Community Corner
🌱 How you can step up for suicide prevention in downtown Valdosta
Coming up: VHS Volleyball @ Veterans on the Valdosta Patch calendar
Morning Valdosta! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How you can step up for suicide prevention in downtown Valdosta
- What Valdosta police are asking neighbors after Ashton Park shooting
- See which Lowndes and South Georgia students made Wiregrass honor lists
Today's riddle: Why do fish live in salt water? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Thursday: Mostly cloudy; hot and humid, with a high of 98 and low of 76 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Friday: Humid; an afternoon t-storm, temps: high: 95, low: 73.
- Saturday: Cloudy, a thunderstorm; humid, with a high of 90 and low of 73 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. United2Prevent hosts 5th Annual Run to Prevent Suicide 5K and 1-mile run (valdostadailytimes.com) — Valdosta residents are invited to Unity Park downtown on Saturday, Sept. 12, for United2Prevent's 5th Annual Run to Prevent 5K and 1-mile run supporting suicide prevention. The morning event features races, awards, music, therapy dogs, and a supportive atmosphere focused on mental health awareness. Registration is $25, with t-shirts guaranteed for those who sign up by Aug. 28. 
2. Homicide investigation underway after shooting at Valdosta apartment complex (wtxl.com) — A man has died after a shooting Monday evening at Ashton Park Apartments on River Street in Valdosta, and police have opened a homicide investigation. Valdosta Police say the incident appears isolated and have identified a person of interest, but no arrest has been announced. Residents with information are urged to contact VPD or use the anonymous crime tip line.
3. Wiregrass Announces Summer 2026 President's, Dean's Lists (valdostatoday.com) — Wiregrass Georgia Technical College in Valdosta has announced its Summer 2026 President's and Dean's Lists, celebrating full-time students who earned GPAs of 3.5 and higher. Honorees come from Lowndes and many surrounding South Georgia counties, highlighting strong academic performance across the region. Local families can check for familiar names and share in their students' achievements.
4. NCNW Valdosta-Lowndes Metro Section installs 2026–2028 leadership (valdostadailytimes.com) — Valdosta's NCNW Valdosta-Lowndes Metro Section has installed Frankie Keeling as its fifth president, leading the 2026–2028 term with a focus on "Educate. Empower. Elevate." The group highlighted outgoing president Karla Walker's work expanding programs and partnerships across Valdosta and Lowndes County, and reaffirmed its commitment to education, health equity, economic empowerment, and community service for local families.
5. South GeorgiaLEADS Selects 2026–2027 Leadership Class (valdostatoday.com) — A regional leadership program based in Valdosta has picked 29 South Georgia professionals, including several from Lowndes County, for its 2026–2027 class. Over eight months they'll travel to communities across the region, studying economic development, public policy, and long-range planning before graduating next March. Sponsors like Georgia Power and Colony Bank say the goal is stronger, more connected local leadership.
📸 Around Valdosta
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🗓 Upcoming Events in Valdosta
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- VHS Volleyball @ Veterans
S.L. Mason Elementary Veterans High School, 340 Piney Grove Rd, Kathleen, GA 31047
5:00 pm - Meetimg with Chidren Advocay Cemter...
Lccy 1605 Azalea Dr, Valdosta, GA 31602
10:00 am - VHS Wildcats @ Jones Co.
S.L. Mason Elementary Jones County High School, Gray, GA,, 339 Railroad St, Gray
7:30 pm - VHS Volleyball @ Richmond Hill
W.G. Nunn Elementary School Richmond Hill High School, 500 Wildcat Blvd, Richmond Hill, GA
5:00 pm - Valdosta Board of Education Work Session
Valdosta Middle School Valdosta City School Superintendent Office, 1204 Williams St #404
6:00 pm - VHS Volleyball vs Lowndes
Valdosta Middle School Valdosta High School, 4590 Inner Perimeter Rd, Valdosta, GA 316
5:00 pm - Junior Class Ring Ceremony (PAC)
Lowndes High School Valdosta, GA 31601
6:30 pm - VHS Wildcats vs Howard
Valdosta Middle School Bazmore-Hyder Stadium, 1204 Williams St, Valdosta, GA 31601, U
8:00 pm
Thursday August 20
Friday August 21
Tuesday August 25
Thursday August 27
Friday August 28
📣 Valdosta Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
- VHS Volleyball @ Veterans
S.L. Mason Elementary Veterans High School, 340 Piney Grove Rd, Kathleen, GA 31047
5:00 pm - Meetimg with Chidren Advocay Cemter...
Lccy 1605 Azalea Dr, Valdosta, GA 31602
10:00 am - VHS Wildcats @ Jones Co.
S.L. Mason Elementary Jones County High School, Gray, GA,, 339 Railroad St, Gray
7:30 pm - Basic Pistol Class →
Olympia Bend Shooting Range, 6600 Madison Hwy, Valdosta
9:30 am
Thursday August 20
Friday August 21
Saturday August 22
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- My cat Tupac is missing and i'm wondering if anyone has seen him around or taken him in.
he knows his way home and always comes back but he's a sweet boy so we assume someone took him in. please if anyone has him id love to have my baby… (Nextdoor Moody) - FREE PALM TREES!
I have about 10 palm trees I want removed. 1 large, 3-5 medium, a few smaller ones. Must dig up yourself, bring something to haul them with and fill… (Nextdoor Fawn Heights)
- Brown & Root posted a job opening for Material Handler Helper I (No Per Diem) in Valdosta. Apply here.
- Home Depot (Retail) posted a job opening for Lot Associate in Valdosta. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Valdosta here.
Ok Valdosta! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Pepper makes them sneeze (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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