AWARDS FOR THOMASTON P.D.

On April 28, 2016 Thomaston Police Department Officers Bruce Gilbert and Officer Mathew Allen received the bronze award from the organization “MADD” (Mothers against Drunk Drivers) in Atlanta, GA. Officer Allen recorded 34 DUI arrest in the city of Thomaston and this was the third consecutive year Officer Gilbert received the award for recording 29 DUI arrest in 2015. Picture below Officer Allen (left) and Officer Gilbert (right). 

THOMASTON-UPSON AIRPORT AUTHORITY PAYS OFF DEBT

The Thomaston Upson County Airport Authority has received a grant from the FAA through the Georgia Dept. of Transportation’s Aviation Programs to complete the reimbursement for construction of thirty T-hangars and one corporate hangar.  The project which began in August of 2009 and was completed in September of 2010 increased the ability to store and service aircraft at the Thomaston Upson County Airport by more than thirty percent.  Financing in the amount of $1,684,287.00 was provided by United Bank, and with the receipt of $563,304.00 in the final phase of reimbursement that debt has been paid in full.  The Airport Authority would like to take this opportunity to express their gratitude to our citizens, local leaders, the FAA and GDOT for the support in creating and improving our airport as a gateway to our community.

MORE INFO ON AN UPSON COUNTY FATAL SHOOTING LAST WEEK

The investigation is continuing concerning the death of Kendarius  “KD” Sullivan. Deputies responded to  1394 Trice Cemetery Rd. just after 1:00 a.m. on April 20, 2016 and found Sullivan deceased inside the residence. Evidence has shown that the female resident, Jennifer Dsai, 29, was at the home along with a male identified as Hansen Colbert, 26 , of Thomaston. Sullivan and Dsai had previously been involved in a relationship. Sullivan arrived at the residence, driven by his brother, Jakevius Holmes. Sullivan noticed Colbert’s vehicle parked in the driveway and became angry. Sullivan exited his brother’s vehicle and approached the residence. Holmes remained at the vehicle and did not accompany Sullivan. Sullivan kicked in the rear door of the residence and began searching for Colbert. Colbert retreated to a bedroom closet inside the residence in an attempt to avoid Sullivan. Colbert called 911 from the closet just before his cell phone died causing him to lose contact with the 911 center.  Sullivan entered the bedroom, went into the bedroom closet and approached Colbert in an aggressive manner.  Colbert stated he feared for his life and fired several rounds from a 9mm handgun, striking Sullivan three times. Sullivan died at the scene. Colbert fled the scene and flagged down responding deputies  near the intersection of Trice Cemetery Rd. and Highway 36 to report the incident. Colbert is cooperating with the investigation.

Our investigation is ongoing as we continue to examine evidence. We have consulted the District Attorney’s office and will turn the case facts over to them for consideration of charges.

Dan Kilgore, Sheriff

April 25, 2016

CITY OF THOMASTON NEW HR DIRECTOR HIRED

THOMASTON'S INTERIM CITY MANAGER BILLY BECKETT HAS HIRED REBECCA ZEBE THE NEW HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR. MS. ZEBE FORMERLY WAS HR DIRECTOR FOR THE CITY OF MORROW UNTIL IT ELIMINATED THE POSITION DUE TO BUDGET CUT-BACKS, PRIOR TO THAT MS. ZEBE WAS HR DIRECTOR FOR HENRY COUNTY.

MANAGER BECKETT INTERVIEWED THE 6 FINALISTS OF 17 APPLICANTS—3 OF THEM WERE FROM THOMASTON. ALL GOOD CANDIDATES HE TOLD ZOOM NEWS. 

UPSON S.O. REPORTS A SHOOTING DEATH

NEWS RELEASE

On April 20, 2016 shortly after 1:00 A.M. Upson County Deputies responded to a person shot call at 1394 Trice Cemetery Rd. , Thomaston. Upon arrival, Kendarius Sullivan, 31, of #2 Edgewood Avenue Thomaston was found deceased inside the residence. Sullivan received multiple gunshots wounds during an altercation with another male prior to the deputies arrival. While responding to the call, a man flagged down a deputy at the intersection of Trice Cemetery Rd. and Hwy 36 and explained that he was involved in the incident and that he was the shooter. This subject was detained and is cooperating with the investigation.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation responded and processed the incident scene. An  autopsy is scheduled to be completed at the state crime lab in Atlanta.

This investigation is ongoing and other details will be released as they become available.

Dan Kilgore, Sheriff

April 20, 2016

THREE FINALISTS NAMED FOR THOMASTON CITY MANAGER

FOLLOWING AN HOUR AND A HALF EXECUTIVE SESSION –TUESDAY—THE THOMASTON MAYOR AND COUNCIL EXITED AND RELEASED THE NAMES OF THE THREE FINALISTS FOR CITY MANAGER.

