EPD PUBLIC HEARING ON BRIGHTMARK MONDAY

 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.

PLEA LIST – JUDGE W. FLETCHER SAMS, GJC MAY 14, 2026

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.

PLEA LIST – JUDGE W. FLETCHER SAMS, GJC MAY 13, 2026

 

1.          24R0221           DERREK LEE NELLOR                                      CT. 1: AGGRAVATED ASSAULT: LESSER CHARGE

OF DISORDERLY CONDUCT: 5 MONTHS CONFINEMENT(TIME SERVED).

CT. 2: AGGRAVATED ASSAULT: NOLLE PROSEQUI.

CT. 3: BATTERY FAMILY VIOLENCE: NOLLE PROSEQUI.

CT. 4: CRIMINAL TRESPASS: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 5:OBSTRUCTION OF OFFICER: NOLLE PROSEQUI.

 

2.          24R0284          JOSEPH ZACHARY MCKINLEY                       CT. 1: BURGLARY 1^ST DEGREE: 25 YEARS WITH

5 YEARS SERVED IN CONFINEMENT (TIME SERVED) AND THE REMAINDER ON PROBATION; 80 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE;

$1,000 FINE.

 

3.          25R0138         SANTONIO CORNELIUS ELLISON          CT. 1: DRIVING UNDER INFLUENCE:

12 MONTHS PROBATION WITH 72 HOURS CONFINEMENT;30 DAYS COMMUNITY SERVICE; $1,000 FINE.

CT. 2: DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED: 12 MONTHSPROBATION CONCURRENT WITH COUNT 1; $1,000 FINE.

CT. 3: VIOLATION OF DUTY UPON STRIKING FIXED OBJECT:NOLLE PROSEQUI.

CT. 4: OPEN CONTAINER: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 5:FAILURE TO MAINTAIN LANE: NOLLE PROSEQUI.

CT. 6: RECKLESS DRIVING: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 7:FAILURE TO WEAR SAFETY BELT: NOLLE PROSEQUI.

 

4.          25R0205           TEION JAVONTAE DAVIS                                CT. 1: POSSESSION OF COCAINE WITH INTENT

TO DISTRIBUTE: 10 YEARS WITH FIRST 2 YEARS TO SERVE IN CONFINEMENT AND THE REMAINDER ONPROBATION; 80 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE; $2,000 FINE.

		CT. 2: FAILURE TO WEAR SAFETY BELT:NOLLE PROSEQUI.
5.  25R0237	CALVIN SHEROID PRICE	CT. 1: AGGRAVATED ASSAULT- FAMILY VIOLENCE: ALFORD PLEA: 10YEARS PROBATION; 80 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE; $1,000 FINE.
6.  25R0381	CASEY ORLANDOMOORE	CT. 1: TRAFFICKING METHAMPHETAMINE: NOLLE PROSEQUI CT. 2: POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE: 20 YEARS WITH THE FIRST 7 YEARS TO SERVE IN CONFINEMENT WITH REMAINDER ON PROBATION;$5,000 FINE; BANISHMENT FROM GRIFFIN JUDICIAL CIRCUIT. CT. 3: INTERFERENCE WITH GOVERNMENT PROPERTY: 5 YEARS TOSERVE IN CONFINEMENT,CONCURRENT WITH COUNT 2. CT. 4:OBSTRUCTION OF OFFICER: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 5: OBSTRUCTION OF OFFICER: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 6: OBSTRUCTION OF OFFICER: NOLLE PROSEQUI.
7.  25R0482	DEPETRO VANQUIZKING	CT. 1: SIMPLE BATTERY-FAMILY VIOLENCE: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 2: PUBLIC DRUNKENESS: 12 MONTHS PROBATION; $1,000 FINE; 40HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE. CT. 3: DISORDERLY CONDUCT: NOLLE PROSEQUI.

 

ANDY HAY CHIEF NORTHSIDE FIRE DEPARTMENT

 ​

​Mr. Andrew "Andy" Hay Jr., age 76, of Meansville, passed away on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at The Gardenias Assisted Living.  

Mr. Hay was born on May 19, 1949, in Thomaston, Georgia to the late Andrew Hay Sr. and the late Mary Pitts Redwine.  In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Ann Bell Hay, stepfather, Frank Redwine, and brother Tony Hay.  

