TOWN HALL FROM UPSON CO TAX COMMISSIONER ANDY CHASTAIN

  Two town hall meetings have been scheduled in April to inform and discuss with taxpayers what can be expected for this year’s property tax valuations due to House Bill 581 and the effects of local governing bodies opting in or opting out. We’ll also be discussing changes in tax assessment notices that are due to come out in a few weeks, state legislation that will affect local property taxes should it pass this year, the Floating Local Option Sales Tax (FLOST) that can be used to offset property taxes should citizens vote for approval of that measure, school taxes, and there will also be a question/answer session. In order to be more informed and to better understand these important tax issues, all citizens are encouraged to attend one of these meetings.

The first meeting will be at Fellowship Bapt. Church in their fellowship hall on April 17th at 6:30 pm and the second meeting will be at Thurston Volunteer Fire Dept meeting hall on April 24th at 6:30 pm.

IN THE PIPELINE/DAVE IN PARIS NEXT TO GENE HACKMAN

 YES, PARIS--THE CITY OF  LIGHTS/ON  THE  ROAD  WITH  RUSS  JUST  AFTER  LADY   DIANA  WAS KILLED.  I  QUIZZED  THE  FEMALE  CLERK  AT  THE JEWELRY  STORE  NEXT  TO  THE HOTEL  WHERE DODI BOUGHT  HER  THE  RING--BUT  SHE  WOULD NOT  ADMIT  SHE  WAS THE  ONE  WHO  SOLD  IT  TO  HIM. LODGING  AT THE  HISTORIC  TIMHOTEL.  HISTORIC  BECAUSE  THERE  WAS  STILL   WW II   SHRAPNEL LODGED  IN  THE  LOBBY  WALLS.

FRANCE , THE  CULINARY  CAPITAL  OF  THE  GLOBE--SO  WHY   WAS  THE  WORST MEAL I  EVER   HAD  WAS  IN  FRANCE? ON  THE MENU FOR  THE  DINNER  CRUISE  ON  THE SEINE  WAS  GOOSE  GIZZARD ABOUT  $150  A  POP. DIDN'T ORDER  IT.

YEAH,  THAT  GUY  STANDING  NEXT  TO  ME  IN  THE PARIS  ART  MUSEUM  WAS  THE  ACTOR  GENE HACKMAN  WITH  HIS  WIFE. DIDN'T  SPEAK  TO  HIM  ALTHOUGH I  LONGED  TO   YELL OUT   HIS  GREAT  LINE  IN  THE  MOVIE "THE FRENCH  CONNECTION".  AS  NYC  NARCOTICS   COP  POPEYE  DOYLE HE  WALKS INTO  A  DRUGGIE  BAR  AND  STARTS ACCUSING  THE PATRONS  OF   PICKING  THEIR  FEET  IN  POUGHKEEPSIE. THAT'S  HOW  THEY  HIDE  THEIR   SHOOT-UP  DRUG  MARKS  ON  THEIR  ARMS  BY  SHOOTING-UP  BETWEEN  THEIR  TOES. HE  ROUGH-HOUSES  THE  GUYS  IN  THE  BAR  AS  THEY  DROP  ALL  THEIR STASHES  ON  THE  FLOOR.  THAT  FLICK  HAS  ONE  OF  THE  ALL  TIME  GREAT  CHASE  SCENES  AS   POPEYE  CHASES  DOWN  A  BAD  DUDE ON  THE  SUBWAY AND  PUTS   HIM  AWAY.  ANOTHER  GREAT  ROLE  FOR  HACKMAN  WAS   LITTLE  BILL   IN THE  CLINT  EASTWOOD  MOVIE  "  UNFORGIVEN."  CLINT   TAKES  CARE  OF  HIM,TOO.

