THOMASTON STATE TROOPER DISMISSED

A  STATE  TROOPER  FROM  POST   26  GA.  STATE PATROL IN  THOMASTON  IS AMONG  THE  ENTIRE TROOPER  CLASS OF  AUGUST  2019  FIRED  FOR  CHEATING  BY  THE HEAD OF GA. PUBLIC SAFETY, WED.

TROOPER ADAM  SALTER  AND  29  OTHER  TROOPERS   IN  THE   106TH  CLASS  FIRED  FOR  CHEATING  ON  A  SPEED  DETECTOR  OPERATOR  EXAM.

133  TICKETS WRITTEN BY THOSE  TROOPERS  COULD  BE INVALID.

TWO  TROOPERS  FROM  POST 2  IN  LAGRANGE DISMISSED  BRADLEY HUNT  AND  EVAN  JOYNER  AND  CALEB   PYLE  OF NEWNAN POST.

COACH LOCKHART WINNING AT VALDOSTA HIGH

THE  VALDOSTA CITY  SCHOOL  BOARD  FIRED  HEAD FOOTBALL  COACH  STEVE  RODEMAKER ON  A   5-4  vote  THIS  WEEK--HIS  TEAM WENT  10-3  THIS  SEASON  AND  MADE  IT  TO  THE STATE QUARTER  FINALS--WON  THE STATE TITLE TWO  YEARS AGO. COACH RODEMAKER WAS  INTERVIEWED FOR  THE  HEAD COACH  JOB  AT   UPSON-LEE IN  2014.

MEANWHILE  EX-UPSON LEE  HEAD  BASKETBALL  COACH  DARRELL LOCKHART HAS HIS  VALDOSTA  BOYS ON  A  ROLL--A  20-2  RECORD FIRST IN  THE  REGION  AND  RANKED  #6  IN  THE  STATE. COACH LOCKHART  TOLD   101  SPORTS ITS  VALDOSTA'S  BEST RECORD  IN  AT  LEAST  A  DECADE.

SEVERE WEATHER [PREPAREDNESS WEEK

News Release Severe Weather Preparedness Week Starts Feb. 3 (ATLANTA) – Governor Brian Kemp, in coordination with the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) and the National Weather Service (NWS), issued a proclamation calling on Georgians to educate themselves and understand the threats of severe weather during Severe Weather Preparedness Week, which will take place from Feb. 3 to Feb. 7. Spring is traditionally a period where the threat of high winds, hail and lightning from tornados and severe thunderstorms greatly increases. Severe Weather Preparedness Week serves as a reminder to review emergency procedures and prepare for weather-related hazards. • Monday, Feb. 3 – Family Preparedness/NOAA Weather Radio Day: Purchase a life-saving NOAA Weather Radio and choose an out-of-state friend as a “check-in” contact to call if your family gets separated. • Tuesday, Feb. 4 – Thunderstorm Safety: Learn the difference between a thunderstorm watch and a thunderstorm warning. • Wednesday, Feb. 5 – Tornado Safety (and PrepareAthon! drill for tornado safety at 9 a.m.): Determine in advance where you will take shelter in case of a tornado warning. • Thursday, Feb. 6 – Lightning Safety: Learn the 30/30 rule. If after seeing lightning, you cannot count to 30 before hearing thunder, go indoors. Stay indoors for 30 minutes after hearing the last clap of thunder. • Friday, Feb. 7 – Flood Safety: Copy important documents, seal them in a watertight container and add them to your Ready kit. Severe weather preparedness week isn’t just for individuals and their families. GEMA/HS highly encourages schools, businesses and other organizations to use this as an opportunity to evaluate their preparedness for a severe weather event. For more resources on how you can prepare your home, school or business for severe weather emergencies and other disasters, visit https://gema.georgia.gov/plan-prepare/ready-georgia and follow @GeorgiaEMA on Twitter for preparedness tips and emergency information. ### As part of the Office of the Governor, GEMA/HS works with local, state and federal governments, in partnership with the private sector and faith-based community, to protect life and property against man-made and natural emergencies. In addition, GEMA/HS employees are on 24-hour call statewide to assist local authorities when disaster strikes. GEMA/HS’s “Ready Georgia” campaign helps Georgians prepare for disasters. Visit www.gema.ga.gov for more information

TWO GANG MEMBERS ARRESTED IN SPALDING CO.

SPALDING COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
SHERIFF DARRELL DIX
401 Justice Boulevard
Griffin, GA 30224

PRESS RELEASE

Major Dwayne Jones
Public Information Officer
770-467-5413 djones@spaldingcounty.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 28, 2020

On January 27, 2020 members of Spalding County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations and C.A.G.E. Units working with the United States Marshal SERFTF Unit located and arrested Myrrin Watson at a residence located at 276 Hosanna Road in Spalding County. Watson is one of the highest-ranking blood gang members effecting the Griffin and Spalding County areas. Two weeks ago, Watson eluded Agents after a traffic stop and has been on the run since then. Watson is currently on active felony probation for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, he is also out on bond out of Tattnanll County for drug trafficking when he was intercepted attempting to smuggle narcotics into Reidsville State Prison.

