THUMBS DOWN: To all those complaining about the Tift County Division of Family and Children Services and its efforts to find a home for three brothers. These three boys have been in the system for several years and desperately want to find a permanent, loving home so all of them can stay together. What is so wrong with Tift County officials doing whatever it takes to help them make that dream a reality, even if it means stepping outside the box? Don't these brothers deserve every opportunity to find a family who wants and cares for them? Not everyone is born to a nurturing family. Some have to find one or build one as they go along.
THUMBS UP: To Stan and Sue Cox for being named the recipients of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce's Big Thinker Award. The duo owns both 306 North and Covington's Dining & Catering, which are located in Downtown Valdosta. They have also invested in a home and another business, prompting the further development of the Historic Downtown Valdosta area.
THUMBS UP: To the Valdosta Police Department for the quick response to an armed robbery at Rite Aid on North Oak Street Extension on Monday. A suspect was taken into custody within minutes of the incident and charged with armed robbery and possession of a weapon during the commission of a felony. She reportedly used a knife to obtain an undisclosed number of OxyContontin pills from the pharmacy. Although not exactly of this nature, robberies seem to be on an increase in the area as the economy struggles, people lose their jobs and prices rise. It's nice to know that law enforcement officers are doing their best to stay on their toes and to keep the bad guys off the streets and other residents as safe as possible.
THUMBS UP: To Georgia Military College's Bonnie Tindall for teaching her students the art of giving back. As part of an American Government project, the students collected donations of food and money for Valdosta's Community Soup Kitchen, which, like so many nonprofit organizations these days, has been tasked with doing more with less.
THUMBS DOWN: To those people who have been ranting about club owners throwing them out at closing time. First, it's closing time, time for the club owner and staff to clean up, prepare for the next day and then go home. Second, if some patrons are that concerned about fights, stabbings and shootings after closing in the parking lot, then maybe that's not the best place for them to be spending their free time.
What We Think
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- What We Think
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Shame in Berrien County
Unfortunately for Sherrie Williams of the Berrien County school-based health clinic, she talked to The Times and praised the program that she oversees. This pride in her work led to the loss of her job.
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Grading policy: A second chance?
In clarifying the Lowndes County Schools’ controversial grading policy, Superintendent Dr. Steve Smith spoke of second chances.
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Be up to any weather challenge
Georgia’s Severe Weather Awareness Week starts today and runs through Friday. The idea behind the week is to prepare Georgians for weather emergencies and how to keep these situations from becoming tragedies.
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Parents and schools
There is a lot of talk lately about school systems and grading policies, and how all of a child's problems come back to a lack of parenting. But is it really that simple? Can it be a case where the school systems are so focused on the problem few that the majority of students are ignored?
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Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To Brooks County High School engineering and technology teacher Don Morgan and his students. They recently received national attention for their work with biodiesel fuel. They collect used cooking oil from area fast-food restaurants then process this oil into biodiesel. Morgan hopes to next interest the Brooks County school buses into running on the fuel created in his class. This classroom not only prepares students for the future but may prepare all of us for an alternative energy source.
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Take me out to the ball park
The Valdosta State baseball season begins today. The Blazers host Lindenwood at 2:30 p.m. Nothing beats quality baseball played in warm weather with a great venue like Billy Grant Field.
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What We Think: Signing Day
Wednesday was National Signing Day, the day when high school athletes across the country make official announcements about what school they’ve chosen to sign with.
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School policy fails expectations
Lowndes County Schools recently implemented new grading guidelines for students. These guidelines have left many parents upset ...
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Just the facts, please
The Times has taken some hits this weekend following the reporting of the Rev. Floyd Rose’ rally on Saturday concerning the car which drove into a home, killing an infant on New Year’s, and an incident at Pinevale Learning Center. Some police officers think the VDT is not being fair, and Rose accused the VDT of not printing the facts, but the facts are as follows:
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Fathers teaching daughters
It began as a small gathering for fathers and daughters. It has become one of Valdosta’s most popular social events of the year.
Several years ago, Jeff Stewart co-founded the event with his wife, Becky, as a way for him to give a special night to his two daughters. Other fathers of First Presbyterian Church liked the idea and the Father-Daughter Valentine Dance was born. - More What We Think Headlines
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Shame in Berrien County
