INMATE ESCAPE IN THOMASTON

Two inmates from the Spalding County Correctional Institute escaped a work detail in Thomaston on Wednesday, prompting a large manhunt, authorities confirmed.

James Rodney Owenby and Zachery Glenn Rampley, who are both part of the Ghost Face Gangsters, left their detail on Veterans Drive about noon, and several Thomaston police officers and Upson County deputies are searching for them, Upson County Sheriff Dan Kilgore told AJC.com.

Police said the duo stole a city work truck, and it’s unknown which direction they drove. The truck is a white single-cab 2010 Ford F-150, police said in a Facebook post.

At approximately 2:30 am Thursday morning, Zachery Rampley was recaptured without incident in Dalton, Georgia by Whitfield County deputies.

James Rodney Owenby was apprehended hours later around 9:15 a.m. According to the Department of Corrections, he was also captured in Whitfield County.

JUVENILE HEARING CONTINUED ON TEEN SHOOTER

ACCORDING TO GRIFFIN JUDICIAL CIRCUIT DISTRICT ATTORNEY BEN COKER—A TRANSFER HEARING IN SPALDING COUNTY JUVENILE COURT WAS CONTINUED WEDNESDAY AFTER THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE ASKED FOR MORE TIME TO SECURE MEDICAL RECORDS OF THE 16 YEAR OLD FEMALE JUVENILE CHARGED WITH SHOOTING HER MOTHER—SPALDING COUNTY DEPUTY AMANDA MOORE.

A TRANSFER HEARING IS A HEARING TO DETERMINE IF THE DEFENDANT WILL BE TRIED AS AN ADULT.

DEPUTY MOORE WAS SHOT ONCE JUNE 12TH AT HER RESIDENCE ON ETHERIDGE MILL IN GRIFFIN AND HER DAUGHTER WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY A SHORT WHILE LATER WALKING AWAY FROM THE RESIDENCE.   

UGA GETS A COMMIT FROM ANOTHER 5 STAR RECRUIT

A 5-STAR RECRUIT CLASS OF 2020 AND THE #4 RUNNING BACK IN THE U.S. KENDALL MILTON OF CLOVIS, CALIFORNIA COMMITTED TO THE GA. BULLDOGS MONDAY OVER ALABAMA, LSU, AND OHIO STATE.  

Building Real and Symbolic Bridges: A Woman Engineer's Place is on the Worksite

Civil Engineer II Britni McCullough currently manages four major bridge rehabilitation projects in the Georgia DOT's District 3 (West Central Georgia), including the High Falls Road Bridge over Interstate 75 in Lamar County. 

The sun has finally risen over the horizon and Civil Engineer II Britni McCullough’s attention is focused on a team of construction workers slowly closing a lane of traffic on Interstate 75 northbound in Lamar County, setting a diagonal line of orange cones. McCullough is the project manager for the refurbishment of the High Falls Road Bridge over the interstate, and the closure of both a northbound and a southbound lane under the bridge isn’t a task that is taken lightly. Closing the lanes ensures that the crews working under her guidance have the space they need to safely jack the bridge deck and replace the caps, or the buffers between the deck and the columns.

The High Falls Road Bridge project is one of four bridge refurbishments that McCullough is currently overseeing, and all four projects are located on interstates within in District 3. All of these projects are complicated by heavy traffic flow, hence her stern focus on the morning’s lane closures. McCullough has worked as a construction engineer with the Georgia DOT for two and a half years. “I really enjoy construction,” she says. “It’s exciting to see the end result of a design or concept that has been many years in the making, and cost millions of dollars, come to fruition.”

A generation ago, the sight of a woman in a hard hat and sturdy boots on a Georgia DOT work site might have seemed like a novelty but in 2019 it’s becoming more common, especially in District 3. Twenty percent of District 3’s engineers are currently women and they can be found throughout the organization – in construction, maintenance, traffic operations, and preconstruction activities.

Many of District 3’s women engineers say they knew from an early age they wanted a career in engineering. Civil Engineer II Erika Coons says when she was a young girl, she was encouraged to be a teacher but she found her passion with the men in her family. “My grandfathers and dad all wanted to be engineers but none of them pursued it. I worked alongside them on various electrical and mechanical projects and it really sparked my interest.”

