The GRIP

Second agency had concerns about officer later hired by GPD

August 7, 2017 by Sheila Mathews Leave a Comment

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Prior to his employment with the Griffin Police Department, Tyler Cooper worked for three other agencies – the Georgia Department of Corrections, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office and the Butt’s County Sheriff’s Office. The GRIP previously reported multiple incidents allegedly involving Cooper at the Butt’s County Sheriff’s Office that culminated with […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: Chief Mike Yates, Griffin, Griffin Police Department, Henry County Sheriff's Office, law enforcement, spalding county, Tyler Cooper

Parenting. It only gets better.

August 7, 2017 by Sheila Mathews 3 Comments

This editorial column was written by Dusty Takle, and previously appeared in print. Before I began parenting during the teen years, some parents told me, “Just wait. You think parenting is hard now…..” I always wanted to respond, “Do you not remember what it is like parenting two- and three-year-olds? That’s hard.” I never responded, […]

Filed Under: Lifestyles, Top Stories Tagged With: Dusty Takle, family, Griffin, lifestyle, Lifestyles, parenting, spalding county

GPD confirms second officer under investigation

August 4, 2017 by Sheila Mathews Leave a Comment

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The GRIP has confirmed that Sgt. Dwayne Hancock, of the Griffin Police Department, is the subject of an Internal Affairs investigation. This follows a report two days ago that Lt. Curtis Keys is under formal investigation. Upon receiving information pertaining to this investigation, an Open Records request was submitted to the […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: Griffin, Griffin Police Department, Internal Affairs, investigation, Open Records Act, Sgt. Dwayne Hancock, spalding county, transparency in government

Griffin Police Department now equipped with Narcan

August 4, 2017 by Sheila Mathews Leave a Comment

SUBMITTED ::: The Griffin Police Department has announced receipt of Narcan, which officials describe as a “lifesaving drug.” Narcan is used to help save the life of a victim of an opioid overdose. Authorities say Narcan will only reverse the effects of a person having an opioid overdose. The rescue kits that will be utilized […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: Drew Miller, Griffin, Griffin Police Department, Narcan, overdose, Sgt. Gene Mathews, Sgt. Richard Phillips, spalding county, treatment, Wynn's Pharmacy

Three arrested in case of felony animal cruelty

August 3, 2017 by Sheila Mathews Leave a Comment

STAFF REPORT ::: The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Apprehension Unit, while in the process of executing an arrest warrant, uncovered a case of alleged animal cruelty that resulted in the arrest of three individuals. According to a press release issued by Sheriff Darrell Dix, at approximately 9:46 on Aug. 2, deputies with the Spalding […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: Animal cruelty, crime, Felix Brownlee, Fugitive Apprehension Unit, Griffin, Jennifer Brownlee, Sheriff Darrell Dix, spalding county, Spalding County Sheriff's Office, William Brownlee

GPD Lt. Curtis Keys subject of Internal Affairs investigation

August 1, 2017 by Sheila Mathews Leave a Comment

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The GRIP has confirmed that Lt. Curtis Keys, of the Griffin Police Department, is the subject of an Internal Affairs investigation. Upon receiving information pertaining to this investigation from two separate sources, an Open Records request was submitted to the city of Griffin. In response, city officials stated that the investigation […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: Chief Mike Yates, Griffin, Griffin Police Department, Internal Affairs, Lt. Curtis Keys, spalding county

Cause of fatal Saturday morning fire determined

July 31, 2017 by Sheila Mathews 1 Comment

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Officials have determined the cause of a Saturday morning fire at 408 E. McIntosh Road that claimed the lives of two – 44-year-old Christie Lewis and six-year-old Zachaury Sevenstar. Authorities say an investigation conducted by Spalding County Fire Marshal Harold Williams and State Fire Marshal Mickey Hunt determined the fire originated […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: Christie Lewis, fire, Fire Marshal Harold Williams, Fire Marshal Mickey Hunt, Griffin, spalding county, Spalding County Fire Department, Zachaury Sevenstar

