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ESPN HAS REPORTED TYSON SUMMERS, DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR AT CENTRAL FLORIDA IS LEAVING TO JOIN COACH MIKE BOBO AT COLORADO STATE AS D.C.
TYSON IS MARRIED TO BETH KING SUMMERS OF THOMASTON, DAUGHTER OF RETIRED SCHOOL SUPERINTENDANT FRANK KING AND WIFE PATTI.
TYSON WAS A GRADUATE ASSISTANT AT UGA AND WAS ON THE UAB COACHING STAFF WITH WILL FRIEND WHO IS LEAVING THE BULLDOGS TO BE BOBO’S OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR.
ACCORDING TO UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF DAN KILGORE, THE RESIDENCE OF THE JAMES HAMMOND FAMILY AT 70 HOLLIS ROAD WENT UP IN FLAMES EARLY TUESDAY.
FIRE UNITS GOT THE CALL AROUND 4;30AM, AFTER FAMILY MEMBERS SMELLED SMOKE AND ESCAPED THE RESIDENCE. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.
THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION RELEASED THE 2014 COLLEGE AND CAREER READY PERFORMANCE INDEX, DECEMBER 16 AND THE THOMASTON-UPSON SCHOOL SYSTEM SCORED A 70.7 COMPARED WITH THE STATE AVERAGE OF 72.
THOMASTON-UPSON SURPASSED SCORES IN LAMAR, PIKE, GRIFFIN-SPALDING,AND MERIWETHER SCHOOL SYSTEMS, ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE.
LAMAR COUNTY SCHOOLS SCORED A 69, PIKE COUNTY 70.6, GRIFFIN-SPALDING A 70.3 AND MERIWETHER COUNTY SCHOOLS 61.8.
IN A PRESS RELEASE FRIDAY, THE PIKE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ANNOUNCED RICHARD O’BARR HAS BEEN CHOSEN BY A PANEL. O’BARR IS A RETIRED CAPTAIN WITH THE HENRY COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT AND HAS SERVED ON THE ZEBULON CITY COUNCIL.
AT A WORK SESSION ON THE 2015 BUDGET, THE THOMASTON MAYOR AND COUNCIL APPROVED AN INCREASE IN WATER/SEWER BILLS EFFECTIVE JAN IST.
FOR THE AVERAGE CUSTOMER THE INCREASE WILL BE JUST UNDER $2 PER MONTH. CITY OFFICIALS SAID THE WATER/WASTE WATER DEPARTMENT CAN’T PAY ITS OWN WAY.
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS CONFIRMED AN EF-2 TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN IN UPSON COUNTY SUNDAY EVENING, HITTING THE DEL RAY ROAD AREA HARD. AN EF-2 PACKS WINDS OF 111 TO 135 MILES PER HOUR. UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF DAN KILGORE RODE IN A HELICOPTER WITH NWS OFFICIALS TO SURVEY THE DAMAGE, MONDAY.
THE LOGAN’S LANDING SUBDIVISION WAS ZAPPED BY THE STORM. THE SALES OFFICE WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED. AT 202 SHANNON COURT, MARCUS BRUNDIDGE SAID HIS FAMILY TOOK COVER IN THE LAUNDRY ROOM, BUT HIS ENTIRE HOUSE HAD EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. A LIMB CRASHED THROUGH THE WALL AND LANDED ON A PILLOW IN HIS SON’S BED.
AT 203 SHANNON COURT, WILL WILLIAMS REPORTED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT AND BACK OF HIS HOUSE.
AT 204 SHANNON COURT, EUGENE DOZIER REPORTED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE ENTIRE HOUSE.
AT 205, TONYA GLOVER SAID THERE WAS ROOF DAMAGE AND THE FRONT ROOF AND GARAGE DOOR SHIFTED.
AT 415 COBBTOWN ROAD, JUSTIN SERGENT HAMMOCK TOLD THE S.O. A TREE FELL ON THE CARPORT AND HEAVILY DAMAGED A 2000 DODGE NEON PARKED IN THE GARAGE.
THE UPSON COUNTY NOVEMBER GRAND JURY INDICTED KELCEY LAMAR ROCKEMORE FOR OBSTRUCTION OF AN OFFICER AND TWO COUNTS OF MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS.
TAMMY DAWSON WAS INDICTED FOR OBSTRUCTION OF AN OFFICER AND MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS.
HER MOTHER, BETTY L. SNIPES WAS INDICTED ON ONE COUNT OF MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS AND OBSTRUCTION.
THE INDICTMENTS FOR MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS RELATES TO THEIR RESPONSES TO GBI QUESTIONING DURING THE GBI INVESTIGATION INTO TOBIN’S POLICE METHODS.
THE GBI HAS TURNED ITS INVESTIGATION FILE OVER TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE AND THE PROBE IS ON-GOING.
AT THE NOVEMBER 11 MEETING, THE THOMASTON-UPSON BOARD OF EDUCATION VOTED TO EXTEND THE CONTRACT OF SUPERINTENDANT DR. MAGGIE SHOOK FOR AN ADDITIONAL 3 YEARS THROUGH JUNE 30, 2018.
THE SCHOOL BOARD ALSO VOTED TO ACCEPT A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE E-SPLOST CITIZENS COMMITTEE TO CALL A SPECIAL ELECTION MARCH 17, 2015 TO VOTE FOR A 5-YEAR CONTINUATION OF THE ONE PENNY SALES TAX FOR EDUCATION.
ACCORDING TO SHERIFF DAN KILGORE, THE SUSPECT, RICHARD DEVIN WADDLE, AGE 31 OF 76 EMORY’S CHAPEL ROAD IN THOMASTON, HAS BEEN EXTRADITED FROM CHAMBERS COUNTY, ALABAMA TO FACE CHARGES. HE WAS DRIVING A STOLEN CAR FROM TENNESSEE WHEN ARRESTED BY ALABAMA STATE TROOPERS.
WADDLE IS ACCUSED OF STEALING PROPERTY VALUED AT $80,000, MUCH OF IT RECOVERED AND HE IS IN THE UPSON COUNTY JAIL BEING HELD WITHOUT BOND.
AT THE 68TH ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET OF THE THOMASTON-UPSON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THURSDAY, SEVERAL BUSINESSES WERE RECOGNIZED.
HERE’S LOOKING AT YOU AWARD—TRADITIONS
CHAMBER CHAMP 2014—KFC OF THOMASTON
EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR—ALICIA MADDOX OF CHILI’S
OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD—COMMUNITY CARE THRIFT STORE
NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR—FLINTROSE STUDIO
INDUSTRY OF THE YEAR—INTEFOR
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR—PIGGLY PARK
FOR U.S. SENATE , REPUBLICAN DAVID PERDUE GOT 64%, DEMOCRAT MICHELLE NUNN 33%. FOR GOVERNOR, NATHAN DEAL 62% AND DEMOCRAT JASON CARTER 34%.
UPSON COUNTY HAD A 52% VOTER TURNOUT.
ACCORDING TO THE GA. STATE PATROL POST IN FORSYTH, REBECCA WORTHAM, AGE 41 OF LIBERTY HILL ROAD, MILNER WAS EJECTED AFTER SHE HIT A DITCH AND FLIPPED ON HIGH FALLS PARK ROAD.
SHE WAS DRIVING A 1988 GMC RALLY WAGON VAN EASTBOUND AROUND 1;30AM SUNDAY WHEN SHE LEFT THE ROADWAY. THE GSP SAID MS. WORTHAM WAS NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT.
ACCORDING TO SCHOOL SUPERINTENDANT DR. MAGGIE SHOOK UPSON-LEE HIGH SCHOOL’S FOUR-YEAR GRADUATION RATE ROSE 4.7 PERCENTAGE POINTS FROM 65.1 TO 69.8 PERCENT.
THE STATE AVERAGE INCREASED FROM 71.8 PERCENT IN 2013 TO 72.5 PERCENT IN 2014.
ACCORDING TO ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY BEN COKER, THE GBI HAS TURNED ITS REPORT OVER TO DISTRICT ATTORNEY SCOTT BALLARD.
THE FAYETTEVILLE OFFICE OF D.A. BALLARD IS SORTING THROUGH THE COMPLAINTS AGAINST THOMASTON POLICE INVESTIGATOR PHILLIP TOBIN, WHO IS ON PAID ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE DURING THE INVESTIGATION.
THE INVESTIGATION STARTED AFTER A TASING INCIDENT INVOLVING TOBIN.
IN UPSON SUPERIOR COURT, EDWARD COOK WAS FOUND GUILTY OF ARMED ROBBERY FOR PUTTING A KNIFE TO HIS MOTHER’S THROAT AND TAKING $43 FROM HER POCKETBOOK.
ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY BEN COKER SAID IT WAS THE SECOND TIME COOK HAS ROBBED HIS MOTHER. HE SERVED A PRISON SENTENCE FOR THAT ROBBERY IN 1991.
ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE THOMASTON-UPSON COUNTY SCHOOLS, UL HIGH HAD SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN ALL THREE PORTIONS OF THE TEST—CRITICAL READING, MATH, AND WRITING.
SCORES INCREASED 16 POINTS IN CRITICAL READING, 14 POINTS IN MATH, AND 8 POINTS IN WRITING.
147 STUDENTS TOOK THE SAT AND POSTED A COMPOSITE AVERAGE OF 1339, UP 38 POINTS FROM 2013 SCORES.
SUPERINTENDANT DR. MAGGIE SHOOK SAID A INCREASE IN SAT SCORES OF 38 POINTS IS NOTEWORTHY BUT THE SCHOOL SYSTEM IS STILL CONCERNED ITS BELOW STATE AVERAGE.
