THOMASTON'S BRAD VAUGHN HIRED AS PIKE PLAN & DEV DIR

THE PIKE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HIRED BRAD VAUGHN OF THOMASTON AS THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR OF THE COUNTY AT TUESDAY'S REGULAR MEETING.

BRAD IS A 2006 GRADUATE OF FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY AND HAS A BACKGROUND THAT INCLUDES FINANCIAL PLANNING.

HE TOLD ZOOM NEWS HE APPRECIATES THE WARM RECEPTION HE HAS RECEIVED FROM THE PIKE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AND COUNTY MANAGER JOHN HANSON.

MONDAY , JULY 2ND WILL BE BRAD'S FIRST DAY ON THE JOB.

UNITED BANK ROBBED IN WOODBURY

Two Arrested, FBI Searching for Two or More in Violent Takeover Robbery

Woodbury, GA – J. C. Hacker, Acting Special Agent in Charge (A/SAC), FBI Atlanta Field Office, in conjunction with Chief Sam Baity, Woodbury Police Department announce the arrest of two suspects in a violent takeover-style bank robbery and the search for two, possibly more suspects.

Derrick R. Scott, 26, of Augusta, GA and Antavious Bray, 29, of Greenville, GA were taken into custody hours after the robbery that occurred at the United Bank, 33 Jones Mill Road, Woodbury, on June 28, 2016.

At approximately 12:25 PM, on Wednesday, three suspects, two armed with handguns and the third armed with an AR-15 rifle, entered the bank and forced employees to the ground at gunpoint and stole an undisclosed amount of cash.

The FBI is asking for the public’s help in identifying two or more possible suspects. United Bank is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those suspects.

One of the unidentified suspects is described as wearing a camouflage ball cap, gray sweatshirt and blue jeans, and carrying a gray backpack. His face was fully covered. (See attached photos).

There is no description of the other suspect, who is believed to be the driver of the getaway vehicle, described as a 2010-2013 black Chevrolet Impala (See attached photo).

IN SPALDING CO. GEBHARDT GUILTY OF MURDER

IN SPALDING COUNTY TUESDAY AFTERNOON—A JURY FOUND FRANKIE GEBHARDT , 60 -- GUILTY ON ALL CHARGES FOR THE 1983 MURDER OF TIMOTHY COGGINS AND HE W AS SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON PLUS 30 YEARS BY JUDGE FLETCHER SAMS.

THE JURY RETURNED THE GUILTY VERDICT SHORTLY BEFORE 3PM-- AND JUDGE SAMS IN SENTENCING SAID—HOPEFULLY, SIR YOU HAVE STABBED YOUR LAST VICTIM. ACCORDING TO GBI TESTIMONY AT TRIAL --- COGGINS WAS STABBED 30 TIMES BEFORE HE WAS DRAGGED BY A CHAIN BEHIND A TRUCK FOR SOCIALIZING WITH A WHITE WOMAN.

GEBHARDT'S BROTHER-IN-LAW, WILLIAM MOORE SR. IS ALSO CHARGED WITH COGGINS MURDER AND WILL GO TO TRIAL IN AUGUST IN SPALDING COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT.

COGGINS FAMILY BROKE DOWN IN TEARS AFTER THE VERDICT WAS READ—THANKING THE COURT AND THE JURORS FOR FINALLY GETTING JUSTICE.

UPSON SO DEPUTY ARRESTED AND TERMINATED FOR INCIDENT

On June 26, 2018 the Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrested Sgt. Kody Kennedy of the Upson County Sheriff’s Office for his conduct relating to the March 8, 2018 arrest of Curtis Lamar Perry. Their investigation concluded that Kennedy struck Perry once with a “knee strike” and pushed him into a utility pole after he was taken into custody.  Perry was handcuffed and offering no resistance at the time. Perry had initially fled on foot while being taken into custody during a traffic stop off Barnesville Highway. Perry was found to be in possession of a glass smoking pipe commonly used for methamphetamine after being taken into custody. Perry was charged with speeding 80 in 45 mph zone, Obstruction of an Officer and Possession of Methamphetamine. This incident was reported by law enforcement officers present at the time of the arrest. Perry never reported this incident and made no complaint of injury. Perry has reluctantly cooperated with the investigation. He has retained an attorney seeking civil damages.

