GUILTY PLEAS

Plea – Judge Scott L. Ballard June 4, 2021 

Martha M. Ratliff Ct. 1: Theft by shoplifting: 12 months probation; $1,000 fine; 80 hours community service Ct. 2: Possession of Meth: 3 years probation; $1,500 fine; 80 hours community service 

Johnathan T. Hammock Ct. 1: Possession of Meth: 7 years probation; $2,500 fine; 80 hours community service 

Benjamin K. Mills Ct. 1: Possession of Schedule I Controlled Substance: 3 years probation; $1,500 fine; 80 hours community service  

Deric S. McCall Ct. 1: Obstruction of an Officer: 4 years probation; $2,500 fine; 80 hours community service 

Deric S. McCall Ct. 1: Possession of Cocaine: 3 years probation; $1,500 fine; 80 hours community service 

Jeremy L. Hampton Ct. 1: Cruelty to animals: 12 months probation; $1,000 fine; 40 7. 20R0117 Eric B. Johnson Ct. 1 Theft by taking: 12 months probation; $1,000 fine; 40 hours community service 

Candace J. Garner Ct. 1: Driving while license suspended: reduced to lesser included expired license: 12 months probation; $100 fine; 40 hours community service Ct. 2: Theft by Taking: Nolle prosequi 

Lacy M. Selph Ct. 1: Crossing guardlines with unauthorized items: 12 months probation; $250 fine; 40 hours community service; sentenced under First Offender 

Marcus D. Seay Ct. 1: DUI- reduced to lesser included Reckless Driving: 12 months probation; $1,000; 40 hour community service Ct. 2: Improper Parking: 12 months probation; concurrent to ct. 1 Ct. 3: Failure to Carry License: Nolle Prosequi   

Charlie D. Lawson Ct. 1: DUI drugs: 12 months probation; $1,000 fine; 40 hours community service; DUI school within 120 days; Ct. 2: Fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer: 12 months probation concurrent with ct. 1; $1,000 fine; Ct. 3: Failure to maintain lane: Nolle Prosequi  

Mark A. Gilbert II Ct. 1: Battery, FV: 12 months probation; $1,000 fine; 40 hours community service Ct. 2: Theft by taking: 12 months probation consecutive to ct. 1; $1,000 fine; 40 hours community service  

Mark A. Gilbert II Ct. 1: Theft by taking: 12 months probation consecutive to count 1 in 20R0162, concurrent to count 2 in 20R0162; 40 hours community service; $1,000 fine 

Ty'Kelvric Q. Acey Ct. 1 Simple battery FV: Alford Plea- 12 months probation; 40 hours community service; $1,000 fine 

Erica T. Butler Ct. 1: Reckless conduct: 12 months probation; $1,000 fine; 40 hours community service Ct. 2: Discharge of gun near highway: 12 months probation: $1,000 fine; 40 hours community service Ct. 3: Carrying a weapon without a license: Nolle prosequi 

Clayton J. Hope Ct. 1: Statutory Rape- reduced to Fornication: 12 months probation; $500 fine; 80 hours community service

Tommy J. Alford Ct. 1: Battery FV: 12 months probation; $1,000 fine; 40 hours community service  

Shane E. Samples Ct. 1: Violation of family violence order: 12 months to serve in the county jail credit for time served; Ct. 2: Battery family violence act: 12 months to serve concurrent to count 1; Ct. 3: Cruelty to children 3rd degree: 12 months to serve concurrent to counts 1 and 2; Ct. 4: Battery against a person 65 or older: 12 months to serve concurrent to counts 1, 2, & 3 

Shana M. Ellerbee Ct. 1: Driving while license suspended- lesser included expired license: 12 months probation; $100 fine; 40 hours community service; Ct. 2: Failure to stop at stop sign: Nolle prosequi Ct. 3: Giving false information to law enforcement officer: 12 months probation

FINALISTS FOR NEW SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE

THE STATE JUDICIAL NOMINATING COMMISSION HAS ANNOUNCED THE THREE FINALISTS FOR THE 5TH SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE IN THE GRIFFIN JUDICIAL CIRCUIT--ALL FROM FAYETTE COUNTY.