I  PREVIOUSLY  NOTED  I  HAD  A  FRIENDLY  EXCHANGE  WITH  YOKO ONO  ON  THE  STREETS OF PARIS, SO  THAT  WAS  TWO  CELEB ENCOUNTERS  IN  ONE  TRIP.  THIS  BREAKING  STORY  JUST IN.  THE  LIZARD KING  FRONTMAN   OF  THE  DOORS,  JIM  MORRISON IS  BURIED  IN  A  PARIS  CEMETERY--WE  THOUGHT -- WHEN  WE  VISITED  THE  GRAVESITE.   A   REPORT  JUST  BROKE  THAT  MORRISON  FAKED  HIS  DEATH  AND  HAS  BEEN  LIVING  IN  WISCONSIN  WORKING  AS  A  SCHOOL  JANITOR FOR  DECADES.

SCTC CAREER FAIR 4/16/25

 Southern Crescent Technical College will be hosting a Career Fair on Wednesday, April 16 and SCTC alumni, students and the community are invited!  Over 40 employers will be attending including Piedmont Fayette Hospital, Atlanta Gas Light, Dart Container Corporation, Delta Airlines, Upson Regional Medical Center, and Thomaston Police Department.  The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office will also be on hand as part of the Georgia Governor’s Highway Safety Community Event promoting exciting career opportunities and advocating for driver safety and seatbelt use.  Bring your resume, dress for success, and be ready to interview at this exciting event.  See you at the Southern Crescent Technical College Career Fair on April 16 at our Griffin Campus at 501 Varsity Road from 11am to 2pm!

THOMASTON-UPSON IDA MEETING 3/24/25

 THE  CHAIRMAN  OF  THE  THOMASTON-UPSON  INDUSTRIAL  AUTHORITY  CHASE  FALLIN   TOLD  MARK  WOODALL  OF  THE SIERRA  CLUB AT MONDAY'S  MARCH  MEETING,  THE  IDA  DOES  NOT  PROVIDE  A  PUBLIC  COMMENT SECTION ON  ITS  AGENDA--BUT   THE  PUBLIC  IS    WELCOME  TO  CONTACT  MEMBERS  TO  SHARE   THEIR    VIEWS.  WOODALL  WHO  HAS  ATTENDED   PREVIOUS  IDA  MEETINGS  WITH  CONCERNS   ABOUT  THE  BRIGHTMARK  PLASTIC  RECYCLING PROJECT--HE  OPPOSES -- WAS  JOINED  BY  MIKE  GREENMAN  OF  THE  ROCK  WHO   WAS  GIVEN  CONTACT  INFO  OF  THE  IDA MEMBERS.

COUNTY  COMMISSION  CHAIRMAN  DAN  BREU  TOOK  ISSUE  WITH  A  PROPOSAL  FOR  A  POSSIBLE  OUT  OF  TOWN  RETREAT WITH A  CONSULTANT/FACILITOR POSSIBLY  IN  SAVANNAH.  THE  CHAIRMAN  SAID  IT  NEEDS  TO   STAY   IN  THOMASTON  SO  THE  PUBLIC  CAN  SEE  WHAT  THE  IDA IS  DOING.  BREU  ALSO  SUGGESTED  POLLING  CITIZENS  ON  WHAT  TYPE  INDUSTRY  THEY  WANT  THE  DEVELOPMENT  AUTHORITY  TO  PURSUE.

THE  IDA  HAS  CLOSED ON  10.629 ACRES OF  EXCESS PROPERTY  FROM  GOLDEN  STAR  IN  THE  BIZ/TECH  PARK  AT  THE AIRPORT.  THE  PURCHASE TOTAL WAS  $90,346  AND  INCREASES ACREAGE  IN  THE  EASTERN  SIDE OF  THE PARK  TO  33-PLUS  ACRES.

ON  MARCH  18TH EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR  SLADE GULLEDGE  CELEBRATED  ONE  YEAR  WITH  THE  IDA  AND  TOLD  THE  BOARD YOU  ARE  ALL SUCH  A  CRITICAL PART OF  THIS  WORK  AND THANKED  THE  MEMBERS  FOR  ENTRUSTING HIM  WITH   THIS  ROLE.

