THOMASTON COUNCIL RECEIVES RECOMMENDATION FROM ZONING COMMISSION

 FEB. 19TH--THOMASTON  ZONING  COMMISSION  RECOMMENDED  TO  THE  CITY  COUNCIL  A  REZONING  REQUEST AT  313  BARNESVILLE  STREET  FOR  AUSTIN  AND  CODY  PITTS  TO  OPERATE  A  CUSTOM  CABINET  SHOP  NEXT  TO  THE  LAUNDRAMAT. CHAIRMAN  STEVE  SHORT  AND  VICE-CHAIR  SANDY  KERSEY  BOTH  EXPRESSED  SOME  RESERVATIONS  ABOUT  IT  BECAUSE  IT  REPRESENTS  SPOT  ZONING--BUT  CHAIRMAN  SHORT  SAID  WITH  ALL  THE  COMMERCIAL  CHALLENGES  BARNESVILLE  STREET HAS  EXPERIENCED--PERHAPS  THIS    SPOT  ZONING  WILL  BOOST    DEVELOPMENT  IN  THE  AREA.  BOARD  MEMBER  ROBERT  CHATMAN  WHO  HAS  LIVED  IN  THAT  NEIGHBORHOOD -- SAID IT LOOKS  TO  BE  A  BIG  POSITIVE. 

THE  PITTS  ATTORNEY  ,  JOHNNY  CALDWELL   TOLD  THE  P&Z  BOARD    THE  BROTHERS  PLAN  TO  MAKE  THOUSANDS  OF  DOLLARS  OF  INVESTMENT   IN  THE  BUILDING  TO  CONTROL  THE  NOISE  AND  THE  DUST.  NO  ONE  SPOKE  IN  OPPOSITION  TO  THE  REZONING.

STATE LEGISLATORS CAMP, DICKEY, AND KENNEDY IN UPSON CO

 UPSON  COUNTY  COMMISSION  CHAIRMAN  NORMAN  ALLEN  MODERATED  A  MEETING  FEB. 19TH  WITH  STATE  HOUSE  MEMBERS  BETH  CAMP,  ROBERT DICKEY  AND  STATE  SENATOR  JOHN KENNEDY  AT  THE  UPSON  EMC  ANNEX.  THE  LEGISLATORS  ADDRESSED  CITIZENS  QUESTIONS   ABOUT  ISSUES  IN  THE  CURRENT  GA.  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  ONE  ISSUE  WAS  ELECTION  INTEGRITY  SOMETHING  THAT  TROUBLES  RETIRED  COUNTY  AGENT  EDDIE  MEEKS.  HE  TOLD  THE  GROUP  HE  WOULD  SUPPORT  A  RETURN  TO  PAPER  BALLOTS,  SOMETHING  OTHER   CITIZENS  HAVE  BROUGHT  BEFORE  THE  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS , RECENTLY.

CHAIRMAN  ALLEN  RESPONDED  THAT  UPSON  COUNTY  FOLLOWS  STATE  REGULATIONS  ON  ELECTIONS  AND  NOW  THAT  MEANS  USING  DOMINION  VOTING  MACHINES, WHICH  IS  STATE  ELECTION  LAW.

CERTIFICATE OF  NEED  FOR  NEW  HOSPITALS  AND  MEDICAL  FACILITIES  WAS  ANOTHER  ISSUE.  URMC  CEO  JEFF  TARRANT  HAS  TOLD  THOMASTON  KIWANIS  HE  SUPPORTS  CON,  AS  IT  REINFORCES  THE  MISSION  OF  UPSON  REGIONAL  MEDICAL  CENTER.  SENATOR  KENNEDY  #2    IN  THE  SENATE,   NOTED  LT.  GOVERNOR  JONES  HAS  HELD  COMMITTEE  MEETINGS  AIMED  AT DISCUSSING   ELIMINATION    OF    THE  CON .  THE  LT.  GOV  HAS  SAID  THE  CURRENT  SMALL  HOSPITAL  IN  JACKSON  DOES  NOT  SERVE  COMMUNITY  NEEDS  AND  HE  BACKS  A  LARGER  MEDICAL  FACILITY--BUT  UNDER  THE  CON   IT  WOULD  BE  DIFFICULT  TO  GET  IT  BUILT.

