WKEU Radio – The Rock – 88.9 FM / 1450 AM – Griffin, Georgia

A Severe Thunderstorm hit the Spalding County Area Thursday Night.

WKEU Radio — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 03:21:47 +0000

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch was issued for Spalding and surrounding areas on Thursday evening. A massive storm cell struck the north and central Georgia area about 9:00 pm. A severe thunderstorm watch remained in effect until 1:00 A.M. Friday morning for areas that included Baldwin; Bibb; Butts; Clayton; Coweta; Crawford; Fayette; Harris; Heard; Henry; Jasper; Jefferson; Jones; Lamar; Meriwether; Monroe; Muscogee; Peach; Pike; Putnam; Spalding; Talbot; Taylor; Troup; Twiggs; Upson; Warren; and several other middle Georgia Counties. Locally Spalding, and surrounding counties were hit with vivid lighting, heavy rains, some hail, and high winds. Trees and power lines were reported down in many locations in the City of Griffin, Spalding County, and neighboring counties.

In Griffin a tree was down at north 13 th Street and Ellis Road causing power lines to go down, Also at north 6 th Street and Cherry Street a tree fell in the roadway. On Old Atlanta Road north of the city a emergency and civilian vehicle struck a downed tree. There were no reported injuries from the incident.

A house at 624 Haliburton Street residents called and stated they noticed smoke coming from underneath the house due to lightning. Firefighters responded to the fire and brought it under control within minutes of arrival. Numerous power surges were noted at downtown and area businesses causing alarm systems to activate.

WKEU and WSB TV reported the weather statements and watches that were issued by the National Weather Service. The storms were traveling east and within about a hour had cleared the Spalding and North Eastern area of North Georgia.

The Griffin-Spalding Hospital Authority is accepting grant applications for 2014.

WKEU Radio — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 03:16:22 +0000

The Griffin-Spalding Hospital Authority is accepting grant applications for 2014. The Griffin-Spalding Hospital Authority administers certain trust accounts, using the proceeds to improve the health and well-being of the citizens of Spalding
County. Under applicable laws and trust agreements, the Authority may make grants to not-for-profit organizations for
health related purposes, provided the funds granted are used for the citizens of Spalding County.
The Authority reviews requests for grants annually notifying applicants of disposition. If you believe your organization may qualify for consideration of a grant under these guidelines, and are interested in applying for funds contact the Griffin-Spalding Hospital Authority at (770) 229-5767 or in writing to P. O.Box 1592 – Griffin, Georgia 30224 for a grant application form. Applications can also be picked up at the offices of the Hospital Authority at 245 Meriwether Street or the Chamber of Commerce at 143 North Hill Street. Deadline for applications is September 16, 2013.

The City of Griffin Board of Commissioners will hold a special called meeting.

WKEU Radio — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 03:09:06 +0000

The City of Griffin Board of Commissioners will hold a special called meeting on Monday June 17, 2013 at One Griffin Center in the W. Elmer George Municipal Hall. The Board will meet at 3:00 P.M. and enter into executive session pursuant to O.C.G.A. Section 50-14-3(4) for the purpose of meeting with its attorney for discussing and acting upon the acquisition of real estate.

Investigators with the Griffin Police Department are asking for assistance in locating 24 year old Matthew James.

WKEU Radio — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 02:59:43 +0000

Investigators with the Griffin Police Department are asking for assistance in locating 24 year old Matthew James. His last known address was listed as 1307 Grantland Rd. Griffin. James is currently wanted on several outstanding warrants that include: Obstruction of a Law Enforcement Officer (LEO), Escape, Violation of Probation, Possession of Marijuana and Theft by Receiving. Anyone with information can contact Lt. Tony Thomason at 770-229-6452 ext. 508 or tthomason@cityofgriffin.com or by dialing 911.

Spalding County Sheriff’s Office conducted an Alcohol Compliance Check of businesses in the City and in the County.

WKEU Radio — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 15:00:16 +0000

On June 11, 2013 investigators with the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office conducted an Alcohol Compliance Check of businesses in the City of Griffin and in Spalding County that are licensed to sell alcohol. A total of 24 businesses were inspected. The following businesses were cited for not being in compliance with State and Local laws that govern the sale of alcohol to persons under the age of 21:

Texaco Food Mart 1669 W. McIntosh Road Griffin, Georgia

Arrested: Jawaid Majeed Siddiqui, 62 years old, 505 Crossings Place Griffin, Georgia

Highfalls Shell Station 3200 Highfalls Road Griffin, Georgia

Arrested: Rajesh Manilol Parikh, 43 years old, 912 Morningside Drive, Griffin, Georgia

Dit’s Market 2662 Highfalls Road Griffin, Georgia

Arrested: Syed Zakiuddin, 67 years old, 315 S. Walkersmill Road, Griffin, Georgia

Copelands Groceries 1578 Highfalls Road Griffin, Georgia

Arrested: Bharatkumar Ambalal Patel, 52 years old, 1618 Rosewood Drive, Griffin, Georgia

Kangaroo 3420 Jackson Road Griffin, Georgia

Arrested: Melinda Bell, 55 years old, 129 Main Street, Griffin, Georgia

Orchard Hill Foods 3016 Macon Road Orchard Hill, Georgia

Arrested: Dipak Purshottamdas Patel, 33 years old, 3110 Macon Road Apt D, Griffin, Georgia

Twenty businesses that were inspected were in compliance and did not sell alcohol to the underage persons. Inspections of businesses that hold a license to sell alcohol by the package or for consumption on premises will continue.

