SEN. HARBIN INTRODUCES RELIGIOUS LIBERTY BILL

STATE SENATOR MARTY HARBIN —WHO REPRESENTS, PIKE, LAMAR, SPALDING, AND FAYETTE COUNTIES HAS INTRODUCED A RELIGIOUS LIBERTY BILL—A PROPOSAL SIMILAR TO WHAT GOVERNOR BRIAN KEMP HAS SAID HE WOULD SIGN INTO LAW.

SENATOR HARBIN SAID SENATE BILL 221 WOULD REQUIRE THE GOVERNMENT TO HAVE A COMPELLING INTEREST BEFORE IT COULD INTERFERE WITH SOMEONE'S RELIGIOUS PRACTICES.

OPPONENTS OF THE MEASURE INCLUDING BUSINESS BOOSTERS AND GAY RIGHTS GROUPS—SAY IT COULD BE USED TO DISCRIMINATE.

ULHS TEACHER DONNA ANDREWS WINS $10,000

Today was a fun day at ULHS as work-based learning teacher Mrs. Donna Andrews was awarded a personal check for $10,000. When the company sponsoring the prize discovered that she is a teacher, they also awarded ULHS and Lamar County High School $5,000 each. I am pasting the story below and attaching a photo. Have a great night, and remember to ALWAYS read the fine print!

Karen

ULHS Teacher Mrs. Donelan (Donna) Andrews Wins $10,000 and ULHS Receives a $5,000 Donation

ST. PETERSBURG Fla. February 27, 2019 — Travel insurance comparison site, Squaremouth, understands most travelers don’t read their policy documentation. In an effort to highlight the importance of reading a policy from start to finish, Squaremouth hosted a top-secret national contest that ended in a $30,000 payout. 

Squaremouth launched the Pays to Read contest on February 11, 2019, with the aim of rewarding $10,000 to the first person to read through their policy documentation. The contest was slated to last 12 months. If a winner came forward in that time, Squaremouth would give them $10,000, and donate an additional $10,000 to Reading Is Fundamental, a children’s literacy charity. If there wasn’t a winner, Squaremouth would still donate $10,000 to Reading Is Fundamental. 

To find the contest winner, Squaremouth hid the contest details in its policy documentation.Much to Squaremouth’s surprise, Mrs. Andrews, a school teacher from Georgia, read her entire policy and claimed the prize in just 23 hours. “When we first spoke with Donelan, her dedication to reading and teaching stood out immediately,” says Squaremouth CEO Chris Harvey. “Her enthusiasm inspired us to make additional donations.” 

To honor Andrews’ commitment to her schools, Squaremouth gave an additional $5,000 to each of the schools where she teaches in Georgia: Upson-Lee High School and Lamar County High School. The money will be used to contribute to each of the school’s work-based learning programs and to buy new textbooks. 

About The Winner 
Mrs. Andrews teaches high school students important life skills as part of Georgia’s work-based learning program, such as work ethic, how to find jobs, and how to interview. One of the skills she emphasizes to all of her classes: the importance of reading contracts. 
“Teaching students to read their contracts has always been close to my heart because of my consumer economics background,” Andrews says. “I always read every contract I sign. It really paid off for me this time!” 
The prize will fund a special vacation for Andrews and her husband: a trip to Scotland to celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary and her upcoming retirement. She applied for retirement through the state of Georgia a week before winning the Pays to Read contest. “We were on the waitlist for the trip of a lifetime to Scotland, and they just called us and said a spot has become available if we want it,” Andrews says. “This will certainly pay for almost all of that trip!” 

 

UPSON COM. CHAIRMAN ELECTED TO ANOTHER CHAIR

UPSON COUNTY COMMISSION CHAIRMAN NORMAN ALLEN WAS ELECTED CHAIR OF THE JOINT DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF UPSON, PIKE, AND LAMAR COUNTIES FEB. 13TH—THE WEST CENTRAL GA. JOINT DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.

CHAIRMAN ALLEN AND CHASE FALLIN SERVE FROM UPSON COUNTY, JOHN EDWARDS AND DEE MCELROY FROM PIKE AND ROBBIE TINNEY AND COMMISSION CHAIRMAN CHARLES GLASS FROM LAMAR. THE GROUP DISCUSSED COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS FOR THE THREE COUNTIES AND THE NEED FOR FUNDING TO HAVE MORE IMPACT.

HEART AND SOUL SUMMIT FEB. 20

Last Wednesday, 7 members of the Orton Family Foundation from Vermont, Maine, and Colorado visited Thomaston to wrap up Phase 2 of the Thomaston-Upson Community Heart & Soul process. The Heart & Soul Summit hosted around 100 people for a lunch meeting to refine the value statements to involve everyone and determine what matters most to our community.

Each table was presented with actual data that has been collected from the community over the past year. The following themes were discussed: Arts & Culture, Downtown Thomaston, Flint River/The Bluff, Local Assets, Local Economy, Natural Assets, Parks & Recreation, Public School System, Small Town Feel & The People

To date, Thomaston-Upson Heart & Soul has connected with 6,060 citizens and collected 2,799 data points that will directly impact local decision making.

The work from the Summit was refining our value statements about what we love and value in the community and will be released on our Facebook page March 1 to be voted by the community and refined further for the next two months. These statements will eventually be adopted by the city, county, school board and other organizations to be a compass to help guide our leaders in future decision making and be an addition to our Community’s Comprehensive Plan.

Phase 3 will focus on our hopes and concerns for the community. Follow our Facebook page for upcoming events and dates!