PASTOR  CLAUDE  TURNER,  PASTOR  OF  NEW  BETHEL  BAPTIST  CHURCH , HAS  CALLED  FOR  THE  ELIMINATION  OF  SCHOOL  TAXES  ON  ELDERLY  CITIZENS FOR  YEARS    AND  HE  REPEATED  HIS  MESSAGE  DURING  THE  EVENT.  HE  SAID  TAX ASSESSMENTS  ON HIS  PROPERTY  IS  THROUGH  THE  ROOF  AND  SENIORS  NEED  TAX  RELIEF   FROM  SCHOOL  TAXES. SENATOR KENNEDY  SAID  LEGISLATION  IS  IN  THE  HOPPER  TO  HOLD  THE  LINE  ON  ASSESSMENTS  AND  LATER   IN  THE  WEEK  THE  SENATE  APPROVED  THE  BILL.  ITS NOW HEADED  TO  THE  HOUSE  WHERE  CAMP  AND  DICKEY  SPOKE  UP  IN  SUPPORT OF  IT.

101  NEWS  RECORDED  INTERVIEWS  WITH KENNEDY,  CAMP, AND  DICKEY  ABOUT  ISSUES  IN  THE  HOUSE  AND  SENATE  SO  TUNE  TO  101.1 FM  TO  HEAR  THEM.  ONE NEW  BILL  IN  THE   GENERAL  ASSEMBLY  INVOLVES  FISHING/PRIVATE PROPERTY  RIGHTS    ON  YELLOW JACKET  SHOALS  ON  THE  FLINT  RIVER  IN  UPSON  AND  TALBOT  COUNTY.  THE  FAMILIES  OF  THOMASTON'S  LATE  MAYOR DR.  SAM  BREWTON  AND  THE LATE  SUPERIOR  COURT  JUDGE  BEN  J. MILLER  SR. HAVE  FILED  LAW  SUITS  TO  PROTECT  THEIR  PRIVATE  PROPERTY  RIGHTS.

SCAM TARGETING COGGINS FUNERAL HOME

 COGGINS   FUNERAL  HOME   IN  THOMASTON   HAS  CONTACTED  THE  THOMASTON  POLICE  DEPARTMENT  ABOUT  A  SCAM  TARGETING    THE  BUSINESS.  JASON  THORNHILL  OF     COGGINS    SAID   SOMEONE  HAS  BEEN  CONTACTING  FAMILIES  COGGINS  HAS  SERVED  ASKING  FOR  PAYMENTS  BY  CREDIT  CARD. MR.  THORNHILL  TOLD   101  NEWS, COGGINS  FUNERAL  HOME  DOES NOT  CONDUCT  BUSINESS  THAT  WAY--THEY  DO  NOT  CONTACT  FAMILIES  SEEKING  PAYMENT OVER  THE  PHONE.   IF  ANYONE  RECEIVES SUCH  A  PHONE  CALL  HANG-UP  ON  THEM. 

HERE  IS  THE  NUMBER  SHOWING  UP  ON THE  SCAM  CALLS   678-995-6515.

ED SEARCY II ANNOUNCES FOR UPSON BOC CHAIR

 ED SEARCY  II  HAS  ANNOUNCED  HE  IS  RUNNING FOR  UPSON  COUNTY  COMMISSION  CHAIRMAN  AS A  DEMOCRAT  IN  THE  NOVEMBER  GENERAL  ELECTION.  INCUMBENT NORMAN  ALLEN, REPUBLICAN ,   HAD  ALREADY  ANNOUNCED  HIS  REELECTION  BID  FOR  A   THIRD  FOUR  YEAR  TERM. SEARCY  MADE  A  STATEMENT  FOR   101  NEWS.

Deputies Investigating Attempted Kidnapping at State Park

Monroe County deputies are investigating after an attempted kidnapping near High Falls State Park.

The incident happened around 4:30 p.m. Monday. 

 

Deputies said they have identified a suspect and recovered his or her car. Deputies did not say if the person has been taken into custody.

 

The sheriff’s office did not identify the victim and said they are not currently releasing more information as the investigation is active and ongoing.

SPALDING LADIES DISQUALIFIED

 

BREAKING NEWS:

The Spalding High Lady Jaguars and the Lady Jackets of Wayne County were both disqualified from the GHSA state girls basketball tournament after the two teams became embroiled in an on-court fight.

The incident occurred midway through the 2nd quarter of the opening round match-up. Because association rules dictate that any players that leave the bench area will be suspended for one game, neither school would have had enough players to field a complete roster for the second round.

It is believed to be the first double disqualification in the history of the girls’ playoff.

GHSA is quoted by the Atlanta Journal - Constitution with the following: “Basically it was a bench-clearing brawl,” GHSA executive director Robin Hines said. “It was shocking and egregious and totally unacceptable, and the GHSA isn’t going to allow that to happen without serious consequences.”

