Sadness invaded the holiday celebrations in a part of Dougherty County with the report of the death of an eight-year-old girl and an off duty police officer: killed in a vehicular accident. The girl was identified as A’daesha Holly-the police officer was Steve Davis. The victims were in separate vehicles on County Line Road. Four other people were injured and two were hospitalized with critical injuries.

Safe holiday shopping tips are being offered by regional law enforcement officers as security patrols are stepped up. Officers say that shoppers should go out in pairs, limit the number of shopping bags carried and to be aware of the surrounding areas. They add that all suspicious behavior should be reported and children should be able to properly identify themselves with names, addresses and phone numbers.

Thanks to the efforts of officers with the Valdosta Police Department stolen weapons have been recovered and arrests made. The police responded to an address in the 5000 block of Fontana Road where firearms were being discharged in the back yard of the home. As the suspects were spotted leaving the residence a traffic stop was conducted leading to the recovery of rifles and handguns. More weapons were discovered during a search of the residence. Two of the weapons had been reported stolen in Lakeland. Charged in connection with the incident: Taurian Werts, 18, theft by receiving stolen property (felony) and possession of marijuana; others charged with possession of marijuana-Satoria Thatp, 17, LaPharoah James, 17, William Smith, 18, and a juvenile, 16. The investigation is ongoing.

The Georgia Retail Association says continued growth and spending by the millennial generation is behind the surge that is expected to produce more than $655 billion shopping dollars spent this year. That figure is up from $630 billion spent for the 2015 season. Still retailers say that the average amount spent per person is expected to decline slightly. Georgia consumers are expected to spend an average of $935 on gifts, which is down slightly from 2015’s average of $952 according to GRA’s partners at the National Retail Federation.

State Representative Keisha Waites hopes to get legislation passed that would only allow drivers on Georgia roadways to use a hands-free device. The bill would make it illegal for Georgians to use a hand-held device. Currently, if a driver is over the age of 18, it is legal to use a hand-held cell phone while driving. If this bill becomes law in Georgia, it would be considered a misdemeanor if you are caught using a handheld cell phone. The fine would be $150.

Officials working with the state’s Foster care initiative say that the most dramatic increase in the numbers of children in need of the program has occurred been in Georgia. The statistics show that the foster-care population is up from about 7,600 in September 2013 to 13,266 last month. The state is struggling to provide enough foster homes for these children while also working to keep caseloads at a manageable level for child-protection workers.

16 year old Macy Mathis, the passenger of a fatal accident last Sunday in Tifton has died at a hospital as the result of her injuries. The accident also claimed the life of Adam Sattler age 18. The cause of the accident is still being investigated.