Police chase suspicious vehicle through downtown Moultrie

MOULTRIE, Ga. — A man whose Sunday night cruising around the downtown square and driving the wrong direction on one-way streets attracted the attention of police — and brought him a number of traffic violations after an officer chased his car into a dead-end in Southwest Moultrie. Police said that the driver’s behavior was “odd” and the officer suspected that the man, later identified as Vincent Lamar Green, could be checking out closed businesses in the area ahead of the storm that was approaching on Monday. After seeing the Buick Century Custom being driven in the wrong direction in the 10 block of North Main Street, the officer caught up and tried to make a traffic stop in the 300 block. The driver turned on Fourth Avenue Northwest and then onto First Street Northwest, at which time the driver accelerated. As the officer followed, police said, the driver ran a red light and two stop signs. When the car came to a stop at the dead end in the 700 block of First Street Southwest, police arrested Green. Green, 22, 302 Eighth St. S.W., was charged with fleeing or attempting to elude police officer, driving without license, failure to obey stop sign, driving on wring side of the road, running red light and probation violation.

Construction to begin on cancer institute at Hamilton

DALTON, Ga. — Hamilton Medical Center will soon begin construction on its state-of-the-art cancer institute. A groundbreaking is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 21, at 6:01 p.m. at Bandy Plaza near the corner of Broadrick and Memorial drives. The new facility will include a street-level connector to the main hospital along with associated hardscaping and greenspace, creating a campus-like environment. “Initially, Hamilton had planned to be in the construction phase at this point, but as we talked to members of our community and began evaluating the plans, we wanted to incorporate those new suggestions and ideas,” said Jane Snipes, executive director of the Whitfield Healthcare Foundation. “Hamilton’s leadership team felt it was important to make adjustments to the original plans based on feedback from the community.” Local philanthropists Shelby and Willena Peeples have provided a significant legacy gift toward the development of the cancer institute. 

 

Hooked on Heroes fundraiser postponed to October

LIVE OAK, Fla. — The Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office’s fundraising dinner for Hooked on Heroes has been postponed. Originally scheduled for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today, the meals will now be served Oct. 20 at the Suwannee County Jail, 305 Pine Ave. Anyone that has already purchased a ticket should keep it and it will be honored next month.

For those interested in purchasing tickets, contact Teresa at 386-364-3418 or Sheriff Sam St. John at 386-362-2222. Tickets are $5 and are good for a meal of chicken and rice, green beans and rolls.

Delivery is available for six or more meals within the city limits of Live Oak.

 

Humane Society accepts Florida donations

VALDOSTA – To help Florida pets in need after Hurricane Irma, the Humane Society of Valdosta is collecting donations. “A lot of the rescues in Florida were damaged,” said Sara Purser, operations coordinator. “They’ve also been taking in a lot of animals that got out or from people whose homes were destroyed.” Items needed include dog food, puppy food, cat food, kitten food, cat litter, litter boxes, kennels, blankets, towels, paper towels, cleaning supplies, puppy pads, cat and dog treats and toys. The Humane Society also hopes to pull some of the animals they know do not have homes. Staff and volunteers plan to make their first Florida trip this weekend with more to follow. Donations are being accepted at 1740 W. Gordon St. in Remerton and at Petsmart, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. every Saturday. Purser said even sharing the post on Facebook regarding donations can help the cause. 

Tifton, Omega receive $370K Community Development Block Grants

TIFTON, Ga. — Tifton and Omega are each receiving a Community Development Block Grant.

The Tifton CDBG is for $376,887 and is marked for redevelopment.

The Omega CDBG is for $370,713 and is marked for drainage/street improvements.

“The awards being granted in District 13 are going to help with economic development throughout these cities and counties,” said State Senator Greg Kirk in a press release. “By allowing improvements to keep building up these communities, we will see the direct impact that new jobs and better standards of living will bring to our communities.”

 

Valdosta Symphony Orchestra set for ABAC performance

TIFTON, Ga. — The first of eight dynamic performing arts series events from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College will take place on Sept. 24 when the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra (VSO) presents “Symphonic Fire” featuring acclaimed violin soloist and chamber musician Corinne Stillwell.  This ABAC Presents! Performing Arts Series’ performance will be held at the Tift County High School Performing Arts Center at 3 p.m. ABAC Arts Connection Director Wayne Jones said Stillwell will join the VSO to perform Russian Alexander Glazunov’s haunting violin concerto.  Among other selections, the orchestra will also play German maestro Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Lenore Overture No. 3” and Czech composer Antonín Leopold Dvorak’s “Symphony No. 7.” Winner of The American Prize in Orchestral Performance, the VSO performs at a superb standard of quality that enables it to entice guest soloists of national and international recognition. The symphony is comprised of an exceptional mixture of specially selected professionals from a five-state region. Tickets for the entire series are $80 for adults and $25 for students under 18 years of age. Individual ticket costs vary based on the performance.  Tickets can be purchased online at www.purplepass.com/abac or by phone at (229) 391-4895.