Thursday, February 29, 2024

UPSON CO/SKELTON ROAD RE-OPENED

 UPSON  COUNTY  HAS  ANNOUNCED SKELTON  ROAD  HAS  BEEN  RE-OPENED  BUT  REPAIRS  ARE NOT  FULLY  COMPLETED.  PLEASE  USE  EXTREME  CAUTION.

IN GA QUALIFYING BEGINS MONDAY

 QUALIFYING  BEGINS  MONDAY   IN  GEORGIA   FOR  THE  MAY  21ST  PRIMARY

UPSON CO BD ELECTIONS LAST DAY TO MAIL OUT ABSENT BALLOTS

 Friday, March 1, 2024 is the last day to mail out absent by mail ballots.  All requests for ballots should be in the Elections office by 3/1/24 to processed.

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

UPSON BOC 2/27/24

 UPSON  COUNTY  BOARD   OF COMMISSIONERS  APPROVED  THE  PURCHASE  OF  TWO   PICK-UP  TRUCKS  AT  THE  FEB.  27TH  MEETING  FROM  WADE  FORD.  F-250   4  BY 4  FOR  WATER  DEPARTMENT  $64,000,  A  REPLACEMENT  VEHICLE.  FOR  THE  ROADS  DEPARTMENT  AN  F-250  2  BY  4 $47,000 


HIGHLINE  COMPANY  GAVE  AN  UPDATE  ON  INSTALLATION  OF  INTERNET  SERVICE  USING  GRANT  FUNDS  , COUNTY  AND COMPANY  INVESTMENT.  THE  PROJECT  SHOULD  BE  COMPLETED  BY  MID-SUMMER.  CHAIRMAN  NORMAN  ALLEN  CALLED  THE  FIBER  A  GAME  CHANGER  FOR  THE  COUNTY. 


COMMISSIONER  PAUL  JONES  SAID  HE NEVER  THOUGHT  UPSON  COUNTY  WOULD  HAVE  FIBER  IN  HIS  LIFETIME.

GRIFFIN COMMISSIONERS MET 2/27/24

 AT  TUESDAY'S  MEETING  THE  GRIFFIN  CITY  COMMISSIONERS  APPROVED   $2000  IN  DUES  TO  REMAIN  A  MEMBER  OF  THE  1-75 CENTRAL  CORRIDOR  COALITION  WORKING  TO  GET  AN  ATLANTA-MACON-SAVANNAH  INTERCITY  PASSENGER  RAIL  LINE  APPROVED  BY  G-DOT. 

ATHENS MAYOR PLANS NEW SECURITY MEASURES

    FOLLOWING  THE  MURDER  OF  A  NURSING  STUDENT  ON  THE  UGA  CAMPUS--  MAYOR  KELLY  GIRTZ  ANNOUNCED  NEW  SECURITY  MEASURES  IN   ATHENS  TO  BE  MANNED  24/7  AT  A   PRESS CONFERENCE  WEDNESDAY  AT THE  POLICE  DEPARTMENT. HE  WAS  FREQUENTLY  INTERRUPTED  BY  PROTESTERS  CLAIMING  CITY HALL  HAD  BLOOD ON  ITS  HANDS  AS  A   SANCTURY  CITY--SOMETHING  HE  AND  THE  POLICE  CHIEF  DENIED.


CONGRESMAN  MIKE  COLLINS  OF JACKSON  WHO  REPRESENTS  ATHENS  CLAIMED  THE  BLOOD OF  LAKEN  RILEY  IS  ON  THE  HANDS  OF  THE  PRESIDENT  AND  ATHENS-CLARK COUNTY  GOVERNMENT

PIKE BOC APPOINTMENT TO TAX ASSESSORS

 AT  TUESDAY'S MEETING--THE    PIKE  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS  APPOINTED  CHRISTOPHER  TEA  TO  THE  BOARD  OF  TAX  ASSESSORS  UNEXPIRED   6  YEAR  TERM.   APPROVED--A   RIDE   ON  ROLLER    FROM  PUBLIC  WORKS  IMPACT  FEES--$48,000 .


