PUPPY MILL ARRESTS IN MONROE CO.

On Monday, September 9, 2019, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office and the Monroe County Animal Shelter responded to 445 Unionville Road in Barnesville (Monroe County) for a welfare check concerning a complaint of abandoned or neglected dogs. Upon arrival, a multitude of dogs were located inside and outside of the residence living in deplorable conditions. 

The owner of the animals, Lynda Cummings, was immediately contacted. Cummings met officials at the residence and agreed to surrender all of the dogs to the Sheriff's Office. The Animal Shelter immediately contacted the Atlanta Humane Society for assistance and help with the retrieval of the dogs. The Atlanta Humane Society arrived with additional staff and began to assess and then transport the dogs to their facilities. 44 dogs, one of which was deceased, were removed from the residence.

Lynda Cummings was arrested and is charged with 7 Felony Counts of Unlawfully and maliciously causes physical harm to an animal or animals by depriving it of a member of its body, by rendering a part of such animals body useless, by seriously disfiguring such animals body or member thereof (7 dogs with missing or deformed jaws caused by neglect), 1 Felony Count of unlawfully and maliciously causes a death of an animal (1 deceased puppy) and 36 Misdemeanor Counts of unlawfully and unintentionally exercise custody, control, possession, or ownership of dogs, and did fail to provide such animals adequate food, water, sanitary conditions, or ventilation.

Brandi Marzka, daughter of Lynda Cummings, was arrested and is charged with 36 Misdemeanor Counts of unlawfully and unintentionally exercise custody, control, possession, or ownership of dogs, and did fail to provide such animals adequate food, water, sanitary conditions, or ventilation.

UPDATE; ACCIDENT AT T-U GOVT. COMPLEX FRIDAY

A SENIOR CITIZEN INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT AT THE THOMASTON-UPSON GOVERNMENT COMPLEX DRIVE-THRU LAST FRIDAY, DIED TUESDAY AT A MACON HOSPITAL.

ACCORDING TO THOMASTON POLICE CHIEF MIKE RICHARDSON, 85 YEAR OLD BETTY JO BARFIELD ALLEN OF 4TH AVE. WAS LIFE FLIGHTED TO MACON AFTER SHE WAS FOUND UNCONSCIOUS IN A 2005 LEXUS SUV.

THE POLICE REPORT SAID MS. ALLEN WAS ATTEMPTING TO PAY A UTILITY BILL AND DROPPED THE PAYMENT TUBE AND OPENED THE CAR DOOR TO RETRIEVE IT—TOOK HER FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND THE SUV ROLLED FOWARD—AND AS A RESULT, HALF HER BODY WAS WEDGED BETWEEN THE DOOR OF THE VEHICLE AND SHE HIT HER HEAD SEVERAL TIMES ON THE GUARD RAILS.

16 YEAR OLD JUVENILE GRIFFIN SHOOTING CASE

ACCORDING TO GRIFFIN JUDICIAL CIRCUIT DISTRICT ATTORNEY BEN COKER—A 16 YEAR OLD FEMALE JUVENILE CHARGED WITH SHOOTING HER MOTHER—A SPALDING COUNTY DEPUTY—WILL BE TRIED AS A JUVENILE.

D.A. COKER TOLD 101 NEWS—SPALDING COUNTY JUVENILE COURT JUDGE STEVEN OTT ISSUED AN ORDER DENYING THE STATE'S MOTION TO TRANSFER THE AGGREVATED ASSAULT CASE TO SUPERIOR COURT. DEPUTY AMANDA MARTIN MOORE WAS SHOT ONCE AT THEIR RESIDENCE ON ETHERIDGE MILL ROAD JUNE 12TH AND HER DAUGHTER WAS ARRESTED A SHORT TIME LATER.

THE CASE COULD BE ON THE SPALDING COUNTY JUVENILE COURT CALENDAR IN THE NEXT 30 DAYS—COKER TOLD US.

OFFICER MOORE IS RECOVERING AND A BENEFIT MOTORCYCLE RIDE WAS HELD LAST SATURDAY TO HELP WITH HER MEDICAL EXPENSES .  

UGA BASKETBALL SCHEDULE

The Georgia Bulldogs’ Southeastern Conference basketball schedule for the 2019-20 season was released by the league office on Tuesday. Georgia will open SEC play at home against Kentucky on Tuesday, Jan. 7 and wrap up league competition at LSU on Saturday, March 7.

