We came together Friday morning at Jonas Lobe Cemetery to celebrate Georgia Arbor Day with a meaningful tree planting service.
Events like this help preserve the natural beauty that makes our city so special.
A special thank you to the Georgia Forestry Commission and our dedicated Parks Team for leading the effort and ensuring a successful day of planting and stewardship.
Together, we’re growing a greener future.
Courtesy update on Natural Gas prices:
January was one of the coldest periods on record nationwide. Colder temperatures increase gas usage, and supply disruptions have led to higher prices across the country. As shown in the graph, February saw a noticeable spike.
We expect prices to trend lower heading into March as conditions improve. We’ll continue to keep you updated.
January was one of the coldest periods on record nationwide. Colder temperatures increase gas usage, and supply disruptions have led to higher prices across the country. As shown in the graph, February saw a noticeable spike.
We expect prices to trend lower heading into March as conditions improve. We’ll continue to keep you updated.
At last night’s City Council meeting, a proclamation was presented by Councilperson Roslyn Palmer honoring Greta Zuccaro, an exchange student from Italy and current student at Bainbridge High School, for winning the GHSA Swimming 1-3A State Championship — the first ever state championship title for BHS!
Sylvia Washington and members of the City Council also presented Greta with a basket of Bainbridge goodies to remind her of her time here when she returns to Italy.
Congratulations again, Greta, on this incredible achievement!
Sylvia Washington and members of the City Council also presented Greta with a basket of Bainbridge goodies to remind her of her time here when she returns to Italy.
Congratulations again, Greta, on this incredible achievement!
⚠️ Caroline Street Update
Georgia Power struck a water main on Caroline Street. The City’s Water Department is on site and working diligently to repair the line.
We appreciate your understanding.
🚧 Road Closure Notice – Whigham Dairy Road 🚧
What:
Whigham Dairy Road is scheduled to close to non-local traffic later this month. The detour is part of a project to reconstruct and widen the county road and redesignate it as a state route. In addition to decreasing the volume of truck traffic downtown, the change is expected to help reduce the potential for crashes throughout the corridor.
Work began in November 2024, and the project is currently scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 2027. The construction contract is approximately $9.7 million.
Where:
Whigham Dairy Road between State Route 38 and SR 97 / SR 309 in Decatur County.
Non-local traffic should follow the posted detour signs.
When:
Scheduled February 23 through November 20, 2026, subject to change depending on weather or other unforeseen events.
Please plan accordingly and allow extra travel time. Thank you for your patience as these improvements are made!
What:
Whigham Dairy Road is scheduled to close to non-local traffic later this month. The detour is part of a project to reconstruct and widen the county road and redesignate it as a state route. In addition to decreasing the volume of truck traffic downtown, the change is expected to help reduce the potential for crashes throughout the corridor.
Work began in November 2024, and the project is currently scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 2027. The construction contract is approximately $9.7 million.
Where:
Whigham Dairy Road between State Route 38 and SR 97 / SR 309 in Decatur County.
Non-local traffic should follow the posted detour signs.
When:
Scheduled February 23 through November 20, 2026, subject to change depending on weather or other unforeseen events.
Please plan accordingly and allow extra travel time. Thank you for your patience as these improvements are made!
ICYMI:
City of Bainbridge Utility Billing Notice:
Please be advised that all billing services — including in-person and online payments — will be unavailable beginning at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 through Wednesday, March 11, 2026, as we update our billing software.
Services will resume on Thursday, March 12, 2026.
We appreciate your patience and understanding during this important system upgrade. If you have any questions, please contact our office during regular business hours.
City of Bainbridge Utility Billing Notice:
Please be advised that all billing services — including in-person and online payments — will be unavailable beginning at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 through Wednesday, March 11, 2026, as we update our billing software.
Services will resume on Thursday, March 12, 2026.
We appreciate your patience and understanding during this important system upgrade. If you have any questions, please contact our office during regular business hours.
The Power of Our Parks
From Chason Park to the Earle May Boat Basin Park, our parks system continues to be one of our community’s greatest assets.
In 2025 alone, our parks welcomed more than 212,000 visitors, including 56,000 unique visitors experiencing everything our waterfront and green spaces have to offer.
And on July 4th, more than 8,700 people visited the area in a single day, according to Place AI — a powerful reminder of how our parks bring people together for celebration, recreation, and connection.
Our parks aren’t just beautiful spaces — they drive tourism, support local businesses, and create gathering places for our community and visitors alike
From Chason Park to the Earle May Boat Basin Park, our parks system continues to be one of our community’s greatest assets.
