THOMASTON NATIVE NAMED HEAD COACH IN MACON

A FORMER UPSON-LEE FOOTBALL PLAYER IS MOVING UP THE COACHING RANKS. RUSTY EASON DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR AT EAST COWETA AND THE SON OF PAT AND MARVIN EASON OF THOMASTON, NAMED HEAD FOOTBALL COACH AND A.D. AT RUTLAND HIGH SCHOOL IN MACON.

UPSON'S MLK HOLIDAY PROGRAM MONDAY

THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION COMMITTEE HAS ANNOUNCED UPSON COUNTY'S OBSERVANCE OF THE MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. HOLIDAY BEGINS MONDAY AT 11AM WITH WREATH-LAYING ON THE COURTHOUSE SQUARE.

THEN A MARCH TO UL MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR THE PROGRAM AT 12 NOON WITH KEYNOTE SPEAKER, KEVES COLLIER , A STUDENT AT MOREHOUSE COLLEGE.

SPALDING CO. FORMING A TSPLOST COMMITEE

SPALDING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS NEED YOUR HELP! The Spalding County Board of Commissioners need your assistance in establishing and setting up a TSPLOST Committee. The State of Georgia and the Federal Government have been restricted in providing funding for infrastructure for several years. We now have the opportunity to provide for our own infrastructure improvements through a one cent Transportation SPLOST. We are looking for individuals who are motivated to learn more about programs available to our community, who are willing to work toward a goal and who can deliver a message. The TSPLOST program is already benefiting those counties that passed it in years past. Counties like Dekalb have announced that they will be paving 200 miles of road that needs replacement and repair from funding received from their TSPLOST. TSPLOST funding can be utilized for paving of roads, repair or replacement of bridges, Bike Trails, Sidewalks, transit service expansion, etc. Over the last 10-15 years, the only money available to the Counties for paving of roads has been the Local Maintenance & Improvement Grant (LMIG) through the Georgia Department of Transportation. A TSPLOST will provide funds for the County to make improvements immediately, it will provide matching funds for grants that we currently are not qualified for because we do not have funding available for a match. Come and be a part of this important team to further improve the quality of our roads and assist in improving transportation and the quality of life our community. An interesting note is that approximately 40% of the funds raised by a SPLOST or TSPLOST are paid by citizens from outside of the County who come into Spalding County to shop and take advantage of restaurants, hotels and other services available. If a TSPLOST should pass, these folks will be contributing to the roads, the bridges, the sidewalks and whatever other transportation projects that are approved on the ballot. We need your input. If you are interested in becoming a member of this committee, please contact County Manager William Wilson at TSPLOST@spaldingcounty.com

GRIFFIN-SPALDING CHAMBER ANNUAL AWARDS THURSDAY

Member of the Year- Cindy Shaddix

Lon Touchstone Small Business- Jody Sellars Law Firm

Corporate Citizen of Year- Ga. Power- Craig Ogletree

Citizen of Year- Josh Abernathy

Ambassador Year- Michelle Boggs

New General Griffin for 2019- Johnnie McDaniels (former county commissioner)

Outgoing Chamber Chair Trudy Gill was proud that the membership rose to over 850 members this year. She brought on and introduced new Chamber Chair for 2019- Kathleen Smith from Wellstar Hosp.

 

CHASE FALLIN, MARK IRVIN NEW MEMBERS OF THE TU IDA

AT TUESDAY'S MEETING, THE THOMASTON CITY COUNCIL APPOINTED BUSINESSMAN CHASE FALLIN TO THE THOMASTON-UPSON DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. HE REPLACES DR. FRANK KING WHO STEPPED DOWN FROM THE BOARD. RECENTLY, THE UPSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS APPOINTED ATTORNEY MARK IRVIN TO THE IDA, REPLACING SCHOOL SUPERINTENDANT DR. LARRY DERICO WHO STEPPED DOWN FROM THE BOARD.

