November General Election 2022

August 27- First day to apply/accept application for Absentee Ballot by mail 

September 20- First day to mail out Absentee Ballots 

October 11- Voter Registration Deadline 

October 17- Advance Voting starts (8:30 am –5:00 pm) at Civic Center 

October 22- First Saturday (9:00 am-5:00 pm) 

October 28- Last day to mail out Absentee Ballots 

October 29- Second Saturday (9:00 am-5:00 pm) 

November 4- Last day for Advance Voting 

November 8- Election Day/FINAL day to accept Absentee Ballots by mail (by 7:00 pm

Motorcycle / SUV Fatality

On Monday, at approximately 8:34 p.m., Deputies with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office responded to an accident involving a motorcycle and SUV, in the 10,000 block of Zebulon Road, with injuries. 

A motorcycle driven by Brandon Kyle Cox, 25, of Macon was traveling west on Zebulon Road and collided with the front end of an SUV that was traveling East and making a left hand turn into a driveway. 

Mr. Cox was pronounced deceased on scene. The fatality is still under investigation.

Public Hearing On Legacy Ranch Continues

AN APPLICATION FOR A SPECIAL EXCEPTION FOR THE STEVE HARVEY LEGACY RANCH, FORMERLY THE ROCK RANCH, LASTED ALMOST TWO HOURS MONDAY AND THE UPSON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION FOLLOWED THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION TO CONTINUE THE HEARING AT THE AUGUST MEETING BECAUSE THE APPLICATION WAS INCOMPLETE.

STEVE HARVEY PLANS TO HOLD HIS SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMS ON THE SITE, BUT THE PLANNING COMMISSION WANTS MORE DETAIL ON THE TYPES OF ACTIVITIES TO BE HELD AT THE RANCH THE REST OF THE YEAR.

DEE MCLEROY OF THE MCLEROY COMPANY TOLD THE PLANNING COMMISSION STEVE HARVEY PLANS TO INVEST 20 TO $25 MILLION TO BUILD DORMATORIES, CABINS, A DINING HALL, BASKETBALL COURTS AND A BOXING ARENA ON 65 OF THE 1500 ACRES. HE SAID THE COMPANY WILL CONSTRUCT WATER AND SEWER FACLITIES TO ACCOMIDATE SEVERAL HUNDRED YOUTH, SOMETHING GOVERNED BY EPD. PASTOR MO, OPERATIONS MANAGER OF THE RANCH SAID PLANS ARE FOR     COMMUNITY TO USE THE FACILITIES WHEN THE CAMPS ARE NOT OPERATING.

STEVE HARVEY REACHED BY PHONE DURING THE MEETING STRESSED THE RANCH WILL BE DEVOTED TO YOUTH.

Vehicle pursuit in Spalding County

On Sunday July 10, 2022, Spalding County Sheriff’s Deputies engaged in a vehicle pursuit with a vehicle that had been reported stolen from Lamar County. This pursuit led to a large law enforcement response from the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office, Griffin Police Department, Georgia State Patrol, and Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, in the West Ellis and Moon Road area.

According to Sheriff Darrell Dix, “The pursuit covered a large area on the west side of the county before reaching West Ellis Road. At one-point deputies lost sight of the vehicle, but eventually located it abandoned near Ellis Road and Landing Way. According to witnesses in the neighborhood, three suspects exited the vehicle and began fleeing on foot. As one of the suspects was running, he fired at least two shots before entering the wood line.

Because one of the suspects that fled was armed and had fired shots, units from the Griffin Police Department, Georgia State Patrol, and the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office responded to assist Spalding County Deputies.

“We immediately began getting information out to residents living in the area to shelter in place and report suspicious persons and activity. Utilizing social media, the Nixle Alert System, and word of mouth, we were able to cover a lot of ground with the warning.” For more than three (3) hours Officers maintained the perimeter, and conducted searches on foot, by vehicle, and by air with Spalding County’s STAR Unit. “We followed up any lead that we received, and in many instances, we were going from residence to residence.”

While conducting the search, officers were contacted by a person who told us that he had picked up two (2) people in the area that had flagged him down asking for a ride to

East Mt. Zion Rd. “We checked several residences on Mt. Zion, and believed that they had been picked up and taken out of the area before we got there.”

