Nov. 1-Nov. 4 | Early Voting Continues in Lowndes County
Nearly 16,000 voters have turned out in Lowndes County to participate in the early voting process! The last week of early voting is this week Monday-Friday, from 6 a.m.-9 p.m. at 2808 N. Oak Street. Visit the My Voter Page, at www.mvp.sos.ga.gov, hosted by the Georgia Secretary of State, which contains specific voter information or contact the Board of Elections at 229-671-2850.

Nov. 1 | ZBOA Meets
The Valdosta-Lowndes County Zoning Board of Appeals will hold its monthly meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 1, at 2:30 p.m., in City Hall Annex Multi-Purpose Room. The ZBOA hears all variance requests and appeals regarding staff interpretations of the City of Valdosta Land Development Regulations. Contact the city’s Planning and Zoning Office at 229-259-3563 for information.
 
Nov. 2 | Application Deadline for 12 Board Opportunities
Citizens have until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 2 to apply for 12 opportunities on the city's boards, commissions, authorities and advisory committees. The Mayor and City Council will evaluate the applicants and appoint individuals at the Nov. 10 City Council meeting. Read more about these opportunities.
 
Nov. 3 | Week #8 of the VPD Citizens Police Academy
The Citizens Police Academy will meet for week #8 on Nov. 3, at 5 p.m., to travel to the shooting simulator at the Police Academy in Tifton, Ga. 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. Individuals interested in the next class may call 229-293-3099 for more information.
 
Nov. 4 | Workforce Housing and Transportation Survey Accessible Through Nov. 4
It takes just 5 minutes for residents to complete a survey on the city’s website that can help provide valuable data on housing, neighborhood and transportation preferences among people working in Valdosta. Made possible through a Community Assistantship Program grant and the University of Georgia Housing and Demographic Research Center, the data will be utilized to address housing and community development goals in the city. Interested individuals may access the survey from city’s homepage.
 
Nov. 4 | Valdosta Tree Commission Sells Trees through Nov. 4
Save the Earth—Plant a Tree. The Valdosta Tree Commission encourages residents to plant trees in honor of the city's Tree City USA designation and to replant trees and shrubs lost during the recent tropical storm. While this is the sixth year that the Commission has offered trees at wholesale prices, a few select shrubs are being added to the sale event. This year the tree selected is the Longleaf Pine, and the shrubs for sale are the Tea Olives and Encore Azaleas. Read more.
 
Nov. 4 | First Friday in Downtown Valdosta
The popular First Friday event will take place this Friday, Nov. 4, and will feature live music, dining specials and shopping with downtown merchants, beginning at 6 p.m. The event will also feature the continuation of Dumpster Art on the McKey Street end of Bennie’s Alley, featuring local artist Taylor Brooks (this portion of the event was rained out last month). Enjoy the fun that the community expects on the first Friday of every month in Downtown Valdosta. Visit www.valdostamainstreet.com to check out the lineup of entertainment, or call Valdosta Main Street at 229-259-3577.
 
Nov. 5 | Active Shooter Training for Citizens
Would you know what to do if a gunman threatened your workplace, a shopping mall or your church?
Lowndes County Emergency Management is hosting the Civilian Response to Active Shooter Event course on Saturday, Nov. 5, from 10 a.m. to noon, at Morningside Baptist Church. The FREE course provides information on the history and prevalence of active shooter events, the role of professional guardians, civilian response options, and demonstrations and examples of things to do in case of an active shooter event. Read more.

Nov. 6 | Fall Back for Daylight Saving
Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 a.m., on Sunday, Nov. 6, and citizens should turn their clocks backward one hour to 1 a.m. The purpose of daylight saving time—observed by the United States and Canada—is to provide more hours of daylight during the evenings and less in the mornings. Valdosta Fire Chief Freddie Broome says Daylight Saving Time is also a great bi-annual reminder to change the batteries in smoke detectors. More than 70 percent of home fire deaths result from fires in homes with no working smoke detector. Please take an extra minute on Nov. 6 to change your smoke detector batteries while setting your clocks back an hour.