Arrest For A/C Vandalism

Thomaston police have filed formal charges against two adults and a male juvenile for air conditioning vandalism and theft Criterion Technology and the Yamaha building.

42 year old Trawick Moore of Barnesville and 22 year old Jerez Watkins of Howard Road in Thomaston have been charged with both crimes. A 16 year old juvenile from Barnesville is charged in the Yamaha incident also.

The former Yamaha building now owned by American Health and Science had damage of $55,000 and Criterion suffered $36,000 in damages.

Police said they apparently sold scrap metal and copper in Griffin.

Moore was caught on the roof of the old Wal Mart store in Griffin last week. Authorities say they are responsible for dozens of air conditioning vandalism and theft incidents in Upson, Pike, Lamar and Spalding counties.

Motorist Injured

A motorist was transported to a Macon hospital by air ambulance Sunday following a three vehicle accident at U.S. 19 and Echols Circle.

According to Post 26 Georgia State Patrol, Glen Googe of Echols Circle was injured when his vehicle was struck in the drivers side door.

The second vehicle, a Ford Explorer, was driven by Roberta Martenez of Atlanta who was also injured.

Griffin Shooting

Griffin police are not releasing the name of a man that suffered a gunshot wound near Memorial Stadium following Friday night’s Griffin – Spalding County football game.

The shooting occurred as the man was attempting to break up a fight between his step-son and another juvenile. The juvenile pulled a gun and fired one shot, striking the man in the lower back.

The victim was flown to Grady Memorial Hospital by air ambulance, his condition is not being released.

Pike County Copper Theft Arrest

Pike County Sheriff Jimmy Thomas says investigators have made an arrest of a suspect in recent air conditioning thefts.

Joshua Harper, 31, of Griffin was arrested after being found at a vacant residence by an investigator.

A copper line had already been cut on the unit and he was in the process of stealing it the sheriff said. Harper had bolt cutters and other tools in his car, investigators are working to link Harper to other air conditioner thefts in the area.

Edwards Declines Nomination

Griffin Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Christopher Edwards has asked that his name be removed from consideration for an opening on the Georgia Court of Appeals.

Edward’s secretary Kay Mrozinski said that the judge did not give a reason other than he was very happy with what he was doing now and simply stated that “He respectfully declined.”

Chairman Michael Bowers of the Judicial Nomination Commission said the board is accepting nominations for possible successors to Judge Alan Blackburn who is retiring and Judge Debra Bernes who died recently.

Nominees have until August 31st to accept their nomination, interviews will begin on September 15th.

Guns In Church Law Suit

Attorneys for Upson county, Truitt Mallory and Ed Trice, were in federal court in Macon Monday for a hearing on a guns in church lawsuit brought by Thomaston pastor Jonathan Wilkins of the Baptist Tabernacle and GeorgiaCarry.org.

The judge denied a request for an injunction that would allow guns in church and the attorneys say they plan to join the state and file a motion to dismiss the case.

The law suit was originally filed in Upson Superior Court then moved to U.S. District Court. Upson County Manager Kyle Hood and Governor Sonny Perdue have been added as defendants. 

The plaintiffs contend first and second amendment issues are involved but attorney Mallory says the county disagrees. 

The state Attorney General’s office had an attorney at the hearing and the judge gave both sides thirty days to file written briefs to support their positions.

Attorney John Monroe of Roswell is representing the plaintiffs. The Reverend Wilkins claims he works alone at the church sometimes and needs a firearm for protection.

Thomaston Mother Arrested For Porn

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Upson County Sheriff’s Department arrested a former school teacher and registered nurse for possession of child pornography and meth.

Dawn Deborah Brantley, 44, was taken into custody after her home was searched and authorities found images of child porn on her computer, methamphetamine and meth smoking devices. 

Brantley’s three children, two teens and a 12 year old were taken from the home and placed in the custody of the Department of Family and Children’s Services. She remains in the Upson County Jail.

