When state lawmakers return to the capitol in January they will deal with items awaiting action, including, education reform and the review of the state’s education funding formula. Local legislator Amy Carter headed a group of 90 educators have been meeting working on Governor Nathan Deal’s reform package. The education reform commission has completed a report that state lawmakers will consider.
Agents with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation report that Officer William Patterson, 26, and Officer James Wynn, 27-were wounded by gunshots in Franklin County-in Lavonia-northeast of Atlanta. They were transported to a hospital but their injuries were not life threatening. Khari Gordon, 22, of Greenville, South Carolina has been arrested. This is the second double officer involved shooting incident in Georgia in two days. Two Byron, Georgia officers continue to recover from injuries after they were shot while attempting to serve a warrant. Officers Nicholas Smarr and Jody Smith were both fatally wounded in Americus in the line of duty.
There is a new call for help for mothers with addiction problems. According to the latest numbers from researchers at the University of Michigan, the estimates show that since 2013 the number of babies born with maladies associated with the mother’s use of heroin, opioids and pain killers is up by 13 percent since 2004. In rural areas the number of babies affected much higher. The study recommends prevention programs and treatment for women in rural areas of the country.
A burglar alarm sounded at the Imperial Auto Sales Company on North Ashley Street and thanks to the quick and efficient work of Valdosta Police officers the thieves were apprehended. 18 year old Kevin Brown was arrested along with three juveniles; all are charged with felony criminal attempt to commit burglary and felony possess of tools used in the commission of a crime.
The winners of the 2016 Math Tournament held at Valdosta State University recently are students on the Valdosta High School Math Team. They beat out 15 other competing high school teams to take the honors. They will be formally recognized at the next meeting of the Valdosta Board of Education. Other students who have achieved high honors will also be recognized. The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. at the Superintendent’s Office, 1204 Williams St.
The reported suicide of a Grady County man shocked court officials in Thomas County. Jamey Wolford was scheduled to appear in court for trial this week in connection with charges of felony murder and voluntary manslaughter. Jury selection was set to get underway but court action was halted when it was discovered that Wolford was found dead in Grady County. According to the report he died as the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His body was found by a family member.
