July 8 (5 p.m.) Update-- Vidalia police have released the name of a woman whose body was found Monday morning in the city pool on Bay Street.

Police Chief Frank Waits says the body of 30-year Kaywanna Jeannita Wells  was found by city Recreation Department Director Tommie Sasser when he came to open the pool for swim team practice.  She had been reported missing by her family Saturday night.  According to Chief Waits, the woman is from Fitzgerald but had been staying with a family member on Madison Street in Vidalia the past few days.

Chief Waits says the case is being investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation because the death occurred on city property and the dead woman's sister is employed by the police department as a dispatcher.

The chief also says police don't believe a pair of shoes found outside the pool fence belonged to the woman.

Toombs County EMA Director Lynn Moore reports she was wearing a pair of jeans and a halter top when he pulled her from the pool.   Her body was taken to Savannah for an autopsy at the GBI Crime Lab, according to Toombs County Coroner Ron Hall.

The city pool is being drained and will reopen for business Monday, July 15, according to Sasser.

July 8 (11 a.m.) Update--  Rescue officials say the body found Monday morning in the City of Vidalia's Bay Street pool is that of a black female estimated to be about 30 years of age.

Toombs County EMA Director Lynn Moore says she was wearing blue jeans and a halter top.  Her shoes were found by a tree outside the pool fence.  He estimated she had been in the water for about 12 hours.

Toombs County Coroner Ron Hall says her body has been taken to the GBI Crime Lab in Savannah for an autopsy.

Police have yet to release her identity.

July 8--  A body has been found in the Vidalia Recreation Department public swimming pool on Bay Street.

{mosimage}Vidalia Police Lieutenant Jimmy Sims could not release any details about the body nor the cirmstances of the discovery other than to say the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been notified.

Vidalia Recreation Department Director Tommie Sasser was at the scene but could make no comment.

April 23--The first ever Golden Onion Chef competition Sunday at the Vidalia Community Center included 12 professional chefs from around the state of Georgia vying for the Golden Onion trophy as well as the cash prize of $500 and of course, bragging rights for the upcoming year.

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(L-R) Yumion, Emcee Sonny Dixon, winning chef Hillary White, Vidalia Mayor Ronnie Dixon and event organzizer Ingrid Varn, Executive Director of the Vidalia Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.  

The winner of this year’s inaugural event was Chef Hillary White of The HIL Restaurant in Chattahoochee Hills, GA with the winning dish of Caramelized Vidalia Onion Fritter.  Finishing in 2^nd place was Chef Justin Keith of Food 101 in Sandy Springs, GA with the dish of Vidalia Onion & Smoked Bacon Au Gratin.  In 3^rd was Chef Austin Rocconi of Le Vigne Restaurant in Dahlonega, GA with Pan roasted Rabbit loin with burnt onion stock, Vidalia onion soubise foam, and celeriac succotash. 

Ingrid Varn, Executive Director of the Vidalia Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is pleased with the first year event and wants to get the public more involved next year by possibly adding a people’s choice award.