Oct. 18 | Future Journalists Meet with Mayor Gayle
Mayor John Gayle will welcome Ted Geltner’s News Writing Class from Valdosta State University for a mock press conference, on Oct. 18, at 2:15 p.m., at Valdosta City Hall. The city hosts the event each semester to provide the students with practical application for their future news writing careers and to introduce them to local government. For more information on this event or similar educational opportunities in local government, contact Public Information Officer Sementha Mathews at 229-259-3548.
 
Oct. 18 | Deadline to Apply for “Underwater Homes” Assistance
Do you owe more than your home is worth? You may be eligible for Underwater Georgia, a new Mortgage Assistance Program from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs that launched Sept. 28. The program allows eligible citizens with “underwater homes”—homeowners who owe more than their home is currently worth—to apply for up to $50,000 in financial assistance. Apply by Oct. 18. Learn more about the initiative at www.UnderwaterGeorgia.org.
 
Oct. 18 | Week #8 of VFD Citizens Fire Academy
The Valdosta Fire Department Citizens Fire Academy is in week #8 for citizens who are preregistered for the nine-week program. Participants will witness a live-burn training exercise and will learn about firefighter rehab. 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. 19 | Valdosta-Lowndes County Land Bank Authority Meets
The Valdosta-Lowndes County Land Bank Authority will meet for their regularly-scheduled meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 19, at 9 a.m. The meeting will take place in the City Hall Annex Multi-Purpose Room.  Learn more about the Land Bank Authority.
 
Oct. 19 | Goodwill on the Go!
The City of Valdosta's Neighborhood Development Division and Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers, Inc. is expanding community access to job training and connections services through a series of workshops. The next career development workshop takes place Wednesday, Oct. 19, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the Valdosta City Hall Multi-Purpose Room. Read more.
 
Oct. 19 | City Welcomes the State Transportation Board!
The City of Valdosta welcomes the State Transportation Board to our area. The board’s two-day meeting will be held at the James H. Rainwater Conference Center and includes committee meetings on Wednesday, Oct. 19 and the official monthly board meeting on Thursday, Oct. 20.
 
Oct. 19 | Road Dedicated in Honor of Jay Shaw
On Wednesday, at 1 p.m., the State Transportation Board will dedicate U.S. Highway 22/State Route 31 from the intersection of SR 11 and SR 31 in Lakeland to the intersection of SR 7 and SR 31 in Valdosta as the James Slaton "Jay” Shaw Memorial Highway. The public is invited to the road dedication ceremony, which will be held at the Jim and Mary Threatte Arts & Civic Center, 99 East Burnt Church Road, in Lakeland.
 
Oct. 20 | Valdosta Youth Council Meets
The Valdosta Youth Council will hold its regularly-scheduled meeting, on Oct. 20, at 4 p.m. The meeting will take place in the Council Chambers of Valdosta City Hall, located at 216 E. Central Avenue, and is open to the general public. Follow this group of youth leaders on their VYC Facebook page.  
 
Oct. 20 | Valdosta City Council Meets
The Mayor and City Council will meet this Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. The meeting is open to the general public. View the agenda.
 
Oct. 20 | Week #6 of the VPD Citizens Police Academy
The Citizens Police Academy will meet for week #6 on Oct. 20, at 6:30 p.m., to visit about the VPD Training Unit and will visit the Lowndes Emergency Management Center. 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. Call 229-293-3099 for more information.
 
Oct. 22 | City-Wide Bulk Trash Amnesty Day
This year’s City-Wide Bulk Trash Amnesty Day and Make a Difference Day will take place in Valdosta from 9 a.m. to noon, in four specific locations in the city. The event will allow city residents, who show water bill and photo ID as proof of residency, one trip to dispose of unwanted household items and other bulky trash items at no cost. Call Aaron Strickland at 229-671-3698 to volunteer, or read more here.
 
Oct. 22 | Project Replant Our Parks Seeks Volunteers
The City of Valdosta seeks volunteers for Project Replant Our Parks to help plant six trees at McKey Park on Saturday, Oct. 22, from 8:30 a.m. to noon.  This project is made possible by a $2,500 Georgia ReLeaf Grant the city recently received from the Georgia Urban Forestry Council to plant trees for canopy restoration in storm–struck communities. Read more.   
 
Oct. 22 | Happy Homecoming VSU!