Upson Company Sold to C.W. Mathews

A LEGACY UPSON COUNTY COMPANY IS BEING SOLD. C. W. MATTEWS CONSTRUCTION COMPANY OF MARIETTA HAS SIGNED A LETTER OF INTENT TO PURCHASE HILL CONSTRUCTION COMPANY . PRESIDENT BILL HAMMACK TOLD TGA NEWS TUESDAY C. W. MATTEWS IS CURRENTLY DOING ITS DUE DILIGENCE AND HOPES TO CLOSE THE DEAL BY THE END OF THE YEAR. MUCH LIKE HILL, C. W. MATTEWS, BASED IN MARIETTA HAS BEEN IN THE ROAD BUILDING BUSINESS FOR DECADES, FOUNDED IN 1946. MR. HAMMACK SAID HIS FIRM IS LOOKING FORWARD TO ASSUMING CONTROL OF THE COMPANY BUILT BY ALLEN HILL AND HIS LATE FATHER, COOPER HILL, A MAYOR OF THOMASTON. HAMMACK SAID INTERVIEWS ARE UNDERWAY WITH HILL EMPLOYEES TO BE HIRED BY MATTEWS. THE NEW OWNER WILL NOT HAVE AN OFFICE IN THOMASTON BUT WOULD DISPATCH CREWS FROM THE ASPHAULT PLANT IN SPALDING COUNTY OWNED BY HILL CONSTRUCTION. MATTEWS ALSO HAS ANOTHER FACILILTY ON THE SOUTHSIDE AT THE ATLANTA AIRPORT. ACCORDING TO MR. HAMMACK, ALLEN HILL WILL NOT BE RETAINED, HE'S LOOKING FORWARD TO SMELLING THE ROSES FOR A WHILE.

UPSON TAX RELIEF IN 2011

UPSON  COUNTY  COMMISSION  CHAIRMAN  MAURICE  RAINES  CALLED  IT  A  CHRISTMAS  PRESENT  FOR  CITIZENS FOR  2011, $2 MILLION  IN  TAX  RELIEF FROM THE OVERAGE  OF  THE  2005  SPLOST, AND IT  COULD  BE  MORE. AT  TUESDAY’S   MEETING  THE  BOARD  AGREED  TO A  ROLLBACK OF  4.63  MILLS  IN  2011. OF  THE  $2  MILLION, 1.7 IS  FROM  THE  4-LANE  PROJECT  ON  36  EAST  TO  1-75  THAT  NEVER  HAPPENED,  AND  THE CHAIRMAN  STRESSED, THIS IS  A ONE  TIME  DEAL, FOR  ONE  YEAR,  THAT  IS  ALLOWED  AT  THE  END  OF  A  SPLOST.  COUNTY  FINANCE  OFFICER  RONALD  VAN  HOUTEN  SUGGESTED  TO  THE  BOARD,  THAT  THE  FUNDS  BE  PLACED  IN  A  SEGREGATED  ACCOUNT.  IN  A  LETTER TO  THE  CHAIRMAN, UPSON  COUNTY  TAX  COMMISSIONER  BERRY  COOK SAID  4.63  MILLS  GENERATES  $3 MILLION  BASED  ON THE  CURRENT  COUNTY  WIDE  NET  TAX  DIGEST.  THIS  WOULD  BE  A  ROLLBACK  OF  4.63 MILLS, LOWERING THE  MILLAGE  RATE  OF  12.72  MILLS  TO  8.09 MILLS, REDUCING  THE  ESTIMATED  TAX  LEVY  FROM  $8.2 MILLION  TO  $5.2 MILLION, A  DECREASE OF  2.9  MILLION. THE  TAX  COMMISSIONER  EXPLAINED, THIS  WOULD  REDUCE  THE  TAXES  ON  A  $100,000  PIECE OF PROPERTY  FROM  $508  TO  $363,A  TAX  SAVINGS  OF  $185. CHAIRMAN  RAINES  SAID  THE  BOARD IS  WORKING  ON   PROJECTS  TO  BE  LISTED FOR  THE  2011  SPLOST  ON THE  BALLOT  NEXT  MARCH. HE  SAID  PUBLIC  HEARINGS  WILL  BE  HELD  FOR  CITIZEN INPUT ON THE  NEW ONE  CENT   SALES   TAX  PROPOSAL. IN  OTHER  ACTION,  THE  COMMISSIONERS  APPROVED  THE  2011 BUDGET,  $13.2  MILLION  A  REDUCTION   OF  $58,000    COMPARED  WITH  2010.

