RUSTY'S RUNNING FOR CHAIR UPSON BOC

 FORMER  UPSON  COUNTY   COMMISSION  CHAIRMAN  RUSTY  BLACKSTON  HAS  ANNOUNCED  HE'S  RUNNING  FOR  CHAIRMAN  OF  THE  BOC  IN  THE  SPECIAL  ELECTION  MARCH   2027.  DR.  KEN  MORGAN  TOLD  101  NEWS  AT  TUESDAY'S  COMMISSION  MEETING  HE  PLANS  TO  RUN  FOR  THE  POST.

YATESVILLE'S CHITLIN HOEDOWN IS OCT. 31ST

 THE  ANNUAL  CITY OF  YATESVILLE  CHITLIN  HOEDOWN  IS  SATURDAY  STARTING  AT   10AM,  GREAT  EATS,  PARADE  AT  1PM  AND  HALLOWEEN  COSTUME  CONTEST.

CITY OF THOMASTON ROAD CLOSURE

 RGENCY ROAD CLOSURE:

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY A 24 HOUR

CLOSURE IS NECESSARY ON

NINTH AVENUE BETWEEN

O STREET AND S STREET SW

FOR UTILITY WORK

UPSON CO PROPOSED FY 2027 BUDGET

 THE   UPSON  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS    HELD  A  PUBLIC  HEARING   ON    THE  PROPOSED  2027  BUDGET  AT  TUESDAY'S  MEETING   AND    THE  PUBLIC  WAS  A  NO-SHOW.   CHIEF FINANCE  OFFICER LACY  CRAIN   SAID  THE  PROPOSED  FY 2027  GENERAL  FUND  BUDGET  IS  APPROXIMATELY $22.2  MILLION,  AN  INCREASE OF  ABOUT   4%  OVER  THIS  YEAR'S  BUDGET.  THE  JOINT   PROJECTS  BUDGET  REFLECTS  AN  INCREASE  OF  AROUND   3%. LACY  ADDED  THE  BUDGET  REFLECTS  CAREFUL  PLANNING,  RESPONSIBLE  FINANCIAL  MANAGEMENT   AND  A  CONTINUED  COMMITMENT  TO MAINTAINING  ESSENTIAL  SERVICES.

DR. KEN MORGAN RUNNING FOR UPSON CO COMMISSION CHAIR

 DR.   KEN  MORGAN   HAS  CONFIRMED  HE  IS A  CANDIDATE  FOR  UPSON  COUNTY  COMMISSION  CHAIRMAN  IN  THE  MARCH  2027  SPECIAL  ELECTION.  PRIOR  TO  TUESDAY'S  COUNTY  COMMISSION  MEETING  DR.  MORGAN  TOLD   101  NEWS  HE  WILL  HAVE  A  FORMAL  STATEMENT OF  HIS  CANDIDACY  ,  SHORTLY.  HE  RESIDES  ON  THE  CREST  HIGHWAY.  EX-COMMISSION  CHAIRMAN  RUSTY  BLACKSTON  WAS  ASKED  IF  HE  PLANS  TO  RUN  BUT  HE  BACKED-OFF  AND  WOULD  NOT  COMMENT.

UPDATE CITY OF THOMASTON POLICE OFFICER FIRED

 101  NEWS  HAS  OBTAINED  A  COPY  OF  THE  EMAIL  SENT FROM  CITY OF  THOMASTON  POLICE  CHIEF MIKE  RICHARDSON  TO   WASHINGTON  POST  REPORTER DOUGLAS  MACMILLAN  REGARDING  A  CITY  OF  THOMASTON  FEMALE  POLICE OFFICER  ALLEGED  MISUSE OF FLOCK  CAMERA  INFO.  MCMILLAN  APPARENTLY  SCANNED  THE  NATION-WIDE  NETWORK  OF  FLACK CAMERA  DATA    AND  FOCUSED  ON  THE  THOMASTON COP  WHO  SEARCHED  A   LICENSE  PLATE  OF  A  FRIEND  OVER  100  TIMES.

