IBARRA WAS FOUND GUILTY OF NURSING STUDENT DEATH AT UGA

 IN ATHENS,  JOSE IBARRA  WAS  FOUND  GUILTY  OF  MURDER  WEDNESDAY  FOR  THE  FEB. KILLING  OF  NURSING  STUDENT  LAKEN  RILEY  ON  THE UGA  CAMPUS.  THE  JUDGE DELIVERED THE  VERDICT   15  MINUTES  AFTER  CLOSING  ARGUMENTS.

THOMASTON COUNCIL MOVING FOWARD ON DT HOTEL

 THE  THOMASTON  CITY  COUNCIL  IS  MOVING  FOWARD   ON  A   90  ROOM   $20 MILLION  DOWNTOWN HOTEL PROJECT--AFTER   A   PUBLIC  HEARING   AT  TUESDAY'S   MEETING.  BUT   THE  PUBLIC  WAS  A  NO  SHOW.  CITY  MANAGER  RUSSELL  THOMPSON  SAID  DETAILS  NEED  TO  BE  FINALIZED  ON  THE  FRANCHISE  FEE  WITH  MARRIOTT  HOTELS   FOR  A  FAIRFIELD  INN  AND  SUITES.  ITS  A  POPULAR  BRAND  THERE'S  ONE  GOING  UP  IN  MADISON, GA.  ACROSS  FROM  THE  NEW  HOSPITAL.  

UPSON CO. PLANNING COMMISSION NOV. MEETING

 UPSON  COUNTY  PLANNING  DIRECTOR  DOUG  CURRIER  SAID  THE   PLANNING  COMMISSION    WILL  MOVE   INTO NEXT  YEAR   CONTINUING  PUBLIC  HEARINGS  ON  TEXT AMENDMENTS  TO  THE  ZONING  ORDIANCE  AND  THE  SUB  DIVISION  ORDIANCE .AT  THE NOVEMBER  MEETING--  THE  PLANNING  COMMISSION  ACKNOWLEDGED THE   BOC    TABLED   THE  CHANGES   AFTER  PUBLIC  BLOW-BACK  AND  THEIR  GROUP-THOUGHT WAS  DEAL  WITH  IT  IN   2025 --BUT  IN  THE MEANTIME  HELP  THE  PUBLIC  LEARN  THE  COMPLICATED   PROVISIONS  OF  THE  DOCUMENT.  THE  BOC  LIFTED  THE  MORATORIUM   ON  NEW  SUB DIVISIONS  AT  THE  SAME  TIME  THE  ZONING  ORDIANCE  CHANGES WERE  TABLED.  

THE PLANNING COMMISSION  TOOK  NO  STAND  ON  THE  CITY  OF  THOMASTON'S   ELIMINATION  OF    THE CITY-COUNTY  JOINT PLANNING  COMMISSION   IN  ITS  REVISED  ZONING  ORDIANCE .   IT  MEETS  FOR  RECOMMENDATIONS  ON  REZONINGS  OR  ANNEXATIONS  WITHIN   300  FEET  OF A  JURISDICTION.   IT  RARELY  MEETS  AND   THERE  HAVE  BEEN  COMPLAINTS  THE  JOINT  BODY  HAS A  HISTORY  OF  NO       QUORUMS  WHEN  ITS  NEEDED.  

SPALDING BOC DENIES REZONING FOR EVENT CENTER

 THE  SPALDING  COUNTY  BOARD OF  COMMISSIONERS  DENIED  A   REZONING  FOR  AN  EVENT  CENTER   AT 2160  ROCKY  CREEK ROAD  IN  NORTH  SPALDING  BY  A   4-1  VOTE,  MONDAY.  APPLICANT  IRIS  HERNANDEX  WANTED   REZONING  FOR    HER  30  ACRE  PROPERTY  BUT  NEIGHBORS  SPOKE  AGAINST  IT--CITING  TRAFFIC  AND NOISE CONCERNS.

COUNTY  MANAGER  STEVE  LEDBETTER  IS  A  FORMER  MAYOR  OF  WOODBURY  AND  SHERIFF  DARRELL  DIX  SAID WOODBURY  NEEDS    TWO  2014 DODGE  CHARGERS  WORTH  ABOUT   $5000  EACH--  FROM  THE  SO--  ONE  NEEDS $3500  WORK  ON  THE  ENGINE. COMMISSIONERS  AWARDED  THEM  TO  WOODBURY    AND  ALSO  APPROVED  9  NEW  DODGE  DURANGO  SUV  SHERIFF'S  PATROL  UNITS  FOR  SHERIFF  DIX.  THEY  WILL  BE  FINANCED  OVER  5  YEARS  THROUGH  A  GA.  ACCG  PLAN.

