U-L BOE Meeting Tuesday

At last night's Board of Education meeting, Ms. Jacqueline Hollis, BOE Chairperson, called for a moment of silence to honor the memory of ULHS senior Jer'Mya Eleby. BOE members expressed condolences for the family and for faculty, staff and students at the schools. Board members also thanked Thomaston-Upson faculty and staff for a successful pre-planning and start to the new school year. 

During Superintendent's Comments and Recognition, Dr. Larry Derico gave the following statement: 

"I, too, offer my sincere condolences to the family of Jer’Mya Eleby. We have lost a beautiful and valued member of our UL family and we grieve for this loss. My prayers continue to be with her family and loved ones, most especially her mother, Ms. Jermica Napier, and her sister, Jor’Leyah Little, both of whom are members of our UL family. This loss has reached into the depths of our school district and has affected faculty, staff, and students at all of our schools. Jer’Mya Napier will be missed; she will be remembered; and she will always be an Upson-Lee Knight."

 

In other comments, Dr. Derico stated:

"I want to thank all Thomaston-Upson School System employees for completing the hard work necessary over the past weeks in preparation for the opening of the new school year. We have completed new teacher and staff training, school safety training, behavior intervention training, special education training, CPR certifications, fine arts center equipment training, and more. We held a district-wide meeting to discuss accountability and what it means to be UL, to be united with everyone working toward one mission, which is excellence in education, every individual, every day. I anticipate great things from the students, faculty, and staff of the Thomaston-Upson School System this year."

 

The recognition portion of the meeting focused on Upson-Lee Middle School faculty & staff and their recent state and national accolades. ULMS Principal Mrs. Rhonda Gulley and a group of faculty and staff attended and presented at The National Forum - Advancing Excellence in Middle Schools Conference June 22-24 in Washington, D.C. At the conference, Upson-Lee Middle School received the National School of Distinction Award honoring their sixth redesignation as a Lighthouse School to Watch, a program that identifies schools across the country that are committed to a journey of excellence centered around the four program domains of academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity, and organizational structures and processes. Upson-Lee Middle School was the 2nd middle school in Georgia to receive the Lighthouse designation in 2005 and is on a very short list of schools throughout the nation to have maintained this designation for almost 20 years. Presenters at the national conference included: Leigh McDaniel, Lindsey Callahan, Fred Sparks, and Katie Stinchcomb. Other guests representing ULMS were Principal Rhonda Gulley, Kim Phillips, Stephanie Stewart, Crystal Shaw, Tiffany Peoples, Michele McDaniel, Stephanie English, and Maggie Atherton. 

 

Dr. Derico also recognized ULMS Principal Rhonda Gulley, who has been selected to serve on the GA Association for Middle Level Education (GAMLE)  Board of Directors. Mrs. Gulley will be the only public middle school principal on this board, which works directly with the national AMLE Board of Directors. Her tenure begins this year. 

 

During the business portion of the meeting, the Board approved the new Upson-Lee Agriculture Center fee schedule and rental agreement and revisions to the Upson-Lee Fine Arts Center fee schedule and rental agreement. They also approved the replacement of the roofs at two schools: Upson-Lee Primary and Upson-Lee Elementary. Director of Operations Marc Ellington informed the Board that capital outlay funds were available from the state for the reroofing projects.

THOMASTON MAIN STREET PROGRAM RECEIVES ACCREDITATION

 Thomaston Main Street Program

RECEIVES 2023 MAIN STREET AMERICA ACCREDITATION

Thomaston, GA (8-9-2023) – The Thomaston Main Street has been designated as an Accredited Main Street America™ program for meeting rigorous performance standards. Each year, Main Street America and its partners announce the list of Accredited programs to recognize their exceptional commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach™.

“We are very proud to acknowledge this year’s 862 Accredited Main Street America programs, and their steadfast dedication to nurture economically and culturally vibrant downtown districts,” said Hannah White, Interim President & CEO of Main Street America. “The increase in the size and impact of our network speaks volumes to the power of the Main Street movement to respond to the needs of local communities and drive innovative solutions.”