POLICE  CHIEF  MIKE  RICHARDSON   SAID  THE  FRIEND  DID  NOT  TAKE  OFFENSE  TO  THE  SEARCH  OF  HER  LICENSES  PLATES  BUT  WAS  UNAWARE  HER  FRIEND  THE  POLICE OFFICER  HAD  CONDUCTED  IT.  AS  A  RESULT  CHIEF  RICHARDSON  TOLD MACMILLAN  THE  PD  HAS  REVIEWED ;H  ITS   POLICIES  REGARDING  FLOCK  CAMERA  LICENSE  PLATE  FLAGGING.  THE  POLICE  OFFICER  INVOLVED  WAS  TERMINATED  WITHIN  DAYS OF  THE  WASHINGTON POST  NOTIFICATION  DUE VIOLATION  OF  CITY AND  PD  POLICY  BUT  NO CHARGES  WERE  FILED.  HOWEVER,  THE  CASE  WAS  TURNED OVER  TO  THE  GBI  FOR  INVESTIGATION.

THE  CHIEF  TOLD  US  THE  OFFICER  WILL  NOT BE  IDENTFIED  DUE  TO  THE  CITY'S   PERSONNEL  POLICY  REGARDING  TERMINATIONS.

TUES/OCT 27 DRIVE-THRU FLU VACCINE SPALDING COUNTY HEALTH DEPART. TILL 7PM

  SPALDING  COUNTY HEALTH  DEPARTMENT  DRIVE-THRU  FLU  SHOTS   TODAY  TILL   7PM--STAY  IN  YOUR  CAR  AND  GET  YOUR  FLU  VACCINE.

THOMASTON POLICE OFFICER FIRED OVER FLOCK CAMERA ACTIVITY

 CITY   OF  THOMASTON  POLICE  CHIEF  MIKE  RICHARDSON  SAID  AFTER   A  WASHINGTON  POST  REPORTER  CONTACTED   THE  PD  AUGUST  25TH       DAYS  LATER  A  FEMALE  POLICE  OFFICER  WAS  TERMINATED   OVER   FLOCK  CAMERA   ACTIVITY  THAT  VIOLATED  CITY  DEPARTMENT  POLICY  AND  STATE  LAW--AND  THE  CASE  WAS  TURNED OVER  TO  THE  GBI  FOR   INVESTIGATION.   CHIEF  RICHARDSON    TOLD  101  NEWS    THE  INDIVIDUAL  WHOSE  TAGS WERE  CHECKED   OVER 400  TIMES  WAS  A  FRIEND  OF  THE  OFFICER  AND  THERE  WAS   NO   THIRD  PARTY  INVOLVED.   THE   FEMALE  FRIEND  OF  THE  OFFICER WHEN  INFORMED  OF   WHAT  HAD HAPPENED  LAUGHED  AND DID NOT  SEEM  UPSET,  ACCORDING  TO  THE  CHIEF.

 WHEN  PRESS   TO  RELEASE  THE  NAME  OF  THE  FIRED  EMPLOYEE  CHIEF  RICHARDSON  TOLD  US  THE  CITY  OF  THOMASTON  DOES  NOT MAKE  PRESS  RELEASES  ON  PERSONNEL  MATTERS.    .

 

 THE  WASHINGTON  POST  REPORTER  APPARENTLY  RAN  A  CHECK  OF  LAW  ENFORCEMENT  AGENCIES ALL  ACROSS  THE  U.S.  ON  THE  FLOCK  CAMERA  SYSTEM  AND  CAME UPON  THE THOMASTON  POLICE  OFFICER  WHO  HAD  CONDUCTED  SEARCHES ON  TWO  VEHICLES OPERATED  BY  THE  SAME   INDIVIDUAL  IN  2025.

NEWS FROM GORDON STATE COLLEGE

 BARNESVILLE, Ga. – As the University System of Georgia (USG) celebrates a record 86,660 degrees awarded during fiscal year 2026, Gordon State College is reflecting that statewide momentum through growing degree completion, one of the most affordable pathways to higher education in the state and academic programs designed to meet Georgia’s workforce needs.