Andy is survived by his son and daughter in law, Jason and Rikki Hay, grandson, Kasen Hay, granddaughter, Ryan Olivia Hay, son Adam Hay and his partner, Lindsey Philpott, grandchildren, Doc Hay, Rilyn, Colt, Fiora, two nieces and several cousins.

Andy has always been an avid car guy!  He loved going to car shows and driving around the cars he had.  He was the Chief of Northside Volunteer Fire Department for over 40 years and loved every minute of it.  He retired from the Georgia Department of Revenue in 2004.  After his retirement, he spent most of his days hanging out at Corley's Garage.  He was well known around Thomaston and never met at a stranger. 

Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 18, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. from Northridge Church.  Burial will follow at Crystal Hill Cemetery.  The family will receive friends on Sunday, May 17, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. -4:00 p.m. at Coggins Funeral Home.

STATEMENT FROM T-U REC DIR. ERIK FOSTER ON TEE BALL INCIDENT

 The Thomaston-Upson Recreation Department does not tolerate any form of physical altercation, violence, or conduct that negatively impacts the safety and integrity of our programs. Recently, two coaches were involved in a physical altercation that resulted in the City of Thomaston pursuing Disorderly Conduct charges under the applicable city ordinance. Those legal matters are being handled independently by the proper authorities and are separate from Recreation Department disciplinary actions.

After reviewing the situation, the Thomaston-Upson Recreation Department has determined that both individuals will be suspended from all coaching activities for the Summer, Fall, and Winter sports seasons. Neither individual will be eligible to return to coaching duties any earlier than the Spring season of 2027, and any potential return will be contingent upon successful completion of an approved anger management course.

As a department, we are committed to maintaining a safe, positive, and respectful environment for all athletes, families, coaches, officials, and spectators. Behavior that compromises those standards will not be tolerated, and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken when necessary.

 

Erik Foster

Director of  Parks & Recreation

706-975-4394

Efoster@upsoncountyga.org

101 Civic Center Drive

P.O. Box 470

Thomaston, GA 30286

UPSON SO/THOMASTON PD RESPONDS TO TEE BALL INCIDENT

 UPSON  COUNTY  SHERIFF'S   OFFICE    ASSISTED  BY  THOMASTON  POLICE ARRESTED  TWO  TEE BALL COACHES  TUESDAY  EVENING  FOR A  DISAGREEMENT  AT  THE  CIVIC  CENTER  TEE  BALL  FIELD. ACCORDING  TO  THE  S.O.  REPORT 33  YEAR  OLD  JACOB  WAINWRIGHT  WHO IS  WHITE  AND  39  YEAR  OLD JESSE  GARMON  WHO  IS  BLACK  CHARGED  AT  EACH  OTHER  DURING  A  COACHES  CONFERENCE  ON  THE  PITCHING  MOUND.    DEPUTY DINASIS  WALKER  WAS  WORKING  SECURITY  AND  RUSHED  IN  TO  SEPERATE   THE  TWO  COACHES.  IN  THE  S.O.  REPORT  GARMON  TOLD  THE  DEPUTY   IT  WAS  OVER   RACIAL   COMMENTS.   A  WITNESS  THOUGHT  GARMON  MIGHT  HAVE    JUST  GOT  UPSET  BY  AN  UMPIRE'S  CALL. BOTH  COACHES  WERE  CHARGED  WITH  DISORDERLY CONDUCT  AND  BOOKED  AT  THE  UPSON COUNTY  JAIL.

THE  SHERIFF'S  OFFICE  REPORT  SAID  PARENTS  BEGAN  TO  STORM  THE  FIELD  WHEN  THE     INCIDENT     STARTED.

UPSON COUNTY ZONING ORDIANCE CHANGES

 THE  UPSON  COUNTY  PLANNING  COMMISSION  5;30  MEETING  MONDAY  LASTED  UNTIL   8PM  IN  DISCUSSIONS  OVER  ZONING  ORDIANCE  CHANGES  WITH  WSP  CONSULTANT  LEE  WALLTON.  COUNTY  COMMISSION  CHAIRMAN  DAN  BRUE  IS  PLEASED  WITH  THE  EXCHANGE  AND  SAYS  THE  PLANNING  COMMISSION  WILL  HOLD  A  PUBLIC  HEARING  ON  THE  CHANGES  IN  JUNE  AND  THE  ISSUE  WILL  COME  TO  THE  COMMISSIONERS  IN  JULY.  AT  TUESDAY'S  REGULAR  MEETING  THE   COMMISSIONERS  PLACED  A   60  DAY  MORATORIUM  ON  APPEALS  FROM  PLANNING  AND  ZONING.

