What a difference a week makes!As The Messenger went to press last week collections of ad valorem taxes through Tuesday were only 38 percent or $4,945,121.00, but through Monday, which was the due date, that figure stood at 79.5 percent and $10,469,094.51 collected.Grady County Tax Commissioner Phyllis Gainous said that collections had steadily grown each…

The U.S. Census Bureau released population numbers Tuesday and the results show that Georgia’s population grew by 18 percent over the last decade and the state will pick up a 14th seat in Congress.According to the 2010 Census, Georgia’s population was 9,727,566 as of April 1.Specific Grady County and Cairo data have not yet been…

Birdsong Nature Center officials announced Thursday that this weekend’s planned Winter Solstice Celebration has been canceled due to the rainy weather in the forecast.

While other cities in Georgia are raising electric rates in advance of a double-digit increase in estimated fuel cost  next year, the Cairo City Council Monday night voted to spend approximately $766,129 to offset increased costs rather than charge local ratepayers higher electric rates.The Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia, of which Cairo is a member…

Monday, Dec. 20, 2010, is the deadline to pay your ad valorem taxes on time without penalty or interest, but the majority of taxpayers are apparently waiting until the very end to pay the piper.As of the close of business Monday, Grady County Tax Commissioner Phyllis Gainous reported that of the $13,164,810.61 billed, only $4,945,121…

When some needy youngsters open their Christmas gifts from Toys for Tots, the gifts will be from Grady County donors. At least two locations here served as collection points for the annual toy drive. The Georgia State Patrol collected the toys last week. The GSP partnered with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves to help with…

City Auditor Tom Carmichael of Bowen Phillips, LLP, presented a draft of the city’s 2010 audit and the report indicated improvement in city finances.Cairo Mayor Richard VanLandingham was especially pleased with the continued reduction in the city’s long-term debt.During fiscal year 2009-2010, which ended June 30, the city’s long-term debt stood at $18,902,000, which is…

The Washington Middle School Drama Club has been offering Barbara Robinson’s play, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” as its Christmas gift to the community for many years.This year the tradition continues with another cast taking the roles of the worst kids in school taking over the church’s annual Christmas Pageant. Always fun to enjoy are…