March 23-27: VPD Hosts Youth Empowerment. The Valdosta Police Department is hosting a Youth Empowerment event, Monday-Friday this week, from 6 to 8 p.m. nightly. The five-night event will take place at different locations during the week, but each night will have a common theme: how to resolve conflict without violence, peer accountability, anger management, bullying, and several other selected topics. Click here for more.

March 23-29: City Advises Motorists of Murray Road Closure for Utility Pole Replacements. Murray Road in Valdosta will be completely closed to motorists, from March 23-26, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., to allow Georgia Power to replace three large utility poles. On March 27-29, motorists traveling in that area of the city will also be flagged around similar work scheduled at the intersection of Murray Road and N. Oak Street Extension. This work will take place on Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather permitting. Click here to read full details or call Robby Hastings at (229) 241-2551.

March 23: Mayor Issues VECA Proclamation. Mayor John Gayle will issue a proclamation to the Valdosta Early College Academy this morning at 10 a.m., in observance of National Early College Week and VECA's commitment to giving students in 6^th through 12^th grades the opportunity to excel academically. VECA prepares students for dual enrollment at Valdosta State University and will graduate the Legacy Class of 2015 this year.

March 26: VPD Officers Richmond and Wagner Nominated for ARC Hero Award. Congratulations to Valdosta Police Patrol Officers Donald Richmond and Eric Wagner who will be honored as nominees, along with other nominees from our area, for the American Red Cross Hero Award. The officers are being honored in the category of Law Enforcement Hero for their recent heroic and life-saving actions that saved a suicidal man from his self-inflicted gun wounds. The award banquet will be held at the Rainwater Conference Center, beginning at 6 p.m. Call (229) 242-7404for tickets.

March 26: VPD Citizens Police Academy Begins. The Valdosta Police Academy will begin Thursday at 6 p.m., for those who have preregistered for the program, which meets for eight consecutive Thursday evenings to get a better understanding of the internal workings of a modern day law enforcement agency. The class is free and is one of three citizens information programs designed to engage and educate citizens on their local government. Call Lt. Aaron Kirk at (229) 293-3099 for more information or to get an application for the next class.

March 28: Earth Hour. We only have one planet. You can help protect it. Participate in the world's largest single campaign for the planet: Earth Hour. It starts by turning off your lights for an hour at 8:30-9:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 28 in a collective display of commitment to a better future for the planet. Think what can be achieved when we all come together for a common cause.