Kennedy is charged with Simple Battery and Violation of Oath of Office. He has been released on $3500 bond. Kennedy has been on unpaid suspension since March 16, 2018. Kennedy’s employment with the Upson County Sheriff’s Office has been terminated effective immediately.

The actions of Sgt. Kennedy are not reflective of the standards of behavior expected of the men and women of the Upson County Sheriff’s Office. Conduct of this nature will not be tolerated.

INTERIM CEO URMC

Upson Regional Medical Center is pleased to introduce Diane Bradley as Interim Chief Executive Officer. Bradley is with HealthTechS3 where her role is Regional Chief Clinical Officer. HealthTechS3 is a management and consulting company that has partnered with Upson for more than 20 years.

Bradley has more than 30 years clinical management experience having previously served in leadership positions in acute-care, long-term and behavioral healthcare facilities. In the past, she also served in the U.S. Army as Chief Nurse of a 400-bed field hospital and large Army Medical Centers.

Board Chairman Bill Hightower said, “Diane is a delightful lady with the skills and experience necessary to operate our hospital, make the changes that need to be made and lead our organization so that we continue to provide superior quality of care to our community.”

A national search for a permanent CEO is underway and conducted by the Board and in conjunction with HealthTechS3.

A FIFTH JUDGE FOR THE GRIFFIN JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

Griffin Judicial Circuit Chief Superior Court Judge Christopher C. Edwards has announced that Fayette, Spalding, Pike, and Upson counties have adequate case count as determined by the State to apply for a fifth Superior Court judgeship. A caseload study conducted by the State shows that the four judges of the circuit are doing the work of 5.6 judges. The Circuit’s legislators are being requested to introduce a bill to add a fifth judgeship. Chief Judge Edwards requests that, “the public, our legislators, and county commissioners, support this historic opportunity to keep pace with the caseload.” The Judicial Council of Georgia is set to consider approving the fifth judgeship on August 8, 2018. If approved, the legislature can create the fifth judgeship in its 2019 legislative session, hopefully for an added judge to start work January 1, 2020.

RUNAWAY LOG TRUCK DAMAGES SHOPPING CENTER

A RUNAWAY LOG TRUCK CROSSED US 19 FROM NORTHSIDE SHELL AND CRASHED INTO A VACANT STORE-FRONT AT THE THOMASTON NORTH SHOPPING CENTER—WEDNESDAY NITE—CAUSING HEAVY DAMAGE NEXT TO THE AARON'S RENTS STORE. THOMASTON POLICE SAID THE LOG TRUCK WAS ALSO DAMAGED—BUT NO ONE WAS INJURED.  

SEE YA AT SMOKE ON THE WATER FRI AND SAT.

THIS WEEKENDS SMOKE ON THE WATER BAR B Q COOK-OFF AND MUSIC FESTIVAL AT BICKLEY'S LAKE GOT A BOOST FROM THE UPSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AT TUESDAY'S MEETING.

COMMISSIONERS JAMES ELLINGTON AND LORENZO WILDER URGED THE PUBLIC TO GET OUT AND ENJOY IT FRIDAY AND SATURDAY—AND NOTED ITS GREAT FOR THE LOCAL ECONOMY.

NASHVILLE STARS BRENT COBB AND SONIA LEIGH ARE AMONG THE HEADLINERS.  

UPSON SO FIREARMS SAFETY CLASS

THE UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS OFFERING A FIREARMS SAFETY CLASS AT THE FIRING RANGE ON 74 EAST—TUESDAY JUNE 12TH AT 6PM. ITS FREE AND OPEN TO UPSON COUNTY CITIZENS OVER 21 WITHOUT A FELONY RECORD.

DO NOT BRING A FIREARM—BUT YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER—PHONE 706-646-7900.