Sheriff Darrell Dix, “Watson is a known gang member and gang leader with ties to Atlanta and other parts of the state and is also affiliated with the bloods with ties to California. Watson is not a “Wannabe” gang member but is a dangerous leader of a violent organization that preys on people in Spalding County and surrounding counties.”

“When we located him yesterday, Agents and Marshals were surveilling the residence and confirmed he was there. They entered and began searching for him when they heard movement in the attic. They deployed a camera to locate him and once he was located, they began ordering him to come out, but he would not respond to their commands. At that point, knowing his exact location in the attic, the agents began dismantling the ceiling near him and continued to order him out and to surrender. He continued to ignore them, even after they had torn out enough of the ceiling to see each other. He refused to surrender or show his hands, so he was shot with a Taser. He fell from the ceiling to the floor where he was taken into custody uninjured.”

“A subsequent search warrant was executed at the residence. During the search we located 6 firearms, 4 dogs, and other evidence that we believe ties him to dog fighting. We have reached out to our contact with the USDA that handles dog fighting, and to the ATF regarding the firearms the convicted felon had. It is our hope that his case will be adopted federally, and he will spend the rest of his life in prison.”

“Throughout Watson’s history, he has faced several serious and violent felonies, his involvements have shown that with the most serious he has always been able to have someone else with him and utilize his position with the blood gang to force others into taking responsibility for his charges. We have ensured that with this case that no one will be able to take them blame for his crimes.”

Myrrin Watson B/M 41 is currently being held in the Spalding County Jail without bond. He is facing 18 counts of Violation of the Georgia Criminal Street Gang Act, 6 counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, obstruction of officers, possession of drug related objects, fleeing and attempting to elude, and violation of probation.

Geraldo Williams B/M 30, another documented blood gang member who assisted Watson with hiding in the attic, was also arrested and charged with two counts of the Georgia Criminal Street Act, hindering the apprehension of a fugitive, obstruction of officers, and violation of Probation.

“Watson is a threat not just to our own community but communities around us. He is a menace to society, continually disregards the law, and is known for his violent leadership in the bloods. We will be petitioning the court for bond revocations on any previous charges and denial of bond on the new charges we have against him. He had been boasting since he ran from Agents two weeks ago that his new street name would be Myrrin “Copperfield” Watson because he always escaped just like the magician does. We didn’t give him a chance to pull a rabbit out of his hat on this one. We pulled a convicted, documented, thug out of an attic for what is hopefully

DAVID SCOTT BATCHELOR ON TRIAL IN UPSON CO.

THE JURY  TRIAL   OF  DAVID  SCOTT  BATCHELOR CONTINUES IN  UPSON  SUPERIOR  COURT  AND  ASSISTANT  DISTRICT  ATTORNEY  ASHTON  FALLIN TOLD   101  NEWS IT  COULD LAST  ALL  WEEK.

BATCHELOR  WAS  INDICTED  BY  SPECIAL  PRESENTMENT  BY  THE  UPSON COUNTY  GRAND  JURY  FOR  RAPE, INCEST, AGGREVATED SEXUAL BATTERY, AGGREVATED CHILD MOLESTATION AND  SEXUAL BATTERY  AGAINST A CHILD  UNDER   16  YEARS OF AGE.

THE  ALLEGED  VICTIM NOW   15  YEARS OF  AGE  TESTIFIED  TUESDAY.

THE CASE INVOLVES ALLEGED  CRIMES IN  2016 AND   17.

