— The Pike County Board of Elections and Registration announces that the Advance Voting location has been relocated from the Board of Elections Office to the J. Joel Edwards Public Library, located at 7077 Highway 19 South, Zebulon, Georgia. This relocation is intended to provide voters with a more accessible and accommodating facility, including improved parking and increased space to better serve the public during the Advance Voting period. All Advance Voting dates and hours will remain the same. Voters who typically vote early at the Board of Elections Office should report to the new location at the J. Joel Public Library. Voters are encouraged to plan accordingly and allow extra time if needed to familiarize themselves with the new location. Clear signage will be posted to assist voters. For additional information regarding Advance Voting, including dates, times, and sample ballots, please contact the Pike County Board of Elections and Registration at 770.567.2003 or visit https://govotepikecoga.wixsite.com/mysite.
South Metro's News Leader
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Monday, April 6, 2026
THOMASTON'S TASTY SHOP BEING SOLD
A LONG-ESTABLISHED EATERY--THE TASTY SHOP ON EAST MAIN IS ABOUT TO HAVE NEW OWNERSHIP--OWNER EARNIE VAUGHN HAS BEEN IN BUSINESS OVER 40 YEARS BUT NEW OWNERS MATT YOUNG AND THOMAS BROWN WILL ASSUME OWNERSHIP APRIL 20TH.
Friday, April 3, 2026
MASTERS TOURNAMENT REPORTS ON FUN 101
FUN101 FM WILL FEATURE MASTERS TOURNAMENT COVERAGE WED-SUN WITH HISTORICAL NOTES FROM KATIE HILL SMITH--WHOSE FATHER WAS AN ORIGINAL VENDOR AND DOUG AND RUSS HEAD ON MASTERS AMATEUR BILLY JOE PATTON.
REPORTS BEGIN WEDNESDAY IN THE 8AM HOUR.
AJC REPORTS PERMANENTLY NIXED ON ATLANTIC STANDARD TIME BY GA. SOLONS
The clock ran out on a bill aimed at moving Georgia to a new time zone, ending supporters’ hopes of abolishing the chore of changing the clocks twice per year.
House Bill 154 would have sought permission from the Trump administration to let Georgia leave the Eastern time zone, putting the state permanently on Atlantic Standard Time. The effect would have been to keep Georgia on daylight saving time year-round.
GA. GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON PROPERTY TAXES
After pinging back and forth between the House and Senate, lawmakers ultimately approved a scaled-back version of a property tax rewrite on Thursday night.
The bill lets counties and some cities offset homeowner property taxes with a new 1% local sales tax, while also tightening rules for when local governments and school districts can collect more property tax revenue without voter approval.
The measure failed in the Senate Thursday night, just before the legislature was set to adjourn for the session. But soon after senators voted down House Bill 1116, they stripped Senate Bill 33, legislation pertaining to synthetic THC, and replaced it with language reflecting HB 1116.
The revised SB 33 passed the Senate and headed back over to the House, where it also passed. The full bill text is not yet available.
HONOREES FROM BARNESVILLE-LAMAR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BANQUET-4/2/26
Farmer of the Year - Luke and Allie Andrews
Thursday, April 2, 2026
UPSON COUNTY ZONING ORDIANCE CHANGES WILL WAIT UNTIL A NEW PLANNING DIRECTOR IS ON SITE
COUNTY ATTORNEY HEATH ENGLISH TOLD THE UPSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AT THE APRIL IST WORK SESSION WORK ON CHANGES TO THE ZONING ORDIANCE SHOULD BE DELAYED UNTIL THE NEW PLANNING AND ZONING DIRECTOR JEREMY GILBERT IS ONBOARD LATER THIS MONTH. THE ZONING ORDIANCE CONTAINS OVER 150 PAGES BUT THE ATTORNEY SAID IT APPEARS ONLY ABOUT 20 PAGES WILL NEED CHANGING. THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HAVE BEEN DELIBRATING ZONING ORDIANCE CHANGES FOR MONTHS AND MONTHS
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
ANNUAL FDR LECTURE AT GORDON STATE
What: Gordon State College will host the 13th Annual Roosevelt Lecture Series, featuring a discussion on public health policy in Georgia and its connection to Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal. The event will include a keynote lecture by William J. Todd of the Georgia Institute of Technology, followed by a panel discussion with Gordon State College faculty and Joseph W. Evans, a member of the Cadence Bank board of directors. When: Thursday, April 9, 2026 6 p.m. Where: Gordon State College Russell Hall, Room 211 419 College Drive Barnesville, Ga. 30204 Who: Gordon State College; featured speaker William J. Todd; panelists Samantha Bishop and Joe Evans. Why: To provide students and the community with an opportunity to engage in discussion on the historical and modern impact of public health policy. Admission: FREE and OPEN to the public
Monday, March 30, 2026
PIKE COUNTY TIMES. COM/ FATALITY FROM THOMASTON
ZEBULON - On Saturday, March 28, a head on collision occurred on Hwy 19 near Oliver Road. A Ford F150 was traveling south on Hwy 19 driven by Edward Alverson of Thomaston. The F150 crossed into oncoming traffic striking a Honda Acura driven by Kristina Miller of Thomaston.
