On January 28, 2016, members of the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit arrested the following people. Both remain in the Spalding County Jail.

1. Bobbie Alyena Ford, age 34, of 1223 North 9^th Street, Griffin, Georgia

• Felony Violation of Probation
• Possession of Methamphetamine
• Possession of Drug Related Objects
• Possession of Less Than an Ounce of Marijuana

Bond was denied on all charges.

2. Greely Stevenson Baggett, age 36, of 2201 Steele Road, Griffin, Georgia

• Possession of a Firearm During Commission of a Crime
• Possession of a Firearm By a Convicted Felon
• Possession of Methamphetamine
• Possession of Methamphetamine With Intent to Distribute
• Possession of Less Than an Ounce of Marijuana
• Possession of Drug Related Objects
• Possession of Schedule II Narcotic (Hydrocodone)
• Possession of Schedule IV Narcotic (Clonazepam)

Bond was denied in all charges.

The 5 day weather forecast is more of the same for temperatures the high temperature for Thursday will be 50 with an overnight bone-chilling 27 degrees.  On Friday look for the high to be around  54 but again an overnight low jut above freezing at 34 degrees partly cloudy skies. Saturday the high will be back down to 45 with an overnight low of freezing at 32 degrees. Sunday clouds are moving back into the north and central Georgia area. 4o degrees for a high and again way below freezing at 22 degrees. Monday stay tuned for the possibility of wintry mix or possible snow flurries in the region. With a 60 percent  chance of rain at 44 degrees and Monday evening will prove to be interesting.  Stay tuned as the temperatures are expected to be below freezing at 29 degrees in the South Metro area.  Black Ice could be on the menu for Monday night.  Should that expand to our area the WKEU news crew will be out with live reports and at the Studio for full coverage.

 

For more information, contact the Development Authority at David@gsda.net.

   

SEBASIAN BRYANT HAHN BEING PLACED IN PATROL CAR : PHOTO WALTER GEIGER BARNESVILLE HERALD GAZETTE

A motorist flagged down Sgt. Al White to report seeing a man in a plaid shirt jumping a fence near the intersection of Community House and Brent roads. Sgt. White soon spotted Hahn who surrendered without a struggle. He was not carrying the shotgun he left home with earlier.

DNR Ranger Keith Page and his K9 Drake backtracked along Hahn’s trail and found the weapon in the woods about an hour after the arrest. Drake has special training in weapons tracking.

The capture ended a manhunt that began about 11:45 a.m. and involved dozens of officers from multiple agencies.

MAJOR GREG BARNEY RIVERDALE POLICE DEPARTMENT

A Riverdale police officer was killed in the line of duty Thursday Maj. Greg Barney, whose 27-year career in law enforcement came to a tragic end Thursday when he was shot in an apartment complex shootout while serving a no-knock warrant.

After a six-month stint as a Fulton County sheriff’s deputy, Barney joined Riverdale police in 1990, following six months with the Fulton Sheriff’s Department. . He made captain in 2002, then major in 2004.

That same year, Barney became the Riverdale Police Department’s interim chief, the first African-American chief in the city’s history.

A suspect was taken to Atlanta Medical Center for treatment in critical condition.

Riverdale’s police chief told WSBTV 2 news that Barney was not wearing a vest at the time of the shooting.

Major Barney will be missed by everyone with the Riverdale Police Department, Clayton County, and many other law enforcement agencies that knew and respected him.

4-H DAY AT THE GEORGIA STATE CAPITOL

Spalding County 4-H President Carrianna Simmons served in her role as the Northwest District Representative of the Georgia 4-H State Board of Directors on 4-H Day at the Georgia State Capitol, Wednesday, February 3, 2016. Over 400 4-H’ers had the opportunity to schedule a visit with their legislators, to experience the top 4-H’ers being honored in the house and senate, to hear State 4-H President Ben Lord address both houses of the legislature, and to be recognized in Resolutions from both the House and Senate.

The day included speeches from Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle, Georgia Department of Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black, Ms. Tess Hammock, former 4-H’er and Miss Warner Robins 2015, and Mrs. Anne Sapp of the Georgia 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees. Georgia 4-H State Board members served as greeters during the event and worked behind the scenes. The event including a luncheon, catered by Rock Eagle 4-H Center and sponsored by the Georgia 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees, which provided some 4-H youth the opportunity to meet and eat with the legislators who attended.

