LADY DAWGS LOST IN OT

 IOWA CITY, Iowa — Despite 27 points from sophomore forward Mia Woolfolk, the No. 7 seed Georgia Lady Bulldog basketball team lost an overtime battle against No. 10 seed Virginia, 82-73, Saturday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Carver-Hawkeye Arena

GORDON STATE AWARDED BIG GRANT

 BARNESVILLE, Ga., – Gordon State College has been awarded a $500,000 grant from the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce to expand and strengthen its nursing and health care programs, addressing the growing demand for qualified professionals across the state.

This investment will strengthen Georgia’s health care pipeline by expanding educational capacity, enhancing training quality and addressing the state’s nursing shortage.

“This investment will enhance our nursing program, expand access for students, and prepare highly skilled, compassionate health care professionals to address the growing needs of communities across Georgia,” said Natalie Rischbieter, GSC executive director of advancement.

Key components of the initiative include hiring an additional nursing faculty member, replacing outdated medical manikins, upgrading seven simulation vox stations, and implementing advanced AI-assisted simulation management and electronic health record training systems.

“It is essential that students train in environments that reflect the complexity of modern clinical settings,” said Dr. Samantha Bishop, GSC interim dean of the School of Nursing, Health and STEM. “High-fidelity simulation will allow students to safely practice critical decision-making and clinical skills, ultimately improving patient safety and outcomes.”

This grant will expand program capacity to 275 students, with the potential to reach 300 through continued strategic investment. The funding will also enhance faculty support, improve student retention, and strengthen clinical preparedness in high-demand areas such as pediatrics and adult acute care.

The impact of this funding extends across the surrounding community. Approximately 70% of GSC nursing students live within the college’s immediate service area, and many graduates remain local to serve as health care professionals.

GOV. KEMP SUSPENDS GAS TAX

 Gov. Brian Kemp on Friday suspended Georgia’s gas tax for 60 days, making the Republican-led state among the first to respond to surging fuel prices after the Trump administration’s military strikes on Iran.

The suspension will save drivers 33 cents per gallon on gas and 37 cents per gallon on diesel — costing the state up to $200 million a month. Georgia has billions of dollars in reserve it can use to cover the lost revenue.

THOMASTON CITY COUNCIL 3/17/26

 AT  THE  MARCH  17THE  MEETING  OF  THE  THOMASTON  MAYOR  AND  COUNCIL  THEY  GOT  A  PITCH  FROM LAINE DUPREE  OF  AIREVAC LIFETEAM  AIR  AMBULANCE  TO  COVER  EMPLOYEES  FOR  LIFE-FLIGHT  SERVICES. CITY  MANAGER  RUSSELL  THOMPSON  SAID  CITY  HALL  EMPLOYS  ABOUT   90  EMPLOYEES   AND  COUNCIL  WAS  TOLD    THE  MEMBERSHIP  PROGRAM  WOULD  COST $6.25  PER  FAMILY  ANNUALLY  --SOMETHING  MOST  INSURANCE  DOES  NOT  FULLY  COVER..  COUNCIL  TOOK   IT   UNDER  ADVISEMENT.

IN  OTHER  ACTION , COUNCIL LIFTED  THE  MORATORIUM  ON  VARIANCES  EXCEPT FOR SIGNAGE.  THE  MANAGER  SAID  SEVERAL  BUSINESSES  WISH  TO  OPEN   AND   THE  MORTORIUM  HAS  PREVENTED  IT. 

COUNCIL  AGREED  TO ISSUE  EMANCIPATION  CELEBRATION  SPECIAL  EVENT  PERMITS,  ONE  FOR  THE   PARADE  SATURDAY  AT  11AM  AND  ANOTHER    SATURDAY  NIGHT   AT  THE  FUN  FEST  AT  BETHEL AND  DANIEL  STREETS,  BUT  POLICE  CHIEF MIKE  RICHARDSON  SAYS  THE  PD  IS  ENLISTING  THE  HELP  OF  PATRONS  OF  THE  EVENT  TO  HELP  CLEAR  THE  CROWD  ONCE  THE  EVENT  ENDS  AT   9PM--A  BIG  PROBLEM  LAST   MAY.  