“Officers in the original search zone received a tip that a male had been seen near a barn behind a residence on Moon Road. Uniform Patrol Deputies along with STING Unit Agents responded and found the suspect hiding in the barn. The suspect, identified as Cameron Smith W/M 22 years of age, was taken into custody without incident. It was learned later that Smith already had warrants outstanding on him in Lamar County. With one suspect in custody, and the other two now out of the area, we released officers from the perimeter, and returned back to normal operations.”

“Approximately 30 minutes later, we received an additional tip that the two remaining suspects who had been picked up earlier, had been dropped off at the Dollar General on Highway 92 near Bicycle Road. While on the way to that location, additional information was given to us that the suspects had made their way to a barn behind a residence near there. Uniform Patrol Deputies, and STING Agents went to the residence, spoke with the homeowner, entered the barn, and found the two remaining suspects hiding inside. They were taken into custody without incident, and have been identified as Raven Bulloch W/F 26, and Amber Long W/F 28 both of Griffin.”

“Right now we are exploring the long list of charges that each of these individuals will be facing regarding this incident such as auto theft, theft by receiving stolen property, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, fleeing and attempting to elude, obstruction of officers, and other charges. All of the suspects are known to local law enforcement due to our previous run-ins with them and we are going to charge them with everything possible that the law allows. Cameron Smith is an admitted and documented member of the “Ghost Face Gangsters,” and we will be seeking additional warrants on him for violations of the Georgia Criminal Street Gang Act.”

“Folks that do dumb stuff like this are eventually going to run into the wrong person in the wrong neighborhood, fire shots, and a law-abiding citizen is going to shoot back. Idiots like this play a stupid game, and they’re apt to claim their stupid prize. Good folks are tired of this garbage.”

“A quick response, cooperation between the agencies, teamed with the public becoming involved in keeping our communities safe, led to these arrests. Great work by everyone involved.”

If you would like to sign up to receive free Nixle Alerts about incidents and weather in Spalding County, you can go to the Nixle link found on our website SpaldingSheriff.org, the Spalding County Sheriff app, or by texting 30224 to 888777. You can also find additional information about the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office on our website and app.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY MARIE BRODER REPORTS

 Making Sense of the Senseless

I hope everyone is having an enjoyable summer. Since I last wrote to you, my Fayette County Office closed a case involving one of our Circuit’s most horrific crimes.

On December 7, 2018, at 2;28 p.m., Johnny Edwards, IV called 911 and told them that he had killed his mother and wife. The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office responded and met the Defendant at the front door of the home. He was covered in blood. In an upstairs bedroom, the Defendant’s wife, Venus Quanteh, was lying on the floor in a pool of blood. At the time of her murder, she was pregnant with the Defendant’s son. He did not survive. Kathy Edwards, the Defendant’s mother, was also lying in a pool of blood. Both victims had fractured skulls and multiple stab wounds. A blood covered wooden baseball bat was located between the two victims. A blood covered steak knife was located on a bathroom floor nearby.

The crime scene was horrifying. Adding further to the horror of this crime was the fact that the Defendant killed his own mother and pregnant wife. I have tried many murder cases. The motivations are often clear: a jealous lover or spouse, domestic abuse, a drug deal, or armed robbery gone wrong. The challenge with this case was that there was no clear motive for the crime. In Georgia, we are not required to prove “motive” like you might hear about in TV shows set in other jurisdictions. However, as a practical matter, a jury is going to be troubled if they do not know “why” took someone else’s life. In this case, we were never able to determine a clear reason for the Defendant’s actions.

His attorneys raised a defense asserting that the Defendant was mentally ill. In Georgia, a person cannot be found guilty of a crime if, at the time of the criminal act, the person did not have the mental capacity to distinguish between right and wrong as it relates to the criminal act. This is an affirmative defense that the defendant must prove—almost always with evidence from a psychologist who has examined the defendant. The bar to succeed is quite high and is a rare defense.

As trial approached, the Defendant chose to enter a plea of guilty, but mentally ill, to two counts of Malice Murder. This is a special plea where the Defendant admits that he was legally responsible for the murders of his wife and mother, but that he did suffer from a mental illness at the time of the murders. If accepted by a Judge, the result of this plea is that a defendant may receive a different form of punishment. Instead of going to a general prison population for the rest of his life without the possibility of parole, a defendant may be sentenced to life without the possibility of parole, but also receive mental health assistance and care during his incarceration. This plea is a recognition that someone may have reduced responsibility for the crime because they suffer from mental illness, but still acknowledges that the severity of the crime requires them to spend the rest of their life in prison.