AGENDA UPSON BOC 3/25/25

UPSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Regular Commission Meeting March 25 . CALL TO ORDER Chairman Dan Brue II.  APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA V. PUBLIC HEARING Special Exception - The SPX2025-01 owners and applicants, Jason & Walt Patterson of Upson County, Georgia, have requested that Upson County permit a family cemetery at 957 Jugtown Road. The cemetery use is listed under the Special Exceptions section of the A-R zoning district, Section 504.B..15, Upson County Zoning Ordinance. The property is zoned A-R with 112.5-acres, with a proposed cemetery area of 200 ft x 200 ft (.9 acres) and is further identified as tax parcel 053 001. Public Hearing for a Beer and Wine Package Sales License. An application is on file in the Commission Office from Karim Dodhia on the behalf of “Morning Group LLC/dba Sunnyside Country Store” located at 3108 Crest Highway, Thomaston, GA 30286. VI. PUBLIC COMMENTS - Speakers must state their names and address, and must direct all comments to the Board Chair. Any questions must be put in writing and submitted to the Clerk or the Commissioner over your jurisdiction VII. CONSENT AGENDA a. Approval of the, March 11, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes Upson County is committed to providing equal access to all of its programs, services and activities regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, disability or age. Any individual who needs an accommodation because of disability should contact the Board of Commissioners Office at (706) 647-7012 by 12:00 p.m. the day before the meeting. VIII. NEW BUSINESS b. Discussion and Consideration on increasing the number of board members for the Board of Assessors c. Discussion and Consideration of Resolution13.2025 Requesting a Performance Review of the Upson County Board of Tax Assessors Pursuant to OCGA § 48-5- 295.1 d. County Manager, Commissioners, and County Attorney Comments

SPALDING CO COMMISSIONERS VOTE 3-2 TO APPROVE A HUGE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

 SPALDING  COUNTY  LIKE  UPSON  COUNTY   SEEMS  TO  BE    HAVING  SOME  GROWING  PAINS   FOR  NEW  HOUSING.  .FOLLOWING  MONTHS  OF DISCUSSIONS  AND  PUBLIC HEARINGS, THE  REZONING FOR  THE  NORTH  TOW-WA-LAGA VILLAGE NODE, A   HUGE 563-ACRE   MASTER PLAN OF  NEW HOUSING  ON HIGHWAY 155/NORTH MCDONOUGH  ROAD  WAS APPROVED  BY  THE   SPALDING  COUNTY   COMMISSIONERS   BY  A  3-2  VOTE   AT A  CALLED  MEETING  MARCH  19TH.  THE  APPLICANT  WAS  THE FAMILY  OF  FORMER  COUNTY  MANAGER  WILLIAM  WILSON--THE  WILSON  FAMILY  FARM  TARGETED  FOR   BY  DEVELOPMENT BY MINERVA  HOMES  WITH    1137 SINGLE  FAMILY DETACHED CLUSTER  HOMES, MANY  DESIGNED FOR  SENIORS  , A  250-UNIT SENIOR   LIVING  FACILITY  AND   10  ACRES OF  COMMERCIAL PROPERTY.

OVER  20  SPALDING  COUNTY  RESIDENTS  SPOKE  AT  PUBLIC  HEARINGS--MOST  OPPOSED CLAIMING  IT  DOES NOT  MATCH  THE  RURAL NATURE OF  THAT PART  OF THE  COUNTY  ,  THE PRIVATE WASTE WATER FACILITY  AT  SUN CITY PEACHTREE  MAY  NOT  BE  ABLE TO HANDLE  THE LOAD  AND   THE  TRAFFIC  GENERATED  WILL BE  EXCESSIVE.