In 2022, Main Street America programs generated $6.2 billion in local reinvestment, helped open 7,657 net new businesses, facilitated the creation of 29,174 net new jobs, catalyzed the rehabilitation of 10,688 historic buildings, and leveraged 1,528,535 volunteer hours. On average, for every dollar that a Main Street program spent to support their operations, it generated $24.07 of new investment back into their downtown communities.

Collectively, 2 million people live or work within the boundaries of designated Main Street America districts. An estimated workforce of 1.1 million people contributes their skills and expertise to advancing the missions of these historic downtowns and commercial corridors.

Thomaston Main Street Program’s performance is annually evaluated by the Georgia Main Street Program, which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify the local programs that meet rigorous national performance standards. To quality for Accreditation status, communities must meet a set of rigorous standards that include commitments to building grassroots revitalization programs, fostering strong public-private partnerships, nurturing economic opportunity for small businesses and entrepreneurs, and actively preserving historic places, spaces, and cultural assets.

Since 2021, the Thomaston Main Street Program has overseen the reestablishment and revitalization of it’s Main Street events, following a hiatus due to COVID. Additionally, Downtown Thomaston has thrived with 28 New Businesses that created 63 new jobs. This has been fueled by public and private investments totaling almost $16 Million dollars.

Thomaston Main Street Board Chair Lane Coggins stated, “this has been a long-standing designation that we have needed for years”, while crediting Program Coordinator, Taylor Smith for his hard work and dedication since assuming his position in 2021.

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ABOUT Thomaston Main Street Program

Thomaston, GA located just over an hour south of Atlanta has been affiliated with Main Street America since 2018. The town of roughly 10,000 people serves a larger trade area of just over 55,000. Home to dozens of small and unique businesses, Downtown Thomaston has seen a resurgence following the pandemic. The program has supported new business development via a Façade Grant Program, Downtown Events, and much more. Thomaston was featured in 2022’s HGTV Hometown Kickstarter.

ABOUT MAIN STREET AMERICA

Main Street America leads a movement committed to strengthening communities through preservation-based economic development in older and historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts. For more than 40 years, Main Street America has provided a practical, adaptable, and impactful framework for community-driven, comprehensive revitalization through the Main Street Approach™. Our network of more than 1,600 neighborhoods and communities, rural and urban, share both a commitment to place and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. Since 1980, communities participating in the program have generated more than $101.58 billion in new public and private investment, generated 168,693 net new businesses and 746,897 net new jobs, rehabilitated more than 325,119 buildings, and levered over 33.7 million volunteer hours. Main Street America is a nonprofit subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. For more information, visit mainstreet.or

GUNSHOT VICTIM IN THOMASTON

 On Tuesday, August 8 at approximately 7:30pm, patrol officers from the Thomaston Police Department were dispatched to the 500 block of Triune Avenue in reference to a gunshot victim. Upon arrival patrol located the victim Jaquon Alston with a gunshot wound to the hip.  He was in pain but appeared to be alert.  The scene was secured and EMS quickly transported the victim to Matthews Field where he was life flighted to Grady Hospital in Atlanta.  

Officers located a suspect, Kordae Caldwell, walking away from the scene. Caldwell took flight when approached, but after a brief foot pursuit he was apprehended by Officer Zack Phillips and K9 Officer, Cpl. David McCoy, without further incident.

A Sig 9mm handgun was recovered in the path that Caldwell ran.  After conducting interviews with Caldwell and witnesses it was determined that Caldwell and the victim were horseplaying and he pointed the gun at the victim and pulled the trigger not thinking the gun was loaded. 

Through the course of the investigation it was further determined that the gun recovered was reported stolen from an entering auto case on June 26, 2023.  During his interview, Caldwell admitted to breaking into the car and stealing the gun.

At this time Caldwell is being charged with Reckless Conduct, Possession of a Firearm by a Minor, discharging a firearm in the city limits, and Entering Auto.  Further investigation pending.

At the time of this report there was no information on the status of the gun shot victim.  He was conscious and alert when he was transported from the scene.  

