LATEST NEWS

For the first time in program history, Florida High leaves Madison County with a victory. The Seminoles (3-1) beat the Cowboys (2-1) 35-23 on Friday night, winning a third straight game since a week 2 loss to Ponte Vedra. Florida High coach Jarrod Hickman said some really good Seminole teams...

Shortly after Hurricane Idalia paid our area a visit, some of the talking heads in the national media began preaching doom and despair for the folks in Madison and Taylor Counties. It seems, in their infinite wisdom, that our two counties are so woefully poor, recovery will take forever and the damage done may be beyond repair.

On Wednesday, Department of Children and Families (DCF) Sec. Shevaun Harris announced that the Department will implement the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP). D-SNAP provides food assistance for individuals and families impacted by Hurricane Idalia who are not receiving food assistance benefits through the regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program...

We understand that facing the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia has been tough on everyone in our community, and we believe that a little adventure, laughter, and fun can go a long way in helping you heal and recover. That's why we're thrilled to warmly welcome our neighbors affected by Hurricane Idalia.

Representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are in Madison County until further notice to help residents get assistance with problems caused by Hurricane Idalia. The local FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is staffed six days a week at the Career Source North Florida, 705 E Base St. in Madison. On Monday-Tuesday the FEMA DRC is open from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. On Wednesday-Thursday they are open from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. On Friday-Saturday they are open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. There, residents are able to discuss with FEMA staff, in person, their eligibility for financial help for uninsured disaster-related expenses such as temporary lodging, basic home repairs, personal property losses and the like. The deadline to apply is Monday, Oct. 30.

Interested in adopting a pet — or just looking at some adorable pets near you up for adoption? There are dozens of endearing pets up for adoption at animal shelters in and around Valdosta .

It seems Ivy, the dachshund, has truly lived up to the adage of dogs being our most loyal companions. Leonard Linton, a resident of Pinetta, Florida, owes his staggering $2 million lottery jackpot to his pet dachshund. In an interesting twist of events, as narrated in a press statement, Linton's journey to this fortune began when he got word that Ivy, who was expecting, was feeling under the weather.

The Madison Rotary Club will once again be holding their annual Prime Rib Dinner on Thursday, Oct. 26. The dinners feature a lower price this year, but the great tasting and generous portions of prime rib and sides will remain the same. The price for the dinners will be $25 each and will include prime rib and baked potato, along with salad, a roll, desert and a beverage. The event will take place at the Villa Maria Social Hall of St. Vincent dePaul Catholic Church, located on Orange Ave., across from Beggs Funeral Home, in Madison. Dine in and take out will be available.

I met Miss Tilly Thomas in early 2018, shortly after joining Greene Publishing. It was the week of her birthday, and she requested a story be written to help her celebrate. Everyone at the office knew Miss Tilly, except for me. I had no idea of the adventure that awaited me when I arrived at her home.

The teen’s parents are suing for $1 billion after they say they faced “racial bigotry and harassment” due to Georgia officials’ handling of the case.

The Mathis City Auditorium has been the centerpiece of historical events like the Nutcracker performance and the Martin Luther King, Jr. breakfast and showcase for over 30 years, but that will come to an end in the next few months.

The monument was a five-year collaboration effort between Valdosta Mayor Scott James Matheson, the Public Art Advisory Committee and Walker.

The Big Picture: Dr. Puja Uppal says, "...as school starts, spend a little more time listening and talking to your kiddos about their mental health." Doctor’s Expert Insights About the Children's Mental Health in Georgia.

Tallahassee North Florida Christian notched a win against Hahira Valwood 35-21 for a Florida high school football victory at Tallahassee North Florida Christian High on Sept. 22.

ECHOLS CO. – The GBI arrests a Lake Park woman for the involvement of human trafficking a minor victim into labor servitude. After a joint investigation involving the Echols County Sheriff’s Office and the GBI’s Human Exploitation and Trafficking (HEAT) Unit, Genara Juan -Ramos, age 30, of Lake Park, GA, has been charged with two counts of 1st degree Cruelty to Children and one count of Human Trafficking.

Senior quarterback JD Davis finished the first half with a trio of touchdowns through the air and another on the ground ...

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. - Four Hillsborough County firefighters recently returned from an 11-day deployment to the Big Bend area for Hurricane Idalia recovery efforts. They spent three days in Dixie County followed by another eight in Madison County. The four brought two water tanker trucks to help rural areas that were still without power.

James Madison Preparatory High School (JMPHS) recently started a Bass Fishing Team. The “Bass Bandits” recently participated in a St. John’s River tournament. The St. John’s Tournament was held on Saturday, Sept. 9 and Sunday, Sept. 10, with the North Trail Qualifier and the Fall Trail Qualifier.

VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) - The Volunteers of America Southeast received a grant from Humana to provide more healthcare and services for women in Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi. Humana Healthy Horizons and the Humana Foundation gave the Volunteers of America Southeast a $750,000 grant. The organization has a substance abuse facility...

Students living in VSU residence halls have reported mold growing at an alarming rate in their rooms. Mold has been seen in Hopper, Georgia, and Centennial. Students have brought awareness to this by posting anonymous pictures of their dorms to the social media platform YikYak. With the increased attention, many other students have said they have seen mold in their own dorms.