HOUSE FIRE 197 MIDWAY ROAD-BARNESVILLE

UPSON  S.O. , LAMAR S.O.  AND  ROCK  HILL  FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED.  THE  RESIDENCE  OF ANGELA  AND  KERRY  BROWN,  WHO  WERE  NOT  AT  HOME  WHEN IT  STARTED.  DAMAGE  TO  THE  MASTER  BEDROOM, MASTER  BATH, AND  ROOF  DAMAGE.

TWO SCHOOLS IN THE THOMASTON-UPSON SCHOOL SYSTEM MADE ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS AND PERHAPS A THIRD

UPSON-LEE  NORTH  AND  UPSON-LEE  SOUTH  MADE AYP  IN  2011,ACCORDING TO  THE  FIRST  RELEASE OF   AYP  DATA  FROM  THE  GA.  DEPARTMENT OF  EDUCATION.   THE  9TH YEAR  CONSECUTIVE  YEAR  FOR   UL  NORTH  AND  THE 8TH  CONSECUTIVE  YEAR  FOR   UL  SOUTH.  UPSON -LEE MIDDLE  SCHOOL MADE  AYP  IN 9  OF  12  CATEGORIES AND  SUPERINTENDANT  DR. MAGGIE  SHOOK STATED  THAT,BASED ON  THEIR  INITIAL  CALCULATIONS OF RETEST  DATA, THEY  ARE  CONFIDENT THE  THE  MIDDLE SCHOOL WILL MAKE AYP FOR  2011 ONCE  THE  FINAL  REPORT IS  ISSUED  NEXT  MONTH. UL HIGH SCHOOL MET  5  OF  THE  10 AYP CRITERIA AND  DID NOT MAKE AYP FOR  THE  2ND  CONSECUTIVE  YEAR. ULHS MISSED  THE  85% TARGET  GRADUATION  RATE, POSTING  A  2011  GRADUATION  RATE OF  67.3%. ACCORDING  TO  GA  DOE,LESS  THAN  30% OF  ALL  GEORGIA  PUBLIC  HIGH  SCHOOLS  MADE  AYP IN  2011.

TU BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

AT  THE JULY  26 MEETING, THE  THOMASTON-UPSON  BOARD  OF EDUCATION,ACTING ON  SUPERINTENDANT DR. MAGGIE  SHOOK’S  RECOMMENDATION, APPROVED JANA  MARKS AS  THE  SCHOOL  SYSTEM DIRECTOR OF  SPECIAL  EDUCATION  AND JULIE  ENGLISH AS  THE  DIRECTOR  OF ULPK,STUDENT SERVICES AND  ASSESSMENT  AND  COORDINATOR OF  SYSTEM FINE  ARTS. DEBORAH  KEANE,  THE  SYSTEM’S SPECIAL  EDUCATION DIRECTOR  FROM JULY  2006-JULY 2011,  HAS  ACCEPTED THE POSITION OF  DIRECTOR OF  SPECIAL  EDUCATION IN HENRY  COUNTY.

THE ROCK POST OFFICE ON HIT LIST

THE  U.S.  POSTAL  SERVICE  HAS  TARGETED  45  POST  OFFICES  IN  GEORGIA  FOR  CONSIDERATION  FOR  CLOSING AND  THE  ROCK POST  OFFICE  IS  ON  THE  LIST. THE  JUNCTION  CITY  POST  OFFICE  IN  TALBOT COUNTY IS  ALSO ON  THE  LIST.  THE POSTAL  SERVICE  SAID  CLOSING  3700   POST  OFFICES  ACROSS THE U.S. WILL  SAVE $200  MILLION.

THEFT REPORTED $31,000 FROM THOMASTON-UPSON SCHOOL SYSTEM

THE  BOOK-KEEPER  FOR  THE  NUTRITION  PROGRAM OF  THE  THOMASTON-UPSON  COUNTY  SCHOOLS  HAS  BEEN  ARRESTED  AFTER  OVER  $31,000  WAS MISSED.MAJOR  DAN  KILGORE  OF  THE  UPSON   SHERIFF’S  DEPARTMENT  SAID  36  YEAR  OLD  DE ANN SCRUGGS HAS BEEN  CHARGED  WITH  THEFT  BY  DECEPTION AND  MULTIPLE  COUNTS OF  CREDIT  CARD  TRANSACTION  FRAUD. MAJOR  KILGORE  SAID  SHE  WAS ALLEGEDLY   USING  SCHOOL  SYSTEM  PETTY  CASH  AND  USING  A  SYSTEM  CREDIT  CARD  FOR  PERSONAL PURCHASES.  SHE REPORTEDLY  RESIGNED  HER  POSITION, MONDAY MORNING.

