WATER SERVICE WORK

ACCORDING  TO  UPSON  COUNTY  WATER  DEPARTMENT   SUPERINTENDANT   DANNY  JOHNSON,  WATER  SERVICE   WILL  BE  SHUT  OFF  MONDAY, JAN  3RD  FROM  8;30AM  TILL  IPM  IN  THE  SUNNYSIDE  COMMUNITY,  TO  CHANGE  OVER  TO  NEW WATER LINES.

UPSON COUNTY APPOINTMENTS 2011

THE  UPSON  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS  MADE  THE  ANNUAL  APPOINTMENTS  FOR  2011  AT  TUESDAY’S  MEETING.  JOHNNY  BRODNAX ,  A  2  YEAR TERM, THOMASTON  UPSON DEVELOPMENT  AUTHORITY. HENRY  WILDER, 6  YEAR  TERM,  AIRPORT  AUTHORITY, LUCY  CHANEY, 3  YEAR TERM,  THOMASTON UPSON PLANNING  COMMISSION,  RECREATION  COMMISSION,  LUCY  CHANEY  AND  VANN  PHILLIPS, 4  YEAR  TERM.  TAX ASSESSOR  BOARD,  TED  MCKISSICK.  VICE-CHAIR  OF  COMMISSION,  FRANK  SPRAGGINS.

PIKE COUNTY FIRE CHIEF FIRED

FOLLOWING A  CALLED  MEETING  OF  THE   PIKE COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS  WEDNESDAY  MORNING,  COUNTY  ATTORNEY  ROB  MORTON  ANNOUNCED  TO  THE  PUBLIC   THE  FIRE  CHIEF  IS  BEING  DISMISSED.  COUNTY  MANAGER  BILL  SAWYER  SENT  A  LETTER  TO  FIRE  CHIEF  DANNY  HENDERSON  DATED  DEC.  21ST  THAT  HIS  LAST  DAY  WILL  BE  DEC.  31ST.  COMMISSIONER  DON   COLLINS  TOLD  TGA  NEWS  AFTER  THE  MEETING  THE  DISMISSAL   INVOLVED  INSUBORDINATION.  HENDERSON  EARNED   $18,000  ANNUALLY  AND  HAD  BEEN  FIRE  CHIEF  SINCE  JAN. OF  2009.

STRUCTURE FIRE IN UPSON

ACCORDING  TO  THE  UPSON  COUNTY  SHERIFF’S  OFFICE, EXTENSIVE FIRE  AND  SMOKE  DAMAGE  AFTER  A  FIRE  AT  108  LONGVIEW  LOOP, THE  RESIDENCE  OF  MATTIE  WELLMAKER. MS.  WELLMAKER SAID  SHE  WAS  SLEEPING  AND  HEARD A  LOUD NOISE, AND  FOUND  A  STORAGE  ROOM  ON  FIRE. ROCK  HILL  AND  NORTHSIDE  FIRE UNITS  RESPONDED  AND  EXTINGUISHED  THE  FIRE.

CHIEF PUBLIC DEFENDER DIES

JOE  SAIA,  A   FAYETTE  COUNTY  ATTORNEY  WHO  HAS  SERVED  AS  CHIEF  PUBLIC DEFENDER  OF  THE  GRIFFIN  JUDICIAL  CIRCUIT,  SINCE  2003,  DIED  FRIDAY  AT  EMORY  UNIVERSITY  HOSPITAL,  FOLLOWING  AN  EXTENDED ILLNESS. A  MEMORIAL  SERVICE WILL  BE  HELD  THURSDAY  AT  THE  OLD  FAYETTE  COUNTY  COURTHOUSE.  SAIA  FELL  ILL  DURING  A  NORTH  CAROLINA  VACATION  IN  JUNE  AND UNDERWENT  HEART  BY-PASS  SURGERY.  HE  HAD  BEEN  IN  A  REHABILITATION  FACILITY EVERY  SINCE, UNDERGOING  6  SURGERIES.

100 NEW JOBS FOR THOMASTON

ANIMAL  HEALTH  AND  SCIENCES  HAS  RECEIVED  FUNDING  FOR   ITS  NEW  PLANT  IN THOMASTON AT  THE   YAMAHA  BUILDING, TO  EMPLOY 100  PEOPLE WITHIN  THE  FIRST  YEAR  OF  OPERATION, 250  PEOPLE WITHIN  FIVE  YEARS. THE  $5.7 MILLION  BOND  ISSUE WILL  ALLOW  THE  COMPANY  TO  PURCHASE  EQUIPMENT VITAL  TO  ITS PRODUCTION OF  PET  CARE  SUPPLIES, AS WELL  AS  COMPLETE  RENOVATIONS TO  THE  YAMAHA  BUILDING.  WITH  BOND  FINANCING  NOW  IN  PLACE, AHS PLANS  FOR  ITS  NEW  PLANT IN  THOMASTON  TO  BE  OPERATIONAL  BY  SPRING  2011. AHS  PRESIDENT CHRIS  CALLAS  SAID  “ WE ARE  EXCITED TO  CALL  THOMASTON  HOME.” CALLAS FOUNDED  AHS TO  SUPPLY  CUSTOMERS IN THE PET  CARE INDUSTRY, A MARKET WITH AN  ESTIMATED WORTH  OF  $8 BILLION. THE  COMPANY  WILL  MANUFACTURE AEROSOL/POWDER/LIQUID CHEMICAL  PRODUCTS TO  BE USED  IN  FLEA/TICK SPRAY, GROOMING    SHAMPOOS,FLY REPELLANT, AND  AIR  FRESHENERS, AMONG OTHER  ITEMS.  CALLAS  ADDED  “WE ARE  THANKFUL THAT  WE  WILL  BE  DOING  BUSINESS IN  A  WARM  AND  WELCOMING  COMMUNITY.”   THE  CHAIRMAN  OF  THE  THOMASTON  UPSON  DEVELOPMENT  AUTHORITY, NEIL  HIGHTOWER CALLED  IT  A WONDERFUL  DAY  FOR  AHS AND  THOMASTON. IDA EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR  J.R. CHARLES   SAID   IT  REPRESENTS A  TURNING  POINT IN  THOMASTON’S  ECONOMIC  CONDITION.  IN  2007  YAMAHA CORPORATION  CLOSED ITS  PIANO PRODUCTION PLANT  LAYING  OFF  187 PEOPLE. AHS WILL  EMPLOY MORE PEOPLE THAN  YAMAHA LAID OFF WHEN IT  LEFT THOMASTON.

THE UPSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MOVED MORE MONEY INTO UPGRADES AT THE CIVIC CENTER DURING A WORK SHOP ON THE 2011 MARCH SPLOST, TUESDAY. $2.I MILLION IS NOW LISTED FOR THE CIVIC CENTER , WITH ELECTRICAL THE BIG NEED. CHAIRMAN MAURICE RAINES WANTS THE RACQUETBALL COURT AND STEAM ROOM RESTORED, AND THE GAME ROOM. THE COMMISSIONERS DISCUSSED A 5 YEAR $15 MILLION SPLOST WITH THE COUNTY GETTING 65%, CITY OF THOMASTON 33% AND CITY OF YATESVILLE 1.39%. THAT'S AFTER 20% IS TAKEN OFF THE TOP FOR COUNTY-WIDE PROJECTS INCLUDING THE CIVIC CENTER AND RECREATION, WHICH WOULD GET $500,000 FOR REPAIRS AND IMPROVEMENTS TO FIELDS.$5 MILLION FOR ROAD PAVING INCLUDING ATWATER ROAD, $520,000 for 4 SHERIFF'S CARS FOR FIVE YEARS, AND $100,000 FOR AN OBSERVATION DECK-OVERLOOK, AT SPREWELL BLUFF. THE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HAD $2 MILLION ON ITS WISH LIST FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BUT A LEGAL OPINION SAYS SPLOST CAN'T BE USED FOR THAT, BUT THE NEW BUSINESS PARK AT THE AIRPORT WILL GET A $400,000 GAS MAIN. THE COMMISSIONERS PLAN TO MEET WITH THE CITY OF THOMASTON THE FIRST OF THE YEAR TO GET ITS LIST OF PROJECTS , OPERATING ON THE BASIS, THERE WILL NOT BE A JOINT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TWO GOVERNMENTS. IF SO THE SPLOST COULD

FATAL TRAFFIC ACCIDENT IN UPSON

POST  26  GA.  STATE  PATROL  IN  THOMASTON  HAS  COMPLETED  ITS  INVESTIGATION  OF  A  FATAL  TRAFFIC  ACCIDENT, WEDNESDAY  AFTERNOON  ON  THOMPSON ROAD. TROOPER  MITCHELL  DAY  TOLD  TGA  NEWS, TOMMY  DEAN, 63  OF  HANNAH’S MILL  ROAD WAS  PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE  SCENE, FOLLOWING  THE  ONE     VEHICLE    MISHAP,  NEAR  THE  WALLER ROAD  INTERSECTION.  FRIENDS  HAVE  SAID  THEY  BELIEVE  HE  HAD  A  HEART  ATTACK  AND  WRECKED. TROOPER  DAY  SAID  DEAN’S  1994 CHEVROLET C-1500  PICK-UP LEFT  THE  ROAD,  HIT  A  POLE AND  OVERTURNED  ON  ITS SIDE  IN  A  PRIVATE  DRIVE. DEAN WAS  NOT  WEARING  A  SEAT  BELT  ,  THE TRUCK HAD  NO  AIR BAGS,  AND  THE  BODY  HAD  TO  BE  FREED  WITH  THE  JAWS OF LIFE CUTTING  TOOL  BY EMERGENCY RESPONDERS.

THOMASTON TIMES GOING TO COURT OVER LEGALS

THE  THOMASTON  TIMES  IS  GOING  TO  COURT  TO  TRY  AND  RETAIN  THE  LEGAL ADS, HEADED  FOR  THE  UPSON  BEACON, JAN. IST.  IN  A  PRESS  RELEASE, THE  TIMES  GENERAL MANAGER, ROLAND  FOILES SAID  CIVIL  ACTION  HAS  BEEN  FILED SEEKING INJUNCTION  AND  MANDAMUS  BETWEEN  THE  TWO  NEWSPAPERS. HE  SAID  A  HEARING  IS  SCHEDULED  JAN. 4TH  BEFORE  CHIEF  JUDGE  CHRIS  EDWARDS  IN  UPSON  SUPERIOR  COURT. IN  THE  FIRST PART  TO  DETERMINE IF  THE  LAW WAS  FOLLOWED  CONCERNING DATES OF  ELIGIBILITY. ACCORDING  TO  THE  PRESS  RELEASE,  THE  LAW  STATES THAT  THE  ENITY MUST  HAVE  COMPLETED 24 MONTHS OF  QUALIFIED  SERVICE AS A SUBSCRIPTION BASED  NEWSPAPER AS  WITNESSED  BY  AN INDEPENDANT  AUDIT. ANY  PERIOD  OF  TIME  THAT  WAS  OPERATED AS A  FREE  PUBLICATION COULD  NOT  BE  COUNTED  UNDER  THE  LAW.  WITH  THAT  IN  MIND THE  UPSON  BEACON WOULD NOT  BE  ABLE TO  EVEN  APPLY UNDER  THE  LAW  UNTIL   JAN  IST,2011,AT  WHICH  TIME THEY  WOULD  HAVE  COMPLETED 24 MONTHS OF  UNAUDITED  SERVICE. THE LAW  ALSO  STATES  THAT  YOU  MUST COMPLETE  THE  REQUIREMENTS IN  TIME  TO  RUN 4 WEEKS OF  LEGAL ANNOUNCEMENTS WHICH  WOULD  NOT  BE POSSIBLE IN  TIME  TO  MEET  THE JAN IST.  DEADLINE, FOILES SAID.