The GBI says more arrests are likely, Brantley is the 112th person apprehended this year by the Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, less than 5% are women.

AC Vandalism

According to Thomaston police, multiple law enforcement agencies are now involved in the investigation of recent air conditioning vandalism. The stolen copper and parts are being sold for scrap.

Investigators were in Barnesville following leads Thursday.

Criterion Technology, located just off Highway 36 east of Thomaston reported a loss of  $36,000 last weekend when two 20 ton units were damaged.

The Yamaha building suffered a loss of $20,000 also.

Upson Commissioners Meet

At Tuesday’s meeting of the Upson County Commissioners, a contract was approved with Linc Mechanical Engineering that could save the county up to $100,000 annually on energy costs.

The contract is for $2,000,000 over a 12 year period with annual payments of $232,000. Commissioner Steve Hudson says the board wants to fund it in the next SPLOST.

Commission Chairman Maurice Raines announced that 2010 tax notices have been mailed and do not reflect a tax increase due to good stewardship of government. He was excited that residents are already paying their taxes and the November 15th deadline gives them additional time to pay.
 
The commissioners approved a beer and wine pouring license for Theresa Helms of Phoenix Rising Catering located in the newly refurbished Rock Hill School building. Florida I investor John Billsteen has remodeled the gym into a catering facility for weddings and special events. Commissioner Rusty Blackston said it’s something special for the community.

Judge Edwards Noninated

The chief judge of the Griffin Judicial Circuit, Christopher C. Edwards has been nominated for a vacancy on the Georgia Court of Appeals.

Chairman Michael Bowers of the Judical Nomination Commission said the board is helping the governor identify possible successors to Judge Alan Blackburn who is retiring and Judge Debra Bernes who died recently.

Guns In Church Lawsuit

A U.S. District Court judge in Macon declined to issue an injunction allowing guns in church Monday.

The lawsuit filed in Upson Superior Court by Reverend Jonathan Wilkins, pastor of The Baptist Tabernacle in Thomaston and GeorgiaCarry.org, a second amendment advocacy group was allowed to continue.

The lawsuit, filed about a month ago contends that Wilkins has a constitutional right to be armed at church. The case was moved to federal court and is being heard by Judge Ashley Royal.

The Atlanta attorney, John R. Monroe, who filed the suit said the ruling on the injunction is not discouraging and that Judge Royal has stated that the outcome of the case would be decided only on the writings submitted by Monroe and the attorney representing the state and Upson County.

A final decision is not expected this summer, the case will eventually end up with the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals before moving to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The lawsuit was filed in early July, about two weeks after the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that the second amendment’s guarantee of an individual’s right to bear arms applied to state and local gun control laws. The justices left open to state and local governments as to where the lines could be drawn beyond the home.

Georgia is one of four states that prohibit guns in churches attorney Monroe said.

Thomaston-Upson IDA Meeting

The Thomaston-Upson Development Authority held it’s August monthly meeting Monday.

Executive Director J.R. Charles reported that a tire recycling company is still interested in Thomaston, but a final decision is not likely soon.

In other activity, Charles was contacted by a project consultant looking for a building to locate a company.

Animal Health and Science continues to work on moving into the Yamaha building, trying to pinpoint its bond issue figures. The bond must be for at least seven million dollars to earn local incentives.

The experimental bio-fuel plant on highway 36 east is still silent but the IDA has been told that Valero Energy of Texas is still negotiating with American Process over certain rights in the manufacturing process. Federal funds on alternative fuels for the plant have been exhausted.

The IDA has indicated the huge investment made in the former Magna Fab building, over $10 million will assure it’s start up again.

SPEC BUILDING BURGLARY

A  MALE  JUVENILE  AND  AN  ADULT  BOTH  FROM  BARNESVILLE  WERE  ARRESTED  AFTER  A  BREAK-IN  AT  THE  SPECULATIVE  BUILDING  AT  THE  BUSINESS  PARK  AT  THE  AIRPORT.