Chief Mike Richardson

Thomaston Police Departmen

Upson County Superior Court Guilty Pleas

PLEAS – JUDGE BEN J. MILLER JR., GJC

AUGUST 7, 2023

 

1. 23R0150 GAGE GOODMAN Ct 1.) OBSTRUCTION OF OFFICERS- NOLLE  PROSEQUI. CT. 2: TAMPERING WITH EVIDENCE: 12 MONTHS PROBATION; $500 FINE.; 40 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE. CT. 3: LOITERING OR PROWLING: 12 MONTHS PROBATION TO RUN CONSECUTIVE TO COUNT 2.

 

2. 23R0151 GAGE GOODMAN CT. 1: CRIMINAL TRESPASS: 12 MONTHS PROBATION TO RUN CONCURRENT TO CASE 23R0150; 40 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE.

 

3. 23R0380 EMILY NELSON CT. 1: SIMPLE BATTERY: 12 MONTHS PROABTION. CT. 2: OBSTRUCTION OF OFFICER: 3 YEARS PROBATION TO RUN CONCURRENT TO COUNT 1; $750 FINE; 80 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE. CT. 3: OBSTRUCTION OF OFFICER: NOLLE PROSEQUI.

 

 

PLEAS – JUDGE BEN J. MILLER JR., GJC

AUGUST 8, 2023

 

1. 23R0253 THOMAS CRAVEN CT. 1: OBSTRUCTION OF AN OFFICER: SERVE 90 DAYS IN THE COUNTY JAIL.

 

U-L STUDENT DIES IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENT

 THE  GA.  STATE  PATROL  SPECIALIZED  COLLISON  RECONSTRUCTION  TEAM  IS  INVESTIGATING  A   FATAL  TWO  VEHICLE  ACCIDENT  EARLY  FRIDAY  MORNING  AT   74  EAST  AND  TRINITY  ROAD--THAT  RESULTED  IN  THE  DEATH  OF  UPSON-LEE  HIGH   SENIOR   CHEERLEADER,  17  YEAR  OLD JERMYA ELEBY  OF 103  ABERCOMBIE  STREET-YATESVILLE.   ACCORDING  TO  THE    GSP  REPORT  BY  TROOPER  LOREN   J.   TOMKA,  MS.  ELEBY  MADE  AN  EVASIVE  MOVE  TO  AVOID  ANOTHER  VEHICLE  TURNING   EAST    OFF  TRINITY  ROAD,  LEFT  THE  ROADWAY,  OVERTURNED  AND  THE   2006  TOYOTO  CAMRY  SHE  WAS  DRIVING  CAME  TO  REST  ON  ITS  TOP  IN  A  SMALL  CREEK.

MS. ELEBY  WAS  TRAVELING  WEST  ON   74  AND  THE  OTHER  MOTORIST  28 YEAR   OLD   TEDRIANNA  MIMS  OF 431 HIGHWAY   STREET  THOMASTON   DRIVING  A    2018  DODGE   JOURNEY SE-- WAS  ON  TRINITY  ROAD  STOPPED  AT  A  STOP  SIGN.  WHEN  MS.  ELEBY  APPROACHED,  MS. MIMS WAS   ATTEMPTING  TO TURN  EAST  ONTO  74   BUT  FAILED  TO  YIELD  WHILE  TURNING  LEFT   AND  TRAVELED  INTO  THE  PATH  OF  MS.  ELEBY--  WHO  MADE  AN  EVASIVE  MANEUVER  TO  AVOID  A  COLLISION,   LOST CONTROL  AND  TRAVELED  INTO  THE  EAST BOUND  TRAVEL  LANE.  A  WITNESS  TOLD  THE  TROOPER  THE  MIMS VEHICLE  WAS  IN  THE  WEST  BOUND  LANE  WHEN  MS.  ELEBY  CRESTED  THE  HILL PRIOR  TO  TRINITY  ROAD. A  WET  ROADWAY  AND  SHORT   SIGHT  DISTANCE  DUE  TO  THE  HILL  WERE  ALSO  MENTIONED   IN  THE  REPORT.

