Valdosta Police Chief Brian Childress says that community policing efforts are yielding benefits. He cites the work done by the Citizens Against Violence organization. They sometimes go from residence to residence talking with citizens and making them aware of the role that they can play in reducing crime in their neighborhoods. Childress says that citizens are becoming more and more involved in reporting suspicious behavior and crime related activity in their neighborhoods.
The Associated press reports that a A Georgia Senate panel has approved legislation that would reduce the punishment for possessing small amounts of marijuana.Under the legislation, possession of up to two ounces of marijuana would be punishable as a misdemeanor rather than a felony as is currently the case. The bill goes next to the Senate Rules Committee.
Reporter Laura Corley posted this story…A woman visiting Wilcox State Prison was found to be toting more than eight ounces of marijuana. Asia Ballard was visiting an inmate at the Wilcox State Prison when she was searched after someone smelled marijuana. Guards found two bundles of marijuana, weighing more than 230 grams combined. Ballard was later arrested. In a related incident Precilla Jones was arrested at the Calhoun State Prison. She too was accused of smuggling marijuana into the prison.. A package was confiscated by a supervisor. It was was found to be about 30 grams of suspected marijuana.
The community is invited to a free screening of the movie “Our Soldier,” hosted by the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts 527 N. Patterson Street, on Thursday, March 2, at 7:30 p.m. Our Soldier” is an award-winning independent documentary about the emotional bond between two continents, which is still strong 70 years after World War II. This event is sponsored by Ms. Eleanor Howard and endorsed by the Valdosta-Lowndes County Film Initiative and other local organizations. RSVP at 229-247-2787, or visit turnercenter.org for more information.
The deadline to register with FEMA for disaster assistance is March 27, 2017. Residents of Berrien, Cook, Crisp, Dougherty, Thomas, Turner, Wilcox, and Worth counties who suffered damage from the January storms may register by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. $2.9 million in FEMA assistance was approved for individuals and households, including $1.97 million for home repairs and temporary housing; and$952,629 for other disaster‐related expenses and serious needs. $5 million in disaster loans were approved for homeowners, renters and businesses by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
The City of Valdosta and the Valdosta City Schools System will honor Malcolm Mitchell at a community celebration on Monday, March 6, at 6 p.m. The event will be held at the Bazemore-Hyder Stadium and will publicly celebrate Mitchell’s outstanding success as an athlete, an author, and as a mentor to young people everywhere. The public is invited to fill the stands on the home side of the Bazemore-Hyder Stadium as Mayor Gayle officially proclaims March 6 as Malcolm Mitchell Day and presents him with a Key to the City. The Valdosta City Schools will honor Mitchell with various presentations, including Mitchell’s framed #19 New England Patriots jersey which will be displayed in the new Valdosta High School.
As deputies from the Lowndes County Sheriff’s department pay their last respects to deceased deputy Chris Butler Thursday afternoon, officers with the Valdosta Police department will be deputized and will cover patrols and assignments in the county during the funeral services. They will render their services from 2 pm until 7 pm after being deputized by Sheriff Ashley Paulk. Funeral services for Chris Butler are scheduled for 4 pm Thursday March 2nd at the Morningside Baptist Church with burial at McLane Riverview.
The Valdosta-Lowndes Metropolitan Section of The National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (NCNW) is hosting it’s 3rd Annual S.E.L.F.I.E. (Success, Education, Leadership, Finance, Innovation, Empowerment) Conference. This year the organization has expanded the opportunity to young males ages 16-25 years old. Both males and females in this targeted group can participate in the free conference and a free lunch will be served. The conference will be hosted in the Magnolia Room at Valdosta State University on Saturday, March 25th from 8:30 am to 2 pm. Participants can register free online at eventbrite.com. For more information contact 229-234-2353 or ncnwofvaldosta@gmail.com.
