Local students earn high praise at 2018 Atlanta Junior Theater Festival

SUBMITTED ::: Students from Camelot Theatre Company earned praise and recognition at the 2018 Junior Theater Festival Atlanta, in January at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta. The Junior Theater Festival Atlanta united 6,000+ students and educators from 130 educational musical theater groups representing 30 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Australia, New Zealand and […]

The Iris at Park Pointe completes refurbishment of Sunshine Homes

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: With the ribbon cutting for The Iris at Park Pointe, the Griffin Housing Authority has completed its multi-phase refurbishment of Sunshine Homes on Meriwether Street. Griffin Housing Authority Director Bob Dull said the project has exceeded his expectations. “Even our residents are freaked out. Unfortunately, our program lowers expectations a lot, […]

SCSO Special Ops investigations result in seven narcotics related arrests; additional suspects being sought

STAFF REPORT ::: Two investigations being conducted by the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Unit concluded this week, resulting in the arrests of seven people. Additional warrants have been obtained for four more individuals. Special Operations agents executed search warrants at 104 Gainer Road in northeast Spalding County and 1210 Ethridge Mill Road, just […]

Sheriff: Search warrant nets drugs and gang related information

STAFF REPORT::: An investigation conducted by the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office C.A.G.E. Unit resulted in the execution of a search warrant and the arrest of Kerry Wellmaker. According to a press release issued by Sheriff Darrell Dix, the investigation and subsequent search warrant conducted on Wellmaker’s residence originated with multiple complaints about alleged drug activity. […]

Missing elderly man safely located in wooded area

STAFF REPORT ::: After many hours of searching, a missing elderly Spalding County man has been located. According to a press release issued by Spalding County Sheriff Darrell Dix, 82-year-old Eddie Owens was reported missing at approximately 7 p.m. Saturday night. Deputies responded to the area of Owens’ West Ellis Road residence, and a search […]

Six arrested on variety of gang, drug, weapon and other charges

STAFF REPORT ::: A traffic stop has resulted in multiple arrests on gang, drug, firearms and a variety of other charges. According to a press release issued by Spalding County Sheriff Darrell Dix, the traffic stop was conducted by personnel of the Criminal Apprehension and Gang Enforcement Unit. Dix said the deputies knew the driver, […]

Griffin man arrested on 15 child pornography charges

STAFF REPORT ::: A criminal investigation that began in November 2017 has resulted in the arrest of Gregory C. Byard on charges of child pornography. According to a press release issued by Spalding County Sheriff Darrell Dix, his agency has during the past month been working cooperatively with investigators from the United States Department of […]

Spalding County Fire Department Chief Kenny West retires

STAFF REPORT ::: Spalding County Fire Department Chief Kenny West has retired. According to a press release issued by Spalding County, West submitted his notice of retirement last week, and Wednesday, March 21, was his last date in service. County officials say the process of transition will begin in an expeditious manner, and that the […]

Four additional arrests made in SCSO/GBI joint narcotics investigation

STAFF REPORT ::: As part of a month-long investigation involving the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation West Metro Regional Drug Enforcement Office, four people were on Friday, March 16, arrested in Stone Mountain. According to a press release issued by the GBI, Jermaine Montrel Johnson, Lindsey Michelle Anderson, Justin Phillip […]

Two teens charged in numerous Griffin entering auto cases

STAFF REPORT ::: After responding to a report of suspicious persons, officers of the Griffin Police Department’s Uniform Patrol Division on Sunday night arrested two individuals in the area of Tilney Avenue and 6th Street in connection to alleged entering auto cases. According to a press release issued by the GPD, other officers in the […]

SCSO investigation leads to multi-jurisdictional heroin case

STAFF REPORT ::: A month-long investigation into heroin distribution in Griffin-Spalding County resulted in the arrest of William Patrick Flanagan, who authorities say was involved in a multi-jurisdictional narcotics ring. According to a press release issued by Sheriff Darrell Dix, Flannagan, age 48, was arrested March 14. “In the past few months Flanagan’s name, along […]

“Deplorable” conditions at Roseview Apartments leave 55 residents displaced

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: With the revocation of its certificate of occupancy, 55 residents of the Roseview Apartments, located 519 McKneely St., have been displaced. City of Griffin Chief of Staff Jessica O’Connor said the deadline for residents to move out was 4 p.m. Friday, but the legal saga leading up to that outcome was […]

Beleaguered deputy resigns from SCSO

This photo of Terry Belvin, right, and Spalding County Sheriff Darrell Dix was released on social media by the SCSO upon Belvin’s swearing in as a deputy. Belvin has now resigned his post. SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Terry Belvin, whose employment with the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office was met with strong criticism from some in […]

Reports of local student arrests for participating in walk out are false

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Reports circulating on social media alleging Spalding High School students who participated in today’s school walk out are being arrested are false. According to Spalding County Sheriff Darrell Dix, his agency has made no associated arrests. “No, nobody has been arrested. No arrests have been made. There was a protest over […]

Griffin Watershed Protection Specialist named statewide trainer of the year

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: City of Griffin Watershed Protection Specialist Alexa Robinson has been selected as the 2017 Adopt-a-Stream Trainer of the Year. The Adopt-a-Stream program is the environmental education arm of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, and the award represents Robinson’s efforts to teach classes, certify volunteers and monitor and participate in the crucial […]