Forsyth police arrest man in Robins Financial Credit Union robbery

Forsyth police have arrested a man who allegedly robbed the Robins Financial Credit Union located at 76 E Johnston Street Wednesday.

 

According to a news release from the Forsyth Police Department, just before 4 p.m., officers went to the bank after the panic alarm was activated. When they made it to the scene, they were told that a man came into the bank with his hand in his jacket pocket and pointed it at the teller, demanding cash.

 

No one was hurt.

 

The release says police captured Michael Loftis and took him to the Monroe County Jail on charges of Robbery by intimidation.

 

Two Griffin men arrested in the theft of Stolen 'Stranger Things' scarecrow

From the Jackson progress-argus, Two Griffin men have been charged with theft by taking in connection with the theft of Gold Lion Farm’s "Stranger Things"-themed scarecrow.

Collin Larson, 17, and Kuat Smith, 20, both of Griffin will be prosecuted for their alleged roles in the crime, according to Lt. Scott Crumley of the Jackson Police Department. 

 

“Basically, we have a car load of a bunch of kids, and one decided he wanted to steal the scarecrow,” Crumley said. “They took it to Monticello and then other kids took different parts of it.”

 

Crumley said local law enforcement went outside Butts County into Henry, Jasper, Putnam and Spalding counties to investigate the theft.

“The parents of these young men and everyone involved are being very cooperative,” Crumley said. “This is definitely a life lesson for these kids. You have to think about the choices you make and head the other way when something doesn’t sound like a good idea.”

Hannah and Cameron Thompson, owners of Gold Lion Farm, created the scarecrow for the Butts County Chamber of Commerce’s Scare on the Square contest. Less than 12 hours after they placed their “Eddie Munson” scarecrow on the courthouse lawn, the scarecrow was stolen. The Thompsons spent about $350 on supplies (a denim jacket, a graphic T-shirt, a special order patch and a black wig) to build the scarecrow.

Thompson is happy to have the scarecrow’s base, a large plastic skeleton, returned. It is one of a pair she and her husband have had for years. It was left behind the mausoleum in the city of Jackson Cemetery. The other items are still being collected.

“This is the best story with the greatest ending. This is a great tale about a small town and how long it took to shake down a crime ring of children,” said Thomspon. “It involves early morning stakeouts, late night teenage parties and leaving evidence in the cemetery.”

In her opinion, the theft of the scarecrow has actually made her storefront safer.

“People would not touch a leaf around our shop now,” she said while crediting local law enforcement for their work on solving the case. “Two folding chairs were left outside our shop during the fall festival and they are still there. No one will touch them.”

Hannah Thompson, center, co-owner of Gold Lion Farm, said she is happy to report that the "Stranger Things"-themed scarecrow stolen from the square has been found and returned, thanks to the efforts of  Jackson Police Department Detectives Scott Crumley and Detective Lynn Collier. The scarecrow was intended to be part of the Butts County Chamber of Commerce's Scare on the Square contest, but it was purloined less than 12 hours after being put on display.

Upson County Superior Court Guilty Pleas

 PLEAS – SENIOR JUDGE MATTHEW SIMMONS

 OCTOBER 31, 2022

 

1. 20R0336 RYAN TEAL CT. 1: THEFT BY TAKING: 12 MONTHS PROBATION; SERVE THE FIRST 124 DAYS IN THE COUNTY JAIL; $100 FINE; 40 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE.

 

2. 20R0316AS SAMUEL WORKENEH CT. 1: VIOLATION OF RACKETEER INFLUENCED AND CORRUPT ORGANIZATIONS ACT: 10 YEARS; SERVE THE FIRST 5 YEARS IN THE STATE PENAL SYSTEM, FOLLOWED BY 5 YEARS ON PROBATION; GANG CONDITIONS. CT. 2: VIOLATION OF RACKETEER INFLUENCED AND CORRUPT ORGANIZATIONS ACT: NOLLE PROSEQUI.

 

3. 20R0316J DERRICK FERGUSON CT. 1: VIOLATION OF RACKETEER INFLUENCED AND CORRUPT ORGANIZATIONS ACT: 20 YEARS, SERVE THE FIRST 18 YEARS IN THE STATE PENAL SYSTEM; FOLLOWED BY 2 YEARS ON PROBATION; BANISHMENT FROM THE GRIFFIN JUDICIAL CIRCUIT; GANG CONDITIONS. CT. 2: VIOLATION OF RACKETEER INFLUENCED AND CORRUPT ORGANIZATIONS ACT: 20 YEARS PROBATION TO RUN CONSECUTIVE TO COUNT 1; $3,000 FINE.

