Murder Suspect Kills Himself

Stanley Steverson

On Wednesday June 8th, Stanley Steverson of Thomaston was reported as a missing person to the Thomaston Police Department. His truck was located in northern Upson County on the same day and impounded by Upson County Deputies. 

Sheriff Dan Kilgore issued the following statement: 

"We conducted a joint investigation with assistance from Thomaston PD and GBI revealing evidence that Mr. Steverson had been the victim of a homicide occurring on Rose Hill Drive in Upson County."

"We determined that Demonte Terrell Davis was involved in the death of Mr. Steverson. A warrant was obtained charging Davis with Murder. Davis has been at large since committing the crime."

"We established telephone contact with Davis on June 12th and he was to surrender to law enforcement at the Ingles grocery store in Griffin. We coordinated efforts with Thomaston PD and Spalding County SO to safely effect his surrender. Davis was escorted to Ingles by family members and exited a vehicle at approximately 4:50 pm. He placed a handgun to his head firing one self inflicted gunshot. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is handling this stage of the investigation. No officers fired their weapons or were injured in this incident."

Amber Smith Davis

Mr. Steverson’s body has not been recovered.

A second individual, Amber Smith Davis, wife of Terrell Davis is charged with concealing a Death and is incarcerated in the Upson County Jail.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Upson County Sheriffs Office at 706-646- 7903.

Pike Counties Callista Clark Rock's The CMA Festival

In a Facebook post by Nick Clark, Callista's father, Mr Clark said: Callista slayed her first CMA Fest! Her efforts included performing on the Riverfront Stage (seen from back stage), performing at Big Machine Distillery, and performing on SiriusXM The Highway’s Happy Hour with Storme and Macy. Pretty solid day. Proud of you Baby!

Wreck On 74 West

Post 26, Georgia State Patrol investigated an accident Friday afternoon shortly after 5:00 pm on Hwy 74 west of Thomaston. The single vehicle crash occurred about a 1/4 of a mile east of Sunnyside Road.

A late model Nissan driven by a male left the road on the east bound side, struck a culvert and went airborne before landing on it's right side.

The driver was wearing a seat belt and had to be taken out of the vehicle through the sunroof, he was transported to Upson Regional Medical Center with what appeared to be minor injuries. The drivers side airbags deployed and rescue personnel cut the seat belt to extricate the man.

The vehicle contained an Upson-Lee staff credential and has an Upson County plate.

GSP will release additional information once the investigation is complete.

GBI ARRESTS A POLICE OFFICER

THE GBI HAS ARRESTED A GREENVILLE POLICE OFFICER IN MERIWETHER COUNTY, 54 YEAR OLD RORY HAYNES FOR CHECKING UP ON AN EX-WIFE AND EX-GIRL FRIENDS USING THE STATE CRIME COMPUTER.

HAYNES HAD BEEN WITH GREENVILLE PD SINCE AUGUST 2019 AND THE GBI SAYS THE G.C.I.C. TERMINAL WAS USED 45 TIMES WITHOUT LAW ENFORCEMENT PURPOSE AND HAYNES HAS BEEN BOOKED INTO THE MERIWETHER COUNTY JAIL.

UPDATE: MISSING THOMASTON MAN

UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF DAN KILGORE TOLD 101 NEWS FRIDAY MORNING THE GBI IS NOW INVOLVED IN THE INVESTIGATION OF A MISSING THOMASTON MAN, 44 YEAR OLD STANLEY STEVERSON. 

WORK CONTINUES IN THE CASE, THE SHERIFF TOLD US.

MISSING PERSON THOMASTON

On 06/08/2022 at approximately 3 p.m., Mr. Stanley Steverson of Thomaston, Georgia was reported missing by his family.

Mr. Steverson was last seen on 06/07/22 at Walmart at approximately 8:30 p.m. at which time he was driving his blue 2012 Ford pickup truck. This vehicle had GA tag TAF9720 displayed on the back and large white magnets on each door. The magnets were for Mr. Steverson's part time car detailing business, "Fresh and Clean Detailing".

Mr. Steverson failed to report to his full-time job later that night in McDonough, Georgia, and neither his wife or family members have had any contact with him since.

Mr. Steverson's pickup truck was located abandoned near a pond on Willingham Springs Rd on the morning of 06/08/22. The vehicle's GA tag and the business magnets had been removed.

An exhaustive search of that area was conducted by the Thomaston Police Department, Upson County Sheriff's Office, and GA K9 SAR teams, but Mr. Steverson was not located. These agencies are continuing to investigate leads in the search for Mr. Steverson. Assistance is also being provided by the GBI. At this time, Mr. Steverson has been missing for approximately 36 hours under what is believed to be suspicious circumstances. Mr. Steverson is described as a 44-year-old black male, 5' 11" tall, 155 lbs. He is known to wear a silver chain with a cross pendant. His clothing is unknown.