DISCUSSION  OF  YEAR  2023  PROPERTY  TAX  ON  2.29  ACRES  ON  HIGHWAY  19  IN  NAME  OF  THE  ESTATE  OF  JERRY  COLWELL.  MOTION  TO  DENY  CARRIED   4-1-COMMISSIONER  PROCTOR OPPOSED.

UPSON CO ADVANCE VOTING

Advance Voting/Absentee By Mail Daily Results
Election Date: MARCH 12, 2024
PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE PRIMARY
DATEADVANCE VOTINGABSENTEE BY MAILDAILY TOTAL
2/19/24 Monday |761591
2/20/24 Tuesday861096
2/21/24 Wednesday82789
2/22/24 Thursday89796
2/23/24 Friday|70676
2/24/24 Saturday58159
2/26/24 Monday|9910109
2/27/24 Tuesday|1103113
Grand Total AIP - 670
Grand Total ABM – 59

YELLOW JACKET SHOALS UNDER THE GOLD DOME

 YELLOW   JACKET  SHOALS  IN  UPSON  AND  TALBOT  COUNTY   ON  THE  FLINT  RIVER  IS  IN  THE LIMELIGHT  AS  THE  2024  SESSION OF  THE  GA.  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY  ROLLS  ON.  THE  GA.  HOUSE  PASSED  A  MEASURE  MONDAY  GUARANTEEING   GEORGIANS  THE  RIGHT  TO  HUNT  AND  FISH  IN  THE  STATE'S  NAVIGABLE  RIVERS  AND  STREAMS.

DECATUR  DEMOCRAT  MARY  MARGARENT  OLIVER  OF  DECATUR  URGED  LAWMAKERS NOT  TO  ACT  ON  THE  BILL BECAUSE  A  2ND LAWSUIT FILED  BY  RELATIVES  OF  THE  LATE  SUPERIOR  COURT JUDGE  BEN  J. MILLER  SR.  REMAINS  PENDING IN  TALBOT  COUNTY  SUPERIOR  COURT.


REPRESENTATIVE  DAVID  JENKINS  WHO  REPRESENTS  MERIWETHER,  TROUP,  AND  COWETA  COUNTIES  SAID  HE  REJECTS  THE  FALSE  NARRATIVE  THAT  THE  FLINT  RIVER  IS  A  PRIVATE  WATERWAY.

A  PREVIOUS  LAWSUIT  FILED   IN  UPSON  SUPERIOR  COURT BY  THE  FAMILY  OF  THE  LATE  DR.  SAM  BREWTON  WAS  AIMED AT PROTECTING  PRIVATE  PROPERTY  RIGHTS  AT  YELLOW  JACKET  SHOALS.  THE  BILL  NOW HEADS TO  THE  GA.  SENATE--BUT  OPPONENTS  WONDER  HOW  TO  DETERMINE  WHICH  OF  GEORGIA'S  WATERWAYS  ARE  NAVIGABLE  AND  WHICH  ARE  NOT.

$7.3 MILLION FOR NEW SAFETY INITIATIVES AT UGA AFTER STUDENT'S DEATH

 Laken Hope Riley‘s murder has stirred fears and stoked political firestorms. The 22-year-old nursing student was out for a morning run at the University of Georgia when authorities say a stranger dragged her into a secluded area and killed her.

On Tuesday, UGA officials announced a series of comprehensive enhancements to its campus safety initiatives, totaling an investment of more than $7.3 million.

A motorcycle rider is dead in Monroe County after an incident Monday.

In a media release, the Forsyth Police Department says officers were called to the Ingles Grocery Store on Tift College Drive. Once there, officers found a wreck had happened in the parking lot involving an SUV and a motorcycle.

Investigators confirm the motorcyclist, who has not been identified, died from his injuries.

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

YOUTH LEADERSHIP UPSON SELECTED WASHINGTON YOUTH TOUR DELEGATE

Upson County resident Lily Baity has been chosen to participate in the 2024 Washington Youth Tour, an all-expense-paid leadership experience sponsored by Georgia’s electric membership cooperatives, including Upson EMC.

For more than 50 years, the tour has helped promising student leaders to become exceptional young adults. According to Brooke Parrott with Upson EMC, the Youth Tour was established to inspire the next generation of leaders. This year’s tour offers opportunities for students to meet policymakers, tour historic monuments and participate in leadership experiences, all while making new friends from across the state and the nation.

