UPDATE ON CITY OF THOMASTON BUSINESS/ICE SKATING RINK

UPDATE ON CITY OF THOMASTON BUSINESS ACCORDING TO TAYLOR SMITH DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR, POPEYE'S CHICKEN DELAYED OPENING TILL JANUARY WHILE WAITING ON EQUIPMENT DELIVERY AND THE BIG YELLOW BARN ON 19 NORTH IS SET FOR DEMOLITION NEXT WEEK, THE SITE OF A NEW HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS.

THE PORTAL IS NOW OPEN AT THE CIVIC CENTER WEBSITE FOR RESERVATIONS FOR THE ICE SKATING RINK TO BE LOCATED AT THE GREATEST GENERATION MEMORIAL PARK STARTING DEC. 10TH.

UPSON FEMALE WOUNDED IN PRIVATE PARTS ID'ED

According to interviews with other residents of the home, deputies determined that Lauren Hunter Daman, 27, was apparently alone inside her bedroom when the gun discharged.

Jordan Allen, who said he owned the firearm, told deputies he was in the kitchen when he heard a gunshot. Upon reaching the bedroom, he found Daman with “a small amount of blood” on her leg. Allen “advised that she started saying that she was sorry. He advised that she told him that she shot herself accidentally.”

Allen told deputies that “Daman has ‘subscribers’ on a sexual web platform called ‘Chatter’” and that she “makes sexual videos of herself and people pay her to see them.” Allen “advised that he thinks that she was recording a video at the time the gun went off.”

A second witness, Addie Ruth Johnson, told deputies that Daman had walked into the home’s living room “saying that she accidentally shot herself.”

It appears that the “web platform” to which Allen referred is actually Chaturbate, a popular adult site that lets models receive “tips” from viewers in return for the performance of requested sex acts. It is unclear whether Daman was broadcasting live when the gun discharged, or whether she was recording a video that would be uploaded to Chaturbate.

UPSON CO TAX SALE

 Upson County’s delinquent property tax sale will be held next Tuesday, Dec. 7th, at the Thomaston-Upson Co Civic Center at 10:00 a.m. Those interested in bidding on the properties should come by the tax office prior to next Tuesday’s sale to sign up. A copy of properties for sale will be provided at that time.

IDA Votes To Purchase Martha Mills Property

DURING THE NOVEMBER MEETING, MONDAY, THE THOMASTON-UPSON IDA VOTED TO EXERCISE AN OPTION TO PURCHASE THE OLD MARTHA MILLS PROPERTY AT 325 GOODRICH AVE. FOR $362,000 FROM VIRGINIA BUSINESSMAN JOHN RUSSELL. FOR THE DEAL TO GO THROUGH RUSSELL HAS AGREED TO CLEAR ALL LEINS AGAINST THE PROPERTY AND TOLD UPSON COUNTY TAX COMMISSIONER ANDY CHASTAIN, MONDAY, A CHECK IS IN THE MAIL FOR 2020 AND 2021 BACK TAXES OF $28,700.

THE IDA HAS FILED FOR A GRANT FOR FUNDS THAT IF APPROVED COULD BE USED TO CLEAN-UP THE SITE. IN THE PAST CITY AND COUNTY GOVERNMENTS HAVE MADE OVERTURES TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY BUT LEGAL ENTANGLEMENTS STALLED EFFORTS.

UPSON CO SEX VIDEO GOES NATIONAL

UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF DAN KILGORE SAYS A NEWS STORY ABOUT A 27 YEAR OLD FEMALE ACCIDENTLY SHOOTING HERSELF IN THE VAGINA DURING AN INTERNET SEX VIDEO HAS GONE VIRAL. IT WAS PICKED UP BY THE NEW YORK POST AND SEVERAL WEBSITES INCLUDING SMOKING GUN DOT COM. ITS THE 2ND MOST VIEWED STORY ON OUR WEBSITE SINCE IT WENT ON LINE IN 2009.

THE SHERIFF SAID HE HAS HAD INQUIRIES FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY ABOUT THE EVENT AT A TRAILER HOME ON MANLEY ROAD. THE WOMAN REPORTEDLY HAS BEEN RELEASED FROM A MACON HOSPITAL AFTER UNDERGOING SURGERY.