TWO BLACK FEMALE ATTORNEYS ARE AMONG THE TRIO, ASSOCIATE JUVENILE COURT JUDGE FOR THE CIRCUIT, RHONDA BENDER KREUZIGER, THE FAYETTEVILLE CITY COURT JUDGE NAIHAL GRANT MCFARLANE, AND THE CURRENT SOLICITOR-GENERAL FOR THE STATE COURT OF FAYETTE COUNTY, JAMIE K. INAGAWA.

THE NEW JUDGE WILL REPLACE FORMER CHIEF JUDGE CHRISTOPHER EDWARDS WHO RETIRED TO RETURN TO PRIVATE PRACTICE.

GOVERNOR BRIAN KEMP WILL APPOINT THE NEW JUDGE.

SPALDING CO HONORED BY ACCG

Spalding County’s Healthy Living Community Garden has been recognized with a 2021 Georgia County Excellence Award. Hosted jointly by the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) and Georgia Trend magazine, the awards program honors the innovative and cost-effective work of county governments.

 

“ACCG is proud to continue this partnership with Georgia Trend to recognize the innovative efforts of our counties,” said ACCG Executive Director Dave Wills. “Each year, the Georgia County Excellence Awards program showcases the versatility of county programs and services and the ingenuity of those elected or appointed to serve.” 

This year, the theme for the program was community investment, and counties submitted applications for a variety of projects. Submissions focused on programs ranging from accountability courts, cyber education, and senior services to transportation projects. Spalding County is one of five award recipients in this year’s program. Chairman Clay Davis stated: “We are honored to have our Healthy Living Community Garden selected for this award and are proud of our Department Heads and Employees who made this project happen.” The Spalding County Healthy Living Community Garden was first established in 2012 “to help communities grow fresh produce, raise beautiful flowers, and cultivate healthy, caring neighborhoods.” 

The initiative is a collaborative effort between the County’s parks and recreation department and the University of Georgia’s Cooperative Extension and was created to help the Griffin Housing Authority ‘s Educational Prosperity Initiative address food insecurity needs in the Fairmont Neighborhood. Between October 2018 and September 2019, more than 500 children and adults have participated in 17 classes where they have learned about healthy eating and how to grow food. Learn more about the award-winning initiative in the June issue of Georgia Trend magazine.

CALLED MEEETING THOMASTON MAYOR AND COUNCIL

CITY OF THOMASTON

SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL

CITY-COUNTY MEETING ROOM
THOMASTON-UPSON GOVERNMENT COMPLEX

FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 2021 2:00 P.M.

VIRTUAL MEETING VIA CITY OF THOMASTON YOUTUBE PAGE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRlF8V1o6j-67nNYbOysNwg

AGENDA:

A. Opening of Meeting and Call to Order

B. Discussion /Approval of HAWK Traffic Signal for New Fire Station

C. Other Business

D. Adjournment

COVID-19 VACCINATION UPDATE

The CDC’s COVID Data Tracker shows the United States at 42% of its population fully vaccinated. Georgia lags behind at 33%, and our local counties show even lower percentages. Upson is the local leader at 25%, followed by Talbot and Taylor Counties at 18%, Meriwether at 14%, Crawford at 11%, Spalding and Pike Counties at 6% and, at the bottom of the list, Lamar and Monroe Counties at only 5%. All Americans 12 years of age and older are now eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccination and the vaccines are free.

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker

% Population Fully Vaccinated
June 7, 2021
United States	42%
Georgia	33%
Upson County	25%
Talbot County	18%
Taylor County	18%
Meriwether County	14%
Crawford County	11%
Spalding County	6%
Pike County	6%
Lamar County	5%
Monroe County	5%
Source: CDC COVID Data Tracker

EMERGENCY MEETING SPALDING CO. BD OF ELECTIONS

NOTICE OF EMERGENCY MEETING

Spalding County Board of Elections and Registration

Spalding County Senior Center Large Meeting Room

885 Memorial Drive Griffin, GA 30223

Phone 770-467-4245  

The Spalding County Board of Elections and Voter Registration will hold an Emergency Meeting on Wednesday, June 9, 2021; at 2:30 p.m. at the Spalding County Senior Center large meeting room located at 885 Memorial Drive, Griffin, GA 30223. 

