South Metro's News Leader
GA. TECH WON THE ACC BASEBALL TOURNAMENT OVER NORTH CAROLINA 13-6 SUNDAY. FORMER UPSON=LEE PITCHER JACKSON BLAKELY WAS THE WINNING PITCHER FOR TECH IN THE SEMI-FINAL WIN OVER MIAMI SATURDAY 9-3. STARTER BLAKELY IMPROVED TO 8-1 AFTER LIMITING MIAMI TO TWO RUNS ON SEVEN HITS OVER 5.2 INNINGS.
THE GA. BULLDOGS WON THE SEC BASEBALL TOURNAMENT SUNDAY 11-1 OVER ARKANSAS.
THE PASTOR OF THE GATHERING CHURCH REV. CHARLES BENNETT DIED IN A UTILITY VEHICLE WRECK AT HIS PROPERTY ON FIRETOWER ROAD SATURDAY. ACCORDING TO UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF DAN KILGORE PASTOR BENNETT WAS TRANSPORTING SOME TRASH IN A SIDE-BY - SIDE UTILITY VEHICLE WHEN HE WENT DOWN AN EMBANKMENT AND IT FLIPPED OVER. HIS WIFE BECAME CONCERNED WHEN HE DID NOT RETURN TO THE HOUSE AND DISCOVERED THE BODY.
LAKE OCONEE, Ga. — A fiscal year 2027 budget of $239.1 million was unanimously approved by the University of Georgia Athletic Association Board of Directors at its annual spring meeting that concluded Friday.
The budget projection for 2027 represents an 8.2 percent increase from the 2026 budget. A growth in revenue is expected due to an increase in Southeastern Conference distribution and expanded ticket revenue in football due to the Georgia/Florida game being played in Atlanta, among other factors.
Day two agenda items included presentations from student representatives Lauren Baker and Kaila Jackson as well as a student wellness committee report from faculty athletics representative professor David Shipley.
BARNESVILLE, Ga. – Gordon State College is reflecting on a period of significant institutional growth and momentum following the announcement Friday that President Donald J. Green has been confirmed as president of Valdosta State University by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG). Since arriving at Gordon State in 2023, Green has led the college through a period of strategic advancement centered on student success, enrollment growth, workforce alignment and campus revitalization. Under his leadership, Gordon State launched the “Future Forward” strategic plan, a multi-year roadmap focused on accelerating degree completion, strengthening student support systems and aligning academic offerings with the evolving needs of Georgia’s workforce. The college achieved a record Fall-to-Fall retention rate of 64.5% in 2025, marking a 13% increase over the previous year
GRIFFIN POLICE HAVE ARRESTED A COUPLE INVOLVED IN A DOMESTIC INCIDENT THAT RESULTED IN A SHOOTING AT THE 700 BLOCK OF WEST POPLAR ST. THE PRIMARY AGGRESSOR A FEMALE , 33- YEAR OLD EMMEKIA PONDER ALLEGEDLY SHOT 27-YEAR OLD DERRICK ROBINSON IN THE SHOULDER WHO WAS CHARGED WITH BATTERY FAMILY VIOLENCE.
ACCORDING TO POST 26 GSP--THOMASTON COMMANDER SGT. JAMES WOMBLE TROOPERS HAVE ARRESTED 31 YEAR OLD SARAH ELIZABETH DANIEL OF STAFFORD AVE.-BARNESVILLE ON CHARGES OF VECHICULAR HOMOCIDE AND OTHER VIOLATIONS IN THE DEATH OF 29 YEAR OLD DANIEL BLOUNT OF SKELTON ROAD-THOMASTON ON APRIL 18TH. THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED ON DELRAY ROAD JUST BEFORE TYLER LANE AND BOND WAS SET AT $300,000 FOR MS. DANIEL.
MR. BLOUNT WAS DRIVING A TRIUMPH ROADSTER CONVERTIBLE AND THE GSP REPORT SAID MS. DANIEL ATTEMPTED TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE IN A HONDA AND CAUSED A HEAD-ON COLLISION--TROOPER DAVID JOSEPH SUTTON SAID IN HIS REPORT.