BARNESVILLE P.D. INVESTIGATING A FATAL SHOOTING

BARNESVILLE POLICE HAVE ARRESTED A FEMALE RESIDENT AT 722 THOMASTON STREET, THE SCENE OF A POSSIBLE SUICIDE NOV. 19TH. 

45 YEAR OLD DAWN MICHELLE WILSON WAS BOOKED FOR OBSTRUCTION AFTER SHE ALLEGEDLY HIT THE ARM OF POLICE SGT. BELINDA PENAMON AS SHE ATTEMPTED TO SERVE A SEARCH WARRANT AT THE RESIDENCE. THE P.D. SAID MS. WILSON APPEARED TO BE INTOXICATED, AS SHE STRUGGLED WITH OFFICERS.

HER HUSBAND, 45 YEAR OLD RICHARD CHAD WILSON DIED OF A GUNSHOT WOUND THAT COULD HAVE BEEN SELF-INFLECTED. THE DEATH IS  UNDER INVESTIGATION BY BARNESVILLE P.D.

UPSON CO COMMISSIONERS WANT PUBLIC INPUT ON NEW EMS SERVICE

WITH COMMUNITY AMBULANCE BOWING OUT, JOEY THIEL, A RETIRED 20 YEAR EMT URGED THE UPSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO ESTABLISH A COUNTY-OPERATED EMS SYSTEM, AT TUESDAY'S MEETING.

HE PRESENTED THREE OPTIONS AND TOLD THE BOARD IF THEY ALLOW ANOTHER PRIVATE PROVIDER TO ASSUME THE LICENSE THE COUNTY WILL BE IN THE SAME BOAT IT IS NOW, OUTLINING THE NUMBER OF PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED WITH COMMUNITY AMBULANCE.

COUNTY MANAGER JASON TINSLEY EXPLAINED THE PROCESS BUT SAID A COUNTY OPERATED EMS IS DOUBTFUL BECAUSE OF THE FEB. 13TH DEADLINE.

AJC Reports Gordon State Will Keep It's Name

THE GA. BOARD OF REGENTS DECIDED MONDAY IT WILL NOT MOVE FOWARD WITH RECOMMENDATIONS OF AN ADVISORY GROUP TO RENAME MORE THAN SIX DOZEN BUILDINGS AND COLLEGES ON PUBLIC UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES STATEWIDE.

ONE OF THOSE GORDON STATE COLLEGE IN BARNESVILLE NAMED FOR UPSON COUNTY NATIVE GENERAL JOHN B. GORDON, A CONFEDERATE OFFICER WHO WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE KU KLUX KLAN .

ONE GROUP WANTED THE NAME OF HENRY W. GRADY REMOVED FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF GA. JOURNALISM SCHOOL. CRITICS SAY GRADY, EDITOR OF THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION NEWSPAPER AFTER THE CIVIL WAR, SUPPORTED WHITE SUPREMACY THROUGH HIS SPEECHES AND WRITINGS.

AN ADVISORY GROUP HEADED BY ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY'S PRESIDENT REVIEWED NEARLY 900 BUILDINGS AND SCHOOLS NAMED AFTER PEOPLE, COMPANIES, OR LANDMARKS .

THE BOARD OF REGENTS DID NOT EXPLAIN WHY IT DECIDED NOT TO CHANGE ANY NAMES. ACCORDING TO THE AJC, SOME INVOLVED IN THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS SAID IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A CHALLENGE TO CHANGE SOME NAMES AND NOT OTHERS.

UPSON CO FEMALE WOUNDED BY GUNSHOT

THE WORLD OF THE INTERNET BIZARRE IN UPSON COUNTY. ACCORDING TO UPSON S.O. , A 27 YEAR OLD WHITE FEMALE REMAINS IN A MACON HOSPITAL AFTER UNDERGOING INTENSIVE INTERNAL SURGERY AFTER SHE SUSTAINED AN ACCIDENTIAL GUNSHOT WOUND TO THE VAGINA WHILE FILMING A SEX VIDEO.

