Georgia Army National Guard brigade to deploy to Afghanistan, will include Dalton-based unit

DALTON, Ga. — Members of Dalton’s Troop C, 1-108th Cavalry, a unit of the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Georgia Army National Guard, will deploy to Afghanistan later this year. The Dalton unit has about 100 soldiers. Maj. Will Parker, a spokesman for the 48th, said 2,000 soldiers from the brigade will begin training at Fort Stewart, near Hinesville, in October. “As far as the training goes, different units will be doing different things, so their training will be different,” Parker said. “But they should all leave in a couple of months.” The unit is scheduled to spend nine months in Afghanistan. Some of the 48th’s soldiers will remain behind. “There are always rear detachments that support the brigade if necessary and also maintain the facilities,” Parker said. The last major deployment of the brigade was to Afghanistan in 2009. Individual units have deployed to Afghanistan since then. The brigade also deployed to Iraq in 2005.

Two killed in I-10 crash

LIVE OAK, Fla. — Two individuals from Madison were killed in an accident Thursday afternoon on Interstate 10 in eastern Suwannee County.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 2000 Mercury four-door sedan was traveling east on I-10 in between Live Oak and Wellborn around 2:30 p.m. when it left the road for unknown reasons and struck a tree.

James Jackson, the 34-year-old driver, was transported to UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville and later was pronounced deceased.

Shaletha Brooks, a 25-year-old passenger in the car, was pronounced deceased on the scene.

FHP is still investigating the crash.

AmStar Cinemas, Navicent Health to host sensory-friendly movie

MACON, Ga.  – In an effort to support central Georgia families living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related developmental disorders, AmStar Cinemas and Autism & Developmental Center, Navicent Health have partnered to host an event for children with ASD and related developmental disorders.

A sensory-friendly version of Smallfoot (PG) will be shown for children with ASD and related developmental disorders at AmStar Cinemas (5996 Zebulon Road, Macon) on Saturday, Sept. 29, at 11 a.m. The movie will be screened at a softer volume with lights up. 

Those in the audience are welcome to dance, sing, express themselves and move about during the movie. 

Tickets may be purchased at the theater box office.

ASD is a developmental disability that can cause social, communication and behavioral challenges. According to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 59 children in the U.S. have been identified with ASD, a disorder that affects all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups, and 1 in 6 have been identified with a developmental disorder or delay.

For more information on services offered by Autism & Developmental Center, Navicent Health visit www.navicenthealth.org/adcnh/home.

Arts & crafts show to return

VALDOSTA, Ga. — To increase awareness about Alzheimer’s Caregiver Time Out, the organization will host the Second Annual Arts and Crafts Show in October. The show is scheduled to start 8 a.m., Oct. 13, at the Valdosta Masonic Temple, 1650 River St., across from Nu Smile Dentistry, according to organizers. The free event will feature homemade quilts, ceramics, jewelry, crocheted hats and scarves, boutique dresses and Christmas wreaths and ornaments, said Ann Walker-Smith, ACTO executive director. “We had great feedback from it (last year),” she said. “We had a lot of stuff sold.” Pulled pork meals will be available for sale for $8 including a pulled pork sandwich, three sides, one drink and one dessert. Vendors may buy a meal for $5. There will also be sweets for sale such as cakes, candies, peanut brittle, chocolate-covered pecans and fudge, Smith said. Proceeds will benefit ACTO, which provides caregivers respite from caring for family members who suffer from Alzheimer’s or dementia. Clients pay $5 per day, or $50 per month. “It’s a very important service that we offer to our community,” Smith said. Vendors are being accepted until Oct. 12, and tables cost $20. Vendors keep all money that is made during the show from sales. Call 229-563-2435 for more information. 

Chanticleer takes the stage at Abraham Baldwin

TIFTON, Ga. — The San Francisco-based Grammy award-winning ensemble, Chanticleer, takes the Howard Auditorium stage at 7 p.m. on Oct. 11 at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.  Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, Chanticleer’s 12-man group performs original interpretations of vocal literature ranging from Renaissance to jazz and popular genres, as well as contemporary compositions. ABAC Arts Connection Director Wayne Jones looks forward to Chanticleer’s return to Tifton as a part of the ABAC Presents! Arts Series. Other performances in the ABAC performing arts series include “Broadway’s Next H!t Musical” on Nov. 29, “The Crucible” on Feb. 7, the Albany Symphony Orchestra featuring Chris Brubeck’s Triple Play on March 3, the Turtle Island String Quartet on March 28, and Byron Stripling with the ABAC Jazz Ensemble on April 18. Tickets can be purchased online at www.purplepass.com/abac  or at the box office at the concert.  Tickets for Chanticleer’s performance will be available at the door at a cost of $30 for adults and $15 for students who are 18 and under. ABAC Presents! is supported in part by Georgia Council for the Arts through the appropriations of the Georgia General Assembly. Georgia Council for the Arts also receives support from its partner agency, the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information on any of the entertainment events at ABAC, interested persons can call 229-391-4895 or visit www.purplepass.com/abac.