Written by Hunter Terrell, Opinions Editor Valdosta’s Mainstreet Program directors Misty Smith and Ellen Hill are looking for ways to increase VSU student’s involvement with downtown Valdosta. “Ultimately we want to bridge the gap between Mainstreet and the VSU student body,” said Smith. “What most students don’t see is all the things downtown has to offer,” said Sharlie Keaton, senior, ...

Written by Geneva Crooks, Staff Writer Social networks can be a pretty scary place when a bunch of “fake news” is going on. Fake news took the internet by storm during the 2016 election. Using eye-catching titles, such as “Donald Trump says the earth is flat,” and “Germany folds to Shariah Law, approves child marriages,” fake news has the ability ...

Valentine’s Day, or the holiday’s full title, Saint Valentine’s Day, is a time dedicated to lovers. But, why are hearts, flowers and everything romance associated with a Christian saint? The details on Valentine’s Day’s origins are murky, but History.com dates it back to the ancient Romans and the Catholic Church. During the third century in Rome, Emperor Claudius II outlawed ...

Written by Shanice Barnes, Staff Writer Last year was an extremely unforgettable year for the Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurant food chain, and not in a good way. I’m sure many of you heard of the E. Coli outbreak that occurred in late 2015, which caused their sales to plummet in 2016. Chipotle was once one of the top selling fast ...

Written by Erin Turner, Staff Writer If you have a yearning for Moe’s or Chipotle, Burritos Mexican Grill is a pretty good replacement. It’s located on Northside Drive by Cross Pointe Church. The restaurant gives you a laid-back feel with a touch of true Mexico. Prior to the visit, I heard mixed reviews about the Mexican grill, so I was ...

Written by Geneva Crooks, Staff Writer On Jan. 21, 4.8 million people made history by protesting in the Women’s March. The Women’s March was an organized march to protect women’s rights, the LGBTQ community, workers’ rights, immigration reform, freedom of religion, healthcare reform, the natural environment, racial equality and a great deal of other human rights. The protest started as ...

This Sunday might be one of the most anticipated annual sporting events in the nation, especially for Georgia-natives. Falcon fans and Patriot fans alike will come together to watch the SuperBowl 50, meaning the celebratory drinks will be passed just as many times as the ball. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2015 10,265 people were killed in ...

Last weekend Georgia was hit by an enormous storm system that produced dozens of tornadoes, leaving destruction in its path. The storm claimed 15 lives in Georgia and left more homeless, according to Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency. Though the storm has passed, the devastation remains. According to The Weather Channel, authorities hope that the current death toll ...

Written by Jada Dukes, Staff Writer New Balance Athletic Inc. experienced major backlash for endorsing Donald Trump. Immediately after Donald Trump was announced as President-elect, the Vice President of Public affairs for New Balance, Matt LeBretton,  made a statement on behalf of the corporation that was seen as a full on endorsement by its customers. “With President-elect Trump we feel things ...

The reasons to go college are simple: to obtain a degree and to set up a better future. College is designed to give students the skills, tools and knowledge to be successful. The problem is that even with a degree, a job or career is not guaranteed. Most graduates struggle with the same dilemma. It’s obtaining a job either before ...