Fun 101 Local News

ARREST IN ASSAULT ON RETIRED P.D. OFFICER

2012-02-08T15:22:00.001-05:00

MAJOR DAN KILGORE OF THE UPSON S.O. SAYS TERRILL OMAR SEARCY, 25, OF 226 SMITH ROAD WAS ARRESTED ON 4TH AVE. WEDNESDAY WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE THOMASTON P.D.

SEARCY IS A SUSPECT IN AN ASSAULT ON RETIRED THOMASTON POLICE SGT. AUBREY HALL OF ZORN ROAD WHO WAS SCHEDULED TO UNDERGO SURGERY WEDNESDAY AT A MACON HOSPITAL AFTER HE RECEIVED A FRACTURED NOSE IN THE ATTACK.

MAJOR KILGORE SAID SGT. HALL WAS SLUGGED IN THE FACE WHEN HE RETURNED HOME FROM CHURCH SUNDAY MORNING AND FOUND A BLACK MALE IN HIS HOUSE. THE INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING AND ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THE CASE SHOULD CONTACT UPSON S.O.

SENIOR CITIZEN INJURED HOME INVASION

2012-02-06T15:59:00.001-05:00

ACCORDING TO UPSON S.O. AN 86 YEAR OLD WHITE MALE WAS TREATED AT THE E.R. AFTER HE WAS FOUND WITH A BLOODY FACE AT 101 ZORN ROAD.

HE TOLD DEPUTIES HE SAW AN OLDER MODEL WHITE CHEVY IN HIS DRIVEWAY AND FOUND TWO BLACK MALES INSIDE HIS RESIDENCE. HE ASKED WHAT THEY WERE DOING THERE AND ONE OF THEM PUNCHED HIM IN THE NOSE AND THEY FLED IN THE CAR. THE GBI PROCESSED THE CRIME SCENE.

THOMASTON TEEN , BARNESVILLE TEEN IN JAIL IN TENN FOR KIDNAPPING

2012-02-03T12:55:00.001-05:00

ACCORDING TO THE LAMAR S.O. AN UPSON COUNTY TEEN, DUSTIN BLAKE ELLIOTT,19 AND A BARNESVILLE TEEN, JOSHUA PAUL CROWE,19 ARE IN JAIL IN HAMLIN COUNTY , TENNESSEE ON CHARGES OF KIDNAPPING TWO TEEN FEMALES.

KIRSTEN KAMRADT,14 OF BARNESVILLE AND AMBER HENRY, 16 OF HIGH FALLS WERE FOUND SAFE IN TENNESSEE THURSDAY NIGHT AFTER THEY LEFT THEIR HOMES WITH THE TWO MALE TEENS WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

CROWE WAS ALREADY FACING CHARGES OF STATUTORY RAPE AND STALKING. THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR MISSING AND EXPLOITED CHILDREN WAS INVOLVED IN THE SEARCH FOR THE TWO FEMALE TEENS.

BAR AND GRILL PROPOSED DOWNTOWN THOMASTON

2012-02-02T13:03:00.001-05:00

THE CITY OF THOMASTON HAS CONFIRMED A MACON GROUP HAS APPLIED TO OPEN A BAR AND GRILL AT 105 SOUTH CENTER STREET, ONCE SINBRO’S DEPARTMENT STORE.

THE MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESS WOULD BE NAMED FUSIONS AND WOULD SELL, BEER, WINE AND LIQUOR BY-THE-DRINK IF APPROVED BY THE THOMASTON CITY COUNCIL.

WHITE FEMALE FOUND INSIDE BELK EARLY MONDAY

2012-01-30T13:25:00.001-05:00

THOMASTON POLICE HAVE A FEMALE IN CUSTODY AFTER SHE WAS FOUND INSIDE THE BELK STORE IN NORTHSIDE . DIANE MARIE GORDY, 30 , OF 403 DENHAM ST. SAID SHE GOT LOCKED IN THE STORE AFTER CLOSING, BUT POLICE FOUND A BAG NEAR THE LADIES RESTROOM STUFFED WITH $1640 OF MERCHANDISE, AFTER THE SECURITY ALARM WAS TRIGGERED.

HARVILLE GUILTY-SERVE 4 YEARS

2012-01-26T12:16:00.001-05:00

A JURY RETURNED A GUILTY VERDICT IN UPSON SUPERIOR COURT, THURSDAY MORNING IN THE THEFT OF SERVICES TRIAL OF BUSINESSMAN RICHARD HARVILLE.

JUDGE FLETCHER SAMS SENTENCED HARVILLE TO 10 YEARS, 4 TO SERVE, 6 ON PROBATION, A $15,000 FINE AND RESTITUTION TO THE CITY OF THOMASTON OF $472,000. AFTER SENTENCING HARVILLE WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY BY THE UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT.

HARVILLE WHO OPERATED A COMPANY CALLED AGRI-CYCLE, WAS CONVICTED OF DEFRAUDING THE CITY OF THOMASTON OVER THE AMOUNT OF LEACHATES FROM THE TAYLOR COUNTY LANDFILL DUMPED IN THE SEWER SYSTEM.

HARVILLE JURY WILL RETURN 9AM THURSDAY

2012-01-25T17:30:00.001-05:00

IN UPSON SUPERIOR COURT, JUDGE FLETCHER SAMS SENT THE JURY HOME FOR THE NIGHT IN THE THEFT OF SERVICES TRIAL OF BUSINESSMAN RICHARD HARVILLE OF THOMASTON. THE JURY RETIRED AT 2PM WEDNESDAY.

JUDGE SAMS ORDERED THE JURY TO RETURN TO COURT AT 9AM THURSDAY. HARVILLE CHARGED WITH DEFRAUDING THE CITY OF THOMASTON OF OVER $450,000 FOR DUMPING LEACHATES FROM THE TAYLOR COUNTY LANDFILL IN THE SEWER SYSTEM.

GBI AGENT BAITY RUNNING FOR SHERIFF

2012-01-25T14:00:00.001-05:00

A VETERAN SPECIAL AGENT FOR THE GBI, SAM BAITY HAS A NEW BILLBOARD ON 19 NORTH ANNOUNCING HE IS RUNNING FOR SHERIFF OF UPSON COUNTY. SHERIFF DON PEACOCK IS NOT EXPECTED TO SEEK REELECTION.

MAJOR DAN KILGORE, CHIEF DEPUTY FOR SHERIFF PEACOCK, EX-COUNTY COMMISSION CHAIRMAN GLEN COLLINS AND THOMASTON POLICE DEPARTMENT SGT. JEFF LITTLE HAVE ALSO BEEN MENTIONED AS CANDIDATES IN THE JULY 31ST PRIMARY.

QUALIFYING OPENS MAY 23 AND CLOSES MAY 25. THE QUALIFYING FEE IS $1779.86.

HARVILLE TRIAL ENTERS 3RD DAY-DEFENDANT ON THE STAND

2012-01-24T21:24:00.001-05:00

THE JURY TRIAL OF THOMASTON BUSINESSMAN RICHARD HARVILLE CONTINUES WEDNESDAY IN UPSON SUPERIOR COURT WITH HARVILLE ON THE STAND. HE IS CHARGED WITH ONE COUNT OF THEFT OF SERVICES FROM THE CITY OF THOMASTON TOTALING OVER $450,000.

HE IS ACCUSED OF VIOLATING A CONTRACT TO DUMP LEACHATES FROM THE TAYLOR COUNTY LANDFILL IN THE CITY’S SEWER SYSTEM. THE STATE RESTED ITS CASE TUESDAY MORNING.

JURORS EXCUSED MONDAY ARE TO REPORT TO THE COURTHOUSE AT 1;30PM WEDNESDAY.

TRIAL DATE FOR COM. TRICE MAY 3RD

2012-01-24T13:47:00.001-05:00

DURING A HEARING MONDAY IN UPSON SUPERIOR COURT, CHIEF JUDGE CHRIS EDWARDS SET THE TRIAL DATE FOR UPSON COUNTY COMMISSIONER SANDRA TRICE AND CO-DEFENDANT DEBRA JONES PARKS, SECRETARY OF TRICE FUNERAL HOME.

THE TWO WERE INDICTED BY THE NOVEMBER UPSON COUNTY GRAND JURY FOR THE SALE OF PRE-NEED BURIAL CONTRACTS.

SEVERAL QUESTIONS WERE RAISED ABOUT BOTH HAVING THE SAME ATTORNEY, WILLIAM MURRAY OF AMERICUS , BUT WHEN ASKED BY JUDGE EDWARDS , TRICE AND PARKS SAID THEY HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH DUAL LEGAL REPRESENTATION.

RICHARD HARVILLE TRIAL MONDAY

2012-01-20T15:54:00.001-05:00

A JURY TRIAL IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN MONDAY IN UPSON SUPERIOR COURT FOR BUSINESSMAN RICHARD HARVILLE CHARGED WITH ONE COUNT OF THEFT OF SERVICES FROM THE CITY OF THOMASTON FOR ALMOST $469,000.

A GBI INVESTIGATION REVEALED HARVILLE , OWNER OF A COMPANY CALLED AGRICYCLE , VIOLATED AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF THOMASTON ON DUMPING LEACHATES FROM THE TAYLOR COUNTY LANDFILL IN THE CITY’S SEWER SYSTEM.

HARVILLE, REPRESENTED BY MACON ATTORNEY HALE ALMOND, ENTERED A NOT GUILTY PLEA AT AN ARRAIGNMENT HEARING.

FORMER HOUSING DIR/HUSBAND TO FEDERAL PRISON.

2012-01-17T17:12:00.001-05:00

ACCORDING TO THE U.S. ATTORNEY’S OFFICE FORMER THOMASTON HOUSING AUTHORITY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DARLENE MCDANIEL AND HER HUSBAND, LANCE MCDANIEL WERE SENTENCED TO FEDERAL PRISON TUESDAY FOR CONSPIRING TO STEAL GOVERNMENT MONEY.

DARLENE MCDANIEL MUST SERVE 41 MONTHS IN FEDERAL PRISON, WHILE HER HUSBAND LANCE MCDANIEL WAS SENTENCED TO 33 MONTHS BY A FEDERAL JUDGE IN MACON.

CHARGES WERE DISMISSED AGAINST STEVEN WAYNE WILLIAMS,, WHO INITIALLY ALSO WAS INDICTED—DUE TO A LACK OF EVIDENCE.

THE U.S. ATTORNEYS OFFICE SAID DARLENE MCDANIEL WAS ACCUSED OF HONORING CONTRACTS, WHILE SERVING AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WITH STEVE WILLIAMS PAINTING CONTRACTOR. THE COMPANY EMPLOYED HER HUSBAND AS A FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE PERFORMING WORK FOR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, BUT THE U.S. ATTORNEY SAID THE HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS DID NOT AUTHORIZE THE CONTRACTS.

THOMASTON MAYOR HAYS ARNOLD HAS ANNOUNCED THE ENTIRE BOARD OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS BEING REPLACED, AS A RESULT.

LOCAL PHYSICIAN CHOSEN FOR NATIONAL AWARD

2012-01-13T13:07:00.001-05:00

ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE FROM UPSON REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER, TEAMHEALTH, ONE OF THE NATION’S LARGEST HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL STAFFING SERVICES FOR HOSPITALS, HONORED BERT WALL,M.D. WITH ITS 2011 MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR AWARD FOR HOSPITAL MEDICINE.

SELECTED BY TEAMHEALTH’S MEDICAL ADVISORY BOARD, DR. WALL WAS CHOSEN FOR EXCELLENCE IN PHYSICIAN LEADERSHIP FROM AMONG 63 HOSPITAL MEDICINE MEDICAL DIRECTORS IN 19 STATES.

DR. WALL CLOSED HIS PRIVATE PRACTICE IN BARNESVILLE IN 2009 AND JOINED TEAMHEALTH TO LEAD HOSPITAL MEDICINE AT URMC.

P.D. INVEST—DOG SHOOTING JUSTIFIED

2012-01-12T13:51:00.001-05:00

THE CITY OF THOMASTON’S ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER, BOBBY ELLINGTON HAS CONCLUDED THAT THE PUT DOWN OF A RED PIT BULL MIX, JAN. 8, BY A POLICE OFFICER WAS JUSTIFIED AND THE OWNER HAS BEEN CITED FOR ALLOWING A VICIOUS DOG TO RUN LOOSE. SHE WAS WARNED ABOUT THE DOG LAST YEAR.

IN HIS REPORT ON THE INVESTIGATION CONDUCTED OF THE INCIDENT ON EAST LEE ST, OFFICER ELLINGTON SAYS HE GAVE THE DOG OWNER, STEPHANIE VOSS WATSON, A VERBAL WARNING ABOUT KEEPING THE DOG INSIDE UNLESS RESTRAINED BY A LEASH—AFTER THE FEMALE PIT BULL MIX ATTACKED A MAN ON EAST GORDON ST. AUGUST 31, 2011.

