News, Obituaries, & Sports

A 6th grade juvenile at Upson Lee middle school was killed and his brother a UL football star Jayden Skelton received serious injuries Tuesday afternoon when the Ford truck that they were riding in left the roadway and hit a tree on 74 West near the Upson County line in Pike County The Pike County sheriff's deputies said the juvenile a youth basketball player was deceased at the scene, and recent graduate Jayden was airlifted to a Macon trauma center reportedly with critical

Mrs. Barbara Head Miller Respress, age 72 of Thomaston, died Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at her residence.   Mrs. Respress was born on September 24, 1953, in Atlanta, Georgia, to the late Sherman Miller and the late Barbara Head Miller.  She worked as a registered Radiology Technician and was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church.  She is preceded in death by her parents. Survivors include her husband, Richard Respress, and son, Darrell Eugene Willis II. Mrs. Respress wa

Mrs. Jamelle “Jamie” Ann Mendelson Holmes age 70, of Williamson, passed away January 2, 2026, at her home. Jamie grew up in Tampa, FL, daughter of the late David Mendelson and the late Mary Helen Hatch Mendelson.  She graduated from H. B. Plant High School in Tampa. Jamie was an animal lover and a rescuer. She was a strong person who never complained and who dearly loved her family. She lived her life by the three Ls, Lord, Love and Laughter. She was a faithful member of Prit

A man was sent to the hospital after being trapped in an accident with a semi-truck trailer on the wrong side of the road in Upson County on Tuesday morning.  According to the Georgia State Patrol (GSP), around 6:20 a.m., a tractor-trailer was facing west in the right eastbound travel lane of State Route 36 at its intersection with Willis Road as it attempted to back onto the road to make a delivery at the top of a hill. As a Ford F-150 traveling in the opposite direction app

Mrs. Vickie Wallace Cain, age 75, of Molena, passed away January 5, 2026, at her home.  She grew up in Forest Park, daughter of the late Charles Wallace, Sr. and Geraldine Wingo Wallace. Vickie worked for AAFES in Forest Park for many years before retiring.  She was an animal lover, a GA Football fan and a wonderful wife, mother and Mimi. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Johnny Lee Cain, Sr. and her brother, Charles Wallace, Jr. She is survive

Mrs. Nelda Kathryn Smith age 75 of Thomaston Ga, died Thursday January 1, 2026 at Upson Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Smith was born on May 27, 1950 in Thomaston Ga, to the late Millwood Ellington and the late Gladys Teal Ellington. She was employed with Thomaston Mills for many years and later worked for Wal-Mart. Mrs. Smith was a long time member of Barnesville Revival Center. In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by her first husband Jerry D. Williamson, daug

ERIK   FOSTER ACCORDING  TO  UPSON COUNTY  MANAGER  LONNIE  JOYCE--THE  NEW  THOMASTON-UPSON  RECREATION  DIRECTOR  IS  PIKE  COUNTY  COACH  ERIK   FOSTER   AND  HE  ASSUMES  HIS  DUTIES  FRIDAY. COACH   FOSTER    IS    A  MARINE  VETERAN   AND   IS  A  FORMER  ASSISTANT  COACH  AT  UPSON-LEE .

Mr. Julius Horne, age 82 of Yatesville, Georgia, died Monday, December 29, 2025 at his residence. Funeral services will be announced at a later date.

David Daniel Corn, born November 18, 1971, third son of Derrell and Jimmie Hicks Corn of Gainesville, passed suddenly at home on the morning of November 30, 2025, surrounded by his wife and older children. He leaves behind his wife, Catherine (Fowler) Corn, and his children, Elijah (20), Emily (18), and Sophia (11), all of Griffin, Georgia. He was a loving and devoted husband, and an adored and steadfast father to his children. David's last 13 years (2012–2025) were spent as

A special elections been set for January 20th to fill the 18th district state Senate seat of John Kennedy who resigned to focus on his run for Lieutenant governor among candidates are ex Forsyth Mayor Eric Wilson Macon  attorney Stephen McNeil former Senator Lauren Daniel and Eugene Allison from Thomaston, the election dates for Upson county January 20th special election December 29 th ,  8:30 AM to 5:00 PM and on Saturdays 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM January 3rd through January 10th

Now that our Christmas celebrations have come to an end, the City of Thomaston is requesting that residents donate Christmas trees to Lakeside Park to “give your tree a new life”… between Dec. 25, 2024, and Jan. 31, 2026, a sign will be in the parking lot of the park to show where trees can be placed… trees will be accepted from dawn to dusk, seven days per week… Lakeside Park is located at 800 County Road in Thomaston… for more information, call 706-647-7144.