FRIDAY IN UPSON SUPERIOR COURT, RICHARD EDWARD LEE WAS SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS PROBATION, A FINE OF $1000, 80 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE, MUST MAKE RESTITUTION OF $18,540, AND SERVE 60 TO 120 DAYS IN A PROBATION DETENTION CENTER, AFTER HE RECEIVES MEDICAL CLEARANCE.
ACCORDING TO COURT RECORDS, WHILE DIRECTOR OF THE AMBULANCE SERVICE, FROM NOVEMBER 2008 TO NOVEMBER OF 2013, LEE TOOK U.S. CURRENCY, CLOTHING, MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND FUEL THAT WAS THE PROPERTY OF UPSON AMBULANCE SERVICE.
AN ATTORNEY FOR CHIEF MAGISTRATE DANNY BENTLEY FILED A WRIT OF MANDAMUS OCTOBER 7, IN UPSON SUPERIOR COURT, CLAIMING COUNTY COMMISSION CHAIRMAN RUSTY BLACKSTON REDUCED HIS SALARY BY $16,000 WHEN HE TOOK OFFICE IN JANUARY 2013.
THE COMPLAINT SAID A 20% PAY RAISE WAS APPROVED BY THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS IN DECEMBER OF 2012 , SINCE BY STATE LAW , THE CHIEF MAGISRATE RECEIVES A 5% PAY RAISE FOR EACH FULL FOUR-YEAR TERM SERVED. JUDGE BENTLEY HAS SERVED OVER 20 YEARS.
THE ISSUE HAS BEEN FESTERING FOR SOME TIME, WITH THE COMMISSIONERS SAYING PRIVATELY, JUDGE BENTLEY HAS RECEIVED SOME PAY HIKES IN THE PAST HE WAS NOT ENTITLED TO GET.
REACHED FRIDAY, CHAIRMAN RUSTY BLACKSTON TOLD 101 NEWS HE COULD NOT COMMENT ON PENDING LITIGATION, BUT HE ADDED HE HAS DISCUSSED THE LEGAL ACTION WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.
JUDGE BENTLEY COULD NOT BE CONTACTED FOR COMMENT.L
THE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER WAS NOTIFIED, MONDAY MORNING, AND THE PIKE COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT RESPONDED, TOOK THE FIREARMS INTO CUSTODY AND QUESTIONED THE STUDENT AS TO WHERE THEY WERE OBTAINED.
SCHOOL OFFICIALS SAID NO STUDENTS WERE PLACED IN DANAGER.
ACCORDING TO POST 26 GA. STATE PATROL IN THOMASTON, LESLIE ELLIOTT, AGE 32 , OF HENDRICKS CHURCH ROAD , WAS LIFE FLIGHTED TO A COLUMBUS HOSPITAL AFTER SHE WAS EJECTED FROM HER SUV ON HENDICKS CHURCH ROAD.
SHE WAS ENROUTE TO AN EARLIER WRECK INVOLVING HER HUSBAND WHEN SHE LEFT THE ROAD AND HIT A TREE.
HER HUSBAND, JAMES BRADFORD ELLIOTT, AGE 33 AND A 12 YEAR OLD PASSENGER HAD COMPLAINT OF INJURY AND WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE E.R.
THE KNIGHTS NATION CAST ALMOST A QUARTER OF A MILLION VOTES, AND PAUL MILLIKEN WILL BE AT ULHS THURSDAY WITH LIVE SEGMENTS ON GOOD DAY ATLANTA IN THE 8AM AND 9AM HOURS.
THE THOMASTON-UPSON SCHOOL SYSTEM WILL TAPE THE PEP RALLY AND TEAM OF THE WEEK TROPHY PRESENTATION AND PLACE IT ON THE SYSTEM WEBSITES AND SOCIAL MEDIA SITES.
THANKS FOR VOTING FOR THE KNIGHTS.
UPSON COUNTY COMMISSION CHAIRMAN RUSTY BLACKSTON TOLD THE THOMASTON-UPSON INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, MONDAY, THE COMMISSIONERS MUST APPOINT SOMEONE TO REPLACE VICE-CHAIR STEVE DANIEL AFTER THIS YEAR.
DANIEL WAS RECENTLY NAMED PRESIDENT OF WEST GA. TECHNICAL COLLEGE.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON APPLYING, CONTACT THE UPSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OFFICE.
AT THE SEPTEMBER MEETING, MONDAY, THE UPSON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION APPROVED A SPECIAL EXCEPTION FOR 14 ACRES AT THE FORMER HICKORY RIDGE GOLF COURSE.
NORTHRIDGE CHURCH PLANS TO LOCATE ON THE SITE THAT INCLUDES THE CLUBHOUSE AND PARKING LOT.
THE PLANNING COMMISSION CAN GRANT A SPECIAL EXCEPTION, IT DOES NOT REQUIRE APPROVAL OF THE UPSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF DAN KILGORE SAYS FOUR SUSPECTS ARE IN THE UPSON COUNTY JAIL WITHOUT BOND, AFTER AN ARMED ROBBERY AUGUST 24 AT THE HANNAH’S MILL CONVIENCE STORE.
JODY LEE ELLERBEE, 20 OF ANN ARMS COURT, DENTRAYVEOUOS TREMALL MALONE, AGE 20 OF TRIUNE AVE, DAVARIUS KENEAL SULLIVAN, AGE 20 OF 305 4TH AVE, AND MICHAEL ALLEN WALKER, AGE 19 OF 205 AVE. L. , ALL CHARGED WITH ARMED ROBBERY.
THREE OTHERS CHARGED AFTER A ROBBERY DURING A DRUG DEAL. TYE FEWELL, AGE 19 OF DOGWOOD DRIVE TOLD THE S.O. HE USED FACEBOOK TO SET UP A MARIJUNANA BUY FROM THOMAS PAUL SALTER, AGE 18 OF SPRING CREEK ROAD. A MAN WITH SALTER, DEREK MICHAEL CHAISSON, AGE 31 OF ROSEHILL DRIVE, ALLEGEDLY ROBBED FEWELL OF $103 AND AN I-PHONE.
ALL THREE WERE ARRESTED AND CHARGED.
SHERIFF DAN KILGORE SAID THOMAS TEAGUE, 54 , OF GREEN FORREST ROAD IN YATESVILLE WAS SERVING A SENTENCE FOR A PROBATION VIOLATION.
TEAGUE HAD MEDICAL PROBLEMS, ACCORDING TO THE SHERIFF. THE BODY WAS TAKEN TO THE GBI CRIME LAB FOR AUTOPSY, AND THE GBI IS CONDUCTING AN INDEPENDANT INVESTIGATION. HE WAS ALONE IN HIS CELL.
MULTIPLE FIRE UNITS RESPONDED TO 724 TRICE CEMETERY ROAD IN UPSON COUNTY. OWNERS DANNY SHUMATE AND THOMAS WATTS. THE AMERICAN RED CROSS WAS ON THE SCENE TO OFFER ASSISTANCE.
THE THOMASTON POLICE DEPARTMENT AND UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE ASSISTED THE U.S. MARSHALL’S OFFICE IN ARRESTING FOUR SUBJECTS AUGUST 28.
THOSE ARRESTED, ADRIAN GRAY OF 717 HIGHWAY 80 CULLODEN, BRYANT '”BUD” GRAY, 647 HIGHWAY 80 CULLODEN, DEXTER FAGAN, 1310 ALLEN ROAD, CULLODEN, AND FERRIS QUILLER, 1012 TRIUNE MILL ROAD, THOMASTON.
AFTER APPEARING BEFORE A FEDERAL MAGISTRATE, EACH WAS RELEASED ON A $15,000 BOND.
THESE ARRESTS ARE THE RESULT OF A LONG TERM INVESTIGATION OF NARCOTICS TRAFFICKING IN UPSON AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES. THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES.
THE PRESIDENT OF SOUTHERN CRESCENT TECHNICAL COLLEGE , DR. RANDALL PETERS HAS ANNOUNCED MARK ANDREWS HAS BEEN APPOINTED AS EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AS OF JULY IST. HIS PRIMARY OFFICE WILL BE ON THE FLINT RIVER CAMPUS ALTHOUGH HE WILL REGULARLY TRAVEL TO ALL OTHER SCTC LOCATIONS.
HIS DUTIES WILL INCLUDE THOSE OF HIS FORMER POSITION, VICE PRESIDENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, IN ADDITION TO ASSUMING THE ROLE OF COORDINATING THE OPERATIONS OF THE SATELLITE CENTERS.
CURRENTLY, ANDREWS IS A RESIDENT IN THE EDUCATION LEADERSHIP DOCTORAL PROGRAM AT VALDOSTA STATE.
COMMISSIONER FRANK SPRAGGINS CAST THE ONLY VOTE AGAINST A TAX HIKE OF 2.26 MILLS. THE TAX HIKE WILL RAISE TAXES $90 A YEAR FOR A NON-HOMESTEAD PROPERTY OF $100,000.
STANDING ROOM ONLY AT THE MEETING AND DISGRUNTLED CITIZENS GAVE THE COMMISSIONERS AN EARFUL.
COMMISSION CHAIRMAN RUSTY BLACKSTON DEFENDED THE TAX HIKE BY NOTING THE COUNTY TAX DIGEST IS DOWN $15 MILLION. THE CITY OF THOMASTON DROPPED PLANS FOR A TWO MILL INCREASE, BUT THE CHAIRMAN SAID THE COUNTY DOES NOT HAVE REVENUE PRODUCERS LIKE THE CITY’S ELECTRICAL DEPARTMENT.
