Newsbreak

Back to School revised

Details: Written by Kathy Hilt; Category: Newsbreak; Published: 05 July 2022; Hits: 7

The Vidalia City School System announces the following Open House Dates:

VHS – August 4th (Thursday) - Grades 10-12 from 2-4 PM, pick up schedules from the lobby in front of the Theater

9th Grade Orientation beginning at 6:00 PM in the Theater

J.R. Trippe – August 2^nd (Tuesday) 5:00-6:30 P.M. (Drop In)

S.D. Meadows – August 4^th (Thursday) 11:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.

J.D. Dickerson – Pre K – August 2^nd (Tuesday) 5:30-6:30 P.M.

Kindergarten – August 3^rd (Wednesday) 5:30-6:30 P.M.

1^st Grade – August 4^th (Thursday) 5:30-6:30 P.M.

Details: Written by Kathy Hilt; Category: Newsbreak; Published: 05 July 2022; Hits: 101

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has once again extended Georgia’s gas tax suspension as well as renewed the State of Emergency for Supply chain Disruptions.

Friday morning, Gov. Kemp announced that he had signed an executive order that taxes paid on gas and diesel would further be suspended until August 13.

In Georgia, the state tax per gallon of gas is 29 cents. Federal fuel tax is another 18 cents. GasBuddy reported Friday morning that the average price of a gallon of gas in the Peach State is around $4.41.

Details: Written by Kathy Hilt; Category: Newsbreak; Published: 01 July 2022; Hits: 367

Animal overpopulation is a problem everywhere including in Vidalia. Animal rescues for dogs and cats are filled with pets who are looking for good homes. April Braddy is over the Vidalia Animal Shelter and while she and her staff do all they can to save lives, there’s only so much they can do.

“We used to adopt up to 60 dogs a month; now we’re lucky is we do 2 or 3,” Braddy said. “Our adoption have fallen way off. We have a lot of lab mixes and bulldog mixes, and some of them have been tagged to go to Brooklyn and Baddass Animal Rescue, but we don’t know when they will get them because they simply don’t have room for them.

Braddy said that people who mean well often try to bring pets to the animal control facility, but there’s something you should know about that.

“My suggestion is if you see a stray, call us,” she said. “If you put that dog in your vehicle and you don’t live in the city limits of Vidalia we can’t take it. If you take that animal, it becomes your responsibility.”

The Vidalia Animal Control is under the umbrella of the City of Vidalia Police Department.

Remember: It’s always better to adopt than to shop. If you’re looking for a new best friend, contact the Vidalia Animal Shelter at 912-537-8866, the Sweet Onion Animal Protection Society at sweetonionaps.org; Sweet Onion Kitten Club on Facebook or go to petfinder.com

Details: Written by Kathy Hilt; Category: Newsbreak; Published: 05 July 2022; Hits: 377

Fireworks Safety

We Americans deservedly have the right to celebrate our independence this Monday by having a good time, and for more, that will include watching those “bombs bursting in air” with a display of fireworks.

But before you ignite the fuses yourself, Vidalia Fire Chief Brian Sikes has some words of caution and safety.

“Make sure that the fireworks are age appropriate,” Chief Sikes, said. “Also, read all the instructions on the packaging. We also recommend that you wear gloves and even though it may be over the top, even fire protections to keep from getting burned.”

Chief Sikes also cautions those who choose to do their fireworks at home to make sure that they have a perimeter that allows them to shoot fireworks away from crowds and vegetation where embers or sparks could ignite and start brush fires.

Chief Sikes also notes that before you just jump in and begin shooting off fireworks, you should be considerate of two things:

“Please be considerate of your and neighborhood pets,” he said. “Pets are sensitive to loud noises. Also, we ask that you be mindful of veterans. For some veterans, loud noises affect their PTSD; that’s just a fact.”

But there’s one way you can be sure to enjoy your 4^th of July holiday.

“Our recommendation to ensure people’s safety this 4^th of July is to go to a public fireworks display,” Chief Sikes concluded.

The Vidalia Independence Day celebration begins at 6:00 p.m. Monday evening in the Ronnie A. Dixon City Park behind City Hall. There will be music by 7 Bridges, hailed as “The Ultimate Eagles Experience Band.” There will also be food and fun for the entire family with fireworks beginning at dark.