BONES FOUND ARE NOT HUMAN

ACCORDING   TO  MAJOR  DAN   KILGORE, UPSON S.O.  BONES  FOUND  BY  HUNTERS IN  SOUTHWEST  UPSON  COUNTY  SUNDAY  ARE  DEER  BONES.  THEY  WERE   FOUND   OFF  ADAMS  FERRY  ROAD  AND  SENT  TO THE  STATE  CRIME  LAB  TO  BE  CHECKED  OUT.

CANDIDATE FOR STATE HOUSE 136

A  REPUBLICAN  FROM  MUSELLA, GA.  ROBERT  DICKEY  HAS  ANNOUNCED  HE  WILL  SEEK  THE  GA.  HOUSE  DISTRICT  136  SEAT  HELD  BY  THE  LATE  TONY  SELLIER  WHO  DIED  RECENTLY. DICKEY,  57,  OWNS  DICKEY  FARMS,  A  PEACH  AND  TIMBER  FARM  STARTED  BY HIS  GRANDFATHER  A  CENTURY AGO. THE  SPECIAL  ELECTION  TO  FILL  THE  SEAT,  WHICH INCLUDES  CRAWFORD COUNTY  AND  PARTS  OF  UPSON, LAMAR, MONROE, BIBB,  PEACH, AND  HOUSTON,  WILL  BE  FEB. 15TH.

CAFE BURGLARY

THOMASTON  POLICE  ARE   INVESTIGATING A  BURGLARY  DISCOVERED  SATURDAY  AT  NORRIS  FINE  FOODS,  695  SHORT  E  STREET.  SOMEONE  SMASHED  THE  FRONT  DOOR  GLASS  AND  REMOVED  THE  CASH REGISTERED  DRAWER.  SOME  DOLLAR  BILLS WERE  FOUND OUTSIDE,  NEAR  THE  BUSINESS.

Upson Hunters Discover Bones

The Upson County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the discovery of bones by two hunters Sunday evening off of Adams Ferry Road in southwestern Upson County.

It is not known at this time if the bones are human or those of an animal, the Department of Natural Resources is assisting in the investigation. The bones have been sent to the state crime lab for analysis.

Colder Temps On The Way

Temperatures will moderate slightly Saturday before another arctic cold front moves south.

Rain is forecasted for Saturday night and Sunday morning with possible snow flurries Sunday afternoon.

Monday’s high temperature is not expected to exceed 32, lows will reach mid to low teens in some areas. Wind chill factors will dip into the single digits.

Prepare for another 4 to 5 day period with lows ranging from 18 on Monday night to 30 by Thursday night.

Propane or other heating source levels should be checked, prepare for the potential of power interruptions should ice or snow occur.

Protect plants, pets and any exposed water lines, vehicle anti-freeze levels should also be checked.

Snow accumulations are not expected but icy roads are possible, especially bridges.

THOMASTON MAIN STREET MEETING

THE  THOMASTON  MAYOR  AND  COUNCIL   WILL  MEET  MONDAY NIGHT  AT  7PM  ON  THE  FUTURE  OF  THE  MAIN  STREET  PROGRAM.  PUBLIC  INPUT  IS  INVITED. CITY MANAGER  PATRICK  COMISKEY IS  RECOMMENDING  THE  PROGRAM  BE  CLOSED, ELIMINATING  THE  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR  AND   MOST  OF  THE  BUDGET OF  ALMOST  $53,000  ANNUALLY.  THE  CITY  MANAGER  SAYS  THE  DOWNTOWN  THOMASTON  BUSINESS  ASSOCIATION  WILL  CONTINUE, OPERATING  SIMILAR  TO  A  CIVIC  ORGANIZATION,  AND  CAN  PROBABLY  ACCOMPLISH  MORE  THAT  WAY. NORTHSIDE  MERCHANTS HAVE  COMPLAINED, THE  MAIN  STREET  PROGRAM PUTS  TOO  MUCH  FOCUS ON  THE  SQUARE, SOMETHING  THAT  ALSO FIGURES  INTO  THE  DECISION, HE  SAID. AFTER  A  FRIDAY  WORK SESSION,  MAYOR  HAYS  ARNOLD  TOLD  TGA NEWS  THE  LOSS OF JOBS  AND  BUSINESSES  HAVE  CHANGED THE  COMMUNITY, AND CITY  HALL  HAS  TO  ENSURE  THAT  ESSENTIAL  SERVICES  CAN  BE  PROVIDED,  AND  THAT  MEANS MAKING  HARD  DECISIONS  ON  BUDGETS  AND  PERSONNEL.  SINCE  2001  THE  CITY PAYROLL  HAS  GONE  FROM   132  TO  87, AND  NOW  ITS  FACED  WITH  HEALTH INSURANCE  COSTS  THAT  COULD  RISE  20%. THE  MAYOR  AND  COUNCIL  IS  LOOKING  FOR  WAYS  TO BALANCE  THE  BUDGET, AND  INCREASES IN  ELECTRICITY, WATER  AND  SEWER ARE ON  THE  TABLE.

