Funding approved for VA clinic in Pike County

STAFF REPORT ::: Funding has been approved for the construction of a 49,175-square foot Veterans Administration health clinic in Pike County. The GRIP thanks Pike County Times Editor Becky Watts for sharing this story. For additional information on this developing story, please visit http://www.pikecountytimes.com/secondary/BREAKINGNEWSvaclinic9.27.17.html#.WcwEVLKGPIU.

Free flu shots available today at Health Department

STAFF REPORT ::: Free flu shots are available today at the Spalding County Health Department. The Spalding County Health Department, in conjunction with the Spalding County Office of Homeland Security, is conducting the annual Point of Dispensing exercise, with the dispensing of free flu shots provided by Griffin-Spalding County Hospital Authority. Flu shots will be […]

City of Griffin releases records to The GRIP after seven-month dispute

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: After refusing since Feb. 3 to produce certain personnel records sought in an Open Records request submitted by The GRIP Publisher Sheila Mathews, the city of Griffin on Sept. 1 reversed that long held decision and released the exempted documents. At the crux of the dispute were the pre-employment computer voice […]

GPD officer forfeited appeal of disciplinary action

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: After reporting on the Griffin Police Department’s Internal Affairs administrative investigation of Curtis Keys and Dwayne Hancock, which resulted in both officers being demoted one rank, and Keys being the subject of a GBI criminal investigation, The GRIP was alerted that pertinent information had been omitted. The GRIP then notified the […]

SCSO Special Ops Unit makes “significant” meth arrest

STAFF REPORT ::: A lengthy investigation conducted by the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Unit resulted in the arrest of David Dover, of 513 Johnny Cut Road, on multiple felony counts related to distributing methamphetamine in Spalding County. According to a press release issued by Sheriff Darrell Dix, the investigation revealed Dover had an […]

GPD: Chief’s IA investigation concludes Keys, Hancock falsified multiple records, violated oath of office

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: A Griffin Police Department Internal Affairs investigation of Curtis Keys and Dwayne Hancock substantiated both officers falsified multiple official records and violated their oath of office pertaining to the agency’s Off Duty/Extra Duty Job Policy. This information was obtained subsequent to an Open Records request submitted to the city of Griffin […]

One wounded and five arrested in Tuesday shooting

STAFF REPORT ::: One man was wounded and five people have been arrested in connection to a Tuesday shooting. According to a press release issued by the Griffin Police Department, officers were dispatched to 1321 Lyndon Ave., at approximately 12:19 a.m. in reference to a report of a person having been shot. Upon arrival, officers […]

Don’t be the dinosaur your children’s lives

This editorial column written by Maria McCoy previously appeared in a print edition of The GRIP. My seven-year-old acted out at the sitter’s house the other day. She was angry, and she was screaming at the sitter. When I got home, I addressed the situation with her. I wanted to make sure she understood that […]

Decide what, who, how and do it

This editorial column written by Dusty Takle appeared in a recent print edition of The GRIP. Decide. The word decide came alive for me not long ago. I was sitting up in my bed, scrolling through social media and came across a video on positive thinking posted by a dear friend. In the video, several […]

Doc Holliday BBQ & Music Festival returns

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The annual Doc Holliday Barbecue and Music Festival will return to downtown Griffin Sept. 22 and 23, bringing with it entertainment of the past and present. This family-friendly event not only offers entertainment for all, but has made it more affordable than ever before. In past years, the festival was a […]

Griffin-Spalding County School System to resume operations Sept. 14

STAFF REPORT ::: The Griffin-Spalding County School System and central office will resume operations at standard hours Thursday, Sept. 14. Bus transportation may be delayed due to impassable roads and drivers utilizing alternate routes. The Kids in Action Elementary Afterschool program will resume at all sites, as well as other GSCSS afterschool events and activities. The […]

Griffin Electric: Power expected to be fully-restored by Thursday

STAFF REPORT ::: City of Griffin officials say progress is being made in efforts to restore electricity to those without power in the wake of Tropical Storm Irma. As Tropical Storm Irma passed over Spalding County on Monday, many areas experienced extensive damage from falling trees and downed power lines.  As of 3 p.m. Tuesday, several roads […]

Irma roars through Griffin-Spalding County causing significant damage

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Tropical Storm Irma stormed through Griffin-Spalding County, leaving in her wake much property damage and thousands of homes and businesses without electricity. Widespread damage has been reported throughout the city of Griffin and Spalding County. Much of the damage appears to have been caused by fallen trees toppled by strong winds. […]

Former GPD officer “showed deception” on every question in pre-employment computer voice stress analysis

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The GRIP has learned that Tyler Cooper, a former officer of the Griffin Police Department, indicated deception on every question asked during his preemployment computer voice stress analysis (CVSA) – a form of polygraph examination. Although the city of Griffin has for nearly seven months refused to release Cooper’s CVSA, The […]

The GRIP subpoenaed to produce investigative records, including confidential sources, in federal case

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The GRIP has received a subpoena demanding numerous confidential materials – including those involving confidential sources – be produced in a federal civil rights law suit. The subpoena was issued as part of Civil Action No. 3-15-CV-163-TCB – Jessica Kelley, et al. v. Captain David Gibson, in his individual and official […]