MORE ARRESTS METH INVESTIGATION

THE  AREA  NARCOTICS  TASK  FORCE  IN  THOMASTON  HAS  ANNOUNCED  MORE  ARRESTS  IN A  MAJOR  METHAMPHETAMINE  INVESTIGATION  STARTED  IN JAN. THESE  SUSPECTED  DRUG  DEALERS  CHARGED  WITH  CONSPIRACY  TO  TRAFFIC IN  METH—CARLOS  SPINOZA,  19  AND RUBEN  HERNANDEZ, 29 ,BOTH  OF  DEKALB COUNTY AND  39  YEAR   OLD  JERRY  CRAIG  BRADSHAW, WHO  IS  IN  THE  UPSON  COUNTY  JAIL.

THESE  CHARGED  WITH  CONSPIRACY  TO  POSSESS  METH  AND  USE OF A  COMMUNICATIONS  DEVICE  TO  VIOLATE  THE  LAW, A  CELL  PHONE. TWO  FROM  PIKE  COUNTY, JOHNNY MCGILL, 35  OF  MOLENA  AND  DENNIS PARKS JR.,34  OF  CONCORD. FROM  UPSON COUNTY, CASEY  BROOKS,  34, KRISTIE  BRUCE,  24, AMANDA  SILVA,30, DIANE  MARIE  GORDY, 29, AMANDA  SANDLIN, 30,  AND  JASON RICKMAN,27.  NTF SAYS  MORE  ARRESTS  ARE  POSSIBLE.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL FRIDAY NIGHT

UPSON-LEE  TRAVELED  TO  PEACHTREE  CITY  AND  BEAT  MCINTOSH  13-7,  THE  LAST  REGULAR  SEASON  GAME.  THEY  END  AT  5-5  AND  WILL  HAVE  A  PLAY-IN  GAME  NEXT  FRIDAY  NIGHT  TO  DETERMINE  THE  PLAY-OFFS.

LAMAR  COUNTY  REMAINED  UNBEATEN,  51-15  OVER  GREENE  COUNTY. PIKE COUNTY  OPEN  DATE  FRIDAY.

URMC HONORED WITH NATIONAL AWARD

NOT   ONLY  WAS  UPSON  REGIONAL  MEDICAL  CENTER  ONE  OF  25  HOSPITALS SELECTED TO  PRESENT AT  THE NATIONAL  WHAT’S RIGHT IN HEALTHCARE  CONFERENCE IN  CHICAGO,  RECENTLY. URMC WAS  RECOGNIZED  FOR  OUTSTANDING  PERFORMANCE IN  PATIENT  SATISFACTION.

UPSON  WAS  SELECTED FOR  THE  “EXCELLENCE IN  PATIENT CARE” TOP  HCAHPS  AWARD IN  THE  CATEGORY “PATIENTS ALWAYS RECEIVED  CARE AS  SOON  AS  THEY  WANTED.”

HOSPITAL CONSUMER ASSESSMENT  OF  HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS AND  SYSTEMS, IS  A NATIONAL STANDARDIZED  SURVEY  TOOL  USED  TO  MEASURE ADULT INPATIENT PERCEPTION OF  THE QUALITY  OF  CARE  THEY  RECEIVE AT A  GIVEN ACUTE  CARE HOSPITAL.

URMC  CEO  DAVID  CASTLEBERRY  SAID  “GIVEN  THE  LEVEL OF  EXCELLENCE THAT  MUST  BE  SUSTAINED TO  RECEIVE  SUCH  AN  AWARD, THIS SPEAKS VOLUMES ABOUT  THE  PATIENT-CENTERED  CULTURE  AT UPSON.”

ARCHITECTS BIDS OPENED FOR SPORTS COMPLEX

AT  TUESDAY’S MEETING  OF  THE  UPSON  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS, COUNTY  MANAGER  KYLE  HOOD   SAID HE AND COMMISSIONER  STEVE  HUDSON HAVE  OPENED  BIDS FOR  ARCHITECTS PROPOSALS TO DRAW PLANS FOR  THE NEW SPORTS COMPLEX ON  74 EAST. COMMISSIONER  HUDSON  TOLD  TGA  NEWS  AFTER  THE  MEETING , THE BOARD IS A  LONG  WAY FROM  A  WORKABLE PROPOSAL. THIRTY  BIDS WERE  RECEIVED BUT  THEY  ARE HIGHER  THAN  THE  COUNTY   ANTICIPATED.   HE  RECOMMENDS  TAKING    SEVEN   OF  THEM  AND  TRYING  TO  NEGOTIATE  SOME  TYPE  OF AGREEMENT.

THE  COUNTY  HAS  $850,000  IN  SPLOST  FUNDS FOR THE  ENTIRE PROJECT  OF  BALL FIELDS NEAR  THE  COUNTY  ROADS  DEPARTMENT.

