Utility approves contracts for upgrades

DALTON, Ga. — The board of Dalton Utilities agreed Monday to approve a $1.475 million contract with UWS of Trion to replace 61,300 feet of failing water pipe. It also approved a $997,345 contract with IPR Southeast of Stone Mountain to replace 18,800 feet of failing wastewater pipe. The work on both projects is expected to be completed by the end of the year. The board also approved a $650,000 work authorization request for Georgia Power to modernize the relay and breaker at the Tunnel Hill electric substation.

FEMA experts to be in Sylvester, Tifton this week

SYLVESTER, Ga. — As part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s whole community recovery efforts, rebuilding specialists will be at Walmart stores in Sylvester and Tifton Tuesday, Jan. 29, through Saturday, Feb. 2. The specialists will be at Walmart in Sylvester, 1102 E. Franklin St., and at Walmart in Tifton, 1830 U.S. Highway 82 W., from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. They’ll provide tips and advice on making homes stronger and safer and to answer questions about protecting homes from future damage. “This is an ideal opportunity for people to meet one-on-one with rebuilding and hazard mitigation experts,” FEMA said in a press release. “They will learn today’s most advanced methods to make homes and property more resilient from natural disasters.” Homeowners and businesses can get free informational flyers in English and Spanish on cost-effective rebuilding and repair techniques. More information about strengthening property can be found at www.fema.gov/what-mitigation.

Road work set for I-75 exit

TIFTON, Ga. – Work should start next week on changes to improve traffic flow and enhance safety at the busy commercial intersection of US 82/SR 520 and Hunt Road in Tifton, according to Georgia Department of Transportation. Improvements include building a US 82 westbound right turn lane onto Hunt Road and realigning the Interstate 75 south off ramp with Hunt Road. Right now motorists who exit I-75 south and want to cross US 82 to reach Hunt Road have to shift to the right. Drivers should expect shoulder and lane closures on US 82 west and the I-75 south off ramp. Work will be done during daylight hours, possibly Monday through Saturday, and shouldn’t take more than a month to complete.

Open Mic Night, Karley Scott Collins to highlight SOSMP weekend

LIVE OAK, Fla. — Come one come all, it’s Open Mic Night with Lyndie in the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park’s Music Hall on Friday with artists you either know or should know. This great start to the weekend will be followed Saturday nigh with famous actress/singer/songwriter Karley Scott Collins’ first show with her band at the Music Park. Friday night will feature a do not miss lineup of artists often seen on the SOSMP’s stages competing in talent contests or auditioning for the Suwannee River Jam such as Joe Martino (one of our favorite wrecker drivers from Lake City), Kian Sanchez (10-year-old exciting new talent from Jacksonville), Brooke Spencer (also 10 and an exciting new talent to the SOSMP set to perform at the Suwannee River Jam May 1-4 and from Jacksonville), Katie O (up-and-coming Jacksonville 13-year-old headed for Nashville and national recognition), LeeAnn Purvis (a 12-year-old beauty queen/singer/songwriter from Callahan welcomed back to SOSMP after too long an absence), Clay Boatwright (a young Jacksonville area singer new to the SOSMP who brings beautiful music), Kassidy Kolwyck (11-year-old O’Brien singer who loves to be on stage and singing Miranda Lambert’s country music), Godiva (2019 third-place Southside Idol winner, extremely talented singer/performer of Jacksonville) and possibly several other performers. Host Lyndie Burris Knowles will also perform on stage. Lyndie, from Clay County, formerly spent years in Nashville polishing her singing and performance qualities. Saturday is a very special first with long-time SOSMP singing sensation Karley Scott Collins of Lake City taking the SOSMP’s Music Hall stage with her band for the first time. Collins is bursting with pride about this first band and can’t wait to show what they can do. The music will cover all genres of music such as pop, country, classic rock and some of Collins’ own songs she’s written over her 19 years. Only their second time performing in public, this band is led by Karley, an experienced singer, songwriter, performer who has already made her mark in TV and movies as an actress. Humble about her acting career that began as a child, many artists she’s performed with over the years at the SOSMP do not know about Collins’ career on TV/movies such as playing Gretel in “Once Upon a Time” on ABC, in “Open Season 3,” roles in “Fringe,” “When You Find Me,” acting in “Amish Grace,” and a recurring role as Oprah Pearl in the CBS sitcom “The Class” and other TV appearances. She travels between her hometown of Lake City, California and Nashville where she spent a summer recording recently. One of her own songs, “Sweetest Disaster,” was written in collaboration with Geoff Warburton, a multi-platinum songwriter who most recently wrote six songs sung on Shawn Mendes’ self-titled album. Collins and longtime friend/guitarist Alex Sandlin have played the Suwannee River Jam several times as a duo. Music begins Saturday at 8 p.m. with Central Florida and national country artist Bryan James opening for Collins and the band. James has traveled the U.S. playing older country such as performed by Hank Williams Jr., Willie Nelson, Merle and many other country greats. Along with famous dobro player Al Enzian, James will entertain with his country attitude, look and sound that will make you a fan and wanting more as he sets the stage for Collins. Doors open to the Music Hall Friday and Saturday at 6 p.m. for dinner. Shows begin at 8 p.m. each evening.