EVEN WITH THE TAX INCREASE THE COMMISSIONERS WILL HAVE TO BORROW $6 MILLION AGAIN NEXT YEAR TO OPERATE.
SHERIFF DAN KILGORE SAYS THOMAS MONTGOMERY , 39, OF ZEBULON HAS BEEN ARRESTED FOR BOMB THREATS IN UPSON AND PIKE COUNTIES.
IN UPSON COUNTY , FOUR BOMB THREATS WERE PHONED IN TO 911 DIRECTED AT UPSON-LEE HIGH SCHOOL AND ONE AT THE UPSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE, BETWEEN JANUARY 2014 AND MAY 2014.
IN PIKE COUNTY TWO BOMB THREATS AT THE PIKE COUNTY COURTHOUSE LAST WEEK, AND SEVERAL AT THE PIKE COUNTY SCHOOLS LAST TERM.
UPSON AND PIKE S.O. COOPERATED IN THE INVESTIGATION AFTER MONTGOMERY WAS ARRESTED BY PIKE COUNTY DEPUTIES.
SHERIFF KILGORE SAID MONTGOMERY HAS A PRIOR CONVICTION FOR BOMB THREATS.
AT THE THIRD PUBLIC HEARING ON A PROPOSED TWO MILL TAX INCREASE, THURSDAY, MAYOR HAYS ARNOLD RECOMMENDED KEEPING THE TAX MILLAGE THE SAME AND THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
MAYOR ARNOLD SAID BEFORE THE RECOMMENDATION HE CONSULTED WITH COUNTY MANAGER PATRICK COMISKEY ON FINANCES AND THE $400,000 THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN YIELDED BY THE PROPOSED TWO MILL TAX INCREASE , CAN COME FROM RESERVE FUNDS.
THERE HAD BEEN STRONG OBJECTIONS TO THE TAX HIKE AT THE PREVIOUS TWO PUBLIC HEARINGS, ABOUT A DOZEN ATTENDED THE FIRST HEARING, 50 ATTENDED THURSDAY, AND 25 WERE PRESENT AT THURSDAY’S HEARING.
TWO HEARINGS WERE HELD TUESDAY IN SPALDING COUNTY FOR DEFENDNAT MICHAEL BOWMAN CHARGED WITH THE MURDER OF GRIFFIN POLICEMAN KEVIN JORDAN.
DURING A MORNING HEARING—SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE CHRIS EDWARDS DENIED BOND FOR BOWMAN. DURING A PROBABLE CAUSE HEARING IN SPALDING MAGISTRATE COURT TUESDAY AFTERNOON, BOWMAN WAS BOUND OVER TO THE SPALDING COUNTY GRAND JURY ON MURDER CHARGES.
OFFICER JORDAN WAS WORKING A SECURITY JOB AT WAFFLE HOUSE WHEN HE WAS GUNNED DOWN.
LAST YEAR, CITY HALL INDICATED IT WOULD NEED TO UP THE TAX MILLAGE RATE TWO MILLS WHEN IT WAS SET AGAIN, AND AT A CALLED MEETING FRIDAY, THE CITY MANAGER PROPOSED A TAX HIKE OF 2.02 MILLS, BASED ON A DIP IN THE TAX DIGEST.
THE CURRENT TAX MILLAGE RATE OF 3.84 MILLS WOULD JUMP TO 5.86 MILLS. ACCORDING TO LAW THREE PUBLIC HEARINGS MUST BE HELD BECAUSE OF THE PROPOSED TAX INCREASE.
ACCORDING TO UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF DAN KILGORE, JUSTIN PAUL LEWIS, 31 , OF FRANKLIN, GA. HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH ACTS THAT WERE COMMITTED BETWEEN 2007 AND AUGUST 2013 WHEN HE LIVED IN UPSON COUNTY.
THE VICTIM, A FEMALE CHILD IN HIS CARE , WAS NINE YEARS OLD WHEN THE EVENTS BEGAN AND CONTINUED UNTIL SHE WAS FIFTEEN.
LEWIS IS UNDER BOND OF $145,000 AT THE UPSON COUNTY JAIL.
JOHN CHRISTIAN PEOPLES, AGE 33, OF HENRY CO. WAS KILLED IN A CAR CRASH JULY I, ON GA. 42 . THE DRIVER OF THE CAR, BONNIE MARIE FUTCH, AGE 30 OF THE SAME ADDRESS , HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH HOMICIDE IN THE FIRST DEGREE AND DUI.
HENRY COUNTY POLICE SAID HER BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL WAS TWO AND A HALF TIMES THE LEGAL LIMIT, WHEN SHE LEFT THE ROAD, HIT SOME TREES AND OVERTURNED. PEOPLES WAS EJECTED AND DIED AT THE SCENE.
HENRY COUNTY POLICE SAID THE CASE IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION, AND MS. FUTCH IS BEING HELD IN THE HENRY COUNTY JAIL PENDING A BOND HEARING BEFORE A SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE.
STATE SENATOR VINCENT FORT OF ATLANTA TOLD THE THOMASTON MAYOR AND COUNCIL, THURSDAY, HE HAS SENT A LETTER TO THE GBI REQUESTING THAT THE INVESTIGATION OF TOBIN BE WIDENED INTO AN INVESTIGATION OF THE ENTIRE THOMASTON POLICE DEPARTMENT.
ABOUT 25 SPOKE DURING PUBLIC COMMENT— MOST INCENSED THAT TOBIN HAD NOT BEEN DISMISSED WITH OVER 70 COMPLAINTS FILED AGAINST HIM IN THE 10 YEARS HE HAS BEEN WITH THE P.D.
AT THE START OF THE MEETING—MAYOR HAYS ARNOLD TOLD THE CROWD CITY HALL WOULD HAVE NO COMMENT UNTIL THE GBI COMPLETES ITS INVESTIATION AND AN INTERNAL INVESTIGATION BY THE P.D. IS FINISHED.
AT MONDAY’S JULY MEETING—AN ATTORNEY FOR THE PROPERTY OWNER REQUESTED A CONTINUANCE UNTIL THE SEPT. 8 MEETING.
THE PLANNING COMMISSIONER APPROVED A REZONING FOR OVER 300 ACRES OF THE GOLF COURSE PROPERTY FROM P-M TO A-R. THAT RECOMMENDATION GOES ON TO THE UPSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR FINAL APPROVAL.
ACCORDING TO THE HENRY COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT, JOHN CHRISTIAN PEOPLES, AGE 33 OF MCDONOUGH , WAS EJECTED FROM A NISSAN AND PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE.
HE WAS A PASSENGER IN THE 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA DRIVEN BY A FEMALE WHO LOST CONTROL AND HIT SOME TREES. THE DRIVER WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE E.R.
HENRY COUNTY POLICE LT. JOEY SMITH SAID LACK OF SEAT BELT USE AND ALCOHOL MAY HAVE BEEN A FACTOR IN THE WRECK ON HIGHWAY 42.
PEOPLES WAS THE SON OF BILLY AND ROBIN PEOPLES OF THOMASTON.
TWO MALES WEARING BANDANAS TO COVER THEIR FACES , ENTERED ROCKY’S CONVIENCE STORE , BARNESVILLE STREET, WITH A RIFLE. THEY DEMANDED MONEY FROM THE FEMALE CLERK.
ONE STOOD-BY WITH A RIFLE WHILE THE OTHER WALKED AROUND AND TOOK $600 FROM THE CASH REGISTER, ACCORDING TO LT ANDREW PIPPIN.
THE FEMALE CLERK WAS NOT INJURED.
101 NEWS WAS TOLD, JUSTIN CHASE BOYT , AGE 21 , WAS LIFE-FLIGHTED TO THE COLUMBUS MEDICAL CENTER AFTER THE ONE VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON HIGHWAY 36 WEST.
AN EYEWITNESS SAID HE LEFT THE ROADWAY AND CRASHED. ITS SPECULATED A MEDICAL CONDITION COULD BE THE CAUSE. GSP MANCHESTER, INVESTIGATED.
FUNERAL SERVICES WILL BE TUESDAY, 2PM AT MOUNTAIN VIEW BAPTIST CHURCH.
ACCORDING TO THE HENRY COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT, JOHN CHRISTIAN PEOPLES, AGE 33 OF MCDONOUGH WAS KILLED JULY IST ON HIGHWAY 42 IN MCDONOUGH.
PEOPLES WAS A PASSENGER IN A 2012 NISSAN THAT LEFT THE ROAD , HIT SEVERAL TREES , OVERTURNED, AND HE WAS EJECTED. THE FEMALE DRIVER WAS TAKEN TO THE E.R. WITH NON-LIFE THREATENING INJURIES.
THE VICTIM WAS THE SON OF ROBIN AND BILLY PEOPLES OF THOMASTON.
COGGINS FUNERAL HOME IN CHARGE OF THE ARRANGEMENTS.
DOZENS OF CITIZENS ASSEMBLED IN FRONT OF THOMASTON’S CITY HALL TO CALL FOR THE FIRING OF POLICE INVESTIGATOR PHILLIP TOBIN BECAUSE OF ALLEGED BRUTAL POLICE TATICS.
TOBIN IS ON PAID ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE WHILE THE GBI INVESTIGATES TWO INCIDENTS, INCLUDING A TASER CASE JULY 11 AT HANDY MART ON EAST WALKER.
