APRIL MEETING UPSON CO REPUBLICAN PARTY

 

When: Thursday, April 23, 2026, 6:00 pm

Where:  Tasty Shoppe - 621 E. Main Street

Guest Speakers:

Brian "Bud" Johnston - Candidate District 3 County Commissioner 

Daniel Cook - Representative for Buddy Carter - US Senate 

Due to continued repairs in our regular meeting room, Ernie Vaughn at the Tasty Shoppe has graciously allowed us to meet there on the 23rd.

No food will be provided.

If you or your organization would like to speak at one of the Upson County Republican Party meetings, you may contact us at upsonrepublicans@gmail.com or through our FACEBOOK page: Upson County Republican Party

Drug Arrest In Spalding County

 The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Division in conjunction with the 

Georgia Bureau of Investigation West Metro Regional Drug Enforcement Office and the Fayette County 

Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Division ended an investigation resulting in the arrest of approximately 

twenty individuals. 

Agents and investigators were able to learn that a drug organization ran by Brandon “TWIN” 

Williams and Gregory “CHUCK” Dodson were supplying multiple individuals within Spalding County, 

Fayette County and middle Georgia with methamphetamine, fentanyl, and other illegal narcotics. Agents 

believe that this organization may have been linked to fentanyl overdose deaths within Spalding County as 

well. Agents and investigators determined that Williams and Dodson were the head of the organization and 

would utilize houses within Dekalb and Clayton counties to sell massive quantities of illegal narcotics to 

drug traffickers who would then return to Spalding, Fayette, and other local counties. 

While executing over thirty (30) Search Warrants, Agents seized more than 20 pounds of 

methamphetamine, quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, marijuana, prescription pills, along with multiple

firearms.

The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Georgia State Patrol, the Butts 

County Sheriff’s Office, and the Henry County Police Department for their roles in this investigation. 

Without the cooperative efforts of our law enforcement partners this drug organization would have 

continued to sell narcotics to individuals throughout the State of Georgia. 

Sheriff Darrell Dix, “Williams and Dodson thought they were untouchable because they distanced 

themselves from here to where they lived. With the strong relationships between the GBI, Sheriff’s, and 

Police Departments in this area combined, we have some pretty long arms.”

This multi-agency investigation led to the following arrests:

Brandon Deon Williams B/M 35, (Clayton) – RICO, Unlawful use of telecommunications, 

Conspiracy to Traffic methamphetamine, Conspiracy to Sell Methamphetamine

Gregory Antoine Dodson B/M 35, (Clayton)- RICO, Unlawful use of telecommunications, 

Conspiracy to Traffic methamphetamine

Joseph Martin W/M 48 (Spalding)- RICO, Trafficking Methamphetamine, Possession of 

Methamphetamine, Possession with the intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Unlawful use of 

telecommunications.

Douglas Goins W/M 48 (Spalding)- RICO, Trafficking Methamphetamine, Possession of 

Methamphetamine, Possession with the intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Unlawful use of 

telecommunications.

Ron Johnson W/M 38 (Spalding)- RICO, Trafficking Methamphetamine, Possession of 

Methamphetamine, Possession with the intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Unlawful use of 

telecommunications.

Cynthia Finch W/F 54 (Spalding)- RICO, Trafficking Methamphetamine, Possession of 

Methamphetamine, Possession with the intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Unlawful use of 

telecommunications.

Ovilah Mulkey W/F 59 (Spalding)- RICO, Trafficking Methamphetamine, Possession of 

Methamphetamine, Possession with the intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Unlawful use of 

telecommunications.

Calem Ware W/M 25 (Spalding)- RICO, Trafficking Methamphetamine, Possession of 

Methamphetamine, Possession with the intent to Distribute Methamphetamine

Autumn Young W/F 42 (Henry)- RICO, Trafficking Methamphetamine, Possession of 

Methamphetamine, Possession with the intent to Distribute Methamphetamine

Richard Graves W/M 36 (Fayette)- RICO, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession with the 

intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Use of telecommunications.

Tracy Dingler W/F 57 (Spalding)- Possession of Methamphetamine

Eric Hamby W/M 43 (Coweta)- Trafficking Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine, 

Possession with the intent to Distribute Methamphetamine

Stephaine Strobel W/F 42 (Coweta)- Trafficking Methamphetamine, Possession of 

Methamphetamine, Possession with the intent to Distribute Methamphetamine

Crystal Denney W/F (Spalding)- Trafficking Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine, 

Possession with the intent to Distribute Methamphetamine

Ronald Smallwood W/M 38 (Spalding)- Trafficking Methamphetamine, Possession of 

Methamphetamine, Possession with the intent to Distribute Methamphetamine

Timothy Johnson W/M 37 (Spalding)- Trafficking Methamphetamine, Possession of 

Methamphetamine, Possession with the intent to Distribute Methamphetamine

Cindy Graham W/F 57 (Henry)- Trafficking Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine, 

Possession with the intent to Distribute Methamphetamine 

William Utter W/M 63 (Butts)- Trafficking Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine, 

Possession with the intent to Distribute Methamphetamine 

Zachary McClelland B/M 28 (Panama City Beach Florida)- Trafficking Methamphetamine, 

Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession with the intent to Distribute Methamphetamine 

Michael Martin B/M 43 (Fulton)- Possession of firearm by convicted felon, Possession of Schedule 

II, Theft by receiving, Possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute.

