News, Obituaries, & Sports

Mr. Milton Dwight Jordan, age 69, of Meansville, passed away December 18, 2025. Dwight grew up in the Grant Park area of Atlanta and in Centerville, Georgia, and was the son of the late Willie Milton Jordan and Edith Henson Jordan. For most of his working life, he was employed in the commercial refrigeration and HVAC industry. Dwight was gifted with his hands. He could build or fix just about anything. He especially enjoyed riding and repairing motorcycles, was an accomplishe

Mrs. Deborah “Debbie” Jean Priest Presley, age 74, of Thomaston, passed away December 19, 2025.  Debbie grew up in Griffin. She was an excellent musician and could play the piano by ear.  She wrote and performed many gospel songs and was the pianist for over 10 different churches during her lifetime. Most recently, she attended Pine Mountain Church of the Nazarene in Meansville. Debbie loved her cats, and she enjoyed traveling with her husband, Phillip. She had an wonderful s

Mrs. Lorraine Clemmons Wood, age 90, of Griffin, passed away December 19, 2025, at her home.  Lorraine grew up in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, daughter of the late George Clemmons and the late Nellie Warren Clemmons.  She moved from there to Griffin in 1980. Lorraine worked in the textile industry for many years. Her last job was at Dundee Mills/Springs Industries where she retired. She enjoyed gardening and traveling with her husband, Bert. She loved the Lord and was a de

Mr. Dwain Warren Penn age 70 of Thomaston Ga, died Tuesday December 16, 2025 at Upson Regional Medical Center. No services are planned at this time.

Two homes in Spalding County appeared to be completely destroyed by fire two others badly damaged.   Spalding County Fire and Griffin Fire and Rescue responded to the fire at 114 Pecan Dr. which sits across the street from Cowan middle school Saturday around 4:30   Officials say the two adjacent homes at 112 and 116 Pecan Dr. sustained heavy damage and a fourth home experienced minor damage to its vinyl siding    No injuries reported but five adults and one child were displac

Officers and investigators with the Thomason Police Department executed a search warrant this afternoon at 236 Peachbelt Road, Thomaston, Georgia, in reference to an ongoing investigation into an alleged investment fraud scheme involving a business operating under the name Walter Douglas Investments. The investigation began after a victim reported being induced to wire $250,000 on April 11, 2025, for what was represented as a legitimate investment opportunity. The individual

CITY  OF  THOMASTON  MAYOR  J.D. STALLINGS  HAD  TO  BREAK  A  2-2  TIE  TO  APPROVE  THE 2026  BUDGET  AT  A  BUDGET MEETING    THURSDAY- A   3-2  VOTE.  COUNCIL MEMBERS  JEFF MIDDLEBROOKS  AND  LAKETHIA  REEVES  VOTED  AGAINST  THE  MOTION  BY  MAYOR  PRO TEM  TROY  CHANEY  TO  APPROVE. COUNCILMAN  MIDDLEBROOKS  STATED  HE  OPPOSES  THE  UTILITY  INCREASES  IN  THE  BUDGET    AND    HIS  CONSTITUENTS  ARE   PAYING  FOR  SERVICES  THEY  DON'T  NEED WITH  GARABAGE  COLLECTION

Quad Media Statement Facility Closure Announcement December 16, 2025 Quad announced today that it has made the difficult decision to permanently close its printing  facility in The Rock, Georgia, in March 2026. This decision reflects ongoing industry declines in long-run print categories—like weekly magazines the plant was built to produce—driven by frequent postal rate hikes, which have exceeded inflation, as well as persistent U.S. Postal Service delivery delays.“Making dec

Mrs. Elizabeth Dianne Peters Armistead, known to many as Mom, Granny, Dooney and Friend, age 80, of Williamson, passed away December 15, 2025.  Dianne grew up in Silvertown and graduated from R. E. Lee Institute in Thomaston.  She was a hardworking woman who was committed to her career for many years before retirement. After retirement, she found joy in church activities, Red Hat Society, and traveling with friends. Most importantly, she always enjoyed spending time with fami

Rachel Marie Stewart age 32 of Molena Ga, died Thursday December 11, 2025 at her residence. No services are planned at this time.