THE UPSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MOVED MORE MONEY INTO UPGRADES AT THE CIVIC CENTER DURING A WORK SHOP ON THE 2011 MARCH SPLOST, TUESDAY. $2.I MILLION IS NOW LISTED FOR THE CIVIC CENTER , WITH ELECTRICAL THE BIG NEED. CHAIRMAN MAURICE RAINES WANTS THE RACQUETBALL COURT AND STEAM ROOM RESTORED, AND THE GAME ROOM. THE COMMISSIONERS DISCUSSED A 5 YEAR $15 MILLION SPLOST WITH THE COUNTY GETTING 65%, CITY OF THOMASTON 33% AND CITY OF YATESVILLE 1.39%. THAT'S AFTER 20% IS TAKEN OFF THE TOP FOR COUNTY-WIDE PROJECTS INCLUDING THE CIVIC CENTER AND RECREATION, WHICH WOULD GET $500,000 FOR REPAIRS AND IMPROVEMENTS TO FIELDS.$5 MILLION FOR ROAD PAVING INCLUDING ATWATER ROAD, $520,000 for 4 SHERIFF'S CARS FOR FIVE YEARS, AND $100,000 FOR AN OBSERVATION DECK-OVERLOOK, AT SPREWELL BLUFF. THE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HAD $2 MILLION ON ITS WISH LIST FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BUT A LEGAL OPINION SAYS SPLOST CAN'T BE USED FOR THAT, BUT THE NEW BUSINESS PARK AT THE AIRPORT WILL GET A $400,000 GAS MAIN. THE COMMISSIONERS PLAN TO MEET WITH THE CITY OF THOMASTON THE FIRST OF THE YEAR TO GET ITS LIST OF PROJECTS , OPERATING ON THE BASIS, THERE WILL NOT BE A JOINT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TWO GOVERNMENTS. IF SO THE SPLOST COULD

QUAD GRAPHICS WANTS INCENTIVES

THE   THOMASTON  UPSON INDUSTRIAL  DEVELOPMENT  AUTHORITY  HELD  A  CALLED  MEETING AT  QUAD  GRAPHICS, MONDAY  AND  GOT  AN  UPDATE  ON  THE  COMPANY  FROM  ANDREW  SCHIESL, VICE  PRESIDENT AND  GENERAL  COUNSEL  AND PATRICK  HENDERSON,  DIRECTOR  OF  GOVERNMENT  AFFAIRS.  QUAD  PROPOSED A  $4 MILLION  ADDITIONAL  INVESTMENT IN  THE  ROCK  PLANT,  SOMETHING  THAT COULD  MEAN  75   MORE JOBS, AND  IT  WANTS  STATE  AND  LOCAL  INCENTIVES  FOR  SAVINGS  OF  $2 MILLION  OVER  5  YEARS. THE  OFFICIALS  SAID  SINCE  QUAD ABSORBED  WORLD  COLOR  PRESS OF CANADA AND  WENT  PUBLIC IN  JULY, ITS  THE  LARGEST  COMMERCIAL  PRINTER IN THE WESTERN  HEMISPHERE.  SEVERAL  PLANTS  HAVE  BEEN  CLOSED  AND MORE  CLOSINGS  ARE  IN THE  WORKS.  THEY  SAID  THE  ADDITIONAL  INVESTMENT FOR  NEW  EQUIPMENT WILL HELP  THE  ROCK  PLANT  STAY  COMPETITIVE WITH THE  OTHER  EAST COAST  PLANTS IN  NEW  YORK  AND  WEST  VIRGINIA.  IT  WAS  MENTIONED  THAT  TAXES  AND  UTILITY  COSTS  ARE    KEY  FACTORS  IN THE  COST  OF DOING    BUSINESS, AND  QUAD INDICATED IT  NEEDS  A  RESPONSE  BY  EARLY JANUARY. IDA  CHAIRMAN NEIL  HIGHTOWER  TOLD  THE  QUAD  EXECUTIVES,  THE  DEVELOPMENT  AUTHORITY IS  COMMITTED  TO  GIVING  THE  COMPANY   WHAT  IT  NEEDS  TO  BE  COMPETITIVE. QUAD  EMPLOYS OVER  420, 45  PART-TIME AT THE  ROCK PLANT.  MEMBERS  OF  THE  TAX  ASSESSORS  BOARD  ATTENDED THE  MEETING,  AND  THE  NEW  PLANT DIRECTOR  JEFF  STRIBLING AND   BARBARA  TYSON ,  WHO  JUST  RETIRED  FROM  THAT POSITION, BOTH  ADDRESSED  THE  GROUP. 

HOME INVASION

THOMASTON   POLICE  HAVE  TWO  SUBJECTS  IN  CUSTODY  AFTER  A  HOME  INVASION ON  HERBERT  STREET.  A  CARD  GAME  WAS UNDERWAY  WHEN  THREE MALE  SUBJECTS  ENTERED  AND  USED  A  PISTOL  TO  ROB  THOSE  PARTICIPATING.

PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT

A   PEDESTRIAN  WAS  HIT  BY  AN  SUV IN  DOWNTOWN  THOMASTON  FRIDAY  AFTERNOON  AND  TRANSPORTED  TO  THE  MEDICAL  CENTER  OF  CENTRAL GA. IN MACON  BY  AIR  AMBULANCE.  ACCORDING TO  THE  GA.  STATE PATROL, THE  VICTIM  33  YEAR  OLD  JAMES  EMMETT  CROMER  OF  427   SOUTH  BETHEL  STREET STEPPED  INTO  THE  PATH  OF  A  FORD  EXPEDITION  DRIVEN  BY  CAROL  DENISE  CARTER  OF  PICKARD  PLACE.  HIS  INJURIES  WERE  DESCRIBED  AS  EXTENSIVE.  NO  CHARGES  HAVE  BEEN  FILED  IN  THE  CASE.

PEDESTRIAN HIT BY A VEHICLE

A  PEDESTRIAN  HIT  BY  A  VEHICLE     IN  DOWNTOWN  THOMASTON  FRIDAY  AFTERNOON,  WAS  TRANSPORTED  BY AIR   AMBULANCE  TO  AN  OUT-OF-TOWN  HOSPITAL. HE WAS  DESCRIBED  AS  A  WHITE  MALE  IN  HIS  MID-30’S, WHO  WAS  CROSSING  THE  STREET  AT  NORTH  CHURCH  AND  THOMPSON  JUST  BEFORE  4PM. A  BLACK  FEMALE  WAS  DRIVING  THE  FORD  EXPEDITION  THAT  WAS  INVOLVED. A  STOREOWNER  TOLD  TGA  NEWS   HE  LOOKED  UP  AND  A  SAW  A  MAN  LYING  IN  THE  STREET NEAR  THE  INTERSECTION.  UPSON  EMS,  THOMASTON  POLICE  AND  THE  GA. STATE  PATROL  RESPONDED.

UPSON EMPLOYEES CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON

THE  UPSON  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS  HAD  A  CHRISTMAS  PRESENT  FOR  THE  WORKFORCE AT  THE  ANNUAL  EMPLOYEE  CHRISTMAS  LUNCHEON FRIDAY. A  $300  CHRISTMAS  BONUS ,  AND  THE  CHECKS  WERE  GIVEN  AT  THE  BANQUET. CHAIRMAN MAURICE  RAINES  SAID  TIMES  ARE  TOUGH, BUT  ITS  GETTING  BETTER, AFTER  EMPLOYEES EXPERIENCED  FURLOUGHS, SO  THE  BOARD  WANTED  TO  REWARD  THEM.  THE  COMMISSIONERS  NOR  CONSTITUTIONAL  OFFICERS  WILL  RECEIVED  THEM. ONE OTHER  GIFT  FOR  EMPLOYEES,  COUNTY OFFICES WILL  CLOSE  THURSDAY AT  2PM  FOR  CHRISTMAS.  THE  COUNTY  EMPLOYEE  OF  THE YEAR  WAS  ANNOUNCED, KENNETH  THURMAN OF  THE  ROADS  DEPARTMENT, AND  THE  LONGEST  SERVING  EMPLOYEE IS ROGER  SMITH OF  THE  ROADS  DEPARTMENT,  35  YEARS. THOSE  WITH  30  YEARS  OF  SERVICE, SHARON  FOWLER, RALPH  SEARCY,  AND  NORMA  HODGE.  25  YEARS, JULIE ANN  LEGG, JUNE SMITH,  RONNIE  WILLIAMS,  RONNIE  COCHRAN, STONEY  SPEIR, AND NEIL  REGAN.  CHAIRMAN  RAINES  TOLD  THE  EMPLOYEES  SOME  TYPE  OF  RETIREMENT PLAN IS  IN  THE WORKS,  ITS  COMING ,  HE  SAID.

GISA COMING TO THOMASTON

THE PRIVATE SCHOOL COUNTERPART OF THE GA. HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION , THE GEORGIA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL ASSOCIATION IS MOVING TO THOMASTON. ACCORDING TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DR. JEFF JACKSON, THE GISA HAS PURCHASED THE MEDICAL BUILDING AT WEST GORDON AND JACKSON AVE. AND WILL BE RELOCATING ITS GRIFFIN OFFICE, THE FIRST OF NEXT YEAR. TWO MEMBERS OF THE GISA STAFF LIVE IN THOMASTON, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR TOMMY WHITTLE AND ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT ROBIN AYLOR. DR. JACKSON SAID THE GISA IS ESTABLISHING AN ATLANTA OFFICE IN SANDY SPRINGS FOR PUBLIC RELATIONS AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS AND THE THOMASTON OFFICE WILL HANDLE ACADEMICS ,ATHLETICS AND BUSINESS. THE GISA HAS 153 MEMBER SCHOOLS AND DR. JACKSON SAID THE THOMASTON OFFICE WILL BE ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE LARGER MEETINGS THAN THE GRIFFIN OFFICE, WHICH WAS BEING LEASED.

BURGLARY AT LOCAL CHURCH

UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF DON PEACOCK SAYS THE S.O. IS INVESTIGATING A BURGLARY AT MOUNTAIN VIEW BAPTIST CHURCH ON JEFF DAVIS ROAD, DISCOVERED    THURSDAY  MORNING. SOMEONE BROKE A WINDOW AND ENTERED THE OFFICE, A COMPUTER AND CASH MISSING.

CHAIRMAN ON UPSON’S LEGAL ORGAN.

AT  TUESDAY’S MEETING,  UPSON  COUNTY  COMMISSION  CHAIRMAN  MAURICE  RAINES   RELEASED  THIS  STATEMENT  IN  REFERENCE  TO  ONGOING  MISGIVINGS ABOUT  THE  TRANSFER  OF  THE  LEGAL ORGAN  DESIGNATION  FROM  THE  THOMASTON  TIMES  TO  THE  UPSON  BEACON. “ THE  BOARD  OF  COMMISSIONERS OF  UPSON COUNTY FULLY  AND  CONSISTENTLY  SUPPORTS THE  CLERK OF  SUPERIOR  COURT,  SHERIFF,  AND PROBATE JUDGE  IN   THEIR  DECISION TO  MAKE A  CHANGE OF   LEGAL  ORGAN.AT  NO TIME HAVE  ANY  MEMBERS OF  THE BOARD BEEN INVOLVED IN  THIS PROCESS, AS WE ARE LIMITED  IN  OUR  STATUTORY  ABILITIES  BY  THE  STATE    CONSTITUTION. THE  AUTHORITY TO  DESIGNATE AN  ENTITY THE  OFFICIAL  LEGAL  ORGAN RESIDES ENTIRELY WITH THE  THREE  ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT  WERE  INVOLVED IN  THE  DECISION-MAKING  PROCESS. I  WOULD  LIKE TO  THANK  THE  VARIOUS ELECTED  OFFICIALS AND MEMBERS OF THIS BOARD FOR KEEPING THE  STANDARD OF  PROFESSIONALISM  HIGH, AND  NOT  MAKING COMMENTS  OR  SHARING  OPINIONS ON  THIS  MATTER. IN  RESPONSE  TO  INQUIRIES ABOUT  MY  RELATIONSHIP WITH  MEMBERS  OF  THE  STAFF OF  THE UPSON  BEACON, I  WOULD  LIKE TO  ENCOURAGE ALL PERSONS  TO  STOP  BY  MY OFFICE  AND  TALK WITH  ME  THE  WAY  I  DO WITH  DEBBIE LORD OF  THE UPSON  BEACON, OR  ASHLEY BILES OF  THE  THOMASTON  TIMES  OR  DAVE  PIPER  OF  WTGA. I  BELIEVE  IN,  AND  OPERATE, AN  OPEN  GOVERNMENT. ANY  COMMENTS THAT  MAY HAVE  SURFACED ABOUT  MY  INVOLVEMENT IN  THIS  OR  ANY OTHER  MEDIA-RELATED  MATTER  ARE  FALSE AND  UNAPPRECIATED.  AS  CHAIRMAN OF  THE  BOARD, I  WILL  WORK WITH ANY  AND  ALL  MEDIA OUTLETS, AND ONLY  ASK THE  VERY  BEST OF THE NEWSPAPER THAT IS  DESIGNATED OUR  COMMUNITY’S LEGAL ORGAN. AS  FOR  MY  PERSONAL  INVOLVEMENT IN  THE DECISION-MAKING  PROCESS AND  ANY  QUESTION AS TO  WHETHER I  USED MY  POSITION  TO  INFLUENCE THE  CHANGE, THE  ANSWER IS  A  RESOUNDING  NO.  I  WOULD  ASK  THAT  ALL  MEDIA  OUTLETS DISCONTINUE THEIR  UNCONSTRUCTIVE   ACTIONS  AND  REFOCUS THEIR  EFFORTS ON  HELPING TO PROMOTE THE PROGRESS THAT IS  BEING  MADE  COUNTY-WIDE. THE NEGATIVE COMMENTING DOESN’T SERVE  THEIR  READERS OR  THE  COMMUNITY AT-LARGE WHEN INDUSTRIAL OR  COMMERCIAL  PROSPECTS  USE OUR  LOCAL  MEDIA FOR  RESEARCH  AND  DEVELOPMENT  PURPOSES. IN   CONCLUSION, I  LOOK  FOWARD TO WORKING WITH  THE  THOMASTON  TIMES,UPSON  BEACON,WTGA  AND  WTUC-TV IN  2011. BY  BANDING  TOGETHER,WE  CAN ALL ENSURE THAT  TEAM UPSON  CONTINUES  TO GROW  AND  PROSPER.”

PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

THE THOMASTON UPSON BOARD OF EDUCATION MADE EVERYBODY HAPPY WITH A DECISION ON THE NEW PROPOSED PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, TUESDAY, A FREE-STANDING BUILDING NEAR THE HIGH SCHOOL. ON A RECOMMENDATION BY ARCHITECTS MANLEY, SPANGLER, AND ASSOCIATES OF GRIFFIN, THE BOARD AGREED TO INCLUDE A BAND AND DRAMA SUITE IN THE PLANS , WHICH COULD ADD $ 1 MILLION TO THE COST. HOWEVER, THE TWO CLASSROOMS COULD BE ELIMINATED FROM THE PROJECT, IF THE CONTRACTOR'S BID IS OVER BUDGET. ACCORDING TO THE ARCHITECTS , SCHEME A , JUST THE 6000 SQUARE FOOT AUDITORIUM, SEATING 900 , WOULD COST ABOUT $7 MILLION, SCHEME B WITH THE BAND AND DRAMA CLASSROOMS $8 MILLION. THE SCHOOL BOARD HAS ABOUT $7 MILLION IN SPLOST FUNDS FOR THE PROJECT, BUT SOME BOARD MEMBERS OPPOSED THE CLASSROOMS BECAUSE IT WOULD UP THE COST. NOW THE DECISION CAN BE MADE WHEN THE BIDS COME IN, PROBABLY MIDSUMMER. CONSTRUCTION COULD START IN AUGUST, AN 18 MONTH PROJECT TO OPEN IN APRIL 2013. THOMASTON'S COY BOWLES OF THE SUPER STAR ZAC BROWN BAND COMMENDED THE BOARD FOR MOVING forward WITH THE PROJECT DURING PUBLIC COMMENTS. COY SAID A QUALITY PERFORMING FACILITY ENCOURAGES CREATIVITY. JAY EUBANKS CHAIR OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE THANKED THE BOARD, HE SUPPORTS ADDING THE BAND AND DRAMA CLASSROOMS.

TEACHER OF THE YEAR

AT  TUESDAY’S  MEETING  OF  THE  THOMASTON  UPSON  BOARD OF  EDUCATION, KRISTI  BOSWORTH,  A  MATH  TEACHER  AT UL  MIDDLE  SCHOOL, WAS  NAMED  2011  TEACHER OF  THE  YEAR  IN  THE  THOMASTON  UPSON  SCHOOLS.

SELLIER’S WIFE TO RUN FOR STATE HOUSE

JUDYE  SELLIER,  OF  FT. VALLEY, WIFE  OF  THE  LATE  TONY  SELLIER  HAS  CONFIRMED  SHE IS  RUNNING  FOR  HIS  STATE  HOUSE  SEAT  IN  THE  SPECIAL  ELECTION  FEB.  15TH. DEMOCRAT  SHARON  HOWARD  WHO  OPPOSED  TONY  SELLIER  IN  NOVEMBER  ALSO  HAS  ANNOUNCED.  ANOTHER  REPUBLICAN,  ROBERT  DICKEY OF  MUSELLA, OWNER  OF  DICKEY  FARMS  HAS  ALSO  ANNOUNCED.   HOUSE  SEAT  136 INCLUDES ALL OF  CRAWFORD  COUNTY  AND  PARTS OF UPSON, LAMAR, MONROE, BIBB, HOUSTON, AND PEACH.

CITY OF THOMASTON DROPS MAIN ST. PROGRAM

CITING  A  BUDGET  CRUNCH  AND  LIABILITY ISSUES  ,  THE  THOMASTON  CITY  COUNCIL  VOTED  TO  DISCONTINUE  THE  MAIN  STREET PROGRAM  AND  ELIMINATE  THE DOWNTOWN DIRECTOR  AT  A  CALLED  MEETING  MONDAY.A  PROGRAM  WITH  A  $53,000  ANNUAL  BUDGET. A  ROOM  FULL   OF  SUPPORTERS  INCLUDING  MEMBERS  OF  THE  DOWNTOWN  THOMASTON  BUSINESS  ASSOCIATION  EXPRESSED  DISAPPOINTMENT  WITH  THE  MOVE. CITY  MANAGER  PATRICK COMISKEY , WHO  MADE  THE  RECOMMENDATION  TO  THE  COUNCIL , SAID CITY HALL  HAS  BEEN  WORKING  WITH  ESSENTIALLY  THE  SAME  AMOUNT  OF  REVENUE  FOR  THE  PAST DECADE. DTBA  PRESIDENT  BARBARA HOLLOWAY TOLD THE  MAYOR  AND  COUNCIL  DOWNTOWN  DIRECTOR  SYLVIA  CHAPMAN  WOULD  BE  WILLING TO  TAKE  A  PAY  CUT  TO  KEEP  THE PROGRAM  GOING,  AND  CLOSING     IT  WOULD BE A  TERRIBLE  MISTAKE.  WITHOUT  A  DIRECTOR  SHE  QUESTIONED  HOW  THE  DTBA  COULD  FUNCTION  . COUNCIL  MEMBER  PATSY  PERDUE  HELD  UP A  COPY  OF  THE NEW  STATE  GUIDELINES  FOR  MAIN  STREET  CITIES  FROM  THE  DEPARTMENT OF  COMMUNITY  AFFAIRS  AND  CALLED  IT  AN  UNFUNDED  MANDATE.  AND  COUNCIL  MENTIONED  THE PROGRAM  CREATES  LIABILITY PROBLEMS, CITY HALL  GOT  CAUGHT IN  THE  MIDDLE  WHEN  THE  DTBA WAS  SUED  SEVERAL  YEARS  AGO  OVER A  BUSINESS  DONATION. AMONG OTHER  BUSINESS  OWNERS  SPEAKING  FOR  CONTINUING  THE  PROGRAM,  GARY  SELF,  ELENE  COOK AND  KAY ROBINSON. COUNCILMAN  WALLACE  RHODES   CALLED  COUNCIL  THE  STEWERDS OF  THE  TAXPAYERS  MONEY AND CUTS NEED  TO  BE  MADE IN THE BUDGET,  OR  A  TAX  INCREASE  COULD  RESULT. MAYOR  HAYS  ARNOLD  TOLD  THE  GROUP,”WE ARE  IN DIFFICULT  TIMES  AND  CURRENT TRENDS  ARE  NOT  PROMISING.”  DIRECTOR  SYLVIA  CHAPMAN  HAS BEEN  OFFERED  ANOTHER  POSITION  , AS  A GUARD  AT  THE  ELECTRIC  DEPARTMENT  OFF  VETERANS  DRIVE. PRESIDENT  HOLLOWAY   TOLD TGA  NEWS  SHE  WAS  THE  BEST DIRECTOR  DTBA  EVER  HAD.

BONES FOUND ARE NOT HUMAN

ACCORDING   TO  MAJOR  DAN   KILGORE, UPSON S.O.  BONES  FOUND  BY  HUNTERS IN  SOUTHWEST  UPSON  COUNTY  SUNDAY  ARE  DEER  BONES.  THEY  WERE   FOUND   OFF  ADAMS  FERRY  ROAD  AND  SENT  TO THE  STATE  CRIME  LAB  TO  BE  CHECKED  OUT.

CANDIDATE FOR STATE HOUSE 136

A  REPUBLICAN  FROM  MUSELLA, GA.  ROBERT  DICKEY  HAS  ANNOUNCED  HE  WILL  SEEK  THE  GA.  HOUSE  DISTRICT  136  SEAT  HELD  BY  THE  LATE  TONY  SELLIER  WHO  DIED  RECENTLY. DICKEY,  57,  OWNS  DICKEY  FARMS,  A  PEACH  AND  TIMBER  FARM  STARTED  BY HIS  GRANDFATHER  A  CENTURY AGO. THE  SPECIAL  ELECTION  TO  FILL  THE  SEAT,  WHICH INCLUDES  CRAWFORD COUNTY  AND  PARTS  OF  UPSON, LAMAR, MONROE, BIBB,  PEACH, AND  HOUSTON,  WILL  BE  FEB. 15TH.

CAFE BURGLARY

THOMASTON  POLICE  ARE   INVESTIGATING A  BURGLARY  DISCOVERED  SATURDAY  AT  NORRIS  FINE  FOODS,  695  SHORT  E  STREET.  SOMEONE  SMASHED  THE  FRONT  DOOR  GLASS  AND  REMOVED  THE  CASH REGISTERED  DRAWER.  SOME  DOLLAR  BILLS WERE  FOUND OUTSIDE,  NEAR  THE  BUSINESS.

Upson Hunters Discover Bones

The Upson County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the discovery of bones by two hunters Sunday evening off of Adams Ferry Road in southwestern Upson County.

It is not known at this time if the bones are human or those of an animal, the Department of Natural Resources is assisting in the investigation. The bones have been sent to the state crime lab for analysis.

Colder Temps On The Way

Temperatures will moderate slightly Saturday before another arctic cold front moves south.

Rain is forecasted for Saturday night and Sunday morning with possible snow flurries Sunday afternoon.

Monday’s high temperature is not expected to exceed 32, lows will reach mid to low teens in some areas. Wind chill factors will dip into the single digits.

Prepare for another 4 to 5 day period with lows ranging from 18 on Monday night to 30 by Thursday night.

Propane or other heating source levels should be checked, prepare for the potential of power interruptions should ice or snow occur.

Protect plants, pets and any exposed water lines, vehicle anti-freeze levels should also be checked.

Snow accumulations are not expected but icy roads are possible, especially bridges.

