CONDITIONS IN THOMASTON/UPSON/PIKE

 AS  OF  8AM  MONDAY   MORNING  THESE  CONDITIONS  WERE  REPORTED---THOMASTON'S  CITY  MANAGER  RUSSELL  THOMPSON  REPORTED  A  HOUSE  ON  PINEDALE  WAS  FLOODED.  THE  LIFT  STATION  ON  AVE.  F  IS  SPILLING  AND  THE LIFT  STATION  AT  CITY  HALL IS  THREATENING  TO  SPILL.

UPSON  COUNTY  SHERIFF  DAN  KILGORE  REPORTED  TRINITY  ROAD  OUT  YATESVILLE  WAY  IS  FLOODED.

IN  PIKE  COUNTY--COUNTY  MANAGER  BRANDON  ROGERS  REPORTED  SCOTT  ROAD IS  FLOODED.  ALSO  FLOODING  ISSUES  ON  WEST  JONES  ROAD,  GREEN  STREET, WEST MILNER, TURNER  ROAD,  DUNBAR,  DUNN  ROAD,  BANKSTON,  GLOVER,  AND  CAMPBERLL  ROAD.

Fire at Spalding County Fire Department Station 6

At approximately 2:49 am on Saturday, February 10, firefighters at Spalding County Fire Department Station 6 (Reid Station), located at 1843 North Hill Street Extension, were alerted to the smell of smoke within the station premises. Upon investigation, it was discovered that the fire truck housed in the station bay was engulfed in flames.

Firefighters promptly requested assistance from neighboring stations within the Spalding County Fire Department, as well as from Griffin Fire Rescue. Together, they effectively managed to contain the fire, preventing any injuries or further damage.

 

A formal request was made to the Georgia State Fire Marshal's Office to investigate to determine the cause of the fire. We should have the results of this investigation by the first of next week.

 

In response to the incident, Fire and County administrations are collaborating on alternate plans for service coverage area response, in conjunction with Griffin Fire Rescue. Efforts are also underway to restore the fire station and replace the damaged fire truck.

 

The Spalding County Fire Department expresses gratitude to Griffin Fire Rescue for their assistance during this challenging time.

MONROE CO FB STAR IN SUPER BOWL/TEAMMATE OF THOMASTONIANS AT UGA

  EX-MARY  PERSONS  HIGH  FOOTBALL  STAR  MALIK  HERRING  OF  THE  K.C. CHIEFS  IS  AFTER  HIS  2ND  SUPER  BOWL  RING  SUNDAY.  THE CHIEFS  DEFENSIVE  END  WAS  A  GEORGIA  BULLDOG  TEAMMATE OF  THOMASTON'S  DAVID  MARSHALL   ,   TRAVON  WALKER   AND  JACOB  GROSS.    HERRING  WAS  A  YEAR  AHEAD  OF  TRAVON  AND  WAS   A  MEMBER  OF THE DOGS  ROSE  BOWL  TEAM  WITH  DAVID   MARSHALL   AND  JACOB  GROSS       THAT  BEAT  OKLAHOMA  AND  QUARTERBACK  BAKER   MAYFIELD.

Upson County Superior Court Guilty Pleas

CRIMINAL PLEAS

JUDGE BEN J. MILLER JR., GJC

FEBRUARY 8, 2024

 

1. 21R0259 WHITNEY SHOEMAKER CT. 1: THEFT BY TAKING: 12 MONTHS PROBATION WITH FIRST 90 DAYS IN JAIL $1,000. FINE

 

2. 23R0185 ALSIA BIVINS CT. 2: CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY 2 ND DEGREE: 12 MONTHS PROBATION $1,000. FINE CT. 4: DISCHARGE OF GUN NEW HIGHWAY: 12 MONTHS PROBATION; $500. FINE

 

3. 23R0205 RODNEY MADDOX CT. 1: SIMPLE ASSAULT: 12 MONTHS TO SERVE CT. 2: RECKLESS CONDUCT: 12 MONTHS PROBATION; $500. FINE CT. 3: SIMPLE BATTERY: 12 MONTHS PROBATION $500. FINE

 

4. 23R0207 KATHERINE MILLER CT. 1: CRUELTY TO CHILDREN IN 2 ND DEGREE: 5 YEARS PROBATION FIRST 180 DAYS IN PROBATION DETENTION CENTER; $1,000 FINE 

 

5. 23R0262 RICHARD BUCKMAN CT. 1: BATTERY FAMILY VIOLENCE ACT: 12 MONTHS TO 

SERVE

 