Mrs. Elizabeth "Nikki" Beverly Bergmeier, age 42 of Thomaston, Georgia, died Friday, December 26, 2025, at Piedmont Henry Hospital. Mrs. Bergmeier was born on September 3, 1983, in Thomaston, Georgia to Marion Fred Beverly and Deborah Chapman Beverly.  She worked for Alacrity Solutions as an Auditing Manager and was of the Baptist Faith. Survivors include her husband, Matt Bergmeier of Thomaston, daughter, Adley Delane Bergmeier of Thomaston, sons, Leland Scott Bergmeier of T

Robert Gibbins, Sr., age 47, of Zebulon, passed away December 26, 2025, at his home. Robert grew up in Zebulon. He worked for Blalock Heating & Air for the last three years as a service Technician.  Music was a deep joy for Robert. He especially loved playing the piano, often finding peace and expression through music. He cherished time with his family and especially loved being a father. His children meant everything to him, and despite his struggles, he never stopped trying

Merrell Dwayne Padgett, age 61, of Meansville, passed away December 27, 2025, at his home. Dwayne grew up in Atlanta, son of the late Lamar Padgett and the late Joyce Brooks Padgett. For many years, Dwayne worked with his father as a brick mason. When his son, Keith, was young, he coached him in baseball. Dwayne was an excellent artist and enjoyed drawing. He was an animal lover and sports fan. The Atlanta Braves and Falcons were his favorite teams.  Dwayne was an amazing coo

Mr. Brian Thornton Chancellor age 85, of Meansville, Georgia died Sunday, December 28, 2025, at Sunny Grove Assisted Living after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.  Mr. Chancellor was born September 4, 1940, in Tampa, Florida to the late Lomax Chancellor and the late Ella Margaret Thornton Chancellor.  He actively served his country in the US. Marines and the US Marine Corps Reserves and later retired as an auto mechanic.  He was a member of Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran

Karen R. Cress, age 62, of Milledgeville, passed away December 23, 2025, at her home. Karen was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, daughter of the late Lowell Cross and Velma Germann Payne. She devoted many years to caring for her mother until her passing. Karen worked for several years as a cashier and in her spare time, she enjoyed crocheting.  Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, David Cress and Jeff Cress. She is survived by her step-father: Jame

Mrs. Linda Gilbert Haldeman age 80 of Griffin Ga, died Wednesday December 24, 2025 at Brightmoor Hospice. Mrs. Haldeman was born on July 15, 1945 in Thomaston Ga, to the late Carson Gilbert and the late Norma Stephens Gilbert. She worked as an accountant for many years and was of the Baptist faith. In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by her husband Robert Haldeman and son Chadwick Haldeman. Survivors include her sisters Mrs. Sandra Passmore, Mrs. Elizabeth Als

Dr. Derico recognized the 2026 Teacher of theYear recipients from each school, as well as the district Teacher of the Year. The honorees included Mrs. Clover Harris, Upson-Lee Primary School; Mrs. Niki Dunn, Upson-Lee Elementary School; Dr. Callie Kendrick, Upson-Lee Middle School; and Mrs. Amanda Miller, Upson-Lee High School, who was also named the Thomaston-Upson County Teacher of the Year.

Mrs. Cynthia L. Boswell Fortner, age 72 of Thomaston, Georgia, died Sunday, December 21, 2025, at Navicent Health Medical Center in Macon. Mrs. Fortner was born on November 11, 1953, in Thomaston, Georgia, to the late Norman Boswell and the late Margaret Dawson Boswell.  She was a homemaker.  In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Gary Fortner, and daughter Mary Stephanie Fortner. Survivors include her daughter Jessica (Brandon) Adams, and sister