South Metro's News Leader
ACCORDING TO UPSON COUNTY CLERK OF SUPERIOR COURT TERESA MEIER, AN UPSON COUNTY JURY FOUND DEFENDANT MICHAEL JACKSON GUILTY ON ALL COUNTS OF MURDER , FRIDAY, AND HONORABLE BEN J. MILLER JR. SENTENCED JACKSON TO LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE PLUS 10 YEARS.
THE JURY FOUND JACKSON GUILTY ON ALL 7 COUNTS INCLUDING MALICE AND FELONY MURDER FOR THE SHOOTING DEATH OF L'ANTQUAM SMITH IN MARCH OF 2022. THE TRIAL LASTED ALL WEEK AT THE COURTHOUSE.
CITY OF THOMASTON FIRE CHIEF JEREMY WALKER REPORTS A HOUSE DESTROYED BY FIRE WEDNESDAY EVENING AT 119 AVE.F. THE FIRE CHIEF TOLD 101 NEWS THE FAMILY MANAGED TO GET OUT SAFELY BUT SOME PETS PERISHED. UNITS RESPONDED AT 7;48PM AND THE HOUSE FIRE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION BUT CHIEF WALKER SAYS IT APPEARS TO BE ACCIDENTAL.
IN UPSON SUPERIOR COURT MICHAEL JACKSON IS ON TRIAL FOR MALICE , FELONY MURDER AND OTHER CHARGES FOR THE SHOOTING DEATH OF L'ANTQUAM SMITH IN MARCH OF 2022 AT FARVIEW APARTMENTS. JUDGE BEN MILLER JR. PRESIDING.
Attention Voters
If you complete an application for an absentee ballot & mail the application back to the Elections Office, we will be mailing you a ballot for the November 5, 2024 General Election. We will begin issuing absentee by mail ballots on Oct. 7, 2024. If you wish to vote in person, during the early/advance voting times or on Election Day, please DO NOT submit an application for an By Mail ballot.
For questions, contact my office at 706-647-6259.
THE THOMASTON-UPSON IDA MONDAY VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO SELL 7.45 ACRES TO JMF TOWING AND RECOVERY FOR $175,000 TO RELOCATE THE CONTROVERIAL BUSINESS FROM COUNTY ROAD TO THE THOMASTON-UPSON INDUSTRIAL PARK AT 105 YAMAHA PARKWAY. ACCORDING TO THE TERMS , JMF WILL PAY 10% UP FRONT AND NOW MUST COMPLY WITH CITY OF THOMASTON ZONING REQUIREMENTS TO SEE IF EVERYTHING WORKS OUT. THE BUSINESS WOULD BE LOCATED JUST NORTH OF THE CONCRETE PLANT OFF 36 EAST, AND THERE IS AN ADJACENT TRACT THAT JMF MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN TO ADD TO THE BUSINESS IN THE FUTURE.
BUSINESS OWNER JAMES FORTNER SAID SOME OF THE BIG RIGS AND VEHCILES HE TOWS TO THE SITE MIGHT BE PARKED THERE TEMPORARILY FOR SPARE PARTS, BUT THE IDA INSISTS IT WILL NOT ALLOW THE JUNKED-UP APPEARANCE OF THE PROPERTY AS IT IS NOW ON COUNTY ROAD. FORTNER PLEDGED THE BUSINESS WILL HAVE THE APPEARANCE OF A PROFESSIONAL-LOOKING OFFICE BUILDING.
SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE BEN COKER ORDERED JMF TO SHOW PROGRESS TOWARD RELOCATING THE BUSINESS PRIOR TO A SEPTEMBER COURT DATE OR THE COUNTY COULD RESUME CITING THE BUSINESS FOR VIOLATIONS OF VARIOUS COUNTY ZONING LAWS. OVER 20 CITATIONS HAVE ALREADY BEEN ISSUED, SOMETHING FORTNER HAD TRANSFERRED TO SUPERIOR COURT FROM MAGISTRATE COURT.
FORTNER FILED A LAW SUIT AGAINST THE COUNTY TO KEEP HIS BUSINESS ON COUNTY ROAD, BUT THE GA. SUPREME COURT REJECTED HIS ARGUMENTS.
