Sheriff: Homicide at Griffin motel under investigation

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a homicide that occurred at approximately 4 a.m. Monday at the Quality Inn located on North Expressway. According to Spalding County Sheriff Darrell Dix, the SCSO Criminal Investigation Division is currently questioning one man suspected of being involved in the incident. “We had a […]

Griffin BoC to consider compromise in Camellia Hill rezoning request

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Griffin officials and at least one resident have proposed compromises with developers seeking a rezoning request that would permit the construction of 15 houses on an approximately four-acre lot on South Hill Street. If approved, the request would see the property at 670 S. Hill St. – known locally as Camellia […]

Pike County boy seriously injured when struck by vehicle Monday afternoon

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: A Pike County boy was seriously injured when he was struck by a vehicle Monday afternoon. According to the Pike County Sheriff’s Office, the boy was attempting to cross Highway 18 near Brazier Road when he was struck. The victim was transported by air ambulance to Children’s Hospital of Atlanta for […]

GPD Chief will request GSP investigation of officer’s on-duty wreck

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Griffin Police Department Chief Mike Yates on Sunday clarified a miscommunication regarding an on-duty wreck involving Griffin Police Department Officer Jessie Piland, stating he intends to request the Georgia State Patrol investigate the incident. Yates originally stated Saturday morning that the Georgia State Patrol is investigating the incident. Sgt. Robert Thompson, […]

Correction to previous article regarding GPD officer’s wreck

SHEILA A. MATHEWS – PUBLISHER’S NOTE ::: The GRIP has learned that certain information reported Saturday morning regarding an on-duty wreck involving Griffin Police Department Officer Jessie Piland was factually incorrect. In the article “GPD officer sustains minor injuries in early morning wreck,” The GRIP reported the incident was being investigated by the Georgia State […]

GPD officer sustains minor injuries in early morning wreck

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: An officer of the Griffin Police Department sustained minor injuries in an early Saturday morning wreck that left his patrol car overturned. GPD Chief Mike Yates said Officer Jessie Piland was responding to a call for service when the wreck occurred on West Taylor Street. Yates said Piland sustained “no injuries […]

School officials investigating video of Griffin High teacher shouting at students

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCSS) is investigating a Monday incident in which a Griffin High School teacher was recorded giving an impassioned speech to some students. In the video, which is being widely shared on social media, the teacher, GHS Athletic Director Dr. Kennedy Holt, is heard telling the students […]

GHS students seen in online sex act will not face criminal charges

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Two Griffin High School students have been administratively disciplined for engaging in a sexual act in online view of other students. Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCSS) Superintendent Jim Smith described the Tuesday incident as “behavior in violation of the student code of conduct” in an online classroom environment. In a letter […]

One man killed in Friday morning wreck

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: One man was killed early Friday morning in a wreck on Highway 16 in the area of West Poplar Street. Sgt. Robert Thompson, of the Georgia State Patrol-Griffin Post said the wreck involved one vehicle. “The driver was going east on 16 and for some reason, drove off the road, went […]

Griffin woman faces multiple child sex charges in case linked to local firefighter

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The Griffin Police Department has arrested Griffin resident Juliana Caroline Patel on numerous child sex abuse charges. Authorities say Patel’s arrest is related to the Aug. 4 arrest of Griffin Fire-Rescue Firefighter Kevin Burkholder. According to a report filed by GPD Investigator Adam Trammell, the Griffin Police Department was on Monday, […]

Meriwether Co. court official among those arrested on child porn charges

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Two people, including a Magistrate County official, have been arrested in Meriwether County on charges related to child pornography. Meriwether County Magistrate Court Deputy Clerk Carol Washington, age 49, was arrested Aug. 12 on one count of sexual exploitation of children (possession of child pornography) and one count of violating her […]

Griffin Skate Inn security guard arrest warrant hearing cancelled

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The hearing scheduled to be held Tuesday afternoon in Spalding County Magistrate Court to determine if an arrest warrant would be issued against Tommy Scott, a former security guard at Griffin Skate Inn, was cancelled. “The attorney consulted with his client and they decided to withdraw the warrant application,” said Chief […]

Pedestrian struck and killed late Monday night on South Hill Street

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: A pedestrian was struck and killed late Monday night when he was struck by a vehicle on South Hill Street. Sgt. Robert Thompson, of the Georgia State Patrol-Griffin Post, said the incident was reported at approximately 11:19 p.m. The victim, whose name has not been released pending notification of his next […]

Spalding County S.O. narcotics agent has resigned following GBI investigation

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Josh Pitts, who served as a lieutenant in the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Unit, has resigned following an investigation conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). Sheriff Darrell Dix confirmed that Pitt’s resignation preempted what would have been strong disciplinary action against the former narcotics agent. The GRIP […]

GSCSS awarded $10,000 grant for literacy

STAFF REPORT ::: All Griffin-Spalding County ninth-grade students, as well as all A.Z. Kelsey Academy students, will be receiving two books as part of a Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta initiative. The Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCSS) was selected to receive this $10,000 grant from over 300 grant proposals. This grant will fund the Free […]