spalding county – The GRIP

Mama’s Country Showcase 2015 alcohol license renewal hearing: Denial overturned

December 29, 2014 by Sheila Mathews Leave a Comment

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The Spalding County Board of Commissioners on Monday morning voted not to uphold its previous decision to deny the 2015 alcohol license renewal sought by Justin Wynne, doing business as Mama’s Country Showcase. Following the appeal hearing, which lasted roughly an hour and a half, Commission Vice-chairman Raymond Ray made a motion to deny […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: alcohol license, appeal hearing, Board of Commissioners, Griffin, Justin Wynne, Mama's Country Showcase, spalding county

Sheriff: Young woman shot, killed by boyfriend

December 16, 2014 by Sheila Mathews 4 Comments

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a Monday night shooting that resulted in the death of 22-year-old Amber Nicole Clay. Deputies responded to a call reporting a person shot at 11:37 p.m. at 120 Railroad Drive in western Spalding County. Upon their arrival, deputies discovered Clay’s body in a bedroom. […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: Amber Clay, Griffin, homicide, murder, Ralroad Drive, Sheriff's Office, shooting, spalding county, William Glen Spoon

Sheriff’s Office investigating early morning murder

December 16, 2014 by Sheila Mathews Leave a Comment

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The Spalding County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a murder that occurred early Tuesday morning. According to Sheriff Wendell Beam, 22-year-old Amber Clay sustained a single gunshot wound to the head. Clay was pronounced dead at the scene. Clay’s boyfriend, 20-year-old William Glen Spoon, is in custody in connection to the incident. […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: Amber Clay, Griffin, murder, shooting, Spalding Conty Sheriff's Office, spalding county, William Glen Spoon

Police: Monday teen shooting death ruled manslaughter

December 15, 2014 by Sheila Mathews 5 Comments

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Investigators of the Griffin Police Department have identified the victim of a Monday evening shooting as 18-year-old Gideon Phazion Mays, of Chappell Street. Arrested in connection with the incident is 23-year-old Terrize Stroud, who has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and reckless conduct. “This was an accidental shooting; this was not […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: Gideon Mays, Griffin, Griffin Police Department, shooting, spalding county, Terrize Stroud

Experts say law enforcement body camera use is illegal in some circumstances

December 6, 2014 by Sheila Mathews 1 Comment

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Although no formal stance on the issue of law enforcement officers’ use of body cameras has been taken by the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia, the general consensus of its members and leadership is that current Georgia law is concerning. According to Executive Director Chuck Spahos, the specific code section, O.C.G.A. […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: body cameras, eavesdropping, Griffin, Griffin Police Department, Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia, spalding county

Questions arise on GPD body camera use

December 6, 2014 by Sheila Mathews Leave a Comment

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Publisher’s note – As the city of Griffin prepares to equip its police officers with body cameras, The Grip learned that current state law raises questions regarding the legality of their use in some circumstances. A number of interviews with local and state officials were conducted and a series of articles […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: body cameras, eavesdropping, Griffin, Griffin Police Department, Kenny Smith, spalding county

Prosecuting attorney concerned about potential impact of body cameras

December 6, 2014 by Sheila Mathews Leave a Comment

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Spalding County Senior Assistant District Attorney Kimberly Schwartz acknowledges she has concerns regarding the use of law enforcement body cameras and the manner in which they may impact criminal prosecutions. Schwartz cited the same section of the Georgia Code as Georgia Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council Executive Director Chuck Spahos – 16-11-62 – […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: body cameras, eavesdropping, Griffin, Griffin Police Department, spalding county

Rape suspect apprehended

December 4, 2014 by Sheila Mathews Leave a Comment

STAFF REPORT ::: The Griffin Police Department has apprehended a suspect being sought in connection to a Sunday afternoon rape on D.F. Fuller Drive. According to Lt. Mike Richardson, of the GPD Criminal Investigation Division, Octavious Russell, of Griffin, has been arrested and charged with rape, aggravated sodomy and burglary. Investigators were on Sunday called […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: arrest, D.F. Fuller Drive, Griffin, Griffin Police Department, Octavious Russell, rape, spalding county, suspect

