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Camp: Request for Cost Study on QIC Split in State’s Hands
County to Hire Planning Consultant to Assist with Updating Zoning Ordinances
By Bridge Turner
bturner@upsonbeacon.com
State Rep. Beth Camp
told commissioners last
week that Upson County’s
request for a cost study on
splitting the Griffin Judi
cial Circuit is being pro
cessed by the Georgia
Legislature.
Commissioners sub
mitted a resolution to
Camp in February to de
termine the cost of sep
arating Upson, Spalding,
and Pike counties from
Fayette. Based on pop
ulation, Fayette has gained
a substantial voting advan
tage over the three smaller
counties.
“As one county ex
plodes as a population
center, the other three can
be outvoted by Fayette.
That’s not a balanced dis
trict any longer,” said
Camp, who attended a
commission work session
at the Thomaston-Upson
Airport. “I think it would
be a good move for us.
Most of our judges are
from this area anyway.”
According to Camp, ju
dicial circuit splits are a
“big trend” statewide, and
all attempts to divide cir
cuits have been successful,
except one. Considering
Upson’s proximity to Mon
roe, Lamar, and Meri
wether counties, creation
of a new circuit involving
those areas is a possibility,
she said.
During the work ses
sion, commissioners heard
from Lee Walton, senior
GJC Split, 4A
A map of the current Griffin Judicial Circuit Pi le Photo
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URMC Surpasses 15,000 COVID-19 Vaccinations
As of Tuesday morning, Upson Regional Medical Center has officially administered 15,000 COVID-ig vac
cinations. Local attorney Heath English ivas the recipient of the mid-morning vaccination and is shoivn
secondfrom left alongside URMC CEO Jeff Tarrant and the nurses administering vaccines on Tuesday.
Smith Sets Tone at
First ‘Community
Relations’ Meeting
McGill Elected Chairman
By Bridge Turner
bturner@upsonbeacon.com
New Life Church Pas
tor Greg Smith clarified
his position Monday at the
first meeting of Thomas-
ton’s Community Rela
tions Committee, saying,
“If you aren’t thinking
about race relations,
you’re behind the times.”
Smith’s comments fol
lowed the nomination and
election of Rev. James
McGill as the group’s
chairman, who said the
R.E. Lee Institute conflict
surrounding the city-
county government com
plex was not a racial issue.
McGill cited policy and
history as key factors con-
Comm. Relations, 5A
Happy 100th Birthday
Lillian Battle Graddick
Happy 100th birthday to
Lillian Battle Graddick, who
was born on April 15, 1921
and credits her abundant life
to her immense faith in the
Lord.
“God’s grace and favor
have sustained her through
out the years,” said Graddick.
She loves to cook, watch
sports, read the Bible, and at
tend church. Graddick was
married to Jordan “Jack”
Graddick until his death in
1991, and they had 11 chil
dren. Ms. Graddick loves her
family dearly and she cher
ishes moments when they
gather for dinners or “just to
talk.”
Graddick loves to spend
time with her children and
she talks to them every day.
Her children are James (Ma
rian) Graddick, Alfred (Mei)
Graddick, Carolyn Graddick
Ivey, Mable Graddick Jor-
Lillian B. Graddick
dan, Evelyn (Jed) Webb,
Louise (Emmitt) Brice, Mel
vin (Debbie) Graddick, and
Angela Graddick Brice, and
daughter-in-law Juanita
Graddick.
She has three deceased
children, Mildred Graddick
Rutherford, Winfred Grad
dick, and Earnestine Grad
dick Zellner and, a deceased
son-in-law, Otis Jordan.
COVID-19 Update
Upson County reports
3,379 positive COVID-19
cases with 124 deaths as of
noon last Tuesday, accord
ing to the Johns Hopkins
University & Medicine Co-
8 10499 02461 2
ronavirus Resource
Center.
Numbers reflect 23
new cases (down from
28 last week) and one
new death (one last
week) since Tuesday one
week prior. During that
time, Upson’s per capita
infection rate increased
from 12.79 to 12.85 cases
per 100 residents, more
than i-in-10. Pike County,
at 11.92 per 100 residents,
and Lamar County, at
10.52 per 100, are the only
Upson-adjacent counties
exceeding i-in-10 infection
rate. Taylor is at 9.67,
COVID-19, 4A
Greathouse: Roosters, Loose Dogs
Provoking Concerns in District 4
Council Reinstates ‘Public Comments’
By Bridge Turner
bturner@upsonbeacon.com
Members of the Thom-
aston City Council agreed
last week to consider up
dating the local animal
control ordinance follow
ing concerns expressed by
District 4 councilman Don
Greathouse.
“I’ve received several
complaints from citizens
in my district in regard to
chickens and roosters,
roosters that crow 24/7,
not just at dawn,” Great-
house said. “That presents
a problem for all sur
rounding neighbors in the
South Green [Street]
area.”
City Manager Russell
Thompson told council
that the wording of the or
dinance is somewhat con
tradictory, but added,
“There’s no prohibition of
chickens, they just can’t
run at large.” The ordi
nance states that anyone
owning chickens must
“keep the area neat and
dispose of refuse,” Thomp
son said.
“Another issue is other
animals - feral cats and
dangerous dogs,” Great-
City Council, 4A
Good Deeds Bring Great Days
In a time when many still face the struggles of the coronavirus, as well as the challenges of every
day life, the community of Upson continues to shine as residents and organizations alike lend a
helping hand to provide better days for others. Learn more about recent positive initiatives inside.
The Chamber held its first "Cash Mob" at Rescue Me Market.
Each URMC employee received a free
Chick-fil-A meal on Good Friday.
URMC staff members line to receive donated meals.
The Prices pose before sending local donations to Newnan.
(0 Griffin Ob-Gyn
NOW SEEING PATIENTS IN THOMASTON
CALL TO MAKE AN
APPOINTMENT TODAY:
403 WEST MAIN STREET
TUESDAY-THURSDAY 8:30-4:30
(770)227.5505
(706)646.2888
Leigh Ann Story, CNM; Bryan Krepps. HO; Jim Dunaway, MD; Lou Hameli, MO; Holly Harrison, PA*C;
Nadine Nolting, CNH; Enid Lofters-Jones, MD; Hegan Potter. HD; Katya Brickman. CNM; Ashley Johnson, PA