The Thomaston Police Department is seeking any information regarding Mr. Steverson or his whereabouts. If you have any information, please call 911 or the case agent, Inv. Pete Spahn at 706-741-0926 or email pspahn@cityopfthomaston.com.

180 APARTMENTS PROPOSED ON VETERANS DRIVE GETS PUSHBACK

 DAVID PFOTZER  OF   PFOTZER   PROPERTIES  MARIETTA,  GA.    GOT  LOTS  OF  PUSH  BACK  ABOUT  A  REZONING  REQUEST  ON  VETERANS  DRIVE  FOR   180  UPSCALE  APARTMENTS  AT  MONDAY'S  MEETING OF  THE  THOMASTON  ZONING  COMMISSION.  A  VOTE  WAS  DELAYED  UNTIL  AUGUST  BUT   MEMBERS  ROBERT  CHATMAN  AND  TROY  WOODARD    VOICED    RESERVATIONS  ABOUT  THE  PROJECT AND  BUSINESSMAN   BOB    FLETCHER   WAS  AMONG  NEAR-BY  HOMEOWNERS  OPPOSED  AND TOLD  HIM--HE'S  MAKING  A  MARKETING  MISTAKE.

COUNTY  COMMISSIONER  BEN  WATSON  WHO  LIVES  ON  HILL  STREET  SAID  WE  NEED  HOUSING  IN  THE  COMMUNITY   BUT  NOT AT  THIS  LOCATION.

CITY OF THOMASTON PROPOSES TAX MILLAGE HIKE

 FACED  WITH  FUNDING  REQUIREMENTS  FOR  THE  NEW  FIRE  STATION  BOND  AND  EMS  SERVICE  THE  CITY  OF  THOMASTON  IS   PROPOSING    A  TWO  AND  A HALF   MILL  TAX    INCREASE  IN  THE  FALL  TO  COVER   NEW  COSTS  OF  $658,000  IN  2023,

  AFTER  THE  PRESENTATION  BY  FINANCE  DIRECTOR LONNIE  JOYCE  AT  TUESDAY'S  MEETING  OF  THE  MAYOR  AND  COUNCIL -- CITY  MANAGER  RUSSELL  THOMPSON  SAID  THE   ITEM  WILL  BE  ON   EVERY  MEETING   AGENDA  MOVING  FOWARD  TO  ALLOW  THE  PUBLIC  TO  HAVE   INPUT  INTO  THE  TAX  HIKE

National Golf Champ Has Thomaston Connections

THE 2022 NCAA DIVISION ONE NATIONAL GOLF CHAMPION, GORDON SARGENT, OF THE VANDERBILT GOLF TEAM, HAS THOMASTON CONNECTIONS.

HIS FATHER, SETH SARGENT, WAS A MEMBER OF THE 1987 RE LEE FOOTBALL TEAM AND HE IS THE GRAND NEPHEW OF DR. MARK AND SHIRLEY ANN COTNEY OF THOMASTON. HIS GRANDFATHER, DICK SARGENT, WAS A LONG TIME THOMASTON MILLS EXECUTIVE.

GORDON WON A 4-MAN PLAYOFF LAST WEEK IN SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA TO TAKE THE NATIONAL TITLE AND HAS BEEN NAMED RECEIPIENT OF THE PHIL MICKELSON AWARD FOR THE BEST FRESHMAN GOLFER IN THE U.S.

HE IS A PING FIRST TEAM ALL- AMERICAN AND FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR IN THE SEC.

MAY MADNESS AT THE DA OFFICE

May Madness

Our offices deemed last month “May Madness.” Why? Because our collective offices tried multiple serious cases in four weeks. To kick things off, in Fayette County, Chief Deputy Warren Sellers obtained a conviction for child molestation in a somewhat unusual case where the victim was male, and the abuser was female. Judge W. Fletcher Sams sentenced the defendant to twenty years with eighteen to serve.

I was back in saddle trying a murder case in Spalding County. In that case, a jury convicted a serial domestic violence abuser of murder. I tried this case with the assistance of Assistant District Attorney Holly MacDonald. Judge Ballard sentenced the defendant to life without parole.

The next week, a Spalding County jury convicted a drug trafficker for distributing car-fentanyl, a super deadly drug that can cause death upon mere contact. Chief Assistant District Attorney David Studdard and Assistant District Attorney Holly MacDonald presented an excellent case involving witnesses as far away as Maryland. Judge Ballard sentenced that defendant to forty years to serve. 