THOMASTON PROPOSES UTILITY HIKES

DURING A BUDGET WORK SESSION, TUESDAY, THOMASTON'S CITY MANAGER PATRICK COMISKEY PROPOSED INCREASING ELECTRICAL AND WATER AND SEWER RATES EFFECTIVE JAN IST. THE MANAGER TOLD THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL, HE SUGGESTS A TWO YEAR PHASE-IN FOR RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS AND A THREE YEAR FOR INDUSTRIAL CUSTOMERS, SOLO CUP AND TEN CATE. RESIDENTIAL POWER RATES WOULD INCREASE 6 ½ %, COMMERCIAL RATES 5 1/2% IN 2011 AND 2012. THE INDUSTRIES WOULD EXPERIENCE A DOUBLE DIP HIKE OVER THREE YEARS. . WATER AND SEWER RATES WOULD INCREASE $5 PER MONTH FOR THE AVERAGE CUSTOMER IN 2011 AND 2012. ACCORDING TO SURVEYS, THE CITY OF THOMASTON HAS SOME OF THE LOWEST POWER RATES IN THE STATE , BUT ITS WHOLESALE POWER SUPPLIER , MEAG IS FACING A $250 MILLION BUDGET INCREASE DUE TO PROJECTS, AND CITY HALL'S PORTION IS A MILLION. OTHER MEAG CITIES SUCH AS GRIFFIN AND MARIETTA ARE ALSO MOVING ON RATE HIKES. THE  MANAGER SAID WATER SALES ARE DOWN 17% DUE TO THE LOSS OF INDUSTRIAL CUSTOMERS AND THE COUNTY IS NOT BUYING NEAR AS MUCH SINCE IT DRILLED WELLS IN WESTERN UPSON. THE WATER AND SEWER RATE INCREASE WOULD ALSO AFFECT COUNTY WATER CUSTOMERS SERVED BY THE CITY UNLESS THE COUNTY ABSORBS THEM. CITY MANAGER COMISKEY IS ALSO PROPOSING TO CLOSE THE MAIN STREET PROGRAM, AND THE DOWNTOWN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION WOULD NOT HAVE AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

CLERK OF COURT VOTES FOR BEACON

THERESA HARPER,  CLERK  OF  UPSON  SUPERIOR  COURT  RELEASED  A  STATEMENT  REGARDING  THE  APPOINTMENT  OF  THE  UPSON  BEACON  AS  LEGAL  ORGAN FOR UPSON  COUNTY.” SOMEONE  VERY  WISE ONCE  SAID  THAT IF  YOU’RE MAKING  EVERYBODY  HAPPY  ALL  THE TIME THEN YOU’RE NOT  BEING  A GOOD  LEADER.  RECENTLY,MYSELF, SHERIFF  PEACOCK  AND  JUDGE HAMBY  WERE  ASKED BY  THE  UPSON  BEACON TO  BE  CONSIDERED AS  THE  LEGAL  ORGAN FOR  UPSON COUNTY. AS  YOU  CAN  IMAGINE, THIS  WAS  A  VERY  DIFFICULT  DECISION FOR  ALL  OF  US. MY  VOTE TO HAVE  THE  UPSON BEACON APPOINTED AS  THE  LEGAL  ORGAN WAS BASED ON INFORMATION SUPPLIED  TO  MYSELF,  SHERIFF DON  PEACOCK  AND PROBATE  JUDGE  GARY  HAMBY.  THE  INFORMATION  PROVIDED SHOWED  THAT THE UPSON  BEACON MET  THE  LEGAL  REQUIREMENTS TO  BE  APPOINTED. IT IS  UNDERSTANDABLE THAT  THE  THOMASTON TIMES IS  NOT  HAPPY  WITH  MY  VOTE. HOWEVER, IT IS DISAPPOINTING  THEY  ARE  REPORTING  INACCURATE  INFORMATION. IN THE  LATEST EDITION  OF  THE  THOMASTON  TIMES IT  STATES  THAT  WHEN  ASKED  MY  REASONING FOR  VOTING  IN  FAVOR  OF  THE  BEACON THAT I  REPLIED-WE  DON’T  HAVE  TO  SAY. THAT IS  AN  INACCURATE  QUOTE. MY REPLY WAS  THAT-WE DON’T  HAVE  ANYTHING  TO  SAY. THE  DIFFERENCE IN  THOSE TWO  STATEMENTS  IS HUGE. I  TAKE  MY  RESPONSIBLITY  TO  SERVE  UPSON  COUNTY VERY  SERIOUSLY. I  STAND BY  MY  VOTE FOR  THE  CHANGE BECAUSE I  BELIEVE THAT  IT  IS  IN  THE  BEST  INTEREST OF  THE  CITIZENS OF UPSON  COUNTY  TO  HAVE  THE  LEGAL  NOTICES  PUBLISHED  IN  A  NEWSPAPER  THAT  IS  BEING  READ BY  THE  MAJORITY OF  THE PEOPLE. I  LOOK  FOWARD TO  CONTINUE  TO  WORK  HARD TO HELP UPSON  COUNTY  PROGRESS IN  A  POSITIVE  MANNER.

