Newspaper Page Text
Page 6A
Thursday, July 29, 2021
The Upson Beacon
Salem Community News By Claudette Fagan
Our thanks to the site di
rector of the Thomaston-
Upson County Senior
Center, Ms. Donna Auth,
along with her staff, for
another great outing last
Tuesday, July 20.
The journey began at 9
a.m. as they traveled to
Macon to spend a little time
shopping at the mall. The
group then enjoyed lunch at
Ole Times Country Buffet.
After lunch and fellowship,
the journey continued as
they made a stop at the
Rose’s Shopping Center on
Pio Nono Avenue.
After spending a little
time in and out of the differ
ent stores, the group headed
back to Thomaston after
stopping by Dickey Farms
in Musella for some deli
cious ice cream. They also
had the opportunity to shop
for fresh peaches and vege
tables. They didn’t depart
without taking a seat in
those nice rocking chairs
under the shed as they en
joyed their ice cream.
Thanks to Mr. Rico An
drews, the bus driver, for a
safe trip from Thomaston
and back. As always, this
group of seniors are looking
forward to the next outing.
Thanks to Donna, Jordan,
and Riki from the Upson
County seniors. Much love
goes out to these ladies for
their usual fine planning.
The Fagan family was
able to enjoy a cookout on
Saturday, July 24 at the
home of Greg and Teresa
Blasingame. Family
members were glad to get
together after cancelling last
year’s event due to Covid.
Thanks to Mr. Oscar Fagan
for chairing this event and
for ensuring that family
members received their as
signments for the day. Since
it had been quite a while
since seeing some family
members, the fellowship
was like none other. Hats off
to all the cooks and to those
who help prepare for this
event. Thanks to everyone
for coming and for making
this event a success. Wha
tever part you played was
appreciated by the family.
Our prayers and sympa
thy go out to the following:
To the Davis and Flowers
family on the passing of
Mrs. Carrie F. Davis; and to
the Antoine family on the
passing of Mr. Clifton An
toine. We pray that God
continues to strengthen
them during their time of
bereavement.
Continued prayers for
the sick and shut in: Mrs.
Hallie Matthews, Rev. Leroy
Britt, Ms. Shirley Ann
Walker, Mrs. Janie Britt,
Mrs. Ida Little, and Mrs.
Earnestine Battle.
Anniversary wishes are
extended to the following:
Chad and Millicent Price are
celebrating their 15th wed
ding anniversary today, July
29. Cedrick and April Well-
maker will be celebrating
their 11th wedding anniver
sary on Sunday, Aug. 1.
Alton & Alma Ivey will be
celebrating their 50th wed
ding anniversary on Sun
day, Aug. 1. Greg and Janet
Raines will be celebrating
their 18th wedding anniver
sary on Monday, Aug. 2.
Smart and Jennifer Webb
will be celebrating their 19th
wedding anniversary on
Monday, Aug. 2. Best
wishes on your anniversary
celebration.
Birthday wishes are ex
tended to the following:
Maxine Stubbs, Edgar
Baker - July 29; Rontavis
Walker, Renee Hughley,
Toni Carriker - July 30;
Woodie Hughes Jr., Taurus
Walker, Milton Ivey, Greg
Raines, Curtis LeQuan
Traylor - July 31; Todd
Holt, Pamela Burton, Pat
rice Green, Kedrick Atwater
- Aug. 1; Berlina Jordan,
Lizzie Andrews, Eddie
Johnson, Annie Fagan, Jea
nette Stubbs - Aug. 2; Kevin
Alsobrooks, Steve Andrews,
Angela McCrary - Aug 3;
Harold Raines, Cora
Walker, A’Ja Johnson -
Aug. 4. We wish you many
more birthdays to come.
Thought for the day:
I thank God for my
handicaps. For, through
them, I have found myself,
my work, and my God.