 

COMMISSIONER  RUSTY  BLACKSTON SAID  ITS NOT LEGAL  TO  CONTINUE FUNDING  VOLUNTEER  FIRE  DEPARTMENTS  WITHOUT SOME  TYPE OF  FIRE  SERVICES AGREEMENT. COMMISSION  CHAIRMAN MAURICE  RAINES PLANS  TO  MEET  WITH  THE FIRE CHIEFS ABOUT  IT.

SAT. OCT. 29 IST ANNUAL SMOKE ON THE WATER CHILI COOK-OFF BICKLEY’S LAKE

BE A  COOK OR  A JUDGE, WIN  CASH PRIZES FOR  THE  BEST  CHILI .   LOTS OF   EATS,   GA-FLA. GAME  ON THE  BIG  SCREEN  TV, LIVE  MUSIC  AFTER  THE  GAME. CORNHOLE  TOURNAMENT AND HORSESHOES. COSTUME  CONTEST  6  TO  11, WINNER $50.  $5  ENTRY  FEE-- FOR MORE  INFORMATION OR  TO SIGN UP  CONTACT  BOBBY  BICKLEY AT  706-741-9317. NO  COOLERS  PLEASE.

29TH CHITLIN HOEDOWN IN YATESVILLE SAT &SUN

THE  29TH ANNUAL  CHITLIN  HOEDOWN  IS  SATURDAY AND  SUNDAY  IN YATESVILLE, GA. ON HIGHWAY  74, OCT. 29TH AND  30TH.  SATURDAY  12 NOON  TO  6PM, SUNDAY  12 NOON  TILL  5PM. PARADE  SATURDAY  3PM  , ARTS  AND  CRAFTS, CHITLINS  AND  THAT  TASTY  YATESVILLE  BAR-B-Q-CHICKEN. LIVE  MUSIC  ALL  DAY  BOTH  DAYS, JUNCTION  SATURDAY  AT  3.

 

FORMER  MAYOR  WALTER BOYT  SAID  THE  HOEDOWN  GAVE  OUT  OF  CHITLINS  LAST  YEAR  ON SATURDAY, BUT  A  NEW  VENDOR  PLEDGES  IT  WON’T HAPPEN  AGAIN. 

SUSPECTED METH DEALERS ARRESTED IN PIKE, LAMAR AND SPALDING COUNTIES

THE  AREA  NARCOTICS  TASK  FORCE  COMPLETED  A  10 MONTH  INVESTIGATION  TUESDAY   BY  ROUNDING UP    42  SUSPECTED METH  DEALERS  IN  UPSON, PIKE, LAMAR, AND  SPALDING  COUNTIES. AMONG  THOSE  ARRESTED,  A MOTHER  AND  DAUGHTER, SHIRLEY  ANN  BRASHEARS OF  GRIFFIN   AND  HER  DAUGHTER,  AMANDA NICOLE WILSON,  25  OF  THOMASTON.

 

FROM  PIKE COUNTY—GARY  HILLEY, 53 OF  ZEBULON, JANET  PAIGE PARKER,  44 OF WILLIAMSON, AND JOSH SHIRLEY,  37 OF MEANSVILLE.

FROM   LAMAR  COUNTY—MICHAEL  HOLLOWAY AND  CHERRIE  A. CRUMMIE,  30. OF  BARNESVILLE.

FROM  SPALDING COUNTY—JACKIE  SMALLWOOD, 41, DEBRA LYNN  BRADSHAW,  34,  AND BENJAMIN  HARPER, 32 OF  GRIFFIN

LANGFORD DRIVE WILL REMAIN OPEN

AFTER  A  PUBLIC  HEARING  FOR  THE  INTENT  TO  CLOSE IT,  TUESDAY,   A  MOTION  TO  CLOSE  IT  FROM  UPSON  COUNTY  COMMISSIONER  STEVE  HUDSON  DIED  FOR  LACK OF  A  2ND.  HUDSON  SAID  THE  COUNTY  ROADS  DEPARTMENT  RECOMMENDED  IT  BE  CLOSED   SO  THE  COUNTY  WOULD  NOT  HAVE  THE    RESPONSIBILITY  FOR  MAINTAINING  IT.

FORMER  COUNTY  COMMISSIONER  JAMES  MEEKS  TOLD  TGA  NEWS  HE IS HAPPY  WITH   THE   OUTCOME  BECAUSE HE NEEDS  THE  ROAD  FOR  ACCESS  TO  HIS PROPERTY.   THE  OTHER  PROPERTY  OWNER  INVOLVED, ANN  LEVIS  OF  GRIFFIN HAD URGED THE  COUNTY  TO  CLOSE  IT  BECAUSE  ITS  USED FOR A LOVERS  LANE  AND  GARBAGE  DUMP.  UPSON EMC  SENT  THE  COMMISSIONERS A  LETTER  REQUESTING  IT  REMAIN  OPEN FOR  ACCESS  TO  POWER LINES.