And, last, but certainly not least, Assistant District Attorney Ashton Fallin and Audrey Holliday prosecuted top leadership of the “Zoo Krew” set of the Blood Gang in Upson County. This case was unique in that the defendants were charged under the Racketeer, Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. This is a statute that was enacted to allow prosecutors to target not only those who commit immediate crimes of violence or drug activity, but those who govern and direct them. My assistants gallantly proved to an Upson County jury that the two defendants were the ring leaders of drug distribution and violence in our community. Judge Ben Miller, Jr. sentenced these top gang leaders to 40 years to serve. Both were recidivists, which means they will serve every day of their sentence. This Upson County jury made a huge statement to gang leaders in this Circuit. We do not want gang crime here. My offices will continue to fight to bring down gangs in our community. I had many concerns about how juries would react to crime after the court shutdown during the pandemic. The clear message across Fayette, Spalding, Pike, and Upson Counties are that the good citizens of this community are sick and tired of violence in their communities, and I share in this feeling.

My heartfelt thanks go out to the law enforcement agencies who helped us bring these cases to a jury. We had agencies come from five states to testify in these May Madness trials. Together, with the law enforcement agencies across this Circuit, my offices will continue to work extremely hard to prosecute those committing crime in our communities. Until next time, please be good to each other.

Power Outage West Of Thomaston

The power was off for several hours Monday afternoon following a thunderstorm that triggered a microburst along Emmaus Church Road.

Three trees were blown over taking out the power lines, the road was closed by TPD as crews worked to clear the debris and restore power.

TPD INVESTIGATING ARMED ROBBERY

THOMASTON POLICE INVESTIGATING AN ARMED ROBBERY FRIDAY, JUNE 3RD AT FAMILY DOLLAR 532 NORTH CENTER, OVER $14,000 IN CASH WAS STOLEN. 

THE REPORT SAID A BLACK MALE, DRESSED IN ALL BLACK, WEARING A MASK POINTED A PISTOL AT THE FEMALE CLERK AND DEMANDED ALL THE MONEY. THE CLERK EMPTIED THE CASH REGISTER AND PUT THE CURRENCY IN A PLASTIC BAG.

SECURITY VIDEO SHOWED HE LEFT ON FOOT HEADED SOUTH. THE ROBBER DESCRIBED AS A BLACK MALE ABOUT 5-5 250 POUNDS.

Upson County 2022 Building Safety Month Poster Contest Winner

The 2022 Building Safety Month Poster Contest Winner is Luke Wilson.

Luke submitted a poster about disaster preparedness when a tornado has been spotted. His poster listed tips such as making a plan, having an emergency kit, and finding low cover. His drawing illustrated the safest place in the house to take cover during a tornado.

Luke just completed the 2nd grade and is looking forward to beginning the 3rd grade in the Fall. Luke enjoys spending time with his younger sister and teaching her about numbers. He also likes coding games and is looking forward to his upcoming birthday party in July.

Luke stopped by the Building & Zoning Office this morning and had his picture taken with Commissioner Wilder, Building Official, Thomas Keyt, and Building & Zoning Director, Doug Currier. He also collected his prize which included educational toys, Minecraft Legos, and a gift card to his favorite restaurant, McDonalds.

Package Alcohol Apps Begin In Thomaston

THE CITY OF THOMASTON WILL BEGIN TAKING APPLICATIONS THURSDAY JUNE 2 FOR TWO ALCOHOL PACKAGE STORES APPROVED BY VOTERS. 

CITY MANAGER RUSSELL THOMPSON EXPECTS 5 TO 10 APPLICATIONS. THE APPLICATION FEE IS NON-REFUNDABLE, $2000 AND THE LICENSE FEE IF GRANTED VIA A LOTTERY IS $5000 ANNUALLY.

APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED THROUGH JUNE 16.

NO VIRTUAL LEARNING OPTION T-U SCHOOLS

 The Thomaston-Upson School System has announced that they will not be offering the virtual learning option for the 2022-23 school year. All Thomaston-Upson students will be returning to the classrooms for traditional face-to-face instruction. The school system will continue with enhanced cleaning and sanitization efforts, and masks will be an option for students and staff. According to district administration, learning options could be subject to change based on state, regional, and/or local guidance and community conditions.

New Traffic Pattern For 19 North Thomaston

New Traffic Pattern for Widening of US 19 North Project: June 6th

GDOT contractors, CW Matthews will be shifting the traffic to the outside lanes on US 19 mainline on Sunday, June 5th, in order to switch to the next stage of the project plans. This traffic shift to the outside lanes will begin at 3 pm Sunday evening to eradicate conflicting striping, adjust signal configuration at Jeff Davis/Harp Road, and will install new pavement striping and roadway signage throughout the project. The work associated with this traffic shift will be completed by 7 am Monday morning June 6th. Message boards have been placed warning about the new traffic pattern.

This project widens the 4-lanes of US 19 to make them 12'. It also proposes to add a raised median. The project begins at the intersection of US 19 and County Road and ends at the intersection of US 19 and Atwater Road, approximately 2 miles north of Thomaston. Also, as part of this project, Delray road will be realigned to intersect with US 19 and Jimmerson Road. A signal will be added at this location.