TWO MORE SUSPECTS ARRESTED UNITED BANK ROBBERY

ACCORDING TO THE FBI, TWO MORE SUSPECTS IN THE JUNE 28 ROBBERY AT UNITED BANK IN WOODBURY, WERE ARRESTED FRIDAY MORNING.

D'ASIS SHEFFIELD OF WOODBURY, AGE 20, AND DONTAVIUS PRATHER, 22 ARE APPARENTLY THE FINAL SUSPECTS INVOLVED IN THE STICK-UP USING AN ASSAULT RIFLE.

TWO OTHER SUSPECTS, DERRICK R. SCOTT, 26 OF AUGUSTA AND ANTAVIOUS BRAY, 29 OF GREENVILLE WERE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY HOURS AFTER THE ROBBERY.

EDWARDS NOMINATED VICE-CHAIR AM BANKERS ASSOC.

THE CEO OF UNITED BANK—JAMES J. EDWARDS JR. IS AMONG THE SLATE OF CANDIDATES FOR AMERICAN BANKERS ASSOCIATION OFFICERS , 2018-19 , FOR ELECTION AT THE ANNUAL CONVENTION OCT. 21-23. IN NEW YORK.

MR. EDWARDS HAS BEEN NOMINATED FOR VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD.

JEFFREY M. SZYPERSKI CEO OF CHESAPEAKE BANK NOMINATED FOR PRESIDENT AND LAURA LEE STEWERT OF SOUND COMMUNITY BANK IN SEATTLE NOMINATED FOR CHAIR-ELECT.

BIBLE STUDY FIRST BAPTIST ZEBULON

The Grace Bible Institute, a ministry of First Baptist Church, Zebulon announces its Fall 2018 classes.  Dr. Mike Halsey will teach The Parables of Jesus and Dr. Gene Yancey will teach the Gospel of John.

Classes are held on Tuesday nights at the First Baptist Church, on Concord Street, Zebulon.  The Parables class begins at 6:00 PM and the John class will begin at 7:30.  Classes are 90 minutes in length and can be taken for college or seminary credit or may be audited.  College and seminary credits are earned through Grace Biblical Seminary.

Classes will commence on Tuesday, September 11 and end on Tuesday, December 11.  For more information or to enroll, phone 678-920-8986.

A FEMALE CHARGED WITH MURDER

On Wednesday, August 1, 2018 at 10:42 p.m., The Griffin Police Department responded to a report of a subject shot at 817 Sunnybrook Dr. The victim has been identified as Steven Andrew Freeman (age 23), who sustained a single gunshot wound to the upper chest area. Freeman was transported to Spalding Regional Hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. The suspect, Mary Katherine Higdon (age 24) of Griffin, was arrested and charged with Murder and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime.   

PIKE BOC SUPPORTS A 5TH JUDGE FOR GRIFFIN CIRCUIT

AT TUESDAY'S MEETING THE PIKE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO WRITE A LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR A PROPOSED 5TH SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE FOR THE GRIFFIN JUDICIAL CIRCUIT.

DISTRICT COURT ADMINISTRATOR WILL SIMMONS AND SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE FLETCHER SAMS EXPLAINED TO THE BOARD THEY ARE IN THE 2ND STAGE OF THE PROCESS AFTER A STATE STUDY REVEALED THE 4 JUDGES ARE DOING THE CASELOAD WORK OF 5.6 JUDGES. LETTERS OF SUPPORT FROM PIKE, UPSON, SPALDING AND FAYETTE COUNTIES ARE NEEDED TO PROCEED.

JUDGE SAMS STATED THIS IS A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CIRCUIT TO GET A 5TH—STATE PAID JUDGE, A STATE PAID ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, AS WELL AS A LAW CLERK, A STATE PAID PUBLIC DEFENDER, A STATE PAID ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY, A STATE PAID ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISSTANT FOR THE D.A.'S OFFICE AND A STATE PAID INVESTIGATOR FOR THE D.A.

ACCORDING TO JUDGE SAMS—THE GRIFFIN CIRCUIT HAS QUALIFIED FOR A 5TH JUDGE FOR THE 3RD YEAR—MORE THAN ANY OTHER CIRCUIT IN GEORGIA—AND TWO OTHER COUNTIES—COBB AND GWINNETT HAVE WITHDRAWN THEIR REQUESTS—SO THIS IS THE BEST TIME TO GET AN ADDITIONAL JUDGE—AND IT WILL COST PIKE COUNTY ONLY $8000—AS HE PUT IT—LOTS OF BANG FOR THE BUCK.

COUNTY ATTORNEY ROB MORTON ADVISED THE D.A.'S OFFICE AND THE PUBLIC DEFENDER HAVE REQUESTED MORE HELP AND THIS WAY IT COULD BE FUNDED WITHOUT IMPACTING TAX PAYERS.