THOMASTON MAIN STREET MEETING

THE  THOMASTON  MAYOR  AND  COUNCIL   WILL  MEET  MONDAY NIGHT  AT  7PM  ON  THE  FUTURE  OF  THE  MAIN  STREET  PROGRAM.  PUBLIC  INPUT  IS  INVITED. CITY MANAGER  PATRICK  COMISKEY IS  RECOMMENDING  THE  PROGRAM  BE  CLOSED, ELIMINATING  THE  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR  AND   MOST  OF  THE  BUDGET OF  ALMOST  $53,000  ANNUALLY.  THE  CITY  MANAGER  SAYS  THE  DOWNTOWN  THOMASTON  BUSINESS  ASSOCIATION  WILL  CONTINUE, OPERATING  SIMILAR  TO  A  CIVIC  ORGANIZATION,  AND  CAN  PROBABLY  ACCOMPLISH  MORE  THAT  WAY. NORTHSIDE  MERCHANTS HAVE  COMPLAINED, THE  MAIN  STREET  PROGRAM PUTS  TOO  MUCH  FOCUS ON  THE  SQUARE, SOMETHING  THAT  ALSO FIGURES  INTO  THE  DECISION, HE  SAID. AFTER  A  FRIDAY  WORK SESSION,  MAYOR  HAYS  ARNOLD  TOLD  TGA NEWS  THE  LOSS OF JOBS  AND  BUSINESSES  HAVE  CHANGED THE  COMMUNITY, AND CITY  HALL  HAS  TO  ENSURE  THAT  ESSENTIAL  SERVICES  CAN  BE  PROVIDED,  AND  THAT  MEANS MAKING  HARD  DECISIONS  ON  BUDGETS  AND  PERSONNEL.  SINCE  2001  THE  CITY PAYROLL  HAS  GONE  FROM   132  TO  87, AND  NOW  ITS  FACED  WITH  HEALTH INSURANCE  COSTS  THAT  COULD  RISE  20%. THE  MAYOR  AND  COUNCIL  IS  LOOKING  FOR  WAYS  TO BALANCE  THE  BUDGET, AND  INCREASES IN  ELECTRICITY, WATER  AND  SEWER ARE ON  THE  TABLE.

THOMASTON PROPOSES UTILITY HIKES

DURING A BUDGET WORK SESSION, TUESDAY, THOMASTON'S CITY MANAGER PATRICK COMISKEY PROPOSED INCREASING ELECTRICAL AND WATER AND SEWER RATES EFFECTIVE JAN IST. THE MANAGER TOLD THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL, HE SUGGESTS A TWO YEAR PHASE-IN FOR RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS AND A THREE YEAR FOR INDUSTRIAL CUSTOMERS, SOLO CUP AND TEN CATE. RESIDENTIAL POWER RATES WOULD INCREASE 6 ½ %, COMMERCIAL RATES 5 1/2% IN 2011 AND 2012. THE INDUSTRIES WOULD EXPERIENCE A DOUBLE DIP HIKE OVER THREE YEARS. . WATER AND SEWER RATES WOULD INCREASE $5 PER MONTH FOR THE AVERAGE CUSTOMER IN 2011 AND 2012. ACCORDING TO SURVEYS, THE CITY OF THOMASTON HAS SOME OF THE LOWEST POWER RATES IN THE STATE , BUT ITS WHOLESALE POWER SUPPLIER , MEAG IS FACING A $250 MILLION BUDGET INCREASE DUE TO PROJECTS, AND CITY HALL'S PORTION IS A MILLION. OTHER MEAG CITIES SUCH AS GRIFFIN AND MARIETTA ARE ALSO MOVING ON RATE HIKES. THE  MANAGER SAID WATER SALES ARE DOWN 17% DUE TO THE LOSS OF INDUSTRIAL CUSTOMERS AND THE COUNTY IS NOT BUYING NEAR AS MUCH SINCE IT DRILLED WELLS IN WESTERN UPSON. THE WATER AND SEWER RATE INCREASE WOULD ALSO AFFECT COUNTY WATER CUSTOMERS SERVED BY THE CITY UNLESS THE COUNTY ABSORBS THEM. CITY MANAGER COMISKEY IS ALSO PROPOSING TO CLOSE THE MAIN STREET PROGRAM, AND THE DOWNTOWN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION WOULD NOT HAVE AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

CLERK OF COURT VOTES FOR BEACON

THERESA HARPER,  CLERK  OF  UPSON  SUPERIOR  COURT  RELEASED  A  STATEMENT  REGARDING  THE  APPOINTMENT  OF  THE  UPSON  BEACON  AS  LEGAL  ORGAN FOR UPSON  COUNTY.” SOMEONE  VERY  WISE ONCE  SAID  THAT IF  YOU’RE MAKING  EVERYBODY  HAPPY  ALL  THE TIME THEN YOU’RE NOT  BEING  A GOOD  LEADER.  RECENTLY,MYSELF, SHERIFF  PEACOCK  AND  JUDGE HAMBY  WERE  ASKED BY  THE  UPSON  BEACON TO  BE  CONSIDERED AS  THE  LEGAL  ORGAN FOR  UPSON COUNTY. AS  YOU  CAN  IMAGINE, THIS  WAS  A  VERY  DIFFICULT  DECISION FOR  ALL  OF  US. MY  VOTE TO HAVE  THE  UPSON BEACON APPOINTED AS  THE  LEGAL  ORGAN WAS BASED ON INFORMATION SUPPLIED  TO  MYSELF,  SHERIFF DON  PEACOCK  AND PROBATE  JUDGE  GARY  HAMBY.  THE  INFORMATION  PROVIDED SHOWED  THAT THE UPSON  BEACON MET  THE  LEGAL  REQUIREMENTS TO  BE  APPOINTED. IT IS  UNDERSTANDABLE THAT  THE  THOMASTON TIMES IS  NOT  HAPPY  WITH  MY  VOTE. HOWEVER, IT IS DISAPPOINTING  THEY  ARE  REPORTING  INACCURATE  INFORMATION. IN THE  LATEST EDITION  OF  THE  THOMASTON  TIMES IT  STATES  THAT  WHEN  ASKED  MY  REASONING FOR  VOTING  IN  FAVOR  OF  THE  BEACON THAT I  REPLIED-WE  DON’T  HAVE  TO  SAY. THAT IS  AN  INACCURATE  QUOTE. MY REPLY WAS  THAT-WE DON’T  HAVE  ANYTHING  TO  SAY. THE  DIFFERENCE IN  THOSE TWO  STATEMENTS  IS HUGE. I  TAKE  MY  RESPONSIBLITY  TO  SERVE  UPSON  COUNTY VERY  SERIOUSLY. I  STAND BY  MY  VOTE FOR  THE  CHANGE BECAUSE I  BELIEVE THAT  IT  IS  IN  THE  BEST  INTEREST OF  THE  CITIZENS OF UPSON  COUNTY  TO  HAVE  THE  LEGAL  NOTICES  PUBLISHED  IN  A  NEWSPAPER  THAT  IS  BEING  READ BY  THE  MAJORITY OF  THE PEOPLE. I  LOOK  FOWARD TO  CONTINUE  TO  WORK  HARD TO HELP UPSON  COUNTY  PROGRESS IN  A  POSITIVE  MANNER.

UPSON BEACON IS LEGAL ORGAN

UPSON   COUNTY  SHERIFF  DON  PEACOCK  AND  CLERK  OF  SUPERIOR  COURT  THERESA  HARPER  HAVE  SIGNED  THE  LEGAL  DOCUMENT   NECESSARY  TO OFFICIALLY  DESIGNATE  THE   UPSON  BEACON  NEWSPAPER, THE  LEGAL  ORGAN. PROBATE  JUDGE  GARY HAMBY  DID  NOT  SIGN  THE RESOLUTION,  HE  VOTED  FOR  THE  THOMASTON TIMES TO  KEEP  THE  LEGAL  ADS.  THOSE  THREE  CONSITITIONAL  OFFICERS  ARE  EMPOWERED TO  DECIDE  THE  ISSUE.  A  LEGAL  AD WILL  RUN  IN  THE  THOMASTON TIMES  FOR  FOUR  WEEKS, STARTING  FRIDAY,  NOTIFYING  THE PUBLIC  THE  UPSON  BEACON  WILL  BECOME  LEGAL  ORGAN  EFFECTIVE  JAN. IST. THE  AD  RATES  FOR  THE  LEGALS  WILL  REMAIN  THE  SAME  AT  THE  BEACON,  THE  STATE  SETS   LEGAL  AD  RATES.

GORDON COLLEGE STUDENT MURDERED

A STUDENT AT GORDON COLLEGE IN BARNESVILLE WAS SHOT AND KILLED IN A HOME INVASION-ROBBERY EARLY SUNDAY AT 121 WESTCHESTER DRIVE IN BARNESVILLE. DURING A PRESS CONFERENCE MONDAY MORNING, ATTENDED BY TGA NEWS, POLICE CHIEF CHUCK KEADLE IDENTIFIED THE VICTIM AS DANAVAN FRANK BUSSEY, 21, ORIGINALLY FROM MILLEDGEVILLE. THREE SUSPECTS ARE IN CUSTODY CHARGED WITH MURDER, SHAMEIK SPINKS, 17 OF 6 BROWN STREET, BARNESVILLE, LEKIEVIUS ELEBY,21, OF 107 WESTCHESTER DRIVE, AND BRYCE A. SMITH, 20, OF 202 WESTCHESTER DRIVE. CHIEF KEADLE SAID BUSSEY DIED OF A SHOTGUN BLAST TO THE FACE, AND WAS PROUNCED DEAD ON ARRIVAL AT SPALDING REGIONAL HOSPITAL. ABOUT A DOZEN PEOPLE WERE AT A PARTY IN THE RESIDENCE WHEN THE THREE INTRUDERS ENTERED AROUND 3;45AM SUNDAY. CHIEF KEADLE DID NOT RELEASE DETAILS ON WHAT HAPPENED BUT HE SAID THE MOTIVE WAS ROBBERY. HE WOULD NOT COMMENT WHEN ASKED IF THE CRIME WAS DRUG-RELATED. THE SUSPECTS ARE NOT GORDON STUDENTS, BUT LIVED NEAR BUSSEY, THE CHIEF TOLD REPORTERS. THE DEFENDANTS ARE BEING HELD IN THE LAMAR COUNTY JAIL ON CHARGES OF MURDER, FELONY MURDER, ARMED ROBBERY, AND BURGLARY. THE LAMAR COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT ASSISTED IN THE INVESTIGATION AND SHERIFF LARRY WALLER STOOD WITH THE CHIEF DURING HIS STATEMENT TO THE NEWS MEDIA. THE CHIEF SAID OTHER AGENCIES THAT ASSISTED, INCLUDED THE GBI, GORDON COLLEGE POLICE DEPARTMENT , THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND THE LAMAR COUNTY CORONER'S OFFICE. GORDON COLLEGE POLICE CHIEF JEFF MASON TOLD REPORTERS BUSSEY WAS A STUDENT IN GOOD STANDING.

Home Invasion Death

Barnesville.com is reporting that one person was killed Saturday night in a home invasion incident at a residence at 121 Westchester Drive in Barnesville.

Barnesville police chief Chuck Keadle said the investigation is ongoing and that more information will be released at an 11 a.m. news conference Monday.

There were multiple reports the victim was a Gordon College student but Keadle would not confirm that report.

According to Lamar County tax records, the home is owned by Brian Upson of Griffin.

121 Westchester Drive is located just north of Zebulon Street on the west side of U.S. 41 near the site of the old Aldora textile mill.

Dawgs In Liberty Bowl

The Dawgs have accepted an invitation to play in the Liberty Bowl on New Year’s Eve in Memphis.

For more on the story click here.

Christmas Tour of Homes

On Sunday, December 5, 1pm-6pm, make plans to tour some of Thomaston’s most beautiful home places and experience Southern hospitality at its finest. The Sertoma Women of Upson sponsors the annual Christmas tour of homes.

Featuring five private homes - Jill and Frank Nunn, Jane and Dr. Hugh Smith, Jessica and Dr. Murray Deen, Sarah and Robby Armstrong and Kayla and Joel Burke, one church – The Gathering, and a retail venue - Thomaston-Upson Art Council’s Mistletoe Market.

For additional information click here.