COMMISSIONERS DUTTON  AND   BOWLDEN  WERE   OPPOSED--DUTTON  SAID  HE  COULD  NOT  SUPPORT  IT  UNTIL  ZONING  ORDIANCES  WERE  UPDATED--SOMETHING  THE  UPSON COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS  ARE  WORKING  ON--RECENTLY ESTABLISHING   A 100-DAY  MORATORIUM ON  SUBDIVISION  PLATS  AND  FLAG LOTS  IN  THE COUNTY.

THE  SPALDING  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS  WENT  ON  TO  PLACE  A   90  DAY  MORATORIUM  ON  THE  DEVELOPMENT OF FUTURE  VILLAGE  NODES  WITH  A  UNANIMOUS  VOTE. 

MORE  ON  THE  GRIFFIN  DAILY  NEWS  WEBSITE

DICKEY, CAMP, KENNEDY VOTE FOR GOV'S TORT REFORM BILL

 STATE  HOUSE   REPRESENTATIVE  FOR  UPSON/LAMAR/CRAWFORD  COUNTIES   ROBERT  DICKEY  TOLD   101  NEWS  HE  CAST  A  YES  VOTE  FOR  GOVERNOR  BRIAN KEMP'S  TORT  REFORM  BILL   AND  TOLD  US   THE  LEGISLATURE   PLANS  TO   CONTINUE  TO  WORK  TO  LOWER  INSURANCE  COSTS  FOR  GEORGIA  BUSINESSES.  THE  BILL  PASSED  THE  GA. SENATE-ALSO  AND  AWAITS  THE  SIGNATURE OF  GOVERNOR  BRIAN  KEMP.  STATE  HOUSE MEMBER  BETH CAMP  ALS0 TOLD  US   SHE    VOTED  FOR THE  BILL  .  UNDER  REDISTRICTING  CAMP  NO  LONGER  REPRESENTS  UPSON COUNTY BUT HER  DISTRICT  INCLUDES  ALL  OF  PIKE COUNTY  AND PORTIONS  OF SPALDING  AND  LAMAR  COUNTIES.  STATE  SENATE   PRO TEM  JOHN  KENNEDY WHO  REPRESENTS  UPSON/MONROE/BIBB  PUSHED  THE  BILL  THROUGH  THE  SENATE  FOR  THE GOVERNOR.

LEGISLATORS  SAY  THE  BILL  NOT  ONLY HELPS  WITH  EXCESSIVE LAWSUITS  BUT  ALSO  LOWERS  INSURANCE  RATES--ALTHOUGH  DEMOCRATS  SAY  A  SIMILAR  BILL  IN  FLORIDA  DID NOT .

HENRY CO RAPPER PLEADS GUILTY FOR POSSESSING MACHINEGUN AT HOSPITAL

 Henry County Resident Pleads Guilty to Possessing Machinegun at Hospital

Defendant, a Rap Musician Known as Quez 2RR, Had Stolen Weapon in Labor and Delivery; Federal Case Linked to Ongoing Metro Atlanta Shooting Investigation

 

MACON, Ga. – A Henry County man who had a stolen Glock 9mm handgun with a loaded 30-round extended magazine capable of converting to a fully automatic weapon while at the Labor and Delivery unit of a hospital has pleaded guilty to possessing a machinegun.

 

Terrell Monquez Searcy, 21, of McDonough, Georgia, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a machinegun before U.S. District Judge Tilman E. “Tripp” Self on March 20. Sentencing is scheduled for June 4, 2025, in Athens. There is no parole in the federal system.

 

“All those found in possession of machineguns and with illegal conversion devices in the Middle District of Georgia will be held accountable for breaking federal law,” said Acting U.S. Attorney C. Shanelle Booker. “This case exemplifies how law enforcement effectively engages to remove illegal firearms from the streets and hold criminals accountable as we work together to make our communities safer.”

 

“Machinegun conversion devices enable a conventional semi-automatic pistol to function as a fully automatic firearm which is illegal,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka. “Anyone possessing these illegal machinegun conversion devices will be facing felony charges.  ATF will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to keep them off our streets.”

