Former congressional candidate given deadline to complete DUI school

DALTON, Ga. — Former congressional candidate Steve Foster was released from jail for a probation violation on Tuesday, but received a strict deadline from Superior Court Judge Cindy Morris to complete DUI school. “Since this is his first revocation, I am going to give him a chance,” Morris said in the hearing with Foster’s attorney, Richard Murray, while Foster appeared on a video feed from the Whitfield County jail. “What I am going to do, Mr. Murray, is I am going to revoke the seven days and give him credit for time served. I am going to restore with added special conditions that he report to probation within 24 hours.” Morris instructed Murray to have Foster in a DUI school over the weekend and for him to deliver a completion certificate to Georgia Probation Service by 9 a.m. on Tuesday. The office of Georgia Probation Service is closed on Monday. “If he does not bring you (Georgia Probation Service) proof of DUI school, then you bring me a warrant at 9:01,” Morris said. “Mr. Murray, can you make that clear to Mr. Foster?” “We’ll make it happen,” Murray said. Foster was sentenced by Morris to six months in jail and six months on probation on Aug. 7 of last year after a jury found him guilty of DUI. Foster, who was the Democratic candidate for the 14th Congressional District seat held and retained by Republican Tom Graves of Ranger, was released from jail on Nov. 6, Election Day. When Morris was informed there were DUI school dates in Rome on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, she granted Foster’s release.

Applications open for city council temporary vacancy

THOMASVILLE, Ga. — The City of Thomasville is accepting applications to fill a temporary vacancy on Thomasville City Council.

The vacancy was created when Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp suspended Mayor Greg Hobbs from office on March 25.

The temporary appointment will last until the criminal case against Hobbs is disposed of or until Hobbs’ term of office ends, whichever comes first.

Applications are available on the city’s website at Thomasville.org/City-Council-Vacancy or may be picked up at the city clerk’s Office at 111 Victoria Place.

Applicants must be a current and continuous resident in District 1 since Aug. 21, 2017.

Other criteria for appointment include:

• Citizen of the United States

• Resident of Thomasville, Georgia

• Elector of the City of Thomasville and eligible to vote in municipal elections for Thomasville City Council

• Never convicted or sentenced in any court of competent jurisdiction under the laws of Georgia, any other state or the United States for fraudulent violation of primary or election laws, malfeasance in office or felony involving moral turpitude or convicted of domestic violence. If convicted of any of the crimes, the applicant’s civil rights must have been restored and at least 10 years have elapsed from the completion of the sentence without a subsequent conviction of another felony involving moral turpitude.

• Not a defaulter for any federal, state, county, municipal or school system taxes required of the applicant.

The application deadline is Friday, April 26, at 5 p.m. Applications can be submitted in person to the city clerk, at 111 Victoria Place. Applications also may be mailed to the City Clerk’s Office, P.O. Box 1540, Thomasville, Georgia 31799. Items sent via postal mail and received by the city after 5 p.m. on Friday, April 26, will be deemed a late submission and will not be considered.

After the deadline, a list of all applicants meeting the qualification criteria will be compiled and provided to the city council.

City council will make the appointment to the temporary District 1, Post 2 council member at its regular meeting Monday, May 13 at 6 p.m. at the Municipal Building, 144 E. Jackson St.

STEM summer camp announced for Stephen Foster State Park

WHITE SPRINGS, Fla. — Applications for pre-registration for this year’s STEM summer camp to be held at Stephen Foster State Park are available at the South Gate Ranger Station. Project HOPE, Inc. is organizing a K-12 STEM camp for youth in the Greater White Springs area. Parents are invited to pick up an application from the Ranger Station, and return the completed application to Project HOPE volunteers at the Knowledge Share Event on April 27, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Tourism Center. Park Manager Manny Perez and Ranger Kim Rivers met with Project HOPE, Inc. volunteers Helen Miller and Tom Moore last Friday to discuss the partnership which will deliver the STEM summer camp. Additional partners include the Hamilton County School District Food Services department which will deliver free breakfasts and lunches for all participants, UF/IFAS, area businesses and local donors. STEM in the Park will operate Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with early drop offs and 5:30 p.m. pick ups for working parents. The STEM summer camp is made available through Project HOPE, Inc. fundraising. For anyone wanting to donate, please contact the Project HOPE volunteers: Helen Miller, Tom Moore, Anita Rivers, Nikki Williams and Margaret Henry, or send a tax-deductible contribution to Project HOPE, Inc., PO Box 487, White Springs, FL 32096.