BRIGHTMARK DRAWS A CROWD FOR BREAKFAST AT THOMASTON HARDWARE

 BRIGHTMARK    CIRCULARITY  CENTER  LLC  CEO  BOB  POWELL  AND  STAFF  HELD  A   BREAKFAST    FOR  LOCALS  SATURDAY  AT  THOMASTON  HARDWARE      TO  CORRESPOND    WITH  THE  PUBLIC  ABOUT  THE PROPOSED  PLASTICS    PROJECT  PLANNED  AT  THE  BIZ-TECH  PARK  AT THE  AIRPORT. BOB  TOLD   101  NEWS  THE  PERMITTING PROCESS  INVOLVING  STATE  AND  FEDERAL  AGENCIES   IS  JUST  BEGINNING  AND  COULD  TAKE  SOME  TIME  BUT  HE IS  OPTIMISTIC   ABOUT   IT.  THE  THOMASTON-UPSON  IDA  HAS  INDICATED  SUPPORT  WITH  A  REVENUE  BOND OF  ALMOST  $1 BILLION   WITH   200  HIGH  PAYING JOBS  BUT  CHAIRMAN  CHASE  FALLIN  SAYS  THE  COMPANY  WILL  HAVE  ITS  OWN  FINANCING    AND  TAXPAYERS  WILL  NOT  BE  ON  THE HOOK  FOR    FUNDING   IN  ANY  WAY.  

LINEMAN DEATH IN GRIFFIN

 On November 13th 2024 Griffin Fire, Police, and Wellstar EMS were called to Spalding and Little Streets in reference to a tragic accident. Two Griffin Linemen who were actively working on a power project were injured as a result of an equipment failure. Sadly one of the linemen succumbed to his injuries on scene. The workers names are not being released at this time pending notification of family. At this time the street in the area of the incident is closed to through traffic. Please keep the Griffin Linemen and their families in your prayers at this time. Those currently without power will remain without power until further notice. Thank you for your understanding

UPSON BOC TABLES CHANGES TO ZONING ORD

 AFTER  HEARING  FROM  ABOUT  A  DOZEN  CITIZENS  OPPOSED  TO  BIG  CHANGES  TO  THE  ZONING  ORDIANCE  THE  UPSON  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS  VOTED  TO  TABLE  THE  CHANGES  AND  DROP  THE  MORATORIUM  ON  NEW  SUBDIVISIONS--AT  TUESDAY'S  MEETING

WRECK DT THOMASTON TUES.

 CITY  OF  THOMASTON  FIRE  DEPARTMENT  REPORTS  A  FEMALE  MOTORIST  WAS  TRANSPORTED  TO  THE E.R.  BY AMERI-PRO  EMS  AFTER A  TWO  VEHICLE  ACCIDENT  AT  MAIN  AND  CENTER  INTERSECTION--AROUND  2;30  TUESDAY  AFTERNOON.  THE    VEHICLES  INVOLVED--A    CAR  AND   A  VAN  BOTH    HAD  FRONT  END  DAMAGE

WEEKEND WRECK DOWNTOWN THOMASTON

 THREE  PERSONS  TRANSPORTED  TO  THE  E.R.  FOR  OBSERVATION  AFTER  A  DOWNTOWN  THOMASTON  WEEKEND  WRECK  ON   THE  SQUARE  AT  CHURCH  AND GORDON  INTERSECTION. THOMASTON  POLICE/FIRE/  AND  AMERI-PRO  EMS  RESPONDED.

THOMASTON CITY HALL HEARS HOTEL PROPOSAL

 ED  WALL  AN  INVESTMENT  BANKER  RETAINED  BY  CITY  HALL   AS  FINANCIAL  ADVISOR   FOR  THE   PROPOSED   $20 MILLION  DOWNTOWN  HOTEL PROJECT  WAS  JOINED  BY JEREMY  EMMETT OF  RED  HILL  HOSPITALITY  COMPANY  OF  THOMASVILLE   IN  AN  IN-DEPTH   PRESENTATION  ON  THE   HOTEL  PROJECT.  CITY  MANAGER  RUSSELL  THOMPSON  LATER  TOLD   101  NEWS  IT  APPEARS  TO  BE  A  VIABLE PROJECT  BUT   THE  MAYOR  AND  COUNCIL  WANTS  MORE  INFORMATION  BEFORE  MOVING  FOWARD. 

