Customer pulls gun in effort to stop shoplifter

MOULTRIE, Ga. — Two men, one of whom pulled a gun, came to the assistance Saturday of a store employee who was shoved aside by a thief as she tried to block his exit. At about 9:42 p.m. police were dispatched to the Dollar General store, 1908 First Ave. S.E., to investigate the incident. The employee told police that a customer reported that a man was shoplifting women’s clothing, and as he came toward the register the employee saw several items of clothing sticking out of his jacket. The employee stood at the exit and asked the man whether he was paying for the merchandise. The man told her to move and pushed her away to make his way outside. Two male customers then tried to detain the man. One ran outside and got in front of the shoplifter and, when he was pushed aside, pulled a pistol. At that time the man ran to a car at a restaurant next door and left with a woman driving. Some $107 worth of stolen merchandise was recovered, police said.

 

TRMC Foundation to hold Kentucky Derby Gala

TIFTON, Ga. — The Tift Regional Medical Center (TRMC) Foundation will be hosting a Kentucky Derby Gala on Saturday, April 22, 7:00 p.m. to midnight, at The Golf Club of South Georgia in Tifton. Attendees are encouraged to wear attire such as hats and bowties for this derby-themed event, which will include a seated dinner, live music, a dance floor, silent auction and a diamond giveaway. Tickets are $125 per person and are tax deductible. All proceeds benefit the TRMC Foundation. The TRMC Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to enriching healthcare in the community through fundraising, medical equipment donations, building project assistance, patient experience enhancements, medical scholarships and more. The funds from this annual fundraiser have benefited the Foundation’s Heart Safe Community initiative in the past. Brooks said a shuttle service will be available for attendees. Tickets and shuttle reservations can be made by calling (229) 391-3310 or by sending an email to mandy.brooks@tiftregional.com. The Golf Club of South Georgia is located in Tifton at 3922 U.S. Highway 41, near Sunsweet. Visit www.trmcf.com for more information.

 

Music at the Mansion April 22

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — “Music at the Mansion” – an evening of spring air, music and history – will be at 6 p.m. on the lawn of Georgia’s Old Governor’s Mansion on Saturday.

Hosted by the Mansion and Georgia College’s music department, the concert will be preceded by a picnic dinner on the lawn.The concert will feature Georgia College’s wind symphony, brass ensemble, saxophone quartet, percussion ensemble, Irish Fiddle Tunes and the Cat’s Meow, an a cappella group that performs pop music.Music lovers and families can set up tables, chairs and games for children, like Frisbee. Light snacks and beverages will be available for purchase. In the event of rain, the performance will be moved inside. Admission is free but a $5 donation is encouraged. All proceeds benefit music scholarships or the GC Music Department, as well as the Old Governor’s Mansion, through the GCSU Foundation, Inc. For more information call 478-445-8289.

 

Club holding hat and fashion show

DALTON, Ga. — The Woman’s Community Club holds its annual hat and fashion extravaganza at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Mack Gaston Community Center in Dalton. Admission is $6 for adults and $2 for children 5 to 12.

 

VSU planetarium present ‘Great Eclipse’

VALDOSTA, Ga.  — The Valdosta State University Planetarium will present “The Great Eclipse of 2017,” 7 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. Friday, April 21.  The presentation is free of charge and open to the public, according to a VSU press release. “In just four months — on Aug. 21 — a total solar eclipse will be visible from northeastern Georgia,” according to VSU’s Department of Physics, Astronomy and Geosciences. “In Valdosta, the eclipse will be partial, with the moon covering up to 90 percent of the sun’s disk. The path of totality will stretch from Oregon to South Carolina, making this the best solar eclipse in decades for Americans. … There will not be another like it in the United States until 2024.” “The Great Eclipse of 2017” will include a discussion on where experts plan to view the eclipse, where weather is expected to be best along the track and how the entire nation is preparing for the event. Seating for each of the three presentations is limited to 47 people.  Free admission tickets will be distributed beginning 6 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis at the VSU Planetarium. Tickets are limited to seven per person. The VSU Observatory will be open from 8-10:30 p.m., weather permitting, allowing guests the opportunity to view Mars, Jupiter and “a host of celestial wonders.”  Located on the third floor of Nevins Hall, the VSU Planetarium features a Digitarium Kappa digital projector, which can reproduce the night sky as seen from anywhere on Earth or from the surface of any object in the solar system, at any time in history, past or future. The technology is the first of its kind in the world, according to VSU. Limited parking will be available in front of Nevins Hall and across Patterson Street. Planetarium public outreach shows are appropriate for children ages 5 and up. “The Great Eclipse of 2017” is the final presentation of the 2016-2017 season. Contact VSU’s Department of Physics, Astronomy, and Geosciences at (229) 333-5752 for more information. Visit the Web: https://www.valdosta.edu/colleges/arts-sciences/physics-astronomy-geosciences/welcome.php