UPSONIANS ARRESTED DRUG DEALER ROUND-UP

THESE  UPSON  COUNTY  RESIDENTS  WERE   ARRESTED  STARTING  AT  4;30AM   TUESDAY   IN  A  JOINT OPERATION  TO  STEM   THE  METH  TRADE  IN  UPSON, PIKE, LAMAR, AND  SPALDING COUNTIES.

BRIAN MICHAEL  KILBY,32   OF  F.  STREET NAMED  AS  CHIEF  SUPPLIER,  AND HIS  GIRL FRIEND,  ALLYSON BROOK MARSHALL, 30, ALSO  ARRESTED. DUSTIN  EUGENE  BELL,30, MICHAEL  ROY  JONES,  42, JOSEPH B. MCKINLEY, 32, RONALD L. THOMPSON,  41, JESSICA  RAKESTRAW, 29,   WILLIAM   JASON  HEARD,  33, RYAN PATRICK  CRUMMIE,  37, RODNEY FRANKLIN  MCDANIEL, 42, RICHARD DUSTIN  CLAY,  32, AMBER C. POWELL,23, JEANINE S. PERKINS, ADAM NICOLAS  BRUCE,  33, AMANDA NICOLE  WILSON, 25, RICHARD FRANKLIN GRIFFIN, 29, RACHEL MICHELLE RAYBON, 29, TIMOTHY RANDALL  HUFF,  41, DONALD JASON  POLLARD,  35, MICHELLE LYNN  BLANKINSHIP, 30, KRISTIE RENEE  GIBSON, 30, RACHEL  ANN  ADAMS,  HOMER RIGDON JR.,  48, JOHN  STEWART WAGNER, 36, JASON B. KNIGHT, JAMES MICHAEL  ADAMS,  37, ALMA CHRISTINE  ANGLIN, 54, AMANDA J.JOHNSON,  22, BRANDY  MICHELLE  MACON, 33, JAMIE LYNN  TEAL,  KAYLA  ELIZABETH BRADSHAW-PEPPERS, ANNA NICOLE  ROGERS, HELEN JOANN PETTY. 

MAJOR DRUG SUSPECT ROUND-UP

AT  A   PRESS  CONFERENCE  TUESDAY  MORNING  AT  THE   MULTI-COUNTY  NARCOTICS  TASK  FORCE  HEADQUARTERS  IN  UPSON  COUNTY,  THE    N.T.F. ,  D.E.A. OFFICE  IN MACON,  THOMASTON  POLICE  DEPARTMENT  AND  UPSON  SHERIFF’S OFFICE ANNOUNCED  THE  ARREST  OF  OVER  40 SUSPECTED  DRUG  DEALERS  INVOLVED  IN  THE METH  TRADE  IN  UPSON, PIKE, LAMAR, AND  SPALDING  COUNTIES.  THE  10 MONTH  INVESTIGATION  STARTED  WITH  CITIZEN  COMPLAINTS  IN  JANUARY,  AND  THE  CHIEF  SUPPLIER  IN  THE  AREA  WAS  IDENTIFIED  AS BRIAN  MICHAEL KILBY, 32 OF 117 F.STREET  IN  THOMASTON. NTF  COMMANDER  ALLEN  MCWHORTER  ESTIMATED  KILBY HAS  BROUGHT  IN  $400,000  WORTH  OF METH DURING  THAT  TIME,  BUYING  FROM  HISPANICS  OPERATING  FIRST  IN  CLAYTON  COUNTY   AND  THEN  DEKALB  COUNTY. KILBY’S GIRL  FRIEND,  ALLYSON BROOK  MARSHALL, 30,  WAS  ALSO  ARRESTED.

THOMASTON TIMES LEGAL ORGAN AGAIN NOV 1

1. THE  CHIEF JUDGE OF  THE GRIFFIN  JUDICIAL  CIRCUIT,  CHRIS  EDWARDS  ORDERED THE  THOMASTON  TIMES  TO  BE  THE  LEGAL  ORGAN  AGAIN, NOV  I,  AFTER  A  DAY  LONG HEARING  IN  UPSON  SUPERIOR  COURT,  THURSDAY, OCT. 20TH. THE  UPSON BEACON  WAS  NAMED  LEGAL  ORGAN   ABOUT A    YEAR  AGO   AFTER  SHERIFF  DON  PEACOCK AND  CLERK  OF  COURT  TERESA  HARPER  VOTED  FOR  THE  BEACON,  AND  PROBATE JUDGE  GARY HAMBY,  VOTED TO  STAY  WITH  THE  THOMASTON TIMES. ONLY  TWO  VOTES  ARE  NEEDED.

DURING  THE  HEARING,  THE  THOMASTON  TIMES  CHALLENGED   UPSON BEACON’S  FIGURES  FROM  THE  AUDIT  BUREAU  OF  CIRCULATION,  THE  NEWSPAPER INDUSTRY  STANDARD  WHICH MEASURES CIRCULATION.    ACCORDING  TO  A  PRESS  RELEASE  FROM  THE  UPSON  BEACON,  THE  JUDGE   FOUND  THAT  THE  BEACON WAS  JUST  A  FEW  PERCENTAGE  POINTS OFF FOR  TWO  WEEKS IN  2008 WHEN NOT  ALLOWING  AUDIT  BUREAU OF  CIRCULATION  ACCOUNTING  PRACTICES IN THE  AUDIT.