UPSON  COUNTY  S.O.  FOUND  THE  TWO  ON THE  SIDE  OF  THE  ROAD WITH  A  PAIR OF  MUDDY BOOTS  HANGING  OUT  THE  WINDOW.  A  WINDOW  AT THE  SPEC  BUILDING  WAS  BROKEN  WITH  A  ROCK  AND  BOOT  PRINTS  WERE  FOUND  UNDER  THE   WINDOW. 

THE  JUVENILE  WAS  SENT  TO  YDC  IN MACON,  THE  ADULT,  TRAWICK  BERNARD  MOORE  OF  TAYLOR  ST.  BARNESVILLE  WAS  BOOKED  INTO  THE  UPSON  COUNTY JAIL. 

THEY  TOLD  DEPUTIES  THEY  PULLED  OVER  BECAUSE  THEY  HAD  TO USE  THE  BATHROOM,  BUT  THERE  WAS  NO  RED  MUD  AT  THAT  SITE.

PIKE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

AT A CALLED MEETING MONDAY, THE  PIKE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SET THE  2010  PROPERTY  TAX LEVY, VOTED  TO  ELIMINATE TWO COUNTY POSITIONS FOR BUDGET  RELIEF,  AND PUT PUBLIC WORKS ON A 4 DAY WORK WEEK. 

THE TAX LEVY IS 12.864 MILLS,  A SLIGHT INCREASE OF LESS THAN A MILL.  THE  COMMISSIONERS  ADOPTED  THE SCHOOL SYSTEM TAX  LEVY OF 13.563 MILLS FOR  M AND  0  AND  2.417  FOR  SCHOOL  BONDS. 

TO DEAL WITH  BUDGET  ISSUES COUNTY MANAGER BILL SAWYER RECOMMENDED  ELIMINATING  ONE  POSITION  IN  PLANNING  AND  ZONING  AND ONE  IN  PUBLIC  WORKS. PUBLIC  WORKS  WILL  GO  TO  A  4  DAY  WORK  WEEK,  EFFECTIVE  SEPT. IST  ,7  TO  5, BUT  WILL  STILL KEEP  40  HOURS. THE  COUNTY  MANAGER  SAID  IT  WILL  SAVE  WEAR  AND TEAR  ON  EQUIPMENT  AND  SAVE  ON FUEL.  HE  HAD  THAT  SCHEDULED  FOR  TWO YEARS IN MACON  COUNTY  HIS  LAST  ASSIGNMENT.

CLUB FIGHT DOWNTOWN THOMASTON

DEPUTIES  FROM  PIKE  COUNTY,  LAMAR  COUNTY,  AND  UPSON  COUNTY WERE  DISPATCHED  TO  THE  PONDEROSA  SPORTS  BAR  AT  218  NORTH  CENTER  TO  ASSIST  THOMASTON  POLICE  AFTER  A  FIGHT  BROKE  OUT  SATURDAY  NIGHT. 

SEVERAL  PERSONS  WERE  ARRESTED,  POLICE SAID.

ACCORDING  TO  THE  P.D.  REPORT,  ARGUMENTS  STARTED INSIDE  THE  CLUB  AND  SPILLED OUT  INTO  THE  PARKING LOT  WITH  ABOUT  100  PEOPLE.  FIGHTS  MOVED  TO  THE  PIGGLY  WIGGLY  PARKING  LOT  AND  THEN  TO  THE DAIRY  QUEEN  PARKING  LOT. 

SEVERAL  SUBJECTS HAD TO  BE  TASERED  AND  ONE  MAN,  ERIC  ATWATER  WAS  TREATED  AT  THE  E.R.  FOR  A  WRIST  INJURY,  HE  WAS  CHARGED  WITH  DISORDERLY  CONDUCT. POLICE  EXPECT  MORE  ARRESTS  AS  THE  INVESTIGATION  CONTINUES.