JUSTIN JOHNSON—CITY MANAGER OF BISBY , ARIZONA, AT ONE TIME ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER OF MCDONOUGH—WHO SERVED UNDER THOMASTON'S INTERIM MANAGER BILLY BECKETT.

JOSEPH MOSLEY—FORMER CITY MANAGER OF METTER, GA.

AND RUSSELL THOMPSON—CURRENT CITY MANAGER OF SUMMERVILLE, GA.

BY STATE LAW, COUNCIL MUST WAIT 14 DAYS BEFORE HIRING ONE OF THE THREE AND HAVE HIM ON THE JOB.

MANAGER BECKETT SAID HE WILL PROBABLY HIRE A HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER BY THE END OF THE WEEK.

UPSON COMMISSION CHAIRMAN RUSTY BLACKSTON DROPS OUT OF THE RACE

A SURPRISE AT TUESDAY NIGHT'S REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES FORUM—UPSON COUNTY COMMISSION CHAIRMAN RUSTY BLACKSTON ANNOUNCED HE IS DROPPING OUT OF THE RACE.

CHAIRMAN BLACKSTON SAID HE HAS ACCOMPLISHED HIS GOALS ON COUNTY FINANCES AND IMPROVING CITY-COUNTY RELATIONS AND WILL NOT BE A CANDIDATE FOR RE-ELECTION.

POLITICAL FORUM APRIL 26

The Thomaston-Upson Chamber of Commerce, Upson County Farm Bureau,  Upson Professionals, and the Upson-Lee High School Student Council are pleased to announce that they will host a Political Forum on Tuesday, April 26, at the Upson-Lee Fine Arts Center. The forum will begin promptly at 6 pm.

Each opposed candidate will have the opportunity to make a two minute opening statement and audience members will be given the opportunity to ask questions to the candidates following all opening statements. Candidates will be allowed one minute to respond.

This is your chance to ask questions to the local candidates about the upcoming election and become educated as to who you feel is the best candidate for the job!

To help create a sense of unity and nonpartisanship within the forum, we are asking that all audience members refrain from wearing candidate t-shirts, pins or handling signs inside of the UL Performing Arts Center. 

THOMASTON P.D. ON WEAVER PARK SHOOTING THURSDAY

apippin@cityofthomaston.com

PRESS RELEASE

On April 14, 2016 at approximately 7:00 p.m. the Thomaston Police Department responded to the area of Weaver Park and Oglethorpe Way in reference to reported gun shots. While on scene witnesses advised that two black males were exchanging gunfire at each other firing multiple shots in the direction of a residence located on Oglethorpe Way and the other gunman was firing in the direction of Weaver Park area (specifically the tennis court/pavilion area). All suspects involved fled before law enforcement arrived on scene.  

During the investigation it was determined that a black male identified as James Terry WOMBLE, 62 of Thomaston went to the residence 325 Oglethorpe Way and engaged in an altercation with a separate black male identified as Demarcus McDowell, 22 of Thomaston. WOMBLE had in his possession a handgun and fired one round into the ground while standing in the yard area of Oglethorpe Way. WOMBLE engaged into a physical altercation with MCDOWELL, striking MCDOWELL in the head (the handgun was used as the “object” to strike MCDOWELL). As WOMBLE was leaving the area walking back towards Weaver Park shots were fired in that direction by MCDOWELL, one round striking WOMBLE in the upper left shoulder area. WOMBLE returned fire with rounds striking a parked vehicle and the residence of 325 Oglethorpe Way. No pedestrians or other suspects were reported injured during this incident.  

James Terry WOMBLE is being charged with Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon, Possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and Reckless Conduct. 

Demarcus MCDOWELL is being charged with Aggravated Assault, Possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and reckless conduct.

This case remains an active investigation and more arrests and charges are pending. These reckless acts committed during this incident put many innocent citizens and children in danger and this department is determined to hold all parties involved accountable in accordance with State Law.  

UPSON S.O. 100 MPH CHASE INTO CITY OF BARNESVILLE SAT. NIGHT

THE UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT HAS A SUSPECT IN CUSTODY WHO LEAD DEPUTIES ON A 100 MILES PER ;HOUR CHASE INTO THE CITY OF BARNESVILLE SATURDAY NITE—WHERE HE WRECKED AND —TOTALED HIS GIRL FRIEND'S CAR AND FLED ON FOOT.