STATE HOUSE MEMBER KEN PULLIN WEEKLY REPORT

The Georgia House of Representatives resumed our work on Tuesday, February 19 to begin the sixth week of the 2019 legislative session. We started this week by convening for a joint session with our colleagues in the Senate to hear the Supreme Court of Georgia’s Chief Justice Harold D. Melton deliver the annual State of the Judiciary address. In addition to hearing the State of Judiciary address this week, my colleagues and I met in the House Chamber for four legislative days, as well as in our committees, to consider and pass several important bills.

Accountability in the Georgia House of Representatives

I was one of 11 Representatives to sign a resolution on Friday asking for Speaker Ralston to step down. As elected officials we HAVE To and MUST hold ourselves more accountable. While his actions may be legal, they aren’t ethical or moral in my opinion.

You can read more here.

The State of the Judiciary

The recently appointed Chief Justice, Harold D. Melton delivered his first State of the Judiciary address before a joint session on Tuesday. This annual address recounts the accomplishments of Georgia’s judicial branch and the challenges it will face in the year ahead. Due to the great relationships built between the judiciary branch, the state legislature and the executive branch, Chief Justice Melton reported that Georgia’s judiciary branch stands sturdy, stable and strong and is poised to meet the inevitable changes that lie ahead.

HB 158 - Medicaid access for HIV-positive Individuals

On Tuesday, the House unanimously passed House Bill 158, legislation that would giveHIV-positive individuals on Medicaid access to the most effective antiretroviral medications on the market. This bipartisan legislation would require that all individuals suffering from HIV/AIDS, whether in the state drug program or on Medicaid, receive the same antiretroviral drugs, including single tablet regimens. The cost to treat an individual with HIV/AIDS under the state drug program is $338,000, whereas, the cost per individual without this program is $1.7 million. Our state has an extremely high number of new HIV diagnoses per year, and the proposed legislation seeks to ensure the health and well-being of all Georgians while combatting the spread of HIV/AIDS in our state.

Scouts at the Capitol

I got to spend time with the Scouts from Christ Chapel in Zebulon last week! They had a lot of good questions. Such a treat to host these young men at their State Capitol.

HR 37 - Georgia Commission on Freight and Logistics

On Thursday, the House adopted a resolution that would seize the potential of our coastal ports and expand our growing economy. Georgia is fortunate to have a range of deep water ports and transportation systems that are utilized by businesses across the nation. Our ports and freight industries provide 439,000 jobs a year, generate $25 billion in personal income and $2.9 billion annually in state and local tax revenues, and 10 percent of all exports in the country come through our ports. While these ports, rail systems and highways have great potential, the Georgia General Assembly must be proactive in implementing policies that will aide these industries as they grow.

House Resolution 37 establishes the Georgia Commission on Freight and Logistics, which would be comprised of members of the House and Senate, along with various area experts from the Georgia Municipal Association, Association County Commissioners of Georgia, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Georgia Ports Authority. The joint commission would spend one year analyzing, determining and recommending comprehensive public policy development and funding for the 2020 legislative session that would support our freight and logistics industries and keep our state economically competitive. The current and future economic health of Georgia relies on a thriving and productive freight industry, and through the work of the Georgia Commission on Freight and Logistics, Georgia will remain one of the top states to do business.

House Bill 186

My colleagues and I also passed House Bill 186 this week to continue in our efforts to provide quality health care to all Georgians. This bill ensures that the proceeds from the sale or lease of a hospital property are put into an irrevocable trust fund solely for the purpose of providing indigent care in our state. After selling or leasing hospital properties, hospital authorities in Georgia may have significant assets available, but, there is not a purposeful avenue for a hospital authority to use these funds to give back to the local community.

Currently, proceeds over $100,000 from a sale or lease are placed in a trust fund and used for hospital care for indigents, but HB 186 amends current Georgia law so that the interest on these funds can be used for health care purposes for indigents instead of for hospital only use. This change would allow local authorities to use the funds generated by the trust fund for a wide variety of healthcare purposes for indigents, including clinics and preventative measures. This important legislation would be economically efficient, provide better health care for indigent patients and ensure that citizens throughout Georgia can receive desired health care within their communities.

House Bill 59

HB 59 was passed last week to ensure that military families that move to Georgia have the same access to public education as Georgia residents. HB 59 would allow parents or guardians on active duty in the military to pre-enroll a student in a local school district when they receive official military orders to transfer to Georgia, instead of requiring the family to establish residency first. This legislation would expedite the enrollment process for these students so that they can continue to learn without interruption.

Mercer Medical at the State Capitol

Mercer's Student Pharmacists swarmed the Georgia State Capitol last week to advocate for HB 233 and HB 323. It was great to see Jasper Westbrook from home!

Page Recognition

Colby was my first page this year. Very impressive young man with a great family!

Our Capitol address:

504-F Coverdell Legislative Office Bldg.

18 Capitol Square SW

Atlanta, GA 30334

404.656.0188 - Office

Our District address:

P.O. Box 295

Zebulon, GA 30295

JUDGE CRAWFORD ETHICS HEARING

THE GA. JUDICIAL QUALIFICATIONS COMMISSION OPENED A TWO DAY ETHICS HEARING MONDAY ON SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE ROBERT MACK CRAWFORD ACCUSED OF TAKING $15,000 FROM THE PIKE COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT REGISTRY, MONEY HE CLAIMS HE WAS OWED BY A FORMER CLIENT. JUDGE CRAWFORD WAS THE FIRST WITNESS CALLED DURING THE HEARING AIMED AT REMOVING HIM FROM THE BENCH.

ACCORDING TO THE FULTON DAILY REPORTER—JUDGE CRAWFORD'S PERSONAL BANK ACCOUNT WAS OVERDRAWN BY MORE THAN $2000 WHEN HE TOLD CLERK OF COURT CAROLYN WILLIAMS TO WRITE HIM A CHECK FOR MORE THAN $15,000 THAT HAD SAT UNCLAIMED IN THE COURT REGISTERY FOR MORE THAN 15 YEARS.