IDA WORKING FOUR PROSPECTS

AT  MONDAY’S NOVEMBER  MEETING, THE  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR  OF  THE  THOMASTON  UPSON  INDUSTRIAL  DEVELOPMENT  AUTHORITY,  J.R. CHARLES SAID  NOVEMBER HAS BEEN  A  BUSY  MONTH.  IT  STARTED  WITH HOSTING  PROJECT  MANAGERS  FROM  THE  ELECTRIC  CITIES  OF  GEORGIA,  FOR  LUNCH  AT THE  ROCK  RANCH,  SOMETHING  THAT  GOT  RAVE  REVIEWS  FROM  THE  GUESTS. HE  COMMENTED  ON  FOUR  PROJECTS  THAT  ARE  BEING  COURTED,  TWO  COULD  MAKE  DECISIONS  IN  DECEMBER. THE  IDA  VOTED  TO  WAIVE A  $7100 BOND  ADMINISTRATION  FEE  FOR  A  NEW  INDUSTRY,  ANIMAL, HEALTH AND  SCIENCE. THOMASTON’S  MAYOR  HAYS  ARNOLD  SAID  BOND  FEES HAVE  BEEN  WAIVED IN THE  PAST, AND  IDA MEMBER  DANNY  BRINKS MADE  THE MOTION.  THE  IDA PASSED  A  RESOLUTION FOR  A  $5.7 MILLION INDUSTRIAL  REVENUE BOND  FOR  A.H.S., SUN-TRUST BANK WILL  REPORTEDLY  PROVIDE  THE  FINANCING.  THE  IDA  ALSO  PASSED A  FORGIVABLE LOAN RESOLUTION FOR  THE  COMPANY. THE  CITY  OF  THOMASTON GAVE  $250,000  TO  THE IDA FOR  A  GRANT  TO  THE  COMPANY, TO  BE USED  FOR  CAPITAL  OUTLAY AT THE FORMER  YAMAHA PLANT. MAYOR  ARNOLD SAID  THE  FUNDS  HELPED  THE  CHANGE  THE MIND OF  THE  COMPANY,  THE  CEO  TOLD  THOMASTON  KIWANIS  HE  WAS  HEADED  TO   SOUTH  CAROLINA  UNTIL  CITY AND COUNTY  OFFICIALS   SOLD  HIM  ON  THOMASTON. THE  COMPANY HAS  PLEDGED  100  JOBS  IN  THE  FIRST YEAR, AND  COULD  BEGIN  OPERATIONS IN THE  SPRING.  THE  IDA  ALSO IS  WORKING  ON  AN  EIP GRANT  FOR  $500,000  TO  PUT  A  RAIL  SPUR AT THE  PLANT.

New Biomass Power Generation Facility

On September 14, 2010 Cooperative Energy Incorporated (CEI) signed a 10 year power purchase agreement (PPA) for 15 megawatts of green energy from Lancaster Energy Partners’ proposed biomass power generation facility in Thomaston.

The wood fueled generation facility is expected to be operational in early 2012 and will produce enough electricity to power approximately 10,000 homes.

“We are excited about partnering with CEI and Upson EMC to bring green power to Georgia” said Wayne Coverdale, President & CEO of Lancaster Energy Partners. Mr. Coverdale stated that the facility will be located on the grounds of the former Thomaston Mills textile plant and will create approximately 20 permanent jobs at the plant. The facility will also foster the creation of additional jobs necessary to supply local, woody biomass needed to fuel the facility.

CEI is comprised of seven Electric Membership Corporations (EMCs): Central Georgia EMC, Cobb EMC, Excelsior EMC, Pataula EMC, Snapping Shoals EMC, Upson EMC and Washington EMC.

