Grady County News

03/06/2026

Grady County - The current 911 agreement between Decatur Grady 911 officially ends at 8am on August 1st. Many citizens in the county are very concerned as to what the next steps are for emergency services in Grady County.

Will Grady County extend their contract past the deadline or partner with another 911 agency? There have been rumors swirling that Thomas County will help.

A former 911 dispatcher says "Some of the elected officials said they could have a new 911 center completed, fully staffed and up and running in 6 months flat. I don’t think they knew or could even fathom what all is involved since none of them have even came in and worked a shift with us. It takes about 6 months to even train a dispatcher. There is more involved in dispatching than just answering a radio for traffic stops. 911 dispatchers are also answering other emergency calls and providing emergency medical care and CPR directives over the phone while officers sometimes think we are just sitting there waiting for them to run their next tag….which with all of the tools at their fingertips, can run all of that themselves."

03/03/2026

Dear Editor:

In the 1989 Movie Field of Dreams there is this famous quote,” If you build it, they will come.” Well the Lake is built but it appears that not many people are coming! Almost 10 years have elapsed and nothing has changed other than the expenditures that continue at the taxpayer’s expense. It appears that nothing is closer to resolution and we get more of the same.

The deal with the Developer is all but done. I think when he agreed to purchase the 200 acres he had no idea what was involved and what the expense of such a project would be. I just know we are at an impasse and things have to change!

Looking back when the Lake was being constructed there were grand plans, 8 fishing piers, 11 boat docks, four boat ramps, marina, restrooms, picnic areas, playground, small store, and gas facilities. What do we have?

The development of a sound infrastructure is critical before anything can proceed. The question is how you pay for it. I see grants being awarded all over and how many have we gotten for the Lake? Lake Seminole just received a big one for hydrilla control.

The U.S. House voted 397-28 to pass a bipartisan appropriations bill that includes over $14 million in funding for projects in Middle and Southwest Georgia, according to Rep. Sanford Bishop’s office. As part of the bill, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would receive $9,747,000 to manage invasive aquatic vegetation, restore access on Lake Seminole, and restore the local ecosystem.

What are we missing? We have paid a Lake consultant almost ½ million and I assume he is still getting 3,500 per month for his services to sell the Lake and not one acre has been sold. I suggest we redirect this funding to find a firm that can bring grants and some funds to develop this infrastructure. There has got to be some type of monies available to fund what we need to get this thing moving!

When it comes to the Lake we are dead in the water. As I have stressed previously we have to move in a different direction if we are to have any type of development. We do not need more of the same which is nothing!

Sincerely

Mike Bishop
Cairo, GA

03/03/2026

Cairo, GA - The Cairo City Manager advised the city council that he would be hiring a part time communications coordinator at a maximum salary of $ 41,600 working 20 hours per week.

Many citizens are concerned that the $ 40/ hour new employee salary is excessive and is a position not needed.

Galas, parties, voting machines, increased license fees, new and created employee positions with excessive payroll are causing citizens to brace for increased property taxes.

03/02/2026

The Cairo City Council, with little notice to the restaurants who serve alcohol, has recently doubled alcohol license fees to $ 2,700 annually. Requiring some businesses who are months away from their renewal date to pay the new fee by the April 1st deadline.

In a time when economic development is critical to downtown Cairo, the council has chosen to significantly tax restaurants causing some to consider not renewing their license.

One concerned business owner, not located downtown, is questioning whether to new tax applies to all businesses in downtown Cairo - including Tavern 152 LLC; which is registered to Dorothy Young Johnson, aunt of Councilman Demario Bryden.

Cairo businesses are facing an increase in their alcohol license fees, which could affect their ability to sell alcohol, according to a letter from the city of Cairo.

02/25/2026

We have been a media outlet for the Grady County; however with all the City of Cairo controversy and unsettlement, we will move towards covering the City of Cairo along with Grady County. If you have any news story worth sharing, please private message any letters to us that you want published.

11/19/2025

𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲

Silicon Ranch Corp who is building the solar farm in Grady County is meeting with the Grady County Joint Development Authority next month to request a bond to pay for the solar farm and tax reductions.

If the solar farm makes so much money, then why are they asking for a bond? Why are they asking for reduced property taxes when the regular homeowner in Grady County receives no help?

11/13/2025

𝐇𝐮𝐠𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲

Silicon Ranch Corporation is seeking to build a 1,000 acre solar farm on the western part of Grady County that borders Decatur County.

Although no public meetings have taken place on the upcoming solar farm, Grady County Commissioners and Silicon Ranch have been having 2 on 2 private meetings to outlay the plans for the upcoming project. You heard it, 2 on 2 meetings that would avoid a quorum, which would require these meetings to be public.

Why not hold these meetings public? Why are not the details of the upcoming solar farm published in the local newspaper? Why are not commissioners talking to the public about the solar farm?