UPSON COUNTY DEPUTIES RESPONDED TO A MOBILE HOME ON MANLEY ROAD LAST WEEK AND EMS TRANSPORTED THE WOMAN TO THE S.O. COMPLEX WHERE SHE WAS TRANSPORTED TO MACON BY AIR AMBULANCE.

HER BOYFRIEND TOLD DEPUTIES THE FEMALE HAS SUBSCRIBERS ON A SEX WEB SITE, A PLATFORM CALLED "CHATTER", AND THEY PAY TO VIEW HER SEX ACTS. ITS SUSPECTED ONE OF HER SUBCRIBERS MIGHT HAVE REQUESTED SHE STICK A PISTOL UP IN HER LADY PART, AND THE 9 MM PISTOL ACCIDENTLY WENT OFF. HER MOTHER AND ANOTHER MALE WHO LIVED THERE WERE ALSO IN THE HOUSE AT THE TIME. HER BOYFRIEND TOLD DEPUTIES HE WAS IN ANOTHER PART OF THE HOUSE WHEN HE HEARD THE GUN DISCHARGE, AND FOUND THE FEMALE WITH BLOOD ON HER LEG. SHE OFFERED AN APOLOGY TO HIM FOR THE INCIDENT.

A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER SHE CHANGED HER STORY AND SAID SHE AND HER BOYFRIEND WERE ENGAGED IN SEX, PLAYING WITH THE PISTOL AND IT DISCHARGED , BUT THE S.O. IS NOT CONVINCED THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED.

COVID-19 UPSON UPDATE FOR NOVEMBER 15, 2021

The Summer Surge of COVID cases peaked the last half of August for Upson and the surrounding counties, and cases steadily declined through September and October. The pattern shifted during the first half of November and we are now seeing case numbers on a plateau in some counties and on the rise in others.

Upson County saw no change from 17 cases the last half of October, to 17 again for the first half of November. Talbot was the only county with a significant drop, from 11 the last half of October down to only 3 the first half of November. Crawford, Taylor, and Meriwether Counties dropped slightly by 3 cases each. Counties with cases on the rise include Spalding, increasing from 74 cases up to 99 cases, Pike increasing from 10 to 29, Monroe going from 29 to 48, and Lamar with a slight increase from 22 to 24 cases.

The same 4 counties, Spalding, Pike, Monroe and Lamar, that are showing an uptick in cases also have the lowest vaccination rates in the area. And they are the only counties that still have a CDC ranking of High for Level of Community Transmission. The other area counties, Upson, Talbot, Taylor, Meriwether and Crawford, have higher vaccination rates, and lower transmission levels, either Substantial or Moderate.

New COVID-19 Cases (2021)
COUNTY	Aug 16 - 31	Sep 1 - 15	Sep 16 - 30	Oct 1 - 15	Oct 16 - 31	Nov 1 - 15
Upson	331	219	105	32	17	17
Pike	264	202	85	32	10	29
Lamar	312	159	94	38	22	24
Monroe	259	194	86	47	29	48
Crawford	78	76	46	20	8	5
Taylor	96	56	24	13	10	7
Talbot	47	38	35	7	11	3
Meriwether	168	153	82	36	20	17
Spalding	739	700	308	153	74	99
Source: GA Dept of Public Health Daily Reports

% Total Population Fully Vaccinated
Level of Community Transmission
November 15, 2021
	% Vax	Transmission
Georgia	49%	Substantial
Upson County	37%	Moderate
Talbot County	30%	Moderate
Taylor County	29%	Substantial
Meriwether County	25%	Moderate
Crawford County	19%	Substantial
Spalding County	17%	High
Pike County	16%	High
Lamar County	15%	High
Monroe County	13%	High
Source: CDC COVID Data Tracker

4 YEAR OLD INJURED IN THOMASTON WRECK

THOMASTON POLICE CHIEF MIKE RICHARDSON SAID A 4 YEAR BOY WAS LIFE-FLIGHTED TO EGLESTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IN ATLANTA WITH SEVERE INJURIES FROM AN AUTO ACCIDENT ON 74 EAST NEAR THE GILMORE CENTER, FRIDAY MORNING.

