NEW MEETING HB 581 UPSON CO

 UPSON  COUNTY  TAX  COMMISSIONER  ANDY  CHASTAIN  HAS ANNOUNCED  A  3RD TOWN  HALL  MEETING  ON    HB 581  PROPERTY  TAX  MEASURE, HOW  IT  AFFECTS  PROPERTY  VALUES,  THE  FLOST  SALES  TAX  MEASURE  TO   POSSIBLY  BE  ON  THE  BALLOT  IN  NOVEMBER  AND A  Q&A SESSION.  HE  WILL  BE  JOINED  BY  COMMISSION  CHAIRMAN  DAN  BREU  AT    SALEM  BAPTIST  CHURCH  MAY 8TH  AT  6;30PM   AND  AT   OTHER  MEETINGS--APRIL   17TH  6;30PM  AT  FELLOWSHIP  BAPTIST  CHURCH  AND  AT  THURSTON  VOLUNTEER  FIRE  DEPARTMENT  MEETING  HALL  APRIL    24TH 6;30PM.

MAYOR STALLINGS BROKE TIE VOTE ON REZONING FOR APARTMENTS 74 EAST.

 THE  THOMASTON  CITY COUNCIL  APPROVED  TWO  REZONING  ISSUES  FOR  HOUSING BUT  MAYOR   J.D. STALLINGS  HAD  TO  BREAK  A  TIE  AND  DEFEAT  A  REZONING  FOR  A  CAIRO,GA  COMPANY  TO  BUILD  APARTMENTS  ON  74  EAST. ALSO AT  TUESDAY'S  MEETING  COUNCIL  APPROVED  A  REZONING  FOR   CHARLIE  DANIEL'S  PROPERTY  NORTH  CHURCH/NOTTINGHAM  FOR  AN  ATLANTA METRO  HOME  BUILDER  TO  CONSTRUCT  UP  TO  100  SINGLE-FAMILY  HOMES  ON  THE ACREAGE.

REZONING  TO  ALLOW  4  APARTMENT  UNITS  AT 615  WEST  MAIN  WAS  APPROVED.

LAMAR COUNTY MAN WRECKS IN UPSON CO

 A  LAMAR  COUNTY  MOTORIST  LEFT  DEL  RAY  ROAD  AND    FLIPPED  OVER  SEVERAL  TIMES  SATURDAY  WHEN  HE  DOZED-OFF.  ACCORDING  TO  POST   26 GA.  STATE  PATROL--27  YEAR  OLD DARIUS HUDSON PENN OF EDGEWOOD CIRCLE-BARNESVILLE  WAS  LIFE  FLIGHTED  TO  A  MACON  TRAUMA  CENTER.  THE  HONDA  CIVIC  HE  WAS  DRIVING  HIT  AN  EMBANKMENT  AND  STARTED  FLIPPING--THEN  HIT  A  FENCE.

THOMASTON CITY COUNCIL APPROVES GOLF CART ORDIANCE

 THOMASTON  CITY  COUNCIL  TABLED  TWO  BIDS  FOR  THE  PROPOSED  FARMERS MARKET  AT  EAST  GORDON/HIGHTOWER--LOW  MCELROY  COMPANY$2.6  MILLION  COGGINS  CONSTRUCTION  CO $2.64 MILLION--BOTH  EXCEED  THE  STATE    GRANT  AMOUNT  OF  $2.3 MILLION--BACK  TO  THE  DRAWING  BOARD  TO  WORK  THINGS  OUT.

THE  NEW  GOLF  CART  ORDIANCE  PASSED-- EFFECTIVE  MAY  IST--25 MPH SPEED  LIMIT --NO  TRAVELING  ON  STATE  ROUTES OR DOWNTOWN -- ALL  CARTS  MUST  BE  INSPECTED/APPROVED  BY  THE  PD .