 

According to court documents, the stipulation of facts and other statements made in Court, Monroe Police Department officers were dispatched to Piedmont Walton Hospital on Aug. 17, 2023, after a nurse observed Searcy in a Labor and Delivery room with a handgun, which is prohibited in the hospital. When hospital security came to the room, Searcy admitted he did have a handgun and that he put it under the couch cushion. He gave the firearm—a Glock Model 17 9mm handgun with a loaded 30-round extended magazine—to security and remained in the room. Hospital security noticed that a full auto sear pin appeared to have been attached to the rear of the slide, making the firearm a machinegun, prompting the call by hospital security to police. Police ran the serial number on the firearm and found out it was reported stolen from Walton County, Georgia. Searcy was taken into custody.

 

ATF agents tested the firearm and confirmed it did function as a machinegun. Further investigation revealed that Searcy, a rapper known as Quez 2RR, had showcased a pistol with what appeared to be a machinegun conversion device in music videos on a YouTube channel. In a music video titled “Traffic,” Searcy rapped, “I pop out a switch on the back of my Glock” and “I put a switch on the back of my Glock, just to clean up the street when it’s time for that action.” At one point in the video, Searcy’s holding a pistol in his waistband with what appears to be a machinegun conversion device attached to the back.

 

Following the federal indictment charging Searcy with possessing a machine gun in August 2024, agents located Instagram messages between Searcy and a female law enforcement officer with the Clayton County Police Department. Between January and March 2023, Searcy asked the police officer to run his information to see if there were any warrants for his arrest. The police officer also provided information to Searcy regarding an active homicide investigation. During an interview with Clayton County Police Department detectives, the officer admitted to providing Searcy with information on an active homicide investigation and advising Searcy when she located active warrants for his arrest.

 

On Feb. 11, 2025, members of the ATF, McDonough Police Department and Henry County Sheriff’s Office executed a federal search warrant at Searcy’s residence in McDonough, Georgia. Searcy and two other men were in the home along with several firearms. The defendant told agents that he had been living at the residence for a couple of months, that he slept with a Draco firearm under his bed and that the Glock 17 found in the living room belonged to him. ATF agents submitted test fires from both firearms to the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) to determine if either firearm had been used in other crimes. The Micro Draco recovered from Searcy’s bedroom returned with several NIBIN leads, including two from the DeKalb County Police Department. Both DeKalb County incidents indicated that the Micro Draco was used in a drive-by shooting in DeKalb County where four people, including two juveniles, were shot inside their homes. Each shooting occurred within just days of Searcy receiving information from the Clayton County police officer on the active Clayton County homicide where his friend was shot and killed.

 

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case, with assistance from the City of Monroe Police Department, Clayton County Police Department, McDonough Police Department, Henry County Sheriff’s Office, the Dekalb County Police Department and the Piedmont Walton Hospital Security Department.

 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Peach is prosecuting the case for the Government.

 

 

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G-DOT BLOOD DRIVE, THOMASTON

 The American Red Cross will be holding a blood drive in Auditorium C at the District Three Thomaston Office on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, from 10:00am – 2:00pm. Please see below for more information.

 

Schedule you blood donation appointment today!

CITIZEN SCIENTISTS WANTED BY FLINT RIVERKEEPER

 

Citizen Scientists are crucial to the success of Flint Riverkeeper and we need YOU! The 1-day training is free and provided by Flint Riverkeeper, as well as all needed equipment. Our citizen scientists monitor the health of the watershed in their neighborhood at least 1 day per month and report their data. It is a great activity for families or anyone who enjoys science! The watershed is large and our staff can't be everywhere at once. The data you collect will let us know if there's a problem needing our attention. Many of our major water victories were built on the data collected by volunteers like you! FRk's Watershed Specialist RJ Gipaya is hosting a free training March 29th at the Flint Riverkeeper office in Albany, GA. For more information, or to sign up, contact RJ at robert@flintriverkeeper.org

U-L HIGH THEATRE PRESENTS

 Upson-Lee High School theatre presents "The SpongeBob Musical" April 17th and 18th at 6:30 PM and April 19th at 2 PM at the Upson-Lee Fine Arts Center. Tickets may be purchased at the door. Adults: $10 and students $5. Children 5 years and younger and Thomaston-Upson School System employees (with ID) are free.  