In horrendous crimes like the one committed by the Defendant here, I rarely even consider extending a plea offer because some crimes require punishment to the fullest extent of the law. In this case, because the Defendant was pleading guilty to two counts of Malice Murder, there was no question that he would spend the rest of his life in prison. This was the appropriate result and spared the victim’s family from reliving the horror of the crime.

On Monday, June 27th, 2022, Senior Judge Arch McGarity accepted the negotiated guilty plea and sentenced Edwards to life in prison without the possibility of parole. This sentence means that he will never be released from prison.

I left the hearing unsatisfied, as I still could not wrap my head around the “reason” why a young man would kill his own wife, unborn child, and mother. But the only sense I could make of this heartbreaking and horrific crime was that the Defendant would be safely behind bars for the rest of his life and not able to hurt anyone else. The victims’ family will now continue the long process of grief, and our community, which was rocked by this horrible murder, can also begin to heal. This is one of the most gruesome murders I have handled. The victims will also stay with me forever.

I am thankful to the hard work of Assistant District Attorneys’ Dan Hiatt and Warren Sellers, as well as the investigative efforts of the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office. Without their help, we would not have been able to bring this matter successfully to a close. Three of our four offices are in trial this week, so I hope to have a further update for you on the progress of those cases soon. Until next time, please be kind to one another.

Power Outage In Thomaston

Thomaston City Manager Russell Thompson reported that the power was off in the Northside, Silvertown, Hannah's Mill Road area for about an hour this afternoon following a wreck near Zaxby's on North Church Street.

The Thomaston Fire Department and City PD responded to the scene, a motorist hit a utility pole.

Fugitive In Middle Georgia

Authorities are searching in middle Georgia for a man wanted for multiple felonies in Louisiana.

James Lee Collins, Jr. is wanted on six felony warrants for fraud and swindling in Allen Parish, Louisiana and is connected to an investigation in Monroe County.

Collins also goes by Jimmy and detectives say he is likely in Middle Georgia and may be in Bibb, Crawford, Peach, or Monroe counties.

Collins may be connected to the following vehicles:

• 2020 Ford F150, blue in color with Georgia license plate# CSJ6853

• 2018 Harley Davidson FLHX Street Motorcycle, black in color with Georgia license plate# ELT162

• 2021/2022 Infinity QX80, black in color with a drive-out/temporary tag from Jeff Smith Ford in Byron, Georgia

Collins is known to own and operate Choice Roofing, LLC out of Crawford County.

Anyone with information on where Collins may be should call the Monroe County Sheriff's Office at (478) 994-7010 or (478) 994-7043, Ext. 232 and speak with Investigator Yolanda Mercer.

HOUSE FIRE IN UPSON CO

UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF DAN KILGORE TELLS 101 NEWS AN UNIDENTIFIED WHITE FEMALE IN HER 50'S WAS LIFE-FLIGHTED TO THE BURN UNIT AT GRADY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL IN ATLANTA AFTER A TRAILER HOME FIRE ON GOODEN ROAD OFF JUGTOWN ROAD, AROUND 9AM THURSDAY.

THE WOMAN HAD EXTENSIVE BURNS TO THE UPPER PART OF HER BODY BUT A MALE INSIDE THE MOBILE HOME WITH HER MANAGED TO ESCAPE THE FLAMES.

SHERIFF KILGORE COMMENDED THE ACTIONS OF VOLUNTEER FIRE UNITS FROM NORTHSIDE, YATESVILLE, AND THURSTON , WHO PUT THE FIRE OUT.

SOME TYPE OF ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH AN AIR CONDITIONING UNIT COULD BE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE--THE SHERIFF SAID.

FATAL ACCIDENT IN THOMASTON

POST 26 GA. STATE PATROL THOMASTON HAS RELEASED THE ACCIDENT REPORT ON A FATALITY, TUESDAY MORNING ON SOUTH CENTER STREET NEAR MALLORY STREET BETWEEN AN SUV AND A GFL/ WASTE INDUSTRIES CLAM SHELL GARBAGE TRUCK.

