Man wins five golds in Senior Olympics competition

DALTON, Ga. — Randy Russell is no stranger to swimming. Growing up, Russell participated in swim teams all the way through college where he attended the University of Georgia and swam under Jack Bauerle, who has been the U.S. Olympic team head coach. Russell achieved many accolades in his swimming days, including 26 state championships in Georgia and state records in five events. He also served as the president of the Chattanooga Area Swim League (CASL) in 2015, and all of his children swam for the Dalton Dolphins. After not swimming competitively for almost 40 years, Russell won a three-month Bradley Wellness Center membership at the Whitfield Healthcare Foundation Golf Classic in April of 2018 and decided to start training again. After a friend told him about the Senior Olympics, he did some research and thought he could contend with the current top swimmers. He swims five days a week between 2,000 and 3,000 meters in each practice. At his first competition at the Chattanooga District Senior Olympics (Age 55-59 category), he won five gold medals. He also met the qualifying standards for the National Senior Olympics which will be held in June of 2019 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. “I believe having a goal to enter a competition gave me a reason to train harder in my workouts,” he said.

Passenger bridge details finalized

VALDOSTA, Ga. — The Valdosta-Lowndes County Airport Authority is expected to submit the closing paperwork for its new passenger bridge at its monthly meeting Wednesday. The paperwork will be submitted to the contractor and to the Federal Aviation Administration. The paperwork to the FAA will close out the airport’s grant process. The authority is expected to review its Fiscal Year 2018 audit and hangar availability. There will also be an update on airport improvement project 34. The airport is upgrading its precision approach path indicators. The PAPIs are used by pilots when approaching the airport. The meeting is scheduled for 8 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, in the airport manager’s office. The meeting is open to the public. 

City ready for annual Victorian Christmas

THOMASVILLE, Ga. —The 32nd annual Victorian Christmas will be held Thursday and Friday, December 13 and 14 from 6-9 p.m. both evenings. A Thomasville tradition, Victorian Christmas has become a well-loved event for both locals and visitors alike. This year’s event will include traditional favorites like carriage rides, the live nativity, and costumed strollers, as well as a few fun new additions.  Victorian Christmas will feature a wide variety of dining options, street performers such as jugglers and carolers, live music, plein air artists, children’s activities, fire performers, and more. Also new this year is a trackless train, sponsored by CNS and winding through the West Jackson Street area. Train rides will be free both nights of the event. Admission to Victorian Christmas is free and open to the public. For more information about this event, please visit www.thomasvillega.com or call the Thomasville Visitors Center at 229-228-7977.

Live Oak Christian Church hosting Bethlehem Live

LIVE OAK, Fla. — Suwannee County residents and visitors can take a trip to Bethlehem this weekend. The Live Oak Christian Church is presenting its third annual free live nativity, Bethlehem Live, on Friday and Saturday. The event will be held at the church, 1015 Ohio Ave. N. from 6-8 p.m. on Friday and 6-9 p.m. on Saturday. The church is extending the event Saturday due to the Christmas parade running in town at the same time. “Bring family and friends to experience the sights and sounds of the first Christmas,” the event’s organizers said about the live nativity. Once people arrive in Bethlehem on Friday and Saturday, they will first be able to enjoy some Christmas music from Ken and Tammy Michal. From there, they will be led into the ancient town for a tour that ends at the stable with a live nativity scene, which will include sheep. “It’s very cozy and very authentic,” according to the live nativity’s organizers.