Teens on the tour are challenged to consider the part they play in government and to understand the cooperative business model to become engaged citizens and to learn about careers in public service.

5 students from the Youth Leadership Upson program were interviewed by out-of- town judges. After completion of the interviews, Lily was selected and will join other Georgia high school students who have been selected by their local EMCs.

Georgia’s tour delegates will convene with more than 1,800 youth representing electric cooperatives across the nation and exchange views concerning local and national issues.

The 4 other students who completed interviews were Aisha Derico, Chacie Bailey, Gracie Daniel, and Sarah Kate Bennett.

TOP TEN CORPORATE TAXPAYERS FOR UPSON CITY-2023 TAX YEAR

 

NAMEASSESSMENT CITY TAX AMT % TOTAL LEVY
West GA Generating30,453,522174,5609.86
Wal-Mart 6,220,02635,6532.01
Standard Textile4,983,57627,9121.58
Home Depot4,694,64726,9101.52
GA Power 15,101,06425,2111.42
Ingles3,514,74320,1461.14
Gran Bio2,683,38715,3810.87
Harbor View 2,216,11712,7030.72

Pacific Management 
(Providence Healthcare)
2,192,03712,5640.71
Pacific Management 
(Northcreek Shopping Center)
2,120,00012,1520.69

TOP TEN CORPORATE TAXPAYERS FOR UPSON COUNTY-2023 TAX YEAR


NAMEASSESSMENT COUNTY TAX AMT % TOTAL LEVY
Southern Natural Gas 20,412,405250,8792.71
Solo Cup23,390,326233,4562.52
Interfor17,797,235200,0912.16
Quad-Graphics17,885,014198,6212.14
West GA Generating30,453,522196,4252.12
GA Powering15,101,064156,0391.68
Southern Mills19,104,70596,6031.04
Ranew’s 4,219,31148,9020.53
Wal-Mart6,220,02640,1190.43
Upson EMC3,341,85537,6940.41

Ed Searcy II, Announces Candidacy for Upson County Commission Chairman

I am Ed Searcy II, a candidate for Upson County Commission Chairman. My wife Janice and I have three children and one granddaughter. I am a Local Pastor, Founder and Executive Director of a youth foundation having served over 500 youth in our community. I was a 19-year business owner, a Past-President of Upson County Ministerial Association, a Kiwanis member having held several positions, received leadership awards and, currently I am the Kiwanis Human and Spiritual Values Chair of Georgia. Additionally, I am a candidate for Vice-Governor of Kiwanis, and I was one of ten chosen Pastors of the Year by the Atlanta Gospel Choice Awards sponsored by Church’s Chicken in 2015. These accomplishments were obtained from within our community from the support of our community.

I mentioned my accomplishments not to inflate myself but to show my leadership skills and abilities on various local, state, national, and international levels. I am currently working with State Elected Officials from Atlanta to Washington, DC on Congressional Funding for our community. My work and I are no strangers to our City and County Officials, our Schools System, our Juvenile Court Officials, most business owners, and citizens. The experience that I bring with positive established relationships in and around our county engenders building collaborations, which can bring unity, socioeconomic strengths, and growth to our community, while keeping our small-town appeal and agricultural presence with a modern-day feel without taxations will be my goal. My pledge is to do my best to bring our county generational inclusiveness by grooming our young people to work collaboratively with our seasoned citizens which includes listening to the people, educating the people, and doing right by the people of Upson County to progress our county. Education will come by soliciting donated time from professionals in areas of concern by holding community forums, town hall meetings and other unifying activities creating transparency. Together we can make Upson County, “The County that Cares!” Please remember, "A vote for Ed moves Upson ahead."

NEW INFO IN THE DEATH OF LAKEN RILEY ON UGA CAMPUS

 A man accused of killing a nursing student on the campus of the University of Georgia also allegedly "disfigured her skull," according to new arrest affidavits.

Jose Ibarra, a 26-year-old who federal officials said entered the country illegally, is facing multiple murder and assault charges in the death of 22-year-old Laken Riley. The new court documents also show he is accused of dragging Riley to a secluded area and is facing a charge of concealing the death of another person.

