APARTMENTS DENIED BY T-U JOINT PLANNING COMMISSION

 THE  THOMASTON-UPSON   JOINT  PLANNING  COMMISSION  RECOMMENDED  DENIAL  OF  TWO  APARTMENT  DEVELOPMENTS  AT  A  WEDNESDAY  MEETING.  A  CAIRO,GA.  COMPANY   IS   REQUESTING    ANNEXATION  INTO  THE  CITY       OF    PROPERTY  ON   74  EAST  NEAR  THE  CITY  LIMITS. CHRIS  DODHIA  OWNER  OF  THE  TRAIN  DEPOT  BOTTLE  SHOP  IS  REQUESTING  ANNEXATION  OF  PROPERTY   AT 1072  19  NORTH  THAT  INCLUDES  THE OLD  UPSON DRIVE-IN  THEATRE  SITE .   FOR  APARTMENTS   PLUS   TOWN  HOMES    FOR  RENT  AND  FOR  SALE,  A  GATED  COMMUNITY. 

THE  JOINT  PLANNING  COMMISSION  RECOMMENDED  AN  ANNEXATION  REQUEST  FOR  A  NEW  LAUNDRAMAT  AT  THE  OLD  HUDDLE  HOUSE  BUILDING  ON   19  NORTH.

THE  THOMASTON  ZONING  COMMISSION  WILL  HOLD  PUBLIC  HEARINGS  ON  THE  THREE  ITEMS, MONDAY  OCT.  16TH  AND  WILL  MAKE  A  RECOMMENDATION  TO  THE  THOMASTON  CITY  COUNCIL  FOR A  FINAL  DECISION.  

CITY OF GRIFFIN POLICE OFFICER RESIGNS

 A  CITY  OF  GRIFFIN  POLICE    OFFICER    HAS  RESIGNED  AFTER  DISTRICT  ATTORNEY  MARIE  BRODER   ANNOUNCED  SHE    PLANNED  TO  TAKE  A  GBI  INVESTIGATION  REPORT  ON   OFFICER   D.J.  KING    TO THE  SPALDING  COUNTY  GRAND  JURY.  THE  GRIP  .  COM   REPORTS  GRIFFIN  CITY  MANAGER  JESSICA  O'CONNOR  ANNOUNCED  A  DISCIPLINARY  HEARING  ON  POLICE  CHIEF MIKE  YATES  WAS  SCHEDULED  THURSDAY.  THE  CHIEF  HAD  BEEN   PLACED   ON  ADMINISTRATIVE  LEAVE   RELATING  TO  THE  KING  CASE.  KING'S  HALF  BROTHER  WAS  ARRESTED  ON  MURDER  CHARGES  IN  CONNECTION  WITH  THE  2021  FATAL  SHOOTING  OF  JAVAREIS  REID.   THE  D.A.  SAID  THE  GBI  REPORT  REVEALED  POLICY  VIOLATIONS  BY  THE  OFFICER.

FUN 101 FM WILL AIR LAMAR-PIKE GAME FRIDAY

   THE  ANNUAL  FOOTBALL  GAME  BETWEEN  PIKE  COUNTY  HIGH  AND  LAMAR  COUNTY  HIGH  WILL  BE  IN  ZEBULON  FRIDAY NIGHT  AND  FUN  101  WILL  AIR  THE  GAME  STARTING  AT   7PM. 

Upson County Superior Court Guilty Pleas

PLEAS – JUDGE RHONDA B. KREUZIGER, GJC

SEPTEMBER 25, 2023

 

1. 22R0383 STACY PENNYMAN CT. 1: ROBBERY: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 2: CRIMINAL TRESPASS: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 3: TERRORISTIC THREATS: 5 YEARS, 11 MONTHS TO SERVE IN THE COUNTY, FOLLOWED BY THE REMAINDER ON PROBATION; 40 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE; $500 FINE.

