UPSON COUNTY SO SAYS THE LOSS AT THE BUS BUSINESS AT 1385 BARNESVILLE HIGHWAY COULD BE $60 TO $70,000 AFTER SOMEONE APPARENTLY CUT THROUGH A FENCE AND STOLE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS OFF 30 BUSES. THE ITEMS CONTAIN EXPENSIVE METALS THAT MAKE THEM VALUABLE.
South Metro's News Leader
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
IMPORTANT TAX INFO FROM UPSON TAX COMMISSIONER ANDY CHASTAIN
PSA UPSON CO TAX COMMISSIONER
Upson County property taxpayers can expect a due date of early to mid-December this year due to the new property tax legislation creating a delay in assessment notices being mailed out. The GA Dept. of Revenue did not give the green light for assessment notices to be mailed out until the 1st of June this year when typically, those notices are mailed out in April each year, therefore allowing the 45 day appeal period to be met well before the July 15th deadline of giving the tax digest to the tax commissioner for the digest approval process.
UPSON CO HOUSE FIRE 7/2/26
UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS MORE INFO ON A HOUSE FIRE AT 111 GLENWARD DRIVE JULY 2ND THAT HEAVILY DAMAGED THE HOME OF KAREN AND LARRY SMITH. IT APPARENTLY STARTED FROM A SIDE BY SIDE PARKED NEXT TO THE HOUSE. THE OCCUPANTS SAID THEY HEARD A BIG BOOM AND VITUALLY EVERY FIRE DEPARTMENT IN THE COMMUNITY RESPONDED.
TPD ARRESTS JUVENILES FOR CAR THEFT
THOMASTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF
Chief Michael Richardson
For Immediate Release: Contact: Chief Mike Richardson
July 8, 2026 Thomaston Police Department
mrichardson@cityofthomaston.com
706-647-5455
PRESS RELEASE
Thomaston Police Arrest Two Juveniles Following Stolen Vehicle Investigation
The Thomaston Police Department has arrested two juveniles, ages 12 and 15, in connection
with the theft of a vehicle during the early morning hours of Monday, July 6, 2026. Charges are
also pending against a third juvenile believed to be involved.
At approximately 2:37 a.m., officers responded to the 300 block of 6th Avenue after a gray 2011
Kia Optima was reported stolen. A BOLO was immediately issued to surrounding law
enforcement agencies.
Just over an hour later, a Thomaston Police officer and an Upson County Sheriff's deputy located
the stolen vehicle near 300 Avenue F (Farview Apartments). When officers attempted to stop the
vehicle, three suspects fled on foot.
A coordinated search by the Thomaston Police Department and Upson County Sheriff's Office
resulted in the arrest of two juveniles. Investigators later identified a third juvenile involved, and
additional charges are pending. The vehicle was recovered with damage to the steering column
consistent with it being unlawfully taken.
These arrests follow a recent increase in entering auto incidents and vehicle thefts throughout the
City of Thomaston. Over the past 60 days, the Thomaston Police Department has investigated
approximately 22 entering auto incidents and 5 vehicle thefts, with Kia vehicles being
specifically targeted.
As part of this ongoing investigation, investigators have also arrested 22-year-old Darrell
Hussey, who is charged with the following:
-(11) counts of Criminal Damage to Property
-(9) counts of Criminal Attempt of Motor Vehicle Theft
-(11) counts of Entering Auto
-(2) counts of Theft by Taking Motor Vehicle
-(1) count of Possession of Firearm During the Commission of a Crime
-(2) counts of Conspiracy to Commit a Crime
-(1) count of Loitering and Prowling
-(1) count of False Name
-(1) count of Possession of Tools for the Commission of a Crime
THOMASTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF
Chief Michael Richardson
Investigators believe Hussey is associated with the juveniles involved, as well as a larger group
believed to be responsible for these crimes.
The Criminal Investigations Division has worked diligently over the past 2 months to identify
those responsible, and additional arrests are expected.
The Thomaston Police Department would like to thank the Upson County Sheriff's Office for
their assistance. This investigation remains active, and anyone with information related to recent
entering auto incidents or veh
Monday, July 6, 2026
BIG RIG OVERTURNED IN UPSON CO
UPSON COUNTY FIRE AND RESCUE UNITS RESPONDED TO AN OVERTURNED SEMI AT 19 SOUTH AND HIGHWAY 80 MONDAY AFTERNOON AND THE DRIVER WAS AIR FLIGHTED TO AN OUT OF TOWN TRAUMA CENTER. 101 NEWS SPOKE WITH NORTHSIDE FIRE DEPARTMENT CHIEF CHARLES SANDEFUR WHO TOLD US SALEM VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT CALLED FOR MUTUAL AID AND HIS CREW RESPONDED. WE WERE TOLD FIRE AND RESCUE UNITS HAD TO FREE THE TRAPPED TRUCK DRIVER WITH THE JAWS OF LIFE CUTTING TOOL. THE BIG RIG WAS TRAVELING ON 19 SOUTH WHEN THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED AND WAS TRANSPORTING LIQUID WASTE. GA. STATE PATROL IS INVESTIGATING.