Authorities have not released details on how Riley was killed, only saying that her death was caused by blunt force trauma and that Ibarra allegedly used an object for a weapon. They did not specify what type of object was used. Athens-Clarke County Coroner Sonny Wilson said that an autopsy report will become available in the next several weeks.

Court documents say the crimes were committed between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Thursday.

T-U IDA CALLED MEETING WED

 THE  THOMASTON-UPSON  DEVELOPMENT  AUTHORITY  WILL  HAVE  A  CALLED  MEETING  WEDNESDAY  8AM   AT  THE  UP  ON  THE  SQUARE  RESTAURANT  NEAR  SLICES  PIZZERIA  ON  WEST  GORDON  STREET.  IT  WILL  BE  AN  EXECUTIVE  SESSION.  THE  IDA  IS  IN  THE  PROCESS OF  HIRING  A  NEW  DIRECTOR  AND  REPORTEDLY  IS  IN  THE  FINAL  STAGES  OF  IN-PERSON  INTERVIEWS.

TWO NEW FOOTBALL COACHES UGA

 


ATHENS, Ga. --- Georgia football is adding James Coley as wide receivers coach and Josh Crawford as run game coordinator/running backs coach, according to an announcement from head coach Kirby Smart Monday.

 

Coley is replacing Bryan McClendon, who is now the Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receivers coach, and Crawford is filling the spot vacated by Dell McGee, who is Georgia State’s new head coach

PIKE CO FIRE DEPART REPORTS

 Pike County Fire Department responded to a reported fire at 1316 Smyrna Church Road, Sunday, February 25, 2024, at 4:15 pm.  Residents stated they started a fire to burn off some brush.  The wind changed direction several times causing fire to spread rapidly. PCFD fire personnel and Northside Volunteer Fire Department units worked to control the fire spread until Georgia Forestry Commission arrived to contain the fire.

PCFD personnel responded to multiple outdoor burning calls over the weekend.  As of July 1, 2021, the Georgia outdoor burning requirements have changed.  No permit is required for hand-piled natural vegetation/yard debris meaning leaf and limbs only.  Although no permit is required, citizens are encouraged to always check the Fire Weather Forecast and Current Fire Danger Rating for their area before initiating any type of outdoor burn.  Please visit Georgia Forestry Commission’s website, gatrees.org Burn Permits and Notifications for more information.


UPSON EMC WASHINGTON YOUTH TOUR/LILY BAITY

 Upson County resident Lily Baity has been chosen to participate in the 2024 Washington Youth Tour, an all-expense-paid leadership experience sponsored by Georgia’s electric membership cooperatives, including Upson EMC. For more than 50 years, the tour has helped promising student leaders to become exceptional young adults. According to Brooke Parrott with Upson EMC, the Youth Tour was established to inspire the next generation of leaders. This year’s tour offers opportunities for students to meet policymakers, tour historic monuments and participate in leadership experiences, all while making new friends from across the state and the nation. Teens on the tour are challenged to consider the part they play in government and to understand the cooperative business model to become engaged citizens and to learn about careers in public service. 5 students from the Youth Leadership Upson program were interviewed by out-oftown judges. After completion of the interviews, Lily was selected and will join other Georgia high school students who have been selected by their local EMCs. Georgia’s tour delegates will convene with more than 1,800 youth representing electric cooperatives across the nation and exchange views concerning local and national issues. The 4 other students who completed interviews were Aisha Derico, Chacie Bailey, Gracie Daniel, and Sarah Kate Bennett.

UPSON CO REPUBLICAN PARTY MEETING

 Our March 14th meeting will begin at 6 pm.  Dinner will be served from 6-6:30, meeting to begin at 6:30pm.  Come and meet Representative Robert Dickey, Philip SIngleton running for House District 3, Heather Rush, running for Tax Commissioner!!  It is an exciting year to be involved in your local Republican Party.   

The District Convention will be on March 23rd.  This is where we nominate district, state and national delegates. 
Our location for both events is 103 E Thompson Street, Thomaston.  