THE  THOMASTON  TIMES  WENT  TO  COURT  TO  CHALLENGE  THE   NEW LEGAL ORGAN, SOON  AFTER  THE  UPSON  BEACON  WAS  AWARDED  IT, BUT AT  THAT  TIME  JUDGE  EDWARDS  RULED  IN FAVOR OF  THE  BEACON. TGA  NEWS  HAS  BEEN    TOLD    THE  LEGAL  ORGAN  GENERATES  ANNUAL  REVENUES  OF  ABOUT   $50,000.

PIKE S.O. MAKES 4 ARRESTS BURGLARIES,UPSON,LAMAR, AND PIKE

SHERIFF  JIMMY  THOMAS  SAID  PIKE  COUNTY  S.O.  HAS  ARRESTED FOUR SUSPECTS   AFTER   BURGLARIES  IN  UPSON, PIKE, AND  LAMAR  COUNTIES. HANNAH   SCOTT,  19 OF  WILLIAMSON, JALEN  BRITT,18,HENRY  BARRETT,19, AND THOMAS  BUTLER, 20, ALL OF  GRIFFIN  WERE  CAUGHT  IN  A VEHICLE WITH  STOLEN  GOODS.

UPSON S.O.  RESPONDED  TO  A  HOUSE  BURGLARY  AT  2382 ROCKY  BOTTOM  ROAD, THE ROCK.  A  DOOR  HAD  BEEN  KICKED-IN  ,  A  BEDROOM  RANSACKED, AND  A  SAFE  WAS  MISSING.  PIKE  S.O.  RECOVERED   THE  SAFE   WHEN  THEY  MADE  THE  ARRESTS.

ARMED ROBBERY 2235 BARNESVILLE HIGHWAY

UPSON  COUNTY  SHERIFF’S  OFFICE  INVESTIGATING AN  ARMED  ROBBERY AT  THE  SUNOCO  CONVENIENCE STORE, 2235  BARNESVILLE  HIGHWAY, THURSDAY  EVENING. THE  OPERATOR SAID  HE  BELIEVES  IT  WAS   A  BLACK   MALE,  DRESSED  IN  ALL  BLACK  WEARING A  HOODIE  WHO  BRANDISHED  A REVOLVER  AND  LEFT  WITH   CASH. HE PUT  THE PISTOL  TO  THE  BACK  OF  THE  OPERATOR  AND  FOLLOWED  HIM  BEHIND  THE COUNTER  AND  DEMANDED  CASH.

T.P.D. COMMUNITY NIGHT OUT-MONDAY

THE  THOMASTON  POLICE  DEPARTMENT INVITES THE PUBLIC TO  ATTEND  THE  ANNUAL  COMMUNITY  NIGHT  OUT,   IN  SUPPORT  OF  SAFE  NEIGHBORHOODS  , MONDAY  OCT. 24TH AT  THE  GREATEST  GENERATION  MEMORIAL PARK.  OPENING  CEREMONIES AT  4;30PM WITH  THE  CARAVAN LEAVING  FOR  NEIGHBORHOODS  AT  5. PARK  STREET  ASSOCIATION    ON  PARK  ST.  AT  4;30, AT THE  PARK  ST.  PLAYGROUND. FOOD WILL  BE  SERVED.    THOMASTON  GARDENS  5;10, PARK ST.  5;45, FARVIEW  APARTMENTS  6;15, TRIUNE  AVE. HOUSING  AUTHORITY  6;45PM,  320  VETERANS  DR.  COMPLEX  7;10PM.

UPSON HISTORICAL SOCIETY GONE WITH THE WIND PROGRAM MONDAY, OCT 24-7PM.

THE  UPSON  HISTORICAL   SOCIETY WILL  SALUTE  THE  75TH  ANNIVERSARY OF  THE  PUBLICATION OF MARGARET  MITCHELL’S  GONE  WITH  THE  WIND WITH A  SPECIAL  PRESENTATION BY  GONE  WITH  THE  WIND  EXPERT, HERB  BRIDGES, MONDAY  OCT. 24, 7PM AT  THE  THOMASTON-UPSON  SENIORS  CENTER.

MR.. BRIDGES IS  THE  AUTHOR  OF SIX  BOOKS ON  GONE  WITH  THE  WIND  AND HIS  MEMORABILIA  COLLECTION  IS  ON PERMANENT EXHIBIT AT  THE  ROAD  TO  TARA  MUSEUM IN  JONESBORO.  THE  PROGRAM  IS  FREE AND  OPEN TO  THE  PUBLIC.

