News, Obituaries, & Sports

Mr. Christopher Brian Ballard, age 48, of Griffin, passed away April 13, 2026, at his home. Brian grew up in Griffin. He worked for many years as an electrical inspector with SSL Services LLC. Brian was a kind and tenderhearted soul who truly never met a stranger. He had a gift for conversation and could make anyone feel like an old friend. Brian left a lasting impression on everyone he met. He had a special love for cats and found joy in being outdoors and working in his yar

UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF DAN KILGORE SAID THE DRIVER OF A 1971 TRIUMPH CONVERTIBLE WAS KILLED AND THE OTHER MOTORIST HAD MINOR INJURIES APRIL 18TH AT DELRAY ROAD AND TYLER LANE--AND HE TURNED THE INVESTIGATION OVER TO POST 26 GA. STATE PATROL. THE FATALITY--29 YEAR OLD DANIEL JACKSON BLOUNT OF 47 SKELTON ROAD WAS DECEASED AT THE SCENE AND THE OTHER DRIVER 31 YEAR OLD SARAH DANIEL OF BARNESVILLE TOLD INVESTI

Mr. Richard Stephen Pitts, age 61 of Thomaston, died Sunday, April 19, 2026, at his residence. Mr. Pitts was born on December 10, 1964, in Thomaston, Georgia to the late Robert Eugene Pitts and the late Betty Garner Short. He was a member of the National Guard in 1982 and worked as a Supervisor at J&M Pools. He was a member of the First United Pentecostal Church. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his sister, Lisa McKissick, and stepfather, Larry Short.

PIKE COUNTY'S COLEMAN CROW WAS CALLED UP AS STARTING PITCHER FOR THE MILWAUKEE BREWERS FRIDAY AND HE WAS EXCELLENT IN HIS MLB DEBUT. CROW ALLOWED FOUR HITS AND TWO RUNS ON ONE WALK AND FOUR K'S IN 5 AND A THIRD. HE KEPT THE BREWERS IN THE GAME BUT RECORDED A NO DECISION. CROW TOLD REPORTERS AFTER THE GAME " THIS IS DEFINITELY WHAT YOU DREAM ABOUT GROWING UP, "CROW SAID. "IT WAS EVERTHING THAT I IMAGINED

Mr. Marvin Gwyn Ballard, age 77, passed away on April 28, 2023, at Peace Heart St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Bellingham, WA. with family by his side. His passing was due to conditions incurred while serving his country in Vietnam and Kuwait. Gwyn was born June 11, 1945, in Zebulon, GA., to the late James Young Ballard and the late Elizabeth Storey Ballard. He attended schools in Pike County, GA. and Homestead, FL. After high school, Gwyn enlisted in the Army and atten

Georgia Senate Bill 33, which contains recently passed legislation affecting homestead property tax, is currently awaiting Gov. Kemp’s signature and some of this legislation will become effective for the 2026 tax year. This bill mandates a statewide floating homestead exemption that caps the yearly assessment increases to the higher of 3% or the rate of inflation (CPI). In Upson County’s case, this already applies to the County & City’s tax digest since they both opted in HB5

Gov. Kemp Announces Superior Court, District Attorney, and Solicitor General Appointments ATLANTA – Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced the following judicial and prosecutorial appointments: Tyler J. Browning to the Superior Court of the Cobb Judicial Circuit, filling a vacancy created by the resignation of the Honorable A. Gregory Poole; Matthew M. “Matt” McCord to the Superior Court of the Griffin Judicial Circuit, filling a vacancy created by the resignation of the Hon

Betty G. Mims, age 90, formerly of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, passed away April 15, 2026. Betty was born in Meridian, Mississippi, the daughter of the late Nell Coffman Coats. For many years, she was the PBX Operator at Olympia Mills. She is survived by her children: Teresa Giovannangeli, Eddie Klein and wife Sandra, and Jeanine McKeel and her late husband Derek McKeel; grandchildren: Ric Englebert and his late companion Connie Brunner, Rob Englebert and wife Stacy, Duane Klein,

Mrs. Beverly Smith Jones, age 88 of Thomaston, died Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Brightmoor Nursing Home. Mrs. Jones was born on September 3, 1937, in Upson County, to the late George Aldine Buntyn, and the late Minnie Helen Blankenship. She worked for the Thomaston Board of Education as the Secretary for Special Education. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her first husband, Fred Allen Smith, second husband, Claude Jones, brother, Dean Buntyn, sister

Mr. Richard Pitts, age 61 of Thomaston, died Sunday, April 19, 2026 at his residence. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.