EX-DISTRICT ATTORNEY JONATHAN ADAMS HAS APPARENTLY WON THE JUDGESHIP RACE IN THE TOWALIGA JUDICIAL CIRCUIT WITH 51 POINT 85% OF THE VOTE. DR. BUBBA LONGGREER SEEMS TO BE HEADED FOR A RUNOFF FOR GA. SCHOOL SUPERINTENDANT WITH INCUMBENT RICHARD WOODS.
CITY OF THOMASTON ATTORNEY JOHNNIE CALDWELL TOLD THE CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY NIGHT HE HAD THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO SERVE NOTICE TO THE OWNER OF THOMASTON TOBACCO AND VAPE AT 1091 19 NORTH THAT A HEARING WILL BE HELD REGARDING A VARIANCE GRANTED THE BUSINESS AS CITY HALL REPORTEDLY SEEKS TO SHUT-DOWN THE BUSINESS. THE OWNER ABDUL-GHA-FOOR SA-LAY--OWNER OF THE VAPE STORE WAS ARRESTED ON FELONY CHRGES OF SELLING VAPE PRODUCTS TO AN UNDERAGE UNDERCOVER POLICE OFFICER.A PRODUCT THAT SEEMS TO HAVE THC PROPERTIES.
THOMASTON NATIVE ELIZABETH DALLAS GOBEIL WAS REELECTED TO THE GA. COURT OF APPEALS WITH 59% OF THE VOTE, 845,350 VOTES.
SPALDING COUNTY RETURNS--CHAIRMAN CLAY DAVIS REELECTED TO DISTECT 5 COUNTY COMMISSIONER 1492 TO 1004 OVER HARVEY CLARK . INCUMBENT JAMES DUTTON DISTRICT TWO DUTTON 1246, OVER BRYAN HAYES 843 AND TODD JOHNSON 354.
SOLICITOR GENERAL STATE COURT SPALDING COUNTY --TOMMY ISON 4710 OVER AUDREY HOLLIDAY 2795.
UPSON COUNTY ELECTED A NEW COUNTY COMMISSIONER FOR DISTRICT 3 IN TUESDAY'S PRIMARY--BRIAN "BUD" JOHNSTON POLLED 662 VOTES--56.58% TO DEFEAT INCUMBENT PAUL JONES WHO RECEIVED 277 VOTES-23.68% AND BILL MAHER WON 16% OF THE VOTE OR 197 VOTES . SCHOOL BOARD CHAIR JACQUELINE HOLLIS POLLED 66% OF THE VOTE TO DEFEAT CHALLENGER VAY WALKER WITH 30%.
ELIZABETH DALLAS GOBEIL GOT ALMOST 66% OF UPSON'S VOTE FOR REELECTION TO THE GA. COURT OF APPEALS AND WAS LEADING STATEWIDE.
THOMASTONIAN BUBBA LONGGREAR POLLED 38% FOR STATE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDANT BUT CAME UP SHORT TO INCUMBENT RICHARD WOODS WHO RECEIVED 50.88%.
UPSON'S STATE SENATOR DISTRICT 18 STEVEN MCNEEL GOT 90% OF THE VOTE OVER EUGENE ALLISON OF THOMASTON WHO POLLED 9.88%.
Upson County’s next delinquent tax sale will be held October 6th, 2026. Any properties that are still due for 2025 taxes or before will be submitted to this sale on June 5th, 2026. At that time, tax sale fees amounting to $225.00 per parcel will be added to the amount of taxes due. These fees include pre-levy costs and the cost of a title search for each property. We highly encourage anyone still owing 2025 property tax to have your account paid in full before June 5th . This does not apply to any properties still under BOE appeal for the 2025 tax year. If you have any concerns or questions, please contact the Tax Office at 706-647-8931
ITS PRIMARY ELECTION DAY IN GEORGIA WITH POLLS OPEN TILL 7PM AND FUN 101 FM WILL HAVE ELECTION RETURNS AFTER THE POLLS CLOSE ON AIR AND ON OUR WEBSITE.
