News, Obituaries, & Sports

The NACDA Board of Directors has officially appointed Pennie Parker, Associate Vice President of Athletics at Rollins College, to serve as the Association's President for the 2026-27 academic year. Parker has served as a NACDA Officer since 2020 and was previously a NACDA Executive Committee member from 2015-19. Parker replaces Past President Sean T. Frazier, Vice President/Director of Athletics and Recreation at Northern Illinois University (NIU), whose tenure concluded afte

According to the Upson County Sheriff, deputies responded to a fatality accident at 10:38 p.m. on Friday on Liberty Chapel Road. After an investigation, deputies determined the 60-year-old Johnny Cheney, from Summerville, South Caroline, driving a black Chevrolet Sonic vehicle, was traveling north on Liberty Chapel Road when he failed to maintain his lane and left the roadway before fatally striking a ditch, per GSP. According to GSP, Cheney was transported to the Upson Regi

On July 17,2026 at just after 1:00 pm a World War II era vintage Vultee BT 13 A aircraft landed on Hwy 19 south near John B Gordon Road, inn Upson County. This location is approximately 5 1/2 miles south of Thomaston. The aircraft landed after experiencing mechanical problems. It was en route from Punta Gorda Florida to a vintage airshow in Oshkosh Wisconsin. There were no injuries and the aircraft was easily pushed out of the roadway by Deputy’s on the scene. A crew from Atl

THE OWNER OF BRUSH STROKES PAINTING COMPANY RYAN GILL TOOK ISSUE WITH SUMMER PAINTING BIDS AT TUESDAY'S MEETING OF THE THOMASTON-UPSON BOARD OF EDUCATION. GILL CHARGED HE HAD THE LOW BID OF $114,000 COMPARED WITH MARTIE MURPHY CONTRACTING $121,000 BUT IT WAS OVER BUDGET SO IT WAS RE-BID AND MURPHY HAD THE LOW BID OF $76,000 COMPARED WITH GILL'S BID OF $84,000. GILL SPOKE TO THE BOARD AND TO 101

BY UNANIMOUS VOTE THE UPSON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MONDAYVOTED TO RECOMMEND A REZONING FOR A NEW INDUSTRIAL PARK TO THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ON MUD BRIDGE ROAD AT RACE TRACK ROAD. THE PLANNING COMMISSION PLACED SEVERAL CONDITIONS ON THE REZONING OF 222 ACRES INCLUDING A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT SHALL BE APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGARDING THE SITE PLAN AND ACCESS IMPROVEMENTS PRIOR TO ANY PERM

The Spalding County Fire Department said they are investigating a deadly mobile home fire that happened early Tuesday morning. Crews were called to a home located on Old Atlanta Road around 1:58 a.m. One person and a pet were found dead inside the home following the fire, according to fire officials. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.

On Saturday, July 11, 2026, shortly after 10:00 p.m., the Griffin Police Department, Griffin Fire-Rescue, and Wellstar Spalding EMS responded to a reported shooting at Raymond Head Park, located at 800 Anne Street in Griffin. Upon arrival, officers located a 31 year old adult male suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to Wellstar Spalding Regional Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased. The victim has been identified as Malcolm Freeling. The investigati

UPSON COUNTY SO SAYS THE LOSS AT THE BUS BUSINESS AT 1385 BARNESVILLE HIGHWAY COULD BE $60 TO $70,000 AFTER SOMEONE APPARENTLY CUT THROUGH A FENCE AND STOLE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS OFF 30 BUSES. THE ITEMS CONTAIN EXPENSIVE METALS THAT MAKE THEM VALUABLE.

Spalding County has taken swift and decisive action following criminal and internal investigations involving allegations of stalking, sexual harassment, and employee misconduct. The matter began when a county employee reported to the County Manager that a tracking device had been placed on her personal vehicle. Upon receiving the information, the County Manager immediately contacted the Spalding County Sheriff's Office and requested assistance. The Sheriff's Office promptly o

The Thomaston Police Department has arrested two juveniles, ages 12 and 15, in connection with the theft of a vehicle during the early morning hours of Monday, July 6, 2026. Charges are also pending against a third juvenile believed to be involved. At approximately 2:37 a.m., officers responded to the 300 block of 6th Avenue after a gray 2011 Kia Optima was reported stolen. A BOLO was immediately issued to surrounding law enforcement agencies. Just over an hour later, a Thoma

