Man uses metal mop handle to strike woman

DALTON, Ga. — A Dalton man hit a woman several times with a metal mop handle after the two got into an argument over “a mess” in the kitchen, according to information in an incident report from the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office. Edgar Rubio, 35, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault (family violence) after the incident at his residence at 326 Mill Trace-B Tuesday evening around 6:15. He was released Wednesday on a $6,000 bond. According to the report, the mother of Rubio’s daughter told deputies Rubio and the girl were playing in the kitchen and made “a mess” with water in the floor. When the mother told them to stop, she said Rubio got mad and started hitting her with a metal mop handle. The report said she had lacerations on her right elbow and neck. She told deputies Rubio also grabbed a wooden chair and threw it at her. The report said Rubio was “not cooperative” with the deputies in telling what happened. After being told what the woman had claimed, the report said “he said that he did hit her with a metal mop handle, but that is all he said.” The report said the woman declined medical attention. A phone number for Rubio could not be found.

 

 

FGC presents Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’

LAKE CITY, Fla. — Florida Gateway College will present Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” in the Alfonso Levy Performing Arts Center next month.  Presented in partnership with the FGC Choir Club, the production caps off the 2016-2017 season of the FGC Entertainment Series with performances July 13-15 and July 20-22. The musical, with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and book by Linda Woolverton, stands as one of the longest-running shows in Broadway history. Inspired by a classic French fairy tale and adapted from the beloved Academy Award-winning Disney animated film, it tells the story of an adventurous young woman and the terrible beast who seeks to arn her love and break an evil spell. Musical numbers include fan-favorite songs “Beauty and the Beast (Tale as Old as Time)” and “Be Our Guest.” The cast features more than 50 local students and community members. Performances will be held in the Levy Preforming Arts Center on the Main Campus of Florida Gateway College. There will be eight performances in total, with shows at 7 p.m. on the evenings of July 13-15 and July 20-22 and 2 p.m. matinees on July 15 and July 22. General admission tickets are available for $15 for adults and $10 for children ages 3-12. FGC students, faculty, and staff may purchase tickets for the July 14 show at the discounted price of $10. Tickets may be purchased online at fgc.thundertix.com or by calling Crystal Janasiewicz at 386-754-4361.

 

The Happening happening again 

VALDOSTA, Ga. — Valdosta State University will host its annual The Happening community event 1-4 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 24, on the front lawn. The Happening provides students an opportunity to learn more about what the university and the surrounding community have to offer, according to a press release from VSU. The Happening is also an opportunity for on-campus organizations, programs, offices, and departments and off-campus businesses, religious organizations, nonprofits and civic groups to introduce and market themselves to thousands of students, face to face, at one time, in one location. “Exhibitors often use the event to recruit part-time and full-time employees, host games and prize drawings, and provide information about their products and services,” said Robin Vickery, director of VSU’s Office of Student Life. “Free food and giveaways are always a student favorite. We encourage all of the exhibitors to get creative.” The 26th annual event promises to be bigger and better than The Happening 2016, which boasted more than 300 exhibitors.  Early registration is $25 if received before 11 p.m. Sunday, July 23. Late registration is $50 and runs Monday, July 24, through midnight Sunday, Aug. 6. All off-campus businesses, religious organizations, nonprofits, and civic groups who wish to participate in The Happening 2017 are encouraged to register online by visiting http://www.valdosta.edu/happening.  Fees may be paid online with a credit or debit card or by mail with a cashier’s check or money order. Selling, fundraising, and credit card sign-ups are not permitted during The Happening, according to organizers. Contact Trisha Taylor with VSU’s Office of Student Life at (229) 333-5674 or tltaylor@valdosta.edu to learn more.

 

Carroll’s celebrates ribbon cutting

TIFTON, Ga. — Hugh Hardy Jr., owner of Carroll’s Sausage & Country Store, was joined by his staff as well as ambassadors and staff from the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce for a ribbon cutting Wednesday morning in Ashburn. The full service store, at 315 Whittle Circle, offers award-winning sausage as well as other local favorites including syrups, sauces, mixes and much more. Carroll’s also has locations in Sylvester and Albany. More information: 229-567-2355

 

Georgia State Troopers caution safe travel during Fourth of July Weekend

ATLANTA, Ga. — The Georgia State Patrol is urging everyone to celebrate the Independence Day holiday responsibly. Colonel Mark W. McDonough, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety, said state troopers will patrol during the holiday period in an effort to keep the number of traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities as low as possible. This year, the holiday travel period is 102 hours long. It will begin at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 30, and end at 11:59 p.m. on July 4. Last year, the holiday travel period was 78 hours long.  Troopers investigated 404 traffic crashes that resulted in 230 injuries and six fatalities. In addition to the traffic crash investigations, 285 people were arrested for driving under the influence, while 9,082 citations and 11,967 warnings were issued. State troopers remind drivers to exercise caution in holiday travels, no matter how short the trip may be.  This holiday period, the Georgia State Patrol is participating in the Operation Zero Tolerance campaign, a nationwide mobilization against impaired driving. Troopers will be working alongside sheriff’s deputies and police officers to apprehend impaired drivers. The holiday traffic count will be updated throughout the holiday period on the Georgia Department of Public Safety Twitter page: https://twitter.com/ga_dps.