SHRENOS RESTAURANT BUILDING BURNS

ACCORDING TO UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF DAN KILGORE THE OLD SHRENOS RESTAURANT BUILDING ON 36 WEST WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE CHRISTMAS EVE NIGHT.

A MOTORCYCLE CLUB HAD OCCUPIED THE BUILDING, BUT THE SHERIFF SAID NO ONE WAS AT THE SITE WHEN IT CAUGHT FIRE AND THE CAUSE IS UNKNOWN.

IDA NOW OWNS FEDERAL PAPER BOARD BUILDING

THE THOMASTON UPSON INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY UNWRAPPED A BIG GIFT ON THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS. FOLLOWING AN EXECUTIVE SESSION TUESDAY, THE IDA ACCEPTED A DONATION OF THE OLD FEDERAL PAPER BOARD BUILDING FROM BUSINESSMAN SCOTT BLACKSTOCK.

THE 36 ACRE TRACT AND BUILDING HAD BEEN ON THE MARKET FOR $1.8 MILLION—BUT THE IDA'S OWNERSHIP WILL INCLUDE THE BUILDING , PARKING LOT AND 19 ACRES , NOT ALL THE OPEN GROUND BEHIND THE BUILDING.

THE LAST COMPANY IN BUSINESS THERE , TRIUMPH, LEFT A COUPLE OF YEARS BACK.

IDA CHAIR BILLY JOHNSTON THANKED MR. BLACKSTOCK FOR THE DONATION AND SAID THE BUILDING NEEDS SEVERAL HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS OF UPGRADES, BUT THE BOARD MIGHT PUT IT ON THE MARKET AS IS.

THE IDA JUST SOLD THE SPEC BUILDING FOR $600,000 TO GOLDEN STAR, SO THE FEDERAL PAPER BOARD SITE GIVES IT A NEW OPTION TO OFFER INDUSTRIAL PROSPECTS.  

SPALDING COUNTY CLERK OF COURT TO RETIRE

ZOOM NEWS HAS LEARNED THAT SPALDING COUNTY CLERK OF COURTS MARCIA NORRIS WILL RESIGN HER OFFICE EFFECTIVE DEC. 31ST AMID ALLEGATIONS OF MISCONDUCT IN OFFICE.

GRIFFIN CIRCUIT DISTRICT ATTORNEY BEN COKER REPORTEDLY WAS PREPARING A PETITION TO REMOVE CLERK NORRIS FROM OFFICE AFTER GOVERNOR NATHAN DEAL ORDERED AN INVESTIGATION OF HER OFFICE OPERATIONS IN AUGUST.

SOURCES CLOSE TO THE CASE, SAY CLERK NORRIS AND HER ATTORNEY BILL JOHNSTON HAVE ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH D.A. COKER FOR THE CLERK TO RETIRE AT THE END OF THE YEAR, AND COPIES OF THAT AGREEMENT HAVE BEEN FURNISHED TO GOVERNOR NATHAN DEAL, STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL CHRIS CARR AND SPALDING COUNTY MANAGER WILLIAM WILSON JR.

COUNTY MANAGER WILSON TOLD ZOOM NEWS LAST WEEK IF THE OFFICE WOULD BECOME VACANT , A SPECIAL ELECTION WOULD BE HELD.

DEPUTY CHIEF CLERK DEBBIE BROOKS HAS BEEN IN CHARGE OF THE OFFICE SINCE GOVERNOR DEAL SUSPENDED CLERK NORRIS FOR 60 DAYS FOR D.A. COKER TO REVIEW THE INVESTIGATION REPORT FROM THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, AND CLERKS OF COURT FROM FORSYTH AND WEBSTER COUNTIES.

NO FIRE AT THE CITY-CO. GOVERNMENT COMPLEX TUES

THOMASTON FIRE DEPARTMENT DISPATCHED TO THE GOVERNMENT COMPLEX ON EAST LEE STREET TUESDAY AROUND 5;30PM.

ZOOM NEWS WAS TOLD AN ALARM ACCIDENTLY TRIPPED—THERE WAS NO FIRE.

URMC OPEN HOUSE FOR NEW BEHAVIORAL HEALTH UNIT

UPSON REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER WILL HAVE OPEN HOUSE OF ITS NEW 18-BED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH UNIT—SILVER CARE—ON THURSDAY WITH DROP-IN TOURS 10AM TILL 2PM AND 4 TO 6PM PLUS A SPECIAL DEDICATION AT 11AM.

CONVENIENT PARKING WILL BE RESERVED IN THE WEST GORDON STREET LOT ACROSS FROM THE LIBRARY.

U-L BAND STUDENTS MAKE HONOR BAND

Upson-Lee High School band students Dawson Fleming, Eve Balding, and Coy Kirkland have been chosen for the Georgia Music Educators Association District 11 Honor Band. 