At the end of the day, the entire 4-H delegation from over thirty counties and invited guests gathered for a group photograph with supporters and friends of 4-H. In addition to Georgia 4-H’ers this photo includes: Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, Senator John F. Kennedy, Representative John Deffenbaugh, Senator Tyler Harper, Representative Rick Jasperse, Senator Frank Ginn, Senator Greg Kirk, Senator Bill Heath, Representative John Corbett, Representative Amy Carter, Representative Tom McCall, Representative Buddy Harden, Representative Terry England, Representative Jan Tankersley, Representative Patty Bentley, Senator Mike Dugan, Abit Massey, President Emeritus Georgia Poultry Federation, Mike Giles of 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees, Joe Burns Georgia 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees, Brandie Rucks Park Georgia 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees, Jerry Griffin Georgia 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees, and Johnelle Simpson UGA Student Government Association President and Georgia 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees.

Pike County Deputies resounded to a vehicle accident, apparently resulting from a medical problem  in the single vehicle accident .  The accident occurred on Highway 18  South bound in the area of Neal Baptist Church on Saturday evening. Mary Ponder, from Hampton, lost conciseness while driving her vehicle. It is believed that Ms. Ponder suffered complications from diabetes before the accident. She was airlifted by Emory Air Flight based at the Griffin Spalding Airport to Grady Hospital in Atlanta for treatment.

The five day weather forecast for South Metro and the Griffin mid Georgia area indicates 48 degrees for a high on Monday starting out near freezing.  Rain chance is 80 percent for Monday with a 48 degree high and a low of 33 degrees just above freezing. In northeast Georgia there is a severe weather warning that includes the possibility of freezing rain and 2 inch accumulation of snow possible in about 20 counties of north east Georgia at the Tennessee and South Carolina Borders.  In our area Tuesday rain will continue with a 70 percent chance during the day.  The high on Tuesday is expected to be warmer at about 58 degrees with a overnight low of 42. Wednesday things begin to improve with a high again of 58 degrees and a over night low of 39.  Thursday 62 degrees for a high no rain and a low of 40. On Friday the high temperature is expected to be 68 and a overnight low of 43. No rain mentioned for Friday some partly cloudy skies expected.

Spalding County Fire Chief Kenny West announced on Monday the promotion of Lieutenant Mike Ellis to Captain. The panel style interview process was conducted with Ellis being named to the position.
Captain Ellis began his career with the Spalding County Fire Department in December 1989 as a Firefighter. Throughout his career, Ellis has worked to obtain advanced certifications in Fire Investigations and attained technician levels in Hazardous Materials Technician, Confined Space Rescue Technician, Trench Rescue Technician and Rope Rescue Technician. He is currently an active member of the Georgia Search and Rescue Team.
Captain Ellis was born and raised in Spalding County. Since beginning his career with the Spalding County Fire Department in December 1989, Ellis has worked his way through the ranks and was promoted to Lieutenant in 1996.
Spalding County Fire Chief Kenny West acknowledged, “Ellis’s technical skills and his attention to detail will serve this department and the community well. Mike has been and will continue to be a valuable part of the Spalding County Fire Department.”

WKEU congratulates Captain Ellis on his promotion and we thank him for his dedication and services to Spalding County.

Six months ago, Spalding County began offering nutritional services for senior adults at the Spalding County Senior Center. Since August, 2015 the nutritional program has grown by leaps and bounds as Senior Center members enjoy delicious and affordable meals. Hundreds of members have discovered the value as they enjoy lunch served Monday through Friday from 11:00am until 1:00pm. Once center members experienced these quality services they soon began pressing program managers to add a breakfast service which began in October.

This program has had a significant impact on Senior Center as membership has grown 20% since August. During the month of January the program served a total of 3200 meals including 1469 Home Delivered Meals, 946 Congregate Meals and 785 meals to guests and center members.

Along with the quality nutritional services being offered, the Spalding County Senior Center offers quality recreation programs which have contributed to the growing membership. The Senior Center currently offers more than 40 different programs, classes and events and everyone is sure to find an activity that interests them. Many come to learn a new skill, to travel, to engage their creativity or to get fit.

The Senior Center, serves local citizens ages 50 and over. We currently have 2,266 members and this number is growing daily. The Spalding County Senior Center is quickly becoming the example statewide of the program to watch for best practices in adult recreation and nutrition services.

Membership to the Spalding County Senior Center is free to citizens who are Silver Sneakers Members, this program is offered by several Health Insurance Companies. However, if you aren’t a Silver Sneakers member you can become a Senior Center Member for an annual fee of $25 per person per year. Members enjoy a multitude of benefits including nutrition services, an array of free fitness classes, recreation, education, and creative arts classes, plus access to low cost special events, leisure and travel opportunities.

