Saturday, May 28, 2011

Pirates Split Double Header With Buford

The Pike County Pirates won the first game of the state AA finals, 10-3 in Buford Saturday.

Chris Long had 5 RBI’s on a pair of home runs. Kody Adams started and picked up the win.

Buford rallied to win the second game 14-4 in six innings to force a championship showdown Monday at 4pm in Buford.

Friday, May 27, 2011

THOMASTON-UPSON PRE-K

ON MAY  24, THE  THOMASTON  UPSON  BOARD  OF  EDUCATION, ACTING  ON  A  RECOMMENDATION  BY  SUPERINTENDENT DR. MAGGIE  SHOOK,  VOTED TO  KEEP THE  THOMASTON-UPSON  PRE-K  PROGRAM  AT  180  STUDENT  DAYS  AND  190  TEACHER  DAYS FOR  THE  2011-2012 SCHOOL  YEAR. UPSON-LEE  PRE-K  TEACHING ASSISTANTS  WILL  BE  FUNDED  FOR  182 DAYS.

 

ON  MAY 17,  GOVERNOR NATHAN  DEAL’S OFFICE  ANNOUNCED  THAT  HE HAD SIGNED THE  $18.3 BILLION FY2012 BUDGET, WHICH  INCLUDED CUTS  TO  THE  LOTTERY-FUNDED PRE-KINDERGARTEN  PROGRAM.  THE  STATE  BUDGET REDUCED  FUNDING OF  PRE-K STUDENT  DAYS FROM  180  TO  160,  AND  REDUCED TEACHER  AND  TEACHING  ASSISTANT  DAYS  FROM  190  TO  169. THE  MAY 25 BOE DECISION ALLOWS  ALL THOMASTON-UPSON  SCHOOLS TO OPERATE ON THE  SAME  2011-2012  SCHOOL  YEAR  CALENDAR.

$100,000 FIRE 2303 PICKARD ROAD

A  LOSS OF  ABOUT   $100,000 AFTER  A  SHOP  AND  CONTENTS WERE DESTROYED  BY  FIRE  AT  2303  PICKARD  ROAD,  THE  RESIDENCE  OF  JAMES  CLARK  ELLERBEE. THE  ESTIMATED  REPLACEMENT  COST  OF  THE  BUILDING  IN  THE  BACK  YARD,  $48,000,  PLUS  THE  VALUE  OF  THE  CONTENTS  WAS  AROUND   $50,000. AMONG  THE  LOST ITEMS  IN  THE  SHOP,  A  $15,000  RANGER  UTILITY  VEHICLE ,  A  GOLF  CART  AND  ASSORTED  POWER  TOOLS. SOMEONE  KNOCKED  ON  MR.  ELLERBEE’S  DOOR  AND  TOLD  HIM  ABOUT  THE  FIRE, THURSTON  FIRE  DEPARTMENT  RESPONDED.

THOMASTON MAN ATTEMPTS SUICIDE -AGAIN

A  THOMASTON  MAN,  53  YEAR OLD STEVE  TURNER  WAS  PULLED  OFF  THE  HIGHWAY  16  BRIDGE  IN  GRIFFIN,  THURSDAY  MORNING  BY  GRIFFIN   POLICE  AFTER   HE  THREATENED   TO  JUMP. TURNER  HAD A  STEEL  CABLE  AROUND  HIS NECK  WHEN  OFFICERS  PULLED HIM  OFF  THE  LEDGE.  TURNER  WAS  TRANSPORTED  FOR  MEDICAL  EVALUATION. THE INCIDENT  BLOCKED  TRAFFIC  ON  19/41  BELOW  FROM  AROUND  6;30AM  TILL  9AM. TURNER  HAS  MADE TWO  OTHER   SUCH  ATTEMPTS  IN  THE  LAST  YEAR.  A  COUPLE OF MONTHS  AGO  THOMASTON   POLICE  RESPONDED  TO   HIS  RESIDENCE  ON  AVALON  ROAD.  HE  WAS OUT  IN  HIS  YARD  WAVING  A  PISTOL UNTIL  OFFICERS  CALMED  HIM  DOWN. LAST  YEAR  TURNER    BARRICADED   HIMSELF INSIDE  THE  FAYETTE COUNTY  BUSINESS  WHERE  HE  WAS   EMPLOYED  FOR  18  HOURS,  UNTIL  THE  SITUATION WAS  RESOLVED.  HE  UNDERWENT  MENTAL  EVALUATION  AFTER  THOSE  INCIDENTS. TURNER IS  A  FORMER  RECREATION  UMPIRE, BUT  HE  NO  LONGER  WORKS  GAMES  REPORTEDLY  BECAUSE  OF  THE  FAYETTE  COUNTY  INCIDENT.

