Officials across the state are urging consumers not to rush to gas pumps to fill their tanks. A Colonial Pipeline company gasline rupture has caused some Georgians to hurry to fill their vehicles and causing some stations to run out of gasoline. Lowndes County officials are also urging citizens to follow normal routines so as not to cause a gas shortage. Repairs work on the pipeline has been slowed due to inclimate weather.
The Lowndes County Sheriff’s department announces the arrest of Deyonco Jackson age 29 of Orlando, Florida. He was initially stopped for speeding on Interstate 75 but a search of his vehicle turned up heroin, crack and powder cocaine, marijuana, ecstasy and other narcotics along with a 9 millimeter handgun that was reported stolen in Marion County. Jackson faces major charges including distribution.
Valdosta State University signed articulation agreements with Oconee Fall Line Technical College, simplifying student transition between the two institutions of higher education. The Pathways Program agreement will allow Oconee Fall Line Technical College students with an associate of applied science in one or more of the approved articulated programs to maximize the transfer of credits in order to complete either bachelor degrees in organizational leadership, applied science in human capital performance, or a bachelor of science in office administration and technology in two years or less at Valdosta State University.
Mark your calendars; the Valdosta Police Department hosts its third quarter community forum, 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, at Grace Fellowship Church, 1304 W. Hill Ave. All community members and leaders in South Georgia are invited. The purpose of the forums are multi-faceted: Police Chief Brian Childress will discuss where the department stands in specified areas to include citizen complaints, use of force, vehicle pursuits, crime/traffic enforcement, and the current status of crime in Valdosta.
The Associated press reports that it conducted a collaborative investigation with the Center for Public Integrity and among its findings was the fact that drug makers and related advocvacy groups hire hundreds of lobbyists and give millions in campaign contributions to help kill or weaken measures aimed at prescription opioids that have contributed to the desath of 165,000 Americans. In georgia state lawmakers received more than 1.2 million dollars and were lobbied each year by an average of 41 people representing drug makers and related advovacy groups. Gov. Nathan Deal received the most financial support among state lawmakers and candidates in Georgia, reporting at least $89,900 from 2006 through 2015. He received the seventh-highest total among state candidates nationally who received donations from the organizations, behind Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley and ahead of former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell.
The Valdosta Pilot Shuttle Program has been extended through December 31, 2016. After this date, the grant funding received will be exhausted under the Department of Human Services and the project will be discontinued unless other funding can be identified. Funding to support this project is the result of a grant the Georgia Department of Human Services receives from the Georgia Department of Transportation in conjunction with the Federal Transit Association. The shuttle is free to clients who fill out the mandatory Consumer Registration Form, which is available on the shuttle, online, or at participating shuttle stop locations. Shuttle Hours of Operation are Monday – Friday 7 am to 7 pm, Saturdays 8:30 am to 4 pm. Only 2 bags per person may be carried on the shuttle and riders must be 14 years or older to ride alone. Younger riders must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older. For more information call contact Southern Georgia Regional Commission, Transit and Mobility Coordinator, JD Dillard; 229-333-5277.