Neal Trice, President & CEO of Upson EMC in Thomaston stated, “Upson EMC fully supports this project and is very excited about the job creation opportunities this project will bring to Upson County.”

Cobb EMC is the largest off-taker of energy from the proposed facility and their President & CEO, Dwight Brown, had these comments,” At Cobb, we believe in having a diverse, economical energy mix and this renewable project meets our criteria. This project is a “win” for Cobb EMC and a “win” for Georgians.”

Energy Consulting Group (ECG) managed the negotiations of the PPA for CEI and will manage the contract going forward. ECG is a full service energy consulting firm based in Atlanta.

Robert Tucker of ECG had the following comments, “ECG has reviewed dozens of renewable energy proposals for our clients and the Lancaster-Thomaston project appears to have the right formula for success. Economical fuel supply is the key issue for biomass projects and this project is sized appropriately for the wood basket of the local area.”

Upson Ambulance In Fatal Accident

An Upson County ambulance was involved in a fatal accident in Henry County Friday evening around 6 pm.. The ambulance was traveling north on U.S. 19/41 in Hampton when a southbound vehicle made a left turn into it’s path.

A passenger in the Chevrolet Monte Carlo 36 year old Tammy Ward from Hampton was killed instantly. Ward’s husband was driving the car and is listed in stable condition in Grady Memorial Hospital, he may face charges in the accident. A five year old child was treated and released at Grady.

The ambulance driver, a second EMT and two passengers received minor injuries, they were treated and released at area hospitals, the ambulance sustained heavy front end damage.

NOV. TERM OF COURT ENDS

NOVEMBER  TERM  OF   UPSON  SUPERIOR  COURT ENDED  WEDNESDAY  AFTERNOON,  WITH   JUDGE  FLETCHER  SAMS  DISMISSING  JURORS.  JURY  SELECTION  WAS UNDERWAY  WEDNESDAY  MORNING  IN  AN  ARMED  ROBBERY  CASE  WHEN  THE  DEFENDANT, DEMARCO  LOWERY,  18,  DECIDED  TO  ENTER  A   GUILTY  PLEA  TO  ARMED  ROBBERY  AT  COUNTRY  CORNER GROCERY  ON  WEST  MAIN  STREET  AND COMMUNITY  SUPERETTE  ON  JEFF  DAVIS  ROAD,  ROBBERIES  IN  NOVEMBER OF  2009. ON  A  BLIND  PLEA  WITHOUT  A  STATE  RECOMMENDATION, JUDGE SAMS  SENTENCED  LOWERY  TO  30  YEARS, 20  YEARS  TO  SERVE.  A  CO-DEFENDANT  JOSEPH FERDIE  BORDELON, 27, ENTERED  A  PLEA  LAST  WEEK  AND  WAS  SENTENCED  TO  15  YEARS.  ASSISTANT  DISTRICT  ATTORNEY   BEN  COKER  SAID  LOWERY  ALSO  HAD  WEAPONS  CHARGES,  DURING  THE  ROBBERY  AT  COMMUNITY  SUPERETTE, HE  FIRED  A  PISTOL  IN  THE  AIR.  THERE  WAS  ONE  JURY  TRIAL  DURING  THE  WEEK, MONDAY , MILTON  THOMAS  WAS  CONVICTED  AND  SENTENCED TO  20   YEARS  IN  PRISON.

Police Misconduct Claimed

The Thomaston City Council has received notification of a potential lawsuit from a citizen who claims he was mistreated by police.

The letter alleges that Bridge Turner, 48, of Griffin Avenue was assaulted and illegally detained by officer Johnny Middlebrooks, along with other officers, without probable cause at Sidney’s Bar and Grill on South Center Street on April 30th.

At Tuesday’s meeting, on the advice of city attorney Joel Bentley, the Council voted to deny the claim and turn the matter over to it’s insurance carrier.

In the letter, Turner claims he has incurred damages both physically and mentally due to the misconduct of police. Turner was charged with disorderly conduct and public drunk but the charges were dropped by police in Municipal Court on June 8th.

According to the incident report, a Mazda was pulled over by police around midnight and the driver drove onto the parking lot. Police started to search the vehicle and patrons at the door of the business directed profanity at the officers. After they were warned, Turner was cited and taken into custody. A female patron told police it was not Turner who made the remarks, but a man who had already left.