This is exactly how the monkey farm got its start in Decatur County.

Nothing to see here, just Shady Grady being shady!

03/25/2025

𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲 𝗧𝘆𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆 𝗔𝗱𝗺𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿

In a historic moment that would be remembered for years to come, the Grady County Commissioners chose their first female County Administrator in Celeste Tyler.

The backdrop of the meeting was steeped in local politics, where the “good old boy” network had long held sway over county appointments. For years, the system favored connections and familiarity, often sidelining more qualified candidates in favor of friends and allies. This time, however, the tide had turned. Despite the push from Commissioner Prince, Commissioner Drew and close friends to support one of their own, Keith Moye, an ex-commissioner - the momentum had shifted in favor of the most qualified candidate, Celeste Tyler.

Celeste Tyler will be a breath of fresh air, her background rich with experience in community outreach, education, and innovative governance. Many residents had rallied behind her, seeing in her a leader who will move Grady County forward and prioritize our needs. She represents a change that many had long sought, a departure from the entrenched ways of doing things.

Commissioner Maxwell, Commissioner Kines and Commissioner Copeland - fueled by the voices of their constituents who had grown weary of the status quo, stood firmly behind Celeste. They recognized her potential to bring about meaningful change in Grady County.

One Grady County resident said. “There is no better candidate for this job than Celeste Tyler. We have spoken with our votes that we wanted change. How can those two Commissioners support someone who lost their re-election? This is classic example of friends trying to take care of friends versus looking out for the best interest of the community.”

When it was time for a vote, each Commissioner took a moment and passionately voiced their reasoning for their vote. It was clear that this was more than just a personnel decision; it was a statement. The commission had signaled a willingness to move beyond the good old boy network and embrace a new era of leadership, one defined by integrity, merit and vision rather than connections. The choice of Celeste Tyler was a bold step forward and a commitment to a brighter, more inclusive future for Grady County.

02/07/2025

Ousted Commissioner seeks employment as Grady County’s County Administrator

The interviewing of former ousted commissioner Keith Moye amidst the shadows of his failed commissionship has raised eyebrows and sparked debates within the community. The decision to interview comes in the wake of Moye's flawed tenure as commissioner, marked by a series of questionable decisions, and a lack of response to his constituents that ultimately led to his defeat in the last election.

It is clear these issues resulted in a loss during the November election, where voters decisively rejected his bid for re-election, expressing their frustration with his leadership and the direction he had taken on the commission.

One District 3 voter states, “Keith never answered the phone as our commissioner and never returned my call. We didn’t want him as our commissioner, and we darn sure don’t want him as our administrator. How can this happen?”

It appears instead of focusing on the qualifications and competencies necessary for the job, the commission is considering a move that appears to be the classic example of the “Good Old Boys” network in action – where loyalty and connections overshadow merit and capability. Furthermore, this practice displays the commission’s lack of commitment to progress and its willingness to embrace fresh perspectives.

The commission is more interested in maintaining its status quo rather than addressing the needs of the community, and that’s both disheartening and frustrating for voters. Citizens in each district should contact their commissioner and express their desire for the county to seek out the most qualified applicant rather than “scratching the back” of one of their own.

12/06/2024

The tax increase public hearings will be held at on Tuesday December 17th at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. and on Thursday December 26th at 9 a.m. The location is at the commissioner's office at 33 17th Ave NW.

"Two of these meeting times are during the morning when people are at work and the other is the day after Christmas when people may not have returned from visiting family." said one taxpayer who is trying to arrange their schedule to be in attendance.

The commission is required to have 3 public hearings on the rate increase but is not required to make them in the evenings or other times that might seem convenient.

The location of the meeting is also being called into question as the current commission office is small. There will be people who will have to stand outside the room and will not be able to hear what is discussed.

"They are having these meetings in the morning and in a small room in order to prevent hearing the concern of the citizens. It is just another way for them to push what they want without the citizen's input". says one upset citizen.

It is recommended for people to come early to the meetings to make sure they have a seat.

12/05/2024

𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀:

The Grady County Board of Commissioners reverses on its earlier promise to taxpayers to roll back the millage rate to offset the increased property tax value assessments.

The new budget increases over $6,000,000 in spending from last year's budget, which will cause taxpayers to see a doubt digit percent increase in their property taxes.

One taxpayer says, "Everyone on that board needs to be fired. There needs to be all new people up there making decisions. They have lied to us time and time again. We deserve better, the people of this county deserve honest people up there. Shady Grady and corruption continue."

In January two new commissioners will replace Keith Moye and June Knight. The public is hopeful that Sam Kines and Yancy Maxwell can put a stop to the dishonesty and crookery in Grady County government.

Public hearings will be held at on Tuesday December 17th at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. and on Thursday December 26th at 9 a.m. Citizens are encouraged to attend and express their opposition to the massive tax increase.