Beckham named VP of Tifton Chamber

TIFTON, Ga. — Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Brian Marlowe recently announced that he has appointed Chris Beckham as the Chamber’s Vice President. Beckham has served as the Chamber’s Communications Manager on a part-time basis for the last three years and has worked with the Chamber on special projects for several years prior to that. Beckham previously served as Managing Editor of The Tifton Gazette and has also hosted daily radio shows in Tifton and in Valdosta. He is a member and past president of the Tifton Exchange Club, was a long-time board member and Vice President of the Tift County Foundation of Educational Excellence and served several years as the Board Chairman for the Salvation Army. Beckham will be involved in all facets of the Chamber of Commerce including communications, membership services, special events and day to day operations. “I am excited about the new role and eager to help the Chamber grow and provide even more services to our members,” Beckham said. “Our mission is to help our existing members thrive while working to bring more jobs to our community. We plan to find more exciting ways to achieve both of those objectives and I am looking forward to being involved on a full-time basis. We have a great staff here and many hard-working and dedicated volunteers. I’m proud to be a part of it.” Beckham and his wife Stacey, the Public Relations Director for the Tift County Board of Education, have two sons, Chase and Jackson.

 

Driver faces drug charges

MOULTRIE, Ga. — A Tifton teen faces drug charges after a traffic stop and investigation by the Norman Park Police Department and Colquitt County Sheriff’s Office. Lewis Dean Nickell Jr., 18, of Isabella-Nashville Road, was charged Friday afternoon with possession of marijuana and possession of a Schedule IV substance. The Norman Park officer stopped Nickell’s car at East Weeks Street and U.S. Highway 319, said Sgt. Justin Searcy of the sheriff’s office’s Drug Enforcement Team. Searcy said the officer smelled marijuana, and when he asked the driver about it, the teen produced a clear bag containing a green, leafy substance. A subsequent search of the vehicle also found 135 pills, believed to be prescription alprazolam, the generic name for Xanax.

 

Live Oak Library holding car display Saturday

LIVE OAK, Fla. — The Suwannee River Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America and local car enthusiasts will be at the Live Oak Public Library on Saturday.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., they group will be displaying classic, antique and hot-rod cars and trucks at the library. The event is open to the public to bring and display their vintage cars and trucks as well. There is no registration, just come display, view and talk vehicles.

Call the library at 386-362-2317 for more information.

 

Milledgeville educator named finalist for DJJ Teacher of the Year

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — Milledgeville educator Janice L. Zeigler was recently named a finalist for the Georgia Preparatory Academy’s (GPA) 2016 Teacher of the Year. Zeigler was recognized for her service during a special presentation at the State of Georgia’s Tift College campus in Forsyth. Zeigler’s personal education philosophy is driven by a duty to help guide and enlighten troubled youth. Zeigler, who is an English-Language Arts teacher at the Youth Development Campus (YDC) in Macon, was recognized as a Teacher of the Year finalist as part of winter graduation ceremonies for students from DJJ secure facilities throughout the state.

She has been an educator for more than 15 years, with five of those years teaching at the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice. The commissioner and GPA Associate Superintendent of Schools Dr. Richard Behrens congratulated all the finalists for their dedication and professionalism.

 

Historical society seeking textile photos

DALTON, Ga. — The Whitfield-Murray Historical Society and the Dalton Convention and Visitors Bureau are partnering for Preserving the Peacock Picture Week in an effort to expand the collection of historic textile photos. The event will kick off on Saturday, Feb. 25, from noon to 4 p.m. at Crown Gardens and Archives at 715 Chattanooga Ave. in Dalton. People are asked to bring in their old photos to have them scanned into a historical collection to be preserved for future generations. The historical society and the CVB are looking for 1910s-1990s-era pictures of Dalton and the surrounding area, specifically Dixie Highway, spread houses, mill village houses, spread lines, employees of local businesses, tufting machines, downtown Dalton, Thornton Avenue, the old hospital and demolished buildings. All photos will be returned immediately to the owners and lunch will be provided. If you cannot attend the kickoff, you can bring your pictures to Crown Gardens and Archives to be scanned the week of Feb. 27-March 4 between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Contact Vallarie Pratt at (706) 278-0217 or wmhs@optilink.us or Erin Johns at (706) 876-2526 or ejohns@visitdaltonga.com for more information.

 

Dosta Playhouse presents ‘Acts of Love’

VALDOSTA, Ga. — “Acts of Love,” at the Dosta Playhouse, 122 N. Ashley St. The Theatre Guild Valdosta will present two one-act plays Sunday. Show starts 3 p.m.