Area News

Around 1,700 more doses of H1N1 nasal spray are available in time for children who need a second dose of vaccine to achieve full immunity, says Southwest Health District Health Director Dr. Jacqueline Grant. “The approximately 1,730 children aged 2 through 9 in our 14-county Health District who have gotten their first dose of vaccine…

City of Cairo officials moved another step closer to being able to mail 5,017 city tax notices by early next week.The Cairo City Council met in a special called meeting Monday to set the 2009 ad valorem tax millage rate at 7.49 mills, and to introduce the tax ordinance for the 2009 tax year. The…

A Northside student has been charged with brining two automatic weapons to school Friday, according to School Superintendent Dr. Tommy Pharis.The 9-year-old, whose name is protected as a juvenile, was arrested and charged with carrying/possessing a weapon on school property by School Resource Officer Duke Donaldson, who investigated the case.A Northside faculty member Friday afternoon…

Three different prospects have shown interest in the now vacant, former Higdon Furniture Company facility on Wight Road, according to Grady County Joint Development Authority Executive Director Brian Marlowe.“For a while there we didn’t have any interest and now, all of sudden, we have three different prospects who have expressed interest. We are moving in…

As a Cairo High School student, Blake Smith excelled in the classroom and on the field as a member of both the Syrupmaker baseball and football teams. Throughout his four years at CHS, Blake exuded a quiet confidence both on and off the field, so quiet in fact, Smith may be the last person you…

On Thursday, Nov. 12, all 14 county health departments in the Southwest Health District plan to remain open after regular working hours to dispense free H1N1 vaccine to individuals in the priority groups most at risk of developing complications from the novel influenza virus.“As long as a health department has even one dose of H1N1…

Chamber of Commerce officials announced this week the deadline to register entries  in this year’s Cairo Christmas Parade has been extended.Chamber Executive Vice President Jennifer Majors said this week that the chamber has pushed back the registration date to Wednesday, Nov. 18. The original deadline was this Friday.Although the registration deadline has been extended, more…

Veterans Day will be observed here next Wednesday at a ceremony on the lawn of the Grady County Courthouse scheduled to begin at 11 a.m.A guest speaker has not been confirmed as of presstime Wednesday, but the program will feature the Dunarnis Youth Choir from Family Worship Center as well as the Cairo High School…

Better late than never, 11,318 tax bills were mailed to Grady County taxpayers last Friday. County and school taxes will be due and payable by Dec. 29.Grady County Tax Commissioner Phyllis Gainous reports that her office has already collected $55,462.35 in taxes through Tuesday afternoon.“We’ve been really busy with folks coming in to pay their…

Dougherty County judicial officials have decided, after more than a month since the Sept. 25 arrest of Cairo High School Director of Bands Johnny Folsom, to dismiss the charges against the band leader.The Messenger learned this week that the Doughtery County District Attorney’s Office has decided to dismiss the charge of simple battery against a…