THE FATALITY IDENTIFIED AS 54 YEAR OLD NAOMI DARLENE WHEELER OF 1534 19 NORTH APARTMENT 141, WAS PRONOUNCED DECEASED AT THE E.R. THE TRUCK DRIVER, 55 YEAR OLD REGINALD BANKSTON OF GRIFFIN, WHO WAS NOT INJURED, WAS OUTSIDE THE TRUCK WORKING THE ARM CONTROL PICKING UP YARD DEBRIS AND HAD THE FLASHING LIGHTS ACTIVATED WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURED.

TROOPER LAREN THOMKA SAID THE TRUCK WAS PARKED IN THE LEFT HAND LANE AND THE 2004 GMC YUKON DRIVEN BY MS. WHEELER WAS FOLLOWING TOO CLOSELY AND SHE WAS DISTRACTED PRIOR TO REAR-ENDING THE TRUCK.

TRAFFIC WAS BLOCKED AND REROUTED FOR OVER AN HOUR BY THOMASTON POLICE AND FIRE.

UPSON BOC EXPRESSES THANKS

Chairman Norman Allen and the Upson County Board of Commissioners would like to express their appreciation to Sheriff Dan Kilgore and the staff of the Upson County Sheriff’s Office, as well as the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and U.S. Secret Service for their prompt response to a recent phishing scheme involving Upson County funds. 

“On behalf of the Upson County Board of Commissioners, I would like to express our deep gratitude to everyone involved in the swift action taken against the perpetrator who carried out this scam. Thanks to Sheriff Kilgore, his staff, the GBI, and the U.S. Secret Service, the funds that were stolen were able to be recovered.” stated Chairman, Norman Allen. 

While no system is fool proof, processes have been implemented within Upson County that have assisted in mitigating the likelihood of a similar situation occurring in the future. Please visit www.upsoncountyga.org for updates and information regarding the latest happenings in Upson County

SHERIFF DAN KILGORE REPORTS $100,000 THEFT

On July 5th a report was made by the Upson County Finance Department concerning the computer theft of $99,624. The theft occurred on June 30th through the email submission of a computer generated invoice that purported to be from Ameripro, Upson County’s ambulance service provider. 

The forged invoice is identical to the normally submitted monthly invoice of the ambulance service, except for one character in the email address and the account number for submission of payment. 

After the payment was submitted electronically, an employee of the finance department contacted Ameripro to confirm receipt and learned of the fraudulent activity. The Upson Sheriff’s Office was notified of the theft we immediately contacted the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for assistance with this case. The GBI involved their cyber crimes unit in Augusta Georgia and the U.S. Secret service. 

Using these resources we were able to identify the account the money had been wired to and freeze the funds for recovery.

This case is active and ongoing.

Ribbon Cutting

The Thomaston-Upson Chamber Ribbon Cutting Longhorn Steakhouse in Thomaston Tuesday.

T.J. SEARCY IS A FLORIDA GATOR

UPSON-LEE DEFENSIVE LINEMAN T.J. SEARCY HAS COMMITTED TO THE 2023 CLASS OF THE FLORIDA GATORS.

GEORGIA, CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA, AND TENNESSEE HAD BEEN FINALISTS IN SEARCY'S RECRUITMENT.

T.J. HAS VISITED THE GATORS THREE TIMES THIS YEAR INCLUDING AN OFFICIAL VISIT JUNE 10. SEARCY SAID OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS COACH MIKE PETERSON MADE A BIG IMPRESSION ON HIM WITH HIS FOOTBALL KNOWLEDGE.

City of Thomaston 4th of July Freedom Fest

 

Guilty Pleas Upson Superior Court.

 PLEAS – JUDGE RHONDA B. KREUZIGER, GJC  JULY 1, 2022 

NATHAN ANTHONY HUNT CT. 1: POSSESSION OF SCHEDULE I CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE: 3 YEARS PROBATION; $1,000 FINE; 80 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE. CT. 2: POSSESSION OF SCHEDULE II CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE: 2 YEARS PROBATION CONSECUTIVE TO COUNT 1; $500 FINE. CT. 3: FLEEING OR ATTEMPTING TO ELUDE A POLICE OFFICER: 12 MONTHS PROBATION CONCURRENT TO COUNT 1; $500 FINE. CT. 4: DUI (DRUGS): 12 MONTHS PROBATION CONCURRENT TO COUNT 1; $500. 

