David pushes for more transparency in county finances
6/5/2013
A report on the county's financial status from its auditor Tuesday turned into a discussion about how county finances can be made more transparent.
Vice Chairman T.D. David voiced concerns to auditor Tom Carmichael of Carr Riggs & Ingram about an apparent lack of information provided to the board.

Cairo man allegedly made false claims against lawmen
6/5/2013
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has arrested a state worker who lives in Cairo for allegedly making false reports of crimes.
Chris Cooper, 60, is charged in Grady County with two felony counts of false statements and writings and four misdemeanor counts of false report of a crime. He also faces charges in Thomas County, according to Steve Turner, special agent in charge with the GBI.

Technology investments improve patient care at GGH
5/29/2013
As part of an ongoing effort to increase patient safety, Archbold Memorial Hospital recently invested in a new integrated medication management system that electronically controls the flow of medications from the pharmacy to the patients at Grady General Hospital. The new system streamlines the medication administration process and enhances patient safety.

Chief Magistrate strongly opposes his office being moved to the jail
5/29/2013
Grady County's chief magistrate is opposed to a renewed discussion by county commissioners concerning a proposal to relocate the magistrate's office to the Grady County Detention Center and he blames problems in the courthouse on a lack of communication.

Don’t be surprised if electric bills jump up
5/15/2013
There is not a utility rate hike included in the proposed 2013-2014 operating budget for the City of Cairo, but that doesn't mean the monthly bills for city ratepayers will not increase in the next fiscal year.
In fact, city officials anticipate passing on a projected five percent increase in the cost of electricity straight to the city's approximately 5,000 electric customers.

Board votes 3-2 to renew contracts for principals and others
5/15/2013
The Grady County Board of Education met behind closed doors Tuesday night almost as long as they did in public.
Just after recognizing various students for academic excellence and officially dedicating the former post office building as the VanLandingham Center, the board retreated behind closed doors with Superintendent Dr. Tommy Pharis, incoming superintendent Lee M. Bailey, Finance Officer Dan Broome and Board Attorney Thomas L. Lehman.
For just over an hour the board met in closed session and once the meeting was reopened to the public Superintendent Pharis made the recommendation to rehire the current school principals, assistant principals, instructional coordinators and department directors along with additional personnel hiring, resignations and retirements.

Five Star Credit Union to construct new branch here
5/15/2013
Five Star Credit Union got the green light from the Cairo City Council Monday night to move forward with the construction of a new branch here on property located between U.S. Highway 84 and First Avenue N.E. near 3 Squares Diner.
Five Star officials petitioned the city to abandon a 20-foot wide right-of-way on the eastern boundary of the credit union's property to prevent future development of the land as a street or alley.

New inmate healthcare service already paying off, provider tells board
5/8/2013
According to the inmate health care service provider at the Grady County Detention Center, the county has already saved a projected $175,000 to $200,000 for unnecessary hospital visits.
Richard Raines of Innovative Healthcare Solutions appeared before the board of commissioners Tuesday to give an overview of the new inmate healthcare service that began Jan. 1 of this year.
"I've got good news. From Jan. 1 until April 1, we have prevented 30 unnecessary emergency room visits and seven hospital admissions," Raines told county commissioners.

County considers options for new aquatic center
5/8/2013
Members of the Grady County Archway Partnership's Community Health and Wellness Issue Work Group say they are excited about the opportunities the county has to use a proposed sales tax funded aquatic center as a calling card for the community.
"The more I talk to folks in the community the more excited I get. Just look around the region. There is nothing like it and I don't see anyone else building a lake and having an aquatic center to go along with it," said Grady General Hospital Administrator LaDon Toole, a member of the Community Health and Wellness work group and liaison for the Archway executive community on the issue work group.

County gains backing of powerful groups in appeal
5/1/2013
Some very big names in Georgia are supporting Grady County's position in an appeal of the January ruling by an Administrative Court Judge requiring a 25-foot buffer zone for "state waters" including wetlands.
Never before have freshwater wetlands been considered by the courts as "state waters" so not only is Grady County fighting the ruling because of its impact on the county's Tired Creek Lake project, but so are such organizations as The Council for Quality Growth, The Georgia Association of Water Professionals, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the Georgia Forestry Association, the Georgia Industry Environmental Coalition, the Metro Atlanta Chamber, the North Georgia Water Resources Partnership, and the Regional Business Coalition of Metropolitan Atlanta.