IN A PRESS RELEASE, TUESDAY, THOMASTON POLICE CHIEF DAN GREATHOUSE ANNOUNCED HE HAS ORDERED AN INTERNAL REVIEW OF ALL PERSONNEL COMPLAINT CASES ISSUED AGAINST POLICE OFFICER PHILLIP TOBIN, FOLLOWING A TASER INCIDENT JUNE 11TH AT HANDY MART GROCERY, EAST WALKER STREET.
THE P.D. SAID OFFICER TOBIN RESPONDED AFTER THE STORE OWNER FILED A COMPLAINT AGAINST, KELCEY ROCKEMORE, AGE 25 , A SUSPECTED DRUG DEALER. THE STORE OWNER SAID ROCKEMORE HAD APPROACHED HIS EMPLOYEES TRYING TO SELL THEM DRUGS.
CHIEF GREATHOUSE HAS CALLED ON THE GBI TO INVESTIGATE THE TASER INCIDENT AND HE SAID THE PUBLIC IS WELCOME TO CONTACT THE P.D. COMMAND STAFF IF THEY FEEL THEIR CASES OR ISSUES CONCERNING THEIR CASES HAVE NOT BEEN ADDRESSED.
THE COMMAND STAFF INCLUDES CAPTAIN SIDNEY CORLEY, LT. PAUL WALKER AND LT. ANDREW PIPPIN.
THE TASER INCIDENT HAS SPARKED A PUBLIC OUTCRY AND A PETITION HAS BEEN CIRCULATING CALLING FOR TOBIN TO BE FIRED, SO FAR 130 SIGNATURES HAVE BEEN COLLECTED.
GOVERNOR NATHAN DEAL ANNOUNCED WEDNESDAY, JAPAN-BASED TOPPAN PRINTING CO., A PACKING AND MATERIAL COMPANY WILL CREATE 80 JOBS AND INVEST $100 MILLION IN SPALDING COUNTY. THE NEW FACILITY WILL BE LOCATED AT THE LAKES AT GREEN VALLEY INDUSTRIAL PARK ON GA. HIGHWAY 16.
POST 26 GA. STATE PATROL IDENTIFIED THE FATALITY AS, EBONY LABOY , AGE 35, OF 5104 HANNAH’S MILL ROAD. ACCORDING TO THE GSP REPORT SHE WAS STRUCK AND KILLED SUNDAY 4;30AM BY A 2003 HONDA CIVIC DRIVEN BY A GRIFFIN WOMAN, CHRISTINA MCCLENAHAN ,26, OF 107 INDEPENDANT COURT.
THE REPORT STATED MS. LOBOY WALKED INTO THE PATH OF THE VEHICLE NEAR MCCORKLE’S CURVE ROAD AND WAS KNOCKED 55 FEET INTO THE CENTER LANE.
THE GSP SAID NO CHARGES WILL BE FILED IN THE CASE.
ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE THOMASTON POLICE DEPARTMENT, OFFICER PHILLIP TOBIN USED A TASER ON SUSPECTED DRUG DEALER, KELCEY ROCKEMORE, AGE 28 OUTSIDE THE HANDY MART GROCERY, 204 EAST WALKER.
THE STORE OWNER HAD FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE P.D. THAT ROCKEMORE HAD TRIED TO SELL NARCOTICS TO HIS EMPLOYEES AND THREATENED MANAGEMENT.
ACCORDING TO THE PRESS RELEASE—WHEN TOBIN WENT TO PAT HIM DOWN AND SERVE ROCKEMORE WITH A CRIMINAL TRESPASS WARNING, HE PULLED AWAY AND WAS TASERED.
A MACON TV STATION REPORTED A GROUP OF CITIZENS MET AT ST. MARY’S AME CHURCH WEDNESDAY NIGHT, UPSET ABOUT THE POLICE OFFICERS ACTIONS.
THEY REPORTEDLY DISCUSSED A PETITION EFFORT DEMANDING JUSTICE. POLICE CHIEF DAN GREATHOUSE CONTACTED THE GBI ABOUT THE TASER INCIDENT JUNE 11, AND ON JUNE 17, ASKED THE REGION 2 OFFICE TO INVESTIGATE .
COUNTY MANAGER JIM WHEELESS SAID THE UPSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MET WITH OWNERS MARGIE AND JIM MCDANIEL, THEIR ATTORNEY AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, THURSDAY AND REACHED AN ACCORD.
FLINT RIVER OUTDOOR CENTER WILL PAY PARKING FEES OF $650 ANNUALLY TO UPSON COUNTY FOR FOUR VEHICLES, UP FROM THE $100 ANNUALLY THE STATE DNR CHARGED BEFORE UPSON COUNTY ASSUMED OPERATION.
COUNTY GOVERNMENT HAD NOTIFIED THE MCDANIELS THEY COULD NO LONGER OPERATE THE SHUTTLE SERVICE AFTER JUNE 30, AFTER PUBLIC COMPLAINTS THEIR PATRONS WERE NOT PAYING A PARKING FEE, AS OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
THE MCDANIEL’S ATTORNEY JOHNNIE CALDWELL JR. TOLD 101 NEWS THERE WAS A MISUNDERSTANDING ON BOTH SIDES, BUT THE COUNTY, ACCORDING TO STATE LAW CAN ONLY CHARGE A PARKING FEE AND NOT AN ACCESS FEE.
ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE FROM SPALDING COUNTY GOVERNMENT, BATTALION CHIEF TYRONE COGGINS AND FIREFIGHTER MICHAEL OWENS ARE BEING PLACED ON INVESTIGATORY SUSPENSION WITH PAY PENDING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE SPALDING COUNTY PERSONNEL POLICY.
THE U.S. ATTORNEYS OFFICE IN ATLANTA TOLD 101 NEWS COGGINS AND OWENS WERE INDICTED BY A FEDERAL GRAND JURY FOR ALLEGEDLY ALERTING DRUG DEALERS THE LAW WAS COMING.
RUSSELL JAY HAMMOCK OF 1623 HENDRICKS CHURCH ROAD TRANSPORTED TO THE E.R. BY EMS. JOE WILSON, 54 , OF TRACY DRIVE MANAGED TO CRAWL FROM UNDERNEATH THE TIMBERS.
UPSON S.O. SAID THEY WERE WORKING ON THE CARPORT, MOVED SOME TIMBERS AND IT COLLAPSED ON THEM.
ACCORDING TO MEDIA REPORTS, NICK COOK, 31, THE SON OF LARRY COOK OF THOMASTON IS ONE OF SIX MEMBERS OF A SHIP’S CREW ARRESTED ON ILLEGAL FIREARMS CHARGES MAY 5.
ACCORDING TO THE U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT THE EMBASSEY IN HONDURUS IS MONITORING THE SITUATION.
IN A PRESS RELEASE , THE SHIPPING COMPANY SAID THE WEAPONS WERE NEEDED TO PROTECT THE SHIP FROM PIRATES ON THE MOSQUITA COAST, AND THE ARREST AND SEIZURE WERE ILLEGAL.
THE SHIP, AQUA QUEST WAS IN HONDURAS TO RECOVER MAHOGANY LOGS FROM A RIVER BED IN COOPERATION WITH A LOCAL CITY AND INDIAN TRIBE.
NICK COOK NOW LIVES IN TARPON SPRINGS, FLORIDA.
ACCORDING TO TERESA HARPER, CLERK OF UPSON SUPERIOR CLERK, A COMPANY CALLED LOCAL RECORDS OFFICE IS SENDING NOTICES TO PROPERTY OWNERS, ADVISING THEY CAN OBTAIN A COPY OF THEIR DEED FOR A FEE OF $89. CLERK HARPER SAYS COPIES OF DEEDS IN HER OFFICE ARE ONLY .50 CENTS PER PAGE.
SHE WARNS—NEVER PAY A COMPANY TO OBTAIN COPIES OF ANY DOCUMENT FILED IN THE CLERK’S OFFICE. IF YOU RECEIVE ANY NOTICE IN THE MAIL ASKING YOU TO PAY FOR LEGAL DOCUMENTS , NOTIFY THE CLERK’S OFFICE AT 706-647-7835.
ACCORDING TO TROOPER FIRST CLASS MITCHELL DAY OF POST 26 GA. STATE PATROL IN THOMASTON—THE FATALITY WAS JOHN FARRELL, 56 OF 1004 GORDON SCHOOL ROAD.
TROOPER DAY SAID MR. FARRELL OVER CORRECTED IN A CURVE WHILE TRAVELING WEST ON U.S. 80. HIS SUV TRAVELED ACROSS THE HIGHWAY, WENT DOWN AN EMBANKMENT, HIT A CULVERT AND CREEK AND FLIPPED END OVER END.
HE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE.
18TH DISTRICT STATE SENATOR CECIL STATON OF MACON ANNOUNCED THURSDAY HE WILL TAKE THE POSITION OF VICE CHANCELLOR FOR EXTENDED EDUCATION WITH UGA, JUNE IST.
STATON DID NOT SEEK REELECTION—AND MACON ATTORNEY JOHN KENNEDY DEFEATED DR. SPENCER PRICE OF THOMASTON IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY TO WIN THE DISTRICT 18 SEAT. STATON HAS SERVED ALMOST 10 YEARS IN THE SENATE.
ON TUESDAY’S BALLOT MIXED DRINKS APPROVED 2411 VOTES TO 1743.
