The increase in tension between various gang members incarcerated within the state prison system brought about the lockdown of multiple correction facilities during the holiday. A June 11th homicide at the prison in Calhoun led to fighting and injuries to as many as 16 inmates. Several gangs were involved in a June 20th fracas; four prisoners were treated at the prison but the other 16 inmates were taken to area hospitals. The death of inmate Joshua Brooks led to the June 11th arrests of four; three prisoners and one guard. Reported incidents at Autry, Hancock, Macon, Telfair, Valdosta, and Ware State Prisons have also prompted lockdowns and corrections department officials say that as the holiday ends a re-evaluation of the situations will take place.
The death of two Coffee County residents has caused fear and high anxiety for some of the Trellis Drive area homeowners. The Coffee County Sheriff’s department reports that the bodies of 75 year old Donald Morris and 68 year old Linda Morris were found at the home and officials now await autopsy reports from the Medical Examiner in Macon.
Thanks to Second Harvest Food Bank of South Georgia extra school supplies will be given to elementary school teachers in the 30 county area serviced by the organization. This is the second year that Second harvest has provided the pencils, crayons, notebooks and other supplies as teachers and students prepare to return to school.
A weekend raid on a Sylvester nightclub by a multi-area law enforcement task force led to the arrest of Club Celebrity owner 44 year old Roscoe Byrd. Officials had received numerous complaints including drug and gang activity, along with underage alcohol sales. Byrd did not have a license to sell liquor on the property. Officials reported just over a week ago the arrest of a 16 year old for firing shots-the wounding of on person and the injuring of four others after a fight broke out.
Special tribute was paid to veterans of the Viet Nam war and their families at the start of the 4th of July holiday period in Moultrie. An Independence Day Observance program was hosted by members of the daughters of the American Revolution. Organizers say that this year’s event was the best so far. It was held near the war memorial in Downtown Moultrie. The memorial was erected 40 years ago.
New laws are now in effect in the state of Georgia as of July 1st. Students at least 18 years old will now be legally able to carry Tasers and stun guns on Georgia’s public college and university campuses. Law enforcement officers sitting on grand juries who may have used deadly force must now answer questions and they may not be present for the entirety of the proceeding.
Former State Senator Tim Golden, now a member of the State Transportation Board is applauds the benefits of the state’s transportation bill enacted last year. Among the projects cited is the widening of the Highway 133 from Valdosta to Albany. The initiative was begun using federal dollars but the state added 167 million dollars. Georgia lawmakers added increases to the cost of hotel rooms and taxes were increased at the gas pump; raising money for Georgia’s road projects. In all, the year’s collections should come to $760 million in new revenue and those funds will help to cover the cost of road and bridge projects.
Jennifer Sandford, and Billy Eugene Sandford, both of Fitzgerald, and Nicholas Ryan Romero, were arrested by officials in Colquitt County and charged with theft by taking. The pickup truck in which they traveled had a stolen trailer attached to it and now the trio faces felony charges.
A trade mission to Germany on behalf of the state of Georgia includes promoters of the state-Governor Nathan deal who will travel with other officials. Georgia is home to multiple corporations with ties to Germany; the nation that is on top of the number of importing countries, sending their goods to Georgia. Germany is in the top 15 nations exporting goods from the state of Georgia.
Local organizations are collaborating to provide free school supplies, fun and free food and free health screenings to local families. On Saturday, July 30th from 9 am to 1 pm, families can come out to 1050 East Hill Avenue to enjoy live entertainment, free educational sessions for both adults and youth and a medical provider will be on site to provide prescriptions. It’s the 2nd Annual Back to School Health Fair Extravaganza hosted by New Destiny Church, the Georgia Department of Public Health, Union Cathedral Church, the Valdosta-Lowndes Metropolitan Section of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. and the South Georgia Association of Nurse Practitioners. The event is entirely free for all families and will be hosted at Union Cathedral Church; for more information or for questions contact, 229-234-2353.
The City of Valdosta will host a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, July 12, at 8 a.m., to celebrate the culmination of two significant sewer infrastructure improvement projects. The ribbon cutting will be held on the 75-acre site of the new Withlacoochee Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), located at 3180 Wetherington Lane. The public is invited to attend. The ceremony celebrates the $60 million completion of the Force Main Project and the WWTP. For more information, contact Public Information Officer Sementha Mathews at 229-259-3548.