 

2. 22R0430 STACY PENNYMAN CT. 1: BATTERY: NOLLE PROSEQUI.  CT. 2: OBSTRUCTION OF OFFICER: 12 MONTHS PROBATION; $500 FINE. CT. 3: OBSTRUCTION OF OFFICER: 12 MONTHS PROBATION TO RUN CONCURRENT TO CT. 2; $500 FINE. CT. 4: OBSTRUCTION OF OFFICER: 12 MONTHS PROBATION TO RUN CONCURRENT TO CT. 2 & 3.

 

3. 23R0277 STACY PENNYMAN CT. 1: THEFT BY TAKING: 5 YEARS PROBATION TO RUN CONSECUTIVE TO CASE 22R0383; $1,000 FINE. CT.2: THEFT BY DECEPTION: NOLLE PROSEQUI.

 

4. 22R0360 AMANDA BROOKE ELLIOTT CT. 1: TRAFFICKING METHAMPHETAMINE OR AMPHETAMINE: 25 YEARS, SERVE 15 YEARS IN THE STATE PENAL SYSTEM, FOLLOWED BY THE REMAINDER ON PROBATION; $200,000 FINE. CT. 2: POSSESSION OF A SCHEDULE IV CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE: NOLLE PROSEQUI.

 

5. 22R0421 CARRIE TIDWELL CT. 1: THEFT BY SHOPLIFTING: 10 YEARS, SERVE 60 DAYS IN THE COUNTY JAIL, FOLLOWED BY THE REMAINDER ON PROBATION; 80 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE.

 

6. 23R0059 DESTINY HAGEWOOD CT. 1: DISTRIBUTING OBSCENE MATERIALS: 12 MONTHS, 7 DAYS TO SERVE IN THE COUNTY JAIL; 40 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE; $500 FINE.

 

7. 23R0086 KENDRICKUS HOLDER CT. 1: CRUELTY TO CHILDREN 1 ST : ALFORD PLEA-FIRST OFFENDER: 15 YEARS PROBATION; 80 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE; $1,000 FINE. CT. 2: BATTERY: NOLLE PROSEQUI.

 

8. 23R0162 CHRISTOPHER HILLEY CT. 1: POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE- REDUCED- POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE: 15 YEARS PROBATION; 80 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE; $2,000 FINE. CT. 2: WINDOW TINT VIOLATION: NOLLE PROSEQUI.

 

9. 23R0167 AMY PIPER CT. 1: SIMPLE BATTERY, FAMILY VIOLENCE- REDUCED- SIMPLE BATTERY: ALFORD PLEA 12 MONTHS PROBATION; 20 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE; $500 FINE. CT. 2: CRUELTY TO CHILDREN 3 RD DEGREE: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 3: OBSTRUCTION OF AN OFFICER: NOLLE PROSEQUI.

THOMASTON MILK CO. MOVING ON

 MICHAEL  COE  OF  THOMASTON  MILK  COMPANY  INFORMED  COUNTY  PLANNING  AND  ZONING  DIRECTOR  DOUG  CURRIER, MONDAY,  HE  IS  WITHDRAWING  HIS  REQUEST  FOR  A  REZONING  TO  RELOCATE  THOMASTON  MILK  CO.  ON  12  ACRES  AT  KNIGHT  TRAIL  AND  74  EAST.  HE  SAID  HE  MIGHT  LOOK  FOR  A  SITE  IN  PIKE  COUNTY.

THE  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS  DID  NOT  MAKE  A  MOTION  ON  THE  ISSUE  AT  THE  PREVIOUS  MEETING  AND  IT  WAS  SCHEDULED  TO  BE  ON  THE  AGENDA  AT  THE   6;30  MEETING   TUESDAY.

