News Stories about WWALS 2025.
For the rest see News.

• 2025-08-05: Malia Thomas, WTXL TV, August 5, 2025 (see also WWALS blog post), Valdosta sewage spill renews concern after second overflow hits creek in under a month: Another sewage spill near Sugar Creek sparks urgency as Valdosta faces decades-old infrastructure strain,

  VALDOSTA, GA. (WTXL) — Another sewer spill in Valdosta—this time small, but still stirring concern.

  
  Wainwright Drive sewage spill on WTXL TV 2025-08-05, into One Mile Branch, at site of many previous spills

  • Monday’s spill released up to 1,000 gallons into Sugar Creek [actually, into One Mile Branch, which flows to Sugar Creek, then the Withlacoochee River to the Suwannee -jsq], which connects to the Suwannee River system.
  • Since April 2024, over 409,000 gallons of raw sewage have spilled from the same Wainwright Dr. location.
  • Watch the video to hear from neighbors and the city’s plan of action.

  …

• 2025-07-31: Valdota Today, July 31, 2025, Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest deadline approaching,

  HAHIRA — The deadline to send in songs for the 2025 Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest is approaching.

  Release:

  See WWALS PR.

  

• 2025-07-16: Malia Thomas, WTXL TV, July 16, 2025, Valdosta sewage spill sent 6,750 gallons into Sugar Creek, raising concerns about river safety: The spill sparked new worries over water contamination and aging pipes

  
  Malia Thomas, WTXL TV, videoing Sugar Creek Bypass Pump, 2025:07:16 13:45:07, –jsq for WWALS 30.8514289, -83.3147487

  VALDOSTA, GA. (WTXL) — A sewage spill in Valdosta is once again raising red flags about the safety of our river systems.

  • A mechanical failure caused 6,750 gallons of untreated sewage to spill into Sugar Creek on July 13.
  • Environmental advocates say outdated infrastructure is a major contributor to recurring spills in the region.
  • Watch the video below to see which areas to avoid.

  …

  Environmental advocates say the problem goes deeper than one broken pump. Suwannee Riverkeeper John Quarterman says the issue is systemic.

  “They’re already doing a lot of the work they should be doing,” he said. “Their biggest problem other than that is inflow and infiltration.”

  While Quarterman praised the city’s quick response, he remains concerned.

  “I’m still wary about going near any contaminated waterways. The testing results that just got posted are a bit high for my liking.”

  …

• 2025-05-27: News Staff, Lake City Reporter, May 27, 2025, Grubb headlining River Revue (see WWALS PR),

  
  Lake City’s Rachel Grubb with her two prize plaques from last year’s WWALS River Revue. Grubb will headline this year’s event. (COURTESY KAREN CORBIN)

  HAHIRA, Ga. — Lake City’s Rachel Grubb will sing her haunting encore from last year, as well as the song she won with, as the headliner for the 2025 Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contes…

• 2025-05-23: Valdosta Today, May 23, 2025, Rachel Grubb to headline 2025 Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest (see WWALS PR),

  HAHIRA – Rachel Grubb will headline the 2025 Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest with a performance of the winning song.

• 2025-04-21: Stanley Dunlap, Georgia Recorder, April 21, 2025, Planned closure of federal center in Georgia triggers worries about ability to monitor water quality,

  …

  The potential ramifications of staff layoffs at the Norcross science center is also being watched closely by Suwannee Riverkeeper John Quarterman in south Georgia.

  He said his organization relies on the data to predict the risk of flooding in areas like the Skipper Bridge on the Withlacoochee River north of Valdosta.

  “It will be a problem for flood preparedness if (flood mapping) goes away, or if either of those gauges does,” Quarterman said.

  See also Flood Inundation Mapper (FIM) 2019-10-21.

  
  14.7feet

• 2025-04-08: Suwannee Riverkeeper on Welcome to Florida podcast by Craig Pittman 2025-04-08.

  Thanks to Craig Pittman for inviting me on his Welcome to Florida podcast, Episode 250: The Suwanee River.
  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1169570/episodes/16921299

  The Suwannee part starts 6:15.

  He spells it Suwanee with one n.

  Stephen C. Foster spelled it Swanee.

