DUE TO THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS NEXT WEEK--THE PIKE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS WILL HOLD THEIR END OF MONTH MEETING THIS THURSDAY AT 6;30--AND A HUGE SOLAR FARM PROJECT AT FLAT SHOALS ROAD IS BACK FOR A PUBLIC HEARING AND RECONSIDERATION--AFTER BEING VOTED DOWN 3-2, WEEKS AGO.
South Metro's News Leader
Tuesday, November 17, 2020
CITY OF GRIFFIN WANTS THE COUNTY TO OPERATE CITY PARK, POOL, AND TENNIS COURTS
AT MONDAY'S MEETING--THE SPALDING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS DISCUSSED A PLAN FROM THE CITY OF GRIFFIN TO ASSUME CONTROL OF THE CITY PARK, POOL AND TENNIS COURTS--BUT THERE WAS NO DECISION. COUNTY MANAGER WILLIAM WILSON SAID THE POOL NEEDS A NEW BUILDING--$1.9 MILLION AND HE HAS PROPOSED CITY HALL CONTRIBUTE $200,000 ANNUALLY THE FIRST TWO YEARS, PLUS $81,000 TO RUN THE POOL--AND THE COUNTY SHOULD GET 2% OF GRIFFIN'S LOST TAX COLLECTIONS TO HELP RUN THE PARK. ALSO CITY HALL ASKED TO PAY ALL ELECTRIC BILLS PLUS NO STORM WATER FEES.
CITY HALL WOULD RETAIN THE GOLF COURSE.
IN PIKE CO. CALDWELL BRIDGE RD CLOSED
Caldwell Bridge Road a half a mile south of Pedenville Road is closed for culvert replacement. Work will take a few days. Should be back open by Thursday maybe Friday
Monday, November 16, 2020
PIKE COUNTY FINISHED THE RECOUNT FRIDAY
PIKE COUNTY VOTER REGISTRAR LYNN VICKERS SAID THE BY-HAND RECOUNT ON THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE WAS COMPLETED FRIDAY AND THERE WAS NO CHANGE IN THE 10,753 VOTES CAST ON NOV. 3RD.
9127 FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP AND 1505 FOR BIDEN. PIKE COUNTY'S VOTE WAS CERTIFIED, FRIDAY, SHE SAID.
9127 FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP AND 1505 FOR BIDEN. PIKE COUNTY'S VOTE WAS CERTIFIED, FRIDAY, SHE SAID.
BY-HAND RECOUNT COMPLETED IN UPSON COUNTY
ROBERT HANEY, CHAIRMAN OF THE UPSON COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS SAID THE BY-HAND RECOUNT IN THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE --ORDERED BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE WAS COMPLETED AROUND NOON MONDAY--AND THERE WAS LITTLE CHANGE IN THE 12,950 VOTES CAST ON NOV.3RD.
IN THE RECOUNT , TRUMP GAINED 5 VOTES TO 8613 AND BIDEN DROPPED 2 VOTES, 4199, HANEY SAID NOT ENOUGH TO IMPACT THE CERTIFICATION OF THE VOTE COMPLETED FRIDAY.
IN THE RECOUNT , TRUMP GAINED 5 VOTES TO 8613 AND BIDEN DROPPED 2 VOTES, 4199, HANEY SAID NOT ENOUGH TO IMPACT THE CERTIFICATION OF THE VOTE COMPLETED FRIDAY.
GA.-SOUTH CAROLINA FOOTBALL GAMETIME
The Saturday, Nov. 28, Southeastern Conference football game between Georgia and South Carolina in Columbia will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET and be televised by the SEC Network according to an announcement Monday by the SEC office.
GA, SUPREME COURT TOSSES OUT CASE AGAINST JUDGE CRAWFORD
The Georgia Supreme Court Monday dismissed a disciplinary case against former Superior Court Judge Robert M. “Mack” Crawford, citing the state Judicial Qualifying Commission’s decision not to seek to ban him from judicial office permanently.
Crawford resigned from the bench on the Griffin Judicial Circuit after the commission recommended he be removed from office for ordering the Pike County clerk to disburse $15,672 in court funds to his personal checking account.
“Critical to our analysis of the evidence, though, is the fact that Crawford has since resigned, thereby voluntarily removing himself from office, which was the very sanction sought in the formal complaint,” the court wrote in a 10-page opinion.
“Under these circumstances, we conclude that it is unnecessary for us to decide definitively whether the evidence was sufficient to support … his removal from office.”
Justice Keith Blackwell went further by casting doubt on whether the court has the power to ban anyone from holding judicial office permanently. In a nine-page concurrence joined by three other justices, Blackwell wrote the Georgia Constitution gives that power only to the General Assembly.