THE REPORT CONTAINS STATEMENTS FROM LAWRENCE MINTER WHO TOLD POLICE THE DOG ATTACKED HIM NEAR THE COOK’S PARKING LOT AROUND 1AM, JAN. 8, PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT WITH THE P.D. OFFICER. MINTER SAID HE HAD TO REMOVE HIS COAT TO USE IN HIS DEFENSE SO THE DOG WOULD NOT BITE HIM.

LT. PAUL WALKER SAID THE DOG WAS BARKING AND ADVANCING AFTER HE YELLED TO THE DOG OWNER TO GET CONTROL OF THE ANIMAL, SO HE SHOT THE DOG IN THE SHOULDER.

P.D. UNDER FIRE FOR SHOOTING A DOG

2012-01-10T18:07:00.001-05:00

THOMASTON’S POLICE CHIEF DAN GREATHOUSE SAYS THERE HAS BEEN LOTS OF INTERNET CRITICISM OF THE P.D. AFTER A PIT-BULL MIX WAS PUT DOWN BY AN OFFICER, EARLY SUNDAY—BUT A THROUGH INVESTIGATION IS BEING CONDUCTED.

THE INCIDENT HAPPENED NEAR CITY CAB CO. ON EAST LEE ST.—BUT CAB DRIVER ROBERT ALEXANDER TOLD TGA NEWS THERE WAS NO NEED TO SHOOT THE FEMALE, POLO, SHE WAS NOT AGGRESSIVE, SHE JUST LIKED ATTENTION.

THE P.D. INCIDENT REPORT SAID LT. PAUL WALKER OBSERVED THE DOG JUMPING AT ANOTHER MAN, THEN A SHORT TIME LATER, THE DOG APPROACHED HIM AND WAS BARKING AND ADVANCING . THE REPORT SAID TWICE HE YELLED TO THE DOG’S OWNER TO GET CONTROL OF THE ANIMAL BEFORE HE FIRED A SHOT .

CHIEF GREATHOUSE SAID LT. WALKER SPOKE WITH A FAMILY MEMBER OF THE DOG OWNER, STEPHANIE VOSS, BY CELL PHONE AND ASSURED HER THEY COULD RETRIEVE THE PET AND BURY HER. THE CHIEF SAID CHARGES COULD BE FILED AGAINEST THE OWNER IF THE PROBE REVEALS IT WAS A VICIOUS DOG.

PD CHIEF-POSSIBLE MURDER SUICIDE

2012-01-09T14:27:00.001-05:00

ACCORDING TO THOMASTON POLICE CHIEF DAN GREATHOUSE TWO BODIES HAVE BEEN SENT TO THE STATE CRIME LAB AFTER A POSSIBLE MURDER SUICIDE AT 328 PARKWAY DRIVE, SUNDAY, JAN. 8.

THE CHIEF IDENTIFIED THE TWO AS BETTY RICHARDSON, 65 OF 2637 ANDREWS CHAPEL ROAD AND JOHNNY EARL HOWARD SR., 66 OF 328 PARKWAY DRIVE. A HANDGUN REPORTEDLY FOUND AT THE SCENE.

RUSS HEAD TALKS 2012 TOURS MONDAY

2012-01-06T16:18:00.001-05:00

THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO A TALK AND VIDEO PRESENTATION BY RUSS HEAD ON THE 2012 TOURS OF THE TRAVEL CONNECTION —MONDAY, JAN 9, 6;30PM TO 7;30 AT THE THOMASTON-UPSON CIVIC CENTER.

YOU CAN PREVIEW THE TOURS ON HIS WEB SITE www.russhead.com.

COM. TRICE ARRAIGNMENT POSTPONED

2012-01-05T13:34:00.001-05:00

THE ARRAIGNMENT OF UPSON COUNTY COMMISSIONER SANDRA TRICE AND CO-DEFENDANT DEBRA JONES PARKS WAS POSTPONED IN UPSON SUPERIOR COURT, THURSDAY, BECAUSE THE ATTORNEY FOR THE TWO DEFENDANTS HAD A CONFLICT.

ATTORNEY WILLIAM MURRAY OF AMERICUS DID NOT FILE DOCUMENTS WITH THE CLERK OF COURT UNTIL, WEDNESDAY, NOTIFYING THE COURT HE WAS REPRESENTING COMMISSIONER TRICE AND MS. PARKS.

TGA NEWS WAS TOLD THE ARRAIGNMENT BEFORE CHIEF JUDGE CHRIS EDWARDS COULD BE RESCHEDULED FOR SPALDING SUPERIOR COURT THE FIRST OF THE WEEK.

THE NOVEMBER UPSON COUNTY GRAND JURY RETURNED A 39-COUNT INDICTMENT ON COMMISSIONER TRICE AND A 9-COUNT INDICTMENT ON MS. PARKS RELATING TO THE SALE OF PRE-NEED BURIAL CONTRACTS AT TRICE FUNERAL HOME.

COMMISSIONER TRICE HAS REFUSED TO RESIGN AND CHAIRMAN MAURICE RAINES SAYS HE IS SENDING THE CASE TO THE GOVERNOR’S ATTORNEYS FOR ACTION.

UPSON ANIMAL SHELTER REDUCES HOURS

2012-01-04T18:31:00.001-05:00

BEGINNING MONDAY, JAN 9, THE UPSON COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER WILL CUT BACK ITS OPERATIONAL HOURS TO M-F 8AM-5PM AND SAT. 8AM-12PM UNTIL MARCH AND THE END OF DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME.

NO CHANGE IN ROUTINE PATROL DURING THE WEEK AND ON WEEKENDS.

RESIDENCE TOTAL LOSS AFTER FIRE-770 WILLIS RD.

2012-01-04T18:27:00.001-05:00

ACCORDING TO UPSON S.O. THE DWELLING OF BARBARA LUCUS PARHAM WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE AFTER SHE PLUGGED-UP A TV SET IN A BACK BEDROOM.

THE FAMILY WAS WATCHING TV IN THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE WHEN MS. PARHAM NOTICED BLACK SMOKE IN THE BEDROOM.

ARREST IN CAB DRIVER MURDER/ROBBERY BY SNATCHING

2011-12-24T19:12:00.001-05:00

ACCORDING TO THOMASTON POLICE CHIEF DAN GREATHOUSE AN ARREST HAS BEEN MADE IN THE SHOOTING DEATH OF A FEMALE CAB DRIVER, EARLY WEDNESDAY.

THE SUSPECT, DANTAZIAS JAMAL RAINES, 17, FROM THOMASTON , WAS ARRESTED AT HIS HOME, DECEMBER 24, BY THOMASTON P.D. AND THE GBI. WARRANTS AND OTHER CHARGES ARE PENDING WHILE RAINES IS BEING HELD WITHOUT BOND IN THE UPSON COUNTY JAIL.

THE VICTIM, BRANDY TURNER GUINED ,33,WAS THE CITY CAB DRIVER, SHOT NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF AVE. N. AND THIRD STREET, AND SHE MANAGED TO DRIVE ABOUT A QUARTER OF A MILE BEFORE RUNNING OFF THE ROAD INTO A FENCE AT 7-11 GROCERY.

ROBBERY BY SNATCHING WEDNESDAY MORNING AROUND 11AM. CHIEF GREATHOUSE SAID A FEMALE TOLD THE P.D. SHE WAS ENTERING HER CAR WHEN A BLACK MALE IN DARK CLOTHING SNATCHED HER POCKETBOOK AND HIT HER IN THE FACE AND FLED.

SMALL OUTBREAK CANINE PARVOVIRUS

2011-12-22T16:51:00.001-05:00

UPSON COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL SHELTER WILL NOT BE TAKING IN STRAY DOGS UNTIL JAN. 6. THIS DECISION WAS MADE AS A PRECAUTIONARY QUARANTINE WILL BE ESTABLISHED AT THE SHELTER. CATS, KITTENS AND DOGS SUSPECTED OF AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR OR BITING WILL BE ACCEPTED—BUT ARE SEGREGATED FROM THE SHELTER’S GENERAL POPULATION. ROUTINE PATROL AND CALL RESPONSE NOT AFFECTED. QUESTIONS—ACO 706-647-5586

UPDATE MURDER OF FEMALE CAB DRIVER

2011-12-22T12:18:00.001-05:00

THOMASTON POLICE CHIEF DAN GREATHOUSE SAYS 33 YEAR OLD - BRANDY NICHOLE TURNER GUINED WAS SHOT ONCE IN THE UPPER SIDE OF THE TORSO AND DROVE ABOUT A QUARTER OF A MILE BEFORE SHE CRASHED THE CAB INTO A FENCE.

THE BODY HAS BEEN SENT TO THE STATE CRIME LAB FOR AUTOPSY AND A REWARD IS BEING OFFERED FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE ARREST AND CONVICTION OF THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CRIME.

CHIEF GREATHOUSE IS ASKING FOR THE PUBLIC’S HELP IN THE CASE. RECORDED MESSAGES CAN BE LEFT WITH THE P.D. AT 706-648-1102.

CHIEF GREATHOUSE SAID HIS DEPARTMENT AND THE GBI HAVE BEEN WORKING ALMOST ROUND THE CLOCK DEVELOPING LEADS IN THE CASE.

FEMALE CAB DRIVER SHOT AND KILLED

2011-12-21T11:46:00.001-05:00

THOMASTON POLICE CHIEF DAN GREATHOUSE SAID A FEMALE CAB DRIVER WAS SHOT AND KILLED EARLY WEDNESDAY. THE CAB CAME TO REST AT 7-11 GROCERY ON BARNESVILLE STREET, AFTER HITTING A FENCE. THE CHIEF SAID THE P.D. RECEIVED A CALL THAT A CAB DRIVER HAD BEEN SHOT ON AVE. N. AND THEN FOUND THE CITY CAB AT THE CONVIENCE STORE.

THE WHITE FEMALE VICTIM WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE E.R. BY UPSON EMS WHERE SHE LATER DIED. THOMASTON POLICE DEPARTMENT, GBI CRIME SCENE AND AGENTS FROM REGION 2 ARE INVESTIGATING THE CASE, THE CHIEF SAID IN A PRESS RELEASE.

3 MEMBERS THOMASTON FAMILY KILLED IN INDIA WRECK

2011-12-20T15:19:00.001-05:00

ACCORDING TO ASSOCIATES, THREE MEMBERS OF A THOMASTON FAMILY DIED IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT THAT KILLED 9 PEOPLE, MONDAY IN MID-WEST INDIA.

THOMASTON BUSINESSMAN JAY PATEL, OWNER OF COLONIAL MOTEL, COMMUNITY SUPERETTE, AND SOUTH SIDE GROCERY, HIS SON AT UGA AND DAUGHTER WHO ATTENDS THE MERCER SCHOOL OF PHARMACY WERE KILLED. THE MOTHER, TINA IS IN CRITICAL CONDITION .

SEVERAL COUSINS OF JAY PATEL ALSO DIED IN THE CRASH. THEY WERE IN INDIA TO ATTEND THE WEDDING OF JAY PATEL’S NEPHEW.

THE BODIES HAVE BEEN CREMATED.

THOMASTON BUSINESSMAN ROBBED-BEATEN

2011-12-19T18:39:00.001-05:00

UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATING AN ARMED ROBBERY AT 44 MCCARD ROAD. A THOMASTON BUSINESSMAN WAS ROBBED OF $700 TO $1000 AND HE SAID A BLACK MALE WHO POINTED A RIFLE AT HIM, BEAT HIS HEAD AGAINEST A BRICK WALL AND CONCRETE FLOOR.

MAJOR DAN KILGORE SAID THE VICTIM WAS TREATED AT THE E.R. FOR BUMPS AND BRUISES AND ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THE CASE SHOULD CALL THE UPSON S.O.

CRITERION TECHNOLOGY EXPANDING

2011-12-15T17:31:00.001-05:00

THE THOMASTON-UPSON INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HAD A CALLED MEETING, THURSDAY AND APPROVED A RESOLUTION AND INDUCEMENT LETTER FOR AN $800,000 EXPANSION FOR CRITERION TECHNOLOGY ON 36 EAST.

AS PART OF THE AGREEMENT THE COMPANY PLEDGES TO ADD 15 NEW JOBS IN THE NEXT 8 YEARS. COMPANY PRESIDENT CHRIS MULVEY THANKED THE IDA AND SAID 5 NEW JOBS HAVE BEEN ADDED RECENTLY.

MULVEY SAID THE VALUE OF THE DOLLAR ON WORLD MARKETS HAS HELPED DRIVE SALES IN EUROPE AND SOUTH AMERICA AND HE IS BUYING NEW EQUIPMENT AND LEASING ADDITIONAL WAREHOUSE SPACE.

