BICKLEY, ALEXANDER FINALISTS FOR PIKE CO MANAGER

THE PIKE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ARE EXPECTED TO VOTE ON HIRING A NEW COUNTY MANAGER AT A CALLED MEETING SATURDAY AT 8;30AM FOLLOWING AN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

THE TWO FINALISTS ARE THOMASTON BUSINESSMAN BOBBY BICKLEY AND RON ALEXANDER, ZONING DIRECTOR OF GARDEN CITY, GA. BASED ON STATE LAW THE COMMISSIONERS HAD TO WAIT 14 DAYS AFTER ANNOUNCING THE FINALISTS TO MAKE THE HIRE.

THE MEETING WILL BE HELD IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM ON THOMASTON STREET—NOT IN THE COURTHOUSE.

SMASH AND GRAB BURGLARY AT MIKE'S MARKET, A. ST.

THOMASTON POLICE DEPARTMENT LOOKING FOR THE PUBLIC'S HELP IN CATCHING FOUR BURGLARS AFTER A SMASH AND GRAB THEFT EARLY WEDNESDAY AT MIKE'S MARKET—213 A. STREET.

ACCORDING TO SGT. BRIAN HAMMOCK--$6200 IN CASH, COINS, LOTTERY TICKETS AND CIGARETTES MISSING AFTER FOUR SUBJECTS WERE CAUGHT ON SECURITY VIDEO BREAKING THE FRONT WINDOW WITH A CONCRETE YARD DECORATION AROUND 1;30AM. THEY WERE WEARING HOODIES, FACE COVERINGS AND GLOVES.

A CUSTOMER NOTICED THE STORE'S DAMAGE JUST BEFORE OPENING TIME WEDNESDAY MORNING. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THE CRIME CALL SGT. HAMMOCK AT 770-550-1409.

JUDGE ROBERT MACK CRAWFORD INDICTED

CALLED INTO SESSION WEDNESDAY, THE PIKE COUNTY GRAND JURY RETURNED TRUE BILLS OF INDICTMENT ON TWO COUNTS ON SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE ROBERT MACK CRAWFORD, VIOLATION OF OATH OF OFFICE AND THEFT BY TAKING.

THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE PRESENTED EVIDENCE TO THE GRAND JURY, GRIFFIN CIRCUIT DISTRICT ATTORNEY BEN COKER HAD REMOVED HIS OFFICE FROM THE CASE.

JUDGE CRAWFORD'S ATTORNEY VIRGIL BROWN TOLD ZOOM NEWS AT THE PIKE COUNTY COURTHOUSE, JUDGE CRAWFORD WILL TURN HIMSELF IN AT THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, THURSDAY FOR PROCESSING AND WILL BE RELEASED ON HIS OWN RECOGNIZANCE WITH ZERO BOND.

THE CASE INVOLVES $15,600 ATTORNEY BROWN SAYS JUDGE CRAWFORD EARNED IN LEGAL FEES WHILE HE WAS A PRACTICING ATTORNEY, MONEY IN THE COURT REGISTRY THE JUDGE ORDERED THE CLERK OF COURT TO PLACE IN HIS ACCOUNT, AFTER SITTING IN THE REGISTRY FOR YEARS.

ASSISTANT A.G. DAVID MCCLOCKLIN, WHO PRESENTED THE EVIDENCE TO THE GRAND JURY HAD NO COMMENT ON THE CASE WHEN ASKED BY ZOOM NEWS. ATTORNEY BROWN TOLD US HE WOULD RELEASE A STATEMENT LATER.

HENRY COUNTY SENIOR SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE ALEX CRUMBLEY PRESIDED.

CBS VOICE VERNE LUNDQUIST ON ZOOM RADIO THURS AT 6;15PM

THE RETIRED VOICE OF SEC FOOTBALL ON CBS—VERNE LUNQUIST HAS A NEW BOOK OUT CALLED PLAY BY PLAY AND VERNE CALLED IN TO THE MICK IN THE MORNING SHOW THIS WEEK TO DISCUSS HIS BOOK.

ZOOM RADIO WILL AIR THAT 45 MINUTE INTERVIEW THURSDAY AT 6;15—JUST BEFORE BULLDOGS LIVE WITH UGA COACH KIRBY SMART AT 7 ON 105-9/101-1.

GA. SUPREME COURT RULES IN JUDGE CRAWFORD'S FAVOR

ON FRIDAY, THE GA. SUPREME COURT UNANIMOUSLY REJECTED A REQUEST TO SUSPEND GRIFFIN JUDICIAL CIRCUIT JUDGE ROBERT MACK CRAWFORD FROM OFFICE.

