THUMBS UP: To Pastor Wade S. McCrae of New Greater Union Ministries, who will become a bishop during consecration ceremonies today. As bishop, McCrae’s territory stretches north to Rochester, N.Y., and south to Miami. Although he will travel often, McCrae also will remain his church’s senior pastor.
THUMBS UP: To the Georgia Bridgemen Marching Band of Lowndes High School for taking top honors at the Fourth Annual Bowdon Invitational Marching Band Competition. The nearly 370-member band returned home as Overall Grand Champion Winners. The band also received the Norman Padgett Musical Excellence Award, given to the band with the highest musical score of the day. The Bridgemen are under the direction of Charles Todd.
THUMBS UP: To the Valdosta High School Marching Cats for making a successful return to band competition at the 26th Annual Phenix Invitational Marching Festival and Contest. Competing in the AAA division for medium-sized bands, the Marching Cats scored three superiors in both the festival and contest competitions and took third place overall in their division. The band is led by Director Michael Thomas and Assistant Band Director Andrew Hill.
THUMBS UP: To Commander John Fason and Detective Choice Barnes for awards they recently received from the Valdosta Police Department. Fason was honored for 30 years of dedicated service. Barnes was presented a Certificate of Appreciation for his help in solving multiple residential burglaries in December.
THUMBS UP: To the volunteers and organizers who make today’s Rivers Alive and Hands on Georgia Day river cleanup possible. The event, which will bring workers to the Little and Withlacoochee rivers this morning, is part of the 15th Annual Georgia River Cleanup Month. While we look forward to the day when cleanups aren’t necessary, it’s good to know community-minded individuals will roll up their sleeves and protect our natural resources.
THUMBS DOWN: To Laura Mallory of Loganville for leading the charge to remove the Harry Potter series of books from Gwinnett County classrooms. Mallory asserts that the books promote witchcraft. J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter, however, espouses the same virtues that children would learn from reading Christian author C.S. Lewis’ “Chronicles of Narnia” or J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings.” Besides, who gets more kids to read — Harry Potter, or protesters like Mallory?
What We Think
OUR OPINION: Thumbs up, thumbs down
- What We Think
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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. -
Sports tourneys: They will come
More than 20 years after its release, “Field of Dreams’” mantra, “If you build it, they will come,” has possibly become one of the most overused lines from any movie. Yet, it seems all too fitting for what’s been happening lately within the Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority.
- More What We Think Headlines
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Grading policy: A second chance?