UPSON BEACON NEW COUNTY LEGAL ORGAN

THE  UPSON   BEACON  NEWSPAPER  IS  REPORTING  IT  WILL  BE   THE  NEW  LEGAL  ORGAN  OF UPSON COUNTY EFFECTIVE JAN  IST, REPLACING  THE  THOMASTON  TIMES. THREE  CONSTITUTIONAL  OFFICERS  ARE EMPOWERED TO  MAKE  THE  DECISION, THE  SHERIFF, CLERK OF  COURT  AND  PROBATE  JUDGE. AT  A  RECENT  MEETING  OF  CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS  CALLED  BY  COMMISSION  CHAIRMAN  MAURICE  RAINES,  THE  ISSUE  WAS  BROUGHT  UP. PROBATE JUDGE  GARY  HAMBY  MUST  NOTIFY  THE  SECRETARY  OF  STATE  ANNUALLY  REGARDING  THE  COUNTY’S  LEGAL  ORGAN. DURING  THE  MEETING  SHERIFF  DON  PEACOCK  AND  CLERK   OF    COURT  THERESA  HARPER  VOTED TO  CHANGE  TO  THE  UPSON  BEACON  AND  PROBATE  JUDGE  HAMBY  VOTED  TO  STAY  WITH  THE  THOMASTON  TIMES,  A  2  TO  1  VOTE FOR  THE  BEACON. SHERIFF  PEACOCK  TOLD  TGA  NEWS  THIS  WEEK,  HE  WOULD  LIKE  TO  SEE  THE  TWO   NEWSPAPERS  ROTATE  AS  LEGAL  ORGAN,  EVERY  COUPLE OF  YEARS. CLERK  OF  COURT  HARPER  SAID  SHE  VOTED  FOR  THE  BEACON  BECAUSE  IT   HAS  A  MORE  LOCAL  PRESENCE. JUDGE HAMBY  HAS NOT  BEEN  AVAILABLE  FOR  COMMENT,  BUT  HE  HAS  FAMILY  WHO  HAVE  BEEN  ON THE   TIMES  STAFF.  THERE  HAVE  BEEN  QUESTIONS  RAISED AS TO  THE  QUALIFICATIONS  OF  THE  UPSON  BEACON  TO  BE  THE  LEGAL  ORGAN,  BUT  COUNTY  ATTORNEY  ED  TRICE  SAYS  THEY HAVE  BEEN  ANSWERED  AND  HE IS  PREPARING  THE  LEGAL  DOCUMENTS  NEEDED  FOR  THE   CHANGE. OVER  THE PAST  TWO  YEARS  THE  BEACON  HAS  REPORTEDLY  AVERAGED  92%  PAID  CIRCULATION,  WHICH  COUNTY  OFFICIALS  HAVE  TOLD  US  MEETS QUALIFICATIONS. THE LEGAL  ADS WILL BE  A SIGNIFICANT  REVENUE  BOOST  FOR  THE  UPSON  BEACON,  AND  THERE  IS  SPECULATION  AS TO  HOW  IT  WILL  AFFECT  THE  THOMASTON  TIMES.  BOB  TRIBBLE,  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  BEACON, OWNS  30  NEWSPAPERS  AND  HAS  REPORTEDLY  MADE  OVERTURES IN THE  PAST  TO BUY-OUT  THE  TIMES.ROLAND FOILES, GENERAL  MANAGER  OF  THE  THOMASTON  TIMES, ISSUED  THIS  STATEMENT" TO MY KNOWLEDGE  THE  CONSTITUTIONAL  OFFICERS  WHO  APPARENTLY MADE  THE  DECISION-THE  SHERIFF,CLERK OF  SUPERIOR  COURT AND PROBATE JUDGE—HAVE NOT  NOTIFIED  THE  TIMES  ABOUT ANY  CHANGE OR REQUESTED ANY  INFORMATION FROM OUR NEWSPAPER. THERE  IS NO RECORD OF  ANY  AGENDA ITEM OF  ANY  GOVERNMENTAL  BODY TO  DISCUSS THE  AWARDING OF  THE  OFFICIAL  LEGAL ORGAN STATUS, NOR  HAS  A  LEGAL NOTICE REGARDING THE  DECISION BEEN  PUBLISHED YET  AS  REQUIRED  BY  STATE  LAW.”

Zac Brown Band Receives 4 Grammy Nominations

The Zac Brown Band has been nominated for four Grammy awards.

The four categories are Best County Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals and Best Country Song for their number one hit Free, Best Country Album for their second album You Get What You Give that went to number one and Best Country Collaboration With Vocals for their collaboration with Newnan native Alan Jackson on As She’s Walking Away, it also went to number one.

The 53rd annual Grammy’s will be presented February 11th, 2011 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The show will be televised live by CBS.

Last year the group was nominated for three awards and won the Grammy for Best New Artist.

Thomaston’s Coy Bowles plays keyboards and guitar for the group, he is the son of Barney and Janis Bowles. Other members of the band include band founder Zac Brown (lead vocals, guitar), Jimmy De Martini (fiddle, vocals), John Driskell Hopkins (bass guitar, vocals), Chris Fryar (drums) and Clay Cook (guitar, keyboards, mandolin, steel guitar, vocals).

Here are the categories and the other nominees. 

Best country performance by a duo or group with vocals:

Free, Zac Brown Band; Elizabeth, Dailey & Vincent; Need You Now, Lady Antebellum; Little White Church, Little Big Town; Where Rainbows Never Die, The SteelDrivers

Best country collaboration with vocals:

As She's Walking Away, Zac Brown Band & Alan Jackson; Bad Angel, Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert & Jamey Johnson; Pride (In The Name Of Love), Dierks Bentley, Del McCoury & The Punch Brothers; Hillbilly Bone, Blake Shelton & Trace Adkins ; I Run To You, Marty Stuart & Connie Smith

Best country song:

Free, Zac Brown Band; The Breath You Take, George Strait; The House That Built Me, Miranda Lambert; I'd Love To Be Your Last, Gretchen Wilson; If I Die Young, The Band Perry; Need You Now, Lady Antebellum

Best country album

You Get What You Give, Zac Brown Band; Up On The Ridge, Dierks Bentley; The Guitar Song, Jamey Johnson; Need You Now, Lady Antebellum; Revolution, Miranda Lambert

State Representative Tony Sellier Dies

Macon.com is reporting that State Representative Tony Sellier, a Republican representing the 136th District, died Tuesday night at Peach County Medical Center from congestive heart failure following complications from a recent medical procedure, according to his family.

Sellier, 65, a Middle Georgia resident for more than 30 years, was elected Nov. 2 to a third term in the state House of Representatives. His district includes all of Crawford County and parts of Bibb, Houston, Lamar, Monroe, Peach and Upson counties.

Gov. Sonny Perdue announced Wednesday that flags on state buildings and grounds will fly at half-staff on the day of Sellier’s funeral.

“Tony’s compelling personal history, along with his deep commitment to faithfully representing his constituents, made him one of the most respected members of the Georgia General Assembly,” Perdue said in a written statement. The governor noted that he and his wife, Mary, were deeply saddened at the death of their “beloved friend and public servant.”

“We join all of Middle Georgia in praying for God’s comfort and peace for his wife Judye, their three children and ... grandchildren, and for the entire Fort Valley community that Tony loved so dearly,” Perdue said.

Read more: http://www.macon.com/2010/12/01/1360673/coroner-state-rep-tony-sellier.html#ixzz16uRn4drk

Upson Company Sold to C.W. Mathews

A LEGACY UPSON COUNTY COMPANY IS BEING SOLD. C. W. MATTEWS CONSTRUCTION COMPANY OF MARIETTA HAS SIGNED A LETTER OF INTENT TO PURCHASE HILL CONSTRUCTION COMPANY . PRESIDENT BILL HAMMACK TOLD TGA NEWS TUESDAY C. W. MATTEWS IS CURRENTLY DOING ITS DUE DILIGENCE AND HOPES TO CLOSE THE DEAL BY THE END OF THE YEAR. MUCH LIKE HILL, C. W. MATTEWS, BASED IN MARIETTA HAS BEEN IN THE ROAD BUILDING BUSINESS FOR DECADES, FOUNDED IN 1946. MR. HAMMACK SAID HIS FIRM IS LOOKING FORWARD TO ASSUMING CONTROL OF THE COMPANY BUILT BY ALLEN HILL AND HIS LATE FATHER, COOPER HILL, A MAYOR OF THOMASTON. HAMMACK SAID INTERVIEWS ARE UNDERWAY WITH HILL EMPLOYEES TO BE HIRED BY MATTEWS. THE NEW OWNER WILL NOT HAVE AN OFFICE IN THOMASTON BUT WOULD DISPATCH CREWS FROM THE ASPHAULT PLANT IN SPALDING COUNTY OWNED BY HILL CONSTRUCTION. MATTEWS ALSO HAS ANOTHER FACILILTY ON THE SOUTHSIDE AT THE ATLANTA AIRPORT. ACCORDING TO MR. HAMMACK, ALLEN HILL WILL NOT BE RETAINED, HE'S LOOKING FORWARD TO SMELLING THE ROSES FOR A WHILE.

UPSON TAX RELIEF IN 2011

UPSON  COUNTY  COMMISSION  CHAIRMAN  MAURICE  RAINES  CALLED  IT  A  CHRISTMAS  PRESENT  FOR  CITIZENS FOR  2011, $2 MILLION  IN  TAX  RELIEF FROM THE OVERAGE  OF  THE  2005  SPLOST, AND IT  COULD  BE  MORE. AT  TUESDAY’S   MEETING  THE  BOARD  AGREED  TO A  ROLLBACK OF  4.63  MILLS  IN  2011. OF  THE  $2  MILLION, 1.7 IS  FROM  THE  4-LANE  PROJECT  ON  36  EAST  TO  1-75  THAT  NEVER  HAPPENED,  AND  THE CHAIRMAN  STRESSED, THIS IS  A ONE  TIME  DEAL, FOR  ONE  YEAR,  THAT  IS  ALLOWED  AT  THE  END  OF  A  SPLOST.  COUNTY  FINANCE  OFFICER  RONALD  VAN  HOUTEN  SUGGESTED  TO  THE  BOARD,  THAT  THE  FUNDS  BE  PLACED  IN  A  SEGREGATED  ACCOUNT.  IN  A  LETTER TO  THE  CHAIRMAN, UPSON  COUNTY  TAX  COMMISSIONER  BERRY  COOK SAID  4.63  MILLS  GENERATES  $3 MILLION  BASED  ON THE  CURRENT  COUNTY  WIDE  NET  TAX  DIGEST.  THIS  WOULD  BE  A  ROLLBACK  OF  4.63 MILLS, LOWERING THE  MILLAGE  RATE  OF  12.72  MILLS  TO  8.09 MILLS, REDUCING  THE  ESTIMATED  TAX  LEVY  FROM  $8.2 MILLION  TO  $5.2 MILLION, A  DECREASE OF  2.9  MILLION. THE  TAX  COMMISSIONER  EXPLAINED, THIS  WOULD  REDUCE  THE  TAXES  ON  A  $100,000  PIECE OF PROPERTY  FROM  $508  TO  $363,A  TAX  SAVINGS  OF  $185. CHAIRMAN  RAINES  SAID  THE  BOARD IS  WORKING  ON   PROJECTS  TO  BE  LISTED FOR  THE  2011  SPLOST  ON THE  BALLOT  NEXT  MARCH. HE  SAID  PUBLIC  HEARINGS  WILL  BE  HELD  FOR  CITIZEN INPUT ON THE  NEW ONE  CENT   SALES   TAX  PROPOSAL. IN  OTHER  ACTION,  THE  COMMISSIONERS  APPROVED  THE  2011 BUDGET,  $13.2  MILLION  A  REDUCTION   OF  $58,000    COMPARED  WITH  2010.