THE STATE JUDICIAL QUALIFICATIONS COMMISSION HAD RECOMMENDED THAT CRAWFORD BE RELIEVED OF HIS DUTIES WITH PAY WHILE AN ETHICS COMPLAINT AGAINST HIM IS PENDING. IN JULY THE JQC ACCUSED CRAWFORD OF THEFT FOR DIRECTING THE CLERK OF COURT IN PIKE COUNTY TO TRANSFER OVER $15,000 TO HIM FROM AN ACCOUNT IN THE COURT REGISTRY—MONEY HIS ATTORNEY SAYS JUDGE CRAWFORD IS ENTITLED TO FOR UNPAID LEGAL FEES BACK WHEN HE WAS AN ATTORNEY.

THE PIKE COUNTY GRAND JURY IS BEING CALLED INTO SESSION WEDNESDAY BY THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE TO SEEK CRIMINAL INDICTMENTS FOR THEFT RELATED TO THE CASE.

GRIFFIN JUDICIAL CIRCUIT DISTRICT ATTORNEY BEN COKER HAS REMOVED HIS OFFICE FROM THE CASE AND ASSISTANT A.G. DAVID MCCULLOUGH IS THE PROSECUTOR. JUDGE CRAWFORD HAS ALREADY AGREED TO STOP PRESIDING OVER CRIMINAL CASES.

TREE AT RITZ THEATER COMING DOWN

THOMASTON CITY MANAGER RUSSELL THOMPSON SAID A TREE NEAR THE MARQUEE OF THE RITZ THEATER IS COMING DOWN TUESDAY --A TREE THEATER OWNER MALCOLM NEAL SAYS HE HAS BEEN TRYING TO GET REMOVED FOR 13 YEARS BECAUSE IT OBSTRUCTS THE MARQUEE.

AT THE LAST MEETING—THE THOMASTON CITY COUNCIL VOTED TO REMOVE THE TREE TO ALLOW FOR FACADE AND MARQUEE UPGRADES AND CITY MANAGER THOMPSON REVIEWED THAT DECISION WITH THE TREE BOARD LAST THURSDAY.

THE MANAGER TOLD ZOOM NEWS, THE TREE BOARD WAS HESITANT TO SUPPORT THE IDEA NOTING—EVERY BUSINESS MIGHT WANT THEIR THE TREES REMOVED —BUT THE CITY MANAGER SAID ANY MORE CREPE MYRPLE REMOVALS WILL COME TO THE TREE BOARD FOR A RECOMMENDATION. THE MANAGER TOLD US THE CITY COUNCIL HAS THE FINAL DECISION ON TREE REMOVAL.

RITZ OWNER NEAL SAID HE GOT SO FRUSTRATED WITH THE TREE BOARD'S DISCUSSION, THURSDAY, HE LEFT THE MEETING.

THE CITY COUNCIL WAS ACTUALLY REENFORCING A 2008 DECISION BY THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION TO TAKE DOWN THE TREE. NEAL SAID IMPROVEMENTS WILL TOTAL $35,000 AND WORK WILL BEGIN SHORTLY.

MAJOR DRUG ARRESTS IN SPALDING COUNTY

SPALDING COUNTY SHERIFF DARRELL DIX HAS RELEASED THE NAMES OF 32 SUSPECTS AFTER A TWO MONTH-LONG INVESTIGATION INTO DRUG AND GANG ACTIVITY THAT STRETCHED ALL THE WAY TO WEST VIRGINIA.

THE SHERIFF SAID THREE DEATHS FROM DRUG OVERDOSES SPARKED THE ARRESTS, MOST SUSPECTS FROM GRIFFIN BUT ONE FROM PIKE COUNTY AND TWO FROM LAMAR COUNTY.

DAVID COLLIS, AGE 43 OF HIGHWAY 109 MOLENA BOOKED FOR POSSESSION METH AND POSSESSION DRUG OBJECTS

PATRICIA LOVE, AGE 37 OF GROVE STREET BARNESVILLE CHARGED WITH POSSESSION METH AND MARIJUANA.

TIMOTHY SCOTT, AGE 35 OF GROVE STREET BARNESVILLE BOOKED FOR POSSESSION METH.  

TU IDA BOND DEAL UNDER COURT ORDER

A 2013 $8.9 MILLION BOND DEAL FOR PROVIDENCE HEALTH AND REHABITATION CENTER BY THE THOMASTON UPSON DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY IS ONE OF 13 DEALS UNDER COURT ORDER BY THE U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION—AN ORDER FOR NATIONAL NURSING HOME KINGPIN CHRISTOPHER BROGDON OF ATLANTA TO PAY INVESTORS $89 MILLION IN INTEREST AND PRINCIPAL OWED .