6. 23R0279 COREY COLLIER CT. 1: POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA MORE THAN AN OUNCE: 3 YEARS PROBATION; $1,000 FINE

 

7. 23R0316 CHRISTIAN ROGERS CT. 1: TERRORISTIC THREATS: 5 YEARS PROBATION FIRST 90 DAYS TO SERVE IN JAIL; $1,000. FINE

 

8. 24R044 TONY FLOURNOY CT. 1: THEFT BY DECEPTION: 12 MONTHS PROBATION FIRST 90 DAYS TO SERVE IN JAIL

U-L SCHOOLS OFFER FOR FANS 62 AND UP

 For Upson County's UL Knights Fans Age 62 or Older: The Thomaston-Upson School System's Silver Card Program is a special initiative tailored for Upson-Lee Knights Fans age 62 years or older. This program grants eligible individuals free admission to any middle school or high school athletic event, except for playoff games. By providing complimentary access to sporting events, the program aims to foster community engagement and support for Upson-Lee's athletic teams among older fans. Interested individuals can schedule a pickup time to obtain the Silver Pass by calling 706-647-9621. Before you pick up your Silver Pass, proof of age and residency in Upson County must be presented. This initiative not only promotes a sense of belonging and camaraderie but also encourages lifelong participation in local sports activities.

MORE PICKLEBALL COURTS IN THOMASTON UNSETTLED

 PICKLEBALL  AND  TENNIS  SUPPORTERS  PACKED  THE  MEETING  CHAMBER  OF  THE  THOMASTON  MAYOR  AND  COUNCIL  TUESDAY.  CITY  FATHERS  HEARD  FROM  BOTH  SIDES  OF  THE  ISSUE  AND  PLAN  TO  HOLD  A  WORK  SESSION  TO  GET MORE PUBLIC  INPUT  AT  A  FUTURE  DATE.  THE  CITY  COUNCIL  HAS PROPOSED  CONVERTING  THE  TENNIS  COURTS  AT  GREATEST GENERATION  MEMORIAL  PARK  TO  PICKLEBALL  COURTS  AND  BUILDING  NEW  TENNIS  COURTS  AT  WEAVER PARK  ON  EAST  GORDON  STREET. LISTEN  TO  FUN  101FM  FOR  MORE    DEVELOPMENTS.

SPALDING BOC MEETING

 SPALDING  COUNTY  BOARD OF  COMMISSISONERS--MONDAY-- VOTED TO  ASK  THE  STATE  TO  UP  THE  PER DIEM  ON  HOUSED  STATE INMATES  FROM  $22  A  DAY  TO  $24  A  DAY.  ACCORDING  TO  COMMENTS  AT  THE  MEETING-IT  COSTS   $27  A  DAY  TO  HOUSE  INMATES.

APPROVED  AN  INTER-GOVERNMENT  AGREEMENT  WITH  THE  CITY  OF  GRIFFIN  TO  SPLIT  THE  COST  OF  $198,000   TO  BEGIN  THE  RE-ROUTING  PROJECT  FOR  STATE  HIGHWAY  155.  ONCE  IT  BEGINS  THE  STATE  WILL  PICK  UP  THE  TAB.

SPALDING  COUNTY  CLERK   KATHY  GIBSON  IS  RETIRING  FRIDAY.  THANKS  CATHY  FOR  ALL  YOUR  ASSISTANCE  TO   FUN  101 --ENJOY  YOUR  RETIREMENT.

THE  SPALDING  COMMISSIONERS  HEARD  COMPLAINTS  FROM  VOLUNTEERS  AT  THE  NEW  ANIMAL  SHELTER--  THERE  IS NO  DIRECTOR --ITS  UNTIDY,  FOOD  FOR  DOGS  AND  CATS  UNACCEPTABLE,  THEY  NEED MORE  EXERCISE.  THE  TWO  EMPLOYEES  NEED  TO  BE  PAID  MORE,  ACCORDING  TO  COUNTY  MANAGER   STEVE  LEDBEDDER.  THE COMMISSIONERS  PLEDGED  TO  WORK  ON  THE  ISSUE.

UPSON 200 COVID DEATHS

 COVID DEATHS IN UPSON COUNTY REACH 200

COVID deaths for Upson County reached a total of 200 on January 31st, 2024, per the Georgia Department of Public Health. It was almost three years ago, March 4, 2021, that the death toll hit the 100 mark.