IDA WORKING FOUR PROSPECTS

AT  MONDAY’S NOVEMBER  MEETING, THE  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR  OF  THE  THOMASTON  UPSON  INDUSTRIAL  DEVELOPMENT  AUTHORITY,  J.R. CHARLES SAID  NOVEMBER HAS BEEN  A  BUSY  MONTH.  IT  STARTED  WITH HOSTING  PROJECT  MANAGERS  FROM  THE  ELECTRIC  CITIES  OF  GEORGIA,  FOR  LUNCH  AT THE  ROCK  RANCH,  SOMETHING  THAT  GOT  RAVE  REVIEWS  FROM  THE  GUESTS. HE  COMMENTED  ON  FOUR  PROJECTS  THAT  ARE  BEING  COURTED,  TWO  COULD  MAKE  DECISIONS  IN  DECEMBER. THE  IDA  VOTED  TO  WAIVE A  $7100 BOND  ADMINISTRATION  FEE  FOR  A  NEW  INDUSTRY,  ANIMAL, HEALTH AND  SCIENCE. THOMASTON’S  MAYOR  HAYS  ARNOLD  SAID  BOND  FEES HAVE  BEEN  WAIVED IN THE  PAST, AND  IDA MEMBER  DANNY  BRINKS MADE  THE MOTION.  THE  IDA PASSED  A  RESOLUTION FOR  A  $5.7 MILLION INDUSTRIAL  REVENUE BOND  FOR  A.H.S., SUN-TRUST BANK WILL  REPORTEDLY  PROVIDE  THE  FINANCING.  THE  IDA  ALSO  PASSED A  FORGIVABLE LOAN RESOLUTION FOR  THE  COMPANY. THE  CITY  OF  THOMASTON GAVE  $250,000  TO  THE IDA FOR  A  GRANT  TO  THE  COMPANY, TO  BE USED  FOR  CAPITAL  OUTLAY AT THE FORMER  YAMAHA PLANT. MAYOR  ARNOLD SAID  THE  FUNDS  HELPED  THE  CHANGE  THE MIND OF  THE  COMPANY,  THE  CEO  TOLD  THOMASTON  KIWANIS  HE  WAS  HEADED  TO   SOUTH  CAROLINA  UNTIL  CITY AND COUNTY  OFFICIALS   SOLD  HIM  ON  THOMASTON. THE  COMPANY HAS  PLEDGED  100  JOBS  IN  THE  FIRST YEAR, AND  COULD  BEGIN  OPERATIONS IN THE  SPRING.  THE  IDA  ALSO IS  WORKING  ON  AN  EIP GRANT  FOR  $500,000  TO  PUT  A  RAIL  SPUR AT THE  PLANT.

New Biomass Power Generation Facility

On September 14, 2010 Cooperative Energy Incorporated (CEI) signed a 10 year power purchase agreement (PPA) for 15 megawatts of green energy from Lancaster Energy Partners’ proposed biomass power generation facility in Thomaston.

The wood fueled generation facility is expected to be operational in early 2012 and will produce enough electricity to power approximately 10,000 homes.

“We are excited about partnering with CEI and Upson EMC to bring green power to Georgia” said Wayne Coverdale, President & CEO of Lancaster Energy Partners. Mr. Coverdale stated that the facility will be located on the grounds of the former Thomaston Mills textile plant and will create approximately 20 permanent jobs at the plant. The facility will also foster the creation of additional jobs necessary to supply local, woody biomass needed to fuel the facility.

CEI is comprised of seven Electric Membership Corporations (EMCs): Central Georgia EMC, Cobb EMC, Excelsior EMC, Pataula EMC, Snapping Shoals EMC, Upson EMC and Washington EMC.

Neal Trice, President & CEO of Upson EMC in Thomaston stated, “Upson EMC fully supports this project and is very excited about the job creation opportunities this project will bring to Upson County.”

Cobb EMC is the largest off-taker of energy from the proposed facility and their President & CEO, Dwight Brown, had these comments,” At Cobb, we believe in having a diverse, economical energy mix and this renewable project meets our criteria. This project is a “win” for Cobb EMC and a “win” for Georgians.”

Energy Consulting Group (ECG) managed the negotiations of the PPA for CEI and will manage the contract going forward. ECG is a full service energy consulting firm based in Atlanta.

Robert Tucker of ECG had the following comments, “ECG has reviewed dozens of renewable energy proposals for our clients and the Lancaster-Thomaston project appears to have the right formula for success. Economical fuel supply is the key issue for biomass projects and this project is sized appropriately for the wood basket of the local area.”

Upson Ambulance In Fatal Accident

An Upson County ambulance was involved in a fatal accident in Henry County Friday evening around 6 pm.. The ambulance was traveling north on U.S. 19/41 in Hampton when a southbound vehicle made a left turn into it’s path.

A passenger in the Chevrolet Monte Carlo 36 year old Tammy Ward from Hampton was killed instantly. Ward’s husband was driving the car and is listed in stable condition in Grady Memorial Hospital, he may face charges in the accident. A five year old child was treated and released at Grady.

The ambulance driver, a second EMT and two passengers received minor injuries, they were treated and released at area hospitals, the ambulance sustained heavy front end damage.

NOV. TERM OF COURT ENDS

NOVEMBER  TERM  OF   UPSON  SUPERIOR  COURT ENDED  WEDNESDAY  AFTERNOON,  WITH   JUDGE  FLETCHER  SAMS  DISMISSING  JURORS.  JURY  SELECTION  WAS UNDERWAY  WEDNESDAY  MORNING  IN  AN  ARMED  ROBBERY  CASE  WHEN  THE  DEFENDANT, DEMARCO  LOWERY,  18,  DECIDED  TO  ENTER  A   GUILTY  PLEA  TO  ARMED  ROBBERY  AT  COUNTRY  CORNER GROCERY  ON  WEST  MAIN  STREET  AND COMMUNITY  SUPERETTE  ON  JEFF  DAVIS  ROAD,  ROBBERIES  IN  NOVEMBER OF  2009. ON  A  BLIND  PLEA  WITHOUT  A  STATE  RECOMMENDATION, JUDGE SAMS  SENTENCED  LOWERY  TO  30  YEARS, 20  YEARS  TO  SERVE.  A  CO-DEFENDANT  JOSEPH FERDIE  BORDELON, 27, ENTERED  A  PLEA  LAST  WEEK  AND  WAS  SENTENCED  TO  15  YEARS.  ASSISTANT  DISTRICT  ATTORNEY   BEN  COKER  SAID  LOWERY  ALSO  HAD  WEAPONS  CHARGES,  DURING  THE  ROBBERY  AT  COMMUNITY  SUPERETTE, HE  FIRED  A  PISTOL  IN  THE  AIR.  THERE  WAS  ONE  JURY  TRIAL  DURING  THE  WEEK, MONDAY , MILTON  THOMAS  WAS  CONVICTED  AND  SENTENCED TO  20   YEARS  IN  PRISON.

Police Misconduct Claimed

The Thomaston City Council has received notification of a potential lawsuit from a citizen who claims he was mistreated by police.

The letter alleges that Bridge Turner, 48, of Griffin Avenue was assaulted and illegally detained by officer Johnny Middlebrooks, along with other officers, without probable cause at Sidney’s Bar and Grill on South Center Street on April 30th.

At Tuesday’s meeting, on the advice of city attorney Joel Bentley, the Council voted to deny the claim and turn the matter over to it’s insurance carrier.

In the letter, Turner claims he has incurred damages both physically and mentally due to the misconduct of police. Turner was charged with disorderly conduct and public drunk but the charges were dropped by police in Municipal Court on June 8th.

According to the incident report, a Mazda was pulled over by police around midnight and the driver drove onto the parking lot. Police started to search the vehicle and patrons at the door of the business directed profanity at the officers. After they were warned, Turner was cited and taken into custody. A female patron told police it was not Turner who made the remarks, but a man who had already left.

20 YEARS FOR CHILD MOLESTATION

A  GUILTY  VERDICT IN  A  ONE  DAY  JURY  TRIAL,  MONDAY  IN  UPSON  SUPERIOR  COURT.  THE  DEFENDANT, MILTON  THOMAS, WAS  CONVICTED  BY A  JURY  AND  WAS  SENTENCED  TO  SERVE  20  YEARS  IN PRISON  FOR  CHILD  MOLESTATION  BY  JUDGE  FLETCHER  SAMS,  FOR  THE  CRIME  AGAINEST  A   13  YEAR  OLD  FEMALE. NOVEMBER  TERM  OF  COURT  WILL  CONTINUE  WEDNESDAY  AT  THE  COURTHOUSE.

Deer Hunter Injured

An Upson County deer hunter was injured Friday evening south of Thomaston. The hunter reportedly fell from his stand. He was treated by Upson EMS and transferred to a Lifeflight air ambulance near Mauldin Road and US 19 south, then transported to an area hospital.

CHAIRMAN RAINES ELECTED CHAIR

UPSON  COUNTY  COMMISSION  CHAIRMAN  MAURICE  RAINES  HAS  BEEN  ELECTED TO  CHAIR  THE  TEN  COUNTY  TRANSPORTATION  SPLOST  ROUNDTABLE  IN  THE  THREE  RIVER  REGIONAL  COMMISSION.  AT  THE  FIRST  MEETING  ON  THE  2012  T-SPLOST,  THURSDAY  IN  COWETA  COUNTY,  RAINES  WAS  NOMINATED  BY  TROUP  COUNTY  COMMISSION  CHAIRMAN  RICK  WOLF.  THE  CHAIRMAN  AND  A  FIVE-MEMBER EXECUTIVE  COMMITTEE  WILL  MEET  WITH  THE  GDOT ABOUT  CRITERIA  FOR  TRANSPORTATION  PROJECTS  AND  REPORT  BACK  TO  THE  20 MEMBER  ROUNDTABLE  COMPOSED  OF  COMMISSION  CHAIRS  AND MAYORS  FROM  THE  TEN  COUNTIES. CHAIRMAN  RAINES  NOMINATED  THOMASTON’S  MAYOR  HAYS  ARNOLD  TO  THE  EXECUTIVE  COMMITTEE  WHICH  WILL  BE  FINALIZED  AT  A FUTURE  DATE.  CHAIRMAN  RAINES  TOLD  TGA  NEWS  THE  T-SPLOST  TO  BE  ON  THE  BALLOT  IN  2012  COULD  RAISE  $74 MILLION FOR  TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS,  ANNUALLY  FOR   10  YEARS.  UPSON’S  CUT  WOULD  BE  $2 MILLION,  1.2 FOR  COUNTY  GOVERNMENT,  $196,000  FOR  THE  CITY  OF  THOMASTON  AND  $9000  ANNUALLY  FOR  THE  CITY  OF  YATESVILLE.  RAINES  SAID  THE  TOP PRIORITY  TRANSPORTATION  PROJECT  IN UPSON COUNTY  IS  THE  EAST-WEST  CORRIDOR  ALONG  HIGHWAY  74   TO  LINK  THE  KIA AUTO  PLANT   TO  THE  PORT OF  SAVANNAH.

BOATWRIGHT SUSPENDED TWO WEEKS

THE  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR   OF THE  THREE  RIVERS  REGIONAL  COMMISSION,  LANIER  BOATWRIGHT,HAS  BEEN  SUSPENDED WITHOUT  PAY  FOR  TWO  WEEKS  FOR  SENDING  RACY  E-MAILS  FROM  HIS  OFFICE COMPUTER, THAT  SHOW  A  CITY OF  GRIFFIN.COM ADDRESS. THE  35  MEMBER  BOARD OF  THE  COMMISSION  MET  FOR  OVER  THREE  HOURS WEDNESDAY  EVENING  AT  THE  GRIFFIN   OFFICES  WITH  BOATWRIGHT IN  THE  ROOM  AT  ONE  TIME. AFTER  THE  EXECUTIVE  SESSION, WOODBURY  MAYOR  RON  GARRETT  MADE  THE  MOTION TO  SUSPEND  BOATWRIGHT  AND  IT  PASSED  OVERWHELMINGLY.  THE  MOTION  ALSO STIPULATES  A  WRITTEN  REPRIMAND  WILL  BE  PLACED  IN  HIS  PERSONNEL  FILE  AND  IF  HE  SENDS  ANY  SUCH  E-MAILS  IN THE FUTURE  HE  WILL  BE  TERMINATED. HE  WAS  ALSO  ORDERED TO UNDERGO  SENSITIVITY  TRAINING  AND  WILL UNDERGO  A  PERFORMANCE  REVIEW  IN  THREE  MONTHS.  THE  E-MAILS  CAME TO  LIGHT AFTER  A  PLANNER  BOATWRIGHT  FIRED  EIGHT  MONTHS  AGO,  CARTER  THOMPSON, PLANNED  A  LAWSUIT ALLEGEDING   SHE  WAS  DISMISSED  FOR  BEING  A  WHISTLE  BLOWER.  THOMPSON  CONTENDS  SHE  COMPLAINED  TO  BOATWRIGHT  ABOUT  SEXUAL  HARRASSMENT BY A  FEMALE  SUPERVISOR AND  HE  CLAIMED SHE  THREATENED  HIM.

