River protection efforts recognized

DALTON, Ga. — Two projects aimed at protecting water in northwest Georgia were recognized at the Georgia Water Coalition’s Clean 13 Celebration in Atlanta. 

State Rep. John Meadows, R-Calhoun, received a Clean 13 award from the statewide coalition of water protection groups for his work introducing and passing House Bill 205, an update of the state’s 30-year-old oil and gas drilling regulations designed to protect drinking water sources from the risks associated with fracking. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) was recognized for the agency’s efforts to protect land along Raccoon Creek in Paulding County. 

The Coosa River Basin Initiative (CRBI) in Rome nominated these projects which were included in the Georgia Water Coalition’s Clean 13 report released in September. The report highlights 13 businesses, industries, nonprofit organizations, local governments and individuals accomplishing extraordinary work to protect Georgia’s water resources. On March 9, the day following the Clean 13 Celebration, Meadows’ “fracking bill” was adopted by the Senate and sent to Gov. Nathan Deal for his signature. The bill sets in motion regulations that require drillers to identify nearby water sources and monitor those sources to ensure that drilling activities do not harm well water or nearby streams and rivers, the CRBI said. 

Film auditions in Milledgeville this week

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — Auditions for “Calf Rope,” a short film, will be held in Milledgeville this week. 

“Calf Rope” focuses on a former rodeo champion and cattle auctioneer from Oklahoma that bonds tightly with his young grandson from Pennsylvania during the summer of 1966 while teaching him a few tricks from his previous trades. 

The film is slated to be shot entirely in rural Central Pennsylvania and captures the intense love that grandparents often have for their grandchildren and their legacy that often lives on long after they have gone. 

The film is being produced by Sarah Hawkins and directed by Bradley Hawkins. The screenplay was written by Jake Stetler and Bradley Hawkins. 

Filming is slated to begin in August over the course of five to six days. 

Auditions are for the lead roles of Mac (age 60 to 70), Brandon (age 6 to 9), and supporting roles of Corah (age 55 to 60) . 

Submit headshots and resumes and video links to dadleyproductions@gmail.com with the subject line “CALF ROPE” and specify the role. Be sure to include age, height, weight, hair color and eye color. Deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. Wednesday.  

Actors invited to audition will be notified via email by 5 p.m. Friday and will be given a report time for their audition between 3:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The auditions are scheduled to take place at the Milledgeville Convention & Visitors Bureau, 200 W. Hancock St., in downtown Milledgeville.

It’s Rose Festival time again in Thomasville

THOMASVILLE, Ga. — The 97th Annual Rose Show and Festival will be held Thursday-Saturday, April 26-28, in Thomasville.

Held annually during the month of April, the Rose Show and Festival is a celebration of Thomasville’s rosy history and heritage. Kids will enjoy the children’s Rose Bud Parade held Thursday, April 26. Possibly the cutest parade in all of Georgia, this parade features hundreds of children, children’s organizations, and community groups showcasing their love of Thomasville.

The Rose Show officially opens on Friday, April 27, at 1 p.m. in downtown Thomasville. Some of the South’s most impressive and prolific blooms will be on display. At 2 p.m., the Thomasville Garden Center will have the grand opening of the Standard Flower Show. This show is filled to the brim with flowers of all shapes and sizes. Friday night brings the highly anticipated Rose Parade, a community favorite. This parade features nearly 100 entries from colorful floats to high-spirited marching bands. This year’s event will include a new theme for the Rose Parade: “Helping Hands: A Celebration of Community Volunteers!” Entries will feature superstar volunteers and celebrate the community’s ability to give back.  

After the parade, don’t miss the street dance featuring the Swingin’ Medallions. Closing out the night is a spectacular fireworks show. Saturday rounds out the festival weekend with two more flower show openings: Orchids on Parade, featuring dozens of delicate orchids, and the Civic Garden Club Flower Show, highlighting native plants and creative ways to arrange and display them. While you’re in downtown, enjoy the TPD 16th Annual Show and Shine car show. Categories include best modified, best original, and best overall.  

