Officials with FEMA announced that Thomas, Turner and Worth Counties have been added to the disaster declaration after the storms. All affected residents should register with FEMA, even if they are insured.
To register:
Log onto DisasterAssistance.gov;
Download the official FEMA app at Google Play or the Apple App Store.
Or, visit fema.gov/mobile-app. to download the app.
Call 800-621-3362. Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585. If you use 711 or VRS or require accommodations while visiting a center, call 800-621-3362. The toll-free numbers are open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Visit a Disaster Recovery Center. To find the nearest center in southwest Georgia, log onto fema.gov and search for FEMA: DRC Locator.
Coffee County deputies have arrested 46 year old Lorenzo Rivers-a fugitine from justice wanted in Miami. The charges against Rivers include aggravated battery. He will be extradited back to Florida.
Valdosta State University’s Odum Library presents “A Place for All People: Introducing the National Museum of African American History and Culture.” The observation of Black History Month will run though the month of February and is open to the public. The exhibit features a collection of images of items housed in the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, which opened in Washington, D.C., in September 2016, according to a VSU press release. The exhibit is presented in collaboration with Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service.
Highlights of the exhibit include newspapers created by African Americans and civil rights activists; writings and publications by civil rights journalists, one of whom participated in sit-ins and freedom rides; rare books from the 19th and early 20th century written by African American authors; interviews and photographs of South Georgia citizens exploring 20th century race issues; bills of sale for slaves; speeches on slavery from the mid-1800s; and pictures and stories of one family’s educational history. Both exhibits located in the first floor lobby of Odum Library. Admission is free of charge. Contact Deborah Davis, director of VSU Archives and Special Collections, at dsdavis@valdosta.edu to learn more.
The Cancer Coalition of South Georgia will host its Third Annual Night for Hope fundraising gala, April 20, at the Valdosta State University Student Union Ballroom. The 2017 gala honors cancer survivor Col. Robert Ator a 26 year veteran of the United State Air Force. He also served five years as executive director of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Airport Authority and manager of the Valdosta Regional Airport. The formal event includes a plated dinner, live and silent auctions and live musical entertainment. The public is invited and encouraged to be a part of this event. For ticket information contact Gwen Hosley. Ator served five years as executive director of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Airport Authority and manager of the Valdosta Regional Airport. For more information contact gwen.hosley@horizonscommunitysolutions.org; or call (229) 352-6359; or call the main office, (229) 352-9100; or visit the Cancer Coalition online at www.horizonscommunity.org.
The Lowndes County Humane Society formerly housed on East Jane Street has a new facility located at 1740 West Gordon in Remerton. The organization now owns its location and will be able to better serve the animals.
- The Amos Barfield Spay/Neuter Assistance program offers vouchers for discounted spay and neuter surgeries for cats and dogs.
- The pet adoption program holds adoption events most Saturdays at PetSmart, finds foster homes for dogs and offers cat adoptions.
- The trap-neuter-return program involves catching stray cats, spaying or neutering the cats, then returning them to their natural habitat.
- Moody Pet Guardian Angels works with Moody Air Force Base to provide temporary and permanent homes for pets belonging to deployed and reassigned military owners.
- The Humane Society is a no-kill shelter, meaning its primary goal is to find adoptive homes for pets. Call (229) 247-3266.
The Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce has its first project going into its new industrial park with the groundbreaking ceremony held last week by the American Textile Company. The bedding items manufacturer is set to construct a 384 thousand square foot plant-the third facility for the company in Tifton.
Congratulations go out to Jacob Cone of Thomasville, a Scholars Academy senior. He and one other Georgia student will be delegates headed to Washington D.C. in March to participate in the United States Senate Youth Program. Cone was also awarded a $10,000 scholarship.
Its not too late to get your kids signed up for youth baseball and softball with the Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks & Recreation Authority. The registration deadline has been extended to Sunday, February 19th. The league is open to children as young as three years old up to 12 year olds. Volunteer coaches are needed.
There are two non-competitive divisions: 3-4 Year-Old Co-Ed T-ball and 5-7 Year-Old Co-Ed Coach Pitch. The fee for non-competitive leagues is $50 per child.
The other leagues are competitive and are $75 per child. Those leagues are: 5-6 Year-Old Co-Ed Coach Pitch, 7-8 Year-Old Boys Coach Pitch/Girls Coach Pitch, 9-10 Year-Old Boys Live Pitch/Girls Fast Pitch, and 11-12 Year-Old Boys Live Pitch/Girls Fast Pitch.