THOMASTON POLICE BLOTTER

 THOMASTON  POLICE  INVESTIGATING   SEVERAL  SEX-RELATED  CRIMES--AND  LOOKING  FOR  A  BLACK MALE  WHO  EXPOSED  HIMSELF  TO  A  CITY  OF  THOMASTON  EMPLOYEE  AS  THE  FEMALE  WAS  PUMPING  GAS  AT  THE  VALERO  STORE  316  SOUTH  CHURCH.  SUSPECT  DESCRIBED  AS    SKINNY-- ABOUT   5-10  WHO  PULLED  DOWN  HIS  SWEAT  PANTS NEAR  THE  PUMPS   THEN    LEFT  THE  SCENE. 

A  CITY  PUBLIC  WORKS  EMPLOYEE  DEPLOYED  TO  CLEAN  THE  RESTROOMS  AT  WEAVER PARK  FOUND  A  BLACK MALE  APPARENTLY  LIVING  IN  THE  LADIES  ROOM  AND  THE  PD  WAS  NOTIFIED.   HIS  CLOTHING  WAS  HUNG  AROUND  THE  ROOM--   THERE  WERE  DRUG  ITEMS  IN  VIEW   AND  HE  WAS  LYING  DOWN  ASLEEP  WITH  HIS  PANTS  DOWN.  AN  OFFICER    WOKE   THE  MAN  AND  CHARGED    HIM,    49  YEAR OLD  PETEY  WATTS -- WITH PUBLIC  INDECENCY  AND  CAMPING  IN  A  PUBLIC  SPACE .

TPD  NOTIFIED  AFTER A  FEMALE  BECAME  ALARMED  AT  WAL  MART  WHEN  SHE  SPOTTED  A  MAN  WHO HAD   ALLEGEDLY  RAPED HER  IN  FEBRUARY OF  2023   AND  SHE  THOUGHT  A  RESTRAINING  ORDER HAD  BEEN  ISSUED  FOR  HIM.    AFTER THE  ALLEGED  RAPE  CASE    THE  REPORT  SAID  HE    SHOWED  UP  AT  HER  RESIDENCE   ON  TRIUNE MILL  ROAD,  AND  CUT  HIS  THROAT  WHEN  SHE   REBUFFED    HIM. THE  ALLEGED  VICTIM'S  MOTHER  TOLD  OFFICERS  HER  DAUGHTER HAD  BEEN  UNDERGOING  COUNSELING  IN  GRIFFIN  SINCE  THE  INCIDENT. 

More Pickleball Courts in Thomaston

Following executive session Tuesday night the Thomaston City Council voted to authorize the purchase of property from West Village for more pickleball courts at Greatest Generation Park 

$20 MILLION INVESTMENT IN THOMASTON?

ALABAMA  NON-PROFIT  WANTS  TO  INVEST   $20  MILLION  IN  THE  OLD  EAST  THOMASTON  SCHOOL  TO  CREATE  54  SENIOR  HOUSING  UNITS.  THE  CITY  OF  THOMASTON  ZONING  COMMISSION  RECOMMENDED  THE  REQUEST  TO  THE CITY  COUNCIL  ,  MONDAY,  FOLLOWING A  PUBLIC HEARING.

THE  PALADIN  COMPANY  HAS  WORKFORCE  AND  SENIOR  HOUSING  UNDER  CONSTRUCTION  IN  HENRY  COUNTY  AND  COMPLETED  UNITS  AT  LAKE OCONEE. MORE  ON  101  FM  NEWS.

SPECIAL ELECTIONS CITY OF YATESVILLE

 THE  UPSON  COUNTY  BOARD  OF  ELECTIONS  HAS  ISSUED  A  CALL  FOR  TWO  SPECIAL  ELECTIONS    IN  THE  CITY OF  YATESVILLE   MAY  21ST.  ONE  ISSUE  TO  BE  VOTED-ON  IS  TO  DROP  THE  REQUIREMENT  TO  FLUORIDATE  THE  WATER  SUPPLY  AND  THE  OTHER  ISSUE  TO  FILL  THE  VACANCY  FOR  COUNCIL MEMBER  AT LARGE CAUSED  BY  THE  RESIGNATION  OF  COUNCILMAN  RONNIE  RIGGINS.  ADVANCE  VOTING  BEGINS  APRIL   29TH.

A Griffin woman died while saving her three children from a house fire on Thursday morning.

The woman, identified as Madison Summerville, entered her home on Old Atlanta Road in Spalding County and saved her three children from the flames.

