T-U SCHOOLS PR DIRECTOR RETIRES

 KAREN  FOWLER  TRUESDALE  PUBLIC  RELATIONS  DIRECTOR  FOR  THE  THOMASTON-UPSON  SCHOOL  SYSTEM  HAS  OFFICIALLY  RETIRED  AFTER  28  YEARS  WITH  THE  SYSTEM.  NO  REPLACEMENT  HAS  BEEN  NAMED  BUT  THE  SCHOOL  SYSTEM  HAS  REPORTEDLY  RECEIVED  OVER  20  APPLICATIONS.   101  NEWS  WISHES  KAREN  THE  BEST  IN  HER  RETIREMENT.

TFD AND TPD DISPATCHED TO SOUTH CENTER ST. BIZ

  THE  ODOR  AT  RIDGE  CREEK  FUDGE  THAT  RESULTED  IN  SOUTH  CENTER  STREET  BEING  BLOCKED OFF  FROM  LEE  TO  GORDON  AROUND  LUNCHTIME   FRIDAY  --WAS  NOT  A  GAS  ODOR  BUT  WAS  COMING  FROM  A  SERVE PRO CLEAN-UP  JOB    AT  A  NEAR-BY  SITE.  THOMASTON  FIRE DEPARTMENT  CAPTIAN   DAMIAN LEONARD  COMMANDED  TWO  UNITS  DISPATCHED  TO  THE  SCENE. 

STORM DAMAGE IN THE CITY OF THOMASTON

 WINDS  POSSIBLY   OVER  60  MPH  BLEW  A  TREE  LIMB  IN  THE  BEDROOM  WINDOW  OF  LENORA  AND  JOSHUA RAMMAGE  AT 726 EAST  THOMPSON  AND  A  TREE  WAS  OVER  THE   STREET  AT  THE  ENTRANCE  TO  AVERA  ESTATES.   PHOTOS  ON  OUR  WEBSITE.

UPSON COUNTY GOT A CLEAN 2024 AUDIT

 THE  UPSON  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS  GOT  A   POSITIVE   REPORT  ON  THE   2024 AUDIT  TUESDAY   FROM   THE  FIRM  OF  NICHOLS/CAULEY.  COUNTY  MANAGER  JASON  TINSLEY  SAID  THE  FIRM   IS   EASY  TO  WORK  WITH  AND  THEY  HAVE  TAKEN  COUNTY  GOVERNMENT  TO  THE NEXT LEVEL.  UPSON COUNTY  HAS  A  FUND  BALANCE  TO  FUND  IT  FOR   ALMOST  6  MONTHS. AND  IT  WAS  A  CLEAN  AUDIT  WITH  NO  WRITE-UPS.  IT SHOULD  BE  TURNED  OVER  TO  THE  STATE  BY JUNE  I.

DA MARIE BRODER ON FAYETTE CASE

 On June 23, 2025, Kenneth Hardin entered a guilty plea to Felony Murder, Concealing the Death of Another, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of Crime. The investigation began on August 21, 2024, when the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office received information from the defendant’s father that Hardin had confessed to killing his wife, Carrie Hardin, before fleeing the state. Investigators were able to track Hardin’s car to Louisiana where he was taken into custody. When interviewed, Hardin confessed to shooting his wife, then burning her body before burying her remains in the backyard of their Fayetteville home. According to the defendant, his wife had spoken of leaving him. Officers were able to recover the victim’s remains behind the Merlin Court home, and an autopsy revealed she had been shot nine times before her body was burned.

Upon his guilty plea, the defendant was sentenced by the Honorable Rhonda B. Kreuziger to life in prison without the possibility of parole plus five years. The investigation was led by Sergeant Taweyla Wilson of the Fayette County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division and prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Daniel A. Hiatt. “While nothing can bring Carrie Hardin back to her sons, I am proud of the efforts by law enforcement and my office to bring some measure of justice to her family and dignity to her legacy,” said District Attorney Marie Broder.