Community News By Elaine Walker
Happy belated birthday
to Felicia Jordan, Jordan
Lyons, bertha Prater, Jac
queline Pennyman, Fred
Bussey, William Campbell,
Jr., and Keith Reviere.
Birthday wishes are ex
tended to Herman Harris,
Calvin Pennyman, Arthur
Moore Jr., Tony Walker, De-
lores Searcy Montgomery,
Elvis Searcy, Horace Searcy,
Dorothy Pennyman, Beverly
Davis, Kassie Jordan, Katina
Alsobrooks, Ingrid Cox,
Brian Cunningham, Akia
Dawson, William Debose,
Rhonda Harris, Nicole
Moore, Jordice Larry, Far-
rah Hollis, and happy birth
day to yours truly today,
July 29.
Our prayers and sympa
thy are extended to the
family of the late Morris
Pennyman, and the family of
the late Richard King. We
pray that God continues to
strengthen them during
their time of sorrow.
Happy anniversary to
Freeman and Betty Res-
press. Wishing them many
more blessed years of love
and happiness.
Alaina Walker would like
to say thanks to everyone
that come out on Thursday,
July 22 to Thomaston City
Pool to help her celebrate
her pre-birthday celebra
tion. Thanks for all of your
gifts and love. A special
thanks to her dad, Mr. Tona-
sis Walker.
In memory of my sister,
Evangelist Mazie Weaver,
who would have celebrated
her birthday July 26.
I am singing in the sun
shine,
Wild and free,
Playing tag with the
wind,
While I am waiting for
thee.
Thankful Thursday to
Robert and Lavern Collier,
Gamifran Butler, Ann
Knight, Mary Walker, Deb
orah Durrah, Sharel
Johnson, Karema Sapp,
Joan Trice, Mary Matthews,
Lorraine Rowe,, Rosalee
Daniel, Triana King, Pat
Smith, Alaina Walker, Mary
Weston, Mildred Searcy,
Connie Davis, Reuben and
Rosa Holston, Tiny Jackson,
and Joyce Johnson.
Continued prayers are
extended to Elvis Searcy,
Curtis Carthon, Loretta
Braswell, Rev. Leroy and
Janie Britt, Ida Little, Bryant
King, Ada King, Clyde Mid-
dlebrooks, Laura Brown,
Delores Searcy, Annie Wor
thy, Ava Summer, Ruby An
drews, Tyra Bowlee,
Daphney Andrews, Kay
Searcy, Mary Smith, Christy
Searcy, Dorothy Carthon,
Earnestine Walker, Willie
James Walker, and Martha
Reeves.
WORDS OF WISDOM:
Let us run with endur
ance the race that is set be
fore us. Hebrews 12:1
You can’t make spiritual
progress by looking behind.
TPD Resumes School Zone Photo Police, Sheriff
Enforcement Program Tuesday Report Charges
Photo Enforcement Program Resumes August 3.
With Thomaston-Upson
students returning to school
on Aug. 3, Thomaston Police
Chief Mike Richardson re
minds residents that the
photo enforcement program
on Highway 74 will resume
on the first day of school.
“In this particular stretch
of highway and all across the
city, we have accidents that
occur all the time,” said Rich
ardson. “Most of these acci
dents are due to people
speeding or not paying atten
tion. In years past, we’ve had
a child that was struck by a
vehicle in the school crossing.
We’ve also had a pedestrian
that crossed the highway, not
at a crossing, but was also
struck by a vehicle.”
In 2020, a one-day speed
study was conducted and
found approximately 4,000
vehicles travel that stretch of
Highway 74 during school
hours, and over 2,200 of
those vehicles were exceeding
the posted speed limit, ac
cording to Richardson.
The photo enforcement
program assists TPD to slow
Lineman Pay,
traffic in the school zone by
utilizing two cameras on
Highway 74, along with mul
tiple warning signs of photo
enforcement and the speed
decrease, according to an in
formational video released by
the TPD.