4 OTHERS WERE INJURED AND TRANSPORTED TO THE E.R. BY EMS--A MOTHER AND FATHER AND TWO OTHER CHILDREN. CHIEF RICHARDSON SAID THE 4 YEAR OLD WAS UNRESPONSIVE WHEN EMT'S ARRIVED--BUT THEY MANAGED TO GENERATE A PULSE.

THE CHIEF TOLD 101 NEWS--THE AUTO WAS HEADED TOWARD DOWNTOWN THOMASTON ON 74 WHEN IT BLEW A TIRE, CROSSED OVER A LANE AND HIT A CONCRETE BARRIER NEAR THE MIDDLE SCHOOL FOOTBALL FIELD.

THOMASTON PD TURNED THE ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION OVER TO POST 26 GA. STATE PATROL. INITIALLY TWO HELICOPTERS WERE DISPATCHED BUT ONLY ONE WAS NEEDED.

PHONE SCAM REPORTED BY UPSON CLERK OF COURT TERESA MEIER

There is a scam going around and they are using the Clerk’s Office 706-647-5847 telephone number. 

They claim they are with an attorney’s office of Jackson & Freeman and have civil papers to serve you. They tell you they are going to charge you unless you verify your address and the last four digits of your social security number. 

If you get a call from 706-647-5847 please do not answer, and please, never verify or give any of your identifying information over the phone. Please give me a call if you have any questions or if you want to make sure you do not have any civil suits filed against you. You can reach me at my direct line at 706-538-2343

Hall Of Fame Inductees Announced

The Thomaston-Upson Sports Hall of Fame announced the 2022 inductees Thursday night on Fun 101 FM.

The first member of the 2022 class is Phyllis (Yates) Long. Phyllis is a 1970 graduate of R.E. Lee Institute where she was a three-year starter and four-year letterman on Coach Jim Cavan's Lady Rebels’ basketball team. She was named to the AAA All-State team for three consecutive years. After college she became head coach of the Worth Middle School girls’ basketball team. Her teams compiled a record of 104-11 from 1976-86.

The second member of the 2022 class of the Thomaston-Upson Sports Hall of Fame is Gary Thornton. Gary is a 1989 graduate of R.E. Lee Institute where he was a three-year letterman on the Rebels football team. As a wide receiver he earned the Coaches Trophy on the 1988 state champion Lee football team. Following the 1988 season, he was named All-Middle Georgia by the Macon Telegraph. Thornton received a football scholarship to Valdosta State University where he was a starter and two-year letterman.

The third member of the 2022 class of the Thomaston-Upson Sports Hall of Fame is Tyrone Perry. Tyrone is a 1995 graduate of Upson-Lee High School. He was a one-year football letterman at R.E. Lee then earned three letters at Upson-Lee. Perry was named Upson-Lee’s Best Offensive Back in 1992, 1993, and 1994. He was named to the honorable-mention AAA All-State team in 1993 and 1994. Perry still holds the Upson-Lee record for most yards gained in one season with 1553 yards in 1993.

Receiving the Thomaston-Upson Sports Hall of Fame Merit Award this year is Buford Daniel. Buford was a loyal and very supportive R.E. Lee football and basketball fan. In 1986, Daniel was honored by Lee for attending his 57th straight Lee football home opening game.

The team member of the 2022 class of the Thomaston-Upson Sports Hall of Fame is the 1975 R.E. Lee boys’ basketball team. The Rebels of Coach Wallace Rhodes had an overall record of 22-3 and won the Region 6AAA championship with a 17-1 record. They captured 3rd place in the AAA state tournament losing out to eventual national champion Southwest-Macon.

The induction banquet will be held March 12th at the Civic Center. 

(Time To Be Determined)

GRIFFIN POLICE ARREST A PEEPING TOM

On Saturday, November 13, 2021, at approximately 5:00 pm, officers of the Uniform Patrol Division of the City of Griffin Police Department were dispatched to 1569 N. Expressway (Walmart) regarding a suspicious person. 