DISTRICT 18 STATE SENATE, DR. SPENCER PRICE 1872 VOTES, 63%, JOHN KENNEDY 1077, 36%
U.S.SENATE GOP- DAVID PERDUE 47%, JACK KINGSTON AND J.P.GINGREY 16%, KAREN HANDEL 11%, PAUL BROUN 6%. VOTER TURNOUT 30%
THE POLLS WILL BE OPEN 7AM TILL 7PM FOR GEORGIA’S PRIMARY ELECTION. ON THE BALLOT IN UPSON COUNTY, LIQUOR-BY-THE-DRINK IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA. ITS ALREADY LEGAL IN THE CITY OF THOMASTON, ALL VOTERS IN THE CITY AND COUNTY CAN VOTE ON THE ISSUE.
ALSO ON THE BALLOT, 18TH DISTRICT STATE SENATE SEAT. DR. SPENCER PRICE OF THOMASTON IS OPPOSED BY MACON ATTORNEY JOHN KENNEDY, WHO LIVES IN MONROE COUNTY. THERE IS NO INCUMBENT.
THE GOVERNORS RACE, U.S. SENATE RACE, OTHER STATE POSTS AND U.S. HOUSE RACE IS ALSO ON THE BALLOT. FUN 101 WILL HAVE ELECTION RETURNS DURING THE BRAVES GAME AFTER THE POLLS CLOSE AT 7PM. WE WILL HAVE RETURNS FROM UPSON, PIKE, LAMAR, AND SPALDING COUNTY , PLUS STATE RESULTS FROM GA. NEWS NETWORK.
RUN-OFF DATE JULY 22ND. EARLY VOTING IN UPSON COUNTY- 1028, SPALDING COUNTY 1833, PIKE COUNTY 449, LAMAR COUNTY 352.
UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF DAN KILGORE HAS REPORTS SOMEONE IS CALLING THE PUBLIC POSING AS A GA. POWER EMPLOYEEE. THE CUSTOMER IS TOLD THEIR ELECTRICAL BILL IS OVERDUE AND UNLESS THEY MAKE A PAYMENT OVER THE PHONE, POWER WILL BE CUT.
HANG-UP AND CALL THE S.O. IF YOU GET SUCH A CALL, THE SHERIFF SAID.
ACCORDING TO UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF DAN KILGORE—A 15 YEAR OLD BLACK MALE JUVENILE IN THE 9TH GRADE WAS CHARGED WITH MAKING TERRORISTIC THREATS ON TUESDAY.
OVER A WEEK AGO, A BLACK FEMALE JUVENILE WAS CHARGED WITH DOING THE SAME THING, WRITING A BOMB THREAT ON A RESTROOM WALL.
SHERIFF KILGORE SAID BOTH CASES ARE HEADED FOR UPSON COUNTY JUVENILE COURT.
ACCORDING TO ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY BEN COKER, ROBERT DANIEL, EX-PASTOR OF FIRST FREEWILL BAPTIST CHURCH ON HARP ROAD WAS SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS, THREE TO SERVE IN PRISON, THE REMAINDER OF THE TIME ON PROBATION AND PAY RESTITUTION OF $30,000.
THE UPSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY ZIMMERMAN PROPERTIES SE OFFICE A LOW INCOME HOUSING LOAN AND TAX CREDIT PACKAGE WAS NOT APPROVED BY THE STATE DCA—SO THE PROJECT IS NOT FINANCIALLY FEASIBLE.
THE UPSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WILL NOT HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE ISSUE AT TUESDAY’S REGULAR MEETING.
THE GRIFFIN-SPALDING BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVED THE HIRING TUESDAY, REPLACING THOMASTONIAN STEVE DEVOURSNEY WHO RESIGNED IN APRIL OVER ALLEGATIONS OF ILLEGAL RECRUITING AND GRADE-CHANGING.
COACH DREW HAS A RECORD OF 31-39 IN FIVE YEARS AT DREW HIGH AND TWO YEARS AT MT. ZION.
COMMISSIONER RON JACKSON OF THE TECHNICAL SYSTEM OF GA. MADE THE RECOMMENDATION AT THURSDAY’S MEETING OF THE STATE BOARD AND IT WAS A UNANIMOUS VOTE.
DANIEL, CURRENTLY PROVOST OF THE FLINT RIVER CAMPUS OF SOUTHERN CRESCENT TECHNICAL COLLEGE, WILL BECOME PRESIDENT OF WGTC JUNE 1.
IN UPSON SUPERIOR COURT, WEDNESDAY, EVERETTE DEWAYNE SMITH, 32 OF THOMASTON WAS CONVICTED OF CHILD MOLESTATION AND AGGREVATED SEXUAL BATTERY AND SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON BY JUDGE TOMMY HANKINSON.
ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY MICHAEL ROGERS TOLD 101 NEWS, THE FEMALE VICTIM, AGE 4 AT THE TIME OF THE CRIME IN OCT. 2011 , TESTIFIED DURING THE TRIAL AND HER TESTIMONY WAS BRILLANT.
ONE GUILTY PLEA, WEDNESDAY, BENNIE FRANK SCRUGGS OF THOMASTON SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS PROBATION, MUST REGISTER AS A SEX OFFENDER, PAY A $1500 FINE AND DO COMMUNITY SERVICE FOR ENTICING A CHILD FOR INDECENT PURPOSES. THE VICTIM AN 11 YEAR OLD FEMALE.
CATERPILLAR HAS ANNOUNCED ITS MOVING ITS ENGINE PRODUCTION OPERATIONS FROM FOUNTAIN INN, SOUTH CAROLINA, AFFECTING 38O FULL-TIME AND 130 TEMPORARY JOBS.
THE COMPANY SAID ITS MARINE ENGINE OPERATION IS SHIFTING TO GRIFFIN AND THE C7 ENGINE ASSEMBLY LINE IS MOVING TO SEGUIN, TEXAS. THE SOUTH CAROLINA PLANT IS CLOSING BY THE END OF THE YEAR.
THE COMPANY SAYS SEVERANCE PACKAGES ARE BEING OFFERED TO FULL-TIME EXPLOYEES AND THEY MAY BE CONSIDERED FOR THE RELOCATED JOBS.
CATERPILLAR ANNOUNCED LAST WEEK FIRST QUARTER PROFITS ARE UP FIVE PER CENT.
THE DIRECTOR OF UPSON EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT MARTHA ANN MCCARTY TELLS 101 NEWS A SEVERE CELL OF STORMS ARE HEADED THIS WAY AND COULD IMPACT THE FUN 101 LISTENING AREA AND THE ATLANTA METRO AREA OVERNIGHT MONDAY.
A FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL WEDNESDAY WITH 3 TO 5 INCHES OF RAIN EXPECTED. THIS STORM SYSTEM HAS ALREADY CAUSED DEATH AND DESTRUCTION IN ARKANSAS , OKLAHOMA, AND TENNESSEE. LIGHTNING FROM A RAIN STORM CAUSED SEVERAL BUILDING FIRES IN THE ATLANTA METRO AREA SUNDAY AFTERNOON.
PROJECTIONS ARE RAINFALL TO BEGIN AROUND 9PM WITH THE MOST SEVERE WEATHER IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS STARTING AROUND 3AM.
PIKE COUNTY SHERIFF JIMMY THOMAS SAYS THADDEUS HOLMES OF UPSON COUNTY WAS ARRESTED WEDNESDAY ON CHARGES OF MURDER AND ARMED ROBBERY BASED ON A DRUG DEAL GONE BAD.
THE VICTIMS, MICHAEL DAWE AND ANOTHER VICTIM WHOSE NAME IS BEING WITHHELD WERE SHOT TO DEATH.
HOLMES IS ON PROBATION FOR AN AGGREVATED ASSAULT CASE IN UPSON COUNTY IN 2012.
ACCORDING TO THE UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT TWO SOLDIERS FROM FT. BENNING GOT SEPERATED FROM A GROUP FLOATING THE FLINT , FRIDAY.
ONE OF THE MEN WAS FOUND AT 3AM IN THE GOAT MOUNTAIN AREA OF MERIWETHER COUNTY AFTER HE WALKED 18 MILES BEFORE FINDING A RESIDENCE. THE OTHER WAS FOUND SATURDAY MORNING IN MERIWETHER COUNTY AFTER HE BURIED HIMSELF IN SAND TO KEEP WARM OVERNIGHT.
EMA DIRECTOR MARTHA ANN MCCARTY HAD THANKS FOR NUMEROUS AGENCIES WHO HELPED IN THE SEARCH AND RESCUE—UPSON S.O., UPSON EMA RESCUE, THURSTON VFD, GSP AND GSP AVIATION, STATE DNR, MERIWETHER CO. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND TALBOT CO. EMA.
COMMISSIONER ELLINGTON TOLD 101 NEWS THURSDAY, HE AND THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS WERE UNAWARE CHAIRMAN RUSTY BLACKSTON PLANNED TO OUST HER LAST FRIDAY AND HE WANTS THE ISSUE BROUGHT-UP FOR A VOTE AT NEXT TUESDAY’S MEETING.
CHAIRMAN BLACKSTON TOLD 101 NEWS THIS WEEK HE SUPPORTS A CHANGE BECAUSE MS. MCCARTY’S NEW JOB WITH A METRO ATLANTA AMBULANCE SERVICE WILL REQUIRE HER TO WORK OUT OF TOWN AND SHE WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE AT ALL TIMES.
