Valdosta was hit in the last two weeks with a run on gas, making fuel scarce at some stations, and driving the price up. The panic seems to have subsided, for the most part, and most stations have at least one grade of gas available at a decent price.

But people are still complaining; not sure why. Valdosta’s panic is nothing compared to what was going on Friday in Atlanta and the northern part of the state. Officials considered canceling the Georgia game due to the lack of gas in the Atlanta area, and visitors were cautioned to bring enough to get back home on.

Our city manager, Larry Hanson, called Friday afternoon as he was stuck in traffic driving back from Atlanta. I asked him if I could quote him and he gave me the okay, but he had been listening to the radio and heard them talking about the ridiculous gas situation across the city. He said some stations had raised their prices over $8 a gallon, and the governor’s office had fielded more than 100 calls about price gouging Friday. Larry said that police had been called out to stations to help keep the crowds calm, and traffic was completely crazy. He’d gone about 15 miles in an hour and a half, and couldn’t help but wonder how those who commute such ridiculous distances in the metro area were going to find, and even afford, the gas to get home.

So yes, gas prices are still high, but we could have it worse in a lot of ways. You could live in Atlanta....

Of TV news and honeybees

So, if you haven’t heard yet, Charlie Gibson and the ABC World News crew is filming the evening news Friday in Valdosta. He is taking a trip to several cities around the country as part of a news tour before the election, gauging the pulse of America politics.

I’ve been given the green light to tentatively have an interview time with him while he’s in town, and since it’s not often that Valdosta gets some national exposure, I wanted to ask readers what they would like for me to ask Mr. Gibson in the interview. What are you curious about? Is there anything in particular that you would like to know, either about him or about the news program? If there is, please email me this week and let me know, and I’ll be happy to ask your question for you.

And as if having the national media here isn’t enough excitement for one week, please don’t forget about the wonderful Hahira Honey Bee Festival this week. The events kick off Monday morning with a breakfast reception, and continue throughout the week with the pageants, the arts and crafts show, and of course, the big parade on Saturday. It’s always a great time for the family, and if you haven’t been before, it’s a treat. If you aren’t sure where Hahira is, just drive out N. Valdosta Road and take a right at the Smokin’ Pig!

Business Roundup

Busy week!

Okay, first, it sounds like Hardee’s simply just closed in Lake Park. One reader said a sign on their door said they were not renewing their Hardee’s franchise, and another reader called to say they had heard another restaurant was coming into that spot, naming a well known, semi-fast food chicken place in town. I made a few calls though, and the folks that own that chain didn’t seem to know anything about it, but just in case, I’ll keep on it.

I’ve mentioned before about the Holiday Inn Express on N. Ashley St. It’s gone now but there was a sign up Friday saying they are now called the Country Inn and Hearth.

On the plus side, though, lots of new business to talk about. The Azalea Animal Hospital is building a new location on Bemiss Road and will be moving in a couple of weeks.