Thomaston’s Coy Bowles Wins CMA Award

The Zac Brown Band won the New Artist of the Year award at the annual Country Music Association (CMA) Awards in Nashville Wednesday night.

Thomaston native Coy Bowles plays guitar and keyboards with the band and after accepting the award thanked, “my mom and dad and my hometown Thomaston.” Coy is the son of Barney and Janis Bowles. He also has his own group, The Fellowship, that he plays with during breaks with the ZBB.

Other members of the band are Zac Brown / Lead Vocals & Guitar; Jimmy De Martini / Violin, Vocals; John Driskell Hopkins / Bass, Vocals; Clay Cook / Guitar, Organ, Mandolin, Pedal Steel, Vocals; Chris Fryar / Drums.

The ZBB was also nominated for Vocal Group of the Year, Song of the Year, Music Event of the Year and Entertainer of the Year.

Previous honors and accolades include their Grammy win for "Best New Artist," "Top New Vocal Group" from the Academy of Country Music Awards and "Breakthrough Video of the Year" from CMT and USA Weekend. The band has had six consecutive number one hits.

NEW SCHOOL BUS FACILITY

THE  THOMASTON  UPSON  BOARD OF  EDUCATION  HAS  AWARDED  A  CONTRACT FOR  A  NEW  BUS  MAINTANCE  FACILITY  NEAR  THE  CURRENT  ONE  ON  74  EAST. AT  TUESDAY’S  MEETING   THE  LOW  BID  OF  EIGHT  WAS  HEADLEY  CONSTRUCTION  COMPANY  $1.39  MILLION , ABOUT  WHAT IS  AVAILABLE  FROM  THE  LAST  SPLOST  FOR  THE  PROJECT.  THE  CURRENT  BUS  FACILITY  HAS  TWO  BAYS,  THE  NEW ONE WILL  HAVE  THREE  AND  WILL  ALSO  HOUSE  THE  SCHOOL  SYSTEM’S  MAINTANCE  STAFF  NOW  LOCATED  ON  ADAMS  STREET.

Fatal Accident West Of Thomaston

A two vehicle accident west of Thomaston Monday evening claimed the life of an Upson County woman.

The accident resulted in the closing of Highway 74 for over two hours. Traffic was detoured down Old Alabama Road to Thurston School Road then back to 74 on Hickman Fork Road.

Judith Ann Waterman, 67 of 208 Denham Street, the driver of a late model Buick died at the Upson Regional Medical Center as a result of her injuries. The driver of the other vehicle, a late model Mazda CX-7 along with her two passengers were not seriously injured.

Tire marks at the scene appeared to indicate that the Mazda was entering the road from the driveway of a home located at 3520 Highway 74 west and pulled into the path of the Buick. The Mazda was struck in the passenger side door and the Buick received extensive front end damage.

The Upson EMS along with the Upson County Sheriff’s Department, Georgia State Patrol, Thurston Fire Department and a Lifeflight Air Ambulance responded to the accident.

TEEN SHOT TO DEATH

ACCORDING   TO  THE  UPSON  COUNTY  SHERIFF’S  DEPARTMENT,  A  TEEN WAS  SHOT  TO  DEATH  EARLY  SATURDAY  AT  3149  ANDREWS  CHAPEL  ROAD.  18  YEAR OLD  HOUSTON  GOSSETT  OF  419 F.  STREET  WAS  THE  VICTIM  OF  A  SHOTGUN  WOUND  TO   THE  HEAD.  THE  SUSPECT, CHAD MICHAEL  JOHNSON,  22 , WAS  ARRESTED  FOR  INVOLUNTARY  MANSLAUGHTER  AND  DISCHARGING  A  FIREARM  WHILE  UNDER THE  INFLUENCE  OF  ALCOHOL. A   ANOTHER    TEEN,TIMOTHY  WILLIAMS,  19  WAS  CHARGED  WITH  DRINKING  UNDER  THE  AGE  OF  21.   S.O. INVESTIGATORS  SAID  GOSSETT AND  JOHNSON , WHO  LIVES  WITH  HIS PARENTS,WERE  HANDLING  THE  SHOTGUN  AND  IT  DISCHARGED AND  GOSSETT  WAS  FATALLY  SHOT. JOHNSON’S MOTHER  THERESA   TOLD  DEPUTIES GOSSETT  AND  WILLIAMS  WERE  STAYING   OVERNIGHT  WITH  THEIR  SON  CHAD.  SHE  AND  HER  HUSBAND  EDWARD RETIRED  AROUND  1AM,BUT  SHE  SAID  THE  YOUTHS  WERE  IN   THE  NEXT  BEDROOM  PLAYING  WITH  A  PLAYSTATION.  AROUND  2AM,  THEY  HEARD A  LOUD NOISE  AND  FOUND  GOSSETT  ON  THE  BEDROOM  FLOOR  BLEEDING FROM THE  HEAD.  HE   WAS  DECEASED  WHEN  UPSON   EMS  ARRIVED.

THOMASTON UPSON CHAMBER AWARDS

THE  THOMASTON  UPSON  CHAMBER   OF  COMMERCE  64TH  ANNUAL  AWARDS  BANQUET  WAS  THURSDAY NIGHT,  AND  THE  LATE  JOE  WHITE  WAS  THE  RECEIPIENT  OF  THE  LIFETIME  ACHIEVEMENT  AWARD. IT  WAS  THE  FIRST  TIME  IT   WAS   PRESENTED  POSTHUMOUSLY  AND  THE FIRST  TIME IT  WAS  AWARDED  TO  AN  AFRICAN-AMERICAN. PENNY  CLIFF,  OF  THE  THOMASTON  UPSON ARCHIEVES,  IN  PRESENTING  THE  AWARD  TO   MR. WHITE’S  FAMILY,  SHARED HIS  COMMITTMENT  TO  CIVIL  RIGHTS, HE MARCHED  WITH  DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR., HE WAS  ACTIVE IN  THE  UPSON  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY  AND  WAS  INVOLVED  IN  YOUTH  RECREATION PROGRAMS,  FORMING  A  BOXING  CLUB. THE  OUTSTANDING  COMMUNITY  AWARD TO  THE  FOUNDERS OF  SMOKE  ON  THE  WATER, DUSTIN  FORDHAM, BOBBY  BICKLEY, NASH  AUSTIN, JEREMY DANIEL, JOSH  WEEMS,RYAN  TUCKER,JEREMY  SALTER  AND SETH  PERDUE. HERE’S  LOOKING  AT  YOU  FOR  BEST  NEW  BUILDING,DR. NORMAN  DONATI AND  THE  HUGHSTON CLINIC  ON  NORTH  CENTER  STREET. EXECUTIVE  OF  THE  YEAR, TIM  TUCKER OF  TUCKER  COMMUNICATIONS. NEW  BUSINESS  OF  THE YEAR,GRAND OAK  SALON  AND  SPA, OWNER,SHANNA SKIPPER.  SMALL  BUSINESS OF  THE  YEAR,  TASTY SHOP,OWNERS  EARNIE  AND DEBORAH  VAUGHN. CHAMBER  CHAMP, UL MIDDLE  SCHOOL  PRINCIPAL  PATSY  DEAN  FOR  ORGANIZING THE  BICYCLE RIDE  ACROSS  GEORGIA  IN  THE  SPRING. THE  GRADUATES OF  ADULT LEADERSHIP  UPSON  ALSO  WERE  RECOGNIZED.

First Freeze Of The Season

The first freezing temperatures of this fall are moving our way, the overnight low Friday night is expected to be 31 degrees and Saturday night’s in the upper 20’s.

Plants and pets should be protected, warmer temps will return by Monday as lows will be in the mid to upper 40’s.

Final Chapter Of Jim Grimes Story

Fun 101’s feature story page is utilized to publish stories and articles about people and places in the Fun 101 listening area.

This is the final chapter of a four part series reprinted from the book “Moonshine Mayhem” by Marlene Womack. We will publish one of the articles each week for the next two weeks.

It gives a detailed story of C.V. (Jim) Grimes, a real, old-time moonshiner from Upson County that led a very interesting life and eventually settled in Bonifay, Florida.

If you would like to post comments, click the link at the bottom of the story. Comments will appear as soon as they are approved by WTGA staff.

To view the page click the link on the right or click HERE.

Upson County Commissioner Results

Incumbent district three county commissioner Rusty Blackston won re-election to the seat in Tuesday’s general election. Blackston polled 62% of the votes in his district, political newcomer Shane Phillips received 38% of the vote.

Blackston stated, “I want to thank the voters and I pledge to continue working for all of Upson County.”

Blackston received 1,206 votes to Phillips’ 748.

Incumbent district four commissioner Frank Spraggins defeated Mark Andrews in a close race, 52% to 48% or 62 votes.

Spraggins polled 764 votes to Andrews 702.

Upson County Commission Races

District 3	Total	%	R	TR	Y	LP	T	A
* Rusty Blackston   (R) (I)	1206	62	753	140	258	***	***	55
Ed Shane Phillips  (D)	748	38	541	65	128	***	***	14
District 4
* Frank Spraggins   (R) (I)	764	52	172	***	***	2	541	49
Mark Andrews      (D)	702	48	203	***	***	5	469	25

R – Redbone / TR – The Rock / Y – Yatesville / LP – Lincoln Park / T – Town / A – Absentee

* Winner

Results are unofficial until certified by election officials.

CHILD SEVERELY BURNED

ACCORDING   TO  THE  UPSON  COUNTY  SHERIFF’S  OFFICE, A  TWO   YEAR  OLD  BOY  WAS  LIFE  FLIGHTED  TO  THE  GRADY  HOSPITAL  BURN  CENTER  IN  ATLANTA  AFTER  HE  FELL  INTO  A  BON  FIRE  AT  THE  ROCK  RANCH, SATURDAY.  THE  CHILD, ISAIAH  ARSCOTT OF  LITHONIA, IN  THE  ATLANTA  METRO  AREA,  HAD  2ND  AND  3RD  DEGREE  BURNS TO  THE  UPPER  BACK  AND  ARMS, AND  THE  BACK  OF  HIS  HEAD.  HIS  AUNT TOLD  DEPUTIES THEY  WERE  ATTENDING  A  BIRTHDAY  PARTY  FOR  A  4  YEAR  OLD, WHEN  THE  BOY  LOST HIS  BALANCE  AND  FELL BACKWARDS INTO  THE  FIRE.  AT  LAST  REPORT,THE  BOY  WAS  IN  CRITICAL  BUT  STABLE  CONDITION.  UPSON  EMS  AND  ROCK  HILL  FIRE  DEPARTMENT  ALSO  RESPONDED.

Election Coverage

Get complete coverage of the election returns this evening on Fun 101’s Local News page. The polls close at 7 pm and our coverage will begin with the first ballots being counted.

UPSON GRAND JURY NO TRICE EVIDENCE

ACCORDING  TO  THE  DISTRICT  ATTORNEYS  OFFICE,  A   SPECIAL  PROSECUTOR  APPOINTED  TO  INVESTIGATE  ALLEGATIONS  AGAINEST UPSON  COUNTY  COMMISSIONER  SANDRA  TRICE , WILL  NOT  PRESENT  EVIDENCE  TO  THE  NOVEMBER  GRAND  JURY  THAT  MEETS  MONDAY. THE  GEORGIA  INSURANCE  COMMISSIONERS  OFFICE  RAIDED  HER  BUSINESSES  EARLIER  IN  THE  YEAR,  TRICE  FUNERAL  HOME, AFTER  COMPLAINTS  AFTER  FRAUDULENT  RE-NEED FUNERAL  INSURANCE  SALES.  THE  DISTRICT  ATTORNEY  ASKED  THE  STATE  ATTORNEY  GENERAL’S OFFICE  TO  LOCATE  A  PROSECUTOR   BECAUSE  THE  COUNTY COMMISSIONERS  SET THE  D.A.’S  BUDGET, THUS  A  CONFLICT  OF  INTEREST.  THE  STATE  A.G. FOUND  A  PROSECUTOR  IN  THE  CHATTAHOOCHEE  CIRCUIT,  BUT  APPARENTLY  THE   INVESTIGATION IS  NOT  COMPLETE,  BY  THAT  ASSISTANT  DISTRICT  ATTORNEY.