JUDGE ENGLISH INVESTIGATION

THE  PAST  PRESIDENT   OF  THE  STATE  BAR  OF  GEORGIA  HAS  AGREED  TO  CONDUCT  AN   INVESTIGATION  TO  DETERMINE  WHETHER  ANY  CRIMINAL  CASES  WERE  COMPROMISED  BY  AN  AFFAIR  BETWEEN  SUPERIOR  COURT  JUDGE PASCAL  ENGLISH  AND  A  PUBLIC  DEFENDER, KIM  CORNWELL,  ASSIGNED  TO  HIS  COURTROOM.

ATLANTA  ATTORNEY  BRYAN  CAVAN  WILL  REVIEW  AS  MANY  AS  450  CASES  IN  QUESTION,  ACCORDING TO MACK  CRAWFORD,  DIRECTOR  OF  THE PUBLIC  DEFENDER  COUNCIL,  AND  A NEWLY-APPOINTED  SUPERIOR  COURT  JUDGE IN  THE  GRIFFIN  JUDICIAL  CIRCUIT.  JUDGE  ENGLISH  AND  MS.  CORNWELL  RESIGNED  AFTER  THE  ALLEGATIONS.

UPSON TAX BILLS IN THE MAIL

UPSON  COUNTY  2010  AD  VALOREM  TAX  NOTICES  ARE  IN THE  MAIL.  ACCORDING  TO  TAX  COMMISSIONER  BERRY  COOK  A  TOTAL  OF  15,675  TAX  BILLS  WERE  SENT  TO  PROPERTY  OWNERS.  ALL  THE  TAX  LEVYING  BODIES IN THE  COUNTY  KEPT  THE  SAME  MILLAGE  RATES.  THE  DEADLINE  TO  PAY  TAXES WITHOUT  PENALTY    IS  NOVEMBER 15TH.

LOSS OF $20,000

A  REPORTED  LOSS  OF  $20,000  AFTER  COPPER  WAS  STOLEN  FROM  6  AIR  CONDITIONING   UNITS  AT  THE  OLD  YAMAHA  BUILDING,  WHERE  A  NEW  INDUSTRY,  ANIMAL  HEALTH  AND  SCIENCE  WILL  LOCATE.

THOMASTON  POLICE  SAID  SOMEONE  USED  A  FORK  LIFT  AT  THE  SITE  TO  TEAR  THE  UNITS  FROM  THE  OUTSIDE  WALL.

CREWS HAVE  BEEN  WORKING  AT  THE  BUILDING  PREPARING  FOR  ANIMAL  HEALTH  AND  SCIENCE  TO  LOCATE THERE,  BUT  THE  THEFTS  OCCURED  AFTER  THEY  LEFT  FOR  THE  DAY.  THE  KEY  WAS LEFT  IN  THE  FORK  LIFT.

AUGUST COURT OVER

AUGUST  TERM  OF  UPSON  SUPERIOR  COURT  IS  OVER  WITHOUT  A  TRIAL.  CLERK  OF  SUPERIOR  COURT  TERESA  HARPER  TOLD  101  NEWS  ALL  CASES  HAVE  BEEN  SETTLED.  JURORS  SCHEDULED  FOR  AUGUST  23RD AND AUGUST  30TH  DO NOT  HAVE  TO  REPORT.

EMC Power Outages

Upson EMC will experience momentary power interruptions between 9am and noon Wednesday morning.

The outages will occur from Jeff Davis Road at Hannah’s Mill Road west to McFarlin Road.

Upson Grand Jury Indictments

Three suspects in the alleged murder of a Salem community couple have been indicted by the August Upson County Grand Jury.

Ronald Laneal Hart of Musella, indicted on 13 counts.