The schedule includes four Saturday home dates and five weeknight outings at Stegeman Coliseum.

“Having our schedule finalized means the season will be here soon, and I can not wait for us to get back in front of the Bulldog Nation at Stegeman Coliseum,” head coach Tom Crean said. “The SEC is loaded with great teams. There are so many outstanding coaches and players. Navigating our way through league play will be extremely challenging and our fans creating a raucous atmosphere at the Steg will be critical to our success.”

Georgia begins league action with six-consecutive games against 2019 NCAA Tournament participants. After hosting Kentucky, the Bulldogs travel to Auburn on Jan. 11; host Tennessee on Jan. 17; visit Mississippi State and Kentucky on Jan. 18 and 21, respectively; and wrap the span with Ole Miss visiting Stegeman Coliseum on Jan. 25.

“Night-in and night-out in this league, you have to bring your ‘A,’ game,” Crean said. “You might be able to get by with an ‘A-‘ but if you think you’re going to get away with your ‘B’ game, it’s just not going to happen. In different leagues, there were certain things like rebounding that could become your edge. In this league, everybody rebounds the ball. There’s not one team that I could say doesn’t rebound the ball. It’s a staple of everybody in the SEC, so you’ve got to figure out a way to be better.”

Georgia will enjoy three straight Saturday home games. After the Rebels trek to Athens on the 25th, Texas A&M and Alabama will do so on Feb. 1 and Feb. 8, respectively. The Bulldogs’ remaining home dates are against South Carolina on Feb. 12, Auburn on Feb. 19, Arkansas on Feb. 29 and Florida on March 4.

The Bulldogs’ 2019-20 roster will feature five returning letterwinners and 10 newcomers. Georgia’s seven-player signing class includes five of the consensus top-100 prospects in the Class of 2019 and has been ranked among the top-5 groups nationally.

“We had a really good summer,” Crean said. “We had eight strong weeks, and we’ve been back at it since school started last month. But we’ve got a lot to learn and how we’re going to respond when we start having to deal with physicality is going to be key. We’ve got to get our team to understand as quick as possible what’s going to cause us to lose before we truly understand what it’s going to take for us to win.”

Non-renewable season tickets for Georgia’s 17-game home slate are now on sale for $255. The Bulldogs’ home schedule includes games against eight teams that earned postseason bids last spring, including six NCAA Tournament participants. Fans interested in purchasing non-renewable season tickets can do so online here or by calling the UGA ticket office at 877-542-1231.

Fans interested in supporting Georgia Men’s Basketball and improving their game day experience may also make a contribution to The Georgia Bulldog Club’s Basketball Enhancement Fund (BEF). Benefits include opportunities for access to game day parking and hospitality, single game and postseason ticket requests and an invitation to watch a team practice. For more information about the BEF and benefits of membership, please click here. Contributions to the BEF can be made online here or by contacting The Georgia Bulldog Club by phone at 877-423-2947.

“Last season, we established a new record for total attendance at Stegeman,” Crean said. “This year, we want to break the average attendance record too.”

Georgia’s total attendance of 148,700 last season topped the Bulldogs’ previous mark by more than 9,000. The average of 8,747 fans per game ranked fourth in program history.

FBI RECOVERS STOLEN FUNDS FROM GRIFFIN

The City of Griffin has recovered $789,065.16 of the $802,499.21 taken during a cyber attack that occurred in June, according to a press release issued Monday afternoon by the city.

Of the $13,434.05 remaining deficit, the city will pay a $10,000 deductible, and $3,434.05 will be covered under the city’s cyber crimes insurance policy.

“More than 40 municipalities have been victims of cyber attacks this year and unfortunately we were one of them. Due to the quick action on the part of our employees and the diligent work of the FBI, we were one of the few municipalities to recover our assets without significant loss,” said Griffin City Manager Kenny Smith.

UNWANTED VISITOR ARRESTED BY UPSON S.O.

UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF DAN KILGORE SAYS A SUSPECT WAS ARRESTED FOR CRIMINAL TRESPASS AFTER HE WALKED INTO TWO HOUSES ON BONANZA DRIVE, MONDAY MORNING.

29 YEAR OLD JUSTIN ALLISON OF 19 NORTH—SUSPECTED OF BEING HIGH ON DRUGS -- WALKED INTO A HOUSE WHERE THE COUPLE WAS PREPARING TO LEAVE AND TAKE THEIR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL.

