THUMBS UP: To the Valdosta Police Department for making arrests in a series of armed robberies that occurred across the city during a period of three months. Capt. Bobbi McGraw said Thursday that detectives worked tirelessly to solve the crimes — one on Nov. 8, one on Dec. 2, one on Dec. 3, one on Jan. 12, and one on Jan. 18 — and refused to give up. The community should feel safer knowing that it has detectives so dedicated to getting the job done.
THUMBS UP: To the Lowndes High School and the Valdosta High School athletes who signed letters of intent to attend colleges and universities this fall. Some of the athletes plan to play for the Valdosta State University Blazers, making it very easy for South Georgia sports fans to follow their careers.
THUMBS UP: To Packaging Corporation of America for breaking ground on what has been described as “the greenest mill” in the country. The company will expand its Valdosta facility, creating “the mill of the future,” said Paul Stecko, its chairman and chief executive officer. An estimated 300 construction workers will be hired to handle expansion.
THUMBS DOWN: To Georgia Sen. Chip Pearson for sponsoring a bill prohibiting Georgians from being implanted with a microchip without their consent. The Republican from Dawsonville reportedly said that the legislation was a proactive measure aimed at anticipating technological advances that may — sometime in the future — infringe on a Georgian’s rights. It was co-sponsored by Sen. Chip Rogers, R-Woodstock, Sen. Preston Smith, R-Rome, and Sen. Ross Tolleson, R-Perry, and passed by the Senate with a vote of 47-2 on Thursday. Sen. Tim Golden, D-Valdosta, supported the measure. Sen. Vincent Fort, D-Atlanta, was one of the senators to oppose the bill, describing it as a “solution in search of a problem” and a complete waste of time during the state’s budget crisis, according to reports. Senators would better serve Georgia by focusing on creating jobs, solving water and transportation issues, and funding health care and education.
What We Think
What We Think: Thumbs up, Thumbs down
- What We Think
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Leaving NCLB behind
Georgia schools may be sighing in relief today, following the announcement that the U.S. Department of Education granted a waiver to the state, along with nine others, from the rigorous requirements of the No Child Left Behind act.
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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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Leaving NCLB behind