FROM THE OFFICE OF COUNTY MANAGER KYLE HOOD

CHAIRMAN MAURICE  RAINES AND THE  UPSON  COUNTY  BOARD  OF  COMMISSIONERS ARE  ADDRESSING  THE  ONGOING   CONCERNS  CITIZENS HAVE  HAD OVER  THE  RECENT  INCREASE IN  THE  VEOLIA  GARBAGE  COLLECTION  BILLS. THE  BOARD  UNDERSTAND  THE FINANCIAL  BURDENS THAT  ALL  RESIDENTS OF UPSON COUNTY  ARE  FACING RIGHT  NOW, HOWEVER  EVERY  ATTEMPT WAS MADE  TO LET  THE  PUBLIC  KNOW OF  THE  FORTHCOMING  $3  PER  QUARTER  INCREASE WELL  IN  ADVANCE OF  THE  FIRST BILLS  GOING  OUT.

SEVERAL MONTHS  AGO, VEOLIA BROUGHT  TO  THE  COUNTY A  PROPOSAL TO  INCREASE PRICES BASED ON  THE  ADDITIONAL  COSTS  THAT  THE  COMPANY  WAS  INCURRING DUE TO  THE  RISING  PRICE OF  FUEL  AND  SERVICE  PROVISION TO  THE  COMMUNITY. SOME MEMBERS   OF  THE  BOARD  WERE  NOT  IN  FAVOR  OF  THE  INCREASES, BUT  THE  CONTRACT THAT  THE  COMPANY HAS WITH  THE  COUNTY  ALLOWS FOR  SUPPLEMENTAL  INCREASES YEAR  TO  YEAR  AS  THEY  ARE  NECESSARY. ON  BEHALF  OF  THE  CITIZENS, THE COUNTY  MADE EVERY  ATTEMPT TO  DELAY  AND  REDUCE THE  CHANGES TO  THE  COST  OF   HAVING  RESIDENTIAL   TRASH  PICK-UP.

WHILE THIS MAY NOT  BE THE  MOST OPPORTUNE  TIME  TO  INCREASE THE  COSTS TO   CUSTOMERS, THE  COUNTY  STANDS  BEHIND  THE PROFESSIONAL  APPROACH  AND  ADVANCED  WARNING THAT  WAS  GIVEN BY VEOLIA   PRIOR  TO  THE  INCREASES. THE  COMPANY HAS CONTINUED TO  PROVIDE A  RELIABLE  SERVICE AND  CUSTOMER RELATIONS ARE  VASTLY  IMPROVED OVER  PRIOR  YEARS. VEOLIA HAS PLEDGED TO  THE  COUNTY THAT IF AND  WHEN  THEIR  COST  OF  PROVIDING  SERVICE TO UPSON COUNTY  HAS  DECREASED THEY  WILL  PASS THOSE  SAVINGS ALONG  TO  CUSTOMERS, AS  WELL.

CITY THOMASTON ACCEPTS PROPOSALS FROM WATER OPERATORS.

THE  THOMASTON  MAYOR  AND  COUNCIL  HAVE  RECEIVED PROPOSALS  FROM  WATER  AND  SEWER OPERATORS  TO   MANAGE THOMASTON’S  WATER  AND  SEWER  OPERATIONS. COMPANIES SUBMITTING  PROPOSALS INCLUDE  SEVERN  TRENT  SERVICES, CLEARWATER  SOLUTIONS, UTILITY PARTNERS, AND  ESG OPERATIONS INC.  THE CITY  ALSO  HAS  AN  OPTION TO  RENEW  THE  CURRENT  AGREEMENT  WITH  SOUTHWEST  WATER  COMPANY FOR  THE  YEAR  2012 IF  THE  COUNCIL DECIDES  TO  EXERCISE  THE  OPTION,  A  CONTRACT  AT  $1.3  MILLION  PER  YEAR.

 

THE  CITY  HALL  REVIEW   TEAM  HEADED BY  MAYOR HAYS  ARNOLD AND COUNCILMAN  DOUG  HEAD INCLUDES  REPS  FROM  TWO ENGINEERING  FIRMS, THE CITY  ATTORNEY AND CITY  MANAGER. INTERVIEWS WITH  THE  PROSPECTIVE  COMPANIES  ARE  SCHEDULED FOR  THE  WEEK  OF  OCTOBER  24TH.

 

CITY  MANAGER  PATRICK  COMISKEY SAID  THE  CITY  IS  LOOKING  TO  SECURE  THE BEST PROPOSAL AND NOT  THE  LOW  BID, AND  PLANS  TO  IDENTIFY A  COMPANY BY  EARLY  NOVEMBER AND  WORK OUT  AN  AGREEMENT TO  TAKE  EFFECT AT MIDNIGHT DECEMBER  31ST.