Masks must be worn, and we will be following CDC guidelines for Social Distancing. If you do not have a mask, one will be provided for you. The public is invited to attend. There is limited space due to COVID-19 restrictions. For additional information, call 770-467-4245. 

Executive Session - Discussion or deliberation on the appointment, employment, compensation, hiring, disciplinary action or dismissal, or periodic evaluation or rating of a county officer or employee as provided in O.C.G.A. § 50-14-3(b)(2) and the County Attorney requests to discuss pending and potential litigation as provided in O.C.G.A. § 50-14-2(1).

UPSON COUNTY HONORED

Upson County’s Thomaston-Upson Community Heart & Soul Initiative has been recognized with a 2021 Georgia County Excellence Award. Hosted jointly by the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) and Georgia Trend magazine, the awards program honors the innovative and cost-effective work of county governments.

“ACCG is proud to continue this partnership with Georgia Trend to recognize the innovative efforts of our counties,” said ACCG Executive Director Dave Wills. “Each year, the Georgia County Excellence Awards program showcases the versatility of county programs and services and the ingenuity of those elected or appointed to serve.”

This year, the theme for the program was community investment, and counties submitted applications for a variety of projects. Submissions focused on programs ranging from accountability courts, cyber education, and senior services to transportation projects. Upson County is one of five award recipients in this year’s program.

“Recognition from your peers is always something to be very proud of and we thank ACCG for this honor,” said Upson County Commission Chairman Norman Allen. “Our community’s efforts throughout the Heart & Soul process and the partnerships of all those involved was impressive. The results of these efforts help to guide community leadership as decisions are made and priorities are established. We are grateful for this acknowledgement.”

Along with the city of Thomaston, Upson County embarked on a journey to show their constituents that their voices matter. Using the Orton Family Foundation’s Heart & Soul Community Model in 2018, the County became the first community in Georgia to pilot the program as way to allow the residents to shape the future of the community where they live, work, and play. The Thomaston-Upson Community Heart & Soul Initiative hosted more than 42 community events, conducted countless citizen interviews and administered thousands of surveys to solicit feedback from community residents over the course of two years. That work resulted in the fruition of resident-identified action items such as improvements to outdoor recreation areas and the development of a master plan for Rural Zone designation of the downtown area. Learn more about the award-winning initiative in the June issue of Georgia Trend magazine.

SUMMER READING PROGRAM PINE MOUNTAIN REGIONAL LIBRARY

THE SUMMER READING PROGRAM IS ON AT PINE MOUNTAIN REGIONAL LIBRARY. JUNE 14TH COMEDY MAGICIAN KEN SCOTT, JUNE 21ST JASON CLARK OF SOUTHEASTERN REPTILE RESCUE WITH HIS REPTILES.

PERFORMANCES AT 11 AM MANCHESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY, 2 PM HIGHTOWER MEMORIAL LIBRARY IN THOMASTON AND AT 4:30 PM AT BUTLER PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Griffin Man Shot And Killed By Officers Following Chase

A Griffin man was shot and killed by Lovejoy police officers following a chase that started in Clayton county and ended at the intersection of Birdie Road and US 19 north in Spalding county.

Twenty nine year old Stephen Neil Weigand of Griffin pointed a gun at officers when he exited the vehicle and was shot multiple times by police, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Weigand hit at least one car as he was leaving a restaurant in Jonesboro at 2:45 am Saturday morning. He was stopped by a Clayton county police officer and struck the officer in the face as he was attempting to handcuff him. Weigand jumped back into his car and headed south on Tara Boulevard with Lovejoy officers in pursuit.

Spalding county officers set up a road block at Birdie Road, just north of Griffin and forced Weigand to stop. No officers were injured, the incident is under investigation by the GBI.