MS. MCCARTY TOLD 101 NEWS, UPSON COUNTY COMMISSION CHAIRMAN RUSTY BLACKSTON ASKED FOR HER RESIGNATION LAST FRIDAY, BUT SHE DECLINED. SHE WAS EMPLOYED WITH UPSON EMS BUT WENT TO WORK FOR A METRO ATLANTA AMBULANCE SERVICE AFTER THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CONTRACTED WITH MID GA. AMBULANCE.
MARTHA ANN TOLD US WORKING OUT OF TOWN APPARENTLY WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE CHAIRMAN, ALTHOUGH SHE INFORMED THE COUNTY MANAGER WHEN SHE TOOK HER NEW JOB IN FEB. HEAR HER STATEMENT ON FUN 101 FM.
THOMASTON POLICE HAVE ARRESTED RICHARD EDWARD LEE, 50, OF 218 JEFF DAVIS ROAD FOR TWO COUNTS OF CREDIT CARD FRAUD AND TWO COUNTS OF THEFT BY DECEPTION FOR MISSING FUNDS OF OVER $87,000.
ACCORDING TO THE CRIMINAL WARRANTS ISSUED IN THE CASE, THE THEFTS HAPPENED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 2008 AND NOVEMBER 2013, USING CREDIT CARDS AND FUEL CARDS.
URMC NO LONGER OPERATES THE AMBULANCE SERVICE IN UPSON COUNTY AFTER THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CONTRACTED WITH MID GA AMBULANCE SERVICE OF MACON EFFECTIVE JAN. IST 2014.
PIKE COUNTY SHERIFF JIMMY THOMAS HAS CONFIRMED A 34 YEAR OLD WHITE MALE WAS FOUND DECREASED IN THE DRIVEWAY OF A VACANT HOUSE IN SOUTH PIKE COUNTY, A 2ND WHITE MALE, 33 WAS FOUND AT HIS RAY DRIVE RESIDENCE WITH MULTIPLE GUNSHOT WOUNDS—TRANSPORTED TO A METRO HOSPITAL BY AIR AMBULANCE. SHERIFF THOMAS TOLD 101 NEWS A 3RD WHITE MALE, AGE 27 IS IN CUSTODY.
SHERIFF THOMAS SAID HIS DEPARTMENT IS FOLLOWING SOME LEADS ON THOSE WHO MIGHT BE THE OFFENDER OR OFFENDERS IN THE SHOOTING. THE SHERIFF WOULD NOT COMMENT ON A MOTIVE AND DID NOT RELEASE THE NAMES OF THOSE INVOLVED IN THE CRIMES.
UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF DAN KILGORE SAID SAID 10 SUSPECTS WERE ARRESTED EARLY THURSDAY AT 1721 PICKARD ROAD ON METHAMPHETAMINE AND OTHER CHARGES. DEBRIS AT THE SITE IS CONSISTENT WITH WASTE LEFT OVER FROM METH MANUFACTURING.
THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY, MARK TEAL, 48 HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN CITED FOR THE DEPLORABLE CONDITION OF THE PROPERTY AND DEFACS WAS DISPATCHED TO TAKE CUSTODY OF THREE CHILDREN WHO WERE PRESENT.
THOSE ARRESTED; WILLIAM MARK TEAL, LISA TEAL,46, IRVIN CODY TEAL, 25, DUSTY LYNN HEWITT, 39, MARK DWAYNE TEAL, JESSICA TEAL, RUSSELL JAY HAMMOCK, 29, SEALY BLOUNT, 21, WILLIAM CHRISTOPHER ROBERTS, 48, AND ERICA LYNN SANDERS, 37.
BRITTY SERVED HIS COUNTRY DURING WORLD WAR 11 IN THE U.S. NAVY ABOARD AN AIRCRAFT CARRIER IN THE ATLANTIC.
HE WAS LATER HONORED WITH THE TITLE OF POST COMMANDER OF THE YEAR FOR THE STATE OF GA. BY THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS.
PAST WORSHIPFUL MASTER OF MORNING STAR LODGE #27 FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS, PRESIDENT OF BOTH THE KHIRAH SHRINE CLUB AND SHRINE ORIENTAL BAND.
AS A MEMBER OF THE URMC AUXILIARY HAS COMPILED OVER 1500 VOLUNTEER HOURS IN THE GIFT SHOP.
A MEMBER OF THE UPSON HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND ARCHIEVES VOLUNTEER , HAS MADE THE STUDY OF LOCAL HISTORY ACCESSIBLE THROUGH HIS ACTIVITIES.
RANGER TWO JEFF SANDERS OF THE GA. FORESTRY COMMISSION TOLD 101 NEWS , TWO CONTROLLED BURNS PRODUCED IT—300 ACRES ON DAY ROAD JUST INSIDE THE PIKE COUNTY LINE AND 160 ACRES AT SPREWELL BLUFF ON THE FLINT RIVER.
THREE BOMB THREATS AT UL HIGH, THE LATEST, MONDAY. AT PIKE COUNTY HIGH LAST FRIDAY AND MONDAY. THE $500 REWARD IS FOR THE ARREST AND CONVICTION OF THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BOMB THREATS.
THE UPSON COUNTY AND PIKE COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENTS ARE INVESTIGATING THE BOMB THREATS.
CITY MANAGER KENNY SMITH ANNOUNCED WEDNESDAY, STEVEN DALE HEATON, RECENTLY CHIEF OF THE FAYETTEVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT WILL ASSUME THE POST APRIL 12.
GRIFFIN’S POLICE CHIEF FRANK STRICKLAND IS NOW FULL-TIME PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTOR AFTER A REORGANIZATION OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WITH SOME POSITIONS PHASED-OUT. HEATON HAS 31 YEARS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, SALARY $76,000 ANNUALLY .
UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF DAN KILGORE SAID NO ILLEGAL DRUGS WERE FOUND AND NO ARRESTS WERE MADE IN THE DRUG SEARCH THAT INVOLVED K-9 UNITS FROM THE GA. DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, THOMASTON POLICE DEPARTMENT, TAYLOR COUNTY AND MERIWETHER COUNTY.
THE SHERIFF SAID THE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVES OF THE DRUG SEARCHES AND IT WAS THE 2ND AT THE HIGH SCHOOL THIS SCHOOL TERM, ANOTHER WAS CONDUCTED AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL.
ACCORDING TO P.D. INVESTIGATORS, MARY ELLEN GOODMAN, 17 OF 729 WEST MAIN ST. WAS LOCATED WEDNESDAY MORNING. HER MALE COMPANION, JAMES VINCENT HARRIS, AGE 24 IS IN LOCK-UP AT THE UPSON COUNTY JAIL AND COULD FACE CHARGES.
WHITE FE, MARY ELLEN GOODMAN, 17 OF 729 WEST MAIN STREET, LAST SEEN MONDAY 10PM. 5-4 135 LBS. WITH BLACK, GREEN, AND PURPLE HAIR.
POLICE INVESTIGATORS SAID MS. GOODMAN MAY BE IN THE COMPANY OF JAMES VINCENT “VINNIE” HARRIS, AGE 24. IF YOU MAKE CONTACT WITH THESE SUBJECTS PHONE INV. MONICA SNIPES, THOMASTON P.D. 706-647-5455 OR CALL 911.
UPSON S.O. SAID LOCKS CUT OFF TWO BUILDINGS AND FOUR TRUCKS ENTERED. A DRILL AND SET OF DRILL BITS MISSING.
THE TRIAL ENDED TUESDAY IN FULTON COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT. MS. WILLIAMS DIED JUNE 30TH, 2011 IN FAIRBURN, GA. AFTER BEING SHOT SEVERAL TIMES.
AT TUESDAY’S REGULAR MEETING THE VOTE WAS 3 TO 1 WITH CHAIRMAN RUSTY BLACKSTON OPPOSED. VICE-CHAIRMAN RALPH ELLINGTON EXPLAINED , WHEN THE BOARD CUT THE FUNDING DURING 2014 BUDGET PREP THEY THOUGHT IT COULD BE COVERED WITH SPLOST MONEY, BUT THAT TURNED OUT NOT TO BE THE CASE. ITS RETROACTIVE TO JAN IST, 2014. COMMISSIONER FRANK SPRAGGINS WAS ABSENT DUE TO ILLNESS.
CHAIRMAN BLACKSTON TOLD REPORTERS AFTER THE MEETING, HE BELIEVES THE BOARD COULD FUND A COUNTY-WIDE FIRE DEPARTMENT BY USING GRANT FUNDS THAT ARE AVAILABLE.
ACCORDING TO SPALDING COUNTY ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY RANDY COGGIN, 58 YEAR OLD LARRY STANFORD OF GRIFFIN WAS BOUND OVER TO THE SPALDING CO. GRAND JURY-TUESDAY ON CHARGES RELATING TO THE STABBING DEATH OF HIS WIFE PEGGY STANFORD AND ANOTHER MAN, PHILLIP LEAKS, IN HIS 30’S AT THE TIME. THE VICTIMS WERE FOUND IN LEAKS RESIDENCE IN GRIFFIN.
SPALDING COUNTY CHIEF MAGISTRATE JUDGE RITA CAVANAUGH PRESIDED AT THE PRELIMINARY HEARING.
STANFORD WAS ARRESTED FOR THE MURDERS IN 1994, BUT CHARGES WERE DISMISSED IN MAGISTRATE COURT DUE TO LACK OF EVIDENCE. A WITNESS RECENTLY CAME FOWARD WITH NEW INFORMATION ABOUT THE CASE AND STANFORD WAS ARRESTED BY GRIFFIN POLICE FEB. 3.