UNDER QUESTIONING BY J.Q.C. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BEN EASTERLIN , JUDGE CRAWFORD ACKNOWLEDGED HE PAID THE MONEY BACK AFTER EASTERLIN CALLED HIM . THE JUDGE SAID HE THOUGHT HE HAD AN AGREEMENT WITH THE JQC AND WAS TOLD BY EASTERLIN THE ISSUE WOULD NOT GO ANYWHERE IF HE PAID IT BACK.

HOWEVER, THE JQC FILED ETHICS CHARGES AGAINST CRAWFORD LAST YEAR AND SUSPENDED HIM FROM THE BENCH AFTER HE WAS INDICTED BY THE PIKE COUNTY GRAND JURY.

PREP WORK UNDERWAY FOR UPSON 19 N. PROJECT

SILT FENCING HAS BEEN ERECTED ALONG U.S. 19 NORTH FROM COUNTY ROAD TO ATWATER ROAD—PREP WORK FOR THE WIDENING/RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT FOR 19 NORTH. ACCORDING TO 3RD DISTRICT DOT SPOKESPERSON PENNY BROOKS—LATER THIS WEEK EQUIPMENT WILL BE MOVING-INTO THE DEL RAY/19 NORTH AREA TO START CLEARING A WOODED AREA THAT WILL ULTIMATELY BECOME THE REROUTED DEL RAY ROAD INTERSECTION WITH 19. THE ACTUAL ROAD WORK WON'T START FOR A NUMBER OF WEEKS.

EARLY VOTING T-SPLOST AND E-SPLOST BEGINS FEB. 25

EARLY VOTING BEGINS THIS MONDAY FEB. 25TH FOR THE MARCH 19TH CITY OF THOMASTON, CITY OF YATESVILLE, COUNTY OF UPSON TRANSPORTATION SPLOST AND THE MARCH 19TH EDUCATION SPLOST OF THE THOMASTON-UPSON SCHOOL SYSTEM.

EARLY VOTING MONDAY - FRIDAY 8;30AM TILL 4;30 PM AT THE CIVIC CENTER THROUGH MARCH 15TH BOTH ITEMS WILL BE ON THE SAME BALLOT.

A 5 YEAR $17 MILLION T- SPLOST AND A 5 YEAR $15 MILLION CONTINUANCE OF THE CURRENT E-SPLOST.

GORDON STATE SENIOR HONORED

Gordon State College senior and English major Angela Knight was recognized Tuesday by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia during the annual Academic Recognition Day.

Academic Recognition Day began in 1987 to celebrate individual academic achievement of outstanding scholars in the University System of Georgia.

“I am surprised and humbled by this recognition,” Knight said. “I worked very hard to make A’s and to prove to myself that I could get into college and graduate.”

Knight decided to attend Gordon after prodding by her daughter, Ashley Smith, who graduated the Early Childhood Education program in 2016.

“In fact, she filled out the application for me,” Knight said. “We even had two classes together.”

Knight admits that being in a classroom with students her daughter’s age was, at first, terrifying.

“I felt awkward at first, a little out of place,” she said. “But I found the Honors Program, made some friends and began to feel more comfortable.”

Knight, a veteran of the U.S. Army who also owns a business in Griffin, is so comfortable in a classroom that she plans to continue her education, earning a Master’s degree and then a Ph.D. in English. She wants to teach and in her spare time tending to the orchids she likes to grow.

“Students like Angela personify what the Highlander EDGE is all about - Engaged innovators, Dedicated scholars, Gifted communicators, and Ethical leaders,” said GSC President Kirk A. Nooks. “We salute Angela’s commitment to completing her education and pursing a teaching career.”

Dr. David Janssen, professor of English and Honors Program Coordinator, calls Knight an exemplary student.

“I am thrilled that Angela was chosen as this year’s GSC Outstanding Scholar,” Janssen said. “She is truly exemplary. Angela was a student in two of my English classes, and she is also a member of our Honors Program. She developed one of her papers from my ENGL 2121 class on John Milton’s Paradise Lost and presented it at the Gordon Collegiate Honors Council Conference and our own Undergraduate Research Symposium in 2017.”

“I know she is considering graduate school in English, and if she chooses to go that route, I know she will become an outstanding professor,” Janssen continued. “I am proud that

I have had the opportunity to work with and get to know her.

JQC HEARING FOR JUDGE CRAWFORD MONDAY 9AM

AN ETHICS HEARING FOR SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE ROBERT MACK CRAWFORD BY THE STATE JUDICIAL QUALIFICATIONS COMMISSION POSTPONED TWICE -- HAS BEEN RE-SET FOR MONDAY AT 9AM AT THE HENRY COUNTY JUDICIAL COMPLEX.

A THREE MEMBER PANEL SUSPENDED JUDGE CRAWFORD IN DECEMBER AND MONDAY'S HEARING IS AIMED AT REMOVING CRAWFORD FROM OFFICE AFTER HE WAS INDICTED BY THE PIKE COUNTY GRAND JURY FOR THEFT OF $15,000 FROM THE REGISTRY OF PIKE SUPERIOR COURT—FUNDS JUDGE CRAWFORD CLAIMS WERE HIS LEGAL FEES FROM A REAL ESTATE CASE WHEN HE WAS A PRACTICING ATTORNEY.  

UPSON S.O. MOTORCYCLE CHASE

A MAN OUT OF JAIL ON BOND FOR DISTRIBUTION OF METH IS BACK IN THE GRAY BAR MOTEL—AFTER A CHASE WITH THE UPSON S.O. WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.