RED  HILL OPERATES  A  NUMBER  OF  HOTELS/MOTELS  IN  GA.  AND   THE SOUTHEAST  AND  WAS  CHOSEN  TO  BE  THE  FRANCHISEE  OF  THE  MARRIOTT   FAIRFIELD  INN/SUITES  IN  THOMASTON.  BECAUSE  OF  THEIR  GREAT  TRACK  RECORD  MARRIOTT  HAS  CUT  THEIR  FRANCHISE  FEE  FOR  THE  THOMASTON  PROPERTY  FROM   $75,000  TO  $37,500. 

TALBOT CO SHERIFF LOSES BY 13 VOTES/AMENDMENT ONE PASSES STATEWIDE

 TALBOT  COUNTY  SHERIFF  JAKE  JOHNSON  LOST  BY  13  VOTES  TO  BOBBY  GATES  JR.--JOHNSON  BEAT   HIS  FATHER  BOBBY  GATES  SENIOR  TO  WIN  THE  POST.

IN  TAYLOR  COUNTY  BUBBA  SAWYER  WAS  ELECTED  SHERIFF   WITH  62%  OF  THE  VOTE  OVER  TOMMY  FOWLER.  SHERIFF  JEFF  WATSON IS  RETIRING.

CRAWFORD  COUNTY  SHERIFF   LEWIS  WALKER  WON  BIG.

STATE  REPRESENTATIVE  BETH  CAMP  SAID  AMENDMENT  ONE  PASSED  WITH   62%  OF  THE  VOTE  IN  GA.--IT  WAS  BASED  ON HER  HOUSE  BILL  TO  ADDRESS  PROPERTY  TAX  BILLS.

BRUE ELECTED CHAIRMAN UPSON BOC

 REPUBLICAN  DAN  BREU  WON  THE  VOTE  FOR  UPSON  COUNTY  COMMISSION  CHAIRMAN  IN  TUESDAY'S  ELECTION  DEFEATING  DEMOCRAT  ED  SEARCY 65.41%  TO 34.59%--  BREU  WON  EVERY PRECINCT  EXCEPT  SALEM-- WITH A  TOTAL  TURNOUT  OF  13,710 VOTES--A  TURNOUT  OF  OVER  72%.  UPSON  COUNTY  APPROVED  CONSTITUTIONAL  AMENDMENT-ONE  BASED  ON  HOUSE  BILL  581, THE  SO-CALLED  FLOATING  TAX  ASSESSMENT AMENDMENT  62%  TO  37%.   AN  AMENDMENT  SUPPORTED  BY  STATE  REPRESENTIVE  BETH  CAMP  WHO  INTRODUCED  THE  BILL  AND  UPSON  TAX  COMMISSIONER  ANDY  CHASTAIN.   3RD DISTRICT  CONGRESS BRIAN  JACK  WON  OVER  DEMOCRAT  MAURA  KELLER  71%  TO  28% .  AMENDMENT  2   LOST  50 % TO  49  AND  QUESTION  A  WON 56%  TO  43%  IN  UPSON  COUNTY.

UPSON CO. OPEN HOUSES ON ZONING ORDIANCE CHANGES

 Thomaston, Georgia – November 4, 2024 – Following adoption of the Forward Upson Joint Comprehensive Plan in 2023, Upson County is now considering significant changes to the County’s Zoning Ordinance and to the Subdivision Ordinance. Two additional Open Housesfor the public will be held to answer questions about the proposed changes. The third Open House will be held Tuesday, November 12, 2024 from 4:30 pm to 5:45 pm, prior to the Board of Commissioners meeting, which includes a public hearing on the proposed amendments. The fourth Open House will be held Monday, November 18, 2024 from 3:30-5:30 prior to the Upson County Planning Commission meeting which also includes a continued public hearing on the amendments. Both Open Houses will be held in the R.E. Lee Building lobby and Room 140 of the Thomaston/Upson County City/County Government Complex, 106 E. Lee Street. County staff and the County’s planning consultant, WSP, will be available to talk about the changes and answer questions. Some of the amendments being considered include a major increase in the minimum lot size in the A-R zoning district, addition of a Rural Estate residential zoning district, lot width to length ratios and provision for conservation subdivisions. The public may request emailed copies of the draft changes. Copies are available for review in person at the Building and Zoning Department and the draft amendments are posted on Upson County’s website.

2025 BUDGET WORK SESSIONS THOMASTON CITY COUNTY/UPSON BOC

 THE  THOMASTON  MAYOR  AND  COUNCIL  WILL  HOLD  A  2025  BUDGET  WORK  SESSION TUESDAY  , NOV. 5,  5;30PM  IN  THE  CITY  MANAGERS  CONFERENCE  ROOM 2ND  FLOOR.   CHIEF FINANCIAL  OFFICER  LONNIE JOYCE  EXPLAINED  THE  FIRST  DRAFT  AT  LAST  WEEK'S  MEETING--A  BALANCED  BUDGET  WITH  NO  UTILITY INCREASES.