CORRECTION ON NON-PARTISAN BALLOT GA. COURT OF APPEALS

 CORRECTION:  THE  GA.  COURT OF  APPEALS  RACE  INVOLVING  THOMASTON  NATIVE  ELIZABETH  DALLAS  GOBEIL  IS  ON  A  NON-PARTISAN  BALLOT , A  BALLOT  YOU  RECEIVE IF  YOU  SELECT  A  DEMOCRAT  OR  REPUBLICAN  BALLOT.   JUDGE  GOBEIL HAS  SERVED  FOR NEARLY  8  YEARS  AFTER  BEING  APPOOINTED  BY  GOVERNOR NATHAN  DEAL  IN  2018  AND  WAS  ELECTED  STATEWIDE  IN  2020.

DRUG OVERDOSE DEATH IN THOMASTON UNDER INVESTIGATION

 THOMASTON   POLICE  CHIEF  MIKE  RICHARDSON  REPORTS  THE  BODY  OF   20  YEAR  OLD  WILEY  WOLFSON  IS  AT  THE  STATE  CRIME  LAB  FOR  AUTOPSY  AFTER  HE   ALLEGEDLY  DIED  OF  A  DRUG  OVERDOSE  AT  312  THURSTON  AVE.  THE  CHIEF  SAID  THE  AUTOPSY  USUALLY  IS  CONDUCTED   RATHER   QUICKLY  BUT  IT  TAKES  SEVERAL  WEEKS  TO  GET  THE  TOXOCOLOGY   REPORT.  WOLFSON'S  ROOM  MATE  SAID  HE  SAW  WOLFSON  WITH  COCAINE  THE  NIGHT  BEFORE  AND  POLICE  FOUND   WRAPPERS  OF  SUSPECTED  NARCOTIC-TYPE  PILLS    WOLFSON  SAID  HE  BOUGHT  AT  A  NORTHSIDE  VAPE  STORE.

THERE  WERE  SIGNS OF  VOMIT  IN  A  SINK-ACCORDING TO  THE  POLICE  REPORT.

CNN'S BOYS OF BAGHDAD

 WITH  THE PASSING OF  MEDIA MOGUL  TED  TURNER -- THOMASTON  REMEMBERS  WTGA'S  JOHN  HOLLIMAN  WHO  STARTED  HERE  BUT         SPEAKING  TO  THE  WORLD  FROM  A  HOTEL  IN  BAGHDAD  WHEN  THE  U.S.  GAVE  THE  GLOBE  A  BIT  OF  SHOCK  AND   AWE.  VIRTUALLY  EVERY  TV  AND  RADIO  STATION  IN  THE  WORLD  WAS  TUNED  TO  CNN  AS  THE  BOYS OF  BAGHDAD, BERNARD  SHAW,  PETER  ARNETT  AND  JOHN  WERE  IN  A  HOTEL AWAITING  A  CALL  FROM SADDAM  HUSSEIN  REPS WHEN  THE  DEADLINE  FOR UN  SANCTIONS  PASSED  AND  WAR  WAS  IMMINENT  AND   THE  US  WAS  GOING  TO  BOMB  BAGHDAD.

JOHN  HOLLIMAN  DIED  IN  A  TRAFFIC  ACCIDENT  IN  ATLANTA  IN  1998  AND  ARNETT  WENT  ON  TO TEACH  JOURNALISM  IN  CHINA  AND  SHAW, NOW   74,  RETIRED  TO  THE  STATE OF  MARYLAND--AND  TOLD  VIEWERS  AT  THE  TIME--THIS  FEELS  LIKE  WE'RE  IN  THE  CENTER OF  HELL--BUT  I  MADE  MY  PEACE   THAT  I  COULD  BE  DEAD  AT  ANY  TIME. 

SADLY,  JOHN  HOLLIMAN--  CNN  SPACE  REPORTER    HAD  COMMITTED  TO   COVERING  A  SPACE  SHOT  WITH  CBS  ANCHOR LEGEND  WALTER  CRONKITE  LATER  THE   YEAR  HE  PASSED  AWAY.  