Synopsis: When the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover that a volcano will soon erupt and destroy their humble home, SpongeBob and his friends must come together to save the fate of their undersea world. With lives hanging in the balance and all hope lost, a most unexpected hero rises up. The power of optimism really can save the world! "The SpongeBob Musical" is based on the animated series created by Stephen Hillenburg.

BRIGHTMARK FULL SPEED AHEAD ON THOMASTON PLANT

 BRIGHTMARK,   PLANNING    TO  LOCATE   A  BILLION  DOLLAR  PLASTICS  RECYCLING   PLANT   AT   THE  BIZ/PARK  AT  THE THOMASTON-UPSON    AIRPORT HAS  FILED  FOR  BANKRUPTCY AT  ITS  INDUSTRY  IN   ASHLEY,  INDIANA  BUT  FOUNDER AND  CEO  BOB POWELL  IT WILL  NOT  IMPACT  PLANS  FOR  THE  THOMASTON  PLANT. POWELL SAID  THE  FILING  WILL  ALLOW  THE  COMPANY  TO TAKE  CONTROL OF  THE  FUTURE.  IN  A  STATEMENT  ON THE  BRIGHTMARK  WEBSITE, POWELL  SAID "THIS  STRATEGIC  MOVE  IS  DESIGNED  TO  ENSURE THE  LONG-TERM VIABILITY  OF  THE  ASHLEY  FACILITY  AND  ENABLES  US TO GROW  OUR BUSINESS SUSTAINABLY. WE  ARE  EXCITED ABOUT  THE FUTURE  OF  OUR PLASTICS  BUSINESS AND  OUR  COMMITMENT  TO  IT AND  THE  ASHLEY COMMUNITY  IS UNWAVERING."

POWELL  WENT  ON  TO  SAY BRIGHTMARK CONTINUES TO MAKE  PROGRESS ON  THE  DEVELOPMENT OF  THE  RECYCLING FACILITY  IN  THOMASTON, AND  BLOOMBERG  NEWS  REPORTED BRIGHTMARK HAS  HIRED SSG ADVISORS,LLC,  TO SELL  THE  INDIANA  PLANT.

THOMASTON CITY COUNCIL 2ND PUBLIC HEARING ON 3-REZONING APPS

 HISTORICAL  THOMASTON  ACTIVIST  JANE  BURDETTE   TESTIFIED  LAST  TUESDAY   AT  THE  2ND     PUBLIC  HEARING ON  A  REZONING   FOR    33  ACRES  OF  THE  CHARLIE  DANIEL PROPERTY  AT  NORTH  CHURCH/WEST  MAIN/NOTTINGHAM  FOR   80  TO  100  NEW  HOUSES  ON  CONCRETE  SLABS.  SHE  TOLD COUNCIL  SHE  IS  NEITHER   FOR  OR  AGAINST  THE  REZONING--BUT   THE  WOODSTOCK,GA.  COMPANY ENLISTED   AS  BULDER HAS  MENTIONED  THEY  WANT  A   NEIGHBORHOOD   LIKE   SILVERTOWN.  MS. BURKETTE   COMMENDED     THE  WORKMANSHIP  OF  SILVERTOWN HOUSES  AND  URGED  SMITH-DOUGLAS-HOMES  TO  USE    CONSTRUCTION     WITH  SOLID  FOUNDATIONS  NOT  SLABS.

