Water main break shuts down highway

WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. — The Georgia Department of Transportation said a water main break near the intersection of State Route 52 and the U.S. 41 North Bypass forced the closure of State Route 52 at around 1:30 Monday morning. A detour is in place, redirecting traffic off State Route (SR) 52 onto U.S. 41/SR 3, then to SR 71, SR 2, to SR 225 and back to SR 52. Dalton Utilities tweeted that it is hoped the highway will be reopened by late Wednesday afternoon.

Lake Park hosting tour of homes

VALDOSTA, Ga. — The 19th Annual Christmas Tour of Homes will is scheduled for 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9.  The bi-annual event will be hosted by the Lake Park Historical Society and Museum and will feature a tour of about seven historic buildings. The walking/driving tour will begin at the museum before moving to the Old Lake Park Bank, where there will be a “Sweet Shop” and quilts display, according to organizers. Other sites include the Old Lake Park Ice House, the Quail Branch Lodge, the Pendleton Cottage and the home of Debbie and Roger Douglas. The home of Allie Folsom and Parker Pridgen will also be showcased. “Christmas is such a beautiful time of the year, and the home will be different in taste,” said Barbara Slocumb, museum chairman and co-chairman of the Tour of Homes. Proceeds from the event will fund repairs and the upkeep of the museum, Slocumb said. Tickets for the Tour of Homes are $15 and include a brochure, a map and refreshments. They can be purchased at the museum the day of the event or in advance. Visit cityoflakeparkga.com/about/historical-society/ for more information. 

Holiday cards to uplift military personnel 

VALDOSTA, Ga. — Kind words could create joyful messages for military personnel this year.  The American Red Cross Holidays for Heroes campaign, which will provide thousands of cards to active-duty personnel and veterans, will run until Dec. 7. Residents are asked to submit inspiring and encouraging holiday cards to the Red Cross for military installations, military and veteran affairs medical facilities and veteran organizations in Georgia. It marks the 10th year the local agency has participated in the statewide campaign, said Terri Jenkins, executive director of the South Georgia chapter. “It’s designed to bring some cheer to our active-duty troops who are deployed or who are working hard in our communities everyday,” she said. Holidays for Heroes has expanded to include all special occasions, not just Christmas. It can include Easter, birthdays, Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Cards must be addressed as “Dear Service Member, Veteran or Military Family,” so they’re able to be shared with anyone, according to organizers. No glitter is allowed on the cards as it can create health issues, according to organizers. Photos, letters and indications of personal information are not allowed. The Red Cross will deliver cards to Moody Air Force Base, Jenkins said. She said it’s vitally important to support military personnel during the holiday season. “For people that are deployed across the world, to get a little taste of home while they’re deployed, just makes it all better while they’re fighting for our freedom,” Jenkins said. Past organizations that have participated in Holidays for Heroes consist of Valdosta Rotary Club, Daughters of the American Revolution and The Exchange Club of Valdosta, she said. All cards will be screened. They can be mailed to P.O. Box 13407, Atlanta, Ga. 30324; or, they can be brought to the local Red Cross office, 509 N. Patterson St., Suite 201. As part of Holidays for Heroes, residents may host a holiday dinner for veterans who are in nursing homes, Jenkins said. Dinners may be scheduled until Dec. 14. Call 229-242-7404, or email gaholidayforheroes@redcross.org, for more information.  

Founders Day breakfast scheduled

VALDOSTA, Ga. — The Valdosta-Lowndes Section of National Council of Negro Women will host its Fifth Annual Founders Day Prayer Breakfast, 10 a.m.-noon, Dec. 8, at the Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Senior Citizen Center, 1360 E. Park Ave. The event is open to the community, organizers said. Keynote speaker will be Minister Antoinette Jones. Tickets: Ages 13 and older, $12; ages 4-12, $8; children ages 3 and younger, free. The section implemented the prayer breakfast in recognition of the organizational founding date of Dec. 5, 1935, by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune. The “organization of organizations” welcomes men, women and youth of all walks of life to work together for the greater good of the community, organizers said. For ticket information, contact 229-234-2353 or ncnwofvaldosta@gmail.com. 

DA’s office seeks gift cards for teenage victims

MOULTRIE, Ga. — Southern Judicial Circuit prosecutors are looking to make the holidays a little brighter for teenage victims currently being housed in foster care. “Many of these children have been removed from abusive homes as a result of neglect, physical and/or sexual abuse, or witnessed acts of domestic violence, and are often forgotten during this time of year,” District Attorney Bradfield M. Shealy said in a news release. “As the holiday approaches, we ask that you remember these children when you plan your Christmas giving.” Shealy’s office is asking for $20 gift cards that can be distributed evenly among the children, who are ages 13 through 17. Gift cards can be mailed to District Attorney’s Office, P.O. Box 2498, Moultrie GA 31776, or dropped off at Room 222 of the Colquitt County Courthouse Annex, 101 E. Central Ave. The deadline for the card drive is 5 p.m. Dec. 14. For additional information, call Heather Ireland, victim advocate, at 229-616-7476, or email her at hireland@pacga.org. The judicial circuit covers Brooks, Colquitt, Echols, Lowndes and Thomas counties.

Human remains identified

McALPIN, Fla. — The human remains discovered in June in McAlpin have been identified.

The Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office announced Monday that the District Two Medical Examiner’s Office along with the C.A. Pound Human Identification Laboratory at the University of Florida have identified the remains found on June 24, at a residence in the 19200 block of 77th Road in McAlpin, as the previous owner, Deborah Williams Pittman.

According to Medical Examiner’s reports, there were no signs of trauma on Pittman’s remains, and her cause of death was unable to be determined.

Pittman, who was born in August 1957, lived alone and was estranged from her family at the time of her death.

According to the SCSO, Pittman was last confirmed to be alive in December 2015 when her electric bill was paid. It was disconnected in January 2016 for non-payment.

The property was later sold through a tax deed sale in December 2017 and resold in January 2018 to the current owner.

Sheriff Sam St. John said in June that a skull and another bone were found and appeared to be several years old.

If anyone has any information regarding Pittman, they should contact Investigator Wayne Kelly at 386-362-2222.

Houses of Hope playhouse raffle benefits House of Hope

TIFTON, Ga. — Anyone in the market for a great Christmas present can enter to win one while contributing to a good cause. Tiftarea House of Hope is selling tickets to win Houses of Hope; five playhouses built and donated by local organizations. The houses are on display at the Tifton Mall. Tickets are $10 each or three for $25. The drawing will be held at the mall at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 1. For more information contact Martine Hill at 229-382-9010 or Rosemary Hightower at 229-402-2610.