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Local Lens

Lanier, Lakeland Want Voters to Decide on Sales Tax to Aid Specific Homeowners *

June 18, 2026

By T.S. Carter / * Inglés y español |    LAKELAND, Ga. – Lakeland City Council is reluctantly going along with the Lanier County Commission’s preference to ask voters to approve a penny Local Homestead Special Option Sales Tax, or LHOST. The measure is designed to lower the tax bills of homeowners who have a…

Higher Ray City Water Bills Raise Bigger Question: Rate Hike, Heavy Use or Billing Errors? *

June 18, 2026

By Carol A. Gasser Moore / * Inglés y español | RAY CITY, Ga. — A dispute over who read Ray City’s water meters has opened a larger question for residents facing higher utility bills: Were the increases caused primarily by the city’s April rate restructuring, increased water use during dry weather, or mistakes in…

Valdosta Police Therapy Dog Hope Gets Send Off with Honors; Koda is Hope’s Replacement *

June 18, 2026

By T.S. Carter / * Inglés y español | VALDOSTA – Members of the Valdosta Police Department gathered at the Valdosta Veterinary Association on Thursday, June 11 to honor therapy dog Officer Hope for her eight years of service to the department and community. Hope recently died after a medical emergency. As Officer Carla Jones…

Public Invited to Comment on Proposed Wayne-Sanderson Farms Rail Expansion Near Adel *

June 18, 2026

By Carol A. Gasser Moore / * Inglés y español | ADEL, Ga. — Wayne-Sanderson Farms is seeking state and federal approval to expand rail infrastructure at its Adel feed mill facility, a project designed to increase railcar storage capacity and improve feed distribution operations serving poultry growers across South Georgia and North Florida.   …

Community Support Shines at 5th Annual Lowell Hammock Memorial Tournament *

June 18, 2026

By Daniel Jacobs / * Inglés y español | HAHIRA, Ga. – The Board of Directors of Jacobs’ Ladder Therapeutic Riding Center extends its heartfelt gratitude to everyone who helped make the 5th Annual Lowell Hammock Memorial 9-Pin No-Tap Tournament another tremendous success. From the sound of bowling pins crashing to the cheers echoing throughout…

Public Invited to Comment on Proposed Country Club Drive Road Widening Project *

June 18, 2026

By Carol A. Gasser Moore / * Inglés y español | VALDOSTA — The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) is seeking public comment on a proposed roadway improvement project that would require a variance to impact protected stream buffers along Country Club Drive in Lowndes County. According to a public notice issued June 18, the…

Why Oppose Data Centers? *

June 15, 2026

By Michael Noll, PhD  / * Inglés y español |  VALDOSTA – There is little doubt that artificial intelligence (AI)—the primary driver behind the rapid expansion of data centers across the United States—is here to stay, much like Smartphone’s. Yet recent polling indicates that roughly seven in ten Americans oppose the construction of data centers…

High-Speed Chase Through Lanier County Ends in Drug Arrest, Major Narcotics Seizure *

June 11, 2026

Suspect fled through neighborhoods, back yards and dirt roads before being captured with assistance from Georgia State Patrol; identity and charges pending. By Carol A. Gasser Moore / * Inglés y español | LAKELAND, Ga. — A Wednesday evening high-speed pursuit through several areas of Lanier County ended with the arrest of a suspected drug…

Area News

wiregrass

Wiregrass Student Wins Bronze at SkillsUSA National Championships

June 18, 2026

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College student Alexis Ramirez of Hahira earned a bronze medal in Dental Assisting at the 2026 SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC) and National Championships, placing among the nation’s top competitors in her field. Ramirez qualified for the national competition after winning a gold medal in Dental Assisting at the Georgia…

DOE

Georgia launches new Work-Based Learning Diploma option for high school students entering high-demand careers

June 18, 2026

The Georgia Department of Education is launching a new Work-Based Learning Diploma, providing an additional pathway to a Georgia high school diploma for students who plan to directly enter high-demand careers right after graduation. The State Board of Education approved Superintendent Woods’ recommendation to update Georgia’s high school graduation requirements today, including the addition of the…

SGMC Health Honors Booker-Orr with Safe Care Award

June 18, 2026

SGMC Health recognized Crisp Booker-Orr, Sleep Lab Technician at SGMC Health Smith Northview, as the latest recipient of the Safe Care Award for demonstrating exceptional awareness, quick thinking, and a strong commitment to patient safety. During a routine interaction, Booker-Orr recognized that a patient was experiencing a potentially serious medical concern requiring immediate attention. Understanding the urgency…

Area Sports

Don’t Let Canada Geese Ruffle Your Feathers

April 18, 2026

Put a stop to goose conflicts before they become issues. Canada geese are well-suited to a wide range of habitats, from agricultural fields and rural waterways to neighborhood ponds, business parks, and urban green spaces. As they continue to thrive in developed areas, encounters between geese and people have become more common, according to the…

Georgia Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Donates $10,000 to Support Outdoors Beyond Barriers

April 13, 2026

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division (DNR) is proud to announce a $10,000 donation from the Georgia Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus to support the Georgia DNR Outdoors Beyond Barriers (OBB) program. “We’re grateful for the support of the Georgia Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus and their commitment to DNR’s mission and Georgia’s outdoor traditions,” stated…