20 YEARS FOR CHILD MOLESTATION

A  GUILTY  VERDICT IN  A  ONE  DAY  JURY  TRIAL,  MONDAY  IN  UPSON  SUPERIOR  COURT.  THE  DEFENDANT, MILTON  THOMAS, WAS  CONVICTED  BY A  JURY  AND  WAS  SENTENCED  TO  SERVE  20  YEARS  IN PRISON  FOR  CHILD  MOLESTATION  BY  JUDGE  FLETCHER  SAMS,  FOR  THE  CRIME  AGAINEST  A   13  YEAR  OLD  FEMALE. NOVEMBER  TERM  OF  COURT  WILL  CONTINUE  WEDNESDAY  AT  THE  COURTHOUSE.

Deer Hunter Injured

An Upson County deer hunter was injured Friday evening south of Thomaston. The hunter reportedly fell from his stand. He was treated by Upson EMS and transferred to a Lifeflight air ambulance near Mauldin Road and US 19 south, then transported to an area hospital.

CHAIRMAN RAINES ELECTED CHAIR

UPSON  COUNTY  COMMISSION  CHAIRMAN  MAURICE  RAINES  HAS  BEEN  ELECTED TO  CHAIR  THE  TEN  COUNTY  TRANSPORTATION  SPLOST  ROUNDTABLE  IN  THE  THREE  RIVER  REGIONAL  COMMISSION.  AT  THE  FIRST  MEETING  ON  THE  2012  T-SPLOST,  THURSDAY  IN  COWETA  COUNTY,  RAINES  WAS  NOMINATED  BY  TROUP  COUNTY  COMMISSION  CHAIRMAN  RICK  WOLF.  THE  CHAIRMAN  AND  A  FIVE-MEMBER EXECUTIVE  COMMITTEE  WILL  MEET  WITH  THE  GDOT ABOUT  CRITERIA  FOR  TRANSPORTATION  PROJECTS  AND  REPORT  BACK  TO  THE  20 MEMBER  ROUNDTABLE  COMPOSED  OF  COMMISSION  CHAIRS  AND MAYORS  FROM  THE  TEN  COUNTIES. CHAIRMAN  RAINES  NOMINATED  THOMASTON’S  MAYOR  HAYS  ARNOLD  TO  THE  EXECUTIVE  COMMITTEE  WHICH  WILL  BE  FINALIZED  AT  A FUTURE  DATE.  CHAIRMAN  RAINES  TOLD  TGA  NEWS  THE  T-SPLOST  TO  BE  ON  THE  BALLOT  IN  2012  COULD  RAISE  $74 MILLION FOR  TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS,  ANNUALLY  FOR   10  YEARS.  UPSON’S  CUT  WOULD  BE  $2 MILLION,  1.2 FOR  COUNTY  GOVERNMENT,  $196,000  FOR  THE  CITY  OF  THOMASTON  AND  $9000  ANNUALLY  FOR  THE  CITY  OF  YATESVILLE.  RAINES  SAID  THE  TOP PRIORITY  TRANSPORTATION  PROJECT  IN UPSON COUNTY  IS  THE  EAST-WEST  CORRIDOR  ALONG  HIGHWAY  74   TO  LINK  THE  KIA AUTO  PLANT   TO  THE  PORT OF  SAVANNAH.