ACCORDING TO THOMASTON POLICE CHIEF MIKE RICHARDSON, A MACON MAN, SAMONE REED, 25, HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH MURDER FOR THE STABBING DEATH OF A THOMASTON MAN, TYKEEVIUS MONTFORT, AGE 25 EARLY SUNDAY AT STEWART AVE. AND MALLORY STREET. THE CHIEF SAID OFFICERS RESPONDED TO A REPORT OF A FIGHT AT 3;25AM MONDAY AND FOUND MONTFORT BLEEDING INSIDE A CAR AT THE INTERSECTION.
REED HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH ONE COUNT OF MALICE MURDER, ONE COUNT OF FELONY MURDER, ONE COUNT OF AGGREVATED ASSAULT AND ONE COUNT OF CRIMINAL TRESPASS RELATED TO MONTFORT'S DEATH.
Emergency blood shortage: Severe weather further strains Red Cross blood supply Communities encouraged to stay ready, give blood or platelets during National Preparedness Month
The Griffin Housing Authority ("GHA") notified the City of Griffin of complaints related to housing conditions at Ava Park Apartments. These complaints included a petition addressed to Millennia Housing Management (Property Manager of Ava Park) that alleges deplorable housing conditions which, if present, would make the apartments unfit for occupation. This petition was signed by nearly thirty residents. On July 12, 2024, the City sent a letter to Regency Griffin GA, LLC (Property owner of Ava Park) reminding them that it is the duty of every property owner within the City to maintain their property in accordance with City ordinances and state law. Due to the numerous substandard housing complaints, public safety calls, reports of criminal activity on the property and inside the apartments, and the presence of vacant and unsecured structures, at that time the City believed the property constituted a public nuisance as the term is defined in Code of Griffin, Sec. 22-202. The City demanded that Regency provide written notice of its intent to repair/address any unsafe conditions no later than July 31, 2024. To assess the housing conditions on the property, the City requested access to the inside of each apartment unit and building to complete a nuisance investigation and inspection. On July 25, 2024, in conjunction with the Griffin H
– West Central Georgia Bank has donated $25,000 to Upson Regional Medical Center through the Georgia HEART Hospital Program. The Georgia HEART Hospital Program helps rural and critical access hospitals take advantage of an exciting opportunity to increase their funding and their ability to provide for the health care needs of thousands of Georgians. The State of Georgia uniquely empowers its citizens with the opportunity pay their state income taxes – an expenditure that they are required to make anyway – through contributing to eligible rural hospitals to improve the financial condition and patient offerings in Georgia’s rural communities. Upson Regional Medical Center is one of fifty-four hospitals eligible to receive donations through the Georgia HEART Hospital Program. “We are grateful for the funds that West Central Georgia Bank has donated to Upson Regional Medical Center,” shared URMC CEO Jeff Tarrant. “Donations received from businesses and individuals through the Georgia HEART Hospital Program allow us to purchase capital equipment, and complete projects that are vital to delivering the high-quality healthcare that our patients deserve.” During 2023, Upson Regional Medical Center completed over $4.7M in capital equipment purchases and projects. Georgia HEART funds received in 2023 were used to offset approximately 31% of these costs. “Thomaston, Upson County and the surrounding communities are fortunate to have access to quality healthcare at Upson Regional Medical Center” shared Eddie Rogers, President and Chairman of the Board of West Central Georgia Bank. “We are proud to be able to support Upson Regional Medical Center and its employees by participating in the Georgia HEART Hospital Program. We feel like through this program, small businesses like West Central Georgia Bank can participate by helping provide funds that make a difference in healthcare in our community.” All citizens of the state of Georgia are able to decide how their tax dollars are spent. When donating through the Georgia HEART Hospital Program, Georgia taxpayers receive a state income tax credit for 100% of the amount they contribute up to certain limits depending on filing ____________________________________________________________________________________ 801 W. Gordon St. • Thomaston, GA 30286 • (706) 647-8111 www.urmc.org status. To learn more about the Georgia HEART Hospital Program, please visit georgiaheart.org.
