Echols County News

In Freedom: An Underwater Escape, magical entertainer Aaron Radatz hopes he can hold his breath long enough to escape from a wooden crate at the bottom of the park's lake.

Hard work usually pays off, but for the migrant farm workers who toil from dawn to dusk, having basic health care is a luxury.

A semi-truck converted into a high tech mobile classroom in the middle of the Ortega Migrant Camp is bringing opportunity to dozens of children in Echols County this week.

The temporary state/federal Disaster Recovery Centers in Coffee, Colquitt, and Lowndes counties will transition to U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Outreach Centers , the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced today.

Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers operated by the State of Georgia and the Federal Emergency Management Agency are open in Dougherty and Brantley counties to assist people affected by the storms and flooding that began March 26.

Swine flu has yet to spread to Georgia, but that's not stopping local clinics from spreading the word, even in Spanish.

Seventeen homes in Echols County sustained major damage in during the recent flooding, according to the Echols County Sheriff's Office.

SAFETY MESSAGE...RESIDENTS AND THOSE WITH INTERESTS ALONG THE RIVER SHOULD TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT THREATENED PROPERTY.

The Echols County Historical Society will present its "Old-Times" Festival from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in Statenville.

David Syner uses his 1944 Farmall 'H' to pull a mechanical tractor pull sled as Todd Woodfield keeps a watchful eye during the Alapahoochee Historic and Farm Heritage Days in Echols County Saturday.

A tractor pulling a wagon filled with people travels down the road toward Lake Park from Echols County in the antique tractor and wagon caravan.

Wednesday, the school announced it will be closed through Friday because students simply can't get there.

SR 133 in Brooks County near Brooks/Lowndes County line is reopened. We are monitoring several other locations in Southwest Georgia and the water is still rising in several locations including US 84/SR 38 at the Alapaha River in Lanier County, and SR 94, near Statenville, at the Alapaha River in Echols County.

On Monday, The Help is Here Express made a stop at Woodlawn Forrest Church of Christ in Valdosta.

A man is in custody following an armed standoff late Friday in Statenville, according to the county sheriff.

Echols County School System Superintendent Dr. Larry Allen speaks to staff members and guests at the groundbreaking for the new Echols County elementary/middle school Friday in Statenville.

A crowd gathers around the stuffed bears on display with items from the pine sap gathering era, all native to this region of Echols County, during the Sesquicentennial Celebration in Statenville.

By Dean Poling The Valdosta Daily Times STATENVILLE - On Dec. 13, 1858, the Georgia General Assembly created Echols County from portions of Lowndes and Clinch counties.