CENTRAL GEORGIA HEATING COOLING COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL THOMASTON, GA. 706-646-2665GA. REG. CN208493 AL REG No. 05056 446663 Your Hometown Newspaper for 143 Years! www.thomastontimes.com 143RD YEAR NO. 71 TUESDAY,SEPTEMBER 20, 2011 2 SECTIONS , 14 PAGES, 50 CENTS First graduates of Upson-Lee Learning Academy Upson eligible for disaster relief funding Ashley Biles Maurice Raines stated Associate Editor that the plan had been Upson County is now available for review in eligible for an addition- the Commissioners al 5 percent in disaster Office since August and relief funds after the was not put in each Board of Commission- individual commission- ers approved the EMA er’s packet due to the plan for warehousing size. After a 2-1 vote, donated goods with a 3- Raines voted yes to 1 vote. This portion of approve the motion. the plan outlines the Commissioner Frank who, how and where to Spraggins was absent collect, store and give from the meeting. out non-clothing and Several concerned cit- non-perishable goods in izens attended the meet- the even of a disaster ing to express their feel- such as a tornado. ings to the board on the “This is just another issue of the baseball The Thomaston-Upson Board of Education held a special graduation ceremony last Tuesday step of meeting obliga- fields being locked except for when recre- night for the first three graduates of the Upson-Lee Learning Academy. The Learning Academy tions to make us eligible for additional help,” ation league is going on. opened last February and is designed to give students who have dropped out of school a chance stated County Manager Marty Murphy stated to make up their classes and earn their diploma. The three students who graduated are all mem- Kyle Hood. that as tax payer he felt bers of the Class of 2011 and would have graduated with their classmates this spring, except Commissioner Rusty it was unfair to lock the they dropped out of school for various reasons. Left to right in the photo are ULHS Assistant Blackston voted against ball fields and not give Principal and former Learning Academy Director Michael Hoffman, graduates Anna Spraggins, the motion to approve citizens a chance to play Enoch Powell, and Candice Chapman, and Learning Academy Director Faye Williams. In addi- the plan because he felt on them at times when the rec league is not tion to these three graduates, the Learning Academy has 11 other students also working toward he did not know what he was voting on, due to using them. Murphy getting their diplomas, and hopes to enroll more students soon. For more photos of the gradua- never seeing the plan. also went on to say that tion ceremony, see Page 8A. Photo by Larry Stanford Commission Chairman SEE ELIGIBLE, PAGE 5A Richard Harville charged with theft of services in Agri-Cycle probe By Sheila A. Marshall tion of an agreement with Reporter the City of Thomaston Richard Harville, the involving the treatment owner of now-defunct and disposal of leachate Agricycle, is facing felony from the Taylor County criminal charges alleging Landfill in the city’s theft of services in the sewage system. Investi- amount of $468,902. Spe- gators say the alleged cial Agent Sam Baity, of illegal dumping took the Georgia Bureau of place from January 2008 Investigation Region 2 to December 2009. Chick-fi-A and WinShape Homes founder Truett Cathy and Harbor House Board of Directors President field office, sought the While Harville did have warrant after a months- an agreement in place Deborah Hopper hold the Harbor House sign as members of the Harbor House Board, representatives of long investigation. with city officials, Dutton WinShape Homes, and Upson County Commission Chair Maurice Raines look on at the following the “We began investigat- said the quantity of announcement Friday that Harbor House will become the 12th foster home of the WinShape Homes ing at the request of the leachate allegedly placed organization. Photo by Ashley Biles District Attorney’s Office in the sewer system far back in April, so it’s been exceeded the amount ongoing for five to six contractually allowed. Harbor House announces transition months,” said Region 2 “The victim in the case Assistant Special Agent is obviously the City of in Charge Scott Dutton. Thomaston,” he said. to foster home for WinShape Homes Authorities say the Dutton said Harville Ashley Biles cially open the house through no fault of their Cathy. charges stem from turned himself in to Associate Editor which will be a home to own.” Jeff Manley, General authorities September 13. Harville’s alleged