Newsbreak

Garrett and Blythe

Garrett Wilcox, 2025 Man of the Year, and his wife Blythe

Rizza

Rizza O'Connor, 2025 Lady of the Year, and Pam Langston, 2024 Lady of the Year

The 77^th Vidalia Man of the Year and Lady of the Year were announced Thursday night at an event hosted by the Vidalia Lions Club, the Vidalia Rotary Club and the Vidalia Kiwanis Club. Ironically, neither of this year’s recipients are native to the city but both say they are proud to now call it home.

Garrett Wilcox, this year’s Man of the Year, epitomizes the criteria of the honor to a “T”, according to Richard Martin who made the presentation and was also the Man of the Year in 2000.

“It’s just an honor to even be mentioned with the other men from the past,” Wilcox said. “There’s a lot of prior Men of the Year who have been givers and not takers, and it’s an honor that I have been counted among them as a contributor.”

Pam Langston, the 2024 Vidalia Lady of the Year introduced Rizza O’Connor as this year’s recipient. Langston said that O’Connor chose Vidalia and Vidalia is better because she did.

The 2025 Lady of the Year is a first-generation Filipino American whose mother came to the United States and eventually settled in Savannah where she met her husband. It was also the city where Rizza was born.

“My mother came here because she wanted to provide a better life for her family,” O’Connor said. “My parents scraped every penny they had to send me to a private school, but throughout my life, I’ve seen God’s hands and God’s purpose and through it all, being in Vidalia is one of the best blessings in my life.”

Rizza attended Mercer University, earning a law degree and serving as the President of the Student Bar Association. It was also where she met her husband, Daniel O’Connor who practices law in Vidalia. The couple now have two young children, Judson and Evie.

Rizza has been recognized as the first Filipino- American judge in Georgia, and the youngest Asian American to serve as a judge.

In the community, she is active in various civic and historical committees, church functions, youth sports, and the arts.

“I’ve had so many opportunities in America that would not have been possible in the Philippines," she said, "and I’ll be eternally grateful to so many people in Vidalia who have believed in me. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else!”

Details: Written by Kathy Hilt; Category: Newsbreak; Published: 06 March 2026; Hits: 972

THE FOLLOWING IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE TWIGGS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE:

Twiggs County, GA — On March 6, 2026, at approximately 2:00 a.m., a patrol deputy with the Twiggs County Sheriff’s Office observed a vehicle parked at a closed gas station located off Sgoda Road. After running the vehicle’s tag through dispatch, the deputy determined the vehicle did not have valid insurance and initiated a traffic stop on the eastbound Interstate 16 ramp near the 12-mile marker.

The driver initially stopped but then fled the scene at a high rate of speed. Additional Twiggs County patrol deputies and members of the Criminal Suppression Unit (CSU) quickly responded and assisted in the pursuit as it entered Interstate 16. During the pursuit, speeds reached approximately 130 miles per hour.

The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office joined the pursuit and attempted to deploy spike strips as the suspect vehicle entered Laurens County; however, the suspect avoided the spikes and continued to flee. Deputies attempted to perform a PIT maneuver to safely end the pursuit. During the attempt, the suspect fired multiple rounds at deputies’ vehicles before regaining control of the vehicle and continuing eastbound on Interstate 16.

The pursuit continued into Treutlen County, where the suspect ultimately lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle overturned, bringing the pursuit to an end. The driver was taken into custody at the scene and transported for medical treatment with life-threatening injuries. The passenger of the vehicle was pronounced deceased at the scene.

This incident remains an active and ongoing investigation. Multiple agencies are currently assisting, and deputies remain on scene as the investigation continues.

The Twiggs County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office, Treutlen County Sheriff’s Office, the Georgia State Patrol, and all assisting agencies for their support and cooperation during this dangerous incident.

Further updates will be provided as additional information becomes available.

Details: Written by Kathy Hilt; Category: Newsbreak; Published: 06 March 2026; Hits: 1107

Immediately after Hurricane Helene ravished the area in late September 2024, an action group was formed with representatives from Toombs County and the cities of Vidalia and Lyons to help those affected by the storm. The group adopted the name Toombs Strong, and the efforts of the group have proven successful, but now that progress is at risk.

Even responders from outside the confinements of the damaged area came to render aid including three groups of Mennonite volunteer construction crews who are currently working in Toombs County repairing roofs and stabilizing homes for families who are under insured or uninsured, many who are elderly residents or who have children in the home.

Lyons City Manager Jason Hall said that $50,000 is needed in the next two weeks to keep crews here through the end of the month but without the funds, the work will unfortunately have to cease and there are more than 50 homes still in dire need of attention.

Ashley Garner of Gardens of Hope, a Red Cross disaster mitigation partner, is coordinating project management for the recovery effort and while the labor is donated, materials must still be covered.

Donations to Toombs Strong are being overseen by Patricia Dixon, longtime Executive Director of the United Way of Toombs, Montgomery, and Wheeler Counites, and all funds donated on behalf of Toombs County will be used strictly for work within the county.

Donations are tax deductible and you can donate through the Toombs Strong Fund website at toombsstrong.com, and by contacting the United Way at 912-537-2776.

