Vidalia Mayor Doug Roper announces the renaming of the downtown Vidalia park with the assistance of Mayor Pro-Tem John Raymond Turner, City Manager Nick Overstreet. Looking on is Dublin Mayor and friend to the late Mayor Ronnie Dixon, Phil Best.
Ever since it became a focal point of the downtown Vidalia area, it’s been called The Stage at City Park. Now, it’s been named and dedicated to the man who had the foresight and drive to make it a cultural icon.
The renaming of what will now be known as the Ronnie A. Dixon City Park was unveiled in a ceremony Thursday night, in honor of the late Mayor Ronnie Dixon, a man who dedicated over four decades of service to the people of the Sweet Onion City.
“It brings me pleasure to dedicate this park to Mayor Dixon,” Vidalia’s current mayor Doug Roper, said. “I think he’d be proud of it, but we just want people to remember his life and legacy.”
Wendell Dixon says his brother Ronnie was a modest man who would have avoided such recognition, but still, it means a lot to the family and the city that loved him.
“It means so much to our family for the city to do this,” Wendell said. “When Ronnie passed away, it was at a time when the country was shutting down because of COVID. We couldn’t have a church funeral or visitation or viewing, so this kind of makes up for that.”
The emotion was heavy in Wendell’s voice as he proclaimed, “Every time I ride by here I’ll think of him. I just love seeing his name up there!”
Mayor Dixon passed away on April 1, 2020.
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Washington - This week, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) took several actions to address the nationwide shortage of baby formula.
On Wednesday, Congressman Allen voted to pass H.R. 7791, the bipartisan Access to Baby Formula Act, which would improve cooperation between federal agencies in responding to supply chain emergencies and require manufacturers to submit formal plans on ensuring regular supply to families participating in federal food assistance programs. The bill was originally introduced by Rep. Michelle Steel (CA-48) and Rep. Jahana Hayes (CT-05).
After voting for H.R. 7791, Congressman Allen made the following statement:
"The ongoing formula shortage is affecting millions of families across this nation, and solving this crisis will require both bipartisan cooperation and thoughtful policymaking. I was glad to support legislation to help ensure a supply chain breakdown of this magnitude never happens again."
Additionally, on Thursday, Congressman Allen co-sponsored the Babies Need More Formula Now Act, introduced this week by House Republican Conference Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik (NY-21), Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05), Rep. Ashley Hinson (IA-01), and Rep. Stephanie Bice (OK-05).
The bill authorizes the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to import additional formula reserves from overseas to mitigate the effects of the current shortage.
Upon co-sponsoring the bill, Congressman Allen made the following statement:
"I am proud to support this legislation, which would take immediate action to boost the supply of formula by giving the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the flexibility it needs to import safe baby formula from abroad. The bill would also enact safeguards to ensure the FDA is accountable and transparent in responding quickly to this crisis while shoring up the supply chain to prevent such shortages from occurring in the future.
"America's families are not sitting around waiting for this crisis to pass; they are doing everything possible to ensure their children's basic needs are met. Congress should follow suit and immediately consider the Babies Need More Formula Now Act."
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At the May meeting of the School Board, Ralph Brantley approached the members regarding certain concerns he and other bus drivers have brought to his attention.
“I’m only here as a representative of the drivers,” Brantley prefaced his comments. He went on to say that the drivers requested that salaries be increased to $120 per day based on a five-hour day, and that compensation for special trips be raised. In addition, the drivers requested that bus monitors ride on all routes, and that bus etiquette be taught as part of the regular school curriculum.
In other business, the Board heard concerns from three citizens; however, while at this meeting no names were brought forth as had been the case in April, their concerns border on personnel and/or student issues which are protected subjects and not for public disclosure.
As is customary at the May meeting of the Vidalia City Board of Education, retiring school personnel receive recognition from their respective direct supervisors, and recently, two ladies were the focus of this year’s tradition.
Kim Robinson of Vidalia High School is retiring at the end of this year with 30 years of instructing in the classroom, and Vicki Messex is hanging up her apron in the Food and Nutrition Department with 22 years of service.
Board Chair Julee Torrance said the retirements were “bitter-sweet,” and wished the women well from the Board and on behalf of the entire school system.