Former Griffin City Commissioner Judy Berry Found Dead at Residence Sunday Morning

WKEU Radio — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 18:02:25 +0000

A little after 9:30 Sunday morning, units from the Griffin Police Department, Spalding Regional EMS, and Coroner Sonny Foster all responded to former Griffin City Commissioner Judy Berry’s residence on Powell Street. Upon arrival, units discovered Mrs. Berry was unresponsive and was pronounced dead on the scene. Her body has been transported to the GBI crime lab in Atlanta where an autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death. Haisten-McCullough Funeral Home will be in charge of funeral arrangements for the 66 year old former commissioner but those plans are still incomplete at this time. WKEU News will have more information about Mrs. Berry as soon as more information is released.

Griffin Police Officer Chad Moxon severely injured in motrocycle accident in Lamar County.

WKEU Radio — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 23:20:57 +0000

Griffin Police Officer Chad Moxon being transported to Macon Med Center

Griffin Police Officer Chad Moxon was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident on Northridge Road in Lamar County Monday afternoon.

Investigators indicated Moxon lost control of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle in an S-curve in the 500 block of Northridge Rd. and struck a tree. A passerby spotted the wrecked bike, rolled down his window and heard Moxon calling for help.

Walter Geiger reported at the scene that Moxon was in and out of consciousness and was transported by ambulance to the Macon Medical Center. Initial reports have indicated Moxon has severe head injuries, a fractured skull, and bruised brain, several broken bones and possible internal injuries. His condition was listed as severe at the Macon Medical Center.

Two Killed one injuried in two vehicle accident in Lamar County.

WKEU Radio — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 23:00:12 +0000

John and Pearl Kemp of Barnesville

A Barnesville couple was killed and a third person injured in a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Crawford and Johnstonville roads here Saturday afternoon.

Walter Geiger and tnhe Barnesville Herald Gazette indicated that Pearl Kemp,age 67,of Hwy. 18 West in Barnesville was driving eastbound on Johnstonville Road in a 1994 Ford pickup truck. The truck collided at the intersection with a 2003 Jaguar driven by Vivian Massey, age 55, of Forsyth who was southbound on Crawford Road. Investigators indicated that Mrs. Kemp’s vehicle had the right-of-way.

Mrs. Kemp was ejected and died at the scene. Her husband, 68-year-old John Kemp, was a passenger in the pickup and was also ejected. Neither of the Kemps were wearing seat belts, according to emergency responders.

John Kemp was lifeflighted to the Macon Medical Center where he died overnight Sunday after being taken off life support.

Massey suffered non life threatening injuries and was taken by ambulance to Spalding Regional Medical Center.

John Kemp was retired from Southern Rivers Energy, suffered from Parkinson’s disease and was largely homebound. Pearl Kemp, described as the backbone of Calvary Baptist Church here, had worked at the William Carter Co.

Williams Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Visitation will be held Wednesday, June 5 from 6-8 p.m. at Williams Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Thursday, June 6 at 2 p.m. at Wil- liams Memorial Chapel.

The Kemps are survived by a daughter, Ginger Kemp Cannon. She is a fifth grade teacher at Lamar County Elementary School.

WKEU news would like to thank Walter Geiger and the Barnesville Herald Gazette for their assistance in this news story. You can subscribe to the Herald Gazette On line at barnesville.com.

SPALDING COUNTY BOARD OF ASSESSORS NARROWS SEARCH FOR NEW CHIEF APPRAISER TO A FINAL CANDIDATE

WKEU Radio — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 21:31:01 +0000

The Spalding County Board of Assessors has narrowed its search for a new Chief Appraiser to a final candidate: Larry W. Lillard, Sr.Mr. Lillard has more than 20 years of experience in real estate appraisals, including 13 years as an Appraiser for the Spalding County Board of Assessors from 2000 to present. Mr. Lillard is currently the Assistant Chief Appraiser in the Board of Assessors office. He is certified as an Appraiser IV by the Georgia Department of Revenue. Mr. Lillard is a member of the Georgia Association of Assessing Officials and International Association of Assessing Officials.

The Board of Assessors expects to finalize its decision after 14 days. Tim Whalen is currently serving as the Chief Appraiser and has announced his retirement effective June 30, 2013.

$17,000 REWARD HAS BEEN ESTBLISHED FOR THE ARREST AND CONVISION OF A SUSPECT IN THE APRIL 6 MURDER OF HARRY BURKETT

WKEU Radio — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 19:34:56 +0000

PERSON OF INTEREST WANTED BY GRIFFIN POLICE IN RELATION TO MURDER CASE

The Griffin Police Department is asking for assistance in identifying a subject who is a person of interest in the April 6, 2013 murder of Harry Burkett on Crescent Lane.

The person of interest is believed to be a black male. According to information that we have received this subject was last seen in a mid-90’s dark blue or black Honda Accord with a faded trunk. He was observed with two other black males leaving in the vehicle of interest. Anyone with information is asked to contact either Sgt. John Hayes (jhayes@cityofgriffin.com) or Sgt. Dwayne Hancock (jhancock@cityofgriffin.com) or 770-229-6450.

A $17,000 reward has been established for the arrest and conviction of a suspect in the April 6, 2013 murder of Harry Burkett