Summer Citizens Police Academy session to begin

 MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — The Milledgeville Police Department is preparing for the Summer Session of the agency’s Citizen Police Academy program.The first session of MPD’s Citizen Police Academy is slated for Monday, June 5, from 6:30 to 9 p.m.Unlike with previous citizen police academy sessions that lasted 5 weeks, the summer session will be the first eight-week program, held on Mondays through the course of June and July summer months. Davis and Lt. Reenae Gray, head supervisor of the Specialized Patrol Unit (SPU), serve as coordinators for the citizen police academy.The first night will feature experts from the various areas of the police department, giving an overview on the different aspects of law enforcement.After an introduction from the program’s coordinators, SPU’s Lt. James Thompson will After a brief break, participants will be taken on a tour of MPD and have a chance to speak with patrol officers during an abbreviated version of Coffee With a Cop.Future Citizen Police Academy nights will consist of a mock crime scene demonstration by MPD investigators, a discussion on traffic enforcement by SPU officers Sgt. Nick Reonas and David Descoteaux, and Firearm Simulator Training with Major Davis.City Solicitor Attorney Carl Cansino, Solicitor General Maxine Blackwell, District Attorney Stephen Bradley, and Victim’s Advocate Linnesia Latimore will also serve as guest speakers during the p

Panther baseball camp to focus on fundamentals

TIFTON, Ga. — Tiftarea Academy will be hosting the 2017 Panther Summer Baseball Camp May 30-31 at the school. The camp is open to kids ages 6-12 and will be from 9-11:30 a.m. each day. Tiftarea head coach Brad Porter said the camp would focus on fundamentals, including fielding, pitching, hitting and base running. Registration is $50. If campers are registered by May 26, they will receive a T-shirt. Only 40 slots will be available for the camp. To register or for more information, contact Porter at (912) 309-4289 or by email Porter at coachbradporter@gmail.com.

Vivid Visions hosting fundraising softball game

LIVE OAK, Fla. — Vivid Visions is hosting the inaugural “Taking the Field against Domestic Violence” softball game June 3 at the First Federal Sportsplex. The fundraising softball game, which will begin at 10:30 a.m., will pit Suwannee County Fire Rescue against the Live Oak Fire Department. There is a $1 admission fee and food and drinks will be sold at the concession stand. Vivid Visions will also be conducting a raffle at the game with the winner receiving a shed from Elite Outdoor Buildings. The drawing will be held immediately following the game and tickets will be sold for $5 during the game. All proceeds will benefit Vivid Visions, a certified domestic violence center.

Colquitt County student wins region in Young Georgia Authors competition

MOULTRIE, Ga. — Kaitlyn Mitchell, a Colquitt County 10th grader, was named the regional winner for her grade level in the Young Georgia Authors competition. This writing contest, sponsored by Georgia Council of Teachers of English, is open to students in grades K-12 and includes all types of writing such as short stories, poetry, essay, research reports, and other forms, according to a press release from the Colquitt County School System. “The purpose of Young Georgia Authors (YGA) writing competition is to encourage students to develop enthusiasm for and expertise in their writing, to provide a context to celebrate their writing successes, and to recognize student achievement in arts and academics,” according to GCTE.

Memorial Day celebration set for Dalton

DALTON, Ga. — The fifth annual “Memorial Day Community Celebration,” a free event, will be held on Monday. A prelude band concert by the Dalton-Whitfield Community Band will begin at 9:30 a.m. The memorial service, provided by the local American Legion, will begin at 10 a.m. in front of the Whitfield County courthouse. The program will include music by the Dalton-Whitfield Community Band, Posting of the Colors by the Dalton Police and Fire departments honor guard, guest speaker (state Sen. Chuck Payne, R-Dalton) and laying of the wreaths. Family activities and food (free hot dogs, chips and snacks while supplies last) will be available from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Dalton Green. This part of the event will include music, inflatables, face painting, Touch-a-Truck station, pet adoptions, information for veterans, blood pressure checks and other activities, all with a patriotic theme.

Memorial Day event planned for South Georgia

VALDOSTA, Ga.  — When people talk about Memorial Day, Lowndes County commissioner Demarcus Marshall said, they mostly talk about it as just another holiday, as just another day off. But to him, it is so much more, he said. “In my opinion, it is a day that addresses the effect of war,” Marshall said. “At the end of the day, any veteran can be one of those veterans in the ground. It’s really important that people understand that war has an impact and how it touches real people.” Monday, May 29, is Memorial Day. Marshall, along with other county and city officials, will be speaking at a memorial service at Sunset Hill Cemetery at 10 a.m. The American Legion Post 13 will be hosting the event. Representatives from Moody Air Force Base will also be attending. According to Ed Kent, assistant department service officer for the American Legion in Georgia, the event is expected to last about an hour. After the ceremony, Kent said attendants are encouraged to walk through the cemetery and pay their respects. The morning before the ceremony, the legion will be sticking short graveside flags next to headstones of all veterans buried at the cemetery. Confederate headstones will also receive flags, Kent said. Anyone can participate by being at Sunset Hill Cemetery Sunday at 8 a.m. Kent said Memorial Day is the one time out of the year that everyone takes the time to remember the ones who lost their lives on the battlefield. “It’s a time when everyone stops what they are doing to remember, and that’s important,” Kent said.