 

 MS. BURDETTE  ALSO  TESTIFIED  IN FAVOR  OF  A  NEW  APARTMENT  DEVELOPMENT  ON  74  EAST--A  REVISION  PLAN  FROM  A  CAIRO,GA  COMPANY  THAT  EARLIER  BACKED-OUT  ON   144-APARTMENTS  AS  NOT  FINANCIALLY  FEASIBLE WITH  REQUIREMENT  AS  A  GATED  COMMUNITY. THE  THOMASTON   ZONING  COMMISSION  RECOMMENDED  THE  CITY  COUNCIL  REVIEW  THE  NEW  PROPOSAL--  AND  CONSIDER  DROPPING   SOME  CONDITIONS--NOTING  THE  DIRE  NEED  FOR  MORE  HOUSING OPTIONS IN  THE  COMMUNITY. 

 

 THE  THOMASTON  CITY  COUNCIL  WILL   VOTE  ON  THREE  REZONINGS  AT  THE NEXT  REGULAR  MEETING.   INCLUDING    A  BIG  TIME  RE-DO OF  A  BUILDING  AT 615 WEST MAIN  STREET -- A  ONE-TIME   ASSISTED   LIVING   FACILITY         INTO   4 APARTMENTS  PROPOSED  BY  CASEY  GRAHAM. A  NEIGHBOR  SUPPORTED  THE  IDEA.

THOMASTON ZONING COMMISSION RECOMMENDS TO CITY COUNCIL

 THE  THOMASTON  ZONING  COMMISSION  SPENT  MOST OF  MONDAY  AFTERNOON  ON  PUBLIC  HEARINGS  FOR  THREE REZONING  REQUESTS  THAT   ALL INVOLVED  HOUSING--AND  TWO WERE APPROVED  BY  UNANIMOUS  VOTE.  A   3RD  WHERE  A  CAIRO,GA  COMPANY  HAD PROPOSED A  144-UNIT  APARTMENT  COMPLEX   ON  74  EAST   WAS  SENT  TO THE  MAYOR  AND COUNCIL  ASKING  THEM  TO  TAKE  ANOTHER   LOOK  AT  A  NEW  PROPOSED  DEVELOPMENT  CALLED  WINDSOR  THOMASTON --  ABOUT   80-  MOSTLY  ONE-BEDROOM  APARTMENTS.  THE  COMPANY  SAID  THEIR ORIGINIAL  PLANS  DID NOT  WORK  FINANCIALLY- AFTER  TOPGRAPHY  ISSUES  WERE  EXPLORED -A  GATED  COMMUNITY WITH  AMEMITIES  THAT  THE  FIRM  USUALLY DOES NOT  HAVE  IN THEIR 600  UNITS  AROUND  THE  STATE. THE CITY OF  THOMASTON  BUILDING  DEPARTMENT  OPPOSED  THE  PROJECT.  BETH  TRICE  TESTIFIED  SHE  IS  OPPOSED  TO  THE  DEVELOPMENT  BECAUSE  THERE'S  TOO  MANY  APARTMENTS  IN  THAT  SECTION  OF  THE  COMMUNITY--CLOSE  TO  THE  SCHOOLS  COMPLEX AND  APARTMENTS  USUALLY  COME  WITH   A  HIGHTER  CRIME  RATE.

THE  ZONING  COMMISSION  VOTED  TO  RECOMMEND  TO CITY  COUNCIL  REZONING  FROM   M-1 LIGHT  MANUFACTURING  TO PD PLANNED  DEVELOPMENT  ON    33.5  ACRES  OWNED  BY  BUSINESSMAN  CHARLIE  DANIEL  THE   FORMER  ELLIOT  PROPERTY  AT  NORTH  CHURCH,  WEST  MAIN, EAST  WALKER ,  CURRENTLY  UNDER  CONTRACT  BY SMITH  DOUGLAS  HOMES OF  WOODSTOCK, GA.  USING   A  DCA GRANT  OF  $2.5  MILLION TO  BUILD  100  HOMES  IN  THE  RANGE OF $170  TO  $250,000. COMPANY  SPOKESMAN  SAID  THEY  PROPOSE SINGLE-FAMILY HOME  OWNERSHIP  WITH NO RENTALS,  AFFORDABLE  HOUSING  THAT IS  IN SHORT  SUPPLY  IN  THOMASTON.