DR. MAX BURNS NEW GORDON PRESIDENT

THE  BOARD  OF  REGENTS OF  THE  UNIVERSITY  SYSTEM  OF  GEORGIA  WEDNESDAY  NAMED  MAX  BURNS,  DEAN  OF  THE  MIKE  COTTRELL  SCHOOL OF  BUSINESS AT  NORTH  GEORGIA  COLLEGE & STATE  UNIVERSITY IN  DAHLONEGA  SINCE  2008, AS  THE  THIRD PRESIDENT OF  GORDON  COLLEGE  IN  BARNESVILLE. DR.  BURNS  WILL  ASSUME HIS  POST ON  JANUARY I, 2012.

 

BURNS  WILL  REPLACE INTERIM  PRESIDENT  SHELLEY  NICKEL,  WHO  HAS  SERVED  SINCE  JULY  2010 AFTER  DR.  LAWRENCE  WEILL  RETIRED  IN  JUNE  2010.

NEW SHERIFF IN SPALDING COUNTY

MAJOR  WENDELL  BEAM  WON  TUESDAY’S  RUN-OFF  IN  SPALDING  COUNTY TO  FILL  THE  UNEXPIRED  TERM  OF  THE  LATE  SHERIFF  DEE  STEWART. MAJOR  BEAM  RECEIVED  4644  VOTES, 67%. CAPTAIN  KEITH  DUNCAN  GOT  2284  VOTES, 33%. A  TOTAL  OF  6928 VOTES  WERE  CAST,  A  TURNOUT   OF  21.2%.

EARLY VOTING UNDERWAY

EARLY  VOTING IS  UNDERWAY  AND  WILL  CONTINUE  UNTIL  NOV.  4 FOR THE CITY OF THOMASTON  GENERAL  ELECTION, NOV. 8.  TWO  CANDIDATES ARE  ON  THE  BALLOT FOR  DISTRICT  3  CITY  COUNCIL, JIM  RICHARDS  AND  SAM  COKER,  THE  SEAT  HELD  BY  THE  LATE  ED  BELL.

 

EARLY  VOTING  AT  THE  UPSON  REGISTRAR’S  OFFICE IN THE  DRAKE BUILDING OF  THE  THOMASTON-UPSON GOVERNMENT COMPLEX, FROM  8;30AM  TILL  4;30PM, M-F. VOTERS  WHO  NEED  AN ABSENTEE BALLOT, BUT  WHO  CANNOT  COME  TO THE  OFFICE  TO  GET  ONE, SHOULD  WRITE A  LETTER  TO  THE  REGISTRAR’S OFFICE  AND  THE  ABSENTEE BALLOT  CAN  BE  MAILED. 

 

THE COUNTY  REGISTRAR’S  OFFICE  HANDLES  CITY OF  THOMASTON  ELECTIONS AND  IS  REIMBURSED  BY  CITY  HALL.

 

FUN  101FM  WILL  HOST  A  MEET  THE  CANDIDATES  PROGRAM,  MONDAY,  OCT.  24TH  AT  7PM  FEATURING  CANDIDATES  SAM  COKER  AND  JIM RICHARDS.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCORES FRIDAY

THE  UPSON-LEE  KNIGHTS  CAME  BACK  FROM  A   14-7  SCORE  TO BEAT FAYETTE COUNTY  FRIDAY  NIGHT  , 21-14 DURING  THE HOMECOMING  GAME. NEXT  WEEK AT  HARRIS COUNTY ,  A  LOSER   TO  NORTHGATE  35-0.

PIKE  COUNTY LOST  TO  MORGAN COUNTY,  THE  FOX 5  GAME  OF  THE  WEEK, ALSO HOMECOMING.  NEXT  WEEK  PUTNAM  COUNTY  AT HOME.

LAMAR  COUNTY  CONTINUED  UNBEATEN ,  BLANKING  SOUTHWEST  MACON  34-0.

GRIFFIN  OVER  UNION  GROVE  42-14

TO WALK OR NOT TO WALK AT GRADUATION

AT  THE  TUESDAY,  OCT. 11  MEETING OF  THE   THOMASTON-UPSON  BOARD  OF EDUCATION  ,  THE  BOARD  REVIEWED  THE  POLICY  ON  SCHOOL  CEREMONIES AND OBSERVANCES.  THE  BOARD  TABLED  THIS  POLICY UNTIL  THE  NEXT  MEETING AT  WHICH  TIME THEY  REQUESTED  2  SEPARATE  VERSIONS OF  THE  POLICY FOR  REVIEW.  THIS  REQUEST WAS  MADE  WITH  THE   KNOWLEDGE  THAT  THE  GA.  DEPARTMENT  OF EDUCATION IS  IN  THE  PROCESS OF  CHANGING  REQUIREMENTS FOR  GRADUATION  TESTING.  STUDENTS  WHO  FAILED  THE  GRADUATION  TEST  HAVE  BEEN  ALLOWED  TO  WALK  IN  GRADUATION  CEREMONIES.