Richard Painter W/M 29 (Fayette)- Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession with the intent to 

Distribute Methamphetamine

FUN 101 MOTHER OF THE YEAR

 NOMINATE  YOUR  MOM  FOR   FUN  101  FM  MOTHER OF  THE  YEAR  ON  OUR  WEBSITE.   OFFER  A  SENTENCE OR  TWO  ON   WHY  SHE  SHOULD  BE SELECTED,   YOUR  CONTACT  INFORMATION  AND  MOM'S  AND  ENTER  PRIOR  TO  MAY  10TH  MOTHER'S  DAY AND  IF  SELECTED SHE  WINS  A  BASKET  OF   PRIZES  FROM  AREA  MERCHANTS.

PIKE CO CHANGE ADVANCE VOTING LOCATION

 — The Pike County Board of Elections and Registration announces that the Advance Voting location has been relocated from the Board of Elections Office to the J. Joel Edwards Public Library, located at 7077 Highway 19 South, Zebulon, Georgia. This relocation is intended to provide voters with a more accessible and accommodating facility, including improved parking and increased space to better serve the public during the Advance Voting period. All Advance Voting dates and hours will remain the same. Voters who typically vote early at the Board of Elections Office should report to the new location at the J. Joel Public Library. Voters are encouraged to plan accordingly and allow extra time if needed to familiarize themselves with the new location. Clear signage will be posted to assist voters. For additional information regarding Advance Voting, including dates, times, and sample ballots, please contact the Pike County Board of Elections and Registration at 770.567.2003 or visit https://govotepikecoga.wixsite.com/mysite.

THOMASTON'S TASTY SHOP BEING SOLD

 A  LONG-ESTABLISHED  EATERY--THE  TASTY  SHOP  ON  EAST  MAIN  IS  ABOUT  TO  HAVE  NEW  OWNERSHIP--OWNER  EARNIE  VAUGHN  HAS  BEEN  IN  BUSINESS   OVER 40  YEARS  BUT  NEW  OWNERS  MATT YOUNG  AND  THOMAS  BROWN  WILL  ASSUME  OWNERSHIP  APRIL   20TH.

MASTERS TOURNAMENT REPORTS ON FUN 101

 FUN101 FM  WILL   FEATURE  MASTERS  TOURNAMENT  COVERAGE  WED-SUN WITH  HISTORICAL  NOTES  FROM  KATIE  HILL SMITH--WHOSE  FATHER  WAS  AN ORIGINAL  VENDOR  AND  DOUG  AND  RUSS  HEAD  ON  MASTERS  AMATEUR  BILLY  JOE  PATTON.

REPORTS  BEGIN  WEDNESDAY  IN  THE   8AM  HOUR.

AJC REPORTS PERMANENTLY NIXED ON ATLANTIC STANDARD TIME BY GA. SOLONS

 The clock ran out on a bill aimed at moving Georgia to a new time zone, ending supporters’ hopes of abolishing the chore of changing the clocks twice per year.

House Bill 154 would have sought permission from the Trump administration to let Georgia leave the Eastern time zone, putting the state permanently on Atlantic Standard Time. The effect would have been to keep Georgia on daylight saving time year-round.

GA. GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON PROPERTY TAXES

 After pinging back and forth between the House and Senate, lawmakers ultimately approved a scaled-back version of a property tax rewrite on Thursday night.

The bill lets counties and some cities offset homeowner property taxes with a new 1% local sales tax, while also tightening rules for when local governments and school districts can collect more property tax revenue without voter approval.

The measure failed in the Senate Thursday night, just before the legislature was set to adjourn for the session. But soon after senators voted down House Bill 1116, they stripped Senate Bill 33, legislation pertaining to synthetic THC, and replaced it with language reflecting HB 1116.

The revised SB 33 passed the Senate and headed back over to the House, where it also passed. The full bill text is not yet available.