UPSON CHAIRMAN SAYS VOTERS WILL APPROVE A SALES TAX MEASURE TO REDUCE PROPERTY TAXES

 UPSON  COUNTY  COMMISSION  CHAIRMAN  DAN  BREU  PRESENTED  HIS HB  851  GAME  PLAN  TO  THOMASTON  KIWANIS,  TUESDAY,  AND  SUGGESTED  THE  COUNTY  SPLIT   75-25 WITH  THE CITY  OF  THOMASTON  ON  A  $5.1  MILLION  SALES  TAX  FLOST  ALLOWED  BY  THE  BILL  TO  REDUCE PROPERTY  TAXES.   THE  BOC'S  COUNTY  MANAGER  HAS  ALREADY  REACHED  OUT  TO  THE  CITY  OF  THOMASTON  MANAGER  ON THE  ISSUE  AND  THE  CHAIRMAN  SAID  THE  SOONER  THE  BETTER TO  GET  THE  ISSUE  BEFORE  THE  VOTERS.   HIS PLAN  CALLS  FOR  AN  INTERGOVERNMENTAL  AGREEMENT  WITH  CITY  HALL  TO GET  THE  ITEM  ON  THE  BALLOT  IN  NOVEMBER.  SOME  OF  THE  SALES  TAX  COULD  BE  COLLECTED  AS  EARLY  AS 2026  WITH  THE  FULL COLLECTION  IN  2027. HE TOLD  101  NEWS  HE  IS  CONFIDENT  VOTERS  WILL  APPROVE  THE  FLOST  THAT  WOULD  SCRAP  PROPERTY  TAXES  IN  THE  CITY  OF  THOMASTON   AND  PROVIDE  NEEDED  PROPERTY  TAX  RELIEF  COUNTY  WIDE  INCLUDING  THOSE  WHO ARE  NOT  IN HOMESTEAD. 

THE  CHAIRMAN  TOLD  KIWANIS --  THOMASTON  IS  A  SHOPPING  HUB  FOR  THE  AREA  AND  THAT  RESULTS IN  SALES  TAX  DOLLARS  FROM  AREA  COUNTIES--MANY  CHOOSE  TO SHOP  IN  THOMASTON  RATHER  THAT  TRAVELING  TO  GRIFFIN  THAT OFFERS  THE  SAME  RETAILERS.  ONE  ESTIMATE  IS  35%  OF   SALES  TAX  DOLLARS  SPENT   IN  THOMASTON  ARE  FROM  SHOPPERS  OUTSIDE  THE  COUNTY. 

ACCORDING TO POST 26 GA. STATE PATROL-THOMASTON--A LAMAR COUNTY MOTORIST WAS LIFE-FLIGHTED TO A TRUMA CENTER AFTER HE WENT TO SLEEP AND FLIPPED OVER SEVERAL TIMES ON DEL RAY ROAD NEAR ROCKY BOTTOM ROAD-- SAT. MARCH 29TH. THE DRIVER OF A HONDA CIVIC, 27 YEAR OLD DARIUS PENN OF EDGEWOOD CIRCLE, BARNESVILLE HIT AN EMBANKMENT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO OVERTURN SEVERAL TIMES AND HIT A FENCE.

 THOMASTON NATIVE  DEMOCRAT   GAY  GILLESPIE  VALIMONT  LOST  THE  DISTRICT ONE  CONGRESSIONAL RACE   IN FLORIDA  TUESDAY   57%   TO  42.2 %  BUT   MANAGED  TO  CUT  HER  PREVIOUS  LOSS IN  HALF.  GAY  WON  ONE COUNTY  OUT  OF  FOUR IN ESCAMBIA  COUNTY  THE  PENSACOLA AREA  HOME  BASE  OF  THE  BLUE   ANGELS. THE  OTHER FLORIDA  CONGRESSIONAL  DISTRICT  ALSO  WAS WON  BY  A  REPUBLICAN.

GORDON STATE HAS A NEW HEAD FOOTBALL COACH

 BARNESVILLE, Ga., – Gordon State College has named Omar ‘Quiz’ Quisenberry as head football coach, marking his second year coaching at the collegiate level with the Highlanders.

Before joining Highlander Nation, Quisenberry spent more than a decade developing athletes and leading successful teams at various levels of football. His expertise in line play, play calling, and special teams coordination was shaped through years of coaching in his local community.

“I believe coaching is about more than just the scoreboard. It's about helping young men develop into disciplined, confident leaders,” Quisenberry said. “My coaching style is rooted in grit, accountability, and a focus on the details. I set high standards for my players and provide them with the tools to succeed both on the field and in life.”

In 2024, he joined GSC as the assistant head coach and defensive line coach before stepping in as interim head coach midseason. Under his leadership, the Highlanders' defense closed out the year ranked in the top three nationally in the NCFA.

Quisenberry will lead the Highlanders into their first full season as a member of the National South Athletic Conference (NSAC).

“We're building a legacy founded on hard work, trust, and a solid commitment to improvement. As we step into the NSAC and begin our inaugural conference campaign, I'm honored to lead this team into the next chapter of Highlander football,” Quisenberry said.