Matthew Boynton: The evidence and investigation that led to his arrest

July 31, 2017 by Sheila Mathews 18 Comments

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The July 29 arrest of former Griffin Police Department Officer Matthew Boynton stemmed from a theft report filed Dec. 19, 2016, by his former wife, Jessica Lester. The subsequent investigation was short-lived, with it having been deemed a “civil matter.” However, with the later discovery of previously-unknown evidence, it evolved into […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: arrest, crime, false statements and writings, Griffin, Griffin Police Department, Jessica Lester, Matthew Boynton, spalding county, violation of oath of office

Six-year-old fire victim will give life to others through organ donation

July 30, 2017 by Sheila Mathews Leave a Comment

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Zachaury Sevenstar, the six-year-old little boy critically-injured in a Saturday morning fire, has succumbed to his injuries. “He was actually pronounced at 12:10 p.m. by Dr. Clardy. He was declared brain dead at that time,” said Spalding County Coroner Sonny Foster. Little Zachaury’s cause of death was smoke inhalation with thermal […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: Christie Lewis, fire, Griffin, Life Link, organ donation, spalding county, Spalding County Coroner Sonny Foster, Zachaury Sevenstar

Woman killed, young boy critically injured in fire

July 29, 2017 by Sheila Mathews 1 Comment

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: A Spalding County woman lost her life and her six-year-old son was critically-injured in a Saturday morning fire. Christie Lewis, 44, and her son, six-year-old Zachaury Sevenstars, were the only family members home when the blaze began in their 408 E. McIntosh Road residence. Lewis’s husband left for work in the […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: Chief Kenny West, Christie Lewis, fire, Griffin, spalding county, Spalding County Coroner Sonny Foster, Spalding County Fire Department, Zachaury Sevenstars

BREAKING NEWS: GPD Officer Matthew Boynton arrested, charged with two felonies

July 28, 2017 by Sheila Mathews 5 Comments

STAFF REPORT ::: Griffin Police Department Officer Matthew Boynton has been arrested and charged with two felonies. According to a press release issued by the Griffin Police Department, Boynton was on Friday arrested without incident and transported to the Spalding County Jail. He has been charged with false statements and writings and violating his oath […]

Filed Under: Top Stories

Police: Known gang leader arrested

July 28, 2017 by Sheila Mathews 2 Comments

SUBMITTED ::: A July 26 traffic stop resulted in the arrest of Andre Noble, who authorities identify as a known gang leader. According to a press release issued by the Griffin Police Department, the traffic stop was conducted by Georgia State Patrol Trooper T. Flournoy, who stopped a white Mercedes for allegedly speeding in the […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: Andre Noble, Bloods, C.A.G.E. Unit, crime, drugs, gangs, Georgia State Patrol, Griffin, Griffin Police Department, Rollin' 20s, spalding county, Trooper T. Flournoy, Uniform Patrol Division

Sheriff: 34-year-old cold case reopened and under active investigation

July 24, 2017 by Sheila Mathews 3 Comments

STAFF REPORT ::: The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO), in cooperation with Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Ben Coker’s Office, have reopened the investigation in to the 34-year-old cold case murder of Timothy Coggins. Timothy Coggins’ body was found on a power line off Minter Road in Sunnyside […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: cold case, DA Ben Coker, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Griffin, Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office, hate crime, investigation, murder, Sheriff Darrell Dix, spalding county, Spalding County Sheriff's Office, Timothy Coggins

Details emerge regarding animal cruelty complaint against GPD officer

July 20, 2017 by Sheila Mathews 4 Comments

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: A Thursday afternoon Facebook post accusing an officer of the Griffin Police Department of animal cruelty led to calls for the officer’s termination. Posted under a Facebook account identified by the name Jordin Elizabeth Mitchell, the complaint read, “I’ve never been so appalled by an officer before.” It went on to […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: allegation, Animal Control, Animal cruelty, Griffin, Griffin Police Department, Marty the Goat, spalding county

SlowExposures announces the Dunnahoo Prize for young photographers division

July 19, 2017 by Sheila Mathews Leave a Comment

STAFF REPORT ::: SlowExposures is pleased to announce the inaugural Dunnahoo Prize for the winner of our Young Photographers Division. The prize will honor Dr. Dan Dunnahoo’s lifetime commitment to inspiring students to engage with art. The first place winner of the Young Photographer Show will receive this honor, a ribbon and a $50 award. […]

Filed Under: Arts and Entertainment, Top Stories Tagged With: art, Dunnahoo Prize, exhibit, photography, SlowExposures, youth