SILVERTOWN  BAPTIST  CHURCH  IN  THOMASTON HAS  POSTED ON  SOCIAL  MEDIA THAT  UNLESS  EXTRAORDINARY   RESOURSES  AND  OPPORTUNTIES  ARE  FOUND THE CHURCH WILL  CONTINUE  SERVICES THROUGH  JANUARY  AND  THEN  SETTLE  REMAINING     FINANCIAL  OBLIGATIONS  AND  TRANSFER  THE PROPERTY  AND  UNUSED  FUNDS  TO  THE  CENTENNIAL  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION.  THE  CHURCH  LISTED WHAT  IT  CALLS  A  PESSIMISTIC ACCOUNTING  OF  WHAT  ITS  TRYING  TO  OVERCOME   IN  REPAIRS  AND  RESTORATIONS

Mr. Thomas J. Jackson, age 88, of Thomaston, died Sunday morning, December 14, 2025, at Upson Regional Medical Center. Funeral services for Mr. Jackson will be held on Wednesday, December 17, at 2:00 PM, at The Gathering. Rev. Charles Bennett will officiate, and interment will follow at South View Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 12:00 Noon until 2:00 PM, at The Gathering. Fletcher-Day Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements. Condolences and r

Mr. Rex "Ed" Fultz Jr., age 70, of Thomaston, died Friday, December 12, 2025, at Heritage Inn Health and Rehab in Barnesville. Mr. Fultz was born November 3, 1955, in Peru, Indiana to the late Rex Edward Fultz Sr. and the late Kathleen Griffitts Fultz.  He retired from Cleaveland Heating and Cooling.  In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his daughter, April Dawn Fultz, and sister, Kathy Harden. Survivors include his wife Cynthia "Cindy" Gray Fultz of Thomast

From the office of: MARIE G. BRODER DISTRICT ATTORNEY Griffin Judicial Circuit 12/11/25 On December 10, 2025, an Upson County jury convicted Frederick Bernard Durham of Malice Murder, Felony Murder (2 counts), Aggravated Assault (2 counts) and Concealing the Death of Another.  The Honorable Ben J. Miller of the Upson County Superior Court sentenced the Defendant to serve life in prison without parole followed by five years i

Mrs Norma Nadine Hestley Campbel l, age 78, of Thomaston, passed away December 11, 2025, at her home. Nadine was born in Georgia, daughter of the late Silas Hestley and the late Stella Strickland Hestley. She lived in California for much of her life and graduated from Huntington Park High School. She returned to Georgia 19 years ago and made her home in Thomaston. Throughout her life, Nadine held several jobs, including security guard, waitress, and supervisor at Barksdale Co

Mr. Dewey Yarbrough, age 70, died Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at Jack Hughston Memorial Hospital in Phenix City, Alabama. Memorial services will be held on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. from the Chapel of Coggins Funeral Home.  The family will receive friends on Sunday, December 14, 2025, from 1:00 p.m-3:00 p.m. at Coggins Funeral Home.

Mrs. Alice Faye Layton Wise Dukes, age 83, of Measnville, passed away December 10, 2025, at Upson Regional Medical Center.  Faye was born in Zebulon, daughter of the late Roy Layton, Sr. and the late Evelyn Mae Martin Layton.  She grew up in Pike County, lived in Ohio for several years before moving back to Georgia and making her home in Meansville.  Faye worked as a Customer Service Manager at Walmart for several years until she retired. She was also a pink lady at Upson Reg

Ms. Ida Webb Turner age 62 of Molena Ga, died Wednesday December 10, 2025 at her residence. Memorial Services will be held at a later date.

Mr. Antonio Gomez Herrera, age 60 of Thomaston, formerly of Mexico City, Mexico died, Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at Upson Regional Medical Center. Mr. Gomez Herrera was born on June 9, 1965, in Mexico City, Mexico to the late Hermilo Gomez D. and the late Celia Herrera U.  He worked as a cook at LaFiesta Mexican Restaurant.  He is preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his brothers, Delfino Gomez, Hector (Irma Martinez) Gomez, Guadalupe (Rosalva Gomez) Gomez, sis

A  SPECIAL  ELECTION  WILL  BE  HELD   TUESDAY  JAN.  20,  2026   IN  UPSON, MONROE, CRAWFORD,  PEACH  AND PORTIONS OF  BIBB  AND  HOUSTON  COUNTIES FOR  GA.  SENATE  DISTRICT 18  WITH  THE  RESIGNATION OF  SENATOR  JOHN  KENNEDY  WHO  IS  RUNNING  FOR  LT.  GOVERNOR  IN  2026. QUALIFYING  WILL  BE HELD  MONDAY  DEC.  15TH THRU  WED. DEC.  17TH  AT  THE  GA.  SECRETARY  OF  STATE'S OFFICES IN  ATLANTA.  ACCORDING  TO  UPSON COUNTY  ELECTIONS  SUPERINTENDANT  PAM RELEFORD    Q