HONOREES FROM BARNESVILLE-LAMAR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BANQUET-4/2/26

 Farmer of the Year - Luke and Allie Andrews

Business Person of the Year - Thomas Boswell

Careerwoman of the Year - Kelly Page

Britton Cauthen Firefighter of the Year - Tanner Patterson

Police Officer of the Year - Patrick Saunders

Volunteer of the Year - Duane Davenport

Outstanding Citizen of the Year - Kathryn Green

Youth Leadership Award - Daylin Caslin

Star Student: 

Lamar County High School - William Hatch Woodall

Rock Springs High School - Tekay Trongthien Voong

St. George's High School - Robert Otis Hancher

UPSON COUNTY ZONING ORDIANCE CHANGES WILL WAIT UNTIL A NEW PLANNING DIRECTOR IS ON SITE

 COUNTY   ATTORNEY  HEATH  ENGLISH  TOLD  THE  UPSON  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS  AT  THE APRIL IST   WORK  SESSION  WORK  ON  CHANGES  TO THE   ZONING  ORDIANCE  SHOULD  BE  DELAYED UNTIL  THE  NEW  PLANNING  AND  ZONING  DIRECTOR  JEREMY  GILBERT  IS  ONBOARD  LATER  THIS  MONTH.   THE  ZONING  ORDIANCE  CONTAINS  OVER  150  PAGES  BUT  THE  ATTORNEY  SAID  IT  APPEARS  ONLY  ABOUT 20  PAGES  WILL  NEED  CHANGING.  THE  PLANNING  COMMISSION  AND  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS  HAVE  BEEN  DELIBRATING   ZONING  ORDIANCE  CHANGES  FOR  MONTHS  AND  MONTHS

ANNUAL FDR LECTURE AT GORDON STATE

   What: Gordon State College will host the 13th Annual Roosevelt Lecture Series, featuring a discussion on public health policy in Georgia and its connection to Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal. The event will include a keynote lecture by William J. Todd of the Georgia Institute of Technology, followed by a panel discussion with Gordon State College faculty and Joseph W. Evans, a member of the Cadence Bank board of directors. When: Thursday, April 9, 2026 6 p.m. Where: Gordon State College Russell Hall, Room 211 419 College Drive Barnesville, Ga. 30204 Who: Gordon State College; featured speaker William J. Todd; panelists Samantha Bishop and Joe Evans. Why: To provide students and the community with an opportunity to engage in discussion on the historical and modern impact of public health policy. Admission: FREE and OPEN to the public

PIKE COUNTY TIMES. COM/ FATALITY FROM THOMASTON

 ZEBULON - On Saturday, March 28, a head on collision occurred on Hwy 19 near Oliver Road. A Ford F150 was traveling south on Hwy 19 driven by Edward Alverson of Thomaston. The F150 crossed into oncoming traffic striking a Honda Acura driven by Kristina Miller of Thomaston.

It is unknown at this time why the vehicle crossed into oncoming traffic. Ms. Miller was deceased at the scene. Mr. Alverson was transported to a hospital by air ambulance. The accident occurred around 8:56 p.m

WRECK IN DOWNTOWN THOMASTON

 THOMASTON POLICE/FIRE  AND  EMS  RESPONDED  TO  A  TWO  PICK-UP  WRECK  AT  MAIN  AND  CENTER  STREETS  AROUND  10'30AM  FRIDAY--A  CITY OF  THOMASTON  PUBLIC  WORKS  PICK-UP  AND  ANOTHER  PICK-UP  INVOLVED--NO   ONE  TRANSPORTED.  AT  AVE. L.  AND  BARNESVILLE  STREET  ANOTHER MISHAP  AND  THOMASTON  FIRE  DEPARTMENT  REPORTED  AN  ADULT  FEMALE  AND  A  CHILD  TRANSPORTED  TO  THE  ER  BY  EMS.

UPSON BOC RECOGNIZES 4H'ers 03/24/2026 WITH EXTENSION AGENT HAILEY PARTAIN & PROGRAM COORDINATOR ASHLEE LINDSEY

 

                                                          Photo Courtesy Cherie Spillers

PIKE COUNTY JOURNAL-REPORTER ON THE FLINT RIVER

 

Pike County Journal-Reporter

16h ·

Water from the Flint River and Molena reservoir will supply a Hampton data center after an agreement with the City of Griffin to provide 5 million gallons per day (after three years of 750,000 gallons per day). The deadline for public comment is March 27 (the link to officially comment is in the story).

https://pikecountygeorgia.com/molena-reservoir-flint.../

T-U BOE CALLED MEETING 3/26/26

 THE  THOMASTON-UPSON  BOARD OF  EDUCATION  CALLED  MEETING  THURSDAY  (TODAY)  4PM  AT  THE  SOUTH  TEL  BUILDING  205  EAST  GORDON  STREET  TO  BEGIN  THE  INTERVIEW  PROCESS  FOR  A  HIRING  A  NEW  SCHOOL  SUPERINTENDANT.   THE  APPLICATION  WINDOW    HAS   CLOSED   AND  THERE'S  REPORTEDLY  10  APPLICATIONS.