UPSON FEMALE SENTENCED ON MONDAY ARRESTED AGAIN THURS.

 ACCORDING  TO  UPSON COUNTY  SHERIFF  DAN  KILGORE--A  THOMASTON  WOMAN  SENTENCED  TO  FINE  AND  PROBATION  FOR  POSSESSION  OF  METH  LAST  MONDAY  WAS  ARRESTED  AGAIN  THURSDAY  FOR  POSSESSION  OF  METH  WITH  INTENT  TO  DISTRIBUTE—56  YEAR OLD  KATHY  DENISE  MERRILL  OF  BRADSHAW  ROAD.

SHERIFF  KILGORE  SAID  MS. MERRILL  ENTERED  A  GUILTY   PLEA  IN  UPSON  SUPERIOR   COURT  FEB.  4TH  BUT  DEPUTY  MARIO  CROMER  SERVED  A  SEARCH  WARRANT  AT  HER  RESIDENCE  AT  241  BRADSHAW  ROAD,  LOT   24  ON  THURSDAY  AND  SEIZED 16  GRAMS  OF  SUSPECTED  METH  AND  A   SMALL  AMOUNT  OF  MARIJUANA.

UPSON CO PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA

REGULAR MEETING AGENDA

Thomaston-Upson County Government Administration Complex
106 East Lee Street – R.E. Lee Building
City/County Meeting Room, #140
Monday, February 11, 2019, 5:30 P.M.

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

2. Adoption of Meeting Minutes

* January 14, 2019 Regular Meeting – Minutes Provided

3. Old Business
A. Application for Variance – VAR2018-03, David E. Bailey, 1164 Baker Britt Road,
Parcel #032 021A, From A-R Minimum Street Frontage Requirement – Materials Previously
1. Public Hearing (Rehearing) Provided
2. Commission Discussion
B. Discussion of Backyard Chicken Ordinance – Materials Previously Provided
C. Discussion of Solar Ordinance – Materials Previously Provided

4. New Business
A. Application for Rezoning – REZ2019-02, Phillip T. Harris; 3098 McCorkle’s Curve Road, Parcel #041 060A, 2 Acres - To Remove C-2 Condition – Materials Provided
1. Public Hearing
2. Commission Discussion

B. Application for Special Exception – SPX2019-01, Tommy Wade Holley III/Chad F. Murphy, Echols Circle Parcel #042C 045A, For C-2 Repair Garage – Materials Provided
1. Public Hearing
2. Commission Discussion

5. Other Business

6. Planning Commissioner Issues and Announcements

7. Secretary’s Issues and Announcements
A. Manufactured Home Ordinance and Fortner Rezoning Updates - No Materials
B. Cell Tower (Spider Lily-B, West of US 19, South of Hwy 80) – No Materials
C. 2019 Meeting Schedule – Schedule Provid

UPSON BOC PUBLIC HEARING ON CO. RD REZONE LIKELY POSTPONED

A CONTROVERSIAL REZONING PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED BEFORE THE UPSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, TUESDAY, FOR JAMES FORTNER AT 1409 COUNTY ROAD WILL LIKELY BE CONTINUED UNTIL APRIL, ACCORDING TO PLANNING AND ZONING DIRECTOR DOUG CURRIER.

THE REZONING REQUEST FROM A-R TO MANUFACTURING CREATED A FIRESTORM FROM NEIGHBORS AT POTATO CREEK HEIGHTS AT THE PLANNING COMMISSION JANUARY MEETING —AND RECOMMENDATION WAS DENIED-- MAINLY BECAUSE SEEPAGE FROM OLD TRUCKS PARKED ON THE BANKS OF POTATO CREEK COULD CONTAMINATE THE CITY OF THOMASTON'S WATER SUPPLY.

PLANNING DIRECTOR CURRIER TOLD ZOOM NEWS FRIDAY, FORTNER HAS RETAINED A GRIFFIN ATTORNEY WHO HAS FILED FOR A CONTINUANCE OF THE HEARING UNTIL APRIL TO GET UP TO SPEED ON THE CASE—AND IT WILL PROBABLY BE GRANTED.

