UPSON PLANNING COMMISSION VOTES 3-0 TO RECOMMEND WATER PROJECT OFF CREST HIGHWAY

 WITH ABOUT  A  DOZEN PROPERTY OWNERS  IN  WESTERN  UPSON  COUNTY  SPEAKING  AGAINST--  MONDAY -- THE  UPSON  COUNTY  PLANNING  COMMISSION  VOTED   UNANIMOUSLY    TO  RECOMMEND    WITH  CONDITIONS    TO  THE  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS   FOR   A  REZONING  FOR   22  ACRES  OFF  CREST  HIGHWAY   FOR  A   DEVELOPMENT  REQUESTED  BY   APPLICANT  RONALD  ELLINGTON  REGISTERED  AGENT  FOR  AN  ILLINOIS  COMPANY  FOR    HARVESTING,  LOADING, AND  TRANSPORTING  WATER  TO  A NEWNAN  BOTTLING  FIRM.

PLANNING  COMMISSION  CHAIRMAN  PHILLIP  FALLIN  RECUSED HIMSELF    AND  VICE-CHAIR  STEVE RUSH, JACKLYN LEWIS,  AND  MARTIE MURPHY  CAST  VOTES  TO  RECOMMEND.  ATTORNEY  JEFF ELLINGTON  EXPLAINED  THE   PROJECT DURING  THE  MEETING.

T-U IDA HAS 212 ACRES UNDER CONTRACT

 THOMASTON-UPSON  IDA   HAS  212  ACRES  UNDER  CONTRACT  ON  RACE  TRACK  ROAD   NEAR  MUD BRIDGE  ROAD   BUT  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR SLADE  GULLEDGE  TOLD   101  NEWS  ITS  STILL  IN  THE  DUE  DILIGENCE PERIOD--  FOR  FUTURE  DEVELOPMENT  --  NO  SPECIFIC  INDUSTRY  OR  INDUSTRY  SECTOR  HAS  BEEN  IDENTIFIED.

LAMAR COUNTY QUALIFERS

 Lamar County

Qualified Candidates for the May 19, 2026 General 

Primary/Nonpartisan Election

County Commissioner Chairman (Incumbent: Ryran Traylor)

Ryran Traylor Party: Republican

142 Brothers Court Occupation: Education

Barnesville, GA 30204 Qualified Date: 03/02/2026

Phone Number: (678) 603-8491 Fee Paid: $126.00

County Commissioner, District 1 (Incumbent: Jarrod B. Fletcher)

Jarrod B. Fletcher Party: Democratic

Post Office Box 922 Occupation: Educator 

Barnesville, GA 30204 Qualified Date: 03/02/2026

Phone Number: (678) 544-0119 Fee Paid: $108.00

County Commissioner, District 2 (Incumbent: Jason Lovett)

Jason Lovett Party: Republican

1198 Brown Road Occupation: Retired

Griffin, GA 30224 Qualified Date: 03/02/2026

Phone Number: (678) 234-3621 Fee Paid: $108.00

Robert Neal Devane Party: Republican

103 Lambdin Circle Occupation: Vending Operator

Barnesville, GA 30204 Qualified Date: 03/05/2026

Phone Number: (770) 363-0700 Fee Paid: $108.00

Board of Education, District 2 (Incumbent: Robyn Roache)

Robyn Roache Party: Republican

714 Community House Road Occupation: Secretary

Barnesville, GA 30204 Qualified Date: 03/02/2026

Phone Number: (678) 588-0479 Fee Paid: $198.00

Darrell Thomas Party: Democratic

126 Huntsman Drive Occupation: Senior VP, Lending

Griffin, GA 30224 Qualified Date: 03/06/2026

Phone Number: (678) 502-6207 Fee Paid: $198.00

Page 2 of 2

Board of Education, District 4 (Incumbent: Ronald “Ron” Smith)

Ronald “Ron” Smith Party: Republican

428 Grove Street Occupation: Retired

Barnesville, GA 30204 Qualified Date: 03/02/2026

Phone Number: (770) 358-0699 Fee Paid: $198.00

Board of Education, At Large (Incumbent: Danny R. Turner)

Danny R. Turner Party: Republican

164 Murphey Avenue Occupation: Real Estate

Barnesville, GA 30204 Date Qualified: 03/02/2026

Phone Number: (770) 550-0529 Fee Paid: $198.00

This 6th day of March, 2026.

