The GBI is investigating a structure fire that started around noon Thursday at home on 14th Street in Tifton. John Aiken died in a bedroom where the fire started. Investigators are trying to determine if Aiken died before or after the fire began.
Several new Georgia laws go into effect today, including a law that restrict access to bars to those 21 and up, a law that will allow students at least 18 years old to legally carry Tasers and stun guns on Georgia’s public college and university campuses, and a law that will allow cancer patients to access more aggressive treatment programs like the one that helped former president Jimmy Carter.
Colquitt County authorities are seeking the public’s help in located $9,500 worth of stolen lawn equipment. A thief took a utility trailer carrying the items from the 800 block of John Vickers Road on June 28.
Three contenders have qualified to fill the Berrien County Sheriff’s seat now that former Sheriff Anthony Heath has been removed from office after pleading guilty in a federal investigation for use of excessive force. Interim Sheriff Ray Paulk, Frank Swinson and Rick Brown have all qualified to run for the sheriff’s office in November.
The Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office conducted an underage alcohol sales sting that netted seven arrests. Deputies visited 40 store locations that sell alcohol and observed employees at seven stores sell alcohol to an underage person. Each of the seven suspects turned themselves in Wednesday and have been charged with furnishing alcohol to a person under 21.
Service members at Moody Air Force Base unveiled a new memorial Thursday honoring two fallen soldiers. In 2015, U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Joseph Lemm and Staff Sgt. Louis Bonacasa died when a suicide bomber attacked their convoy. The two men were from Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York. They worked alongside members from Moody Air Force Base while deployed to Afghanistan.
A silent auction helped raise money for the Valdosta City Schools athletics program Thursday night. The money raised will help pay for student athletes to attend camps, overnight away games, and new equipment.
The First Annual Citizen’s Community Bank Hahira Independence Day Celebration presented by Austin’s Cattle Company begins tomorrow afternoon at 5 in downtown Hahira. Live music begins at 7, and fireworks start at 9.
The City of Valdosta will host a ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday to celebrate the culmination of two $60 million dollar sewer infrastructure improvement projects:the new Withlacoochee Wastewater Treatment Plant on Wetherington Lane and the Force Main Project.
