GA-FL At a Glance

Published 2:32 pm Friday, August 5, 2016

SGMC offers dementia class

VALDOSTA, Ga.  — South Georgia Medical Center is accepting reservations for its dementia seminar. The class will provide information on the signs, symptoms and treatments for the disease. Dr. Joel Morgan, medical director of the SGMC Dogwood Senior Health Center in Nashville, will lead the seminar.  The center focuses on behavioral care for patients, ages 55 and older, including Alzheimer’s and dementia with behavioral changes, according to the hospital. Dementia is not a specific disease, rather an umbrella term to describe an array of symptoms associated with memory decline, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Early detection is key to providing the best treatment. Dementia affects nearly 5.4 million Americans, officials said.  The seminar will take place 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 23, at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College.  A complimentary meal will be provided for participants.  Class size is limited. To register, call (229) 433-1070.

Victim threatened by scammer

THOMASVILLE, Ga. — The person who called a Thomas County residence in a scam attempt made threats that caused the resident to contact law enforcement. The would-be scam victim told a Thomas County Sheriff’s Office deputy the caller told him he was the winner of a sweepstakes, but $500 was needed for him to be able to claim the prize. The victim told the caller he knew the call was a scam and would not participate. The caller said he was familiar with or affiliated with ISIS and the terrorist group would “drop bombs on Georgia.” The victim terminated the call and notified the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office.

Annual Fishing for Autism Bass Tourney fund-raiser set for Aug. 27-28

BRANFORD, Fla. – Calling all fishing enthusiast, the Third Annual Fishing for Autism Bass Tournament fund-raiser for Little Star Center and local ESE programs is Aug. 27-28 at Ellie Ray’s RV Resort and Lounge south of Branford, Fla. Men, women and children (with parent or guardian) welcome. Tournament special guest, Bass Pro Peter “Peter T” Thliveros with 32 years fishing experience, will be there fishing local teen, Bryson Osteen. With its $5,000 first prize, this community event is sponsored by Ellie Ray’s each year to focus on community, charities which need help and to remind us to help others. In the past these tournaments have drawn huge crowds with well over 500 patrons there last year and almost $17,000 profit raised. Ninety four teams registered last year for the actual fishing tournament and registration this year is well on its way to more than 100. In 2016, Ellie Ray’s hopes many more will feel the need to share with others less fortunate and be part of this great event while having a deal of fun also. Registration is open and Aug. 25 is the deadline to pre-register. The two-day event begins Aug. 27 with the top 15 teams from that day competing Aug. 28 in the final. Advance entry fee $100 per boat (2-person team), $125 day of event. The tournament is open to people 18 years old and older; under age 18 must have a legal parent/guardian with a boat 14 feet or longer. Tournament begins at 6 a.m., ends at 3 p.m. First prize is $5,000. Along with first place, the competition pays out: 2nd $2,000, 3rd $1,250, 4th $650, 5th $500, 6th $300, 7th $225, 8th $200, 9th $175, 10th $150, 11th – 15th $125/each. For more information, call 1-855-RIVER13, visit www.ellieraysrvresort.com or contact the resort directly at ellierays@gmail.com.

Hamilton County schools hold “Meet Your Teacher”

JASPER, Fla. — School starts back in Hamilton County on Wednesday, August 10. Students will have the opportunity to meet their teacher August 8 and 9. Hamilton County High School will hold open house on Monday, August 8 from 2-3:30 p.m. in the gym.All elementary schools will hold Meet Your Teacher day on Tuesday, August 9.South Hamilton Elementary School’s Meet Your Teacher day will be from 9-10 a.m.  Central Hamilton Elementary School’s Meet Your Teacher day will be from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. North Hamilton Elementary School’s Meet Your Teacher day will be from 1:30-2:30 p.m. 

Birdsong Nature Center plans butterfly excursion

TALLAHASSEE, Fl. — The Golden Banded-Skipper is described in most butterfly field guides as “rare and elusive” in the eastern U.S., yet it is easy to see at Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park in Tallahassee, Florida. Named for the luminous golden bands across its forewings, the skipper is found in the shady portions of the park where its larval food plant, thicket bean, grows.  It has two broods, the first in April and the second in July and August.  Birdsong Nature Center officials have studied this fascinating skipper for more than five years and have worked with the park managers to assure the butterfly’s population remains healthy. Located on the north side of Tallahassee, Phipps Park is one of the best butterfly-watching sites in the Florida Panhandle, with some 85 species identified to date.  Attendees will see the Golden Banded-Skipper in its habitat and the interesting aspects of this butterfly’s behavior and ecology.  There will also be many other butterflies to observe and learn about. Meet at Gate A parking lot off of Miller Landing Road at 9 a.m., Saturday. For a map go to http://www.talgov.com/Uploads/Public/Documents/parks/pdf/phipps.pdf .  Bring regular or close-focusing binoculars, a camera, plenty of water, and a lunch.  For information, email dsjue@embarqmail.com,  birdsong@birdsongnaturecenter.org or (850) 386-1393 or 800-953-2473. for additional information.

Off-road vehicle stolen from Moultrie dealership

MOULTRIE, Ga. — An off-road vehicle valued at more than $14,000 was stolen after a thief cut the fence at a Moultrie farm equipment company. DeMott Tractor Co. reported the Polaris Rzr 900 missing from the 1659 Sylvester Hwy. dealership. The thief or thieves were able to gain access to the outdoor area from which the vehicle was taken by cutting through a fence, Colquitt County Sheriff’s Inv. Michael Cox said.

City hears proposal for Complete Streets policy

TIFTON, Ga. — At a recent Tifton City Council meeting, members heard from Elliott Caldwell, Complete Streets coordinator for Georgia Bikes. Caldwell said Georgia Bikes is a statewide organization based out of Savannah. Georgia Bikes’ mission is to improve bicycling conditions and promote bicycling throughout the state of Georgia. During his presentation, he noted, “Complete Streets are streets for everybody.” He said they enable safe access for all users. Complete Streets policies are adopted by cities, counties and states. He noted Complete Streets are proved to be safer for automobile users as well. He said crashes tend to go down in areas where Complete Streets policies have been implemented. When showing pictures of Complete Streets in other communities, Caldwell said the design is not difficult; all it takes is a little paint. He said according to the UGA Traffic Safety Research Group regarding crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists, Tift County is among the communities that has an elevated concern. Caldwell said customers who walk and bike to places are more likely to spend more time in the area and make repeat trips. He noted that walking and biking is also a great way for people to be more physically active. Additionally, he said Complete Streets will help with tourism. Caldwell told council members that to implement the Complete Streets policy, they ask that communities spend a small portion of their city/county transportation budget. He mentioned different levels of state and local funding for resurfacing projects.

Man charged with sexual exploitation of a child

CHATSWORTH, Ga. — A Chatsworth man faces the possibility of federal prosecution for producing child pornography of a 7-year-old girl and emailing pictures to undercover officers, officials said. Cory Landon Parker, 21, was charged Tuesday with 14 felony counts of sexual exploitation of a child, and Murray County Sheriff’s Office investigator Brett Morrison said more charges are likely. Morrison said the pictures were sent to an officer as part of an operation by the FBI’s task force on child pornography. He said federal prosecutors are looking into the case and authorities were scheduled to interview the child Thursday afternoon. Morrison said seven pictures of a “clearly” pornographic nature were discovered in the search. Parker is being held without bond in the county jail.