THE CASE WILL GO TO THE SPALDING COUNTY GRAND JURY MARCH 12.
THE GRIFFIN ATTORNEY HAS ANNOUNCED HE IS SEEKING THE DISTRICT 16 STATE SENATE SEAT HELD BY REPUBLICAN RONNIE CHANCE OF TYRONE, WHO IS STEPPING DOWN. THE DISTRICT INCLUDES LAMAR, PIKE, SPALDING, FAYETTE, AND MONROE COUNTIES.
JOHNSTON’S UNCLE JOHNNIE CALDWELL JR. IS CURRENTLY SERVING IN THE GA. HOUSE AND HIS FATHER WILLIAM JOHNSTON IS CHAIRMAN OF THE THOMASTON-UPSON INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.
ACCORDING TO POST 26 GA. STATE PATROL, THE BUS DRIVER FOR THE THOMASTON-UPSON SCHOOLS, SALLY CRAFTER AND THE 5 STUDENTS WERE TRANSPORTED BY MID-GA AMBULANCE, TREATED AND RELEASED . A VAN DRIVER, PATRICIA JANSEN OF NORTH ST. WAS CITED FOR FAILURE TO YIELD.
THREE THOMASTON BANKS REPORT BOGUS CHECKS TOTALING $25,000 WRITTEN ON TWO BUSINESSES IN UPSON COUNTY AND ANOTHER IN THE MILNER, GA. AREA OF LAMAR COUNTY.
SGT. TIM LEDBETTER SAID TWO ATLANTA MEN HAVE BEEN ARRESTED, MORE ARRESTS EXPECTED AS THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES.
SPOKESPERSON KAREN TRUESDALE NOTIFIED 101 NEWS AROUND 5PM THURSDAY, DUE TO ON-GOING POWER OUTAGES IN THE COMMUNITY, CLASSES WILL RESUME ON MONDAY.
THOMASTON’S CITY MANAGER PATRICK COMISKEY TOLD 101 NEWS TWO EXTRA CREWS WERE BROUGHT-IN FROM HAMPTON AND ELLAVILLE, GA. ONE CREW ON DUTY WAS RELIEVED EARLIER AND WAS TO REPORT AT 6PM THURSDAY.
ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT CREWS WERE WORKING ON WEST WALKER, HIGHTOWER AND S. STREET, TRIUNE AVE. , SHARMAN ST. AND GEORGIA AVE. TO RESOLVE OUTAGES. THE C.M. SAID THE ICE IS GONE BUT THERE’S LOOSE LIMBS EVERYWHERE THAT CONTINUE TO CAUSE PROBLEMS.
UPSON EMC REPORTED 221 CUSTOMERS WITHOUT POWER IN UPSON AND PIKE COUNTIES AT 4;30PM THURSDAY. UPSON EMC HAS EXPERIENCED SOME PHONE SYSTEM PROBLEMS DURING THIS STORM.
SOUTHERN RIVERS ENERGY BASED IN BARNESVILLE HAD 41 ADDTIONAL PERSONNEL WORKING ON OUTAGES THAT TOTALED 8400 BY MID-DAY THURSDAY. PIKE, LAMAR, UPSON, MERIWETHER SOME OF THE MAJOR SECTORS OF THEIR 9-COUNTY SYSTEM.
GA. POWER HAD 4300 OUTAGES LATE THURSDAY IN WEST CENTRAL GA.
UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF DAN KILGORE SAID E-911 EXPERIENCED ISSUES DUE TO POWER SURGES AND EARLIER THURSDAY REROUTED TRAFFIC THROUGHT THE PIKE COUNTY 911 SYSTEM, BUT LATER WENT BACK ON LINE. THE SHERIFF SAID 911 DIRECTOR CARL MCKINNEY PULLED AN ALL-NIGHTER WORKING TO KEEP THE SYSTEM UP AND GOING. THE SHERIFF THANKED THE MANY VOLUNTEERS, VOLUNTARY FIRE DEPARTMENTS, UPSON RESCUE AND OTHERS WHO ASSISTED UPSON EMA AT ITS COMMAND POST. THE MOBILE UNIT HAD TO BE USED AT ONE POINT DUE TO POWER OUTAGE ISSUES, ACCORDING TO EMA DIRECTOR MARTHA ANNE MCCARTY.
THE CHAIRMAN TOLD 101 NEWS HE HAD ABOUT A 5 MINUTE CONVERSATION WITH THE GOVERNOR, WHO ASKED IF HE COULD BE OF ASSISTANCE TO THE COUNTY IN ANY WAY. HE ALSO WANTED TO KNOW HOW UPSON COUNTY WAS COPING WITH THE LATEST WEATHER EVENT.
CHAIRMAN BLACKSTON SAID HE APPRECIATED THE GOVERNOR’S CONCERN. EARLIER IN THE DAY THE CHAIRMAN DECLARED A LOCAL EMERGENCY WHICH ACTIVATED THE UPSON EMA’S EMERGENCY PLAN AND CAN PROVIDE FUNDING FROM GA. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT FOR DAMAGE FROM THE STORM.
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONCERNED ABOUT THE FREEZE LINE LOCATION, WHERE THE 32 DEGREE MARK IS HOVERING AND JUST HOW FAR SOUTH IT WILL SETTLE OVERNIGHT.
THIS POSES THE BIGGEST THREAT, AS ALL THAT IS WET WILL FREEZE, ANY ICING PRESENT COULD GET MORE DANGEROUS DUE TO CONTINUING PRECIP, AN ANY WINDS WILL TOPPLE LADEN TREES AND LIMBS.
BE ADVISED—INTERNET SERVICE IS SLUGGISH, AS ARE SOME PHONE CALLS. WINDSTREAM HAS ENCOUNTERED A “HACKING” DETERMINED TO BE OUT OF THE NEW ENGLAND AREA, AND IT HAS CAUSED/CONTINUES TO CAUSE SOME PROBLEMS THROUGHOUT THEIR ENTIRE SYSTEM.
EMA DIRECTOR MCCARTY URGES THE PUBLIC TO STAY INSIDE, SOME ROAD IN UPSON CO. SHOWING SIGNS OF ICING.
AT 3PM—SOUTHERN RIVERS ENERGY REPORTED OVER 1800 CUSTOMERS WITHOUT POWER IN LAMAR, PIKE AND ITS SERVICE AREA.
GA. POWER HAD 400 CUSTOMERS OUT, DOWN TO ABOUT 100 AT 4PM IN ZEBULON, ORCHARD HILL, GRIFFIN, GAY, MANCHESTER, CULLODEN.
AT QUAD THURSDAY—DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT AT 11AM
MAINTANCE DEPARTMENT—AT NOON
PRESS DEPARTMENT AT 1PM
FINISHING DEPARTMENT AT 7PM
THE DECLARATION ALLOWS UPSON EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TO ACTIVATE ITS EMERGENCY PLANS GIVING ADDITIONAL POWERS TO THE CHAIRMAN. IT ALSO PROVIDES FOR ADDITIONAL STATE AID TO THE COUNTY OF UPSON FROM THE STATE OF GA.
CHAIRMAN BLACKSTON SAYS THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS FORECAST UP TO AN INCH OF ICE AND HE URGES THE PUBLIC TO STAY AT HOME.
AT 11AM UPSON COUNTY WAS IN BETTER SHAPE THAT COUNTIES AROUND US. MUCH MORE ICING ON TREES IN PIKE COUNTY. U.S. 19 FROM ZEBULON TO THOMASTON WAS IN GOOD SHAPE BUT ROADS IN LAMAR, HENRY, AND BUTTS COUNTY BECOMING ICY. DRIVE WITH CAUTION IF YOU MUST VENTURE OUT.
GA. DOT HAS TRUCKS ON STATE ROUTES AND INTERSTATES, SNOW PLOWS AND SPREADERS IN THE CENTRAL GA. AREA TREATING ROADS.
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS FORECAST A SEVERE ICE STORM THAT COULD INCLUDE BLACK ICE ON ROADWAYS—AND AS MUCH AS AN INCH OF ICE BELOW 1-20, WITH WINDS 20 TO 30 MPH WEDNESDAY EVENING AND INTO THURSDAY WITH TEMPS AROUND FREEZING OR BELOW.
AT 11AM-SOUTHERN RIVERS ENERGY BASED IN BARNESVILLE REPORTED OVER 900 POWER OUTAGES IN ITS SYSTEM THAT SERVES LAMAR, PIKE AND NEIGHBORING COUNTIES.
AT 11;30AM 1-75 IN LAMAR COUNTY WAS CLOSED DUE TO FREEZING RAIN.
MORE ICE THAN SNOW PROJECTED IN CENTRAL GEORGIA, GENERALLY OVERNIGHT TUESDAY AND ALL DAY WEDNESDAY. GRADUAL CHANGEOVER TO ALL FREEZING RAIN INTO WEDNESDAY NIGHT. SHOULD END AS LIGHT SNOW BY THURSDAY MORNING.
HIGH ICE ACCUMULATION AMOUNTS WILL MAKE TRAVEL IMPOSSIBLE, POTENTIAL TO BE A CATASTROPHIC EVENT. ICE ON TREES AND POWERLINES COULD CAUSE POWER OUTAGES. WINDS POSSIBLE WITH GUSTS UP TO 25 MPH.
TEMPERATURES IN THE LOWER 30’S AND DROPPING INTO THE UPPER 20’S.
