The Moultrie Observer · Norman Park, GA
ATLANTA — Gov. Brian Kemp appointed Jonathan Schwalls to the Lower Flint-Ocklockonee Regional Water Planning Council. The appointment was one of 182 that were announced Friday morning. Schwalls is executive officer of Southern Valley Fruit & Vegetable, Inc., a grower, packer, and shipper of fresh produce headquartered in Norman Park. Since joining the company in 1995, he has held several leadership positions before becoming executive officer in 2018. Schwalls has extensive experience in agricultural operations, irrigation, and water resource management, the governor’s office said in its announcement. He is a member of the Moultrie-Colquitt County Development Authority and previously served on the Colquitt County Board of Education and the Southeast Produce Council Board of Directors. He is also a member of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association and serves on several Southeast Produce Council committees.
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 · 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.
The Moultrie Observer · Doerun, GA
Nearby: Doerun, GADOERUN — 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.
The Tifton Gazette · Tifton, GA
Nearby: Tifton, GAATLANTA — On Friday, Gov. Brian Kemp announced seven appointments to the Suwannee-Satilla Regional Water Planning Council. Of those, at least two have ties to Tift County and the surrounding area. Ronnie Gaskins is the District 2 Commissioner on the Berrien County Board of Commissioners, where he has been involved in county government operations and public services. He has also represented Berrien County on the Southern Georgia Regional Commission, contributing to regional planning and development efforts. Gaskins is chairman of the Board of the Georgia Hunting and Fishing Federation. He is also a technician at Shiver Diesel in Tifton, with a background in agricultural equipment technology and diesel maintenance. He earned a degree in agricultural equipment technology from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. Chris Paulk is a member of the Ocilla City Council, representing District 4, and an insurance agent with Courtney Parish State Farm Agency.
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.
Valdosta Daily Times · Valdosta, GA
Nearby: Valdosta, GACity of Valdosta Crump Heating & Air, 1505 Lankford Dr. 1904, Mechanical Hunter Commercial & Residential, 206 N. Patterson St., Plumbing Aracena Antonio, 2531 Chandler Dr., Electrical Aracena Antonio, 2531 Chandler Dr., Accessory Structure Annie Bethay, 518 N. Oak St., Building Georgia Automatic Sprinkler Company, 1301 Bethune Dr., Sprinkler American Roofing, 109 Fairway Cir, Building American Roofing, 2417 Westwood, Building Coastal Contracting, 2002 Melrose Dr., Building Jones & Ebert Inc., 3018 Will Dr., Plumbing Coastal Roofing, LLC, 2838 Willow Wood Cir, Building Connectit Service, LLC, 2217 Lowndes Dr., Mechanical Rutland Low Voltage, 3261 N. Valdosta Rd., Fire Alarm Rutland Low Voltage, 417 Brookfield Rd., Plan Review Hazel Gibbs, 402 Griffin Ave., Building Edward Pedersen, 206 N. Patterson St., Building Scott Houser, 213 Price St., Building Beam Plumbing, 1700 Norman Dr.
Valdosta Daily Times · Valdosta, GA
Nearby: Valdosta, GAVALDOSTA — The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) and Aware Custom Biometric Wearables (Aware), a defense and healthcare technology company, announced Friday that Aware will invest $1 million in a new advanced additive manufacturing facility in Valdosta, as well as create 100 new jobs in Lowndes County over the next several years. The facility will use advanced 3D printing to produce the Aware Hearable and other precision-engineered, custom-fit in-ear devices for hearing protection, communications, and physiological and biometric monitoring, according to the press release from the Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority. “Companies like Aware remind us that Georgia’s economic opportunity is not limited to our largest cities,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson.
Valdosta Daily Times · Valdosta, GA
Nearby: Valdosta, GAVALDOSTA — The City of Valdosta and Valdosta Main Street announce a change to the start time of the 2026 Greater Valdosta Community Christmas Parade. The annual parade, scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 5, will now begin at 5 p.m., allowing families and spectators to enjoy the holiday celebration earlier in the evening. The decision to move the parade to an earlier start time comes as the annual event continues to grow in participation and attendance. With an increasing number of parade entries and an extended parade duration, the adjustment is intended to provide a more convenient experience for participants and spectators, particularly families with young children. “Christmas parades are about bringing families together, celebrating traditions, and creating lasting memories,” said Valdosta Main Street Manager Patrick Pearson. “As our parade continues to grow, we recognize the importance of making the experience enjoyable for everyone. Moving the start time to 5:00 p.m.
Valdosta Daily Times · Valdosta, GA
Nearby: Valdosta, GAATLANTA — On Friday, Gov. Brian Kemp announced seven appointments to the Suwannee-Satilla Regional Water Planning Council. Of those, several have ties to Valdosta and Lowndes County. Wade “Stan” Crance is manager of government affairs at Packaging Corporation of America, where he works on government relations and public policy matters affecting the manufacturing industry. Previously, he was director of business recruitment and existing industry for the Valdosta-Lowndes Development Authority and program manager at the Valdosta State University Small Business Development Center. Crance is also a member of the Southern Georgia Regional Commission Loan Board, supporting small business financing and economic development initiatives throughout the region. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Valdosta State University.
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.