In 2025 alone, our parks welcomed more than 212,000 visitors, including 56,000 unique visitors experiencing everything our waterfront and green spaces have to offer.
And on July 4th, more than 8,700 people visited the area in a single day, according to Place AI — a powerful reminder of how our parks bring people together for celebration, recreation, and connection.
Our parks aren’t just beautiful spaces — they drive tourism, support local businesses, and create gathering places for our community and visitors alike
City of Bainbridge Utility Billing Notice:
Please be advised that all billing services — including in-person and online payments — will be unavailable beginning at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 through Wednesday, March 11, 2026, as we update our billing software.
Services will resume on Thursday, March 12, 2026.
We appreciate your patience and understanding during this important system upgrade. If you have any questions, please contact our office during regular business hours.
Please be advised that all billing services — including in-person and online payments — will be unavailable beginning at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 through Wednesday, March 11, 2026, as we update our billing software.
Services will resume on Thursday, March 12, 2026.
We appreciate your patience and understanding during this important system upgrade. If you have any questions, please contact our office during regular business hours.
Did you know?
You can report a street light outage directly on Georgia Power’s website—no phone calls needed!
It’s fast, easy, and helps keep our streets safe and well-lit.
👉 Click here for more information and to report an outage:
https://www.georgiapower.com/about/grid-reliability/outage-information/report-street-light-outage.html
You can report a street light outage directly on Georgia Power’s website—no phone calls needed!
It’s fast, easy, and helps keep our streets safe and well-lit.
👉 Click here for more information and to report an outage:
https://www.georgiapower.com/about/grid-reliability/outage-information/report-street-light-outage.html
Building & Permitting Department
Had a VERY Busy 2025!
🏗️ 1,600+ Permits Issued
🏢 1,000+ Occupational Tax Certificates Issued
🔍 Nearly 1,600 Inspections Performed
2025 proved that growth in Bainbridge isn’t slowing down!
👉 Learn more about the Building & Permitting Department:
bainbridgecity.com/page/building-permits-applications
Had a VERY Busy 2025!
🏗️ 1,600+ Permits Issued
🏢 1,000+ Occupational Tax Certificates Issued
🔍 Nearly 1,600 Inspections Performed
2025 proved that growth in Bainbridge isn’t slowing down!
👉 Learn more about the Building & Permitting Department:
bainbridgecity.com/page/building-permits-applications
We’re excited to welcome 100+ professional disc golfers to town as they compete in the Reckoning on the River Disc Golf Tournament this weekend at the Bainbridge Oaks Disc Golf Course at the Boat Basin!
If you’re looking for some top-tier competition and beautiful riverfront views, head down and catch the action on any of the 18 holes throughout the course. Big arms, tight lines, and Oak City hospitality on full display.
Good luck to all the competitors—and enjoy Bainbridge! 🌊🥏
Mayor Sylvia Washington had the pleasure of taking part in the Advanced Manufacturing Pathways “The Races” event held at Southern Regional Technical College on January 29, 2026.
She was proud to witness firsthand the dedication, skill, and hard work of our local students as they competed. Events like this highlight the bright future of our workforce and the incredible talent in our community!
She was proud to witness firsthand the dedication, skill, and hard work of our local students as they competed. Events like this highlight the bright future of our workforce and the incredible talent in our community!
🚧 Traffic Alert 🚧
Martin Luther King Jr. Drive between Broad Street and Clark Street will be closed for the majority of this week.
Our crews will be in the area making stormwater improvements to help prevent flooding and improve drainage. Please plan alternate routes and use caution when traveling nearby.
Thank you for your patience as we work to improve our community!
Martin Luther King Jr. Drive between Broad Street and Clark Street will be closed for the majority of this week.
Our crews will be in the area making stormwater improvements to help prevent flooding and improve drainage. Please plan alternate routes and use caution when traveling nearby.
Thank you for your patience as we work to improve our community!
From the National Weather Service:
A strong arctic cold front will blast across the region on Saturday morning. Strong northwest winds behind the front will escort an uncommonly cold air mass into the region. Forecast wind gusts support spotty power outages. Small craft should remain in port.
Along and behind the front for a couple of hours, snow flurries may occur; travel impacts are not expected.
• There is a very low chance (5-15%) of accumulations exceeding 0.1" along and north of U.S. 82 in Georgia. No reasonable scenario carries more than 0.5" anywhere in our service area.
Winds will still be strong enough on Sunday morning to team up with bitterly cold temperatures for make the wind chill values even colder. Widespread single digit wind chills are forecast Sunday morning. If winds are even a few miles-per-hour stronger than forecast, then we would start to challenge sub-zero values.