DA MARIE BRODER ANNOUNCES A CONVICTION IN PIKE COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT

 On September 20th , a Pike County jury returned a guilty verdict in the State of Georgia v. Howatdrick Jamal Jones, a 31-year-old man from Woodbury, Ga. The jury convicted Jones of Armed Robbery. They deliberated for just under 15 minutes.The case was tried by Senior Assistant District Attorney Michael Rogers, and the lead investigator was Leon Alpough from the Pike County Sheriff’s Office. Jones was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole. Around 5:00 pm on September, 18, 2020, Howatdrick Jamal Jones entered the First Bank of Pike in Concord, Georgia wearing a red baseball cap, red shoes, a surgical mask, and gloves. He approached the teller and handed her a note that read, “Give me the money before I shoot!!!!” The terrified victim complied with his demand as she believed her life was in imminent danger. Jones left the bank on foot with approximately $4,100. Jones’s latent prints left on the bank note were the key piece of evidence that led to his ultimate conviction. Jones is also implicated in a bank robbery in Meriwhether County. The FBI investigated that case, and the charges are pending in federal court. Two FBI Agents did testify at trial. “I am so thankful to Michael, my Pike County office, the Pike County Sheriff’s Office, the witnesses that testified, and all involved in this case.” District Attorney Broder said of the verdict. “The jury’s verdict sends a resounding message to those who want to enter Pike County to commit crime. Stay out.”

US Nave Hometown Hero!

Fire Controlman 2nd Class Lucas M. Ribeiro, a native of Zebulon, Georgia, uses a sound-powered phone during a live-fire exercise on the fan tail aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4), Sept. 19, 2023. Boxer is a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship currently underway in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Connor Burns)Fire Controlman 2nd Class Lucas M. Ribeiro, a native of Zebulon, Georgia, uses a sound-powered phone during a live-fire exercise on the fan tail aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4), Sept. 19, 2023. Boxer is a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship currently underway in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations. 

(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Connor Burns)

MONTHLY REPORT OF D.A. MARIE BRODER

 The Scent of Evil

One of the most important experiences you will ever have as a prosecutor is to go to a crime scene. I tell my attorneys that you should never try a murder case by walking into a courtroom with pictures and bagged evidence. You need to be on the ground when the yellow tape is still up and the coroner has not yet removed the body. That sounds morbid, but if you are going to convince 12 people that you know what happened in a victim’s final moments, you should be as close as possible to the final act that took their life.

My staff and I have gone to crime scenes at all hours of the night to see what happened and help law enforcement complete an investigation that will stand up against cross-examination in a court room years later. That means feeling blood stick to your high heels after the crime scene team has done their work. That means seeing a cast iron skillet with blood and hair on it after someone’s head was bashed in. And that means smelling death. An experience normally reserved for first responders, coroners, servicemen and servicewomen, medical personnel, and others.

But in all of those encounters with death, nothing prepared me for an unholy act of desecration I experienced a few years ago when I drove out to a scene where two young men had been executed and their bodies set on fire in the back of a truck. I have tried many crimes of passion where the victims were killed by someone they knew. In those cases, the killers still had some bizarre respect for the dead body of the victim. Even if they abandoned the body somewhere, there was some effort to respect the corpse. Not so for the victims in this case. Instead, their killers had tossed them in the back of a truck after executing them and set their bodies on fire.

Everyone at that crime scene was forever changed, myself included, by the sight and smell of two young men burned to pieces with trash tossed on their bodies. Thankfully, the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office went above and beyond to find out how these poor men were killed and what brought them there. We learned that the victims had been lured to a house in Spalding County on the promise of a drug deal. They brought the money and were executed with a shotgun and handgun. Although their intentions were not pure, they did not deserve what happened to them.

One of the killers proudly brandished on social media the cash they took from the victims with a picture alongside an image of the Saint of Death - Santa Muerte.

After hundreds of hours of investigation we found those involved and brought charges against them. I am pleased to report that after a 9 day trial, with over 600 pieces of evidence tendered, the three men that pulled the trigger will spend the rest of their natural lives in prison. One pled guilty to life in prison, and the other two were given multiple life sentences by the Honorable Scott Ballard. I personally tried this case with one of my top attorneys, Senior Assistant District Attorney, Kate Lenhard. Her efforts and the efforts of law enforcement and our staff are why this case was a success.