THE MAN OF THE HOUSE GRABBED A HAMMER AND CHASED ALLISON OUTSIDE.

THEN, ALLISON WENT NEXT DOOR AND WALKED-IN AND THE MALE OCCUPANT PULLED A PISTOL ON HIM AND CALLED FOR DEPUTIES. 

ACCIDENT AT UL PRE-K

THOMASTON POLICE, FIRE AND EMS DISPATCHED TO AN ACCIDENT AT UL PRE-K ON EAST LEE WHILE SCHOOL WAS LETTING OUT MONDAY AFTERNOON.

LT. BRIAN HAMMOCK OF THOMASTON P.D. TOLD 101 NEWS AN ELDERLY FEMALE MOTORIST WITH A MEDICAL CONDITION WAS PULLING INTO THE PARKING LOT TO PICK-UP A CHILD AND WAS STRICKEN ILL AND RAN INTO THE FENCE AT THE PLAYGROUND.

NO CHILDREN WERE ON THE PLAYGROUND AND THE MOTORIST WAS TRANSPORTED BY HER DAUGHTER FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT. NO OTHER INJURIES.

MINOR FRONT END DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND A SECTION OF THE FENCE WAS KNOCKED DOWN -- LT. HAMMOCK TOLD US. 

GUNSHOT VICTIM CREST HIGHWAY

UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAID A MAN TRYING TO TAKE A VIDEO OF HIMSELF FISHING—WAS WOUNDED IN THE LEG WHEN HE DROPPED HIS PISTOL AND IT DISCHARGED. THE MAN, WILLIAM ERIC OGLESBY WAS TRANSPORTED TO A MACON HOSPITAL FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT.

DEPUTIES GOT THE CALL TO THE AREA OF POTATO CREEK NEAR THE CREST HIGHWAY WHERE OGLESBY WAS SHOT IN THE RIGHT CALF WITH A 22 PISTOL.

HE TOLD THE S.O. HIS PISTOL FELL ONTO SOME ROCKS AND

DISCHARGED. TURNS OUT , HE DID NOT HAVE PERMISSION TO BE ON THE PROPERTY AND WILL BE CHARGED WITH FISHING WITHOUT PERMISSION.    

BUTTS MEHRE EXPANSION PROJECT APPROVED

Butts Mehre Expansion Project Approved

ATHENS —— A major expansion of the Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall — 165,000 square feet of new and improved space that will include a much larger operating area for the Bulldogs’ football program — was approved by the University of Georgia Athletic Association Board of Directors during its quarterly meeting here Friday.

After today’s unanimous approval by the Board, the Butts Mehre expansion project will be presented for consideration by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia at one of its meetings later this fall.

The Butts Mehre building has served as the administrative center for the Athletic Association, as well as the operational hub for the football program, since 1987.  In those 32 years it has undergone a number of renovations and expansions, most recently the William Porter Payne and Porter Otis Payne Indoor Athletic Facility, which opened in 2017.

The latest project, at an estimated cost of $80 million, will add a greatly expanded weight room, locker room, meeting rooms, coaches’ offices and sports medicine facility, as well as a number of other improvements for the football program.  Construction for the first phase is projected to begin in January of 2020 and would be completed by April of 2021, according to J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics Greg McGarity.  Phase two of the project will include a small portion of new construction and renovation of existing space, and would be completed by January of 2022, McGarity said.

Other highlights of the meeting included:

• In his own report, McGarity also thanked the many fans that traveled to Nashville for Georgia’s season-opening football win at Vanderbilt.  Bulldog faithful were estimated to comprise 75 percent of the fans that filled Vanderbilt Stadium last Saturday.  McGarity also urged everyone to arrive early for Saturday’s home opener vs. Murray State for the dedication of Dooley Field, scheduled for 3:30 in advance of the 4:00 p.m. kickoff.

• A presentation by Deputy Athletic Director Josh Brooks on the Butts-Mehre expansion project.  Brooks also updated the Board on other ongoing projects, including the Equestrian team’s facility in Bishop, Ga., and the grandstand at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex.

• A presentation from women’s basketball head coach Joni Taylor on her team’s recent trip to Italy.  The Lady Bulldogs visited Rome, Florence, Venice and Trieste on their 11-day journey that included three victories on the court.  Team members Caitlin Hose, Maya Caldwell, Stephanie Paul, Mikayla Coombs and Ari Henderson also contributed to the team’s presentation.

• An educational session on compliance by Executive Associate AD Will Lawler.

