ABAC plans Amicalola Falls trip

TIFTON, Ga. – Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College is traveling March 23-24 to explore Amicalola Falls and Dahlonega as part of the Seven Wonders of Georgia excursion series. In the continuation of the Seven Wonders of Georgia series, travelers will make a bus trip from Tifton to north Georgia toward the base of the Appalachian Trail. Amicalola Falls holds the title of the tallest cascading waterfall in the southeastern United States at an awe-inspiring 729 feet. The unique name of the Amicalola originated from a Cherokee word meaning “tumbling waters.”  The falls are tucked away in a beautiful area between Ellijay and Dahlonega. The first day of the trip will include lunch at the Smith House in Dahlonega, a guided bus tour of the town, an excursion to the Consolidated Gold Mine, and a free evening of leisure with dinner and shopping downtown. Day two will begin with a continental breakfast before making a short drive to Amicalola Falls State Park, where visitors will spend the morning exploring the park and taking in the waterfall. There will be a variety of trails to explore depending on desired level of activity.  Travelers will enjoy lunch at the famed Maple Restaurant before returning to Tifton in the afternoon. For information on this travel experience or future excursions, interested travelers can contact Fisher at lfisher@abac.edu or visit the ABAC Travel page at www.abac.edu/travel.

 

Dog bites deputy investigating domestic dispute

MOULTRIE, Ga. — Maybe he was fulfilling his role as man’s best friend or maybe it was the uniform; either way, a family pooch bit a sheriff’s deputy as he was leaving following a domestic dispute investigation. When the officer responded at about 9 p.m. to the 500 block of Indian Lake Drive, Shechina Rorie reported that a male relative threatened to burn the house. Rorie told police that the man got angry because her daughter was in the bathroom. He left after she called 911. After taking the report the officer was walking back to his car when a white dog bit him in the leg. The Moultrie-Colquitt County Humane Society picked up the dog, which belongs to Rorie, for testing, police said. The officer was treated at the Colquitt Regional Medical Center emergency room. A hospital spokeswoman was unable on Wednesday to provide a condition report for the deputy.

 

Student ambassadors honored at Junior Georgia United Nations Assembly

DALTON, Ga. — Middle school students from Whitfield County Schools brought home top honors after the 2017 Junior Georgia United Nations Assembly. The State YMCA of Georgia hosted the “Y” Club event in partnership with the Georgia Center for Civic Engagement at the Crowne Plaza Midtown in Atlanta. Brody Kinsey, a seventh-grader from Valley Point Middle, was named the Junior Outstanding Male Delegate. Three eighth-grade ambassadors from Westside Middle School — Abby Adams, Katie Balino and Sarah Crawford — led Israel to be named an Outstanding Junior Nation. “This is the first year either of these schools attended the conference and it is a great accomplishment to bring home these statewide awards,” said Joe Barnett, Valley Point Middle School principal. “North Whitfield has attended the conference before.” “As a result of our work earlier in the year with the Junior Youth Assembly program and the presidential inauguration trip we were able to pique the interest of other schools to participate in GUNA this year,” Barnett said. “We hope to see our district delegation grow next year. Expanding the program into our high schools would be great for our middle school kids as they move into the high school environment. It is a great program that encourages students to become more civic-minded as they grow and learn.”

 

Rodeo saddling up 

LAKE PARK, Ga. — Rodeo Lake Park will host professional and local cowboys and cowgirls Thursday, Friday and Saturday to give residents a show. The rodeo will be at Raisin’ Cane and will feature calf roping, bull riding, cowgirl barrel racing, bareback bronc riding, steer wrestling, breakaway roping and team roping, said Kathy Walker, Lake Park Area Chamber of Commerce president. The gates for the regular shows will open at 5 p.m. each day. Food and retail vendors will be available for rodeo enthusiasts, she said. Saturday will be childhood cancer awareness night and donations will be accepted to help raise awareness. There is also a sponsored section for children with cancer, Walker said. If families would like for their child to attend the rodeo and have a seat in the sponsored section, contact the Lake Park Chamber. Saturday morning there will be a special needs rodeo that is free to enter, but has a recommended $5 donation, Walker said. The rodeo will feature local children with autism who participate in the Horse Back Heroes Program. Horse Back Heroes is a program that gives children with autism one-on-one attention to help them ride horses. Tickets can be bought online at www.stubwire.com. More information: Call (229) 559-5302; or visit www.lakeparkga.com.