There are some sights and smells one cannot forget doing this job. But we can at least sleep at night knowing that callous evildoers will never see the light of day.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY MARIE BRODER REPORTS

 On Monday, September 18, 2023, the case of the State v. Andy Darrell Flournoy and Benjamin Keith Lester, was called to trial in the Superior Court of Spalding County. In lieu of a trial, Andy Lester entered a plea to three counts of Armed Robbery, one count of Aggravated Assault, and one count of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. He was sentenced thirty (30) years in prison followed by ten (10) years of probation. Flournoy’s co-defendant, Benjamin Lester entered a plea to three counts of Robbery as a lesser included offense of Armed Robbery. He was sentenced by the Honorable Ben D. Coker in the Spalding County Superior Court to serve eight (8) years in prison followed by twelve (12) years of probation. The State was represented by Assistant District Attorney Audrey D. Holliday. The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office, led by K9 Officer Logan Smith, investigated this case.

At approximately 10:00 PM on April 13, 2023, Flournoy, who was armed with a handgun, and Lester entered the Valero gas station located at North Expressway and Birdie Road wearing masks, and at gunpoint they ordered the store clerk and the store cleaner to the ground in an armed robbery. While Lester kept control of the store cleaner, Flournoy would point the handgun back and forth between the initial two victims to control their movements. Flournoy then ordered the store clerk to give him all the money in the register and to give him her cell phone. Lester ordered the store cleaner to hand over his cell phone as well. During the armed robbery, a customer entered the store and Flournoy pointed the gun at him, ordering him to the ground. Just prior to the armed robbery, K9 Officer, Logan Smith, had seen the defendants come out of the dark wood line with masks around their necks and was suspicious of their activity. Based on his training, experience and instinct, he turned around to go back to the Valero. When Officer Smith entered the parking lot, both suspects were exiting the Valero and when they saw Officer Smith, they began to run, with Flournoy tripping on the curb. Officer Smith saw the firearm when Flournoy exited the store and when the defendants started to run, he released K9 Officer Rambo to assist in the apprehension of the suspects. Officer Smith was quickly able to apprehend Lester behind the store and K9 Officer Rambo quickly apprehended Flournoy

behind the store. Fellow Spalding County Sheriff’s Deputies and Griffin Police Department Officers arrived thereafter to assist Officer Smith in securing the defendants and recovering the firearm. An additional mask and firearm were located in the wood line as well.

“The perceptiveness and follow-through of Officer Smith in recognizing something was not right was key to immediately apprehending the suspects in this armed robbery. Also key to securing a conviction and ensuring Flournoy and Lester, as well as other criminals who attempt armed robberies of convenience stores are taken off the streets of Spalding County, was the security cameras at the Valero store. There were multiple cameras throughout the store and on the perimeter of the store that captured this armed robbery from the beginning to the end. This crime was terrifying for the victims and will continue to cause fear for the victims as they move forward with their lives. Because of the overwhelming evidence in this case, the three victims will not have to go through the additional trauma of participating in a trial and Flournoy and Lester will have plenty of time to reconsider their life paths while sitting in prison. I am grateful to the K9 Officer Smith, K9 Officer Rambo and the members of the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office that assisted in this case. I am also grateful for the assistance of Investigator Misty Gresham and Victim-Advocate Dericka Pruitt of the District Attorney’s Office for all their hard work in preparing this case for trial.” ADA Holliday stated. She continued by stating, “this community cannot tolerate the actions of individuals like Andy Flournoy and Benjamin Lester who think it is okay to terrorize innocent victims for their own gain”

“I echo the sentiments of ADA Holliday. My office will continue to tell those in this Circuit that pursue their own financial gain by committing armed robberies that we will not tolerate it. This case also speaks to the importance of local businesses having security cameras on their property, as that was one of the keys to immediately solving this case” District Attorney Marie Broder said of the crime. “My offices will continue to partner with law enforcement to ensure that those that commit violent crimes are held responsible for their actions.

