Newspaper Page Text
Thursday, February 23, 2023 | Volume 135 Number 45 | Jasper, Georgia | 20 pages, 2 sections | Published Weekly | $1.00
The mailbox mystery
of Cove Lake
How did Milton,
Ga. mailboxes
wind up in a gated
community here?
By Angela Reinhardt
Staff Writer
areinhardt@pickensprogress.com
Aheap of mailboxes stolen from
Milton, Ga. was found in a gated
community in east Pickens County,
with no clear motivation for the
thefts known.
According to a Pickens Sheriff’s
incident report, on Feb. 6 a resident
of Cove Lake contacted authorities
to report possible stolen property.
The man recently saw a television
news story about mailboxes stolen
from communities in Milton, which
is about 30 miles south of Cove
Lake. That story listed roads the
mailboxes had been taken from, in
cluding Glencreek Way. The Cove
Lake resident spotted that name on
one discarded mailbox here.
The entrance to the community
off Cove Road is protected with a
tall metal gate and code entry access
panel. A split wood fence connects
to the gate.
When the deputy arrived at
Cove Lake, he was directed to the
community pavilion. The deputy
saw mail left in some of the mail
boxes, according to the report.
Due to the size and number of
the boxes, the responding deputy
was not able to fit them in his vehi
cle and had to call for assistance.
While he waited, another resi-
See Mailbox on 9A
Photo/Pickens Sheriff’s Office
A pile of mailboxes found in the Cove Lake gated community off Cove
Road. A resident recognized the street name on one of them from a story
on television about them being stolen.
Judge says
Wilsons used
volunteerism,
church to hide
true character
at sentencing
Carlton Wilson’s intake
photo at the Ga. Department
of Corrections. There was no
book-in photo for Cindy Wil
son available as she remains
in the Pickens County Adult
Detention Center awaiting
transport to a state prison.
By Angela Reinhardt
Staff Writer
areinhardt@pickensprogress.com
Former Pickens County
Superintendent Carlton Wil
son and his wife Cindy Wil
son were sentenced for
numerous financial crimes in
court Wednesday, Feb. 15.
The crimes relate to their
theft from Appalachian Gun
Range where they were co
owners, in addition to theft
from the Boy Scouts of Amer
ica and from the Pickens
County government by Mr.
Wilson.
Following testimony from
Appalachian Gun Range co-
See Wilsons on 9A
First ladder
truck
coming to
Jasper Fire
By Angela Reinhardt
Staff Writer
areinhardt@pickensprogress.com
The city of Jasper has
purchased a ladder truck that
will allow them to reach
higher buildings to suppress
fire, and provide other bene
fits for emergency workers
and the community at large.
“It's something we've
been considering for some
time now as we look towards
the growth of our community
and future needs,” said
Jasper Asst. City Manager
Kim Goldener.
The ladder truck isn’t
brand new, but it’s new to the
city. It’s a refurbished model
and has been inspected by
fire leaders, with delivery ex
pected in a few months.
“The [fire] chiefs went to
Alabama last week and went
over it completely, and it is
in good condition,” Goldener
By Max Caylor
Progress Contributor
Mardi Gras came to Jasper Satur
day night at Chattahoochee Tech as a
record more than 500 tickets were
sold for the annual fundraiser benefit-
ting Georgia Mountains Hospice.
The highlight of the evening was
crowning a king and queen with nom
inees from Cherokee, Pickens and
Gilmer counties competing to raise
the most $ 1 votes. Pickens nominees
Michelle Tidwell and Matt Chastain
were crowned king and queen for
raising the most money for the non
profit. In all $48,500 was raised by
the tri-county representatives.
Queen Michelle Tidwell is the
branch manager of the iTHINK Fi
nancial Credit Union in Jasper. She
serves on the Chamber board, is the
program coordinator for Jasper Ro
tary and was named the Chamber’s
2022 Ambassador of the Year.
King Matt Chastain lives in Hinton
and followed his late father’s foot
steps with a career in the poultry in
dustry. He is the Live Production
manager for the Pilgrim’s Pride Cor
poration in Canton. He performs with
his voice and guitar in many local
charity and community events.
Hayden Holcomb and Brooke
Schmidt were the Cherokee County
representatives while Regina Payne
and Keith Burton represented Gilmer.
The winter gala is sponsored by
Georgia Mountains Hospice, the
Knights of Columbus from Jasper and
Ellijay and The Rotary Club of Jasper.
See Mardi Gras on 3A
photos/Max Caylor
Above, King Matt Chastain holds out the royal scepter; below Queen
Michelle Tidwell is crowed by 2022 Queen Melissa Jordan.
Worley Crossroads paving possible; Tate sidewalk project
coming soon; water meters stalled by supply chain issues
Commissioners
hold February
meeting
By Dan Pool
Editor
dpooI@pickensprogress.com
During Thursday’s com
missioners’ meeting, County
Utilities Director Phillip
Dean reported they are
awaiting delivery of 200
water meters to start new
services in 2023 and that
should be enough for the
year. It’s all they are likely
to get in any event, as supply
chain issues continue to
plague construction.
Dean said he ordered the
meters in November of last
year and they are expected
before March.
In 2022 the county in
stalled 168 meters for new
service. “We may pass last
year,” he said, noting that
the 200 should be sufficient.
From 2018 through Dec.
31st of last year, they have
set a total of 683 meters.
Dean said they had in
stalled a 6-inch line to re-
photo/Dan Pool
A county water department crew installs a line to connect a home on Jay Moss Lane
- They will come back with a meter once the line is complete. (L-R) Mike Kimbrell, Chris
Rogers and Stephen Waters. Not shown Steve Parker who was working on the other side
of the road.
Parker said on a good day they can set three or four of the meters/connections, but it
depends on whether they have to bore under a road and if they hit rock.
place a 4-inch line on leaks in that area. They will
Childers Lane, which will add fire hydrants on the
hopefully stop frequent road.
Kaleb
Nicholson
brings home
wrestling
championship
Page 1B
Education
New
school
start times
proposed
Page 8A
Black Powder
shooters
donate to
Veterans Park
Page 12A
Obituaries 6A
• Thomas Daniel
• Kelly Hammond
• Dan Huth
• Phillip Landrum Jr.
• Audrey Wells
• Ann Wilson
• George Yohler
Contact Us
94 North Main Street
Jasper, Ga. 30143
706-253-2457
pickensprogress.com
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See Ladder Truck on 9A
See Cornish on 9A
