The Upson Beacon

Upson County Board of Commissioners will hold its regularly scheduled meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14 in the city-county meeting room of Thomaston-Upson County Government Complex, located at 106 East Lee Street, Thomaston.

Upson County Board of Commissioners will hold its monthly work session at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14 for discussions about a data center ordinance and to change the authorities of the planning commission. The agenda also includes an executive session for the discussion of personnel. The meeting will be held in the city-county meeting room of Thomaston-Upson County Government Complex, located at 106 East Lee Street in Thomaston. For more information, see the attached agenda or call 706-647-7012.

Upson County Board of Commissioners have called a meeting for 4 p.m. on Friday, July 10 for discussion and consideration to extend a temporary moratorium on appeals from decisions of the planning and zoning director. The meeting will be held in the city-county meeting room of Thomaston-Upson County Government Complex, located at 106 East Lee Street, Thomaston. For more information, see the attached agenda or call 706-647-7012. Per usual, the meeting will be streamed live via YouTube.

Thomaston Police Department arrested two juveniles, ages 12 and 15, in connection with theft of a vehicle during the early hours of Monday, July 6, according to department officials. Reports indicate charges also are pending against a third juvenile believed to be involved. TPD reported that at approximately 2:37 a.m., officers responded to 6th Avenue after a gray 2011 Kia Optima was reported stolen.

Upson County property taxpayers can expect a due date of early to mid-December this year due to new property tax legislation creating a delay in assessment notices being mailed, according to Tax Commissioner Andy Chastain.

Northside Fire Rescue is currently holding its annual fire dues donation drive, and local businesses and families are asked to consider contributing to maintaining local emergency services. Annual fire dues are $35 per residence or $60 per business.

Part of a refocused Thomaston-Upson Recreation Department, the community has seen two softball teams achieve success this year, including the department’s 10U and 12U All-Star teams earning state championships. The 10U All-Star team last week sealed the 10U Training Legends State Championship for the Middle Georgia area after defeating teams from Sharpsburg and Senoia.

World Class American Karate students Jackson Fields, Kaiden Stewart, and Christophere Stewart recently were tested and promoted, earning new belts. Fields, pictured (second image) with instructor Ronnie Jordan, was promoted to yellow belt. Meanwhile, on June 13, Kaiden and Christophere, pictured (first image) with instructors Jordan and Dr. Kevin Delli-Gatti, both were promoted to orange belt.

Last week I wrote about the old church league softball leagues that were so popular in our community many years ago. I said I would write this week about some of the players on some of those teams. Note that I said “some of the players” because it is not possible to mention everyone who played. I apologize in advance for any omissions. I only have statistics for the 1981-83 and 1986-87 church leagues. Reading through them brings back so many memories of players and teams that enjoyed these leagues.

Upson-Lee alumna and West Georgia Wolf Ty’Kendra Daniel is headed west to Hattiesburg, Miss., after the University of Southern Mississippi track and field team announced the upcoming junior signed with the Eagles. Daniel still holds two records for the U-L Lady Knights’ track team, including a 26.03 in 200-meter dash set at James Rollerson Memorial Relays in 2024 and 57.84 in the 400-meter dash set at the same event.