The Moultrie Observer · Doerun, GA
DOERUN — Doerun City Council will meet at 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16, at Doerun City Hall, 223 W. Broad Ave. The council will immediately go into a closed session for personnel matters that is expected to last about 30 minutes. The council will return to open session about 2:30 p.m. for a public hearing, also regarding a personnel matter. Any action taken will be in open session.
Stories from surrounding communities, closest first.
The Moultrie Observer · Moultrie, GA
Nearby: Moultrie, GAMOULTRIE — Veterans: “They’ve been there and they’ve done that.” The Rev. Matt Peek of First Baptist Church of Moultrie addressed residents who attended the annual Veterans Day program in downtown Moultrie using that well-known phrase as it related to veterans. He said he had a confession. He said he was not a veteran but had the honor of speaking and bringing a word that he hoped would encourage everyone to be thankful for the men and women who served the country as veterans. “The more we know someone and the more we know their story, the more we can celebrate who they are, he said and added, that was why holidays meant so much. He said everyone knew the story of Thanksgiving and how the Pilgrims came over and settled the nation. Then, he said, everyone also knew about Christmas and how it was a celebration of Jesus every year. “So, what is it about Veterans Day?” Peek asked. “If we’re gonna celebrate Veterans Day, here’s what we need to do.
The Moultrie Observer · Moultrie, GA
Nearby: Moultrie, GAWayne Grandy was sports editor of The Moultrie Observer when I came to Moultrie at the end of 1997 as news editor. When Dwain Walden moved from being editor of the newspaper to being both editor and publisher in 2001, he moved into the former publisher’s office. Wayne got Dwain’s corner office and I moved into Wayne’s. When Wayne covered out-of-town football games and had to email the story back — or dictate it over the telephone — I was the one that got it into the Saturday morning paper. I wrote the story about Wayne’s retirement in 2016. He never really left, of course — he was still writing a column and covering the stories he wanted to cover — and when Covid-19 cost us our sports editor, he stepped up and has carried the load ever since. You might say he and I go back a ways. Connie Southwell mostly worked with Wayne, shooting photos to go with his sports stories. I saw her coming and going and spoke as she walked by. Sixteen years or so later, she’s my friend too.
The Tifton Gazette · Tifton, GA
Nearby: Tifton, GATIFTON — Tifton residents promised to not only honor their veterans, but show them kindness, care, and remembrance this past Wednesday. Local officials, veterans and their families, other community members convened at the Jack Stone Memorial Park the morning of Nov. 11 to pay their respects to the veterans and fallen service members who fought in service of them and their country. Welcoming her fellow community members to the morning ceremony, mayor Julie Smith thanked them for showing their support for their heroes in the Armed Forces. She spoke to the importance of Veterans Day in recognizing and remembering the sacrifices made by the nation’s service members, and asked those in attendance to renew their commitment to recognizing and remembering those who served and upholding that which they fought for as a tribute to the service of their veterans, both local and nationwide.
The Tifton Gazette · Adel, GA
Nearby: Adel, GATIFTON — Southwell Health and Rehabilitation, a 95-bed skilled nursing facility in Adel, has earned Nursing Care Center Accreditation from Joint Commission, an independent, evidence-based standards setting organization that sets the benchmark for safe, high-quality patient care through healthcare accreditation. This accomplishment formally recognizes Southwell Health and Rehabilitation’s ongoing commitment to meeting rigorous performance standards and delivering the safest, highest quality care to its patients. Southwell Health and Rehabilitation underwent a rigorous, unannounced onsite survey on Sept. 8. During the visit, a team of Joint Commission surveyors assessed compliance across key areas such as environment of care, infection prevention and control, performance improvement, and overall resident care. “This accreditation reflects our team’s dedication to providing safe, compassionate, high-quality care,” said Mark Kimball, chief operating officer for Southwell Medical.
Thomasville Times Enterprise · Thomasville, GA
Nearby: Thomasville, GADear Editor: Students at Thomas County Central High School have been preparing a one-act performance of Matilda Jr., a show that gives young people a chance to bring music, movement, and storytelling together. Local reporting on the production is a reminder that school arts programs do more than fill an auditorium for an evening. They give students another way to discover that their work matters. The spotlight naturally settles on the child standing at center stage. Yet a successful production also needs people moving scenery, managing costumes, arranging music, helping with rehearsals, and solving last-minute problems without expecting an audience to know their names. Some students gain confidence by performing. Others find it by learning that a team depends on their patient work. Those contributions deserve attention. Thomasville and the communities across Thomas County have many forms of school pride, from athletic contests to academic achievements and performances.
Cordele Dispatch · Cordele, GA
Nearby: Cordele, GAFounded in 1951 by Ira Lee Adams, Adam’s Drug Store has served its community for over 75 years. Jonathan Sinyard is the current owner, starting out as a partner with Ira Lee Adams’ son, Russell Adams, from 2009 to 2019. After Russell Adams retired in 2019, Sinyard took on full ownership. Sinyard started working at Adam’s in college, coming back after graduation. He says it’s been a great way to help others. “I enjoy interacting with people.” Not only is the institution a familiar landmark for the community, but many of its employees are as well. Sinyard says he is blessed to have an experienced team. Most of those working at Adam’s Drug Store are from Cordele or the immediate area. “You’re going to see us at a Friday night football game. You’re going to see us at trunk or treat.” Sinyard says many of their customers are familiar faces. “These are people we go to church with. These are people we see in the grocery store.