The Board members also tentatively approved the Fiscal Year 2023 budget and after being proper advertising, that budget is expected to be passed as presented.
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Robert Toombs Christian Academy held its annual High School Honors Day on Monday, May 16th in the RTCA gymnasium. Here's what Mr. Absher, Head of School at RTCA, has to say about Honors Night, "Honors Night is all about celebrating the accomplishments of our students and honoring those that have performed at a high level all year long. We are very proud of what our students accomplished this year. Our school is graduating a talented class, but we have a very strong class stepping up to fill their shoes. As we close out this school year, we immediately start looking forward to great things next year. I look forward to seeing our students grow and accomplish their goals."
Awards are as follows:
Good Citizenship Awards: Meredith Durden, Chase Moxley, Joey Todd, Ava Bomkamp, Jacob Sanford
Academic Awards
Literature: Highest Average in 9th Grade Honors Literature- Kylie Acosta and Macy Kennedy Highest Average for 9th Grade College Prep Literature - Payton McConnell Highest Average in HonorsWorld Literature- Cole Masterman-Smith Highest Average in College Prep. World Literature- Ansley Akins Highest Average in Honors American Literature- Kate Kennedy Highest Average in College Prep. American Literature - Dawson Pinckard Highest Average in AP Literature and Composition - Ellie Graham Highest Average in College Prep British Literature - Chase Moxley
Mathematics: Highest Average for College Prep. Algebra I- Cameron Hinson Highest Average for Honors Geometry - Justin Bowers Highest Average for College Prep Geometry - Addie Thompson Highest Average for Honors Advanced Alg. (honors) - Andrew Tuck Highest Average for Honors Algebra II- Cole Masterman-Smith Highest Average for Algebra II - Dawson Pinckard Highest Average for Consumer Math- Karson Evans
History:
HIghest average for Honors Bible History - Kylie Acosta and Emma Stanfield
Highest Average for College Prep. Bible History - Payton McConnell
Highest Average for College Prep. World History - Addie Thompson
Highest Average for AP US History- Kate Kennedy
Highest Average for College Prep US History- Dawson Pinckard
Highest Average for Economics- Ellie Graham
Highest Average for American Government. - Ellie Graham
Highest Average for AP European History - Cole Masterman-Smith
Science:
HIghest average for Honors Biology- Justin Bowers
HIghest average for College Prep. Biology- Savannah Moore
Highest Average for Honors Chemistry- Cole Masterman-Smith
Highest Average for 11th-grade Physical Science - Dawson Pinckard and Addie Thompson
Highest Average for 10th-grade Physical Science - Ansley Akins
Highest Average for Honors Physics. - Ellie Graham
Yearly Headmaster’s List
9th: Emma Stanfield
10th: Cole Masterman-Smith
11th : Andrew Tuck
12th: Ellie Graham and Jackson Newton
Yearly Honor Roll
9th:
- Kylie Acosta
- Justin Bowers
- Seth Carelock
- Gage Brantley
- Meredith Durden
- Madalyn Joyner
- Macy Kennedy
- Bishop Lampp
- Ella Newton
- Jacob Sanford
- Emma Stanfield
- TJ Stanley
- James Varnes
- Hannah Williams
10th:
- Ansley Akins
- Ava Kate Bomkamp
- Emmie Davis
- Alli Hart
- Hayden Kight
- Caroline Thompson
- Joey Todd
- Addie Walden
- Ryan Wiggins
11th:
- Nicole Acosta
- Britton Botelho
- Adria Cuevas-Ortes
- Dawson Pinckard
- Kate Kennedy
- Addie Thompson
- Mary Claire Wolfe
12th:
- Tyler Buggs
- Karson Evans
- MK McBride
- Marlie McCranie
- Chase Moxley
- Trevor Wheeler
Highest overall Averages
