SOCIAL GRACES CLASS

The Upson Historical Society Social Graces Class begins Sunday, January 27, 2019 at 3:00 P. M. at the Pettigrew White Stamps House  located on South Church Street. This class is limited to eight graders.  Mr. and Mrs. Mike (Peggy) Greene will teach this class for six weeks.  The class will include table manners, table settings, thank you notes, and social etiquette.  Class size will be limited to 12 and the cost is $60.00, which includes membership in the Historical Society.  CONTACT:  pgreene42@gmail.com.

UPSON CO. JAILER ARRESTED

On Tuesday night, January 8, 2019 a jail officer was arrested while attempting to smuggle marijuana and other contraband into the Upson County Jail. Kenny Richardson, 19, of Thomaston had been employed as a jail officer since October 29, 2018.

Investigators searched Richardson as he entered the jail to begin his shift based on information developed during an internal investigation. He was found to be in possession of marijuana, tobacco and cigar wrappers. Richardson is charged with Possession of Marijuana with the intent to Distribute, Violation of Oath of Office and Crossing Guard Lines with Contraband. All are felonies. Richardson is being held on $15,000 bond.

T-SPLOST VOTE IN MARCH IN UPSON CO

A 5 YEAR $17 MILLION TRANSPORTATION SPLOST IS HEADED FOR A VOTE IN MARCH AFTER THE THOMASTON CITY COUNCIL AND UPSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT AT SEPERATE MEETINGS THIS WEEK.

THE CITY OF YATESVILLE WILL GET THE FIRST $140,000 AND THE CITY OF THOMASTON GETS 43% AND THE COUNTY GETS THE REST. ITS ESTIMATED AROUND $13.5 MILLION WILL BE COLLECTED. ALSO ON THE BALLOT VOTERS ASKED TO APPROVE A BOND MEASURE FOR THE COUNTY TO GET UP TO $6 MILLION UP FRONT TO GO AHEAD AND BEGIN ROAD WORK.

DURING TUESDAY'S MEETING OF THE UPSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, DISTRICT ONE COMMISSIONER LORENZO WILDER WAS ELECTED VICE-CHAIRMAN FOR 2019 AND THE BOARD WELCOMED NEW DISTRICT 4 COMMISSIONER BENJAMIN WATSON.

THE COMMISSIONERS HELD A RETREAT ON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY AND COUNTY MANAGER JASON TINSLEY TOLD ZOOM NEWS— AS PART OF THE RETREAT THE BOARD PLANNED TO SET GOALS FOR 2019 AND FOR FUTURE YEARS.