A MOTORCYCLE RIDER, 35 YEAR OLD JAMES BUD RICE OF FLINT RIDGE ROAD IN UPSON COUNTY FACES NUMEROUS TRAFFIC CHARGES INCLUDING ATTEMPTING TO ELUDE PLUS HE HAD A SUSPECTED 8 BALL OF METH ON HIS PERSON.

SHERIFF DAN KILGORE SAID RICE WAS OBSERVED SPEEDING ON THE WOODLAND ROAD AND A DEPUTY GAVE CHASE. ONCE IN TOWN RICE TURNED ONTO THURSTON AVE. LAID HIS BIKE DOWN AND TRIED TO FLEE ON FOOT, BUT WAS CAPTURED.

ACCORDING TO THE SHERIFF , RICE IS IN JAIL ALSO CHARGED WITH THEFT BY RECEIVING---THE MOTORCYCLE WAS REPORTED STOLEN OUT OF HENRY COUNTY, PLUS IT HAD A STOLEN TAG.

FORMAL CHARGES FILED FOR ANIMAL CRUELTY

UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF DAN KILGORE SAYS FORMAL CHARGES OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS HAVE BEEN LODGED AGAINST A MOTHER AND DAUGHTER WHO HAD OVER TWO DOZEN DOGS AND CATS AT 1178 ATWATER ROAD—MANY LIVING IN THE HOUSE.

19 COUNTS AGAINST THE MOTHER, 62 YEAR OLD SUSAN F. COLEY AND 8 COUNTS AGAINST THE DAUGHTER JAMIE N. COLEY, AGE 30.

BOND SET AT $28,000 FOR SUSAN COLEY, $12,000 BOND FOR JAMIE COLEY—BOTH SURRENDERED AT THE JAIL AND WERE BOOKED.

THE HOUSE REPORTEDLY HAS BEEN CONDEMNED AS UNLIVEABLE BY UPSON'S BUILDING OFFICIAL BECAUSE THE FLOOR IS COVERED WITH ANIMAL WASTE.

T-U SPORTS HALL OF FAME BANQUET

The Thomaston- Upson Sports Hall of Fame will hold their 15th annual induction banquet Saturday night, 6PM, at the Upson-Lee High School cafeteria.

Five individuals will be inducted - Ben Daniel, Danny Kelly, Helen Smith, Rick Rawlins, and Tommy Parks - and one team - the 1979 Upson High Boys basketball team.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased from any board member or at the door.

THOMASTON, UPSON T-SPLOST TOWN HALL MEETING

THE UPSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AND THOMASTON MAYOR AND COUNCIL HELD A TOWN HALL MEETING ON THE MARCH 19TH VOTE ON A $17 MILLION TRANSPORTATION SALES TAX MEASURE, WEDNESDAY—BUT ON A DAMP, CHILLY NIGHT—MOST OF THE TOWN STAYED HOME.

THERE WERE MORE ELECTED OFFICIALS AT THE MEETING THAN CITIZENS BUT THE 5 OR 6 WHO DID ATTEND GOT A HOUR'S WORTH OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE T-SPLOST.

CITY AND COUNTY OFFICIALS MADE A POINT THAT CURRENT REVENUES FROM THE STATE AND WHAT THEY GENERATE FALLS WAY SHORT OF WHAT'S NEEDED TO KEEP UP WITH PAVING WORK.

IF IT PASSES, THE COUNTY OF UPSON WILL GET $9.5 MILLION, THE CITY OF THOMASTON $7.3 MILLION AND CITY OF YATESVILLE $170,000. THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ARE ALSO SEEKING APPROVAL ON THE BALLOT FOR A $6 MILLION BOND TO GET MONEY UP FRONT TO BEGIN PAVING ROADS.

THE CITY OF THOMASTON WILL GET ITS MONEY—PAY AS YOU GO—AND YATESVILLE WILL GET THE FIRST $170,000—THAT COULD BE USED FOR SIDEWALKS.

IF VOTERS APPROVE THE PENNY SALES TAX MEASURE COLLECTIONS WILL BEGIN JULY IST.

OFFICIALS POINTED OUT THAT OUT OF COUNTY SHOPPERS WILL HELP TO PAY THE SALES TAX—FOR SMALLER REGIONAL SHOPPING HUBS LIKE THOMASTON THAT USUALLY IS ABOUT 35%.

EARLY VOTING FOR THE T-SPLOST AND AN EDUCATION SPLOST ALSO ON THE BALLOT FOR THE THOMASTON-UPSON SCHOOLS

BEGINS MONDAY-THROUGH FRIDAY AT THE CIVIC CENTER 8;30 TO 4;30 ENDING MARCH 15TH. 

SPALDING HIGH HAS A NEW HEAD FOOTBALL COACH

The Griffin-Spalding County Board of Education voted 4-0 to approve the recommendation of Jeffery Hammond as head football coach of Spalding High School during a special called meeting February 21. Board Member Barbara Jo Cook was not present to vote during the meeting.

Hammond is currently the offensive coordinator at Colquitt County High School in Moultrie, GA and a certified math and physical education teacher. Under his leadership, the team went to the GHSA 7A semifinals playoffs in 2018 with a 43 point scoring average. Hammonds’ has had six semifinal appearances along with two final appearances during his 14 years as an offensive coordinator with three different schools. Previously, Hammond served as a coordinator at Early County High School, Foley High School and twice at Colquitt County High School. He has also served as a head coach in baseball, golf, weightlifting, and track in Alabama, Florida and Georgia public schools, as well as a football restrictive earnings coach junior varsity defensive coordinator at Troy State University.

Hammond holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Troy State University, a master’s degree in Integrating Technology Into the Classroom and a specialist degree in Educational Technology from Walden University.

