STATE REPRESENTATIVE BETH CAMP ANNOUNCES A NEW WRINKLE ON HB 581

 STATE LEGISLATOR  BETH CAMP REPORTED FRIDAY  THERE APPEARS TO  BE  NO  SUNSET PROVISION  ON  HOUSE BILL  581 THAT COULD IMPACT  SCHOOL BOARDS IN  THE  STATE. THE  T-U BOARD OF EDUCATION  HELD  TWO  HEARINGS ON  THE BILL JAN. 14TH. MORE  ON  101.1  FM NEWS.

WHALEN REMAINS CITY OF GRIFFIN ATTORNEY

 THE  GRIFFIN CITY  COMMISSION  HELD A  CALLED MEETING  FRIDAY MORNING  WITH  AN ATTORNEY  FROM  THE  GA. MUNICIPAL  ASSOCIATION--AFTER  A   4-3  VOTE TUESDAY  TO DISMISS LONG-TIME  CITY  ATTORNEY  DREW WHALEN. FOLLOWING  A CLOSED  DOOR SESSION  THE  BOARD  VOTED  5-2 TO NAME  WHALEN CITY ATTORNEY AS HE HAS  AN ADDITONAL YEAR ON  HIS  CONTRACT. THE  TWO NEW  COMMISSIONERS BRAD WRIGHT  AND ROSE CURTIS  VOTED AGAINST.

GRASS FIRE AT UPSON JUSTICE CENTER

 UPSON COUNTY  SHERIFF DAN KILGORE  REPORTS  A SMALL  GRASS FIRE THURSDAY AFTERNOON AT THE NEW JUSTICE  CENTER--BUT  THOMASTON  FIRE DEPARTMENT  RESPONDED  AND  HAD  IT  OUT QUICKLY. LOTS OF  SMOKE  GENERATED NEAR THE DRAINAGE  AREA ON  THE  SITE.

THOMASTON POLICE BLOCKED  OFF LEE  STREET NEXT TO BIG CHIC UPTOWN  THURSDAY AFTERNOON AFTER A BIG TRUCK KNOCKED DOWN  A  PHONE LINE  CONNECTED TO  THE  BUSINESS THAT ENDED UP IN  THE  STREET.

PIKE CO ECONOMIC SUMMIT

 TIX  ARE ON SALE  FOR THE PIKE COUNTY  CHAMBER OF  COMMERCE 2025  ECONOMIC DEVEOPMENT  SUMMIT  FEATURING  WILLIAM J. SMITH  FROM  THE UNIVERSITY OF  WEST GA. ITS THURSDAY, JAN.  30TH AT  11;30 AT CHRIST CHAPEL-ZEBULON.

UPSON CO COMMISSIONERS TUESDAY MEETING

 DURING  PUBLIC  COMMENT  AT  TUESDAY'S  MEETING OF  THE  UPSON COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS,  EX-CHAIRMAN RUSTY BLACKSTON  AND PASTOR  CLAUDE TURNER  URGED  THE  BOARD  TO RESCIND  THE APPOINTENTS MADE LAST YEAR  CLAIMING  THEY  REEKED OF  NEPOTISM.  RUSTY SAID REPLACING  ALICA MCKINLEY  AND  JOHNNY DAWSON ON  THE PLANNING  COMMISSION  WAS A MISTAKE  BECAUSE THEY ALREADY HAVE THE  TRAINING  NEW MEMBERS WILL NEED. HE ADDED THE  RESIGNATION OF JOEL PITTS  WAS AN INJUSTICE. AS PER POLICY  THE COMMISSIONERS OFFERED NO  COMMENT  ON THE ISSUE. 

A  RETIRED AIR  FORCE  FIRST  LIEUTENANT --  CATHY HEALY  TOOK ISSUE WITH  BRINGING  THE BRIGHTMARK CIRCULATORY  CENTER  TO THE COMMUNITY--STATING ADVANCED  OR CHEMICAL  RECYCLING OF PLASTICS WON'T WORK AND ACTUALLY  RISKS LIVES.