THE DRIVER OF THE 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA—IDENTIFIED AS MARKEVION ALSOBROOKS KEPT GOING DESPITE TWO SETS OF STOP SPIKES FROM FROM UPSON AND LAMAR S.O AND BARNESVILLE P.D.

THE CAR JUMPED THE CURB AND HIT A STREET LIGHT AT MAIN AND FORSYTH STREETS IN BARNESVILLE AND SENT TRASH CANS FLYING NEAR D.B.'S RESTAURANT.

THE CAR CAME TO REST ON ITS SIDE AND TWO MALE PASSENGERS WERE UNHURT—. THOMASTON POLICE ARRESTED ALSOBROOKS LATER AFTER QUESTIONING HIS GIRL FRIEND—LATISHA C. REVERE.

A DEPUTY TRIED TO PULL THE CAR OVER NEAR THE ROCK RANCH AFTER THE DRIVER FAILED TO DIM HIS LIGHTS—BUT HE REFUSED TO STOP.

GOP CANDIDATES FORUM IN UPSON CO. APRIL 19

TUESDAY AT 6;30PM AT THE LEE AUDITORIUMT HE UPSON COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY IS HOSTING A CANDIDATES FORUM FOR THE 13 LOCAL GOP CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT MAY 24TH.

CANDIDATES FOR STATE OFFICE, DISTRICT ATTORNEY , SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE AND U.S. CONGRESS-- HAVE BEEN INVITED AND WILL BE RECOGNIZED DURING THE EVENT.

THE REPUBLICAN PARTY INVITES THE PUBLIC TO SUBMIT QUESTIONS FOR THE LOCAL CANDIDATES—GO THEIR FACEBOOK PAGE AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS

GRIFFIN POLICE OFFICERS WIFE WOUNDED IN THE HEAD

On Friday April 15, 2016 at approximately 0100 hours the Griffin Police Department responded to 53 Ashford Place Apartments in reference to a person threatening suicide.   As police, fire rescue, and ems units were responding,   the resident of 53 Ashford Place which is Officer Mathew Boynton arrived then responded via his police department’s mobile radio that he heard two shots possibly from his apartment.  Lt. Curtis Keys along with other police department officers arrived on the scene.  Officer Mathew Boynton met the officers outside his apartment.  Officers entered the apartment and searched for Officer Boynton’s wife.  The officers found a closet door locked which they had to forcibly open.  They found officer Boynton’s wife (Jessica Boynton) unconscious but breathing on the floor of the closet with a single gunshot wound to the right side of her head.  Griffin Fire Rescue and EMS arrived on the scene and started medical care.  Emergency medical personnel was able to get Mrs. Boynton stable enough to have her flown via Emory Life Flight to Atlanta Medical Center.  According to the Atlanta Medical Center as of approximately 0600 hours Mrs. Boynton was critical in the Intensive Care Unit.  The entire scene was turned over to The Georgia Bureau of Investigation.  Officer Boynton is placed on administrative leave pending a departmental investigation.  

SHOOTING NEAR WEAVER PARK THURSDAY NIGHT

PATRONS AT WEAVER PARK WERE SENT SCRAMBLING FOR SAFETY AFTER A GUN FIGHT THURSDAY EVENING AROUND 7;15 AT PARKWAY DRIVE AND OGLETHROPE WAY.

LT. ANDREW PIPPIN OF THE THOMASTON POLICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ZOOM NEWS FRIDAY MORNING -- TWO WERE INJURED—A 62 YEAR OLD BLACK MALE—ONE OF THE SHOOTERS—WHO WAS WOUNDED IN THE BACK LEFT SHOULDER AND A YOUTH IN HIS 20'S WHO WAS STRUCK IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD WITH A PISTOL BY THE 62 YEAR OLD. THE TWO SHOOTERS WERE BOTH ADMITTED TO UPSON REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER WITH NON-LIFE THREATENING INJURIES.

LT. PIPPIN SAID THE YOUNGER MAN RETURNED FIRE AFTER THE OLDER SUBJECT CAME TO 325 OGLETROPE WAY MAKING THREATS— FIRED A SHOT INTO THE GROUND AND PISTOL WHIPPED THE 2ND SHOOTER .

THE 62 YEAR OLD RAN TO PARKWAY DRIVE ACROSS FROM WEAVER PARK AND STARTED SHOOTING BACK AT THE HOUSE. NO ONE WAS WOUNDED—BUT HE DID SHOOT OUT A WINDOW IN THE HOUSE AND A TIRE ON A VECHILE—8 TO 10 GUNSHOTS FIRED.

