May 19: VLRCL Ceremony. An Accreditation Awards Presentation Ceremony will be held at the Valdosta/Lowndes Regional Crime Laboratory (VLRCL) located at 1708 N. Ashley Street, on Tuesday, May 19, from 2-3:30 p.m. (Parking is located at the rear of the laboratory.) The ceremony will celebrate the VLRCL becoming Internationally Accredited through the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors, making it Georgia's FIRST local laboratory to receive such a distinction! Congratulations, VPD!

May 21: Final Public Hearing for the 2015-2019 Consolidated Plan and 2015-2016 Annual Action Plan. On Thursday, May 21, citizens will have one final opportunity to participate in the 2015-2019 Consolidated Plan and 2015-2016 Annual Action Plan before the city must submit the document to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The meeting will take place, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., in the Valdosta City Hall Council Chambers, located at 216 E. Central Avenue. This plan provides for an assessment of needs, outlines a five-year strategy and establishes an Annual Action Plan including the proposed use of grant funds. Citizens are encouraged to attend this meeting, visit the Neighborhood Development Division at 300 North Lee Street, Room 200, weekly from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., or call (229) 671-3617 for more information.

May 21: Valdosta City Council Meets. A City Council meeting will be held on Thursday, at 5:30 p.m., in the second-floor Valdosta City Hall Council Chambers, located at 216 E. Central Avenue. This meeting is open to the general public. Click here to view the agenda.

May 21: Citizens Graduate from Police Academy. A ceremony on Thursday, at 6:30 p.m., at the Valdosta Police Department, will recognized the citizens who have completed the 9-week Citizen's Police Academy. Over the past several weeks, citizens have gained a better understanding of the internal workings of a modern day law enforcement agency. Call (229) 293-3099 for more information or to get an application for the fall class.

May 25:Valdosta Announces Memorial Day Sanitation Schedule. The City of Valdosta will be closed on Monday, May 25 in observance of Memorial Day. The Sanitation Division will collect residential garbage only on Monday, May 25. Citizens who normally have their sanitation collected on Mondays should place their recyclables and yard waste at the curbside by 5 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26 for both Monday and Tuesday pickups. The Public Works Department appreciates citizens' cooperation and patience as sanitation workers do their best to pick up both routes-over 7,000 customers-on Tuesday. Since special pickups use additional vehicles and manpower, citizens are urged to minimize any calls for special pickup requests for the adjusted Memorial Day schedule. Call (229) 259-3590 for more information.

May 25: Community Invited to Memorial Day Observance. A Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at Sunset Hill Cemetery, on Monday, May 25, at 10 a.m., in honor of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country. Mayor John Gayle and Valdosta Chief of Police Brian Childress will participate in this patriotic community event. For more information about the event, contact Ed Kent at (229) 242-7616.