T-U BOE CALLED MEETING 6/24/25

 At this morning's 7:30 AM Board of Education meeting, the board unanimously approved the FY26 budget. Prior to the vote, Superintendent Dr. Larry Derico addressed the board regarding the district’s recent research into the legal feasibility of providing a homestead rebate to taxpayers. It was determined that this option is not permissible at this time. While the rebate is not a viable path forward, board members emphasized that the approval of the FY2026 budget does not mark the end of their commitment to providing an option to ease the tax burden on Upson County homeowners. The board made it clear that, moving forward, they will continue to explore alternative forms of taxpayer relief.

DAVE TAKES A BITE OF THE BIG APPLE IN THE PIPELINE

 WHEN  THE  HOTEL  WAITER  HANDS  YOU  A  TICKET  FOR  A  $60  BREAKFAST  BUFFET-YOU  KNOW  YOU  ARE  IN  NEW  YORK  CITY.  THEY  HAD  GRITS,  BUT  THEY  NEED  ERNIE'S  RECIPE. MY NEPHEW HAS  TO  VISIT  GOTHAM SEVERAL TIMES  A  YEAR  ON  BUSINESS  AND  STAYS  IN  THE  SAME  HOTEL  AT  TIMES  SQUARE.  ONE  BIG  REASON  ITS  JUST  AROUND  THE  CORNER  FROM   THE  CAKE  BOSS  SHOP.   DIDN'T  KNOW  IT   BUT  OUR  OWN FRANKIE  GOLDSTEIN(HIS  FATHER  WAS  ONCE MAYOR  OF  GRIFFIN)   HAS  A  SIDE  HUSTLE    IN  THE  RETAIL  BUSINESS  IN  NYC.  IN  A  TONEY  SECTION  OF  THE CITY   THERE'S   " FRANKIE'S BIKINIS."

PICKLE  BALL  IS  LIVE  AND KICKIN  IN  CENTRAL PARK--ALL  COURTS  WERE  FULL  IN  THE  AM  AND  MY  NEPHEW  WAS  UNSUCCESSFUL  IN  DOWN  NEGOTIATING  COST  OF  A  HORSE DRAW  CARRAGE. IT  WAS  OK  WITH  ME --KEPT  THINKING  ABOUT  THAT  "SEINFELD" EPISODE  WHEN  CRAMER  GOT  A  DRIVER  JOB  BUT  THE  HORSE  GOT  HOLD OF  A  SAM'S CLUB-SIZE  CAN OF PORK  AND  BEANS  AND  THINGS  GOT  WINDY  FOR  THE  PASSENGERS.

THE  REASON  FOR THE  NYC  VISIT--MY BABY NEICE  AND  HER  CAROLINA HIGH  SCHOOL  CHORAL  GROUP PERFORMED  AT  CARNEGIE  HALL. OUTSIDE ITS NOT IMPRESSIVE BUT  INSIDE  THEY  SAY  THE  AUDITORIUM  HAS  THE  WORLD'S BEST  ACOUSTICS .  I  WOULD  LIKE  TO  THANK MS. CARNEGIE  FOR  URGING  HER  HUSBAND TO  BUILD A  MUSIC  VENUE, AS    A  NEW CENTURY  BEGAN. I  GOT  ALL  EXCITED  WHEN  MY  HIGH  SCHOOL  NIECE  INFORMED  ME  ONE  OF  THEIR  SELECTIONS  WOULD  BE " GLORIA." I  IMMEDIATELY  THOUGHT  IT  WOULD  BE  THAT   60'S  ROCK SONG  "G-L-O-R-I-A " WRITTEN  BY   18-YEAR  OLD  FRONT  MAN  VAN  MORRISON AND  THE  BAND  THEM.  THAT  WAS  A  BIG  MISTAKE,   THIS   "GLORIA"  WAS  A  BAROQUE      NUMBER   PENNED  BY   ITALIAN  COMPOSER  VIVALDI. OTHER SELECTIONS  WERE  FROM  HANDEL  AND  WARREN. THE  SOUNDS  REMINDED  ME OF   THE  SOUNDTRACK  OF   A  TV  SHOW  CALLED  "NAVY  LOG"  THAT I  WATCHED  AS  A  YOUTH  SHOWING    VIDEO  OF  FAMOUS  U.S.  NAVAL  BATTLES.