• A glowing academic report from Faculty Athletics Representative David Shipley. The most prominent information he shared was the 2.99 overall grade point recorded by all UGA student-athletes in the 2018-19 academic year.  The cross country teams had the highest GPAs among all men’s and women’s teams, with the men taking top honors overall with a 3.49 average.

• A report on the football student ticketing process from student representative Will Harper, a senior Finance major from Norcross. Student-athlete representatives Walker Higgins (men’s swimming & diving) and Sabrina Vega (gymnastics) also spoke on a number of activities associated with The Georgia Way, UGA’s program for career development.​

SPALDING CO. BOC PROPOSES TAX HIKE

The Spalding County Board of Commissioners is seeking to increase the 2019 General Fund property taxes to be levied by 6.81 percent over the rollback millage rate.

According to a press release issued by Spalding County, the Board of Tax Assessors is required to annually review the assessed value for property tax purposes of taxable property in the county. When the trend of prices on properties that have recently sold in the county indicate there has been an increase in the fair market value of any specific property, the Board of Tax Assessors is legally required to redetermine the value of such property and increase the assessment. That is called a reassessment.

When the total digest of taxable property is prepared, Georgia law requires a rollback millage rate be computed that will produce the same total revenue on the current year’s new digest that the previous year’s millage rate would have produced had no reassessments occurred.

The budget tentatively adopted by the Spalding County Board of Commissioners requires a millage rate higher than the rollback millage rate. Therefore, before the Spalding County Board of Commissioners may finalize the tentative budget and set a final millage rate, Georgia law requires three public hearings be held to allow the public an opportunity to express their opinions on the increase.

Those three public hearings will be held at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sept. 16, and 9 a.m. Sept. 20, in room 108 of the Spalding County Courthouse Annex located at 119 E. Solomon St.

All concerned residents may attend and speak at these public hearings.

TWO CONVICTS WHO ESCAPED ENTER PLEAS

ACCORDING TO GRIFFIN JUDICIAL CIRCUIT DISTRICT ATTORNEY BEN COKER--TWO STATE CONVICTS FROM SPALDING COUNTY C.I. —WHO ESCAPED WHILE WORKING A CLEAN-UP DETAIL AT THE CITY OF THOMASTON BARN ON VETERANS DRIVE ENTERED GUILTY PLEAS THURSDAY IN UPSON SUPERIOR COURT.

ZACK RAPLEY AND JOHN OWENBY WERE SENTENCED TO 5 YEARS TO SERVE IN PRISON CONSECUTIVE TO THEIR CURRENT SENTENCES BY JUDGE FLETCHER SAMS.

THE TWO INMATES STOLE A CITY OF THOMASTON PICK-UP WITH THE KEYS IN IT NEAR THE ARMORY AND DROVE TO DALTON, WHERE ONE OF THEM HAD FAMILY.

THEY WERE ARRESTED BY WHITFIELD COUNTY S.O. AFTER A STATE WIDE LOOKOUT WAS POSTED.

GUILTY PLEA IN UPSON MURDER CASE

ACCORDING TO GRIFFIN JUDICIAL CIRCUIT DISTRICT ATTORNEY BEN COKER A GUILTY PLEA IN UPSON SUPERIOR COURT THURSDAY IN AN APRIL 2019 MURDER CASE.

JACKIE LEE REYNOLDS, AGE 22 WAS CHARGED WITH THE SHOOTING DEATH OF 25-YEAR OLD KYLE JAMES SPRAGGINS, APRIL 10TH, 2019 AT 1748 HENDRICKS CHURCH ROAD. REYNOLDS ENTERED A PLEA TO A LESSER CHARGE OF VOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER PLUS POSSESSION OF A WEAPON IN THE COMMISSION OF A CRIME AND REYNOLDS WAS SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS TO SERVE IN PRISON BY JUDGE FLETCHER SAMS.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY COKER SAID THE REDUCED CHARGE WAS AGREED TO AFTER CONSULTING WITH THE VICTIM'S FAMILY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THE D.A. TOLD 101 NEWS REYNOLDS AND SPRAGGINS HAD BEEN ARGUING OVER METH AND THE 9 MILLIMETER HANDGUN MOST OF THE DAY WHEN REYNOLDS SHOT SPRAGGINS ONCE IN THE FACE.

