Gabrielle Taite

Clean Machine Laundry is offering FREE access to washers and dryers all day today and tomorrow (Friday, Sept. 29th). They’re located at 110 Cordele Rd next to the east side Walmart 🧼🧺

The DOCO school system voted to adopt a millage rate of 17.993 at their meeting Monday, Aug. 14. This marks the first time since 2002 that the property tax rate that Dougherty County citizens pay for school taxes has been below 18 mils. It’s also a decrease from last year's millage rate. Parents, if you’re willing to talk with me about this, please DM!!!

If you live in Albany, Leesburg or any other surrounding areas and are concerned about continuous street racing near you, pls DM me.

Starting today, you may notice people around your neighborhood, taking pictures of houses and properties… but it’s probably not what you think.

All month long, surveyors from the iVueit company will be outside taking pictures of both public properties and private properties like this.

“What they’re focused on is kind of the infrastructure that the county has in place in the rural areas and how they connect to the neighborhoods or maybe connect to your home," Assistant County Administrator Barry Brooks said. "And what it’ll help is with our planning department and the planning commission for any kind of land use or zoning kind of questions.”

People taking the photos should not be on your property, but on the right of way. Once the photos are taken through the iVueit company, they'll be entered into a county database.

“The people that are taking the photographs should have a letter issued by the county saying that they’re an authorized representative to be doing this photographic survey during the month of August," Brooks added.

The county says this database will allow them to access information regarding zoning projects and areas more quickly for residents.

The Arc of Southwest Georgia and Phoebe Putney are teaming up to help adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities find a job!

“I think that there is kind of a big misconception that people with disabilities they don’t want to work or maybe would have a lot of challenges in the workplace. But the folks that we serve, they’re incredible," Executive Assistant for the Arc of Southwest Georgia, Elizabeth Blount (pink top), said. "They are husbands and wives, they work full-time, they drive, they live on their own independently. We’re just there to ensure that they have all of the support they need in the workplace to be successful.”

While potential employees from the Arc have to go through the same hiring process as anyone else, they’re provided with some extra help from job coaches.

Nicholas Daniel (first picture), who is on the autism spectrum, is the latest Phoebe Putney employee who was hired through the partnership. He says working in the hospital cafeteria and having a job in general has helped him grow as a person.

“I was able to try to look at people when speaking to them somewhat, trying not to slur my words, making sure when you speak, you speak with clarity and you know what you’re going to say," he said. "Also, time management, making sure you work good with others. And that even though you are apart of a team, you also have to do things by yourself.”

Daniel says the Arc has helped him with many other things such as finding housing, money management and basic living skills.

If you'd like to learn more about the program, be sur to visit https://thearcswga.org/

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Many teachers say they often use their own money to help with school supplies. But Dougherty County teacher won’t have to do that after winning a $10,000 award for a classroom makeover!

This grant comes from one of the DOCO School System’s partners called Ed Farm who’s main objective is to enhance technology in the classroom. The recipient was chosen through video submissions from many Dougherty County teachers.

The grant went to Chateireya Fordham, who is a 6th grade science teacher at Merry Acres Middle School. She says she already has some ideas as to how she is going to spend the money.

“What I plan on doing with it is making a thing called a mini makers space," she said. "And a mini makers space is a place where you can create. That would include things like 3D printers, lasers. We have our MacBooks so that they can edit video software. Just things that get them really in touch with their creative side.”

Both Whitt and Fordham will work directly together to decide how to spend the money for the upcoming school year which starts August 1st. 📚🖍️📝

Happening tomorrow!! 💉🩺📚✏️🤓

Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital will be expanding even more within the next year.

One of the two major projects is the Living and Learning Center where students are scheduled to start living on campus in the fall of 2024.

“The other project is the expansion of trauma, NICU and adult ICU beds," President & CEO of Phoebe Putney Health Systems Scott Steiner said. "That’s a larger project slated the first phase will be able to move in in the fall- late summer and fall of 2024. So they’re on budget, they’re on time. And we’re just looking forward to getting them finished.”

This project is also expected to have a $400 million economic impact… something that caught the attention of many commissioners at today’s meeting.

I'm also told that the new advancements in both the Living & Learning center and the new trauma center will also create 125 to 150 new jobs for citizens of Dougherty County.

The new trauma center will be coming in July of 2024.

The people of Sylvester are banning together to raise money for a 9-year-old girl, who is in critical condition after a hit and run.

The hit and run incident happened on Monday in Albany. Now, several businesses now have donation drop off jars set up for the girl's family.

The 9-year-old victim was crossing the street with a group of children on North Maple Street in Albany when she was hit. The 16-year-old driver initially fled the scene, but eventually returned later in the day.

The victim’s mother was an employee at Downtown Pizza and Tavern in Sylvester but is now out of work indefinitely.

Her former coworkers say because of this, they want to do everything they can to help. Other businesses are also getting involved, inclduing Los Amigos Sylvester and Ed's Truckstop in Poulan.