THOMASTON MAN SUSPECT IN INFANT'S DEATH IN ALA

A MAN FROM THOMASTON—SUSPECTED IN THE MURDER OF A 6-MONTH OLD BABY IN DOTHAN, ALABAMA—WAS SHOT AND CAPTURED EARLY MONDAY IN BRONSON, FLORIDA.

ACCORDING TO NEWS MEDIA IN DOTHAN—28 YEAR OLD CARLTON JAMES MATHIS WAS SHOT FOUR TIMES BY A SWAT TEAM MEMBER—WHEN HE THREATENED AN SUV DRIVER AT GUNPOINT AT A FLORIDA APARTMENT COMPLEX.

MATHIS OF GAINESVILLE, GA. IS RECOVERING IN A FLORIDA HOSPITAL AND THE INFANT'S MOTHER—AMANDA GAIL OAKS OF MURRAYVILLE, GA. IS ALSO A SUSPECT IN THE DEATH.

OFFICERS CONVERGED ON THE COUPLE AS THEY LEFT THE APARTMENT COMPLEX.

THE DECEASED BABY WAS FOUND WRAPPED IN A BLANKET IN A FREEZER AT A DOTHAN MOTEL ROOM AND AUTHORITIES SAY IT HAD BEEN THERE FOR 4 TO 5 DAYS.

SHERIFF DAN KILGORE TOLD ZOOM NEWS—MATHIS DID PRISON TIME FOR AN ARMED ROBBERY AT NORTHSIDE SHELL IN THOMASTON AROUND 2008. HE IS ALSO WANTED FOR A STICK-UP AT A GAS STATION IN GAINESVILLE LAST MONTH.  

SPRING SEMESTER PRESIDENT'S LIST SCTC-UPSON CO.

Butts County

Brett Bush, Gary Davis, Kristan Droppa, Ivy English, Beverly Harris-Walker, Marcus Hunter, Kathleen King, Michelle Minor, Morgan Morris, Aubrey Pendley, Christopher Trimble, Tyler Turner, Samuel Walker, Dale Washington, Sharion White, Koree Wolfe

Clayton County

Miracle Alexander, Jerrell Bashir, Jeffrey Caulfield, Angela Copeland, Christopher Dawson, Jeffrey Fludd, Katherine Gilbert, Margarita Gonzalez, Joshua Guest, Bennie Hardeman, Joshua Hendrix, Tyrissa Jones, Raelle Konsky, Jahson Myrthil, Joanna Nelson, Jessica Scroggs, Kyetha Sweeting, Shawn Watkins, Vanessa Webb, Trinity Wood

Coweta County

Jessica Addison, Kathryn Camp, Tyler Coltrain, Collin Creel, Samuel Downs, Caryn Heard, Aric Lundy, Kelly Sargent, Brittany Watkins, Erica Willoughby

Fayette County

Morgan Ammons, Taylor Dunham, Alexander Freeman, Shamira Hardy, Amber Harrington, Jason Miller, Willem Neal, , Mollie Norton, Oscar Perez, Alla Postulga, Sarah Ann Stanley

Henry County

Gairy Austin, Jennifer Balance, Timmany Bentley, Hailey Berkowitz, Karen Boddie, Deontai Brown, Randall Callihan, Amber Cameron, Ciarra Campbell, Mayra Castillo-Arreola, George Castro, Tommy Chau, Kerry Cobb, Carolyn Corban, Ryan Crawford, Terry Crisp, Brianna Ewen, Dayaneira Fernandez, Brenda French, Justin Ganes, Dawson Gibbs, Jennifer Green,

Hunter Greer, Lindsey Hammock, Faith Harmon, Kymberly Harris, Kaitlyn Hewell, Roy Hill,

James Holder, Minerva Horsham, Nicole Jenkins, Marchello Jones, , Sarajevo Mabrey, Dikota McClendon, Gabriel McDaniel, Juanita McDonald, Philip McDonald, Diana Medina, Mercedes Messer, Eric Mills, Robinson Monnelus, Jonathan Mullinax, Bryan Munroe, Tiffany Parrott,

