No overhead fireworks on the 4th

The annual 4th of July Fireworks Show for Cairo and Grady County has been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. The show, which has been jointly sponsored by the City of Cairo, Grady County and local businesses, has been called off because of the social distancing restrictions associated with COVID-19 and because of the financial hardship if might place on local business that have donated to the event each year who have been closed for many weeks and month.

Local Democrats to hold online committee elections

The Grady County Democratic Executive Committee will be holding its 2020 Committee Elections via ZOOM on July 9 at 6 p.m. There will be elections for District 1-5 and an At-Large position. The link for the Zoom meeting will be posted on the group’s website and Facebook page prior to the meeting. For more information, call 221-1607.

Health department offers free COVID-19 testing

The Grady County Health Department reminds everyone that the Southwest Georgia Public Health District is offering free drive-thru COVID-19 testing for all Georgians — no doctor referral is needed and insurance is not required. If you need a coronavirus test, call the hotline at (229) 352-6567 for locations details and to schedule an appointment.

Summer feeding program continues

The Summer Feeding Program continues this summer for anyone who needs meals. The Drive-up Grab & Go Meals are available from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. each Tuesday and Thursday at the Cairo High School cafeteria. Four meals are provided on Tuesday and six are provided on Thursday. Everyone who would like to receive the meals are reminded to enter from Syrupmaker Drive, stop at the rear of the cafeteria and the staff will come out to your car to serve you.

Library offers Take and Make crafts

The Roddenbery Memorial Library is offering different fairytale themed ‘Take and Make’ craft for children ages 12 and under. The library provides the craft materials and instructions which can be picked up and taken home for completion. The library also offers crafts customized for teens. The crafts may be picked up curbside or inside the library. Contact the Roddenbery Memorial Library for more information.

Children’s storytime offered on Facebook

The weekly Children’s Storytime from the Roddenbery Memorial Library is now available on the library’s Facebook page each Wednesday morning at 10:30. Ms. Patsy shares a story and craft every Wednesday and all children are invited to tune in an participate.

Grady County Recreation Department reopens

The Grady County Recreation Department has announced that they will be renaming and restarting their summer recreation program. The GCRD Early Summer Baseball began practice on Thursday, June 4 and softball began practices on Monday, June 8. Teeball started on Thursday, June 11. All coaches will be contacted with more information. Everyone is asked to please continue to practice safe social distancing, hand washing and to stay home and not participate in sports or be a spectator if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or other illnesses. If you would like any other information, please call 377-8221.

Residents asked to respond to census

Despite the coronavirus restrictions in the country, the 2020 U.S. Census is still be conducted and Grady County citizens are being urged to respond. Less than half of the households in the county have returned their census forms, which concern local leaders. The census provides vital information for individuals and communities and helps determines how many representatives each states receives in Congress and funding for many federal and state programs. Local residents can respond to the census online, by telephone or by mail.

Birdsong trails reopened

The Birdsong Nature Center has reopened its nature trails to the public on weekends only. Birdsong has adopted protocols to protocols to protect visitors and their staff and volunteers which can be found on their website, www.birdsongnaturecenter.org. The center asks that visitors please stay in small family groups while on the trails and to adhere to safe social distancing practices. The hours of operation during this first phase of opening will be Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m.

To submit an item to Cairo Newsbeat, contact Jeff Lovett at jeff@summerhillcreative.com or (229) 221-10303.