ACCORDING TO THOMASTON POLICE CHIEF MIKE RICHARDSON A FEMALE MOTORIST WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE ER BY EMS AFTER A HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT WITH AN EMPTY LOG TRUCK THAT RAN THE RED LIGHT AT NORTH CHURCH AND WEST MAIN, WEDNESDAY. THE VICTIM, 40 YEAR OLD LISA PATEL OF MACON SAID SHE WAS SOUTH BOUND ON NORTH CHURCH WHEN THE FRONT END OF HER VECHILE COLLIDED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE LOG TRAILER TRAVELING WEST BOUND ON WEST MAIN.
WITNESSES STATED MS. PATEL HAD THE GREEN LIGHT AND THE TRUCK DRIVER, DIONTE TREVON THOMAS, 41, OF COLUMBUS SAID HE WAS NOT AWARE HE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. WITNESSES ALSO STATED THE LOG TRUCK RAN THE RED LIGHT AT WEST MAIN AND NORTH GREEN. THE TRUCK DRIVER, THOMAS WAS CITED FOR HIT AND RUN AND RUNNING THE RED LIGHT BY POST 26 GA. STATE PATROL.
NEWS RELEASE
On Tuesday, August 20, 2024 Chasyn Mayfield, 19, of Flovilla Ga was arrested and charged with the August 8th murder of Terrell Hernandez Howell. Howell, of Columbus Ga, was killed while taking part in a card game at 914 Prater Street in Thomaston. Another individual was shot and remains in serious condition. Mayfield was arrested at his residence by Butts County deputies on a warrant from Upson County.
Mayfield is in the Upson County Jail and is being held without bond .
We wish to thank Butts County Sheriff Gary Long and his staff, along with Thomaston PD and the GBI for their assistance with this investigation. Because of this law enforcement collaboration we were able to solve this case.
This investigation is active and ongoing. Other charges are forthcoming.
Anyone with further information is asked to contact Sgt. Jeff Taylor at 706-647-7411
Dan Kilgore, Sheriff
August 20, 2024
The affected area includes customers in East Silvertown north of Goodrich Ave including B, C, D, E, & F St along with 10th, 11th & 12th Ave. We recommend that water that is to be used for human consumption be boiled before use. This is due to loss of water pressure from the water main replacement project in this area. If you have any questions, please call us at 706-646-8031. We will notify you as soon as the notice is lifted.
Rep. Beth Camp Selected for CSG Henry Toll Fellowship
ATLANTA – State Representative Beth Camp (R-Concord), chair of the Intragovernmental Coordination Committee, was recently selected by the Council of State Governments (CSG) to participate in the 2024 CSG Henry Toll Fellowship. The Henry Toll Fellowship is the nation’s leading leadership development program for state officials, bringing together 49 distinguished individuals from 34 states and U.S. territories, representing all three branches of state government.
“I am deeply honored to be selected as a participant of the 2024 CSG Henry Toll Fellowship,” said Chairlady Camp. “Since 1986, this program has brought together leaders from across the nation, providing a unique opportunity for personal and professional growth. I am excited to join this distinguished group of individuals who, regardless of political affiliation or branch of government, share a common commitment to improving the lives of the people we serve. I look forward to the leadership training and chance to build lasting relationships with fellow leaders.”
Since 1986, CSG has annually convened a new class of CSG Henry Toll Fellows at its national headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky, for an intensive leadership boot camp. The program’s sessions are designed to stimulate personal assessment and growth, empower leaders to collaborate and communicate more effectively and provide nonpartisan networking and relationship-building opportunities.
“While the CSG Henry Toll Fellows come from every region of our nation, from both political parties and all three branches of state government, they share one thing in common — they are all committed to improving the lives of the people they serve,” said CSG Executive Director/CEO David Adkins, a former Kansas state senator and 1993 CSG Henry Toll Fellow alumnus. “Toll Fellows are selected based on their demonstrated commitment to solve problems, to work collaboratively to get things done, and their belief that state government can and must be a force for good.”