Throughout his coaching career, Quisenberry has helped athletes earn scholarships to play at top-tier institutions, including Division II, Division III, and NAIA programs. Known for his strategic approach to coaching, Quisenberry has built competitive teams and fostered player growth, contributing to the development of both individual athletes and successful football units.

 

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SHOTS FIRED AT BOATER ON FLINT RIVER

 A  41  YEAR OLD   MAN  SAID    A  WHITE MALE    SHOT  AT  HIM  AS  THE  FLOATED  THE  FLINT  RIVER  NEAR  PASLEY  SHOALS  ON   MARCH  29TH.  HE  SAID  THE   MAN     DISPLAYED  A   PISTOL  AND  FIRED  3  TO  4  SHOTS  IN  FRONT   OF  HIS  KAYAK.   THE  MAN  WITH  THE  GUN  HAD  TWO  YOUNG CHILDREN  WITH  HIM  AND  A  BLACK  AND  GREEN  ATV.  UPSON  SO  IS  INVESTIGATING  THE  COMPLAINT.)

UPSON EMANCIPATION COMMITTEE SELLING T-SHIRTS APRIL 5

The emancipation committee of Upson County will be selling T-shirts on Saturday, April 5 at fast stop in Lincoln Park from 10 to 2. Shirts are also available for sale at Ryan’s print. The Youth Alive will have their pancake breakfast at Chili’s on April 19 from 8 to 1030 tickets are seven dollars. You can see any member of the emancipation for tickets 

UPSON SO INVESTIGATES LIFE-LIKE FEMALE DOLL

 UPSON  COUNTY  SHERIFF  DAN  KILGORE  REPORTS  AN  AN ANATOMICALLY  CORRECT  HUMAN-TYPE  FEMALE  DOLL  WAS   FOUND  WRAPPED  IN  A  TARP  MONDAY  MORNING  AT  OLD  TALBOTTON  ROAD  AT  PO  BIDY  ROAD.  COUNTY  CREWS  WERE  CLEANING  UP  SOME  DEBRIS     ON  THE  SIDE OF  THE  ROAD  WHEN  THEY  UNWRAPPED  THE  TARP  AND  DISCOVERED  A  HEADLESS  DOLL  AND  NOTIFIED  THE  SO. 

BAD WRECK SAT IN UPSON

 POST  26  GA.  STATE  PATROL  THOMASTON  WORKED  A  WRECK SATURDAY  ON DEL  RAY  ROAD  WITH  THE  MOTORIST  APPAENTLY  GOING  TO  SLEEP  AT  THE  WHEEL  AND  FLIPPING OVER--LIFE FLIGHTED  TO  AN  OUT  OF  TOWN  TRAUMA  CENTER

SPALDING HIGH EX-HEAD FOOTBALL COACH CHARGED WITH MURDER

  

THE   FORMER HEAD  FOOTBALL  COACH  AT  SPALDING  COUNTY  HIGH  HAS  ENTERED  A  GUILTY  PLEA  TO  MURDER  CHARGES  IN  MARYLAND  FOR  THE  CHOKING  DEATH  OF  38  YEAR  OLD  PATRICIA  BEST.  COACH  CARL  KEARNEY  WILL  BE  SENTENCED  JUNE   2ND  FOR  THE  FEB.   2024  MURDER.

FEMALE MOTORIST FELL IN WELL AND DIED IN CULLODEN

 A  FEMALE  MOTORIST  FELL  IN  A  WELL  IN  CULLODEN,  SATURDAY,  IN  MONROE  COUNTY.  THE  VICTIM 67-YEAR  OLD SHIRLEY OBERT  WAS  INVOLVED  IN  A  CAR  ACCIDENT  NEAR  ABERCROMBIE  AND  OXFORD  ROAD   IN  CULLODEN.  MONROE  COUNTY  SO  SAID  SHE  APPEARED  TO  BE  LOOKING  FOR  HELP   AND  THE  WELL  WAS    SURROUNDED  BY VERY  THICK  BRUSH  NEAR  WHERE  THE  CAR  WAS  FOUND.

PASTOR JOHN A BIG WINNER IN COLUMBUS

 CONGRATULATIONS  TO PASTOR  JOHN  HALLEY OF  THOMASTON  FIRST METHODIST  CHURCH--HE  FINISHED  FIRST   PLACE IN  THE  MASTERS  DIVISION OF  THE HEROS OF  AMERICA  MARATHON  LAST SATURDAY  IN  COLUMBUS  WITH  A  TIME   OF   2-HOURS 49-MINUTES  8-SECONDS  FOR  26-POINT 2 MILES.  HE   PLACED  2ND  OVERALL. 