As a young woman who enjoyed math and solving complex problems, Assistant Area Maintenance Engineer Noelia Jaramillo started at the Georgia DOT 16 years ago and has worked her way through several positions, including construction inspector I and II and erosion-sediment control liaison. She appreciates the career mobility she’s had while at the Georgia DOT, as well as her ability to make a difference in her community. “My work at the Georgia DOT contributes to building a safe environment for the travelling public, ensuring quality roads and bridges and preserving our natural environment,” she says.

In Macon-Bibb County, Assistant Area Engineer Eureika Thomas dispatches a work crew to reopen a lane closed due to guardrail repair. 

Construction Project Engineer Amanda McCart recently completed work as project manager for the new Poplar Road interchange on Interstate 85 in Coweta County. She says she’s dealt with a few situations where being the woman-in-charge was tricky. “There have been times when contractors and some members of the public didn’t realize I was the project engineer and they’d direct their questions to the men in work crews under me. I do have the support of the men in my projects, though, and that encourages me when handling any negativity.”

Erika Coons understands completely. “Not only am I female, but I’m short in stature so I’ve been mistaken for a shadow or an intern, or sometimes I’m just overlooked. I’ve learned to embrace the underestimation as a means for me to show everyone what I know and can do. Once your contractors and co-workers learn you have just as much knowledge and determination as they have, you gain their respect.”

Assistant Area Engineer Eureika Thomas has some advice for aspiring women engineers considering infrastructure construction for their futures: be flexible but firm. “You have to juggle a demanding career with so many variables. Every day brings some new challenge, and when I think I’ve seen it all, that’s when I experience something completely unexpected. You just have to be ready to jump in and get dirty.”

DAUGHTER ATTACKS MOTHER WITH BUTCHER KNIFE

UPSON COUNTY DEPUTIES ARRESTED A DAUGHTER FOR AN ATTACK ON HER MOTHER WITH A BUTCHER KNIFE.

29 YEAR OLD AMANDA LEAH WATSON OF BRADSHAW ROAD LOT ONE ALLEGEDLY TOLD HER MOTHER SHE WOULD KILL HER, GRABBED A KNIFE AND TRIED TO STAB HER IN THE CHEST , BUT THE MOM BLOCKED THE THRUST AND CUT HER HAND. EMS TREATED THE WOUND AT THE SCENE AND MS. WATSON WAS BOOKED FOR AGGREVATED ASSAULT AND POSSESSION OF A WEAPON IN THE COMMISSION OF A CRIME.

THOMASTON CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP

The Local Caregiver Support Group will meet on Monday Aug. 5 at 4:30 PM at St. Peter the Rock Catholic Church (located at 3594 Barnesville Hwy, also known as Thomaston Road--in Thomaston, GA). 

All caregivers are welcome. This group meets on the first Monday of each month. Caregivers are welcome to bring those they care for. They are also welcome to drop in and head out as needed. 

To sign up for a caregiver newsletter by email, please send an email to qucollins@gmail.com. Contact Caroline at 470-338-8274 for more information.   

Many thanks in advance for all your help in getting the word out! 

STATEMENT FROM UPSON CO TAX COM ANDY CHASTAIN

All 3 governing authorities (County, City, & School), for the last 5 years including 2019, have chosen to go with the rollback millage rate or lower for their Maintenance & Operations expenses. That speaks volumes for Upson County, City of Thomaston, and School leadership and Upson County taxpayers, as surrounding counties, counties with populations our size, and most counties in the state of Georgia have at some point, in the last 5 years, seen an increase in their millage rates.

Upson County Georgia

UPSON CO. BOC APPROVES INSURANCE COVERAGE

WITH CONCERNS ABOUT RECENT COMPUTER HACKING INTO LOCAL GOVERNMENT DATA BASES IN GEORGIA, , THE UPSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, TUESDAY, ADDED A CYBER DECEPTION PREMIUM TO ITS PROPERTY, CASUALTY, AND WORKERS COMPENSATION INSURANCE—A PREMIUM OF $5695.