Spalding County fire officials said that on Thursday, crews responded to a fire at a home on Old Atlanta Road. When crews arrived, they found a home fully engulfed in flames.

 

According to the GoFundMe created by her sister, Summerville was an organ donor and helped save the lives of others in need after she died.

 

“Madison was an amazing mother, wife, sister, daughter, and friend. She loved spending time with her babies and her niece and nephew and she also loved fishing rain or shine. Madison was an all-around bubbly person who would make you laugh instantly,” She wrote. “She did not have life insurance so if anyone would like to help us give this beautiful hero and amazing funeral she deserves all is appreciated.”

 

The children were airlifted to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta but their current condition is unclear.

Upson County Superior Court Guilty Pleas

CRIMINAL PLEAS

JUDGE BEN J. MILLER JR., GJC

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

 

 

1. 23R0311 CHELSEA LEE CT. 1: THEFT BY CONVERSION : 5 YEARS PROBATION; CLINICAL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE EVALUATION AND TREATMENT; 40 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE; $1,000 FINE. CT. 2: MAKING A FALSE STATEMENT: 5 YEARS PROBATION TO RUN CONCURRENT TO COUNT 1; 40 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE.; $1,000 FINE.

 

2. 22R0366 CHRISTOPHER GREEN CT. 1: AGGRAVATED ASSAULT: 20 YEARS, 5 YEARS TO BE SERVED IN THE STATE PENAL SYSTEM, FOLLOWED BY THE REMAINDER ON PROBATION TO RUN CONCURRENTLY TO CASE # 22R0385C; $1,000 FINE. CT. 2: AGGRAVATED ASSAULT: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 3: AGGRAVATED ASSAULT: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 4: AGGRAVATED ASSAULT: 20 YEARS, 5 YEARS TO BE SERVED IN THE STATE PENAL SYSTEM TO RUN CONCURRENTLY TO COUNT 1. CT. 5: POSSESSION OF A FIREARM DURING COMMISSION OF A FELONY: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 6: AFFRAY: NOLLE PROSEQUI.

 

3. 23R0349 JAMES GOFORTH CT. 1: PUBLIC DRUNK: 12 MONTHS PROBATION; CLINICAL EVLAUTION AND TREATMENT; 40 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE; $750 FINE. CT. 2: OBSTRUCTION OF OFFICER: 12 MONTHS PROBATION TO RUN CONCURRENT TO COUNT 1. CT. 3: OBSTRUCTION OF OFFICER: 12 MONTHS PROBATION TO RUN CONCURRENT TO COUNTS 1 & 2. 

 

4. 22R0385B AMBER SMITH CT. 1: CONCEALING DEATH OF ANOTHER: FIRST  OFFENDER: 3 YEARS PROBATION. CT. 2: TAMPERING WITH EVIDENCE: NOLLE PROSEQUI. 

 

5. 21R0011 MATTHEW HUTCHENS CT. 1: SEXUAL BATTERY AGAINST A CHILD UNDER 16- REDUCED- BATTERY: 12 MONTHS PROBATION; 6 MONTHS IN PATIENT DRUG TREATMENT FACILITY; $1,000 FINE.  CT. 2: SEXUAL BATTERY AGAINST A CHILD UNDER 16- REDUCED- BATTERY: 12 MONTHS PROBATION CONSECUTIVE TO COUNT 1. CT. 3: CONTRIBUTING TO DELINQUENCY OF A MINOR: NOLLE PROSEUI. CT. 4: CONTRIBUTING TO DELINQUENCY OF A MINOR: NOLLE PROSEQUI.

 

6. 22R0060C DANNY ONEAL CT. 1: THEFT BY RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY:  NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 2: ENTERING AUTO: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 3: POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE: 10 YEARS PROBATION; COMPLETE 9 MONTHS IN RSAT; $1,500 FINE; 80 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE; BANISHED FROM UPSON, PIKE, AND FAYETTE COUNTY. CT. 4: TRAFFICK METHAMPHETAMINE OR AMPHETAMINE: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 5: POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE: NOLLE PROSEQUI.