MS. ELEBY  WAS  DECEASED AT  THE  SCENE--MS.  MIMS  WAS  NOT  LISTED  WITH  INJURIES. 

ANNOUNCEMENT FROM UPSON TAX COMMISSIONER

 ANNOUNCEMENT FROM TAX COMMISSIONER ANDY CHASTAIN CONCERNING THE 2023 HOMESTEAD TAX RELIEF GRANT THAT WILL BE APPLIED TO THIS YEAR’S PROPERTY TAX BILL. I’LL BE CONDUCTING THREE TOWN HALL MEETINGS EXPLAINING THE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF GRANT GIVEN BY THE STATE TO HOMEOWNERS WHO ARE QUALIFIED AS A HOMESTEAD PROPERTY OWNER. THERE WILL BE AN ADDITIONAL TAX EXEMPTION OF $18,000 APPLIED AFTER ALL OTHER EXEMPTIONS HAVE BEEN APPLIED AND THAT AMOUNT WILL BE CREDITED TO THE TAXES DUE. THIS CREDIT WILL SHOW ON THE TAX BILL ITSELF. IT WILL NOT BE A CREDIT THAT THE TAXPAYER WILL RECEIVE IN THE MAIL IN THE FORM OF A CHECK. IT’S IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT NOT ALL HOMESTEAD TAXPAYERS WILL RECEIVE THE SAME AMOUNT OF CREDIT WHICH IS WHY I’M ENCOURAGING TAXPAYERS, ESPECIALLY HOMESTEAD TAXPAYERS, TO ATTEND ONE OF THESE TOWN HALL MEETINGS. WE’LL BE COVERING IN DETAIL HOW THIS CREDIT AMOUNT IS CALCULATED AND WHAT TAX DISTRICTS IT APPLIES TO. IN ADDITION TO THE HTRG INFORMATION, I’LL ALSO BE ADDRESSING THE CURRENT TAX EXEMPTIONS WE HAVE IN PLACE AND HOW TO APPLY FOR THOSE, THE ADDITIONAL COUNTY EXEMPTIONS EFFECTIVE THIS YEAR, AND A QUESTION/ANSWER SESSION CONCERNING ANYTHING PERTAINING TO THE TAX DIGEST, TAX BILLS, AND ASSESSMENT VALUES.

THE HTRG IS A GREAT THING FOR HOMESTEAD TAXPAYERS AND IT’S COMING AT A TIME WHEN WE’RE SEEING RECORD VALUE INCREASES IN RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY; NOT JUST HERE IN UPSON COUNTY, BUT STATE & NATION WIDE AND THESE MEETINGS ARE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR TAXPAYERS TO GAIN KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTAND HOW THE WHOLE PROPERTY TAX PROCESS WORKS FROM BEGINNING TO END. DATE, LOCATION, & TIMES OF MEETINGS: AUGUST 15TH—FELLOWSHIP BAPT. CHURCH ON HANNAHS MILL RD—6:30 PM AUGUST 17TH—SALEM BAPT. CHURCH—6:30 PM AUGUST 22ND—YATESVILLE CITY HALL/SENIOR CNTR—6:30 PM

A FATAL ACCIDENT IN PIKE CO MONDAY

 At 9:33 a.m. this morning Pike County Sheriff's deputies responded to a vehicle accident on Highway 19 , south of McKinley Road. A motor vehicle transport service was unloading a vehicle for delivery when a second vehicle, that was traveling southbound , struck the trailer and vehicle that was being unloaded. The driver of the transport service vehicle was deceased at the scene. 

The investigation into this collision is still on going and no charges have been filed at this time. The name of the deceased is not being released until notification of the family. 

T-U TOWN HALL ON REC

 THE  UPSON  COUNTY  BOARD   OF  COMMISSIONERS  AND  THOMASTON  MAYOR  AND  COUNCIL   2ND   TOWN  HALL  MEETING  ON  RECREATIONAL  ACTIVITIES  AND  CIVIC  CENTER  PROGRAMS  AND  SERVICES  IS  THURSDAY  AUGUST  10,  7PM  AT  THE  CIVIC  CENTER.  THE  PUBLIC  INVITED  TO  SHARE  QUESTIONS  AND  CONCERNS  ABOUT  REC.