FORTNER RECENTLY DISCOVERED HIS BUSINESS IS ON 7 ACRES ZONED AGRICULTURAL-RESIDENTIAL, BUT HE TOLD THE ZONING BOARD HE'S BEEN PAYING TAXES ON COMMERCIAL PROPERTY . HE OPERATES A TRUCKING AND EQUIPMENT REPAIR BUSINESS AT THE SITE AND SAYS HE HAS ANNUAL PAYROLL OF WELL OVER ONE MILLION DOLLARS.

SUICIDE AT HIGH FALLS STATE PARK

At approximately 7:22pm on Thursday, February 7, 2019, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office received a call regarding a suspicious vehicle located on Towilaga River Drive, near the Dollar General in High Falls. High Falls State Park Staff reported that the vehicle had been sitting there since approximately 9:30am that morning.

The vehicle, a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado, was found unlocked and abandoned. Upon entrance of the vehicle, a suicide note was discovered on the driver’s seat. A search for the individual was conducted of the immediate area with the assistance of Georgia DNR LED Game Wardens, DNR LED Aviation Unit, DNR Search and Rescue teams, Department of Corrections K-9 teams, High Falls State Park staff and Georgia State Patrol Aviation. K-9’s, helicopters and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office drones were utilized in the search.

During this time, the driver of the vehicle was identified as Jeffrey Scott Kiff, age 53 of Connecticut. His family told Investigators that Kiff had been missing since November 2018 and that they had not spoken with him since January 2019. Agencies continued the search until late into the night with no success of locating Kiff. The search was resumed early Friday morning. Monroe County Sheriff’s Deputies located Kiff’s body at approximately 9:41am, cause of death was suicide.

KILLER OF SOPHIA BULLARD GETS LIFE IN PRISON

A Henry County man will spend his life in prison without the possibility of parole for killing four people at a bonfire house party.

Jacob Kosky plead guilty but mentally ill today to four counts of malice murder and eight counts of felony murder, along with multiple counts of aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and theft by taking.

Henry County Superior Court Senior Judge Arch McGarity sentenced Kosky, 25, to four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, plus an additional five years to serve. Under the plea agreement, Kosky also waived all rights to an appeal.

The investigation revealed on Oct. 26, 2016, Kosky and codefendant Matthew Baker Jr., 21, attended a bonfire party at a home on Moccasin Gap Road in south Henry County. During the night, the two men exited the house, returned with guns and then opened fire.

Matthew Hicks, 18, Keith Gibson, 29, and Sophia Bullard, 20, were found dead inside the home in the early morning hours of Oct. 27, 2016. Destiny Olinger, 20, was found inside the home suffering from at least one gunshot wound. She died two days later at the hospital.

Today, Kosky’s lawyers presented evidence of the defendant’s mental health problems. The judge then ruled that Kosky was responsible for his actions in killing the four victims, but was mentally ill when he opened fire on the victims.

Prior to sentencing, the families of the victims told the judge how much Kosky’s actions impacted their lives and asked the judge to accept the negotiated plea.

“The decision to move forward with this plea was made in conjunction with input from all of the victims’ families,” Henry County District Attorney Darius Pattillo said. “This plea is one step toward closure for the victims’ families by guaranteeing that Jacob Kosky is held accountable for his actions and never gets out of the prison system.”

In 2017, the district attorney’s office filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty against Kosky and Baker. Under the plea agreement, Pattillo agreed to withdraw the death notice against Kosky in exchange for the life without parole sentence.

Baker’s charges are still pending and he will be prosecuted at a later date.

D.A. COKER ANNOUNCES A GUILTY VERDICT

This week, in Spalding County, Assistant District Attorneys Morgan Kendrick and Ashton Fallin tried the case of State of Georgia v. Bret Alan Smith. The defendant was charged with aggravated sexual battery, two counts of child molestation, and one count of cruelty to children in the first degree. The evidence showed that the defendant had molested more than one victim for several years and in several different counties, including Spalding County. The jury returned a verdict of guilty on all counts, and the Honorable John C. Carbo sentenced the defendant to a total of life serve 30 years.

District Attorney Coker said of the trial, “children are one of the most vulnerable groups in our community. I am grateful to my office for the hard work that they do to put those that prey upon children behind bars. I am especially thankful to Ashton and Morgan for their work this week, the witnesses that testified, and those from Colquitt County who came up to testify on the case. As a team, they made sure that this predator will never hurt another child.”