“Any judge may be removed, suspended or otherwise disciplined for willful misconduct in office,” he wrote. “But a lifetime disqualification from judicial office strikes me as a greater sanction than removal or suspension from presently held office.”
Crawford, a former member of the state House of Representatives, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor theft last February and was sentenced to 12 months on probation. He resigned the judgeship as part of the plea deal and agreed not to seek or hold judicial office during the probationary period.
Crawford was represented before the state Supreme Court by former Georgia Gov. Roy Barnes.
In June, Ben Miller Jr. was sworn in to replace Crawford as a judge of the Superior Court of the Griffin Judicial Circuit. Miller was appointed to the role by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on May 1 after Crawford's resignation.
Crawford resigned from the bench on the Griffin Judicial Circuit after the commission recommended he be removed from office for ordering the Pike County clerk to disburse $15,672 in court funds to his personal checking account.
“Critical to our analysis of the evidence, though, is the fact that Crawford has since resigned, thereby voluntarily removing himself from office, which was the very sanction sought in the formal complaint,” the court wrote in a 10-page opinion.
“Under these circumstances, we conclude that it is unnecessary for us to decide definitively whether the evidence was sufficient to support … his removal from office.”
Justice Keith Blackwell went further by casting doubt on whether the court has the power to ban anyone from holding judicial office permanently. In a nine-page concurrence joined by three other justices, Blackwell wrote the Georgia Constitution gives that power only to the General Assembly.
“Any judge may be removed, suspended or otherwise disciplined for willful misconduct in office,” he wrote. “But a lifetime disqualification from judicial office strikes me as a greater sanction than removal or suspension from presently held office.”
Crawford, a former member of the state House of Representatives, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor theft last February and was sentenced to 12 months on probation. He resigned the judgeship as part of the plea deal and agreed not to seek or hold judicial office during the probationary period.
Crawford was represented before the state Supreme Court by former Georgia Gov. Roy Barnes.
In June, Ben Miller Jr. was sworn in to replace Crawford as a judge of the Superior Court of the Griffin Judicial Circuit. Miller was appointed to the role by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on May 1 after Crawford's resignation.
Sunday, November 15, 2020
Muschamp Fired At South Carolina
The University of South Carolina has fired head coach Will Muschamp and named Mike Bobo, another former Georgia player and coach, as the interim head coach.
Muschamp was hired on December 6, 2015 to coach the Gamecocks after serving as the defensive coordinator at Auburn for a season and as the head coach at Florida for 4 years.
Former Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Muschamp, Freeze is currently at Liberty University.
Friday, November 13, 2020
MONDAY NOV. 16TH IS THE DEADLINE TO PAY 2020 UPSON COUNTY PROPERTY TAXES
MONDAY IS THE DEADLINE TO PAY 2020 UPSON COUNTY PROPERTY TAXES.
TAX COMMISSIONER ANDY CHASTAIN TOLD 101 NEWS LINES STARTED FORMING AT THIS OFFICE IN THE COURTHOUSE ANNEX THURSDAY AND HAVE CONTINUED FRIDAY.
Thursday, November 12, 2020
GORDON STATE RETENTION RATE REFLECTS INCREASE
For the past two years, Gordon State College has reported an increase in freshmen retention with an impressive 3.3 percentage point increase for 2019 on top of 2018’s 10-point growth, according to a report released Wednesday by The University System of Georgia. The retention rate, an indicator for student success and satisfaction, for first-time full time freshmen for Fall Semester 2019’s cohort reflected 61.7 percent, the highest overall percentage for the college in more than 10 years.
The improvement is noteworthy given the COVID-19 pandemic pivot to remote instruction and campus closing in March 2020 and faculty converting to delivering online courses to complete the academic year. As a result, the Gordon State faculty spent the summer committed to completing the college’s certification process to teach online and 100 percent of the full-time and part-time instructors teaching Fall Semester 2020 successfully completed the training and certification process.
“We achieved one of our highest retention rates in several years, during COVID,” President Kirk A. Nooks said. “This is outstanding news and a tribute to the collaborative efforts of our faculty and staff. It lets us know we are making progress. We want to know our students, their stories and their aspirations. We want to value their comprehensive college experience. We are an incredible value and heavily invested in our 14-county service region with partners for internships.”
Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs C. Jeffery Knighton said the efforts faculty members have made to retain students is commendable and aligns with the college’s strategic plan, which includes efforts to increase retention and graduation rates.
“At Gordon State College, we are committed to helping our students achieve,” Knighton said. “Our faculty has demonstrated their commitment to students as we ensure our graduates have The Highlander EDGE.”
The Highlander EDGE are noted qualities that set Gordon graduates apart: Engaged Innovators, Dedicated Scholars, Gifted Communicators and Ethical Leaders.