When officers arrived at Walmart, several witnesses gave statements regarding a suspicious male in the men's bathroom taking photographs of other males over and under the stalls in the bathroom. The witnesses stated they and others waited outside the bathroom to confront the male. However, upon seeing everyone, he fled the store on foot. Store employees captured the male on video surveillance and the vehicle that the male used to leave the area. 

Officers notified other officers to be on the lookout for the male. Officers located the male and the car in the area. He was detained and questioned about the incident at Walmart. He admitted that he had been to Walmart but denied taking photos in the bathroom. Officers conducted further investigation, determined where the male was living and executed a search warrant finding evidence beneficial to the investigation. 

Officers arrested Montavis Dixon, age 25, for Eavesdropping, Peeping Tom and Loitering, and Prowling. The investigation is still ongoing, and additional charges may be forthcoming. The officers' dedication and willingness to follow through with this investigation brought this case to a successful conclusion.

COMMUNITY AMBULANCE LEAVING UPSON AND LAMAR COUNTIES

MACON-BASED COMMUNITY AMBULANCE HAS NOTIFIED UPSON COUNTY AND LAMAR COUNTY THAT IT WILL DISCONTINUE EMS SERVICE ON FEB. 13TH 2022. THE COMPANY WAS NOT CHARGING THE TWO COUNTIES FOR THE SERVICE, ONLY COLLECTING TRANSPORT FEES.

THE UPSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION LETTER FROM COMMUNITY AMBULANCE ON MONDAY, BUT LAMAR COUNTY COMMISSION CHAIRMAN CHARLES GLASS TOLD 101 NEWS WEDNESDAY, THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED A LETTER BUT HAVE BEEN TOLD THE SERVICE WILL BE DISCONTINUED. THE LAMAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WERE SCHEDULED FOR A CONFERENCE CALL WITH STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS WEDNESDAY BUT IT DID NOT HAPPEN AND ITS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY AT 1PM. CHAIRMAN GLASS SAID HE HOPES TO KNOW MORE AFTER THAT MEETING.

UPSON COUNTY COMMISSION CHAIRMAN NORMAN ALLEN SAYS STATE LAW GOVERNS THE EMS BUSINESS AND DISTRICT 4 HEALTH EMS COUNCIL IS EXPECTED TO ACCEPT PROPOSALS AND RECOMMEND THE NEW PROVIDER.

COMMUNITY AMBULANCE TOOK SOME HEAT IN UPSON COUNTY FROM THE PUBLIC OVER ITS RESPONSE TIMES, BUT COUNTERED IT FACED PERSONNEL SHORTAGES DUE TO COVID-19. LAMAR COMMISSION CHAIRMAN GLASS SAID HIS COUNTY HAD ITS UPS AND DOWNS WITH THE COMPANY BUT SERVICE IMPROVED ONCE THEIR STAFF NUMBERS ROSE. ALL IN ALL, CHAIRMAN GLASS TOLD US THEY DID THE BEST THEY COULD.

U-L GRAD PROMOTED BY THE GBI

A THOMASTONIAN HAS BEEN PROMOTED TO ASSISTANT DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE GBI CRIME LAB.

DENEEN SCOTT KILCREASE IS A 1995 GRADUATE OF UPSON-LEE HIGH SCHOOL. DENEEN GRADUATED FROM GEORGIA TECH WITH HONORS IN 1999 WITH A BACHELOR DEGREE OF SCIENCE IN CHEMISTRY.

HER PARENTS ARE KATHY MCGLON AND THE LATE BOBBY MCGLON OF THOMASTON AND DAVID AND DARNELL SCOTT OF MOLENA.

MS. KILCREASE BEGAN HER CAREER WITH THE GBI IN 2000 AS A LAB TECHNICIAN AND CURRENTLY RESIDES IN CONYERS, GA.

A ONE ARMED JOCK TO SPEAK AT UPSON-LEE

KEVIN ATLAS, A ONE ARMED JOCK WITH A M0TIVATIONAL MESSAGE FOR YOUTH WILL ADDRESS UPSON-LEE STUDENTS FRIDAY AT 9;15 AT THE U-L FINE ARTS CENTER. 