UPSON BOC AGENDA 9/10/19

UPSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
6:00 P.M. – Regular Commission Meeting
City/County Meeting Room –September 10, 2019


AGENDA

I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Norman Allen

II. INVOCATION

III. PUBLIC HEARING
An ordinance of Upson County, Georgia to amend the zoning ordinance of Upson County to permit Ground Mounted Solar Energy Systems in the A-R, O-1, C-2, P-M, M-1 and M-2 zoning districts; Establishing purpose and intent; Providing definitions; Establishing permitting and submittal requirements; Establishing general requirements for ground mounted systems, including setbacks, fencing, ground cover, lighting, solar access easements and system decommissioning; providing for repeal/conflict; providing for severability; providing for an effective date.

An ordinance of Upson County, Georgia amending the zoning ordinance of Upson County, to clarify the definition and intent of accessory structures and uses; to define guest quarters; to clarify the circumstances under which quest quarters may be constructed in the A-R zoning district; to delete class B manufactured homes as second homes in the A-R zoning district; to permit site-built homes as second homes in the A-R zoning district; to correct a scrivener’s error; providing for repeal/conflict; providing for severability; providing for an effective data.

IV. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Speakers must state their names and address, and must direct all comments to the Board Chair. Any questions must be put in writing and submitted to the Clerk or the Commissioner over your jurisdiction.

V. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Regular Meeting Minutes August 27, 2019

VI. NEW BUSINESS
b. County Manager, Commissioners, and County Attorney Comments

VII. EXECUTIVE SESSION

VIII. ADJOURNMENT

TAX COMMISSIONER CHASTAIN SAYS THE STATE HAS APPROVED THE 2019 TAX DIGEST FOR UPSON COUNTY

  On Aug. 30^th, Upson County’s 2019 Tax Digest was found to be in proper form and approved for collection of 2019 Ad Valorem taxes.

The overall county net digest increased from $616 million to almost $621 million. A slight increase of almost $5 million. The City of Thomaston’s net digest decreased from $217.8 million to $216.5 million. A drop of $1.3 million. But all the governing authorities went with the 2019 rollback millage rates so most taxpayers should expect their taxes to remain about the same as last year. This is the 5^th year in a row that the governing authorities have rolled back the millage rates. Upson County’s current 2018 tax collection percentage stands at 99%.

  2019 Property tax bills will be mailed out next Tuesday, Sept 10^th and will be due Nov. 18^th, 2019. Property tax bills will also be available to pay online this year and in order to avoid the lines at the tax office, we highly encourage taxpayers to take advantage of this new feature. Go to Upson County Official Website; and under Departments, click on Office of Tax Commissioner, then online property tax payment link.

  My staff and I consider it a pleasure and honor to serve the taxpayers of Upson County. We will continue to provide quality customer service and strive each year to maintain a high standard of performance and expectations.

SHOOTING AT DOLLAR GENERAL IN GRIFFIN

CITY OF GRIFFIN POLICE DEPARTMENT PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE Chief Michael F. Yates ***Press Release*** September 4, 2019 PIO: Lieutenant Daniel Jett Office: (770) 229-6450 Ext.541 djett@cityofgriffin.com On September 2, 2019, at 8:42 P.M., Uniformed Patrol Officers with the Griffin Police Department responded to a call of a person shot at Dollar General (1665 W. McIntosh Rd., Griffin Ga, 30223). Officers made contact with the victim and multiple witnesses in the area. The victim was identified as Jonah Wilson. Wilson was shot above the right hip while in the area of Sunnyside Pediatrics (1661 W. McIntosh Rd.). Wilson was then transported to Wellstar Spalding Regional Hospital for treatment. After arriving at Wellstar Spalding Regional, Wilson was transported to Atlanta Medical Center for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. The scene was then turned over to the Criminal Investigation Division. During the initial investigation, it was discovered that the building of Sunnyside Pediatrics was struck during the gunfire. Sunnyside Pediatrics was closed and the building was unoccupied. The Criminal Investigation Division is currently following up active leads and the case remains active. The Griffin Police Department would like to thank the citizens of Griffin for their continued involvement and partnership with us in an effort to keep our city safe. The Griffin Police Department works to continue strengthening the bond with the community. The above story is proof that

BARN TOTAL LOSS

UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE DISPATCHED TO A BARN FIRE AT 761 HARRELL ROAD, THE PROPERTY OF DONALD HELMS. IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS. NORTHSIDE, THURSTON, AND LINCOLN PARK FIRE DEPARTMENTS RESPONDED.