U-L BOYS BASKETBALL CAN'T PLAY IN STATE PLAY-OFFS

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Thomaston-Upson County Schools would like to clarify the situation regarding the Upson-Lee High School boys’ basketball team and the GHSA State Tournament.

Tournament qualification is determined by power rankings calculated through a formula established by the Georgia High School Association (GHSA). Initial rankings indicated that Upson-Lee would compete in the first round based on a reported 12–12 record.

An administrative review later identified that two game results had not been entered into the GHSA MIS system by the Upson-Lee Athletic Department. After the missing scores were submitted, the team’s official record changed to 13–13. Once the GHSA recalculated the power rankings using the complete record, Upson-Lee did not rank within the top 32 teams and therefore did not qualify for the state tournament.

We are deeply disappointed for our student-athletes, coaches, and fans who worked hard throughout the season. Thomaston-Upson County Schools is currently reviewing internal procedures and implementing safeguards to ensure this situation does not occur again.

We appreciate the community’s understanding and continued support of Upson-Lee athletics.

David Eubanks

Director of Public Relations

Thomaston-Upson County Schools

205 Civic Center Drive

Thomaston, Georgia 30286

706-647-9621

CITY OF GRIFFIN TO SPEND $100,000 DUE TO JET FUEL SPILL IN FLINT RIVER

 AFTER  A  15,000  GALLON   JET   FUEL  SPILL  AT  THE  ATLANTA  AIRPORT    IN  THE  FLINT  RIVER - GRIFFIN'S  WATER  SOURCE--  JAN.  20TH  THE  CITY OF  GRIFFIN  PLANS  TO  SPEND  $100,000  ON NEW  WATER  CONTAMINAATION  DETECTION  EQUIPMENT.  SOME  RESIDENTS  SAID  THEIR  WATER  SMELLED  LIKE  WD-40  BUT  THE    EPD AND   CITY HALL  SAID  IT  WAS  SAFE  TO  DRINK--THE  AJC  REPORTED.  WHEN  THE  SPILL  OCCURED      THE  CITY OF  GRIFFIN  ISSUED   A  DO  NOT  CONSUME   ADVISORY   AND  SHUT-OFF ITS  WATER  INTAKE  FROM  THE  FLINT   BUT  WHEN  SAMPLES  CAME  BACK NEGATIVE    FOR  TOXINS -- THE ADVISORY  WAS  LIFTED. 

THE  FEDERAL  EPA  SAYS  OVER   15,000  GALLONS  OF  JET  FUEL  HAS    BEEN COLLECTED  FROM  THE  FLINT  AND  AT  THE  AIRPORT  AND    OVER     80  CUBIC  YARDS OF   CONTAMINATED   DEBRIS  WAS  RECOVERED.  THE  EPD  INVESTIGATION  IS  ON-GOING.  

GRIFFIN'S  CITY  MANAGER  JESSICA O'CONNOR  TOLD  THE  AJC  CITY OFFICIALS  ARE  MEETING  WITH  ATTORNEYS  TO  SEE  IF  CITY HALL  CAN  SEEK  COMPENSATION  FOR THE SPILL

PIKE CO. COMMISSIONERS 2/24/26

 

PikeCountyTimes: Proposed rezoning for Campground Rd subdivision denied based on Planning & Zoning recommendation. Health, safety, & welfare of the public.

THOMASTON KIWANIS ANNOUNCES U-L STAR STUDENT/TEACHER

 THOMASTON  KIWANIS  HELD  ITS  ANNUAL   STAR  STUDENT  /STAR  TEACHER  PROGRAM  TUESDAY  AND  UPSON=LEE  SENIOR HELI TARAK  DAVE  WAS  ANNOUNCED  AS  STAR  STUDENT  AND  MRS.  REBEKAH  BUSBY  WAS  SELECTED  AS  HER  STAR  TEACHER.  HELI PLANS  TO  ATTEND  GA.  TECH   MAJORING  IN  BIO  MEDICAL  ENGINEERING  AND  THEN  ATTEND  MEDICAL  SCHOOL.  

