Area News
The lady behind the masks
In the last two weeks, a Grady County woman has turned a small stash of sewing supplies into enough hand crafted masks to protect hundreds of healthcare workers. Becky Harrell says when she saw on social media that doctors and nurses were wearing cloth coverings over their N95 surgical masks to help them last longer,…
Read MoreSpringtime tradition going virtual this year
A new springtime tradition here is the annual Women in the Workforce luncheon hosted by First National Bank, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s event will be live streamed only, according to First National Bank vice president and director of retail & marketing, Lorenda S. Smith. Local women are encouraged to register on…
Read MoreNew date for election will be Tuesday, June 9
Georgia’s primary election set for May 19 will be postponed three weeks to June 9 due to health and safety concerns over coronavirus, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger announced Thursday. The move came after Gov. Brian Kemp extended the state’s public health emergency status another month to May 13, a step Raffensperger said was legally…
Read MoreStimulus funds could expand virtual learning opportunities here
The Grady County School System is expected to receive approximately $1.3 million in stimulus funding for COVID-19 relief as recently passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump. On top of that, school superintendent Dr. Kermit Gilliard told members of the board of education Tuesday night that Washington Middle School and Eastside Elementary…
Read MoreMonday storm left many in the dark
A strong storm system moved through South Georgia and Grady County Monday morning, bringing rain, high wind gusts and bright lightning. A threat of potential tornadic activity had local first responders on high alert, but, luckily, none materialized here. Still, several downed trees wreaked havoc in the county, including on Joyner Road where one family…
Read MoreCommissioners not meeting next week
The Grady County Board of Commissioners meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 21, has been canceled, according to county officials. To adhere to Gov. Brian Kemp’s shelter-in-place order and to avoid large, public gatherings, the board decided not to meet next week. According to Commission Chairman Keith Moye, any pressing matters can be verbally approved and…
Read MoreKoyo remains closed this week
Koyo Bearings in Cairo will remain closed the rest of this week with plans to reopen on Monday after a thorough cleaning of the facility is complete. At least three associates have tested positive for COVID-19, according to spokeswoman Tyra Sitton with JTEKT North America, operator of the Cairo facility. “While there is no indication…
Read MoreT-ville man nabbed after Easter Sunday chase
On Easter Sunday a 24-year-old Thomasville man was arrested after leading Cairo Police on a chase. A Cairo woman had called 9-1-1 at 5:11 p.m. Sunday to report that someone driving a black Kia Soul was trying to pick up her young nephew on Fourth Avenue S.W. The complainant said the car’s back window was…
Read MoreDuring 1918 pandemic, schools and churches here were closed for months
History has a way of repeating itself and while COVID-19 has wreaked havoc locally, in the state, nation and world, the deadly influenza pandemic of 1918-1920, commonly referred to as the Spanish Flu, was just as troubling here in late 1918. Grady Countians are likely stunned that local churches will not be filled for Easter…
Read MoreSchools may be closed, but the learning continues
Grady County schools are on spring break this week and even though the coronavirus threat forced the system to close the doors to its buildings more than three weeks ago, teachers and students have continued the work of learning. Educators from lower grades to the high school level have utilized technology along with traditional pencil…
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