PROBE CONTINUES ILLEGAL DUMPING ALLEGATIONS

GBI  AGENT  SAM  BAITY  TOLD  TGA  NEWS  THE  INVESTIGATION  CONTINUES IN A  CASE OF ALLEGED  ILLEGAL  DUMPING  INTO  THE  CITY OF  THOMASTON  SEWER SYSTEM. THE UPSON  BEACON  REPORTED  IN   MARCH, FORMER  CITY  EMPLOYEES ACCUSE AGRI-CYCLE OWNED  BY  RICHARD  HARVILL OF  ILLEGALLY DUMPING LANDFILL  WASTE  INTO MANHOLES.  HARVILL  HAS  DENIED THE  ALLEGATIONS, AND  SAYS  HE HAD  AN  AGREEMENT  WITH  CITY  HALL  TO  DUMP  LANDFILL  WASTE AT  SITES DESIGNATED  BY CITY  HALL. AGENT  BAITY  SAID  THE  CASE  MIGHT  NOT  BE  READY  FOR  THE AUGUST UPSON  GRAND  JURY  BUT COULD  BE  PRESENTED  IN  NOVEMBER.

UPSON CO. COMMISSIONERS

THE  UPSON   COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS   HOLD  A  REGULAR  MEETING  TUESDAY AT  7PM.  A  WORK SESSION  SCHEDULED  AT  6PM.

UPSON CO PROBATE JUDGE RETIRES EARLY

UPSON  COUNTY  PROBATE  JUDGE  GARY  HAMBY  SAYS  HE  IS  LEAVING  HIS  OFFICE AT  THE  END  OF  DECEMBER,  A  YEAR  EARLY.  HE  WILL  SWEAR-IN  DANIELLE  MCRAE  AS  ASSOCIATE  JUDGE  ON  WEDNESDAY.  JUDGE HAMBY  SAYS  HE  WILL  BE  65 ON WEDNESDAY AND  ITS  TIME  TO  GO.  AS  ASSOCIATE  JUDGE MS. MCRAE  CAN  PRESIDE IN  TRAFFIC  CASES  AND  HANDLE PROBATE  CASES.SHE  PLANS  TO  RUN  FOR  PROBATE JUDGE  NEXT  YEAR,

NEW ASST. PRINCIPAL AT UL HIGH SCHOOL

AT A  CALLED  MEETING  TUESDAY,  THE  THOMASTON-UPSON  BOARD  OF  EDUCATION  NAMED MICHAEL  HOFFMAN  , DIRECTOR OF  THE  LEARNING  ACADEMY,  ASSISTANT  PRINCIPAL  AT  UL  HIGH SCHOOL,REPLACING RICHARD  HOWARD  WHO  IS  LEAVING  FOR  A  POSITION  AT  ANOTHER  SYSTEM. FAYE  WILLIAMS  WAS  APPOINTED DIRECTOR  OF  THE  LEARNING  ACADEMY  AIMED  AT  REDUCING  DROP-OUTS.

SUB CONTRACTORS SAY THEY ARE OWED

CIVIL  OR  CRIMINAL—THAT’S  THE  QUESTION   UPSON  S.O. AND  THE  GBI MUST  ANSWER  ABOUT  SUB-CONTRACTORS  OWED  $330,000  FOR  WORK  ON THE NEW  TEMPLE  OF  THE  CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF  LATTER DAY SAINTS ON 36 EAST. THE  SUBS  CLAIM  THE  GENERAL  CONTRACTOR  FRAILEY ASSOCIATES/PAC MAC CONTRACTING OF  LAWRENCEVILLE,GA.  HAS  BEEN  PAID  $1.7 MILLION  BY  THE  CHURCH  BUT   IT  CLAIMS THE SUBS  DID  SHODDY  WORK  SO  IT  DOES  NOT HAVE  TO  PAY.  THE  UPSON BUILDING INSPECTOR’S OFFICE  TOLD  TGA  NEWS  EVERYTHING INSPECTED SO  FAR  MEETS    CODE.  THE  SUBS  MET  THURSDAY  WITH  UPSON S.O. AND THE GBI. FOR MORE  ON  THIS  STORY  LISTEN  TO  FUN  1021FM.

UPDATE ON FEDERAL INDICTMENTS

CHARLES E.COX JR.,  ATTORNEY  FOR  LANCE MCDANIEL  CONFIRMED  TO  THE  TELEGRAPH  THAT  HIS  CLIENT PERFORMED PAINTING  WORK  FOR  THE  THOMASTON  HOUSING  AUTHORITY,BUT HE  SAID  EVIDENCE  IN  THE  CASE  WILL  SHOW  THE  AUTHORITY   WAS   AWARE OF  IT.  BRIAN  JARRARD,  ATTORNEY  FOR  DARLENE MCDANIEL SAID  WHEN  SHE  WAS  NAMED  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR  SHE  APPROACHED THE  BOARD  ABOUT  EXISTING  PAINTING  CONTRACTS  AND  ASKED IF  THEY  SHOULD  BE  CONTINUED. THE  ATTORNEY  SAID  THE  BOARD  INSTRUCTED  HER  TO  CONTINUE  THEM  UNTIL  THEY  EXPIRED, AND LANCE MCDANIEL  DID  NOT  DO  ANY  MORE PAINTING  AFTER  THEY  EXPIRED. FOR  MORE  ON  THIS  STORY  TUNE  TO  FUN  101FM.