LAGUARDIA  AIRPORT  WAS  DUMPY  LAST  TIME  I  WAS  THERE  AND  NEEDED  A  FACELIFT  MORE  THAN  I  DO , BUT  IT  NOW  TOUTS  ITSELF  AS " THE  WORLD'S  BEST  NEW  AIRPORT."  BEFORE  THE UPGRADE  HURRICAINE  SANDY  HIT IT  HARD   AND  DID  $10  MILLION  WORTH OF IMPROVEMENTS. I  ALWAYS  CARRY  THE  BIGGEST  BAG  IN THE  AIRPORT, WHILE  MY NEICES  AND  NEPHEWS  ALL  HAD  CARRY-ONS. VW  HAS  A  NEW  TV  AD  CAMPAIGN FEATURING  AN  OLDIE  FROM  JEAN KNIGHT  CALLED "MR.   BIG  STUFF." THEY  CHANGED THE  LYRICS  AND  KEPT SINGING  "MR. BIG  BAG."

OUR AIRCRAFT  WAS   CANADIAN-MADE  BOMBARDIER  AND  I  WAS  SWEATING IT OUT  IF  PREZ.  TRUMP  HAD   TARIFFED  ALL  NEEDED   AIRPLANE  PARTS. BUT   BOTH FLIGHTS  WERE  ROUTINE AND  WE  TOOK  A  BOAT  EXCURSION    ON  THE  HUDSON RIVER   , BUT  THANK  GOODNESS  WE  DIDN'T  HAVE  TO  LAND  ON  IT. 

DEATH AT A GRIFFIN PARK

 Spalding county deputies, investigators and Spalding county coroners office responded to a call of a person deceased at Wynomia Tyus park. There was no foul play involved and the park is safe and secure. This type of loss of life is traumatic for a family and for privacy reasons the name of the deceased is not being released at this time. Please keep them in your prayers.

Sheriff Darrell Dix 

UPSON TAX COMMISSIONER WANTS TO STAY PUT

 UPSON  COUNTY  COMMISSION  CHAIRMAN  DAN  BRUE  AND  THE  BOARD  HEARD   COMMENTS  FROM  TAX  COMMISSIONER  ANDY  CHASTAIN  ABOUT  HIS  OPPOSITION  TO  MOVING  HIS  OFFICE  FROM  THE  COURTHOUSE  ANNEX  TO  A  RENOVATED SPACE  AT  THE DRAKE  BUILDING  AT  WEDNESDAY'S  MONTHLY  WORK  SESSION.  THE  CHAIRMAN  SAID  COMMISSIONERS  WILL  TAKE  THE  ISSUE  UNDER  ADVISEMENT  AND  CONTINUE  TO  LOOK  AT  COST  FIGURES  AFTER  BEING  TOLD  THE  ANNEX  BUILDING  IS  LEAKING  AND  NEEDS ATTENTION-BUT  THAT MUST  BE  BALANCED  BY  THE  COST OF  DRAKE  BUILDING  RENOVATION.   ONE  FIGURE  WAS  A  QUARTER OF  A  MILLION  FOR  RENOVATION.

 THE  TAX  ASSESSORS  OFFICE  IS  SLATED  TO  MOVE  TO  THE  DRAKE  BUILDING, BUT  TAX  COMMISSION  CHASTAIN  SAID  IT  COULD  MOVE  ACROSS  THE  HALL  IN  THE  VACANT  SPACE  CREATED  BY  THE  CLERK OF  COURT  MOVING  TO THE  NEW  JUSTICE  CENTER.  THE  COUNTY  WANTS  TO  SELL  THE  ANNEX  BUT  CHASTAIN  TOLD  THEM  HE  HAS  COUNTED  7  EMPTY  BUILDINGS  DOWNTOWN. HE  SUGGESTED  PUTTING  THE  DRAKE  BUILDING  ON  THE  MARKET  AND  USING  THE  2ND  FLOOR  ANNEX  FOR  COUNTY  OFFICES.  THE  MAJORITY  OF  CITIZENS  WANT  US  TO  STAY  ON  THE  SQUARE--HE  SAID.