THOMASTON WOMAN SCAMMED $14,500

 ACCORDING  TO  THOMASTON POLICE  A  FEMALE WAS  SCAMMED  OUT  OF  $14,500  IN  CASH  BY  SCAMMERS  CLAIMING  TO  WORK  FOR  A   LOCAL  BANK  AND  THE  FDIC.  SOMEONE   CLAIMING  TO  BE  JONATHAN, AN  EMPLOYEE  OF  A  LOCAL  BANK  ASKED  ABOUT  A  PURCHASE  IN  FLORIDA   FROM A  CHASE  ACCOUNT     THEN  SOMEONE  CLAIMING  TO  BE  FROM  THE  FDIC  ORDERED  THE  WOMAN   TO  WITHDRAW  $14,500   FROM  HER  BANK ACCOUNT  SO  THEY  COULD  CHECK  HER  MONEY.  OUTSIDE  THE  BANK  SHE  MET  A  BLACK  FEMALE  WEARING  A  COVID  MASK  AND  GAVE  HER  THE  CASH.  HER  HUSBAND  TOLD  POLICE  HE  HAD  BEEN  CALLED  ABOUT  WITHDRAWING   $7000  AND  MAILING  IT  TO  JONATHAN  AT  A  MERIWETHER  COUNTY POST OFFICE--BUT  THEIR  DAUGHTER  PICKED-UP  ON  THE  SCAM  AND  BROUGHT  HER  PARENTS  TO  THE PD.

A  FEMALE  WAS  ARRESTED  FOR  HINDERING  THOMASTON  FIRE  DEPARTMENT  FROM  FIGHTING  A  GRASS  FIRE  AT  PEACHBELT  ROAD  AND  WOODLAND  ROAD.  THE  PD  REPORT  SAID   66-YEAR  OLD  KIMBERLY  DAVIS  WAS  LIVID  WITH  FIRE-FIGHTERS  AFTER  A  TREE FELL  OVER  POWER  LINES  AND  STARTED  THE  GRASS  FIRE.  UNITS  HAD  TO  WAIT  FOR  THE  POWER  COMPANY  BEFORE  THEY  COULD  GET  TO  WORK  AND  THE  REPORT  SAID  THE  FEMALE  TOLD  THEM  THEY  DID  NOT  KNOW  WHAT  THEY  WERE  DOING  AND  CREATED  A  SCENE  THAT  HINTERED  THEIR  WORK. 

AN  EMPLOYEE OF  A  CONTRACTOR  DOING  WORK  AT  UPSON  REGIONAL  MEDICAL  CENTER  WAS  ARRESTED  FOR  STEALING  SPOOLS OF  WIRE  FROM  THE  PROJECT.  THE  SUSPECT  26  YEAR OLD  KALAEB  BELL  ALSO  HAD  SOME  CABLE CONNECTORS   IN  HIS  TRUCK  THAT  APPARENTLY  CAME  FROM  THE  WORK  SITE. 

THOMASTON'S MAYOR VETO

 CITY OF  THOMASTON  MAYOR J.D.  STALLINGS  HAS  VETOED  A  MEASURE  TO  PAVE  THE  STREETS  IN  FAIR  OAKS,  THE  UPSCALE  SUBDIVISON OFF  PEACHBELT  ROAD.  THE  CITY  COUNCIL  VOTED  4-1  AT  THE  FEB.  17  MEETING  TO  APPROVE  A  CHANGE  ORDER  FOR  ALMOST   $300,000  TO  PAVE  THE  STREETS  WHERE  COUNCILMAN JERRY  ADAMS  LIVES.  COUNCILMAN  JEFF MIDDLEBROOKS  CAST  THE  ONLY  NO  VOTE,  TELLING   101  NEWS  THERE  ARE  OTHER  STREETS  WITH  A  HIGHER PRIORITY  FOR  PAVING.

THE  FUNDING  WAS  ORIGINALLY  TARGETED  FOR  PARK  LANE,  BUT  CITY  MANAGER  RUSSELL  THOMPSON  EXPLAINED  IT  CAN  WAIT  BECAUSE  STREETS  WILL  BE  IMPACTED  BY  THE  RENOVATION OF  THE  EX-EAST  THOMASTON  SCHOOL  HOUSE--THE  FUTURE  SITE OF  SENIORS  APARTMENTS.

IN  CASTING  A  RARE  VETO,  MAYOR  STALLINGS  STATED--HE  STRONGLY  SUPPORTS  IMPROVING  THE  CITY'S INFRASTRUCTURE  BUT  THIS  PARTICULAR  MEASURE  REQUIRES  FURTHER  REVIEW

JURY SCAM IN UPSON CO.

 UPSON  SO  REPORTS  MORE   JURY  SCAMS  THIS  PAST  WEEK.  THE  CALLER  CLAIMS YOU  HAVE  MISSED  JURY  DUTY  AND  MUST  PAY  A  FINE OR  BE  JAILED--A  FINE  PAID  VIA  A  GIFT  CARD.  THEY  USE  THE  NAME  OF  AN  SO  DEPUTY  TO  ADD  CLOUT  TO  THEIR  SCAM.   SHERIFF  KILGORE  URGES  THE  PUBLIC  TO  HANG-UP  ON  SUCH  CALLERS--HE  TOLD  US  HIS  OFFICE  DOES  NOT  OPERATE  THAT  WAY.