Memorial Day Tribute

Monday is Memorial Day and Fun 101 salutes all veterans that have served.

There are no more living veterans of WWI and the number of those that served in WWII are declining daily. 

We have posted a story on our Features Page as part of our salute to those that served.

Click the story or the link to the right.

U.S.S. Barb: The Sub That Sank A Train

Thursday, May 26, 2011

THOMASTON GETS $520,000 DOT GRANT

THE  GA.  DOT  ANNOUNCED  THAT THE CITY OF  THOMASTON IS  AWARDED A  $520,000  FEDERAL  TRANSPORTATION  GRANT  FOR  ADDITIONAL WORK IN THE  GREATEST GENERATION MEMORIAL  PARK. THE  CITY  PLANS  TO  UTILIZE  THE  GRANT FUNDS TO  DEVELOP TRAILS AND INCREASE  PARKING IN  THE  PARK.   PARK  COMMITTEE  CO-CHAIRPERSON  KAY  HIGHTOWER  STATED “WE ARE  DELIGHTED IN  RECEIVING THIS  GRANT  FOR  DEVELOPMENT  OF  THE  PARK. WE  SINCERELY APPRECIATE THE  ASSISTANCE  OF  MR.  SAM  WELLBORN IN  OBTAINING  THIS  GRANT”  THE  GRANT BRINGS  THE  TOTAL OF  FEDERAL AND  STATE  GRANTS BY  THE CITY IN  RECENT YEARS  TO  A  FIGURE IN  EXCESS  OF  $5.4 MILLION.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

EMANCIPATION DAY CELEBRATION

THE  EMANCIPATION  DAY  CELEBRATION  IS  SATURDAY, MAY  28, SPONSORED  BY  THE  EMANCIPATION  PROCLAMATION  COMMITTEE  OF  UPSON  COUNTY. THE  CELEBRATION  WILL  BEGIN  WITH  A  PARADE AT  11;15AM  FROM  THE  OLD  THOMASTON  MILLS  PARKING  LOT  ON  BETHEL  STREET  AND  TRAVEL  BETHEL  STREET  AROUND  THE  COURTHOUSE  SQUARE  AND  ON  TO  LINCOLN PARK.  THE  CEREMONY  WILL  BEGIN  AT THE  LINCOLN  PARK  SPEAKING  GROUNDS  AT   1PM.  THE  KEYNOTE  SPEAKER WILL  BE  STATE  REPRESENTATIVE  RANDALL  MANGHAM.

ANIMAL SHELTER HOURS EXPANDED

UPSON  COUNTY COMMISSION  CHAIRMAN  MAURICE  RAINES SAID  THE  BOARD  PLANS  TO  EXPAND  THE  HOURS  OF  THE  ANIMAL  SHELTER  FOR  A   90  DAY  TRIAL  RUN. THE  NEW  HOURS WILL  BE  MONDAY-THURSDAY  TILL   7PM,  FRIDAY  8  TO  5  AND  SATURDAY  8  TO  12. THE  LOCAL  HUMANE  SOCIETY  SAID  ADOPTIONS  TRIPLED  THE FIRST  FEW  MONTHS  OF  THE  YEAR  WHEN  THE  SHELTER  WAS  OPEN  AFTER  HOURS.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

