Area Breaking News
Analysis: Startup costs not cheap for Lanier’s fire protection; property insurance rates could rise *
By T.S. Carter / * Inglés y español | LANIER COUNTY, Ga. – It could take a while to determine whether Lanier County commissioners acted prudently in splitting the county’s volunteer fire department away from the Lakeland’s volunteer department in late 2024. But in terms of dollars out the door, the divorce from Lakeland is…
Read MoreSERVEPRO does extensive repairs to elderly man’s water damaged home – and skips the bill *
By T.S. Carter / * Inglés y español | LOWNDES COUNTY, Ga. – The Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department is hailing a Valdosta property restoration company for going above and beyond to repair a severely water damaged and still partially flooded home of a 77-year-old Lowndes man. The cost of the work totaled an estimated $60,000…
Read MoreEMERGENCY ALERTS SPREAD ACROSS SOUTH GEORGIA: COUNTIES, UTILITIES WARN RESIDENTS AMID FIRES, DROUGHT *
By Carol A. Gasser Moore / * Inglés y español | LANIER COUNTY, SOUTH GEORGIA — A wave of urgent alerts is reaching residents across South Georgia as counties, cities, and private utilities ramp up emergency notifications in response to ongoing wildfires, smoke conditions, and worsening drought. On Tuesday, Red Alert systems in surrounding counties,…
Read MoreUPDATE: County Clerk Responds to Wildfire Inquiry, Shares State Orders and Updates *
By Carol A. Gasser Moore / * Inglés y español | UPDATE: As of April 23 the fire is burning across 32,000 acres. LAKELAND, GA — Following multiple attempts by The Lanier County News to obtain information regarding the ongoing South Georgia wildfires and Governor Brian Kemp’s State of Emergency declaration, a response has…
Read MoreCOMMUNITY RALLIES TO SUPPORT FIREFIGHTERS BATTLING REGIONAL BLAZES *
By Carol A. Gasser Moore / * Inglés y español | LANIER COUNY, SOUTH GEORGIA – As wildfires continue to impact South Georgia, local communities are stepping up in a big way to support the firefighters on the front lines. Residents across Lanier and surrounding counties are being urged to donate essential supplies to help…
Read More“Worst I’ve Seen”: Two Lanier County Parents Jailed Without Bond in Child Abuse Case Involving Multiple Felonies *
By Carol A. Gasser Moore / * Inglés y español | LAKELAND, Ga. — Two Lanier County parents are being held without bond following what Sheriff Nick Norton described as one of the most severe child abuse cases he has encountered in nearly three decades in law enforcement. Miranda Kay Thrift, 31, and Dylan James…
Read MoreSpring Cleaning Goes to the Dogs at Lanier County Shelter *
By Carol A. Gasser Moore / * Inglés y español | LAKELAND, Ga. — Spring cleaning isn’t just for closets and garages this year — it’s also for kennels, cages and wagging tails at the Lanier County Animal Control and Shelter. The shelter is putting out a call for help from the community, asking residents…
Read MoreSecond Five Points roundabout lane opens to traffic as work progresses ahead of schedule *
By Carol A. Gasser Moore / * Inglés y español | VALDOSTA — Traffic patterns are shifting again in Valdosta’s busy Five Points area as construction on the second roundabout continues moving forward. Beginning April 21, crews opened one lane of the southern roundabout, removing the temporary traffic signals that had been in place during…
Read MoreSouth Georgia E-911 Centers Honored During National Telecommunicators Week *
By Carol A. Gasser Moore / * Inglés y español | SOUTH GEORGIA – Across South Georgia, the voices behind emergency response are being recognized this week as communities celebrate National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (April 12–18, 2026) — a time dedicated to honoring 911 dispatchers who serve as the first point of contact in…
Read MoreRhythm from the Recently Deceased *
LCHS indoor percussion impresses with precision and flair in Beetlejuice showcase By Carol A. Gasser Moore / * Inglés y español | LAKELAND, Ga. – The Lanier County High School gym didn’t just host a performance on Thursday, March 26 — it transformed into a lively, slightly spooky, and thoroughly entertaining world straight out of…
Read More