Charges filed in bomb threat made from jail

Quinten PlummerThe Valdosta Daily Times

Echols deputies seize a half-million in pot

Dean PolingThe Valdosta Daily Times

This photo from the Echols County Sheriff’s Office shows the interior of a house where authorities seized marijuana plants Friday.

ADEL — A public indecency call late Friday afternoon led to the seizure of a marijuana grow house, 38 mature plants, and the arrest of an Echols County man, according to the Echols County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies arrested Jose Sanchez and he is charged with trafficking marijuana, manufacturing marijuana, possession of tools used in the commission of a crime and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, said Echols County Sheriff Randy Courson.

On Friday afternoon, Echols sheriff’s deputies received a complaint of public indecency. Deputies arrived at a 2300 block Highway 129 residence. When a man answered the door, “deputies noticed an odor of marijuana,” Courson said.

Deputies secured the resident while investigators applied for a search warrant.  “After obtaining the search warrant for the residence and property, deputies discovered a Hydroponics indoor marijuana grow in an outbuilding behind (the) residence,” Courson said.

Authorities seized 38 mature marijuana plants, prepared marijuana, all weighing 83 pounds, and with an estimated street value of approximately a half-million dollars, Courson said. Two firearms and tools used to manufacture marijuana were seized. Sanchez was taken Friday evening to the Lowndes County Jail.

Top young professionals named Metro Valdosta’s 4 Under 40

Photo (from left to right): Lacie Guy, Sharah Denton, Morgan Plyler, Emily Davenport

Valdosta, Ga.—Four top young professionals received the honor of being named Metro Valdosta’s 4 Under 40 at a reception presented by Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) and CJB Industries on Thursdaynight at Cotton Corner.

Emily Davenport (City of Valdosta), Sharah Denton (Brooks County Schools), Dr. Lacie Guy (Valdosta Chiropractic & Rehab) and Morgan Plyler (Exit Realty In Touch) were chosen based on professional accomplishments, experience, community involvement, leadership qualities and entrepreneurial spirit. In recognition of their contribution to our community and local economy, the Chamber will nominate these four local leaders for Georgia Trend’s 40 Under 40.

Davenport is currently the Stormwater Manager for the City of Valdosta. Her awards and accomplishments include Valdosta Junior Women’s Club Woman of the Year Nominee on behalf of Leadership Lowndes (2013), Leadership Lowndes Board of Trustee and Georgia Association of Water Professionals Outstanding Stormwater Management Program of the Year for a Phase II Community (2008).

Denton is currently the Community & Parent Relations Specialist for Brooks County Schools. Her awards and accomplishments include president and section founder for the National Council of Negro Women, Inc., executive board member at The Haven and Valdosta Woman of the Year (2012).

Guy is the owner of Valdosta Chiropractic & Rehab. Since 2011 she has served as district president of the Georgia Chiropractic Association. Guy also serves on the Leadership Lowndes Board of Trustees, the Chamber of Commerce Community Council and the Valdosta Rotary Club Board of Directors.

Plyler is an associate broker and Realtor at Exit In Touch Realty.  She serves as the professional development chair for MetroOne and Community Service and Military Affairs Committee member for the Valdosta Board of Realtors.

Clinton Beeland (CJB Industries) and Mayor Gayle presented the awards to the four leaders at the reception.

4 Under 40 is a program of MetroOne Young Professionals Network with the goal of recognizing outstanding achievement among young professionals in our community. Metro Valdosta’s 4 Under 40 were chosen by an outside panel of judges from the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce. There were 11 finalists in the competition. More information about the program and the finalists is available atwww.MetroOneValdosta.com/4under40.

MetroOne is a Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce initiative with the goal of attracting and retaining young professionals to the Metro Valdosta area.  Founded in September 2007, the group focuses on three key areas:  networking and community engagement, professional development and young professional advocacy.  For more information about MetroOne, visit www.MetroOneValdosta.com.