Griffin PD investigating violent rape

December 3, 2014 by Sheila Mathews Leave a Comment

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The Griffin Police Department is investigating a Sunday afternoon rape that authorities say took place with a child present in the home. Lt. Mike Richardson, of the GPD Criminal Investigation Division, said the incident occurred between 3 and 4 p.m. on D.F. Fuller Drive. “An unknown black male entered her (the […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: Griffin, Griffin Police Departmen, rape, Southern Center for Sexual Assault and Child Advocacy, spalding county

Mama’s Country Showcase: Request for alcohol license renewal denied

December 2, 2014 by Sheila Mathews Leave a Comment

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The Spalding County Board of Commissioners on Monday voted unanimously to deny the application for renewal of a 2015 alcoholic beverage license submitted by Justin Wynne, the owner of Mama’s Country Showcase located at 2700 North Expressway. Wynne’s application request included the on-site service of beer, wine and liquor. During the […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: alcohol license, Griffin, Griffin Police Department, Justin Wynne, Mama's Country Showcase, murder, Officer Kevin Jordan, spalding county

Mama’s Country Showcase: Owner denied alcohol license renewal

December 1, 2014 by Sheila Mathews Leave a Comment

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The Spalding County Board of Commissioners has voted unanimously to deny the application for renewal of a 2015 alcoholic beverage license submitted by Justin Wynne, the owner of Mama’s Country Showcase located at 2700 North Expressway. Wynne’s application request included the on-site service of beer, wine and liquor. The discussion was […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: bar, Griffin, Griffin Police Department, Mama's Country Showcase, Officer Kevin Jordan, spalding county

One murder suspect remains at-large; two reported in custody

December 1, 2014 by Sheila Mathews Leave a Comment

STAFF REPORTS ::: Two of three murder suspects wanted in connection to the Monday, Nov. 24, shooting death of 21-year-old Demarkis Willis are in police custody. According to Lt. Mike Richardson, of the GPD Criminal Investigation Division, Christopher Williams turned himself in without incident at the Spalding County Jail just after 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: Demarkis Willis, Griffin, Griffin Police Department, murder, shooting, spalding county

One Monday murder suspect in custody; two remain at-large

November 26, 2014 by Sheila Mathews Leave a Comment

STAFF REPORT ::: The Griffin Police Department has reported that Yohance Hines, one of three suspects being sought in connection with Monday night’s murder of 21-year-old Demarkis Willis, is now in custody. Hines was arrested and taken into custody Wednesday, Nov. 26, at the GPD. Officials say Hines, who had an active arrest warrant for […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: arrest, Demarkis Willis, Griffin, Griffin Police Department, murder, spalding county

Three suspects of Monday murder identified

November 25, 2014 by Sheila Mathews 2 Comments

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: The Griffin Police Department has released the identities of three suspects in the Monday evening murder of 21-year-old Demarkis Willis, of 409 15th St. Investigators said numerous witnesses provided information which resulted in arrest warrants being obtained for Amahjea Williams, age 17, Cornelius Henderson, age 23 and Yohance Hines, age 18. […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: Demarkis Willis, Griffin, Griffin Police Department, investigation, murder, spalding county, suspects

Sheriff: Potential suspects identified in Highway 16 aggravated assault

November 7, 2014 by Sheila Mathews Leave a Comment

SHEILA A. MATHEWS ::: Investigators of the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office are continuing to search for leads in Thursday’s aggravated assault that occurred on Highway 16, in the vicinity of Wani Road. According to Sheriff Wendell Beam, potential suspects have been identified. “I talked to the investigators a couple of hours ago,” Beam said at […]

Filed Under: Top Stories Tagged With: aggravated assault, Griffin, Highway 16, pistol whipped, Sheriff Wendell Beam, shooting, spalding county, Spalding County Sheriff's Office, Wani Road