Newsbreak

If Dr. Suess were to look ahead to this weekend’s weather, he might write, “Will it rain or will it snow? Of this, we do not know!”

Area residents are looking ahead to this weekend’s weather and wondering if our area will see any wintery precipitation. While forecasts consistently change, Toombs County Emergency Management Agency Director Lynn Moore said the latest update as of Wednesday afternoon from the Georgia Emergency Management Agency shows rain down Interstate -16 late Friday night with possible light snow flurries.

“Keep in mind,” Moore said, “both the National Weather Service and GEMA say there is great uncertainty in the forecast. But if there is rain Friday night and temperatures dip into the 30’s, I wouldn’t be surprised to see some icing in the area and as the forecasters say, possibly light snow.”

Moore said that even if our area doesn’t see snow, there’s still a need to prepare for winter weather.

“My advice is to stay home and bunker down,” he said. “If you’re planning on being out Friday afternoon or night, do what you need to do early and get home. Also, keep your ears to the radio and television and your eyes to the outdoors for weather changes.”

Finally, the EMA Director said there could be possible power outages, and with advanced technology, local electrical power providers would be aware of that situation, and while it may be uncomfortable, a loss of power doesn’t constitute an emergency unless someone is on medical devices that require it.

“If anyone does find themselves in such an emergency, they should call 9-1-1 and the appropriate agency will respond to them as soon as possible,” he concluded.

Details: Written by Kathy Hilt; Category: Newsbreak; Published: 19 January 2022; Hits: 135

Silicon Ranch, an independent solar power producer announced last week that it will be bringing additional solar energy online in Georgia with three new sites to produce the energy from the sun with two of those sites in the immediate area.

What has been called Snipesville III, will be located in Jeff Davis County, and construction is expected to begin last this year and be operational and online by mid-2023.

The other local solar site will be Ailey. Construction is expected to begin in 2024 and be online within that same year.

Commissioners in Montgomery County say they realize the economic impact it will have on the county, and County Manager Brandon Braddy released the following statement about the project in Ailey:

[Quote]: The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners is excited about Silicon Ranch’s decision to construct one of the solar power facilities in Montgomery County. Their investment will provide economic and educational rewards for Montgomery County while providing clean energy. The Commissioners and I applaud their management practices as well. The agricultural and environmental aspects of this project really go to show you that this company has a lot of credibility. We certainly welcome Silicon Ranch to our community.” [End Quote}

Silicon Ranch works in cooperation with Green Power EMC and other Georgia electrical cooperatives and has invested more than $1 billion across the state of Georgia. In addition, the company has employed more than 1,000 Georgians to construct solar facilities and anticipates hiring 1,000 more through projects in the state including the three pending projects in Jeff Davis, Lee, and Montgomery counties. And once these projects are operational, they will generate revenues in the form of taxes to support local economies, governments, and school systems.

Details: Written by Kathy Hilt; Category: Newsbreak; Published: 19 January 2022; Hits: 774

Now that Joshua Sanders has been arrested in Flagstaff, Arizona, for the double homicide in Vidalia of Latorey and Pamela Harden on Thursday, January 6, the process has begun to have him brought back to Toombs County to answer to the multiple charges for which he is facing.

Middle Judicial Circuit District Attorney Tripp Fitzner said there are two scenarios which could play out in how the process will be. First, Sanders could waive extradition, meaning all he would have to do is say he is willing to come back to Georgia without any problems. If that happens, local law enforcement will coordinate with authorities in Coconino County Arizona where Sanders is currently being detained for a transfer.

However, if Sanders does not agree to come back, the process is a little more time consuming. In that instance, District Attorney Fitzner and his office will prepare paperwork that will be sent to Governor Brian Kemp’s Office. The Governor will authorize a warrant for Sanders and that will be sent to Arizona Governor Doug Ducey who will be tasked with issuing the order to have the suspect returned to Georgia.

District Attorney Fitzner said that process would take several weeks to come to fruition, and currently which option Sanders will take has not been determined. However, in order to speed up the process of bringing the double murder suspect back to Toombs County, the local District Attorney’s Office has already started preparing the paperwork for the Governors should it be necessary to move the extradition forward.

Sanders, who has a residency in Birmingham, AL, was arrested by U.S Marshals in Flagstaff on Wednesday, January 12. He is charged with two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of felony murder, two counts of possession of a firearm during certain crimes, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Details: Written by Kathy Hilt; Category: Newsbreak; Published: 18 January 2022; Hits: 1484

Vidalia Police Department reports the following arrests.

Harper, Johnnie R. - Tarrytown - DUI/DUI child endangerment/Hit and run

Reyna, Qsiris Edel – Lyons – No driver’s license

Cervantes, Veronica Rivera – Vidalia – No driver’s license/child restraint/driving due care hands free

Toombs County Sheriff’s Office reports the following arrests.

Burke, Lydia – Reidsville – Simple battery FVA

Corouthers, Lillian – Vidalia – Battery- Family violence 1^st offense

McDaniel, Tracy – Forsyth – Parole violation

Spivey, Matthew – Jesup – Probation violation-felony, failure to appear-misdemeanor

West, Jennifer – Mount Vernon – Felony arrest warrant, SCHII controlled substance-purchase, possession, manf, distribution, sale

Lyons Police Department reports the following arrests.

Jennings, Angela Yvette – Lyons – No insurance 1^st, operating a vehicle while registration is suspended

Fountain, Wesley Ryan – Louisville – Possession of mariuana less than ounce, possession of drug related objects

Anthony, Lavertes Donnel – Lyons – Criminal trespass

Montgomery County Sheriff ‘s Office reports the following arrests.

01/10-Channing Christopher Chapman, Dallas, Ga., Theft by Taking, Bench Warrant

01/11-Michael Anthony Johnson, Jr., Uvalda, Warrant Service – Warren County, Missouri

01/13-Robert Austin Carver, Twin City, Felony Probation Violation

01/13-Katie Marie Thigpen, Mount Vernon, Criminal Trespass

01/14-Charles Stephen Roundtree, Mount Vernon, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute

Details: Written by Jeff Raiford; Category: Newsbreak; Published: 18 January 2022; Hits: 1393

TCMS December SOTM

Toombs County Middle School announces the December Students of the Month. Students of the Month are selected based on grades, attendance, and behavior. Congratulations to:

Back row: Christian Jordan, Osvaldo Tinoco, Antonio Garcia, and Juan Alvarado. Middle row:Alina Diaz -Balcazar, Jayla Curry, Layasia Johnson, Denya Sophia Ramirez- Leon. Front row: Katie Eduardo, Isaiah Pruitt, and Destiney Foreman. Not pictured: Jason Crosby and Trevor Roundtree.