IDA EX.DIR RECOMMENDS DEBT PAY DOWN

AT  THE    MAY   MEETING  OF THE  THOMASTON-UPSON  DEVELOPMENT  AUTHORITY, EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR  J.R. CHARLES MADE  A  RECOMMENDATION  THAT  THE  COMMUNITY SHOULD  LOOK  FOR  WAYS  TO PAY OFF  ITS INDUSTRIAL PARK  DEBT AS  SOON  AS  POSSIBLE. THE  RECOMMENDATION  COMES AFTER  CHARLES  ATTENDED THE  GEORGIA  ECONOMIC  DEVELOPERS  ASSOCIATION  SPRING  CONFERENCE,  WHERE HE  LEARNED THAT  PROSPECTIVE  INDUSTRIES  ARE  ASKING  COMMUNITIES TO  REDUCE THE  COST OF  INDUSTRIAL  LAND, IF NOT  COMPLETELY   ELIMINATING  THOSE  COSTS. CHARLES  SAID “ IN  THE  WAKE  OF  THE  RECESSION, COMPANIES ARE   LOOKING  TO COMMUNITIES  AS   INVESTORS RATHER  THAN AS  HOSTS, AND IF UPSON  COUNTY  WANTS  TO BE  COMPETITIVE IN  RECRUITING  INDUSTRY   WE  MUST  HAVE  A  PLAN  TO BRING  DOWN  THE  COST OF  INVESTING  IN  THE  COMMUNITY.”‘ THE  IDA HAS A RETREAT  PLANNED  FOR  JUNE  20TH  AND  PAYING  DOWN  PUBLIC  DEBT IS ON  THE  AGENDA.

Monday, May 23, 2011

SHOOTING SAT 118 AVE G.

THOMASTON  POLICE  HAVE  TWO  SUSPECTS  IN  CUSTODY AFTER  A  SHOOTING  SATURDAY  AT  118  AVE  G.  THE  VICTIM,  A  MAN  IN  HIS  20’S  WAS  TRANSPORTED  BY  AIR  AMBULANCE  TO  THE  MEDICAL  CENTER  OF  CENTRAL  GEORGIA  IN MACON  AND  TREATED  FOR A  GUNSHOT  WOUND  TO  THE  CHEST.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Lamar County Accident Fatality Identified

An early morning accident on Highway 36 in Lamar County has claimed the life of an Upson County man.

According to Lamar County Deputy Coroner Cindy Killingsworth, the victim  has been identified as 20 year old Kenneth Matthew Lyons of Thomaston.

Lyons was apparently ejected from the extensively damaged vehicle Sunday morning and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Friday, May 20, 2011

A 2ND ARREST IN TAX FRAUD CASE

A  SECOND  ARREST  HAS  BEEN  MADE  BY  THOMASTON  POLICE  IN  AN  INCOME  TAX  FRAUD  CASE  INVOLVING  BOGUS  INCOME  TAX  RETURNS.  CRIMINAL  WARRANTS HAVE BEEN  ISSUED  FOR  TWO  MORE  FEMALE  SUSPECTS  WHO  ARE  NOT  IN  CUSTODY.  THE  SECOND  ARREST,  BRANDY SEARCY  HOWARD  CHARGED  WITH  THREE  COUNTS OF  I.D.  FRAUD  AND  TWO  COUNTS  OF FORGERY. DEVONNY  HARRIS  OF  COBBTOWN  ROAD  WAS  THE  FIRST  ARREST. POLICE  TOLD  TGA  NEWS  THE  WOMAN  WERE  PREPARING  INCOME  TAX  RETURNS  FOR  THEMSELVES  AND  OTHERS,  SOME  WERE  UNEMPLOYED  BUT    ALLEGEDLY  RECEIVED  INCOME  TAX  REFUNDS  RANGING  FROM   $400  TO  $5000.  POLICE  SGT.  TIM  LEDBETTER  IS  WORKING  WITH  THE  IRS  AND  SECRET  SERVICE  ON  THE  CASE.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