SCOTT BOATRIGHT OF MCGRIFF INSURANCE SERVICES PRESENTED A PLAN FROM THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY AT INCREASED COSTS OF ABOUT $50,000 TO $471,000 DUE MOSTLY TO WORKMAN'S COMPENSATION AND LAW ENFORCEMENT LIABILITY COVERAGE AND THE BOARD APPROVED IT.

WORKMAN'S COMP UP $43,000, LAW ENFORCEMENT UP $12,000 BASED ON A 5 YEAR RECORD OF CLAIMS. WORKMAN'S COMPENSATION THE LARGEST PART OF THE PREMIUM AT $243,000, COMMERCIAL AUTO $82,000, PROPERTY/INLAND MARINE $48,000 AND LAW ENFORCEMENT LIABILITY $50,000.

COUNTY MANAGER JASON TINSLEY SAID THE COUNTY CLAIMS RECORD HAS BEEN MUCH BETTER THIS YEAR AND IN RECENT YEARS.

GEMA/HS RETIRES READY GEORGIA APP

News Release

GEMA/HS Retires Ready Georgia App
(ATLANTA) – After almost of decade of operation, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency will be retiring its Ready Georgia app. The app was launched in an effort to make Ready Georgia more accessible, but with the launch of the agency’s new mobile friendly site, all Ready Georgia information will still be available on mobile phones and tablets.
“The retiring of this app does not mean that all disaster preparedness information will go away with it,” said GEMA/HS Director Homer Bryson. “It’s quite the opposite. This will allow us to provide a more robust page where we can consistently update preparedness information and real-time disaster news.”
Since its implementation, the app has served as a one-stop-shop to get preparedness information, create an emergency family communications plan and provided a Ready Kit checklist. Georgians can still get that same functionality and information at their fingertips with our mobile friendly GEMA/HS site. The ready.ga.gov/ web URL will continue to operate and that same information will be housed right under the ‘Ready Georgia’ tab on the front page of the website.
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As part of the Office of the Governor, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency collaborates with local, state and federal governments in partnership with private sector and non-governmental organizations to protect life and property against man-made and natural emergencies. GEMA/HS’s Ready Georgia website and preparedness campaign provides Georgians with the knowledge needed to effectively prepare for disasters. Go to www.ready.ga.gov for information on developing a custom emergency plan and Ready kit.

UPSON EMA ASSISTS TALBOT CO. ON RIVER RESCUE

THOMASTON, GA, July 24, 2019― Upson EMA was notified just before 11 PM Sunday night, July 21, 2019, of an overdue person who had been floating the Flint on Sunday afternoon. Talbot County EMA Director Leighann Erinheim contacted Upson County EMA Director Martha Anne McCarty directly via cell and requested mutual aid from Upson’s Rescue Unit.
Cooperative support is a hallmark of Upson EMA’s Rescue Unit. With top-of-the-line equipment and members trained to a high standard of excellence in water operations, Upson EMA gladly assists neighboring counties and communities in their time of need through mutual aid response.
Members of Upson Rescue’s Water Operations Team supplemented by members of the Thurston Volunteer Fire Department assisted in the operation. The following details are from Director Erinheim’s account of the incident, published in the Talbotton New Era newspaper.
At 10:14pm on July 21st the dispatch center for Talbot County was notified of a 38 year old female missing on the Flint River. At that time she had been missing about 45 minutes to an hour. Talbot Sheriff's Office Deputy Riggins Talbot 9 was advised and sent to the Flint River Outdoor center to make contact with the people she had been floating the river with. EMA met with SO at that site and found that they had started their float at 1:00 on the 21st and noticed she had not made it to the center at around 9:00- 9:30. They waited to see if she floated on down but never arrived, so they then decided to call 911 for assistance to locate.
Talbot County Emergency Management Director Leigh Ann Erenheim responded and once on scene was advised the last known location was in the Double Bridges Table rock area of the river. Talbot EMA had units from Flint Hill Fire Department, O'Neal Fire Department and Junction City Fire Department to assist with searching the Double Bridges Road and River Road for possible areas the woman may have gotten out of the river. Upson County EMA and Rescue and Thurston Fire Department responded with UTV's and their Zodiac and raft to assist in needed to extract the woman from the water if she was unable to move to the bank herself. The Spalding County Sheriff's Department Helicopter was requested to be in route to help with locating the woman with lights and Flir. Once the assisting units in the canoe was able to locate the person and assist her to the bank the helicopter was cancelled.
The Fire units on the Double Bridges Road area were able to see a cell phone light on the Table Rock area in the middle of the river. They were able to direct a person in a canoe to the area of site and were able to locate the victim at 1:15. She was then assisted to the bank of the river on the River Road area and carried out by Fire units located at the River Road site. The woman was brought out to Talbot County EMS for evaluation at 1:45 am. The woman was released to her family and all units cleared the scene at 2:15 am on July 22.
Units and agencies involved were approximately 20 people from multiple agencies listed below:
Talbot County Emergency Management Agency
Talbot County Sheriff's Department
Talbotton Police Department
Talbot County EMS
Flint Hill Fire Department
O'Neal Fire Department
Junction City Fire Department
Upson County Emergency Management Agency Search and Rescue Unit
Thurston Fire Department
Georgia State Patrol