Toll Fellows are nominated by their peers and selected by alumni of the program.
“The selection committee looks for leaders who have already demonstrated excellence in public service but who also show promise for continuing to make a difference in the future,” Adkins said.
The Toll Fellowship honors the founder of CSG, Henry Toll, who, as a former state senator from Colorado, was the driving force behind the creation of CSG in 1933.
“The Toll Fellows program brings together leading voices from across the country for conversation and shared experiences. While each cohort begins their journey with us in Lexington, the relationships and connections are forged for life,” said Lorna Patches, CSG director of leadership development. “We’re looking forward to growing the Toll Fellowship community.”
There are more than 1,400 graduates of the Toll Fellowship, including four sitting state/territorial house speakers, eight sitting state supreme court justices, 10 sitting members of Congress, three sitting governors and more than 200 Toll alumni currently serving as state/territorial legislators.
Press Release 24-005535 On the evening of August 14th 2024 Griffin Police Uniform Patrol Division Officers were called to the area of E Central and 2nd Streets in reference to shots fired. Upon their arrival a 20 year old male was found to be suffering from a gunshot wound to his abdomen. Officers administered first aid until WellStar Spalding EMS arrived. The patient was transported from scene and to a nearby landing zone where he was flown to Grady. His condition at this time is critical. The Criminal Investigations Division is currently actively working the case. Anyone with information is urged to contact Griffin Police Department at 770.229.6452 or contact tcarnegie@cityofgriffin.com. There are no further updates at this time and as information becomes available further releases will be sent.SHOOTING
Upson County taxpayers have a chance to get a better understanding of the proposed millage rate increases the County and City are presently advertising this year. I’ll be conducting a town hall meeting on August 22nd at Fellowship Bapt. Church on Hannah’s Mill Rd. at 6:30 pm. The way the millage rate increases have to be advertised is causing some misunderstanding on both sides as far as tax increases are concerned. Only maintenance and operations millage rate increases have to be advertised. Our property tax bills are made up of multiple types of tax districts other than M & O that have their own separate millage rate. Not to say there won’t be a major increase in some instances but not as bad as some are portraying it to be; but also, not as insignificant as some governing authorities are making it out to be. I’ll be sharing all the “need to know” info concerning what to expect on our tax bills this year and explaining the breakdown of the tax types along with the areas where we’ll be seeing a major tax increase compared to last year’s bills should these millage increases happen or not. We’ll also discuss some important homestead tax legislation that will be on the November ballot that will significantly help taxpayers in the future should it pass. There’s quite a bit of mis-information getting out on social media and some in the news about this proposed tax increase along with the future tax legislation, but also information that I feel should be shared that’s not being shared; so this is an opportunity for taxpayers to better understand how our property tax process works and what to look for in a few weeks when we get our tax bills.
COUNTY MANAGER BRANDON ROGERS RESIGNED AT A CALLED MEETING EXECUTIVE SESSION OF THE PIKE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ON PERSONNEL, FRIDAY AFTERNOON--ACCORDING TO PIKE COUNTY TIMES .COM. COUNTY ATTORNEY ROB MORTON WILL SERVE AS INTERIM COUNTY MANAGER.
On Thursday August 8, 2024 at 10:20pm deputies responded to 914 Prater Street in the Lincoln Park community of Thomaston to a report of a shooting incident. Upon arrival Terrell Hernandez Howell, 49, of Columbus Ga was located inside of an outbuilding on the property and was pronounced dead at the scene. The owner of the property, Johnathan Bernard Holston, 53, of Thomaston was located outside the building in the yard and had a gunshot wound to his abdomen. Holston was life flighted to a trauma center where he remains in critical condition. Several other witnesses were on the scene. Investigation efforts revealed that those shot had been participants in a card game, along with several others, when a gunman approached the door of the outbuilding and began shooting. The gunman fled and remains unknown.
Deputies were assisted on the scene by officers from the Thomaston Police Department. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation responded and is assisting with the investigation.
This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt. Jeff Taylor at 706-647-7411.