THREE FROM THOMASTON INDICTED IN FEDERAL COURT.

THE  DIRECTOR  OF  THE  THOMASTON  HOUSING  AUTHORITY, HER  HUSBAND AND  ANOTHER MAN   ARE  CHARGED  WITH  STEALING MONEY FROM  THE  FEDERAL  GOVERNMENT.A  FEDERAL GRAND  JURY IN  MACON INDICTED DARLENE  MCDANIEL,43, HER  HUSBAND  LANCE MCDANIEL,57  AND STEVEN WAYNE WILLIAMS, 49, A  30  COUNT INDICTMENT. U.S. ATTORNEY MICHAEL MOORE  SAYS  DARLENE MCDANIEL  STEERED FEDERAL FUNDS TO A  PAINTING  COMPANY RUN  BY  HER  HUSBAND. THE  INDICTMENT ALSO  SAYS  SHE ALSO STOLE  FEDERAL  MONEY  BY  USING A  HOUSING  AUTHORITY  CREDIT  CARD  FOR  PERSONAL  USE.  THE  U.S.  ATTORNEYS  OFFICE DID NOT  SAY HOW MUCH MONEY WAS INVOLVED.

POLICE BUST THOMASTON CLUB

TAMEKA DANELLE SMITH, 36,  THE  OWNER OF  GOOD TIMES LOUNGE  AT  1108 SOUTH CHURCH  STREET WAS  ARRESTED. SMITH  OF  405  BARNESVILLE  STREET WAS  CHARGED  WITH SALE/CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL  AFTER  HOURS AND  CONSUMPTION  OF ALCOHOL  BY  CUSTOMERS  OUTSIDE  THE  ESTABLISHMENT. OFFICER  ROBERT  ELLINGTON  WILL  REPORT  THE  ARREST TO  THE  GEORGIA  DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOL AND  TOBACCO.

THOMASTON’S STEVE DANIEL PROVOST

STEVE  DANIEL  OF  THOMASTON,  CURRENTLY  DIRECTOR  OF  GA. QUICKSTART FOR  KIA MOTORS  TRAINING  HAS  BEEN  APPOINTED  PERMANENT  PROVOST  OF  SOUTHERN  CRESCENT  TECHNICAL  COLLEGE.  STEVE HAS  SERVED  AS  VICE  PRESIDENT OF ECONOMIC  DEVELOPMENT  PROGRAMS  AT  FLINT RIVER  TECHNICAL  COLLEGE.

WEISS DEATH PENALTY CASE DISCUSSED BY PIKE COMMISSIONERS, WED.

AT  WEDNESDAY’S  MEETING,  COMMISSIONER  CAROL  BASS  SAID  SHE  HAD HEARD JAMIE  WEISS   HAD  ENTERED  A  PLEA  IN  THE  MURDER  CASE  UNDERWAY  IN  PIKE  SUPERIOR  COURT.  COUNTY  ATTORNEY  ROB MORTON  TOLD  HER  WEISS  ENTERED  A  BLIND  PLEA  AND  A  SENTENCING  HEARING  IS  UNDERWAY  BEFORE  SENTENCING. COUNTY  MANAGER  BILL  SAWYER  SAID  THE  WEISS CASE  COULD  COST  PIKE  COUNTY  $100,000. HE IS  CHARGED WITH  THE  MURDER AND  ROBBERY  OF  CATHERINE  KING, 74  IN  2006.

SITE SELECTED FOR UPSON SPORTS COMPLEX

THE  UPSON  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS  HAVE  CHOSEN  AN  OFTEN   DISCUSSED  SITE  FOR  THE  NEW  SPORTS  COMPLEX. AT  TUESDAY’S MEETING,  CHAIRMAN  MAURICE  RAINES  ANNOUNCED   THE  SPORTS  COMPLEX  WILL  BE  ON  A  60  ACRE  SITE   OWNED  BY  THE  COUNTY   OUT HIGHWAY  74  EAST,  JUST  EAST  OF  THE  OLD WORK  CAMP. CHAIRMAN  RAINES  TOLD  TGA NEWS  HE  WANTS  TO  DEVELOP  35  TO  40  ACRES  FOR  PRACTICE  AND  GAME  FIELDS,  WITH  HOPES  TO  ATTACT  MAJOR  TOURNAMENTS. THE  BOARD  HAS  $700,000  IN  SPLOST  FUNDS  FOR  THE  PROJECT.