GOV. KEMP/IST LADY AND US SENATE CANDIDATE DEREK DOOLEY IN PIKE, LAMAR, SPALDING

 GA.  GOVERNOR  BRIAN  KEMP,  IST  LADY  MARTY  KEMP  AND  U.S.  SENATE  CANDIDATE  DEREK  DOOLEY  WILL  SWING  THRU  THIS  PART OF  GA.   WEDNESDAY.  IN LAMAR  COUNTY  AT  PASTIME  GRILL 9;15 TO  10;15.  IN  PIKE  COUNTY  AT  CHRIST  CHAPEL  PAVILION  10;30  TILL  11;30  AND  SPALDING  COUNTY    AT  SOUTHERN  EVENTS   12  PM  TILL  1PM.

UPSON BOC WORK SESSION 5/6/26

   COUNTY  MANAGER  LONNIE  JOYCE  REPORTS  ON  WEDNESDAY'S    WORK  SESSION  OF  THE  UPSON  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS  AND  UPDATED  THE  ZONING  ORDIANCE.  A  CONSULTANT  WILL  ATTEND  THE  PLANNING  AND  ZONING  BOARD   MEETING  MONDAY TO  DISCUSS  CHANGES  THAT  HAVE  BEEN   PROPOSED .   FINAL  CHANGES  WILL BE  MADE  AND   A   PUBLIC  HEARING    TO    BE  HELD  AT  THE  JUNE  MEETING.  THEN,  THE  ZONING  ORDIANCE  WILL  MOVE  ON  TO  THE  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS  FOR  FINAL  APPROVAL.

THE  COMMISSIONERS  ADDED  5  MORE MILES OF  RESURFACING  TO  THE   LIST  AND  WILL  VOTE  ON  IT  AT  THE  NEXT  TUESDAY  MEETING.  MOSTLY  SMALL  ROADS  CLOSE  TO  AREAS  ALREADY  SCHEDULED  FOR  PAVING.

THE  TAX  ASSESSORS  ASKED  THAT  THE  BOC  TABLE  FOR  THE  TIME BEING    USAGE OF  BODY  CAMERAS  FOR   TAX  ASSESSORS  EMPLOYEES . 

DR. WAINE KONG OF THOMASTON HAS A NEW BOOK

 

THE ESSENTIAL TEACHINGS OF CONFUCIUS: MY YEARNING FOR THE WISDOM OF MASTER KONG                                     Basil Waine Kong, Ph.D., J.D. (Jamaican)
600 pages of wisdom and guidance that will profoundly enrich your life. Published by Spines,  Kindle: $9.95; Softcover: $30.00; Hardcover: $45.00.

Available on Amazon and wherever books are sold. In fact, do me a great favor, in addition to buying a copy, send one to a friend. You will be doing them a huge favor---lots to discuss!

Confucius readily admitted that he was a transmitter of knowledge, not the creator. The “I Ching” (Book of Changes) is attributed to King Wen of Zhou preceded him by 500 years.

"He who learns but does not think is lost. He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger." — Confucius

G-DOT WANTS PUBLIC INPUT ON PIKE CO PROJECT

 

Please do not reply to NewsReleases@dot.ga.gov.     View this email in your browser For Immediate Release April 21, 2026   Contact: Gina Snider 706.646.7532 District Three Communications Georgia DOT Requests for Feedback on a Bridge Replacement Project, Pike Co, Williams Mill Road at Little Potato Creek The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is requesting review and feedback on the proposed project. We appreciate your participation in this process. This project proposes to replace an existing bridge on County Road (CR) 25/Williams Mill Road at Little Potato Creek Tributary in Pike County, located approximately 3 miles northeast of the city of Meansville. Traffic will be maintained on an offsite detour. The existing right-of-way (ROW) for CR 25/Williams Mill Road is approximately 60 feet. The project will require approximately 4,000 square feet of permanent easement for construction of slopes. GDOT has placed information about the proposed project at https://www.dot.ga.gov/GDOT/Pages/PublicOutreach.aspx. The information on the website is provided in place of an in-person meeting allowing the public to review the proposed project, provide feedback, or write in with questions.   Comments will be accepted concerning this project until May 21, 2026. Written statements may be submitted to:   Ms. Amber Phillips State Environmental Administrator Georgia Department of Transportation 600 West Peachtree Street, NW – 16th Floor Atlanta, Georgia 30308