THOMASTON POLICE OFFICER FIRED OVER FLOCK CAMERA ACTIVITY

 CITY   OF  THOMASTON  POLICE  CHIEF  MIKE  RICHARDSON  SAID  AFTER   A  WASHINGTON  POST  REPORTER  CONTACTED   THE  PD  AUGUST  25TH       DAYS  LATER  A  FEMALE  POLICE  OFFICER  WAS  TERMINATED   OVER   FLOCK  CAMERA   ACTIVITY  THAT  VIOLATED  CITY  DEPARTMENT  POLICY  AND  STATE  LAW--AND  THE  CASE  WAS  TURNED OVER  TO  THE  GBI  FOR   INVESTIGATION.   CHIEF  RICHARDSON    TOLD  101  NEWS    THE  INDIVIDUAL  WHOSE  TAGS WERE  CHECKED   OVER 400  TIMES  WAS  A  FRIEND  OF  THE  OFFICER  AND  THERE  WAS   NO   THIRD  PARTY  INVOLVED.   THE   FEMALE  FRIEND  OF  THE  OFFICER WHEN  INFORMED  OF   WHAT  HAD HAPPENED  LAUGHED  AND DID NOT  SEEM  UPSET,  ACCORDING  TO  THE  CHIEF.

 WHEN  PRESS   TO  RELEASE  THE  NAME  OF  THE  FIRED  EMPLOYEE  CHIEF  RICHARDSON  TOLD  US  THE  CITY  OF  THOMASTON  DOES  NOT MAKE  PRESS  RELEASES  ON  PERSONNEL  MATTERS.    .

 

 THE  WASHINGTON  POST  REPORTER  APPARENTLY  RAN  A  CHECK  OF  LAW  ENFORCEMENT  AGENCIES ALL  ACROSS  THE  U.S.  ON  THE  FLOCK  CAMERA  SYSTEM  AND  CAME UPON  THE THOMASTON  POLICE  OFFICER  WHO  HAD  CONDUCTED  SEARCHES ON  TWO  VEHICLES OPERATED  BY  THE  SAME   INDIVIDUAL  IN  2025.

NEWS FROM GORDON STATE COLLEGE

 BARNESVILLE, Ga. – As the University System of Georgia (USG) celebrates a record 86,660 degrees awarded during fiscal year 2026, Gordon State College is reflecting that statewide momentum through growing degree completion, one of the most affordable pathways to higher education in the state and academic programs designed to meet Georgia’s workforce needs.

USG announced today that the number of degrees conferred across its 25 public colleges and universities increased 4.9% over the previous fiscal year. At GSC, recent commencement numbers also point to growing momentum in student completion.

During Spring 2026 Commencement, GSC awarded 338 degrees to 328 graduates, marking one of the largest graduating classes in the College’s history. The number of degrees awarded represented a 15% increase over Spring 2025.

“Every degree earned at Gordon State represents a student prepared to move forward,” said Dr. Russell Crutchfield, GSC president. “By providing affordable pathways, responding to Georgia’s workforce needs and supporting students through graduation, we’re preparing graduates to strengthen their professions and communities.”

COFFEE WITH A COP IN THOMASTON

 ACCORDING  TO  CITY OF  THOMASTON  POLICE  CHIEF MIKE  RICHARDSON  HIS  DEPARTMENT  WILL    HOLD  THE  ANNUAL  COFFEE  WITH  A  COP  THURSDAY  OCT.  22ND  AT   MCDONALD'S  IN  NORTHSIDE.  THE  PUBLIC  IS  INVITED TO  ENGAGE  IN  CONVERSATION  WITH  POLICE OFFICERS  FROM   8;30AM   TILL  10AM.

UPSON BOC COMMISSIONER JAMES ELLINGTON NAMED FINALIST FOR PIKE COUNTY MANAGER

 UPSON  COUNTY  COMMISSIONER  JAMES  ELLINGTON   HAS  BEEN  NAMED  THE    FINALIST  FOR  COUNTY  MANAGER OF  PIKE  COUNTY.  THE  PIKE  COMMISSIONERS  HAVE  TWO  WEEKS  TO  DO  DUE  DILIGENCE  BEFORE  MAKING  THE  HIRING  FINAL.

