The City of Valdosta is proud to partner again with the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts for the 9th Annual Valdosta People’s Choice Photo Contest. The local tradition invites people to capture the beauty of Valdosta on camera. No professional skills, special equipment or fees are required to enter. For more information, call the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts at 229-247-2787 or the city’s Public Information Office at 229-259-3548.

Mayor John Gayle inspired sixth grade students at Valdosta Middle School to enter the “If I Were Mayor, I Would…” essay contest during his Feb. 15 visit. Students enthusiastically raised their hands to agree to enter the essay contest. The deadline for the contest, sponsored by the Valdosta Youth Council, is Friday March 10.

Your personal and financial information could be at risk of theft according to a warning issued by the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office. Consumers are being targeted by scammers posing as the United States Postal Service online reporting a missed delivery. However, when citizens attempt to access a provided link a virus is uploaded allowing access to the customers information. The email should be immediately deleted.

More applications are coming in to Georgia’s State Trooper Posts now that salaries have been increased by 20 percent. Newly hired troopers salaries start around $36 thousand dollars and post graduation salaries come in at about $46 thousand dollars.