THE  FIRST  TOWN  HALL  WAS  LIGHTLY  ATTENDED  DUE  TO  A  4;30PM  START    AND  IT  WAS   UP  AGAINST  A  REGULAR  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS  MEETING  AT 6PM .  THE  CITY  AND  COUNTY  JOINTLY  FUND  THE  RECREATION  DEPARTMENT  WITH  THE  COUNTY  IN  CHARGE  OF  OPERATIONS. 

UPSON SHERIFF DAN KILGORE REPORTS A FATAL CRASH INVOLVING A U-L STUDENT

On Friday August 4, 2023 at 7:45am deputies responded to the scene of a fatal automobile accident on Yatesville Highway near Trinity Road. On arrival 17 year old Jer’Mya Eleby of Yatesville was discovered to be deceased. Preliminary investigation indicates that Eleby was westbound on Yatesville Highway as a second vehicle was turning east bound from Trinity Road. The second vehicle stopped in Eleby’s lane of travel as she crested the hill prior to Trinity Road. Eleby lost control as she swerved to avoid the second vehicle. Eleby’s vehicle came to rest in a creek just west of Trinity Road.

Eleby was a senior at Upson Lee High School. School system counselors are available for students and adults as needed.

This Georgia State Patrol is investigating the accident.

 

 

A GoFundMe account has been set up to assist the family of Jer’Mya

BOOK SIGNING BY LOREN SMITH AT UGA GRIFFIN

 

TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 6:30 PM

How "Bout Them Dawgs! The Inside Story of Georgia Football's 2021 National Championship Season - Kirby Smart & Loran Smith

PIKE CO HIGH CLASS REUNION, 91, 92, 93

 All alumni from the Pike County High School Class of 1991, 1992, and 1993 graduating classes and their spouses are invited to attend a 30 year reunion.

Festivities will begin on Friday night, September 15, 2023, at the Pike County High School Homecoming Football Game. The Pike County Middle School has been reserved for a reunion gathering on Saturday, September 16th.

Class of 1992 alumni Jason Lindsay is putting this endeavor together from out of state and needs in state help to coordinate these events

TUAC POTTERY EXHIBIT

 The Thomaston-Upson Arts Council will hold an Opening Reception on Friday, August 4th from 5pm-8pm for the Maryann Hughes and Friends Pottery Exhibit entitled “Better Together”. Come out and meet over a dozen local potters and see the beautiful pottery on display and available for purchase. Refreshments will be served. The exhibit will remain in the gallery through the end of September. For more information call 706-647-1605.

UPDATE; SOUTHERN FORD BURGLARY

 After a 8 month investigation pertaining to a burglary that occurred at Southern Ford located at 1011 HWY 19 North on December 03, 2022, where three new vehicles were stolen, an arrest warrant has been issued for one of the three suspects.  Inv. Kentavious Traylor received a CODIS match from the GBI Crime Lab in the case.  The subject identified from evidence left at the scene is 26 year old Nicholas Bouyer of Birmingham Alabama.  Inv. Kentavious Traylor obtained a criminal warrant for the offense of Burglary in the 2nd Degree for Nicholas Bouyer.  At this time Bouyer’s whereabouts are unknown however, Inv. Traylor has been in contact with law enforcement agencies in Alabama for assistance in locating Bouyer.  Further investigation pending.  

Capt. Monica Snipes
Thomaston Police Department 

Upson Regional Medical Center Recognized Among The Top 20 Most Beautiful Hospitals in the U.S.

Thomaston, GA, August 2, 2023 – Upson Regional Medical Center announced today that it secured the No. 19 spot in Soliant’s Top 20 Most Beautiful Hospitals contest. The annual contest aims to recognize hospitals across the country for their facility design, aesthetics, comforting staff and patient experience by asking the public to nominate and vote on the facilities where they have had great experiences.