Griffin Man Shot

On June 1, 2021, at approximately 12:03 pm, Spalding County deputies responded to the area of North 9th Street near the intersection of Bleachery Street to a report of someone being shot. At the same time, Spalding County investigators were called to Spalding WellStar hospital for a patient seeking treatment for a gunshot wound. The person at the hospital was identified as Menzer Henley, 27, of Griffin.

When they arrived at the N. 9th Street location, deputies and investigators located Reginald Stewart, 27 of Jonesboro, standing beside a black in color Honda Element. The vehicle had sustained damage that appeared to be from gun shots, and they began talking to him about how his vehicle became damaged and the chain of events that had occurred.

Mr. Stewart volunteered to meet with investigators at the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office to give a statement while other investigators began canvassing the area for potential witnesses.

Sheriff Darrell Dix, “According to both Henley and Stewart, they had been followed to Griffin from Lithonia by Henley’s ex-girlfriend Latonya Tucker, (29). According to Henley, Tucker was upset because he no longer wanted to be in a relationship with her and he had called Stewart to pick him up and take him home to Griffin. Both Henley and Stewart stated that Tucker tried to run them off the road several times as they were traveling south on North 9th Street. Stewart then stopped his car so Henley could get out of the car and get away from Tucker on foot.”

“When Tucker saw Henley exit the vehicle and run away, she turned her vehicle around and began driving her car in pursuit of Henley. When Henley would not stop for her, Tucker produced a handgun and opened fire at him striking him in the left hip. Mr. Stewart saw Tucker shooting at Henley, retrieved his own handgun, and began firing at Tucker from the inside of his vehicle causing the damage to his own windshield.”

Tucker fled the scene in what was described as a black GMC Acadia. Deputies searched the area for Tucker but were unable to locate her or her vehicle.

“Tucker was arrested in Cobb County on June 2nd and her vehicle is being held there until we obtain a search warrant for it. She has been charged with aggravated assault, aggravated battery, possession of firearm during the commission of a crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. She is currently being housed in the Spalding County Jail.”

Mr. Stewart gave his statement to investigators and was free to leave. He will not be charged with any crime. “Mr. Stewart exercised his 2nd Amendment right was not charged because he was well within that right and Georgia law to fire his weapon at Tucker. He was lawfully trying to stop Tucker from causing death or great bodily harm to Henley as allowed by Georgia law. He did exactly what the statute allows you to do while in defense of yourself or another person. After he fired the shots, he remained on scene until we got there, spoke to officers, was cooperative, and told us what happened. All of the evidence recovered from the scene matched the statements of Mr. Henley and Mr. Stewart.”

COVID-19 UPDATE FOR MAY

From the Georgia Department of Public Health and the CDC COVID Data Tracker

Upson County’s confirmed cases dropped from 45 in April to a record low of 26 in May. Average 2-week test positivity dropped from 5.3% in April to 3.8% in May, the lowest percentage to date.

There were 4 deaths in April and again 4 deaths in May. The lowest monthly death toll occurred last November when it was zero. New hospitalizations declined from 7 in April to only 2 in May, almost reaching the record of 1 hospitalization set last June.

The CDC Data Tracker for vaccinations shows Upson County at 24% of its population fully vaccinated, Georgia at 31% and the United States at 37%. Among the 50 states, Georgia is the third lowest for vaccination rate, followed by Alabama second lowest, and Mississippi with the lowest rate of all.