EARLY VOTING IN UPSON

A  BIG  TURNOUT  FOR  EARLY  VOTING IN  UPSON COUNTY FOR  THE  GENERAL  ELECTION  NOV. 2ND. REGISTRAR  NORMA  HODGE  REPORTED  FRIDAY  1910  HAD  VOTED,  THE  MOST  SINCE  2004.  EARLY  VOTING  ENDS  FRIDAY.

Area Events This Weekend

Busy weekend for west central Georgia area residents,

activities include the following:

28th Annual Chitlin’ Hoedown

Saturday and Sunday in Yatesville

Click the event or here for more details.

 

Valley Grove Baptist Church Fall Festival

Saturday Evening

Click the event or here for more details.

Firefighter Terminated By Spalding County

Spalding County Interim Manager Tim Whalen has served notice on Firefighter Terrence Reid that the County is terminating his employment. The basis of the termination is Mr. Reid’s misconduct in violation of two subsections of Article VIII, Section 7 of the Spalding County Personnel Ordinance.

Subsection 7(u) prohibits willfully giving or making false statements to supervisors, officials or the public. During the course of the discovery of the existence of the video and the County’s investigation, Mr. Reid gave misleading and false statements to his supervisor and the investigator repeatedly regarding who he shared the video with and who he talked to about its existence. Lying will not be tolerated by the County from any of its employees and is grounds for Mr. Reid’s termination.

Subsection 7(b) prohibits conduct unbecoming a public officer or employee. That Mr. Reid recklessly disregarded the humanity of Ms. Kempson-Schacht and the people he was obligated to serve is clear and obvious. Although it does not appear that Mr. Reid intended to cause harm with his actions, his egregious conduct has created grave negative feelings towards all Spalding County Firefighters and has eroded the public’s confidence in the department and in Spalding County.

Subsection 7(r) prohibits violating departmental rules. At the time Mr. Reid used his cell phone to film video of Ms. Kempson-Schacht at the scene of her fatal accident, there was a Fire Department policy prohibiting use of cell phones without the permission of a supervisor. However, the investigation into this matter revealed that this policy was interpreted differently by different shift commanders and that personnel likely were not trained sufficiently on the policy. Therefore, any violation of that policy cannot serve as grounds for termination.

Spalding County Manager Finalists

The Spalding County Board of Commissioners has narrowed the list of candidates for the position of County Manager to two finalists. The finalists are Mr. Tim Whalen and Mr. James Coleman.

Mr. Whalen has been employed in the Spalding County Tax Assessors Office since 1976 and has been the Chief Appraiser since 1982. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from Valdosta State University and a J.D. degree from Atlanta Law School. Mr. Whalen is currently serving as Interim County Manager.

Mr. Coleman was the City Manager & Airport Manager of Williston, Florida from 2004-2008, Acting City Engineer & Interim Public Works Director of Leesburg, Florida from 2003-2004, Town Manager of Lady Lakes, Florida from 1999-2003, Director of Personnel & Risk Management of DeLand, Florida from 1994-1999 and Longwood, Florida from 1989-1994. He served in the US Army from 1971-1985 rising to the rank of Captain. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration from the University of Central Florida.

THOMASTON UPSON IDA

THE  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR  OF  THE  THOMASTON  UPSON  INDUSTRIAL  AUTHORITY,  J.R.  CHARLES  SAYS  OCTOBER  WAS  NOT  AS  ACTIVE AS  SEPTEMBER FOR  PROSPECTS,BUT  A  COUPLE  CAME  CALLLING. ONE  CALLED  PROJECT  HENDERSON  WOULD  BE  A  $4 MILLION  INVESTMENT WITH  40  JOBS. A  2ND  PROSPECT  WAS  IMPRESSED  WITH  THE  SPEC  BUILDING  BUT  EXPRESSED  CONCERNS  ABOUT  THE  LABOR  POOL. THAT  COMPANY IS  DEVELOPING  A  SHORT  LIST  OF  POTENTIAL  SITES  TO  BE  RELEASED  NEXT  WEEK.  THE  IDA  APPROVED  A  CHANGE  TO  A  LETTER  OF  INDUCEMENT FOR  A  $5.7  MILLION INDUSTRIAL  REVENUE  BOND  FOR  ANIMAL  HEALTH  AND SCIENCE,LOCATING  IN  THE  YAMAHA  BUILDING. SUN TRUST  BANK  HAS  APPROVED THE  FINANCING.  REPORTING  ON THE  RECENT  MEETING OF  THE  MANUFACTURERS  ROUNDTABLE, THE  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR   SAID  QUAD  GRAPHICS IS  GOING  GANG-BUSTERS   WITH  ITS  HOLIDAY  PRINTING  BUSINESS,  BUT  OTHER  FIRMS ARE  JUST  GETTING BY.

Third Installment Of Jim Grimes Story

Fun 101’s feature story page is utilized to publish stories and articles about people and places in the Fun 101 listening area.

This is the third of a four part series reprinted from the book “Moonshine Mayhem” by Marlene Womack. We will publish one of the articles each week for the next two weeks.

It gives a detailed story of C.V. (Jim) Grimes, a real, old-time moonshiner from Upson County that led a very interesting life and eventually settled in Bonifay, Florida.

If you would like to post comments, click the link at the bottom of the story. Comments will appear as soon as they are approved by WTGA staff.

To view the page click the link on the right or click HERE.

Tuberculosis Case In Upson County

District 4 Public Health and the Upson County Health Department are investigating a suspected tuberculosis case that may have potentially exposed community members to the disease.

Public Health officials have notified people determined to be in close contact with the suspected case and putting them at risk of infection, approximately 11 people will receive continued medical evaluation for positive exposure to the tuberculosis germ.

Free tuberculin skin tests were offered to contacts on a voluntary basis.

According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, 10% of people in the general population tested for TB will have a positive reaction to the TB skin test. The total number of people having a positive reaction in this instance falls within the average for a large group.

Michael Brackett, District 4 Health Director said TB is an infectious disease that is typically spread from person to person through airborne droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can be treated and cured over a period of time with proper medications.

Firefighter In Video Controversy Identified

After receiving a report from Atlanta attorney Christopher Balch, the Spalding County Commissioners have identified the firefighter that distributed a video of an accident victim’s body as Terrance Reid.

Reid is on paid leave pending the outcome of the investigation into the distribution of a graphic video made on his personal cell phone of the body of 23 year old Dayna Kempson-Schacht on July 17, 2010. Dayna is the daughter of Pike County residents Jeffrey and Lucretia Kempson.

According to investigators, the video was allegedly shown to patrons at Buffalo’s Southwest Cafe in Griffin where the victim was recognized and the family was notified.

Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Scott Ballard has determined that there are no laws pertaining to the filming of an accident victim at the scene by emergency personnel. The only recourse against Reid available to the family is through a civil action.

2011 PROPOSED UPSON COUNTY BUDGET

THE  UPSON  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS  FINALIZED  THE  PROPOSED  2011  BUDGET,  DURING  A  WORK  SESSION,  FRIDAY. ITS  ALMOST  $59,000   LESS  THAN  THE  CURRENT  BUDGET  AND  NO  FURLOUGH  DAYS FOR  COUNTY  EMPLOYEES  ARE  PLANNED. CHAIRMAN  MAURICE  RAINES  AID  THE  $13.2 MILLION  BUDGET  INCLUDES  REVENUES  OF  $11 MILLION FOR  TAXES,$885,000  FOR  FINES  AND  FEES,$36,000  FOR  GRANTS  AND  SUBSIDIES  AND  LOCAL  GOVERNMENT  REIMBUSEMENT  OF  $525,000.THE  LARGEST  LINE  ITEM  IS  INSURANCE,RETIREMENT  AND  INTEREST,$2.3 MILLION, JOINT  PROJECTS 1.9,JAIL  OPERATIONS 1.5 AND THE  SHERIFF’S  DEPARTMENT  1.3 MILLION. THE  BUDGETS  FOR  THE  SHERIFF  AND  JAIL BOTH  DECREASED  IN  THE  PROPOSED  BUDGET.CHAIRMAN  RAINES  SAID  ITS  A  FIRST, THE  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS  HAVE  NEVER  COMPLETED THE  BUDGET  BY  NOVEMBER  IST, PUBLIC  HEARINGS  WILL  BE  SCHEDULED.  THE  UPCOMING  SPLOST  WAS  ALSO  DISCUSSED DURING THE  WORK  SESSION,ITS  LOOKS  TO  BE  AN  $18MILLION,6  YEAR SALES  TAX  MEASURE.ACCORDING  TO  THE  CHAIRMAN, THE  BIG CONCERNS FOR  THE  COMMISSIONERS IN THE  NEXT  SPLOST INCLUDE  RECREATION,BUILDING  IMPROVEMENTS, AND  ROADS.  HE  PLANS  A  SECOND  MEETING  WITH  THE  CITY OF  THOMASTON  AND CITY OF  YATESVILLE, SOON,  TO  MOVE FOWARD  ON  SPLOST  PLANNING.  THE  MEASURE  WILL  PROBABLY  BE  ON   THE  BALLOT  IN   MARCH.

Tax Equity Study

The Thomaston City Council approved a tax equity study to be conducted by Governmental Enterprises of Richmond Hill, Georgia at Tuesday’s meeting. The cost will be approximately $30,000 and the study will take about 90 days to complete. Mayor Hays Arnold said that City Hall is seeking equity and fairness in taxation. The mayor said the study is not a personal attack on anyone but an effort to get at the truth and obtain the facts.

Two consultants from the firm will review the city and county books looking at tax revenues and expenditures to arrive at their findings. City Attorney Joel Bentley outlined the two purposes of the study:

1. To eliminate duplication of services.

2. To prevent an overlap in taxes.

Attorney Bentley noted that the joint projects agreement between the city and county expired in March, it had been part of the comprehensive plan drawn up over a decade ago.

Mayor Arnold stated that he believes the county commissioners would support the city’s efforts. Such studies are common and only one has ended up in court, the city of Auburn, Georgia sued Gwinnett County.

Second Installment Of Jim Grimes Story

Fun 101’s feature story page is utilized to publish stories and articles about people and places in the Fun 101 listening area.

This is the second of a four part series reprinted from the book “Moonshine Mayhem” by Marlene Womack. We will publish one of the articles each week for the next two weeks.

It gives a detailed story of C.V. (Jim) Grimes, a real, old-time moonshiner from Upson County that led a very interesting life and eventually settled in Bonifay, Florida.

If you would like to post comments, click the link at the bottom of the story. Comments will appear as soon as they are approved by WTGA staff.

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HOMECOMING WEEK AT UL

ITS  HOMECOMING  WEEK  AT  UPSON  LEE  HIGH  SCHOOL AND  THE  UPSON  COUNTY  SHERIFF’S  DEPARTMENT  HAS  ALREADY  STARTED  GETTING  CALLS  ABOUT  PRANKS,  YARDS  ROLLED  AND  SUCH,BUT IT COULD  BE  GOING  TOO FAR.  AN  ELDERLY  MAN  WITH  NO  KIDS OR  GRANDKIDS  IN  THE  SCHOOL  SYSTEM  REPORTED  HIS  TRUCK GOT  DOUSED  WITH  MUSTARD ON  EAST  COUNTY  ROAD.  ON  WALLER  ROAD  SHREDDED  PAPER  WAS  THROWN  IN THE SHRUBBERY  AND  TREES. SARAN WRAP  WAS  PLACED  AROUND  THE  FRONT  PORCH  STEPS AT  THE  RESIDENCE  AND  LIQUID  LAUNDRY  DETERGENT  WAS  POURED OVER IT TO  MAKE IT  SLIPPERY.  VIOLATORS  CAN  BE  CHARGED  WITH  CRIMINAL   TRESPASS  ,  ACCORDING  TO  THE  S.O.