TAX FRAUD ARREST IN THOMASTON

THOMASTON  POLICE  ARE  WORKING  WITH  IRS  INVESTIGATORS  AND  THE  SECRET  SERVICE  ON  SEVERAL  SUSPECTED  TAX  FRAUD  CASES.  ONE  ARREST  HAS  BEEN  MADE, DEVONNEY  HARRIS  OF  COBBTOWN  ROAD   CHARGED  WITH  ID  THEFT, FOR  ALLEGEDLY  PREPARING  BOGUS INCOME  TAX  RETURNS.  THE  P.D.  SAID  OTHER  ARRESTS  ARE  POSSIBLE  AS  THE  INVESTIGATION  CONTINUES. 

Friday, May 13, 2011

URMC LEADS IN TECHNOLOGY FOR PATIENTS

UPSON  REGIONAL  MEDICAL  CENTER IS  THE  FIRST HOSPITAL EAST OF  THE  MISSISSIPPI  AND SECOND IN  THE  NATION  TO  INVEST IN  THE  LATEST  TECHNOLOGY  FOR  ITS  UROLOGY PATIENTS.

 

THIS MONTH URMC COMPLETED A  $600,000 RENOVATION OF ITS  CYSTO-SUITE,ENLARGING  THE  SPACE  AND  ADDING THE UROSKOP OMNIA. THE NEW  SURGICAL  TABLE OFFERS AN  IMAGING  SYSTEM WITH  A  BROADER DEPTH OF  FIELD,CRISPER IMAGES AND  SMALLER BASE  WHERE  THE  DOCTOR CAN  OPERATE ON  EITHER SIDE OF  THE  PATIENT. IT  FEATURES HIGH RESOLUTION  X-RAY DETECTOR  TO  ENABLE COMPLETE URINARY  TRACT  IMAGING WITH JUST  A  SINGLE  EXPOSURE. THOMASTON  UROLOGIST DR. DAN  BRIDGES  SAID HE  IS  PLEASED WITH  THE  RENOVATION AND  THE  NEW  TECHNOLOGY, BECAUSE  IT  INCREASES  PATIENT  COMFORT AND  EXAMINATION  TIME IS  REDUCED.

LEGISLATIVE LUNCHEON MAY 18 URMC

THE  THOMASTON  UPSON   CHAMBER  OF  COMMERCE  PRESENTS A  BUSINESS LUNCH WITH  STATE  LEGISLATORS, WEDNESDAY, MAY  18TH,11;50  AT  URMC  AUDITORIUM . STATE  SENATOR  GEORGE  HOOKS,  AND  HOUSE  MEMBERS  BILLY  MADDOX AND  ROBERT  DICKEY  WILL  DISCUSS  THE  ISSUES.  RESERVATIONS  $12, CALL  THE  CHAMBER.

Thursday, May 12, 2011

UPSON COMMISSIONERS MEET

THE  UPSON  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS  SET  MINIMUM ACREAGE FOR THE  CONSERVATION  USE  PROGRAM  AT  10  ACRES  TUESDAY, MUCH  LESS  THAT  THE  BOARD OF  TAX  ASSESSORS  HAD  SUGGESTED  TO  CURB  ABUSE OF  THE PROGRAM. THE  STATE  ALLOWS  COUNTIES  TO  GO  AS  HIGH  AS  25  ACRES, BUT  SEVERAL  SMALL  FARMERS   TOLD  THE  BOARD  IT  WOULD  HARM  AGRICULTURE  IN  UPSON COUNTY  TO  GO  TO  20  OR  25  ACRES.  COMMISSIONER  RUSTY  BLACKSTON  MADE  THE  MOTION AND  IT  PASSED   4-0.

IN  OTHER  ACTION,  WILLIE  KENDALL  WAS  APPOINTED  TO  THE  BOARD OF  TAX  ASSESSORS, ONLY  TWO  APPLIED.