Leigh Ann Erenheim
Director: Talbot County EMA/Fire/E911


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GBI INVESTIGATING GRIFFIN MAN SHOT FOR SHOPLIFTING

THE GBI IS INVESTIGATING AN OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING AFTER A SHOPLIFTING INCIDENT AT HOME DEPOT IN RIVERDALE WITH A GRIFFIN MAN THE SUSPECT HOSPITALIZED.

42 YEAR OLD TERRY BRADSHAW OF SPALDING COUNTY WAS CONFRONTED BY POLICE AND THERE WAS A PHYSICAL ALTERCATION AND HE BROKE AWAY AND JUMPED IN HIS TRUCK AND AN OFFICER FIRED AND STRUCK BRADSHAW—WHO IS IN CRITICAL CONDITION AT ATLANTA MEDICAL CENTER. A FEMALE PASSENGER IN THE BULLET-RIDDLED TRUCK WAS QUESTIONED BY OFFICERS.

TWO RIVERDALE POLICE OFFICERS SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES IN THE INCIDENT.

CITY OF GRIFFIN $800,000 LOSS

AT TUESDAY'S MEETING--GRIFFIN CITY MANAGER KENNY SMITH UPDATED THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ON THE FBI INVESTIGATION INTO THE LOSS OF $800,000 BY COMPUTER HACKING.

THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED JUNE 21ST FOR OVER $581,000 AND THE 2ND INCIDENT JUNE 26TH FOR $221,000.

P.F. MOON A COMPANY THE CITY USES FOR WATER TREATMENT FACILITIES SENT AN E-MAIL TO THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT REQUESTING AN ACCOUNT CHANGE AND NEEDED TO UPDATE INFORMATION—AND CITY HALL SAID EVERYTHING LOOKED ON THE UP AND UP.

THE FRAUD WAS FOUND AFTER THE EMAIL ADDRESSES USED FOR THE TWO TRANSACTIONS WAS NOT THE CORRECT E-MAIL.

THE CITY MANAGER SAID LITTLE ELSE CAN BE REVEALED BUT THERE ARE INDICATIONS FROM SUN TRUST BANK IT CAN RETRIEVE THE MONEY IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

ARMED ROBBERY THOMASTON GARDENS APARTMENTS

THOMASTON POLICE CHIEF MIKE RICHARDSON SAYS INVESTIGATORS WENT TO BARNESVILLE TUESDAY TO CHECK ON THE SUSPECT IN CUSTODY WHO MIGHT BE INVOLVED IN AN ARMED ROBBERY AT THOMASTON GARDENS APARTMENTS WEST COUNTY ROAD, MONDAY NIGHT.

A BLACK MALE SUBJECT WAS THE ALLEGED VICTIM, THE CHIEF TOLD US.

