Area News

Grady County Commissioners will hold two more public hearings on a proposed 14 percent tax hike tomorrow, Aug. 17, at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. at the courthouse. Commissioners heard from concerned citizens Thursday night and again on Tuesday night. At the public hearing last week, Grady County Administrator Carlos Tobar unveiled a revised budget…

In less than three weeks, the Syrup City will play host to an evening of rock, rhythm and blues during the first Annual JRB&GC Music Fest. Presented by Hobson Chevrolet-Buick, the Music Fest will feature live performances by Otis Redding III, Johnnie Marshall and Ralph Roddenbery with proceeds going to benefit the Jackie Robinson Boys…

A hearing in a lawsuit recently filed by Grady Electric membership Corporation against one of its most vocal critics will be held at the Grady County Courthouse next Thursday afternoon. Superior Court Judge Heather Lanier will gavel the hearing to order at 3 p.m. Aug. 17. The hearing had originally been scheduled for July 13,…

A nominating committee appointed by the Grady EMC board of directors met Thursday morning to determine who should run for two positions on the board that are up for election this year. The group nominated two candidates for the District 3 seat, but only one for District 6. Gordon Clyatt, a vocal critic of the…

Cairo Police were kept busy at one local business Monday night where several shoplifting cases were reported within a span of about two hours. In all, four suspects were arrested for allegedly trying to steal merchandise from Wal-Mart. Police charged three male teenagers and one 54-year-old man. The first shoplifting was reported shortly before 7…

Grady County commissioners have set a tentative tax rate at 14.653 mills, but on Tuesday night officials were presented a revised budget that could be funded with a rate of 13.85 mills, which is still up from the current 13.653 mills. A revision to the tax digest that increased the value of motor vehicles bumped…

Errors in the county’s 2017 tax digest and in required public notices were discovered this week, and as a result both the Grady County Board of Commissioners and the Grady County Board of Education are being forced to readvertise and reschedule previously slated public hearings on proposed tax increases. Corrected notices may be found in…

The prospect of a tax increase greater than 14 percent on top of over $32 million in increased residential property values, taxpayers filled the seats at public hearings held at the courthouse Tuesday morning and evening. Grady County Commissioners got an earful from taxpayers calling for them to hold the line on expenses and questioning…

Two members of Grady EMC have launched a petition this week to recall all of the board of directors of the EMC, with the exception of newly elected director Ronald Sellars. Steve Reynolds and Mitch Suber, both residents of Decatur County, are seeking a minimum of 10 percent of the EMC membership to sign a…

The Grady County Commission is operating at less than full strength due to the illness of two members. Grady County Commission Chairman Elwyn Childs recently suffered a stroke following shoulder surgery and as The Messenger went to press this week was a patient at Grady General Hospital after suffering a fall at his home. Chairman…