BREAKING NEWS: GPD Chief Mike Yates resigns after GBI investigation of murder case

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Mike Yates on Tuesday submitted his letter of resignation as chief of the Griffin Police Department. Yates had been on paid administrative leave since April 28. “This action (Yates’ administrative leave) was taken in connection with the pending GBI investigation requested by District Attorney Marie Broder into the matter involving Sgt. […]

BREAKING NEWS: Sheriff confirms Cowan Road Middle School educator is under investigation

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: A Cowan Road Middle School educator is under investigation by the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office. Officials say the investigation was precipitated by an allegation related to a specific incident involving the Griffin-Spalding County School System employee. Authorities say that when confronted with the allegation, the employee resigned. “I was briefed about […]

Chief Superior Court Judge Christopher Edwards stepped down from bench today

STAFF REPORT ::: Griffin Judicial Circuit Chief Superior Court Judge Christopher Charles Edwards met today with Governor Brian Kemp to announce his resignation from the bench. Edwards held the bench for 22 years. He will now resume a private law practice. “Serving the people of Georgia these past two decades has been the great honor […]

BREAKING NEWS: Secretary of State, legislative delegation call for resignation of Spalding Election Supervisor Marcia Ridley

STAFF REPORT ::: Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and the Spalding County legislative delegation including Sen. Marty Harbin, Rep. David Knight and Rep. Karen Mathiak are calling for the resignation of Spalding County Election Supervisor Marcia Ridley. The call for Ridley’s resignation follows what Raffensperger’s office calls “serious management issues and poor decision making” […]

Spalding County S.O. narcotics agent has resigned following GBI investigation

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Josh Pitts, who served as a lieutenant in the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Unit, has resigned following an investigation conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). Sheriff Darrell Dix confirmed that Pitt’s resignation preempted what would have been strong disciplinary action against the former narcotics agent. The GRIP […]

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 […]

Cowan Road Elementary principal resigns; GSCSS alleges multiple ethical violations were substantiated

STAFF REPORT ::: Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCSS) has accepted the resignation of Aleshia McCray as principal of Cowan Road Elementary School. Hoby Davenport will on Monday, Oct. 30, assume the position of interim principal while the search for McCrary’s replacement is conducted. McCray was placed on leave Oct. 5, 2017, pending the outcome of […]

Chief Steve Heaton resigning from Griffin Police Department

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The Grip has learned that Griffin Police Department Chief Steve Heaton has submitted to City Manager Kenny Smith his letter of resignation. Heaton took over the chief of police position April 14, 2014, following the December 2013 restructuring of the GPD that resulted in former chief Frank Strickland’s designation as the […]

Board of Education enters executive session

SHEILA MATHEWS ::: Members of the Griffin-Spalding County Board of Education called its special called meeting to order promptly at 3 p.m. and following the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, immediately entered executive session. Personnel issues are one of few reasons elected boards may privately confer without public and media scrutiny. Today’s meeting was called […]

School Board will meet to review DeVoursneys’ resignations

STAFF REPORTS ::: The Griffin-Spalding County Board of Education will on April 10 meet to consider the resignation of Coach Steve DeVoursney, effective at the end of the current school year. An investigation began in October 2013 after allegations of an issue from the 2010-11 school year. The investigation began with the school system hiring […]

Steve DeVoursney, GHS Bears head coach, resigns

SHEILA MATHEWS ::: Griffin High School football Coach Steve DeVoursney resigned today, effective immediately. According to Griffin-Spalding County School Superintendent Dr. Curtis Jones, DeVoursney submitted a voluntary resignation. “It was voluntary. He was not given the option of resigning in lieu of termination,” Jones said. When asked if DeVoursney’s resignation was precipitated by a complaint […]