ELECTRIC RATE INCREASE COMING IN THOMASTON?

THE THOMASTON MAYOR AND COUNCIL PLANS TO HOLD A TOWN HALL MEETING IN THE FALL WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF MEAG AND GA. ELECTRIC CITIES REGARDING ITS FUTURE OBLIGATIONS TO THE PLANT VOGTLE NUCLEAR PLANT PROJECT NEAR AUGUSTA –A PROJECT MEAG MEMBERS INCLUDING THOMASTON, GRIFFIN, BARNESVILLE, JACKSON , FORSYTH AND OVER 40 OTHER CITIES HAVE OWNERSHIP-IN. THOMASTON CITY HALL HAS INDICATED ELECTRIC RATE INCREASES IN THE NEXT YEAR OR TWO COULD BE NEEDED TO ADDRESS THE DEBT . THE GA. POWER PROJECT COST IS NOW IN THE RANGE OF $25 BILLION AFTER YEARS OF DELAYS AND COST OVERRUNS.

THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL DISCUSSED THE PROJECT AT THE LAST REGULAR MEETING AND MAYOR PRO TEM DOUG HEAD TOLD 101 NEWS —CITY HALL DOES NOT WANT TO KICK THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD—IT WANTS TO DEVELOP A GAME PLAN TO HANDLE THE DEBT.

GA DOT ALERT 1-75 RESURFACING PROJECT

Crews with the Interstate 75 southbound lanes resurfacing project in Henry, Butts and Spalding Counties will be working on the Bill Gardner Parkway exit ramps (exit 212) this weekend. They will be milling and paving the Interstate 75 off ramp to Bill Gardner Parkway on Friday, Jul. 26 from 8:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. Saturday, Jul. 27, 2019, and then doing the same on the Bill Gardner Parkway on ramp to Interstate 75 southbound on Sunday, Jul. 28 from 8:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m Monday, Jul. 29, 2019. While the teams are on the ramps, all lanes will be closed and traffic diverted to other local exits.

Motorists should be alert to signage posted in advance of the closed ramps. Drivers should slow their speeds and be alert to the crews and their equipment while driving through the work zones. If possible, they should anticipate the closed ramps and plan to use an alternate exit. For help planning a route, motorists are encouraged to call Georgia 511.

For the I-75 southbound off ramp to Bill Gardner Parkway (exit 212): 8:00 p.m. Friday, Jul. 26 to 8:00 a.m. Saturday, Jul. 27, 2019

GRAVEL TRUCK WRECK IN UPSON CO. MONDAY

IN UPSON COUNTY A BIG GRAVEL TRUCK BLEW A TIRE AND FLIPPED OVER ON 36 EAST AT QUAD GRAPHICS MONDAY AFTERNOON, SPILLING GRAVEL ALL OVER THE RAILROAD TRACKS—BUT THE DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED.

SHERIFF DAN KILGORE SAID THE RAILROAD COMPANY WAS CONTACTED TO DISPATCH UNITS TO HELP.    

THOMASTON-UPSON BD ED MEETING JULY 18

At the July 18 Board of Education meeting:

1. The board tentavely set the 2019 millage rate at 14.320. This is a rollback from the 2018 rate of 14.330. The Thomaston-Upson School District continues to have the lowest school millage rate within the Griffin RESA district. Final vote on the millage rate will come at the August 13 BOE meeting.
2. Dr. Derico presented the Board with a resolution to increase Thomaston-Upson Board of Education compensation from $50 per meeting to $500per month. The actual amount paid to each BOE member will be contingent upon meeting attendance each month, inclusive of regular meetings, called meetings, and work sessions. Thomaston-Upson Board of Education compensation has remained at $50 per meeting for the past 28 years, having been set when the city and county systems consolidated in January of 1992, and it is currently one of the lower compensations in the state. The resolution passed unanimously and will be sent to State Representative Ken Pullin for his submission as a local act to the Georgia General Assembly during the 2020 legislative session.

