News, Obituaries, & Sports

Spalding County, Ga. – Spalding County Animal Care & Control received positive results following an unannounced inspection by the Georgia Department of Agriculture on October 20, 2026. The inspection evaluated shelter operations, cleanliness, sanitation, animal care, food and water, humane care, record keeping, ventilation, temperature control and other requirements. Spalding County Animal Care & Control passed every applicable requirement evaluated. The inspection followed a

By Karolina Philmon, GSC marketing manager BARNESVILLE, Ga. – Gordon State College and Upson Regional Medical Center (URMC) are to employment through a new scholarship program designed to support GSC nursing students while preparing the next generation of registered nurses for the regional workforce. The URMC Nursing Scholarship Program will provide financial assistance to selected Gordon State nursing students while establishing a direct pathway from the classroom to the hea

SPALDING COUNTY, GA | October 22, 2026: Spalding County Animal Control continues to investigate the October 20 dog attack near Parham Road and Anglin Road that resulted in serious injuries to a 14-year-old juvenile. First and foremost, our thoughts remain with this young lady, her brother, and their family. The County has been advised that the young lady underwent surgery Wednesday and was reported to be doing well Thursday morning. We know her recovery will take time, and we

BARNESVILLE, Ga. – As the University System of Georgia (USG) celebrates a record 86,660 degrees awarded during fiscal year 2026, Gordon State College is reflecting that statewide momentum through growing degree completion, one of the most affordable pathways to higher education in the state and academic programs designed to meet Georgia’s workforce needs. USG announced today that the number of degrees conferred across its 25 public colleges and universities increased 4.9% ove

Spalding County, GA - Spalding County emergency personnel and Animal Control officers responded to a serious dog attack involving a 13-year-old young lady in the area of Parham Road and Anglin Road in Griffin. The young lady was transported by Wellstar AirCare to an appropriate medical facility for further treatment. At this time, Spalding County does not have confirmed information regarding the nature or extent of her injuries. A young man who intervened to defend the young

1. 26R0304 TIMOTHY DOUGLAS GRANTHAM CT. 1: CRIMINAL TRESPASS: 12 MONTHS PROBATION; NO CONTACT WITH VICTIM; CLINICAL EVALUATION AND TREATMENT; $1,000 FINE. CT. 2: DISORDERLY CONDUCT: 12 MONTHS PROBATION TO RUN CONSECUTIVE COUNT 1 2. 26R0305 TIMOTHY DOUGLAS GRANTHAM CT. 1: SIMPLE ASSAULT: 12 MONTHS PROBATION; 40 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE; NO CONTACT WITH VICTIM; $1,000 FINE.CT. 2: DISORDERLY CONDUCT: NOLLE PROSEQUI CT. 3: PUBLIC INDECENCY: NOLLE PROSEQUI CT. 4: PUBLIC DRUNKENESS

Defendant Name Charge Sentence Phillip Storey Poss of Methamphetamine 3 yrs to serve cc with Lamar, Bibb, Fayette, and Upson sentences Emanuel Caswell Forgery in the First Degree 3 years with first 10 days to serve, bal on probation, $500 fine, 80 Hours Comm Service, $200 resitution to Dollar General Kirk Blackmon Theft by conversion of payments for property improvements 10 years, serve 666 days, bal on probation, $2000 fine, restitution to C.T. of $12,947.00 Brandon Gilmer T

ACCORDING TO PIKE COUNTY TIMES DOT COM: UPSON COUNTY COMMISSIONER JAMES ELLINGTON HAS BEEN NAMED THE FINALIST FOR COUNTY MANAGER OF PIKE COUNTY. THE PIKE COMMISSIONERS HAVE TWO WEEKS TO DO DUE DILIGENCE BEFORE MAKING THE HIRING FINAL.

On Friday , October 16, 2026 investigators arrested Dillon Chance Watson, 29, of Roberta and charged him with Public Indecency. ***( NOTE: This IS NOT the same Dillon Watson from Thomaston nor is there any relation or affiliation). Watson was identified from information received from a citizen after the earlier social media lookout posted on Thursday, 10/15/26. Watson is in the Upson County Jail pending a $1000 bond. This incident originated from a complaint from a road const

THOMASTON/UPSON SURVIVED A HEAVY RAINSTORM OVERNIGHT FRIDAY AND CITY MANAGER RUSSELL THOMPSON REPORTED SATURDAY MORNING A TREE DOWN IN THE KINGSTON ROAD AREA ALMOST FELL ON A HOUSE. THE DOWNTOWN THOMASTON AREA WAS WITHOUT POWER FOR ABOUT AN HOUR SATURDAY MORNING BUT UPSON EMA DIRECTOR RICHARD HICKMON TOLD US THERE WERE SOME TREES DOWN SCATTERED ABOUT THE COUNTY BUT NO REPORTS OF MAJOR DAMAGE. ALL TRAFFIC LIGHTS