 

MEMBERS OF  THE  UPSON  HUMANE  SOCIETY  URGED  THE  COMMISSIONERS  TO  RETURN  TO  NIGHT TIME  AND  WEEKEND  HOURS  FOR  THE  ANIMAL  SHELTER, SOMETHING  TRIED  THE  FIRST THREE  MONTHS OF  THE  YEAR. THEY  TOLD  THE  BOARD  ADOPTIONS  TRIPLED  DURING  THAT  TIME  BECAUSE   MORE  PEOPLE HAD  TIME  TO  VISIT  THE  SHELTER.  CHAIRMAN  MAURICE  RAINES  SAID  THE  COMMISSIONERS  WOULD  TAKE  THEIR  REQUEST  UNDER  ADVISEMENT.

Monday, May 9, 2011

HUD Secretary To Visit Spalding County

U.S Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan will tour Spalding County with HUD Southeast Regional Administrator Ed Jennings, Jr. and Spalding County Commissioner Eddie L. Freeman Tuesday morning.

The group will be at the Ponderosa Mobile Home Park on Patterson Road at 8:45 am.

SCHOOL BUS WRECK IN THOMASTON FRIDAY

A  THOMASTON-UPSON  SYSTEM  SCHOOL  BUS  WAS  INVOLVED IN  AN  ACCIDENT  FRIDAY  AFTERNOON  AT  SOUTH  CHURCH  AND  LEE  INTERSECTION.  NO  STUDENTS  HAD  INJURIES  REQUIRING  MEDICAL  TREATMENT,  BUT  THE  FEMALE  DRIVER  OF  A  SMALL  KIA  AUTO  WAS  TRANSPORTED  TO  THE  E.R.  BY  UPSON  EMS. ACCORDING  TO  GSP  TROOPER  MITCHELL  DAY  THE  SCHOOL  BUS  DRIVER  JOHN  DUNCAN  WAS  CHARGED  WITH  FOLLOWING  TOO  CLOSE  AFTER  THE BUS  REAR-ENDED  THE  KIA. THE  BUS  HAD  SOME  MODERATE  FRONT  FENDER  DAMAGE. SCHOOL  SYSTEM  OFFICIALS  SAID  ANOTHER  SCHOOL  BUS  WAS  DISPATCHED  TO  TRANSPORT  THE  STUDENTS  TO  THEIR  HOMES.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

TRAFFIC FATALITY ON JEFF DAVIS ROAD

  A   MOTORIST  WAS  KILLED  IN  A  ONE  VEHICLE  ACCIDENT  TUESDAY  AFTERNOON  ON   JEFF  DAVIS  ROAD  NEAR  TEN  MILE  CREEK. POST  26  GA.  STATE  PATROL  IN  THOMASTON  IDENTIFIED  THE  VICTIM  AS JOHN  DAVID  THOMAS, 50  OF  421  JEFF  DAVIS ROAD.  THE  REPORT  SAID  THOMAS  LOST  CONTROL OF  THE  99  CHEVY  BLAZER   IN  A  CURVE  AND  HIT A  CULVERT. HE  WAS  PRONOUNCED  DEAD  AT  THE  SCENE.

Upson Declared Disaster Area

Five more counties have been designated for disaster assistance for individuals, families and businesses as part of Georgia's federal disaster declaration, according to officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The latest counties are Cherokee, Habersham, Newton, Upson and White.

Counties previously designated for individual assistance are Bartow, Catoosa, Coweta, Dade, Greene, Harris, Heard, Floyd, Gordon, Lamar, Lumpkin, Meriwether, Monroe, Morgan, Pickens, Polk, Rabun, Spalding, Troup and Walker.

Individual Assistance for homeowners and renters can include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses not met by insurance or other assistance programs. Also low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration are available to cover residential and businesses losses not fully compensated by insurance.