viola- Making sure children nine foster children. It was this realization Manager for the Rock are taken care of in a “People always ask me that led Cathy to found Ranch who is also a Cast your vote for ULHS loving and nurturing why I am so into foster WinShape Homes in close friend of Mr. Cathy, environment has always care,” said Cathy. “I tell 1987. The Harbor House knew that all he had to for Game of the Week been a top priority for them, I taught Sunday will be the twelfth house do was get him to see the Harbor House and it School for 52 years and I for the organization that the house and it would The ULHS Knights great afternoon and is that principal that met a young boy who’s makes sure each child be something he wanted gave our community a night of football fun this continues to shine father had left when he lives in a stable and to do. And he was right. past Friday. through with the deci- was four, his mother secure family environ- The Board of Direc- Now let’s give them sion to turn the house died in a car accident ment and is encouraged tors for the Harbor Inside something great in over to Chick-fil-A and he was living with physically, emotionally House thanked Deborah return! founder Truett Cathy’s an aunt and uncle that and spiritually. Hopper, President of the Today —Since Upson-Lee foundation, WinShape wasn’t really working “We do everything for Board, for all of her was the winner in the Homes. Mr. Cathy was out for him. I realized the children that live in work in the transition Game of the Week, they present at the Harbor that there must be a lot these homes that I and for all of the love Page 2A.......Day by Day House, located on John- of kids like that, who are would do for my own that she has poured into ston Road, Friday to offi- victims of circumstance grandchildren,” said the house. Page 4A............Editorial SEE VOTE, PAGE 5A Page 5A.........Obituaries Page1-2B.............Sports NASA launches ‘Fall Family Fun Days’ Saturday at The Rock Pages 3-4B...Classifieds The Rock Ranch LLC, The Rock Ranch feature attractions and experi- and events that include: planetarium, unique a 1,250-acre cattle ranch a wide variety of inter- ence themed entertain- • September 24 –The “space suit” photo Printed on owned by Chick-fil-A® active educational and ment. Admission is $14, Rock Ranch “50 Years opportunities, stomp 100% Founder, S. Truett family-based events and children 3 and under of Space Exploration” rockets, space food recycled paper Cathy, will kick off “Fall activities. This season, are free and everyday is Corn Maze Kick Off. demonstrations and Family Fun Days” on The Rock Ranch has military appreciation This date will feature a more. There will be a Sept. 24, 2011. The been selected as part of day. Admission is half visit from an official large model rocket Rock Ranch is dedicat- a collaborative outreach price with a military ID. astronaut who will launch by Atlanta area ed to “Growing Healthy project with NASA Tickets are sold online speak about her experi- rocket club “SOAR” and Families” and provides called “Space Farm 7.” or at the gate and dis- ences and meet and astronomy clubs will be a unique blend of “agri- Guests will enjoy activ- count coupons are avail- greet with guests. A offering star gazing tourism” (wholesome ities to highlight space able at Chick-fil-A loca- team from NASA will be opportunities – includ- family entertainment in exploration, have a tions. Each of the Fall on hand to facilitate ing one of the World’s an agricultural setting). chance to ride new zip Family Fun Days will educational activities most advanced systems Fall Family Fun Days at lines, enjoy over 30 feature a special theme that include a mobile SEE NASA, PAGE 5A Page 2A THE THOMASTON TIMES – Tuesday, September 20, 2011 Day by Day This Week’s Local Forecast • Meetings • Fundraisers • Classes • Programs • Announcements The Happenings Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday You Want To Know About Scat'd T-storms Scat'd T-storms Scat'd T-storms Mostly Cloudy Mostly Cloudy Mostly Sunny Partly Cloudy To list an event, fax it to 706-647-2833 84/64 81/64 80/65 83/63 82/61 78/59 75/54 Precip Chance: 40% Precip Chance: 50% Precip Chance: 50% Precip Chance: 20% Precip Chance: 10% Precip Chance: 5% Precip Chance: 10% Upcoming Weather Trivia Weather History Moon Phases How much has the Earth’s Sept. 20, 1967 - Hurricane Beulah moved into south Texas Last New First Full Tuesday, September 20 temperature risen since and its torrential rains turned the rich agricultural areas of 9/20 9/27 10/3 10/11 1860? south Texas into a large lake.