Heat is on

VALDOSTA, Ga. — South Georgia’s temperatures are about to take a big hike. From a Sunday high of 72 degrees, Valdosta is expected to heat up to 84 by Wednesday, according to a National Weather Service Forecast.  A high-pressure system moving in from the west is bringing the warm temperatures, said Ricardo Humphries, a meteorologist with the weather service’s Tallahassee, Fla., office. “It’s going to be pretty warm for a good part of the week,” said meteorologist Danielle Knittle of the private forecasting firm AccuWeather. Valdosta’s normal average high for this time of year is 74 degrees, so the city will be running about 10 degrees warmer than normal this week, she said. Overnight lows are expected to range from the mid to upper 50s, according to the weather service forecast. There’s little chance of rain until the weekend, when rain chances will run from 20-40 percent Saturday and Sunday, Humphries said. He said there was little chance of severe weather all week long, while Knittle said AccuWeather was watching the weekend forecast with some concern. “Early models show South Georgia will be at the tail end of a line of storms,” though it is likely the worst weather would be to the north of the region, she said.

 

Annual Hometown Celebration slated for April

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — Milledgeville’s Hometown Celebration, an annual event since 2014 is moving from fall to spring. The 2017 Hometown Celebration will be held from 2 to 10 p.m. Saturday, April 22. The event kicked off four years ago as a celebration honoring Milledgeville’s selection as a Great American Main Street award recipient. In its fourth year, the Hometown Celebration has quickly become a favorite event in Milledgeville. After many requests, the event has been moved from fall to spring to avoid the blistering heat and take advantage of the Georgia’s beautiful spring weather, according to a press release from Milledgeville Main Street. The event is also being held on Saturday, instead of Friday evening, allowing more time to enjoy the block party. During this year’s celebration, the 100 block of West Hancock Street will be open to pedestrians. Bands will play throughout the day and popular lake country band, Blind Driver, will close out the evening. There will be activities the entire family can enjoy, including trolley rides courtesy of the CVB. Supporters are encouraged to come early, bring a lawn chair and enjoy the day. For more information, call the Main Street Office at 478.414.4014 or email dthornton@milledgevillega.us.

 

City looking for new administrator 

DALTON, Ga. – The city of Dalton has been without an administrator since Ty Ross resigned almost six months ago after almost seven years on the job. City Council members agreed last year that before they began a search for a new administrator they wanted to discuss exactly what they want that position to encompass to see if any changes are needed. One of the questions they raised was whether the city should move to a city manager form of government, which would require a change in the city’s charter. Typically a city manager can hire and fire department heads, while a city administrator cannot. Mayor Dennis Mock says that’s still the plan but first the city will do a top-to-bottom review of its services and departments. That means it could be several more weeks, at minimum, before the council does hire an administrator. An extended time without an administrator is not unprecedented. The city was without an administrator for 13 months before Ross was hired.

 

Cancer program offers free services

ALBANY, Ga. — Southwest Health District is offering a program for women 40 through 64 residing in Georgia that is aimed at reducing cases of breast and cervical cancer. “Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths for women in the United States and Georgia,” said Southwest Health District Women’s Health Program Director Cynthia Walters. “Early detection is critical for both breast cancer and cervical cancer.” She said the Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention Program was developed to help reduce the impact of breast and cervical cancer in Georgia by providing breast and cervical cancer screening, diagnostic services and referral to treatment as medically indicated to uninsured and under-insured women with limited income residing in Georgia. “You have to be a Georgia resident but don’t have to be a legal citizen to receive these services,” Walters said. Funded by state and national money, there is no charge for services for women enrolled in the BCCP program. Women interested in taking part in the program, or seeking more information, should contact their local county health department.

 

ABAC to celebrate Homecoming Week

TIFTON, Ga. – From Stallion Day to the Gee Haw Whoa Back rodeo, alumni and friends can help Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College celebrate its week-long 2017 Homecoming activities on April 4-8. ABAC Alumni Director Lynda Fisher said this year’s Homecoming festivities include the Alumni Awards and Athletics Hall of Fame Dinner, Stallion Day, the Alumni Cookout, the sixth annual Run for the Nurses, the Golden Alumni reunion, and the Folklife Festival and spring opening of the Wiregrass Farmers Market at the Georgia Museum of Agriculture.  The festivities will begin on April 4 at 7 p.m. with the First Tuesday Concert Series “Night of Broadway Music’ featuring ABAC music faculty and students at the Chapel of All Faiths.  This performance is free of charge. One of the highlights of Homecoming, the Alumni vs. Students Softball Game, will be held at 5:30 p.m. at Fillies Field on April 5. Community members are welcome to be a part of the audience for this event. A plant sale will be held at the J.G. Woodroof Farm at ABAC on April 6-7 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The community can come out and support the Fillies softball and Stallion baseball teams on April 7. The Fillies will play at 3 p.m. in a double-header against West Georgia Technical College at Fillies Field, and the Stallions will follow at Stallion Field at 6 p.m. with a twin-bill against East Georgia State College. For information on the 2017 ABAC Homecoming activities or to sign up for an event, interested persons can go to www.abac.edu/homecoming or call (229) 391.4900.

 

FDOH to hold healthy hike in April

BRANFORD, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health in Lafayette and Suwannee Counties will host a Healthy Hike at Troy Springs State Park on April 22. The hike will start at 9 a.m. There will be a coffee/snack time at 10 a.m. There is a $5 admission to the park per vehicle. Participants are urged to wear appropriate clothing and footwear, as terrain may be uneven.   The park is located at 647 NE Troy Springs Road, Branford.