“The community is also stepping up to the plate," Manager at Downton Pizza & Tavern, Donna Crosby (last picture), said. "We have Ed’s Truck Stop, I just was informed by them that they want to do a bingo and cake sale for her sometime next week. And also Southern Woods has teamed up with Michael, the owner here at the tavern, to offer a half a day quail hunt with a three-thousand-dollar value with lunch and unlimited birds.”

Crosby asks that above all else, the community continues to pray for the girl. Downtown Pizza and Tavern's number is (229) 821-3583 if you would like to try to reach out and help.

The Educational Talent Search, or ETS, program at Albany State University is a federally funded TRIO program that aims to help low-income middle and high school students get to college.

They do this through tutoring, career exploration, practice for the SAT and ACTs, as well as coordinating college tours.

Today, they held one of their summer events... a field day!

Students within the organization tell me this program has helped to boost their confidence tremendously.

I’m told that for some of the students, they will be the first in their families to go to college.

“The colleges I’m looking into are Tuskegee and FAMU. Colleges that have good engineering programs so that I can become an aerospace engineer or any type of engineer," incoming high school junior, Jurdyn Johnson (fourth picture), said.

Some noteworthy leaders in Georgia are also alumni of the organization from other HBCUs, including Senator Raphael Warnock! The first African- American senator in the state of Georgia from Savannah State University.

The ETS, TRIO program will be hosting a summer camp that starts July 17th. Be sure to check out asurams.edu to see how you can sign your child up for the program. 🤓📚✏️

Fourth of July festivities are underway all around Southwest Georgia, and Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Officers want you to remember a few safety tips while out on the water.

One of the main offenses officers tell me they see is drinking and boating. They say if caught above the .08 limit, there will be no warning. Just jail!

Wakeboarders and wake surfers should also remember to keep at least 200ft away from any structure like a doc, the shore, etc.

Lastly, all kids under the age of thirteen are required by law to wear a life jacket.

Stay safe and have fun 👍🏾🎆🛟🌊🚤

After three years, Colonel Michael Fitzgerald (second picture) is now stepping down to pass the torch onto the new Commanding Officer Colonel Matthew McKinney (third picture).

The MCLB held its change in command ceremony yesterday.

Colonel Fitzgerald has been stationed at Albany’s Marine Corps Logistics Base Twice. During his time as Commanding Officer, he led the base to do something no other in the Department of Defense had done-- achieve a net zero energy-efficiency status.

The new Commanding Officer, Colonel Matthew McKinney says he’s just looking to continue the success MCLB has achieved so far.

“I think there are a lot of initiatives in place that I’d like to continue to capitalize on," he said. "And there’s always room for improvement. So, we’ll continue to go with projects that are in the works and projects that are planned and continue working towards that net zero development for the entire instillation.” 🫡

New legislation about wakeboarding and wakesurging is now on the Georgia law books... here's what this will mean for your summer fun.

With the new legislation, wakeboarders will now have to remain two hundred feet away from any dock or structure. And Georgia DNR law enforcement officers tell me this is so everyone can remain safe.

“We’ve had people get knocked off of docks, we’ve had some damage to shorelines. And mainly that is from just too close to the shore," Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement officer, Maj. Stephen Adams, said. "This was just an attempt to try to allow the activity, but to allow it safely while providing protection for property owners and safety on the water and docks.”

This new regulation will go in effect July 1st. Along with a few other rules.

The law states wakeboarders and wake surfers must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket at all times while participating in these activities.

There is also no wakeboarding or wakesurfing between sunset and sunrise.

These regulations are for state waters. They don't cover private ponds, private lakes or the rivers.

Albany Public Works staff tell me interactions with mosquitoes could be even greater due to the recent increase in rain. But they say there are a few things you can do to help prevent them from being in your area.

“What we need to do to keep them away from around the home is pour out any standing water," Environmental Control Technician, Donell Mathis, said. "Clear your bird baths once a week, pour out dog water, kid toys, wheel barrels, buckets, tires. Anything that’s holding water, we need to empty those containers out.”

If you have a mosquito problem on your private property, you can also call Dougherty County Public Works personally.

I also called around to other surrounding counties’ public works who tell me they are busy treating the mosquito problem as well due to the rain. ☔️💧🦟🦗🕷🐞🐜🪰🕸🪲🦂🪳

Staff at Pheobe Putney Memorial Hospital are reflecting on a major milestone for the hospital’s Heart and Vascular Services... the 40th anniversary of Phoebe’s first open-heart surgery!

It all started when two physicians from Emory, Dr. Jeffrey Hoopes and Dr. Craig Mitchell, decided to come to the Good Life City.

They were the first cardiologists in Albany to start the Cardiology Associates group.

Dr. Mark Cohen with Phoebe Putney says they have the only fully fledged cardiovascular program in Southwest Georgia.

“The program has expanded through the years," he said. "We’ve added essentially everything that can be done in terms of open- heart surgery. In terms of interventional cardiology, non-invasive, minimally invasive. In the last five years, we’ve added transaortic valve replacement. That’s a minimally invasive valve replacement.”

Be sure to check out the web story below to see what you can do to help keep your heart healthy and protect yourself from long term things like stroke, heart attack and kidney failure.