IDA CHAIRMAN NEIL HIGHTOWER CALLED IT A RED LETTER DAY FOR THE COMMUNITY.

GSP ONE KILLED 19 N. MONDAY

2011-12-13T11:06:00.001-05:00

ACCORDING TO POST 26 GA. STATE PATROL IN THOMASTON, AN ALABAMA MAN DIED IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT MONDAY NIGHT ON 19 NORTH.

86-YEAR OLD HOWARD J. GRANTHAM OF ASHFORD, ALABAMA WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE BY DEPUTY CORONER RICHARD LEE, STATE TROOPER TOMMIE WONNUM TOLD TGA NEWS.

TWO OTHERS WERE INJURED, A MOTHER AND HER SON. TRACY BARFOOT, OF 600 ATWATER ROAD AND HER SON JEFFREY FORD, 26 OF THE SAME ADDRESS , WERE IN SEPERATE VEHICLES, NORTHBOUND.

TROOPER WONNUM SAID A WITNESS TOLD HIM, GRANTHAM WAS SOUTHBOUND ON 19 AND HAD BEEN WEAVING IN THE ROAD. HE CROSSED THE CENTER LINE HIT JEFFREY FORD’S FORD EXPLORER, THEN HIT HIS MOTHER’S NISSAN MAXIMA HEAD-ON.

MS. BARFOOT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE MEDICAL CENTER OF CENTRAL GA. IN MACON BY UPSON EMS WITH MULTIPLE INJURIES. JEFFREY FORD WAS TAKEN TO THE E.R. OF URMC BY UPSON EMS.

TPD ARRESTS MAN WITH GUN-MCDONALD’S

2011-12-12T16:35:00.001-05:00

THOMASTON POLICE TOOK A MAN IN CUSTODY AFTER SOMEONE PULLED A PISTOL AND POINTED IT AT ANOTHER SUBJECT , SATURDAY NIGHT AT MCDONALD’S RESTAURANT 19 NORTH, DURING A BUSY EVENING.

DEANGELO L. KING ,23, OF 104 G. LOOP WAS SUBDUED AND A 22-CALIBER PISTOL WAS FOUND IN HIS POCKET AFTER OFFICER SIDNEY CORLEY WAS APPROACHED BY THE VICTIM OUTSIDE THE BUSINESS.

UPDATE ON MONDAY POND TRAFFIC ACCIDENT

2011-12-06T18:39:00.001-05:00

THE GA. STATE PATROL HAS RELEASED THE NAME OF A 44 YEAR OLD WHITE FEMALE WHO DIED AFTER HER CAR PLUNGED IN A POND ON SOUTH OLD ALABAMA ROAD, IN UPSON COUNTY, EARLY MONDAY.

TROOPER DALE ROBERTS SAID—THE VICTIM—JAMIE WILLIAMSON OZLEY OF HENDRICKS CHURCH ROAD APPARENTLY DROWNED AND WILL NOT BE RECORDED AS A TRAFFIC FATALITY. THE BODY HAS BEEN SENT TO THE STA TE CRIME LAB TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF DEATH, BLOOD WAS DRAWN AND THE GSP IS WORKING AN OPEN INVESTIGATION.

THE GSP REPORT NOTED THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT AS 4;30AM MONDAY, BUT HER BODY WAS NOT DISCOVERED AND RECOVERED UNTIL JUST BEFORE DARK. SHE CALLED HER BROTHER RIGHT AFTER SHE RAN IN THE SWAMPY AREA AND TOLD HIM SHE HAD WRECKED ON ROLAND ROAD AFTER LEAVING A FEMALE FRIEND’S RESIDENCE.

A SEARCH WAS MOBILIZED AFTER MS. OZLEY’S EX-HUSBAND , UPSON COUNTY DEPUTY SGT. RODNEY OZLEY BECAME CONCERNED WHEN SHE COULD NOT BE LOCATED.

BODY FOUND AT WRECK SCENE

2011-12-05T21:20:00.001-05:00

MAJOR DAN KILGORE OF UPSON S.O. HAS CONFIRMED THE BODY OF A MIDDLE-AGE WHITE FEMALE WAS LOCATED AT A WRECK SCENE JUST BEFORE DARK MONDAY ON SOUTH OLD ALABAMA ROAD NOT FAR FROM SHERIFF’S PEACOCK’S HOME.

TGA NEWS WAS TOLD THE WOMAN LIVES NEAR-BY BUT MAJOR KILGORE SAID HER NAME HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED PENDING NOTIFICATION OF NEXT OF KIN.

SHERIFF DON PEACOCK TOLD TGA NEWS MONDAY MORNING, A CAR THE WOMAN WAS DRIVING RAN IN A POND, IN A SWAMPY AREA AND WAS ABOUT A FOURTH SUBMERGED. STATE TROOPER DALE ROBERTS WAS DISPATCHED LATE SUNDAY, BUT NO ONE COULD BE LOCATED , SO A SEARCH BEGAN. THE GSP WILL ISSUE THE ACCIDENT REPORT.

LEVIN NEIGHBORS NATIONAL WINNER

2011-12-05T17:23:00.001-05:00

LEVIN NEIGHBORS, A KINDERGARTEN STUDENT IN TINA ROGERS’ CLASS AT UL SOUTH ELEMENTARY IS A NATIONAL WINNER IN THE MCGRAW HILL—MY MATH—WHAT MATH MEANS TO ME—ART CONTEST.

LEVIN’S ARTWORK WILL BE FEATURED IN MCGRAW-HILL—MY MATH—STUDENT MATERIALS AND WILL BE DISPLAYED IN THE NEW MUSEUM OF MATH, SCHEDULED TO OPEN IN THE FALL OF 2012 IN NEW YORK CITY. IN ADDITION, LEVIN HAS WON $14,500 IN CLASSROOM EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES FOR HIS KINDERGARTEN CLASS AT UPSON-LEE SOUTH.

STUDENT ENTRIES WERE SCORED BY A PANEL OF CELEBRITY JUDGES AND COMMUNITY VOTE ACCOUNTED FOR 30% OF THE TOTAL SCORE.

SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS SAT DEC. 17,EAST THOMASTON BAPTIST CHURCH

2011-11-30T13:13:00.001-05:00

CHRISTMAS KITCHEN WILL PREPARE CHRISTMAS DINNER FOR THOSE ON HARD TIMES. DONATIONS NEEDED FOR FOOD ITEMS, MONEY, AND TIME. THERE IS AN ACCOUNT SET UP AT COLONY BANK FOR DONATIONS—CHRISTMAS KITCHEN ACCOUNT.

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED TO SERVE AND DRIVE, MOST DINNERS ARE DELIVERED. TO VOLUNTEER OR TO DONATE FOOD OR TO NOMINATE A FAMILY OR INDIVIDUAL TO RECEIVE A DINNER CALL A BOARD MEMBER.

MARIA SALTER 706-648-4046,706-647-5558

RUTH HATCHETT 706-647-6957

LINDA OR RALPH BEST 706-647-5297

JOAN MCCRARY 706-647-4721

BETTY MCLEOD 706-647-5834

JULIETTE HIGHTOWER 706-741-5117

DONATIONS ARE NEEDED FOR TURKEYS, HAMS,FRIED CHICKEN, DRESSING, CASSEROLES, COOKED MAC AND CHEESE, CANNED CORN, CANNED GREEN BEANS, CRANBERRY SAUCE, DESSERT, AND ROLLS. ALL COOKED ITEMS MUST BE DELIVERED TO EAST THOMASTON BAPTIST CHURCH,206 PARK LANE ON DEC. 17 BETWEEN 8AM AND 10AM. IF YOU CANNOT COOK YOUR HAM OR TURKEY, TAKE IT TO PHILLIP FALLIN AT THOMASTON HARDWARE, SHORT E ST. BY DEC.14TH, 10AM, HAVE MEAT THAWED.

DELIVERY OF MEALS IS LIMITED TO UPSON COUNTY.

HOUSE FIRE IN UPSON NOT PIKE

2011-11-30T11:04:00.001-05:00

THE HOME OF JODY AND COLLINS STEWERT THAT A SUSTAINED HEAVY DAMAGE FRIDAY IS IN UPSON COUNTY, ACCORDING TO PIKE COUNTY FIRE CHIEF MIKE GRANT. HE SAID A RE-CHECK WAS MADE ON THE PROPERTY AND A PORTION OF THEIR PROPERTY IS IN PIKE, BUT MOST IN UPSON IN THE DISTRICT OF THURSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT.

MAJOR DAN KILGORE UPSON S.O. SAID THE FIRE IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION. MOLENA POLICE CHIEF JIM ROBERTS SAID A NEIGHBOR TOLD HIM A DARK-COLORED SPORTS CAR WAS SEEN HEAVING THE AREA AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED.

FIRE-PIKE HOME OF JODY & COLLINS STEWERT

2011-11-28T17:56:00.001-05:00

ACCORDING TO UPSON S.O. HEAVY FIRE DAMAGE TO THE RESIDENCE OF JODY AND COLLINS STEWERT, 891 JONES RD. MOLENA, FRIDAY. A GOLF CART, A 1995 FORD PICK-UP AND ANOTHER FORD TRUCK HAD FIRE DAMAGE.

PIKE CO. ENGINE ONE, ENGINE THREE, AND TANKER THREE, THURSTON, NORTHSIDE AND ROCK HILL FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND EMS RESPONDED.

THE COUPLE HAD LEFT TO HAVE LUNCH WITH RELATIVES WHEN THE FIRE STARTED.

CAUSE UNKNOWN, THE ROOF WAS GONE WHEN FIRE UNITS ARRIVED.

ACCIDENTAL GUNSHOT WOUND-FEMALE TEEN

2011-11-28T17:49:00.001-05:00

ACCORDING TO THE UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, HALEY NICOLE EVANS, 16, RECEIVED A SEVERE WOUND TO HER RIGHT FOOT WHEN A 12 GAUGE SHOTGUN ACCIDENTLY DISCHARGED WHILE SHE WAS DUCK HUNTING WITH TWO OTHERS.

SHE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE E.R. AT URMC FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT AFTER THE ACCIDENT NEAR WALLER ROAD AND 19 NORTH.

LAMAR COUNTY OUT OF THE PLAYOFFS-4 OT

2011-11-25T23:28:00.001-05:00

ON FUN 101FM, FRIDAY NIGHT, APPLING COUNTY ELIMINATED LAMAR COUNTY FROM THE STATE PLAYOFFS. THE TROJANS LOST 35-33 AFTER FAILING TO MAKE A TWO POINT CONVERSION IN THE FOURTH OVERTIME.

CALHOUN COACHED BY FORMER U.L. COACH HAL LAMB BLASTED DUBLIN 45-7 AND WILL HOST APPLING COUNTY.

LAMAR-APPLING TIED 7-7 AFTER REGULATION, BUT BOTH KEPT SCORING, FORCING A FOURTH O.T.

LOVEJOY SENT UPSON-LEE HOME FROM THE PLAYOFFS AND KEEP GOING AFTER DOWNING WARE CO. 14-0.

THOMASTON’S BEN THRASHER IS ON THE CAMDEN CO. STAFF, BUT THEY LOST TO COLQUITT CO. 32-31.

THE SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME IS SET SAT. DEC. 3, AFTER #1 LSU SHELLED ARKANSAS FRIDAY. UGA-LSU 6PM KICK ON FUN 101FM.

COMMISSIONER TRICE—I WILL NOT RESIGN I HAVE DONE NOTHING WRONG.

2011-11-22T21:23:00.001-05:00

DISTRICT ONE UPSON COUNTY COMMISSIONER SANDRA TRICE WHO WAS INDICTED BY THE NOVEMBER GRAND JURY , VOTED AS USUAL AT TUESDAY NIGHT’S REGULAR MEETING AND READ A STATEMENT AT THE CLOSE OF THE MEETING.

THE COMMISSIONER SAID SHE WILL NOT ABANDON HER POST BECAUSE OF VINDICTIVE AND UNFOUNDED ACCUSATIONS.

CHAIRMAN MAURICE RAINES WHO HAS CALLED FOR HER RESIGNATION WITH THE BACKING OF THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS, TOLD TGA NEWS AFTER THE MEETING, THE COMMISSIONERS HAVE NO LEGAL AUTHORITY IN THE MATTER. THE GOVERNOR WILL APPOINT A THREE MEMBER PANEL TO REVIEW THE CASE IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS. THE PANEL, WHICH WILL INCLUDE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAM OLENS WILL MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO THE GOVERNOR AND HE CAN SUSPEND, REMOVE OR TAKE NO ACTION.

