News, Obituaries, & Sports

Ms. Martha Ann Jarrard Sinor, age 88, of Williamson, formerly of Atlanta, passed away peacefully on February 10, 2026, at her home. She was born in Dahlonega, daughter of the late James Casper Jarrard, Sr. and Hazel Elizabeth Hope Jarrard. She grew up in the Lakewood Heights area of Atlanta. Martha graduated with a Bachelors degree from Georgia tech and went on to become a micro-biologist for the Georgia Department of Virology, then went on to work for the Center for Disease

ACCORDING  TO  GA.  STATE PATROL  HEADQUARTERS  IN  ATLANTA,  A  30  YEAR  OLD UPSON  COUNTY   MOTHER  WAS  KILLED  IN  A  TRAFFIC  ACCIDENT  ON  TRICE  CEMETERY  ROAD  FRIDAY  NIGHT LESLIE  LACHELLE  CRAVEN. THE OTHER MOTORIST  INVOLVED  IDENTIFIED  AS ALEX  RYAN EVANS,  AGE  24  WAS  CHARGED WITH  HOMICIDE  BY  VEHICLE, DUI,  AND  SEVERAL  OTHER  MISDEMEANOR  CHARGES. THE  GSP  SAID  JUST  AFTER  10PM ON  FEB. 13TH A  FORD  F-450  WAS  TRAVELING  NORTH  ON  TRICE CE

Mr. James W. "Jimmy" Ellington, age 91, of Thomaston, passed away on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at Brightmoor Hospice in Griffin. Mr. Ellington was born in Thomaston, Georgia, on September 29, 1934, a son of the late James Henry Ellington and the late Mattie Baggarly Ellington. He served in the Army National Guard. He worked many years as a life insurance agent. He was an assistant magistrate judge for Upson County and later served as interim magistrate judge. He enjoyed ra

Mr. Jeffrey Wade Janney, Jr., age 36, of Meansville, took his last breath on earth and his first breath in Heaven on February 10, 2026.  He was welcomed into Heaven by his father, Jeffrey Wade Janney, Sr.; grandfather, Ronald Macleod Byrd; grandmother, Jerry Janney; grandfather, William Gardner; great-grandparents, Pauline and Hugh Bishop, Cecil and Fred Walker, Molly Macleod Byrd; and cousin, William Maddox. Jeffrey spent his early years in Meansville and attended Pike Count

Press Release – February 12, 2026 The search for the next Superintendent of the Thomaston-Upson School System is underway. At their February 10th meeting, the Board of Education voted to use Georgia Leadership Associates to facilitate the search. The search firm will carry out the Board’s directives to advertise the vacant position across the state. Vacancy announcements will be sent to all school districts in Georgia and to all Georgia RESAs. The vacancy will be posted on th

The  Monroe County Sheriff's Office  is investigating after a construction worker discovered what is believed to be partial human remains on Wednesday, according to a release. The sheriff's office said that around 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, a construction worker with a crew working off Rumble Road was walking through a wooded area near St. Paul AME Church.   They said that the construction worker stumbled upon the partial remains on the ground and called investigators. The sheri

Mrs. Cherrye Estelle McGee Witte, age 82, of Thomaston, died Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at her residence.  Graveside memorial services will be held on Sunday, February 15, at 2:00 PM in Upson Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Witte, daughter of the late Albert Adams (Mac) McGee and the late Eula Goolsby McGee, was born in Upson County on July 21, 1943. She earned Bachelors and Masters degrees from Berry College in Rome, GA, where she majored in Economics, English, and Speech. Mrs. Witt

THE  UPSON  COUNTY BOARD OF  COMMISSIONERS  VOTED  TO  DENY  THE  APPEAL OF  A  VARIANCE  SOUGHT  BY   CHAIRMAN  DAN  BRUE  FOR  A  NEW  ANIMAL  ANIMAL  ON  FIRE  TOWER  ROAD  AFTER  A  PUBLIC HEARING  TUESDAY.  THE  BOARD  DECLINED  TO  HEAR  THE  APPEAL   OF  A  SPECIAL  EXCEPTION  ALSO  FROM  THE  PLANNING  COMMISSION,  AS  IT  WAS  A  MOOT  ISSUE  WITH  THE  VARIANCE  DENIAL. COUNTY  ATTORNEY  HEALTH  ENGLISH   EXPLAINED  THE  BOC  WAS   ONLY  CHARGED  WITH  DECIDING  IF 

Ms Dawn Lowe Passed Away February 4th.... Dawn grew up in College Park, FL. She was a wonderful child who loved to dance to REO Speedwagon. She was a thrill seeker and loved to ride on the motorcycle with her father and went on boating adventures all over Florida with her family. She loved to play sports, especially golf and basketball. Dawn was the daughter of Joseph Quinton and Perry Avdoyan Quinton. She made the house a home, welcoming any and everybody who came through t

