By Carol A. Moore | A Grocery Store at the Crossroads LAKELAND, Lanier County, Georgia – Running a grocery store has never been easy, but in Lakeland, Georgia, the Piggly Wiggly #71 has become the frontline of a quiet, exhausting battle: balancing customer satisfaction, health compliance, and reliable staffing—all while facing down the forces of…
By Carol A. Gasser Moore | FLORIDA / Georgia — In one of the largest nonprofit fraud cases in U.S. history, federal prosecutors announced Monday that the co-founder and an accountant of a Florida-based nonprofit organization have been indicted for allegedly stealing more than $100 million meant for individuals with disabilities and special needs —…
By Carol A. Gasser Moore | Lanier County, Georgia — As summer storms roll across the Southeast, the age-old warning “When lightning roars, go indoors” resonates with renewed urgency—rooted not only in common sense, but in chilling historical reminders. The 2007 Bugaboo Fire: Lightning’s Explosive Power In May 2007, two lightning strikes on Bugaboo Island in…
By Carol A. Gasser Moore | FLORIDA / South Georgia – As temperatures climb and outdoor recreation surges, wildlife officials are reminding residents across South Georgia and North Florida to stay alert and GatorWise — especially near lakes, ponds, and rivers where alligator sightings are more likely this time of year. The Florida Fish and…
By Carol A. Gasser Moore | SAVANNAH / South Georgia – The Port of Savannah continues to break records and build momentum, achieving more than half a million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) for the third consecutive month in May — a milestone that has major implications for South Georgia businesses that depend on the state’s…
Not in Our Backyard: Coffee County Fights Back Against Mega Chicken Farm By Carol A. Gasser Moore | COFFEE COUNTY, Georgia – A proposed industrial-scale poultry operation that could become the largest in Georgia is facing growing resistance from residents in Coffee County, who are raising concerns over its potential environmental and community impact —…
By Carol A. Gasser Moore VALDOSTA, Lowndes County, Georgia – For Mason Thompson, childhood dreams are preparing to take flight — at supersonic speed. The Valdosta native and Valdosta State University graduate has been selected for the highly competitive Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program (ENJJPT), a world-renowned initiative that prepares elite pilots for service…
By Carol A. Gasser Moore | LANIER COUNTY, Georgia — As families across Lanier County and the nation gear up for Independence Day celebrations with sizzling grills, coolers packed with treats, and festive outdoor gatherings, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is urging everyone to make food safety a top priority. With warm weather and…
By Carol A. Gasser Moore GEORGIA – Georgia’s Transportation Investment Act (TIA) program continues to drive major infrastructure improvements across the Southern Georgia region. Now in its 13th year, the TIA program is demonstrating how regional collaboration, voter support, and financial discipline can produce transformative community results. In his annual update to the State Transportation Board,…
By Carol A. Gasser Moore HAHIRA, Lowndes County, Georgia – It began with a flash—a jagged bolt of lightning tearing through the late June sky over Hahira, Georgia. Moments later, smoke curled skyward from the Lewis family’s rooftop, a silent signal of the disaster unfolding inside. In a matter of minutes, what had been a…