THE  UPSON  COUNTY  BOARD  OF  COMMISSIONERS    SECOND  WORK  SESSION  ON  THE  2025  BUDGET  WILL  BE  WEDNESDAY  , NOV.  6,  1PM  AT  THE  CITY-COUNTY  MEETING  ROOM. THE  FIRST  DRAFT  HAD  A  SLIGHT  TAX  MILLAGE  INCREASE    PROJECTION   BASED  ON  AUTO  INSURANCE  RATES  GOING  UP. 

NEWS FROM THOMASTON-UPSON SCHOOLS

 

1. English Chosen to State School Superintendent's Student Advisory Council

Landry English, a senior at Upson-Lee High School, has been selected to serve on State School Superintendent Richard Woods' 2024-2025 Student Advisory Council. Landry and 73 other students from across the state were chosen from 1,550 applicants. Throughout the 2024-25 school year, these 74 students will meet with Superintendent Woods to provide feedback on the impact of state policies in the classroom, discuss education-related issues, serve as the Superintendent’s ambassadors to their respective schools, and participate in service projects to benefit schools and students.

“I am thrilled to welcome this new group of students to our 2024-2025 Student Advisory Council," Superintendent Woods said. "These young leaders represent the future of Georgia, and their voices are crucial as we continue to shape the direction of education in our state. I look forward to hearing their ideas, insights, and perspectives as we work together to ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed."

Each year, Georgia public school students in grades 10-12 may apply for the State School Superintendent's Student Advisory Council. The application is accompanied by an essay, allowing students to share their ideas for public education. The first 2024-2025 Student Advisory Council meeting will be held in November at the Georgia Department of Education’s offices.

Pictured l-r: Landry English and ULHS Principal Mr. Ricky English

2. Flier attached with info about the groundbreaking for the ULMS Baseball & Softball Complex on Tuesday, Nov. 5, at 2 PM. Public is invited. 
3. TU School Nutrition Receives GA Farm To School Award
   
   

   The Georgia Department of Education in collaboration with the Georgia Department of Agriculture, University of Georgia Extension, and Georgia Department of Public Health presented the Georgia Farm to School Awards for the 2023-2024 school year at the Georgia School Nutrition Directors Conference held in Athens on October 23, 2024. The GA Farm to School Award recognizes school nutrition programs for featuring locally grown items in school meals, doing farm to school promotions and marketing throughout their school environments, having edible gardens in their schools, and having farm to school language adopted in policies or procedures. Congratulations to the Thomaston-Upson School Nutrition Program for being a recipient of this award.
   Photo attached: Pictured Left to Right: LaToya Osmani, WIC Director, Georgia Department of Public Health; Richard Woods, Georgia State School Superintendent; Dr. Cristina Cunningham, Thomaston-Upson Schools Director of School Nutrition; Dr. Linette Dodson, Georgia State School Nutrition Director; Dr. Fred Rayfield, Farm to School Director, Georgia Department of Agriculture

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UPSON CO COMMISSIONERS FIRST 2025 BUDGET WORK SESSION

 THE  UPSON  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS  HELD  THEIR  FIRST  2025  BUDGET  WORK  SESSION  LAST  WEDNESDAY  AND SHERIFF  DAN  KILGORE  WAS  THE  ONLY  CONSTITUTIONAL  OFFICER  TO  APPEAR.  THE  OTHERS  WILL  APPEAR  IN  A  COUPLE OF  WEEKS  IN  BUDGET  WORK  SESSIONS.  DURING  PUBLIC  HEARINGS  ON  A  TAX  MILLAGE  INCREASE  THE  COMMISSIONERS  URGED  THE  COMPLAINING  PUBLIC  TO  ATTEND  BUDGET  WORK  SESSIONS--  WHEN  ANNUAL  FINANCIAL  DECISONS  ARE  MADE--BUT NONE  WERE  PRESENT  EXCEPT  ED  SEARCY  AND  DAN  BREU  ,  THE  TWO  CANDIDATES  FOR  COMMISSION  CHAIRMAN. 

COUNTY  MANAGER  JASON  TINSLEY  SAID  AUTO  INSURANCE  RATES  ARE  THE  MAIN  DRIVER  OF  A  BUDGET  INCREASE  OF  JUST  UNDER  ONE  MILL,  BUT  THE  BOARD HAS JUST  STARTED  THE  BUDGET  PROCESS  AND  ARE  AIMING  TO  TRIM  IT   DOWNWARD.