Upson County Superior Court Guilty Pleas

PLEAS – JUDGE RHONDA B. KREUZIGER, GJC

SEPTEMBER 19, 2023

 

1. 22R0344 CHRISTOPHER GRANT CT. 1: POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE: REDUCED- POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE: 15 YEARS, SERVE 3 YEARS IN THE STATE PENAL SYSTEM, FOLLOWED BY THE REMAINDER ON PROBATION; BANISHMENT FROM THE GRIFFIN JUDICIAL CIRCUIT; $1,500 FINE. CT. 2: POSSESSION OF DRUG RELATED OBJECTS: NOLLE PROSEQUI.

 

2. 23R0276 WAYNE MCDOWELL CT. 1: INTERFERENCE WITH GOVERNMENT PROPERTY: ALFORD PLEA: 2 YEARS TO SERVE IN THE STATE PENAL SYSTEM. CT. 2: OBSTRUCTION OF AN OFFICER: ALFORD PLEA: 5 YEARS TO SERVE IN THE STATE PENAL SYSTEM CONSECUTIVE TO COUNT 1, CONCURRENT WITH CASE #23R0203.

 

3. 23R0203 WAYNE MCDOWELL CT. 1: FLEEING/ATTEMPTING TO ELUDE AN OFFICER: ALFORD PLEA: 7 YEARS TO SERVE IN THE STATE PENAL SYSTEM. CT. 2: FLEEING/ATTEMPTING TO ELUDE AN OFFICER: ALFORD PLEA: 7 YEARS TO SERVE IN THE STATE PENAL SYSTEM CONCURRENT TO COUNT 1. CT. 3: THEFT BY REVEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY: ALFORD PLEA: 7 YEARS TO SERVE IN THE STATE PENAL SYSTEM CONCURRENT TO COUNTS 1 & 2. CT. 4: DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED OR REVOKED: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 5: RECKLESS DRIVING: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 6: WEAVING OVER ROADWAY: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 7: SPEEDING: NOLLE PROSEQUI.

 

4. 23R0210 JASON SHANNON CT. 1: OBSTRUCTION OF OFFICERS: 5 YEARS, SERVE 90 DAYS IN THE COUNTY JAIL, FOLLOWED BY THE REMAINDER ON PROBATION; 80 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE; $1,500 FINE. CT. 2: OBSTRUCTION OF OFFICERS: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 3: OBSTRUCTION OF OFFICERS: NOLLE PROSEQUI.  CT. 4: OBSTRUCTION OF OFFICERS: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 5: OBSTRUCTION OF OFFICERS: NOLLE PROSEQUI.

 

5. 22R0476 FRANCO BARRON CT. 1: POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE: 10 YEARS, SERVE 2 YEARS IN THE STATE PENAL SYSTEM, FOLLOWED BY THE REMAINDER ON PROBATION; $1,500 FINE; 80 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE; BANISHMENT FROM THE GRIFFIN JUDICIAL CIRCUIT.

UPSON CO SHERIFF DAN KILGORE ISSUES A WARNING

 It appears that someone is calling local residents and posing as an Upson Sheriff’s Deputy.  They are advising people they missed jury duty. The caller then advises the individual can avoid arrest by paying a fine over the phone. 

This is obviously a scam. We don’t conduct business in this manner. 

Anyone receiving a call of this nature should hang up immediately and not provide any information

THOMASTON POLICE NAME 3 ARRESTED FOR PPP LOANS

 In November of 2022, CID Inv. Ken Traylor began investigation of loans obtained through the Payment Protection Program (PPP) which had been enacted to help small businesses cover losses incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was later determined that many of the PPP loans obtained by Upson County residents had been granted under fraudulent circumstances, including fabrication of businesses, financial records, and related costs.

 

After extensive investigation, arrest warrants for theft by deception were obtained for Deandre Furlow (29), Jarvis Franklin (31), and Shaterria McDowell (28). These subjects are believed to have acted independently of one another and their subsequent arrests were otherwise unrelated. Additional arrests for theft by deception are expected as the PPP loan fraud investigation progresses.  