UPSON BEACON IS LEGAL ORGAN

UPSON   COUNTY  SHERIFF  DON  PEACOCK  AND  CLERK  OF  SUPERIOR  COURT  THERESA  HARPER  HAVE  SIGNED  THE  LEGAL  DOCUMENT   NECESSARY  TO OFFICIALLY  DESIGNATE  THE   UPSON  BEACON  NEWSPAPER, THE  LEGAL  ORGAN. PROBATE  JUDGE  GARY HAMBY  DID  NOT  SIGN  THE RESOLUTION,  HE  VOTED  FOR  THE  THOMASTON TIMES TO  KEEP  THE  LEGAL  ADS.  THOSE  THREE  CONSITITIONAL  OFFICERS  ARE  EMPOWERED TO  DECIDE  THE  ISSUE.  A  LEGAL  AD WILL  RUN  IN  THE  THOMASTON TIMES  FOR  FOUR  WEEKS, STARTING  FRIDAY,  NOTIFYING  THE PUBLIC  THE  UPSON  BEACON  WILL  BECOME  LEGAL  ORGAN  EFFECTIVE  JAN. IST. THE  AD  RATES  FOR  THE  LEGALS  WILL  REMAIN  THE  SAME  AT  THE  BEACON,  THE  STATE  SETS   LEGAL  AD  RATES.

GORDON COLLEGE STUDENT MURDERED

A STUDENT AT GORDON COLLEGE IN BARNESVILLE WAS SHOT AND KILLED IN A HOME INVASION-ROBBERY EARLY SUNDAY AT 121 WESTCHESTER DRIVE IN BARNESVILLE. DURING A PRESS CONFERENCE MONDAY MORNING, ATTENDED BY TGA NEWS, POLICE CHIEF CHUCK KEADLE IDENTIFIED THE VICTIM AS DANAVAN FRANK BUSSEY, 21, ORIGINALLY FROM MILLEDGEVILLE. THREE SUSPECTS ARE IN CUSTODY CHARGED WITH MURDER, SHAMEIK SPINKS, 17 OF 6 BROWN STREET, BARNESVILLE, LEKIEVIUS ELEBY,21, OF 107 WESTCHESTER DRIVE, AND BRYCE A. SMITH, 20, OF 202 WESTCHESTER DRIVE. CHIEF KEADLE SAID BUSSEY DIED OF A SHOTGUN BLAST TO THE FACE, AND WAS PROUNCED DEAD ON ARRIVAL AT SPALDING REGIONAL HOSPITAL. ABOUT A DOZEN PEOPLE WERE AT A PARTY IN THE RESIDENCE WHEN THE THREE INTRUDERS ENTERED AROUND 3;45AM SUNDAY. CHIEF KEADLE DID NOT RELEASE DETAILS ON WHAT HAPPENED BUT HE SAID THE MOTIVE WAS ROBBERY. HE WOULD NOT COMMENT WHEN ASKED IF THE CRIME WAS DRUG-RELATED. THE SUSPECTS ARE NOT GORDON STUDENTS, BUT LIVED NEAR BUSSEY, THE CHIEF TOLD REPORTERS. THE DEFENDANTS ARE BEING HELD IN THE LAMAR COUNTY JAIL ON CHARGES OF MURDER, FELONY MURDER, ARMED ROBBERY, AND BURGLARY. THE LAMAR COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT ASSISTED IN THE INVESTIGATION AND SHERIFF LARRY WALLER STOOD WITH THE CHIEF DURING HIS STATEMENT TO THE NEWS MEDIA. THE CHIEF SAID OTHER AGENCIES THAT ASSISTED, INCLUDED THE GBI, GORDON COLLEGE POLICE DEPARTMENT , THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND THE LAMAR COUNTY CORONER'S OFFICE. GORDON COLLEGE POLICE CHIEF JEFF MASON TOLD REPORTERS BUSSEY WAS A STUDENT IN GOOD STANDING.

