Thursday morning during a special called meeting, the Grady County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt the 2012 operating budget and increased the millage rate to 11.77 from 10.50.The total operating budget approved, including Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, is $13,383,346.By increasing the millage rate by 1.27 mills, the county will collect $128,652…

The Grady County Board of Education Thursday morning voted unanimously to adopt a fiscal year 2011-2012 operating budget totaling $35,120,846, but the board was split on the 14.2 mill tax rate recommended to fund the budget.Board member Scott Higginbotham, reading from a prepared statement, called on the board not to increase the millage rate.The millage…

Sheridan’s Flower & Gift Shop left its home in the country and opened its doors at its new location in the downtown business district of Whigham on Monday.Family, friends and loyal customers browsed the merchandise and enjoyed refreshments provided by owners and operators, Sheridan and Billy Harrell.In addition to cut flower arrangements and an assortment…

A pair of Thomasville men charged in the shooting death of Cairo’s Jerry Bodiford may go before a Superior Court judge this week to find out if they will be granted bond. Shadrick Ron Killens and Frank Rashard Williams Jr., both 20 years old, are being held in the Grady County Detention Center on charges…

It’s going to cost more to be able to sell beer and wine in Grady County beginning Jan. 1, 2012.Grady County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to increase the fees charged for beer and wine licenses on the recommendation of County Administrator Rusty Moye.County Clerk Carrie Kines surveyed Georgia counties to establish an average license fee,…

The Georgia Public Service Commission on Tuesday approved in a 5-0 vote a consent agreement between the PSC and the city of Cairo that includes specific demands of the city, as well as civil penalties.The consent agreement is the result of the Sept. 28, 2010, natural gas fire that claimed the life of city gas…

Cairo city officials are anxious to close on the purchase of the former Bank of America building so that the facility can be remodeled to accommodate the Cairo office of the Georgia Department of Labor.City Manager Chris Addleton updated the city council on the project Monday night and presented a lease agreement for council approval.“The…

Grady County Extension Agent Don Clark reports 20-25 percent of the crops in Grady County are “in pretty good shape” because of recent rains. But the remaining crops, (primarily cotton, peanuts and soybeans) he says, are struggling to make significant yields.“Our dry land corn is gone. Just about all of the dry land corn is…

Cairo city officials met behind closed doors Monday with an Albany attorney to discuss legal issues in connection with the Sept. 28, 2010, natural gas accident that claimed the life of a city gas crew member.Albany attorney Robert J. (Bob) Middleton met with city officials Monday night to brief them on the ongoing negotiations with…

With approximately 13 million gallons of water going unaccounted for by the city of Cairo each month, Public Works Director Raymond Stokes briefed the city council this week on his department’s efforts to close the gap between the water being pumped out of the ground and that which is being paid for by utilities customers.Stokes…