___________________________________

Anita Reid, Elections Supervisor

Lamar County Board of Elections and Registratio

SPALDING CO QUALIFERS MAY PRIMARY

  Board of Elections and Voter Registration

Qualified Local Candidates as of 12:00 Noon 3/06/2026

Non-Partisan

Spalding County Board of Education District 1 Syntel Brown (Incumbent)

Spalding County Board of Education District 1 M. Michael Kendall

Spalding County Board of Education District 3 Rosie Glover

Spalding County Board of Education District 3 Zachery "Spanky" Holmes (Incumbent)

Spalding County Board of Education District 5 Sue McDonald (Incumbent)

Soil and Water Conservation Supervisor Region IV Stephen Noble (Incumbent)

 (This contest will only appear on the November General Ballot)

Partisan

Spalding County Board of Commission District 2 Todd Johnson Republican

Spalding County Board of Commission District 2 Bryan Hayes Republican

Spalding County Board of Commission District 2 James R. Dutton (Incumbent) Republican

Spalding County Board of Commission District 5 Clay Davis (Incumbent) Republican

Spalding County Board of Commission District 5 Harvey Clark Republican

Spalding County Board of Commission District 5 Randy Hamilton Democrat

Solicitor General, State Court Tommy Ison Republican

Solicitor General, State Court Audrey D. Holliday Republican

Independent *

Spalding County Board of Commission District 5 Dan Hunt Independent

 * Please note that an individual qualifying as an Independent Candidate will only appear on the November 

 ballot upon receipt and approval of required number of voter names via a Nomination petition

 which can be received by our office between June 22, 2026 through July 14, 2026 at 12:00 Noon

PIKE COUNTY CONTESTED RACES-MAY PRIMARY

 PIKE  COUNTY  CONTESTED  RACES  MAY PRIMARY--COUNTY COMMISSIONER  DISTRICT  ONE-INCUMBENT  TIM  DANIEL, MICHELLE GRAVITT.

DISTRICT TWO-INCUMBENT  TIM  GUY,  CHRIS  CHILDRESS.

CONTESTED RACES UPSON CO MAY PRIMARY

 CONTESTED  RACES-UPSON COUNTY  IN  THE MAY PRIMARY.   COUNTY  COMMISSION  DISTRICT 3 INCUMBENT  PAUL  JONES, BRIAN "BUD" JOHNSTON, BILL  MAHER--ALL  REPUBLICANS.

DISTRICT  TWO  BOARD OF  EDUCATION,  INCUMBENT  JACQUELINE  HOLLIS- EVAY  WALKER.

TPD WORKS WRECK AT GORDON AND HIGHTOWER

 CAPTAIN  BRIAN  HAMMOCK  TPD  REPORTS  A  TWO  VEHICLE  ACCIDENT  AT  GORDON  AND  HIGHTOWER  THURSDAY  MORNING  INVOLVING  A  G-DOT  DUMP  TRUCK.  A  FEMALE  MOTORIST  HIT  THE  BACK  OF  A  TRAILER  THE  DUMPER  WAS  PULLING--NO  INJURIES   OR  SERIOUS  DAMAGE   REPORTED.

U-L MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCCER

 Girls team won 1-0 against Jones with Chloe Hendrix, 03, scoring the goal. Celebratory photo attached along with an action shot of 6th grader Kate Creamer, 16.

Boys team won 3-0 against Jones with 8th grader Memphis Releford, 11, 6th grader Finn Smith, 02, and 8th grader Jordan Stoll, 08 scoring. I have attached a photo of Memphis, Finn celebrating and Jordan celebrating.