Octavious Marcil Hart of Roberta and Jeremy Saffold of Byron were both indicted on 14 counts including murder and felony murder.

The three are accused of the slayings of Dorothy and Michael Walker whose remains were found in their burned residence.

On the no bill list:

Robert Ryan Riggins of Andrews Drive, charges dropped for child molestation.

Other true bills:

Antonio Durrell Davison, Meadow Drive, armed robbery.

James Hurbert Daniel, Triune Mill Road, child molestation.

Marchello Tarance Walker, Zorn Street, armed robbery.

Timothy Renay Dickerson, Mountain Brook Drive, special presentment, solicitation of sodomy, furnishing alcohol to someone under age.

Christopher Lee Settle, Smyrna Church Road, special presentment, aggrevated sexual battery and child molestation.

Milton Thomas, child molestation.

Wesley Wood, Culloden, statutory rape.

Michael Lee Anderson, Delray Road, sexual exploitation of children.

Thomaston City Council Meeting

The Thomaston mayor and council will meet Tuesday at 7pm.

On the agenda, approval of a resolution changing a portion of Yamaha Parkway to include a new street, Chris Callas Parkway, the remainder of the street will remain the same.

The second item on the agenda, approval to contract Hill Construction Company to pave streets in the downtown area.

An executive session is also scheduled.

THUNDER STORM DANAGE

UPSON  COUNTY  SHERIFF’S    DEPARTMENT   AND  NORTHSIDE  FIRE   DEPARTMENT   RESPONDED   TO  A  LIGHTNING  STRIKE,  DURING  A  THUNDERSTORM  SATURDAY  AT  118  WALLER  ROAD. 

SOME  DAMAGE AT  THE  RESIDENCE  OF  DREXEL  AND  CHRISTIE  DANIEL. LIGHTNING  HIT  A  TREE  IN  FRONT  OF  THE  HOUSE AND  IT  FELL  ACROSS  THE  ROOF.  TWO  HOLES IN  THE  CEILING  OF  THE  MASTER  BEDROOM  AND  A  HOLE  ABOVE THE  PORCH.  SOME  ELECTRICAL  DAMAGE  TO  THE  WELL  AND  PHONES,  ACCORDING  TO   THE   REPORT.

Upson Wants Sprewell Bluff

Upson County Commissioner Steve Hudson has asked the state to give Sprewell Bluff Park to the county. The park is about 50 acres of the some 1300 acres the state owns.

Hudson and chairman Maurice Raines met with state DNR Commissioner Chris Clark recently in Atlanta and Hudson made the suggestion, which drew a chuckle from the commissioner.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Chairman Raines said it might not happen but the state seems ready to work out a long term agreement. The county is already picking up trash and doing little things as DNR suffers from the budget crunch.

The commissioners indicated they would like to use future SPLOST funds to make recreation improvements at the park.

PIKE MANAGER REPORTS ON FINANCES

AT WEDNESDAY’S MEETING, PIKE COUNTY’S  COUNTY MANAGER BILL SAWYER  REPORTED ON FINANCES.

$36,000 IN THE  GENERAL FUND, $20,000 IN THE RESERVE FUND.

SAWYER TOLD 101 NEWS HE EXERCISED $300,000 OF AN $800,000 LINE OF CREDI A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO FOR COUNTY OPERATIONS. A LINE OF CREDIT FROM A TAX  ANTICIPATION NOTE. 

THE COUNTY MANAGER SAID THE PIKE IDA IS COURTING A NEW BUSINESS PROSPECT THAT IS EXPECTED TO REVISIT THE COUNTY. 

THE COMMISSIONERS APPOINTED ROBERT MARRIOTT TO THE  BOARD OF TAX  ASSESSORS, REPLACING CAROL BASS WHO RESIGNED TO RUN FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONER.

Ivy Murder Unsolved

Major Dan Kilgore of the Upson County Sheriff's Department says rumors an arrest has been made in the Arlene Ivy murder case are unfounded.