BOATWRIGHT SUSPENDED TWO WEEKS

THE  EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR   OF THE  THREE  RIVERS  REGIONAL  COMMISSION,  LANIER  BOATWRIGHT,HAS  BEEN  SUSPENDED WITHOUT  PAY  FOR  TWO  WEEKS  FOR  SENDING  RACY  E-MAILS  FROM  HIS  OFFICE COMPUTER, THAT  SHOW  A  CITY OF  GRIFFIN.COM ADDRESS. THE  35  MEMBER  BOARD OF  THE  COMMISSION  MET  FOR  OVER  THREE  HOURS WEDNESDAY  EVENING  AT  THE  GRIFFIN   OFFICES  WITH  BOATWRIGHT IN  THE  ROOM  AT  ONE  TIME. AFTER  THE  EXECUTIVE  SESSION, WOODBURY  MAYOR  RON  GARRETT  MADE  THE  MOTION TO  SUSPEND  BOATWRIGHT  AND  IT  PASSED  OVERWHELMINGLY.  THE  MOTION  ALSO STIPULATES  A  WRITTEN  REPRIMAND  WILL  BE  PLACED  IN  HIS  PERSONNEL  FILE  AND  IF  HE  SENDS  ANY  SUCH  E-MAILS  IN THE FUTURE  HE  WILL  BE  TERMINATED. HE  WAS  ALSO  ORDERED TO UNDERGO  SENSITIVITY  TRAINING  AND  WILL UNDERGO  A  PERFORMANCE  REVIEW  IN  THREE  MONTHS.  THE  E-MAILS  CAME TO  LIGHT AFTER  A  PLANNER  BOATWRIGHT  FIRED  EIGHT  MONTHS  AGO,  CARTER  THOMPSON, PLANNED  A  LAWSUIT ALLEGEDING   SHE  WAS  DISMISSED  FOR  BEING  A  WHISTLE  BLOWER.  THOMPSON  CONTENDS  SHE  COMPLAINED  TO  BOATWRIGHT  ABOUT  SEXUAL  HARRASSMENT BY A  FEMALE  SUPERVISOR AND  HE  CLAIMED SHE  THREATENED  HIM.

Thomaston’s Coy Bowles Wins CMA Award

The Zac Brown Band won the New Artist of the Year award at the annual Country Music Association (CMA) Awards in Nashville Wednesday night.

Thomaston native Coy Bowles plays guitar and keyboards with the band and after accepting the award thanked, “my mom and dad and my hometown Thomaston.” Coy is the son of Barney and Janis Bowles. He also has his own group, The Fellowship, that he plays with during breaks with the ZBB.

Other members of the band are Zac Brown / Lead Vocals & Guitar; Jimmy De Martini / Violin, Vocals; John Driskell Hopkins / Bass, Vocals; Clay Cook / Guitar, Organ, Mandolin, Pedal Steel, Vocals; Chris Fryar / Drums.

The ZBB was also nominated for Vocal Group of the Year, Song of the Year, Music Event of the Year and Entertainer of the Year.

Previous honors and accolades include their Grammy win for "Best New Artist," "Top New Vocal Group" from the Academy of Country Music Awards and "Breakthrough Video of the Year" from CMT and USA Weekend. The band has had six consecutive number one hits.

NEW SCHOOL BUS FACILITY

THE  THOMASTON  UPSON  BOARD OF  EDUCATION  HAS  AWARDED  A  CONTRACT FOR  A  NEW  BUS  MAINTANCE  FACILITY  NEAR  THE  CURRENT  ONE  ON  74  EAST. AT  TUESDAY’S  MEETING   THE  LOW  BID  OF  EIGHT  WAS  HEADLEY  CONSTRUCTION  COMPANY  $1.39  MILLION , ABOUT  WHAT IS  AVAILABLE  FROM  THE  LAST  SPLOST  FOR  THE  PROJECT.  THE  CURRENT  BUS  FACILITY  HAS  TWO  BAYS,  THE  NEW ONE WILL  HAVE  THREE  AND  WILL  ALSO  HOUSE  THE  SCHOOL  SYSTEM’S  MAINTANCE  STAFF  NOW  LOCATED  ON  ADAMS  STREET.

Fatal Accident West Of Thomaston

A two vehicle accident west of Thomaston Monday evening claimed the life of an Upson County woman.

The accident resulted in the closing of Highway 74 for over two hours. Traffic was detoured down Old Alabama Road to Thurston School Road then back to 74 on Hickman Fork Road.

Judith Ann Waterman, 67 of 208 Denham Street, the driver of a late model Buick died at the Upson Regional Medical Center as a result of her injuries. The driver of the other vehicle, a late model Mazda CX-7 along with her two passengers were not seriously injured.

Tire marks at the scene appeared to indicate that the Mazda was entering the road from the driveway of a home located at 3520 Highway 74 west and pulled into the path of the Buick. The Mazda was struck in the passenger side door and the Buick received extensive front end damage.

