Publisher’s note: Since this article appeared in the most recent print edition of The GRIP, three individuals have tendered letters of resignation from the Spalding County Elections Office and one was tendered by a member of the Spalding County Board of Elections. These resignations come amid a myriad of complaints against Spalding County Elections Supervisor […]
David Gibson sought deal; offered to turn over evidence of alleged SCSO crimes
Publisher’s note: This is the first in a series of articles detailing discussions that took place between the Spalding County District Attorney’s Office, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and David Gibson that indicated Gibson was willing to provide information pertaining to alleged criminal activity at the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office. David Wayne Gibson, the former […]
Stepping Stones employee charged with simple battery, reckless conduct after child is injured
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: An employee of Stepping Stones Educational Therapy Center – Jennis Phillips Rooks, also known as Mary Jeanell Rooks – has been arrested on charges of simple battery and reckless conduct in relation to an incident involving a student. According to the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy S.D. Williamson on Tuesday made […]
Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: arrest, children, crime, Griffin, Jennis Phillips Rooks, simple battery, spalding county, Stepping Stones Educational Therapy Center
Suspect arrested in string of southside Griffin burglaries
STAFF REPORT ::: The Griffin Police Department has arrested the person accused of committing multiple burglaries on the southside of the city of Griffin. According to a press release issued by the GPD, Nickolas Creswell was on Nov. 15, at approximately 10:30 p.m. arrested in Locust Grove by Detective Corporal Cary Jackson and Detective Corporal […]
Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: burglaries, Griffin, Griffin Police Department, hate crime, Nickolas Creswell, spalding county, theft
Missing elderly man located with teamwork and technology
SUBMITTED ::: On Wednesday November 15, 2017 the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office was notified that Eddie Owens, 81 years of age, who was suffering from dementia, was missing and had not been seen since approximately 5 p.m. Nov. 14. Units from the Sheriff’s Office, Spalding County Fire and the Georgia Piedmont K-9 Search and Rescue team responded […]
Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: dementia, drone, Eddie Owens, FLIR, Griffin, missing person, Peidmont K-9 Search and Rescue, rescue, Sheriff Darrell Dix, spalding county, Spalding County Fire Department, Spalding County Sheriff's Office
GPD investigation nets many arrests on prostitution, bath salts, meth, additional drugs, weapons and other charges
STAFF REPORT ::: An extended investigation of the Griffin Police Department’s Criminal Apprehension Gang Enforcement Unit and Special Investigations Unit has resulted in multiple arrests on a variety of charges including participating in criminal gang activity, the Georgia Controlled Substance Act, prostitution and keeping a place of prostitution. In the last month, 50 Gang Act […]
Free GED classes to be offered at Fairmont
SUBMITTED ::: The Fairmont Community Center is partnering with Southern Crescent Technical College to offer free GED classes. Pre-registration is required. Classes will be offered during the evening on weeknights. Saturday morning tutorials will also be offered from 10 a.m. to noon. To register or for additional information, please contact Rena Simon at the Fairmont […]
Filed Under: Education, Top Stories Tagged With: community, education, Fairmont, GED, Griffin, Southern Crescent Technical College, spalding county
Sheriff: Violent assault of C.A.G.E. investigator results in one arrest
STAFF REPORT ::: Authorities say a recent wreck resulted in the assault on a law enforcement officer and the arrest of one individual. According to a press release issued by Spalding County Sheriff Darrell Dix, the incident occurred at approximately 8 p.m. Nov. 8, at the intersection of Elm Street and Railroad Avenue. Officials say […]
Five Loaves & Two Fish needs Thanksgiving donations
ELAINE KRUGMAN ::: Special Contributor to The GRIP Five Loaves and Two Fish Food Pantry provides groceries for families in need, but they are requesting your help, especially before Thanksgiving, when the demand is the greatest. Would it not be comforting to know when you sit down to Thanksgiving dinner that others in your community […]
Filed Under: Community, Top Stories Tagged With: charity, community, donations, Five Loaves & Two Fish, food pantry, Griffin, hunger, need, poverty, spalding county, Thanksgiving
Rushton’s Hope serves the least among us in the community, giving love and grace
RON COOK ::: Special Contributor to The GRIP I don’t know what to do! I don’t know where to go! I don’t know who to turn to! I am at the end of my rope! You’re my last hope! For the last 10 years, Rushton’s Hope has been responding to statements such as these, and […]
Filed Under: Community, Top Stories Tagged With: charity, faith, giving, Griffin, need, Ron Cook, Rushton's Hope, service, spalding county
Investigation of CRES principal cites inappropriate relationships, sexual innuendo, foul language and mismanagement
SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The Griffin-Spalding County School System investigation that resulted in the resignation Alecia McCray, principal of Cowan Road Elementary School, documented numerous concerns dating back to early 2017. According to the investigation’s summary, there is a broad range of allegations including, but not limited to, fraudulent use of Title I funds, the […]
Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: administrator, Alecia McCray, Cowan Road Elementary School, education, ethical violations, Griffin, Griffin Spalding County School System, Human Resources, malfeasance, principal, Professional Standards Commission, resigntion, spalding county, Superintendent Jim Smith
Learn to recognize the signs of domestic violence, and grow to care enough to help
This editorial column written by Maria McCoy was published in the most recent print edition of The GRIP. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and that is a wonderful, worthy cause. I also want you to be aware that it is also Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This week, a group of us came together to […]
Filed Under: Lifestyles, Top Stories Tagged With: abuse, assistance, domestic violence, Griffin, Lifestyles, Maria McCoy, report, spalding county, support, violence
“As the twig is bent, so grows the tree”
This editorial column written by Dr. Bob Hayden was published in the most recent print edition of The GRIP. Someone once said, “As the twig is bent, so grows the tree.” Well, I think someone said that. If no one said it, consider it said now because it’s clever. It also has much to do […]
Filed Under: Health, Lifestyles, Top Stories Tagged With: Dr. Bob Hayden, Griffin, health, health care, Iris City Chiropractic, Lifestyles, medicine, spalding county, Wellness
2017 ELECTION SPECIAL
PUBLISHER’S NOTE – As a service to its readers, The GRIP once again contacted candidates running for local office and requested their participation in a question and answer forum. The questions were sent in a group email to ensure no candidate had an unfair advantage in the length of time they had to respond. Candidates […]
Filed Under: Government, Top Stories Tagged With: candidate forum, Election 2017, Griffin, Griffin Board of Commissioners, politics, referendum, spalding county, transportation, TSPLOST, voting
Sheriff: $1.5 million cocaine seized in joint narcotics operation
STAFF REPORT ::: The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Unit, working in conjunction with the United States Department of Homeland Security, has concluded an in-depth investigation that resulted in the Nov. 1 arrest of two Spalding County residents – Cupertino Mendoza and Iartina Alvizo Zapata, of 3812 High Falls Road. According to a press […]
Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: cocaine, crime, Griffin, narcotics, seizure, Sgt. Josh Pitts, Sheriff Darrell Dix, spalding county, Spalding County Sheriff's Office, Special Operations Unit, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
The GRIP 