SPALDING CO. SO LADIES SELF DEFENSE CLASS

The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office will be hosting a Ladies Self Defense class on August 22, 2019. The class will be held at the Sheriff’s Office (401 Justice Blvd) from 6:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m. Minors, ages 15-17, must be accompanied by an adult. The training is free and limited to the first 20 registered participants. Light refreshments will be served. Topics covered will include the legal aspects of self-defense, situational awareness, and practical aspects of tactics. We suggest wearing comfortable athletic clothing and tennis shoes. For questions and registration please contact klaw@spaldingcounty.com.

SHERIFF DAN KILGORE REPORTS ANIMAL CRUELTY CASE

On Monday July 22, 2019 investigators from  the Upson County Sheriff’s Office arrested Mario Duran Rios, 42, of  Forest Park Ga. for one count of Cruelty to Animals. On the afternoon of  June 21, 2019 deputies responded to property belonging to Rios at 167 Burkett Rd. in reference to a horse living in poor conditions. The Department of Agriculture was contacted and was to respond to the Burkett Road address on Monday. The horse was fed and watered by deputies and volunteers prior to deputies leaving the scene. The following morning, June 22,  deputies again were called to the residence and found the horse to be deceased. During the initial investigation information was provided to law enforcement that the horse was under veterinary care and that nothing could be done to improve it’s health. The subsequent investigation determined otherwise. Based on the overall condition of the horse and the premises, probable cause was established to arrest Rios for Cruelty to Animals.

Rios was arrested and processed at the Upson County Jail. Rios has a condition bond that he not possess any animals until the completion of this case.

A TEEN CHARGED WITH MURDER IN MONROE CO.

On Sunday, July 14, 2019, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office received a phone call from the Chester County Sheriff’s Office in South Carolina asking that MCSO conduct a welfare check at 240 Tingle Road (Jackson) due to information from a juvenile they had taken into custody. Upon arrival, the Deputies discovered the body of Tryeflue Larra O’Neal. The juvenile was identified as Dontae Aiden Krieger, date of birth 08/02/2003, and is the nephew of O’Neal. Krieger was picked up from the Chester County Sheriff’s Office by MCSO Thursday evening and returned to Monroe County. Krieger had his first appearance before the Superior Court Judge Friday morning. Krieger is being charged with Felony Murder and has been denied bond. He is currently being housed at RYDC in Macon.

BAD WRECK IN GRIFFIN FRIDAY AM

MULTI-VEHICLE ACCIDENT WITH MULTIPLE INJURIES SHORTLY BEFORE 8AM FRIDAY MORNING IN GRIFFIN, JUST SOUTH OF CHRONIC AUTOMOTIVE IN THE SOUTHBOUND LANES OF THE NORTH EXPRESSWAY. TRAFFIC WAS DELAYED FOR A TIME.

THE ACCIDENT IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

CITY OF THOMASTON TAX INCREASE? ELECTRICAL RATE HIKE?

AT TUESDAY'S MEETING---STAFF TOLD THE THOMASTON MAYOR AND COUNCIL THEY HAVE SOME TOUGH DECISIONS TO MAKE IN THE FUTURE.

COULD BE A TAX MILLAGE INCREASE NEXT YEAR TO FUND A NEW FIRE STATION, AND A ELECTRICAL RATE INCREASE TO SOFTEN THE COMING BLOW FOR MEAG OWNERSHIP IN THE PLANT VOGLE NUCLEAR PLANT UPGRADE THAT IS A ZILLION DOLLARS OVER BUDGET.

MAYOR J.D. STALLINGS TOLD US GA. DOT IS CONDUCTING A TRAFFIC SIGNAL STUDY AT THE ONE-TIME MUNICIPAL BUILDING ON NORTH CHURCH—TO SEE IF A TRAFFIC LIGHT WOULD WORK THERE. SOMETHING TO HALT TRAFFIC WHEN THE TRUCKS PULLED OUT TO MAKE A RUN. BEHIND THE BUILDING WHERE THE JAIL WAS ONCE LOCATED IS A SITE BEING EXPLORED FOR A NEW FIRE STATION—THAT COULD HOUSE THE NEW LADDER TRUCK NOW PARKED OFF 36 EAST WITH EMS.

