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EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the fourth in a four-part series looking back at the year 2024 in Troup County.

Oct. 1

Car crash takes out power for hundreds

A car wreck on Whitfield Road has left 714 LaGrange Diverse Power customers without power. The outage, which affected the users from Hammett Road to Hines Road on the east side of the city, started at approximately 9 p.m. The driver was suspected to have been under the influence at the time of the crash.

Oct. 3

TCSS School Bus turned over on Mooty Bridge, Three airlifted to local hospitals

A pick-up truck failed to yield at a stop sign on Mooty Bridge Road near the Walmart hitting the side of a TCSS school bus. The collision caused the bus to roll over. According to the LaGrange Police Department, the driver of the truck, the bus monitor and one student on the school bus were airlifted to area hospitals. Others involved were transported to the hospital to be checked out.

Oct 4

Woman reunites with EMS teams that saved her life

Local first responders gathered at Troup Fire Station #10 to celebrate measures taken that saved a woman’s life. On July 28, Donna Hendrix went into cardiac arrest while being taken to the hospital from Roanoke by her husband, Tony. Tony called 911 along the way and stopped at the fire station, where emergency personnel were able to revive her and got her to the hospital, where she has made a full recovery.

Oct. 11

Director of LaGrange Methadone clinic indicted on multiple counts of sexual misconduct

Attorney General Chris Carr announced that Roderick Branscomb, 49, of Columbus, Georgia, has been indicted in Troup County. From April 2021 through November 2023, Branscomb served as the Program Director of a methadone treatment clinic in LaGrange, Georgia, which provides services to those struggling with opioid use disorder. Over the course of his employment, Branscomb is alleged to have engaged in sexual misconduct with seven female patients who sought treatment from the clinic.

Oct 12

Former Gov. Deal comes to LaGrange

On Thursday and Friday, former Governor Nathan Deal dropped by LaGrange to help promote his new children’s book, Veto, The Governor’s Cat.

Oct. 12

Bank robbed on North Greenwood Street

On Saturday, October 12, 2024, at 0954 hours, LaGrange Police responded to 200 North Greenwood Street in reference to a bank robbery. The initial investigation revealed that a white male subject entered the bank, approached the teller, provided a note, and demanded money. The male obtained an undisclosed amount of U.S. Currency before fleeing the bank on foot. The man was arrested in November by Roanoke Police. 

Oct. 17

18-year-old Lupus survivor honored 

The community came together to celebrate and honor Javari Fannin, an 18-year-old lupus survivor, who will be recognized as the 2024 Survivor Recipient at the upcoming Night of Hope Lupus Gala. The former Troup High School football player spent nearly five months hospitalized from January to May, missing half of his senior year of high school. Despite these challenges, Javari triumphed over adversity and was able to participate in his graduation.

Oct. 22

Branches of Hope cuts ribbon on new transitional program

On Thursday, the LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for Branches of Hope, the new shelter from the Troup County Homeless Coalition. It helps people get jobs, secure bank accounts and do what’s next in the process of getting on their feet.

Oct. 30

Georgia and Troup County see record-breaking early voting numbers

With a week before Election Day, just over a third of all voters in Troup County have already cast a ballot for the November election. Through Monday evening, 16,853 early voting and absentee ballots have been cast in Troup County. That’s 33.8% of Troup County’s 49,843 voters.

Nov. 2

Troup natives work to rebuild North Carolina communities impacted by Helene

While LaGrange and the mountains of North Carolina are hundreds of miles apart, in times of crisis, they feel like neighbors. And, when neighbors need help, you help. That is exactly what a group of LaGrange and Troup County natives did. A group organized equipment and supplies, working overnight to clear roads and deliver necessities to those impacted. 

Nov. 5

Thrailkill defeats Moody, yes to liquor sales in primary election

Thrailkill defeated Democratic Party challenger Andrew Moody to take the District 2 seat on the Troup Board of Commissioners. Voters in Troup County also chose to allow the sale and consumption of on-premises distilled spirits drinks at businesses out in rural parts of the county.

Nov. 9

Royal Theater reopens

For the first time in 40 years, the Royal Theater’s marquee was lit. After closing, becoming city hall and closing again, the Hogansville landmark was open for business. On Nov. 9, after a long renovation, the theater celebrated its grand reopening in style with a swanky gala. 

Nov. 14

State Superintendent Woods recognizes TCSS schools for achievement and growth

State School Superintendent Richard Woods came to Callaway Middle School to nine schools with Literacy and Math Leaders banner awards. The awards were given for growth and achievement in several grade levels in literacy and math.

Nov. 16

Kia Celebrates 15 Years of Manufacturing in Georgia

Since beginning production on Nov. 16, 2009, Kia Georgia has assembled more than 4.5 million vehicles and helped create more than 14,000 jobs in the region.

Nov. 28

West Point city clerk honored after 34 years of service at retirement

West Point’s city clerk of 34 years, Richard McCoy, has announced his retirement from the position and was honored with proclamations several times over and a standing ovation at the West Point work session on Wednesday night. 

Nov. 21

Chamber cuts ribbon on Crescent Station

The LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce celebrated the newest addition to the Rail District, Crescent Station. Crescent Station is a new event center in the renovated former Newman Construction Supply warehouse.

Dec. 6

First Presbyterian invited to perform at annual Biltmore concert

The choir at First Presbyterian Church of LaGrange and Point University students had an opportunity to perform at the historic Biltmore Mansion for the candlelight tour series during Christmastime. 

Dec. 7

County approves guidelines for Pyne Road Park public-private partnerships

Lovejoy proposed a public-private partnership where they would invest upwards of $46 million to build 30-plus cabins and other camping-style rental units within Pyne Road Park, along with a plethora of attractions to bring people to the park.

Dec. 7

Two LHS students match to Duke through a prestigious scholarship

Emerson Mendoza-Recinos and Jasia Swanson received full scholarships to Duke University. Their tuition, housing, travel expenses and anything else they may need to succeed in college will be paid for, as both students are Questbridge scholars. The likelihood for one student to be a Questbridge, to have two students receive the scholarship and match to the same school is unlikely. 

Dec. 12

School Board says goodbye to three members

Cathy Hunt, Brandon Brooks and Joe Franklin had their final meeting as board members after not seeking re-election in May. 

Dec. 16

Two killed in Hogansville Road wreck

Two people were killed and two others were seriously injured in a three-vehicle crash on Hogansville Road near W. Hopson Road.

Dec. 19

Board of Commissioners say goodbye to Davis and Cadenhead

The Troup County Board of Commissioners said goodbye to a pair of longtime members. The terms of Commissioners Lewis Davis and Ellis Cadenhead are ending at the end of the year after having lost elections earlier this year. Both commissioners served two terms for eight total years.

Dec. 28

It’s a Wonderful Life: George Bailey gets a heart for Christmas

George Bailey got a heart for Christmas. Longtime Hogansville pastor and former city council member, Bailey, has had to spend the holidays away from his Georgia home over the holidays. Bailey and his wife, Lashawn, have been at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville Tennessee awaiting a heart.

Dec. 31

Hogansville Councilmember resigns

Councilman Matthew Morgan resigned during the council meeting on Dec. 16. Former Post 5 candidate Jason Baswell was appointed to the council to replace him until the election in November. Morgan said he was resigning due to a work engagement out of the country.