Two public hearings down and one to go for Grady County Commissioners. The county hosted two hearings Tuesday and no one spoke out against the proposed tax increase at either hearing. A third and final hearing is set for Aug. 16 at 6 p.m. All of the hearings are being held in the County Commission…

The Cairo city council authorized the investment of $221,000 for an upgrade to the wastewater treatment plant in southwest Cairo Monday night. A new bar screen for the sewer plant is needed, according to city officials, because the current bar screen and grinder are at the “end of their useful life.” A bar screen, according…

On the eve of the opening of the 2016-2017 school term, Grady County School System officials report that 4,668 students are currently enrolled, which is up from 4,645 on July 19 and 4,627 on the last day of school for the 2015-2016 term. However, Grady County School Superintendent Dr. Kermit Gilliard predicts that number will…

A large party in Whigham nearly two weeks ago apparently spilled onto the property of a neighbor who was not home at the time. The evening after the party, that neighbor returned and was unhappy to find a beer can, truck key and fob and a cell phone on his back porch, according to sheriff’s…

Earlier this year, a new state law went into effect and local utilities officials hope that motorists take note. Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal signed House Bill 767, the “Move Over for Linemen Act” in April, but many motorists may not be aware of it. This law requires any motorist approaching utility linemen at an active…

The Grady County Board of Education is planning to hold the school tax rate at 14.2 mills and, even though it technically is a tax hike, the school system is facing a projected $377,969 deficit in its 2016-2017 operating budget. Because of slight growth of $3,995,624 in Grady County’s net tax digest, a mill of…

A federal lawsuit against Grady County Administrator Carlos Tobar is progressing and county commissioners on Tuesday night voted to approve payment of $2,735.10 in legal fees for Tobar’s defense. The legal fees were for services rendered through May 25 and according to federal court documents, a jury trial has tentatively been set for April 3,…

Recent rains have helped in the filling of the 960-acre Tired Creek Lake. Grady County Lake Authority executive director Mike Binion reported this week that the lake level has risen four feet since the gates on the dam were closed late last month. Binion reported Tuesday that the current level was at 198 feet above…

Slight growth in the county’s tax digest of just under $4,000,000 is allowing Grady County Commissioners to propose a modest tax increase for 2016. Commissioners Tuesday night unanimously adopted a tentative millage rate of 13.653 mills, up from 13.265 in 2015, or a 3.02 percent increase in ad valorem taxes. With the tax hike, ad…

Grady County sheriff’s deputies report breaking up a late-night party in Whigham where an estimated crowd of 50 people aged 14 to 23 had gathered, some drinking alcohol, last weekend. Three young adults were arrested on misdemeanor charges, including the 18-year-old girl who lived in the house where the party took place on Providence Road.…