Upson’s COVID deaths per year have steadily declined from 72 in 2020, to 68 in 2021, to 50 in 2022, and only 9 in 2023. So far this year, only 1 death has been reported.

https://dph.georgia.gov/covid-19-status-report

TFD TO COLONY BANK

 THOMASTON  FIRE  DEPARTMENT  RESPONDED  TO  COLONY  BANK  DOWNTOWN,  WEDNESDAY  MORNING, A  FIRE ALARM DISCHARGED.   NO  FIRE,   THE  DEPARTMENT  SAID  EVERYTHING  WAS    10-4.

NEW PROSECUTOR HIRED FOR SPALDING SO MURDER CASE

 THE  SPALDING  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS  APPROVED A  REQUEST  BY  GRIFFIN  JUDICIAL  CIRCUIT  DISTRICT  ATTORNEY  MARIE BRODER  TO  HIRE  A  NEW   ASSISTANT  D.A.  TO   HANDLE  APPEALS  IN     THE  CAPITAL  MURDER  TRIAL   IN  THE  CASE  INVOLVING  THE  SHOOTING  DEATH  OF  SO  DEPUTY  SGT.  MARC  MCINTIRE.  DA  BRODER   PLANS  TO  HIRE  , LIZ  BAKER   WITH  50,000  TO  GET  HER  STARTED     AND   A   $100,000   TOTAL  SALARY.  THE   $50,000 IS  NOT  BUDGETED  AND  SHE  IS   REQUESTING  THAT  THIS  AMOUNT  BE  ADDED  TO  HER  BUDGET  TO  CARRY  THROUGH  UNTIL   JUNE  30, 2024. SHE  WILL  THEN  INCORPORATE MS.  BAKER'S  SALARY INTO   HER PROPOSED 2025  BUDGET.

D.A. BRODER  ANTICIPATES  THE  TRIAL  TO  BE  24-36 MONTHS  AND  PRESENTED  TO  THE  GRAND JURY  IN  MARCH-THE  D.A.  WOULD  BE  FIRST  CHAIR  AND  PROSECUTOR  DAVID  STUDDARD SECOND  CHAIR. THE  SUSPECT  IN  THE  CASE  TODD LEMONT  HARPER  IS  BEING  HELD  WITHOUT  BOND  IN  THE  SPALDING  COUNTY  JAIL.

T-TOWN NATIVE JILL SMITH ENTREKIN HAS A NEW BOOK

 THOMASTON  NATIVE  JILL  SMITH  ENTREKIN  WILL  HAVE  A  BOOK  SIGNING  FOR  HER   LATEST  NOVEL--BONNIE  MAC'S  CAFE--SATURDAY  FEB.  10TH  1  TO  3PM  AT  A  NOVEL  EXPERIENCE  IN  DOWNTOWN  ZEBULON.  THE  STORY  TAKES  PLACE  IN  DOWNTOWN  ZEBULON  AROUND  THE  CHARACTERS  IN  FICTIONAL BONNIE  MAC'S CAFE.

JILL'S LATE  FATHER, LEON  SMITH , WAS  THE  DEAN  OF  NEWSPAPERMEN  IN  THOMASTON  WRITING  A  POPULAR  COLUMN      IN  THE  THOMASTON  TIMES  AND  FREE  PRESS  THAT  FOCUSED  ON  GOINGS - ON  IN  UPSON  COUNTY. 

THOMASTON MAYOR AND COUNCIL AGENDA 2/6/24

 CITY OF THOMASTON

MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL

FEBRUARY 6, 2024 – 7:00 P.M.

CITY-COUNTY MEETING ROOM – MAIN FLOOR

THOMASTON-UPSON GOVERNMENT COMPLEX

AGENDA

A. Call Meeting to Order / Invocation / Pledge of Allegiance

B. Approval of Minutes for the January 16, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting

C. Adoption of Agenda

D. Public Comments:

1. Alison Uphold Will Speak Regarding the New Tennis Court Proposal

2. Macy Huckaby Will Speak Concerning the Conversion of Tennis Courts to Pickleball Courts at Greatest Generation Memorial Park

