Main Street, Allied Arts team for First Friday fun

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — Milledgeville Main Street and Allied Arts have partnered for a Touch-A-Truck event and Party in the Plaza for September’s First Friday. West McIntosh Street will be open to pedestrians from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday where there will be live music at the Black Heritage Plaza as well as cars, trucks and other vehicles lining the streets for public viewing. Heavy equipment horns will sound, first responders’ lights will flash, and everyone will have a chance to satisfy their curiosity by getting up close to explore the vehicles. There will be fire trucks, a tractor, a helicopter, police cars and Milly the Trolley from the Convention & Visitors Bureau. Allied Arts will host live performances from the 120/80 Vocal Band, The Reception Band and Marilyn Jarrette. The performance will begin at 5:30 p.m. with the 120/80 Band and 7:30 p.m. with The Reception Band and Marilyn Jarrette in the Black Heritage Plaza, next to the police station on West McIntosh Street. There is no admission. For more information on First Friday events visit Milledgeville Main Street on the web at milledgevillemainstreet.com, call the office at 478-414-4014 or email mainstreetdesk@milledgevillega.us.

 

UGA set to host Cotton and Peanut Research Field Day Sept. 6 

TIFTON, Ga. — University of Georgia cotton and peanut scientists will showcase their research in a joint field day on Wednesday, Sept. 6. The annual field day will begin at 8 a.m. at the UGA Lang Farm South, located at 230 Rigdon Aultman Road, Tifton, Georgia. The event is free, but those interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP to help with lunch preparations. Contact Michela Rineair at 229-386-3006 or msrineair@uga.edu by Wednesday, Aug. 30, to reserve a space. UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences researchers will answer questions from farmers and other attendees and provide updates on topics related to the cotton and peanut industries. UGA researchers will update Georgia cotton growers on issues related to management of whiteflies, a pest that has been abnormally difficult to control this season. The field day will relocate to the Rural Development Center (RDC) pivot farm, located across from the Tifton Campus Conference Center, midmorning. Prior to lunch at 1 p.m., UGA Extension economists Amanda Smith, Adam Rabinowitz and Don Shurley will discuss important peanut and cotton economic issues. For more information or to view the agenda, visit georgiacottoncommission.org. 

 

Colquitt County Schools open with largest enrollment ever

MOULTRIE, Ga. — Colquitt County Schools opened Aug. 14 with its largest enrollment figures in its history, but the growth was not a significant jump. After the first six days of school the system averaged 9,632 students at its 18 instructional facilities. That was up by 35 from the previous year, when the number of students averaged 9,597 during the same time period in the school year. After the first few days or week or so, the enrollment numbers kind of shake themselves out and the system has a good idea of where it stands in enrollment for the upcoming 2017-2018 school calendar, Schools Superintendent Doug Howell said.

 

Stay Connected gospel concert set for Saturday

JENNINGS, Fla. — A free gospel concert is scheduled for Saturday in Jennings. The family of the late Elder Willie Daniels and the late Church Mother Esther Daniels are hosting a Stay Connected Day gospel concert at 6 p.m. at 1443 Berry Street. The concert will feature dynamic groups Heavenly and Coco and The Chosen Ones along with other artists, including Desmond Roberson and DMT, from Madison. Comedian Albert “FunnyBone” Harris will serve as the host and MC for the event. The Daniels family organized the concert as a way to celebrate their parents’ legacy. Those interested in attending are asked to bring their lawn chairs. For more information, contact Dena Daniels at dena.daniels4@gmail.com or 386-855-1258.

 

Man in burned body case pleads not guilty

DALTON, Ga. — One of three men charged in connection with a burned body found in Whitfield County earlier this year pleaded not guilty to three felony counts in Superior Court, according to the Clerk of Court’s office. Kevin Isaza of Antioch, Tenn., faces charges of abandonment of a dead body, tampering with evidence and hindering the apprehension or punishment of a criminal. The charges are in connection with the death of Luis Antonio Lopez of Tennessee. Lopez’s body was discovered by a 13-year-old boy in a wooded area near the Carbondale Road exit of I-75 on Jan. 10. Roberto Josue Viera-Aybar of Antioch, Tenn., faces the same charges as Isaza. His arraignment was pushed back to the Sept. 21 calendar. Isaza and Viera-Aybar are being held without bond in the Whitfield County jail. A third man, Hector Ruiz of the Nashville, Tenn., area, faces a murder charge but it is unclear if that charge will be prosecuted in Tennessee where the killing is believed to have happened or in Whitfield County. District Attorney Bert Poston said he is still in discussions with the Nashville district attorney’s office on how to proceed. Lopez was one of 11 people arrested in the summer of 2016 as part of a large-scale marijuana “grow and distribution network,” according to information on the website of the Metro Government of Nashville and Davidson County. The information said Cuban nationals ran the operation.

 

STEAM inspired play coming to Valdosta 

VALDOSTA, Ga. —Cre8ive Zone at 3320 Bemiss Road is under construction with an anticipated opening in October.  Educational programs about nano technology, global sustainability, coding, and all things STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, math) will be provided through field trips, birthday parties, customized home school curriculums and classes, according to information provided by the business. “Play is important for children, so we are thrilled to encourage play with the exhibits,” said Dr. Elizabeth Omiteru-Salami, owner. “Kids can come in to play, but in the real sense, they are learning scientific concepts and how these processes happen in the world.” Omiteru-Salami said she holds a doctoral degree in curriculum and instruction and a master’s degree in information technology and has a passion for education and interest in the utilization of interactive, immersive, and other technologies that enhance learning. “It’s an edutainment business, looking to encourage independent learning, cognitive skills and problem-solving skills,” she said. Cre8tive Zone will allow her to bring more than 15 years experience in the education field to the Valdosta community by offering STEAM concepts and learning experiences through hands-on exhibits, workshops and trainings, Omiteru-Salami said. “Valdosta is known as Winnersville in sports, now let’s do this together as a community in education,” she said. Cre8tive Zone is a support resource to complement the work of area teachers by providing challenging opportunities for K-12, Omiteru-Salami said. For more information go to https://thecre8ivezone.com/, or call Dr. Elizabeth Omiteru-Salami, (229) 630-3752.