Cordele Dispatch · Cordele, GA
Nearby: Cordele, GACordele Energy and Nutrition’s bubbly vibe matches its owner, Chloe Coleman. Coleman says that people are at the core of her business. “It’s just relationships you build every time, and you see these people every single day.” A cheery pink interior greets guests, with pumpkins painted on the shop-front window. A comfortable basket seat encourages guests to linger while taking sips. Coleman shared what makes Cordele Energy and Nutrition such a unique part of the Cordele Community. “We want everybody to feel welcome, and it’s an environment where anybody walks in, you’re automatically a friend. We automatically want you to be a regular.” Coleman sees firsthand how local businesses can connect with customers. “People really do enjoy supporting somebody that they see all the time and that they know and that they have a friendship with.” Cordele Energy and Nutrition serves Herbalife products, including loaded teas, protein meal replacement shakes, and protein coffees.
Cordele Dispatch · Cordele, GA
Nearby: Cordele, GACelebrate Recovery held its largest fundraiser of the year on Nov. 7 at Perlis Park in Cordele. Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered 12-step addiction recovery program. Dinner and services are held every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at Cordele First Church. Ministry leader and recovering alcoholic Chris Willis says the program isn’t just for those suffering from substance abuse. “Overeating, pornography, codependency, any kind of hurt, habit, and hang-up.” Willis says the effect on people’s lives is amazing. “We just love to see people get healed.” The car show was well attended, with many eye-catching entries. Police Choice was #1 Jimmy Nasworthy’s 65 Chevy C10, Kid’s Choice was #327 Aston Willis’ 62 Corvette Gasser, Celebrate Recovery’s Choice was #67 Maverick Webb’s Mazda RX-7, Best in Show Late Model was #4 Heather Highnote’s 2022 Chevy Camaro, and Best in Show Classic was #33 Frank Webber’s 32 Chevy Coupe.
Cordele Dispatch · Cordele, GA
Nearby: Cordele, GADirector of Utilities Treatment Debbie Wright told the Cordele Commission during its Nov. 3 meeting that the City needed a new SCADA system. With a system taking 8-12 weeks for its arrival, Debbie Wright urged them to order it quickly. City Commissioner Joe Joe Wright made a motion that they get the system, which died for a lack of a second. The Council decided place the purchase of the system on the agenda for the next meeting. Debbie Wright gave an approximate cost of $250,000 for the system to be installed at 6 wells, 5 water tanks, 7 lift stations, and 1 wastewater treatment plant. Wright explained to the Cordele Dispatch what the system was and what made it so important. “It is a SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) System. It transmits a signal that tells the wells to come on and cut off by the level of water that is in the different tanks. Our current system is very old and has to be replaced.
Valdosta Daily Times · Valdosta, GA
Nearby: Valdosta, GAVALDOSTA — The Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize Enay Coaching, LLC as its Leading Business of the Week, highlighting the company’s commitment to education, workforce development, and strengthening communities. Based in Valdosta since 2014, Enay Coaching is an education and workforce development consultancy that partners with thought leaders and organizations to develop and implement sustainable, evidence-based practices that help communities thrive, the chamber said in a press release. Its services include strategic planning, executive coaching, support for education and community mentoring programs, and education and workforce solutions for the foster care community across Georgia. Over the years, Enay Coaching has made a meaningful impact through several accomplishments. Most recently, the company provided workforce training to nearly 300 youth in foster care through the Georgia CREW program.
Valdosta Daily Times · Valdosta, GA
Nearby: Valdosta, GAVALDOSTA — Below are a list of organizations and businesses that will hold free Thanksgiving meals in our community: • Community Thanksgiving Meal, 12-4 p.m. Nov. 21, First Antioch Baptist Church, 517 N. Oak St. To donate or volunteer, contact: Angela Haddin (229) 269-9346 or Joyce Jeff (229) 548-3119. • 100 Black Men Thanksgiving Food Fest, 9 a.m. Nov. 21, Salvation Army, 320 Smithland Place. To donate or volunteer, contact: Lymas Johnson: (229) 251-1349. • Sam’s BBQ Annual Feeding the Community, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Nov. 26, Sam’s BBQ & Catering, 414 E. Hill Ave. To donate, contact: Sam Watts: (229) 237-2187.
Valdosta Daily Times · Valdosta, GA
Nearby: Valdosta, GAVALDOSTA — The Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce joined Coldwell Banker Premier Real Estate for a ribbon cutting at the company’s new storefront at 1616 Norman Drive, Suite E. The celebration gave community members a chance to meet Mark, Tara and Bryce Ocepek, whose family purchased the business in 2025. Coldwell Banker Premier first opened its doors in Valdosta in 1972. Today, its agents help clients buy and sell homes, commercial properties, multifamily properties, land and farms. The new office includes a dedicated space where agents can film videos to highlight local listings and answer questions from buyers and sellers. For the Ocepek family, serving veterans is personal. Mark is a U.S. Navy veteran, and the family established the Veterans Advantage program to connect veterans with a lender who can guide them through the homebuying process. Visit Coldwell Banker Premier Real Estate at 1616 Norman Drive, Suite E, Valdosta or call (904) 583-8415.
Thomasville Times Enterprise · Valdosta, GA
Nearby: Valdosta, GATHOMASVILLE — The John B. Gordon 383 UDC® chapter welcomed Renate Milner as its guest speaker during a recent meeting. Chapter President Sheila Tucker introduced Milner and shared highlights of her educational and professional background. Milner was born in Germany and moved to the United States in 1991 with her husband and children. She earned an associate degree from Georgia Military College, followed by a bachelor’s degree in history from Valdosta State University in 1998 and a master’s degree in 2000. While attending VSU, Milner interned at the Lowndes County Historical Society, where she conducted groundbreaking research on German prisoners of war held in Georgia during World War II. Following graduation, she joined the Historical Society’s staff. In 2007, Milner became a Georgia state archivist at the state archives in Morrow. In 2024, she returned to the Lowndes County Historical Society as executive director, a position she continues to hold.
