More than 100 wrecks in March 

VALDOSTA – State troopers in South Geogia investigated 126 traffic crashes, resulting in 62 injuries and 0 fatalities during the month of March, Sgt. First Class Tracy Tabb of the Georgia State Patrol Post 31. Tabb said Post 31 troopers issued 620 citations, made 20 DUI arrests, issued 81 seatbelt violation citations, 13 child restraint violation citations, 49 distracted driving citations and 252 speeding citations, according to a press release from the GSP.  Post 31 troopers also made seven drug arrests including three felony drug arrests. Post 31 troopers issued 1,014 warnings during March and accumulated 35 hours conducting road-checks during the month. Tabb reminded drivers April is Georgia’s Distracted Driving month. Distracted Driving is anything that can divert attention from the roadway.  “This could be any distraction within the vehicle that a driver is not focusing on the roadway,” according to the press release. “Drivers should pay attention to the roadway. Set down any electronic or communication devices until you have safely reached your destination. Many fatal crashes involve a driver that was distracted from the task of operating a motor vehicle. Remember Drive Alert, Arrive Alive.”

 

Catfish Festival this Saturday in Branford

BRANFORD, Fla. — The third annual Suwannee River Catfish Festival will be Saturday at the Shrine Club near Greenway Park in Branford.  Diane Walker-Sanders, secretary with the festival’s board of trustees, said the event will begin at 9 a.m. and go until 6 p.m. There will around 30 vendors, and Sanders expects more than a thousand people to attend. “Our first year we had 800 people and it doubled next year,” Sanders said. “This is going to be the biggest year yet.” There will be a children’s fishing tournament with age groups separated for 7-to-14-year-olds and 15-to-18-year-olds, she said. It will cost $5 for each child to fish from the dock or bank, or $25 for a child to fish from a boat. The winner will be determined by the largest fish. Scholarships will also be awarded to high school seniors who participated in this year’s essay contest. Branford High School and Suwannee High School seniors will have a chance to win $500 apiece. The topic was how has the Suwannee River impacted Branford and Suwannee areas and the life of the participant. The essay contest has already been closed.  Participants will also have the chance to buy a whole catfish dinner for $7. The meals will begin being served at 11 a.m. and continue until there is no more fish. Sanders said they have 350 pounds of catfish and each pound will make two dinners. “The important thing is that this in an event made for families meant for families,” Sanders said. “I want everyone to know that this is a good, clean festival that you can bring your kids to.”

 

Tift Regional acquires urology practice and surgery center

TIFTON, Ga. — Tift Regional Health System (TRHS) announced that it has acquired Tiftarea Urology as well as its Urosurg surgery center and will now employ Dr. Greg Anderson, Dr. Jeffry Peters, nurse practitioner Allen Pate and the practice’s support staff. The location in Tifton will remain the same, but the practice name will change to Tift Regional Urology. For any services prior to March 31, patients of the urology practice will receive a bill from Tiftarea Urology, PC and/or Urosurg, LLC. For any services performed after this date, patients will receive a bill from Tift Regional Urology as a part of TRHS. Peters said they are grateful for the support of patients and the community. Tift Regional Urology is located in Tifton at 1815 Old Ocilla Road.  For more information, visit www.tiftregional.com/urology or call 229-391-3535.

 

Norman Park churches plan sunrise service

NORMAN PARK, Ga. — An Easter sunrise service will be held at 7 a.m. Sunday, April 16, at Quailridge Plantation. Sponsored by Norman Park First Baptist Church, Southside Baptist Church and Norman Park United Methodist Church, the event will feature Billy Wilkes as speaker and music by the Norman Park First Baptist Church Praise Team. Breakfast will be served. For more information, call 985-5011 or 769-3201.

 

Baldwin County School District’s music education program receives national recognition

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — The Baldwin County School District (BCSD) has been named one of the 2017 Best Communities for Music Education by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation. BCSD is one of only six districts in the entire state of Georgia, and only one of 4 percent of all districts in the country, to receive the prestigious recognition for 2017. The Best Communities Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. This award recognizes that BCSD is leading the way with music learning opportunities as outlined in the new federal education legislation, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The legislation, signed into law in December 2015, and awaiting state implementation designates music and the arts as important elements of well-rounded education for all children.   

 

Dalton State College to promote interim AD to athletic director

DALTON, Ga. — For the past nine months Jon Jaudon has been guiding Dalton State College’s athletic program through a period of transition, but did so with some uncertainty as an interim athletic director. On Monday, Dalton State President Margaret Venable made it clear Jaudon is the person college officials want leading Dalton State athletics into the future. She said in a press conference Jaudon will become the athletic director on July 1. “I am pleased to announce that Jon Jaudon will be our athletic director,” Venable said. “He joined us last summer as our interim and hit the ground running. He got up to speed very quickly and made a lot of very tough decisions as soon as he arrived.” The college announced on Jan. 26 that it would restructure the athletic department by cutting four programs: men’s and women’s tennis, men’s cross country and volleyball. Jaudon will be paid $97,500 and will also receive the use of a vehicle and a Dalton Golf and Country Club membership. Jaudon said he is committed long term to Dalton State and credited his relationship with the school’s administration and his connections with people in Dalton as his motivation for accepting the athletic director position.