SPALDING CO. MAKES A ON 2018 FY AUDIT

THE SPALDING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS GOT AN UPBEAT REPORT ON THE FY 2018 AUDIT MONDAY FROM MILLER EDWARDS OF MAULDIN AND JENKINS— ENDING THE FISCAL YEAR WITH A FUND BALANCE AT $5.8 MILLION ENOUGH TO COVER A COUPLE OF MONTHS OF OPERATION—BUT HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THREE MONTHS OF BACK-UP.

EDWARDS NOTED SPALDING COUNTY HAS BEEN ADDING TO ITS FUND BALANCE FOR EACH OF THE LAST FIVE YEARS—AND NOTED IT WAS A STRONG FUND BALANCE $10.4 MILLION THAT GOT IT THROUGH THE RECESSION.

REVENUES FROM THE FISCAL YEAR $42.3 MILLION 53.8% FROM PROPERTY TAXES AND EXPENSES OF $42.5 MILLION, AND EDWARDS COMMENDED THE MANAGEMENT TEAM FOR STAYING NEAR THE REVENUE FORECAST DURING THE YEAR, ONLY $68,000 OFF FROM ACTUAL REVENUE—AS HE PUT IT A WELL MANAGED BUDGET.

AWARD TO SCTC WELDING INSTRUCTOR CHRIS PATTERSON

Chris Patterson, Welding Instructor at Southern Crescent Technical College, was recently named the 2019 Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Education at a celebration held on January 23, 2019 on the Griffin Campus. The Rick Perkins Award is the equivalent to being named Instructor of the Year at Southern Crescent Technical College.

Patterson was named the Rick Perkins Award Winner after the original winner, Nursing Instructor Kim Register, was named Dean for Allied Health Programs at Southern Crescent Technical College and was no longer eligible as a candidate for the award. Dr. Alvetta Thomas, President of Southern Crescent Technical College stated, “At Southern Crescent Technical College, we are so fortunate that we have such a talented pool of instructors to draw from for this honor. Once Kim became ineligible, it was an easy decision to award this to our runner-up. Chris is an excellent instructor and truly has his students’ best interest at heart. I know that he is an equally wonderful recipient for this honor.”

Patterson stated that he “was extremely honored to be named the Rick Perkins winner, although he shares this honor with all of the dedicated instructors at the College.”

The Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical instruction is awarded annually and is designed to recognize and honor technical college instructors who make significant contributions to technical education through innovation and leadership in their fields. Instructors are nominated for the Rick Perkins Award by their peers and competition among instructors occurs at the college, regional, and state levels.

Dr. Alvetta Thomas, President of Southern Crescent Technical College, continued, “Mr. Patterson has been recognized as Southern Crescent Technical College’s Rick Perkins winner because of his conscientiousness and genuine commitment as an instructor. I have witnessed his dedication to student learning, high professional standards, and cooperative spirit. His teaching methods and techniques are innovative and he always encourages his students to achieve at their highest level. Chris is an excellent representation of the quality faculty and staff at Southern Crescent Technical College and we wish him well as he goes on to represent the College at the next level of competition.”

In addition to Patterson and Register, finalists for the Rick Perkins Award included Dr. V. Maloof – Biology Instructor; James Peas, Early Childhood Care and Education Instructor; and Tahesha Wade, Business Management Instructor.

Patterson and other nominees were judged by a group of outs

SPALDING COUNTY SELECTS ANIMAL SHELTER ARCHITECT

AT MONDAY'S MEETING THE SPALDING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SELECTED MCCALL ARCHITECTURE TO DESIGN EXPANSION AND RENOVATION OF THE COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL SHELTER—A BID OF 7.1% OF CONSTRUCTION COST OR $78,000. WORK SET TO BEGIN MONDAY.

MEMBERS OF THE ANIMAL CARE ADVISORY BOARD RECENTLY VISITED THE SHELTERS IN MERIWETHER COUNTY AND COLUMBIA COUNTY TO GET IDEAS.

THE SPALDING BOC TABLED FOR REVIEW TAKING OVER THE GRIFFIN-SPALDING SPORTS HALL OF FAME— A REVIEW BY THE PARKS AND REC ADVISTORY COMMISSION.