Thursday, July 2, 2026
SPALDING CO SHERIFF DIX REPORTS
On Saturday, June 27, 2026, at approximately 05:30 hours, Spalding County
Uniform Patrol Division Deputies responded to 100 block of Westridge Drive regarding
an Entering Auto and Aggravated Assault that had occurred moments earlier. While
entering one of the vehicles at 108 Westridge, the suspects were confronted by the
homeowner who had gone outside to check on a noise he had heard. While being
confronted, one of the individuals fired 3 shots at the homeowner as the suspects fled the
scene in one of the vehicles they had previously stolen. Upon arrival and after initial
interviews, shift supervisors requested that a Criminal Investigator respond to the scene.
In all, 8 entering auto crimes had occurred that night, 2 vehicles had been stolen, and the
Aggravated Assault had occurred.
While the Investigator was responding he was notified that Uniform Patrol
Officers had already identified the vehicle that was used by the suspects and had located
it abandoned in the Will’s Walk Subdivision off of Vineyard Road.
As Investigators and UPD Deputies began tracking an electronic device that had
been stolen from one of the vehicles, the Spalding County 911 Center received a call
from a citizen regarding suspicious teenagers walking through the Wills Walk
subdivision. Two teens fitting the descriptions were located by Deputies in the 1000
block of Vineyard Road which is very close to Wills Walk subdivision. One of them was
positively identified as the suspect who fired the shots at the homeowner in the 100 block
of Westridge Drive due to his clothing and backpack he was wearing. A search of the
backpack incident to his arrest uncovered a pistol that had been stolen from one of the
vehicles that had been entered earlier.
Over the next 24-hours, Investigators were able to tie the suspects to a string of
entering autos that had occurred during the previous week. Identified and charged are:
Leon McCampbell, B/M 18, of Griffin
1 count- Aggravated Assault
4 counts- Theft by Taking motor vehicle
18 counts- Entering Auto
1 count- Poss Firearm During Commission of a Crime
16-year-old juvenile, B/M 16, of Griffin
4 counts- Theft by Taking motor vehicle
18 counts- Entering Auto
1 count- Poss Firearm During Commission of a Crime
McCampbell is currently in custody at the Spalding County Jail, the juvenile was
detained at Martha Glaze Juvenile Facility in Clayton County.
Sheriff Darrell Dix, “These suspects were stealing because they wanted stuff
without paying for it. It’s that simple. They are blessed that they didn’t run across an
armed homeowner who shot back.”
“This was great work by Uniform Patrol Deputies and Criminal Investigators
working together as a team and following through until the suspects were captured. They
kept pushing and moving forward and ended up solving a string of crimes. I’m proud of
them and the work they do every day.
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
UPSON CO ELECTIONS/VOTER REGISTRATION HAS A WARNING
THE UPSON COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS AND REGISTRATION IS WARNING THE PUBLIC ABOUT FRAUDLENT MAILINGS REGARDING VOTER REGISTRATION. YOU CAN ONLY REGISTER TO VOTE AT THE ELECTIONS OFFICE IN THE DRAKE ANNEX AT THE GOVERNMENT COMPLEX OR YOU CAN REGISTER TO VOTE ONLINE.
RULES FOR THOMASTON CHESS TOURNAMENT
COFFEE SHOP SUMMER CHESS SERIES
BLITZ SWISS CHESS TOURNAMENT
WHOLESOME BOWLS COFFEE SHOP
105 South Center Street, Thomaston, GA
(762) 319-9119 or (706) 271-5944
Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at 4PM
RULES
1. Due to space limitations the tournament is limited to the first twelve
(12) players to sign up.
2. This is not a United States Chess Federation (USCF) rated event and
no USCF membership is required to play in the tournament. It is
open to all.
3. There is no cost to play. Just sign up at the store or call it in.
Registration closes 10 minutes before the start of the first round.
