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.
