News, Obituaries, & Sports

TOP TEN CORPORATE TAXPAYERS FOR UPSON COUNTY – 2025 TAX YEAR  NAME ASSESSMENT COUNTY TAX AMT %TOTAL LEVY  Interfor 39,909,064 $513,039 4.24  West GA Generating 34,850,574 $329,686 2.73  Southern Natural Gas 21,991,569 $276,901 2.29  Georgia Power 21,819,515 $256,876 2.12  Solo Cup 22,673,115 $226,799 1.88  Quad-Graphics 16,486,163 $194,758 1.61  Southern Mills 17,059,887 $114,356 .95  Wal-Mart 5,644,425 $53,396 .44  Upson EMC 4,107,448 $50,241 .42  Highline 3,824,735 $36,182

ATLANTA  – Today Governor Brian P. Kemp's office announced the following judicial appointments: Steven Blackerby to the Superior Court of the Brunswick Judicial Circuit, filling a vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Robert W. “Bert” Guy; Kristi Goodwin Connell, to the Superior Court of the Augusta Judicial Circuit, filling a vacancy created by the passage of Senate Bill 145; James “Jim” Kiger to the Superior Court of the Douglas Judicial Circuit, filling a vacancy cre

Mrs. Gloria Sandefur age 75 of Thomaston, died Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at Heritage Inn of Barnesville.  Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.

No candidate topped 50 percent in the six-county special election Tuesday night. LeMario Nicholas Brown and Steven McNeel are heading to a runoff in the special election for Georgia State Senate District 18, according to unofficial results posted Tuesday night by the Georgia Secretary of State. With all precincts reporting across the six-county district, Brown, a Democrat, finished with 36.93 percent of the vote, while McNeel, a Republican, placed second with 21.29 percent. B

Mrs. Rachel Hammock age 80 of Thomaston, died Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at Brightmoor Hospice.  Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.

Mr. Dennis "Bird" William Thrasher age 70 of Thomaston Ga, died Tuesday January 20, 2026, at Riverside Health and Rehab.  Mr. Thrasher was born on July 16, 1955, in Thomaston, Georgia to the late Angus Bubba Thrasher and the late Betty Jean Gleaton Thrasher. He was an R.E. Lee graduate of 1973 where he was the manager of the football team.  He retired from Quad Graphics after 31 years, was an avid musician, and golfer.  He loved Parrot Head, his band Trigger, the Atlanta Brav

Mr. Robert "RL" Lee Patrick age 82, of Thomaston, died Monday, January 19, 2026, at Harborview Health and Rehab. Mr. Patrick was born on May 25, 1943, in Upson County, Georgia to the late James Patrick and the late Lois Rogers Patrick.  He served his country in the U.S. Navy and owned and operated Patrick Trucking. He was a member of Mt. View Baptist Church.  In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Faye Scruggs Patrick, brother, James Edward Patrick,

Alfred Levone Shepard was born on October 20, 1935, in Lanett, Alabama, to the late Jim and Lynnie Thompson Shepard, and was the youngest of five brothers and sisters.  He was raised in Thomaston, Georgia, where he developed the strong work ethic, patriotism, and hands-on skills that defined his life. Alfred entered into eternal rest on January 18, 2026. He attended R. E. Lee High School, where he was an active member of the ROTC. After graduating in 1954, Alfred proudly enli

BY  NOON  SUNDAY  CENTRAL  GEORGIA'S  SNOW  EVENT  WAS  MELTING  AWAY--A  BLANKET OF  SNOW  THAT  STARTED  EARLY  IN   SUNDAY  MORNING. UPSON  COUNTY  SHERIFF  DAN  KILGORE/COMMISSION  CHAIRMAN  DAN  BRUE AND  CITY  OF  THOMASTON  MANAGER  RUSSELL  THOMPSON  TOLD   101  NEWS  SUNDAY  MORNING   ALL    CITY   AND    COUNTY  OPERATIONS  WERE   WORKING  AS  USUAL.   CHANNEL  TWO   ACTION  NEWS  HAD  A  MOBILE  CRUISER  IN  UPSON  AND  PIKE  COUNTIES  AND  REPORTED  THE  ROAD  TEM

