THUMBS UP: To all the trick-or-treaters out and about today who remembered to practice safety. It has been said that children get so excited to dress up in costume and go door to door seeking a host of sweet treats that they forget to remain aware of potential dangers, like cars and strangers and even overeating those sugary treats. Trick-or-treating is one of the great adventures of Halloween for kids, one that should be filled with happy memories.
THUMBS UP: To members of the Valdosta Middle School Players for hosting the area’s first regional one-act competition for middle schoolers and for earning a high enough score at that competition to attend state in November. The school’s one-act show, “Dracula: The Death of Nosferatu,” won best special effects, best all-star cast members (Nadine Fares and Jacquavian Walker, and best actress (Hannah Findlay).
THUMBS UP: To Mark Webb and Glen Sibley, both of the Performance Martial Arts Academy, for their many wins at the ATA super regional tournament held in Pennsylvania. Webb placed second in traditional Songahm weapons and sparring and third in traditional Songahm forms. Sibley placed third in both creative forms and weapons, second in Xtreme Martial Arts forms, third in Xtreme Martial Arts weapons, second in traditional Songahm forms and third in traditional Songahm weapons.
THUMBS UP: To the women of The Pines Family Campus for making it a priority to overcome their addictions and lead productive lives and careers in the community.
THUMBS UP: To Valdosta High School’s Marching Cats for being named the grand champions at the annual Battle on the Border. These students have been seen practicing daily, even on weekends, for this competition, hosted by Lowndes High School’s Georgia Bridgemen. Eleven high schools competed.
THUMBS DOWN: To the Georgia Department of Corrections for refusing to comply with requests for information regarding a recent assault at the Valdosta State Prison. A young guard was viciously assaulted by inmates. If the department is this reluctant to discuss this one incident, then how can the public and their own employees feel safe having these inmates in our community? What else hasn’t the public been told?
What We Think
What We Think: Thumbs up, thumbs down
- What We Think
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Don’t jettison landmark
While we respect the request to relocate the F-86 aircraft from outside Mathis City Auditorium to the new Moody Air Force Base Airpark, we would hope the city and MAFB would reconsider moving it.
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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:
- More What We Think Headlines
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Don’t jettison landmark
