For his part in the concealment of the death of former educator Tara Grinstead Bo Dukes has been indicted by a grand jury in Ben Hill County. The charges against him include concealing Grinstead’s death, tampering with evidence and hindering the apprehension or punishment of a criminal. He is accused of burning her body in October of 2005. Ryan Duke, a friend of Bo Dukes was arrested in February and charged with the murder of Tara Grinstead.

The Valdosta-Lowndes Hospital Authority will meet Wednesday in the executive board room at South Georgia Medical Center; the meeting is open to the public. One of the agenda items to be discussed is the list of candidates to fill the slot of Vice-Chairman Cameron Hickman whose term on the hospital authority expires August 1st.

The Valdosta Fire Department will host its Fourth Annual Citizens Fire Academy designed to educate the residential and business communities about the services provided by the VFD, to increase fire and life safety awareness and to establish community partnerships. The academy is scheduled for 6-9 p.m., nine consecutive Tuesdays, beginning Aug. 29 and concluding Oct. 24, according to a city press release. All classes will be held at the Valdosta Regional Training Center unless otherwise stated. The program is limited to 25 participants, and the deadline to apply is Tuesday, Aug. 1. Download the VFD Citizens Fire Academy application or complete the online application form. Call the VFD, (229) 333-1835; or email valdostafire@valdostacity.com.

25 year old Christopher Colston was already on probation following his conviction on charge of statutory rape. In his latest run-in with law enforcement he was placed behind bars and his bond was denied. Officers with the Thomasville/Thomas County Narcotics/Vice Division working with probation officers charged Colston with possession of methamphetamine and cocaine with the intent to distribute.