Grady County’s response to the U.S. Census continues to be abysmal, and an examination of response rates through Monday, indicates much of Southwest Georgia is not faring as well as other sections of the state. Fayette County boasts a response rate of 74.1 percent compared to Grady County at 48.5 percent through Monday. The top…

The Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education has selected Laura Register as a member of the 2020-2021 Georgia Education Policy Fellowship Program. In a letter announcing her selection as a new Fellow, Robert W. Gaines II, director of communications for G.P.E.E., stated, “Your career experiences and thoughtful approach to education are indicative of your potential…

For the second time this month, Grady County has seen a record increase in positive cases of COVID-19 in a week. The number of Grady County residents with the disease is now 314, according to information from the Grady County Health Department. That’s an increase of 52 new cases since last Tuesday, July 14. The…

Grady County school officials are tabulating results of a parent survey about educating their children in the middle of a pandemic, and a slim majority of those counted so far are in favor of returning to the traditional school setting. Dr. Kermit Gilliard, superintendent of Grady County Schools, said the school system is accepting surveys…

By Beau Evans Staff Writer Capitol Beat News Service High school football in Georgia will start two weeks later than usual due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a vote Monday by the Georgia High School Association. The GHSA board voted unanimously to push first-week games back from Aug. 21 to Sept. 4.…

With the keyword being “flexible” Grady County School Superintendent Dr. Kermit Gilliard has released the system’s plan for reopening schools on August 7. The Grady County Board of Education unanimously approved the revised school calendar for the 2020-2021 term delaying the reopening of school by four days to give school personnel additional time to for…

Grady County and the surrounding area is mourning the death of a beloved local physician. Dr. Andrew (Andy) Dekle was killed Friday night, July 10, in a tragic accident at his Mitchell County farm. Mitchell County Coroner Stedderick Thomas told The Messenger that Dr. Dekle was killed while mowing his pecan grove near the intersection…

A Grady County woman is charged in the Sunday shooting death of her husband. Desiree Michelle Green, 34, was charged Monday and placed in the Grady Detention Center. Green, who resides at 4945 GA 111 N, Ochlocknee, is accused of shooting and killing her husband, Joseph Charles Green, 35, during a domestic dispute. She is…

The Cairo City Council has asked the city attorney to look into the possibility of reducing the amount of time local property owners have to demolish or raze a structure once a permit has been issued. Monday night, the council discussed the issue with city council attorney Thomas L. Lehman, who agreed to research the…

The Grady County Board of Education is pushing forward with planned construction projects and on Tuesday night authorized the superintendent of schools to proceed with the next phase of the renovation of Whigham School and the construction of a new gymnasium at Shiver School. Phase 2 of the Whigham renovations will include some drainage work,…