IN 2019 ATLAS TEAMED UP WITH VARSITY BRANDS WHOSE MISSION IS TO ELEVATE STUDENT EXPERIENCES THROUGH SPORT, SPIRIT, AND ACHIEVEMENT. NEARLY SEVEN FEET TALL, HIS LEFT ARM DISCONTINUED JUST BELOW THE ELBOW, ATLAS EARNED A FULL BASKETBALL SCHOLARSHIP TO MANHATTAN COLLEGE, THE FIRST DISABLED PLAYER IN NCAA HISTORY TO GET A FULL RIDE IN DIVISION ONE.

UPSON CO COMMISSIONERS PRESS RELEASE FOR EMS SERVICE

The Upson County Board of Commissioners received a notice of non-renewal of the ambulance service from Community Ambulance on November 15th. The company’s final day of operation will be February 13, 2022. 

The company indicated they also intend to voluntarily surrender their designation as the 911 zone provider for the Upson County Emergency Response Zone. 

“Community has expressed a desire to work towards a smooth transition to a new EMS provider and we fully expect them to fulfill their commitment and obligations through the end of their contract,” County Commission Chairman Norman Allen “The county has a long history of partnering with providers to ensure quality emergency medical services and we look forward to capitalizing on this new opportunity to improve or expand these services, when possible,” noted Allen. 

County Board members and staff will follow the Request for Proposal (RFP) process closely as the Region 4 EMS Council works to recommend a new provider to the Georgia Department of Public Health Office of EMS.

COMMUNITY AMBULANCE TO END EMS SERVICE TO UPSON CO

 COMMUNITY  AMBULANCE  HAS   NOTIFIED  THE  UPSON  COUNTY  BOARD  OF  COMMISSIONERS  IT  WILL  DISCONTINUE  EMS  SERVICE  FEBRUARY  13, 2022. COMMUNITY  AMBULANCE  HAS  PROVIDED    EMERGENCY   MEDICAL  SERVICES  FOR  UPSON  COUNTY  SINCE  2014.  IN  THE  LETTER  TO  THE  COMMISSIONERS, JOE  ROBINSON,  VICE  PRESIDENT  EMERGENCY  MEDICAL  SERVICES  FOR  COMMUNITY  AMBULANCE--SAID " OUR  GOAL   IS  TO  ACHIEVE  A  SMOOTH  OPERATIONAL  TRANSITION  TO  THE  NEW  EMS  PROVIDER  AND  WILL  WORK  DILIGENTLY  TO  THAT  END."

COMMISSION  CHAIRMAN  NORMAN  ALLEN  TOLD   101  NEWS  THE  EMS  BUSINESS  IS  GOVERNED  BY  STATE  LAW  AND   THE  4TH   DISTRICT  EMS  BOARD  WILL  ACCEPT  PROPOSALS  AND  APPROVE  THE  NEW  PROVIDER.  IN  THE  LETTER,  ROBINSON  SAID" THE  COMPANY  IS  COMMUNICATING  TO  THE   GA.  DEPARTMENT  OF  HEALTH,  OFFICE  OF  EMS  AND  TRAUMA  OUR  INTENT  TO  VOLUNTARILY  SURRENDER  OUR  DESIGNATION  AS   THE  911  ZONE  PROVIDER  FOR  THE  UPSON  COUNTY  EMERGENCY  RESPONSE  ZONE."

COMMUNITY   AMBULANCE   HAS  FACED  SOME  HEAT  FROM  THE  PUBLIC  OVER  RESPONSE  TIMES  AND  THAT  PUBLIC  SENTIMENT  HAS  HAD  THE  ATTENTION  OF  THE  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS.  COMMUNITY  AMBULANCE  HAS  BLAMED  COVID-19  FOR  A  SHORTAGE  OF  PERSONNEL,  BUT  EMS  COMPANIES  ALL  OVER  THE  U.S.  HAVE  BEEN  IN  THE  SAME  SITUATION,  AS  THERE  APPEARS  TO  BE  A  SHORTAGE  OF  TRAINED  EMT'S  NATIONWIDE . 