The Upson EMS along with the Upson County Sheriff’s Department, Georgia State Patrol, Thurston Fire Department and a Lifeflight Air Ambulance responded to the accident.

TEEN SHOT TO DEATH

ACCORDING   TO  THE  UPSON  COUNTY  SHERIFF’S  DEPARTMENT,  A  TEEN WAS  SHOT  TO  DEATH  EARLY  SATURDAY  AT  3149  ANDREWS  CHAPEL  ROAD.  18  YEAR OLD  HOUSTON  GOSSETT  OF  419 F.  STREET  WAS  THE  VICTIM  OF  A  SHOTGUN  WOUND  TO   THE  HEAD.  THE  SUSPECT, CHAD MICHAEL  JOHNSON,  22 , WAS  ARRESTED  FOR  INVOLUNTARY  MANSLAUGHTER  AND  DISCHARGING  A  FIREARM  WHILE  UNDER THE  INFLUENCE  OF  ALCOHOL. A   ANOTHER    TEEN,TIMOTHY  WILLIAMS,  19  WAS  CHARGED  WITH  DRINKING  UNDER  THE  AGE  OF  21.   S.O. INVESTIGATORS  SAID  GOSSETT AND  JOHNSON , WHO  LIVES  WITH  HIS PARENTS,WERE  HANDLING  THE  SHOTGUN  AND  IT  DISCHARGED AND  GOSSETT  WAS  FATALLY  SHOT. JOHNSON’S MOTHER  THERESA   TOLD  DEPUTIES GOSSETT  AND  WILLIAMS  WERE  STAYING   OVERNIGHT  WITH  THEIR  SON  CHAD.  SHE  AND  HER  HUSBAND  EDWARD RETIRED  AROUND  1AM,BUT  SHE  SAID  THE  YOUTHS  WERE  IN   THE  NEXT  BEDROOM  PLAYING  WITH  A  PLAYSTATION.  AROUND  2AM,  THEY  HEARD A  LOUD NOISE  AND  FOUND  GOSSETT  ON  THE  BEDROOM  FLOOR  BLEEDING FROM THE  HEAD.  HE   WAS  DECEASED  WHEN  UPSON   EMS  ARRIVED.

THOMASTON UPSON CHAMBER AWARDS

THE  THOMASTON  UPSON  CHAMBER   OF  COMMERCE  64TH  ANNUAL  AWARDS  BANQUET  WAS  THURSDAY NIGHT,  AND  THE  LATE  JOE  WHITE  WAS  THE  RECEIPIENT  OF  THE  LIFETIME  ACHIEVEMENT  AWARD. IT  WAS  THE  FIRST  TIME  IT   WAS   PRESENTED  POSTHUMOUSLY  AND  THE FIRST  TIME IT  WAS  AWARDED  TO  AN  AFRICAN-AMERICAN. PENNY  CLIFF,  OF  THE  THOMASTON  UPSON ARCHIEVES,  IN  PRESENTING  THE  AWARD  TO   MR. WHITE’S  FAMILY,  SHARED HIS  COMMITTMENT  TO  CIVIL  RIGHTS, HE MARCHED  WITH  DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR., HE WAS  ACTIVE IN  THE  UPSON  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY  AND  WAS  INVOLVED  IN  YOUTH  RECREATION PROGRAMS,  FORMING  A  BOXING  CLUB. THE  OUTSTANDING  COMMUNITY  AWARD TO  THE  FOUNDERS OF  SMOKE  ON  THE  WATER, DUSTIN  FORDHAM, BOBBY  BICKLEY, NASH  AUSTIN, JEREMY DANIEL, JOSH  WEEMS,RYAN  TUCKER,JEREMY  SALTER  AND SETH  PERDUE. HERE’S  LOOKING  AT  YOU  FOR  BEST  NEW  BUILDING,DR. NORMAN  DONATI AND  THE  HUGHSTON CLINIC  ON  NORTH  CENTER  STREET. EXECUTIVE  OF  THE  YEAR, TIM  TUCKER OF  TUCKER  COMMUNICATIONS. NEW  BUSINESS  OF  THE YEAR,GRAND OAK  SALON  AND  SPA, OWNER,SHANNA SKIPPER.  SMALL  BUSINESS OF  THE  YEAR,  TASTY SHOP,OWNERS  EARNIE  AND DEBORAH  VAUGHN. CHAMBER  CHAMP, UL MIDDLE  SCHOOL  PRINCIPAL  PATSY  DEAN  FOR  ORGANIZING THE  BICYCLE RIDE  ACROSS  GEORGIA  IN  THE  SPRING. THE  GRADUATES OF  ADULT LEADERSHIP  UPSON  ALSO  WERE  RECOGNIZED.