THE  TAX  COMMISSIONER  SAID  PARKING  IS  INADEQUATE    AT THE  DRAKE  BUILDING  AND  HE  IS  CONCERNED  ABOUT  SECURITY OF       TAX  PROCEEDS   AS  HE  AND  HIS  CLERKS  CAN  NOW JUST  WALK  ACROSS  THE  STREET  TO  THE  BANK  TO DEPOSIT.  AND  HE  ADDED    KEEPING  THE  OFFICE  WHERE  IT  IS  WILL SOLVE  PARKING   AND  IT  WILL  BE  A  VERY MINIMUM  COST  COMPARED  TO  WHAT IT  WILL  BRING  TO  SQUARE  ACTIVITY  AND  SECURITY  FOR  HIS  OFFICE

UPSON CO BICENTENNIAL SCAVENGER HUNT BEGINS SATURDAY 6/21

 Bicentennial Scavenger Hunt Begins Saturday

 

The Thomaston-Upson Bicentennial Committee, in conjunction with Thomaston-Upson Archives, is planning a six-week scavenger hunt, and all are invited to participate.

 

Follow the Facebook page (Thomaston-Upson County Bicentennial) or scan flyer QR code to find location clues, which will be posted each Saturday morning starting June 21.

The committee will release five location clues each Saturday for a total of six weeks. Locations may be anywhere across the county and are reasonably accessible for adults and children. Sites may be of historical or recreational significance.

 

Participants will look for a metal ammo-style box, as seen on the flyer. Inside each box will be an authentic 1943 Ritz Theatre ticket, inside of an envelope. Participants will bring the ticket to Thomaston-Upson Archives, 301 South Center Street, during public hours (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) to redeem for a choice of either a bicentennial T-shirt or bicentennial “200” candle.

 

Redemption of the ticket also grants participants one entry in a grand prize basket, to be drawn at the end of the six-week period.

 

For any questions, please contact tubicentennial@gmail.com or call the Archives, 706-646-2437.

 

Additional Rules:

 

•Only one box may be redeemed per person.

•Take Ritz ticket only. Please DO NOT remove the boxes. They will be retrieved by organizers.

•Be mindful that some locations may be places of business. Organizers will not hide boxes inside of business. Please search outside only!

*Please note the Archives will be closed for holiday on July 4.

 

 

U-L HIGH NJROTC NEWS

 On June 8th – 15th, Upson-Lee NJROTC cadets participated at the NJROTC Area’s 8,9, and 10 – sponsored Leadership Academy.  The training was held on the campus of the historic Riverside Preparatory Academy in Gainesville, Georgia.

Upson-Lee NJROTC cadets received more than 60 training hours with topics including psychology of leadership, military drill, being physically fit, the importance of STEM, and much more. The young Knights trained alongside nearly 300 fellow NJROTC cadets who represented newly configured Area’s 8, 9, and 10 high schools in Georgia, Florida, Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia.  

Upson-Lee’s Company Commanding Officer Cadet Lieutenant Commander Keelyn Quiller returned to Leadership Academy for a second year as a Cadre (specialty trainer) to a designated platoon. The cadets were accompanied by Naval Science Instructor Chief Petty Officer Anthony Kendall, who assisted in the training as a Platoon Advisor. This valued training can be seen as an investment in the schools NJROTC program and will aid tremendously in continued productivity and professionalism. 

Pictured left to right:  Cadet Miles Self, Cadet Jeremy Demand, Cadet Kenya Montfort, Cadet Kenya Worthy, Cadet Commanding Officer Keelyn Quiller, and CPO Anthony Kendall.

NEWS FROM GORDON STATE

 BARNESVILLE, Ga., – Six Gordon State College employees recently completed the University System of Georgia’s inaugural Great from the Middle (GFTM) leadership program, joining colleagues from across the state in a semester-long commitment to professional growth.

Participants from GSC, Columbus State University, Fort Valley State University, Georgia College & State University, and Middle Georgia State University took part in the program, which was designed for current and aspiring supervisors seeking to strengthen their leadership skills. The initiative was facilitated by the USG Leadership and Institutional Development Team and included a mix of in-person and virtual sessions focused on practical, mid-level management development.

