Former sheriff Ashley Paulk will be the new Lowndes County sheriff after he earned 57 percent of the vote against incumbent Sheriff Chris Prine in Tuesday’s election. Paulk, a Democrat, garnered 20,907 votes compared to Prine’s 15,654 — a difference of 5,253 votes. Provisional ballots have not yet been counted. Official results will be confirmed by the Georgia Secretary of State’s office in the coming days.
State Rep. Dexter Sharper won his Georgia House of Representatives reelection bid for District 177 and State Sen. Ellis Black will again represent State Senate District 8. Sharper, a Democrat, received 8,971 votes or 64.21 percent of the votes. Republican opponent Deidra White received 5,001 votes or 35.79 percent of the votes.
Austin Fiveash garnered 18,971 votes or 53.17 percent of the votes. Brad Carter, a Democrat, received 16,709 votes or 46.83 percent of the votes. Election results are not final until certified by the Lowndes County Board of Elections.
Officials with the Valdosta Police Department are on the hunt for a suspect wanted in connection with an armed robbery. The suspect is identified as Tyler Cortez Morrison. Officials are asking anyone with information regarding Morrison’s whereabouts to call 911.
Georgian’s voted down Amendment 1 but passed the other three amendments in the Nov. 8 election. The amendment would have created a state-run “Opportunity School District” to oversee failing schools. School administrators across the state — including here in Valdosta and Lowndes County opposed Amendment 1 which would have taken control of schools away from local elected officials.
In the race for Lowndes County Tax Commissioner it was Rodney Cain winning over Felicia Williams. Cain garnered over 19,700 votes to Williams 16,356. All vote tallies must now be certified by the Board of Elections.
The National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (NCNW) Valdosta-Lowndes Metropolitan Section hosted its 4th Annual Bethune Leadership Recognition Banquet on Saturday, October 29th at the James H. Rainwater Center. Three categories included High School, Collegiate and Community honorees who exhibit the “Bethune State of Mind” in leadership and community impact. This year the organization presented three community SHE-roes; County Commissioner, Joyce Evans, Minister Elsie Napier and Detective Sabrina Smith of Conqueror’s Deliverance Center. The organization wanted to recognize these women for their leadership, impact and commitment to empowering women and their community.
Officials at Second Harvest Food Bank say that the ten thousand dollar donation from the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation could not have come at a better time. The organization is making preparations to provide Thanksgiving Holiday food boxes for thousands of families. The donation comes as part of the Fill your Tank Campaign.
No burning permits will be issued for the time being in Lowndes County due to the dry and windy weather conditions. However, because there is no ban on burning so far residents may still light small outdoor warming fires. There should be no burning of yard waste, and officials say that the that just to be on the safe side, residents should refrain from all burning. Violation of the restrictions could result in a fine and or jail time.
Governor Nathan Deal is voicing his concerns about the drought condition in the state and he is advising residents to be careful when burning and to observe all local restrictions. The governor says that in light of the severe drought conditions throughout the state more restrictions could be forth coming.
The Georgia department of Community Affairs has awarded grants to Tifton and Tift County in the amounts of 500 thousand dollars each. The funds will be used to make street and drainage improvements and to help with some problematic flood areas.