ACCORDING TO A STORY IN SUNDAY'S AJC—IN A FEDERAL CASE BROGDON IS ACCUSED OF FUNDING HIS LIFESTYLE THROUGH FRAUD BY DUPING INVESTORS WHO BOUGHT HIS BONDS.

IN ADDITION TO BEING A NATIONAL PLAYER IN THE NURSING HOME AND ASSISTED LIVING BUSINESS—BROGDON IS OWNER OF THE J. CHRISTOPHER'S RESTAURANT CHAIN.

THE THOMASTON-UPSON IDA ISSUED CONDUIT BONDS FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO PROVIDENCE HEALTH AND REHABITATION, BONDS THAT WERE NOT BACKED BY THE IDA OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT BUT ALLOWED BRODGDON TO SEEK FINANCING FROM OTHER SOURCES.

THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION SAID BROGDON DECEIVED INVESTORS, CO-MINGLING MONEY THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE DEDICATED TO SPECIFIC PROJECTS AND DIVERTING FUNDS TO OTHER BUSINESS VENTURES AND FAMILY ACCOUNTS.

BROGDON AND HIS WIFE CONNIE LIVE THE GOOD LIFE—THEY OWN A $5 MILLION CONDO IN BUCKHEAD AND A $2 MILLION BEACH HOUSE IN ST. SIMONS ISLAND PLUS A PRIVATE PLANE WORTH $1.5 MILLION.  

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH MEETING ON HILL STREET

THOMASTON POLICE CHIEF MIKE RICHARDSON TOLD ZOOM RADIO NEWS TUESDAY—INVESTIGATORS ARE LOOKING AT A MALE SUBJECT RECENTLY ARRESTED ON SHOPLIFTING CHARGES AT WAL MART IN CONNECTION WITH RECENT HOUSE BURGLARIES IN THE HILL STREET, THURSTON AVE. , SOUTH GREEN STREET AREA.

CHIEF RICHARDSON TOLD US HE APPRECIATED CITIZENS OF THAT AREA ATTENDING A NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH MEETING LAST WEEK. THE MESSAGE FROM THE P.D. , IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, CALL 911 

FIVE LOAVES AND TWO FISHES PANTRY NEEDS DONATIONS

Five Loaves and Two Fish Food Pantry provides groceries for families in need, but they are requesting your help, especially before Thanksgiving, when the demand is the greatest. Wouldn't it be comforting to know when you sit down to Thanksgiving dinner that others in your community would be able to do the same, and have a happy Thanksgiving? Please help make this happen by donating a frozen turkey or hen, or making a monetary donation, so the Food Pantry can provide those in need with groceries this Thanksgiving. Frozen turkeys (must be frozen) need to be delivered to Five Loaves & Two Fish Food Pantry between Monday, November 12th and Friday, November 15th anytime between 8:00am and 12:00pm. They are located in the same building (at the rear) as Hope Health Clinic at Solomon Street and 10th Street, in downtown Griffin. Their address is: 412 W. Slaton Avenue, Griffin, GA 30223. Donations (checks please, no cash) are also welcome and can be mailed or delivered to the same address. For more information, call (678) 603-1238.

WOW $ 1.6 BILLION GA. LOTTERY MEGA MILLIONS

ATLANTA – Mega Millions continues its record run. Tuesday’s jackpot has ballooned to $1.6 billion – the largest in U.S. history. The Mega Millions cash option is 904 million.

Meanwhile, Powerball is making a run of its own. Wednesday’s Powerball jackpot has grown to $620 million – the third largest Powerball jackpot and the sixth largest jackpot in U.S. history. The Powerball cash option is $354 million.

“This is an incredibly exciting time for Georgians,” Georgia Lottery President and CEO Gretchen Corbin said. “Our players are having a lot of fun, and students across the state benefit with each Mega Millions and Powerball ticket purchased in Georgia.”

Mega Millions and Powerball tickets are $2 each. For an additional $1 per play, Mega Millions players can multiply prizes with the Megaplier option, and Powerball players can multiply prizes with the Power Play option. Mega Millions also offers an optional $3 wager Just the Jackpot that allows players to receive two entries for a chance to win the game’s jackpot prize only.

Mega Millions and Powerball tickets can be purchased at Georgia Lottery retailers statewide. Georgia residents also can purchase tickets via the Georgia Lottery app or online at www.galottery.com.

As with all other Georgia Lottery games, proceeds from Mega Millions and Powerball will benefit education in the state of Georgia.