THE GA. GENERAL ASSEMBLY WILL HAVE THE FINAL SAY ON A 5TH JUDGE—IF FUNDED IN THE 2019 SESSION THE NEW JUDGE COULD BE SEATED IN 2020.

$10,000 REWARD FOR WOODBURY BANK ROBBERS

ACCORDING TO THE FBI ATLANTA FIELD OFFICE---UNITED BANK IS OFFERING A REWARD OF $10,000 FOR INFORMATION THAT LEADS TO THE ARREST AND CONVICTION OF TWO SUSPECTS STILL AT LARGE FROM A BANK ROBBERY IN WOODBURY, JUNE 28TH.

TWO ARE IN CUSTODY AFTER THEY ENTERED THE BANK WITH AN ASSAULT RIFLE AND HANDGUNS, FORCED EMPLOYEES TO THE GROUND AT GUNPOINT AND STOLE AN UNDISCLOSED AMOUNT OF MONEY.

THE 3RD AND POSSIBLY A 4TH SUSPECT—POSSIBLY DRIVING THE GET-A-WAY CAR—DESCRIBED AS A 2007 BLACK CHEVROLET IMPALA SS.

ANYONE WITH INFORMATION SHOULD CONTACT CRIME STOPPERS IN ATLANTA AT 404-577-TIPS.

Walker Commits To Georgia

Upson-Lee's Travon Walker committed to the Georgia Bulldogs Tuesday evening.

The 6-5, 272 pound five star defensive tackle is the seventh rated player in the country according to 247 Sports and chose Georgia over South Carolina, Alabama, Clemson and Auburn.

Walker is a two sport star at U-L and was a member of the Knights back to back basketball state champions along with Ty Fagan who signed with Georgia in April.

GORDON STATE COLLEGE CLASSES

All Gordon State College offices will be closed Wednesday, Aug. 1 to allow for faculty and staff training.

Regular business hours and all activity related to registering for fall semester will resume at 8 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 2.

Move in for resident students is Saturday, Aug. 4 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Fall semester classes begin Wednesday, Aug. 8.

DIGEST FIGURES FROM UPSON TAX COMMISSIONER ANDY CHASTAIN

County net digest= 616,149,587.00 10.5% increase

School net digest= 599,230,661.00 10.7% increase

City net digest = 217,863,074.00 6.6% increase

TU SCHOOL BOARD ROLLS BACK TAX MILLAGE RATE

At Tuesday night's Board meeting, the Thomaston-Upson Board of Education voted to roll back the school millage rate from 15.11 mills to 14.338 mills. This is a decrease of 0.772 mills or about 5%. Superintendent Dr. Larry Derico recommended the decrease to the Board, and Jaye Eubanks made the motion to accept the lower rate. Steve Sadler seconded the motion, and the board voted unanimously in favor of the decreased millage rate. 

The Thomaston-Upson School System already had the lowest millage rate of all school systems in the Griffin RESA district, which includes Pike, Lamar, Spalding, Butts, Fayette, Henry, and Newton counties.

NEW ORGANIZATION T.U.L.L.

FALLOUT OVER THE PROPOSED SALE OF THE TRIANGLE PROPERTY AT SILVERTOWN HAS SPAWNED A NEW ORGANIZATION IN THOMASTON---TULL--THE THOMASTON UPSON LANDMARK LEGACY.

ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE THE FOCUS IS TWO-FOLD THE INCREASE AWARENESS AND RECOGNITION OF THE SILVERTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD -- INCORPORATED IN 1929 AND 2ND TO PROTECT THE TRIANGLE AS THE ENTRYWAY TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD DEEDED AS A GIFT FROM THE BF GOODRICH COMPANY TO BENEFIT LOCAL CITIZENS.

TO JOIN PHONE ALISON UPHOLD AT 706-975-4046.

GROUNDBREAKING AT GORDON STATE COLLEGE THURSDAY

Almost 100 dignitaries staff and citizens attended this morning's 9am ground breaking ceremony on the Gordon College campus, for their new $3mil 11,000 sq foot Student Services Center. The grand opening is expected to be this same time next year in July.

Dr. Kirk Nooks, new Pres. welcomed the crowd. He acknowledged that Gordon was part of the mid state educational system- covering students from 14 counties, and working closely with other educational facilities in our area. "We will educate together" he said.

Nooks introduced Ted Benning, owner of the construction company who will build the center. Benning Construction recently renovated the Hightower LIbrary on Gordon's campus and was proud to be selected as builder for the new student center.

