THUMBS UP: To the Valdosta Police Department for its quick response to the armed robbery at the Firehouse Subs location on North Ashley Street on Tuesday night. An arrest was made just moments after police arrived on the scene. Also, thumbs up to police for making arrests in the Dec. 9 armed robbery of the Hardee’s on South Patterson Street.
THUMBS UP: To the residents of Merriman Court, G.R. Holton, Allan and Pam Williams, Bill and Joanne Halter and Matthew Lindsey for winning the Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority’s holiday decorating contest. A total of 27 homes shared their holiday light displays with judges.
THUMBS UP: To everyone who participated in the 17th Annual Outback Riders Toy Run a week ago. More than 2,000 bikes made the journey from the Preferred Outlets at Lake Park to Five Points, each one loaded down with toys for less fortunate boys and girls in the area.
THUMBS DOWN: To Antonio Butler for trying to snag a piece of a $7,000 reward by turning in his two alleged accomplices in a string of Decatur County robberies, according to the Associated Press. The reward was offered by area businesses. Butler is among three teens suspected in the robberies and reportedly admitted to being present when one of them was planned.
THUMBS UP: To area churches, volunteers and, of course, Habitat for Humanity, for helping two families realize their dream of home ownership. India Bell and Ana Lopez both closed on their new homes in time to celebrate the holiday season. The mothers said they are grateful for the opportunity to move their children into safe, clean homes and good neighborhoods.
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:
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Don’t jettison landmark