 

7. 22R0377 ANTROUN MCDANIEL CT. 1: AGGRAVATED ASSAULT: FIRST OFFENDER: 10 YEARS, 36 MONTHS TO BE SERVED IN THE STATE PENAL SYSTEM; $1,500 FINE. CT. 2: AGGRAVATED ASSAULT: NOLLE PROSEQUI. CT. 3: AGGRESSIVE DRIVING: FIRST OFFENDER: 12 MONTHS PROBATION TO RUN CONCURRENTLY WITH COUNT 1 CT. 4: RECKLESS CONDUCT: FIRST OFFENDER: 12 MONTHS PROBATION TO RUN CONCURRENTLY WITH COUNTS 1 &  3. CT. 5: RECKLESS CONDUCT: FIRST OFFENDER: 12 MONTHS PROBATION TO RUN CONCURRENTLY WITH COUNTS 1, 3, & 4. CT. 6: CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY IN THE 2 ND DEGREE: FIRST OFFENDER: 5 YEARS PROBATION TO RUN CURRENT WITH COUNTS 1, 3, 4, & 5; $500 FINE.

 

8. 23R0075A ADAM DEBUC CT. 9: POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE: 8 YEARS PROBATION; $1,000 FINE; 80 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE.

Griffin Spalding High football coach arrested for murder of girlfriend in Maryland

A coach from the Griffin-Spalding County School System was reportedly arrested and charged with the murder of his girlfriend in the state of Maryland.

Officials arrested 43-year-old Carl Kearney, Jr. of Griffin, the current head coach of the Spalding High varsity football team, on Saturday in Prince George's County, Maryland.

At approximately 9:20 Saturday morning., police say Kearney walked into the Division V Clinton police station and confessed to strangling his girlfriend during an argument inside a home in the 800 block of St. James Court.

 

Officers performed a welfare check and found 38-year-old Patrina Best of Accokeek, Maryland, unresponsive. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

 

Kearney was charged with first and second degree murder and related charges. He is being held in custody in Maryland, according to Prince George's County Police Department's Homicide Unit.

 

Friends say Best was a graduate of Georgia Southern University. Condolences poured in for her and her family online after news of the incident broke.

 

Kearney was born and raised in Griffin, having played for the high school team in the 90s before being hired as the head coach in 2020.

 

In 2004, he was signed by the New York Jets as a wide receiver but did not play that year, according to the football team's records.

HOUSE FIRE IN GRIFFIN

 GRIFFIN, Ga. (February 15, 2024) - Spalding County Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 4241 Old Atlanta Rd. Fire Fighters arrived to find the home engulfed in flames. Neighbors helped rescue three children and one adult from the home and helped our Fire Fighters perform CPR. Following the rescue efforts, the three children were airlifted to Grady Hospital for medical attention, while the adult woman was transported to Spalding WellStar. The State Fire Marshal will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the fire. For further information contact the Spalding County Fire Department at 770-228-2129.

ULPK Lottery for the 2024-2025

Registration for the ULPK Lottery for the 2024-2025 school year starts March 4 and ends on March 15. The lottery drawing will be Thursday, April 4, at 3:30 PM at the Upson-Lee Fine Arts Center.  

TU-Teacher Of The Year Recognized

l-r Dr. Amy Miller, Deputy Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction
Mrs. Donna Fouts, ULSE & T-U District Teacher of the Year
Dr. Larry Derico, Superintendent

At the Tuesday, February 13, Board of Education meeting, the Board recognized Thomaston-Upson School System's district Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Donna Fouts. Mrs. Donna Fouts teaches grades 3-5 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) at Upson-Lee Elementary School. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Middle Grades Education from Mercer University, a Master of Education degree and a Specialist in Education degree, both from Georgia Southwestern State University. She has earned endorsements in STEM Education, Science Education, and Gifted Education. This is not Mrs. Fouts first time being selected as teacher of the year. She was chosen as the Upson-Lee Middle School Teacher of the Year for the 2005-2006 school year. Other accolades include the 2019 Gordon Youth Science and Technology Center STEM Scholar Award, the 2003 Gordon Youth Science & Technology Science Teacher of the Year award, and the 2003 Manufacturers' Roundtable Teacher of Excellence Award. Mrs. Fouts believes in providing students with hands-on learning experiences within the context of real-world applications. As the STEM coach at Upson-Lee Elementary School, she coordinates STEM night to engage parent participation in STEM activities.  She also sponsors an after-school gardening program and conducts a four-day STEM camp for elementary students each summer. Congratulations to Mrs. Donna Fouts, Upson-Lee Elementary and Thomaston-Upson School System’s Teacher of the Year.

l-r: Dr. Amy Miller, Deputy Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction; Mr. Stephen Sadler, BOE member; Mr. Scott Roberts, BOE member; Mr. Jaye Eubanks, BOE Vice-Chair; Mrs. Donna Fouts, ULSE & T-U District Teacher of the Year; Ms. Jacqueline Hollis, BOE Chairperson; Mr. Brian Salter, BOE member; Ms. Angeline McGill, BOE member;
Dr. Larry Derico, Superintendent