The students participated in a rigorous audition process at Perry High School during which they were required to perform eight major scales; the chromatic scale; a prepared etude displaying advanced techniques and abilities; and a site-reading piece that the students were given 30 seconds prior to performance. 

Judges ranked the students, and those scoring the highest in the GMEA district were invited to participate in the District Honor Band. Congratulations to these talented young musicians!

D.A. COKER TO PROBE REMOVAL SPALDING CO. COURT CLERK

GEORGIA GOVERNOR NATHAN DEAL HAS ISSUED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER SUSPENDING SPALDING COUNTY'S CLERK OF COURTS MARSHA NORRIS FOR 60 DAYS. THE ORDER WAS SIGNED TODAY(THURSDAY DEC. 14TH.)

THE GOVERNOR ALSO ORDERED GRIFFIN CIRCUIT DISTRICT ATTORNEY BEN COKER TO REVIEW THE REPORT OF AN INVESTIGATIONS COMMITTEE AND ASCERTAIN IF A REMOVAL FROM OFFICE PETITION SHOULD BE BROUGHT AGAINST CLERK NORRIS BASED ON THE COMMITTEE'S REPORT.

THE GOVERNOR'S ORDER SAID THE COMMITTEE COMPOSED --OF CLERKS OF COURT IN TWO OTHER GEORGIA COUNTIES AND STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL CHRIS CARR—CONCLUDED THAT DUE TO THE WILLFUL FAILURE OF CLERK NORRIS TO FULFILL HER DUTIES AS CLERK OF THE SUPERIOR AND STATE COURTS OF SPALDING COUNTY, SHE SHOULD BE SUSPENDED FROM OFFICE FOR 60 DAYS AND FURTHER RECOMMENDED THAT THE D.A. BRING A REMOVAL PETITION AGAINST MS. NORRIS.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY COKER, SPALDING SHERIFF DARRELL DIX AND OTHER COURT OFFICIALS WROTE THE GOVERNOR WITH CONCERNS ABOUT THE OPERATION OF THE CLERK'S OFFICE AND GOVERNOR DEAL ORDERED THE INVESTIGATION IN AUGUST.

ONE ALLEGATION INVOLVES FAILURE TO REPORT ON A TIMELY BASIS, CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS IN THE COURTS OF SPALDING COUNTY TO THE GBI CRIME DATA BASE .

NEW SCHOOL SUPERINTENDANT SEARCH

The search for the next Superintendent of the Thomaston-Upson County School System is underway.

On Tuesday, December 12, 2017, the Board held its first planning session with a representative of King-Cooper and Associates, a Georgia firm that will assist the Board with the search. The Board approved a tentative timeline for the search that includes a deadline of February 2, 2018, as the last date to accept applications. King-Cooper and Associates will be mailing vacancy announcements about the search next week. The search announcement will also be posted on various internet sites.

 The Board is developing a survey to receive input from employees and community members related to the qualities desired in the next superintendent. It is the Board’s desire to conduct a thorough search process that involves the community and employees while maintaining the necessary confidentiality of applicants until finalists are selected. In the coming weeks, the Board will also be developing a leadership profile that includes the skills and competencies desired of the next Superintendent. The profile will be important as the Board determines the best candidates to consider and interview for the position. Interviews are expected to begin in late February and continue through March.

The need to conduct a search for a new Superintendent was created when Dr. Maggie Shook announced her upcoming retirement at the end of the current school year. It is anticipated the search will take four to five months. Potential candidates may find additional information on the Thomaston-Upson Schools website at www.upson.k12.ga.us.

A NEW SIT DOWN RESTAURANT FOR THOMASTON?

AN ATLANTA DEVELOPER SUBMITTED THE ONLY BID TO THE CITY OF THOMASTON FOR THE TRIANGLE OF PROPERTY AT THE CORNER OF WEST GOODRICH AVE. AND U.S. 19—HALF A MILLION DOLLARS.

THE UPSON BEACON REPORTS---CHARLES MIXON/ROB BEAUCHAMP PROPERITIES OF ATLANTA PROPOSE A SIT DOWN RESTAURANT AT THE SITE.

FOR IT TO WORK—CITY HALL WOULD HAVE TO CLOSE PARK DRIVE—AND THE 1.179 ACRES MUST BE REZONED COMMERIAL AND COULD BE COMBINED WITH THE ROGERS PROPERTY THAT FRONTS ON PARK DRIVE. CITY OF THOMASTON GOT THE PROPERTY IN AN EXCHANGE WITH THE BF GOODRICH COMPANY YEARS AGO.

KAY HIGHTOWER—CHAIR OF THE GREATEST GENERATION MEMORIAL PARK COMMITTEE —EXPRESSED RESERVATIONS ABOUT SELLING THE TRACT AT A RECENT MEETING---INSTEAD SUGGESTING IT REMAIN A GREEN SPACE ENTRANCE TO THE PARK.