Mr. Edwin Lamar Kelly Jr., known affectionately as “Ed,” passed away peacefully at his residence in Thomaston, Georgia, on April 18, 2026. He was 91 years old. Ed was born on October 17, 1934, in Thomaston, Georgia, to the late Edwin Lamar Kelly Sr. and Louise Kelly. A lifelong resident of Thomaston, he was a devoted member of First Baptist Church since childhood, where his faith remained a guiding force throughout his life. He graduated from R.E. Lee Institute in 1953 and co

Facility Name: Brightmark Circularity Center Thomaston LLC Application No: 29749 Facility Address: Central Georgia Business and Technology Park, Technology Parkway, Thomaston, 30286 EPD Notice Type: Proposed Permit Description of Operation: All other petroleum and coal products manufacturing Reason for Application: Construction and operation of a plastics renewal (pyrolysis) plant. Comment period expires on: May 18, 2026 Public Hearing May 18, 2026 at 6:00pm Thomaston-Upson C

Upson-Lee High School proudly announces the hiring of Coach Logan Winkles as the new head football coach for the Knights. A 2010 graduate of Upson-Lee High School, Coach Winkles returns home to lead the program where his athletic journey began. Following his graduation, he continued his football career at NC State from 2010 to 2013 before returning to Georgia to build an impressive coaching résumé across several successful programs. Coach Winkles has contributed to multiple d

Mrs. Lucy Allene Collins, age 82 of Thomaston, died Monday, April 13, 2026, at Spalding Regional Hospital. Mrs. Collins was born on September 14, 1943, in Marion, North Carolina to the late Garland Kaylor and the late Annie Lee Turner Kaylor. She worked for 30 plus years in the cotton mill and was a member of Mt. View Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Wayne Olif Collins, and several brothers and sisters. While we mourn th

FOLLOWING A PUBLIC HEARING TUESDAY--THE UPSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS VOTED TO DENY A REZONING FOR WATER HARVESTING AT CRYSTAL SPRINGS OFF CREST HIGHWAY. OVER A DOZEN CITIZENS OPPOSED THE REZONING. THE BOC SAID IT DID NOT COMPLY WITH THE COUNTIES LAND USE PLAN.

Mrs. Jean McGill, age 81, of Hampton, passed away on April 14, 2026. Born and raised in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of the late Bill and Elizabeth Doster. Jean was the business finance manager for Emory at Crawford Long Hospital in Atlanta for 32 years. Following her retirement, she spent much of her time volunteering with the American Legion and VFW in Jonesboro. Jean was a strong and independent woman who lived life her way. She found joy in music, l

For Immediate Release Tuesday, April 14, 2026 ATLANTA – Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced that Prime, Inc., a leading North American transportation company, will invest more than $160 million to establish a new Southeastern regional hub in Spalding County. The new facility will create more than 120 new, full-time jobs in addition to hiring over 50 professional drivers. “Prime, Inc.’s new campus will further add to Georgia’s $107 billion transportation and logistics indu

Mr. Richard “Ricky” Edmond Hammond, age 73, of Forsyth, passed away Friday, April 10, 2026. He was the son of the late Charles Evans Hammond and Ethel Virginia Hammond. Ricky lived most of his life in Atlanta and spent his working life as a mechanic and electrician. He greatly enjoyed fishing and camping. He was always one to help others. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Lee Charles Hammond. He is survived by his son: Richard Keith Hammond; b