COMMISSIONER  JAMES  ELLINGTON MOVED  THAT ONE AGENDA ITEM  BE POSTPONED--USE OF SPLOST FUNDS TO  PURCHASE  VEHICLES  FOR  THE  SHERIFF'S  OFFICE- . IT WILL BE DELT WITH  AT A FUTURE MEETING. NEW CHAIRMAN DAN BREU HAS MENTIONED  THE LAGRANGE POLICE DEPARTMENT LEASES ITS UNITS  AND GETS NEW VEHICLES ON  A  REGULAR  BASIS.

BEN  WATSON  WAS  ELECTED  VICE-CHAIRMAN  FOR  2025.

DR. JESSICA WATSON LONE FINALIST LAMAR SCHOOL SUPERINTENDANT

 THE LAMAR COUNTY  BOARD OF  EDUCATION  HAS  NAMED  DR.  JESSICA  WATSON  AS THE  LONE  FINALIST  FOR  SCHOOL SUPERINTENDANT. DR. WATSON SPENT  18  YEARS IN THE  THOMASTON-UPSON SCHOOLS.

UPSON CO MLK DAY CELEBRATION

 UPSON  COUNTY  MLK  DAY CELEBRATION  2025, MONDAY JAN.  20TH  PRESENTED BY  THE  EMANCIPATION  COMMITTE OF UPSON'S  YOUTH ALIVE.    SCHEDULE  OF  EVENTS 10;30AM--MEET AT THE  COURTHOUSE, 10;45  WREATH-LAYING  CEREMONY, 11AM  MARCH TO  ULMS  AND  12 NOON  THE  CELEBRATION PROGRAM AT  THE MIDDLE  SCHOOL  AFTER THE MARCH. 

KEYNOTE SPEAKER  PASTOR  MO--MARLIN LYNCH THE  THIRD.

A WEEK REVIVAL  FOLLOWS  TUESDAY  JAN 21ST, WEDNESDAY  JAN.  22ND  AND  THURSDAY  JAN.  23RD  AT  SALEM  BAPTIST  CHURCH  1349 U.S. HIGHWAY  80, CULLODEN,GA. AT  7PM.

TUESDAY--GUEST SPEAKER  PASTOR  RONKEITHVILES   RESPRESS, WEDNESDAY  MINISTER MIKE SMITH  AND  THURSDAY  REV. MAURICE  RAINES.

THE THEME; MISSION POSSIBLE: PROTECTING  FREEDOM, JUSTICE & DEMOCRACY IN  THE  SPIRIT OF NONVIOLENCE. 

 

 

UPSON BOC NO OPT OUT ON HB 581

 NO OPT OUT  ON  HOUSE BILL  581 FROM  THE  UPSON COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS--THAT  WAS  THE MESSAGE  TO  101  NEWS    FROM  NEW CHAIRMAN DAN  BREU AND  COUNTY  MANAGER JASON TINSLEY FOLLOWING  TUESDAY'S FIRST VOTING MEETING OF  THE  YEAR. COUNTY OFFICIALS  ATTENDED A MEETING MONDAY  IN MACON INVOLVING  THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF  REVENUE. ACCG  AND OTHER  AGENCIES  AND COUNTY MANAGER TINSLEY  SAID IT  APPEARS HOMESTEADERS IN  UPSON COUNTY  WOULD  BE  ELIGIBLE FOR LOCAL  AND  STATE EXEMPTIONS.

THOMASTON-UPSON SCHOOLS CLOSED FRIDAY

 All Thomaston-Upson Schools will be closed tomorrow, Friday, January 10. After evaluating the potential risks of rain, sleet, and snow in the morning and possible wind gusts of up to 20 mph in the afternoon, we have determined that school closure is the best solution to ensure the safety of our students and staff.

