Area Breaking News
Hay There! Downtown Lakeland Dresses Up for Fall Fun*
By Carol A. Gasser Moore / *La traducción al español sigue a la noticia en ingles LAKELAND, Ga. – Once upon an October afternoon, the little town of Downtown Lakeland (GA) was buzzing with an extra sprinkle of magic. The leaves had begun to turn golden, the air carried that crisp hint of change, and the…
Read MoreUpcoming Election Information for Lanier County, the City of Lakeland and City of Ray City (Georgia)*
By Carol A. Gasser Moore | *La traducción al español sigue a la noticia en ingles LANIER COUNTY, Ga. – Voters in Lanier County and the cities of Lakeland and Ray City are scheduled to participate in elections on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, featuring municipal and statewide contests. Early Voting Sites & Hours Lanier…
Read MoreShutdown puts hold on $531 million to offset Helene crop losses*
By T.S. Carter | *La traducción al español sigue a la noticia en ingles SOUTH GEORGIA – The federal shutdown has slammed the brakes on a $531 million relief package to cover crop and infrastructure losses from Hurricane Helene incurred by farmers and timber growers in South Georgia and elsewhere in the state. Pecan tree…
Read MorePotential Conflict of Interest: Questions Arise Over Clerk’s Role in Her Own Hiring Process – Conflicts of Interest — Part 29*
LANIER COUNTY NEWS SPECIAL REPORT EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is part of an ongoing series and speaks to decision making leaders with known or potential conflicts of interest and employees of area government. The series examines ethics and governance in Lanier County, which includes the incorporated communities of the City of Lakeland and a portion…
Read MoreListening First: Dockery Walks South Georgia Roads to Restore Trust in Government*
By Carol A. Gasser Moore | *La traducción al español sigue a la noticia en ingles Lanier County, GA — Over the weekend, candidate Michael Dockery, vying for the seat in Georgia’s House of Representatives for District 176, traversed his South Georgia corridor—stopping in Lanier County and Lakeland—to engage voters, hear concerns and drive home…
Read MoreCircle K Breaks Ground Near the Forks: Convenience Meets Controversy in Lakeland’s Core*
By Carol A. Gasser Moore |*La traducción al español sigue a la noticia en inglés. LAKELAND, Ga. — Construction is underway at 4 East Main Street, where Circle K is developing a large fuel and fast-food complex that will occupy the block bordered by Highway 37/East Main Street, Oak Street, and Church Street. The project…
Read MoreEnigma City Clerk hit with new felony charge in spying caper that snagged her, the mayor and councilman*
By T.S. Carter and Carol A. Gasser Moore | *La traducción al español sigue a la noticia en ingles BERRIEN COUNTY, Ga. — In a sharp new development in the Enigma surveillance scandal, Enigma Court Clerk LaTasha “Tasha” Luke has been arrested on felony charges of unlawful eavesdropping and surveillance under law. LaTasha Luke The…
Read MoreMayor Raises Eyebrows After Addressing Private Matter During Ray City Council Meeting*
By Carol A. Gasser Moore | *La traducción al español sigue a la noticia en ingles RAY CITY, Ga. — Tense moments unfolded during the regularly scheduled October 7th Ray City Council meeting last week. Mayor Brenda Exum used several minutes of official meeting time to discuss a private campaign matter involving Councilman Wesley Bennefield,…
Read MoreZoning for Friends and Family: Who Benefits from Development Decisions? Conflicts of Interest — Part 28*
By Carol A. Moore | *La traducción al español sigue a la noticia en ingles LANIER COUNTY, Ga. – If you want to know who really runs a small county, follow the land. In Lanier County and the City of Lakeland, rezoning and variances are where private fortunes meet public power. Georgia law is crystal…
Read MoreDowntown Lakeland’s Parking Problem: Private Lots, Busy Highways, and Sidewalk Violations Add to the Crunch*
By Carol A. Moore | *La traducción al español sigue a la noticia en ingles LAKELAND, Ga. — A growing number of Lakeland residents and visitors are finding it harder to park downtown, as new businesses open and long-standing traffic patterns collide with limited space. The problem is compounded by the fact that much of…
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