AMANI TYZHAE ROSS CT. 1: FLEEING OR ATTEMPTING TO ELUDE A POLICE OFFICER: 5 YEARS PROBATION; $5,000 FINE; 80 HOURS COMMUNITY SERV ICE. CT. 2: OBSTRUCTION OF A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER: 12 MONTHS PROBATION; $500 FINE.

PLEAS – JUDGE BEN J. MILLER, JR.  JUNE 27, 2022 

KENNETH WILLIAM CARSON CT. 1: BATTERY- FAMILY VIOLENCE: 12 MONTHS PROBATION CONCURRENT TO CASE 22R0014; $250 FINE; 40 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE. 

KENNETH WILLIAM CARSON CT. 1: DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 2: DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE: 12 MONTHS PROBATION; FIRST 60 DAYS TO SERVE; $500 FINE; 80 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE. CT. 3: POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE: 3 YEARS PROBATION CONCURRENT TO COUNT 2; $500 FINE. CT. 4: OPEN CONTAINER: $50 FINE. CT. 5: FAILURE TO MAINTAIN LANE: NOLLE PROSEQUI. 

JOSHUA ALANDERS MILLER CT. 1: POSSESSION OF DRUG RELATED OBJECTS: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 2: DRIVING WITHOUT A LICENSE: 12 MONTHS WITH THE FIRST 60 DAYS TO SERVE. CT. 3: OBSTRUCTION OF A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER: 12 MONTHS PROBATION CONSECUTIVE TO COUNT 2. CT. 4: POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE: ALFORD PLEA: 3 YEARS PROBATION CONCURRENT TO COUNT 2; 80 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE; $1,500 FINE.

PLEAS – JUDGE BEN J. MILLER, JR.  JUNE 27, 2022 

ANTHONY Q. SCOTT CT. 1: VIOLATION OF RACKETEER INFLUENCED AND CORRUPT ORGANIZATION ACT: 20 YEARS SERVE 5 YEARS, FOLLOWED BY 15 YEARS ON PROBATION; $2,000 FINE; BANISHED FROM PIKE COUNTY. CT. 2: VIOLATION OF RACKETEER INFLUENCED AND CORRUPT ORGANIZATION ACT: NOLLE PROSEQUI. 

RAYMOND S. HILL CT. 1: POSSESSION OF A FIREARM BY CONVICTED FELON: 5 YEARS, SERVE 1 YEAR, FOLLOWED BY 4 YEARS ON PROBATION; $1,000 FINE; 80 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE. 

RAYMOND S. HILL CT. 1: FLEEING OR ATTEMPTING TO ELUDE A POLICE DEPARTMENT: 12 MONTHS PROBATION CONCURRENT TO CASE 21R0229; 40 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE. CT. 2: OBSTRUCTION OF AN OFFICER: 12 MONTHS PROBATION CONSECUTIVE TO COUNT 1. CT. 3: TAILLIGHT VIOLATION: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 4: IMPROPER DISPLAY OF LICENSE PLATES: 12 MONTHS PROBATION CONSECUTIVE TO COUNT 2. 

PRESTON L. HOBBS CT. 1: POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE: 3 YEARS PROBATION; $500 FINE; 80 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE. CT. 2: POSSESSION OF SCHEDULE IV CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE: NOLLE PROSEQUI. 

STEPHANIE N. DECOSTA CT. 1: POSSESSION OF SCHEDULE IV CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE: 3 YEARS PROBATION; ENTER AND SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE INTEGRATED TREATMENT FACILITY; ENTER AND SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE SPALDING COUNTY DRUG COURT PROGRAM; 80 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE. CT. 2: DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED: 12 MONTHS PROBATION CONSECUTIVE TO COUNT 1. 

STEPHANIE N. DECOSTA CT. 1: POSSESSION OF SYNTHETIC CANNABIS SYNTHETIC MARIJUANA OR K2: 3 YEARS PROBATION; ENTER AND SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE INTEGRATED TREATMENT FACILITY; ENTER AND SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE SPALDING COUNTY DRUG COURT PROGRAM; 80 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE. CT. 2: DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE: 12 MONTHS PROBATION CONCURRENT TO COUNT 1. 