CITY OF THOMASTON TO DELAY OPENING FRIDAY 1/10

 THE CITY OF  THOMASTON WILL DELAY OPENING UNTIL  11AM  FRIDAY  DUE  TO WEATHER CONCERNS.

UPSON BOC MOVING TO ONE MEETING A MONTH

 BIG CHANGE FOR  THE  UPSON  COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AT  WEDNESDAY'S  FIRST  WORK  SESSION OF  2025 WITH  NEW COMMISSION  CHAIRMAN  DAN  BREU AND FIRST DISTRICT COMMISSIONER CHRIS  BIGGS--THE  COMMISSIONERS WILL HOLD ONLY ONE  VOTING MEETING A  MONTH--THE  4TH TUESDAY PLUS  THE  FIRST WEDNESDAY  WORK  SESSION AT THE AIRPORT. REGULAR MEETINGS WILL BE HELD  AT  THE  GOVERNMENT COMPLEX.

A FIRST FOR A WORK SESSION--CHAIRMAN BREU RECORDED IT  AND PLANS TO POST IT ON HIS  FACEBOOK PAGE FOR  PUBLIC VIEWING, SHORTLY. 

SNOW COMING TO UPSON AREA FRIDAY?

 UPSON  EMA DIRECTOR  RICHARD HICKMON IN  TOUCH WITH  THE  NATIONAL  WEATHER SERVICE  SEZ   THE POSSIBILITY  OF  A MIX OF FREEZING  RAIN  AND  SNOW  BEGINNING  FRIDAY 4  TO  10AM WITH  HIGH WINDS DEVELOPING INTO  SATURDAY AND COLD  WEATHER TILL SUNDAY. STAY WITH  FUN 101FM  FOR THE  LATEST UPDATES.

ARSON GUILTY PLEA IN THOMASTON OFFICE BUILDING FIRE

 THE SUSPECT  IN  THE   ARSON  CASE  INVOLVING THE  OFFICE  BUILDING/SOUTH  CHURCH  NEAR BIG CHIC UPTOWN ENTERED A  GUILTY PLEA IN  UPSON SUPERIOR  COURT, MONDAY.   THE  DEFENDANT, NEXUS  CHRISTIAN  WAS  SENTENCED TO  20  YEARS--3  YEARS TO  SERVE  IN  CONFINEMENT , REMAINDER ON PROBATION, $5000 FINE, 80  HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE, AND  BANISHED FROM THE  GRIFFIN  JUDICIAL  CIRCUIT--BY  JUDGE FLETCHER SAMS.  THE FIRE TOTALLY  DESTROYED  THE  VACANT OFFICE  BUILDING  IN  THE  EARLY  MORNING  HOURS OF  JULY  THE  4TH  2023.

TPD BLOTTER

 THOMASTON POLICE  INVOLVED IN  TWO  COCAINE  ARRESTS--ONE  AT  LAKESIDE  PARK  800  COUNTY  ROAD WHILE THE PARK  WAS  CLOSED.  THE  FEMALE  DRIVER OF  THE  JEEP WRANGLER  WAS ARRESTED  26  YEAR  OLD   HALEY M. JONES  AND  A MALE  PASSENGER  WAS LET  GO   BECAUSE HIS KIDS NEEDED THEIR  FATHER.   OFFICERS  DETECTED MARIJUANA ODOR  AND    FOUND  CUT-UP  DRINKING  STRAWS  CONTAINING  SUSPECTED  COKE  POWDER AND MS. JONES HAD IRRITAGED NOSTRILS. INSURANCE ON  THE  VEHICLE HAD  BEEN CANCELLED--THE PD  REPORT SAID.