USG announced today that the number of degrees conferred across its 25 public colleges and universities increased 4.9% over the previous fiscal year. At GSC, recent commencement numbers also point to growing momentum in student completion.

During Spring 2026 Commencement, GSC awarded 338 degrees to 328 graduates, marking one of the largest graduating classes in the College’s history. The number of degrees awarded represented a 15% increase over Spring 2025.

“Every degree earned at Gordon State represents a student prepared to move forward,” said Dr. Russell Crutchfield, GSC president. “By providing affordable pathways, responding to Georgia’s workforce needs and supporting students through graduation, we’re preparing graduates to strengthen their professions and communities.”

UPSON CO TAX COMMISSIONER ANDY CHASTAIN ON TAX BILLS 2026

 PSA 2026 PROPERTY TAX BILLS

2026 property tax bills are scheduled to be mailed out by this Friday, Oct. 16th and will be due Dec. 17th. There was a delay in processing & printing the tax bills this year due to programming for FLOST & HTRG tax relief that taxpayers will be receiving this year. Tax bills will be available to pay in person, over the phone, or online starting Thursday Oct. 15th.

All property taxpayers will see an amount on their bill that indicates the amount of FLOST tax relief they received for 2026 and each homestead taxpayer will see an avg. of $400 in savings from the Homestead Tax Relief Grant (HTRG) given by the State.

This year Upson County & the City of Thomaston received a combined amount of $2.2 million from the Property Tax Relief sales tax, formerly known as FLOST, that was used exclusively for tax relief on their 2026 tax levies. Next year that amount should be around $5 million that will be used to roll off their millage rates and provide even more tax relief. In the coming months we’re going to see more counties & municipalities vote in an additional sales tax for property tax relief purposes, especially since the new LHOST is on the table that provides additional homestead tax relief. It’s important to note though that there will most likely be no HTRG tax relief from the State to help next year.

This year FLOST, combined with the HTRG given by the State, should significantly reduce taxes on the majority of homes and other properties in Upson. It’s good that the County & City got FLOST on the ballot when they did because we’re getting unexpected tax relief for 2026 that was initially planned for 2027. With the expected revenue from FLOST in the coming years and the possibility of having an LHOST in its place, I foresee some major tax relief for our homestead taxpayers.

UPSON P&Z DIRECTOR LEAVING

 SIX   MONTHS  AFTER  HE  ACCEPTED  THE  POSITION  OF   BUILDING  AND  ZONING  DIRECTOR  FOR  UPSON  COUNTY--LEAVING  THE  SAME  POST  AT  PIKE  COUNTY--JEREMY  GILBERT  IS  HEADED  FOR  TENNESSEE  FOR  A  SIMILAR    JOB.  JEREMY  INFORMED  THE  UPSON  COUNTY  PLANNING  COMMISSION  HE  WAS LEAVING  AFTER  MONDAY'S  OCTOBER  MEETING.  HE'S  GOING  TO  GOODLETTSVILLE,  TENNESSEE  NORTH OF  NASHVILLE  AND  HIS  LAST   DAY   WILL  BE  OCT. 28TH. HE  GOT HIGH  PRAISE  FROM  THE  UPSON  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS  FOR  HIS JOB  PERFORMANCE  DURING  TUESDAY'S  MEETING  .  

HOUSE FIRE IN UPSON CO

 HOUSE  FIRE      AT  102 FERGUSON  ROAD  HAD VISIBLE  FLAMES THROUGH   THE  ROOF OCT.   10TH  ACCORDING  TO  THE  UPSON  COUNTY  SHERIFF'S  OFFICE.  NO  INJURIES--OCCUPANTS  AND  PETS  ALL VACATED.  IT  STARTED  AS  A  GREASE  FIRE  IN  THE  KITCHEN  AND  THURSTON  FIRE  DEPARTMENT  MANAGED  TO  CONTAIN  THE  DAMAGE  TO  THE  KITCHEN/LIVING  ROOM.