De Juria Pettis, Julio Pinero, Avry Pritchett, Nathaniel Reodica, Dean Roberts, Angel Rollins, Sierra Sawyer, Dave Senat, Elijah Smith, Corey Stewart, Alaika Suffrena, Nadine Sutton, Kendall Talley, Jessica Torres, Julia Underwood, Michael Vega, Jordan Whitehead, Mary Williams, David Wilson, Jennifer Woodham

Lamar County

Stephanie Brown, Ashley Caldwell, Hannah Crowder, Tammy Hartsfield, Carolyn McCoy, Alishia Simpson, David Taylor, Lisa Wright

Monroe County

James Evans, Mark Johnston

Pike County

Kirstie Aderhold, Tracy Boswell, Christopher Burrow, Laura Burrow, Alexandria Chatman, Jodi Coffer, Kaleigh Cole, Brad Colquitt, Keri Floyd, Melissa Forbes, Brannen Guest, Jamie Harper, Christin Heatherly, Summer Metts, Hannah Mixon, Hunter Nichols, Macee Nix, Shelby Peters, Dustin Samples, Alan Shepard, Sumer Smith-Doss, Cory Standard, Anne Stansell, Kriston Teal, Gregory Thomas, Samuel Vickery

Spalding County

Keisha Anderson, Velvet Argueta, Christina Artis, Jacob Bohler, Justin Botsford, Jessica Brewer, Rebecca Buckalew, Corey Burden, Lequesha Byrd, Susan Dockery, Kimberly Dominey, Adriana Fajardo, Christian Freeman, Jennifer Goolsby, Katherine Hand, Arnecia Harris, Matthew Hately, Alana Haywood, Marla Higgins, Rechard Hile, Joseph Ingram, Tyrone Matthews, Bobby McCord, Heather McVey, Reyna Melgarejo, Elena Millsaps, Michael Mitchell, Nicholas Moore, Thomas Nelson, Marlon Peoples, Ashley Polk, Richard Poore, Edriria Pope, Laurie Pritchett, Quavala Sheppard, Bret Smith, Ashley Swann, Michelle Thrasher, Rebecca Truitt, Barry White

Talbot County

Vrittney Dunlap, Jalesia Marshall, Ira Sumner

Taylor County

Ladeavious Character, Brooke Taunton

Upson County

Janice Anderson, Megan Barbour, Jazma Boyington, Douglas Brown, Shaniqua DiSola, Kambrecia Durham, Billy Elliott, Jeb Grace, Andrew Hand, Brianna Helton, Stephanie Johnson, Macy Jones, Amanda McCoy, David McCoy, Elizabeth Murray, Cynthia Reyes, Breanna Wildes

MOTORIST HITS BIKE RIDER N. CHURCH MONDAY

ACCORDING TO THOMASTON POLICE A MIDDLE-AGE FEMALE MOTORIST WAS CHARGED WITH RECKLESS DRIVING AFTER SHE STRUCK HER LONG-TIME BOY FRIEND WITH HER CAR AS HE RODE HIS BIKE NORTHBOUND ON CHURCH STREET NEAR INGLES —MONDAY AFTERNOON.

POLICE SAID THE WOMAN WAS ARGUING WITH THE BIKE RIDER AS THEY TRAVELED UP THE STREET—AND THE BIKE FELL OVER WHEN BRUSHED BY THE CAR—BUT HE REFUSED MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR SOME BUMPS AND BRUISES.  

HOUSE FIRE 419 HIGHWAYI ST. MONDAY AM

JUST BEFORE NOONTIME MONDAY, THOMASTON FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO A RENTAL HOUSE FIRE AT 419 HIGHWAY STREET ACROSS FROM ZAXBY'S. CAPTAIN LEE BROWN SAID NO ONE WAS AT HOME WITH THE FIRE APPARENTLY STARTED IN THE KITCHEN. DAMAGE TO THE KITCHEN AND CONTENTS AND SOME OTHER AREAS OF THE HOUSE. IT WAS EXTINGUISHED IN ABOUT 30 MINUTES.

A NEIGHBOR NOTICED THE FIRE AND CALLED 911.