It is unknown at this time why the vehicle crossed into oncoming traffic. Ms. Miller was deceased at the scene. Mr. Alverson was transported to a hospital by air ambulance. The accident occurred around 8:56 p.m
Friday, March 27, 2026
WRECK IN DOWNTOWN THOMASTON
THOMASTON POLICE/FIRE AND EMS RESPONDED TO A TWO PICK-UP WRECK AT MAIN AND CENTER STREETS AROUND 10'30AM FRIDAY--A CITY OF THOMASTON PUBLIC WORKS PICK-UP AND ANOTHER PICK-UP INVOLVED--NO ONE TRANSPORTED. AT AVE. L. AND BARNESVILLE STREET ANOTHER MISHAP AND THOMASTON FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTED AN ADULT FEMALE AND A CHILD TRANSPORTED TO THE ER BY EMS.
Thursday, March 26, 2026
UPSON BOC RECOGNIZES 4H'ers 03/24/2026 WITH EXTENSION AGENT HAILEY PARTAIN & PROGRAM COORDINATOR ASHLEE LINDSEY
PIKE COUNTY JOURNAL-REPORTER ON THE FLINT RIVER
Water from the Flint River and Molena reservoir will supply a Hampton data center after an agreement with the City of Griffin to provide 5 million gallons per day (after three years of 750,000 gallons per day). The deadline for public comment is March 27 (the link to officially comment is in the story).
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
T-U BOE CALLED MEETING 3/26/26
THE THOMASTON-UPSON BOARD OF EDUCATION CALLED MEETING THURSDAY (TODAY) 4PM AT THE SOUTH TEL BUILDING 205 EAST GORDON STREET TO BEGIN THE INTERVIEW PROCESS FOR A HIRING A NEW SCHOOL SUPERINTENDANT. THE APPLICATION WINDOW HAS CLOSED AND THERE'S REPORTEDLY 10 APPLICATIONS.
UPSON BOC 3/24/26
THE UPSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OKED EXPANSION TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE RENOVATIONS AT TUESDAY'S MEETING ADDING JUST UNDER $100,00 FOR NEW FLOORING--THE ORIGINAL CONTRACT WAS ABOUT $100,000 FOR THE BUILDING WITH PAINTING AND FURNISHINGS AS THE BUILDING IS SHOWING ITS AGE.
COMMISSIONERS APPROVED A PERMIT FOR AN A-R SPECIAL EXCEPTION FOR DENNIS RAUTH OF MILTON, FLORIDA FOR A REC VEHICLE TEMPORARY HOUSING FOR 12 MONTHS DURING CONSTRUCTION OF HIS HOME AT 185 ROLAND ROAD.
THE BOC RECOGNIZED UPSON EXTENSION 4-H STUDENTS DURING GA. AG WEEK FOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2026 AND IT WAS STATED 1000 STUDENTS ARE INVOLVED IN 4-H.
COUNTY MANAGER LONNIE JOYCE SAID NEW FENCING HAS BEEN INSTALLED AT THE ANIMAL SHELTER . AND COMMISSIONER CHRIS BIGGS WISHED A SPEEDING RECOVERY TO CONSTITUENT ALLEN HILL HOSPITALIZED AT THE SHEPARD CENTER IN ATLANTA FOLLOWING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.
COMMISSIONER JAMES ELLINGTON ASKED THE COUNTY MANAGER ABOUT PAVING PROJECTS UNDERWAY AND SAID HE NO LONGER WILL RESPOND TO THE PUBLIC ON SOCIAL MEDIA--BUT HE CAN BE REACHED ANY OTHER WAY.
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
THOMASTON NIGHT AT THE BRAVES
THOMASTON NITE AT THE ATLANTA BRAVES IS SATURDAY APRIL 11TH--AIR TIME 6PM ON FUN 101 7;15 FIRST PITCH--TIX ARE ON SALE AT CITY HALL UPSTAIRS IN THE GOVERNMENT COMPLEX $20 EACH.