Phoebe celebrates 40th anniversary of its first open heart surgery The hospital is continuing to do its best when it comes to cardiovascular care in Southwest Georgia.

The Albany Police Department held its latest community listening session last night.

They tell me the department currently had 40 entry level police officer openings. And some neighborhoods say they feel it.

“Especially on the East side of Albany," Attendee Marva White said. "And understanding what is the objective. How can we have a better police presence especially after COVID. There was more of a police presence before COVID. But now after COVID, you don’t really see the patrolling of the police in some of the areas that are needed.”

APD Police Chief Michael Persley says this is largely due to the nationwide police shortage.

“Our applications dropped, the sheriff’s department, same thing," Chief Persley said. "The effects of COVID, the calls for social justice reform kind of- no kinda but the negative outlook that law enforcement has suffered across the country it’s more challenging. We have to go to places that we traditionally didn’t go to before to look for good, qualified applicants.”

Chief Persley says the department used to get up to one hundred and fifty applications per hiring cycle which is every four months.

Now he says they’re lucky if they get thirty.

One Leesburg Native by the name of Gabrielle "Gabby" Varhola recently competed in the 2023 Department of Defense Warrior Games!

This took place at the Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California from June second through the twelfth.

This annual event celebrates resiliency amongst wounded, ill or injured active duty and veteran U.S. military service members.

Participants compete in activities like archery, cycling, field events, indoor rowing, powerlifting, shooting, swimming, track and much more.

Varhola says she decide to participate in the games after getting injured in 2019.

“I got to my first command in 2019 and tore both of the labrums in my hips," she said. "And then I was also sexually assaulted twice. So because that happened, I decided that I didn’t to shut down. I didn’t want to become a statistic. I wanted to get back out there and live. And through the program I was able to do that.”

County Commissioners in an executive session after today’s meeting.

Happening now in downtown Americus!! Be sure to bring your family and friends 😎🌴🐚🐠

The Living and Learning Center is still a work in progress, but Albany Tech staff tell me students can expect to be in the new building in the fall 2024.

Because of this, ATC staff say enrollment has increased.

Phoebe Putney Health System's CEO Scott Steiner tells me they’re working to get into both the middle and high schools to get young people thinking of careers in healthcare early.

Phoebe Putney has extended their visitation hours now that the covid emergency is over.

“Right now, we’re doing 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. During COVID, we had a number of different hours depending on the surges and things," CEO Scott Steiner said. "Family is really a part of the healing process, and we wanted to make sure that we’re including our families and friends in that healing process.”

The amount of visitors patients are allowed to have will be changing as well.

“Right now, we allow up to five," Steiner said. "But every circumstance is different. And one of the reasons we did that, we expanded that, is that every room now is a private patient room. Before we had semi private patient rooms or we had two patients in a room. There just wasn’t the physical space, but now everyone’s in a private room.”

I’m also told that out of the many patients at Phoebe, a very low number are there for COVID.

The Albany Housing Authority wants to give young people in the Good life city a good start to their futures. And with a new $1.3 million grant, they'll work to create a youth program, help young people earn job certifications and qualify them for well-paying trade jobs.

The grant is provided by the Department of Labor, and it's designed for people between the ages of sixteen and twenty-four. It will last for three years.

"It’s literally for residents of both of Dougherty and Lee to actually gain some much-needed skills in the trades in regard to electrical plumbing, carpentry, things of that nature," CEO William Myles said. "And so, it’s a three-year program. Three-year grant in which they’re going to learn a lot in the classroom as well as get hands on experience.”

And if students want to become certified in other fields besides things like plumbing and carpentry, they have that option as well with things like the medical industry.

Parents, what ages did you put your kids in swimming lessons? And what was your reason for doing so? Or if you never put them in swimming lessons, what was your reasoning? Comment below 😀🏊🏾‍♂️🌴

ASU graduates over 870 students at spring commencement Congratulations to the Class of 2023!

Be sure to tune in at 6 & 11pm to catch a recap of Albany State’s Spring Commencement Ceremony! 🎥🎤💙💛

Yesterday someone called in a bomb threat to Dougherty Comprehensive High School. DCSS Police and school administrators swept the building for suspicious items. The all-clear was given and normal school operations have resumed.

I’d you are a concerned parent and are willing to interview with me or share your thoughts, please DM me!!

Delta is bringing bigger planes to the Good Life City’s airport!

“Delta will go from the CRJ-200, which are smaller planes that seat about fifty people," Transportation Director for the City, David Hamilton (pictured in the green shirt), said. "We’ll start flying out with the CRJ-700 and 900 which seat about seventy and eighty respectively. For the passengers, there will be better amenities for them, overhead storage will be bigger, leg space will be more. We’ll have more first-class seating.“

Delta will begin flying passengers in the new planes starting May 1st.

The plane changes will not affect where the airlines travel to. Flights will continue to pass through Atlanta.

However, the times that flights are offered will change. Beginning May 1st, instead of three departures at 7:52 a.m., 12:51 p.m., and 5:05 p.m., Delta will only depart at 7:45 a.m. and 5:05 p.m.

Anyone with strong thoughts on the Albany airport, pls dm!