LT. PIPPIN SAID THE INCIDENT APPARENTLY SPARKED FROM EVENTS EARLIER IN THE DAY AT MCDONALD'S, WAL MART, AND LINCOLN PARK. HE ANTICIPATES A DOZEN ARRESTS— AS INVESTIGATORS CONTINUE TO TRY TO UNRAVEL EVENTS.

LT. PIPPIN CALLED IT THE MOST RECKLESS CONDUCT HE HAS EXPERIENCED. ONE EYE-WITNESS—SAID NOTHING LIKE IT HAS EVER HAPPENED IN THEIR QUIET NEIGHBORHOOD.

URMC HAS A NEW CEO

Upson Regional Medical Center’s Board of Trustees announces Tripp Penn as Chief Executive Officer. Penn was selected from a national search and thorough interview process inclusive of medical staff, hospital leaders and its administrative team. The Board of Trustees would like to express its appreciation to the medial staff, hospital leaders and administrative team for the invaluable input during the interview process. Board Chairman Bill Hightower stated, “Tripp possesses the communication and leadership skills we need at the helm of our hospital. He has many years of experience as a high-level executive and has the knowledge and ability to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing healthcare environment. We are looking forward to having Tripp and his family as assets to our community and to continued growth and prosperity for our hospital.” Previously Penn served as Vice President of Support Services at West Georgia Health. His area of responsibilities included the West Georgia Health Foundation; Occupational Medicine; Facilities, including Engineering, Grounds, Security and Environment of Care; Environmental Services; Laundry, and Volunteer/Community Services. Penn joined West Georgia Health in 2003 as founding director of the West Georgia Health Foundation. He established the Foundation in 2005. Under his leadership, in 2008, the Foundation was successful in raising more than $5 million during the campaign for a new Emergency Department and $8.5 million of an ongoing $10 million campaign to support a new Community Cancer Center. Prior to his time at West Georgia Health, Penn served as Director of Development for Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation. He earned a bachelor’s degrees in economics and psychology and a Master of Education degree from the University of Georgia. He obtained a Master of Business Administration from LaGrange College. He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and former board member of Leadership Georgia. He and his wife, Megan, have three children. Penn’s start date is mid-May and succeeds Mark Hartman, who was hired in November to provide leadership to the hospital strictly on an interim basis after the departure of David Castleberry.

STANDARD TEXTILES ON ABC NEWS TUESDAY

ABC WORLD NEWS TONIGHT WILL FEATURE THOMASTON'S STANDARD TEXTILES IN ITS -- MADE IN THE USA -- SEGMENT TUESDAY NITE.

IT WILL AIR AT 6;30PM ON CHANNEL 9 TV IN COLUMBUS AND AT 7PM ON CHANNEL TWO.

A FILM CREW FROM ABC NEWS WAS IN THOMASTON, RECENTLY TO SHOOT FILM OF THE STANDARD TEXTILE PLANT WHEN A DEAL WAS ANNOUNCED WITH MARRIOTT HOTELS USA TO PROVIDE THE HOTEL CHAIN WITH TOWELS AND WASH CLOTHS.

THE THOMASTON-UPSON IDA WAS INVOLVED IN A $7 MILLION BOND ISSUE FOR STANDARD TEXTILE TO BUY NEW EQUIPMENT FOR THE VENTURE. IT WILL EVENTUALLY CREATE 59 NEW JOBS AT THE THOMASTON AND SOUTH CAROLINA PLANTS.

DROWNING FRIDAY IN PIKE CO.

ACCORDING TO PIKE COUNTY CORONER TERRELL MOODY AN APPARENT DROWNING IN A FISH POND ON KINGS ROAD FRIDAY AFTERNOON.

THE VICTIM, JONATHON MCCARTY, AGE 30 WAS FOUND FLOATING IN THE POND BY HIS WIFE. HE IS THE STEP-SON OF UPSON COUNTY COMMISSIONER RALPH ELLINGTON.

CORONER MOODY SAID FAMILY MEMBERS SAID HE HAD A MEDICAL CONDITION AND POSSIBLY HAD A SEIZURE AND ENDED-UP IN THE POND NEAR HIS HOME. THE CORONER SAID THE CAUSE OF DEATH WAS APPARENTLY DROWNING—SO NO AUTOPSY WILL BE ORDERED.

MCCARTY TOLD A RELATIVE EARLIER IN THE DAY HE WAS GOING FISHING.

COGGINS FUNERAL HOME IS IN CHARGE OF THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FAMILY.  

CITY OF THOMASTON YARD SALE SAT 7AM TILL 2PM

THE CITY OF THOMASTON YARD SALE AT GREATEST GENERATION PARK IS STILL ON FROM 7AM TILL 2PM SATURDAY. SEVERAL SPOTS STILL AVAILABLE TO VENDORS FOR $10.