DEM CAND. FOR GOV. STACEY ABRAMS IN THOMASTON WED.

DEMOCRAT CANDIDATE FOR GA. GOVERNOR STACEY ABRAMS WILL BE IN THOMASTON WEDNESDAY TO SPEAK AT ST. MARY'S AME CHURCH 605 HIGHTOWER STREET. ABRAMS AND OTHER CANDIDATES WILL ADDRESS THE VOTERS AT 10;30AM SPONSORED BY THE UPSON DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND ST. MARY'S AME CHURCH. PLEASE BE SEATED BY 10;30AM.

THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR BRIAN KEMP WAS IN UPSON COUNTY FOR A LABOR DAY BAR B Q.

5 INJURED SAT. NIGHT WRECK IN THOMASTON

ACCORDING TO POST 26 GA. STATE PATROL IN THOMASTON A ONE YEAR OLD CHILD WAS AIRLIFTED AND 4 OTHERS TRANSPORTED TO THE E.R. AFTER A THREE VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON 19 NORTH NEAR LA FESTA RESTAURANT—SATURDAY NITE AT 9PM. IT COULD BE ALCOHOL RELATED.

THE GSP REPORT SAID THE CHILD , ALEXANDER O'STEEN OF YATESVILLE WAS TAKEN BY AIR AMBULANCE TO CHILDREN'S HEALTHCARE OF ATLANTA. OTHER PASSENGERS IN THE SAME CAR, INFANT ARABELLA O'STEEN TAKEN TO MACON MEDICAL CENTER, AND LINDSEY BROOKE O'STEEN , AGE 26 AND THE DRIVER SAMUEL O'STEEN, 26 , BOTH OF YATESVILLE WERE UNINJURED.

THE DRIVER APPARENTLY AT FAULT—JOVARIS LAMON FULLER, AGE 32 OF JONESBORO WAS TAKEN TO URMC , A PASSENGER BRANDON ANDERSON, AGE 26 OF DETROIT WAS TRANSPORTED TO WELLSTAR SPALDING REGIONAL HOSPITAL, , AND THE DRIVER OF THE THIRD VEHICLE —GARY WAYNE SHAFFER, AGE 65 OF FAIRBURN ,WAS ALSO TAKEN TO UPSON REGIONAL.

FULLER HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH DUI, RECKLESS DRIVING, SERIOUS INJURY BY VEHICLE, AND POSSESSION AND DISTRIBUTION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES OR MARIJUANA.

FULLER WAS DRIVING A 2018 PORSCHE MACAN S NORTHBOUND ON 19 AND STRUCK THE O'STEEN 2007 CHEVROLET UPLANDER IN THE REAR, THEN HIT THE SHAFFER CAR , HEAD-ON, A 2016 SUBARU IMPREZA —AS IT TRAVELED SOUTHBOUND ON 19.

DRUG DEALER 10 YEARS IN PRISON/$200,000 FINE

A THOMASTON MAN IS CHECKING INTO THE GRAY BAR HOTEL FOR AN EXTENDED STAY AFTER ENTERING A GUILTY PLEA FOR TRAFFICKING METH IN UPSON SUPERIOR COURT, THURSDAY.

JUDGE FLETCHER SAMS SENTENCED CAREY JEROME DANIEL TO 30 YEARS---10 TO SERVE IN PRISON , THE REMAINDER ON PROBATION AND A FINE OF $200,000.

JURORS REPORT TO THE UPSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE MONDAY FOR A TRIAL CALENDAR.

CANDIDATES FORUMS MONDAY AND WED. ON ZOOM RADIO

ZOOM RADIO HAS INVITED THE TWO CANDIDATES FOR UPSON COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 4 TO A POLITICAL FORUM MONDAY AT 6PM---AARON DAWSON AND BENJAMIN WATSON ARE ON THE BALLOT FOR THE SEAT HELD BY VETERAN COMMISSIONER FRANK SPRAGGINS WHO IS RETIRING.

A 2ND CANDIDATES FORUM WILL AIR WEDNESDAY AT 6PM ON 105-9/101-1 FEATURING THE TWO CANDIDATES FOR STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 131. DEMOCRAT CHRIS BENTON AND REPUBLICAN KEN PULLIN.  

TWO NEW FINALISTS FOR PIKE COUNTY MANAGER

PRESS RELEASE Pike County Board of Commissioners announces Ron E. Alexander and James Robert Bickley as finalist for the County Manager Position for Pike County. Pursuant to law the candidate for the position will be decided after 14 days of this notice, which will be after November 2, 2018.