First Freeze Of The Season

The first freezing temperatures of this fall are moving our way, the overnight low Friday night is expected to be 31 degrees and Saturday night’s in the upper 20’s.

Plants and pets should be protected, warmer temps will return by Monday as lows will be in the mid to upper 40’s.

Final Chapter Of Jim Grimes Story

Fun 101’s feature story page is utilized to publish stories and articles about people and places in the Fun 101 listening area.

This is the final chapter of a four part series reprinted from the book “Moonshine Mayhem” by Marlene Womack. We will publish one of the articles each week for the next two weeks.

It gives a detailed story of C.V. (Jim) Grimes, a real, old-time moonshiner from Upson County that led a very interesting life and eventually settled in Bonifay, Florida.

If you would like to post comments, click the link at the bottom of the story. Comments will appear as soon as they are approved by WTGA staff.

To view the page click the link on the right or click HERE.

Upson County Commissioner Results

Incumbent district three county commissioner Rusty Blackston won re-election to the seat in Tuesday’s general election. Blackston polled 62% of the votes in his district, political newcomer Shane Phillips received 38% of the vote.

Blackston stated, “I want to thank the voters and I pledge to continue working for all of Upson County.”

Blackston received 1,206 votes to Phillips’ 748.

Incumbent district four commissioner Frank Spraggins defeated Mark Andrews in a close race, 52% to 48% or 62 votes.

Spraggins polled 764 votes to Andrews 702.

Upson County Commission Races

District 3	Total	%	R	TR	Y	LP	T	A
* Rusty Blackston   (R) (I)	1206	62	753	140	258	***	***	55
Ed Shane Phillips  (D)	748	38	541	65	128	***	***	14
District 4
* Frank Spraggins   (R) (I)	764	52	172	***	***	2	541	49
Mark Andrews      (D)	702	48	203	***	***	5	469	25

R – Redbone / TR – The Rock / Y – Yatesville / LP – Lincoln Park / T – Town / A – Absentee

* Winner

Results are unofficial until certified by election officials.

CHILD SEVERELY BURNED

ACCORDING   TO  THE  UPSON  COUNTY  SHERIFF’S  OFFICE, A  TWO   YEAR  OLD  BOY  WAS  LIFE  FLIGHTED  TO  THE  GRADY  HOSPITAL  BURN  CENTER  IN  ATLANTA  AFTER  HE  FELL  INTO  A  BON  FIRE  AT  THE  ROCK  RANCH, SATURDAY.  THE  CHILD, ISAIAH  ARSCOTT OF  LITHONIA, IN  THE  ATLANTA  METRO  AREA,  HAD  2ND  AND  3RD  DEGREE  BURNS TO  THE  UPPER  BACK  AND  ARMS, AND  THE  BACK  OF  HIS  HEAD.  HIS  AUNT TOLD  DEPUTIES THEY  WERE  ATTENDING  A  BIRTHDAY  PARTY  FOR  A  4  YEAR  OLD, WHEN  THE  BOY  LOST HIS  BALANCE  AND  FELL BACKWARDS INTO  THE  FIRE.  AT  LAST  REPORT,THE  BOY  WAS  IN  CRITICAL  BUT  STABLE  CONDITION.  UPSON  EMS  AND  ROCK  HILL  FIRE  DEPARTMENT  ALSO  RESPONDED.

Election Coverage

Get complete coverage of the election returns this evening on Fun 101’s Local News page. The polls close at 7 pm and our coverage will begin with the first ballots being counted.