REP. KEN PULLIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE CAPITAL

Budget Week The House and Senate returned to the State Capitol last week for the second week of the 2020 legislative session, which is commonly referred to as “budget week,", which is the most important responsibility we have during the legislative session as we are constitutionally required to pass a balanced budget each year. Over the course of three days, the House and Senate Appropriations committees held a series of joint budget hearings, and Gov. Kemp presented his recommendations and priorities for the amended budget and upcoming 2021 fiscal year budget, which is set at $28.1 billion in total funding and begins on July 1 and ends June 30 of the next calendar year. Last fall, the governor instructed state agencies to identify opportunities to streamline operations and consolidate duplicative programs to reduce spending. During his remarks at the joint budget hearings, the governor reported that several agencies have found ways to cut spending by reducing administrative and overhead costs. The governor also reflected on our state’s economy, and he commended us for creating a rock-solid foundation for businesses and families to thrive in Georgia. Gov. Kemp encouraged us to continue to build upon our state’s success by prioritizing our current financial resources and reducing unnecessary costs, while still delivering excellent service to our citizens.  After hearing the governor’s proposals, we had the opportunity to hear from several state agencies and departments regarding their respective budgetary needs, as well as the state fiscal economist who shared the state’s economic forecast for the current and upcoming fiscal years. It is important to hear directly from our state agencies and departments during this process in order to adequately determine spending for each state agency, and we will continue to work together as we prepare the final versions of the AFY 2020 and FY 2021 budget bills.  Education In order to create a modern, work-ready labor force, we must build a solid educational foundation. Therefore, the governor’s budget recommendations include investing in Georgia’s teachers through a $2,000 permanent base salary increase in the AFY 2020 budget to retain and attract the best educators for our schools. In the FY 2021 budget, he recommends adding $81 million to the University and Technical College Systems to fully fund enrollment growth, as well as alleviate the need for student tuition increases. Gov. Kemp also includes an appropriation of nearly $56 million in additional lottery funds for the HOPE scholarship and grant programs to assist students with college expenses. We recognize the importance that education plays in preparing students for the workforce and these allocations would provide them with the skills they need to succeed personally and professionally.  Infrastructure Investing in our state’s infrastructure system is a crucial component of attracting new businesses and spurring future economic growth across our state. Gov. Kemp proposes $51 million in FY 2021 to the Georgia Department of Transportation for roadway improvement and development, $50 million in obligation bonds to repair and replace bridges and $1.8 million for motor carrier officers to maintain safety on Georgia highways and protect our ports corridor along the coast. Georgia has been the top state to do business for seven straight years and investing in our state’s transportation systems will keep Georgia a business-friendly state. Public Safety Gov. Kemp’s budget proposals also reflect his ongoing commitment to protecting the safety of Georgia’s citizens and communities. More than 700,000 gang members have been identified in our state, and these gangs are responsible for increased drug activity, human trafficking and violence. Gov. Kemp seeks to combat this crisis by including a total of nearly $2 million in the AFY 2020 and FY 2021 budgets for seven new positions within the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s (GBI) Gang Task Force, as well as resources to implement the statewide gang database. These new positions and the gang database will serve as a great resource for our law enforcement to better track, stop and dismantle gangs across the state. Healthcare The governor’s FY 2021 budget allocates nearly $90 million to continue efforts to increase access to affordable, quality health care for Georgians. This funding would support enrollment costs and expense growth for our Medicaid programs, specifically for the aging, blind and disabled populations. The governor’s AFY 2020 budget also includes $23 million for a state match for Disproportionate Share Hospital payments to ensure that certain hospitals that serve low-income patients can benefit from this program, and the state match funds would leverage $47 million in federal assistance to support hospitals across Georgia. Providing these additional resources would improve health care outcomes for all of Georgia’s citizens, especially some of our most vulnerable populations.  The Process The House Appropriations subcommittees will hold hearings to review these proposals and delve even further into the governor’s recommendations. These subcommittees will eventually pass portions of the state budget in their respective subcommittees, and those portions of the budget will then go before the full House Appropriations Committee, which will review and pass balanced budgets for AFY 2020 and FY 2021. From there, the budget bills will be considered by the House Rules Committee and scheduled for a vote on the House floor. Once the budget bills make their way to the House floor, members will have the chance to ask questions about the budget before voting. Once passed, the House will transmit each bill to our counterparts in the Senate, where they will review and pass both budget bills.  Youth Leadership Upson I had a great time visiting with a very impressive group of young adults from Youth Leadership Upson at the Capitol last week! We even got a selfie with Governor Kemp. Rep. Ken Pullin serves on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, Human Relations and Aging, and Small Business Development. He represents the 131st House District which includes Upson, Pike, Lamar counties. He may be reached at 404.656.0188 or by email at ken.pullin@house.ga.gov. Copyright © *2019* *Pullin for Georgia*, All rights reserved. Our Capitol address: 504-F Coverdell Legislative Office Bldg. 18 Capitol Square SW Atlanta, GA 30334 404.656.0188 - Office Our District address: P.O. Box 295 Zebulon, GA 30295 Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

PIKE COUNTY POLICE CHASE

On January 24 2020 at 10 p.m. a Pike County Sheriff's department deputy pursued a gold Ford Explorer on Highway 19. The vehicle fled after being approached by a Deputy in reference to a DUI investigation. The suspect, Levi Mincey, of Gresham Road, was eventually arrested on Highway 41 after he entered a church parking lot. Deputies were able to pin the vehicle in to stop it from getting back on the roadway.

Mincey refused to follow the directions of law enforcement and a taser was deployed to gain his compliance. He was arrested and taken to the Pike County Jail where he faces charges including Driving under the influence, fleeing and eluding and reckless driving.

ARRESTS IN SPALDING COUNTY

SPALDING  COUNTY  SHERIFF  DARRELL  DIX  ANNOUNCES SEVERAL ARRESTS.  EX-CON  JOSHUA SPARKS AND A  FEMALE  COMPANION  ALEXIS DUNCAN  WERE ARRESTED FOR  TRAFFICKING METH  AND OTHER  CHARGES  AFTER  A  SEARCH  WARRANT  WAS SERVED  AT  1125  PLACID PLACE.  SHERIFF DIX HAD  WARNED  THE  HOMEOWNER OF  THE  DRUG HOUSE  THAT IF  SHE  DID  NOT  GET  CONTROL  OF  THE  SITUATION  HIS  OFFICE WOULD SEEK SEIZURE OF  THE PROPERTY.