INP. DROPS OUT OF SPALDING COUNTY COMMISSION DIST 5 RACE

 AN  INDEPENDENT  RUNNING  FOR  DISTRICT  5  SPALDING  COUNTY  COMMISSIONER,  DAN HUNT,   DROPPED  OUT    OF   THE  

RACE  TUESDAY.  CHAIRMAN  CLAY  DAVIS  IS  THE  INCUMBENT  AND  HE  IS  CHALLENGED  BY  HARVEY  CLARK  ALSO  A  REPUBLICAN  AND  RANDY  HAMILTON  A  DEMOCRAT.

UPSON CO STORM DAMAGE

 UPSON  COUNTY  SHERIFF  DAN  KILGORE  SAID ASSESSMENT  OF  DAMAGE  CONTINUES  AFTER  MONDAY'S  EARLY  MORNING  STORM.  TREES FELL  ON A  HOUSE  AND  A  CAR  ON  GOODEN  ROAD,  AND  ROOF  DAMAGE  TO  HOUSES ON  DEL  RAY  ROAD,  RU  AL  MAIN  AND  MAYNARD  STREET  IN  LINCOLN  PARK  AFTER  TREES FELL ON  THEM. 

UPSON CO MANAGER LONNIE JOYCE HAS NAMED JEREMY GILBERT NEW PLANNING/ZONING DIR.

 Upson County Press Release

Upson County Manager Names Jeremy Gilbert as New Planning and Zoning 

Director

Upson County Manager has announced the hiring of Jeremy Gilbert as the county’s 

new Planning and Zoning Director, effective April 6, 2026.

Mr. Gilbert brings more than 20 years of experience in planning and zoning to Upson 

County. His professional background includes positions in Henry County and most 

recently Pike County. Gilbert has extensive experience in drafting and modifying zoning 

codes and comprehensive plans. In addition to his planning and zoning work, Jeremy 

also serves as the Building Official for Pike County.

During the search for a new Planning and Zoning Director, the county’s goal was to 

identify a leader who could bring stakeholders together and help align community goals 

with county laws to support a strong future for Upson County.

County leadership believes Jeremy Gilbert is the right candidate for this role and looks 

forward to working with him as he begins this important work for the county.

Lonnie Joyce,

County Manager

T-U SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH

 NEWS RELEASE

THOMASTON-UPSON COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM
March 13, 2026

Thomaston-Upson Board of Education Moves Forward with Superintendent Search

The Thomaston-Upson County Board of Education continues to move forward in the process of selecting the district’s next Superintendent of Schools. Planning for the search began in February 2026, with the Board partnering with Georgia Leadership Associates to assist with the process.

The superintendent position was officially advertised, with applications accepted through March 12, 2026. As part of the search process, the Board also conducted an online survey to gather feedback from the community and school district staff. A total of 501 responses were received.

The Board of Education greatly values the input shared through this survey and will carefully review the feedback as part of the selection process.

Board members will now begin reviewing applicant materials and planning the interview phase of the search. The first round of interviews is expected to begin later this month.

Additional updates will be shared with the community as the process continues.

CITY OF THOMASTON'S EMP CELEBRATION WILL NOT CHANGE

 THOMASTON  POLICE  CHIEF  MIKE  RICHARDSON  TOLD   101  NEWS  THE  FUN  FEST  AT  BETHEL  AND  DANIEL  STREETS IS  ON  FOR  SATURDAY   NIGHT  OF  THE  EMANCIPATION  PROCLAMATION  CELEBRATION  BUT A  FRIDAY  NIGHT EVENT  DOWNTOWN  IS  OUT  BECAUSE OF  LOGISTICS  AND  PD MANPOWER.  THE  CHIEF  MET  WITH  REPRESENTATIVES OF  THE  CELEBRATION ON  THURSDAY  AND  HE NOTED  THE   TRADITIONAL  SATURDAY  PARADE  IS ON  FOR   11AM.

THERE HAD  BEEN  A PERMIT   REQUEST FOR  A  FRIDAY  NIGHT  EVENT  DOWNTOWN  BUT  THAT'S  THE  RAIN  DATE  FOR  HIGH  SCHOOL GRADUATION   PLUS  THE  CHIEF  SAID  IT  DEMANDS  TOO  MUCH OF  HIS  OFFICERS  FOR  THREE  WEEKEND  EVENTS.  EX-CITY  COUNCILMAN  WILLIAM  HUGHLEY  HAS  CONDUCTED  THE  FUN  FEST  AT  BETHEL  AND  DANIEL  FOR  YEARS  BUT  CHIEF  RICHARDSON  SAID  LAST  YEAR  THERE  WAS  A   PROBLEM  GETTING  THE  CROWD  TO  DISPURSE  AFTER  IT  ENDED  AT   9PM  BUT  ADMITTED  THE PD  PROBABLY  COULD  HAVE  DONE  A  BETTER  JOB.