Hall concluded by saying, “This community has already shown incredible generosity. We are asking for one more push - $50,000 in two weeks – to keep hope alive for families who are still waiting for their homes to be safe again.”

Details: Written by Kathy Hilt; Category: Newsbreak; Published: 05 March 2026; Hits: 1029

Brewton-Parker Christian University (BPCU) has announced the purchase of an adjacent property located at 818 West College Street in Ailey, adding 18.44 acres to the university’s campus footprint and increasing its frontage along U.S. Highway 280 by more than 900 feet.

The property recently became available for purchase, and the university recognized the opportunity to secure the land at a time that aligns well with BPCU’s continued growth and long-term vision.

“At Brewton-Parker Christian University, we seek to be thoughtful stewards of opportunities that support the future of the institution,” said Dr. Steven Echols, President of BPCU. “The addition of this property provides great potential for the continued growth of BPCU. As we seek to fulfill our mission of seeing the lives of our students transformed academically and spiritually for the glory of God, we are mindful that we also desire to serve our local communities and the surrounding region. We believe this addition will be a valuable asset in achieving these goals.”

At this time, no short-term or long-term development plans have been finalized for the property. The university’s immediate focus will be on general clean-up to ensure the area reflects the care and stewardship that define the BPCU campus environment.

BPCU remains committed to equipping students for lifelong learning and service through biblically-centered education. The purchase of this neighboring property represents another step in positioning the university for future opportunities that support its mission and continued impact.

Details: Written by Kathy Hilt; Category: Newsbreak; Published: 06 March 2026; Hits: 707

Vidalia Police Department reports the following arrests:

No reports provided.

Toombs County Sheriff’s Office reports the following arrests:

Brown, Daniel – Lakeland, GA – No Insurance; Removing or Affixing License Plate for Purpose of Concealing Identity of Vehicle; DUI/Drugs/Less Safe; Robbery; Aggravated Assault of a Peace Officer; Methamphetamine: Purchase, Possession, Manufacturing, Distribution, Sale.

Coleman, Charles – Vidalia – Probation Violation (Felony).

Farmer, Brenton – Dublin – Possession of Firearms by Convicted Felons and FOProbationers; Possession of Handgun by Person Under the Age of 18 Year (Felony); Discharge of Firearms On or Near Public Highway; Conspiracy to Commit Crime; Aggravated Assault.

Griffin, Thomas – Vidalia – Obedience Required Traffic Control Devices: Use of Traffic-Control Signal Monitoring Devices; Failure to Maintain Lane; Possession of Marijuana; Driving While License Suspended or Revoked; Hit and Run; Fleeing or Attempting to Elude A Police Officer.

Lightsey, Willard – Baxley – Failure to Maintain Lane; DUI/Alcohol/Less Safe.

Loredo, James – Armed Robbery.

McClellan, Taylor – Statesboro – DUI/Alcohol/Less Safe.

McCray, Brian – Vidalia – Previous Case (CPO or Detainer – Felony).

Mosley, Shannon – Vidalia – Out of County Hold For Laurens County Sheriff’s Office.

Smith, Jeremy – Baxley – Failure to Appear (Misdemeanor).

Tootle, Terry – Reidsville – Probation Violation (Felony).

The Lyons Police Department reports the following arrests:

Causey, Tyler Weston – Hazlehurst – No Insurance; Operating A Vehicle While Registration is Suspended.

Carter, Austin Bartow – Lyons – Simple Battery.

Almanza-Garcia, Juan Manuel – Warrant Service.

Silva, Jose Antonio – Lyons – Driving While Unlicensed; DUI/Less Safe/Alcohol; Open Container; Defective Equipment: No Horn, Headlights, or Tail Lights.

Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports the following arrest:

Daniels, Quanayshia Kewanna – Vidalia – Cruelty to Children in the 1^st Degree.

Taylor, Micah Mitchell – Ailey – Possession of a Pistol or Revolver Under 18; Carrying A Weapon in School Safety Zones; Contributing to Delinquency of a Minor.

Wideman, Christian Antonio – Vidalia – DUI/Drugs/Less Safe; Possession of Marijuana; Possession of A Pistol or Revolver Under 18.

Candler County Sheriff’s Office reports the following arrests:

Perales, Almaguer – Gallatin, TN – Expiration and Renewal of License; Reexamination Required.

Harrison, Asia – Reidsville – Driving While License Revoked, Suspended.

Rich, Cornelius Devar – Statesboro – Probation Violation (Misdemeanor).

Morris, William – Locust Grove, GA – Hold for Court Appearance.

Phillips, Melissa Jane – Wrens – Simple Battery.

Williams, Johnathn Ryan – Metter – Aggravated Assault; Aggravated Battery; Cruelty to Children in the Third Degree; Possession of Controlled Substance; Possession of Drug-Related Objects.

Cooper, Tarkeshia Monte – Twin City – Aggravated Assault.

Lanier, Keith – Metter – Probation Violation (Felony).

Carter, Eric A. – St. Simons, GA – Sentenced From Court.

Wilson, George Earl – Millen – Probation Violation (Felony).