WARNING SIRENS OUT OF SERVICE

2011-11-21T21:12:00.001-05:00

ACCORDING TO BILLY MITCHAM, DIRECTOR OF THOMASTON-UPSON EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY, SEVERAL SIRENS MALFUNCTIONED AND DID NOT SOUND NOV. 16 FOR THE TORNADO WARNING. SIRENS OUT OF SERVICE---HANNAH’S MILL ROAD AT CRYSTAL HILL, AVE. G AT G CIRCLE AND 19 NORTH AT JIMMERSON ROAD. THE SIRENS WILL BE PLACED BACK IN SERVICE AS SOON AS REPAIRS CAN BE COMPLETED.

VOTE FOR LEVIN NEIGHBORS

2011-11-21T21:06:00.001-05:00

LEVIN, A STUDENT A UL SOUTH ELEMENTARY IS A FINALIST IN THE MCGRAW-HILL “WHAT MATH MEANS TO ME” ART CONTEST, AND COULD WIN $15,000 IN CLASSROOM RESOURCES FOR HIS TEACHER TINA ROGERS AND A CAKE PARTY FOR THE SCHOOL. YOU CAN ONLY VOTE ONCE AND YOU MUST BE 18 OR OLDER.

GO TO THE LINK, SIGN UP AND VOTE FOR LEVIN’S ART IN THE KINDERGARTEN CATEGORY: CARPET STORE MATH—mymath.shycast.com.

LAMAR COUNTY ADVANCES ON FUN 101FM

2011-11-18T23:16:00.001-05:00

LAMAR COUNTY WILL HOST APPLING COUNTY NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT IN THE QUARTERFINALS OF THE STATE PLAYOFFS, AFTER ELIMINATING BLESSED TRINITY 28-14 . APPLING DROPPED NORTH OCONEE 26-13.

GRIFFIN IS OUT AFTER LOSING TO TUCKER 46-0

E.L.C.A. BLANKED GREENVILLE 41-0

MARY PERSONS ELIMINATED BY ALLATOONA 14-7

FORMER UL COACH HAL LAMB AND CALHOUN ADVANCED WITH A 43-20 WIN

COM. TRICE ATTENDS MEETING, VOTES

2011-11-16T21:44:00.001-05:00

DISTRICT ONE UPSON COUNTY COMMISSIONER SANDRA TRICE, RECENTLY PART OF A 39-COUNT CRIMINAL INDICTMENT BY THE UPSON GRAND JURY, ATTENDED A WORK SESSION OF THE BOARD, WEDNESDAY AND CAST VOTES ON SEVERAL ISSUES.

NO MENTION WAS MADE OF HER CIRCUMSTANCES UNTIL TGA NEWS REPORTER DAVE PIPER POSED A QUESTION TO CHAIRMAN MAURICE RAINES JUST BEFORE THE MEETING ENDED. RAINES ISSUED A PRESS RELEASE LAST WEEK CALLING ON COMMISSIONER TRICE TO RESIGN, AND IF NOT HE SAID HE PLANS TO SEND THE INDICTMENT TO THE GOVERNOR WHO CAN APPOINT A REVIEW PANEL THAT COULD LEAD TO SUSPENSION FROM OFFICE. PIPER ASKED THE CHAIRMAN IF HE STILL INTENDS TO INFORM GOVERNOR NATHAN DEAL OF THE CASE IF THERE IS NO RESIGNATION.

CHAIRMAN RAINES RESPONDED THAT THE PRESS RELEASE SPEAKS FOR ITSELF AND HE WILL SEND THE CASE TO THE CAPITAL FOR REVIEW IF THERE IS NO RESIGNATION. COMMISSIONER TRICE DID NOT SPEAK.

NEW QUAD DEAL , J.R.CHARLES RESIGNING

2011-11-15T18:09:00.001-05:00

GOOD NEWS AND BAD NEWS FROM A CALLED MEETING OF THE THOMASTON-UPSON INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, TUESDAY. THE GOOD NEWS, THE IDA HAS STRUCK A NEW INCENTIVE DEAL WITH QUAD GRAPHICS FOR UP TO 120 NEW JOBS OVER 10 YEARS. THE BAD NEWS, IDA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR J.R. CHARLES IS RESIGNING EFFECTIVE DEC. 2ND TO ASSUME A SIMILAR POSITION IN HABERSHAM COUNTY IN NORTH GEORGIA.

SEASON OVER FOR UL

2011-11-11T22:45:00.001-05:00

THE UPSON-LEE KNIGHTS COULD ONLY MUSTER A 27 YD. FIELD GOAL FROM TYLER STEWART AND LOST AT LOVEJOY, 42-3 IN THE FIRST ROUND OF THE STATE PLAY-OFFS, FRIDAY ON FUN 101 FM. THE KNIGHTS FINISH THE SEASON 6-5.

LAMAR COUNTY WILL PLAY BLESSED TRINITY NEXT FRIDAY IN ROUND TWO, AFTER DEFEATING BLECKLEY COUNTY IN BARNESVILLE 35-14.

GRIFFIN ADVANCES AFTER DOWNING JONESBORO 47-43.

RECOUNT MONDAY THOMASTON CITY COUNCIL DIST 3

2011-11-11T16:50:00.001-05:00

SAM COKER FILED FOR A RECOUNT AFTER JIM RICHARDS WON TUESDAY’S ELECTION BY TWO VOTES, 181 TO 179. THE RECOUNT IS SCHEDULED FOR 10AM.

BETH WALL TEACHER OF THE YEAR

2011-11-11T14:49:00.001-05:00

THE THOMASTON-UPSON SCHOOL SYSTEM HAS ANNOUNCED THE SYSTEM-WIDE TEACHER OF THE YEAR. BETH WALL, A SIXTH GRADE MATH TEACHER AT UPSON-LEE MIDDLE SCHOOL, IS THE 2012-13 TEACHER OF THE YEAR. SHE WAS SELECTED FOR THIS SYSTEM HONOR BY A PANEL OF SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY JUDGES. AREAS OF JUDGING INCLUDED A WRITTEN APPLICATION ,CLASSROOM OBSERVATION, AND A PERSONAL INTERVIEW. SHE WILL REPRESENT THE THOMASTON-UPSON SCHOOL SYSTEM IN THE 2013 GEORGIA TEACHER OF THE YEAR COMPETITION.

LOW BID PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

2011-11-09T17:55:00.001-05:00

THE THOMASTON-UPSON BOARD OF EDUCATION DISCUSSED BIDS FOR A NEW PERFORMING ARTS CENTER AT TUESDAY’S REGULAR MEETING, BUT TOOK NO ACTION. MORE DISCUSSIONS AT THE NOV. 29TH MEETING.

THE LOW BID OF 6, MEJA CONSTRUCTION CO. OF JACKSON,GA. BASE BID $8.5 MILLION WHICH INCLUDES CLASSROOMS. ALTERNATE #1 NO CLASSROOMS BUT SOME DRESSING AREA , $7.650 MILLION, STILL MORE THAN SOME BOARD MEMBERS HAVE INDICATED THEY CAN SPEND IN SPLOST MONIES.

COMMISSIONER TRICE INDICTED, CHAIRMAN RAINES ASKS HER TO STEP DOWN

2011-11-08T21:14:00.001-05:00

THE NOVEMBER UPSON COUNTY GRAND JURY HAS RETURNED A 39 -COUNT TRUE BILL OF INDICTMENT BY SPECIAL PRESENTMENT ON UPSON COUNTY COMMISSIONER SANDRA TRICE AND DEBRA JONES PARKS, SECRETARY AT TRICE FUNERAL HOME. THE COUNTS INVOLVE THE SALE OF PRE-NEED BURIAL CONTRACTS AND THE FAILURE TO PUT FUNDS IN AN ESCROW ACCOUNT AS REQUIRED BY THE GA. SECRETARY OF STATE’S REGULATIONS.

UPSON COUNTY COMMISSION CHAIRMAN MAURICE RAINES RELEASED A STATEMENT CALLING ON COMMISSIONER TRICE TO STEP DOWN AS DISTRICT 1 COMMISSIONER EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY. CHAIRMAN RAINES SAID THE MATTER WILL NOT AFFECT THE DAY TO DAY OPERATIONS OF UPSON COUNTY GOVERNMENT. HE REQUESTED PRAYER FOR COMMISSIONER TRICE, HER FAMILY, AND THE ALLEGED VICTIMS.

RICHARDS WINS COUNCIL SEAT

2011-11-08T20:15:00.001-05:00

IN TUESDAY’S THOMASTON CITY COUNCIL ELECTION, JIM RICHARDS EDGED SAM COKER BY TWO VOTES, 181 TO 179 FOR THE DISTRICT THREE UNEXPIRED TERM OF THE LATE ED BELL. 441 VOTES WERE CAST, A TURN-OUT OF JUST UNDER 9%. RICHARDS, A FORMER VICE-PRESIDENT OF GORDON COLLEGE IN BARNESVILLE IS EXPECTED TO BE A VOTING MEMBER OF COUNCIL AT NEXT TUESDAY’S REGULAR MEETING.

HARVILLE INDICTED BY GRAND JURY-MONDAY

2011-11-07T18:09:00.001-05:00

THE NOVEMBER UPSON COUNTY GRAND JURY RETURNED A TRUE BILL OF INDICTMENT FOR ONE COUNT OF THEFT OF SERVICES ON THOMASTON BUSINESSMAN RICHARD HARVILLE, MONDAY. HARVILLE OWNED AGRI-CYCLE, A COMPANY HE CLAIMED HAD AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF THOMASTON/SOUTHWEST WATER, TO DUMP LEACHATE FROM THE TAYLOR COUNTY LANDFILL IN THE CITY’S SEWER SYSTEM. ACCORDING TO A GBI INVESTIGATION, THE COMPANY EXCEEDED THE AMOUNT IN THE AGREEMENT, AND SHORTED CITY HALL OVER $400,000.

THE NOVEMBER GRAND JURY RETURNED ALMOST 50 TRUE BILLS OF INDICTMENT TO JUDGE ROBERT MACK CRAWFORD, MONDAY. RETIRED SCHOOL SUPERINTENDANT HOWARD HENDLEY WAS GRAND JURY FOREMAN.

UPSON-LEE MAKES THE STATE PLAY-OFFS

2011-11-04T22:26:00.001-04:00

THE UL KNIGHTS BEAT JONES COUNTY IN GRAY , 24-12 FRIDAY NIGHT TO QUALIFY FOR THE FIRST ROUND OF THE STATE PLAY-OFFS NEXT FRIDAY AT LOVEJOY. THE KNIGHTS JUMPED OUT TO A 14-0 LEAD IN THE FIRST QUARTER, AND LEAD 21-6 AT THE HALF ON FUN 101 FM.

PIKE COUNTY ENDED THE SEASON WITH A 5-5 RECORD BLASTING SOUTHWEST IN MACON 41-0. THE PIRATES SCORED ONE TOUCHDOWN ON A 70 YARD PUNT RETURN EARLY AND BLOCKED A PUNT FOR ANOTHER SCORE ON FUN 101 FM.COM.

LAMAR COUNTY EXPECTED TO HOST BLAKELY COUNTY FRIDAY IN THE FIRST ROUND AFTER ROLLING OVER MONTICELLO 48 TO 6.— THE TROJANS UNDEFEATED.

GUILTY PLEA HOMICIDE BY VEHICLE

2011-11-03T18:08:00.001-04:00

IN UPSON SUPERIOR COURT, THURSDAY, A DEFENDANT ENTERED A GUILTY PLEA ON THREE COUNTS, ONE A SPECIAL PRESENTMENT OF HOMICIDE BY VEHICLE. JUDGE FLETCHER SAMS SENTENCED ROBERT RYAN RIGGINS TO 13 YEARS, 4 TO SERVE , THE REMAINDER ON PROBATION, FOR THE DEATH OF TAYNA NIKOLE MCBRIDE , MAY 22ND 2010.

RIGGINS ENTERED A GUILTY PLEA TO TWO OTHER COUNTS, RECKLESS DRIVING, FOR TEXTING WHILE DRIVING AND FOLLOWING TOO CLOSE. MS. MCBRIDE AND HER HUSBAND WERE RIDING MOTORCYCLES WHEN HER BIKE WAS REAR-ENDED BY RIGGINS PICK-UP ON 74 WEST.

ANOTHER DEFENDANT, BRIAN LEE HITE ENTERED A GUILTY PLEA TO BURGLARY AND WAS SENTENCED TO 5 YEARS TO SERVE BY JUDGE SAMS.

THE NOVEMBER GRAND JURY OF UPSON COUNTY CONVENES MONDAY AT THE COURTHOUSE.