Speed detecting cameras
are in operation while stu
dents are in the school build
ing and document the
lowered speed limit from 45
to 30 miles per hour during
the hours of 7-8 a.m. and 3-4
p.m., as students begin and
complete the school day.
Flashing lights warn of the
lowered speed limits.
Local pastor Greg Smith
has worked as a crossing
guard for the last five years
and comments, “This is abso
lutely amazing to see this
change... My philosophy is
‘better safe than sorry,’ and
this intersection probably has
more traffic than any other in
the city. To see the traffic
being slowed makes me feel a
lot safer out here.”
For a citation to be issued,
a vehicle must be traveling at
least 11 miles per hour over
the speed limit. No negative
points are assessed to drivers’
licenses, and tickets are is
sued to the registered owner
of the vehicle. The first vio
lation results in a $75 ticket
and subsequent violations
are $125 citations.
A sworn police officer,
qualified to run speed detec
tion devices, will review the
material before approving a
citation.
“The revenue generated
from this program is used for
public safety initiatives,”
commented Richardson. “It
allows us to obtain equip
ment, technology, and pro
grams that we wouldn’t
normally be able to obtain, to
provide better services to the
community and do that with
out adding a tax burden to
the citizens.”
Recent arrests and
charges reported by the
Thomaston Police Depart
ment include the following:
Rodiriquez Rogers, ag
gravated assault;
Frank Fletcher, theft by
receiving stolen property;
Cameron Youngblood,
possession of cocaine and
manufacture, possession,
or sale of controlled sub
stance;
Anthony Jordan Willis,
possession of ampheta
mine and possession of a
Schedule II controlled sub
stance;
Maya Ann Bailey, sec
ond degree criminal dam
age to property;
Jamie Earl Turner,
order revoking bond.
Recent arrests and
charges reported by the of
fice of Upson County Sher
iff Dan Kilgore include the
following:
Andre Denard Noble,
two counts of violation of
the Georgia RICO Act;
Joseph Anthony Also
brooks, two counts of ag
gravated assault, false im
prisonment, and misde
meanors simple battery
(Family Violence Act), pub
lic indecency, criminal
trespass, and obstructing
or hindering law enforce
ment;
Melissa Diane Fleming,
aggravated assault;
James Vincent Harris,
first degree burglary and
felony failure to appear;
Richard James McDon
ald, felony theft by taking
and theft by receiving
stolen property;
Heather Lanier Lawton,
felony theft by taking and
misdemeanor criminal
trespass;
Jason Edward Shu
mate, aggravated battery,
false imprisonment, and
felony probation violation;
Ezavier Dyami Taylor,
aggravated battery and two
misdemeanor counts of
third-degree cruelty to
children;
Christopher David
Miller, possession of meth-
amphetamine.
Continued from front
Council member Don
Greathouse moved to ap
prove the compensation in
crease, citing the need for
Thomaston to “stay current”
with the market.
“I don’t know how else to
look at it. When a problem
arises, you have to address it.
Obviously, there’s a problem
here,” Tucker said. “You’re
dealing with a highly special
ized [position]. I’m not
downplaying any other posi
tion, but areas like [electri
cal], law enforcement, and
firefighters are extremely
specialized. We need to be
more proactive than reac
tive.”
Tucker seconded Great
house’s motion, which re
ceived opposition from
council member Jeff Middle-
brooks.
“I don’t want to see a util
ity increase,” Middlebrooks
said. “That’s my main con
cern. Don’t raise rates on my
customers.”
Following a 2-2 vote with
Greathouse and Tucker in
favor and Middlebrooks and
Reeves opposing the lineman
compensation increase,
Stallings voted in favor to
break the tie. Mayor Pro-
tempore Doug Head did not
attend the meeting.
In other business, council
opted unanimously to au
thorize drafting a resolution
which would place packaged
sale of distilled spirits on the
November General Election
ballot to be decided by
voters.