THE PD  ASSISTED  TROOPER JONES  GSP  IN  A  SPEEDING   TRAFFIC STOP AT  19 SOUTH  AND MAULDIN  ROAD AND ARRESTED THE  FEMALE DRIVER FOR POSSESSION  COCAINE--28  YEAR OLD TARRELL PEEPLES. THERE  WAS A  FAINT ODOR OF MARIJUANA  IN  THE  NISSAN VEHICLE SO IT  WAS  SEARCHED  AND  WHITE POWDER WAS FOUND.   TWO  JUVENILES WERE PASSENGERS AND  RELATIVES  WERE  CONTACTED TO TAKE CHARGE OF  THEM WHILE MS. PEEPLES WAS TRANSPORTED TO  THE  UPSON  COUNTY JAIL.  

A  FEMALE  WHO THOUGHT  SHE WAS  APPLYING  FOR  A JOB ON LINE  GOT  SCAMMED  FOR   $1465. IN THE APPLICATION  SHE  WAS DIRECTED TO  PURCHASE GIFT CARDS TO  SEND  TO HER  SUPPOSED NEW  BOSS  AND SHE  COMPLIED.

A BURGLARY  REPORT  AT MIMBS TAXI  SERVICE  120  WEST THOMPSON STREET WITH FORCED ENTRY.   

SPALDING CO WARMING STATIONS

 SPALDING COUNTY OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY:

PREPARE FOR WINTER WEATHER

With the winter months upon us, the need for winter weather preparations are imperative. To assist, Spalding County has announced that there are locations that will assist in being warming centers during regular operating hours EFFECTIVE MONDAY 1/6/25, including:

Flint River Regional Library

800 Memorial Drive

Hours: Monday and Thursday from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 9 am-6 pm

ON A DAY BY DAY BASIS AND EVALAUTION OF WEATHER CONDITIONS:

City Park Community Center

601 Camp Northern Road

EFFECTIVE MONDAY 1/6/25- SUNDAY 1/12/25, THE FOLLOWING OPERATING HOURS FOR CITY PARK DUE TO THE FORECASTED TEMPERATURES FOR THIS TIME PERIOD:

Beginning Monday 1/6/25 - opens at 10pm nightly through the next day and closes at 3pm

Warming center will close on Sunday 1/12/25 at 9am

This will be further evaluated, and additional openings will be advertised.

Please take advantage of these warming centers if you are feeling at risk. For more information, please contact Spalding County Office of Homeland Security / Emergency Management at 770-228-2129 or Spalding County Leisure Services at 770-467-4750

SPALDING CO/OFFICE HOMELAND SECURITY WINTER WEATHER UPDATE

 SPALDING COUNTY OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND GEORGIA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY PREPARE FOR WINTER WEATHER

Preparing for winter weather starts now for Spalding County residents. In partnership with the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency’s Ready Georgia campaign, both agencies are encouraging citizens to take time to prepare for possible inclement weather emergencies this winter. Beginning next week, we will begin to see some of the coldest weather so far this winter.

“Now is a great time for Spalding County residents and businesses to prepare for all potential winter hazards,” said Glenn Polk, Director, Spalding County Office of Homeland Security / Emergency Management. “Since winter weather can be unpredictable, we’re hopeful these plans, and education will encourage residents to prepare for severe winter weather.”

From protecting yourself and pets from winter weather to protecting our homes and vehicles, preparedness begins now to be ready for whatever winter brings our way. Ready.ga offers winter weather preparation tips, along with winter weather driving and safety tips. Please always be weather ready and ensure that you have all your notification systems ready for alerts. Civic Ready is a great resource for early notifications and is free to Spalding County residents. Residents can sign up and tailor your alert preferences at spaldingcounty.com.

Residents are encouraged to visit gema.georgia.gov/plan-prepare/ready-georgia for more information on winter weather preparedness tips or call the Spalding County Office of Homeland Security at 770-228-2129.

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As part of the Office of the Governor, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency collaborates with local, state and federal governments in partnership with private sector and non-governmental organizations to protect life and property against man-made and natural emergencies. GEMA/HS’s Ready Georgia website and preparedness campaign provides Georgians with the knowledge needed to effectively prepare for disasters. Go to gema.georgia.gov/plan-prepare/ready-georgia for information on developing a custom emergency plan and Ready kit.