Home Invasion Death

Barnesville.com is reporting that one person was killed Saturday night in a home invasion incident at a residence at 121 Westchester Drive in Barnesville.

Barnesville police chief Chuck Keadle said the investigation is ongoing and that more information will be released at an 11 a.m. news conference Monday.

There were multiple reports the victim was a Gordon College student but Keadle would not confirm that report.

According to Lamar County tax records, the home is owned by Brian Upson of Griffin.

121 Westchester Drive is located just north of Zebulon Street on the west side of U.S. 41 near the site of the old Aldora textile mill.

Dawgs In Liberty Bowl

The Dawgs have accepted an invitation to play in the Liberty Bowl on New Year’s Eve in Memphis.

For more on the story click here.

Christmas Tour of Homes

On Sunday, December 5, 1pm-6pm, make plans to tour some of Thomaston’s most beautiful home places and experience Southern hospitality at its finest. The Sertoma Women of Upson sponsors the annual Christmas tour of homes.

Featuring five private homes - Jill and Frank Nunn, Jane and Dr. Hugh Smith, Jessica and Dr. Murray Deen, Sarah and Robby Armstrong and Kayla and Joel Burke, one church – The Gathering, and a retail venue - Thomaston-Upson Art Council’s Mistletoe Market.

For additional information click here.

UPSON BEACON NEW COUNTY LEGAL ORGAN

THE  UPSON   BEACON  NEWSPAPER  IS  REPORTING  IT  WILL  BE   THE  NEW  LEGAL  ORGAN  OF UPSON COUNTY EFFECTIVE JAN  IST, REPLACING  THE  THOMASTON  TIMES. THREE  CONSTITUTIONAL  OFFICERS  ARE EMPOWERED TO  MAKE  THE  DECISION, THE  SHERIFF, CLERK OF  COURT  AND  PROBATE  JUDGE. AT  A  RECENT  MEETING  OF  CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS  CALLED  BY  COMMISSION  CHAIRMAN  MAURICE  RAINES,  THE  ISSUE  WAS  BROUGHT  UP. PROBATE JUDGE  GARY  HAMBY  MUST  NOTIFY  THE  SECRETARY  OF  STATE  ANNUALLY  REGARDING  THE  COUNTY’S  LEGAL  ORGAN. DURING  THE  MEETING  SHERIFF  DON  PEACOCK  AND  CLERK   OF    COURT  THERESA  HARPER  VOTED TO  CHANGE  TO  THE  UPSON  BEACON  AND  PROBATE  JUDGE  HAMBY  VOTED  TO  STAY  WITH  THE  THOMASTON  TIMES,  A  2  TO  1  VOTE FOR  THE  BEACON. SHERIFF  PEACOCK  TOLD  TGA  NEWS  THIS  WEEK,  HE  WOULD  LIKE  TO  SEE  THE  TWO   NEWSPAPERS  ROTATE  AS  LEGAL  ORGAN,  EVERY  COUPLE OF  YEARS. CLERK  OF  COURT  HARPER  SAID  SHE  VOTED  FOR  THE  BEACON  BECAUSE  IT   HAS  A  MORE  LOCAL  PRESENCE. JUDGE HAMBY  HAS NOT  BEEN  AVAILABLE  FOR  COMMENT,  BUT  HE  HAS  FAMILY  WHO  HAVE  BEEN  ON THE   TIMES  STAFF.  THERE  HAVE  BEEN  QUESTIONS  RAISED AS TO  THE  QUALIFICATIONS  OF  THE  UPSON  BEACON  TO  BE  THE  LEGAL  ORGAN,  BUT  COUNTY  ATTORNEY  ED  TRICE  SAYS  THEY HAVE  BEEN  ANSWERED  AND  HE IS  PREPARING  THE  LEGAL  DOCUMENTS  NEEDED  FOR  THE   CHANGE. OVER  THE PAST  TWO  YEARS  THE  BEACON  HAS  REPORTEDLY  AVERAGED  92%  PAID  CIRCULATION,  WHICH  COUNTY  OFFICIALS  HAVE  TOLD  US  MEETS QUALIFICATIONS. THE LEGAL  ADS WILL BE  A SIGNIFICANT  REVENUE  BOOST  FOR  THE  UPSON  BEACON,  AND  THERE  IS  SPECULATION  AS TO  HOW  IT  WILL  AFFECT  THE  THOMASTON  TIMES.  BOB  TRIBBLE,  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  BEACON, OWNS  30  NEWSPAPERS  AND  HAS  REPORTEDLY  MADE  OVERTURES IN THE  PAST  TO BUY-OUT  THE  TIMES.ROLAND FOILES, GENERAL  MANAGER  OF  THE  THOMASTON  TIMES, ISSUED  THIS  STATEMENT" TO MY KNOWLEDGE  THE  CONSTITUTIONAL  OFFICERS  WHO  APPARENTLY MADE  THE  DECISION-THE  SHERIFF,CLERK OF  SUPERIOR  COURT AND PROBATE JUDGE—HAVE NOT  NOTIFIED  THE  TIMES  ABOUT ANY  CHANGE OR REQUESTED ANY  INFORMATION FROM OUR NEWSPAPER. THERE  IS NO RECORD OF  ANY  AGENDA ITEM OF  ANY  GOVERNMENTAL  BODY TO  DISCUSS THE  AWARDING OF  THE  OFFICIAL  LEGAL ORGAN STATUS, NOR  HAS  A  LEGAL NOTICE REGARDING THE  DECISION BEEN  PUBLISHED YET  AS  REQUIRED  BY  STATE  LAW.”

