News, Obituaries, & Sports

Griffin, GA – On May 26, the Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCS) Board of Education approved the superintendent’s recommendation to appoint Dr. Stephanie Nash as the 2026-27 principal of Jordan Hill Elementary School. Dr. Nash has been in public education for nearly three decades. She joins GSCS from Lamar County Schools where she served as the assistant principal and pre-k director of Lamar County Primary School for 10 years. Before that role, Dr. Nash served as

Mrs. Etta Owen Bottoms Turner, age 85, of Williamson, passed away May 20, 2026, at her home. Etta grew up in Pike County, daughter of the late Johnny Bottoms and Faye Clark Bottoms. She graduated from Pike County High School in 1958. She then earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Georgia Baptist College of Nursing and her master’s degree from Emory University. Etta worked as a nurse practitioner at Spalding County Health Department for 10 years and then at Peachtree Ci

Mr. Arthur "Marty" Monroe Harbin, age 70 of Thomaston, died Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at Brightmoor Hospice. Mr. Harbin was born on March 15, 1956, in Brunswick, Georgia, to the late Clarence C. Harbin, and the late Dorothy Jean Miller Harbin. Marty was a graduate of Brunswick High School Class of 1974. He worked as a dispatcher at Boaty's Transport and was a member of Mt. View Baptist Church. He is preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife, Cathy Price Harb

Mr. Walter Lewis Brown, Jr., a loving husband, devoted father, and a friend to all, passed away on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at Upson Regional Medical Center. He was 86. Born on August 7, 1939, at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, Mr. Brown was the son of the late Walter Lewis Brown, Sr. and the late Susie Read Brown. Mr. Brown was a 1957 graduate of R. E. Lee Institute and pursued further education at the University of Georgia and Southern Technical Institute. His professi

Mr. James Arthur Fortner, Jr., age 88, of Griffin, passed away May 17, 2026. James was born in Pike County, GA, son of the late James Arthur Fortner, Sr. and Minnie Lee Gatlin Fortner. James was a veteran of the United States Army. Throughout his life he worked for multiple trucking companies and most recently served as a vehicle recovery agent. He was passionate about all things farming, horses, and western TV shows. He was an avid reader; with his favorite being US histo

(WXGA)- A head-on collision on State Route 18 in Lamar County claimed the life of a 76-year-old Barnesville resident and critically injured another driver, prompting a multi-agency emergency response and a temporary highway closure. According to the Georgia State Patrol (GSP), the incident occurred on Monday at 10:49 a.m., when Post 44 Troopers and SCRT-D responded to a fatality crash on State Route 18, west of Five Points in Lamar County. The two-vehicle collision involved a

Mrs. Patricia “Patsy” Ann Sims Carden, age 83, of Rex, passed away May 15, 2026. Patsy grew up in the Bessemer, Alabama area, daughter of the late Truman and Lorene Sims. She worked for Owens-Illinois for over 30 years before retiring. Patsy’s great joy in life was being with her family. She especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles “Kenneth” Carden, brother, Larr

Laura Nicole Nettles, age 32 of Thomaston, died Thursday, May 14, 2026, at her residence. Laura was born on March 3, 1994, in Atlanta, Georgia to Joseph Scott Nettles and Tonya Howard Nettles. She was of the Baptist Faith. Survivors include her father, Joseph (Trang Villigran) Nettles of Hoboken, Georgia, Tonya Nettles (Rigo) of Thomaston, brothers, Eddie Nettles of Waycross, Earl (Serenity) Nettles of Waycross, sister, Keisha (Tommy) Riggins of Tifton, aunt, Judy (Raython

On May 14, 2026, an Upson County jury convicted Monterious Deangelo Hurley of Aggravated Battery, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony. The Honorable W. Fletcher Sams of the Upson County Superior Court sentenced him to 25 years, with the first 15 years to be served in prison and the remaining 10 years to be served on probation. The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney John C. McAbee and Acting District Attorney

The Thomaston Police Department, with assistance from the Upson County Sheriff's Office, has arrested a local business owner following an investigation into the illegal sale of vape products to underage juveniles. Over the past several weeks, the Thomaston Police Department received numerous complaints regarding juveniles purchasing vape products, including vape devices containing THC, from Thomaston Tobacco and Vape, LLC, located at 1091 Highway 19 North, Suite B, in Thomast

Thomaston-Upson Board of Education Approves New Superintendent The Thomaston-Upson County Board of Education voted at tonight’s board meeting to approve Dr. Travet “Tret” Witherspoon as the new Superintendent of Thomaston-Upson County Schools. Dr. Witherspoon brings more than two decades of distinguished K-12 educational leadership experience to Thomaston-Upson County Schools. A native of Adel, Georgia, he has dedicated his career to improving student outcomes across South Ge