AN  EX-CON  BANISHED FROM  THE GRIFFIN  JUDICIAL  CIRCUIT  WAS FOUND  IN  GRIFFIN  AND  A  CHASE ENSUED ON  19/41   TILL  THEIR  CAR HIT  A  CURB  AT MANLEY  ROAD AND  WRECKED  .31  YEAR OLD WILLIAM BO BRELAND  AND  29  YEAR OLD  DOUGLAS  BRIGGS BOTH CHARGED WITH  PROBATION VIOLATION,  AND  BRELAND A GANG MEMBER   WHO  HAD BEEN BANNED -- CHARGED WITH  POSSESSION METH  TO  DISTRIBUTE. BRIGGS THE  DRIVER CITED  FOR  THE  CHASE AND OTHER MOVING  VIOLATIONS.

88 PIGS REMOVED FROM WILLIS ROAD

THE  UPSON  COUNTY  SHERIFF'S  OFFICE  INVESTIGATED  AN  ANIMAL  CRUELTY  CASE  AT  3110 WILLIS  ROAD  AND  88  POT BELLIED PIGS  WERE  REMOVED  TO  OUTSIDES  FARM  AND  SANCTUARY  BY KATEY  ELLIOTT OF  GRIFFIN--SO  THEY  COULD  GET  MEDICAL  ATTENTION.

THE  REPORT  SAID  THE  PIGS  WERE CONFINED  AND  LIVING  IN  DEPLORABLE   CONDITION.  2  PIGLETTES HAD  DIED  AND  4   OTHERS  WERE FOUND  DEAD.

HOMEOWNER  ROBERT  MARTIN  TOLD  DEPUTIES  THE  PREVIOUS  RESIDENT  HAD  TWO  PIGS  WHEN  SHE  WAS   FORCED    TO  MOVE AND  THINGS JUST  GOT OUT OF  CONTROL.

UPSON CO HAD A TORNADO JAN. 11

IT  WAS NOT  STRAIGHT LINE  WINDS  THAT  HIT  THE  PLEASANT  VALLEY  ROAD  AREA ON  JAN.  11TH--THE  NATIONAL WEATHER  SERVICE  SAYS  IT  WAS A   TORNADO.  UPSON  EMA  DIRECTOR  MARTHA ANNE  MCCARTY  RECALLED  THAT    TUESDAY THE   21ST    WAS  THE  ANNIVERSARY  OF   5  JANUARY  TORNADOS  THAT  HIT  UPSON  COUNTY  IN  2017.  NWS  SAYS   ON  JAN. 11TH   IT  WAS  AN  EF-1  TORNADO  WITH  WINDS OF   90  MILES PER  HOUR  THAT  DOWNED  100  TREES AND  DAMAGED CABINS  ON THE  FLINT  RIVER. EMA  DIRECTOR MCCARTY  SAID  THE  STORM  WAS  SO  SUDDEN THERE WAS NO  TIME  FOR  EMERGENCY  SIRENS  TO  BE  ACTIVATED.  IT  DISAPATED  TIME  IT  HIT.

FIRE AT UPSON CO ROADS DEPART.

THE  UPSON  COUNTY  ROADS  DEPARTMENT  MAINTANCE  BUILDING  HAD  HEAVY  SMOKE  DAMAGE  AFTER  A  FUEL  TRUCK      PARKED OUTSIDE  CAUGHT  FIRE  WEDNESDAY  AFTERNOON  ON   74  EAST.   UPSON  COUNTY  SHERIFF  DAN  KILGORE  SAID  A   PASSER-BY  SAW  THE  FIRE  AND   FIRE  UNITS  RESPONDED.  THE  TRUCK  WAS LOADED  WITH  600 GALLONS OF  FUEL .

3 INJURED IN THURSDAY WRECK IN NORTH UPSON

ACCORDING  TO  POST  26  GA.  STATE PATROL IN THOMASTON  THREE  PERSONS  WERE  INJURED IN  A   TWO    VEHICLE  ACCIDENT  AT  19 NORTH  AND JIMMERSON  ROAD  EARLY  THIS  (THURSDAY)  MORNING.

THE  FIRST VEHICLE  DRIVER--STEVEN  THOMAS MOORE  OF R.  STREET   AGE  41   WAS  TRANSPORTED  TO  MACON MEDICAL  CENTER  BY   EMS   AFTER  HE  WAS   REPORTEDLY   FREED   FROM  THE  WRECKAGE   BY  NORTHSIDE  FIRE  DEPARTMENT  PERSONNEL.

THE   OTHER  DRIVER TYREK MCDOWELL OF  GRIFFIN   AGE  19    AND  A  PASSENGER  50  YEAR OLD MICHAEL BECKMAN   OF  FORSYTH  WERE  TRANSPORTED  TO  URMC  BY  EMS.

IN  HIS  ACCIDENT  REPORT  TROOPER  OLIVER  SAID  MOORE WAS TRAVELING  NORTH  ON   19  AND MCDOWELL'S  DODGE CARAVAN WAS  SOUTH  BOUND-- MOORE MADE AN IMPROPER  LANE  CHANGE  AND HIT THE  FRONT  OF  THE  VAN.

THE  WRECK  BLOCKED  BOTH  NORTHBOUND LANES  AND  ONE  SOUTHBOUND  LANE.

