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Official Unveiling of Butler’s Wall Murals u Thursday, Aug. 5th, 5 p.m. • Courthouse Square /gTcHTiOvvgx Taylor County’s National Night Out POUCt-COMMVNITT PMTNEMK1N 5-8 p.m. • Free Food & Fun for the whole family Sponsored by Taylor County Sheriff's Office, Buffer Police Department, Reynolds Police Department. Taylor County Development Authority, Taylor County Chamber of Commerce She Sutler 3Heralh “Your Newspaper Since 1876” (Publication Number USPS 534-720) 144th YEAR, NO. 31 THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021 1 SECTION, 8 PAGES 50 CENTS PER COPY 1 f ‘■■J jrr jf ► / COVID-19 Cases Increasing In West Central Health District —Community Transmission Currently Low In Taylor County New Office To The Taylor County School District began its 2021- 2022 school year on Monday, Aug. % 2021. There fore, the school buses are out oil the roads. Please help us protect our students’ well-being and use cau tion when approaching a school bus. Watch for the yellow flashing lights, which means the bus is pre paring to stop. Never pass a bus that has red flash ing lights, stop signs, and stop arm out. Always watch for kids crossing streets while preparing to load onto the bus. We are excited about this school year! TCHS Lady Vikings To Open 2021 Season Thursday Against Shaw The Taylor County High School Lady Viking Softball Team will open the 2021 season this Thursday, Aug. 5th, against the ladies from Sha w High School. The game will be played at Shaw High School in Columbus, at 5 p.m. The Lady Vikings are: Senior Hannah Harris and Grace Lay field; Juniors, Caroline Albritton, Grade James, Amberlynn Hernandez, and Quanishia Dixon; Sophomores, THsta Bennett; Kilie Barrow, and Madi son Pierce; and Freshmen, Cierra Brown, Grade Cox, Kelsie Driggers, and Nashaila Sherman. They are coached by Head Coach Ronnie Wiggins and Assistant Coaches London Wiggins and Michelle Carter. Focus On Rural Education By Dave Williams Bureau Chief Capitol Beat News Service Rural education in Georgia is getting special attention in the form of a new office within the state Department of Education that will focus on the needs of rural schools. The Office of Rural Education and Innovation will be headed by Bronwyn Ragan-Martin, a veteran education leader who served most recently as super intendent of the Early County School System and president of the Georgia School Superinten dents Association. RagamMartin w ill take on the title of deputy superintendent for rural education and innova tion starting in October. >See Rural Schools on p. 5 At this time, the Health De partment is seeing a rise in COVID 19 cases across the West Central Health District. The following counties are now considered to have a high community transmission ofthe virus: Columbus (Muscogee), Chattahoochee, Crisp, Dooly, Harris, Marion, Stewart, and Talbot. Other counties in our health district have moderate trans mission but are still seeing a rise in cases. These include: Clay, Macon, Randolph, Schley, Sumter, and Webster. Community Transmission is currently low in Taylor County, but with the other counties see ing a rise in cases, we may soon see a rise in cases in Taylor, as well. We have the tools to fight this virus. Here’s what you can do. If you have not been vaccinated against the COVID Virus, please consider doing so now. Get Vaccinated- Vaccinations are free and available at many locations. You can find a loca tion near you using the vaccine locator website, https:// www.vaccines.gov/ Get Tested - COVID 19 Tests are free to the public. Visithttps://westcentral hcaltbdistrict.com/ (Note: The COVID 19 Testing site in Co lumbus has moved to 5601 Vet erans Parkway) Other ways to protect yourself include: Wear a mask, Universal masking should be worn in public indoor settings, regard less of vaccinat ion status, Stay 6 feet away from others outside your home: The CDC advises putting 6 feet of dis tance between yourself and people who don’t live in your household. Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread the vi rus. Avoid crowds and poorly ven tilated spaces - Being in crowds like in restaurants, bars, fit ness centers, or movie theaters puts you at higher risk for COVID-19. Wash your hands often: Wash your hands often wit h soap and water lor at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blow ing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. Cover coughs and sneezes: If you are wearing a mask, you can cough or sneeze into your mask. Put on a new, clean mask as soon as possible and wash your hands. Ifyou are not wearing a mask, always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue w r hen you cough or sneeze, or use the in side of your elbow and do not spit. Throw used tissues in the trash. Clean and disinfect - Clean high touch surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, key boards, toilets, faucets, and sinks. Please call the COVID 19 call center at (706) 653-6613, ifyou have questions related to COVID 19 or need assistance signing up to be tested or get a COVID 19 vaccination. Full CDC COVID 19 Guid ance can be found at https:// www. c dc. gov/coro n a vim s/2019- ncov/i ndex.html For the latest updates on COVID 19 Cases in Georgia and the health district, please visit https://dph.georgia.gov/ co vid-19 - da ily-sta tu s - re po rt. Two-Time Georgia Country Music Artist Of The Year, Megan Fowler, Performs In Buena Vista From The Journal, Buena Vista, GA By Richard Harris The featured performer at the latest Coffee Club Nights con cert at the Moon Family The atre in Buena Vista was two- time Georgia Female Country Artist of the Year Megan Fowler, a native of nearby Tay lor County who has been emerging as a successful pro fessional musician over the last several years, Fowler grew up in the Rupert Community and is a 2012 graduate of Taylor County High School. “I’ve been involved in music my whole life, hut didn’t take it on professionally until I graduated from high school and went out on my own, she said. Now, she's been a pro for around nine years and her ca reer has continued to pick up steam. In addition to her awards, some of her career highlights so far have been '‘working with superb artists such as Bryan White, Pam Tillis, and Linda Davis’’ and “being able to share the stage with incredible artists like Luke Combs, Phil Vasser, and Edwin McCain.” Now, after performing in Buena Vista for the first time ever, she’s happy to add play ing the new r theatre in Buena Vista to her highlight list. “The Moon Family Theatre is such a cool venue,” said Fowler. “It’s something that I never thought would be in Buena Vista, but I am so glad that it is. The owners, stalf, and every one involved in the theatre and cafe (Coffee Club) are super great people, and they helped make my first experience there one that I w'on’t forget." She was joined on stage by guitarist Josh Walton and drummer/cajon player Scott Park, who she describes as “two of the best guys that I’m so blessed to have play with me." Fowler has been described by critics as a “beguiling mix of class and country, sweetness and determination.” She said that is flattering, but also sort of fits her personality, as she’s just as happy tending to cows as getting “dolled up”. While she’s already had plenty of accomplishments on the stage, she’s nowhere near ready to stop following her dream. “My career goal as an artist is to make people happy through music,” she said. “Whether that’s from playing my own original music, cover songs, or leading worship, 1 love to per form and put a smile on people’s faces and make them fee) the music, I’m going to con tinue to do that for as long as God blesses me to do so.” Fowler said the two things she’s enjoyed the most along the way are making music and meeting people. “f’ve met some incredible people - some who have become friends - along my journey and I never would have met them if it hadn't been for music.’’ Like all artists, 2020 was dif ficult due to the pandemic and limited opportunities to per form. but she said it’s re bounded nicely, and she has been extremely busy so far this year. Her upcoming shows in clude playing at the Society Garden in Macon on Saturday, August 28. “Honestly, 1 am just so grate ful and blessed to be able to play music as my full-time job.” said Fowler. H If it weren’t for people like those at the Moon Family Theatre, who have sup ported me along the way, 1 wouldn't be where I am today." For more information on Megan Fowler, visit mcganfowlcrmusic.com. For a schedule of upcoming show s at Moon Family Theatre in Buena Vista, visit moonfamilytheatre.com. (For photo$ and videos of Megan Fowler’s show, visit tjourn a l, sn i ugm itg. com,)