TPD-VANDALS AT GG PARK

 THOMASTON   POLICE  HAVE  IDENTIFIED  5  PERSONS  INCLUDING  A  FEMALE  FOR  $1600  IN  VANDALSM  AT  THE  RESTROOMS  AT  GREATEST  GENERATION  MEMORIAL  PARK  AND  ANTICIPATE  ARRESTS  THIS  WEEK.  CHIEF  INVESTIGATOR  MONICA  SNIPES  SAID  ONE  OF  THE  SUSPECTS  IS  A   17  YEAR  OLD  AND  HE  WILL  BE  CHARGED  WITH   A  FELONY  AND  OTHER FOUR  WILL  BE  CHARGED  IN  JUVENILE  COURT.  POLICE  COULD  HEAR  BANGING  IN  THE  VIDEO  AND  THE  NAMES  OF  "LOGAN  AND  DAKOTA " WERE  MENTIONED.  STALL  DIVIDERS  WERE  KNOCKED  DOWN  IN  THE MEN'S  ROOM  AND  A  BABY  CHANGING  STATION  WAS  DAMAGED  IN  THE  LADIES  ROOM  ON  OCTOBER  24.    ITS  ALSO  SUSPECTED  THEY  ARE  RESPONSIBLE  FOR  VANDALISM  TO  A  NEW  WATER  FOUNDATION  UNDER  CONSTRUCTION  IN  THE  PARK.

D.A. MARIE BRODER REPORTS

 Truth, Justice, and Peace

My offices have been very busy this Fall with trying cases, and I am extremely proud of the work they have done. As prosecutors, we often find ourselves immersed in the minute details of trial work. What are the charges? How do we prove each element of those charges? What evidence do we need to present? What witnesses need to testify? In what order? What will the challenges be to our evidence? What are the case’s weaknesses? How do we combat the defenses?

As you might imagine, prosecutors spend countless sleepless nights answering these questions. Second-guessing themselves. Worrying. Always worrying that they might make a mistake that results in a not guilty verdict or a reversal on appeal. There are no second chances for a prosecutor.

But once we step out of these details and see the forest through the trees, what are we pursuing? Three simple things. Truth, Justice, and Peace.

We want the jury to speak the truth with its verdict. The word “verdict” comes from two Latin terms. “Veritas,” which means “Truth” and “Dictum,” which means to “Speak.” When we put them together, we ask the Jury to speak the truth—to render a verdict.

The second thing we want is for the Jury to provide Justice for the victim and their family. Justice means different things to different people. But for the victim of a crime, oftentimes justice means that the defendant is held accountable for the crimes they committed.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, a prosecutor hopes to bring peace—peace to a family who has often waited years to see a murderer, rapist, or abuser face the consequences of their actions. Grief is a terrible thing that does not run in a straight line, but some parts of the grieving process cannot even begin until the perpetrator faces the consequences of their actions and the cloud of a trial no longer hangs over the heads of a victim or their family.

Truth, Justice, and Peace. These ideals are what a prosecutor seeks.

I want to thank my assistant district attorneys for giving these three words life. They have worked tirelessly over the past few months to try cases and present guilty pleas that resolved cases. They never lost sight of the goal to bring truth, justice, and peace to those who desperately needed it. I also want to thank assistant district attorneys across this State for delivering on these ideals.

I hope all of you enjoyed Halloween with your families. Until next time, be good to each other.

Spalding County investigators searching for supposed vape thief

Do you recognize this man? Spalding County investigators said he's wanted for a recent theft, and they need help identifying him.

Deputies said they believe the suspect in the photos may have stolen several vape pens from the One Stop on North Expressway around 4 p.m. on Oct. 23.

 

At the time, he was wearing a navy blue shirt, black shorts, and black shoes.

 

The suspect had a tattoo of roses on his left forearm.

 

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call Investigator Belcher at 770-467-4282 ext. 31442.

Plane crash in Crawford County Thursday, injures 3

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office are investigating after a plane crashed in Crawford County Thursday morning.

According to a news release from the sheriff's office, just after 10:15 a.m. Thursday, a Cessna 172 plane was attempting to land when it crashed on Rigdon Road off of Highway 128.

 

The pilot and two passengers were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. According to online records, the plane is owned by a Pike County man who runs an aircraft service based at the Thomaston-Upson Airport. 101 news  was  told  two  of  the  occupants  were Jim Vaughn  and Tommy Lenhart.

 

One website that tracks flights says the Cessna took off from Thomaston around 9:40 a.m. and skidded off the Roberta runway about 13 minutes later.

 

The Federal Aviation Administration and CCSO is working to find the cause of the accident.