ACCESS TO FLINT RIVER CLOSED

UPSON CO SPELLING BEE CHAMP

The annual Thomaston-Upson Spelling Bee was held Wednesday, January 15, at the TU Central Office. School winners from ULMS and ULES competed for the title of system winners. Congratulations to Kat Landers, an 8th grader at Upson-Lee Middle School, who earned the title of Thomaston-Upson System Winner. Aiden Tindell, a 6th grader at ULMS, was 1st runner-up. Upson-Lee Elementary School winners participating in the system contest included Emme Goen and Elias Jacobs, both 4th graders. 

 
Upson-Lee Primary and Upson-Lee Elementary were recently recognized by the GA Department of Education as Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports Distinguished Schools, the highest of four recognitions available for schoolwide PBIS efforts. Upson-Lee High School was recognized as an Operational School, which is the second highest recognition. PBIS is an evidence-based, data-driven framework proven to reduce disciplinary incidents, increase a school’s sense of safety, improve school climate, and support improved academic outcomes for all students. Congratulations to these schools!

GDOT BRIDGE PROJECT IN PIKE CO

The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) has approved the location and design of Project #0014904 for Pike County, a project that would replace the bridge on Georgia 109 at Gola Creek, located one mile east of Meansville. The design and location were approved on Dec. 30, 2019.

The project is located 100% in Pike County, Congressional District 3, within GMD 551. The total length of the project is approximately 1365 feet, beginning 815 feet west of the existing bridge and ending 520 feet east of the existing bridge. The proposed bridge would be built in the same location as the existing bridge.

The proposed bridge would be a one-span bridge, approximately 90 feet long by 39.08 feet wide over Gola Creek and would be constructed on existing alignment. Traffic currently utilizing Georgia 109 as a through route would utilize an off-site detour during construction. The bridge improvements include two 12-foot travel lanes with six-foot shoulders on both sides of the bridge. The roadway typical section on both approaches to the bridge consist of two 12-foot travel lanes with six-foot overall shoulders that include two feet paved and four feet unpaved.

GA DOT ROAD CLOSURE IN PIKE CO

Emergency repairs to underground pipes on Georgia 109 just west of the intersection with Old Meansville Road/Adams Road in Pike County have prompted a full road closure at the site. The closure will be in effect through Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020, and a detour has been installed to direct traffic around the location. Signage has been posted throughout the area and along the detour route.

The closure will mainly affect traffic on US 19/Georgia 3 that would utilize Georgia 109 to get to and from Meansville and other points east. By policy, Georgia DOT detours must utilize only state routes and interstates to accommodate large truck traffic, and so the detour directs traffic to utilize Georgia 18 eastbound in Zebulon to Georgia 109 east of Meansville. Local residents with smaller vehicles may use county roads, including Chapman Road and Old Meansville Road.

MOBILE HOME FIRE OFF AVIATION DRIVE

ACCORDING  TO  UPSON S.O.--NORTHSIDE   FIRE  DEPARTMENT     EXTINGUISHED    A  MOBILE  HOME  FIRE  AT   THE    AVIATION  DRIVE  MOBILE  HOME  PARK.  OCCUPANT  JIMMY  LEE   WALDEN  OF   104  MARILYN  DR.  SAID  HE  WALKED  TO  THE  STORE  AND  WHILE  HE  WAS  GONE  A  NEIGHBOR  SPOTTED  THE  FIRE  AND  CALLED  911. WALDEN  SAID  THERE  WAS  NO  GAS OR  ELECTRICITY  HOOKED-UP  AND  HE  DID NOT LEAVE  ANY  CANDLES  BURNING.  SEEMED  TO  HAVE  STARTED NEAR  A MATTRESS IN  A  BEDROOM.

MURDER TRIAL SCHEDULED FOR MARCH IN UPSON CO.

GRIFFIN  JUDICIAL  CIRCIT  DISTRICT  ATTORNEY  BEN COKER  SAYS  AN  ATLANTA  TEENAGER  WORKING  FOR  AN  ESCORT  SERVICE  AND  HER  MALE  COMPANION  WILL  GO  ON  TRIAL  IN  MARCH IN  UPSON  SUPERIOR  COURT   FOR  THE  MURDER  OF  A  BARNESVILLE  MAN,   46  YEAR  OLD   RODRICK  CRAWFORD. 

20  YEAR  OLD  CAMERON  JONES OF  THOMASTON    IS  SCHEDULED  FOR  TRIAL  MARCH  9TH  AND  18  YEAR OLD  KIERA  WILLIAMS    MARCH    16TH.

INVESTIGATORS  SAID  THE  TWO  RAN AN  ESCORT  SCAM  THAT  LURED  VICTIMS  WHO  WERE  ROBBED  WHEN  THEY  SHOWED-UP  TO  MEET  WILLIAMS  FOR  SEX.

CRAWFORD  LEFT  HOME  ON  DEC.  28TH , 2018   AND  HIS  BODY  WAS  FOUND   SHOT  TO  DEATH   JAN.  3RD  2019  BEHIND   AN  ABANDONED  TRAILER   IN LINCOLN  PARK.

HIS CAR HAD  BEEN  FOUND  SEVERAL  DAYS  EARLIER  IN  CLAYTON  COUNTY.