UPSON, PIKE, LAMAR, GRIFFIN-SPALDING SCHOOLS, FLINT RIVER ACADEMY CLOSED TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY. SOUTHERN CRESCENT TECHNICAL COLLEGE CLOSED WED. DELAYED OPENING AT 10AM THURSDAY , GORDON STATE COLLEGE,BARNESVILLE CLOSED.
COUNTY OF UPSON, LAMAR COUNTY, SPALDING COUNTY , CITY OF GRIFFIN OFFICES CLOSED WEDNESDAY.
SHELTER OPEN AT GRIFFIN FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH WED AT 6PM UNTIL THURSDAY MORNING , REOPENING AT 6PM THURSDAY UNTIL FRIDAY MORNING.
ALL WED. SERVICES AND EVENTS CANCELLED AT FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH THOMASTON.
THOMASTON-UPSON CIVIC CENTER CLOSED.
UPSON EMA URGES THE PUBLIC NOT TO CALL 911 UNLESS AN EMERGENCY, IN CASE OF A POWER OUTAGE CALL YOUR UTILITY PROVIDER.
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAYS PARTS OF THE STATE COULD SEE UP TO A HALF-INCH OF ICE ACCUMULATED DURING THAT TIME. TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO DROP TO THE LOW OR MID-30’S.
THE ATLANTA AND DEKALB COUNTY SCHOOLS HAVE ANNOUNCED THEY WILL BE CLOSED TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY.
GOVERNOR NATHAN DEAL HAS DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR 14 NORTH GEORGIA COUNTIES ALL NORTH OF THE ATLANTA METRO AREA.
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LATEST FORECAST IS ONLY COLD RAIN FOR OUR LISTENING AREA OF CENTRAL GEORGIA, BUT MONITOR FUN 101FM FOR THE LATEST WEATHER REPORTS.
AFTER A WEB CONFERENCE WITH THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE,WEDNESDAY, THE DIRECTOR OF UPSON EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, MARTHA ANNE MCCARTY SAYS THE POTENTIAL FOR A REPEAT OF LAST WEEK’S SNOWJAM IS UNLIKELY.
HOWEVER, A COLD RAIN IS FORECAST FOR THURSDAY EVENING WITH TEMPS BELOW FREEZING SO BLACK ICE COULD FORM ON ROADWAYS. NWS ADVICE FOR SCHOOL SYSTEMS IN THIS PART OF GA.—CHECK FOR BLACK ICE THURSDAY NIGHT AND THEN MAKE DECISIONS ON BUS ROUTES, ACCORDINGLY.
THERE WILL BE VERY LITTLE WIND TO AID IN DRYING WET ROADS, BUT TEMPS SHOULD GET ABOVE THE FREEZING MARK FRIDAY BETWEEN 9 AND 10AM. THE GROUND SHOULD BE WARM ENOUGH TO HELP PREVENT SIGNIFICANT ICING, BUT BRIDGES AND CULVERTS WILL BE THE MAIN PROBLEM AREAS.
ONLY A TRACE OF FROZEN PRECIP FORECAST FOR NORTH GA.
THE CHAIRMAN SAID IF ANY COUNTY GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE FEARS FOR THEIR SAFETY THEY CAN WAIT UNTIL ROADS IN THEIR AREA ARE SAFE, THEN REPORT.
THE CHAIRMAN TOLD 101 NEWS AROUND 1PM WEDNESDAY, THE GA DOT SAYS MAJOR ROADS IN UPSON COUNTY ARE PASSABLE, BUT SECONDARY ROADS ARE STILL A CONCERN—DO NOT TRAVEL IF AT ALL POSSIBLE.
DIRECTOR MARTHA ANN MCCARTY SAYS THE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FROM 10AM TUESDAY THROUGH 1PM WEDNESDAY. THE TUESDAY FORECAST BRINGS WINTER PRECIPITATION TO OUR AREA. SLEET/SNOW/FREEZING RAIN AROUND THE NOON HOUR TO EARLY AFTERNOON. SHOULD CONVERT TO SNOW EARLY IN THE EVENING, SNOWING ALL NIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY. TEMPS SHOULD GET ABOVE FREEZING WEDNESDAY WITH SUNSHINE, BUT QUICKLY FALL BACK BELOW FREEZING AND ANY RESIDUAL WATER WILL REFREEZE, CAUSING BLACK ICE CONDITIONS.
THOMASTON TO MACON 2 TO 3 INCHES OF SNOW PREDICTED. UPSON EMA WARNS MOTORISTS IF STORM CONDITIONS DEVELOP DO NOT GET ON ROADWAYS ONCE ACCUMULATION OCCURS.
THE 3RD DISTRICT OFFICE, GA. DOT BASED IN THOMASTON HAS 57 PIECES OF SNOW STORM EQUIPMENT READY FOR USE IN THE 31 COUNTIES IN THE DISTRICT. TOP PRIORITY IS TO KEEP TWO LANES OPEN ON INTERSTATES, THEN WORK ON STATE ROUTES WITH THE MOST TRAFFIC. PHONE 511 FOR ROAD CONDITIONS BEFORE YOU TRAVEL.
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REID, DAUGHTER OF JOHN AND JULIETTE HIGHTOWER, SELECTED ULHS TEACHER MOLLIE COLVIN AS STAR TEACHER. MS. COLVIN TAUGHT REID IN 10TH GRADE HONORS AMERICAN LITERATURE.
THE GA. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY HAS FINED JORDAN FORESTRY PRODUCTS AT 752 GROVE ST. IN BARNESVILLE $9900 FOR KILLING 172 FISH.
THOMASTON CITY MANAGER PATRICK COMISKEY SAID A DECISION WAS MADE TO STOP PUMPING FROM POTATO CREEK SEPT. 30, 2013, AFTER OBSERVING A BLACK SUBSTANCE IN THE WATER NEAR THE HIGHWAY 18 BRIDGE AT THE LAMAR-PIKE COUNTY LINE. THE CITY WATER SYSTEM SWITCHED TO DRAWING FROM LAKE THOMASTON BUT RESUMED PUMPING FROM POTATO CREEK DEC. 6TH AFTER E.P.A. GAVE THE O.K.
IN ITS REPORT, E.P.A. SAID HEAVY RAINS CAUSED THE SEDIMENTATION POND AT THE JORDAN COMPANY TO OVERFLOW AND WASH WOOD LEACHATE INTO THE UNAMED TRIBUTARY AND DOWNSTEAM TO POTATO CREEK.
THE COURTHOUSE WAS EVACUATED FOR ABOUT AN HOUR WHILE UPSON COUNTY S.O. CONDUCTED A SWEEP OF THE BUILDING.
ANDREW HAND, IN HIS 40’S WAS ON TRIAL FOR AGGREVATED SEXUAL BATTERY, BUT WHEN A JURY COULD NOT REACH A VERDICT , HE ENTERED A PLEA TO A LESSER CHARGE OF INCITING A CHILD FOR INDECENT PURPOSES AND WAS SENTENCED TO 7 YEARS PROBATION BY JUDGE MACK CRAWFORD PLUS HE MUST REGISTER AS A SEX OFFENDER.
THE ALLEGED VICTIM WAS HAND’S STEP-DAUGHTER, AGE 12 AT THE TIME .
RUSS HEAD WILL DELIVER A POWER POINT PRESENTATION OF HIS 2014 TOURS, MONDAY JAN. 13TH 7PM AT THE THOMASTON-UPSON CIVIC CENTER. PUBLIC INVITED.
IN A PRESS RELEASE ISSUED FRIDAY, CHAIRMAN RUSTY BLACKSTON STATED THE UPSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS WILL, BY THE RULING OF JUDGE STEPHEN BOSWELL, HONOR THE SERVICE DELIVERY AGREEMENT SIGNED BY BOTH THE CITY OF THOMASTON AND COUNTY OF UPSON ON AUGUST 20, 2013. THE CHAIRMAN ADDED, THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HAS SOME CONCERNS SET FORTH IN THE AGREEMENT WHICH WILL BE DISCUSSED AT A LATER TIME.
UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF DAN KILGORE SAID A BLACK MALE WEARING A MASK AND WIELDING A SHOTGUN DEMANDED MONEY AND FLED. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THE CASE CONTACT UPSON S.O.
THE COMMISSIONERS TOOK NO ACTION, BUT A PRESS RELEASE IS EXPECTED FROM CHAIRMAN RUSTY BLACKSTON LATER THIS WEEK.
THOMASTON POLICE CHIEF DAN GREATHOUSE SAID A BLACK MALE AND WHITE MALE GOT IN AN ALTERCATION OVER A PARKING SPACE LATE THURSDAY. A SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOL FELL OUT OF THE BLACK MALES SUV AND THE WHITE MALE PICKED IT UP AND IT DISCHARGED.
THE BLACK MALE , AGE 50 TO 55 , GRABBED HIS PISTOL AND FLED IN A MAROON ESCALADE SUV—ACCORDING TO THE CHIEF. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THE CASE CONTACT THOMASTON P.D.
SENIOR SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE STEPHEN BOSWELL HAS ISSUED AN INJUNCTION IN UPSON SUPERIOR COURT THAT THE JOINT AGREEMENT ON SERVICE DELIVERY STRATEGY IS VAID DESPITE A DECISION OF THE GA. SUPREME COURT IN A TURNER COUNTY CASE.
THE UPSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PULLED OUT OF THE AGREEMENT AFTER THE HIGH COURT RULING , CITING SEVERAL ISSUES.
ATTORNEYS FOR THE TWO GOVERNMENTS ARGUED THEIR POINTS IN A FIVE HOUR HEARING LAST MONTH IN UPSON SUPERIOR COURT.