Early voting underway in crucial runoff
Interest in early voting for the Jan. 5 runoff election headlined by two U.S. Senate races is record-breaking both statewide and locally. According to news reports, nearly 40,000 more people voted Monday statewide than did on the first day of advance in person voting for the Nov. 3 general election. Grady County chief registrar Malinda…
Read MoreLocal COVID-19 cases move upward
As the number of COVID-19 cases in Grady and surrounding counties starts to go up, local hospital officials are urging everyone in the community to continue to keep their guard up. Darcy Craven, president and C.E.O. of Archbold Medical Centers, which operates Grady General Hospital, issued the following statement Tuesday, “The number of COVID-positive cases…
Read MoreNew officers join city police force
A pair of new officers has joined the ranks of the Cairo Police Department. Clarence Williams, 21, and Jermaine Lamons, 31, successfully completed the Georgia Police Academy earlier this month. Cairo Police Chief Giovannie Santos swore the men in as officers with C.P.D. on Friday, and introduced them to the Cairo City Council during their…
Read MoreCity shifts to local insurance agency for Workers Compensation Insurance
The Cairo City Council voted 4-0 Monday night to accept a proposal from a local insurance agency for Workers Compensation Insurance, ending a decades long relationship with the Georgia Interlocal Risk Management Agency/Georgia Municipal Association’s self-insured fund. Representatives of Southern Insurance of Cairo Hansell Bearden, Dustin Thomas and Chuck Thomas appeared before the council this…
Read MoreMessenger columnist publishes book
Messenger columnist and amateur astronomer Randy Rhea has written a new book just in time for Christmas gift giving, “Astronomy is Heavenly.” Readers may recognize Rhea as the author of The Messenger’s monthly astronomy column. His new book is a guide to the history of astronomy and the beauty of the heavens. “Astronomy is Heavenly”…
Read MoreUnited National Bank invests in scholarship program
United National Bank continues to support a local effort to raise a $7,500 local match for the REACH Georgia scholarship program. On Monday, UNB officers and staff members presented Grady County superintendent of schools Dr. Kermit Gilliard with a $3,000 donation. This is the third consecutive year the bank has contributed to the program. With…
Read MoreHelp Agency, alive and well, prepares to spread some Christmas cheer to the needy
Throughout the pandemic, volunteers with Grady County’s Help Agency have continued to serve clients, helping with food and certain bill assistance, and this week they’re ramping up efforts to make sure local families who have registered for their Christmas program get food for a holiday meal and even a gift for their children to unwrap…
Read MoreArmed bandits remain at-large
Cairo Police say they are making progress in their investigation into last week’s robbery of Trawick’s Food Mart. Investigator Tyron Griffin says two armed men who robbed the convenience store are still at-large, however. Police were called to 1010 U.S. 84 W. at 10:53 p.m., on Dec. 10, where an employee and four witnesses said…
Read MoreCommissioners move out of courthouse is complete
The historic move is now complete and county officials are settling into their new quarters. The Grady County Commission has moved out of the courthouse and into the former Grady County Senior Center located at 33 17th Avenue N.W. County Administrator J.C. (Buddy) Johnson said last Friday was the first day the commission offices were…
Read MoreHancock visits with local youth in advance of gala event Dec. 17
The children and staff of the Jackie Robinson Boys & Girls Club welcomed hometown Major League Baseball player Emerson Hancock with cheers and applause as he visited with them Friday, just two weeks before he headlines their Annual Diamond Affair fund raiser. Hancock, who was the sixth overall draft pick last summer, plays for the…
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