A recent amendment by
the Georgia Legislature
opened the door for liquor
sales to be placed on local
ballots without a referen
dum, according to Thomp
son. Previously, the law
required a referendum with
35 percent of registered
voters’ signatures; the
change dropped the percent
age from 35 to 20, but also
allows the option of a res
olution or ordinance by the
local governing body for the
issue to be placed directly on
the ballot.
Thompson said he and
City Attorney DeAnn
Wheeler are drafting a res
olution which will include in
formation surrounding
permitting, licensing, and
other requirements.
Council also unani
mously approved authoriza
tion and adoption of a facade
grant program which could
provide up to $5,000 per
business for downtown area
owners to upgrade appear
ances. Thompson asked
council members to commit
$10,000 for “seed money” to
start the program, which re
quires multiple conditions be
met for participation.
Meetings & Events
Email your Meetings and Events to dlord@upsonbeacon.com.
Charges may apply.
Overeaters Anonymous Meets Weekly on Thursdays
Does food control your life? We can help! Overeaters Anonymous is welcome to every
one on Thursday nights at 6:30 p.m. No dues, fees, or weight-ins. Overeaters Anonymous
meetings are held at Fellowship Baptist Church, New Hope Campus, at 1165 Hannah’s Mill
Road in Thomaston. For more information, call Ann at 706-741-0178.
Artists Help Artists Tuesdays at TUAC Gallery
Artist of all kinds are invited to join others to work on individual art projects, share
creative knowledge and give back to the community. Join artists at the Thomaston-Upson
Arts Council Gallery on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. TUAC is located at 201 South
Center Street in Downtown Thomaston.
Free Community Pancake Breakfast Held Monthly
A free community pancake breakfast is offered the last Saturday of every month at New
Bethel Church, located at 1278 Jeff Davis Road in Thomaston.
Former National Guard Members Meet Quarterly
Former National Guard members meet quarterly on the third Wednesday of January,
April, July and October. For questions and information, please contact Gene Goins at 706-
975-4464 or David McDonald 706-648-3950.
Lincoln Park Volunteer Fire Donations Begin Jan. 1
The Lincoln Park Volunteer Fire Department began accepting fire dues Jan. 1, 2021.
Please mail your donation of $25 to P.O. Box 695, Thomaston, GA 30286. Donations of
$25 or greater are tax deductible; a receipt will be mailed back to you. Donations also can
be paid at the Lincoln Park Volunteer Fire Station Mondays from 7-9 p.m. Thank you for
your support.
Thomaston City Council, County Commission Meets Tuesdays
The Thomaston Mayor and City Council meet at 7 p.m. the first and third Tuesday of
each month at the Government Complex, located at 106 East Lee Street. The Upson County
Board of Commissioners meets at 6 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at
the same location.
Thomaston Kiivanis Meets Weekly
The Thomaston Kiwanis Club meets at Noon on Tuesdays at the Thomaston-Upson
Civic Center. For more information, call Mike Jones at 706-646-7364.
Thomaston SERTOMA Meets Twice Monthly
The Thomaston SERTOMA Club meets the second and fourth Thursday of each month
at noon at the Senior Center. For more information, contact Dan Brown at 706-975-1610
or Jeff Sanders at 706-975-2581.
Thomaston Toastmasters Meet Twice Monthly
Thomaston Toastmasters meet the second and fourth Thursday of every month from
noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom. The meeting ID is 706 325 2227 and the passcode is 567460. The
organization teaches public speaking and leadership skills. For more information, call 706-
325-2330.
DAR’s John Houstoun Chapter Meets Monthly
Daughters of the American Revolution’s local John Houstoun Chapter meets the second
Wednesday of each month at 3:30 p.m. at the Upson Senior Center Memorial Hall. Contact
Pat Cox at 706-647-9896 for additional information.