UL MIDDLE, SOUTH, NORTH AYP

2011-11-02T16:47:00.001-04:00

THE GA. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION RELEASED THE 2011 FINAL AYP RESULTS NOV.2, AND UPSON-LEE MIDDLE SCHOOL, UL NORTH, AND UL SOUTH HAVE ALL ACHIEVED ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS. PRELIMINARY DATA RELEASED IN JULY INDICATED THAT UL SOUTH AND NORTH HAD MET AYP CRITERIA IN ALL CATEGORIES. FINAL RESULTS ADD THE MIDDLE SCHOOL TO THAT DISTINCTIVE LIST FOR MEETING AYP CRITERIA IN 12 OUT OF 12 AREAS AND ACHIEVING ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS FOR THE 2011 SCHOOL YEAR. THE FINAL AYP DETERMINATIONS WERE MADE FOLLOWING CALCULATIONS OF ALL SUMMER CRCT RETEST SCORES, SUMMER GRADUATES, AND APPEALS.

THE ANNUAL NJROTC HOLIDAY FRUIT SALE IS UNDERWAY THROUGH NOV. 16TH. TO PURCHASE HOLIDAY FRUIT, CALL UL HIGH SCHOOL NJROTC DEPARTMENT AT 706-647-6795.

$100,000 TO REPAIR LINE ON S. GREEN

2011-11-02T13:20:00.001-04:00

THOMASTON’S CITY MANAGER PATRICK COMISKEY TOLD THE CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY, IT WILL COST $100,000 TO REPAIR A COLLAPSED SEWER LINE UNDER SOUTH GREEN STREET. IT STARTED WITH A SMALL POT HOLE LAST WEDNESDAY, BUT CREWS DISCOVERED A DEEP TRENCH WHERE EROSION HAD OCCURRED. METAL PLATES FOR TRAFFIC FLOW HAVE BEEN PLACED OVER THE STREET BETWEEN JACKSON AVE. AND THURSTON AVE. , THE LINE HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THE TRENCH IS BEING FILLED-IN.

EMMAUS PRIMITIVE BAPTIST TARGETED AGAIN

2011-11-01T21:40:00.001-04:00

ACCORDING TO UPSON S.O. A BURGLARY REPORT AT EMMAUS PRIMITIVE BAPTIST CHURCH, 208 EMMAUS CHURCH ROAD . THE REPORT SAID SOMEONE ENTERED THE CHURCH AND AN AMP AND A PULPIT TABLE ARE MISSING. PAGES WERE TORN FROM A BIBLE AND LEFT ON THE FLOOR LEADING TO THE PULPIT. THE BUILDING WAS APPARENTLY ENTERED AFTER A LARGE CONCRETE BLOCK WAS TOSSED THROUGH A WINDOW.

CHURCH MEMBERS FOUND THE THEFT. EMMAUS PRIMITIVE BAPTIST HAD JUST REPORTED VANDALISM TO THE A.C. UNIT A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE BURGLARY WAS DISCOVERED. RURAL UPSON COUNTY CHURCHES HAVE BEEN UNDER SIEGE BY VANDALS AND THIEVES FOR SEVERAL WEEKS.

MORE ARRESTS METH INVESTIGATION

2011-10-31T13:35:00.001-04:00

THE AREA NARCOTICS TASK FORCE IN THOMASTON HAS ANNOUNCED MORE ARRESTS IN A MAJOR METHAMPHETAMINE INVESTIGATION STARTED IN JAN. THESE SUSPECTED DRUG DEALERS CHARGED WITH CONSPIRACY TO TRAFFIC IN METH—CARLOS SPINOZA, 19 AND RUBEN HERNANDEZ, 29 ,BOTH OF DEKALB COUNTY AND 39 YEAR OLD JERRY CRAIG BRADSHAW, WHO IS IN THE UPSON COUNTY JAIL.

THESE CHARGED WITH CONSPIRACY TO POSSESS METH AND USE OF A COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE TO VIOLATE THE LAW, A CELL PHONE. TWO FROM PIKE COUNTY, JOHNNY MCGILL, 35 OF MOLENA AND DENNIS PARKS JR.,34 OF CONCORD. FROM UPSON COUNTY, CASEY BROOKS, 34, KRISTIE BRUCE, 24, AMANDA SILVA,30, DIANE MARIE GORDY, 29, AMANDA SANDLIN, 30, AND JASON RICKMAN,27. NTF SAYS MORE ARRESTS ARE POSSIBLE.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL FRIDAY NIGHT

2011-10-28T21:46:00.001-04:00

UPSON-LEE TRAVELED TO PEACHTREE CITY AND BEAT MCINTOSH 13-7, THE LAST REGULAR SEASON GAME. THEY END AT 5-5 AND WILL HAVE A PLAY-IN GAME NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT TO DETERMINE THE PLAY-OFFS.

LAMAR COUNTY REMAINED UNBEATEN, 51-15 OVER GREENE COUNTY. PIKE COUNTY OPEN DATE FRIDAY.

URMC HONORED WITH NATIONAL AWARD

2011-10-28T17:47:00.001-04:00

NOT ONLY WAS UPSON REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER ONE OF 25 HOSPITALS SELECTED TO PRESENT AT THE NATIONAL WHAT’S RIGHT IN HEALTHCARE CONFERENCE IN CHICAGO, RECENTLY. URMC WAS RECOGNIZED FOR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN PATIENT SATISFACTION.

UPSON WAS SELECTED FOR THE “EXCELLENCE IN PATIENT CARE” TOP HCAHPS AWARD IN THE CATEGORY “PATIENTS ALWAYS RECEIVED CARE AS SOON AS THEY WANTED.”

HOSPITAL CONSUMER ASSESSMENT OF HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS AND SYSTEMS, IS A NATIONAL STANDARDIZED SURVEY TOOL USED TO MEASURE ADULT INPATIENT PERCEPTION OF THE QUALITY OF CARE THEY RECEIVE AT A GIVEN ACUTE CARE HOSPITAL.

URMC CEO DAVID CASTLEBERRY SAID “GIVEN THE LEVEL OF EXCELLENCE THAT MUST BE SUSTAINED TO RECEIVE SUCH AN AWARD, THIS SPEAKS VOLUMES ABOUT THE PATIENT-CENTERED CULTURE AT UPSON.”

ARCHITECTS BIDS OPENED FOR SPORTS COMPLEX

2011-10-27T13:11:00.001-04:00

AT TUESDAY’S MEETING OF THE UPSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, COUNTY MANAGER KYLE HOOD SAID HE AND COMMISSIONER STEVE HUDSON HAVE OPENED BIDS FOR ARCHITECTS PROPOSALS TO DRAW PLANS FOR THE NEW SPORTS COMPLEX ON 74 EAST. COMMISSIONER HUDSON TOLD TGA NEWS AFTER THE MEETING , THE BOARD IS A LONG WAY FROM A WORKABLE PROPOSAL. THIRTY BIDS WERE RECEIVED BUT THEY ARE HIGHER THAN THE COUNTY ANTICIPATED. HE RECOMMENDS TAKING SEVEN OF THEM AND TRYING TO NEGOTIATE SOME TYPE OF AGREEMENT.

THE COUNTY HAS $850,000 IN SPLOST FUNDS FOR THE ENTIRE PROJECT OF BALL FIELDS NEAR THE COUNTY ROADS DEPARTMENT.

COMMISSIONER RUSTY BLACKSTON SAID ITS NOT LEGAL TO CONTINUE FUNDING VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS WITHOUT SOME TYPE OF FIRE SERVICES AGREEMENT. COMMISSION CHAIRMAN MAURICE RAINES PLANS TO MEET WITH THE FIRE CHIEFS ABOUT IT.

SAT. OCT. 29 IST ANNUAL SMOKE ON THE WATER CHILI COOK-OFF BICKLEY’S LAKE

2011-10-27T13:03:00.001-04:00

BE A COOK OR A JUDGE, WIN CASH PRIZES FOR THE BEST CHILI . LOTS OF EATS, GA-FLA. GAME ON THE BIG SCREEN TV, LIVE MUSIC AFTER THE GAME. CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT AND HORSESHOES. COSTUME CONTEST 6 TO 11, WINNER $50. $5 ENTRY FEE-- FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO SIGN UP CONTACT BOBBY BICKLEY AT 706-741-9317. NO COOLERS PLEASE.

29TH CHITLIN HOEDOWN IN YATESVILLE SAT &SUN

2011-10-27T12:58:00.001-04:00

THE 29TH ANNUAL CHITLIN HOEDOWN IS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY IN YATESVILLE, GA. ON HIGHWAY 74, OCT. 29TH AND 30TH. SATURDAY 12 NOON TO 6PM, SUNDAY 12 NOON TILL 5PM. PARADE SATURDAY 3PM , ARTS AND CRAFTS, CHITLINS AND THAT TASTY YATESVILLE BAR-B-Q-CHICKEN. LIVE MUSIC ALL DAY BOTH DAYS, JUNCTION SATURDAY AT 3.

FORMER MAYOR WALTER BOYT SAID THE HOEDOWN GAVE OUT OF CHITLINS LAST YEAR ON SATURDAY, BUT A NEW VENDOR PLEDGES IT WON’T HAPPEN AGAIN.

SUSPECTED METH DEALERS ARRESTED IN PIKE, LAMAR AND SPALDING COUNTIES

2011-10-27T12:40:00.001-04:00

THE AREA NARCOTICS TASK FORCE COMPLETED A 10 MONTH INVESTIGATION TUESDAY BY ROUNDING UP 42 SUSPECTED METH DEALERS IN UPSON, PIKE, LAMAR, AND SPALDING COUNTIES. AMONG THOSE ARRESTED, A MOTHER AND DAUGHTER, SHIRLEY ANN BRASHEARS OF GRIFFIN AND HER DAUGHTER, AMANDA NICOLE WILSON, 25 OF THOMASTON.

FROM PIKE COUNTY—GARY HILLEY, 53 OF ZEBULON, JANET PAIGE PARKER, 44 OF WILLIAMSON, AND JOSH SHIRLEY, 37 OF MEANSVILLE.

FROM LAMAR COUNTY—MICHAEL HOLLOWAY AND CHERRIE A. CRUMMIE, 30. OF BARNESVILLE.

FROM SPALDING COUNTY—JACKIE SMALLWOOD, 41, DEBRA LYNN BRADSHAW, 34, AND BENJAMIN HARPER, 32 OF GRIFFIN

LANGFORD DRIVE WILL REMAIN OPEN

2011-10-25T21:14:00.001-04:00

AFTER A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE INTENT TO CLOSE IT, TUESDAY, A MOTION TO CLOSE IT FROM UPSON COUNTY COMMISSIONER STEVE HUDSON DIED FOR LACK OF A 2ND. HUDSON SAID THE COUNTY ROADS DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDED IT BE CLOSED SO THE COUNTY WOULD NOT HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MAINTAINING IT.

FORMER COUNTY COMMISSIONER JAMES MEEKS TOLD TGA NEWS HE IS HAPPY WITH THE OUTCOME BECAUSE HE NEEDS THE ROAD FOR ACCESS TO HIS PROPERTY. THE OTHER PROPERTY OWNER INVOLVED, ANN LEVIS OF GRIFFIN HAD URGED THE COUNTY TO CLOSE IT BECAUSE ITS USED FOR A LOVERS LANE AND GARBAGE DUMP. UPSON EMC SENT THE COMMISSIONERS A LETTER REQUESTING IT REMAIN OPEN FOR ACCESS TO POWER LINES.

UPSONIANS ARRESTED DRUG DEALER ROUND-UP

2011-10-25T16:18:00.001-04:00

THESE UPSON COUNTY RESIDENTS WERE ARRESTED STARTING AT 4;30AM TUESDAY IN A JOINT OPERATION TO STEM THE METH TRADE IN UPSON, PIKE, LAMAR, AND SPALDING COUNTIES.

BRIAN MICHAEL KILBY,32 OF F. STREET NAMED AS CHIEF SUPPLIER, AND HIS GIRL FRIEND, ALLYSON BROOK MARSHALL, 30, ALSO ARRESTED. DUSTIN EUGENE BELL,30, MICHAEL ROY JONES, 42, JOSEPH B. MCKINLEY, 32, RONALD L. THOMPSON, 41, JESSICA RAKESTRAW, 29, WILLIAM JASON HEARD, 33, RYAN PATRICK CRUMMIE, 37, RODNEY FRANKLIN MCDANIEL, 42, RICHARD DUSTIN CLAY, 32, AMBER C. POWELL,23, JEANINE S. PERKINS, ADAM NICOLAS BRUCE, 33, AMANDA NICOLE WILSON, 25, RICHARD FRANKLIN GRIFFIN, 29, RACHEL MICHELLE RAYBON, 29, TIMOTHY RANDALL HUFF, 41, DONALD JASON POLLARD, 35, MICHELLE LYNN BLANKINSHIP, 30, KRISTIE RENEE GIBSON, 30, RACHEL ANN ADAMS, HOMER RIGDON JR., 48, JOHN STEWART WAGNER, 36, JASON B. KNIGHT, JAMES MICHAEL ADAMS, 37, ALMA CHRISTINE ANGLIN, 54, AMANDA J.JOHNSON, 22, BRANDY MICHELLE MACON, 33, JAMIE LYNN TEAL, KAYLA ELIZABETH BRADSHAW-PEPPERS, ANNA NICOLE ROGERS, HELEN JOANN PETTY.