THOMASTON, GA — As Hurricane Isaias approaches, the City of Thomaston, along with Police, Fire, and Public Works crews, are all on standby to respond to storm impacts and restore public services as quickly and safely as conditions allow. Residents are encouraged to exercise caution, prepare now, and review the following critical guidance regarding service restoration and safety procedures: Reporting Outages & Call Volume Expectations • Direct Outage Hotline: To report a power

1. 26R0033 TANYA HOLTAPP CT. 1: OBSTRUCTION OF AN OFFICER12 MONTHS PROBATION, $500.00 FINE, 40 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE CT. 2: PUBLIC INDECENCY – 12 MONTHS PROBATION, $250.00 FINE TO RUN CONSECUTIVELY TO CT. 1. CT. 3: PUBLIC DRUNKENESS- 12 MONTHS PROBATION, $250.00 FINE TO RUN CONCURRENT TO CT. 2. 2. 26R0425 AMBER ODOM CT. 1: POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE10 YEARS PROBATION, $1000.00 FINE, 80 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE. CT. 2: POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE WITH INTENT TO DISTRIB

THOMASTON, GA. — On Thursday evening at approximately 8:36 p.m., officers with the Thomaston Police Department responded to 328 N. Bethel Street regarding a reported domestic dispute involving a physical altercation. Upon arrival, officers observed two adult males engaged in a physical altercation in the foyer of the residence. After separating the individuals, officers determined that one of the men, identified as Johnny Durham, 66, had sustained stab wounds inflicted with a

The Upson Lee Homecoming Parade today (Thursday) will travel through downtown Thomaston beginning at 5PM. City of Thomaston, and Upson County offices will close at 4PM for the Parade and resume normal operations tomorrow (Friday). Due to the possibility of inclement weather, Kick-Off for the Upson Lee Knights, Spalding High Game time has been moved to 5PM. Start time for the pre-Game on Fun 101.1 FM for the game will be 4:30PM…. GO KNIGHTS

Mrs. Mary Ann Carroll, age 70 of Thomaston, died Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at Harborview Nursing Home. Mrs. Carroll was born on December 5, 1955, in Upson County, to the late Jimmy Wallace, and the late Earline Carroll Wallace. She is preceded in death by her parents. Survivors include her cousins, Susie (Ray) Lowe, Jimmy Carroll, and Misty Dunnahoo all of Thomaston. Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 9, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. from the Chapel of Coggins Funeral

Spalding County GA – Spalding County is pleased to welcome Steven D. Maxwell as its new Director of Leisure Services, bringing more than 15 years of experience in parks and recreation, aquatics, facility operations, programming, and public-sector leadership. Maxwell joins Spalding County after serving as Recreation Services Division Manager for the City of Decatur, where he led and managed a team working with recreation facilities, aquatics, programming, staff development, an

NEWS RELEASE: Unanimous vote by the City of Griffin Board of Commissioners during their called meeting on October 1, 2026 The City of Griffin Board of Commissioners appointed Jennifer Freeman as Interim City Manager during a called meeting at 9 a.m. on October 1, 2026, effective immediately. The appointment was approved unanimously. Freeman brings 30 years of service to the City of Griffin and most recently served as Assistant City Manager of Utilities. As Interim City Manage

Jessica O’Connor, City Manager, has been terminated, without cause, by a 4-to-3 vote of the City of Griffin Board of Commissioners. The City of Griffin Board of Commissioners called a meeting on September 29, 2026, at 9 a.m. to consider the presentation of the City of Griffin Police Department policy compliance report. Following consideration of this item, the Board made a motion to enter Executive Session to discuss personnel matters. After returning from Executive Session,

TRUE BILL LIST 1. DENTRAVIOUS ANTHONY CT. 1: BURGLARY 1ST DEGREE CT. 2: CRIMINAL TRESPASS CT. 3: RECKLESS CONDUCT 2. FREDRICK DARNELL ATWATER, JR. CT. 1: TERRORISTIC THREATS 3. DANIEL PHILIP BOUGHTON CT. 1: AGGRAVATED BATTERY-FAMILY VIOLENCE CT. 2: BATTERY- FAMILY VIOLENCE 4. JACOB LEE CHAMBERS CT. 1: BURGLARY 1ST DEGREE CT. 2: CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY 2ND DEGREE CT. 3: ENTERING AN AUTOMOBILE CT. 4: ENTERING AN AUTOMOBILE CT. 5: ENTERING AN AUTOMOBILE CT. 6: ENTERING AN AU

Thomaston-Upson Schools is proud to announce that the district’s graduation rate has reached 92.6% for 2026, establishing a new all-time high and continuing a multi-year trend of strong graduation outcomes for Upson-Lee High School students. The district’s graduation rate increased from 91.6% in 2024 to 92.5% in 2025 and 92.6% in 2026. The 2026 rate is also 4.1 percentage points higher than Georgia’s state average of 88.5%. The continued increase reflects the collective effor