Highlander Nation’s inaugural participants included Gratasha Banks, assistant director of housing residence life; Walter Bibbs, associate systems administrator; Prathibha Joshi-Beck, professor of economics; Amanda Maynard, manager of institutional research and effectiveness; Cindy McCard, procurement manager; and Kristy Riggs, assistant director of financial aid.

Throughout the four-session program, the cohort explored topics such as understanding personal leadership styles, building trust and offering feedback, communicating effectively, and empowering teams through motivation and decision-making.

“Participating in the GFTM Leadership Program was a rewarding experience,” Riggs said. “It provided a valuable opportunity to connect with peers from across the region and reflect on how we can help build a positive workplace culture on our campuses.”

As part of the program, each participant was matched with a dialogue partner from their campus to engage in monthly conversations about leadership and management. These informal discussions were designed to provide insight and perspective from more experienced campus leaders, with a focus on the topics covered in each session.

“I found the experience both helpful and eye-opening,” Riggs said. “Choosing someone outside of my department gave me a fresh perspective on leadership and how different areas of [GSC] approach challenges and decision-making.”

###

Founded in 1852, GSC is a

AJC REPORTS ON GHSA TRANSFERS

 According to a report by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Tuesday morning, the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) is making bylaw changes to address student-athlete transferring in a big way.

Per the AJC's report, the GHSA is cracking down on student-athlete transferring within the state, with any athlete who transfer schools multiple times after the ninth grade will be ineligible for one year. The revised GHSA bylaw is expected to be approved next month.

What's also included in the bylaw is that all incoming transfers being required to prove that they are making a bonafide move, which would include the athlete's family providing copies of driver’s licenses, utility bills and lease agreements.

Of the 13 GHSA Board of Trustees that voted, the bylaw was passed by everyone except one member. The revision to GHSA bylaw 1.60 'SCHOOL SERVICE AREAS / TRANSFER / MIGRANT STUDENTS / MIGRATORY WAIVER', is spelled out below regarding proving a bonafide move.

1.62 A transfer student who has established eligibility at a former school in grades 9-12 shall be immediately eligible at the new school if:

a. The student moved simultaneously with the entire parental unit and all other persons he/she lived with at the former residence, and that residential unit moved into the service area of the new school with simultaneous enrollment of the student in the new school. This is known as a “bona fide move.” (NOTE: A move within the same service area does not constitute a bona fide move.)
1. The student may choose the public or private school serving that area.
2. It must be apparent that the parent(s) and all the persons residing with the student and the student have relinquished the residence in the former service area and have occupied a residence in the new service area.
3. The following factors, although not conclusive, may be evidence of relinquishment of the former residence: Selling the residence and vacating it; OR vacating the residence and listing it for sale at a fair market value; OR vacating the residence and leasing it to another (other than a relative) at fair market value; OR abandoning the residence and shutting off the unnecessary utilities. NOTE: When a family claims multiple residences, the residence for which they apply for a homestead exemption will be declared the primary residence provided the family spends the majority of their time at this residence.
4. The bona fide move is validated when the student’s family maintains the new residence for at least one calendar year. A return to the previous service area within that year renders the student to be a migrant student. All hardship appeal processes are available.

---

UPSON PLANNING COMMISSION VOTES DOWN OLD ALABAMA SUBDIVISION

 THE  SERENITY  LAKE SUBDIVISION  REQUESTED   APPROVAL  FOR  A  PRELIMINARY  PLAT  ON  OLD  ALABAMA  ROAD--MONDAY  BUT   WAS  VOTED  DOWN  BY  THE  UPSON COUNTY   PLANNING  COMMISSION ON  A   3-1  VOTE.   MARTIE  MURPHY  CAST  THE  LONE  NAY  VOTE--HE  MADE  A  MOTION TO  TABLE  THE   PROPOSAL--BUT  STEVE  RUSH  STATED  IT  DOES NOT  COMPLY  WITH  THE  COUNTY  COMPREHENSIVE  PLAN  AND  MADE  A  MOTION  TO  REJECT IT -- THAT PASSED.