MAJOR DRUG SUSPECT ROUND-UP

2011-10-25T14:54:00.001-04:00

AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TUESDAY MORNING AT THE MULTI-COUNTY NARCOTICS TASK FORCE HEADQUARTERS IN UPSON COUNTY, THE N.T.F. , D.E.A. OFFICE IN MACON, THOMASTON POLICE DEPARTMENT AND UPSON SHERIFF’S OFFICE ANNOUNCED THE ARREST OF OVER 40 SUSPECTED DRUG DEALERS INVOLVED IN THE METH TRADE IN UPSON, PIKE, LAMAR, AND SPALDING COUNTIES. THE 10 MONTH INVESTIGATION STARTED WITH CITIZEN COMPLAINTS IN JANUARY, AND THE CHIEF SUPPLIER IN THE AREA WAS IDENTIFIED AS BRIAN MICHAEL KILBY, 32 OF 117 F.STREET IN THOMASTON. NTF COMMANDER ALLEN MCWHORTER ESTIMATED KILBY HAS BROUGHT IN $400,000 WORTH OF METH DURING THAT TIME, BUYING FROM HISPANICS OPERATING FIRST IN CLAYTON COUNTY AND THEN DEKALB COUNTY. KILBY’S GIRL FRIEND, ALLYSON BROOK MARSHALL, 30, WAS ALSO ARRESTED.

THOMASTON TIMES LEGAL ORGAN AGAIN NOV 1

2011-10-24T13:54:00.001-04:00

THE CHIEF JUDGE OF THE GRIFFIN JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, CHRIS EDWARDS ORDERED THE THOMASTON TIMES TO BE THE LEGAL ORGAN AGAIN, NOV I, AFTER A DAY LONG HEARING IN UPSON SUPERIOR COURT, THURSDAY, OCT. 20TH. THE UPSON BEACON WAS NAMED LEGAL ORGAN ABOUT A YEAR AGO AFTER SHERIFF DON PEACOCK AND CLERK OF COURT TERESA HARPER VOTED FOR THE BEACON, AND PROBATE JUDGE GARY HAMBY, VOTED TO STAY WITH THE THOMASTON TIMES. ONLY TWO VOTES ARE NEEDED.

DURING THE HEARING, THE THOMASTON TIMES CHALLENGED UPSON BEACON’S FIGURES FROM THE AUDIT BUREAU OF CIRCULATION, THE NEWSPAPER INDUSTRY STANDARD WHICH MEASURES CIRCULATION. ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE UPSON BEACON, THE JUDGE FOUND THAT THE BEACON WAS JUST A FEW PERCENTAGE POINTS OFF FOR TWO WEEKS IN 2008 WHEN NOT ALLOWING AUDIT BUREAU OF CIRCULATION ACCOUNTING PRACTICES IN THE AUDIT.

THE THOMASTON TIMES WENT TO COURT TO CHALLENGE THE NEW LEGAL ORGAN, SOON AFTER THE UPSON BEACON WAS AWARDED IT, BUT AT THAT TIME JUDGE EDWARDS RULED IN FAVOR OF THE BEACON. TGA NEWS HAS BEEN TOLD THE LEGAL ORGAN GENERATES ANNUAL REVENUES OF ABOUT $50,000.

PIKE S.O. MAKES 4 ARRESTS BURGLARIES,UPSON,LAMAR, AND PIKE

2011-10-21T16:20:00.001-04:00

SHERIFF JIMMY THOMAS SAID PIKE COUNTY S.O. HAS ARRESTED FOUR SUSPECTS AFTER BURGLARIES IN UPSON, PIKE, AND LAMAR COUNTIES. HANNAH SCOTT, 19 OF WILLIAMSON, JALEN BRITT,18,HENRY BARRETT,19, AND THOMAS BUTLER, 20, ALL OF GRIFFIN WERE CAUGHT IN A VEHICLE WITH STOLEN GOODS.

UPSON S.O. RESPONDED TO A HOUSE BURGLARY AT 2382 ROCKY BOTTOM ROAD, THE ROCK. A DOOR HAD BEEN KICKED-IN , A BEDROOM RANSACKED, AND A SAFE WAS MISSING. PIKE S.O. RECOVERED THE SAFE WHEN THEY MADE THE ARRESTS.

ARMED ROBBERY 2235 BARNESVILLE HIGHWAY

2011-10-21T16:04:00.001-04:00

UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE INVESTIGATING AN ARMED ROBBERY AT THE SUNOCO CONVENIENCE STORE, 2235 BARNESVILLE HIGHWAY, THURSDAY EVENING. THE OPERATOR SAID HE BELIEVES IT WAS A BLACK MALE, DRESSED IN ALL BLACK WEARING A HOODIE WHO BRANDISHED A REVOLVER AND LEFT WITH CASH. HE PUT THE PISTOL TO THE BACK OF THE OPERATOR AND FOLLOWED HIM BEHIND THE COUNTER AND DEMANDED CASH.

T.P.D. COMMUNITY NIGHT OUT-MONDAY

2011-10-21T16:01:00.001-04:00

THE THOMASTON POLICE DEPARTMENT INVITES THE PUBLIC TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL COMMUNITY NIGHT OUT, IN SUPPORT OF SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS , MONDAY OCT. 24TH AT THE GREATEST GENERATION MEMORIAL PARK. OPENING CEREMONIES AT 4;30PM WITH THE CARAVAN LEAVING FOR NEIGHBORHOODS AT 5. PARK STREET ASSOCIATION ON PARK ST. AT 4;30, AT THE PARK ST. PLAYGROUND. FOOD WILL BE SERVED. THOMASTON GARDENS 5;10, PARK ST. 5;45, FARVIEW APARTMENTS 6;15, TRIUNE AVE. HOUSING AUTHORITY 6;45PM, 320 VETERANS DR. COMPLEX 7;10PM.

UPSON HISTORICAL SOCIETY GONE WITH THE WIND PROGRAM MONDAY, OCT 24-7PM.

2011-10-20T18:27:00.001-04:00

THE UPSON HISTORICAL SOCIETY WILL SALUTE THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PUBLICATION OF MARGARET MITCHELL’S GONE WITH THE WIND WITH A SPECIAL PRESENTATION BY GONE WITH THE WIND EXPERT, HERB BRIDGES, MONDAY OCT. 24, 7PM AT THE THOMASTON-UPSON SENIORS CENTER.

MR.. BRIDGES IS THE AUTHOR OF SIX BOOKS ON GONE WITH THE WIND AND HIS MEMORABILIA COLLECTION IS ON PERMANENT EXHIBIT AT THE ROAD TO TARA MUSEUM IN JONESBORO. THE PROGRAM IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

FROM THE OFFICE OF COUNTY MANAGER KYLE HOOD

2011-10-20T17:36:00.001-04:00

CHAIRMAN MAURICE RAINES AND THE UPSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ARE ADDRESSING THE ONGOING CONCERNS CITIZENS HAVE HAD OVER THE RECENT INCREASE IN THE VEOLIA GARBAGE COLLECTION BILLS. THE BOARD UNDERSTAND THE FINANCIAL BURDENS THAT ALL RESIDENTS OF UPSON COUNTY ARE FACING RIGHT NOW, HOWEVER EVERY ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO LET THE PUBLIC KNOW OF THE FORTHCOMING $3 PER QUARTER INCREASE WELL IN ADVANCE OF THE FIRST BILLS GOING OUT.

SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, VEOLIA BROUGHT TO THE COUNTY A PROPOSAL TO INCREASE PRICES BASED ON THE ADDITIONAL COSTS THAT THE COMPANY WAS INCURRING DUE TO THE RISING PRICE OF FUEL AND SERVICE PROVISION TO THE COMMUNITY. SOME MEMBERS OF THE BOARD WERE NOT IN FAVOR OF THE INCREASES, BUT THE CONTRACT THAT THE COMPANY HAS WITH THE COUNTY ALLOWS FOR SUPPLEMENTAL INCREASES YEAR TO YEAR AS THEY ARE NECESSARY. ON BEHALF OF THE CITIZENS, THE COUNTY MADE EVERY ATTEMPT TO DELAY AND REDUCE THE CHANGES TO THE COST OF HAVING RESIDENTIAL TRASH PICK-UP.

WHILE THIS MAY NOT BE THE MOST OPPORTUNE TIME TO INCREASE THE COSTS TO CUSTOMERS, THE COUNTY STANDS BEHIND THE PROFESSIONAL APPROACH AND ADVANCED WARNING THAT WAS GIVEN BY VEOLIA PRIOR TO THE INCREASES. THE COMPANY HAS CONTINUED TO PROVIDE A RELIABLE SERVICE AND CUSTOMER RELATIONS ARE VASTLY IMPROVED OVER PRIOR YEARS. VEOLIA HAS PLEDGED TO THE COUNTY THAT IF AND WHEN THEIR COST OF PROVIDING SERVICE TO UPSON COUNTY HAS DECREASED THEY WILL PASS THOSE SAVINGS ALONG TO CUSTOMERS, AS WELL.

CITY THOMASTON ACCEPTS PROPOSALS FROM WATER OPERATORS.

2011-10-19T12:36:00.001-04:00

THE THOMASTON MAYOR AND COUNCIL HAVE RECEIVED PROPOSALS FROM WATER AND SEWER OPERATORS TO MANAGE THOMASTON’S WATER AND SEWER OPERATIONS. COMPANIES SUBMITTING PROPOSALS INCLUDE SEVERN TRENT SERVICES, CLEARWATER SOLUTIONS, UTILITY PARTNERS, AND ESG OPERATIONS INC. THE CITY ALSO HAS AN OPTION TO RENEW THE CURRENT AGREEMENT WITH SOUTHWEST WATER COMPANY FOR THE YEAR 2012 IF THE COUNCIL DECIDES TO EXERCISE THE OPTION, A CONTRACT AT $1.3 MILLION PER YEAR.

THE CITY HALL REVIEW TEAM HEADED BY MAYOR HAYS ARNOLD AND COUNCILMAN DOUG HEAD INCLUDES REPS FROM TWO ENGINEERING FIRMS, THE CITY ATTORNEY AND CITY MANAGER. INTERVIEWS WITH THE PROSPECTIVE COMPANIES ARE SCHEDULED FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 24TH.

CITY MANAGER PATRICK COMISKEY SAID THE CITY IS LOOKING TO SECURE THE BEST PROPOSAL AND NOT THE LOW BID, AND PLANS TO IDENTIFY A COMPANY BY EARLY NOVEMBER AND WORK OUT AN AGREEMENT TO TAKE EFFECT AT MIDNIGHT DECEMBER 31ST.

DR. MAX BURNS NEW GORDON PRESIDENT

2011-10-19T12:27:00.001-04:00

THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF GEORGIA WEDNESDAY NAMED MAX BURNS, DEAN OF THE MIKE COTTRELL SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AT NORTH GEORGIA COLLEGE & STATE UNIVERSITY IN DAHLONEGA SINCE 2008, AS THE THIRD PRESIDENT OF GORDON COLLEGE IN BARNESVILLE. DR. BURNS WILL ASSUME HIS POST ON JANUARY I, 2012.

BURNS WILL REPLACE INTERIM PRESIDENT SHELLEY NICKEL, WHO HAS SERVED SINCE JULY 2010 AFTER DR. LAWRENCE WEILL RETIRED IN JUNE 2010.

NEW SHERIFF IN SPALDING COUNTY

2011-10-18T20:52:00.001-04:00

MAJOR WENDELL BEAM WON TUESDAY’S RUN-OFF IN SPALDING COUNTY TO FILL THE UNEXPIRED TERM OF THE LATE SHERIFF DEE STEWART. MAJOR BEAM RECEIVED 4644 VOTES, 67%. CAPTAIN KEITH DUNCAN GOT 2284 VOTES, 33%. A TOTAL OF 6928 VOTES WERE CAST, A TURNOUT OF 21.2%.

EARLY VOTING UNDERWAY

2011-10-17T17:28:00.001-04:00

EARLY VOTING IS UNDERWAY AND WILL CONTINUE UNTIL NOV. 4 FOR THE CITY OF THOMASTON GENERAL ELECTION, NOV. 8. TWO CANDIDATES ARE ON THE BALLOT FOR DISTRICT 3 CITY COUNCIL, JIM RICHARDS AND SAM COKER, THE SEAT HELD BY THE LATE ED BELL.