Jim Meserle spoke who was the architech designing the center. And state Rep. Robert Dickey said "It's great to see such support for this. It couldn't have happened without our legislative team.

Johnny Caldwell and others worked hard for this project."

Nooks then thanked everyone for coming and helping Gordon to move forward. He then lead a group to pose for pictures actually shoveling ground for the new site on the SE corner of Gordon's campus. Afterwards he gave a live interview to ZOOM 105.

An in depth interview with Dr. Nooks will be aired this Saturday at 9am on ZOOM 105.9 and 101.1.

JOHN HANSON RESIGNING AS PIKE CO. MANAGER

COUNTY MANAGER JOHN HANSON TOLD THE PIKE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) HE IS RESIGNING EFFECTIVE NEXT MONTH TO ACCEPT A POSITION IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

HANSON HAS BEEN MANAGER FOR ALMOST 5 YEARS AND HE THANKED THE BOARD, COUNTY DEPARTMENT HEADS, CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES FOR THEIR SERVICE DURING HIS TIME RUNNING COUNTY GOVERNMENT.

CHAIRMAN BRIAR JOHNSON SAID HANSON HAS PUT PIKE COUNTY'S SHIP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND HE THANKED JOHN FOR ALL HE HAS DONE FOR PIKE COUNTY.

JOHN TOLD ZOOM NEWS—HE IS EXCITED ABOUT HIS NEW OPPORTUNITY BUT HE IS ALSO EXCITED ABOUT THE PROGRESS THE COUNTY HAS MADE AND HE PLANS TO CONTINUE TO LIVE IN PIKE AND BE INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.

HANSON HAS INDICATED TO THE BOARD HE WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO HELP WITH RECRUITING A NEW MANAGER .

JOHN TOLD US HE HAD TWO GOALS WHEN HE TOOK OVER AS MANAGER—TO LEAVE THE POSITION BETTER THAN HE FOUND IT AND TO MAKE IT A POSITION PEOPLE DESIRE TO TAKE. 

FINALISTS FOR UPSON CO. MANAGER NAMED

AFTER A CLOSED DOOR SESSION, TUESDAY—UPSON COUNTY COMMISSION CHAIRMAN NORMAL ALLEN ANNOUNCED THE TWO FINALISTS FOR COUNTY MANAGER.

MICHAEL STEWART OF PINE MOUNTAIN, GA. IN HIS 50'S IS THE MOST EXPERIENCED. FORMER COUNTY MANAGER OF LOWNES COUNTY/VALDOSTA ALSO WORKED IN ADMINISTRATION IN LIBERTY COUNTY AND COLQUITT COUNTY AND WAS ON STAFF AT THE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF GA. MOST RECENTLY EMPLOYED BY THE U.S. AGENCY FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND HAS WORKED WITH THE MILITARY IN SYRIA, AFGANISTAN AND IRAQ. MASTERS IN GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION FROM VALDOSTA STATE.

TINSLEY IN HIS 40'S HAS BEEN CITY MANAGER OF JEFFERSON, GA. AND HAS WORKED IN ADMINISTRATION IN WAYNE COUNTY, GA. HABERSHAM COUNTY, GA. IN VIRGINIA AND WITH THE CARL VINSON INSTITUTE. MASTERS IN GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION FROM EAST TENNESSEE STATE.

10 APPLICANTS WERE INTERVIEWED FOR THE THE POSITION.

THOMASTON MOTORIST KILLED IN POLICE CHASE

A THOMASTON MOTORIST WAS KILLED WHEN HE WRECKED ON THE YATESVILLE HIGHWAY DURING A POLICE CHASE FRIDAY AFTERNOON.

ACCORDING TO THE UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE—BEN JEFF ARD WAS PRONOUNCED DECEASED AT THE E.R. AND A PASSENGER KYLE TURNER WAS TRANSPORTED TO MACON MEDICAL CENTER BY EMS.

DEPUTIES SAID ARD HAD OUTSTANDING WARRANTS FOR HABITUAL VIOLATOR AND PROBATION VIOLATION.

THOMASTON POLICE STARTED THE CHASE ON AVE. F. AND UPSON COUNTY S.O. AND THE GA. STATE PATROL GOT INVOLVED.  

TPD INVESTIGATING VANDALISM AT RITZ THEATRE

THOMASTON POLICE INVESTIGATING VANDALISM IN THE MEN'S RESTROOM AT THE RITZ THEATRE IN DOWNTOWN THOMASTON.

SOMEONE SLAMMED INTO THE DOOR AND KNOCKED IT DOWN AT A HANDICAPPED-ACCESSABLE STALL.

IT APPARENTLY HAPPENED TUESDAY OR WEDNESDAY EVENING WHILE THE MOVIE WAS PLAYING.