THE  ZONING  COMMISSION  VOTED TO  RECOMMEND TO  CITY  COUNCIL  A  REZONING AT  615 WEST MAIN  STREET  FROM  P-1  PROFESSIONAL  TO   M-R  MULTI-FAMILY  REQUESTED  BY CASEY  GRAHAM WHO  RELOCATED  TO  THOMASTON  FROM NORTH  CAROLINA  AND  FOUND   NUMEROUS OPPORTUNTIES  TO  RE-DO  DELAPIDATED  HOUSING  INTO  WHOLESOME  APARTMENTS. HE PLANS  TO  SPEND UP  TO  $160,00  TO  DEVELOP   4  APARTMENT  UNITS FOR  ELDERLY  AND    COUPLES  LOOKING  TO  DOWNSIZE  AND  TESTIFIED  THERE  WAS  SO  MUCH  INTEREST  IN  HIS PROJECT PROSPECTIVE  TENANTS  HAVE  BEEN  TRYING  TO  OUTBID  EACH OTHER  FOR OCCUPANCY IN  WHAT  WAS ONCE  AN  ASSISTED LIVING  FACILITY. HE HAS  SEVERAL  HOUSING  REDEVELOPMENT  PROJECTS  UNDERWAY.  THE CITY  OF  THOMASTON  BUILDING OFFICER RECOMMENDED  BOTH  THE  DANIEL  PROPERTY  AND  GRAHAM  REZONING. 

PIT BULL ATTACK IN THOMASTON

 THOMASTON POLICE  CHIEF MIKE  RICHARDSON  TOLD   101  NEWS  A   10-YEAR  OLD  JUVENILE MALE  WAS  AIRFLIGHTED  TO  AN  OUT  OF  TOWN  TRAUMA  CENTER  LATE  FRIDAY  AFTERNOON  AFTER HE  WAS  ATTACKED  BY  A  PIT BULL  CANINE  AT  102 B. STREET. CHIEF  RICHARDSON  SAID  THE  CHILD  HIT  THE  DOG  WITH  A  STICK  AFTER   THE  DOG    CHEWED  UP  A  TOY AND  THE  DOG  JUMPED  ON HIM  ,  BIT  HIS  EAR  OFF  AND  WOUNDED HIS NECK. THE  BOY'S  MOTHER  BRITTANY KELLY  TRIED TO  PULL  THE  PIT  OFF  HER  SON  AND  SHE  WAS  INJURED WHEN  THE DOG  TURNED  ON  HER  AND  A  FRIEND  ANDREW  HAND                                                     CAME  TO  THE  MOTHER'S  RESCUE  AND  MANAGED TO  SEPERATE  THE  PIT  BULL  FROM THE  TWO.

A LANDING  ZONE  FOR A   MEDI-VAC  CHOPPER   WAS  SET UP  IN  THE FIELD  NEXT  TO  WEST  CENTRAL GA. BANK ON  NORTH CHURCH  AND  THE  BOY  WAS  TRANSPORTED  TO  THE  ARTHUR  BLANK CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF  ATLANTA.  ANIMAL  CONTROL  PLACED  THE  DOG  IN  QUARANTINE AND  THE  MOTHER  REFUSED  TRANSFER  TO  THE  E.R. SO  SHE  COULD  TRAVEL  WITH  HER  SON  TO  ATLANTA

UPSON COUNTY TAX COMMISSIONER TAX LIENS

  Tax liens will be recorded on April 1st this year for any unpaid 2024 property taxes. Delinquent taxpayers are encouraged to come in and settle your account in order to prevent a tax lien against your property. Payments can also be made online by going to Upson County website - Office of Tax Commissioner - Quick Links, or by phone.