“I am excited about the experience and energy Coach Jeff Hammond will be bring to our program at Spalding High School. I feel confident in the knowledge, ability, and skills that he possesses,” said Spalding High School Principal Lindy Pruitt. “I feel certain he will work hard with our students, parents and staff to enhance and sustain the football program and overall athletic program at Spalding. I am ready for spring football and to see what the future holds!”

Nick Davis resigned as head football coach at Spalding High School last month to accept the head football coach position at Fayette County High School.

UPSON SO--POSSIBLE RABID FOX ON THOMPSON LANE

ON THOMPSON LANE---THE UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT HAD TO PUT DOWN A POSSIBLE RABID FOX THAT WAS HANGING AROUND A POSTAL VEHICLE—AND DIDN'T SEEM TO BE AFRAID OF HUMANS.

THE REPORT FROM SGT. NEILL SANDERS SAID THE FOX WAS ACTING UNNATURALLY AND ITS REMAINS WERE REMOVED BY ANIMAL CONTROL TO BE SENT OFF FOR TESTING.

UPDATE; OVER 3 DOZEN DOGS AND CATS ON ATWATER RD.

UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF DAN KILGORE SAYS HIS DEPARTMENT HAS AN ON-GOING INVESTIGATION INTO THE MOTHER AND DAUGHTER RESIDENTS AT 1178 ATWATER ROAD—THAT HAD OVER THREE DOZEN DOGS AND CATS, MANY LIVING INSIDE THE HOUSE—A DWELLING THAT HAS REPORTEDLY BEEN CONDEMNED AS UNLIVEABLE BY UPSON COUNTY BUILDING OFFICIAL PHIL ELLERBEE -- AS THE ENTIRE RESIDENCE WAS COVERED WITH ANIMAL POOP.

SHERIFF KILGORE TOLD ZOOM NEWS HIS OFFICE IS PREPARING CRIMINAL WARRANTS AGAINST THE TWO WOMEN WHO ARE LIVING ELSEWHERE AND CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER JEREMY BLOUNT SAYS HE CITED THEM FOR CARE OF PREMSIS AND HAVING 4 OR 5 JUNK VEHICLES AT THE HOUSE.

WE WERE TOLD, AN UPSON COUNTY DEPUTY AND AN ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER WORE HAZMAT SUITS AS A PRECAUTION WHEN THEY ENTERED THE RESIDENCE TO CHECK IT OUT.

THE DOGS AND CATS , LIVING IN SQUALID CONDITIONS WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE ANIMAL SHELTER WHEN AUTHORITIES DISCOVERED THE HOUSE LAST THURSDAY.

HEAD FOOTBALL COACH ANTONIO ANDREWS LEAVING GRIFFIN HIGH

Coach Antonio Andrews, head coach of the Griffin High School Football program and Griffin High School have mutually agreed to part ways effective February 19, 2019.

“We truly appreciate Coach Andrews’ hard work and efforts toward our football program during his tenure as an assistant coach and head coach,” stated Griffin High School Athletic Director Kennedy Holt

Griffin High School Principal Dr. Darrell Evans stated, “We appreciate the leadership and commitment Coach Andrews has dedicated to our student athletes at Griffin High School. However, our goal is to continue to put students first by providing new leadership that focuses on academics, discipline, accountability and cultivating community partnerships.”

Evans added the recruitment process for a new head football coach will take place over the next few weeks.

PLANE WITH SMOKE,SPARKS IN COCKPIT LANDS SAFELY IN GRIFFIN

GRIFFIN-SPALDING AIRPORT MANAGER ROBER MOHL IS SAYING THANKS TO FIRST RESPONDERS AFTER A SINGLE-ENGINE PLANE WAS LANDING WITH SPARKS AND SMOKE IN THE CABIN JUST BEFORE 1PM TUESDAY.

THE PILOT LANDED SAFELY WITH PROBABLY SOME SORT OF ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE COCKPIT.

UNITS FROM EMS , SPALDING COUNTY AND CITY OF GRIFFIN FIRE DEPARTMENTS, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONDED TO THE AIRPORT.    

BAD WRECK DOWNTOWN THOMASTON TUES 2;30PM

FIRST RESPONDERS ON THE SCENE OF A SERIOUS TRAFFIC ACCIDENT AT THE CENTER STREET/LEE STREET INTERSECTION—DOWNTOWN THOMASTON. ZOOM RADIO WAS AT THE SCENE AND IT APPEARS THERE ARE MULTIPLE INJURIES, INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE CHILD.

A WHITE SUV CAME TO REST ON THE SIDEWALK AGAINST THE HEALTH SPA.

A BLACK INFINITE THE OTHER VEHICLE INVOLVED.

MOTORISTS SHOULD AVOID THE CENTER/LEE STREET INTERSECTION WHILE THOMASTON POLICE AND EMS ARE WORKING THE SCENE.

PERHAPS SPALDING CO. WILL GET A NEW ANIMAL SHELTER

A CHANGE OF PLANS FOR REHABBING THE CURRENT ANIMAL SHELTER IN SPALDING COUNTY. AT MONDAY'S MEETING THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS LIKED AN IDEA TO BUILD A NEW ONE—AFTER A RECOMMENDATION BY ARCHITECT RUSTY MCCALL.

THE ARCHITECT SAYS THE CURRENT ANIMAL SHELTER IS TOO FAR GONE TO TURN AROUND AND WITH THE $1.4 MILLION IN SPLOST MONEY AVAILABLE—PLANS APPEAR TO BE TEARING DOWN THE OLD YDC BUILDING NEAR-BY AND BUILDING A NEW FACILILTY ON THAT FOOTPRINT—IT ALREADY HAS A PARKING LOT.