GRIFFIN ZONING  ATTORNEY  NEWTON  GALLOWAY  WHO  HAS  FILED  SUIT   ON  BEHALF OF  SERENITY  LAKE  AGAINST  THE  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS IN  SUPERIOR  COURT  FOR  DENYING    A  REZONING  FOR  THE  PROJECT--SOUGHT  TO  SPEAK  DURING  THE  PROCEEDING  BUT  WAS  STOPPED  BY  CHAIRMAN  PHILLIP  FALLIN--BECAUSE HE  DID  NOT SIGN-UP  TO  SPEAK. WISCONSIN  DEVELOPER  DAN  SPRINGHETTI  SPOKE  FOR  THE  SERENITY  GROUP.  IT  WAS  NOT  A   PUBLIC  HEARING  SO  SOME  OPPOSED  TO  THE  SUBDIVISION  WHO  HAVE  TESTIFIED  PREVIOUSLY--ATTENDED  BUT  WERE  NOT  ALLOWED  TO  SPEAK.

THOMASTON-UPSON BOE PUBLIC HEARING ON BUDGET JUNE 10 6PM.

 The FY2026 proposed all funds budget is $81.1 million in expenditures with estimated revenue of $72.1 million. Last year's all funds budget was $82.5 million total expenditures with $69.6 million in revenue. FY 2026 General Fund expenditures total a proposed $55.1M, an increase of $2.7M or 5.25% over the FY2025 budget. The major increase in the general fund expenditures is not due to salary increases (up $435K) but is due to state-mandated employer contribution increases (up $1.8 million). (With a state-mandated 7.1% increase in the employer state health insurance premium for certified employees and a 35.9% increase for classified employees, health insurance benefits are increasing a total of $1.8M or 21.42% from FY2025 totals.) Let me know if you need anything else.

Thanks!

Karen

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FY2026 BUDGET

The Thomaston - Upson County Board of Education will hold two public comment sessions for the proposed FY2026 budget. Meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at 6:00 PM, and Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at 7:30 AM. Both meetings will be held at the Thomaston–Upson Board of Education, 205 Civic Center Drive, Thomaston, GA 30286. The purpose of these meetings is to provide an opportunity for public input on the proposed budget. The proposed budget will be available for public review on the district’s website at www.upson.k12.ga.us or at the office at the above address during operating hours. The Thomaston – Upson Board of Education is scheduled to adopt the final budget at the Tuesday, June 24, 2025, called board meeting at 7:30 AM.

TUESDAY WORKSHOP UPSON BOC TWO/TWO FROM PLAN COM

 TUESDAY'S   JOINT  WORKSHOP  BETWEEN  TWO  UPSON  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS AND  TWO  MEMBERS  OF  THE  PLANNING  COMMISSION  ON LAND  USE  AND  DEVELOPMENT  WILL  NOT  BE  OPEN  TO  THE  PUBLIC--BECAUSE  THERE  WILL   NOT  BE  A  QUORUM  FROM  EITHER  BODY.  THE  WORK  SESSION  IS  SCHEDULED    3  TO  5PM  TO  DISCUSS  THE  DIRECTION  OF  UPCOMING  ZONING  SUBDIVISION  ORDIANCE  AMENDMENTS.  THE  COMMISSIONERS  HAVE  BEEN  DISCUSSING  A  JOINT  SESSION  WITH  THE  PLANNING  COMMISSION FOR SOME TIME  TO  HELP  GUIDE  HOW  THE  COUNTY  MANAGES  GROWTH,  DEVELOPMENT,  AND LAND  USE  IN  THE  YEARS    AHEAD.

THE  PRESS  RELEASE  FROM  BUILDING  AND  ZONING  FRIDAY  STATED  THE  PUBLIC  WOULD  BE  INVITED  BUT WITHOUT  ANY  PUBLIC  COMMENT--BUT  WITH  NO  QUORUM  THAT  INVITE  TO  CITIZENS HAS  BEEN  WITHDRAWN. 

