Today’s South Georgia News Headlines 9.11.2026

LEESBURG, Ga. — A new program at Lee County High School is giving students a direct path toward careers in firefighting. 7 seniors are taking part in the Career, Technical and Agricultural Education public-safety pathway, a partnership between the Lee County School System and Lee County Fire Department. Students receive classroom instruction and hands-on training at the fire department’s training center, and once they turn 18, they can test for firefighter certification. Georgia State School Superintendent Richard Woods highlighted the program during a Thursday visit. Local officials say the goal is both career readiness for students and development of a pipeline of future firefighters for Lee County. Source: Lee County School System/Lee County Fire Department/WALB News 10, Sept. 10. Read the WALB report

LEESBURG, Ga. — Lee County commissioners have approved a $14,750 traffic study of Winifred Road as residential growth and a newly resurfaced roadway raise concerns about vehicle speeds. Foresite Group will collect traffic and speed data along the corridor between Old Dawson Road and U.S. Highway 82, examine at least 12 months of crash history and evaluate whether the existing speed limits remain appropriate. Engineers will also recommend possible traffic-calming measures. The report is expected within about 8 weeks after the county formally authorizes the work to begin. Source: Lee County Board of Commissioners/Albany Herald, Sept. 10. Read the Albany Herald report

LEESBURG, Ga. — Drivers who use Mossy Dell Road will need to continue finding another route for several more days. Lee County says road work has been extended through the end of the day Monday, Sept. 14, and Mossy Dell Road will remain closed to through traffic until the work is completed. County officials are asking drivers to continue using alternate routes. Source: Lee County Government, updated Sept. 10. Lee County public notices

LEESBURG, Ga. — One of South Georgia’s biggest high-school football matchups is set for tonight as undefeated No. 2 Lee County travels to Moultrie to face Colquitt County at Mack Tharpe Stadium. The Trojans enter the game 3-0. Adding another storyline, Lee County quarterback Cohen Lawson returns to face the program where he previously played. Colquitt won last year’s meeting by 7 points, setting up another high-profile matchup between 2 of South Georgia’s perennial football powers. Source: Albany Herald Sports, Sept. 10. Read the Albany Herald preview

ALBANY, Ga. — A man wanted for months in connection with a deadly Albany shooting is now in custody. The Albany-Dougherty Special Investigative Unit says 25-year-old Ja-Rod Jaheen Holsey was arrested Wednesday at an apartment on Don Cutler Drive with help from the U.S. Marshals Service Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force. Authorities say Holsey was wanted on warrants connected to a June 1 homicide at 1016 N. Slappey Blvd., including murder and aggravated-assault charges. Investigators say approximately 568.8 grams of marijuana and a firearm were also found during the arrest. 26-year-old Kawaiya Mills was also arrested and accused of marijuana possession and hindering the apprehension of a fugitive. The charges are allegations, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Source: Albany-Dougherty Special Investigative Unit/U.S. Marshals Service/WALB News 10, Sept. 10. Read the WALB report

ALBANY, Ga. — A new WALB investigation is examining how Albany’s housing squeeze is affecting both renters and property owners. Local property managers say high interest rates are keeping more would-be buyers in the rental market, while higher property assessments and rising maintenance costs are increasing financial pressure on landlords. One Albany property manager told WALB that some renters are now combining households with parents or adult children because they can no longer afford housing on their own. Property managers also reported increases of roughly 15% to 20% in labor and material costs for maintaining rental units. Source: WALB News 10, Sept. 10. Read the WALB investigation

ALBANY, Ga. — The American Red Cross is urging Southwest Georgia residents to continue donating blood even though the severe shortage experienced earlier this summer has eased. The national blood supply dropped nearly 25% in June, contributing to what the Red Cross described as only its 2nd national blood crisis. Southwest Georgia Executive Director Johnny Williams says donations helped the organization emerge from the crisis in August, but supplies can fall quickly when donations slow. An Albany blood drive is scheduled today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Wynfield Park Health & Rehabilitation, 223 3rd Ave. W. Additional Albany drives are scheduled Sept. 14, 16 and 24. Source: American Red Cross/WALB News 10, Sept. 10. Read the WALB report and see upcoming drives

ALBANY, Ga. — Theatre Albany opens its production of Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods” tonight as part of the organization’s 93rd season. The musical brings together familiar fairy-tale characters whose wishes lead to unexpected consequences, exploring themes of responsibility, community and sacrifice. Performances are scheduled Sept. 11-13 and Sept. 18-20, with Friday and Saturday performances at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m. Source: Theatre Albany, current Sept. 11 schedule. Theatre Albany ticket and season information

ALBANY, Ga. — Albany State begins the part of the football schedule that matters most for its championship hopes Saturday night when the Golden Rams travel to Savannah State for the SIAC opener for both teams. Albany State is 0-2 overall after losses to Florida A&M and Johnson C. Smith, but remains 0-0 in conference play. Head coach David Bowser says the Golden Rams’ goals of competing for an SIAC championship and playoff berth remain in front of them as conference play begins. Source: Albany Herald Sports, Sept. 10. Read the Albany Herald preview

MOULTRIE, Ga. — One of Southwest Georgia’s more unusual landmarks is getting renewed attention: a life-sized white marble baby elephant standing in a cemetery near Moultrie. The statue at Pleasant Grove Primitive Baptist Church cemetery memorializes circus owner William F. Duggan and was modeled after “Nancy,” a baby elephant associated with Duggan’s animal exhibition in the 1940s. Duggan is buried beside his father at the cemetery, where the elephant remains an unexpected reminder of Colquitt County’s connection to traveling circus history. Source: Albany Herald, Sept. 10. Read the Albany Herald feature