Competitive leagues require an evaluation and draft. Teams are based on MLB teams and each child will receive a pro jersey and a hat. All games will be at Vallotton Youth Complex, Freedom Park, & South Lowndes Recreation Complex in Lake Park. VLPRA offers a discount for families that have more than one child playing in the league. There is a $10 fee for any participant who lives outside of Valdosta/Lowndes County. Parents can sign their children up at www.vlpra.com until midnight on Sunday, February 19th or at VLPRA’s Youth Athletics office at 1901 North Forrest Street until 5:00 PM on Friday, February 17th. VLPRA is also looking for volunteer coaches. Any parent or volunteer who would like to coach must fill out a volunteer packet and pass a background check. For more information on registering or volunteering, call VLPRA’s youth athletics office at 229-333-1853.
Applications are being accepted by the City of Valdosta through March 17th for the 8th annual Valdosta Government 101 Citizens Orientation, which takes place from April 3- May 15, 2017. Participants of the program will meet on seven consecutive Mondays, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., and will be introduced to the programs and services of city government. A maximum of 25 people will be selected for the 2017 class from those who submit a completed application by the deadline and pass the required background checks. If more than 25 people apply, the city will give preference to applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, contact Public Information Officer Sementha Mathews at 229-259-3548.
The City of Valdosta and the Valdosta Tree Commission will celebrate Arbor Week on Feb. 13th-17th. Valdosta Mayor John Gayle will kick off the week long schedule on Monday, Feb. 13, with an Arbor Week Proclamation, at 10 a.m., at the Valdosta City Hall. At 11 a.m., a ceremonial tree will be planted at McKey Park, on the corner of N. Toombs Street and Roosevelt Drive, to honor first responders and their critical role in our community.
Moody Air Force Base will be honored at a tree planting ceremony that will be held at Freedom Park, on Tuesday, Feb. 14, at 10:30 a.m. Following this event, citizens can enjoy a Lunch and Learn: “Right Tree, Right Place” at the Valdosta City Hall Annex, from 12-1 p.m., featuring guest speakers Jim Wagner and Scott Dawson of Georgia Power. Early registration for this event is recommended, due to the limited seating.
On Wednesday, Feb. 15, free tree seedlings will be available at the city’s Engineering Department, where the Arbor Division is located. Residents can pick up the free seedlings while supplies last at the Engineering Department office, on the second floor of the Valdosta City Hall Annex, at 300 N. Lee Street.
On Thursday, Feb. 16, Valdosta State University will host an Arbor Day Ceremony at Whitehead Camellia Trail at 10 a.m. Parking will be provided on Georgia Avenue for attendees of this ceremony.
The 2017 Arbor Week events will culminate at the Valdosta Tree Commission’s annual Arbor Day Ceremony, which will be held this year on Friday, Feb. 17, at 10 a.m., at the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts, located at 527 N. Patterson Street. The event will honor the City of Valdosta for 31 consecutive years of being a Tree USA community and for being one of only nine Georgia cities with this honor of 31 years or more. Following the Arbor Day ceremony, attendees will be invited to an educational class on trees and infrastructure, at 1 p.m., at the center. Charlie Marcus, Legacy Arborist Services, will be the guest speaker.
The AJC reports that Gwinnett police have confirmed that a teenager who was in the hospital for nearly a week after being hit by a now-fired Gwinnett County police officer has died as the result of his injuries. The 16 year old youth was one of two teenagers hit when officer Scott York’s patrol car jumped a curve and struck the pedestrians last month. So far no charges have been filed.
Georgia Senator Johnny Isakson and his New Hampshire colleague Jeanne Shaheen have re-introduced legislation calling for the federal budget to go into a two year cycle as part of the change in the way that Washington does business. The Senators say that a new two year budget cycle would allow for more budget oversight and accountability while also limiting unecessary federal spending.
A mother and grandmother were visiting the Telfair County Prison over the weekend when a sergeant noticed that the 2 year old child carried by 31 year old Natalie Williams had a suspiciously full diaper. When asked about it Williams said that the diaper was soiled so the prison officer asked the mother to change the diaper and the mother became upset. The grandmother was brought to the scene and the diaper was changed. Inside officials found eight grams of tobacco and 24 grams of methamphetamine concealed in the 2 year old child’s diaper. The mother 31 year old Natalie Willams was arrested.
