The Times is very supportive of public servants who take care of our community, from firefighters to police and more. We try to bring their stories to our readers to highlight and showcase their achievements, sacrifices and courage.

In the September issue of the Valdosta Scene, the focus is on the men and women in the military, serving our country. Those at Moody AFB are not just warriors, they are also interesting individuals with fascinating jobs and tales to tell.

Read about Capt. Buddy Joca, an A-10 pilot, and his journey to become a man his late father would be proud of; or MSgt. Robert Disney, a PJ who has survived incredible odds, and been closer to death than life more than once — a man who put his own finger in a bullet wound in his neck to stem the flood of blood from his severed jugular vein; or Lt. Col. Joel Martin, who began dreaming of a job as an Air Force pilot at the age of five.

More than a half dozen men and women in uniform are profiled, showcasing a cross section of the Air Force community, and demonstrating to the Valdosta community that we have true heroes in our midst.

All that and more, with restaurant features, an advice column and a historical lesson about our past.

The Scene is available at the Times office and at Books a Million.

Business Roundup

There is a new restaurant coming to town, (no, not THAT one), called the Catfish One. It’s a franchise and will be the chain’s first location in Georgia. They have a good Web site with photos of what different restaurants look like across the southeast, and essentially, it’s going to be a fast food fish, shrimp, etc. with a drive through off Bemiss Road near the Taco Bell. They already are prepping the site and the building permit just got approved, so they should be up and running in a few months.

If you missed it last week, the all new City Market downtown is open for business. Under new ownership, it’s now more of a boutique atmosphere with expanded food offerings as well.

Langdale Ford has moved all of its used cars from the Five Points location it was renting back to the Supercenter on North Patterson Street downtown. Although the location was good for showcasing the vehicles, it was too hard for customers to get in and out of. Should be even more interesting when that roundabout goes in.

The Winnersville Elite training facility is opening this week with classes for dance and cheering for adults and students. It’s across from Sam’s off Norman Drive.

There was a motel by Walgreens that has been through several name changes since I’ve been here, and it is now closed. Signs gone, everything looks shuttered and closed down.

And Mad Dogs is moving. Several have called to report that the restaurant is closed on Bemiss Road, and it is, but only temporarily. The hot dog eatery is relocating to Ferron’s 21 plaza off Norman Drive by Lowe’s.

I also had an inquiry about all those pipes going underground at the corner of Woodrow Wilson and N. Ashley. I have no idea why they need so many or why they are so big, but they are supposedly for drainage under the new CVS pharmacy that is being built there.