DESTON B. DANIEL CT. 1: THEFT BY RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY: 5 YEARS PROBATION, FIRST 6 MONTHS TO SERVE; $1,000 FINE; 80 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE. CT. 2: ENTERING AUTO: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 3: POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 4: TRAFFICKING METHAMPHETAMINE OR AMPHETAMINE: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 5: POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE: NOLLE PROSEQUI. 

EDDIE R. PARKS III CT. 1: GIVING FALSE INFORMATION TO A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER: 12 MONTHS TO SERVE 

EDDIE R. PARKS III CT. 1: FLEEING OR ATTEMPTING TO ELUDE A POLICE OFFICER: 12 MONTHS TO SERVE CONCURRENT TO CASE 20R0057B. CT. 2: DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 3: DRIVING ON WRONG SIDE OF ROADWAY: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 4: RECKLESS DRIVING: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 5: OPEN CONTAINER: NOLLE PROSEQUI. 

EDDIE R. PARKS III CT. 1: FLEEING OR ATTEMPTING TO ELUDE A POLICE OFFICER: 5 YEARS, FIRST 2 YEARS TO SERVE, FOLLOWED BY 3 YEARS ON PROBATION; BANISHMENT FROM UPSON COUNTY; 80 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE. CT. 2: FAILURE TO STOP AT STOP SIGN: 12 MONTHS PROBATION CONCURRENT TO COUNT 1. CT. 3: FAILURE TO MAINTAIN LANE: NOLLE PROSEQUI. 

EDDIE R. PARKS III CT. 1: POSSESSION OF FIREARM DURING COMMISSION OF A CRIME: 5 YEARS, FIRST 2 YEARS TO SERVE; 80 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE. CT. 2: OBSTRUCTION OF AN OFFICER: 12 MONTHS TO SERVE CONCURRENT TO COUNT 1. CT. 3: POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE: 12 YEARS, FIRST 2 YEARS TO SERVE, FOLLOWED BY 10 YEARS ON PROBATION CONCURRENT TO COUNT 1; $1,500 FINE. 

CYNTHIA ARD CT. 1: BURGLARY IN THE FIRST DEGREE: 5 YEARS, FIRST 9 MONTHS TO SERVE, FOLLOWED BY THE REMAINDER ON PROBATION; $1,000 FINE; 80 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE; 80 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE. 

TYAN M. GRAY CT. 1: POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA: NOLLE POSEQUI. CT. 2: VIOLATION OF STREET GANG TERRORIS AND PREVENTION: 10 YEARS PROBATION; $1,000 FINE; 80 HOURS COMMUNITY SEVICE. CT. 3: THEFT BY RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 4: POSSESSION OF FIREARM DURING A CRIME: 5 YEARS PROBATION CONCURRENT TO COUNT 1; $1,000 FINE.

T-U BOE PROPOSES ONE MILL TAX HIKE

THE THOMASTON-UPSON BOARD OF EDUCATION REVIEWED A REVISED BUDGET PROPOSAL AT A CALLED MEETING, THURSDAY, A BUDGET THAT WAS VOTED DOWN 4-3 RECENTLY SO TWO ADDITIONAL PUBLIC HEARINGS WILL BE HELD JULY 19TH AND JULY 25TH. IT INCLUDES A TAX MILLAGE INCREASE OF ABOUT ONE MILL, WHICH MEANS ALL THREE TAX LEVYING BODIES IN THE COUNTY, CITY OF THOMASTON, COUNTY OF UPSON, AND THE SCHOOL BOARD WILL BE HIKING THEIR TAX MILLAGE RATES FOR 2022.

THE REVISED BUDGET OF $44 MILLION ELIMINATES PROPOSED $6000 PAY RAISES FOR CENTRAL OFFICE EMPLOYEES--$4000 IN LOCAL FUNDS, $2000 FROM THE STATE, SOMETHING THAT APPARENTLY LEAD TO THE BUDGET BEING REJECTED.

THE M&O TAX MILLAGE RATE OF 13.21 MILLS WOULD INCREASE TO 14.01 MILLS UNDER THE REVISED BUDGET.