It was a deadly Thanksgiving holiday weekend on Georgia roadways according to the Georgia Department of Public Safety. From 6:00 Wednesday night through Sunday night at 11:59, Georgia State Troopers and other law enforcement agencies reported 23 fatalities on Georgia roads including one in Toombs County that claimed the life of Kathy Clark of the Marvin Community.
In addition to the fatal crashes, Troopers investigated over 560 crashes that were nonfatal resulting in around 250 injuries. Over 18,000 traffic stops were initiated, and more than 350 individuals were arrested for driving under the influence. Another 800 citations were issued for seatbelt violations, and another 500 for distracted driving. In all, the Georgia Department of Public Safety reports that there were more than 11,000 warnings given to drivers in Georgia and 10,000 citations were written.
These numbers are preliminary and could change as additional reports are obtained by the state agency from local law enforcement departments.
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For the 6th year, Vidalia City Schools has presented $50,000 of needs-based scholarships to five J.R. Trippe 8th graders. In a recent ceremony held at Vidalia High School, Zakyria Williams, Eion Ryals, Charlotte Powell, Lauren Hardnett, and Madisyn Corbett received $10,000 in REACH Scholarships to gain financial support upon graduation.
"These scholarships provide financial support for these students when they graduate. But, it's just not financial support; they also provide academic, emotional, and social support as they move through High School," said J.R. Trippe Principal Eric McDonald.
The program began in Georgia in 2012 and has had nearly 4300 students participate and has committed over 36 million in scholarships to students in 180 systems.
One of the recipients is Madisyn Corbett, whose mother, Tonya Glasper, attended Vidalia High School said that she is not only excited about the scholarship but also that Madisyn will follow in her footsteps at VHS, "I feel like the person I am today is because of the staff and a lot of the people that I got to be around within the Vidalia City School System."
Glasper said that this shows Madisyn is concerned about her future and is working hard to make it happen. "I am very excited to know that she is already thinking about her future, and she's already set goals for herself, and she knows the standards that she needs to keep."
Financially, Glasper says that the $10,000 will free her daughter up when deciding upon which college she wants to attend upon graduation, "this frees her up knowing this is one less thing she will have to think about when she chooses a college to attend and one less amount that we will have to pay"
Trippe Assistant Principal Lee McCloud, who has taken over the reins of the REACH Program, said the future of these students is a bright one, "their future is bright. They received this award based on their performance in middle school, but they will only remain eligible if they continue to perform at a high level."
McCloud went on to say that the process of becoming a scholarship recipient was long and, at times, difficult. "These students have, demonstrated not only a financial need which is in compliance with the state for the scholarship. But then we go into their academics; They have to have a certain grade point average. Then, their attendance has to be at a certain level. And then their behavior is also a factor. And then they have to go through an interview process. And that interview process is done by not only educators but also by community leaders."
McCloud says that is what separated these five candidates from the field, "I would say what separated these five candidates from the rest was the interview process. They did a remarkable job!"
McCloud thanked the Community Leaders, which included Mayor Doug Roper, Rev. Luther Wardlaw, Natasha Farmer, Downtown Valley Association Director Tonya Parker, and Jarrell Craig. "I can't say enough good things about these leaders in our community. They jumped right on this project and really made the students feel comfortable. You know, for most of those students, that was their first time ever in an interview process. We will be forever grateful for the support of our community."
To be eligible for the REACH Georgia Program, a student must complete an application and an interview process from a panel in Vidalia that has no ties to the student. Other requirements include
1) Currently a rising 8th grader at an eligible Georgia school in a participating district
2) Demonstrate and provide proof of financial need
3) Have proven legal status in the United States (U.S. Citizen or legal resident)
4) Have good attendance and behavior
5) Have grade reports reflecting at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average in core courses
6) Have a crime and drug-free record
7) Have demonstrated the support of a parent, legal guardian, or another caring adult Each student will have a mentor who will help guide them through their high school journey to ensure they stay on track.
Each student will have a mentor who will help guide them through their high school journey to ensure they stay on track.
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(Photo from Emanuel County Sheriff's Office Facebook page)
On Wednesday morning of last week, the Emanuel County Sheriff’s Office responded to a small rural convenience store in the southern part of the county, but that store has a Lyons address. According to the office, a person entered the 5 Points Store with the intent of burglarizing it. Deputy vehicles cordoned off the parking lot of the store Wednesday morning. A suspect, a black male, was captured on in-store video in what looks like the kitchen area. He was wearing a head covering and an unusual looking coat.
If you have information on the suspect, email the Emanuel County Sheriff’s Office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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Vidalia Police Department reports the following arrests.
Bethel, Monica - Vidalia - Financial transaction card fraud
Taylor, Johnny Alton - Lyons - Entering auto/simple obstruction
Knowles, Princess - Vidalia - Theft by shoplifting
Pope, James – Vidalia – Criminal trespass
Stewart, Cassandra – Vidalia – Warrant served (Toombs Co. Bench Warrant)
Phillips, Nicolas – Vidalia – Forceful obstruction/shoplifting
Aguilar, Abraham – Portal – No driver’s license/speeding
Gillis, John Jr – Soperton – Suspended license/tailgate tag light requirements
Barwick, Roderick – Rockledge – Disorderly conduct
Toombs County Sheriff’s Office reports the following arrests.
Brack, Ryan – Lyons – DUI/alcohol/less safe, use of multiple-beam road-lighting equipment, turning movements and required signals
Brown, Felton – Vidalia – Open container-alcoholic beverage-passenger, littering, vehicles with unsecured loads, violations
Moody, Robert Jr – Glennville – Probation violation-felony
Pascual, Magdalena – Cobbtown – Open container-alcoholic beverage-passenger, driving while unlicensed, DUI/drugs/less safe, failure to maintain lane
Toro, Arnardo – Lyons – Battery-family violence (1st offense) burglary-1st degree, false imprisonment
Lyons Police Department reports the following arrests.
Ortiz, Jesus Antonio – Lyons – Driving while license suspended or revoked(first)
Nanney, Richard Dewey – Vidalia – DUI-less safe-alcohol, driving while license suspended or revoked(third), expired tag, open container, no proof of insurance
Cotner, Dustin Bryan – Myrtle Beach, SC – Possession of marijuana less than ounce(misd), possession of drug related objects, expired tag
Hallett, Heath Brandon – Metter – Operating a vehicle while registration is suspended, no insurance 1st, driving while unlicensed
Neesmith, Tyrus Irene – Lyons – Driving while license suspended or revoked(first)
Taylor, Matthew Aaron – Lyons – Warrant service
Dawson, Keannual Lashon – Millen – Driving while license suspended or revoked(first), theft by receiving stolen property
Rewis, Linda Diane – Lyons – Exploitation and intimidation of disabled adults, elder persons, and residents
Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports the following arrests.
Ryan Leejerome Reddish, Reidsville, Possession of Prohibited Item by Inmate
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On Saturday night around 7:43, Toombs County 911 dispatch received a call about a vehicle that had wrecked on GA Hwy 147 just east of the intersection and Lilliot Road. On arrival Deputies found a burgundy Chevrolet Captive on the northside of the roadway. A preliminary investigation supports that the driver, Kathy Edenfield Clark, was traveling east on Highway 147 when her vehicle crossed the westbound lane and left the roadway, striking multiple trees. Responding personnel determined that Clark was deceased from her injuries. She was 62 years of age.
The accident is under investigation by Georgia State Patrol Post 18 of Reidsville.
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