Today’s South Georgia News Headlines 8.12.2026

LEESBURG, Ga. — The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help identifying a 2nd suspect in a series of mail thefts after deputies arrested another man early Monday.

Deputies responded around 3 a.m. Aug. 10 to reports of suspicious activity in the Glendale neighborhood and located Ryan Christopher Etheridge riding a bicycle. Investigators said several nearby mailboxes had been opened. Etheridge allegedly tried to flee before a deputy deployed a Taser and took him into custody. Deputies reported finding methamphetamine and mail belonging to nearby residents in his possession.

Investigators later connected Etheridge to additional mail thefts reported Aug. 8 around Creekside Drive and Kinchafoonee Creek Road, aided by surveillance video supplied by a resident. Authorities said another man fled the area on a bicycle and remained unidentified as of Tuesday evening. Source: Lee County Sheriff’s Office/WALB News 10.

LEESBURG, Ga. — Lee County football enters the 2026 season with extensive returning experience as the Trojans prepare for another run at a region championship.

Head coach Dean Fabrizio told WALB that this is the most experienced team he has had at Lee County, with returning starters across the offensive line, skill positions and linebacker corps. Jordan Bush returns at quarterback, while the offensive line brings back 4 starters. The defense also features several multi-year starters, and Lee County has added Bull Barge, formerly of Worth County, as defensive coordinator.

Lee County opens against Hapeville Charter before non-region games against Carroll City, Sequoyah and Colquitt County. The Trojans have won 6 of the last 9 region championships. Source: WALB Sports.

ALBANY, Ga. — A Dougherty County school bus carrying students was involved in a crash Tuesday, marking the district’s 2nd bus wreck since classes began Aug. 3 and the 3rd reported school-bus crash in South Georgia this school year.

The Dougherty County School System said no children were injured. Photos from the scene indicated the crash occurred near Liberty Expressway and Williamsburg Road. The school system said the bus driver was cited in connection with the wreck.

The incident comes less than a week after another Dougherty County bus crash in which no students were aboard. Source: Dougherty County School System/WALB News 10.

ALBANY, Ga. — Dougherty County commissioners are preparing to hear public comment on a proposal that could temporarily halt new data center development in unincorporated portions of the county.

The county announced Tuesday that the Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing Monday, Aug. 31, at 10 a.m. at the Government Center, 222 Pine Avenue, concerning a proposed 180-day moratorium on data center development.

The issue comes amid growing debate across Southwest Georgia over the potential effects of large-scale data centers on utilities, land use, water supplies and infrastructure. Source: Dougherty County Government.

ALBANY, Ga. — As Southwest Georgia communities consider proposals for data centers and other large industrial projects, researchers say management of the region’s groundwater supply will be a central issue.

Much of Southwest Georgia relies on the Floridan Aquifer, and researchers interviewed by WALB said the region generally has abundant groundwater but can experience significant drawdowns during drought. Mark Masters of the Georgia Water Planning and Policy Center at Albany State University said researchers have developed extensive systems to track both existing and projected water use.

Experts also caution that the discussion is not simply about how much water large developments consume, but also the quality of water returned to the system. The issue has become increasingly relevant as Albany, Dougherty County, Lee County, Mitchell County and other South Georgia communities consider how to regulate potential data center development. Source: Georgia Water Planning and Policy Center/WALB News 10.

ALBANY, Ga. — CASA of Dougherty County is conducting a month-long hygiene product drive benefiting children in foster care.

The organization is accepting new hygiene and personal-care products for children ages 0–18 through Aug. 31. The campaign is intended to provide basic necessities to children entering or currently living in foster care in Dougherty County. Source: CASA of Dougherty County/Dougherty County Government.

MOULTRIE, Ga. — Colquitt Regional Health System has opened a new urgent care facility designed to provide another option for patients who need treatment outside traditional primary-care office hours.

Colquitt Regional Urgent Care, located at 207 31st Avenue SE across from Colquitt Regional Medical Center, treats patients of all ages and accepts walk-ins. Hours are 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Hospital officials said patient traffic has already increased since the facility opened Aug. 3. Source: Colquitt Regional Health System/WALB News 10.

SOUTHWEST GEORGIA — A recently enacted Georgia law expanding eligibility for the state’s medical cannabis program is contributing to a sharp increase in enrollment statewide, a development that also affects qualified patients across Southwest Georgia.

Georgia’s medical cannabis registry increased from about 36,700 patients on July 1 to more than 45,000 by early August, an increase of roughly 23%. The new law expands qualifying conditions and makes other changes to the state program, including rules concerning THC potency and approved delivery methods. Source: WRDW/WAGT/WALB.