GSC data also reflected encouraging progress with students identified as under-represented and under-served populations. Retention among African American students increased for Fall 2019 to 58.4 percent, a jump of 16.5 percentage points within a two-year period from 41.9 in 2017.
First-generation students, defined as the first student within a household to attend college, showed significant retention gains in 2019 as well with 67.4 percent, a 23 point gain since 2017. These data points are key indicators that Gordon State is making remarkable improvements in student success, and these trends will also help build enrollment.
In 2018, Gordon rebuilt the New Student Orientation (NSO) process to incorporate academic advising sessions, which resulted in the Regents Momentum Year Award for Excellence in Advising and Student Success by the University System of Georgia. The combination of the improved NSO, including scheduling freshmen for 30 hours of credit within their first year, and the implementation of the mandatory first-year student seminar, FIRE 1000, contributes to the positive impact on freshman retention.
The improvement is noteworthy given the COVID-19 pandemic pivot to remote instruction and campus closing in March 2020 and faculty converting to delivering online courses to complete the academic year. As a result, the Gordon State faculty spent the summer committed to completing the college’s certification process to teach online and 100 percent of the full-time and part-time instructors teaching Fall Semester 2020 successfully completed the training and certification process.
“We achieved one of our highest retention rates in several years, during COVID,” President Kirk A. Nooks said. “This is outstanding news and a tribute to the collaborative efforts of our faculty and staff. It lets us know we are making progress. We want to know our students, their stories and their aspirations. We want to value their comprehensive college experience. We are an incredible value and heavily invested in our 14-county service region with partners for internships.”
Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs C. Jeffery Knighton said the efforts faculty members have made to retain students is commendable and aligns with the college’s strategic plan, which includes efforts to increase retention and graduation rates.
“At Gordon State College, we are committed to helping our students achieve,” Knighton said. “Our faculty has demonstrated their commitment to students as we ensure our graduates have The Highlander EDGE.”
The Highlander EDGE are noted qualities that set Gordon graduates apart: Engaged Innovators, Dedicated Scholars, Gifted Communicators and Ethical Leaders.
GSC data also reflected encouraging progress with students identified as under-represented and under-served populations. Retention among African American students increased for Fall 2019 to 58.4 percent, a jump of 16.5 percentage points within a two-year period from 41.9 in 2017.
First-generation students, defined as the first student within a household to attend college, showed significant retention gains in 2019 as well with 67.4 percent, a 23 point gain since 2017. These data points are key indicators that Gordon State is making remarkable improvements in student success, and these trends will also help build enrollment.
In 2018, Gordon rebuilt the New Student Orientation (NSO) process to incorporate academic advising sessions, which resulted in the Regents Momentum Year Award for Excellence in Advising and Student Success by the University System of Georgia. The combination of the improved NSO, including scheduling freshmen for 30 hours of credit within their first year, and the implementation of the mandatory first-year student seminar, FIRE 1000, contributes to the positive impact on freshman retention.
GORDON STATE AND SCTC SIGN ARTICULATION AGREEMENT
Gordon State College President Kirk A. Nooks and Southern Crescent Technical College President Alvetta P. Thomas signed an articulation agreement Thursday to facilitate the transfer of courses from SCTC for students pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Gordon State.
This agreement, signed by both parties virtually, establishes a plan whereby an undergraduate student may first attend Southern Crescent Technical College, an institution accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to complete an associate degree and then transfer to Gordon State College to complete a bachelor’s degree where offered on campus, online, at Gordon State’s McDonough Center or at Southern Crescent Technical College’s Henry Center.
This agreement, signed by both parties virtually, establishes a plan whereby an undergraduate student may first attend Southern Crescent Technical College, an institution accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to complete an associate degree and then transfer to Gordon State College to complete a bachelor’s degree where offered on campus, online, at Gordon State’s McDonough Center or at Southern Crescent Technical College’s Henry Center.
UPDATE ON GSP CHASE IN PIKE CO TUESDAY
POST 26 GA. STATE PATROL IN THOMASTON HAS RELEASED THE REPORT OF A MOTORIST WHO RAN FROM THE GSP IN PIKE COUNTY AND WRECKED NORTH OF ZEBULON, TUESDAY. THE MOTORIST- 19 YEAR OLD SCHILEIAR C. FONFIELD OF NORTH HILL STREET GRIFFIN -- TOLD STATE TROOPER MIKE KNIGHT-- HE WANTED TO KILL HIMSELF.