UPSON LEE MIDDLE SCHOOL ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL JEFF WHEELESS RECEIVES OUTSTANDING AP AWARD

ULMS Assistant Principal, Mr. Jeff Wheeless on being awarded the Hal Beaver Georgia Outstanding Assistant Principal award by the Georgia Association of Middle School Principals (GAMSP) at their annual awards ceremony on Sunday, October 25, at Lake Lanier. Mr Wheeless was nominated for this award by GAMSP Executive Director, Dr. Robert Heaberlin. This is the second occasion that Mr. Wheeless has been recognized with an outstanding assistant principal award during his tenure at ULMS. 

Pictured l-r: TU Assistant Superintendent Dr. Amy Miller; ULMS Principal and current GAMSP President Rhonda Gulley; ULMS Assistant Principal Jeff Wheeless; TU Superintendent Dr. Larry Derico

FORMER THOMASTONIAN A HERO

 A  MONROE  COUNTY  MAN  FORMERLY  OF  THOMASTON,  CHRIS  BURKETT,  AGE  47  DIED  ALONG  WITH  TWO    FEMALES    WHEN  A  FREIGHT  TRAIN  HIT  AN  SUV,   STUCK  ON  THE  TRACKS,  ABOUT   A MILE WEST OF  THE  GA.  PUBLIC  SAFETY  TRAINING  CENTER,  WEDNESDAY   EVENING. 

ACCORDING  TO  THE  MONROE  COUNTY  SHERIFF'S  OFFICE,    TWO  VICTIMS  WERE  INSIDE  A  FORD  FLEX  WHEN  IT   BECAME  STUCK  AND  BURKETT  WAS  TRYING  TO  FREE  THE  VEHICLE  WHEN THEY  WERE  HIT  BY THE  TRAIN.  THE  TWO  FEMALES  IDENTIFIED  AS  SHIRLEY  TREADWELL,  93  AND  DEBRA  RUTH  HALL,   AGE  66  BOTH OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 

THE  ACCIDENT  HAPPENED  AT A  PRIVATE  RAILROAD  CROSSING  BETWEEN  U.S.  41  AND  1-75.  AT  GOODWYNE  AND  COLLIER  ROADS. 

WRECK DOWNTOWN THOMASTON THURSDAY

 THOMASTON  POLICE  DEPARTMENT   RESPONDED  TO  THE  NORTH-WEST  SIDE OF  THE  COURTHOUSE  SQUARE   INTERSECTION   AROUND  3PM     THURSDAY  TO  A  TWO  VEHICLE  ACCIDENT  WITH  A  LUXARY  SUV  COMING  TO  REST  ON  THE  SIDEWALK  IN  FRONT OF  COLONY  /SOUTHCREST  BANK.

CORPORAL BRANDON  DIX OF  THE  PD  TOLD   101 NEWS  AT  THE  SCENE  AN  OLDER  BLACK  FEMALE  AND  A  MID-30'S  WHITE  MALE  IN  A  CHEVY    MALIBU WERE  TRANSPORTED  TO  THE  E.R.  BY  EMS. THE  FEMALE  DRIVER  OF THE  INFINITI  SUV  SEEMED  TO  BE  O.K.  BOTH  VEHICLES   HAD  MODERATE  TO  HEAVY  DAMAGE.  CORPORAL  DIX  SAID  THE  ACCIDENT  IS  STILL  UNDER  INVESTIGATION. 

MISSING FLORIDA TEEN SUSPECT IN UPSON CO JAIL

UPSON  COUNTY  SHERIFF  DAN  KILGORE  TOLD   101  NEWS  WEDNESDAY  AFTERNOON  THE  SUSPECT  IN  THE  DISAPPEARANCE  OF  A  SOUTH FLORIDA  TEEN--JONTAI  AUSTIN  ,  AGE  27  OF  PHENIX  CITY,  ALABAMA  HAS  BEEN  BOOKED  INTO  THE  UPSON  COUNTY JAIL ON A FELONY  CHARGE  OF  INTERSTATE  INTERFERENCE  WITH  CHILD  CUSTODY.

