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Good morning, Spalding County! February already. Wasn't it just New Year's?

I spent part of this weekend checking my weather app more than I'd like to admit, watching those temperatures slowly climb after last week's deep freeze. There's something almost hopeful about seeing a forecast creep back toward normal, even if "normal" in early February still means bundling up anyway. But before we get too far into the new month, last week gave Griffin and Spalding County plenty to talk about. Water advisories had people checking their taps, a Hall of Fame announcement got the sports crowd buzzing, and there's more on the way. We've got a lot to catch you up on, so let's get into it.

- Chad

Cards Over Clicks helps children disconnect from their devices and reconnect with the real world. Founded by local Navy veteran Dennis Loewer, this 501(c)(3) non-profit uses the excitement of card collecting to develop critical social and learning skills.

From Pokémon and Sports to Disney and Star Wars, every free card packet comes with a grade-specific educational worksheet tailored to Georgia standards. Whether for Pre-K or High School, these packs encourage students to achieve classroom goals and engage with their peers face-to-face.

They help educators and parents turn "social media timeouts" into fun, educational wins. Their mission is simple: inspire kids to put the phone down and learn through family-friendly collecting.

Ready to inspire your students or support the community? They are actively seeking teachers to challenge their classes, educators to help design worksheets, and local business sponsors to keep the packs free.

Take the next step now: learn more at www.CardsOverClicks.org.

Want to know how your county government really works? Spalding County's citizen academy is back, offering residents an insider's look at local governance. The free 11-week program begins March 5, with classes held Thursday evenings from 6 to 8:30 PM at the Spalding County Fire Department building on Memorial Drive. Topics include budgeting, public safety, community development, and property taxes. Last year's inaugural class graduated 29 residents. Space is limited; register at spaldingcounty.com or contact Dr. Cherryl Burks at 770-467-4395.

The Griffin-Spalding Athletic Hall of Fame is inducting two classes this year. The Classes of 2024 and 2025 will be honored at a banquet and ceremony on June 20 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Griffin Senior Center. The 2024 class features Steve DeVoursney, Kyle Frank, Corey Moore, Sierra Evans, James "Pitbull" Searcy, Ray Nash, and Clemon Ector, along with the Griffin High boys' 2003 state championship basketball team. The 2025 class includes James Martin, Telvin Nash, Jaquez Parks, Arthur "Pete" Driver, Danny Kelley, McLain Harris, and Jack Ryan, plus the Griffin Thunder's eight-time consecutive GRPA men's 40-and-over state championship softball teams.

Griffin and the Spalding County Water Authority issued Do Not Consume Water advisories last Friday after a fuel spill near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport reached the Flint River. The water advisory has since been lifted. The city shut down all Flint River intakes immediately and switched to producing water solely from the Dr. Brant D. Keller Reservoir in Pike County, which was not affected by the contamination.

The Harry Simmons Water Treatment Plant was also shut down as a precaution, and fire hydrants were flushed throughout the system to help clear the lines. City staff collected water samples from the treatment plant, a consumer's tap, and the river, sending them to Eurofins for lab analysis. Additional sampling was expected to continue over the following days.

The Spalding County Board of Commissioners meets twice today at the Annex Building, 119 E. Solomon Street. The work session kicks off at 3:00 PM, followed by the regular meeting at 6:00 PM.

The regular meeting opens with a 40-year service award presentation to Ray Nash, along with a UGA Cooperative Extension presentation and a look at the Board's 2026 goals and priorities. Under new business, commissioners will consider an owner occupancy waiver request from the Land Bank Authority and a recommendation for the AMBUCS Parks All Accessible Playground. In old business, the board will take up the second reading of an ordinance to rezone roughly 190 acres on Jackson Road from heavy manufacturing to light manufacturing for a data center campus. Commissioners will also vote on motor coach user fees. The meeting wraps with an executive session for pending or potential litigation.

Monday & Thursday: Carver (610 Carver Rd) and Woodroof (4245 Old Atlanta Rd) 11am-7pm

Tuesday & Friday: Blalock (5756 Newnan Rd) and Cabin (3865 Jackson Rd)
11am-7pm

Saturday: All centers open 7am-1pm (plus Akin for bulky items only)

Sunday & Wednesday: Closed

Got big stuff? The Akin Collection Center (841 S McDonough Rd) is for bulky items only—no regular household garbage. Open Saturdays 7am-1pm.

All centers closed on county holidays.

Spalding County Collection Centers are notorious for closing without notice for just about any reason, including weather that looks like it might think about being bad.

Chess Club

Knit / Crochet Club

SBDC Small Business Consultations

SABA Monthly Networking Meeting

UGA Griffin Campus Bed Bug Workshop

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

49 🌡️ 29 | ☀️ | 0% | 💨 W 8 mph (7 knots)

57 🌡️ 45 | 🌧️ | 80% | 💨 SW 8 mph (7 knots)

54 🌡️ 30 | 🌦️ | 40% | 💨 Light & Variable

47 🌡️ 28 | ⛅ | 0% | 💨 Light & Variable

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