THERE  WAS  HEAVY  SECURITY  AT  THE  UPSON  COUNTY  COURTHOUSE  FOR  THEIR  FIRST  APPEARANCE  IN  COURT  BECAUSE  THEY HAVE GANG  TIES   AND  CLAYTON  COUNTY  DEPUTIES  UNCOVERED A  PLOT  BY JONES  TO KILL   DEPUTIES  TRANSPORTING  THEM  TO  THE  UPSON  COUNTY  COURTHOUSE. 

UPSON CO. BD COMMISSIONERS AGENDA 1/14/20

UPSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 6:00 P.M. – Regular Commission Meeting City/County Meeting Room – January 14, 2020

AGENDA

I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Norman Allen

II. INVOCATION

III. PUBLIC HEARING

IV. PUBLIC COMMENTS Speakers must state their names and address, and must direct all comments to the Board Chair. Any questions must be put in writing and submitted to the Clerk or the Commissioner over your jurisdiction.

V. CONSENT AGENDA

a. Regular Meeting Minutes December 10, 2020

b. Approval of a Beer/Wine license

c. Approval of an ordinance text amendment for “Wired and wireless telecommunication products and services” ,” as permitted uses in the M-1 and M2 zoning districts; clarify that telecommunication towers thirty-five (35) feet tall and shorter are not required to be approved by special exception in the M-1 and M-2 zoning districts; refine the types of businesses and services permitted in the C-2 zoning district; and, provide a definition of “Consumer retail business or service.”

d. Approval of a Resolution to set qualifying fees e. Approval of bid for roofing project at the Annex and Chamber Building

VI. NEW BUSINESS

f. Discussion and approval of a Resolution amending the Planning Commissions compensation

g. Appoint a vice chair

h. County Manager, Commissioners, and County Attorney Comment

PIKE CO. WOMAN INDICTED IN FEDERAL COURT

Katherine Tice Craig, a/k/a Kathy Tice, has been arraigned on federal charges of mail fraud.  The defendant allegedly embezzled over $2 million dollars from a company she was managing.

“Craig’s scheme defrauded over 1,000 timeshare owners who were her employer’s customers,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak.  “Most of these victims were elderly.  She allegedly collected and spent the fees owed the company on gambling and trips for herself.”

“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service takes great pride in protecting the American public, especially our vulnerable older Americans. Those seeking to defraud and take advantage of our postal customers should know they will not go undetected and will be held accountable,” said USPIS Inspector-in-Charge David M. McGinnis.

According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the charges, and other information presented in court: Since 2003, Katherine Tice Craig worked at Caribbean Service Group (“CSG”), a business running a timeshare resort in Freeport, Bahamas called the Woodbourne Estates Resort. CSG operated in Atlanta, Georgia and Zebulon, Georgia. After the original business owners died in 2009 and 2010, the business was held up in probate. During this time, Craig managed CSG with no close supervision. By February 2012, Craig was allegedly embezzling CSG Group funds for her own purposes.

From 2012 through 2018, Craig allegedly embezzled over $2 million from CSG, using a variety of techniques. These were funds she took from the business, over and above her salary. Craig took over $1.2 million by simply transferring money from CSG’s bank accounts to her own, over $450,000 by negotiating checks made out by CSG to “cash,” and more than $300,000 by writing checks on CSG’s accounts to pay her own personal credit cards. Craig spent much of the embezzled funds on gambling, including many trips to the Beau Rivage casino in Biloxi, Mississippi, and high-volume purchases of Georgia Lottery tickets.  Money that should have been used by CSG to run the resort and fulfill its obligations to timeshare owners was allegedly embezzled by Craig instead.

During an overlapping time period from 2012 to 2019, Craig defrauded and misled over 1,000 timeshare owners – most of them elderly retirees. Craig saved money – unsustainably – by operating the resort without casualty insurance, even though the Lease Agreements required CSG to maintain casualty insurance. Over the years, the buildings at the resort deteriorated through storm damage and neglect, so that fewer were usable. Craig allowed the resort less money to run on as time went on, before cutting off financial support to it entirely in December 2015.

By early 2016, the resort was in such bad shape that Craig wasn’t allowing any timeshare owners to vacation there any more, even though the Lease Agreements entitled them to stay in particular units at particular times.  Craig continued billing timeshare owners for maintenance fees, and threatened many who fell behind with referral to a collection agency. She also approved transfers of some of the timeshare leases to new owners, essentially recruiting new victims even after the resort was no longer viable. Craig never told the timeshare owners that there was no casualty insurance on the resort, or that the main expense being paid for by their maintenance fees was her own alleged pattern of embezzlement.

Katherine Tice Craig, 51, of Zebulon, Georgia, was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Justin S. Anand.  Craig was indicted by a federal grand jury on January 7, 2020.  Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges.  The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

          The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is part of the Department Of Justice Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force. The Strike Force focuses on investigating and prosecuting defendants associated with foreign-based fraud schemes that disproportionately affect American seniors.  These include romance scams, phone scams, mass-mailing fraud schemes, and tech-support fraud schemes.  For further information on these scams, see https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice/senior-scam-alert.

          The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is investigating this case.

          Assistant U.S. Attorney Alana R. Black is prosecuting the case.

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016.  The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.