NORTHSIDE BOIL WATER ALERT HAS BEEN LIFTED

THE BOIL WATER ADVISORY ISSUED BY THE UPSON COUNTY WATER DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN LIFTED, AS OF THURSDAY MORNING. WATER ISSUES AROSE AFTER A CONTRACTOR RUPTURED A COUNTY WATER LINE, TUESDAY. THE BOIL WATER ADVISORY WAS ISSUED FOR THE NORTHSIDE AREA INCLUDING POTATO CREEK HEIGHTS.

UPSON COUNTY WATER DEPARTMENT SUPERINTENDANT GARRETT NORDAN GAVE ZOOM NEWS A TIME LINE ON HOW THE LINE WAS DAMAGED. TUESDAY MORNING AN OUT OF TOWN CONTRACTOR WORKING ON THE 19 NORTH WIDENING PROJECT STRUCK AN 8 INCH WATER MAIN WITH A BORING ROD IN FRONT OF NORTHSIDE SUPERETTE.

A BOIL WATER ADVISORY WAS ISSUED TUESDAY AFTERNOON AFTER THE WATER PRESSURE DROPPED AND THE PROBLEM WAS ISOLATED.

SUPERINTENDANT NORDAN EXPLAINED ONCE THE WATER MAIN WAS REPAIRED BACTERIOGICAL SAMPLES HAD TO BE TESTED AT A LAB IN ALABAMA TO ENSURE THE WATER WAS SAFE TO DRINK. THOSE TEST RESULTS CAME BACK POSITIVE THURSDAY MORNING AND THE BOIL WATER ALERT WAS CANCELLED.

NORDAN SAID THE COUNTY WATER SYSTEM APPRECIATES THE PUBLIC'S PATIENCE DURING THIS EVENT.  

GORDON STATE INVITES U TO TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE

The community is invited to bundle up and join Gordon State College professors Dr. Chad Davies and Dr. Richard Schmude to view the total lunar eclipse starting late Sunday evening Jan. 20.

“As many know, a lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon's orbit around the Earth takes it through the Earth's shadow, often causing the Moon to turn a coopery or deep red color,” Davies said. “Due to this effect, this event is referred to as a ‘Blood’ Moon.”

Davies, Schmude and others who want to brave the cold and enjoy the celestial show will gather at Summers Field Park beginning at 9:30 p.m.

“It’s at that time that the Moon will begin to move into a part of the Earth's shadow known as the penumbra,” Davies explained. “The total eclipse will begin at 11:41 p.m. and last for about an hour.  While this event can be viewed without any special device from any location with an unobstructed view of the southern sky, we will have a couple of telescopes at the park for those who would like to take a closer look.”

There will also be additional information on lunar eclipses on display.

“Anyone with binoculars, spotting scopes, or telescopes is welcome to bring them and join the group,” Davies said.

And unlike a solar eclipse, no special eyewear is required to view a lunar eclipse. 

WATER SERVICE WILL BE OFF ON 36 EAST THURSDAY 8AM.

THE CITY OF THOMASTON'S WATER DEPARTMENT CONSULTANT E.S.G. WILL SHUT OFF WATER ON HIGHWAY 36 EAST THURSDAY MORNING FROM SHARP ROAD TO QUAD GRAPHICS FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AT 8AM. DART, INTERFOR, QUAD GRAPHICS AND RESIDENTIAL WATER CUSTOMERS ON THE HIGHWAY 36 LINE WILL BE AFFECTED.

ESG NEEDS TO REPAIR A LEAK VALUE ON THE SYSTEM.

SPALDING HIGH FOOTBALL COACH RESIGNING FOR FAYETTE CO

SPALDING COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL HEAD FOOTBALL COACH NICK DAVIS IS RESIGNING TO BECOME HEAD COACH AT FAYETTE COUNTY HIGH, A TEAM WINLESS LAST SEASON.

COACH DAVIS IS THE WINNINGEST COACH IN THE SCHOOLS HISTORY.

