THUMBS DOWN: To reckless drivers. Riding too close to the driver in front of you, making right turns on red without stopping first, running through yield signs and stop signs, texting while driving, speeding and more are unnecessary and illegal acts that can result in tragedy in an instant. Getting to your destination a few seconds earlier is never more important than your or someone else’s life. Remember that the next time you get behind the wheel.
THUMBS UP: To Dave LaPlante, Moody Air Force Base Firefighter of the Year. The husband and father of two has been fighting fires for more than 25 years and has been described as "the best we have" by Moody Deputy Fire Chief Steven Seward.
THUMBS DOWN: To those in the community who know something about the recent armed robberies and other crimes but refuse, for whatever reason, to share that information with the police. We live in a society where the average person believes that they should stay out of other people's business or that harm will come to them if they talk. First, this crime wave is all of our business. It affects each of us, directly or indirectly, and it's truly impossible to know where those "bad guys" will strike next. It could be your home or place of business. Second, the authorities have made it possible to report any information anonymously. It's time for the "good guys" to take a stand.
THUMBS UP: To the Valdosta City School System Tomcat Wrestling Team. They won the Tomcat Invitational recently, earning 70 points. Five team members won their respective weight classes. Also, thumbs up to the Valdosta High School Wrestling Team for winning the Hornet Classic in Adel. Seven team members won their respective weight classes, while five others finished in the top four.
THUMBS UP: To everyone who entered the Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority Home for the Holidays decorating contest. Homes were judged in six categories — Reason for the Season, Originality, Humorous, Lights Extravaganza, Most Animated and Neighborhood — and the winners will be announced soon.
THUMBS UP: To the Valdosta Fire Department for participating in Shop with a Firefighter. A total of 11 local children were paired with a firefighter to shop for gifts for themselves and their family. All of the children were victims of fire this year. The Wal-Mart Foundation donated $1,000 and a private donor gave an additional $100 to make the event a success.
What We Think
What We Think: 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?