THE HALL OF FAME ASKED THE COUNTY TO TAKE IT OVER LAST YEAR, AS IT WAS RUNNING OUT OF MONEY AND A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND HALL OF FAME IS ON THE TABLE THAT SPELLS OUT THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF EACH PARTY IF THE COUNTY TAKES IT OVER.

T-U IDA MULLS PAD READY SITE

SPEC BUILDINGS WERE ONCE THE RAGE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BUT NOW PAD -READY SITES HAVE TAKEN OVER TO LURE NEW INDUSTRY—A PAD WHERE A BUILDING COULD BE CONSTRUCTED TO SUIT A COMPANY'S WANTS.

THE THOMASTON-UPSON DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HAS AUTHORIZED SOIL BORINGS AT THE ORIGINAL INDUSTRIAL PARK OFF MCINTOSH PARKWAY AND AT THE NEW BIZ/TECH PARK AT THE AIRPORT—AND IT APPEARS A PAD READY SITE NEAR THE AIRPORT IS THE BEST CHOICE.

IDA VICE-CHAIR STEVE RUSH WITH AN ENGINEERING BACKGROUND SAYS EVERYTHING POINTS TO THE NEW PARK AS THE BEST OPTION BECAUSE THERE IS ROCK AT THE OTHER ONE AND MCINTOSH PARKWAY IS IN POOR SHAPE AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REBUILT—BOTH COSTLY VENTURES.

AT THE JANUARY MEETING THE IDA DISCUSSED SALE OF THE 53 ACRES AT THE ORIGINAL INDUSTRIAL PARK AND ITS WAITING ON A SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR A PAD-READY SITE NEAR THE AIRPORT—2ND QUARTER 2019 TARGET DATE TO HAVE IT ON LINE.

THE IDA SOLD ITS SPEC BUILDING TO A KANSAS COMPANY GOLDEN STAR MANUFACTURER OF DUST MOPS AND SUCH.  

PD CHIEF-- NEW LEADS IN NOVEMBER THOMASTON MURDER

THOMASTON POLICE CHIEF MIKE RICHARDSON SAYS HIS DEPARTMENT DEVELOPED SOME NEW LEADS LAST WEEK IN A FATAL HOME INVASION ON 4TH AVE. LAST NOVEMBER AND HOPEFULLY THAT INFORMATION COULD LEAD TO ARRESTS IN THE CASE.

A DISABLED WHITE MALE--67 YEAR OLD STEPHEN EARLES AND HIS WIFE JOYCE EARLES , AGE 65 , WERE SEVERLY BEATEN AND MR. EARLES DIED LATER AT THE HOSPITAL , HIS WIFE WAS HOSPITALIZED IN MACON FOR HER INJURIES, BUT HAS SINCE RECOVERED ACCORDING TO THE P.D.

TWO SUBJECTS WEARING MASKS ENTERED THEIR RESIDENCE AT 5AM AND ATTACKED THEM. CHIEF RICHARDSON SAID INVESTIGATORS BELIEVE THE CASE IS DRUG RELATED , THE EARLES WERE TARGETED, AND ROBBERY WAS THE MOTIVE.

MS. EARLES HAD BEEN ARRESTED ABOUT A MONTH BEFORE THE VIOLENT HOME INVASION AND CHARGED WITH DRUG VIOLATIONS—SHE HAD A STASH OF HER HUSBAND'S PRESCRIPTION DRUGS IN THE HOUSE SHE ALLEGEDLY HAD FOR SALE-- THE CHIEF TOLD US TUESDAY.

DEFENDANT FAINTS IN UPSON SUPERIOR COURT

A DEFENDANT IN UPSON SUPERIOR COURT FAINTED MONDAY WHEN HIS PROBATION WAS REVOKED AND HE WAS SENTENCED TO 2 YEARS, 3 MONTHS IN PRISON.

MARK BLAND WAS CHARGED WITH POSSESSION METH AND POSSESSION OF A FIREARM WHILE A CONVICTED FELON, NEW CHARGES AND JUDGE FLETCHER SAMS REVOKED HIS PROBATION.

EMS RESPONDED TO THE COURTHOUSE AND TRANSPORTED BLAND TO THE E.R. AND HE WAS ADMITTED TO UPSON REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER, ACCORDING TO SHERIFF DAN KILGORE.