BOIL WATER NOTICE IN THOMASTON

 Boil Water Notice

Inframark

309 Veterans Dr.

Thomaston, GA 30286

(706) 646-8031

Wednesday March 4, 2026

Dear Water Customer,

Your residence is currently under a “Boil Water” notice. The affected area includes the 100 Block of both B and C St in East Silvertown. We recommend that water that is to be used for human consumption be boiled before use. This is due to loss of water pressure from the water main break in this area. If you have any questions, please call us at 706-646-8031. We will notify you as soon as the notice is lifted.

Sincerely,

Inframark

City of Thomaston Water Dept

TPD CHIEF ON EMANCIPATION CELEBRATION

 AFTER  NUMEROUS  VOICES  EXPRESSED  THEIR  THOUGHTS  ON  PERMITS  FOR  THE  EMANCIPATION  CELEBRATION  AT  TUESDAY'S  THOMASTON  CITY  COUNCIL  MEETING--IT  WAS  DECIDED  POLICE  CHIEF MIKE  RICHARDSON  WILL  HUDDLE  WITH  MEMBERS  OF  THE  EMANCIPATION  COMMITTEE  THAT  REQUESTED  A  PERMIT  FOR  DOWNTOWN  FRIDAY  NIGHT  AND  WILLIAM  HUGHLEY'S  GROUP  AT  DANIEL  AND  BETHEL  AND   FIND  A  SOLUTION.  THE  CHIEF  SAID  THE  FRIDAY NITE PERMIT   REQUEST DOWNTOWN  WOULD  NOT  WORK  BECAUSE  ITS  THE  RAIN  DATE  FOR HIGH  SCHOOL  GRADUATION--AND  THE PD  HAS MANPOWER  ISSUES.  SATURDAY NIGHT  DOWNTOWN  DID NOT  GET MUCH  SUPPORT  BUT  THE  PARADE IS  PERMITTED    AT  11  AM  SATURDAY. 

A  FEMALE  RESIDENT OF  THE  DANIEL  AND  BETHEL  STREET  AREA  TOLD  COUNCIL--LAST  YEAR  WAS CHAOS  DURING  THE  EVENT   AND  YOU  COULDN'T  DRIVE  IN  OR  OUT--AND  CHIEF  RICHARDSON  SAID  THE  BIG PROBLEM  WAS  GETTING  THE  CROWD  TO  DISPURSE--MANY  FROM  OUT  OF  TOWN-THAT  KEPT  OFFICERS  ON  DUTY  TILL  2AM.  MARKEY   SMITH POINTED  TO  CRUISING  AS  A  TRADITION-AND       HAS         IDEAS  TO  MAKE  A  LOOP  SO  IT  CAN CONTINUE. CHIEF  RICHARDSON ALSO HAD  A PROBLEM  WITH  ALL  THE  MARIJUANA  SMOKING  AROUND  KIDS  DURING  THE  EVENT--BUT  EXPLAINED   HE IS  ON  BOARD WITH  ANY  WORKABLE  IDEA    FOR  A  PERMIT  FOR   THE  DANIEL/BETHEL  STREET  CELEBRATION .

UPSON  COUNTY  SHERIFF  DAN  KILGORE  TOLD   101  NEWS  THE  ORIGINAL  EMANCIPATION  COMMITTEE  WILL   HOLD  ITS  EVENT  SATURDAY  AS  USUAL  AT  THE  LINCOLN   PARK  SPEAKING  GROUNDS  AND  HE  COMMENDED  THE  COMMITTEE  FOR  ITS  DILIGENCE.

PIKE COUNTY'S TRISTIN ENGLISH WAS AT FIRST MONDAY FOR THE BRAVES

 CPA  CHRIS  DANIEL   WAS  AT  THE  ATLANTA  BRAVES  SPRING  GAME  MONDAY  IN  LAKELAND, FLORIDA   AND  PIKE  COUNTY'S  TRISTIN ENGLISH  WAS  AT  FIRST  BASE PLAYING  THE  TIGERS.  TRISTIN  HAS  SIGNED  A  TRIPLE-A  CONTRACT  WITH  THE  BRAVES.