Upson County Superior Court Guilty Pleas

PLEAS – JUDGE RHONDA B. KREUZIGER, GJC

SEPTEMBER 18, 2023

 

1. 23R0170 JARRYL SMITH CT. 1: POSSESSION OF COCAINE WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE: 30 YEARS, SERVE 10 YEARS IN THE STATE PENAL SYSTEM, FOLLOWED BY THE REMAINDER ON PROBATION; $2,500 FINE.

 

2. 22R0407 PHILLIPE ROCKEMORE CT. 1: THEFT BY RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY: 12 MONTHS TO SERVE IN THE STATE PENAL SYSTEM TO RUN CONCURRENT WITH CASE #23R0102 & 23R0147.

 

3. 23R0102 PHILLIPE ROCKEMORE CT. 1: THEFT BY RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY: 5 YEARS PROBATION CONSECUTIVE TO COUNT 2, CONCURRENT TO 22R0407 & 23R0147. CT. 2: FLEEING/ATTEMPTING TO ELUDE A POLICE OFFICER: 5 YEARS TO SERVE. CT. 3: CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY IN THE 2 ND DEGREE: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 4: RECKLESS DRIVING: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 5: DRIVING ON WRONG SIDE OF ROAD: NOLLE PROSEQUI.

 

4. 23R0147 PHILLIPE ROCKEMORE CT. 1: ENTERING AUTO: 5 YEARS PROBATION; $500  FINE. CT. 2: THEFT BY TAKING: 12 MONTHS PROBATION TO RUN CONCURRENT WITH COUNT 1 AND CASE #22R0407 & 23R0102.

 

5. 23R0175 GAVION BAKER CT. 1: CRIMINAL TRESPASS: 12 MONTHS PROBATION. CT. 2: THEFT BY TAKING: 12 MONTHS PROBATION TO RUN CONCURRENT TO COUNT 1 AND CASE NUMBERS $23R0183 & 23R0184; $500 FINE; $500 FINE.

 

6. 23R0183 GAVION BAKER CT. 1: BURGLARY 1 ST DEGREE: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 2: THEFT BY TAKING: 10 YEARS, SERVE 3 YEARS IN THE STATE PENAL SYSTEM, FOLLOWED BY THE REMAINDER ON PROBATION TO RUN CONCURRENT TO CASE NUMBERS 23R0175 & 23R0184; $1,500 FINE.  CT. 3: CRIMINAL TRESPASS, FAMILY VIOLENCE: NOLLE PROSEQUI.

 

7. 23R0184 GAVION BAKER CT. 1: FLEEING/ATTEMPTING TO ELUDE AN OFFICER: 5 YEARS, SERVE 3 YEARS IN THE STATE PENAL SYSTEM, FOLLOWED BY THE REMAINDER ON PROBATION ; $1,500 FINE. CT. 2: CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY IN THE 2 ND DEGREE: 5 YEARS PROBATION TO RUN CONSECUTIVE TO COUNT 1 AND CONCURRENT TO CASE NUMBERS #23R0183 & 23R0175. CT. 3: OBSTRUCTION OF OFFICER: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 4: RECKLESS CONDUCT: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 5: DUI : NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 6: DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 7: RECKLESS DRIVIN: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 8: NO PROOF OF INSURANCE: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 9: TAIL LIGHTS: NOLLE PROSEQUI.

 

8. 19R0201 JAMES HICKMAN CT. 1: DUI: REDUCED- RECKLESS DRIVING: 12 MONTHS, SERVE 60 DAYS IN THE COUNTY JAIL, THE REMAINDER ON PROBATION; 30 DAYS COMMUNITY SERVICE; $250 FINE. CT. 2: DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED: NOLLE PROSEQUI.

Upson-Lee NJROTC Cadets Visit The National Infantry Museum in Columbus

On Friday, September 15, twenty-four Upson-Lee NJROTC Cadets traveled to Columbus to visit the National Infantry Museum. They viewed many of the 70,000 artifacts that the museum has preserved to honor the fallen and the serving. The cadets learned more about the Army, the oldest branch of the U.S. Military, and can now bring that knowledge to the Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps of Upson-Lee High School.