ALL TIME HIGH SPLOST COLLECTIONS SPALDING CO.

TWO BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM COUNTY MANAGER WILLIAM WILSON JR. AT MONDAY'S MEETING OF THE SPALDING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.

SPLOST COLLECTIONS HIT AN ALL TIME HIGH IN THE LAST MONTHLY REPORT--$935,000--SETTING THE AVERAGE MONTHLY COLLECTION RATE AT $737,000.

MANAGER WILSON SAID SPALDING COUNTY'S I.S.O. RATING HAS DROPPED FROM 5.9 TO CLASS 3/3X EFFECTIVE MAY IST—WHICH COULD MEAN A DROP IN INSURANCE PREMIUMS FOR PROPERTY OWNERS AND BUSINESSES. THE CLASS 3/3X FROM THE INSURANCE RATING SERVICE HAS BEEN ACHIEVED BY ONLY 12% OF COMMUNITIES NATION WIDE AND WILSON SAID IT REFLECTS THE DEDICATION OF THE SPALDING FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

FIRE DESTROYED TWO BARNS

TWO BARNS DESTROYED BY FIRE AT 222 POPLAR GROVE DR. ACCORDING TO UPSON S.O.

CLAY ELLIS RUFFIN SAID HIS DOG'S BARKING WOKE HIM UP AND HE FOUND HIS LARGE BARN WAS ON FIRE AND IT CAUGHT A SMALLER BARN ON FIRE—BOTH WERE EMPTY—BOTH TOTALED.

BOND DENIED FOR CAMERON M. JONES OF THOMASTON

BOND DENIED FOR CAMERON JONES OF THOMASTON, MONDAY IN UPSON SUPERIOR COURT FOLLOWING A HEARING BEFORE JUDGE FLETCHER SAMS. HIS CO-DEFENDANT IN THE MURDER OF RODERICK CRAWFORD OF LAMAR COUNTY, KIERA WILLIAMS, AGE 18 WAS DENIED BOND LAST WEEK.

WILLIAMS AND JONES WERE DENIED BOND AT THEIR FIRST APPEARANCE HEARING IN UPSON MEGISTRATE COURT.

CHIEF ASSISTANCE DISTRICT ATTORNEY MARIE BRODER HANDLED THE BOND HEARING FOR THE STATE AND TOLD ZOOM NEWS CASES AGAINST JONES AND WILLIAMS WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE UPSON COUNTY GRAND JURY NEXT MONTH.

THEY ARE CHARGED WITH THE SHOOTING DEATH OF CRAWFORD AFTER HE MADE CONTACT WITH WILLIAMS ON AN ESCORT WEB SITE. HIS BODY WAS FOUND BEHIND A TRAILER HOME ON GRANTLING STREET IN LINCOLN PARK AFTER HE WENT MISSING FOR A WEEK.

SILVERTOWN ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES?

DURING LAST WEEK'S COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE GREATEST GENERATION MEMORIAL PARK—CHAIR KAY HIGHTOWER INFORMED THE BOARD ABOUT LISTING RESIDENTIAL SILVERTOWN ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES.

SHE HAS ENLISTED HELP FROM LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT DALE JAEGER OF GAINESVILLE WHO HAS VISITED SILVERTOWN AND THINKS IT HAS MERIT TO BE INCLUDED ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER. SHE WAS INVOLVED IN A MILL VILLAGE IN GAINESVILLE BEING LISTED .

COMMITTEE MEMBER GARY SELF HAD RESERVATIONS ABOUT PLACING SILVERTOWN ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER—ASKING HOW IT WOULD AFFECT HOMEOWNERS USE OF THEIR PROPERTY.

HE WAS REASSURED IT WILL NOT IMPACT HOMEOWNERS AT ALL UNLESS FEDERAL DOLLARS WERE USED TO IMPROVE HOUSING OR PROPERTY.

MS. JEAGER SAID BASED ON THE STATE'S 75 DAY REVIEW PERIOD A DECISION ON THE ELIGIBILITY OF SILVERTOWN FOR LISTING IS ANTICIPATED NO LATER THAN TUESDAY, FEB. 19TH.