NO FLOST FOR SPALDING COUNTY 2026

 THERE   WILL  BE  NO  FLOATING  SALES  TAX  MEASURE  FOR  PROPERTY  TAX  RELIEF   ON  THE  BALLOT  IN  SPALDING  COUNTY  IN  2026--DESPITE  EFFORTS  BY  COUNTY  COMMISSIONER  JAMES  DUTTON  AT A  CALLED  MEETING OF COMMISSIONERS,  GRIFFIN  CITY  OFFICIALS  AND  THE  BOARD OF  EDUCATION--WEDNESDAY.  DUTTON  WAS  THE  ONLY  COUNTY  COMMISSIONER  WHO  VOTED  IN  FAVOR--BUT  A FLOST  MUST  HAVE AT  LEAST  CITY  OF  GRIFFIN  SUPPORT  TO   GET IT ON  THE BALLOT--AS  THE    VOTERS    IN  THE   COUNTY OF  UPSON  AND  CITY   OF    THOMASTON    PASSED    LAST  YEAR.  THE  SPALDING  COUNTY  BOC  OPTED-OUT OF  HOUSE  BILL  581  LAST  YEAR  AND  DID  NOT  HAVE  A  FLOST  VOTE.

DUTTON  WHO   IS  OPPOSED  BY  TWO  OTHER  CANDIDATES  IN  THE  MAY  PRIMARY WAS  IN  A  RUSH  TO  GET  OTHER  OFFICIALS  ON  BOARD  BECAUSE MONDAY IS  THE  DEADLINE  TO  GET  SUCH  BALLOTS  APPROVED IN  LOCAL LEGISLATION   BY  THE  GA.  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  DUTTON   REPORTEDLY   GOT    BAD   REVIEWS  FROM THE  OTHER  BODIES  FOR  HIS  LAST  DITCH  EFFORT. 

SPALDING  COUNTY'S  LEGISLATIVE  DELEGATION  WAS  INFORMED  OF  THE  CALLED  MEETING  BUT  THE   ISSUE  REQUIRES  ACTION  BY  LOCAL OFFICIALS.  

UPSON-LEE VALEDICTORIAN AND SALUTATORIAN

 CONGRATULATIONS  TO UPSON-LEE  CLASS   OF   2026 VALEDICTORIAN  AISHA  DERICO  AND  SARAH KATE BENNETT SALUTATORIAN.

U-L HEAD FOOTBALL COACH AND AD LEAVING

 APPARENTLY  CHANGES  ARE  A-COMING IN  THE  ATHLETIC  DEPARTMENT  AT  UPSON-LEE  HIGH  SCHOOL.

HEAD FOOTBALL  COACH  JUSTIN  ELDER  HAS  REPORTEDLY  BEEN  HIRED  IN  MONROE COUNTY  FOR  A  MIDDLE  SCHOOL  TEACHING  POSITION--HE  WAS  HEAD  COACH  FOR   9  SEASONS  WITH A  RECORD  OF   51-WINS  48  LOSSES.   U-L   ATHLETIC  DIRECTOR  CHRIS KIRKSEY  HAS  REPORTEDLY  ACCEPTED  A  COACHING POSITION  AT  SMITH STATION, ALABAMA  AND  HEAD  BOYS  BASKETBALL COACH DARRELL LOCKHART HAS  TOLD   101  SPORTS  HE IS  RETIRING  AFTER  WINNING  TWO   STATE  CHAMPIONSHIPS  AT  UPSON-LEE.

THE  GA. HIGH SCHOOL  ASSOCIATION  HAS  ANNOUNCED  U-L'S  MATTEWS FIELD  WILL BE  THE   SITE OF  STATE SOCCER  PLAY-OFFS  IN  MAY.

BLOOD DRIVE IN THOMASTON

 The American Red Cross will be holding a blood drive in Auditorium C at the District Three Thomaston Office Tuesday, March 24, 2026, from 10:00am – 2:00pm.

Please see below for more information.

 

Schedule you blood donation appointment today!

Please visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter: gadot to schedule an appointment or use 

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