CHILD HIT BY A CAR

ACCORDING  TO  THE  GA.  STATE  PATROL,  A  TWO  YEAR  OLD  BOY  WAS  STRUCK  BY  A  CAR  ON  HANNAH’S MILL  ROAD. THE  YOUNGSTER, LANDON  HUGHES  WAS  CHASING  A  DOG   THAT  RAN  INTO  THE  ROAD.  HE  SUFFERED  A  CUT  TO  THE  FOREHEAD  AND  WAS  TRANSPORTED  TO THE  E.R.  BY  UPSON  EMS. THE MOTORIST  WAS SARAH FAY PHILLIPS  OF  HANNAH’S MILL  ROAD  DRIVING  A 1998  LINCOLN.

Spalding County Sheriff Dee Stewart/Last Call

SPALDING COUNTY SHERIFF DEE STEWART

Sheriff James Dee Stewart’s Funeral procession from downtown Griffin to Sunnyside, GA heading north on Highway 19/41 or North Expressway.

THE COACH JIM CAVAN MEMORIAL PARKWAY

ACCORDING  TO  STATE  SENATOR  LEN  WALKER  A  ROAD  DEDICATION  CEREMONY  IS  SCHEDULED WEDNESDAY,  JULY  13TH,  3PM  FOR  THE  COACH  JIM  CAVAN  MEMORIAL  PARKWAY  ON  A  PORTION  OF HIGHWAY  74 EAST.  THE  CEREMONY  WILL  TAKE  PLACE  ON  THE  NORTH  SIDE  OF  THE  COURTHOUSE  SQUARE.  SENATOR  WALKER, WHO  PLAYED FOR  COACH  CAVAN  AT  R.E.LEE   MOVED  A RESOLUTION THROUGH  THE GA.  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY  TO  PROVIDE  FOR  THE  ROAD  DESIGNATION. THE GA  DOT  WILL  PROVIDE  SIGNAGE.

INTERIM SHERIFF OF SPALDING CO.

SPALDING  COUNTY  PROBATE  JUDGE  DEE  SIMONTON  HAS APPOINTED DWAYNE  GILBERT AS  THE  INTERIM  SHERIFF,  WITH  THE  PASSING  OF  SHERIFF DEE  STEWART. GILBERT  SERVED  AS    SHERIFF   FOR  17  YEARS, AND  6 YEARS  AS  A  U.S. MARSHALL. HE WILL   NOT  BE  A  CANDIDATE  FOR  SHERIFF  IN  THE SPECIAL ELECTION,  ACCORDING  TO  THE  PROBATE  JUDGE.

SPECIAL ELECTION FOR SHERIFF IN SPALDING CO.

SPALDING  COUNTY  PROBATE  JUDGE DEWITT  SIMONTON  HAS  ANNOUNCED  THAT  A  SPECIAL  ELECTION   FOR  SHERIFF  WILL  BE   HELD SEPT. 20TH.  SHERIFF  DEE STEWART  DIED  LAST  WEEK  RELATED  TO INJURIES  FROM  A  TRAFFIC  ACCIDENT. AS PROVIDED  BY  GA.  LAW  THE  PROBATE  JUDGE  WILL  APPOINT  AN  INTERIM SHERIFF. OUT OF  RESPECT FOR  SHERIFF  STEWART, JUDGE  SIMONTON  WILL  NOT  TAKE ANY  ACTION  UNTIL  THURSDAY AFTERNOON, FOLLOWING  THE  FUNERAL.

UPDATE ON JOSEPH HAMMONDS, 86

A  WELL-KNOWN  SENIOR  CITIZEN  IN  UPSON  COUNTY,  JOSEPH  HAMMONDS  OF  58  WINDSWEEP  FARM  ROAD  IS  SCHEDULED  FOR  SURGERIES  AFTER  HE  FELL  OFF HIS  TRACTOR. FRENDS  TOLD  TGA  NEWS  ,  MR.  HAMMONDS  UNDERWENT  EYE  SURGERY  THURSDAY  IN  MACON    AND  HIP  SURGERY  WAS  SLATED  FOR  FRIDAY.  ITS  SPECULATED  HE WAS  ON  HIS  TRACTOR   WHEN   HE  NOTICED  HIS HOUSE   WAS  ON  FIRE,  WHICH MIGHT  HAVE CAUSED  HIM   TO  FALL. THE  GARAGE  AND  STORAGE AREA  AND  HIS  CAR  HAD  FIRE  DAMAGE,  A  FIRE  THAT  COULD  HAVE  STARTED  FROM  THE  WATER  HEATER.