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r, z J—m X ■ The LeS County Ledger Your Hometown Source Of Local News Hometown Newspaper of Stan and Jayne Cannon Volume XLIV- Number 37 Leesburg, Georgia - - May 25, 2022 Fifty Cents Leading Water Protection Coalition Announces Clean Water Celebration to Honor Water Heroes Submitted Photo are Gordon Rogers, Jim Wright and his wife Special to the Ledger Clean water heroes from across the state were recognized for their extraordinary work to protect Georgia’s wa ter during the Georgia Water Coalition’s 20th Anniversary and Clean 13 Celebration on May 22, 2022 at Fall Line Station in Macon. The event, with 125 in at tendance celebrated the 20th Anniversary of the Georgia Water Coalition and featured an awards ceremony. The celebration hon ored: Athens-Clarke County, Blue Bird Bus Corporation, City of Savannah, City of South Fulton, Georgia Audu bon and Southern Con servation Trust, Madi son County Clean Power Commission, Mitchell County 4-H, Hanwha QCELLS North Ameri ca, Dr. Dionne Hoskins- Brown, Patagonia, Rep. Andy Welch and Sen. Chuck Hufstetler, White Oak Pastures and Jim Wright. The work celebrated includes: Jim Wright (Lee County) In Southwest Geor gia’s Lee County, code enforcement officer Jim Wright has become known for his work to clean Kinchafoonee and Muckalee creeks and make them accessible for residents and visitors for boating and fishing. Leading community cleanups, Boy Scout projects and develop ment of public access points along the creeks, the Lee County employ ee and his community have transformed these waterways. Athens-Clarke County Blue Bird Bus Corpo ration (Peach County) City of Savannah (Cha tham County) City of South Fulton (Fulton County) Georgia Audubon and Southern Conservation Trust (Fayette County) Madison County Clean Power Coalition (Madison and Franklin counties) Mitchell County 4-H (Camilla/Mitchell County) Hanwha QCELLS North America (Whit field County) Dr. Dionne Hoskins- Brown (Chatham County) Patagonia (Fulton County) Rep. Andy Welch and Sen. Chuck Hufstetler (Henry County and Floyd County) White Oak Pastures (Early County) Together, the efforts of these “Clean 13” are adding up to cleaner riv ers, stronger communi ties and a more resilient and sustainable future for Georgia. The Georgia Water Coalition publishes this Pictured left to right Stacy Wright. list not only to recognize these positive efforts on behalf of Georgia’s water but also as a call to action for our state’s leaders and citizens to review these success stories, borrow from them and emulate them. The Georgia Water Coalition is a con sortium of more than 285 conservation and environmental orga nizations, hunting and fishing groups, busi nesses, and faith-based organizations that have been working to protect Georgia’s water since 2002. Collectively, these organizations represent thousands of Georgians. Dangers of Leaving Children in Vehicles “Look Again” Campaign Urges Greater Awareness to Protect Georgia’s Youngest Citizens Special to the Ledger For the ninth consec utive year, the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) is calling for families and caregivers of children to increase awareness of the dan gers of leaving children unattended in vehicles. This year’s “Look Again” campaign comes just ahead of Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summer, and hopes to ensure that families, child care providers, and the public understand how to prevent pediat ric vehicular heatstroke during this time. Officials will hold a virtual news confer ence on Friday, May 27, 2022, at 10:00 AM EST using this link: https:// decal-ga-gov.zoom. us/s/89651666749 “As more Georgians are getting back on the DOHERTY, DUGGAN, HART&TIERNAN INSURORS Home • Auto • Business • Life/Health P.O.Box 71628 (229)888-2040 Albany, GA 31708-1628 800-628-2040 2301 Dawson Road (31707) Fax (229) 435-3036 www.ddhtins.com LCHS Class of 2022 Graduation Friday, May 27 at 6:30 p.m. at Albany Civic Center road, it is critically important to remember that our children are our most precious cargo,” said Governor Brian P. Kemp. “That’s why Marty and I stand with DECAL in urging ev eryone to ‘Look Again’ and protect the health and safety of Georgia’s children. Please join us in following these simple steps to make a difference, prevent pediatric vehicular heat stroke, and save lives.” DECAL Commission er Amy M. Jacobs said hundreds of thousands of children in Geor gia are cared for daily by licensed child care providers, most of whom regularly transport children. “When DECAL re ceives reports of chil dren left in vehicles by providers, we investigate each incident,” said Commissioner Jacobs. “During FY2021, two children in