 

 

UPSON CO PROPERTY TAXES DUE NOV. 14

 REMINDER THAT 2022 PROPERTY TAXES ARE DUE NOV. 14. WE HIGHLY ENCOURAGE TAXPAYERS WISHING TO PAY IN PERSON TO COME IN SEVERAL DAYS PRIOR TO THE DUE DATE TO AVOID WAITING IN LONG LINES. WE ALSO OFFER CARD PAYMENTS OVER THE PHONE AND ONLINE TAX PAYMENTS CAN BE MADE ON THE UPSON COUNTY WEBSITE UNDER OFFICE OF TAX COMMISSIONER; QUICKLINKS; PAY PROPERTY TAX. PAYMENTS MADE BY MAIL MUST BE POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN NOV 14TH TO AVOID PAYING A LATE FEE.

TWO FEMALES INJURED IN THOMASTON PD CHASE

 TWO  FEMALES  WERE  TRANSPORTED  TO  THE  E.R.  TUESDAY   NIGHT     BY  AMERIPRO  EMS   FOR  INJURIES  RECEIVED  IN  A  WRECK  ON  FIRETOWER  ROAD  WHILE  IN  A  CHASE    OUT   74  WEST    WITH    THOMASTON  POLICE.

  ACCORDING  TO  POST    26  GA.  STATE  PATROL,  THE  DRIVER, 35  YEAR  OLD  HEATHER PAYNE  OF  EAST  JONES  ST.  MOLENA,    WAS  ON  DUTY  AT  MIMBS  TAXI  SERVICE  AND     WAS  TRANSPORTING    A  FARE ,  MARY  TURNER,  AGE 58   OF   3RD  STREET,  THOMASTON  TO  THE  E.R.  FOR  CHEST  PAINS  WHEN  SHE  FLED  FROM  POLICE.      THE    VEHICLE,  A  2014  DODGE   JOURNEY,  SLID OFF  WET PAVEMENT     AT  385  FIRETOWER  ROAD,  HIT  A  TREE  AND  FLIPPED  UPSIDE  DOWN  IN   THE   YARD. MS.  PAYNE  WHO  HAD  AN   OUTSTANDING  FELONY  WARRANT    IN  MERIWETHER  COUNTY  AND   CITY  OF  THOMASTON    WAS  LATER  TRANSPORTED  TO  AN  OUT  OF  TOWN  TRAUMA  CENTER.

THOMASTON'S  POLICE  CHIEF MIKE  RICHARDSON   SAID  SPEEDS  REACHED  100 MPH  DURING  THE  CHASE .

Thomaston's Betsy Hueber-Williams has life-threatening injuries in Nashville

A driver is being charged after allegedly hitting a pedestrian at a crosswalk on James Robertson Parkway near the Capitol building Tuesday morning.

James Smallwood, 65, of Madison was given a misdemeanor citation for failure to yield resulting in bodily injury after 65-year-old Betsy Hueber-Williams of Thomaston was “seriously hurt” from the crash.

 

Hueber-Williams was crossing the intersection of 7th Avenue North when she was allegedly hit by Smallwood in a Mitsubishi Lancer.

 

She was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville with life-threatening injuries.

 

Smallwood showed no signs of impairment on scene and was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash.

 

Betsy Huber Williams served as the president of the Upson county Chamber of Commerce for more than 25 years she was also the executive director of the Thomaston Upson development authority.

Upson BOC Recognizes Russ McGee EMS Consultant

 

Inmate's death under investigation in Monroe County, suicide suspected

Deputies are investigating an inmate's death at the Monroe County jail Tuesday evening.

According to a news release from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, just before 6 p.m., a deputy was doing a headcount when he found an inmate that had attempted suicide. 

Deputies and a jail nurse provided medical attention until the arrival of the Monroe County EMS.  

 

EMS took the victim, Charles Leroy Jeffries, 57, to the Monroe County hospital where he was pronounced dead.  

 

The GBI was called in to investigate Jeffries' death.

CITY OF THOMASTON FALL FESTIVAL A BIG HIT

THE  CITY  OF  THOMASTON  FALL  FESTIVAL   FRIDAY    EXCEEDED  ALL  EXPECTATIONS  ACCORDING  TO  DOWNTOWN  DEVELOPMENT  COORINDATOR  TAYLOR  SMITH.  2000  FREE  TICKETS  FOR  THE  KIDS  ZONE  WERE  GONE  IN  THE  FIRST  TWO  HOURS

Georgia College and State University student dies in car accident

A Georgia College and State University student died Friday in an accident near Jackson as she was returning to campus from her hometown.

According to a letter from school President Cathy Cox, the student was identified as Abigail Sovoie, a second-year Public Health major and Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority member from Peachtree City. 

 

“The entire Georgia College community extends its most heartfelt condolences to Abby’s family members, sorority sisters, and friends. On a close-knit campus such as ours, this tragic loss impacts many members of our community,” Cox said in the letter.

UPSON CO VOTING TABULATON MEMO

 

 

   On Election Day Early Processing/Tabulation will begin at 6:00pm – 715 Andrews Drive Thomaston, GA 30286