GRIFFIN CITY MANAGER DISMISSED

 THE CITY  MANAGER  OF  GRIFFIN,  JESSICA  O'CONNOR  HAS  BEEN  FIRED  WITHOUT  CAUSE.    ACCORDING  TO  AN  EMERGENCY  RESOLUTION  THE  GRIFFIN   BOARD OF  COMMISSIONERS  VOTED  4-3  TO  APPROVE  A  MOTION  TO  TERMINATE  THE  CONTRACT OF  MS. O'CONNOR    AT A  CALLED  MEETING  TUESDAY.

JENNIFER FREEMAN,  ASSISTANT  CITY  MANAGER OF  UTILITIES  AND  KELSEY  CARDEN,  ASSISTANT CITY  MANAGER  OF  DEVELOPMENT  SERVICES  WILL  HANDLE  MS. O'CONNOR'S DUTIES.   A   PRESS  RELEASE  FROM  CITY OF  GRIFFIN  SAID  THE  BOARD  WILL  DISCUSS  THE  APPOINTMENT  OF AN  INTERIM  CITY  MANAGER  AT  A  CALLED  MEETING  THURSDAY  9AM  OCT.  IST.

GRIFFIN-SPALDING SCHOOL GRAD RATE

 Griffin, GA – Griffin-Spalding County Schools (GSCS) is proud to announce the district’s 2026 graduation rate rose to 94.5 percent, reflecting the continued commitment of students, educators, families and the entire community to student success. GSCS performed above the State of Georgia graduation rate of 88.5 percent.

Graduation rates across the district’s high schools demonstrate strong outcomes for the Class of 2026. Griffin High School achieved a 96 percent graduation rate, A.Z. Kelsey Academy achieved a 95.7 percent graduation rate, and Spalding High School achieved a 92.4 percent graduation rate.

UPSON-LEE GRADUATION RATE

 Thomaston-Upson Schools Graduation

Rate Reaches New All-Time High of 92.6%

Thomaston-Upson Schools is proud to announce that the district’s graduation rate has reached

92.6% for 2026, establishing a new all-time high and continuing a multi-year trend of strong

graduation outcomes for Upson-Lee High School students.

The district’s graduation rate increased from 91.6% in 2024 to 92.5% in 2025 and 92.6% in

2026. The 2026 rate is also 4.1 percentage points higher than Georgia’s state average of

88.5%.

The continued increase reflects the collective efforts of students, teachers, counselors,

administrators, support staff, families, and community partners who work throughout a student’s

educational journey to keep students engaged, provide needed support, and prepare them to

successfully complete high school.

“This accomplishment is something our entire school system and community can celebrate,”

said Superintendent Dr. Travet “Tret” Witherspoon. “A graduation rate of 92.6% represents

students who have worked hard and persevered to reach an important milestone. It also

represents the teachers, staff members, families, and community members who have supported

those students along the way. We are extremely proud of our graduates and remain committed

to ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed.”

While the district celebrates another record-setting graduation rate, Thomaston-Upson Schools

remains focused on continued improvement. District and school leaders will continue working to

identify and support students who may be at risk of not graduating while strengthening

academic opportunities, student engagement, and college and career readiness.

The district recognizes that graduation is the culmination of years of work that begins long

before students enter high school. From early learning and elementary education through

middle and high school, employees across Thomaston-Upson Schools play an important role in

preparing students to reach graduation.

The 92.6% graduation rate marks the second consecutive year Thomaston-Upson Schools has

established a new all-time high, building on the district’s 92.5% rate in 2025

UPSON BOARD OF ELECTIONS

 The Upson County Board of Elections will have their regular meeting Tuesday, October 6th @ 3:00 PM in the Elections Office Meeting Room located at 305 South Hightower St. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the upcoming November 3, General Election. For more information contact the Elections Office at 706-647-6259. Pam W. Releford Elections Supervisor