 

Murder In Spalding County

             On September 14, 2023, Spalding County Deputies responded to a call of a person shot at 307 Sammy Circle. When they arrived, they located 17-year-old Tavares Pugh suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Wellstar EMS arrived on scene and transported the victim to Wellstar Spalding Hospital where he was stabilized before being transported to an Atlanta area hospital for further treatment. Criminal Investigators, and Crime Scene Investigators were called to the scene and began gathering evidence.

 

Sheriff Darrell Dix, This was not a random act, these people knew each other. It appears that this shooting was the culmination of an ongoing dispute between the suspects and the victim. There is every indication that that the incident was planned by the suspects before they arrived at the house, and it was their mission to shoot Mr.  Peugh."

 

As of now, we have one suspect in custody with two others still being sought.

 

 

                                            

Arrested this morning and charged was:

Calev Bowen W/E 24 voa, 5'04", 200lbs.

Party to a Crime, 

False Imprisonment, 

Kidnapping.

Currently being sought on the following charges are:

Javante Shaquill Wideman-Gowan B/M 30 voa, 6'03" 190 Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime Aggravated Assault Aggravated Battery Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon

Michael O. Eke B/M 25 voa, 6°02" 2.20 Ibs. Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime Aggravated Assault Aggravated Battery

Javante Shaquill Wideman-Gowan and Michael O. Eke are believed to be in a grey Toyota Camry bearing Georgia license plate RMX 6293 that was last believed to have been in the Clayton County area. Caley Bowen is in custody at the Spalding County Jail and currently has no bond.

 

If you have any information regarding this case or suspects you are asked to contact Sgt. Cara Belcher at the Spalding County Sheriff's Office. (770)467-4282.

Upson County Superior Court Guilty Pleas

PLEAS – JUDGE BEN J. MILLER JR., GJC

SEPTEMBER 13, 2023

 

1. 22R0186 REBA ESTES CT. 1: CROSSING THE GUARD LINES: ALFORD PLEA- 4 YEARS PROBATION TO RUN CONSECUTIVE TO COUNT 2; $500 FINE. CT. 2: POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE: ALFORD PLEA- 3 YEARS PROBATION; $500 FINE.

LARGEST CIVIL AWARD IN HISTORY OF UPSON SUPERIOR COURT?

 WHAT  COULD  BE  THE  LARGEST  AWARD  IN  A  CIVIL  CASE  IN  UPSON  SUPERIOR  COURT  HISTORY  WAS  RETURNED  BY  A  JURY, RECENTLY--$2.5  MILLION.  A  NORTH  CAROLINA  MAN,   JOSE  GARCIA,  FILED  A  LAW  SUIT  AGAINST  SOUTHERN  CLEARING  AND  GRINDING  OF  THOMASTON    FOR  DAMAGES .  THE  LAW  SUIT  STATED    THE    COMPANY WAS  CONTRACTED  BY  GA-DOT  TO  CUT  TREES  ON  THE  MEDIAN  OF   1-85  IN  BANKS  COUNTY,  GA  AND  A  TREE  FELL  ON  GARCIA'S  TRUCK  CAUSING    SEVERE  INJURIES. 

UPSON CO TAX COMMISSIONER INFO

  THERE’S BEEN A SLIGHT DELAY IN PROPERTY TAX BILLS BEING MAILED OUT DUE TO A BACK LOG OF REQUESTS BY OTHER COUNTIES FROM THE COMPANY THAT HANDLES THE MAILING OF UPSON COUNTY TAX BILLS. TAX BILLS ARE NOW SCHEDULED TO BE MAILED OUT ON SEPT. 7TH WITH A DUE DATE OF NOV. 15TH . HOWEVER, 2023 TAX BILLS ARE AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME TO BE PAID ONLINE OR IN PERSON AT THE TAX OFFICE. TOTAL # OF PROPERTY TAX BILLS FOR 2023 IS 16,800 FOR AN ESTIMATED TOTAL TAX REVENUE $24,000,000. THIS INCLUDES COUNTY, SCHOOL, & CITY PROPERTY TAXES.