UPSON CO TAX COMMISSIONER ANDY CHASTAIN ON TAX BILLS 2026

 PSA 2026 PROPERTY TAX BILLS

2026 property tax bills are scheduled to be mailed out by this Friday, Oct. 16th and will be due Dec. 17th. There was a delay in processing & printing the tax bills this year due to programming for FLOST & HTRG tax relief that taxpayers will be receiving this year. Tax bills will be available to pay in person, over the phone, or online starting Thursday Oct. 15th.

All property taxpayers will see an amount on their bill that indicates the amount of FLOST tax relief they received for 2026 and each homestead taxpayer will see an avg. of $400 in savings from the Homestead Tax Relief Grant (HTRG) given by the State.

This year Upson County & the City of Thomaston received a combined amount of $2.2 million from the Property Tax Relief sales tax, formerly known as FLOST, that was used exclusively for tax relief on their 2026 tax levies. Next year that amount should be around $5 million that will be used to roll off their millage rates and provide even more tax relief. In the coming months we’re going to see more counties & municipalities vote in an additional sales tax for property tax relief purposes, especially since the new LHOST is on the table that provides additional homestead tax relief. It’s important to note though that there will most likely be no HTRG tax relief from the State to help next year.

This year FLOST, combined with the HTRG given by the State, should significantly reduce taxes on the majority of homes and other properties in Upson. It’s good that the County & City got FLOST on the ballot when they did because we’re getting unexpected tax relief for 2026 that was initially planned for 2027. With the expected revenue from FLOST in the coming years and the possibility of having an LHOST in its place, I foresee some major tax relief for our homestead taxpayers.

UPSON P&Z DIRECTOR LEAVING

 SIX   MONTHS  AFTER  HE  ACCEPTED  THE  POSITION  OF   BUILDING  AND  ZONING  DIRECTOR  FOR  UPSON  COUNTY--LEAVING  THE  SAME  POST  AT  PIKE  COUNTY--JEREMY  GILBERT  IS  HEADED  FOR  TENNESSEE  FOR  A  SIMILAR    JOB.  JEREMY  INFORMED  THE  UPSON  COUNTY  PLANNING  COMMISSION  HE  WAS LEAVING  AFTER  MONDAY'S  OCTOBER  MEETING.  HE'S  GOING  TO  GOODLETTSVILLE,  TENNESSEE  NORTH OF  NASHVILLE  AND  HIS  LAST   DAY   WILL  BE  OCT. 28TH. HE  GOT HIGH  PRAISE  FROM  THE  UPSON  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS  FOR  HIS JOB  PERFORMANCE  DURING  TUESDAY'S  MEETING  .  

HOUSE FIRE IN UPSON CO

 HOUSE  FIRE      AT  102 FERGUSON  ROAD  HAD VISIBLE  FLAMES THROUGH   THE  ROOF OCT.   10TH  ACCORDING  TO  THE  UPSON  COUNTY  SHERIFF'S  OFFICE.  NO  INJURIES--OCCUPANTS  AND  PETS  ALL VACATED.  IT  STARTED  AS  A  GREASE  FIRE  IN  THE  KITCHEN  AND  THURSTON  FIRE  DEPARTMENT  MANAGED  TO  CONTAIN  THE  DAMAGE  TO  THE  KITCHEN/LIVING  ROOM.

T-U CHAMBER LEGISLATIVE LUNCHEON

 

Join us for our 2026 Legislative Luncheon! Hear directly from our state and local leaders about the issues, initiatives, and opportunities impacting Thomaston-Upson and Georgia. 📅 Monday, October 19 ⏰ 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. 📍 First Baptist Church of Thomaston-Building C 💲 $15 in advance | $20 day of luncheon at the check in table 🍽️ Lunch provided! Space is limited, so register early and join us for an informative afternoon of community conversation and updates! Scan the QR code on the flyer to reserve your spot or click on the flyer for direct access to the event page to register. Thank you to our event sponsor, Georgia Power!