EARLY VOTING AT THE UPSON REGISTRAR’S OFFICE IN THE DRAKE BUILDING OF THE THOMASTON-UPSON GOVERNMENT COMPLEX, FROM 8;30AM TILL 4;30PM, M-F. VOTERS WHO NEED AN ABSENTEE BALLOT, BUT WHO CANNOT COME TO THE OFFICE TO GET ONE, SHOULD WRITE A LETTER TO THE REGISTRAR’S OFFICE AND THE ABSENTEE BALLOT CAN BE MAILED.

THE COUNTY REGISTRAR’S OFFICE HANDLES CITY OF THOMASTON ELECTIONS AND IS REIMBURSED BY CITY HALL.

FUN 101FM WILL HOST A MEET THE CANDIDATES PROGRAM, MONDAY, OCT. 24TH AT 7PM FEATURING CANDIDATES SAM COKER AND JIM RICHARDS.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCORES FRIDAY

2011-10-15T13:52:00.001-04:00

THE UPSON-LEE KNIGHTS CAME BACK FROM A 14-7 SCORE TO BEAT FAYETTE COUNTY FRIDAY NIGHT , 21-14 DURING THE HOMECOMING GAME. NEXT WEEK AT HARRIS COUNTY , A LOSER TO NORTHGATE 35-0.

PIKE COUNTY LOST TO MORGAN COUNTY, THE FOX 5 GAME OF THE WEEK, ALSO HOMECOMING. NEXT WEEK PUTNAM COUNTY AT HOME.

LAMAR COUNTY CONTINUED UNBEATEN , BLANKING SOUTHWEST MACON 34-0.

GRIFFIN OVER UNION GROVE 42-14

TO WALK OR NOT TO WALK AT GRADUATION

2011-10-14T16:39:00.001-04:00

AT THE TUESDAY, OCT. 11 MEETING OF THE THOMASTON-UPSON BOARD OF EDUCATION , THE BOARD REVIEWED THE POLICY ON SCHOOL CEREMONIES AND OBSERVANCES. THE BOARD TABLED THIS POLICY UNTIL THE NEXT MEETING AT WHICH TIME THEY REQUESTED 2 SEPARATE VERSIONS OF THE POLICY FOR REVIEW. THIS REQUEST WAS MADE WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THE GA. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IS IN THE PROCESS OF CHANGING REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION TESTING. STUDENTS WHO FAILED THE GRADUATION TEST HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO WALK IN GRADUATION CEREMONIES.

UPGRADES AT MATHEWS FIELD

2011-10-12T14:12:00.001-04:00

AT TUESDAY’S MEETING THE THOMASTON-UPSON BOARD OF EDUCATION VOTED TO SPEND UP TO $215,000 IN SPLOST FUNDS TO CONSTRUCT NEW CONCESSION STANDS AND RESTROOMS ON THE VISITORS SIDE AT MATHEWS FIELD. THE CURRENT BUILDING WILL BE RAZED, AND AND IT WILL BE READY FOR NEXT FOOTBALL SEASON. WORK COULD BEGIN RIGHT AFTER FOOTBALL SEASON.

UPSON BOC REJECTS REZONING

2011-10-12T14:08:00.001-04:00

THE UPSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DENIED A REZONING REQUEST AT 2009 YATESVILLE HIGHWAY, FORMERLY SWEET RETURNS RECYCLING, FOR A SCRAP METAL RECYCLING BUSINESS, TUESDAY. THE PLANNING COMMISSION HAD RECOMMENDED IT BE REJECTED BECAUSE IT WOULD BE SPOT ZONING.

A GRIFFIN COMPANY SAID IT PLANNED TO CLEAN-UP THE SITE AND OPEN A SCRAP METAL BUSINESS, THE SAME THING IT DID WITH THE SWEET RETURNS PROPERTY IT PURCHASED IN SPALDING COUNTY, BUT NEIGHBORS TURNED OUT IN FORCE AND SPOKE AGAINST IT. THEY HAVE CALLED EPD AND TOLD THE BOARD THE STATE COULD BE COMING TO LOOK AT THE SITE.

CHAIRMAN MAURICE RAINES URGED THE BOARD TO REJECT IT. $3000 IN BACK INVENTORY TAXES IS OWED ON THE PROPERTY AND THE CHAIRMAN SAYS IT IS NOT UP TO CODE AND THE COUNTY PLANS TO TAKE ACTION.

THOMASTON BUSINESSMAN CRITICAL

2011-10-10T13:01:00.001-04:00

THE FORMER OWNER OF THOMASTON MILK COMPANY, KIM MONTGOMERY, 51 , IS IN CRITICAL CONDITION AT GRADY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL IN ATLANTA AFTER A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT FRIDAY IN FAYETTE COUNTY. ACCORDING TO FRIENDS AND FACE BOOK POSTINGS, HE SUFFERED A SPINAL CORD INJURY, A BROKEN HIP AND FRACTURED RIBS, AND WILL UNDERGO SURGERY.

TGA NEWS WAS TOLD THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED ON GA. 92 BETWEEN FAYETTEVILLE AND GRIFFIN, WHEN KIM TRIED TO AVOID A DRIVER OVER THE YELLOW LINE AND HIS PICK-UP FLIPPED OVER. HE WAS LIFE-FLIGHTED TO GRADY.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCORES

2011-10-07T21:46:00.001-04:00

FRIDAY NIGHT THE UPSON-LEE KNIGHTS WERE DELT A BIG BLOW TO PLAY-OFF HOPES BY LOSING TO UNDEFEATED NORTHGATE OF NEWNAN 48-0 AT MATHEWS FIELD. THE KNIGHTS HOST FAYETTE COUNTY NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT ON FUN 101FM.

PIKE COUNTY LOST ON THE ROAD TO NORTHEAST MACON 14-7. NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT MORGAN COUNTY COMES TO ZEBULON FOR A REGION GAME ON THE LIVE STREAM AT FUN 101 FM .COM. DOWNLOAD THE TUNE-IN RADIO APP TO LISTEN TO THE GAME ON YOUR SMART PHONE AT FUN 101FM.COM.

FINALISTS FOR PRESIDENT OF GORDON

2011-10-06T17:26:00.001-04:00

THE STATE BOARD OF REGENTS HAVE ANNOUNCED THE THREE FINALISTS FOR PRESIDENT OF GORDON COLLEGE IN BARNESVILLE.

DR. MAX BURNS, DEAN, MIKE COTTRELL SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AT NORTH GEORGIA COLLEGE AND STATE UNIVERSITY IN DAHLONEGA,GA. FROM 2008.

DR. DELMAS CRISP JR., EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND ACADEMIC DEAN, METHODIST UNIVERSITY, FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. FROM 2007.

DR. DONNA HENRY,DEAN, COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES AT FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY, FORT MEYERS, FLA, FROM 2005.

DR. SHELLEY NICKEL HAS SERVED AS INTERIM PRESIDENT SINCE DR. LAWRENCE WEILL STEPPED DOWN IN 2010.

TERESA BUROUSAS GUILTY

2011-10-04T21:21:00.001-04:00

IN PIKE COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT TUESDAY, TERESA BUROUSAS WAS FOUND GUILTY OF THE SHOOTING DEATH OF HER HUSBAND, JIMMIE BUROUSAS. COWETA CIRCUIT JUDGE QUILLIAN BALDWIN JR. HEARD ALL TESTIMONY IN THE BENCH TRIAL AND RETURNED A VERDICT OF GUILTY OF VOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER, AGGRAVATED ASSAULT AND POSSESSION OF A FIREARM IN THE COMMISSION OF A CRIME.

BUROUSAS WAS SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS, 10 TO SERVE , WITH CREDIT FOR TIME SERVED, TWO YEARS. SHE DID NOT TAKE THE STAND. DEFENSE ATTORNEY RICKY MORRIS PRESENTED A DEFENSE BASED ON BATTERED WIFE SYNDROME.

UPSON-LEE HIGH 2011 SAT

2011-10-03T15:52:00.001-04:00

GEORGIA HAS RELEASED THE STATEWIDE SAT SCORES FOR THE CLASS OF 2011, AND UPSON-LEE HIGH SCHOOL’S SAT AVERAGE WAS 1323, A 2% DECREASE IN COMPARISON TO THE 2010 AVERAGE SCORE OF 1350. THE 2011 STATE AVERAGE FOR ALL GEORGIA SAT TEST TAKERS ALSO DECLINED TO 1445, 8 POINTS LESS THAN THE 2010 AVERAGE.

THE SAT HAS THREE SECTIONS—CRITICAL READING, MATH, AND WRITING. IN 2011 UL HIGH’S CRITICAL READING SCORES AVERAGED 449 FOR ALL STUDENTS, MATH AVERAGE WAS 455, WRITING AVERAGE WAS 446

THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS TAKING THE SAT INCREASED BY 28% TO 193 FROM 2010 TO 2011.

TEACHERS OF THE YEAR HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED.

UL SOUTH ELEMENTARY—ROBIN SMITH, FIRST GRADE

UL NORTH ELEMENTARY—MARJORIE TALLINI,5TH GRADE MATH

MIDDLE SCHOOL—BETH WALL, 6TH GRADE MATH

UL HIGH—JOHN HAGIN, AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE

THE SYSTEM TEACHER OF THE YEAR WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN NOVEMBER.

UPSON S.O. WANTS THE PUBLIC’S HELP

2011-10-03T12:39:00.001-04:00

THE UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE IS CALLING FOR THE PUBLIC’S HELP IN A CRIME WATCH FOR AIR CONDITIONER VANDALS. LOSSES HAVE BEEN IN THE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR SEVERAL CHURCHES , BUSINESSES AND HOMES, RECENTLY. MAJOR DAN KILGORE URGES CITIZENS TO BE AWARE OF SUSPICIOUS VEHICLES OR INDIVIDUALS, AND KEEP A CLOSE CHECK ON AC UNITS. THE S.O. HAS STEPPED UP PATROLS BUT THE PUBLIC’S HELP IS NEEDED, TOO, ACCORDING TO MAJOR KILGORE.

IF ANY UNUSUAL ACTIVITY IS OBSERVED CALL 911 ASAP AND YOU CAN REPORT ANY INFORMATION TO THE S.O. AT 706-646-7904.

LOSS OF $14,000 AT FRIENDSHIP PRIMITIVE BAPTIST CHURCH, 644 THURSTON SCHOOL ROAD, TWO UNITS WITH MISSING PARTS. LOSS OF $15,000 AT SUPER FUN SAFARI, 746 WEST MOORE’S CROSSING ROAD. AN AC UNIT DISASSEMBLED AND PARTS MISSING.

AT A FORECLOSED HUD HOME, 500 FESCUE ST, TWO AC UNITS DISMANTED AND THE COPPER CUT AWAY.

LISTEN TO FUN 101FM ON YOUR SMART PHONE

2011-09-30T16:50:00.001-04:00

NOW YOU CAN LISTEN TO FUN 101 FM ON YOUR SMART PHONE. DOWNLOAD THE TUNE-IN RADIO APP AND CATCH OUR LIVE STREAMING AT FUN 101 FM.COM.

$20,000 THEFT

2011-09-30T16:48:00.001-04:00

THE UPSON SHERIFF’S OFFICE IS INVESTIGATING A THEFT WITH A LOSS OF ALMOST $20,000 AT 1975 WAYMANVILLE ROAD. THE LOCK WAS CUT ON A GATE AND A STORAGE BUILDING WAS ENTERED. A HONDA 4-WHEELER, A RIDE LAWN MOWER, TIRES, A GENERATOR, AND RESTAURANT EQUIPMENT IS MISSING.

WEEKEND EVENTS IN THOMASTON

2011-09-29T18:14:00.001-04:00

THOMASTON’S OWN JULIA HAWKINS, ELIZABETH JONES AND REID HIGHTOWER, KNOWN AS THE SWEET GEORGIA VIOLINS, WILL REPRESENT THOMASTON AT CARNEGIE HALL IN NEW YORK CITY. A YARD AND BAKE SALE BENEFIT WILL BE HELD SAT. , OCT. I, 8 TO 2 AT THE CENTURY 21 PARKING LOT. THEY WILL PERFORM AT 9;30AM.

A BENEFIT IS PLANNED FOR RANDY BRIDGES, WHO NEEDS A HEART TRANSPLANT, SAT. OCT. I AT MATHEWS FIELD 9 TO 4. MOTORCYCLE RIDE AT 11AM $20 PER BIKE $5 PER RIDER. BIKE AND CAR SHOW AT NOON, CONCESSIONS AND DOOR PRIZES. YOU CAN ALSO DONATE TO AN ACCOUNT FOR RANDY BRIDGES AT BANK OF UPSON.