UPGRADES AT MATHEWS FIELD

AT  TUESDAY’S MEETING  THE  THOMASTON-UPSON  BOARD  OF  EDUCATION  VOTED  TO  SPEND  UP  TO  $215,000  IN SPLOST  FUNDS  TO  CONSTRUCT NEW  CONCESSION  STANDS AND  RESTROOMS  ON  THE  VISITORS  SIDE  AT  MATHEWS   FIELD. THE  CURRENT  BUILDING  WILL  BE  RAZED, AND   AND   IT  WILL    BE  READY  FOR  NEXT  FOOTBALL  SEASON. WORK  COULD  BEGIN  RIGHT  AFTER FOOTBALL  SEASON.  

UPSON BOC REJECTS REZONING

THE  UPSON COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS  DENIED  A  REZONING  REQUEST  AT  2009  YATESVILLE  HIGHWAY, FORMERLY  SWEET  RETURNS  RECYCLING,  FOR  A  SCRAP  METAL  RECYCLING  BUSINESS, TUESDAY. THE  PLANNING  COMMISSION  HAD  RECOMMENDED  IT  BE  REJECTED  BECAUSE   IT  WOULD  BE  SPOT  ZONING.

 

A  GRIFFIN  COMPANY  SAID  IT    PLANNED  TO   CLEAN-UP  THE  SITE  AND  OPEN  A  SCRAP METAL  BUSINESS,    THE   SAME  THING  IT  DID WITH  THE SWEET  RETURNS  PROPERTY  IT  PURCHASED  IN  SPALDING  COUNTY, BUT  NEIGHBORS  TURNED  OUT  IN FORCE  AND  SPOKE  AGAINST  IT. THEY HAVE  CALLED  EPD  AND  TOLD  THE  BOARD   THE  STATE   COULD  BE  COMING  TO  LOOK  AT  THE  SITE.

 

CHAIRMAN MAURICE RAINES  URGED  THE BOARD  TO  REJECT IT.  $3000  IN  BACK  INVENTORY  TAXES  IS  OWED   ON  THE  PROPERTY   AND  THE  CHAIRMAN  SAYS  IT  IS  NOT  UP  TO  CODE   AND    THE  COUNTY  PLANS  TO  TAKE  ACTION. 

THOMASTON BUSINESSMAN CRITICAL

THE  FORMER  OWNER OF  THOMASTON  MILK COMPANY, KIM  MONTGOMERY, 51 , IS  IN  CRITICAL  CONDITION  AT  GRADY  MEMORIAL  HOSPITAL  IN  ATLANTA  AFTER  A  TRAFFIC  ACCIDENT  FRIDAY  IN  FAYETTE  COUNTY. ACCORDING  TO FRIENDS  AND  FACE BOOK  POSTINGS, HE  SUFFERED  A  SPINAL  CORD  INJURY, A  BROKEN  HIP  AND FRACTURED RIBS, AND  WILL  UNDERGO  SURGERY.

 

TGA NEWS  WAS  TOLD  THE  ACCIDENT   HAPPENED  ON  GA.  92  BETWEEN  FAYETTEVILLE  AND  GRIFFIN,  WHEN  KIM  TRIED  TO  AVOID  A  DRIVER  OVER THE  YELLOW  LINE  AND  HIS  PICK-UP  FLIPPED  OVER. HE  WAS  LIFE-FLIGHTED  TO  GRADY.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCORES

FRIDAY  NIGHT  THE  UPSON-LEE  KNIGHTS  WERE  DELT  A  BIG  BLOW  TO  PLAY-OFF  HOPES  BY  LOSING  TO  UNDEFEATED NORTHGATE OF NEWNAN  48-0  AT  MATHEWS FIELD. THE KNIGHTS  HOST  FAYETTE  COUNTY  NEXT  FRIDAY  NIGHT ON  FUN  101FM.

 

PIKE  COUNTY  LOST  ON  THE  ROAD  TO  NORTHEAST MACON  14-7. NEXT  FRIDAY NIGHT  MORGAN COUNTY  COMES  TO  ZEBULON  FOR  A REGION  GAME ON  THE  LIVE  STREAM  AT   FUN  101 FM .COM. DOWNLOAD  THE  TUNE-IN  RADIO  APP  TO  LISTEN  TO  THE  GAME  ON  YOUR  SMART  PHONE  AT  FUN  101FM.COM.

FINALISTS FOR PRESIDENT OF GORDON

THE  STATE  BOARD  OF  REGENTS  HAVE  ANNOUNCED  THE  THREE  FINALISTS FOR  PRESIDENT  OF  GORDON  COLLEGE  IN  BARNESVILLE.

DR. MAX  BURNS, DEAN, MIKE  COTTRELL  SCHOOL OF  BUSINESS AT  NORTH  GEORGIA COLLEGE  AND  STATE  UNIVERSITY  IN  DAHLONEGA,GA.  FROM  2008.

DR. DELMAS CRISP JR., EXECUTIVE VICE  PRESIDENT  AND  ACADEMIC  DEAN, METHODIST  UNIVERSITY, FAYETTEVILLE,  N.C.  FROM  2007.