Mrs. Geneva "Doll" Salter Harrison age 91 of Thomaston Ga, died Friday January 16, 2026 at Providence Health and Rehab.  Mrs. Harrison was born on September 2, 1934 in Thomaston Ga, to the late J.T. Salter and the late Ethel Presley Salter. She worked for Upson Regional Medical Center in Security for many years. Mrs. Harrison was a member of Thomaston First Free Will Baptist Church. In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by her husband William Henry Harrison and

Donald Ray Hanson, 85, passed away peacefully at his home on January 14, 2026, surrounded by his family. Donald was born on July 24, 1940, in Thomaston, GA.  Donald was raised in a small mill village called Silvertown which later became the modern day Thomaston. He attended school in Thomaston, GA where he met his childhood sweetheart and wife of 65 years, Claudette Duncan Hanson in the first grade. He graduated from R.E. Lee High School in 1959. After graduation, Donald marr

Mrs. Gloria Dawn Ivie Russell, age 57, of Thomaston, died Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at her residence. Memorial services for Mrs. Russell will be held on Saturday, January 17, at 11:00 AM in the chapel of Fletcher-Day Funeral Home, followed by a private family inurnment in Crystal Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday morning from 10:00 until the service hour. Mrs. Russell was born on August 10, 1968, in Thomaston, GA. She was a 1987 gr

Cassie LeAnn Garner, age 38 of Lake Park, Georgia, died Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at her residence. Cassie was born on October 7, 1987, in Milledgeville, Georgia to the late Robert Anthony Fowler, and Pam Tidwell Bloodworth.  She was a member of Northside Christian Church.  She is preceded in death by her father. Survivors include her mother Pam (Jeff) Bloodworth of Thomaston, fiancé, Johnnie Kidd of Lake Park, son, Zachary Kidd of Lake Park, brother Nay Nay (Savannah) Blo

The Upson-Lee NJROTC rifle program delivered a strong performance at the Area 9 Championship held on January 10, 2026, in Anniston, Alabama. Both the Precision and Sporter teams earned third place finishes against top competition from across the region. Leading the way for the Precision team was highest shooter Jayla Smith (549) while Madison Jones (495) posted the top score for the Sporter team. With this accomplishment, the Upson-Lee NJROTC Precision team qualified to advan

Mrs. Rebecca “Becky” Ann Smith Reese, age 85, of Zebulon, passed away peacefully at her home on January 13, 2026. Becky spent her childhood in Zebulon and later moved to Ellenwood after marrying Marvin Reese. They made their home there for many years before returning to Zebulon in 1991. At the age of 12, Becky was baptized at New Hope Baptist Church in Zebulon. She later attended Victory Temple in Jonesboro and remained strong in her faith throughout her life. In her early wo

Superintendent Announces Retirement Effective June 2026 Dr. Larry Derico, Superintendent of the Thomaston-Upson County School System, has announced his intention to retire, effective June 2026. Derico has served as Superintendent since June 2018. He joined the district office in 2005 after serving as a teacher and assistant principal in both the Meriwether and Thomaston-Upson school systems. At the T-U district office, he served as Director of Federal Programs from 2005-2010,

Mr. Travis Grady Foster, age 51, passed away on January 8, 2026. He was raised in Forest Park and lived in Griffin for many years. He enjoyed fishing and had a natural talent for drawing. He was stubborn in his own way, loved to tell stories and will be remembered for his big personality and sense of humor. He worked as a welder and a glass cutter and took pride in working with his hands. He was of the Baptist faith. He was preceded in death by his mother, Rebecca Bridges Fos

Mr. Rodney Wayne "Hot Rod" Wheeler age 60 of Thomaston Ga, died Wednesday January 7, 2026 at St. Josephs Hospital. Memorial Services will be held at a later date.

Mrs. Thelma Ruth Sweat Meade Melton, affectionally known as “Ruthie”, age 51, of Yatesville passed away January 12, 2026.  Ruthie grew up in Middlesboro, Kentucky and lived in Tennessee for many years before moving to Georgia to be with her family.  She was a homemaker and an excellent cook who enjoyed the outdoors, jeep riding and arts and crafts, especially diamond art. She was preceded in death by her parents, Neal Sweat and Barbara Sue Thomas Sweat, and her beloved dog, D