The six year old investigation is still an active on-going one since the body of Ms. Ivy, 78, was found near Potato Creek on Hannah's Mill Road in September of 2005. Ms. Ivy had apparently been strangled and her home in the Salem community had been ransacked.

Major Kilgore said the Sheriff's Office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation have been working side by side on the case and dozens of interviews had been conducted, the investigation remains very active.

COMMISSION CHAIRMAN MISUNDERSTOOD

UPSON  COUNTY  COMMISSION  CHAIRMAN  MAURICE  RAINES  SAID  REMARKS  HE  MADE  ABOUT  JOINT PROJECTS  AT  TUESDAY’S  MEETING  WERE  MISUNDERSTOOD. 

THE  CHAIRMAN   HAS  CALLED  FOR  A  JOINT MEETING  OF  THE  COMMISSIONERS  AND  THOMASTON  MAYOR  AND  COUNCIL  TO  MAKE  A  FINAL  DECISION  ABOUT  HOW  JOINT PROJECTS  ARE  HANDLED.

 RAINES  TOLD  101  NEWS  THURSDAY, HE  WANTS  THE  TWO  BODIES  TO  COME  TOGETHER  AND  RESOLVE  THE  ISSUES  IN  A  SPIRIT  OF  COOPERATION.  HE  ADDED,  HE’S  SPOKE  WITH  MAYOR  HAYS  ARNOLD  RECENTLY  REGARDING  JOINT PROJECTS  AND  THEY  WANT  TO  MOVE  FOWARD  TOGETHER.

SALEM MURDERS TO UPSON GRAND JURY

THE  SALEM   MURDER  CASE  OF  VICTIMS  DOROTHY  AND  MICHAEL   WALKER  WILL  BE  PRESENTED  TO  THE  AUGUST  UPSON COUNTY  GRAND  JURY  AUGUST  16TH.  THE  WALKERS  REMAINS  WERE  FOUND   IN  THEIR  RESIDENCE  DESTROYED  BY  FIRE. THREE  DEFENDANTS  ARE  CHARGED  IN  THE  CASE,  JEREMY  SAFFOLD,  OCTAVIOUS  HART  AND  RONALD LANEEL  HART.  IN  PREVIOUS  HEARINGS  THE  STATE  HAS  INDICATED ONE OF  THE  VICTIMS,  MICHAEL  WALKER  WAS  A  SUSPECTED  DRUG  DEALER.

New Superior Court Judges Named

Governor Sonny Perdue has appointed two new superior court judges in the Griffin Judicial Circuit.

Pike County attorney Mack Crawford and Fayette County state court judge Fletcher Sams

The two judgeships have been vacant since the resignations of Judge Pascal English and Judge Johnnie Caldwell.

Crawford, a former state legislator heads the state's public defender system.

Judge Sams is a former district attorney in the Griffin Circuit.

It's unclear when the new judges will be sworn-in.

SCHOOL OPENS WEDNESDAY

DRIVE  CAREFULLY  AND  LOOK  OUT  FOR  KIDS,  SCHOOL  BEGINS  WEDNESDAY  IN   THE   THOMASTON  UPSON  SCHOOL  SYSTEM. DOORS  OPEN  AT  7;15  AT  UPSON  LEE  HIGH,  NORTH  AND  SOUTH  ELEMENTARY,  AND   7;30  AT  THE  MIDDLE  SCHOOL  AND  ALTERNATIVE  SCHOOL.  PRE-K  7;45.