Mrs. Mary Lynn McGee Howard, age 55, of Molena, passed away May 13, 2026. Mary grew up in the Griffin and McDonough areas. For over 20 years, she was a bookkeeper for a family-owned business, Zebulon Tax Office. Mary was hilarious and had a great sense of humor. She brought inspiring energy to every life she touched. She loved spending time with her family and especially enjoyed trips to West Point Lake, where she loved being out on the water with her husband, children, and

Mr. Andrew "Andy" Hay Jr., age 76, of Meansville, passed away on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at The Gardenias Assisted Living. Mr. Hay was born on May 19, 1949, in Thomaston, Georgia to the late Andrew Hay Sr. and the late Mary Pitts Redwine. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Ann Bell Hay, stepfather, Frank Redwine, and brother Tony Hay. Andy is survived by his son and daughter in law, Jason and Rikki Hay, grandson, Kasen Hay, granddaug

Mr. Arsenio Sam Cruz Torres, age 88, of Zebulon, passed away May 12, 2026, at his home. Arsenio was born in San German, Puerto Rico, son of the late Arsenio Cruz, Sr. and the late Amansia Torres. He moved to the United States in 1946, settling in New York City. Arsenio spent most of his life in law enforcement. He began his career with the New York City Police Department. After retiring from there, he moved to Molena and served as Chief of Police. He also worked as a police

Mr. Daniel “Danny” John Eppstaedt passed away Monday, May 11, 2026, at his home in Hampton. He was proceeded in death by his parents, Robert and Roberta Eppstaedt. Danny was born in Brookfield and moved to Georgia as a young child. A true jack of all trades, he worked many different kinds of jobs throughout his life, including residential and commercial painting. Danny had a deep love for rock and roll and spent many years attending concerts and enjoying live music whenever h

Mrs. Janice Fowler Rainey, 83, of Milner, passed at home on May 6, 2026. Janice was born in Griffin, Georgia to Frances and Robert Z. Fowler. She spent her childhood growing up around Barnesville in the Aldora Village. Janice was a graduate of Milner High School class of 1960. Her professional career began in 1974 as a bookkeeper at Lamar County High School. She retired after 26 years of dedicated service. In 1986, she was awarded her license as a Real Estate sales profession

James Bradford Elliott age 44, of Thomaston, died Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at his residence. James was born on June 29, 1981, in Thomaston, Georgia to Joel Elliot and Mary Gresham Washington. He worked for Southern Pump and Electric as a Technician. He loved hunting, fishing, collecting arrowheads, playing guitar and strolling local creeks and streams. James was a member of Pine Mountain Nazarene Church. He is preceded in death by his wife, Leslie Jewel Curlee Elliott, and

UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ASSISTED BY THOMASTON POLICE ARRESTED TWO TEE BALL COACHES TUESDAY EVENING FOR A DISAGREEMENT AT THE CIVIC CENTER TEE BALL FIELD. ACCORDING TO THE S.O. REPORT 33 YEAR OLD JACOB WAINWRIGHT WHO IS WHITE AND 39 YEAR OLD JESSE GARMON WHO IS BLACK CHARGED AT EACH OTHER DURING A COACHES CONFERENCE ON THE PITCHING MOUND. DEPUTY DINASIS WALKER WAS WORKING SECURITY AND RUSHED IN TO SEPERATE

THE UPSON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION 5;30 MEETING MONDAY LASTED UNTIL 8PM IN DISCUSSIONS OVER ZONING ORDIANCE CHANGES WITH WSP CONSULTANT LEE WALLTON. COUNTY COMMISSION CHAIRMAN DAN BRUE IS PLEASED WITH THE EXCHANGE AND SAYS THE PLANNING COMMISSION WILL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE CHANGES IN JUNE AND THE ISSUE WILL COME TO THE COMMISSIONERS IN JULY. AT TUESDAY'S REGULAR MEETING THE COMMISSIONERS PLACED A 60

Mr. Gene Lawson, age 85, of Thomaston, died Monday, May 11, 2026, at Upson Regional Medical Center. He was born Jimmy Gene Lawson in Emanuel County Georgia to the late Morris Lee Lawson and Muriel Rawlings Lawson. After graduating high school in Frostproof, Fla., Gene entered the U.S. Army as an M.P. and did his basic training at Fort Benning, GA and spent 2 years in service overseas. After returning home to central Florida he met the love of his life, Naomi Elder, and went t