DR. DONNA  HENRY,DEAN, COLLEGE OF  ARTS  AND  SCIENCES AT  FLORIDA GULF  COAST UNIVERSITY, FORT MEYERS, FLA, FROM  2005.

DR. SHELLEY  NICKEL HAS  SERVED  AS  INTERIM  PRESIDENT  SINCE  DR.  LAWRENCE WEILL STEPPED DOWN  IN  2010.

TERESA BUROUSAS GUILTY

IN  PIKE  COUNTY  SUPERIOR  COURT  TUESDAY, TERESA  BUROUSAS  WAS  FOUND  GUILTY OF  THE  SHOOTING  DEATH  OF  HER  HUSBAND, JIMMIE  BUROUSAS. COWETA CIRCUIT  JUDGE  QUILLIAN  BALDWIN JR.  HEARD  ALL  TESTIMONY  IN THE  BENCH TRIAL  AND  RETURNED  A  VERDICT  OF  GUILTY OF  VOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER, AGGRAVATED  ASSAULT  AND  POSSESSION  OF A  FIREARM  IN  THE  COMMISSION OF  A  CRIME.

 

BUROUSAS  WAS  SENTENCED  TO  20  YEARS,  10  TO  SERVE , WITH  CREDIT  FOR  TIME  SERVED, TWO  YEARS. SHE  DID  NOT  TAKE  THE  STAND. DEFENSE  ATTORNEY  RICKY  MORRIS  PRESENTED A  DEFENSE  BASED ON  BATTERED  WIFE  SYNDROME.

UPSON-LEE HIGH 2011 SAT

GEORGIA  HAS  RELEASED THE  STATEWIDE SAT  SCORES FOR THE  CLASS OF  2011, AND UPSON-LEE  HIGH  SCHOOL’S  SAT  AVERAGE WAS  1323, A  2%  DECREASE IN COMPARISON  TO  THE   2010 AVERAGE  SCORE OF  1350. THE  2011 STATE  AVERAGE FOR ALL  GEORGIA  SAT  TEST  TAKERS ALSO  DECLINED  TO  1445, 8 POINTS LESS THAN  THE  2010 AVERAGE.

 

THE  SAT HAS  THREE SECTIONS—CRITICAL  READING, MATH, AND  WRITING. IN  2011 UL HIGH’S CRITICAL  READING  SCORES  AVERAGED  449 FOR ALL  STUDENTS, MATH AVERAGE WAS  455, WRITING  AVERAGE  WAS  446

 

THE  NUMBER OF  STUDENTS  TAKING  THE  SAT INCREASED  BY  28%  TO  193 FROM  2010 TO  2011.

 

TEACHERS OF  THE  YEAR  HAVE  BEEN  ANNOUNCED.

UL SOUTH  ELEMENTARY—ROBIN  SMITH, FIRST GRADE

UL NORTH ELEMENTARY—MARJORIE  TALLINI,5TH GRADE MATH

MIDDLE  SCHOOL—BETH WALL,  6TH    GRADE  MATH

UL HIGH—JOHN  HAGIN, AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE

 

THE  SYSTEM  TEACHER  OF  THE  YEAR  WILL  BE  ANNOUNCED  IN  NOVEMBER.

UPSON S.O. WANTS THE PUBLIC’S HELP

THE  UPSON  COUNTY  SHERIFF’S  OFFICE  IS  CALLING  FOR  THE  PUBLIC’S  HELP  IN  A  CRIME  WATCH  FOR  AIR  CONDITIONER  VANDALS.  LOSSES  HAVE  BEEN  IN  THE  THOUSANDS  OF  DOLLARS  FOR  SEVERAL  CHURCHES  ,  BUSINESSES  AND  HOMES, RECENTLY.  MAJOR  DAN  KILGORE  URGES  CITIZENS TO  BE  AWARE OF SUSPICIOUS  VEHICLES  OR  INDIVIDUALS,  AND  KEEP  A  CLOSE  CHECK  ON  AC  UNITS.  THE  S.O. HAS  STEPPED  UP PATROLS  BUT  THE  PUBLIC’S  HELP  IS  NEEDED, TOO, ACCORDING TO  MAJOR  KILGORE.

 

IF  ANY  UNUSUAL  ACTIVITY  IS  OBSERVED  CALL   911  ASAP AND  YOU  CAN  REPORT  ANY  INFORMATION   TO  THE  S.O.  AT  706-646-7904.

 

LOSS  OF  $14,000  AT  FRIENDSHIP PRIMITIVE  BAPTIST CHURCH, 644  THURSTON  SCHOOL ROAD, TWO  UNITS  WITH  MISSING  PARTS.  LOSS  OF  $15,000  AT  SUPER FUN  SAFARI, 746  WEST MOORE’S  CROSSING  ROAD. AN  AC  UNIT DISASSEMBLED AND PARTS MISSING.

 

AT  A  FORECLOSED  HUD  HOME, 500  FESCUE  ST,  TWO  AC  UNITS  DISMANTED AND  THE COPPER  CUT  AWAY.