JANE DOE IN SOUTH GA. MURDER WAS A THOMASTON WOMAN

UPSON  COUNTY  SHERIFF  DAN  KILGORE  IS   PRAISING  THE   GBI    FOR  IDENTIFYING  A  THOMASTON  WOMAN  MURDERED  IN  1981  IN  BROOKS  COUNTY, GA--A    JANE  DOE  MURDER  CASE.

ACCORDING  TO  A  GBI  PRESS  RELEASE--THE  DECEASED, SHIRLENE  CHERYL   ANN  HAMMACK  OF  UPSON  COUNTY  AROUND  18   YEARs  OF  age,   WAS  FOUND  STABBED  TO  DEATH   AND   STRANGLED     IN  A  CORN  FIELD   in  THE  DIXIE  COMMUNITY   Near  QUITMAN,  GA.  ON  OCTOBER  31ST  1981.


MS.HAMMACK LEFT  THOMASTON  WITH  THE  FAIR  AND  ENCOUNTERED  ANOTHER  FAIR  EMPLOYEE  GEORGE  NEWSOME,  AGE  52 AT  THE  FAIR  GROUNDS  IN  TALLAHASSEE,FLorida  AND  NEWSOME  APPARENTLY  GOT IN  AN  ARGUMENT  WITH  MS. HAMMACK  ABOUT   ANOTHER MAN  THAT  LEAD  TO  HER  DEATH.

NEWSOME  WAS  JAiled    IN  THE  CASE  BUT  REFUSED  TO  COOPERATE  WITH  AUTHORITIES  AND  ESCAPED  FROM  JAIL AND  WAS  A  FUGITIVE  FOR  TWO  YEARS  BEFORE  BEING  ARRESTED  IN  ALABAMA.  HE  PLED    GUILTY  TO   THE  MURDER   AND  WAS  SENTENCED  TO  LIFE IN  PRISON BUT NEVER  REVEALED  THE   IDENTITY  OF  HIS  VICTIM.  NEWSOME  DIED  IN  PRISON  IN  AUGUST  OF   1988.

IN  OCTOBER  OF  2018  A  CITIZEN  CONTACTED  THE  BROOKS COUNTY   SHERIFF'S  OFFICE ABOUT  THE  CASE,  A  POSSIBLE  CHILDHOOD  FRIEND WHO  BELIEVED  JANE  DOE  TO  BE  SHERYL  HAMMACK.  THE  GBI  MET WITH HER  SURVIVING  FAMILY  MEMBERS  AND  USED  DNA  FROM  SHERYL'S  MOTHER  KATHLEEN  HAMMACK  OF  THOMASTON  FOR  A  POSITIVE  IDENTIFICATION.

SHERYL'S  BODY  WAS  EXHUMED  AND  DNA  SAMPLES  OF MOTHER  AND  DAUGHTER  WERE  SENT  TO  THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  TEXAS  CENTER  FOR  HUMAN  IDENTIFICATION AND  IT  WAS  DETERMINED  THAT  JANE  DOE  WAS  THE  BIOLOGICAL CHILD  OF  KATHLEEN  HAMMACK--IDENTIFIED  AS  SHERLENE  CHERYL  ANN  HAMMACK. 

GAIL HAMMOCK APPOINTED CITY CLERK

THE THOMASTON CITY COUNCIL APPOINTED A CITY CLERK AT TUESDAY'S MEETING. GAIL HAMMOCK HAD BEEN SERVING AS ASSISTANT CITY CLERK SINCE 2017 AND IS NOW OFFICIALLY CITY CLERK. AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION COUNCIL VOTED HER A 5% PAY RAISE.

JOEL BENTLEY REAPPOINTED CITY ATTORNEY , DRIVER AND ADAMS REAPPOINTED AUDITORS FOR 2020, FREDDIE DANIEL REAPPOINTED TO THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY AND CONSTANCE FLYNT NAMED TO THE ETHICS COMMITTEE.

APPOINTMENT OF THE CITY PROSECUTOR AND MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE WERE ON THE AGENDA, BUT ATTORNEY BENTLEY SAID HE'S RESEARCHING THOSE POSTS, THEY MIGHT SERVE AT THE PLEASURE OF THE COUNCIL AND NOT REQUIRE ANNUAL APPOINTMENT. ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY MARK IRVIN IS CURRENTLY CITY PROSECUTOR AND DAVID FLOWER IS CITY JUDGE.

QB JAKE FROMM IS LEAVING UGA FOR NFL DRAFT

GEORGIA QUARTERBACK JAKE FROMM HAS ANNOUNCED HE WILL LEAVE UGA FOR THE NFL DRAFT. THE DAWGS ARE EXPECTED TO SEEK A TRANSFER QB.

UPSON S.O. SIGN-UP WASH DC TRIP

UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF DAN KILGORE IS HOLD REGISTRATION FOR UPSON LEE 6TH GRADERS JR. DEPUTY WASHINGTON D.C. TRIP AT THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT THIS THURSDAY 4 TO 7PM AND SATURDAY THE 11TH 9AM TILL 1PM.

PASTOR MATT BLACKMON OF SHILOH BAPTIST CHURCH PASSED AWAY SUNDAY

PASTOR MATT BLACKMON , OF SHILOH BAPTIST CHURCH DIED SUNDAY EVENING AT UPSON REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER.