9th Grade Highest Average: Kylie Acosta and Emma Stanfield
9th Grade Second Highest Average: TJ Stanley
10th Grade Highest Average: Cole Masterman-Smith
10th Grade Second Highest Average: Emmie Davis and CarolineThompson
11th Grade Highest Average: Andrew Tuck
11th Grade Second Highest Average: Nicole Acosta
Christian Athletes
- Christian Male - Jackson Newton
- Christian Female - Meredith Durden
Athlete of the Year
- Athlete of the Year Male - Jashaun Powell
- Athlete of the Year Female - Ellie Graham
Academic Athlete of the Year
- Jackson Newton
- Ellie Graham
RTCA’s Junior Marshals
- Kate Kennedy
- Nicole Acosta
- Andrew Tuck
- Mary Claire Wolfe
Teacher of the Year Award- Mr. Austin Morris
Committed Crusaders- Morgan Newsome and Jackson Newton have attended RTCA since K3
Valedictorian - Ellie Graham
Salutatorian - Jackson Newton
Honor Graduates - Ellie Graham, Jackson Newton, Marlie McCranie, Tyler Buggs
Robert Toombs Christian Academy held its annual Middle School Honors Day on May 17th in the RTCA gymnasium. Awards are as follows:
Good Citizenship Awards: Karson Kennedy, Alayda Anderson, Riley Flowers, Elizabeth McConnell, Mandy Johnson, and Kylie Whitney
Academic Awards
6th Grade:
Highest Average in 6th grade English - Brantly Black
Highest Average in 6th grade Mathematics - Clayton Metts
Highest Average in 6th grade Science - Clayton Metts
Highest Average in 6th grade Social Studies - Seth Holton and Brantley Black
7th Grade:
Highest Average in 7th grade English - Aubrey Jones
Highest Average in 7th grade Mathematics - Riley Flowers
Highest Average in 7th grade Science - Riley Flowers
Highest Average in 7th grade Social Studies - Maggie Bowers and Riley Flowers
8th Grade:
Highest Average in 8th grade English - Autumn Moore
Highest Average in 8th grade Mathematics - DJ Clifton
Highest Average for Algebra I Honors - Autumn Moore
Highest Average in 8th grade Science - Autumn Moore
Highest Average in 8th grade Georgia History- Autumn Moore
Yearly Headmaster’s List
6th
Brantley Black
Clay Metts
7th
Riley Flowers
8th
Autumn Moore
Yearly Honor Roll
6th
Alayda Anderson
Tommy Fitzgerald
Seth Holton
Banks Hopkins
Karson Kennedy
Yates Pye
7th
Maggie Bowers
Kailen Brantley
Jayden Butterworth
Kailey Dismuke
Oakley Drew
Aubrey Jones
Josie Kight
Elizabeth McConnell
Saige White
8th
Mekhia Bell
Lily Cauley
Easton Drew
Isaac Holton
Mandy Johnson
Ryder Jones
Grayson Smesny
Highest overall Averages 6th Grade Highest Average: Clayton Metts 6th Grade Second Highest Average: Brantley Black
7th Grade Highest Average:Riley Flowers
7th Grade Second Highest Average: Josie Kight
8th Grade Highest Average: Autumn Moore
8th Grade Second Highest Average: Mandy Johnson
Teacher of the Year: Terri Kennedy
Robert Toombs Christian Academy held its annual Elementary Honors Day program on May 18th in the RTCA gymnasium. Awards are as follows:
Good Citizenship Award: Annie Thompson, Rylann Singleton, Gracy West, Elin Haygood, Emma Kennedy, Cody Toler, Braylin Pittman
Academic Awards
- Perfect Attendance for 2nd Grade - Kennedy McIntyre
- 2nd Grade Highest Average in Mathematics:
- Tatem Pittman
- 2nd Grade Highest Average in Science:
- Tatem Pittman
- Tilly Baker
- Luke Hopkins
- Rachel Salter
- Annie Thompson
- 2nd Grade Highest Average in Social Studies:
- Tilly Baker
- Luke Hopkins
- Tatem Pittman
- 2nd Grade Highest Average in Language Arts and Spelling:
- Tatem Pittman
- Tilly Baker
- 2nd Grade Highest Average in Reading:
- Tatem Pittman
- Dallas Montfort
- Luke Hopkins
- 3rd Grade Highest Average in Mathematics:
- Talon Boyd
- Kylar Riner
- 3rd Grade Highest Average Science:
- Talon Boyd