Upson County property taxpayers can expect a due date of early to mid-December this year due to the new property tax legislation creating a delay in assessment notices being mailed out. The GA Dept. of Revenue did not give the green light for assessment notices to be mailed out until the 1st of June this year when typically, those notices are mailed out in April each year, therefore allowing the 45 day appeal period to be met well before the July 15th deadline of giving the t

UPSON COUNTY FIRE AND RESCUE UNITS RESPONDED TO AN OVERTURNED SEMI AT 19 SOUTH AND HIGHWAY 80 MONDAY AFTERNOON AND THE DRIVER WAS AIR FLIGHTED TO AN OUT OF TOWN TRAUMA CENTER. 101 NEWS SPOKE WITH NORTHSIDE FIRE DEPARTMENT CHIEF CHARLES SANDEFUR WHO TOLD US SALEM VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT CALLED FOR MUTUAL AID AND HIS CREW RESPONDED. WE WERE TOLD FIRE AND RESCUE UNITS HAD TO FREE THE TRAPPED TRUCK DRIVER

THE UPSON COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS AND REGISTRATION IS WARNING THE PUBLIC ABOUT FRAUDLENT MAILINGS REGARDING VOTER REGISTRATION. YOU CAN ONLY REGISTER TO VOTE AT THE ELECTIONS OFFICE IN THE DRAKE ANNEX AT THE GOVERNMENT COMPLEX OR YOU CAN REGISTER TO VOTE ONLINE.

We have worked with partners to schedule a cooling center in Spalding County to escape the heat that we are already experiencing. Attached is the location and hours that is available beginning today (Monday June 29). The location is: • Flint River Regional Library (800 Memorial Drive in Griffin): Monday and Thursday from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. “The heat out there is getting oppressive,” said County Manager Dr. Steve

GOVERNOR BRIAN KEMP HAS ANNOUNCED A $2 MILLION RURAL SITE DEVELOPMENT GRANT FOR THE THOMASTON-UPSON DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. IT WILL BE USED TO CONSTRUCT WATER, SEWER, AND TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE AT THE GRAD-CERTIFIED CENTRAL GA. BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY PARK. THE TOTAL PROJECT COSTS ARE $2.3 MILLION.

LACY CRAIN HAS BEEN NAMED CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OF UPSON COUNTY. COUNTY MANAGER LONNIE JOYCE ANNOUNCED THE PROMOTION AT TUESDAY'S MEETING. MS. CRAIN WAS TOP LIEUTENANT TO FORMER CFO ALLEN SALTER WHO ASSUMED THE SAME ROLE WITH THE CITY OF LAGRANGE. https://www.upsoncountyga.org/directory.aspx?EID=148

ACCORDING TO POST 26 GA. STATE PATROL THOMASTON , FRIDAY MORNING JUST AFTER 7AM-- A MOTORIST WAS KILLED AND TWO CHILDREN TRANSPORTED TO A MACON TRAUMA CENTER AFTER A ONE-VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON POBIDDY ROAD JUST SOUTH OF ADAMS FERRY ROAD. THE FEMALE DRIVER IDENTIFIED AS 33-YEAR OLD IVESHIA DOZIER OF TALBOTTON,GA. WAS DECEASED AT THE SCENE AND TWO CHILDREN AGES 12 A MALE AND A FEMALE AGED 9 WERE TRANSPORTED T

Gordon State College to Host Farewell Celebration Honoring President Donald J. Green What: Gordon State College will host a farewell celebration honoring President Donald J. Green and recognizing his service, leadership, and contributions to the college community. Faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of the institution are invited to join in expressing gratitude and wishing him well in his next chapter. When: Thursday, June 25, 2026 5 - 7 p.m. Where: Gordon State College Melto

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ISSUED A TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHWESTERN UPSON AND MERIWETHER COUNTIES THURSDAY AT 6;34PM UNTIL 7PM. EMERGENCY SIRENS WERE DISCHARGED IN UPSON COUNTY. AT 7;42PM TORNADO WARNING EXTENDED UNTIL 8;15 FOR SOUTH WESTERN UPSON COUNTY NEAR THE SALEM COMMUNITY. PASTOR MAURICE RAINES OF SALEM BAPTIST CHURCH TOLD 101 NEWS FRIDAY MORNING THERE WERE NO REPORTS OF A TORNADO TOUCHDOWN OR DAMAGE I