UPSON COUNTY	New Cases	New Deaths	New Hospitaliz.	Avg 2-wk Test Pos	% Fully Vaccinated
Mar 2020	5	0
Apr 2020	211	18 (hi)
May 2020	65	16
June 2020	74	9	1 (lo)
July 2020	116	2	9
Aug 2020	190	10	14
Sept 2020	138	7	14
Oct 2020	45	9	17	5.4%
Nov 2020	98	0 (lo)	7	8.4%
Dec 2020	246	1	12	13.7%
Jan 2021	405 (hi)	14	24 (hi)	21% (hi)
Feb 2021	112	10	22	10.8%
Mar 2021	60	7	7	6.7%
Apr 2021	45	4	7	5.3%	19%
May 2021	26 (lo)	4	2	3.8% (lo)	24%
Source: Daily Reports from GA Department of Public Health

FREE COVID-19 VACCINE

PIKE CO HAS NEW INTERIM FIRE CHIEF

AT A SURPRISE, TWO HOUR NOTICE, CALLED MEETING FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION, TUESDAY AFTERNOON, THE PIKE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS EXITED AND NAMED PIKE COUNTY FIRE-FIGHTER BOBBY W. WILKERSON INTERIM FIRE CHIEF. 

COUNTY MANAGER BRANDON ROGERS RELEASED A SEPERATION OF EMPLOYMENT LETTER ADDRESSED TO FIRE CHIEF RICK O'BARR.

IN THE LETTER, PROVIDED TO pikecountytimes.com, THE COUNTY MANAGER THANKED O'BARR FOR HIS YEARS OF SERVICE AND WISHED HIM WELL.

TWO NEW LIEUTENANTS SPALDING CO FIRE DEPART

Spalding County Fire Department hosted a small ceremony to recognize the promotion of two current firefighters to the role of lieutenant. Both individuals have excelled in their field and we are looking forward to seeing all that they will accomplish as they embrace this new role. 

Juan Guerrero has been with the Spalding County Fire Department since May 2011. Born in Pennsylvania and having grown up in New York and Columbus Ga., he is the son of military parents. According to Guerrero, he originally planned on being a firefighter in the Air Force. When no positions were available at the time, he continued to pursue the path within the firefighting field and eventually found his way to Spalding County. Guerrero has already obtained his AEMT, Rescue Technician, & Fire Science Associates degree and is currently enrolled in Columbia Southern to obtain his bachelors in Fire Administration. Guerrero says that he will continue to guide fire personnel to accomplish their goals whether it is through physical fitness, new certifications, or just embracing their work. 

At the promotion ceremony he stated, “A lot was done for me throughout my career, and I want to pay it forward to others.” 

Kat Roberts has been with the SCFD for four (4) years but has been a certified first responder for eight. Like Guerrero, Kat did not grow up in Griffin but was born in Washington State and graduated from a London university with her bachelor’s degree in international relations. Roberts is involved in the LAWS (land air water search) Team as well as EMA (Emergency Management) and spends her off hours giving her time to outreach programs such as SafeKids International and Wellstar Health System. Her drive comes from the ambition to get a little better every day at what she does. 

When asked to elaborate on that statement she said, “I am passionate about providing families the information they need to be self-empowered. I love to see people create for themselves the futures they dream of achieving.” 

Spalding County Fire Department is proud to be able to promote these two individuals and we ask that next time you see them around the community you congratulate them as well.

Longtime Radio Personality Bill Chapman Passes Away

Mr. Bill "Billy" Chapman age 78 of Thomaston passed away Monday May 31st at Upson Regional Medical Center. 

He was DJ for many years at WSFT in Thomaston and Sales Manager at WTGA (Fun 101) in Thomaston and Sales Manager at WKEU FM in Griffin. He worked with Rex King as a Disc Jockey also former Sheriff Don Peacock as a Disc Jockey. He was awarded DJ of the year at the CMA Awards show in 1990 and He was inducted into the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame 1994. 

Mr. Chapman was born on March 17, 1943 in Upson County, to the late, William Carvis Chapman, and the late Mary Ellen Harden Chapman. In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his sister, Betty Louise Johnson.

Survivors include his wife, Sylvia Winters Chapman of Thomaston, daughters, Sherry (Lee) Sumner of Woodland, Michelle (Jim) Smith of Molena, sons, Clay (Lacy) Chapman of Thomaston, Sandy (Pam Worth) Chapman of Fruithurst, AL, nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday June 3, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. from Trinity Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Upson Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, June 2, 2021 from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at Coggins Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Trinity Baptist Church at 410 S Church St. Thomaston, GA 30286.