- 3rd Grade Highest Average in Social Studies:
- Kylar Riner
- 3rd Grade Highest Average in Language Arts and Spelling:
- Kylar Riner
- Mason Bowman
- 3rd Grade Highest Average in Reading:
- Kylar Riner
- Gracy West
- 4th Grade Highest Average in Mathematics:
- George Smith
- 4th Grade Highest Average Science:
- Alejandro Paez
- 4th Grade Highest Average in Social Studies:
- John Smith
- George Smith
- 4th Grade Highest Average in Language Arts and Spelling:
- Jesse Clifton
- 4th Grade Highest Average in Reading:
- Cooper Hardman
- 5th Grade Highest Average in Mathematics:
- Anna Kate Joyner
- Mary Frances Stanley
- 5th Grade Highest Average Science:
- Anna Kate Joyner
- Heath Meeks
- Lou Munsayac
- 5th Grade Highest Average in Social Studies:
- Anna Kate Joyner
- Emmalee Milligan
- Reba Salter
- Mary Frances Stanley
- Maribeth Stephens
- 5th Grade Highest Average in Language Arts and Spelling:
- Anna Kate Joyner
- 5th Grade Highest Average in Reading:
- Anna Kate Joyner
Yearly Headmaster’s List 5th Grade:
- EmmaLee Milligan
- Anna Kate Joyner
- Lou Munsayac
- Braylin Pittman
- Mary Frances Stanley
- Maribeth Stephens
Yearly Headmaster’s List 4th Grade:
- Jessey Clifton
- Cooper Hardman
- Elin Haygood
- Emma Kennedy
- George Smith
- John Smith
Yearly Headmaster's List- 3rd Grade
- Easton Coley
- Mason Bowman
- Talon Boyd
- Noah Macker
- Kylar Riner
- Rylann Singleton
Yearly Headmasters List- 2nd Grade
- Tilly Baker
- Luke Conner
- Luke Hopkins
- Dallas Montfort
- Easton Moore
- Tatem Pittman
- Rachel Salter
- Annie Thompson
Yearly Honor Roll - 5th Grade:
- Addison Botelho
- Chesney Burch
- Annabell Coe
- Morgan Dismuke
- Hadley Garrett
- Jackson McCarty
- Heath Meeks
- Sailor Monroe
- Reba Salter
- Ava Scott
- Addysen Smith
- Meeghan Wolfe
- Layton Youmans
Yearly Honor Roll - 4th Grade:
- Tucker Absher
- Joel Hussey
- Bentleigh Lockley
- Ean Macker
- Rachel Meek
- Alejandro Paez
- Logan Coley
- Eva Jo Collins
- Elijah Sanford
- Faith Smith
- Hudson Wheeler
Yearly Honor Roll - 3rd Grade:
- Clayton Clark
- Jace Hobbs
- Anneston Samples
- Emerson Smith
- Lila Garrett
- Jaxon Holley
- Gracy West
Yearly Honor Roll - 2nd Grade
- Brantley Bailey
- Kennedy McIntyre
- Makayla Coley
- Case Samples
- Kinsley Thomas
5th Grade
Highest Overall Average - Anna Kate Joyner
Second Highest Overall Average - Lou Munsayac and Mary Frances Stanley
4th Grade
Highest Overall Average - Cooper Hardman
Second Highest Overall Average - George Smith
3rd Grade
Highest Overall Average - Kylar Riner
Second Highest Overall Average - Talon Boyd
2nd Grade
Highest Overall Average - Tatem Pittman
Second Highest Overall Average - Tilly Baker and Luke Hopkins
Teacher of the Year Award - Lisa Williamson
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Are you looking for a one-stop place to find out everything you need to know about the May 24 Primary? Whether you vote Republican, Democrat, or Non-partisan, there’s one local website that has all you need to know before casting your ballot.
Sample ballots for each party, as well as a list of all the questions on those ballots can easily be accessed with a few clicks of a mouse. In addition, there is a running total of early voting progress in Toombs County.
Simply log onto https://www.toombscountyga.gov/, click on “COUNTY DEPARTMENTS” and then on “ELECTIONS BOARD” and you’ll find all the information displayed on your computer, tablet, or smart phone screen.
As of Monday May 16, 168 absentee ballots had been issued with 86 of those returned, and 964 Toombs Countians have cast their ballots in advanced voting.
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