Azalea Festival 5K Results

March 25, 2026

Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s Azalea 5K. We appreciate the great turnout and the energy you brought to the event. We are aware of a course issue that impacted a small group of runners, resulting in a shortened route. Unfortunately one of the law enforcement officers who were contracted to mark…

First Responses

Lanier County Sheriff’s Office Jail Media Report ending June 15, 2026*

June 18, 2026

*La traducción al español sigue a la noticia en ingles       The following individuals were arrested and appear on this week’s Lanier County Sheriff’s Jail Media Report: June 08, 1125 hours.    Jeremiah David Schaber  (27) charged  with Probation violation (when probation terms are altered) for finger printable charge, Willful obstruction of law enforcement…

Lakeland Police Department Reports ending June 15, 2026*

June 18, 2026

*La traducción al español sigue a la noticia en ingles NOTE: Redactions are made by the LPD, not the LCN This is LPD reports provided by the City of Lakeland Court Clerk for the week.    May 29, 2006 Hours. MAIN NARRATIVE: Officer Murray with the Lakeland Police Department was dispatched to [REDACTED] Chestnut Ridge…

High-Speed Chase Through Lanier County Ends in Arrest of Christopher Alan Gwynn Sr. on Drug, Assault and Traffic Charges *

June 18, 2026

Suspect allegedly fled through neighborhoods, back yards and dirt roads before capture with assistance from Georgia State Patrol By Carol A. Gasser Moore / * Inglés y español |    LAKELAND, Ga. — A harrowing high speed chase through multiple Lanier County communities began when deputies attempted to stop a suspected super speeder,  ended with…

Entertainment, Inspiration & Solutions

HORSE Dad Jokes! Jon the Scout Cartoon

June 18, 2026

Copyright © 2026 Jon Moore

It’s a Great Day to Be Alive: Travis Tritt Brings Country Hits Home to South Georgia *

June 18, 2026

By Carol A. Gasser Moore / * Inglés y español | VALDOSTA, Ga. — When Travis Tritt steps onto the stage at Wild Adventures later this month, South Georgia fans can expect more than just a concert—they can expect a homecoming. The Georgia-born country music icon will headline the next installment of the Wild Adventures…

Don’t Let Satan Win:  Good News *

June 18, 2026

By Vic Dove  / * Inglés y español | But He turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind Me, Satan: thou art an offense unto me: for thou savorest not the things that be of God, but those that be of man.” Matthew 16:23              When we accept Jesus as our Lord and…

Movie Music, Patriotism and Family Fun to Fill Unity Park July 3 *

June 18, 2026

By Carol A. Gasser Moore / * Inglés y español | VALDOSTA – The countdown is underway for one of South Georgia’s most anticipated patriotic celebrations as the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra prepares to fill downtown Valdosta with music, family fun and a sky filled with lights during its free “Summer Celebration” concert on July 3. …

DID YOU KNOW…? Did a West Virginia town turn to the Soviet Union for help in getting a new bridge built? *

June 18, 2026

By Jack Bagley / * Inglés y español | Well, if this ain’t a kick in the head! Last week, this column – the silliness you’re reading right now – won an award!  For the second year in a row, my little exercise in trivia was voted second place in the Lifestyle/Feature Column category in…

Opinions & Viewpoints

The First Murder:  Is God Dead? *

June 18, 2026

By Ty B. Kerley,DMin / * Inglés y español | Christian philosopher Eleonore Stump states, “Orthodox Christian doctrine holds that persons once created are everlasting and are of infinite value. If they become defective, it is up to a good God not to eliminate them, but to fix them if He can.”Although Christians hold these…

The Challenge of Gratuitous Evil:  Is God Dead? *

June 11, 2026

By Ty B. Kerley,DMin  / * Inglés y español |    Over this miniseries of recent articles,we have gleaned several notions from the biblical text in an attempt to ascertain what God has to say in answer to the question, “Why does God allow evil and suffering to exist in the world?” From that exposition,…

The people’s power begins with the ballot:  Historically Speaking *

June 4, 2026

By James Finck, Ph.D.  / * Inglés y español | June 3, 2026 | 4 Minutes  From the Lawton Constitution    “We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men and women are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit…

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Government for its Citizens

Florida Panhandle Man Indicted on Federal Child Exploitation Charges:  Case Highlights Ongoing Regional Investigations *

June 18, 2026

By Carol A. Gasser Moore / * Inglés y español |  TALLAHASSEE – A Florida Panhandle man faces federal child exploitation charges following an indictment announced this week by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida. John Massimiani III, 46, of Southport, Florida, was indicted on charges of transportation of child pornography,…

Two North Florida Men Face Federal Drug Trafficking Charges; Case Highlights Regional Drug Enforcement Efforts *

June 18, 2026

By Carol A. Gasser Moore / * Inglés y español | GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Two Gainesville men have been indicted by a federal grand jury on cocaine trafficking charges in a case that federal authorities say underscores ongoing efforts to combat drug distribution networks operating across North Florida and neighboring South Georgia. According to the…

Public Invited to Comment on Proposed Wayne-Sanderson Farms Rail Expansion Near Adel *

June 18, 2026

By Carol A. Gasser Moore / * Inglés y español | ADEL, Ga. — Wayne-Sanderson Farms is seeking state and federal approval to expand rail infrastructure at its Adel feed mill facility, a project designed to increase railcar storage capacity and improve feed distribution operations serving poultry growers across South Georgia and North Florida.   …

National Headlines