The Senior Center is located at 885 Memorial Drive, Griffin and is open daily, Monday through Friday from 8:00am until 5:00pm with extended hours on Tuesday and Thursday evenings until 9:00pm. Nutrition Services include: An affordable Breakfast served from 8:00am until 9:15am and an affordable Lunch that is served daily from 11:00am until 1:00pm.

For more information regarding the nutrition program please contact Jacoya Clinkscales at 770-467-4076.
For Meals on Wheels information contact the Three Rivers Regional Commission Area Agency on Aging toll free at         1-866-854-5652. For senior adult recreation and leisure services programming contact Jo Ellis at 770-467-4384.

The Spalding County Commissioners met Monday night at 6pm in the meeting room of the courthouse annex.

During the meeting the commissioners recognized Janie Clark, Chairman of the Council on Aging who gave a brief update to the Board. She reported that since the county approved taking over the meals on wheels program 6 months ago it has been highly successful.  The Council on Aging has reorganized their bylaws but is still non-profit and able to receive charitable funds from organizations such as United Way. William Wilson County Manager said the meals program at the Senior Center is successful and there are 2,266 memberships at the Spalding County Senior Center.

Miller Edwards of Mauldin & Jenkins LLC. gave a presentation of the 2015 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. The General Fund Balance has increased 1.5 million for the last 2 years. The County has a 3 million in reserves which is about 1 month of operations for the county. The pension plan has 6.5 million which is 77 percent funded. The average is 82 percent. Mr. Edwards also said the pension plan is affected by the stock market. There were no findings this year. And the Bond Rating is A1.  William Wilson said, “Let me explain it so that everyone understands it. Our revenues have exceeded our expenditures.”

Fire Marshall, Harold Williams, and Fire Safety Officer, Lt. Rocky White, of the Spalding County Fire Department gave a comprehensive presentation to the Board regarding the New Image Trend Incident Reporting System that has been implemented at the Fire Department. This system streamlines the incident reporting between fire stations. The plan is to have a fully intergraded system with county and city fire departments, and the sheriff and the griffin police departments.

The commissioners introduced via a visual presentation a new Citizens Request App for iPhone and Android devices. It has been Bata tested for 4 months now without problems. This is a modern day electronic system to help Spalding County Serve the citizen’s better.  Individuals  can report community issues to the county by using their mobile apps.

The commissioners approved a Proclamation recognizing the Georgia City-County Management Association’s 60th Anniversary of service to Georgia’s leaders, cities, and citizens. GCCMA membership represents several state agencies in addition to representatives of the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia and the Georgia Municipal Association.

During the Citizen Comment portion of the meeting several members of the Griffin Youth Soccer Association (GYSA) came before the board to thank them for their support in lighting the Soccer fields. They currently have 500 kids signed up in the soccer program for the current year.

The commissioners approved on second reading an Ordinance, Requested by Commissioner Miller, to reduce the speed on Rover Road from Moreland Road  west approximately one mile to the Spalding/Pike County Boundary line  from 35 M.P.H. to 25 M.P.H.

The Commissioners approved an application and resolution to join the National Joint Powers Alliance. This group is like the “state contract” or “GSA” contract and they bid out projects yearly and membership will allow the county to buy from their project bids.  In particular, they bid out Sports Lighting, this is needed for the Soccer Lights at Wyomia Tyus Olympic Park (WTOP) (2015 SPLOST Bonded Project), leverage of this membership would make it possible to get this SPLOST project completed before the end of the calendar year.

The Commissioners also approved a contract with Musco Lighting (lowest bid) for equipment to light Soccer fields at Wyomia Tyus Olympic Park. Estimated cost was $460,000.  Materials cost is $346,000 and installation cost is $82,000 for a grand total of $428,000 or $32,000 below budget estimates! The lighting will be funded from the 2015 Splost.

The commissioners approved a contract with Judicial Correction Services, Inc. to provide probation services to the Superior Court of Spalding County at no cost to Spalding County. Requested by the Chief Judge of the Griffin Judicial Circuit.

Approved a recommendation of the Animal Care and Control Advisory Board to set the fee of unaltered animal permits at $100.00. Animal owners who wish to maintain an intact animal must apply for an unaltered permit with Spalding County Animal Control.  A certificate will be issued identifying the animal as a permitted unaltered animal and must be made available for inspection at all times.

