Southwest Georgia briefs

APD investigating possibly related calls

ALBANY — The Albany Police Department reported Sunday that a pedestrian suffered injuries in an automobile accident on the 1000 block of North Westover Boulevard Saturday around 7:08 p.m.

A report provided by APD indicates that a male victim was hit by a burgundy 2017 Honda Accord on North Westover and transported to Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital by EMS.

A separate report supplied by APD indicates that the accident may be related to an assault call answered Saturday by Officer Jeremiah Phillips. Phillips said in his report that Vernon McDonald complained that his vehicle had been shot by an air rifle while he was traveling south on the 1000 block of the Liberty Expressway.

McDonald reported that he saw two people “run across the street toward the Albany Mall” after his car was struck by shots from the air rifle. The complainant said he’d been driving with his window down and heard the shots.

McDonald said his vehicle was struck on the rear fender of the driver’s side of his vehicle.

Police are investigating the two cases to determine if the pedestrian damaged in the accident was involved in the assault incident.

GSW professor receives Gold Medallion

AMERICUS – Jeffrey Green, professor and chair of the Department of Theater, Communication & Media Arts at Georgia Southwestern State University, was recently presented the Kennedy Center College Theater Festival’s Gold Medallion award.

The theater festival for Region 4 was held Feb. 8-11 at Georgia Southern University. Region 4 comprises members from Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Southern Virginia and Tennessee.

“Each year, the eight KCACTF regions honor individuals or organizations that have made extraordinary contributions to the teaching and producing of theater and who have significantly dedicated their time, artistry and enthusiasm to the development of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival,” the organization’s website reads.

Green, who also serves as the artistic director of the Rylander Theater/Community Partnership Productions and faculty advisor/produce for GSW-TV16 student television productions, became involved with KCACTF more than 20 years ago when he was a professor in Nebraska. There, he served as a production respondent and presented workshops at the Region 5 festivals.

A faculty member at GSW since 1999, Green has been lauded with numerous accolades for his work in theater. Some of his awards include being named a Full Fellow to the Georgia Repertory Ensemble of Artists and Theaters, receiving the “Exemplary Support of Educational Theater” from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and being named a “Shining Star” by the University System of Georgia from the Georgia House of Representatives.

Corrections investigating apparent inmate suicide

FORSYTH – The Georgia Department of Corrections is investigating the apparent suicide of an inmate at Valdosta State Prison. Inmate Thomas Willis was found unresponsive in his cell last week. CPR was administered, and Willis was taken for medical treatment at the prison infirmary, where he was pronounced dead.

Willis’ body was transported to a state crime lab for an autopsy. The incident is under investigation and the cause of death has not yet been determined.

Willis was 41 years old and convicted of terrorist threats and acts in November 2013 in Pickens County. His maximum possible release date was Aug. 22, 2019.

The GDC has one of the largest prison systems in the U.S. and is responsible for supervising nearly 52,000 state prisoners. It is the largest law enforcement agency in the state with approximately 10,500 employees.

For more information, call (478) 992-5247 or visit http://www.gdc.ga.gov.

Tara Foods to host #MadeInAlbanyGA EDC meeting

ALBANY — In the continuation of its #MadeInAlbanyGA campaign, the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission will launch this month’s campaign segment, featuring Tara Foods, following the EDC’s monthly board meeting, which will be held on-campus at Tara, located at 1900 Cowles Lane in Albany.

The meeting will take place on Thursday beginning at 2 p.m., and will be immediately followed by the Tara Foods campaign launch.

Columbus Kids Camp, Fun Fair set at Infantry Museum

COLUMBUS — The 7th Annual Kids Camp & Summer Fun Fair presented by AutoNation Honda Columbus will be held at the National Infantry Museum on March 12th from noon- 4 p.m. The event is free.

Camp directors and business owners from across the Chattahoochee Valley will be on site to share information about their kid-friendly programs and to answer questions. Parents are invited to come shop for options to keep their children enriched and entertained during this summer and beyond.

Vendors will represent a mix of day camps, overnight camps, sports camps, drama camps, clubs, attractions, cultural activities and more. Most vendors will provide free activities, games, crafts or giveaways.

Though the fair doesn’t start until noon, the National Infantry Museum will be open at 11 a.m. Eventgoers are encouraged to come before the fair in order to experience the area’s No. 1 attraction. Concessions will be available for purchase in the museum lobby, plus the museum’s galleries and two battle simulators will be open.

A video recap from previous events is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CtSrZxbauU.

Attendees should be aware that bags or parcels larger than 11 inches by 15 inches by 6 inches will not be allowed on the museum campus. Clear gallon-sized resealable bags and lockers will be available at no charge. For more information about the museum’s bag policy, call the Security Office at (70) 658-5817.

Eventgoers can expect to register for lots of great prizes from vendors. They can also play “Passport to Summer Fun,” where they can compete to win grand prizes. Special guests Darth Vader will join Daniel Tiger and Paddington Bear in greeting participants.

Lee School System Job Fair scheduled

LEESBURG — A Lee County School System Job Fair is scheduled Thursday 5 p.m.-7 p.m. at the Bindary at Oakland Library on U.S. Highway 82.

Representatives will be available to talk about career opportunities at a number of system schools, including Lee County Pre-K Program, Kinchafoonee Primary School, Lee County Primary School, Lee County Elementary School, Twin Oaks Elementary School, Lee County Middle School East Campus, Lee County Middle School West Campus, Lee County High School 9th Grade Campus, Lee County High School, Transitional Learning Center and Special Education.