THAT WOULD SOLVE A PROBLEM ON WHERE TO PLACE ANIMALS WHILE THE CURRENT SHELTER WAS BEING UPGRADED. A FORMAL VOTE ON BUILDING A NEW SHELTER WILL BE ON THE MARCH 4TH AGENDA.

COUNTY MANAGER WILLIAM WILSON GOT PERMISSION TO SPEND $22,000 TO REMOVE THE ASBESTOS FROM THE OLD YDC—WHICH WAS GOING TO BE TORN-DOWN ANYWAY.

IF IT ALL WORKS OUT WILSON SAID WHEN THE NEW SHELTER IS FINISHED THE OLD SHELTER WILL BE USED TO HOUSE GRAVEL AND SALT FOR THE ROADS DEPARTMENT—WHEN THERE'S ICEY ROADS.

THE ANIMAL ADVISORY BOARD WANTS A NO KILL SHELTER STATUS FOR SPALDING COUNTY.  

T-U SCHOOL SYSTEM E-SPLOST FORUM MOVED TO FEB. 25

The Thomaston-Upson School System's ESPLOST Community Forum, originally scheduled for Thursday, February 21, has been rescheduled for Monday, February 25, at 6 PM at the Upson-Lee Fine Arts Center. The UL Fine Arts Center is located on the campus of Upson-Lee High School at 268 Knight Trail.

U-L HIGH PRINCIPAL TO RETIRE

UPSON-LEE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL TRACY CALDWELL HAS ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT AT THE END OF THIS SCHOOL YEAR. HE WILL HAVE SERVED IN THE POSITION FOR 8 YEARS AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL TERM.

THE BOARD OF EDUCATION HAS POSTED THE POSITION.

WOMAN'S BODY FOUND SATURDAY, UPSON S.O.

UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF DAN KILGORE SAYS THE BODY OF A DECEASED WHITE FEMALE IN HER 50'S WAS FOUND IN A CAR IN A WOODED AREA OFF REID PLACE ROAD, SATURDAY.

THE WOMAN HAD BEEN MISSING SINCE JANUARY 9, ACCORDING TO HER FAMILY.

THE SHERIFF SAID IT APPEARS SHE DIED FROM A SELF-INFLICTED GUNSHOT WOUND, BUT THE BODY WAS SENT TO THE GBI CRIME LAB FOR AUTOPSY TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF DEATH.

AGENDA THOMASTON MAYOR AND COUNCIL

MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL – AGENDA
FEBRUARY 19, 2019 – 7:00 P.M.
City-County Meeting Room, Main Floor, R. E. Lee Building

A. Call Meeting to Order / Invocation / Pledge Allegiance to the Flag.

B. Approval of Minutes of February 5, 2019.

C. Adoption of Agenda.

D. Public Comment and Announcements.

E. City Attorney’s Report.

F. Assistant City Clerk’s Report.

G. City Engineer’s Report.

H. City Manager’s Report.

1. Approval of Appointments of Individuals to Serve on the City Committees and Joint Committees – Thomaston Tree Board – Thomaston Zoning Commission – Downtown Development Authority.

2. Downtown Development Authority Oath of Office.

3. Approval of Engineering Professional Services Agreement – Community Development Block Grant.

4. Approval of GEFA Modification Loan CW2017006.

5. Approval of Resolution Amendment No. 3 to Electric Cities of Georgia Intergovernmental Participant Contract – Pole Attachment Services.

I. Other Business.

J. Executive Session.

K. Adjournment.

TORNADO IN HENRY CO. TUESDAY

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE REPORTS A TORNADO TOUCHDOWN IN LOCUST GROVE IN HENRY COUNTY TUESDAY 2;12 TO 1;14PM AND ONE HOME WAS DAMAGED—BUT NO INJURIES.

THE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT, AN EF-ZERO TORNADO WITH PEAK WINDS OF 75 MILES PER HOUR FOR POINT-9 MILES AND 100 YARDS WIDE.

PREVIOUSLY A TORNADO TOUCHDOWN CONFIRMED IN CLAYTON COUNTY IS RIVERDALE.  

UPSON S.O. INVESTIGATING CASE OF ANIMAL CRUELTY

On Thursday February 14, 2019 Upson Sheriff’s Deputies and Upson Animal Control officers responded to 1178 Atwater Rd, Thomaston, in reference to an animal cruelty investigation. A total of 29 cats and 17 dogs were seized from the location and placed at the Upson Animal Shelter.

Nine dogs and 24 cats were found to be living inside the residence in extremely unsanitary conditions. The animals were watered and fed; however, there was an extreme amount of animal feces and urine covering the entire floor throughout the residence.

Seven dogs were found in a pen outside the residence. The pen was also filthy and there was no water present for the dogs.

Five cats were located in a pen outside the residence. They had food and water; but, were living in an extreme amount of animal excrement.

Two females, a mother and daughter, who reside at the address claimed responsibility for the animals. Both are expected to be charged with Cruelty to animals as the investigation progresses.

Upson County has served notice to both females that the residence is unsuitable for human habitation.

This investigation is active and ongoing.

A NEW ROOF FOR UPSON CO. CTHOUSE-$700,000?

THE UPSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE COULD BE GETTING A NEW ROOF THAT COULD COST $700,000—ACCORDING TO COMMENTS BY COUNTY MANAGER JASON TINSLEY AT TUESDAY'S MEETING OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

THE BOARD VOTED TO SPEND $84,000 FOR DESIGN AND ENGINEERING OF A NEW ROOF, AN 8 WEEK PROJECT—DURING MID-SUMMER THAT COULD DISPLACE SOME OFFICES AND COURT—ACCORDING TO CHAIRMAN NORMAN ALLEN. HE INDICATED SPLOST FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE PROJECT, BUT SOME ROAD PAVING MIGHT HAVE TO BE PUT ASIDE.