TWO RUNNING FOR UPSON CO PROBATE JUDGE

 TWO  CANDIDATES  HAVE  ANNOUNCED  THEIR  INTENT  TO  QUALIFY  IN  A  SPECIAL  ELECTION  FOR  UPSON  COUNTY PROBATE  JUDGE--  CECIL  HUTCHINS  AND  DUSTIN  FORDHAM.  AN  ELECTION  THAT  COULD  BE  IN  NOVEMBER.

5TH CASE OF MEASLES IN GA.

 DPH Confirms Additional Measles Case Unvaccinated Family Member of Previous Case ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed a secondary case of measles in an unvaccinated metro Atlanta resident. This individual is a family member of the person with measles, acquired outside the country, who was confirmed in May. Individuals who may have been exposed to either of these persons have been given the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine or antibodies to help reduce the risk of developing measles and are being monitored for symptoms. Currently, no new cases of measles have been reported outside of this family. The MMR vaccine is safe and effective. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children receive their first dose of MMR vaccine between 12 and 15 months of age and a second dose between 4 and 6 years of age. More than 95% of the people who receive a single dose of MMR will develop immunity to all three viruses. A second dose boosts immunity, typically enhancing protection to 98%. This is the fifth reported case of measles in Georgia in 2025. In 2024, there were six reported cases of measles in the state. For more information about measles, log on to https://dph.georgia.gov/epidemiology/acute-disease-epidemiology/va

THOMASTON C.M.- LOSS OF USDA GRANT NOT CITY HALL'S FAULT

 THOMASTON'S  CITY  MANAGER  RUSSELL  THOMPSON  HAS  CLARIFIED  THE  LOSS  OF  A  $900,000  FEDERAL  USGA  GRANT  FROM  THE  AGRICULTURE  DEPARTMENT    FOR  THE  MULTI-USE  FACILITY  AT  EAST  GORDON  AND  HIGHTOWER--APPROVED  BY  THE  CITY  COUNCIL==TUESDAY.  ACCORDING  TO  THE  MANAGER  CITY  HALL  HAD  NOTHING  TO  DO  WITH  THE  GRANT  LOSS--IT  WAS  A  VICTIM  OF  THE  FEDERAL  BUDGET  CUT-BACKS  UNDERWAY  IN  WASHINGTON.

THE  LOSS  OF  THE  USDA  GRANT   CAUSED  A    REDUCTION    IN  FUNDING  FOR  THE  PROPOSED  FARMER'S  MARKET--BUT  THE  MANAGER  FOUND   $200,000  IN  UNALLOCATED  SALES  TAX  TO  JUMP  THE  TOTAL  PROJECT    FUNDING   TO $1.76  MILLION WITH  SOME  CHANGES  TO  THE  ORIGINAL  PLANS . UNCLEAR  WHEN  EARTH  WILL  START  MOVING  ON  THE  PROJECT. 

THE  MANAGER  REPORTED  JULY  4TH  WAS  THE  ORIGINAL  TARGET  DATE  FOR  OPENING  THE  NEW  PICKLEBALL COURTS  AT  GREATEST  GENERATION  PARK--BUT  WET  WEATHER  IS  DELAYING  THINGS.  HIS  SUMMATION--YOU  CAN'T  LAY  ASPHAULT  WHEN  ITS  WET . 

THOMASTON CITY COUNCIL APPROVES FARMER'S MARKET/MULTI-USE FACILITY

 THE  THOMASTON CITY    COUNCIL   VOTED  UNANIMOUSLY  TUESDAY  TO  MOVE  FOWARD  WITH  THE   DOWNTOWN  FARMER'S  MARKET/MULTI-USE  FACILITY    ON  THE  LOT  AT  EAST  GORDON  AND  HIGHTOWER  DESPITE  LOSING  A   USDA  GRANT OF  $900,000 FOR  THE PROJECT.  CITY  MANAGER  RUSSELL  THOMPSON  RECOMMENDED  ADDING $200,000   IN  SALES  TAXES  TO  THE  PROJECT WHICH  WILL  TOTAL $1.761  MILLION.   AFTER NEGOTIATIONS  LOW  BID  ICB  CONSTRUCTION  GROUP  OF  MACON.