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 […]
GPD Lt. Curtis Keys subject of Internal Affairs 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
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
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
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
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
Police: Known gang leader arrested
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
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 […]
Details emerge regarding animal cruelty complaint against GPD officer
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
SCSO Fugitive Apprehension Unit arrests two; one sought in kidnapping case
STAFF REPORT ::: The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Apprehension Unit has arrested two men with outstanding warrants. According to a press release issued by Spalding County Sheriff Darrell Dix, at approximately 10:45 a.m. July 11, deputies went to the residence located at 253 Liberty Hill Road attempting to locate Robert Pugh, the subject of […]
Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: Christopher Thompson, crime, Fugitive Apprehension Unit, Griffin, kidnapping, Michael Wilson, Sheriff Darrell Dix, spalding county, Spalding County Sheriff's Offic, warrants
Sheriff: Known gang member arrested on multiple felony charges
SUBMITTED ::: According to Sheriff Darrell Dix, deputies from the Fugitive Apprehension, Special Operations and C.A.G.E. units recently responded to a report of a large crowd in the 1600 block on North Hill St. Dix said upon their arrival, they identified Donnie Dunbar, a man the SCSO describes as a known gang member, as he […]
Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: arrest, crime, Donnie Dunbar, gangs, Griffin, Sheriff Darrell Dix, spalding county, Spalding County Sheriff's Office
Fallen GPD Officer Kevin Jordan to be honored
SUBMITTED ::: Fallen Griffin Police Department Officer Kevin Jordan will be honored by the renaming of a portion of Georgia Highway 19-41. City officials say in memory of, and great appreciation for, the service of Officer Kevin Jordan, the portion of the state highway at its intersection with Lucky Street will be renamed Kevin Jordan […]
Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: ceremony, Griffin, Griffin Police Department, honored, Officer Kevin Jordan, road renaming, spalding county
SCSO personnel soon to field Narcan, emergency drug overdose treatment
STAFF REPORT ::: Personnel of the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office will soon be fielding Narcan (naloxone) kits to be used in the event of a drug overdose. According to a press release issued by Spalding County Sheriff Darrell Dix, this potentially-life saving measure is being made possible with the assistance of a local businessman. “With […]
Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: Drew Miller, Griffin, Narcan, overdose, Sheriff Darrell Dix, spalding county, Spalding County Sheriff's Offic, Spalding County Sheriff's Office, treatment, Wynne's Pharmacy
Search warrant leads to arrest of two; recovery of narcotics and weapons
STAFF REPORT ::: A search warrant executed Thursday at the 597 N. McDonough Road residence of Michael Lee Drummond resulted in the arrest of two men on numerous drug and weapons charges. According to a press release issued by Spalding County Sheriff Darrell Dix, the SCSO Special Operations and C.A.G.E. units received assistance from the […]
Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: crime, GPD C.A.G.E. Unit, GPD Special Investigation Unit, Griffin, Griffin Police Department, meth, Michael Jay Stapleton, Michael Lee Drummond, narcotics, SCSO C.A.G.E. Unit, SCSO Special Operations Unit, Sheriff Darrell Dix, spalding county, Spalding County Sheriff's Offic, Spalding County Sheriff's Office, weapons
City manager responds to Open Records stand off
Publisher’s note: In response to an article that appeared in the June 8, 2017, print edition of The GRIP – City of Griffin, GPD Chief Yates refuse release of records; Records denied on officer who resigned in lieu of termination – Griffin City Manager Kenny Smith wrote the following letter to the editor, which was […]
Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: Chief Mike Yates, City Manger Kenny Smith, Griffin, Griffin Police Department, Open Records Act, Sheila Mathews, spalding county, The GRIP, transparency in government
Board of Education appoints three new administrators
STAFF REPORT ::: The Griffin-Spalding County Board of Education has appointed three new administrators. The action was taken at the Board’s Tuesday night meeting. According to a press release issued by the school system, one of the appointments is a new position created based on the curriculum audit recommendation. Michele Purvis, who was appointed school […]
Filed Under: Education, Top Stories Tagged With: administrators, appointments, curriculum audit, Griffin, Griffin Spalding County School System, Holly Williams, Melvina Crawl, Michele Purvis, spalding county, Superintendent Jim Smith
The GRIP 