Gordon State College Enhances Student Leadership Academy, Welcomes New Cohort

BARNESVILLE, Ga.,–Gordon State College Division of Student Affairs sought out aspiring student leaders in the fall of 2023 to join its revitalized Student Leadership Academy. A handpicked cohort of 30 individuals were awarded the opportunity to partake in a program designed to cultivate deeper understanding, purposeful action, and a stronger sense of community.

 

“The pandemic created a significant gap in recruiting and retaining student leaders causing many higher education professionals to think differently about how we train our student leaders. This provided us with an opportunity to review our current practices and find ways to improve them to fit today’s students,” said Dr. LaToya Stackhouse, GSC dean of students.

 

There are several leadership roles available at the Academy, such as Community Leaders, Gordon Orientation Leaders (GOL), Campus Activity Board (CAB), and the Student Marketing Team. Each division necessitates specific skills and offers a diverse range of responsibilities. This program was a collaborative effort between all departments across the Division of Student Affairs that consists of Counseling and Accessibility Services, Student Life, Housing and Residence Life, Student Health, and the Dean of Students. The team worked together to establish a curriculum centering the five pillars -The Five C’s: change, communication, caring, connection and character.

 

“Students who hold leadership positions on campus develop a strong sense of belonging and purpose which increases their chance of graduating from college,” Stackhouse said.

 

The latest program model comprises of eight interactive lessons and discussions spanning over one hour each. These sessions foster servant leadership and involve student leaders and their instructors. Currently, the Student Affairs team takes on the role of instructors, guiding different groups through each session.

 

Current Student Leadership Academy cohort includes: Latayla Billingslea, Faith Wilson, and Dionna White from Newton County; Saray Castro, Haja Kamara, Janaya Jean, I’sis Robinson, Kelly Sarmiento, Kiarra Thomas, William Shiflett, and Michelle Mills from Henry County; Makayla Dorsey from Coweta County; Sabrina Fania from Rockdale County; Doyd Fletcher and Lashaunda Turnipseed from Dekalb County; Peige Davis-Hudson, Ashley Giles, Trevion Harris, Jada Maddox, Makaylah Somuah, Mahki Stephens, and Khalil Washington from Clayton

 

County; Idaya Hales, Alyssa Reisen, and Noel Henderson from Fayette County; Jacquelyn Harris from Athens-Clarke County; Shakerria Hudson from Hall County; Nathaniel McDougall from Spalding County; and Ryann Simmons and Elicia Williams from Bibb County.

 

Founded in 1852, GSC is a member of the University System of Georgia. The college has a distinctive legacy of excellent scholarship and service. GSC offers nearly 30 degrees, which includes multiple associate and baccalaureate pathways for students. With an enrollment of over 3,100 students, GSC offers an intimate academic setting with state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories. In this setting, students receive individualized attention that only a small college with dedicated faculty and staff can provide

DPH Recognizes URMC for Completing Maternal Levels of Care Verification

Thomaston, GA February 26, 2024 – The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has recognized Upson Regional Medical Center for successfully completing the Maternal Levels of Care II verification.

Each level of care provides guidelines to help ensure mothers and infants receive care in a facility that has the personnel and resources appropriate for their level of risk. The maternal levels of care range from basic care (level I), specialty care (level II), subspecialty care (level III), and regional perinatal health care centers (level IV).

 

The Department of Public Health has verified that Upson Regional Medical Center has the capability to provide Level II maternal services. Maternal varication level criteria are based on the current American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) national standards.

 

Hospitals seeking maternal verification through DPH are required to complete a site survey led by the Joint Commission every three years.

 

“The Georgia Department of Public Health congratulates Upson Regional Medical Center for successfully completing the Maternal Levels of Care designation process. It is DPH’s hope that other birthing hospitals will also consider the designation process. Working together we can have a positive impact on the health and well-being of Georgia mothers and babies," said Erin Smith, RN, BSN, Program Manager, Maternal and Neonatal Designation Center at DPH.

 

Upson Regional Medical Center is one of four hospitals in Georgia to be listed as a verified Maternal Levels of Care II facility on the Department of Public Health website. For more information about maternal levels of care, visit dph.georgia.gov/maternal-and-neonatal-center.

 

To learn more about Upson Regional Medical Center and the services offered, visit, urmc.org and follow Upson Regional Medical Center on Facebook and Instagram.