3. Jimmy Koon Will Speak on the Beneficial Impact of Pickleball

4. Johnny Dawson Will Speak Concerning the Conversion of Tennis Courts at Greatest Generation Memorial Park

E. City Attorney’s Report

F. City Clerk’s Report

G. City Manager’s Report

1. Discussion and Potential Authorization to Transfer Alley (Parcel ID T22 082) to the Downtown Development Authority

2. Discussion and Potential Authorization of Food Truck Court Extension Altering Railroad Street

3. Discussion and Potential Authorization The 2024 Mowing & Landscape Maintenance Contract (Second Amendment)

4. Discussion and Potential Approval to Surplus a Public Works Department Vehicle (VIN 1FBSS31L3YHB45208)

5. Discussion and Potential Approval to Purchase a 2021 Ford Transit Van for The Police Department

6. Discussion and Potential Authorization to Surplus Police Department X2 and X26 Tasers with Associated Accessories

7. Discussion and Potential Nominations for City Sub-Committees and Boards

H. Other Business

I. Executive Session / Discussion / Potential Action

THOMASTON CONFERENCE ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING

 FIRST  BAPTIST  CHURCH  OF  THOMASTON  INVITING  PARENTS  AND  YOUTH  TO  A  SPECIAL CONFERENCE  ON  HUMAN  TRAFFICKING,  SUNDAY  FEB.  18TH  2  TO  4PM-SPONSORED  BY  FIRST  BAPTIST,  THE  GBI,  UPSON  SO  AND  THOMASTON  PD.

MURDER/SUICIDE IN THOMASTON

 At approximately 6:30pm officers from the Thomaston Police Department were dispatched to 220 Ave. L in reference to a shooting.   Upon their arrival they found a male and female victim laying in the front yard with gun shot wounds.  Both were pronounced deceased at the scene.  A preliminary investigation indicates that this was a domestic related murder suicide.  According to witnesses there was an argument and the male victim shot the female victim then shot himself.  The male has been identified as Tyler Montfort age 26 from Thomaston and the female has been identified as Tyquerria Neal, age 24 from Concord, Georgia.  Officers are still on the scene at the time of this release.   This is an active investigation. 

Chief Richardson

Thomaston Police Department

THOMASTON'S TAYLOR SMITH SELECTED

 ATLANTA – GeorgiaForward has selected 45 promising professionals to serve the organization’s 2024 Young Gamechangers (YG) program. YG is a unique leadership action program hosted by GeorgiaForward, a non-profit organization administrated by the Georgia Municipal Association. Young Gamechangers brings professionals from across the state to work on the persistent challenges of one Georgia community.

In 2024, the City of Valdosta will host the Young Gamechangers. Valdosta leaders have finalized their four “Challenge Questions” that the 2024 cohort will be charged to answer through the eight months they will spend developing specific, actionable recommendations for the community. These questions focus on economic development, green infrastructure, corridor redevelopment, and community togetherness.

“Each year, our Young Gamechangers, through the energy and innovation of our state’s best minds, help improve our cities and counties,” said Amir Farokhi, chair of GeorgiaForward’s board of directors. “This year, we are excited and grateful to partner with Valdosta/Lowndes County. Great ideas come from all over Georgia, and we cannot wait to see our Young Gamechangers in action.”

“We are all excited to welcome this impressive program and equally as impressive list of young leaders and professionals into our community! The deep look, the fresh set of eyes, and the programs and projects they bring back to us will be received by an enthusiastic team ready to coordinate City staff and civic leaders on implementation. The future is theirs, the time to act on that future is now…welcome Gamechangers!” said Valdosta Mayor Scott Matheson.

The 2024 cohort of Gamechangers will meet for the first time in the City of Valdosta on April 24th, and their work will culminate with a community presentation of their findings and recommendations on Thursday, October 10th. The Gamechangers are accomplished professionals aged 40 and under from across the state who wish to make an impact through civic engagement, economic development, and community partnerships. A third of the class is from the Valdosta-Lowndes County area, another third is from the metro Atlanta region, and the remaining third are from greater Georgia.

Two children killed in Manchester house fire

Two children were killed in an overnight house fire in Manchester, according to the Meriwether County Emergency Services.

 

The fire happened at a home on Ira Parks Way.

 

Officials said three people were believed to be inside the home at the time of the fire, which started around 3 a.m. Sunday.

 

Fire crews said that the third individual is believed to be the children's mother, who was taken to Piedmont Midtown in Columbus..

 

The children themselves were a boy and a girl. Their ages are not yet known at this time.

 

What we do know is that the boy was taken to North Springs Hospital, where he later died, while the body of the young girl was pulled from the wreckage of the home.

 

Meriwether fire crews said that the father came to assist them in getting his wife out of the home. The children were found shortly after.

 

“They were sweet kids. BJ and Bri are going to be missed," said neighbor Victoria Favors. "Just knowing that in the morning, I’m going to get up and walk out of my door and know that I won’t ever see them anymore.”

 

Favors lives across from the home on Iras Way. She said she was devastated and very concerned for the mom and dad who lost their children.

 

“He jumped in the window to save his family," she said of the father. "He jumped in the window and was going to go back to get her but they wouldn’t let him.”

 

There is no word yet on what caused the fire.