PASTOR BLACKMON , AGE 44 WAS A FAMILIAR VOICE ON WTGA DURING THE HOLIDAYS, SERVING AS CHAIR OF THE UPSON COUNTY EMPTY STOCKING FUND,.

FUNERAL SERVICES WILL BE HELD THURSDAY AT 2PM AT NORTHRIDGE CHURCH. VISITATION WILL BE WEDNESDAY 6 TO 8PM AT COGGINS FUNERAL HOME AND THURSDAY 1-2 PM AT NORTHRIDGE CHURCH.

PASTOR BLACKMON IS SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE , HEATHER, THOMASTON MAIN STREET COORDINATOR, AND FOUR CHILDREN.

A BURN VICTIM IN PIKE CO. WANTED IN UPSON CO.

On January 4 ( Saturday) at approximately midnight Pike County Sheriff’s Office investigators were alerted by Spalding Regional Hospital to a burned individual that had been brought in for treatment. The burned person, Michael May ,26 years of age, had suffered second and third degree burns to almost fifty percent of his body. He had also made statements to hospital staff that another person had done this to him purposefully by dousing him with gasoline and lighting him on fire.

Investigators were able to speak with a witness to the incident that stated May had accidentally set himself on fire by pouring gas into a wood furnace and lighting it. The witness further stated that May was intoxicated when he arrived at the residence.

After being burned May drove to another location and obtained a ride to the hospital. He is currently in Wellstar Hospital burn unit in Cobb County. The investigation has shown thus far, that the burns are the result of an accident and not malicious intent.

The vehicle that he was driving was reported stolen out of Spalding County. There is additional warrants for May’s arrest in Upson County ( theft by taking motor vehicle) and Pike County (failure to appear).

TPD DC ARREST

THOMASTON POLICE RESPONDED TO 629 BROOKWOOD DRIVE TO A NUDE MAN SCREAMING AND YELLING—APPARENTLY HIGH ON METH. 35 YEAR OLD VESTER REVIERE WAS UNABLE TO FOLLOW THE COMMANDS OF OFFICERS AND REFUSED TO PUT HIS CLOTHES ON. REVIERE CHARGED WITH DISORDERLY CONDUCT.

UPSON SO-FATHER/SON ARRESTED FOR METH POSSESSION

UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT SERVED A SEARCH WARRANT ON GARNER STREET AND ARRESTED A FATHER AND SON FOR POSSESSION METH.

55 YEAR OLD MORGAN SHAWN KEY AND HIS SON JEREMIAH KEY WERE BOOKED INTO THE UPSON COUNTY JAIL.

DEPUTIES FOUND MORGAN SHAWN KEY IN AN RV CAMPER WITH A SMALL CHILD ON HIS LAP. SUSPECTED METH WAS FOUND IN HIS POCKET AND TWO GLASS SMOKING PIPES AND A SET OF DIGITIAL SCALES WERE FOUND IN THE CAMPER.

THE S.O. CONTACTED DEFACS ABOUT CUSTODY OF THE CHILD.

GDOT PROJECT ON U.S. 19 IN UPSON CO.

The Georgia Department of Transportation has announced it awarded contracts for five projects in District 3 (West Central Georgia region).

The project bids were received on Nov. 22 and the contracts awarded to the lowest qualified bidders on Dec. 6. One of the projects includes a portion of Spalding County.

That project will resurface Georgia Highway 3/U.S. Highway 19 from Atwater Road in Upson County to just north of Georgia Highway 7/U.S. Highway 41 in Spalding County. The contract was awarded to C.W. Matthews Contracting Company of Marietta for $13.9 million and expected to be completed by the end of 2020.

The projects were five of 23 awarded statewide on Dec. 6 with the contracted amount for all 23 projects totaling $58,459,454. The largest single investment contract awarded within this round was to the Georgia Highway 3 resurfacing project in Pike, Spalding and Upson counties within the West Central Georgia region.

The other four projects in West Central Georgia are:

• Coweta, Harris, Meriwether and Troup counties: The project involves installing and upgrading signage on Interstate 85 at various locations from the Alabama state line to the Collinsworth Road interchange. The contract was awarded to Ozark Striping Company of Ozark, Alabama for $6.4 million. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2021.

• Macon County: The project will replace bridges on Butler Mill Road over Horse Creek, about nine miles west of Marshallville. The contract was awarded to McCoy Grading, Inc. of Greenville for $1.1 million. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2020.

• Pulaski County: The project will resurface Georgia Highway 257 from Georgia Highway 26 to the Bleckley County line. The contract was awarded to Everett Dykes Grassing Company of Cochran for $560,000, and is expected to be completed by the end of 2020.

• Troup County: The project will rehabilitate bridges at six locations on Interstate 85 within Troup County. The contract was awarded to Comanche Construction of Georgia of Marietta, for $4.9 million. The project is expected to be completed by the start of spring 2021.

The November awards bring the total construction contracts for Fiscal Year 2020 to $170 million, according to GDOT. The state Fiscal Year 2020 began July 1, 2019.

GDOT said information on schedules, lane closures and detours will be made available in advance of construction activities.