Widespread temperatures in the 15-20 degree range on Sunday morning will pose a strong risk of damaging pipes and property. Monday morning will also see a hard freeze.
A strong arctic cold front will blast across the region on Saturday morning. Strong northwest winds behind the front will escort an uncommonly cold air mass into the region. Forecast wind gusts support spotty power outages. Small craft should remain in port.
Along and behind the front for a couple of hours, snow flurries may occur; travel impacts are not expected.
• There is a very low chance (5-15%) of accumulations exceeding 0.1" along and north of U.S. 82 in Georgia. No reasonable scenario carries more than 0.5" anywhere in our service area.
Winds will still be strong enough on Sunday morning to team up with bitterly cold temperatures for make the wind chill values even colder. Widespread single digit wind chills are forecast Sunday morning. If winds are even a few miles-per-hour stronger than forecast, then we would start to challenge sub-zero values.
Widespread temperatures in the 15-20 degree range on Sunday morning will pose a strong risk of damaging pipes and property. Monday morning will also see a hard freeze.
On Monday, Mayor Sylvia Washington had the honor of serving as Grand Marshal for the Martin Luther King Jr. Parade—celebrating Dr. King’s legacy, unity, and service to others.
Today, City Hall employees wore red to show our support for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and to help shine a light on the important work they do. CASA advocates give a voice to children navigating the foster care system, ensuring their needs are seen, heard, and prioritized.
We’re proud to stand with CASA and help raise awareness for the children and families they serve.
We’re proud to stand with CASA and help raise awareness for the children and families they serve.
Also at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting, three City Council members were officially sworn in to serve the City of Bainbridge:
🖊️ Councilperson Marquita Johnson was sworn in, marking the beginning of her first term in public office. Johnson is the CEO of JBCF Business Solutions, Inc.
🖊️ Councilperson Glennie Bench, who has served on the Bainbridge City Council since 2009, was sworn in to continue her service. She is the Chief Executive Officer of Southwest Georgia Oil and is married to Steve Bench. They have one grown son, Steven.
🖊️ Councilperson Keenan Adams began his second term on the City Council. He is employed as the Senior Operations Manager of Metro Power and is married to Aubrey Adams. Together, they have three sons.
We thank each of them for their commitment to serving the Bainbridge community.
Photo Credit: Leo Torres/ The Post Searchlight
🖊️ Councilperson Marquita Johnson was sworn in, marking the beginning of her first term in public office. Johnson is the CEO of JBCF Business Solutions, Inc.
🖊️ Councilperson Glennie Bench, who has served on the Bainbridge City Council since 2009, was sworn in to continue her service. She is the Chief Executive Officer of Southwest Georgia Oil and is married to Steve Bench. They have one grown son, Steven.
🖊️ Councilperson Keenan Adams began his second term on the City Council. He is employed as the Senior Operations Manager of Metro Power and is married to Aubrey Adams. Together, they have three sons.
We thank each of them for their commitment to serving the Bainbridge community.
Photo Credit: Leo Torres/ The Post Searchlight
Congratulations to Sylvia Washington on being sworn in as Mayor of Bainbridge — and making history as the first African American woman elected to lead our city!
Read more here: https://bit.ly/3PzyL8K
We’re excited for this new chapter of leadership and service!
Read more here: https://bit.ly/3PzyL8K
We’re excited for this new chapter of leadership and service!
Please join us in congratulating Jennifer Clary, our Employee of the Quarter! Jennifer has proudly served our community since 1981 and currently works as our Billing Coordinator.
Her dedication to the City of Bainbridge, her coworkers, and the citizens we serve is truly appreciated. Jennifer’s commitment and years of service make a lasting impact every day.
Thank you, Jennifer, for all that you do—and congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!
Her dedication to the City of Bainbridge, her coworkers, and the citizens we serve is truly appreciated. Jennifer’s commitment and years of service make a lasting impact every day.
Thank you, Jennifer, for all that you do—and congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!
Tonight’s City Council meeting will also serve as the Swearing-In Ceremony for Mayor-Elect Sylvia Washington, Councilperson-Elect Marquita Johnson, Councilperson Glennie Bench, and Councilperson Keenan Adams.
The meeting will be called to order at 6:30 PM.
For your convenience, the front doors marked Community and Economic Development will be unlocked, and staff will be available to direct attendees to the Council Chambers.
The meeting will be called to order at 6:30 PM.
For your convenience, the front doors marked Community and Economic Development will be unlocked, and staff will be available to direct attendees to the Council Chambers.