UPDATE ON ANIMAL HEALTH AND SCIENCE

2011-09-29T18:02:00.001-04:00

THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE THOMASTON-UPSON IDA, J.R. CHARLES SAYS THE NEW INDUSTRY IN THE YAMAHA BUILDING, ANIMAL HEALTH AND SCIENCE HAS SLOWED PRODUCTION OF ITS PET PRODUCTS, BUT PLANS TO INCREASE PRODUCTION IN THE SPRING. IN THE CURRENT ECONOMY CONTRACTS HAVE BEEN SLOW TO DEVELOP FOR THE CHEMICAL COMPANY THAT EMPLOYS 15.

UPSON BOC APPROVE CELL TOWER

2011-09-28T12:50:00.001-04:00

THE UPSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS REVERSED THEMSELVES, TUESDAY NIGHT, AND APPROVED A NEW CELL TOWER ON THE PROPERTY OF ROBERT ANDERSON ON LINDSEY ROAD NEAR THE LAMAR COUNTY LINE. THE BOARD VOTED IT DOWN AFTER NEIGHBORS OBJECTED AT A PREVIOUS MEETING, BUT WERE ADVISED BY OUT-GOING ZONING DIRECTOR, CHAD JACOBS IT MET ALL PROVISIONS OF THE ZONING CODE. CONSTRUCTION WILL BEGIN IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND IT WILL BE IN A WOODED AREA.

IN OTHER ACTION, THE COMMISSIONERS SET A PUBLIC HEARING FOR OCT. 25 ON A REQUEST TO CLOSE LANKFORD ROAD, THAT CONNECTS BRADSHAW ROAD AND SPRING CREEK ROAD. CHAIRMAN MAURICE RAINES SAID HE HAD A MEETING WITH THE TWO PROPERTY OWNERS INVOLVED, MONDAY, TO TRY AND REACH A COMPROMISE, BUT TALKS BROKE OFF. ANN LEVIS WANTS THE ROAD CLOSED, FORMER COUNTY COMMISSIONER JAMES MEEKS WANTS IT OPEN.

IDA PROSPECT ACTIVITY

2011-09-28T12:41:00.001-04:00

AT THE SEPTEMBER MEETING OF THE THOMASTON-UPSON INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR J.R. CHARLES UPDATED THE IDA ON A QUAD GRAPHICS REQUEST FOR TAX INCENTIVES FOR MORE JOBS AT THE ROCK PLANT. THE IDA IS WAITING FOR THE TAX ASSESSORS OFFICE TO DELIVER FINAL CONFIRMATION ON THE VALUE OF QUAD’S ASSETS.

PROJECT NEFT—NEGOTIATIONS ARE ON-GOING, AND NEFT’S ENGINEERING FIRM HAS VISITED THOMASTON. THE COMPANY PLANS TO BRING ITS BANKERS TO TOWN IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

PROJECT ALUMINUM—VIEWED THE FORMER THOMASTON MILLS SITE ON BARNESVILLE STREET, BUT THE IDA IS WAITING ON THE PROPERTY OWNER TO ALLOW ENGINEERS INTO THE BUILDING TO ASSESS THE COST OF RENOVATION. ESTIMATED COST OF CLEAN-UP $150,000.

AUGUST UNEMPLOYMENT FIGURES

2011-09-26T17:12:00.001-04:00

ACCORDING TO THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN THE THREE RIVERS REGIONAL COMMISSION DECLINED TO 11.4% IN AUGUST. UPSON COUNTY HAD A JOBLESS RATE OF 12.1%, PIKE COUNTY 9.8, LAMAR COUNTY 12.4,SPALDING COUNTY 13.1%, MERIWETHER COUNTY 14.6 AND MONROE COUNTY 10.3%

COMMUNITY EVENTS THIS WEEK

2011-09-25T23:32:00.001-04:00

THOMASTON’S FIRE CHIEF EDDIE LIFSEY WILL BE THE GUEST SPEAKER AT THE SEPTEMBER MEETING OF THE UPSON HISTORICAL SOCIETY MONDAY, SEPT. 26, AT 7PM AT THE ARCHIVES. HE WILL DISCUSS THE HISTORY OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE PROGRAM IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

THE THOMASTON-UPSON BOARD OF EDUCATION WILL BE HOSTING A COMMUNITY FORUM, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 AT 6PM IN THE BOARDROOM AT THE CENTRAL OFFICE. ALL PARENTS, STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND AND ASK QUESTIONS AND OFFER COMMENTS.

SUPPORT THE CAUSE OF ADULT LITERACY IN UPSON COUNTY AND HAVE AN ENJOYABLE EVENING TUESDAY AT 7PM BY ATTENDING THE FIRST ANNUAL UPSON READ TRIVIA BEE, IN THE UPSON-LEE SOUTH ELEMENTARY CAFETERIA. NO ADMISSION WILL BE CHARGED AND DOOR PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED.

THERE WILL BE A RELAY FOR LIFE WRAP UP MEETING TUESDAY, SEPT. 27 AT 6PM AT THE THOMASTON-UPSON CIVIC CENTER. THE CELEBRATION WILL INCLUDE AWARDS,PRIZES AND REFRESHMENTS AND DETAILS OF THE 2012 RELAY FOR LIFE.

AS PART OF PROSTATE AWARENESS MONTH, UPSON REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER WILL OFFER POTENTIALLY LIFE-SAVING SCREENING FOR MEN AT NO COST, TUESDAY,SEPT. 27,FROM 5;30 TO 8PM IN THE HOSPITAL’S AMBULATORY CARE CENTER, RIGHT OFF THE MAIN LOBBY. THE HOSPITAL WILL PROVIDE FREE PROSTATE AND COLORECTAL SCREENINGS. PRE-REGISTRATION IS RECOMMENDED. CALL 706-647-8111 EXT.1519.

THOMASTON P.D. WARNS OF SCAM

2011-09-23T12:09:00.001-04:00

THE THOMASTON POLICE DEPARTMENT IS WARNING THE PUBLIC ABOUT A SCAM. THE VICTIM RECEIVES A LETTER FROM A CANADIAN COMPANY, GRAND FINANCIAL SERVICES ANNOUNCING THEY HAVE WON $100,000 IN A CUSTOMER REWARD PROMOTION FOR CUSTOMERS OF WAL-MART, SEARS, HOME DEPOT, AND SAFEWAY.A CHECK FOR $3500 IS ENCLOSED BUT $1950 OF IT MUST BE PAID IN BRITISH TAXES. THE P.D. SAYS ITS A HOAX DO NOT RESPOND TO THE LETTER.

MERIWETHER COUNTY TO GET 426 NEW JOBS

2011-09-21T12:38:00.001-04:00

GOVERNOR NATHAN DEAL JOINED WITH COUNTY OFFICIALS AND COMPANY OFFICIALS OF MANDO CORP WEDNESDAY TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA FIRM PLANS TO OPEN A HIGH-TECH MANUFACTURING OPERATION IN THE MERIWETHER COUNTY INDUSTRIAL PARK. THE COMPANY PLANS TO INVEST $200 MILLION AND CREATE 426 JOBS THROUGH OPENING THIS NEW FACILITY. MANDO’S GEORGIA PLANT WILL SUPPLY ELECTRIC POWER STEERING GEARS AND ANTI-LOCK BRAKES/ESC TO VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS INCLUDING CHRYSLER, GENERAL MOTORS, HYUNDAI AND KIA, AMONG OTHERS. THIS SITE WILL BE MANDO’S THIRD LOCATION IN THE UNITED STATES.

RICHARD HARVILL BOUND OVER TO G.J.

2011-09-21T12:31:00.001-04:00

AT A PRELIMINARY HEARING WEDNESDAY, UPSON COUNTY CHIEF MAGISTRATE DANNY BENTLEY FOUND PROBABLE CAUSE AND RICHARD HARVILL OF WOODLAND ROAD WAS BOUND OVER TO THE NOVEMBER UPSON COUNTY GRAND JURY ON CHARGES OF THEFT OF SERVICES FROM THE CITY OF THOMASTON FOR $468,000. JUDGE BENTLEY ALSO REDUCED HARVILL’S BOND FROM $500,000 TO $100,000 WITH THE STIPULATION HE NOT SET UP RESIDENCY OUTSIDE THE STATE.

ONLY ONE WITNESS WAS CALLED BY ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY HEATH ENGLISH, GBI SPECIAL AGENT SAM BAITY. DEFENSE ATTORNEYS HALE ALMOND OF MACON AND TRUITT MALLORY OF THOMASTON CALLED NO WITNESSES.

THE CRIMINAL WARRANT STATES THAT HARVILL, FORMER OWNER OF A BUSINESS CALLED AGRICYCLE HAD A VERBAL AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF THOMASTON TO DUMP LEACHATE FROM THE TAYLOR COUNTY LANDFILL IN THE CITY’S SEWER SYSTEM FROM JAN. 08 TO DEC. 09, BUT HE DELIVERED MORE LEACHATE TO THE CITY’S SYSTEM THAN HE REPORTED.

THOMASTON HOUSING DIRECTOR,HUSBAND ,GUILTY

2011-09-20T11:37:00.001-04:00

IN FEDERAL COURT IN MACON, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE THOMASTON HOUSING AUTHORITY, DARLENE MCDANIEL AND HER HUSBAND, LANCE MCDANIEL, 57,WERE FOUND GUILTY OF CONSPIRING TO STEAL GOVERNMENT MONEY AFTER A WEEKLONG JURY TRIAL. SENTENCING WILL BE HELD AT A LATER DATE. CHARGES WERE DISMISSED EARLIER THIS MONTH DUE TO LACK OF EVIDENCE, AGAINEST STEVEN WAYNE WILLIAMS OWNER OF A PAINT CONTRACTING BUSINESS. THE JURY ACQUITTED THE MCDANIELS OF CHARGES OF THEFT AND EMBEZZLEMENT.

DARLENE MCDANIEL WAS CHARGED WITH HONORING CONTRACTS WITH STEVE WILLIAMS PAINTING CONTRACTOR, WHICH EMPLOYED HER HUSBAND, WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION FROM THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.

NO JURY TRIAL FOR BUROUSAS

2011-09-19T12:58:00.001-04:00

THERE WILL BE NO JURY TRIAL FOR A PIKE COUNTY MURDER SUSPECT HOUSED IN THE UPSON COUNTY JAIL. THE JURY TRIAL FOR TERESA BUROUSAS WAS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN MONDAY IN PIKE COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT, BUT HER ATTORNEY, RICKY MORRIS FILED A MOTION FOR A BENCH TRIAL. ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY BEN COKER TOLD TGA NEWS, THE BENCH TRIAL WILL BEGIN OCT. 3 WITH COWETA CIRCUIT JUDGE QUILLIAN BALDWIN JR. PRESIDING. ADA COKER SAYS ALL DEFENDANTS HAVE THE RIGHT TO WAIVE A JURY TRIAL AND ALLOW THE JUDGE TO RETURN THE VERDICT. BUROUSAS IS CHARGED WITH THE SHOOTING DEATH OF HER HUSBAND,JIMMIE BUZZ BUROUSAS JR., 60, WHO WAS SHOT TWICE OUTSIDE THEIR HOME IN CONCORD IN JULY OF 2009.

PLANE CRASH TU AIRPORT FRIDAY

2011-09-19T12:51:00.001-04:00

UPSON S.O. REPORTS A PLANE CRASH AT THE THOMASTON-UPSON AIRPORT FRIDAY MORNING. THE PILOT, WILLIAM CANTRELL OF LOCUS GROVE, GA. WAS NOT INJURED. ACCORDING TO THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE, THE LANDING GEAR ON A TWIN ENGINE CESSNA 310, MALFUNCTIONED AND COLLAPSED UNDER THE PLANE. THE AIRCRAFT SKIDDED TO A STOP, BUT TGA NEWS WAS TOLD THE DAMAGE IS REPAIRABLE. ROCK HILL FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS DISPATCHED.

UPSON-LEE WINS FOX 5 GAME OF THE WEEK

2011-09-16T22:29:00.001-04:00

THE UPSON-LEE DEFENSE MADE A GOAL LINE STAND IN THE FIRST HALF AND WENT ON TO DEFEAT STARR’S MILL OF FAYETTE COUNTY 17-7, FRIDAY NIGHT IN THE FOX 5 GAME OF THE WEEK. THE KNIGHTS RECORD IS NOW 2-2, AND THE TEAM HAS AN OPEN DATE NEXT WEEK BEFORE GOING TO WHITEWATER.

FOX 5 HAD SPORTS REPORTER BILL HARTMAN AT THE GAME AND SHOT FILM BEFORE AND AFTER THE CONTEST.

PIKE COUNTY DEFEATED CRAWFORD COUNTY AT HOME 33-0.

IN OVERTIME, LAMAR COUNTY EDGED MORGAN COUNTY 38-35.