STAFF REPORT ::: The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has identified the person killed in a Wednesday night officer involved shooting as 35-year-old Ryan Force. According to a press release issued by GBI Public Information Office Director Nelly Miles, the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday night requested the agency investigate the shooting. Miles reports preliminary […]
One person killed in SCSO officer involved shooting
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: One person was shot and killed late Wednesday night, July 4, in an officer involved shooting. The incident occurred on Bonnie Ridge Drive and involved personnel of the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office. The GRIP contacted SCSO Capt. Dwayne Jones, who initially reported the Sheriff’s Office had requested the Georgia Bureau of […]
Land Bank Authority board appoints Virginia Shapard Church interim executive director
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The Griffin-Spalding County Land Bank Authority Board of Directors has named Virginia Shapard Church as interim executive director. The move to replace John Joiner, who had held that position since the Land Bank Authority’s inception, came during a Monday afternoon special called meeting. Church assumed the mantle of leadership effective immediately, […]
Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: Executive Director Virginia Shapard Church, Griffin, Land Bank Authority, spalding county
Suspect in shooting incident near Easy Shop now charged with aggravated assault
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Timothy Watkins, one of the individuals allegedly involved in the June 3 shooting incident on Ray Street in the vicinity of the Easy Shop supermarket has been charged with aggravated assault. Investigator Adam Trammell, of the Griffin Police Department Criminal Investigation Division, now also alleges this aggravated assault involved Watkins firing […]
Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: aggravated assualt, Chief Mike Yates, crime, drive-by, Easy Shop, Griffin, Griffin Police Department, Investigator Adam Trammell, Sgt. Chris Wilson, shooting, spalding county, Timothy Watking
Dual enrollment: Students graduate college before finishing high school
ANNA TAYLOR – SCTC ::: In the moments leading up to Southern Crescent Technical College’s (SCTC) Spring graduation ceremony, over 200 graduates lined up to prepare for one of the greatest accomplishments of their life. Walking through, the graduates look the same for the most part, wearing the traditional black cap and gown with a […]
Filed Under: Education, Top Stories Tagged With: dual enrollment, education, graduation, Griffin, Southern Crescent Technical College, spalding county
Jury deliberations in Coggins’ murder trial to begin Monday afternoon
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The state has rested its case in the trial of Frankie Gebhartd, who stands accused of the 1983 murder of Timothy Coggins. The defense has presented its first witness and has one remaining to testify. Gebhardt has informed the court thathe will not take the stand. Superior Court Judge Fletcher Sams […]
Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: cold case, crime, Frankie Gebhardt, murder trial, Timothy Coggins
Five arrested in suspected large-scale counterfeiting, identity theft network
STAFF REPORT ::: A several months-long investigation conducted by the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office has resulted in multiple arrests associated with numerous incidents allegedly involving counterfeit checks. According to a press release issued by Sheriff Darrell Dix, Investigator Ray Hightower obtained information from a financial institution indicating several counterfeit checks had been cashed in Spalding […]
Griffin Judicial Circuit seeks to add fifth Superior Court judgeship
STAFF REPORT ::: The Griffin Judicial Circuit may soon be adding a fifth Superior Court judge. According to a press release issued by Judge Christopher Edwards, the circuit’s senior Superior Court judge, the four current judges have a case load adequate to apply for a fifth judgeship. “A caseload study conducted by the state shows […]
SCSO expands Hawk drone program
STAFF REPORT ::: The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office has expanded its Hawk drone program. According to a press release issued by Sheriff Darrell Dix, the Hawk program began with equipment that came at no cost to Spalding County taxpayers. “We obtained our first drone free of charge from one of our jail vendors as a […]
Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: drone, Griffin, Hawk drone program, investigations, Investigator Eraste Trahan, Sheriff Darrell Dix, spalding county, Spalding County Sheriff's Office, technology
Media shut out by GPD Chief Yates now subject of IA investigation
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: In response to unequal restrictions and demands invoked against The GRIP by Griffin Police Department Chief Mike Yates, Publisher Sheila Mathews met with Griffin City Manager Kenny Smith in an effort to reach a resolution that would facilitate an impartial professional relationship. The basis of this meeting was the structure of […]
Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: Chief Mike Yates, City Manager Kenny Smith, First Amendment, Griffin, Griffin Police Department, media shut out, spalding county, unequal access
SCSO, GBI investigating discovery of human skeletal remains
STAFF REPORT ::: According to Spalding County Sheriff Darrell Dix, an investigation is underway following the discovery of human skeletal remains. Investigators of the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office responded to a clear-cut area on Wallace Road near the Spalding County Butts County line where they located the remains. “A person riding a 4-wheeler Sunday afternoon […]
Filed Under: Top Stories
“Gun fight” behind Easy Shop results in misdemeanor reckless conduct charges
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Two Griffin teens have been charged in connection with the Sunday afternoon shooting incident that occurred in the immediate vicinity of the Easy Shop Supermarket. Originally dispatched as a drive-by shooting, investigators say they are uncertain the incident meets the criteria to be classified as such. The GRIP on Wednesday spoke […]
Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: crime, drive-by, Easy Shop Supermarket, gangs, Griffin, Griffin Police Department, juvenile crime, reckless conduct, shooting, spalding county
Drive by shooting at Easy Shop under investigation
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: A drive by shooting that occurred Sunday afternoon at the Easy Shop on Experiment Street is under investigation by the Griffin Police Department. The GRIP emailed GPD Chief Mike Yates seeking a phone call for confirmation and initial incident information. Yates instead responded by email, stating only, “This is an active […]
Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: Chief Mike Yates, crime, drive-by shooting, Easy Shop, Griffin, Griffin Police Department, spalding county
16th Annual June Jam sure to rock
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The 16th Annual June Jam is right around the corner and has a packed schedule of activities with something for everyone. Coming Saturday, June 2, the family-friendly event is brought to town by the Griffin Downtown Council and Main Street Program with sponsors including the Griffin Exchange Club, Affairs to Remember, […]
Filed Under: Arts and Entertainment, Top Stories Tagged With: celebration, concert, Griffin, historic downtown Griffin, June Jam, park, Party ATL Band, spalding county, summertime
$5,000 reward now offered in fatal hit and run case
CORRECTION – It has been brought to my attention that the original cutline associated with this article contained an error. The $5,000 reward being offered IS NOT for information leading to the arrest of Shaun Wright. It is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the driver who struck and killed […]
Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: Georgia State Patrol, Griffin, hate crime, hit and run, reward, Shaun Wright, Sheriff Darrell Dix, spalding county, Spalding County Sheriff's Office, Trooper Byron Mims
The GRIP 