SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Spalding County Senior Magistrate Judge Rita Cavanaugh has denied bond to Commissioner Don Hawbaker on five felony counts of aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer. Bond was granted on five separate misdemeanor charges. The GRIP will publish a detailed article of the bond hearing later in the day.
Sheriff formally requests Governor Kemp remove Don Hawbaker from office
February 19, 2020 by Leave a Comment
STAFF REPORT ::: In a letter in which he referred to Commissioner Don Hawbaker as “a threat to the community and menace to society” whose actions “are worse than the actions of a gang member,” Spalding County Sheriff Darrell Dix requested Gov. Brian Kemp take steps to remove from office the elected official who remains […]
Sheriff’s Office utilizes STAR in search for students lost during frat initiation
February 17, 2020 by Leave a Comment
STAFF REPORT ::: The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office on Saturday night located and rescued seven hikers lost in the woods during what officials are describing as a fraternity initiation. Deputies at 10:44 p.m. learned that seven men had been reported missing in the 800 block of Baptist Camp Road. Upon arrival, deputies were contacted by […]
Main Street Players presents The Wild Women of Winedale
February 12, 2020 by Leave a Comment
STAFF REPORT ::: Get ready for an evening of joyful laughter and heartwarming moments as Main Street Players serves up the first production of 2020. The Wild Women of Winedale spotlights the lives of the three Wild sisters – Fanny, Willa and their sister-in-law Johnnie Faye – as they face a series of new challenges […]
Hawbaker retains all rights as duly elected county commissioner
February 5, 2020 by Leave a Comment
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Don Hawbaker, who is currently being held without bond in the Spalding County Jail, remains a member of the Spalding County Board of Commissioners. Under Georgia law, governmental action to remove a commissioner may not be initiated prior to the official being indicted by a grand jury on a felony charge. […]
Hawbaker denied bond; now facing four counts of aggravated assault against LEO
February 5, 2020 by Leave a Comment
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Don Hawbaker was on Wednesday denied bond at his first appearance hearing before Spalding County Chief Magistrate Judge Rita Cavanaugh. The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday obtained four misdemeanor arrest warrants against Hawbaker – one for simple assault alleging he pointed a pistol towards his wife, Gayle Hawbaker and three […]
Spalding Commissioner Don Hawbaker facing multiple felony charges
February 4, 2020 by 1 Comment
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Don Hawbaker, the Spalding County commissioner who allegedly initiated a standoff with the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team will soon face additional felony charges related to claims he fired shots at deputies. The incident began when SCSO personnel arrived at Hawbaker’s 1121 Satilla Court residence to serve four warrants for […]
Hawbaker in custody
February 4, 2020 by 3 Comments
SHEILA A. MATHEWS The GRIP has confirmed that Spalding County Commissioner Don Hawbaker has been arrested and is being transported to the Spalding County Jail. Multiple shots were fired at the Hawbaker residence, but no injuries resulted. Additional information will be forthcoming.
BREAKING NEWS: Shots fired; high-risk scene active at Hawbaker residence
February 4, 2020 by Leave a Comment
Mugshot courtesy of the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office following Hawbaker’s October 2019 arrest for driving under the influence SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office is involved in an active high-risk scene at the Satilla Court residence of Spalding County Commissioner Don Hawbaker. A confidential reliable source who reported that shots have been […]
BREAKING NEWS: Commissioner Don Hawbaker facing arrest for alleged threat against wife
February 4, 2020 by Leave a Comment
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The GRIP has confirmed that arrest warrants have been issued for Spalding County Commissioner Don Hawbaker. Hawbaker is facing multiple charges, some related to a domestic dispute with his wife, Gayle Hawbaker. Records The GRIP obtained from Spalding County Magistrate Court indicate Hawbaker is facing charges of simple assault and three […]
The GRIP 