Taylor honored for 27 years of service

TIFTON, Ga. — The City of Tifton took the time to honor career firefighter Henry Taylor at the City Council meeting last night. Taylor, who served the city for 27 years as a firefighter, is well known in the community. “Everybody knows Henry,” said Fire Chief Mike Coleman. He has served under three chiefs and three captains, remaining on C shift for his entire career. Coleman called him the “consummate career firefighter.” “He is an ambassador and a real special person, not just to the fire department but to the city of Tifton,” said Mayor Julie Smith. The room was filled with firefighters, family and friends of Taylor as Smith read out a proclamation celebrating his years of service since 1989. Taylor was also presented with a coin by Coleman and Captain Bobby Bennett. “Most of us have known somebody in our lives that can take the simplest thing and turn it into an art form. This man has perfected the art of the hug,” said Coleman. Taylor thanked everyone who attended the proclamation reading. “This will always be my true family,” he said.

 

Forum for special election runoff for Senate set

DALTON, Ga. — The Daily Citizen and the League of Women Voters of the Dalton Area hold a forum Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. for the candidates in the Jan. 10 special election runoff for state Senate District 54. Former Whitfield County Republican Party chairman Chuck Payne and former Whitfield County Board of Commissioners member Debby Peppers are expected to participate in the forum at Dalton City Hall. The special election runoff winner will fill the term of former state senator Charlie Bethel, a Republican from Dalton who represented the 54th District, which includes all of Whitfield and Murray counties and parts of Gordon and Pickens counties. Bethel was re-elected to a fourth term in November with no opposition. But the day after the general election, Gov. Nathan Deal named him to the Georgia Court of Appeals. Bethel was sworn in to that post on Monday.

 

Man lashes out when woman won’t let him in

MOULTRIE, Ga. — A man who was refused entry into a Sylvester Highway residence retaliated by damaging the doorbell and causing significant damage to a van. Crystal Futch reported that the man, an acquaintance, came to her residence at about 12:09 p.m. He became angry when she did not let him inside,and he broke the doorbell and a wind chime. Futch told police that the man then pulled on the sliding door of a 2004 Pontiac Montana until he forced the door off its tracks. He then pulled on the driver’s door, rendering it unable to be shut.  The man also broke the rear windshield wiper, she reported.

 

Suwannee soccer hosts Steve Claffey Memorial Game

LIVE OAK, Fla. — Paul Langford Stadium is the place to be Tuesday for some great soccer action between past and present Suwannee High soccer players. Suwannee Alumni will play the Suwannee varsity team at 6 p.m. followed by a second game between more Suwannee High Alumni and a local soccer club named Barcelona. The game is being played in honor of the late Steve Claffey, who passed away in 2013 at the age of 45. Claffey was a teacher and soccer coach at Suwannee Middle School. It will be the second Claffey memorial tournament. More than $4,500 was raised last year.  The proceeds from last year’s game were donated to former Suwannee soccer player Hugo Romulo, who was injured in a car accident. This year, the money raised will be donated to two soccer families who have suffered losses and are dealing with medical expenses.

 

Highway construction suspended for holidays

ATLANTA – Georgia Department of Transportation aims to ease traffic congestion and driving anxieties with suspension of construction-related lane closures on interstate highways, heavily traveled state routes and roadways near major shopping areas and tourist locations. The DOT maneuvers are intended to ease traffic for the holiday period, according to a press release. The alterations will take place 5 a.m. Friday, Dec. 23, to 10 p.m. Monday, Dec. 26.  Restrictions will also be in place for New Year’s weekend from 5 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, to 5 a.m. Monday, Jan. 2. The DOT reminds travelers to exercise caution as crews may still work in proximity to highways; and safety concerns may require some long-term lane closures to remain in place, according to the press release. Also, incident management or emergency, maintenance-related lane closures could become necessary at any time on any interstate or state route. For up-to-date information about travel conditions on Georgia’s interstates and state routes, call 511 or visit www.511ga.org before heading out.  Georgia 511 is a free service that provides real-time traffic and travel information statewide.  Callers can also transfer to operators to request assistance or report incidents 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Georgia DOT advises motorists that – in the event of a crash or breakdown – to never get out of the car on a freeway, unless your life is in imminent danger. Pull onto the nearest shoulder as far from the travel lanes as possible and call 511 for HERO assistance in Metro Atlanta, or 911 for medical emergency service anywhere in Georgia, according to the press release. Georgia’s Move-over Law requires drivers to move-over one lane when a law-enforcement, emergency vehicle or construction crew is on the side of the road and displaying flashing emergency lights. If it is unsafe to move over, then slow down below the posted speed. Traffic fatalities in Georgia and across the country continue to rise, according to the press release. And distracted driving and failure to wear a seatbelt are considered primary factors. Georgia DOT’s Drive Alert Arrive Alive campaign implores drivers to take responsibility for their driving behavior. Buckle up – Stay off the phone – Drive alert. Visit www.dot.ga.gov/DS/SafetyOperation/DAAA. #ArriveAliveGA