ATLANTA GAS LIGHT RATE HIKE

ATLANTA  GAS  LIGHT  TAKES   ITS  REQUEST  FOR  A  14%  RATE  HIKE  TO  THE  GA.   PUBLIC  SERVICE  COMMISSION,  TUESDAY. AGL IS  ASKING  FOR  $54 MILLION  IN  NEW  REVENUE,  NEARLY  $50 MILLION  FROM  RESIDENTIAL  CUSTOMERS.  IF  APPROVED  IN  FULL,  THE  INCREASE  WOULD  ADD  $3 TO  THE  ROUGHLY  $21.75  PORTION  OF  A   RESIDENTIAL  GAS  BILL  THAT  GOES  TO  THE  PIPELINE  DISTRIBUTION  COMPANY.

TUESDAY IS RUNOFF ELECTION DAY

TUESDAY  IS  RUNOFF  ELECTION  DAY  IN  GEORGIA WITH  THE POLLS  OPEN   7  TO  7. ON  THE  REPUBLICAN  BALLOT  FOR  GOVERNOR,  KAREN  HANDEL  AND  NATHAN  DEAL.  FOR  ATTORNEY  GENERAL,  SAM   OLENS  AND  PRESTON  SMITH.  INSURANCE  COMMISSIONER,  RALPH  HUDGENS  AND  MARIA   SHEFFIELD.  DEMOCRAT, SECRETARY  OF  STATE,   GAIL  BUCKNER  AND  GEORGANNA  SINKFIELD.

ALCOHOL SALES BAN

AN   ESTABLISHMENT   ON  NORTH  HIGHTOWER  STREET   HAS  BEEN   BANNED  FROM  BEER  AND  WINE  SALES  FOR   6  MONTHS  AFTER  A  DECISION  IN  CITY  OF  THOMASTON  MUNICIPAL  COURT.  JUDGE  DAVID  FOWLER    ORDERED  MINGLES  BAR  AND  GRILL   TO  CEASE  SALES  OF  ALCHOLIC  BEVERAGES  AFTER  THOMASTON  POLICE  FOUND  HARD LIQUOR  ON THE  PREMSIS,  MAY  29TH.  THE  LICENSEE,  CHERYL  KING  WAS  FINED  $500  AND   ORDERED  TO  DO  40  HOURS  OF  COMMUNITY  SERVICE.  THE  GA.  DEPARTMENT  OF  REVENUE   ALSO  ISSUED  AN  ADMINISTRATIVE  ORDER  AGAINEST  THE  BUSINESS.  MINGLES  HAD  BEEN  DENIED   A  LICENSE  TO  SELL  LIQUOR  BY  THE  DRINK  BY  THE  STATE.

Bank of Upson’s Kendall Recognized

Bank of Upson President Doug Head has announced that Willie Kendall was awarded the 2010 President’s Circle Award by the Georgia Bankers Association at the recent Leadership GBA Convention. The award is given in recognition of service and dedication to Leadership GBA and to the betterment of banking in Georgia.

Willie is a Vice President and a consumer lender at The Bank of Upson, he has been with the bank for fourteen years. Kendall is a graduate of Columbus State University and the Georgia Banking School.

Thomaston Drug Bust

Agents of the Narcotics Task Force executed a search warrant at 123 Wellington Place in Thomaston Tuesday, more than $3,500 worth of crack cocaine was recovered at the residence and at a second location near the property.

Otanis King and Tracey Smith were both charged with trafficking crack cocaine. Bond was set at $250,000 each by a magistrate judge in Upson County.

Pike Tax Millage Set

The Pike County Commissioners set the 2010 tax levy at 12.864 mills at a called meeting Wednesday, a slight increase over last year.

During a public hearing prior to the meeting, three citizens spoke on the property tax increase.

Melvin Kyle suggested all departments cut 10% including the sheriff’s department along with insurance benefits for county employees. Kyle is also opposed to a sales tax for courthouse renovations.

Harold Callaway wanted clarification on fines and forfeiture distribution, the county only gets a small prorated share.

John Morrison asked about the total tax bill including school tax millage.

County Manager Bill Sawyer told him the school board is to be commended on their efforts to hold a rate increase to a minimum.