Founded in 1951 and one of the only Georgia-based facilities ever represented in Soliant’s rankings, Upson Regional Medical Center joins the list for the first time. Upson Regional Medical Center is also one of the only facilities in the top rankings this year that is neither a relatively new hospital nor a renovation/addition to an existing facility.

 

“It is an honor to earn a place on the list of Soliant’s Most Beautiful Hospitals. There is no doubt that the support of our community contributed to the almost 5,000 votes we received,” shared URMC Marketing Director Jessica Hudson. “What truly makes Upson Regional Medical Center one of the most beautiful hospitals is the dedication that our staff and providers put forth to serve our patients and community each day.”

 

With more than 506,195 votes cast for the 50 hospitals nominated, Upson Regional Medical Center emerged as one of the top 20 facilities recognized by supporters on Soliant’s annual list.

 

“I would like to express my appreciation and congratulations to the hospitals that made it to this year's list of the Top 20 Most Beautiful Hospitals,” said David Alexander, CEO of Soliant. “These facilities recognize that the beauty of a hospital is deeper than just appearance – that it also includes well-designed, functional infrastructure and a nurturing staff that is devoted to cultivating a safe and comfortable space for patients to properly heal. For these reasons, they very much deserve this distinction.”

Pedestrian Hit By Tractor Trailer

Griffin Police reported a man was flown to a nearby trauma center after being hit by a vehicle on an expressway early Tuesday morning. 

Authorities said it happened at 1414 N Expressway just around 4:08 a.m.  Police added that the man was hit by a tractor trailer. No other details were given about the man's condition at this time.

 

Officers have since turned the accident's investigation over to the Georgia State Patrol. 

 

Police will not release the name of the victim until their family has been notified.

HAVEN NAMED GSCS TEACHER OF THE YEAR

 Haven Named GSCS 2023-24 District-Wide Teacher of the Year

GRIFFIN, GA – Rehoboth Road Middle School Teacher Maria Haven was named the Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCS) 2023-24 District-Wide Teacher of the Year. Haven will go on to represent the district as she competes for the 2025 Georgia Teacher of the Year. Haven was surprised with the announcement at the 2023 Back to School Celebration on July 24 in front of all 1400+ GSCS employees.

Thanks to a partnership with Cronic Automotive Group, Haven will be driving a new 2023 Nissan Rogue to work every day this school year. The Teacher of the Year 1st Runner-Up, Jane Burke from Spalding High School, received a three-night vacation at her choice of Hilton Head or St. Simons Island.  The Teacher of the Year 2nd Runner-Up, Leslie Brooks from Futral Road Elementary, received a two-night vacation at her choice of Hilton Head or St. Simons Island.

Haven is a math support teacher at Rehoboth Road Middle School who serves 6th, 7th and 8th grade students that receive Multi-Tiered Support Services. She attended GSCS and graduated from Griffin High School in 1997. After graduating high school, she majored in Business Management at Florida A&M University. Haven made the decision to leave college to enter the workforce where she achieved much success in a 16-year management career. In 2020, she returned to college and earned her bachelor’s in Business Administration from Troy University. In 2021, Haven earned her master’s in Teaching in Middle Grades Education from Georgia College & State University and is currently pursuing her specialist degree in Teacher Leadership. She is the girls’ track coach, extended learning tutor, member of MTSS and PBIS team and co-leader of the coding and robotics club at Rehoboth Road Middle School. Haven is very active in volunteer work for the district and serves as the vice president of the Spalding High School Jaguar Touchdown Club.

GSCS Superintendent Dr. Keith Simmons stated, “We are all excited for Maria to represent GSCS as the District Teacher of the Year. I would like to acknowledge and celebrate Jane Burke from Spalding High School and Leslie Brooks from Futral Road Elementary for being finalists for this recognition. I also want to thank the selection committee for their time and efforts in judging applications, conducting interviews and observations during this process. We look forward to Mrs. Haven serving as the ambassador for our educators. We will be able to congratulate, celebrate and recognize her for the next 12 months.”