Mr. Robert “Robbie” Everett Brown, age 68, of Molena, passed away February 5, 2026, at his home. Robbie grew up in the Newnan and Grantville areas, son of the late Emmit Brown and the late Barbara Jo Couch Brown. He worked in the carpet business for many years.  Robbie was a caring person who always tried to help others.  He was devoted to his family and to taking care of his mother and brother. He enjoyed fishing and the outdoors. Along with his parents, he was preceded in d

Mr. Thomas Phillips Watts, age 74, of Thomaston, passed away on February 8, 2026. Thomas grew up in Thomaston, son of the late Aaron Watts and Willette English Watts. Thomas devoted 25 years of service to Winn-Dixie before continuing his career as the manager of Sav-A-Lot for an additional 13 years. Even after retiring, he stayed busy by working several part-time jobs. Thomas was a martial arts instructor and taught women’s self-defense classes in Thomaston. He enjoyed fishin

Mr. Carlos Sedano-Zagal, age 45, of Thomaston, passed away February 8, 2026, at his home.  Carlos was born in Cuernavaca, Mexico, and at the age of 15, he moved to the United States to be with his father. He worked as a landscaper and enjoyed football and soccer. He was a GA Bulldog, Atlanta Falcons football fan, and Club America soccer fan. Carlos was an excellent cook and enjoyed preparing meals for his family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Angel Sedano and Ulali

Mr. James “Ed” Edward Wheeless, age 82, of Thomaston, died Sunday, February 8, 2026. Mr. Wheeless born on September 13, 1943, in Upson County, Georgia to the late Milwood James Wheeless and the late Flossie Mae Page Wheeless.  He worked for the City of Thomaston in the Maintenance Department.  In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brothers, Jimmy Wheeless, Melvin Wheeless, Lamar Wheeless, Dennis Wheeless and sisters, Bobbie Minick and Jeanette Ellerbee. S

THOMASTON  FIRE  DEPARTMENT  HAD  TO  EXTRICATE  A  COUPLE  FROM  A  BIG  SUV  AFTER  A  TWO  VEHICLE  ACCIDENT SATURDAY--AT  EAST GORDON  AND  SOUTH  BETHEL--ACCORDING  TO  THOMASTON  POLICE.    A  PASSENGER- JACKIE CHAMBERS OF MALLORY  STREET  WAS  LIFE FLIGHTED TO  A  MACON  TRAMA  CENTER  WITH  A  SERIOUS  NECK  INJURY--HER  HUSBAND  THE  DRIVER  OF  THE  TOYOTA  HIGHLANDER   JAMES  CHAMBERS OF  MALLORY  STREET POSSIBLY  HAD  TWO  BROKEN  ARMS  AND  WAS  TRANSPORTED  TO 

On Friday January 30th at 11am Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport spilled at least 10,000 gallons of jet fuel into the Flint River. Aside from the ecological impacts yet to be fully determined, the spill caused the City of Griffin to issue a “Do Not Drink” notice for all citizens and the Governor declared a State of Emergency. Despite claims of containment just downstream of the airport, Griffin citizens have reported the water from their taps burning their skin and ca

Stephanie Elaine Tolbert Bradley, 76, of Molena, died February 8, 2026, at her home. Born December 19, 1949 in Salisbury, NC., she was the daughter of the late Aubrey Thomas and Helan Bowden Tolbert. She is survived by her loving husband, Robert Bradley, two daughters, Shannon (David) Byers of Lilburn, GA and Branwyn Reeves of Pueblo, CO. Granddaughters , Maire Francis  Denman (Devon) Lyllian Jane Reeves and Micajah Elayne Reeves. She is also survived by sister, Sharon Tolber

Ms. Jennifer Bennett Jones, age 54, of Zebulon passed away February 4, 2026, at her home. Jennifer was a 1989 graduate of Pike County High School. She graduated from Gordon College and Griffin Technical College where she went on to work as an x-ray tech for many years at Spalding Regional Hospital, before her most important role as Mom became her career. She devoted her life to the care of her daughter, which was her passion. She was also a member of Concord Baptist Church. J

On January 30, 2026, a Spalding County jury convicted Kaomarion Lashaun Kendrick of Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault (2x), Possession of a Firearm during Commission of a Felony, Possession of a Handgun by Person Under 18 years of Age, and Violation of Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act (3x). The Honorable Benjamin D. Coker of the Spalding County Superior Court sentenced the Defendant to serve life in prison without the possibility of parole followed by eighty-five year