A go-to reporter wearing a variety of hats, Payton stays on top of local matters in the areas of politics, crime, courts, public safety and humanitarianism, just to name a few. He also writes frequent human interest pieces and holds down the City of Dublin and Laurens County Schools government beats. Originally from Milledgeville, he has resided and worked in Dublin since joining The Courier Herald in 2005.
The $2 million boost in funding for the Dublin Police Department, whose share will account for nearly 40 percent of the 2027 budget, is aimed at addressing recent surge in gun-related incidents.