Top Stories – The GRIP

Woman pleads guilty to murder in death of paraplegic man abandoned in woods

June 13, 2017 by Sheila Mathews 2 Comments

STAFF REPORT ::: Ruby Kate Coursey has plead guilty to murder in the death of Troymaine Johnson, a paraplegic who died after being abandoned in a wooded area. According to a press release issued by Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Ben Coker, the guilty plea before Judge Christopher Edwards was entered Tuesday in Upson County […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: District Attorney Ben Coker, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Griffin Judicial Circuit, Judge Christopher Edwards, murder, neglect, Ruby Kate Coursey, Thomaston Police Department, Troymaine Johnson, Upson County Sheriff Dan Kilgore

Last weekend to catch Main Street Player’s “Nunsense Boulevard”

June 9, 2017 by Sheila Mathews Leave a Comment

SUBMITTED ::: Get ready to laugh your habit off with Main Street Players’ new production of “Nunset Boulevard,” the final show of the 2016-2017 season. This riotously funny musical comedy features catchy songs, memorable characters and even some audience participation. The play is one of many sequels to the popular Broadway musical “Nunsense,” which introduced […]

Filed Under: Arts and Entertainment, Top Stories Tagged With: "Nunsense Boulevard", arts, Comedy, entertainment, Griffin, main street players, spalding county

Exclusive Breaking News – David Gibson pleads guilty, sentenced to prison

June 8, 2017 by Sheila Mathews 9 Comments

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: David Gibson, formerly of the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office, today plead guilty to two felony counts of violating his oath of office. Gibson on Thursday afternoon appeared before Superior Court Judge Robert M. Crawford and entered a blind plea, which means his guilty plea was entered without prior knowledge of the […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: crime, David Gibson, Griffin, prison, SpaldingCounty

JRE Market Day teaches real world economics

June 7, 2017 by Sheila Mathews Leave a Comment

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: For nearly a decade, third grade Jackson Road Elementary School students have been receiving a hand-on experience in economics by becoming entrepreneurs in their own straw market on Market Day. JRE teacher Amy Nelms Brown said Market Day is an opportunity for the students to learn outside of workbooks. “The third […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: Amy Nelms Brown, economics, education, Griffin, Griffin Spalding County School System, Jackson Road Elementary School, Market Day, spalding county

Five arrested following burglary, entering auto incidents

June 2, 2017 by Sheila Mathews Leave a Comment

STAFF REPORT ::: The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office has arrested five people in connection with a residential burglary and entering auto case. According to a press release issued by Spalding County Sheriff Darrell Dix, deputies responded to a burglary call at 3:35 p.m. May 29. The residential burglary took place in the 300 block of […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: Burglary, crime, entering auto, Griffin, Sheriff Darrell Dix, spalding county, Spalding County Sheriff's Offic, Spalding County Sheriff's Office

Sheriff’s Office targets high crime, drug and gang areas; multiple arrests result

May 31, 2017 by Sheila Mathews 3 Comments

STAFF REPORT ::: An operation of the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Unit and C.A.G.E. Deputies resulted in multiple arrests May 26 and 27. Targeted were high crime, gang and drug activity areas across the city of Griffin and Spalding County. Many of the charges pertained to alleged drug offenses and violations of the […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: arrests, C.A.G.E. Unit, crime, drugs, gangs, Griffin, Sheriff Darrell Dix, spalding county, Spalding County Sheriff's Office, Special Operations Unit

GPD, school officials offer differing accounts of teacher sex crime investigation

May 30, 2017 by Sheila Mathews 1 Comment

Publisher’s Note – It has come to my attention that an article published online Friday, May 19, 2017 – Griffin-Spalding teacher arrested on multiple sex charges – contains factually inaccurate information. This information was obtained directly from Judy Parker, executive director of the Griffin-Spalding County School System Communications and Partnerships Department. This article both corrects […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: arrest, Brandy Nickels, Griffin, Griffin Police Department, Griffin Spalding County School System, Jim Smith, Judy Parker, Lt. Mike Natale, sex crimes, spalding county, teacher

The GRIP welcomes Bargain Hunt

May 25, 2017 by Sheila Mathews Leave a Comment

Be sure to pick up the May 25 print edition of The GRIP for a 25 percent off coupon to Bargain Hunt. Please support The GRIP by supporting its advertisers. Tell them you saw their ad here!

