About Upson beacon. (Thomaston, Ga.) 2008-current | View Entire Issue (May 29, 2024)
Vol. 17, No. 22 Wednesday, May 29, 2024 upsonbeacon.com 219 Thomas Street, Thomaston, Ga. 30286 • 706.646.2382 75 Cents THANK YOU! PAID FOR BY the COMMITTEE TO ELECT HANNAH ARMETTE BEACON Shining Light & Keeping Watch on Our Community Newsline May 29. 2024 Deadline to Appeal Assessments This Week Although assessment notices were mailed on April 17, some Upson County residents have not received the notices, accord ing to Chief Appraiser Charles McKeehan. “If you have not received your assessment notice by mail, you can get a copy at the assessor’s office,” McKeehan said. “Please be patient with the appraisal staff as we facilitate these requests.” The deadline to submit appeals for property assess ment is Saturday, June 1. However, in-person appeals will be accepted on Monday, June 3 since June 1 falls on a weekend, according to McKeehan. Mailed appeals must be postmarked by June 1. 14th Annual Poker Float Set June 1 Join the Thomaston- Upson Chamber of Com merce for the 14th annual Flint River Poker Float on June 1. Grab a kayak or canoe and meet at Sprewell Bluff Park. Participants will sign in to get a ticket pack. Be fore getting in the river, par ticipants will draw their first poker card and have the ticket pack punched. Once on the river, there will be See Poker Float, 6A BOE Budget Hearings Set June 11 & 25 The Thomaston-Upson Board of Education will hold two public comment sessions for the proposed 2025 fiscal year budget, ac cording to a release from school officials. Public hearings are scheduled for 6 p.m. Tues day, June n and 7:30 a.m. See Budget, 5A 8 10499 02461 2 Council Chooses Hotel Developer Bridge Turner Editor in Chief bturner@upsonbeacon.com Council members chose Geor gia-based Red Hills Hospitality Management last week as devel oper and operator of a proposed, city-owned, $20 million hotel proj ect in downtown Thomaston. The company, tied to Marriot, reportedly specializes in rural, downtown ventures in smaller cities. It was one of two inter viewed, according to City Manager Russell Thompson. “In the opinion of the commit tee, one stood out head and shoulders above the other as most qualified,” Thompson told council members. “Their niche is smaller, rural cities, and they were rec ommended by Electric Cities of Georgia. I also received positive input from other city managers.” Thompson said the only pos sible negative he could attach to Red Hills, “if it could be considered a negative,” is that the company does not have a website. “We’re not really hunting for that type of work,” Thompson said a Red Hills official told him. “We’re more of a niche market and a good fit for rural towns. We prefer word of mouth and to let our product speak for itself.” Councilman Don Greathouse asked Councilman Ryan Tucker, a bank executive, for his opinion on the choice. “My thing is projections. Being See Hotel, 4A The Upson-Lee High Class of 2024 graduates toss their caps following the commencement ceremony. Andrew Carroll/Upson Beacon U-l Class of 2024 Graduates Andrew Carroll Sports Editor acarrotl@upsonbeacon.com The atmosphere at Matthews Field on Friday night was ecstatic as the Upson-Lee High School Class of 2024 walked across the stage and received diplomas. The U-L Symphonic Band made its re turn to the graduation ceremony and led the opening processionals. The U-L NJROTC performed the march of colors as senior members of the chorus sang the National Anthem. Damani Kenan led a See Graduation, 2B City Eyes Old PD for New PD, EMA Complex Federal Funding is Available for Joint Public Safety Facility Bridge Turner Editor in Chief bturner@upsonbeacon.com City council members voted unanimously last week to commit $34,500 to 2WR+Partners Architects for a “phase one schematic design” to convert a build ing which once housed Thomaston Police Depart ment and jail to a new pub lic safety complex. The structure, immedi ately south of the new Thomaston Fire Depart ment on North Church Street, most recently was home to the state pardons and paroles office. The city intends to apply for up to $3 million in avail able federal funding for the project, which must include Thomaston-Upson Emer gency Management Agency to qualify, according to City Manager Russell Thomp son. Plans and renderings are also required at the time of application. “The potential earmark is $3 million, which is a rough estimate to cover the entire project,” TPD Chief Mike Richardson told coun cil. “You can’t get federal See Complex, 5A Crowds "getting the groove on" as dancers and bands pass through downtown Thomaston as part of the 2024 Emancipation Parade Luke Haney/Upson Beacon Freedom Rings During 2024 Emancipation Parade Luke Haney Editor lhaney@upsonbeacon.com Countless folks from near and far crowded Thomaston on May 25 from Be thel Street to Lincoln Park for the 159th year of Upson County’s Emancipation Pro clamation Celebration. For 159 years, hundreds of residents and visitors gather annually in remem brance and celebration of President Abra ham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. This year, the parade started and ended at traditional points, although the route was slightly altered due to construc tion along Bethel Street at the five-way stop, which will soon become a round about. Following the parade, which featured a host of dancers, bands, floats, show cars, recreational vehicles, horse riders, and more, the celebration continued with the annual history program at The Speaking Grounds in Lincoln Park. Local historian Rev. James McGill served as the keynote speaker and master of ceremonies. Activities throughout the day included See Emancipation, 7 A J/l JEFFERSON TOD )EWEY HILLEY A , 1 w g w 1 DOUGLAS WILLIAM FO Andrew Carroll/Upson Beacon Crosses line the corner of Yatesville Highway and College Street in Yatesville with the names of fallen soldiers. Upson County Pauses for Memorial Day Thomaston, Yatesville Hold Events Andrew Carroll Sports Editor acarrotl@upsonbeacon.com Citizens in Upson County had two events in honor of Memorial Day this year. In Thomaston, the Me morial Day program was originally slated to take place at Greatest Genera tion Memorial Park, but rain and storms prompted moving the event to First Baptist Church. After an opening prayer by Ted Candler, the Upson- Lee NJROTC rendered the colors prior to Rev. Claude Turner reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and Dan Dan iels’ moving rendition of the National Anthem. Johnnie Caldwell spoke briefly about his time in the armed forces and following in the footsteps of his father who served in World War II. “Memorial Day is for re membrance of those who died serving their country during a time of war. Those who died in a time of war gave their life for one and all. We honor those of the See Memorial Day, 7A 0) Griffin Ob-Gyn Holly Harrison, PA-C Nadine Noelting, CNM Abby Gibbs, CNM Accepting New Patients In Thomaston 403 West Main Street • Thomaston CAU {706)646-2888 or (770) 227-5505 for an appointment.