SHERIFF KILGORE-FATAL SHOOTING IN THOMASTON

 NEWS RELEASE

 

On Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 6:31pm deputies responded to a person shot call at 2030 Wiley Street in Thomaston. Upon arrival, Conner Wesley Walker, 19, of a Martin Luther King Drive address was located in an outbuilding at that location. Walker had been shot in the head with an AR15 style rifle. Walker is deceased.

                A juvenile male, age 14, was located and is being held in connection with the shooting. Sheriff’s investigators are actively interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence in this case. The GBI responded to work the crime scene.

UPDATE ON FATAL SHOOTING FROM SHERIFF KILGORE

 Update to NEWS RELEASE

The fourteen year old male involved in this investigation has been referred to Juvenile Court on charges of Reckless Conduct and Involuntary Manslaughter. Under Ga law both of these charges are classified as misdemeanors.

Our investigation has shown that at the time of the shooting three young males were at the incident location on Wiley Street. Walker, the deceased, had a AR15 style rifle with him that belonged to him. The 14 year old charged in the incident was handling the gun without clearing the chamber when it discharged while pointed in the direction of Walker resulting in Walker being shot. The third male present at the scene witnessed the incident and confirmed the series of events. Evidence at the scene supports the witnesses statements.

The juvenile will be detained at RYDC pending a hearing scheduled for Monday February 23

NEW SCHOOLING IN UPSON CO.

 As of July 1st, 2026, Crestside Christian Academy will be official. After eight years of being Skipstone Academy, we will be home grown and operated. Paula Walters will remain principal, and Maggie Pritchett will be the assistant principal. We will maintain our current staff of highly qualified teachers. We will be accredited with distinction by the Georgia Accrediting Commission. Dual enrollment through colleges and technical schools will still be offered. We plan to continue to offer sports and fine arts. We will accept the GA Promise Scholarship; most Upson County students will qualify, and many surrounding counties, as well. Our commitment to educating and teaching Jesus to our students continues to be our primary goals.

We will hold a community meeting Tuesday, February 24 at 6:00 p.m. The location has been changed to NorthRidge Church.

Interested families can go to our website www.crestsidechristian.org or contact Paula Walters at 706-573-3631.

Blessings,
Paula Walters

NO WATER SERVICE IN THOMASTON?

   CITY  MANAGER  RUSSELL  THOMPSON  IS  URGING  PROPERTY  OWNERS   SOUTH OF   12TH  AVE. IN  EAST  THOMASTON  ON  B.  STREET--E  AND  F  STREETS   TO  AGREE  TO  A  TIE-IN  OF  CITY  UTILITIES  OR  THE  LINES  TO  THE  PROPERTY  WILL  BE  CAPPED  AND  THERE  WILL  BE  NO  WATER  SERVICE.  CITY  HALL  HAS  SENT  2  LETTERS  ALEADY  WITH  A   3RD  UPCOMING  TO  PROPERTY OWNERS  TO  BE  SIGNED  AND  RETURNED  FOR  THIS  FREE  TIE-IN  VIA  THE  CBG GRANT.  COUNCIL    HAS  ALREADY  HEARD  FROM  ONE  PROPERTY  OWNER  WHO  IS  BALKING  ON  THE  AGREEMENT.  THE  MANAGER   STRESSED  TO    COUNCIL  TUESDAY--IF  THE PROPERTY  OWNER  DOES  NOT  AGREE  THERE  WILL BE NO  WATER  SERVICE.

  

  COUNCIL  APPROVED  A  CHANGE ORDER   FOR  $267,000    BENEFITING    STREET PAVING  IN  FAIR  OAKS SUBDIVISON  OFF  PEACHBELT  ROAD.  THE   FUNDING    IS  CHANGING  FROM  PARK  LANE  BECAUSE   THE  STREET    WILL  BE  TORN-UP  FOR  THE NEW  EAST THOMASTON  SCHOOL  RENOVATION  FOR  SENIORS  APARTMENTS. 

  

  COUNCIL  HAS  ACCEPTED  A  $2.5  MILLION  STATE   GRANT  FOR  THE SMITH-DOUGLAS  COMPANY     FOR  90  HOUSES  OFF  NORTH  CHURCH  AND  WEST  GORDON.   CITY  UTILTY  UPGRADES  FOR  THE  DEVELOPMENT   SCHEDULED  OUT   TO  BID NEXT  MONTH. SMITH-DOUGLAS  OFFICIALS  TOLD  COUNCIL  THEY PLAN  TO  CONTRUCT 17  HOMES  PER  MONTH.

