Oct. 10-15:  VFD Pours into Community for Fire Prevention Week
According to the National Fire Protection Association, almost two-thirds of home fire deaths result from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. A properly working smoke detector may cut these fatalities in half.  “Don’t Wait: Check the Date! Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years” is the theme for this year, and the Valdosta Fire Department has various educational events planned for folks of all ages. View city calendar, or call 229-333-1835 for information.

Oct. 11 | CVDA Board Meets
The Central Valdosta Development Authority will meet Tuesday, at 5 p.m., in the Valdosta City Hall Annex Multi-Purpose Room. The CVDA manages the process of enhancing downtown's position as the governmental, cultural, and economic center of the Greater Lowndes County area by involving businesses, property owners, government, churches and the entire community. For more information, contact Valdosta Main Street at 229-259-3577.
 
Oct. 11 | Valdosta Tree Commission Meets
The Valdosta Tree Commission will meet Tuesday, at 5:15 p.m., in the Valdosta City Hall Annex Engineering Conference Room. The Valdosta Tree Commission was formed in 1984 for the purpose of regulating the planting, maintenance and removal of trees and shrubs in public places, providing for the pruning and removal of trees on private property which endangers public safety, and to generally improve the general welfare and health of residents by promoting informed management of the city’s urban forest. Read more.
 
Oct. 11 | Week #7 of VFD Citizens Fire Academy
The Valdosta Fire Department Citizens Fire Academy is in week #7 for citizens who are preregistered for the nine-week program. Participants will receive instruction on the Georgia Search and Rescue and Hazardous Materials programs. Citizens Fire Academy is designed to give a behind-the-scenes look into one of the top ISO-rated fire departments in the state. For information, call 229-333-1835.
 
Oct. 11 | Deadline to Register to Vote in the Nov. 8 Elections
Citizens who haven’t registered to vote yet have until Tuesday, Oct. 11 to register, according to the Lowndes County Board of Elections Office. Citizens may register in person at 2808 N. Oak St. or online by clicking here. For more information, contact the BOE office at 229-671-2850.
 
Oct. 11 | MCPD Awards Banquet
Individuals with tickets to the Mayor’s Council for Persons with Disabilities 21st Annual Awards and Recognition Banquet are in for a treat. The event features U.S. Air Force Captain Christy Wise as the keynote speaker—a Rescue Squadron pilot stationed at Moody Air Force Base who became the sixth amputee and the first-female amputee to return to the cockpit. The event will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 11, at 7 p.m., in VSU’s University Center Cypress Room. Contact [email protected] for more information.

Oct. 12 | National Stop Bullying Day
National Stop Bullying Day is observed annually on the second Wednesday in October. This annual designation is designed to bring awareness of the need to stand up against and put an end to bullying.  The Valdosta Youth Council urges citizens to observe Wednesday, Oct. 12 by visiting and liking its VYC Facebook page, use #NationalStopBullyingDay to post comments, and take time to learn about the dangers of bullying.

Oct. 12 | GICH Meets
The Georgia Initiative for Community Housing Committee will meet on Wednesday, Oct. 12, from 9-10 a.m., in the Valdosta City Hall Annex Multi-Purpose Room. Committee meetings are held on a quarterly basis. All meetings are held in the City Hall Annex, and are open to the general public. Call 229-671-6517 for information.
 
Oct. 13 | Fair Housing Committee Meets
The Fair Housing Committee meets Thursday, Oct. 13, at 5:30 p.m., in the Valdosta City Hall Annex Multi-Purpose Room. The committee meetings are held on a quarterly basis, and all meetings are open to the general public. Call 229-671-6517 for information. Read more.
 
Oct. 13 | Week #5 of the VPD Citizens Police Academy
The Citizens Police Academy will meet for week #5 on Oct. 13, at 6:30 p.m., to visit and learn about the Valdosta-Lowndes County Regional Crime Lab. The goal of the CPA is to give citizens a better understanding of the internal workings of a modern day law enforcement agency and, at the same time, promote a team concept between the VPD and the citizens they serve. Contact Capt. Kari Williams at 229-293-3099 for more information.

Oct. 13-14 | Puppet Shows at Mall for Fire Prevention Week
The Valdosta Mall will host puppet shows in support of National Fire Prevention Week. The shows will take place from 10 a.m. to noon on both Thursday, Oct. 13 and Friday, Oct. 14. Call 229-333-1835 for details.
 
Oct. 15 | MCPD to Host Community Resource Fair
People with disabilities will have the opportunity to browse community resources that impact their quality of life at an event sponsored by the Valdosta Mayor's Council for Persons with Disabilities (MCPD) on Saturday, Oct. 15. The Community Resource Fair for Persons with Disabilities will take place at Mathis City Auditorium, located at 2300 N. Ashley Street, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Read more.
 
Oct. 15 | VFD Firefighters Ball
The Valdosta Fire Department is hosting the Firefighters Ball on Oct. 15 to give the community a night of food and fun and to raise money for the work of Pink Heals Valdosta South Georgia, a local VFD initiative that provides care to local women in a variety of ways. The ball will take place from 7 p.m.-midnight, at the James H. Rainwater Conference Center, located at 1 Meeting Place in Valdosta. Read more.