Thomaston's Colonel Brue Announces Campaign for Chairman, Board of Commissioners

Retired Colonel and Thomaston resident, Dan Brue, has announced that he will be on the Republican Primary Ballot as a candidate to be the next Chairman of the Upson County Board of Commissioners.


Brue retired from the Army in 2021 after 34+ years of service. He holds two Masters degrees. One is in Educational Leadership, and the other is in Information Technology Management. He also graduated from the US Army War College while completing an International Relations fellowship at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Brue was inducted in to the US Army Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame in 2019. He is currently the Assistant General Manager at The Home Depot Direct Fulfillment Center in Locust Grove.

His statement follows:


“I am asking for your support to become the next Chairman of the Upson County Board of Commissioners. I feel honored by the citizens of Upson County who have reached out and encouraged me to run. I do not think of this election as running against others; rather, I am running for the citizens of Upson County.


As Chairman, I promise to be a public servant and a transformational leader. People who know me know I have no desire to be known as a politician. Politicians are generally not leaders. I have spent my adult life leading diverse organizations both in the military and corporate America. I build teams; I solve problems, and I find efficiencies to save resources (people, time, and money---our tax dollars). People who have worked for me before generally want to work for me again. Those are qualities we should expect from leaders. My goal is to provide the right organizational leadership to establish a shared vision, set policies, manage priorities and resources, and enable our community to thrive.


I mentioned our tax dollars earlier. I want to be clear that those are our (the taxpayers’) dollars. I always want the best deal possible no matter what I am purchasing; I have worked too hard to provide for my family to be frivolous. The government should want the same whether it is purchasing goods, services, or real property. We probably all know someone who overextended themselves on a financed purchase who then was ill prepared to deal with an unexpected or emergency expense. Maybe you helped them out and hoped they learned a life lesson. Unfortunately, it seems governments never learn life lessons because they have the power to tax. As your Chairman, I will never forget whose tax dollars are being spent, and I will keep that foremost in my mind when making decisions about budgets, projects, and making Upson County a place where people want to live, work, and enjoy. And then, if something does happen to break and need repairs or replacement, we’ll be in a better position to provide options for our citizens.

Twelve years ago, while serving in Italy, I found a house in Upson County on the Internet. My wife, Dana, said, "That's our house." We researched Thomaston and found that it was once named one of the best small towns in America. We purchased our forever home just a few

months later. I truly want Thomaston and Upson County to be a thriving, welcoming community with that small-town USA feel---that is why we made it our home.


After moving to Thomaston in 2012, Dana and I opened Southern Stitches Quilt Shop. I also renovated four store fronts downtown, providing Dana a new quilt shop location and other small businesses quality retail locations at affordable prices. To me, it was about improving our community, revitalizing the downtown and providing opportunities. I am also a farmer; we raise American Dairy Goat Association registered Nigerian Dwarfs. Being a husband, a father, a grandfather (Papa), a veteran, a small business owner, a developer, and a farmer and oh, by the way, I have a full-time job----that is who I am. What I am not----is a politician. And that fact alone probably makes me more qualified to represent the people of Upson County than anything else.

Many in our community know that I am a retired Army Colonel. Some will certainly ask, “How does being a Colonel make you the perfect candidate to be our Chairman.” The short answer is being a Colonel in and of itself---doesn’t. No military rank does. However, my life experiences which allowed me to rise to the rank of Colonel---leading and caring for Soldiers and Civilians and their families at home and abroad, leading complex organizations, managing budgets exponentially larger than that of our county, planning and executing large scale operations, solving problems, and building and inspiring teams to believe and do things they thought were not possible---those things do.


I promise the citizens of Upson County that I will be available. I will be transparent. I will be who I have always been. You can learn more about me at www.brueforga.com. I humbly ask for your support, your prayers, and your vote during the upcoming Republican Primary.”