Dan Kilgore, Sheriff
August 9, 2024
A MOTORCYCLE RIDER WAS LIFE-FLIGHTED TO THE GRADY TRAUMA CENTER--THURSDAY MORNING AFTER AN ACCIDENT AT THE PIKE COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. AN EYEWITNESS TOLD 101 NEWS--A MOTORIST PULLED OUT OF THE PIKE ELEMENTARY DRIVE-WAY INTO THE PATH OF THE MOTORCYCLE ON U.S. 19. THE AUTO MOTORIST WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE ER AT URMC.
Pike County deputies responded yesterday afternoon to Drew Allen Road near Twin Oaks Road in reference to a motor vehicle collision. The crash involved a Dodge Journey and Toyota Rav4. The Dodge journey appeared to have crossed the centerline of the roadway and struck the oncoming vehicle. Unfortunately, Thomas Woolf, 61 years of age,did not survive the collision. Two other people were air lifted from the scene for medical treatment. This incident is still under investigation to determine the cause.
Upson-Lee High School will be hosting Community Night at Matthews Field this Thursday night, August 8, from 5-7 PM. Admission is FREE and guests will get a sneak peek at the Matthews Field renovations (Phase 1), the UL Knights Football Team (intrasquad scrimmage), the UL Marching Knights (halftime show preview), and the UL Knights Cheerleaders! Weather Permitting
PRESS RELEASE ANNOUNCING A PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX INCREASE
The City of Thomaston Governing Authority today announces its intention to increase the 2024 property taxes it will levy this year by 45.88 percent over the rollback millage rate.
In August 2020, the City of Thomaston, via the Thomaston-Upson Office Building Authority, issued a bond in the amount of $2,700,000 to construct a fire station for our community. To ensure that the bond debt is satisfied, the Mayor and City Council of the City of Thomaston are tentatively set to approve a millage increase of 1 mill. Revenue generated from the increase will be used for the debt payment on the newly constructed fire department. Before the Mayor and City Council set the final millage rate, Georgia law requires three public hearings to be held to allow the public the opportunity to express their opinions on the increase.
When the total digest of taxable property is prepared, Georgia law requires a rollback millage rate must be computed that will produce the same total revenue on the current year's digest that last year's millage rate would have produced had no reassessments occurred.
The budget tentatively adopted by the City of Thomaston Governing Authority requires a millage rate higher than the rollback millage rate; therefore, before the City of Thomaston Governing Authority may finalize the tentative budget and set a final millage rate, Georgia law requires three public hearings to be held to allow the public an opportunity to express their opinions on the increase.
All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearings on this tax increase to be held at the Thomaston-Upson Government Complex, 106 E. Lee St., Suite 140, Thomaston, GA on August 6, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. and on August 20, 2024 at 8:15 a.m. and 6:3
UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF DAN KILGORE SAID DEPUTIES SEIZED MULTIPLE PACKAGES OF SYTHETIC MARIJUANA , STOLEN GUNS AND ARRESTED TWO GRIFFIN MEN-- DURING A ROAD CHECK AT COUNTY ROAD AND BEAVER RUN TRACE LAST WEEKEND. THE SUSPECTS 31 YEAR OLD ANTHONY LAMAR PARKS OF BLANTON STREET--GRIFFIN AND 28 YEAR OLD JAMARUS MARQUEZ MADDOX OF NORTH 8TH STREET--GRIFFIN.
PARKS CHARGED WITH; THEFT BY RECEIVING PROPERTY, DUI, POSSESSION FIREARM BY CONVICTED FELON, MADDOX WITH THEFT BY RECEIVING AND POSSESSION MARIJUANA WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE. THE MEN HAD HANDGUNS THAT WERE STOLEN -- GRIFFIN POLICE CONFIRMED.
THE DRIVER--PARKS SPEECH WAS SLURRED, HE APPEARED TO BE INTOXICATED AND THERE WAS A HARD LEMONADE IN THE SEAT CUP HOLDER.
UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF DAN KILGORE REPORTS A CHILD MOLESTATION ARREST. 79-YEAR OLD THOMAS HAROLD BROACH OF THOMASTON. A YOUNG FEMALE THE ALLEGED VICTIM.