THE COURTHOUSE ROOF HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR YEARS, BUT THE HEAVY RAINFALL OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS —HAS BROUGHT THE PROJECT TO THE FOREFRONT. COMMISSIONER JAMES ELLINGTON SAID PATCHING IS NOT WORKING, A NEW ROOF IS NEEDED—WITH A SOLID WARRANTY.

CHAIRMAN ALLEN WANTS PUBLIC INPUT INTO THE TYPE OF ROOF—SINCE ITS A HISTORIC BUILDING.

TRAFFIC FATALITY IN PIKE COUNTY THURSDAY

Pike County Deputies responded to a vehicle accident on Highway 19 at Rosehill Road today at 1:00 p.m.. A Nissan Frontier pick up truck that was trying to enter Highway 19 failed to yield to a Chevrolet truck that was traveling northbound on Highway 19. The driver of the Nissan, William Jones , 84 years of age, was deceased at the scene.

Traffic investigators will continue to look into the cause of this accident.

SCTC EMS INSTRUCTOR TONIE BILES NOMINATED

Tonie Biles, Emergency Medical Services Instructor at Southern Crescent Technical College, was recently nominated for the 2018 Georgia EMS Educator of the Year Award given by the Georgia Emergency Medical Services Association.

This award is presented to an EMS Educator who has contributed significantly to EMS education at the community, regional, and/or state level. This person has gone far above and beyond the call of duty, whether in the direct delivery of patient care or in programs offered to the community that enhance the standing of EMS and/or the education of the public.

This award is bestowed by the Georgia EMS Association whose primary mission is EMS advocacy. This award is open to any currently licensed Georgia Level I, Level II, or Level III EMS Instructor who is involved in providing instruction to EMS professionals and others.

Lynnette McCollough, Emergency Medical Services/Paramedicine Program Coordinator at Southern Crescent Technical College said, “We are delighted that one of our own has been nominated and are certainly wishing her the best as her nomination is considered in comparison to the nominations of the other educator candidates. We have a great program at Southern Crescent Technical College and that shows in our commitment to our students and their success.”

All nominees will be recognized and the winner will be announced on Thursday, February 21, 2019 at the 2019 EMS Awards Reception at the Georgia State Capitol.

Upson EMC Service Restored

UPSON EMC REPORTS ALL SERVICE ON ITS SYSTEM WAS RESTORED BY 3AM WEDNESDAY MORNING.

PRESIDENT/CEO NEAL TRICE SAID THE HIGHWAY 109 AREA OF PIKE COUNTY WAS ESPECIALLY HARD HIT BY OUTAGES DURING A STORM THAT BLEW THROUGH THE AREA. 

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IS CHECKING TO SEE IF A TORNADO HIT FOREST PARK AND ELLENWOOD IN CLAYTON COUNTY. TREES DOWNED AND SOME ROOF DAMAGE.

UPSON EMC REPORTS SERVICE DOWN

AS OF 4;30PM TUESDAY --UPSON EMC PRESIDENT/CEO NEAL TRICE REPORTED OVER 1200 CUSTOMERS WITHOUT POWER AFTER STORMS ROLLED THROUGH TUESDAY AFTERNOON—MOST IN PIKE COUNTY CLUSTERED AROUND HIGHWAY 109. SOME ON US. 19 , ABOUT 35 CUSTOMERS DOWN IN THE NORTHERN PORTION OF UPSON COUNTY.

PIKE COUNTY S.O. DISPATCHED TO WORK TRAFFIC AT THE UPSON-PIKE LINE EARLIER AFTER TREES FELL ACROSS POWER LINES AND BLOCKED U.S. 19 .

UPSON COUNTY WAS UNDER A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES AT 2PM.

IN MERIWETHER COUNTY LANES WERE BLOCKED ON GA. 109 AT DOGWOOD CIRCLE DUE TO POWER LINES DOWN.

CLAYTON COUNTY AND HENRY COUNTY WERE UNDER A TORNADO WARNING EARLY IN THE AFTERNOON AND DAMAGE REPORTED IN FOREST PARK AND ELLENWOOD. CLAYTON COUNTY DELAYED SCHOOL BUS ROUTES DUE TO WEATHER CONCERNS.

SOME ROTATION ON RADAR DETECTED IN FAYETTE COUNTY AS A STORM CELL APPROACHED.

STATE CAPITAL UPDATE REP. KEN PULLIN

Legislative Update - Week Four

Rep. Pullin on the floor this week.

Tuesday, February 4, marked the start of a very busy fourth week of the 2019 legislative session. The pace of the session is picking up, and this week brought about notable progress as my colleagues and I convened in the House Chamber for four legislative days and voted on the first bills and resolutions of the session. This week, the House passed several pieces of legislation on the House floor, including important measures like the Amended Fiscal Year 2019 budget and an adjournment resolution that sets the legislative calendar for the remainder of the session.  Additionally, I sponsored House Bill 159 for the City of Molena.  This will move mayor and city council elections to 4 years instead of 2, which will help save the city money because they won't have to have council elections every year.

Aid for South Georgia

A critical item in the HouseAFY 2019 budget includes an additional $10 million for emergency disaster relief to aid our farmers in southwest Georgia who were devastated by Hurricane Michael last October. Our House Appropriations subcommittees came together to include this funding in the AFY 2019 budget to bolster loans for our farmers. This additional funding builds upon the $55 million that was appropriated to the Georgia Development Authority (GDA) during the 2018 special session in November. Since then, the GDA has received 412 loan applications, totaling more than $100 million in assistance requests. Of those 412 applications, 124 have already been approved, and nearly all of the $55 million has been used to secure loans. Southwest Georgia landowners lost $1.6 billion in agriculture commodities, $763 million in forest products and $63 million in agricultural related equipment, and this additional funding will continue to bring much needed relief to hard-working farmers in southwest Georgia. I commend the GDA and the Department of Agriculture for their quick response and helping to secure these loans in less than eight weeks to help our southwest Georgia neighbors.

