Happy weekend, Valdosta! In today’s happening-today edition: Juneteenth celebration, Buzz Lightyear meet and greet, and new utility payment accounts + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.
Today’s sponsor, GoldCo, is helping folks around Valdosta protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Celebrating heritage together: Valdosta's 34th Annual Juneteenth Celebration is underway today, hosted by Southside Library Boosters, with a community festival at Payton Park, a fish fry, and "Telling Their Story" at the library -- read the full story.
New community celebration: Camelot Crossing in South Georgia will host a Grand Opening Carnival on June 25 with a live concert by singer songwriter Gareth, giveaways, tours, and a 1-year free rent giveaway -- get all the details.
New billing system ahead: Valdosta utility customers must create new online payment accounts in July as Valdosta will launch billing software July 1, and the portal is offline until then with no late fees -- see what changes July 1.
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The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest -- this one's $150 off right now.* Highlights this week: |
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03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Local fairway fix: Need an excuse to ditch the honey-do list and grab the sticks? Francis Lake Golf Club is a locally owned, semi-private track with a welcoming community feel, playable for every swing, plus a clutch Snack Bar when the round needs a reboot. Short drive, big mood upgrade.
Craving crispy and coastal: When the group chat can’t pick fish or wings, Snappers, Fish, and Chicken delivers the best of both with fried conch, shrimp po'boys, whole snapper, and rice bowls that actually hit the spot. Easy online ordering, big flavor, zero bickering at dinner.
Sleep by the zebras: Wild Adventures Safari Campground makes the easiest Valdosta staycation, with RV and tent sites or cozy cottages, a pool and aviary, and exclusive up-close moments with giraffes and sloths. Best part, there’s a private entrance to the park so your crew can wander in when the mood strikes.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Around town today & tomorrowOur favorite events going on the rest of this weekend. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
👵 Golden Girls Game Night @ South GA Nutrition | Saturday (6/20) at 1:00 PM – This laid-back game afternoon lands at Tea Nutrition on N Ashley, where board games, card decks, and actual conversation still reign. Bring a favorite game, sip something fruity, and trade competitive rage for neighborly laughs. It is cozy, so expect quality over quantity.
🛠 Craft Academy @ Turner Center Art Annex | Saturday (6/20) at 2:00 PM – Give the fridge something worth bragging about with Craft Academy, a hands-on class for ages 5 to 10 taught by Hunter Pope. Each session brings a new make-and-take kids can easily recreate, all supplies included, your rug spared, $30 or $20 for TCA members.
🚀 Meet & Greet Buzzlightyear @ Adventure Town Indoor Playground | Saturday (6/20) at 3:00 PM – Buzz Lightyear is touching down at Adventure Town Indoor Playground in Valdosta, complete with photo ops, kid-sized hero worship, and enough nostalgia to make you hum the theme. Adults must supervise, socks on everyone, included with admission. To infinity, and probably a nap after.
⚪ Kappa Psi Sigma White Party 2026 @ Rainwater Conference Center | Saturday (6/20) at 7:00 PM – Break out the crisp whites, keep the red wine at arm's length, and join the Kappa Psi Sigma alumnae for a White Party that does some good. It is a scholarship fundraiser awarding nine scholarships to college-bound local high schoolers, so your two-step pays dividends.
🌊 Ginnie Springs @ Southern Ocean Sports | Sunday (6/21) at 8:00 AM – Whether you’ve logged a thousand dives or still call it snorkeling with paperwork, this Ginnie Springs day trip is the easy button. One fee covers regulator and BCD, two tanks or refills, and park entry, so you just show up, splash, and brag later. Live music & entertainment:
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — The Valdosta report Weather forecastToday — High: 88°F — Low: 72°F — Precip: 84%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8am and 11am, then showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny. High near 88, with temperatures falling to around 83 in the afternoon. West wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Northwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Tomorrow — High: 90°F — Low: 74°F — Precip: 50%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. West wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Chance of precipitation is 50%. This house is wildThis beautifully maintained 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath home in Knights Mill pairs classic curb appeal with polished interior details. Rich hardwood floors, crown moulding, coffered and tray ceilings, and a granite-and-stainless kitchen set a stylish tone. The primary suite brings a spa-like bath, while the screened porch and fenced backyard make outdoor entertaining feel easy.
Take a peek inside → |
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