CITY OFFICIALS TOLD HER THE INTENT IN SELLING THE SITE IS TO PROMOTE COMMERCIAL GROWTH—THE HIGHEST AND BEST USE FOR THE SITE.

THE ITEM IS EXPECTED TO BE ON NEXT TUESDAY'S CITY COUNCIL AGENDA.

EX-STATE HOUSE MEMBER JOHN YATES HAS DIED

Mr. John Yates, age 96 of Griffin, Georgia passed away on Monday, December 11, 2017 after several months of declining health.

A visitation for Mr. John P. Yates will be on Saturday, December 16, 2017 from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM at Conner-Westbury Funeral Home. Following the visitation, a funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of Conner-Westbury Funeral Home. Reverend Gene Walton will officiate. Interment will follow at Griffin Family Cemetery.

INTERIM PRESIDENT NAMED GORDON STATE COLLEGE

University System of Georgia Chancellor Steve Wrigley has named Dr. Stuart Rayfield interim president of Gordon State College.

Rayfield has been serving as the interim president of Bainbridge State College since June 1, 2016. She will assume her post at Gordon State on January 1, 2018, replacing President Max Burns who has previously announced his plans to retire, effective December 31, 2017.

“Dr. Rayfield has done an outstanding job leading Bainbridge State through a period of significant change over the past year and a half,” said Chancellor Wrigley. “As we move forward with the consolidation of Bainbridge State College and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, I am grateful to Dr. Rayfield for her willingness to shift her focus, qualifications and expertise to the deserving students, faculty and extended community at Gordon State College.”

Prior to her role as interim president at Bainbridge State, Dr. Rayfield served as the Frank D. Brown Distinguished Chair in Servant Leadership, associate professor and director of the Servant Leadership Program at Columbus State University.

Rayfield previously served as interim associate provost for Undergraduate Education at Columbus State in 2015. In this role, her areas of responsibility included the Academic Center for Excellence, dual enrollment, Faculty Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning, and co-leadership of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges accreditation reaffirmation.

She has previously served as an instructional designer at TSYS and student affairs consultant at Auburn University in Alabama. Prior to her service at Auburn University, she held positions at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro and the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

Rayfield earned a doctorate in leadership, policy and organizations from Vanderbilt University, a master’s in higher education administration, student affairs from the University of Alabama and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn.

RAIN, SNOW MIX POSSIBLE OVERNIGHT THURSDAY

MARTHA ANNE MACARTY—UPSON E.M.A. DIRECTOR SAID THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IS WARNING OF POSSIBLE SNOW SHOWERS OVERNIGHT, BUT GROUND TEMPERATURES SHOULD REMAIN ABOVE FREEZING, SO ANY FROZEN PRECIPITATION SHOULD MELT AWAY.

MARTHA ANNE SAID ONE CONCERN IS BLACK ICE ON ROADWAYS FRIDAY NIGHT. ANY WET PATCHES COULD FREEZE AND CAUTIONED MOTORISTS TO BE CAREFUL.

THOMASTON'S CITY MANAGER SEEKS GUIDELINES

AT TUESDAY'S MEETING----THOMASTON'S CITY MANAGER RUSSELL THOMPSON ASKED THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL FOR SOME GUIDELINES ON FREE ALCOHOL AS A HOSPITALITY GESTURE BY A RETAIL BUSINESS .

LAST WEEK HE DISPATCHED CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER BOBBY ELLINGTON TO A DOWNTOWN BUSINESS—RESCUE ME MARKET—TO STOP IT FROM SERVING FREE SAMPLES OF GA. CRAFT BEER AND GA. WINE -- AT A FARM TO TABLE HOLIDAY EVENT. THE OWNERS SAY NONE WAS SERVED .

TURNS OUT—CITY HALL HAS NOTHING ON THE BOOKS AGAINST IT—AND COUNCIL ATTORNEY JOEL BENTLEY SAYS STATE LAW IS VAGUE AND NOT WELL DEVELOPED.

THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL DIRECTED THE MANAGER, ATTORNEY AND SOLICITOR MARK IRVIN TO COME-UP WITH SOME REGULATIONS TO LIMIT FREQUENCY.

THERE WAS TALK OF A $25 PERMIT THAT WOULD ALLOW A RETAIL BUSINESS WITHOUT AN ALCOHOL LICENSE TO SERVE IT FREE ONCE OR TWICE A YEAR.

JERRY BISHOP OF THOMASTON WON A MILLION IN THE GA. LOTTERY

THE GA. LOTTERY HAS ANNOUNCED THE WINNER OF THE MILLION DOLLAR TICKET SOLD AT THE SUNOCO ON THE BARNESVILLE HIGHWAY—JERRY BISHOP OF THOMASTON CLAIMED A $1,087,219 PRIZE FROM THE NOV. 17 FANTASY 5 DRAWING.

FEW DETAILS ARE KNOWN, A LOTTERY SPOKESMAN SAID BISHOP DECLINED PUBLICITY.