TOWN HALL FROM UPSON CO TAX COMMISSIONER ANDY CHASTAIN

  Two town hall meetings have been scheduled in April to inform and discuss with taxpayers what can be expected for this year’s property tax valuations due to House Bill 581 and the effects of local governing bodies opting in or opting out. We’ll also be discussing changes in tax assessment notices that are due to come out in a few weeks, state legislation that will affect local property taxes should it pass this year, the Floating Local Option Sales Tax (FLOST) that can be used to offset property taxes should citizens vote for approval of that measure, school taxes, and there will also be a question/answer session. In order to be more informed and to better understand these important tax issues, all citizens are encouraged to attend one of these meetings.

The first meeting will be at Fellowship Bapt. Church in their fellowship hall on April 17th at 6:30 pm and the second meeting will be at Thurston Volunteer Fire Dept meeting hall on April 24th at 6:30 pm.

IN THE PIPELINE/DAVE IN PARIS NEXT TO GENE HACKMAN

 YES, PARIS--THE CITY OF  LIGHTS/ON  THE  ROAD  WITH  RUSS  JUST  AFTER  LADY   DIANA  WAS KILLED.  I  QUIZZED  THE  FEMALE  CLERK  AT  THE JEWELRY  STORE  NEXT  TO  THE HOTEL  WHERE DODI BOUGHT  HER  THE  RING--BUT  SHE  WOULD NOT  ADMIT  SHE  WAS THE  ONE  WHO  SOLD  IT  TO  HIM. LODGING  AT THE  HISTORIC  TIMHOTEL.  HISTORIC  BECAUSE  THERE  WAS  STILL   WW II   SHRAPNEL LODGED  IN  THE  LOBBY  WALLS.

FRANCE , THE  CULINARY  CAPITAL  OF  THE  GLOBE--SO  WHY   WAS  THE  WORST MEAL I  EVER   HAD  WAS  IN  FRANCE? ON  THE MENU FOR  THE  DINNER  CRUISE  ON  THE SEINE  WAS  GOOSE  GIZZARD ABOUT  $150  A  POP. DIDN'T ORDER  IT.

YEAH,  THAT  GUY  STANDING  NEXT  TO  ME  IN  THE PARIS  ART  MUSEUM  WAS  THE  ACTOR  GENE HACKMAN  WITH  HIS  WIFE. DIDN'T  SPEAK  TO  HIM  ALTHOUGH I  LONGED  TO   YELL OUT   HIS  GREAT  LINE  IN  THE  MOVIE "THE FRENCH  CONNECTION".  AS  NYC  NARCOTICS   COP  POPEYE  DOYLE HE  WALKS INTO  A  DRUGGIE  BAR  AND  STARTS ACCUSING  THE PATRONS  OF   PICKING  THEIR  FEET  IN  POUGHKEEPSIE. THAT'S  HOW  THEY  HIDE  THEIR   SHOOT-UP  DRUG  MARKS  ON  THEIR  ARMS  BY  SHOOTING-UP  BETWEEN  THEIR  TOES. HE  ROUGH-HOUSES  THE  GUYS  IN  THE  BAR  AS  THEY  DROP  ALL  THEIR STASHES  ON  THE  FLOOR.  THAT  FLICK  HAS  ONE  OF  THE  ALL  TIME  GREAT  CHASE  SCENES  AS   POPEYE  CHASES  DOWN  A  BAD  DUDE ON  THE  SUBWAY AND  PUTS   HIM  AWAY.  ANOTHER  GREAT  ROLE  FOR  HACKMAN  WAS   LITTLE  BILL   IN THE  CLINT  EASTWOOD  MOVIE  "  UNFORGIVEN."  CLINT   TAKES  CARE  OF  HIM,TOO.

I  PREVIOUSLY  NOTED  I  HAD  A  FRIENDLY  EXCHANGE  WITH  YOKO ONO  ON  THE  STREETS OF PARIS, SO  THAT  WAS  TWO  CELEB ENCOUNTERS  IN  ONE  TRIP.  THIS  BREAKING  STORY  JUST IN.  THE  LIZARD KING  FRONTMAN   OF  THE  DOORS,  JIM  MORRISON IS  BURIED  IN  A  PARIS  CEMETERY--WE  THOUGHT -- WHEN  WE  VISITED  THE  GRAVESITE.   A   REPORT  JUST  BROKE  THAT  MORRISON  FAKED  HIS  DEATH  AND  HAS  BEEN  LIVING  IN  WISCONSIN  WORKING  AS  A  SCHOOL  JANITOR FOR  DECADES.