Filed Under: Top Stories

Allegation of inappropriate coach, student relationship under investigation

May 23, 2017 by Sheila Mathews Leave a Comment

Pike county law enforcement agencies and the Pike County School System are investigating allegations of an inappropriate relationship between an athletic coach and student. The GRIP thanks The Pike County Times for its coverage of this incident, and will continue to link to updates as they become available. http://pikecountytimes.com/secondary/BREAKINGNEWSschool5.23.17.html#.WSTfoxHHfIU

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: coach, investigation, Pike County, Pike County School System, Pike County Sheriff's Offic, student

Griffin-Spalding teacher arrested on multiple sex charges

May 19, 2017 by Sheila Mathews 1 Comment

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: A teacher with the Griffin-Spalding County School System has been arrested on a variety of sex-related charges. According to a press release issued by the Griffin Police Department, the GPD, in conjunction with the Griffin-Spalding County School System, received information alleging inappropriate actions by a teacher with students. Brandy L. Nickels, age […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: arrest, Brandy L. Nickels, crime, Griffin, Griffin Police Department, Griffin Spalding County School System, molestation, sex crimes, spalding county, teacher

Sheriff: Man arrested on multiple counts of aggravated assault

May 18, 2017 by Sheila Mathews Leave a Comment

STAFF REPORT ::: A Stockbridge man has been arrested by the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office on multiple charges of aggravated assault and other crimes in connection with a Wednesday night incident in Northside Hill Apartments. According to a press release issued by Sheriff Darrell Dix, Sgt. Josh Pitts, of the Special Operations Unit, was on […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: aggravated assault, crime, Griffin, Keundre Chappell, Sgt. Josh Pitts, Sheriff Darrell Dix, spalding county, Spalding County Sheriff's Office, Special Operations Unit, Uniform Patrol Division

SCSO arrests two men on burglary charge

May 16, 2017 by Sheila Mathews Leave a Comment

STAFF REPORT ::: Two Griffin men were arrested Tuesday in connection to an alleged theft at the former Dundee Mill near Sixth Street. According to a press release issued by Sheriff Darrell Dix, Sgt. Chadwick and Cpl. Bowlden, of the SCSO Warrant Division, were on patrol in the vicinity of the former Dundee property near Sixth Street when they observed […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: Burglary, crime, Dundee Mill, Griffin, Sheriff Darrell Dix, spalding county, Spalding County Sheriff's Offic, Timothy Barron, Tommy Bell

Murder suspect apprehended by SCSO

May 13, 2017 by Sheila Mathews 1 Comment

STAFF REPORT ::: The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office on Friday night apprehended a murder suspect being sought in connection to a 2016 homicide. According to a press release issued by Sheriff Darrell Dix, personnel of the Special Operations Unit and Warrant Division were on patrol in the area of 615 Northside Drive at approximately 8 […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: Dublin, Griffin, Jawaski Cross, murder, Sheriff Darrell Dix, spalding county, Spalding County Sheriff's Offic, Spalding County Sheriff's Office, Special Operations Unit, suspect, Warrant Division

City, county officials support five year, one cent TSPLOST

May 11, 2017 by Sheila Mathews Leave a Comment

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: City of Griffin and Spalding County officials are working to move forward with a 2017 TSPLOST referendum. According to representatives of both city and county government, it is needed to address longstanding and urgent transportation needs. “There’s not enough money for transportation. We put transportation in the current SPLOST, but it’s […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: City Manager Kenny Smith, County Commissioner Don Hawbaker, Griffin, infrastructure, spalding county, transportation, TSPLOST

Sheriff’s Office conducting death investigation

May 8, 2017 by Sheila Mathews Leave a Comment

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office is currently conducting a death investigation in the 3000 block of High Falls Road. It has been determined to be a non-criminal death. Officials say there is no danger to public safety. Please exercise is caution around first responders on scene.