4. This is an open “Blitz” chess format tournament. (5 minutes per side
with a 5 second increment)
5. This will be a Swiss-system tournament (This is a competition
format in which contestants are paired using rules designed to ensure
that each competitor plays opponents with a similar running score
without playing the same opponent more than once. Match pairing for
each round is done after the previous round has ended and depends
on its results.)
6. There will be five (5) rounds. Every player will play in each
round. Round Times: Round 1: 4:00 PM; Round 2: 4:20 PM; Round
3: 4.40 PM; Round 4: 5:00 PM; Round 5: 5:20 PM.
7. Each Win earns one point. A Loss earns no points. A draw earns ½
point for each player.
8. The player with the highest score after five rounds wins the
tournament.
9. Players are not required to record their scores but may do so. Score
sheets and pencils will be provided.
10. Boards and clocks will be provided.
11. No requested Byes are allowed.
12. No withdrawals permitted after tournament begins. Rounds missed
will be deemed forfeited and counted as losses.
PRIZES
Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals will be awarded to the First, Second, and
Third place winners. Also free smoothies to the medalists courtesy of the
Wholesome Bowls Coffee Shop.*
*This tournament is sponsored by the Thomaston Chess Club and the
Kings Army Chess Club who will provide the medals
ATTENTION CHESS PEOPLE IN THOMASTON AREA
Aloha Chess People,
On Wednesday, July 8th, the Kings Army Chess Club and the Thomaston Chess Club will host the 3rd tournament in their Coffee Shop Summer Chess Series. The tournament will be held at the Wholesome Bowls Coffee Shop in downtown Thomaston.
This will be an open "Blitz" chess tournament with each game featuring 5 minutes per side with a 5 second increment. (Each time a player completes a move, 5 seconds is added to the player's time. So each 12 moves gets the player an additional minute of time. It's much harder to run out of time with a 5 second increment.) There will be five rounds. Every contestant will play in every round. Pairings will be determined using a "Swiss" system in which basically winners play winners and losers play losers. The field will be limited to 12 players. Handsome engraved Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals will be awarded to the top 3 finishers. Also free smoothies from Wholesome Bowls Coffee Shop to each medalist. This will be a fast-paced and fun tournament for players of all skill levels. There is no cost to enter.
More detailed information about the tournament is attached.
Hope to see you all at the Wholesome Bowls Coffee Shop next week.
Mahalo
Bentley Adams, III
Monday, June 29, 2026
GOV ANNOUNCED $2 MILLION GRANT TO T-U IDA
GOVERNOR BRIAN KEMP HAS ANNOUNCED A $2 MILLION RURAL SITE DEVELOPMENT GRANT FOR THE THOMASTON-UPSON DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. IT WILL BE USED TO CONSTRUCT WATER, SEWER, AND TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE AT THE GRAD-CERTIFIED CENTRAL GA. BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY PARK. THE TOTAL PROJECT COSTS ARE $2.3 MILLION.
SPALDING CO COOLING STATIONS
We have worked with partners to schedule a cooling center in Spalding County to escape the heat that we are already experiencing. Attached is the location and hours that is available beginning today (Monday June 29). The location is:
• Flint River Regional Library (800 Memorial Drive in Griffin):
- Monday and Thursday from 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
“The heat out there is getting oppressive,” said County Manager Dr. Steve Ledbetter, “and we want to provide relief for our citizens, specifically the most vulnerable. Please take advantage of these cooling centers if you’re feeling at risk.”
To assist residents in our community with coping with extreme heat, the Rotary Club of Griffin and the Rotary Club of Griffin Daybreak have partnered with Spalding County Emergency Management to provide fans to the community.
There is a limited amount of fans that will be available on a first come- first serve basis for Spalding County residents with one (1) fan per household.
This opportunity to offer fans to residents is a special project from both Rotary clubs and we appreciate the partnership as we assist those in our community, along with Walmart of Griffin that assisted in acquiring the fans for the clubs.
To request a fan, please visit the Spalding County Fire / Emergency Management Administration Complex located at 1005 Memorial Drive from 10a-2p on Wednesday 7/1 and Thursday 7/2, where fans will be available until all of the supply is depleted.
For more information, please contact Spalding County Office of Homeland Security / Emergency Management at 770-228-2129.
Please let us know if there is anything else that we can do for you.
Hope you have a great day!!
Glenn
Glenn Polk, MPA, CFO, CEM, GAFC, MiFireE, EMT-I, CCC, GA-PCEM
Fire Chief – Administration / Emergency Management, Spalding County Fire Department
Director, Spalding County Office of Homeland Security / Emergency Management
1005 Memorial Drive Griffin, GA 30223
(O) 770-228-2129 (F) 770-467-4785
(C) 770-527-2855
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