THUMBS UP: To Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office deputies for apprehending an escaped jail inmate following a three-day manhunt. Sheriff Chris Prine reported that Christopher Eric Locher, 26, escaped from custody during a trustee work assignment at the southbound weight scales on Interstate 75 on Friday. He was located following an anonymous tip on Monday at his father’s home in Hahira.
THUMBS UP: To Cook Middle School students and staff for collecting items and monetary donations for care packages to send to troops for the holiday season. The goal is to send 800 shoe boxes full of basic necessities and fun items to military serving overseas in either Afghanistan or Iraq. The boxes will be sent through Moody Air Force Base.
THUMBS UP: To everyone participating in today’s Make A Difference Day cleanups sponsored by the City of Valdosta, Lowndes County, as well as Keep Lowndes/Valdosta Beautiful. As of 8:30 a.m. today, volunteers have been working to clean the area of McLeod Circle in Lowndes County and Payton Park in Valdosta. Next weekend, the folks at America’s Second Harvest of South Georgia will host a Make A Difference Day event where teams of volunteers will assemble emergency food boxes; sort, clean and inspect donated product; and more.
THUMBS UP: To researchers for making progress in the war against cervical cancer. A new vaccine may soon be added to the recommended list for girls and young women after a federal advisory panel voted recently to support it. The panel gave a limited endorsement to the GlaxoSmithKline vaccine, Cervarix. Merck & Co. has had the vaccine Gardasil on the market since 2006.
What We Think
What We Think: Thumbs up
- What We Think
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Elections: Creating a two-party region?
Twenty years ago, most area elections were decided during the primaries. Then, almost every candidate qualified as a Democrat. While there may be plenty of challengers on the ballot, many seats were decided in July or a few weeks later during the primary run-off.
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Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To South Georgians making fine impressions on television singing competitions. Phillip Phillips of Leesburg won “American Idol” this week. Meanwhile, Lowndes High School graduate Stacia Watkins participated in the new ABC show “Duets.” Well done!
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Farewell to the vanishing ace
Donald S. “Bush” Bryan was not only a rare individual. He was part of a vanishing breed.
An Adel resident for the past 30 years, Bryan was a World War II flying ace. Not just an ace but a double ace. A pilot must down five enemy aircraft to become an ace; Bryan downed 13.3 enemy planes in Europe. The fractions represent planes downed with other pilots. -
A widespread mosquito alert
In announcing the discovery of a mosquito carrying the West Nile Virus strain, city and health officials did not include the specific location of the discovery.
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Of Guantanamo Bay and a Founding Father
Some readers may wonder how a Valdosta High School graduate could bring himself as an attorney to represent a Guantanamo Bay prisoner charged in connection to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
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Congratulations, VSU Softball!
This weekend, Valdosta State University Blazers Softball became the latest team to add to Valdosta’s TitleTown legacy.
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School’s out so watch out!
Summer is a time of rest, vacations and trips. It is a time when school is out, when people take time off from work, when people may stay out a little later. It is a time of swimming, trying new things, and seeking adventure.
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Qualifiers are next leaders
While the national media focuses attention on the presidential election, it should be remembered that we will also choose our local leaders this year.
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Thumbs up
THUMBS UP: To the 2011-12 arts season. Theatre Guild Valdosta’s rollicking comedy, “Caught in the Net,” officially brings to a close a magnificent schedule of shows ranging from theatre to opera to concerts to art exhibits and more from a variety of area venues. Theatre Guild will also open the 2012-13 season this summer with the musical “Into the Woods.” Until then, arts lovers can soon enjoy a new series of exhibits from the year-round Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts and three musicals starting in two weeks from Peach State Summer Theatre.
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Events that get things done
Finding something that repeatedly attracts the public is difficult enough, but finding an event that accomplishes that feat while also promoting your organization and helping others … well, in many places, that’s a rarity.
Not so for the Valdosta area. - More What We Think Headlines
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Elections: Creating a two-party region?