Spalding Animal Shelter Closed

The Spalding County Animal Shelter will be temporarily closed due to a parvo outbreak.

Animals slated for adoption will be given to their new owners, all unclaimed animals will be destroyed in an effort to control the outbreak.

Murder Suspect Arrested

A double murder suspect from Griffin is awaiting extradition proceedings in Shreveport, Louisiana where he was arrested Tuesday night. Kenneth Baker, 49, is charged with the shooting death of his wife Lynnale Baker and her 19 year old daughter, Shaelinda Sanders on May 17th.

The America’s Most Wanted television show profiled Baker Saturday night and a viewer recognized him. Baker apparently didn’t watch the show.

Plea Bargains Entered

The following defendants entered into plea bargains and were sentenced by Judge Chris Edwards in Upson Superior Court.

Chancy Denise Dawson, 12 months to serve for shoplifting.

Telly O’Neal Wyche, 12 months for obstruction.

Tara Renee Raines, 12 months to serve for shoplifting.

Michael Coxton, 6 months to serve for possession of less than an ounce of marijuana.

Edward Rodiquez, 12 months for disorderly conduct.

John Henry Mathis, Jr., time served for possession of dangerous drugs.

Thomaston Budget Revision Approved

The Thomaston City council approved a resolution for budget revision #4 for 2010 at Tuesday’s meeting.

The city will transfer $500,000 from a reserve account for downtown street repairs, paving and the water line project that is underway. Mayor Hays Arnold said it’s the largest infrastructure project in the cities history and things will be better once it’s completed. The Georgia Department of Transportation is on board for some of the paving.

In other action, the demolition ordinance was amended to add safeguards due to issues that surfaced with the Martha Mills and Hotel Upson demolition projects. Under it’s terms, a building can’t be gutted and the walls left standing; basements and concrete floors must be removed and grassed. A method to determine square footage of a building was also added.

Bad Day For Drug Traffickers

Lamar County Sheriff Larry Waller says the arrest of a Miami, Florida man Tuesday for possession and trafficking of Ecstasy is one of the largest seizures on record in the United States. 

Deputies discovered during a routine traffic stop on I-75 that 42-year-old Wayne McDarman Hill had 16 pounds or approximately 40,000 Ecstasy pills with an estimated street value of about $800,000 in the vehicle.

Sheriff Waller says Hill is believed to be part of a pill pipeline from the manufacturer in Holland, through Canada and Kentucky before reaching the intended destination in Florida.

Just up the interstate, a Georgia State Trooper used the pit maneuver to stop a fleeing vehicle in Clayton County and discovered 70 pounds of suspected cocaine.

Henry A. Carty, 23 of West Palm Beach, Florida fled into a nearby wooded area where he was arrested following a short manhunt and charged with cocaine trafficking and numerous traffic violations.

Town Hall Meeting Rescheduled

The Upson County Board of Commissioners have cancelled the work session scheduled for today and the town hall meeting scheduled for August 5th.

The town hall meeting has been rescheduled for next Thursday, August 12th at 7:00 pm at the Yatesville City Hall.

Contact the commissioners office at (706) 647-7012 for more information.

Trice Case Jury Presentment Possibly Delayed

State Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine told reporters several weeks ago that the case against Upson County commissioner Sandra Trice would be presented to the August term of the Upson County Grand Jury. However District Attorney Scott Ballard told TGA news Thursday, he’s unsure at this time.

Commissioner Trice, whose family owns Trice Funeral Home, is accused of selling insurance without a license and Ballard has requested the state Attorney General’s Office handle the case due to the possibility of a conflict of interest. Ms. Trice votes on the district attorney’s annual budget request in Upson County. Ballard stated that his office has not received a reply to the request.

Investigators from the state Insurance Commissioner’s office, the Secretary of State’s office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigations raided her home and business to collect documents after they received complaints from the public the business was allegedly taking advantage of the elderly.