Supporters and opponents of President Donald Trump will gather at the Lowndes County Courthouse Friday. One group-the Georgians for the Impeachment of Donald Trump will rally from 11 am until 1 pm while on the opposite side of the street supporters of the President will gather from 10 am until 2 pm. Sheriff Ashley Paulk and Police Chief Brian Childress have warned all participants no unruly behavior will be tolerated; including verbal threats-insults or fighting. The leaders of both groups will be held responsible if any altercations take place and the rallies will be immediately shut down.

A 12 month investigation into the business of distributing and selling methamphetamine in Colquitt County and the surrounding areas has led to the arrest of 16 persons, an even divide between males and females, out of a group of 33 that were indicted. Law enforcement officials report that more that 12 people were arrested in Colquitt County. The drug ring has ties to Atlanta and Florida.

33 year old Lenorris Williams and 36 year old Kimberly Williams have been charged with attempt to commit murder, first degree arson and aggravated assault. Their charges are connected to the stabbing of a Baker County woman-61 year old Georgia Griffin-who was found injured inside her burning home. She remained in critical condition at last report.

In a press release Chris Carr the Attorney General for the state of Georgia announced the scheduled execution of 45 year old J.W. Ledford on May 16th. The execution is scheduled to take place at the state prison in Jackson. Ledford’s would be the state’s first execution this year. He was convicted in 1992 in the death of Murray County doctor Harry Johnston and the armed robbery of the dead man’s wife. Nine death row inmates were executed in Georgia last year.

Thanks to a new program at Thomas University South Georgia veterans have a new Services and Career Transition Center. The provided services include job training, benefits and housing assistance. Administrators of the program hope to draw veterans from the entire South Georgia region.

Governor Nathan Deal will be joined by members of the Georgia General Assembly as he signs 10 bills into law. The legislations includes House Bill 37 which states that “postsecondary institutions in [Georgia] shall not adopt sanctuary policies,” and those that do “shall be subject to the withholding of state funding.” House Bill 338 is the state’s “school turnaround” bill that gives chronically failing schools three years to boost grades. If standards aren’t met by that deadline, state education officials would then be able to take action by firing staff members and potentially convert the public school into a charter school. Under the bill, the new chief turnaround officer would be hired to work with local school leaders to improve schools identified as low-performing.

The Friends of Reed Bingham State Park and WWALS Watershed Coalition invite the public to come paddle a canoe or kayak in the fifth annual BIG Little River Paddle Race on Saturday, April 29. This year the lunch included afterwards will be grilled at the park, and there will be a silent auction. Registration is from 8-9 a.m. with a mass start planned shortly thereafter. For fees and other information call 229-392-5513.