Georgia were left in vehicles by child care providers. In FY2022, with about a month left in the year, seven children have been left. These includ ed four incidents in Ful ton County and single incidents in Clayton, Muscogee, and Newton counties. Thankfully, there were no serious injuries, but these num bers are moving in the wrong direction.” Jacobs said “Look Again” is a message not only for child care programs and teachers but for anyone caring for a child - parents, grandparents, other family members, neigh bors, and friends - to always account for the children in their care as they drive them from place to place. “When you arrive at your destination, check the front and back of your car, and after you have looked, just to be sure, Look Again. There is absolutely no reason for a child to suffer or die in these conditions,” she stressed. Jacobs said technology is helping in the effort: “Sensors in car seats and vehicles and phone apps Nominations Due June 1 For LCHS Distinguished Alumni Special to the Ledger The Lee County High School Distinguished Alumni Program Com mittee is proud to an nounce that nominations are being sought for the Class of 2022 LCHS Dis tinguished Alumni. The purpose of this program is to recognize outstanding alumni who have maintained a high standard of excellence and distinguished them selves through their work, personal accomplish ments, or in the lives of others. These individuals exemplify the ideals of the Lee County School System and the commu nity it serves, and serve as role models for current and future Lee County High School students. Nominations will be accepted through June 1, 2022. Nomination packets can be emailed directly to the nominator. Please email shirleypa@ lee.kl2.ga.us to request a packet. They can also be picked up in person at the Lee County Chamber of Commerce and the Lee County Board of Education Central Office. You can also download the nomination packet directly from the main page of the school system website: www.lee.kl2. ga.us. For more informa tion on how you can nominate your LCHS Distinguished Alumni, please contact the 2022 Committee Chair, Patsy Shirley at 229/903-3993 or shirleypa@lee.kl2. ga.us Artesian Alliance To Participate In Blue Star Museums Program Special to the Ledger Artesian Alliance members Chehaw Park & Zoo, the Flint River- Quarium and Throna- teeska Heritage Center will offer free admission to military personnel and their families this summer Artesian Alliance members Chehaw Park & Zoo, the Flint River- Quarium, and Throna- teeska Heritage Center are joining museums nationwide to participate in the return of the Blue Star Museums pro gram this summer. The program provides free admission to our nation’s active-duty military per sonnel and their families from Armed Forces Day (May 21) through Labor Day (September 5). Blue Star Museums is a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Fami lies, the Department of Defense, and more than 2,000 museums across America offering free admission to the na tion’s currently-serving military personnel and their families, includ ing National Guard and Reserve. “Our Artesian Alliance attractions are excited about participating once again in the Blue Star Museum Program,” said Tommy Gregors, director of the Artesian Alliance. “We want to show our support for our active service members and their families and do our part to recog nize the positive impact the military has on our community. It is won derful to offer military families the opportunity to explore our attractions with their loved ones and create lasting memo ries.” Participation in Blue Star Museums is entirely voluntary. By register ing, museums express their appreciation for the nation’s military and their families, while acknowledging the hardships that come with that service. Blue See Alliance, Page 5A signal reminders when you reach your destina tion,” she said. “These technological resourc es help build habits to check the backseat after driving. And if these aren’t options, you can always place a stuffed animal in your passen ger seat as a reminder that your child is in the back.” Officials also remind the public to act respon sibly and quickly if they see a child left alone in a vehicle by calling 911 immediately; emergency personnel are trained to respond. For more information, visit www.decal.ga.gov or www.noheatstroke. org. 8 10499 02456 8 Homeownership is within your reach, even if you don't have much to put toward a down payment. GCB has you covered with low mortgage insurance premiums. Contact us to get a quote today! Georgia Community Bank 3000 N. Slappey Blvd. (229) 446-0102 Online @ GCB.bank NMLS # 648124 To Subscribe Call 229-759-2413 Subject to credit approval.