The McDuffie Progress

10/29/2025

The Tri-County Retired Educators Association will meet on Thursday, November 6, at the Thomson Family Y. If you have not brought a gift for the door prize, please bring it to the meeting that Thursday.

10/15/2025

Fall Trash Amnesty Day is this Saturday, 10/18/2025, from 8am-12pm

10/08/2025

10/02/2025

Tune into WTHO 101.7 to hear the candidates answer community questions. Live now. WTHO.com to get more info.

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09/25/2025

The GBI and the Thomson Police Department are seeking information on the location of 40-year-old Jimmy Lavont
Mance.

Mance is wanted on two counts of aggravated assault in connection to a shooting that occurred on Bussey Avenue in Thomson, GA, on September 23, 2025. Mance was last seen leaving the scene on foot. He may have access to a 2018 Bronze Chevy Tahoe, GA tag . Mance’s direction of travel is unknown at this time.

MANCE IS BELIEVED TO BE ARMED AND DANGEROUS. If you see him, do not approach and call 911.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Thomson Police Department at (706) 595-2166 or the GBI Tipline at 1-800-597-8477. Anonymous tips can also be made online at https://investigative-gbi.georgia.gov/gbi-tip-line.

09/19/2025

Don’t forget to drop off your weekly contest picks for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate if you Beat the Gridiron Experts. All picks must be in before 5:00 P.M. on Fridays. The McDuffie Progress is located at 114 Main Street (intersection of Main & Railroad Street).

08/08/2025

GBI Arrests 4 Thomson Residents in Cold Case Murder Investigation

The GBI has arrested four individuals from the Thomson area in the murder investigation of Cheryl Newsome and Troy Bennett. After 5 years, GBI agents and Warren County Sheriff’s Office deputies have charged Randy Hall, age 39, Lora Thornton, age 34 , Chance McKenna, age 21, and a minor with two counts of Murder, two counts of Armed Robbery and one count of 1st degree Burglary in connection with Newsome and Bennett’s deaths.
On Monday, August 3, 2020, Newsome and Bennett were found dead in their home with evidence to indicate a home invasion had occurred. Newsome was a retired nurse, and Bennett was a veteran and retired firefighter.
The GBI Regional Investigative Office in Thomson was requested by the Warren County Sheriff’s Office to assist in the death investigation. The GBI and the Warren County Sheriff’s Office began and continued a diligent investigation into their deaths.
On August 14, 2023, The GBI Cold Case Unit received a Coleman-Baker Act application from Newsome and Bennett’s family requesting a review of the case. The GBI Cold Case Unit partnered with GBI Regional Investigative Office in Thomson and the Warren County Sheriff’s Office to conduct an in-depth review and analysis of the ongoing investigation and to assist with the continuing investigation.
Hall and Thornton were booked into the McDuffie County Jail. McKenna is currently in custody in the Georgia Department of Corrections.
Anyone with information about this investigation is encouraged to submit a tip. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia .gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something app.
For more information about the GBI Cold Case Unit and the Coleman Baker Act please visit, https://gbi.georgia.gov/coleman-baker-act-application
Once the investigation is complete, the case file will be given to the Toombs Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

08/07/2025

The McDuffie County Sheriff’s Office is looking for an inmate who walked away from a work detail at the jail.

07/31/2025

Please plan accordingly!

06/30/2025

The City of Thomson will not have garbage service on Friday, July 4th. The normal Friday route will be serviced on Saturday, July 5th.

06/13/2025

Don't forget that today is the Day!

TOMORROW ONLY!- Friday the 13th Special. Must call 706-595-1601 or stop by the office at 114 Main Street, Thomson.

06/12/2025

TOMORROW ONLY!- Friday the 13th Special. Must call 706-595-1601 or stop by the office at 114 Main Street, Thomson.