TWO CANDIDATES WITH UPSON COUNTY TIES ARE ON THE BALLOT STATEWIDE ELIZABETH DALLAS GOBEIL IS SEEKING REELECTON TO THE GA. COURT OF APPEALS ON THE NON-PARTISAN BALLOT AND SHE HAS OPPOSITION.
AND DR. BUBBA LONGGREAR WHO CLAIMS THOMASTON AS HIS HOME AFTER LIVING HERE IN HIGH SCHOOL--IS RUNNING FOR STATE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT. HE HAS BEEN SCHOOL SUPERINTENDANT OF THE CANDLER COUNTY SCHOOLS FOR 11 YEARS. SPEAKER BURNS OF THE GA. HOUSE IS ENDORSING BUBBA OVER CURRENT SUPERINTENDANT RICHARD WOODS BECAUSE HE SAYS GEORGIA'S TEST SCORES HAVE NOT IMPROVED.
ON THE BALLOT IN UPSON COUNTY 3RD DISTRICT COUNTY COMMISSIONER INCUMBENT PAUL JONES, AND CHALLENGERS BILL MAHER AND BRIAN "BUD" JOHNSTON.
STATE EPD WILL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING MONDAY 6PM AT THE CIVIC CENTER IN THOMASTON ON AN AIR PERMIT FOR THE PROPOSED BRIGHTMARK CIRCULATORY SYSTEM AT THE BIZ/PARK AT THE AIRPORT. UPSON COUNTY GOVERNMENT WILL TAPE THE EVENT AND POST IN ON THE COUNTY WEBSITE AND ON FACEBOOK.
1. 25R0375 | ERIC BERNARDJOHNSON | CT. 1: FLEEING/ATTEMPTING TO ELUDE POLICE OFFICER: 10 YEARS WITH THE FIRST 1 YEAR TO SERVE, FOLLOWED BY 9 YEARS ON PROBATION; 80 HOURS COMMUNITYSERVICE; |
$1,000 FINE. CT. 2: FLEEING/ATTEMPTING TO ELUDE POLICE OFFICER: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 3: INTERFERENCE WITH GOVERNMENT PROPERTY: 5 YEARS PROBATION, CONSECUTIVE TO COUNT1. | ||
2. 25R0439 | KORDAE BENDARIANCALDWELL | CT. 1: ENTERING AN AUTOMOBILE: 5 YEARS WITH 60-120 DAYS IN PDC ANDTHE REMAINDER ON PROBATION;$1,000 FINE; 80 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE; RESTITUTION OF $400. CT. 2: THEFT BY TAKING: 5 YEARS PROBATION CONCURRENT WITHCOUNT 1. |
3. 25R0492 | STEPHEN BRET HATCHER | CT. 1: POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE: ALFORD PLEA 3 YEARS PROBATION; $1,000 FINE; 80HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE. |
4. 25R0531 | KELSEY JEAN PAIGELLOYD | CT. 1: THEFT BY SHOPLIFTING: 12 MONTHS PROBATION; $1,000 FINE; 40HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE. |
5. 25R0537 | AUDREY LYNN SELPH | CT. 1: THEFT OF SERVICES: 12 MONTHS PROBATIONCONCURRENT WITH 25R0546; $500 FINE; RESTITUTION OF $78.95. |
6. 25R0546 | AUDREY LYNN SELPH | CT. 1: BATTERY- FAMILY VIOLENCE: 12 MONTHS PROBATION; $500 FINE; 40 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE. |
7. 26R0023 | NATALIE ROSEBOSWELL | CT. 1: THEFT BY TAKING: ALFORD PLEA: 12 MONTHS PROBATION; $500 FINE; 40 COMMUNITY SERVICE; RESTITUTION TBD. |
8. 26R0078 CHRISTOPHER LEE FOUNTAIN CT. 1: THEFT BY DECEPTION: 5 YEARS
PROBATION WITH 1 YEAR TO SERVE IN CONFINEMENT (TIMESERVED); $1,000 FINE; 80 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE; RESTITUTION
$3,360.00.
9. 25R0341 MICHAEL DAVID FLEMING CT. 1: OBSTRUCTION OF OFFICER: 12 MONTHS
PROBATION; $500 FINE; 40 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE.