Affected survivors and business owners in the newly designated counties may apply for assistance by calling FEMA's toll-free registration number, 800-621-FEMA (3362). The hearing or speech impaired can use the TTY line at 800-462-7585. The registration lines are available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., local time. An application may also be completed online by going to www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

FEMA's temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

STORE OWNER RECEIVES THREATS

A  THOMASTON  BUSINESS  OWNER  SAYS  SHE  HAS  BEEN  THE  FOCUS OF  THREATS  AND  VILE  RUMORS  AFTER  SHE  TOLD  THE  UPSON  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS, ILLEGAL  GAMBLING  IS  GOING  ON  AT  BUSINESSES  IN  THE  COUNTY. DEBRA  GENA, OWNER OF KELLY’S CORNER  ON  74 EAST,  TOLD  TGA  NEWS  SHE  HAS  CONTACTED  THE  UPSON COUNTY  SHERIFF’S  OFFICE  ABOUT  THE  VERBAL  ATTACKS, SOME   INVOLVING HER FAMILY,  AND  THE  S.O.  IS  LOOKING  INTO  IT.  MS.  GENA  TOLD  THE  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS  AT  THE  LAST  MEETING,  SOME  STORES  IN  UPSON  COUNTY  ARE  INVOLVED  IN  CASH  PAY-OUTS  ON  VIDEO  MACHINES,  JUST  LIKE  STORES  IN  SPALDING  COUNTY  THAT  WERE  RECENTLY  RAIDED.

Monday, May 2, 2011

Lamar County Youth Injured In ATV Accident

A Lamar County youth was injured in an ATV accident over the weekend.

Christie Sims son Taylor suffered multiple fractures and has undergone two surgeries at Egleston Children's Hospital in Atlanta.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Osama bin Laden Killed

President Obama announced late Sunday night that Osama bin Laden has been killed and that the United States has his body. He was killed in a mansion outside Islamabad, Pakistan and his body has been moved to Afghanistan. The operation was carried out by U.S. military Special Operations personnel.

The announcement of Hitler’s death occurred on the first of May in 1945, 66 years ago to the day.

Upson County Tornado Rated EF-2

The National Weather Service has released the preliminary report on the tornado that struck Upson County Wednesday night.

A National Weather Service survey team determined that an EF2 tornado with winds of 130 MPH crossed Harris, Meriwether, and Upson Counties Wednesday night. The tornado touched down 2 miles northwest of Pine Mountain Valley around 1150 PM EDT Wednesday night and lifted about 9 miles northwest of Thomaston along Highway 74 around 1225 AM EDT. The path length was 24 miles long with an average width of half a mile. Its widest point was close to three quarters of a mile along Highway 354 just north of Pine Mountain Valley.

harris_tor_path_2011apr27

The information contained in the report appears accurate up to the point where the tornado crossed Highway 74. The NWS report says nothing about the damage to homes in the area from Weems Road to Day Road and on Trent Jones Circle.

The following information was released on the Lamar County tornado also.

A National Weather Service survey team determined that an EF3 tornado with winds of 140 MPH crossed Pike, Lamar, Monroe and Butts Counties early Thursday morning. The tornado touched down at approximately 1238 AM EDT Thursday morning along highway 19 about 4 miles south of Meansville in south central Pike County. Three houses were destroyed along Piedmont Road about three miles west of Barnesville. Two fatalities occurred when a house was destroyed along Grove Street in Lamar County. A Chevron gas station and a church were destroyed in Barnesville. Three tractor trailers were blown off the road near I-75 at approximately 102 AM EDT. Three houses were damaged, one of which was destroyed. Three people were injured in the damaged house. The tornado lifted in southeast Butts County at approximately 115 AM EDT. The tornado had a path length of approximately 30 miles and a maximum width of six tenths of a mile.

pike_tor_track_28april2011_sm

Putting the two side by side shows that this was likely the same tornado. Put the north Upson County damage on the maps and the two paths join.

harris_tor_path_2011apr27pike_tor_track_28april2011_sm