School Safety

The House version of the AFY 2019 budget prioritizes the safety and well-being of children at school and state facilities in Georgia by appropriating $69.4 million toprovide school security grants of $30,000 for each of the 2,314 school facilities. These school security grants will establish new safety measures for Georgia schools, including charter schools, college and career academies, GNETS facilities and the three state schools.

Chief Judge Christoper Edwards  Griffin Judicial Circuit

Chief Judge Christoper Edwards was at the Capitol this week for the passing of House Bill 28, which I co-sponsored.  A new judge will be appointed by Governor Kemp in January of 2020. This will to add a 5th judge to the circuit. We have a huge backlog of cases in our district, and this additional judge will help get those cases settled faster.

Libby Pullin Under the Gold Dome

Of all the visitors from home this week, I have to admit, my daughter, Libby, was my favorite. It was a treat to have Libby with me on Friday for the day. I am so proud to be her dad.

Junior League in the Capitol

It was great meeting with Rebeka Hect and other members of the Junior League this week! I was proud to recognize them on the floor of the House on Thursday.

4-H

4-H from Upson and Pike came to visit on Thursday. There is nothing I enjoy more at the Capitol than having our young adults come and visit. What a great group!

Upson County Senior Center

It was an honor to host a group from the Upson County Senior Center. The men and women are actively involved in the political process and I was grateful for the opportunity to meet with them and hear their concerns.

UL'S TRAVON WALKER PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Macon Touchdown Club Annual Spring Jamboree Award Winners

Posted on February 5th, 2019 by bryant
Filed Under: POTW, Weekly Update

These players will be receiving awards at our Annual Spring Jamboree on February 18th.

Super Seven Players of the Year
Sergio Allen                            Peach County High School
Justin Harris                            Peach County High School
Amarius Mims                         Bleckley County High School
Keilyn Tyus                              Lamar County High School
Zykeivous Walker                   Schley County High School
Daijon Edwards                      Colquitt County High School

Elmo A. Richardson Player of the Year
Travon Walker                        Upson Lee High School

State Coach of the Year
Dean Fabrizio                         Lee County High School

Ortho Georgia Back of the Year
J.T. Hartage                             Mary Persons High School

Ortho Georgia/Bill Turner Co-Lineman of the Year
Marquez Baxter                      Southwest High School

Ortho Georgia/Bill Turner Co-Lineman of the Year
Trey Bonner                            Jones County High School

Ortho Georgia Special Teams Player of the Year
Adam Musolf                          Tattnall Square Academy

Marvin Davis Coach of the Year
Sheddrick Risper                     Westside High School

Bobby Gene Sanders Memorial Scholarship Awards
Micha  Hattaway                    Mount de Sales Academy
Will Ware                                First Presbyterian Day School
Xavier Darden                         Central High School
McKinley Thompson              Stratford Acaedemy
Jonathan Siegel                      Stratford Academy
David Miles Morris                 Tattnall Square Academy

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Macon Touchdown Club Annual Spring Jamboree, February 18, 2019

Posted on January 9th, 2019 by bryant
Filed Under: Guest Speakers, Weekly Update

On Monday night, February 18th, the Macon Touchdown Club will be holding its annual Spring Jamboree.

We are fortunate to have University of Georgia Head Coach Kirby Smart as our feature speaker this year.

As always, we will meet at The Methodist Home For Children, in The Rumford Center. The address is 304 Pierce Avenue, and the meeting begins at 6:00 pm.

Guest Fee is $40.00, and includes dinner, club activities, recognition of local and state high school athletes, recognition of local and state high school coaches, and the speaker.

Tickets can be picked up at U Park Em U Sell Em, located at 3306 Vineville Avenue, between the hours of 9:30AM and 6:00PM starting on Monday, February 4th. Tickets will be sold as first come, first serve.

Purchase your tickets from Russ

HOOPS DAWGS GET #1 PLAYER

GREAT NEWS FOR THE GEORGIA BASKETBALL TEAM AND THEY NEED SOME GREAT NEWS—ANTHONY EDWARDS THE #1 RATED PLAYER IN THE U.S. COMMITTED TO THE DAWGS MONDAY HE COULD BE A ONE AND DONE FOR THE NBA—BUT ITS THE FIRST TIME THE HOOPS DAWGS HAVE THE #1 PLAYER.

THE 6-4 GUARD WHO PLAYS FOR A PRIVATE SCHOOL IN ATLANTA CAN SHOOT AND HANDLE THE BALL.

TPD=CONVIENCE STORE MANAGER ROBBED

THOMASTON POLICE INVESTIGATING THE ARMED ROBBERY OF A CONVIENCE STORE MANAGER ON EAST LEE STREET AT 12;30AM LAST WEDNESDAY.

THE VICTIM SAID WHEN HE DROVE-UP TO HIS RESIDENCE—TWO BLACK MALES WEARING MASKS PUT A GUN TO HIS HEAD AND DEMANDED CASH. THEY TOOK $220 FROM HIS PERSON AND $130 FROM THE CONSOLE OF HIS CAR AND ASKED WHERE HE HAD THE STORE BANK BAG—BUT HE TOLD THEM HE DID NOT HAVE IT. THEY STOLE HIS CAR KEYS AND FLED ON FOOT TOWARD DOLLAR GENERAL.