Area News

As many southwest Georgia families continue to recover from the devastating storms that hit the region in the last several weeks, local and state emergency management officials are planning for a statewide tornado drill next Wednesday, Feb. 8. Grady County Emergency Management Agency, Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency will hold a statewide PrepareAthon!…

A special fundraiser to benefit the community-owned Zebulon Theater will be held later this month and organizers are extending an invitation for everyone to attend. Jewels and Jeans 2017 will be held Saturday night, Feb. 25, beginning at 6 p.m. at the theater. A social hour with cocktails and appetizers will be served from 7…

The opening of the 2017 Trout Lily blooming season is just days away and local volunteers are being sought to serve as greeters and trail leaders for the upcoming season. Expertise is not required and volunteers will be trained and provided interesting facts about trout lilies and the history of the Wolf Creek Preserve. The…

The Grady County Board of Commissioners is looking for a new operator of the concession stands at Barber Park and an operator who will offer “interesting foods, gourmet foods or ethnic foods” will have a leg up on the competition, according to county officials. Proposals will be accepted up until noon on Feb. 15. In…

Cairo High School will host its second semester open house next week and not only are parents of high school students invited, but also parents of current eighth graders. CHS Principal Chris Lokey has invited parents of eighth graders to attend to learn about the new ninth grade academy being formed at the high school…

Only readers can decide who will earn the title of “Best of Grady County” for 2017. Inside this issue of The Cairo Messenger on Page B12 you will find a ballot to cast your vote for the “Best Of Grady County” as part of the newspaper’s annual reader’s choice awards contest. Each week the ballot…

Just over 10 months ago, Grady County commissioners backed away from pursuing grant funding to pave some private drives in south Grady County, but last week the idea was revived by County Administrator Carlos Tobar. Tobar invited grant writer Bob Roberson of Moultrie to attend the commission meeting last week to discuss Community Development Block…

When the baseball season opens for the Cairo High School Syrupmakers next month the team will be under new leadership. Last week, it was announced that CHS head football coach Steve DeVoursney will serve as the head baseball coach with assistant head coach Chris Wheaton for the 2017 season. DeVoursney is taking the place of…

A leaky roof at the Heritage Industrial Complex continues to be a worry for members of the Grady County Joint Development Authority. The topic of leaks was one of the major discussions during the authority’s January meeting. JDA Executive Director Chadd Mathis said he is seeking a proposal from Trademark Coatings of Tampa, Fla., a…

Grady County Commissioner T.D. David asked his fellow commissioners to be prepared to discuss improvements to the way the county handles solid waste. David said Tuesday night that citizens continue to issue complaints to him regarding the condition of the county dumpster sites. “We’ve batted this around so much, it’s time to do something. Let’s…