Zac Brown Band Receives 4 Grammy Nominations

The Zac Brown Band has been nominated for four Grammy awards.

The four categories are Best County Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals and Best Country Song for their number one hit Free, Best Country Album for their second album You Get What You Give that went to number one and Best Country Collaboration With Vocals for their collaboration with Newnan native Alan Jackson on As She’s Walking Away, it also went to number one.

The 53rd annual Grammy’s will be presented February 11th, 2011 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The show will be televised live by CBS.

Last year the group was nominated for three awards and won the Grammy for Best New Artist.

Thomaston’s Coy Bowles plays keyboards and guitar for the group, he is the son of Barney and Janis Bowles. Other members of the band include band founder Zac Brown (lead vocals, guitar), Jimmy De Martini (fiddle, vocals), John Driskell Hopkins (bass guitar, vocals), Chris Fryar (drums) and Clay Cook (guitar, keyboards, mandolin, steel guitar, vocals).

Here are the categories and the other nominees. 

Best country performance by a duo or group with vocals:

Free, Zac Brown Band; Elizabeth, Dailey & Vincent; Need You Now, Lady Antebellum; Little White Church, Little Big Town; Where Rainbows Never Die, The SteelDrivers

Best country collaboration with vocals:

As She's Walking Away, Zac Brown Band & Alan Jackson; Bad Angel, Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert & Jamey Johnson; Pride (In The Name Of Love), Dierks Bentley, Del McCoury & The Punch Brothers; Hillbilly Bone, Blake Shelton & Trace Adkins ; I Run To You, Marty Stuart & Connie Smith

Best country song:

Free, Zac Brown Band; The Breath You Take, George Strait; The House That Built Me, Miranda Lambert; I'd Love To Be Your Last, Gretchen Wilson; If I Die Young, The Band Perry; Need You Now, Lady Antebellum

Best country album

You Get What You Give, Zac Brown Band; Up On The Ridge, Dierks Bentley; The Guitar Song, Jamey Johnson; Need You Now, Lady Antebellum; Revolution, Miranda Lambert

State Representative Tony Sellier Dies

Macon.com is reporting that State Representative Tony Sellier, a Republican representing the 136th District, died Tuesday night at Peach County Medical Center from congestive heart failure following complications from a recent medical procedure, according to his family.

Sellier, 65, a Middle Georgia resident for more than 30 years, was elected Nov. 2 to a third term in the state House of Representatives. His district includes all of Crawford County and parts of Bibb, Houston, Lamar, Monroe, Peach and Upson counties.

Gov. Sonny Perdue announced Wednesday that flags on state buildings and grounds will fly at half-staff on the day of Sellier’s funeral.

“Tony’s compelling personal history, along with his deep commitment to faithfully representing his constituents, made him one of the most respected members of the Georgia General Assembly,” Perdue said in a written statement. The governor noted that he and his wife, Mary, were deeply saddened at the death of their “beloved friend and public servant.”

“We join all of Middle Georgia in praying for God’s comfort and peace for his wife Judye, their three children and ... grandchildren, and for the entire Fort Valley community that Tony loved so dearly,” Perdue said.

Read more: http://www.macon.com/2010/12/01/1360673/coroner-state-rep-tony-sellier.html#ixzz16uRn4drk