Sunday, February 25, 2024

U.S. ATTORNEY ON FAKE GREEN CARD

Undocumented Venezuelan Man Charged with Possessing 
Fake Green Card ATHENS, Ga. – An undocumented man residing in Athens—who is the brother of the suspect charged with murdering a woman on University of Georgia’s campus—was charged tonight by federal criminal complaint with possessing a fraudulent green card and is currently being held in state custody. Diego Ibarra, 29, of Venezuela, is charged by criminal complaint with possession of a fraudulent document. Ibarra’s initial appearance has not yet been scheduled. 
If convicted, Ibarra faces a maximum of ten years in prison. Diego Ibarra is the brother of Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26, of Venezuela, who is facing state charges for malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call and concealing the death of another in the death of Laken Hope Riley. According to the criminal complaint and sworn affidavit, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) was made aware of Ibarra’s undocumented presence in the United States on Feb. 23, 2024. An Athens-Clarke County Police Department (ACCPD) officer approached Ibarra earlier today because he matched the description of a suspect in the homicide investigation. Ibarra presented the officer with a U.S. permanent resident card (also called a green card) as identification. The card was determined to be fraudulent. Ibarra is a citizen of Venezuela and was processed for expedited removal but claimed a credible fear of return to Venezuela. He was consequently released from immigration custody pending adjudication of his claim for asylum on April 30, 2023. According to the criminal complaint and sworn affidavit, since entering the country, Ibarra has been arrested three times by Athens law enforcement: on or about Sept. 25, 2023, Ibarra was arrested by ACCPD for driving under the influence of alcohol and driving without a license; on or about Oct. 27, 2023, Ibarra was arrested by ACCPD for theft by shoplifting; and on or about Dec. 8, 2023, Ibarra was arrested by ACCPD for failure to appear for a fingerprintable offense. The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with critical assistance from FBI, GBI, Athens-Clarke County Police Department, University of Georgia Police Department and Clarke County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Morrison is prosecuting the case. A

BOND DENIED SUSPECT IN NURSING STUDENT DEATH ON UGA CAMPUS

BOND  DENIED  26  YEAR  OLD JOSE  ANTONIO IBARRA  IN  AN  ATHENS  COURT  AFTER  HE  WAS  ARRESTED  FOR  THE  MURDER  OF  NURSING  STUDENT  LAKEN  RILEY  ON  THE  UGA  CAMPUS.  GOVERNOR  BRIAN  KEMP  IS  DEMANDING  ANSWERS  FROM  THE  FEDERAL  GOVERNMENT  AFTER  REPORTS  IBARRA   OF  VENEZUELA  ,  CROSSED  ILLEGALLY  INTO  THE  U.S.  IN  EL PASO,  TEXAS  IN  SEPTEMBER OF  2022.  HIS OLDER  BROTHER  WAS  ALSO  ARRESTED  FOR  A  FAKE  GREEN  CARD.

FUNERAL SERVICES FOR LAKEN RILEY

 FUNERAL  SERVICES  HAVE  BEEN  SCHEDULED  FOR  LAKEN  RILEY,  THE  NURSING  STUDENT  FOUND  DEAD  ON  THE  UGA  CAMPUS IN  ATHENS. VISITATION  WILL  BE  NOON  TO  2PM  MARCH I,  WITH  SERVICE  AT  2PM  AT  WOODSTOCK  CITY  CHURCH.  POOLE  FUNERAL  HOME  IS  SERVING  THE  FAMILY.

Friday, February 23, 2024

UPDATE: Woman Found Dead on the Campus of UGA

University of Georgia officials have confirmed that they have taken a suspect into custody in the murder of a 22-year-old nursing student on the UGA campus.

Friends reported Laken Riley missing after they say she went for a jog Thursday near the university’s intermural fields and never returned.

 

Police found her unconscious and injured in a wooded area behind the fields around 12:30 p.m. She was pronounced dead at the scene and police have ruled her death a homicide. Police said Riley died of blunt-force trauma.

 

On Friday, police swarmed an apartment complex off S. Milledge Avenue.

 

Police have since confirmed the arrest of 26-year-old Jose Antonio Ibarra, who is expected to be charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call and concealing the death of another.

 

Ibarra is not a U.S. citizen and was not a student at UGA, according to UGA police.

 

Police said Iberra and Riley did not know each other and called it a “crime of opportunity.” They said they believe Ibarra acted alone.

 

“This is an individual who woke up with bad intentions on that day,” UGA police chief Jeff Clark said.