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR EDDIE PAYNE SAID “ COACH DAVIS HAS DONE AN OUTSTANDING JOB, HE WILL BE TOUGH TO REPLACE.”

HEART AND SOUL SUMMIT FEB. 20

THOMASTON-UPSON COUNTY HEART AND SOUL IS ENTERING ITS 2ND YEAR—AND PUBLIC INVITED TO A COUNTY WIDE SUMMIT WEDNESDAY, FEB. 20TH , 11AM TILL 1PM AT THE XCHELON EVENT CENTER NEXT TO DAIRY QUEEN—WITH A CATERED MEAL AND THE ORTON FAMILY FOUNDATION TEAM WILL ATTEND TO FACILITATE AND PLAN A PATH FOR THE COMMUNITIES FUTURE.   

WRECK ON U.S. 19 TUES. BLOCKS TRAFFIC

AN AIR AMBULANCE COPTER WAS DISPATCHED AROUND LUNCHTIME TUESDAY AFTER A WRECK BLOCKED TRAFFIC ON U.S. 19 IN PIKE COUNTY NEAR THE BAPTIST CHILDREN'S HOME . ONE VEHICLE REPORTEDLY FLIPPED OVER .

UPSON P&Z DENIES ZONING

MONDAY BEFORE A STANDING ROOM ONLY CROWD—MOSTLY FROM THE POTATO CREEK HEIGHTS COMMUNITY, THE UPSON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY PASSED A MOTION TO DENY A REZONING FROM A-R TO MANUFACTURING FOR JAMES FORTNER/JMF TRUCKING COMPANY AT 1409 COUNTY ROAD—AND SEND THAT RECOMMENDATION TO THE UPSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR A FINAL DECISION.

HOWEVER, MANY IN THE CROWD HELD THE OPINION THAT UPSON COUNTY GOVERNMENT GOOFED-UP AT SOME POINT PROBABLY WHEN IT IMPLIMENTED ZONING IN 1995.

FORTNER WANTED TO ADD A STRUCTURE TO HIS COMPLEX BUT WHEN HE CAME TO APPLY FOR A BUILDING PERMIT HE WAS TOLD IT WAS IN AN AGRICULTURAL-RESIDENTIAL ZONE, NOT IN A COMMERICAL ZONE. BUT MOST FOLKS IN THE COUNTY ALWAYS CONSIDERED THOSE SITES COMMERCIAL .

FORTNER WHO CLAIMS HE HAS A MILLION DOLLAR A YEAR PAYROLL WITH 23 CONTRACT EMPLOYEES ,RUNS A TOWING, DIESEL REPAIR AND TRUCK TERMINAL ON THE SITE ON THE BANKS OF POTATO CREEK, THE WATER SOURCE FOR THE CITY OF THOMASTON. FORTNER SAID FLYERS DISTRIBUTED TO NEAR-BY RESIDENTS ARE FALSE CLAIMING HE WANTED THE REZONING FOR A JUNK YARD AND DEBRIS SITE.

HIS RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORS CALLED HIS SITE JUNKY AND A BLIGHT ON THEIR PROPERTY—AND HE GENERALLY AGREED WITH THEM AND CONCEDED HE WOULD AGREE TO PUT UP A PRIVACY FENCE -IF NEED BE. THE JUNK TRUCKS ARE USED FOR PARTS SALES, FORTNER TOLD THE ZONING BOARD—BUT PLANNING AND ZONING DIRECTOR DOUG CURRIER SAID EPD WAS CALLED IN A WHILE BACK DUE TO ILLEGAL DUMPING CLOSE TO THE CREEK.

CURRIER SAID APPARENTLY WHEN UPSON COUNTY PASSED A ZONING LAW IN 1995 MOST PROPERTY WAS ZONED A-R AND THAT INCLUDED FORTNER'S PROPERTY , ALTHOUGH THE COUNTY NEVER QUESTIONED THE EXISTANCE OF BUSINESSES THERE UNTIL NOW. FORTNER SAID WHEN HE CLOSED ON THE PROPERTY 6 YEARS AGO HIS ATTORNEY TOLD HIM IT WAS COMMERCIAL.

PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBER SAM BAITY MADE THE MOTION TO DENY THE REZONING, WITH HIS MAJOR CONCERN TRUCK REPAIR WITH POSSIBLE OIL AND OTHER CONTAMINANTS LEAKING INTO THE SOIL SO CLOSE TO POTATO CREEK, THE CITY OF THOMASTON'S WATER SOURCE .

PHONE SERVICE IN NORTHSIDE TO BE DOWN 9AM WED.

ACCORDING TO UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF DAN KILGORE TELEPHONE SERVICE IN THE NORTHSIDE AREA WILL BE DOWN WEDNESDAY FOR 2 TO 4 HOURS STARTING AT 9AM—BUT 911 SERVICE WILL CONTINUE VIA PIKE COUNTY 911. SHERIFF KILGORE SAID UTILITY WORK ON THE 19 NORTH IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IS THE CAUSE OF THE DOWN SERVICE.

THE SHERIFF SAID SOME OF HIS 911 DISPATCHERS WILL BE IN PIKE COUNTY TO TAKE EMERGENCY CALLS, BUT ADMINISTRATIVE CALLS WILL NOT BE TAKEN DUE TO THE INTERRUPTED PHONE SERVICE.

UPSON AND PIKE HAVE A MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT TO HELP EACH OTHER OUT IF 911 SERVICE IS INTERRUPTED. 

AS OF 11AM TUESDAY UPSON CO. WATER OFF IN NSIDE

A BULLETIN FROM THE UPSON COUNTY WATER DEPARTMENT—A CONTRACTOR HAS RUPTURED A COUNTY WATER LINE AT U. S. 19 AND GARDNER STREET—AND COUNTY WATER CUSTOMERS WILL BE WITHOUT SERVICE FOR 2 TO 6 HOURS TODAY WHILE REPAIR WORK IS UNDERWAY.

JAN 2019 MEETING AGENDA UPSON PLANNING COM

REGULAR MEETING AGENDA Thomaston-Upson County Government Administration Complex 106 East Lee Street – R.E. Lee Building City/County Meeting Room, #140 Monday, January 14, 2019, 5:30 P.M. (Please silence all audible alarms.) 1. Call to Order and Roll Call 2. Adoption of Meeting Minutes - December 10, 2018 Regular Meeting – Minutes Provided 3. Old Business - None 4. New Business A. Application for Rezoning – REZ2019-01, James Fortner/JMF Trucking Co., 1409 County Road; Parcels #030 046, 046A and 046B, To Allow Existing Towing, Diesel Repair and Truck Terminal – Material Provided 1. Public Hearing 2. Commission Discussion B. Discussion of Backyard Chicken Ordinance – Materials Provided C. Discussion of Solar Ordinance – Materials Previously Provided 5. Other Business A. Election: 2019 Chair B. Election: 2019 Vice Chair C. Approve 2019 Meeting Schedule – Material Provided 6. Planning Commissioner Issues and Announcements 7. Secretary’s Issues and Announcements A. Update: Manufactured Home Ordinance B. Update: TRRV Program C. Update: Matis Rezoning 8. Adjournment

PIKE CO. CHASE ON 19 SAT=ARRESTS

Pike County Deputies were involved in a vehicle pursuit this evening. A Deputy stopped to check a suspicious vehicle that was near a neighborhood on Highway 19 in North Pike County. The suspect vehicle fled upon seeing the Deputy and a pursuit ensued that ended on Adams Street in Zebulon when the vehicle wrecked. Three occupants were taken into custody and a bag containing methamphetamine and marijuana was located on the side of the roadway after being thrown out by the suspects. 

The driver was found to be a fifteen year old. The other individuals that were arrested are Emma Echols , 18 years old , and Dustin Adkerson  , 28 years of age, both from Griffin.  Echols and Adkerson are currently in the Pike County Jail and the juvenile is being turned over to the Department of Juvenile Justice.