News Roundup: Dawson fire death ruled accident

Careless cooking cause of fatal Dawson fire

DAWSON — Careless cooking Sunday morning led to a man’s death in an RV fire in Terrell County, state fire officials said Tuesday.

Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner Ralph Hudgens said an investigation by his office determined the fire that killed Wayne Casey, 61, resulted from improper use of a portable stove. Casey was inside his recreational vehicle camper at 33 Rock Story Road in Dawson when the blaze broke out.

Hudgens said the fire was reported around 3:48 a.m. and extinguished by the Terrell County Fire Department. The Terrell County Sheriff’s Office and the GBI also assisted with the investigation.

The fatality brings Georgia’s fire death total to 32 for 2017, Hudgens said.

Long-time Y employee Payton set to retire

ALBANY – After 34 years of service, Delores Payton will retire from her position as member services coordinator of the Albany Area YMCA on March 31.

Payton began her employment with the YMCA on March 25, 1983. She, along with her sisters Louise and Doretha, and their mother Ardessa were all hired by then-Y CEO B.B. Rhodes.

“I hired the whole family,” Rhodes said at the recent YMCA Annual Dinner. “You couldn’t know a better group of people.”

Still going strong more than three decades later, Delores and her sister Louise are now the face and the heart of the Y in Albany. Arriving daily at 4:30 a.m. to open the facility, they are the first to greet members, visitors, and staff as they enter each morning.

Although Delores Payton does not officially retire until March 31, her last day behind the desk at the Y will be Friday. Friends and past co-workers are welcome to stop by and wish her well.

“It’s not often that an organization is fortunate enough to have an employee give such dedicated service,” said Dan Gillan, president of the Albany Area YMCA. “Delores is going to be greatly missed.”

Run to kick off Okefenokee’s 80th anniversary celebration

FOLKSTON — On March 30, 1937, Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed an executive order to establish Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. With 80 years of conservation, 2017 is a year of celebration at the refuge.

To kick off the celebration, the Okefenokee officials will host the “Oke is 80” anniversary event on April 15 from 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Throughout the day, visitors can experience the sights and sounds of the swamp by participating in the many family-friendly activities available.

The celebration begins with the 80th Anniversary 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run, sponsored by the Okefenokee Wildlife League. Participants in the race will have an opportunity to run or walk their way down scenic Swamp Island Drive to the finish line.

An online registration and entry fee is required to participate in the race and includes a limited edition T-shirt and finisher’s medal. Individuals interested in participating in the race, but can’t make the event, can choose the Virtual Race option found in the online registration. Virtual race participants may complete their 5K or 1 Mile Fun Run at their own pace, anytime and anywhere they like, and will still receive a race T-shirt and finisher’s medal as a collectible.

Online race registration can be found on the refuge website and at http://conta.cc/2mxNDyN.

Other activities planned include the “Oke is 80 Passport Challenge.” The challenge is designed to encourage visitation and promotes exploration of the refuge. Although the passport challenge is available now and will be into the spring, a special twist is available to visitors who participate during the April 15 event. Visitors will have the opportunity to search for “alligator eggs.” The replicated alligator eggs will be hidden throughout the day for lucky visitors to find. Each egg will be marked with a special tag and instructions for the finder to return to the Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center where they will receive a prize.

For more information about the event or the offered programs, contact the Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center at (912) 496-7836 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily.

The main entrance to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is located 11 miles southwest of Folkston off Highway 121/23. Entrance fees are $5 per vehicle/$1 per bicycle for a daily pass (good for 7 days). Annual passes are also available.