Approved on first reading an ordinance REMOVING  the means by which and applicant for a license to retail sell alcoholic beverages within 101 feet and 300 feet of a private residence may otherwise be eligible to obtain such license.  The Ordinance was changed in October of 2015 and no applications have been submitted for consideration at this time.

The commissioners after some discussion decided to locate the Pickle ball Facility at Tyus Park on Cowan

Commissioner Flowers-Taylor, requested the commissioners discuss the use of the “old jail property” 230 East Broad Street by the Spalding County Collaborative Authority for Families and Children. Since the Collaborative is a legislatively created Authority and has essentially all volunteers and no direct funding they are requesting to locate at the Broad Street Property for no rental fees.  Facility is currently vacant and the County is funding the utilities and alarm system for the location.

The commissioners directed Jim Fortune, the county attorney, to work up a lease agreement for 1 year with The Spalding County Collaborative Authority for Families and Children for use of 230 East Broad Street “Old Jail Property.” They pay the utilities and the alarm cost. Any remodeling inside must come before the board for approval since this is an historical building.

The next few days will prove to be better than originally projected due to a warming trend that started on Monday evening. The rain that started late Monday will continue for Tuesday with a 60 percent chance Tuesday whit a 58 degree high and overnight low of 40. Wednesday no rain whit only a few clouds and 56 degrees for a high and 40 for a overnight low. Thursday will have clear skies with a high of 60 and overnight low of 36. Clear again on Friday with a high of 64 and overnight low of 41.  Saturday a few clouds will be seen no rain mentioned at this time.  High for Saturday will be 67 and a low of 50.

 

For more information, contact the Development Authority at David@gsda.net.

Spalding County Coroner Sonny Foster was called for the second time in two days to a home fire with a fatality. On Saturday morning around 7:00 Coroner Foster was called to Hillwood Avenue in reference to a house fire that resulted in one fatality. When units from the Griffin Fire Rescue, Griffin Police Department, and Spalidng Regional responded to a home fire that took the life of a 67 year old Griffin Man. Coroner Foster said that the individual was identified as 67 year old Albert Cohran. Coroner Foster also said that the State Crime Lab had reported several home fires in the past few days around the state within days of each other.

On Thursday, 02/18/2016, at approximately 3:17 pm agents of the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit observed a green 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 truck on Jackson Ln., Griffin, GA. The agents recognized the driver and passenger and knew there were active felony warrants on both. The driver was identified as Richie Hanson Emory, age 36, of 147 Babbs Mill Road, Hampton, GA. The passenger was identified as Christopher O’Neal Varnom, age 35 of 1704 Rover Zetella Road, Griffin, GA. The agents attempted to stop the Dodge truck but the driver sped away.

Agents attempted to block the truck at East Solomon Street and Searcy Avenue but the driver drove around the agents’ vehicles, almost striking one of the agents. The pursuit continued through East Griffin Community to Macon Road through Orchard Hill into Lamar County. The Dodge truck failed to stop and continued attempting to elude deputies in Lamar County.

Units from the Lamar County Sheriff’s Office, The Georgia State Patrol, the Department of Natural Resources and the Georgia Motor Carrier Compliance Division assisted in the pursuit, which continued for approximately 30 minutes. The pursuit continued in Lamar County and the suspects attempted to return to Spalding County on Macon Road.

As they entered Spalding County on Macon Road, I, Sheriff Beam, deployed the Stinger Tire Deflating Spikes. Both front tires on the suspects’ vehicle were deflated. The suspects continued on for approximately ¾ of a mile and at the intersection of John Jones Road and Camp Road were involved in a minor accident with a unit from the Georgia State Patrol. The suspects were taken into custody at that time.

The suspects were taken to the Spalding County Jail on the following charges where they will remain without bond.

Richie Hanson Emory is charged with:

Felony Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer

Felony Fleeing and Attempting to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer

Reckless Driving

Suspended License

Possession of Methamphetamine Honesty Integrity Professionalism

Possession of Drug Related Objects

Felony Violation of Parole

Felony Theft by Receiving Stolen Property (Henry County warrant)

Christopher O’Neal Varnom is charged with:

Felony Violation of Probation

Possession of Methamphetamine

Possession of Drug Related Objects

Misdemeanor Violation of Probation (Griffin)

Misdemeanor Violation of Probation (Lamar)

I want to thank all agencies who assisted in this incident and the citizens who were in the area who yielded to the emergency vehicles. As a result of the assisting agencies and the alert motorists in the area, the pursuit ended without anyone be