UPSON CO. BOC AGENDA 7/23/19

UPSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 6:00 P.M. – Regular Commission Meeting City/County Meeting Room –July 23, 2019 AGENDA I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Norman Allen II. INVOCATION III. PUBLIC COMMENTS Speakers must state their names and address, and must direct all comments to the Board Chair. Any questions must be put in writing and submitted to the Clerk or the Commissioner over your jurisdiction. IV. CONSENT AGENDA a. Regular Meeting Minutes July 9, 2019 V. NEW BUSINESS b. Approve 2019 renewal of property, casualty and workers compensation insurance. Presentation by Scott Boatright, McGriff Insurance Services. c. Presentation by Tyrone Smith on hiring for US Census. d. Approve attentive mileage rate for 2019 tax year. e. Service Delivery Strategy update and discussion. f. Discussion of Highway 19 widening and water infrastructure relocation project. g. Discussion and approval of Three Rivers Regional Area Agency on Aging Contract for services. h. County Manager, Commissioners, and County Attorney Comments VI. ADJOURNMENT

THOMASTON/UPSON CITY AND CO. APPROVE LIBRARY BUDGET

AT A JOINT MEETING TUESDAY AND THOMASTON MAYOR AND COUNCIL AND UPSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED THE JOINT PROJECTS FY 2020 BUDGET FOR THE PINE MOUNTAIN REGIONAL LIBRARY--$185,700 A SMALL DECREASE OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

THE TWO BODIES TABLED THE BUDGET FOR THE GILMORE CENTER FROM THE MCINTOSH TRAIL COMMUNITY SERVICE BOARD—STATING THEY NEED MORE INFORMATION.

THE REQUEST IS FOR $121,000 AND INCREASE OF JUST OVER $8000.

$56,000 FOR SALARIES, $27,000 FOR BENEFITS, $30,000 FOR COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES FOR CLIENTS.

ROAD CLOSURE IN LAMAR COUNTY

ALERT: ROAD CLOSURE

McKenzie Rd will be closed for a period of  two weeks 

This is starting at Martin Dairy Road to Trice Road.  Thru Traffic Only.  

Dixie Pipeline is repairing a gas line under the road.

DOCK FEES GOING UP AT WEST POINT LAKE

PROPERTY OWNERS ON GEORGIA LAKES UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, INCLUDING WEST POINT LAKE ARE FACING A BIG JUMP IN DOCK FREES, AN INCREASE OF OVER 350%.

THE HIGHER FEES ARE NOT SET ASIDE FOR THE LAKES BUT GO INTO THE ARMY CORPS GENERAL FUND. RESIDENTS WANT THE FEES USED TO IMPROVE THE LAKES.

SEVERAL GEORGIA CONGRESSMAN ARE TAKING THEIR CONCERNS TO THE ARMY CORPS INCLUDING CONGRESSMAN DOUG COLLINS WHO LIVES ON LAKE LANIER.

RESCUE ON THE FLINT RIVER SAT.

ACCORDING TO UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF DAN KILGORE FLOATERS ON THE FLINT RIVER HAD TO BE RESCUED SATURDAY AFTER THEY WERE STRANDED ON A SANDY BEACH NORTH OF SPREWELL BLUFF PARK.

28 YEAR OLD DOUGLAS BASSETT OF MILLEDGEVILLE AND TWO LAGRANGE MEN, 25 YEAR OLD TAYLOR FOWLER AND 28 YEAR OLD NOLAN OLIVER WERE FOUND AND REMOVED BY THURSTON SEARCH AND RESCUE AND STATE DNR RANGER WILL SMITH.  

CAR HIT A HOUSE FRIDAY ON SOUTH CHURCH ST-THOMASTON

POST 26 GA. STATE PATROL INVESTIGATED AN ACCIDENT ON SOUTH CHURCH STREET IN THE CITY OF THOMASTON, FRIDAY---A MOTORIST LIFE FLIGHTED TO MACON AFTER HIS VEHICLE HIT A HOUSE .

