University of Georgia Professor of Political Science Charles Bullock states that Governor Nathan Deal took no risks when he vetoed the Religious Liberty and Campus Gun Carry legislation. He cites the fact that Deal who is 73 years old and is now in his second term in the governor’s office plans to retire. He also points to term limits that prohibit him from seeking another term in office. In spite of overwhelming support for both measures from conservative voters and fellow Republicans the voices of opposition and pressure from the corporate sector weighed heavily in his decision making.
The Department of Justice reports that Tennessee and Georgia officials working with U. S. Attorney’s and with agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation have charged the two top leaders of the Gangster Disciple street gang and 48 of the group’s members in two indictments. The charges against them include multiple murders, drug crimes and participation in racketeering enterprises. A sweep involving arrests in seven other states is an attempt by the FBI to break-up the Gangster Disciple organization that is reportedly active in 24 states across the nation. According to released documents Jeremiah Covington, 32, of Valdosta, Georgia, was a first coordinator for the Valdosta region.
Thanks to the watchful eyes of the residents of the Suber Road area in Moultrie two Columbus men on their way to visit persons at the Colquitt County Prison are now behind bars themselves. The duo was spotted parking in several driveways and even walking onto to property by the residents. One citizen attempted to block their vehicle from leaving a neighbor’s house but the men made good their getaway when they saw that they had been spotted. However, a sheriff’s deputy later spotted the men in Norman Park and Edward Merritt and Desjaun Toliver were arrested.
Congratulations go out today to Moultrie School Board Representative for District 1 Trudie Hill. She has been named to the Georgia School Boards Association Government Operations Committee. Her duties will include casting a ballot on legislative policies submitted by the GSBA membership and presenting the recommendations to the Delegate Assembly at their conference this summer.
A detour for Interstate 75 South traffic at Exit 13/Old Clyattville Road has been extended. Contractor Southern Concrete Construction Co. was unable to do any work Tuesday night because of stormy weather. Southern Concrete Construction Co. is removing a section of the bridge above lanes of traffic and repairs will also include replacement and rehabilitating work on other parts of the bridge. The work will also affect Old Clyattville Road traffic with the detour beginning at 9 p.m. and ending by 5 a.m. . Traffic will not be detoured during regular daylight hours. Southbound traffic will get off the interstate at Exit 13 and take Old Clyattville Road to Gil Harbin Industrial Boulevard, turn onto Madison Highway and return to the interstate at Exit 11.
The Valdosta Fire Department will kick off the annual “Give Burns the Boot” drive on Thursday, May 5, continuing through Saturday May 14, joining more than 100 other fire departments throughout the state of Georgia in raising money to benefit the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation. The onsite times at Wal-Mart and Winn Dixie stores are 3 to 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, May 5, 6, 12, 13, and from 1 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 7 and 14: aluminum cans will be accepted at the Wal-Mart on Norman Drive during the boot drive. The money raised through the Give Burns the Boot Drive and the recycled aluminum cans will help support Georgia’s only camp held exclusively for burn-injured children.
Valdosta Mayor John Gayle recognized the winners of the 2016 “If I Were Mayor” 6th Grade Essay Contest sponsored by the Valdosta Youth Council. The program encourages local 6th graders each year to creatively use their language art skills and civics knowledge to express, how they would make a difference if they held the city’s top elected position. This year’s winners are all students of Mrs. Whitfield’s class at Valdosta Middle School.
1st Place— Toni Salami
2nd Place—Kaightlyn Jowers
3rd Place—Deeya Patel
