WIREGRASS: Millions of Americans receiving Social Security benefits are getting a little more money each month, thanks to the annual cost-of-living adjustment, commonly known as COLA.
The Social Security Administration announced a 3.6% increase for 2027, and adding an average of about $75 a month to retirement benefits. The increase also applies to Social Security disability and survivor benefits, as well as Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
The amount of the increase depends on how much a person currently receives.
The adjustment is designed to help Social Security recipients keep up with rising costs for everyday necessities, including groceries, utilities, housing and other household expenses.
However, even with the increase, many retirees and people living on fixed incomes may find it difficult to stretch their monthly checks as prices continue to rise.
How is COLA determined?
The annual adjustment is based on inflation, using a government measure that tracks changes in the prices of goods and services. The goal is to help benefits maintain their purchasing power as the cost of living changes.
People who receive Social Security can check their benefit information through their personal my Social Security account at www.ssa.gov/myaccount.
For many families across the Wiregrass, every dollar matters. While the 2027 increase provides some additional income, budgeting carefully remains important as the cost of everyday living continues to affect household finances.
COFFEE COUNTY: Coffee County Emergency Management Agency is working to obtain a Federal Disaster Declaration, and reports from residents are an important part of assessing the storm’s impact on our community.
If your home was damaged, please take a few minutes to complete the Residential Damage Reporting Form linked below. The form allows you to report damage, provide photos and document your household’s current needs.
Submitting a report does not guarantee a Federal Disaster Declaration. However, the information you provide will help officials better assess the extent of damage throughout Coffee County and support the request for federal assistance.
Even if you are unsure whether your damage qualifies, please report it. Every report helps build a more complete picture of the storm’s impact.
Thank you for helping us document the damage and work toward recovery.
Sonya Wheeler Rich – Enterprise City Council District 1
Geneva: From the Geneva City Board of Education. School officials expressed excitement to welcome students and staff back to the school on Wednesday, October 14th, and said the schools will be open and operating on their regular schedules. Due to the recent school closures, the first 9 weeks report cards will be sent home this Thursday, instead of Wednesday as originally planned.
It’s Homecoming week at Geneva with a bonfire pep rally on Thursday night at 6:30 in the back student parking lot.
On Friday, early dismissal times for schools are, 11:15 AM for Mulkey Elementary School and 11:30 for Geneva Middle School and Geneva High School.
Homecoming parade lineup in downtown Geneva begins at 2:30 Friday afternoon with the parade at 3. Pre-game festivities will be at 6:40 PM, with the Homecoming game against Bullock County at 7 PM.
Geneva City Schools will hold their Fall break Next Monday through Wednesday, with students returning Thursday, October 22nd.
WIREGRASS : As harvest season gets underway across the Wiregrass, it’s a good time to remember just how much farmers do for our communities and why a little patience on rural roads can go a long way.
Farming is more than planting seeds and gathering crops. It’s a year-round commitment that takes hard work, long hours, careful planning and the ability to work with whatever Mother Nature brings. Farmers help put food on our tables, support the local economy and provide the agricultural products that families and businesses depend on every day.
And in rural communities like ours, farmers are often much more than the people working in the fields. They are neighbors, friends, volunteers, community supporters and families who help keep our small towns moving forward.
Fall is one of the busiest times of the year for many farmers. After months of preparation and hard work, it’s time to bring in the crops. Farmers may work early in the morning, late into the evening and sometimes through the night to get their harvest in before bad weather arrives.
This is also the time when drivers in rural areas may encounter tractors, combines, grain trucks and other farm equipment traveling on public roads.
Here’s an important reminder for everyone: Please be patient during harvest season. Farm equipment is often large, slow-moving and difficult to maneuver. Farmers may need to turn into fields, cross roadways or move equipment between farms. What may seem like a delay to a driver can be an important part of getting a crop safely harvested.
Give farm equipment plenty of room, slow down when approaching it, and never try to pass unless you have a clear view of the road and enough space to do so safely. Remember that farmers are working hard to bring in crops that help feed families and support our economy.
A few extra minutes on the road are worth it when safety is at stake.
When the fields become quieter, the work doesn’t stop. Winter is the time to maintain equipment, repair machinery, review the past season and prepare for the next planting cycle. They must also manage expenses, plan purchases and make decisions that can affect their families and businesses for months to come.
Farming is an important part of life in the Wiregrass. It supports local jobs, businesses, equipment dealers, suppliers, transportation companies and countless others whose livelihoods are connected to agriculture.
Farmers also contribute to the character of our rural communities. Many support local schools, churches, youth programs, community events and neighbors in need. Their work often goes far beyond the fields, even when the demands of the farm leave them with little free time.
Farming is not just a job; it is a promise to the future.
WIREGRASS — When the power goes out, most of us expect it to be an inconvenience that lasts a few hours. But after the recent hurricane and its effects on our area, many Wiregrass residents have discovered just how difficult life can become when the electricity stays off for days.
Without power, refrigerators and freezers stop keeping food cold, air conditioning shuts down, lights go dark, and everyday tasks suddenly become much harder. For families with young children, older adults, medical equipment, or special health needs, an extended outage can be more than uncomfortable — it can become a serious concern.
That’s why more people may be taking a closer look at whether a generator belongs on their list of household essentials.
A generator can make a big difference.
Depending on its size and capacity, a portable generator can provide power for essential items such as a refrigerator, a few lights, fans, phone chargers and certain small appliances. A properly sized standby generator can power more of a home and may turn on automatically when the electricity goes out.
For families living in the South, where hot weather can linger well into the fall and severe storms can threaten the power supply, having a backup plan can offer peace of mind when the lights go out.
But owning a generator also means knowing how to use it safely.
Generators produce carbon monoxide, a deadly gas that cannot be seen or smelled. They must always be operated outdoors, well away from doors, windows and vents. Never run one inside a home, garage, carport or other enclosed space, even with the doors open.
Portable generators should never be plugged directly into a household wall outlet. A properly installed transfer switch, handled by a qualified electrician, is needed to safely connect a generator to a home’s electrical system. Keep generators dry, follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and allow the unit to cool before refueling.
It’s also important to choose the right size generator for your needs and keep an adequate supply of the correct fuel stored safely.
Don’t wait until the next storm is headed our way.
After experiencing an extended power outage, many people understand that preparing ahead of time can make a tremendous difference. Whether you decide to purchase a generator, invest in a battery backup, or put together a plan for staying with family during an outage, thinking ahead is important.
The recent storm was a reminder that we often take electricity for granted — until we no longer have it.A little preparation now could make the next extended outage safer, more comfortable and much easier on your family