UPSON COUNTY WENT BIG FOR MCNEEL FOR STATE SENATE

 UPSON  WENT  BIG  FOR  REPUBLICAN  STEVEN  MCNEEL  IN   TUESDAY'S  RUN-OFF   FOR  DISTRICT   18   STATE  SENATE    WITH  ALMOST   13%  TURN-OUT. MCNEEL  A      MACON  ATTORNEY  GOT    OVER  66%  OF THE  VOTE  OVER  DEMOCRAT LEMARIO  BROWN  WITH ALMOST 33%.    A  TOTAL  OF  2682  VOTES  CAST  TO  REPLACE  JOHN  KENNEDY  WHO  RESIGNED    TO  RUN  FOR  LT.  GOVERNOR.

UPSON HISTORICAL SOCIETY

 Our next meeting is Monday, Feb. 23rd, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. at the Senior Center.  Our speaker will be Chris Madrid with the Georgia World War II Heritage Trail.  The Pettigrew-White-Stamps House Museum is currently on the trail.  Be sure and come hear about the trail and see how Thomaston-Upson County was instrumental in the war effort

SKIPPER BURNS IS GENERAL GRIFFIN 2026

 THE  GRIFFIN-SPALDING  CHAMBER OF  COMMERCE  HELD  ITS 112TH  ANNUAL MEETING  LAST  WEEK  WITH  BRIGHTMOOR HOSPICE  AS  PRESENTING  SPONSOR. SKIPPER  BURNS    HONORED   AS      THE  44TH  AND  2026   GENERAL  GRIFFIN.

THE  MEMBER OF  THE  YEAR  AWARD-JOSH  HEINISH  AND  SUZANNE  CUMMINGS,  THE  COMMUNITY  INSPIRATION  AWARD  TO  OLIVIA ESPINOZA OF  HOLIDAY  INN  EXPRESS.  GAME  CHANGER  AWARD  TO  DREW  PAYNE, COMMUNITY  HERO  AWARD  JENNIFER STEWERT  OF  VIE  GROUP,BEAUTIFICATION  AWARD-- SOUTHERN SOCIAL,  AMBASSADOR  OF  THE  YEAR  KENNY SMITH, THE  LEGACY AWARD  TO GRIFFN  MAYOR DOUG HOLBERG,  AND  THE   2026  CHAMBER  CHAIRMAN JOSH  HEINISH. 

CITY OF THOMASTON PAVING

 

ACCORDING  TO  THE  CITY  OF  THOMASTON -- LEE  STREET  FROM  SOUTH  CHURCH   TO  SOUTH  GREEN   BESIDE  FIRST  BAPTIST  CHURCH-- IS  BLOCKED OFF  TO  TRAFFIC  FOR  MCLEROY  TO  PAVE  THE  STREET  FOR  G-DOT. A  FLAG-MAN IS  ON  SOUTH  GREEN.

FATAL WRECK IN UPSON CO

 ACCORDING  TO  GA.  STATE PATROL  HEADQUARTERS  IN  ATLANTA,  A  30  YEAR  OLD  UPSON  COUNTY   MOTHER  WAS  KILLED  IN  A  TRAFFIC  ACCIDENT  ON  TRICE  CEMETERY  ROAD  FRIDAY  NIGHT--LESLIE  LACHELLE  CRAVEN. THE OTHER MOTORIST  INVOLVED  IDENTIFIED  AS ALEX  RYAN EVANS,  AGE  24  WAS  CHARGED WITH  HOMICIDE  BY  VEHICLE, DUI,  AND  SEVERAL  OTHER  MISDEMEANOR  CHARGES.

THE  GSP  SAID  JUST  AFTER  10PM ON  FEB. 13TH--A  FORD  F-450  WAS  TRAVELING  NORTH  ON  TRICE CEMETERY ROAD AND  A  CHEVROLET  TAHOE  WAS TRAVELING  SOUTH.  THE  DRIVER  OF  THE  FORD F-450,  EVANS,  FAILED  TO  MAINTAIN  HIS  LANE OF  TRAVEL,  WHILE  NEGOTIATING  A  CURVE,  AND  STRUCK  THE  TAHOE  IN  THE  DRIVER'S  SIDE FRONT. MS.  CRAVEN  WAS  PRONOUNCED  DECEASED  ON-SCENE  BY  THE  UPSON  COUNTY  CORONER.