TROOPER KNIGHT PULLED FONFIELD OVER FOR SPEEDING --AND WAS CONCERNED HE MIGHT FLEE SO A DNR UNIT HELPED THE TROOPER BLOCK HIM-IN. BUT THE 2015 FORD MUSTANG HE WAS DRIVING-- HIT BOTH UNITS AND FLED NORTH UP U.S.19--LEFT THE ROADWAY NEAR THE SITE OF THE NEW VETERANS CLINIC-- STRUCK A POWER POLE , GUIDE WIRE, FENCE, AND GATE-- THEN HIT TWO MORE POWER POLES AND FLIPPED OVER COMING TO REST ON ITS TOP.
FONFIELD HAD MINOR INJURIES.
THE MUSTANG IS OWNED BY FERGUSON LAUREN HOPE OF DENTON STREET-THOMASTON. CHARGES ARE PENDING AGAINST FONFIELD.
TROOPER KNIGHT PULLED FONFIELD OVER FOR SPEEDING --AND WAS CONCERNED HE MIGHT FLEE SO A DNR UNIT HELPED THE TROOPER BLOCK HIM-IN. BUT THE 2015 FORD MUSTANG HE WAS DRIVING-- HIT BOTH UNITS AND FLED NORTH UP U.S.19--LEFT THE ROADWAY NEAR THE SITE OF THE NEW VETERANS CLINIC-- STRUCK A POWER POLE , GUIDE WIRE, FENCE, AND GATE-- THEN HIT TWO MORE POWER POLES AND FLIPPED OVER COMING TO REST ON ITS TOP.
FONFIELD HAD MINOR INJURIES.
THE MUSTANG IS OWNED BY FERGUSON LAUREN HOPE OF DENTON STREET-THOMASTON. CHARGES ARE PENDING AGAINST FONFIELD.
LAMAR COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM GRAD RATE
The Lamar County School System is pleased to announce the graduating class of 2020 achieved a graduation rate of 88.52 percent, according to official graduation data released today by the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE). 88.52% is the third highest graduation rate in the history of the Lamar County School System, and it is an impressive five percent higher than the state average of 83.25. By comparison, Lamar County saw a 5.27% increase in the graduation rate from 2019, outperforming the state of GA average increase of 1.8% from 2019.
The 2020 Lamar County graduation rate represents a 12.92 percentage point gain from the 2012 rate of 75.6 percent.
We are very proud of the trajectory of our school system. It's important to note that the graduation rate is a culmination of each student's educational experience (PreK-12). This number is a reflection of 18 years of investment by every staff member, family member, and community member. Each year, the overwhelming majority of Lamar County High School graduates completed their entire educational training within Lamar County.
The Lamar County School system strives for continual improvement in all endeavors. Today's release by the GaDOE confirms we are indeed on the right track. Just another reason why, "It's good to be us"!
The 2020 Lamar County graduation rate represents a 12.92 percentage point gain from the 2012 rate of 75.6 percent.
We are very proud of the trajectory of our school system. It's important to note that the graduation rate is a culmination of each student's educational experience (PreK-12). This number is a reflection of 18 years of investment by every staff member, family member, and community member. Each year, the overwhelming majority of Lamar County High School graduates completed their entire educational training within Lamar County.
The Lamar County School system strives for continual improvement in all endeavors. Today's release by the GaDOE confirms we are indeed on the right track. Just another reason why, "It's good to be us"!
Wednesday, November 11, 2020
UPSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OFFICE CLOSED DUE TO COVID-19
County Manager, Jason Tinsley:
In response to an employee testing positive for COVID-19 the Upson County Board of Commissioners Office and the Upson County Finance Office will be closed on Thursday November 12th and Friday November 13th.
Both offices will reopen Monday, the 16th at 8:00 AM.
Both offices will be available by phone during that time as employees will be working from home.
Additionally, the Upson County Extension office will be closed until Monday, November 23rd. They can be reached by phone during normal business hours.
“As always, the safety of our employees and our residents is our top priority,” County Manager Jason Tinsley noted. “We will continue to do all that we can to prevent the spread of this virus while we await a vaccine.”
CELEBRATE THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF BEETHOVEN'S BIRTH
In celebration of the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth, Dwain Penn will present three multi-media shows at 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m., Tuesday, November 17 in the basement meeting room of the Upson Archives.
Penn will investigate the possibility that several Shakespearean Sonnets inspired some of Beethoven’s Sonatas. For more information: 770-567-4113.
GA. SEC OF STATE HAS ANNOUNCED A RECOUNT BY HAND IN PRESIDENTS RACE
Georgia's Secretary of State says that the state will do a full recount of votes by hand in the state's presidential election results.
Speaking at the Georgia Capitol, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said he is also moving the special election that was originally scheduled for December to the same date as the Senate runoffs.
Speaking at the Georgia Capitol, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said he is also moving the special election that was originally scheduled for December to the same date as the Senate runoffs.
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