Area News
Gov. Kemp: Georgia Breaks Trade Records, Becomes Top 10 Exporting State
Governor Brian P. Kemp today joined the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) in announcing the state has again made history by surpassing $60.2 billion in exports in calendar year 2025. This is a year-over-year increase of 12.7%, outperforming the national average of 5.6%. With goods going to 213 unique countries and territories, Georgia also ranked…
Read MoreGov. Kemp Signs Amended Budget To Provide Tax Relief, Fund Georgia DREAMS, Invest in Transportation & Mental Health
Governor Brian P. Kemp, joined by First Lady Marty Kemp, Lt. Governor Burt Jones, Speaker Jon Burns, House and Senate Appropriations Chairmen Tillery and Hatchett, constitutional officers, and members of the Georgia General Assembly, today signed HB 973, the Amended Budget for Fiscal Year 2026. An excerpt of Governor Kemp’s remarks, statements from Lt. Governor Burt Jones…
Read MoreVSU’s Monica Haynes Named Local Arboreal Legacy
The Valdosta Tree Commission recently presented its prestigious Arboreal Legacy Award to Valdosta State University’s Monica Haynes, a truly deserving community champion whose dedication has helped the city grow greener, healthier, and more beautiful. This award honors Haynes’s ongoing and lasting impact on Valdosta’s urban forest through advocacy, education, preservation, and hands-on stewardship. From planting…
Read MoreSGMC Health Honors Wallace with BEE Award
SGMC Health recognized Shantonitt Wallace, Patient Care Technician, as the recipient of the Being Extraordinary Everyday (BEE) Award, a monthly honor that celebrates non‑nursing team members who demonstrate extraordinary dedication, teamwork, and compassion in support of patient care. Wallace was nominated for the exceptional compassion and calming presence she provided to a patient who was feeling anxious…
Read MoreSGMC Interventional Physiatry Recognized as Sonex Center of Excellence
SGMC Health announces that SGMC Interventional Physiatry under the leadership of Robert Kirtley, MD, has been recognized as a Center of Excellence by Sonex Health, honoring Dr. Kirtley’s expertise in ultrasound‑guided carpal tunnel release and trigger finger release. The Center of Excellence designation is awarded to physicians and practices that demonstrate advanced training, experience, and…
Read MoreAnnual ‘Cabaret at ABAC’ scheduled for March 13
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College’s annual “Cabaret at ABAC” is scheduled for Friday, March 13, 2026. The intimate evening of romantic popular music will be held at ABAC’s Edwards Hall beginning at 7 p.m. and will benefit the Fine Arts Program. “Guests can enjoy dinner while being serenaded by talented students, faculty, and community musicians,” said…
Read MoreCarr: Hart County Man Convicted of Trafficking Teen, Targeting Victim on Snapchat
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr today announced that Reed Cohen Skelton, 26, of Bowersville, has been convicted of trafficking a 16-year-old female in Fulton County. Skelton, who is a former ICU nurse, communicated with the victim using social media apps, including Snapchat, before trafficking her months later. “This is the disturbing reality that we’re seeing…
Read MoreSGMC Health Honors Carswell as Health System Hero
SGMC Health has named Dee Dee Carswell, a cook at SGMC Health Lanier, as its February Health System Hero, recognizing her unwavering dedication, strong work ethic, and positive impact on patients, residents, visitors, and fellow team members across the Lanier campus. Known for her dependability and commitment to excellence, Carswell consistently goes above and beyond…
Read MoreSGMC Health EMS Earns AHA Mission: Lifeline Silver Award
SGMC Health’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) has received the American Heart Association (AHA) Mission: Lifeline® EMS Silver Achievement Award, recognizing excellence in the rapid, evidence-based treatment of patients experiencing severe heart attacks and strokes. The Mission: Lifeline® EMS Recognition program honors emergency medical services that demonstrate a sustained commitment to nationally accepted, evidence-based guidelines for…
Read MoreGeorgia Trust for Historic Preservation Now Accepting Applications for J. Neel Reid Prize and Elizabeth Lyon Fellowship
The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation is now accepting applications for two competitive funding opportunities supporting architectural study travel and historic preservation research: the J. Neel Reid Prize and the Elizabeth Lyon Fellowship. The submission deadline for both programs is April 6, 2026. Recipients will be announced in May 2026. The J. Neel Reid Prize and…
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