Whether you enjoy modern or classic cars, this free-admission event is not-to-be-missed! Be sure to take a stroll through Art in the Park, held in Paradise Park from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday. Art in the Park features food vendors, arts and crafts vendors, free children’s activities, the popular Bark in the Park pet show, live music, and more.New to the Art in the Park event this year will be the BMX Trickstars show. The BMX Trickstars show is led by X-Games medalist Rob Nolli and brings a thrilling display of BMX bike stunts and freestyle tricks to the audience. The Trickstars will perform throughout the day on Saturday, April 28.  

Almost all of downtown is utilized during the festival, including the Park and Amphitheater. The Park and Amphitheater will feature a free concert by the Grains of Sand Band from 12:30-3:30 p.m. on Saturday. Grab your friends and a tasty lunch and head to the amphitheater for some beach music that is sure to please. While you’re there, have your picture taken with a unicorn. Unicorn ponies will be in the amphitheater during the concert to pose for pictures with your little ones.  

A free trolley service will circle throughout the downtown and Paradise Park areas on Saturday.  

For more information, visit www.thomasvillega.com or call the Thomasville Visitors Center at 229-228-7977.  

Police have suspect as flower thefts continue

MOULTRIE, Ga. — Pilfered philodendrons were among the latest heists of a Moultrie flower bandit, but his nighttime thefts of potted plants may be coming to an end. Moultrie police believe that they have identified a suspect who is responsible for the half-dozen or so reported thefts of flowers.

“We think it’s going to be the same guy,” said Moultrie Police Department Lt. Freddie Williams. “We hope to make an arrest soon.”

On Friday, Betty Jean Jordan reported that a flower pot containing a philodendron was stolen from her residence in the 20 block of Kingwood Gardens Drive. She estimated the value of the plant at $75. Jordan told police that she heard some commotion outside between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. but did not check on it at the time.

Also on Friday, Evelyn Hardin called police to report the theft of two philodendrons, a pony tail and fiddle leaf plants valued at a total of $150. Hardin told police that she heard noises from the side of her residence at about 11 p.m., but when she checked did not notice anything missing.

Inmate dies at Valdosta State Prison

VALDOSTA, Ga. — A Valdosta State Prison inmate died early Monday morning, according to the Georgia Department of Corrections.It marks the second inmate death at the facility in the last month.

A DOC report states special agents with the Georgia Department of Corrections’ Office of Professional Standards are conducting an investigation on the death of Joseph Pagen.

The report states the case is being treated as a homicide.Agents believe Pagen died as a result of injuries sustained during a fight with another inmate, the report states. The victim was pronounced dead at the prison at 3 a.m. Monday by the Lowndes County coroner.

Pagen was sentenced in 2012, in Baldwin County, for two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of false imprisonment, robbery by force and burglary, according to the report.

Lafayette Nursing & Rehab hosting resource fair

MAYO, Fla. — The Swing into Spring Resource Fair is scheduled for Saturday.

Hosted by the Lafayette Nursing & Rehab Center, located at 512 W. Main Street in Mayo, the resource fair will last from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

During the fair, there will be glucose testing and grip strength manual muscle testing as well as blood pressure checks and a blood drive being held. CareerSource Florida will also be on hand.

Local small businesses and vendors have also been invited to attend.

Music and snacks will be provided and there will be a bounce house for children to enjoy.

UGA Farm Again program to host tractors workshop

TIFTON, Ga. — University of Georgia Farm Again program instructors will host a workshop to introduce potential farmers to tractors and how to safely operate them.

The Tractors 101 event will be held on Thursday, April 26, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the UGA Tifton campus, beginning in the National Environmentally Sound Production Agriculture Laboratory (NESPAL) building. 

UGA Cooperative Extension, within the university’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), and the Institute on Human Development and Disability (IHDD), part of the university’s College of Family and Consumer Sciences, manage the Farm Again program. CAES agricultural engineer Glen Rains and IHDD Associate Director Rebecca Brightwell co-direct Farm Again.

In the morning, there will be a classroom session where the parts of a tractor will be laid out in detail. Hands-on training stations will be set up in the afternoon. Attendees will practice driving a tractor at one station, and they will learn how to connect equipment and study the maintenance of the system at another.

To register, visit www.farmagain.com/register.