Dalton police investigating missing person

DALTON, Ga. —  The Dalton Police Department is investigating a missing person report involving a 70-year-old Dalton man. Steve Black was reported missing by his wife after last being seen on Friday around noon. Black told his wife that he planned to travel to Tifton in south Georgia to make a flooring delivery and he has not been seen or heard from since. Black was reported missing to police on Sunday. Black drives a 1993 white Ford F-250 extended-cab, long-bed truck. Anyone with information about Black’s whereabouts is asked to please contact Detective Aaron Simpson at 706-278-9085, ext. 9253.

Baby sitter’s son charged with soliciting children

MOULTRIE, Ga. — A Colquitt County man accused of trying to engage in a sexual act with two minors was arrested on Monday after a complaint from the children’s father. The father made the report Sunday of the allegations that a relative of their baby-sitter had tried to solicit sexual activity with the two children; he said the incidents happened sometime between Aug. 1 and Sept. 30. Colquitt County Sheriff’s Office deputies took Marion Robert Clark into custody on Monday. Clark, 42, was charged with two counts of solicitation of sodomy. “Two juveniles under the age of 16 were at the baby sitter (or) day care,” sheriff’s Capt. Mike Murfin said. “The baby sitter has an adult son who in the presence of the two juveniles propositioned the juveniles to perform some indecent acts.” The residence on Highway 270 where the children were being kept is not a licensed day care facility, he said. The sheriff’s office does not plan to file charges against any other people in the case, Murfin said. Clark has a criminal history in Florida that includes three felony convictions on methamphetamine-related charges, two for possession of a controlled substance and a misdemeanor for possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.

ReadingPals Volunteers Needed

LAKE CITY, Fla. — Volunteers are needed for the United Way of Suwannee Valley’s ReadingPals initiative.

ReadingPals is an early literacy initiative focused on enlisting, training and engaging volunteer “reading coaches” to work one-on-one with kindergarten students in developing reading skills that are deficient upon entering school. Volunteers commit to one hour a week for 25 weeks in a local school setting.

Contact Schara Wilson, ReadingPals Coordinator, United Way of Suwannee Valley, 386-752-5604, ext. 105, or via email, schara@unitedwsv.org, for more information, or visit the United Way of Suwannee Valley website at www.unitedwsv.org.

Hahira observes arts, humanities

HAHIRA, Ga. — The City of Hahira joins thousands of arts organizations and communities across the nation to observe National Arts and Humanities Month throughout October. Hahira will share the message through activities that honor the efforts of artists, teachers, and so many others working to make the arts and humanities a part of everyone’s life, according to city officials. “The City of Hahira is home to a wide variety of local artist including painters, metal workers, musicians, architects, jewelry makers, singers, dancers, writers, photographers and much more,” Mayor Bruce Cain said. The city encourages community participation in what has become the country’s largest annual collective celebration of the arts and humanities. The City of Hahira is planning special activities for National Arts and Humanities Month to include a proclamation, pop up art pieces by artist Mindy Reese, an outdoor movie, an art donation and visiting artists to a local school. “The arts and humanities play an important role in our lives and the vitality of our communities,” said Robert L. Lynch, president and chief executive officer of Americans for the Arts. “The arts allow us to explore ideas, express emotions and better appreciate cultures from around the world. National Arts and Humanities Month is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the positive impact that the arts bring to our schools and communities.” To learn more about National Arts and Humanities Month, visit www.AmericansForTheArts.org/nahm and follow the City of Hahira on Facebook @hahirahappenings.