56 YEAR OLD GEORGE CRAFTER OF PRATER STREET—THOMASTON WAS DRIVING A 2001` TOYOTA SEQUOIA THAT LEFT THE ROADWAY, HIT AN EMBANKMENT AND HE WAS EJECTED.

THE VEHICLE CONTINUED-ON AND HIT THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE AT 904 SOUTH CHURCH—THE RESIDENCE OF LORETTA WEAVER. DAMAGE TO THE LIVING ROOM/BEDROOM AREA OF THE HOUSE. THOMASTON POLICE AND FIRE ALSO RESPONDED.

TWO ACCIDENTS WITH INJURIES CITY OF THOMASTON FRIDAY

TWO ACCIDENTS IN THE CITY OF THOMASTON, FRIDAY AFTERNOON WITH ONE DRIVER WHO HIT A HOUSE—LIFE FLGHTED TO MACON.

ACCORDING TO POLICE CHIEF MIKE RICHARDSON, A BLACK MALE MOTORIST LOST CONTROL OF HIS VEHICLE IN THE 900 BLOCK OF SOUTH CHURCH STREET, HIT AN EMBANKMENT AND WAS EJECTED—BUT HIS CAR CONTINUED-ON AND HIT THE LIVING ROOM/BEDROOM AREA OF THE HOUSE CAUSING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE.

THE P.D. TURNED THE ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION OVER TO [POST 26 GA. STATE PATROL.

LATER ON EAST WALKER STREET NEAR HANDI-MART, A FEMALE MOTORIST EXPERIENCED POWER STEERING LOCK-UP ON HER CAR— LOST CONTROL AND HIT A UTILITY POLE AND OVERTURNED.

SHE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE E.R. BY EMS. WITH BUMPS AND BRUISES—THE CHIEF TOLD 101 NEWS.    

TEEN INJURED IN 4WHEELER ACCIDENT

ACCORDING TO THE UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE A YOUNG YATESVILLE TEEN WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE MACON MEDICAL CENTER AFTER A 4-WHEELER ACCIDENT AT 121 EDWARDS ROAD.

15 YEAR OLD MITCHELL GODDARD WAS NOT WEARING A HELEMT , LOST CONTROL AND FLIPPED, SUFFERING ABRASIONS TO THE HEAD AND BACK. HIS FATHER MIKE GODDARD INSISTED HE BE TAKEN TO MACON BECAUSE HE WAS DIZZY FROM THE MISHAP.  

TWO ARRESTS SPALDING CO. STORE BURGLARY

On July 10, 2019 at approximately 3:00 a.m., members of the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office’s Uniform Patrol Division and Criminal Investigations Division responded to the Chevron convenience store located at 3200 Highfalls Road to a burglar alarm call. Deputies saturated the area after a front window on the store was found broken out and no suspects were located inside. While responding to the location, Crime Scene Investigator Andrew Degler observed 2 male subjects walking near Mangham Road which runs directly beside the store attempting to flag down vehicles. He also found an SUV parked on the side of Mangham Road. CSI Degler notified Uniform Patrol Deputies of the subjects and the Deputies soon located them. They were identified as Dominique Raphael Akins,23, of 2348 Beech Ave. Macon, Ga. and Tyejuan Maurice Taylor, 25, who claimed to be homeless. After on-scene interviews were conducted, both subjects were transported to the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office for further questioning. According to Sheriff Darrell Dix, “Tyejuan Taylor immediately refused to answer questions, however glass particles found in his shoes said a lot for him.” During his interview, Akins admitted to Investigators that he and Taylor drove to Spalding County to “hit a lick”. Akins stated that he parked the vehicle and turned on the emergency flashers, so it would appear disabled while they were away from it committing the burglary. “When they returned to their vehicle after committing the burglary, the battery was dead because Akins forgot and left the radio on. The combination of the radio being left on and the flashers activated at the same time just killed it. That led them to try and flag down vehicles, so they could get out of the area. Unfortunately for them, CSI Degler was driving an unmarked vehicle and they tried to flag him down.” Both have been charged with Burglary. In addition to the Burglary charge, Taylor is facing False Name and date of birth charges when he attempted to conceal his being wanted in other counties on additional charges.