  We talked about the Suwannee, Santa Fe, Alapaha, Withlacoochee, New, New, Little, and Little Rivers. About sewage and cow manure, fertlizer nitrates leaching into springs and rivers causing algae blooms, the Hamilton County phosphate mine, and Titanium dioxide mines in north Florida at the top of the Santa Fe River Basin and in south Georgia too near the Okefenokee Swamp. About leaping Gulf sturgeon, Alligator snapping turtles, and beavers.

  And musicians, don’t forget to send in your song to the Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest, part of WWALS River Revue, September 6, 2025, at the Turner Center for the Arts in Valdosta, Georgia.
  https://wwals.net/?p=67322

  
  Suwannee Riverkeeper on Welcome to Florida podcast, by Craig Pittman, April 8, 2025

  Best selling author, award winning reporter and Florida native Craig Pittman is joined by radio personality and Florida transplant Chadd Scott to discuss the state’s history, people, politics, environment, animals, current events and weirdness. You’ll hear great storytelling and have great fun in each weekly episode.

  Show Notes

  ….

• 2025-04-03: Kaitlyn Serafin, WMNF, April 3, 2025, Florida State Park Love Fests aim to protect parks,

  Last year, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) proposed plans to build golf courses, pickleball courts, and hotels in nine Florida state parks.

  It was called ParkGate by some environmental advocates and became a bipartisan issue with politicians and citizens from both parties taking a stance against it. Even the state parks that did not face development feared they would be next, according to the Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®.

  …

• 2025-01-14: By Staff reports, Valdosta Daily Times, 11:32 am Friday, March 14, 2025, 6th Annual Mayor and Chairman’s Paddle rescheduled to March 22 (see also WWALS PR and Valdosta City PR),

  

  VALDOSTA — Due to high water conditions, the City of Valdosta and Lowndes County have rescheduled the 6th Annual Mayor and Chairman’s Paddle to Saturday, March 22. This free, collaborative event, which promotes clean waterways and outdoor activity, was originally planned for this Saturday and will now take place one week later at Troupville Boat Ramp. Paddlers will gather at Troupville Boat Ramp at 8 a.m., with the paddle beginning at 10 a.m. Participants can choose between two route options:….

• 2025-01-30: By Staff Reports, Valdosta Daily Times, January 30, 2025, 6th Annual Mayor and Chairman’s Paddle set for March 15 (see also WWALS PR and Valdosta City PR),

  VALDOSTA — The 6th Annual Mayor and Chairman’s Paddle — a collaborative event promoting clean waterways and outdoor activity — will take place March 15, beginning at Langdale Park Boat Ramp.

  Participants are encouraged to gather at the boat ramp at 8 a.m., with the paddle officially starting at 10 a.m. The event offers two options for paddlers: a two-hour trip to Berta’s Kitchen or Sugar Creek or a full four-hour journey ending at the Troupville Boat Ramp. Along the route, paddlers will travel under the Norfolk Southern Railroad Bridge, past the Wood Valley Subdivision, Sheri Run, and under the I-75 and GA 133 highway bridges.

  This annual event highlights the community’s commitment to environmental stewardship and the importance of maintaining clean and healthy waterways.

  “The Mayor and Chairman’s Paddle is a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together, enjoy Valdosta’s natural beauty, and recommit to protecting our waterways,” said Mayor Scott James Matheson. “We are grateful to our partners and sponsors who help make this event a success.”

  Participants should keep in mind to bring along the usual essentials, including a personal flotation device, boat, paddles, food, drinking water, warm clothes, and a first aid kit. Additionally, to support the event’s focus on clean waterways, bringing trash pickers and trash bags is highly encouraged.

  “The yearly paddle event offers residents a special chance to connect, discover the natural beauty of Lowndes County, and enjoy the tranquility of our waterways,” said Bill Slaughter, chairman of the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners. “We invite people of all ages to join us for a delightful morning.”

  The event is free for all participants and is made possible through the collaborative efforts of the City of Valdosta, Lowndes County and the WWALS Watershed Coalition as Suwannee Riverkeeper, and Georgia Power.

  The City and County expressed thanks to Georgia Power for their sponsorship and support of this year’s paddle.

• 2025-01-30: Valdosta Today, January 30, 2025, Mayor, Chairman’s Paddle to promote clean waterways, outdoor activities (see also WWALS PR and Valdosta City PR),

  VALDOSTA – The City of Valdosta and Lowndes County is collaborating to promote clean waterways with the Mayor and Chairman’s Paddle.