UPDATE ON PIKE COUNTY GROUP IN ISRAEL

 SEVERAL  PIKE  COUNTY  RESIDENTS  ARE  TRAPPED  IN  ISRAEL ON  A  TOUR  WITH  FORMER  PASTOR OF  FIRST  BAPTIST IN  ZEBULON  DR. ED HOARD  AND  HIS  SON CHARLES HOARD.  AMONG  THOSE  CHRIS  AND  CARA  COOK,  BRIAN AND  ELLEN  CARDIN AND STEPHANIE  ELDER  OF  CHRIST  CHAPEL  ZEBULON  WAS  ON A  DIFFERENT  TOUR  OF  ISRAEL AND  SHE  SAID  SHE  HOPES  TO  BE  HOME  BY  FRIDAY  VIA  FRANCE.

PASTOR   MATT  HEINZLEY  OF  ZEBULON  FIRST  BAPTIST   TOLD  101  NEWS    HE  HAS  BEEN  IN  TOUCH  WITH  DR.  HOARD  AND  HE  SAYS  THEY  ARE  SAFE  IN  THE  DEAD  SEA  AREA  OF ISRAEL , BUT  THEY  HAVE  HEARD  SIRENS  AND  GONE  INTO  BOMB  SHELTERS. MORE  ON  THIS  STORY  ON  101.1FM.

WINNERS IN THOMASTON KIWANIS CLUB-RAFFLE

 SCOTT  DECKER  WINNER  OF  BERETTA SHOTGUN-DONATED  BY  COGGINS  FUNERAL HOME/BOONE'S  OUTDOOR.

TYLER  PEEK  WINNER  OF YETI  BACKPACK  COOLER  DONATED  BY FLETCHER  DAY  FUNERAL  HOME/THOMASTON  HARDWARE.

LONNIE JOYCE  WINNER-ONE  YEAR  FREE  CAR WASHES  AT  TIDAL  WAVE DONATED  BY  SCOTT  AND  HOPE  BLACKSTOCK.

WILLIAM  CAMPBELL WINNER-SAMSUNG  65' SMART  TV-DONATED  BY  BRIGHTMARK

THOMASTON PD TO U-L PRIMARY

  THOMASTON POLICE  RESPONDED  TO  UPSON-LEE  PRIMARY  SCHOOL  TO  INVESTIGATE  A  REPORT  OF  A  CHILD  ABUSE  INCIDENT.  THE  T-U  SCHOOLS  ISSUED  THIS  STATEMENT:

 

 THOMASTON-UPSON  SCHOOLS  ARE  UNABLE  TO  SHARE  ANY  INFORMATION ABOUT  THIS  INCIDENT.  THIS  MATTER INVOLVES  A  MINOR  AND  IS  PART  OF  AN ONGOING  INVESTIGATION.

 

 WE APPRECIATE YOUR  UNDERSTANDING

CITY OF THOMASTON PUBLIC WORKS INFO

 Please be advised of a temporary change in your garbage collection service location.  Construction is under way on the Lee St Parking Lot.  The City and GFL are working together to ensure that your waste collection services remain uninterrupted.  However, there will be a temporary change in the location of the dumpster.  Beginning tomorrow, Tuesday March 3^rd, the dumpster will be moved to a new location. See picture attached.  GFL has agreed to provide each business with residential carts to help with transporting your garbage to the new dumpster location.  If you need additional carts, please let us know. 

 

This change could be in effect for up to 2 months. 

 

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through this process.        

 

Thanks,     

 

Kyle McGee,

 

Public Works Director

City of Thomaston

303 Veterans Drive Thomaston, GA 30286

Office: 706-647-7144 Cell: 706-741-1021

kmcgee@cityofthomaston.com

 

SUNDAY MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT ACCORDING UPSON CO SHERIFF

 UPSON  COUNTY  SHERIFF  DAN  KILGORE  REPORTS  A  MOTORCYCLE  ACCIDENT  SUNDAY  AFTERNOON  ON  19  NORTH  SOUTHBOUND  AT  THE  DOLLAR  GENERAL  CURVE.  THE  SHERIFF  TOLD   101  NEWS  A   HENRY  COUNTY   FEMALE PASSENGER  ON  BIKE  FELL-OFF  AND  WAS  LIFE-FLIGHTED  TO  AN  OUT  OF  TOWN  TRAUMA  CENTER.