16  YEAR  OLD  MIA  BRAILFORD OF  DELRAY BEACH,  FLORIDA  WENT  MISSING  OVER  THE  WEEKEND  AT  THE  LAWHORN  SCOUTING  BASE--AND   WAS  LOCATED  AT    AUSTIN'S    RESIDENCE  IN  PHENIX CITY, ALABAMA  ON  MONDAY.   SHE   HAS  SINCE   RETURNED  TO  FLORIDA  WITH   HER  MOTHER.  THE  SHERIFF  SAID  THE  TWO  MET    VIRTUALLY   RECENTLY  AND PERFORMED  A  RAP  VIDEO  TOGETHER  ON  INSTRAGRAM.  ITS  SUSPECTED  AUSTIN  PICKED UP  THE  GIRL  NEAR  THE  SCOUTING  BASE,  SATURDAY NIGHT  AND  SHE  MISSED  ROLL  CALL  SUNDAY  MORNING  AT  A  JROTC  EVENT.

THE  MISSING  TEEN   STORY  MADE  NATIONAL  NEWS.  SHERIFF  KILGORE  SAID  "GOOD  MORNING  AMERICA " REACHED  OUT  TO  HIM  AND  IT  HAD   MEDIA   COVERAGE  FROM  ATLANTA  TO MIAMI.

DURING  TUESDAY'S MEETING  OF  THE  UPSON  COUNTY  BOARD OF  COMMISSIONERS,  CHAIRMAN NORMAN  ALLEN  PRAISED  THE  WORK  OF  THE  SHERIFF, HIS  OFFICE,   OTHER  LAW  ENFORCEMENT  AGENCIES,  STATE  DNR,   AND  VOLUNTEERS  WHO   PARTICIPATED    IN  THE  SEARCH  FOR  THE  TEEN.  PHONE  DATA  FROM  THE  GBI  AND  FBI  LEAD  TO HER  LOCATION.

3RD DISTRICT U.S. CONGRESSMAN DREW FERGUSON SALUTES VETERANS

 An Open Letter to America’s Heroes

 

Dear Veterans and families,

 

Our country has a rich history of men and women answering the call of duty. There is no greater sacrifice than putting oneself in harm’s way in service to your country. That sacrifice, patriotism, and service are what we recognize on this very special day.

 

For decades, residents of this great state and nation have recognized November 11th as Veterans Day, a time to commemorate, honor, and thank those who have protected our freedom serving in the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Coast Guard.

 

Georgians are known for our patriotism; it is in our nature to understand and sincerely value the many sacrifices made by members of our Armed Forces. We take great pride in showing the veteran community our appreciation and support throughout the entire year.

 

Every day in my district office here in Georgia, we work to assist veterans with obtaining their military records and medals, with questions they have concerning eligibility for benefits provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and with those who may be experiencing difficulties with the VA Health Care System or the VA claims and appeals process.

 

After President Biden's hasty and bungled withdrawal from Afghanistan in August, many veterans and servicemembers felt abandoned and left behind by their Commander in Chief. For any of you who may still be dealing with the aftermath of this dark moment in American history - whether you're a current or former servicemember - please don't hesitate to reach out to my office. I have compassionate staff on hand ready to serve you however we can. Folks may call my Newnan District Office at 770-683-2033 or visit ferguson.house.gov for more information and resources.

 

Too many times, we’ve experienced painful lessons from sending our brave men and women into harm’s way without properly preparing for their healthcare costs and psychological needs when these heroes return home. This means we need to work twice as hard to ensure our veterans and their families receive the care and benefits owed to them.

 

I thank each of you for your service and can assure you that as long as I am in Congress, your needs will remain a priority for my staff and me. The debt we owe you is immeasurable. Your sacrifices, and those of your families, are freedom’s foundation. Without the brave efforts of all of you – soldiers, sailors, airmen and women, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen and women and your families – our country could not be free.

 

On this Veterans Day, I extend my heartfelt thanks to all who have worn the uniform of the United States Armed Forces. Happy Veterans Day!

 

###

 

Rep. Drew Ferguson represents Georgia's Third Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives and serves on the House Ways and Means Committee. Ferguson is chief deputy whip for the House Republican Conference.