Newsbreak

Sheriff Maybin Reports: On July 22, 2021, The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and the Oconee Drug Task Force recovered a large amount of methamphetamine and cocaine from a traffic stop in Mount Vernon. Those arrested in connection with the traffic stop are Brian Andrell Miller (Soperton), Jessica Ann Tighe (Ailey), and Wallace Nikita Hill (Mount Vernon). All were arrested and charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine and Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute. Miller faces additional charges for Escape, Interference with Government Property and Felony Obstruction of Officer. He was recaptured shortly after fleeing.

A Search Warrant was conducted at the home of Jessica Tighe where additional evidence consistence with the distribution of drugs was recovered. The investigation is still ongoing, and more arrest are pending.

On Saturday, July 24, 2021, Deputies responded to a home invasion at Wildwood Trailor Park Lot D-11. Upon arrival Deputies found that a male victim had been shot. He was treated for a minor injury. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is currently assisting in the investigation. Anyone with any information is asked to call Chief Bivins at 912 583 2521 or the Eastman GBI Office at 478 374 6988.

This press release issued by the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office.

Details: Written by Jeff Raiford; Category: Newsbreak; Published: 26 July 2021; Hits: 878

If you are age 60 or disabled, there may be resources at your disposal that you aren’t aware exists for your benefit.

The Heart of Georgia Altamaha Regional Commission serves a 17 county-area and has Toombs County representation on their board by Vidalia Mayor Protem John Raymond Turner and Toombs County Commissioner Darrel Nobles. Nobles explains one of the many facets of the Heart of Georgia Commission, serving the elderly.

“This Board is here to help when someone may need a ride to the doctor, receive a free meal, need legal services or have questions about their Medicare or other senior citizen services,” Nobles explained.

The services are free to those who fit the criteria. To find out more, you can contact Nobles through the Toombs County Board of Commissioners at 526-3311. If you leave your contact information, he will get back in touch with you.

Details: Written by Kathy Hilt; Category: Newsbreak; Published: 26 July 2021; Hits: 409

VHA Band

For the first time in the history of the school, Vidalia Heritage Academy will be fielding a band this coming football season.

Chester Proctor was recently hired as the Dean of Student Affairs and Band Director and late Thursday afternoon, the percussionists were practicing a cadence on the field.

“This year we’re only doing a drum line,” Proctor said. “That’s because some of the students in the band program are just learning their instruments. But we have about 30 students who have signed up for the program and it won’t be long before we’re fielding a full marching band.”

Jeff McCormick, Headmaster of VHA, said he is excited about the future of the music program.

“Just to see these students use their talents for the Glory of God is phenomenal,” he said. “And starting a band program at VHA is just another way that we can continue our fine arts program that is so important. I just can’t wait to see how far this program can go.”

Details: Written by Kathy Hilt; Category: Newsbreak; Published: 23 July 2021; Hits: 632

Vidalia Police Department reports the following arrests.

Kelly, Dennis - B/M - 57 YOA - 901 Fifth Ave Vidalia Ga Warrant Served (Vidalia)

Kelley, Eugene P - B/M - 35 YOA - 713 Stuart St Vidalia, Ga Theft of Lost or Mislaid Property / Criminal Trespassing

Pineda, Mary Ann - W/F - 47 YOA - 930 Dillard Rd Atlantic Beach Fl No Insurance / No Drivers License / Possession of Marijuana

Powell, Servontae Q - B/M - 27 YOA - 502 Grand St Vidalia Ga Warrant Served (Toombs County)

Brooker, Orlando M - B/M - 31 YOA - 706 Loopd Rd Apt 506 Vidalia Ga No Insurance / No Drivers License

Vann, Devonte L - B/M - 21 YOA - 136 E Willow Creek Rd McRae Ga Theft by Shoplifting / Warrant Served (Dodge County)

Wright, Brittany Mercedes - B/F - 26 YOA - Homless Vidalia Ga Simple Battery

Weeks, Rodney S - W/M - 43 YOA - 1306 Robinson Rd Vidalia Ga Simple Battery

Brannon, Britt Michael - W/M - 29 YOA - 1809 N Maple Dr Vidalia Ga Theft By Taking / Criminal Damage to Property

McCoy, Conner D - W/M - 23 YOA - 100 Pine Mountain Dr Vidalia Ga Theft By Taking / Criminal Damage to Property

Johnston, Cayla D - W/F - 27 YOA - 105 E Willow Lake Dr lt5 Lyons Ga Theft By Shoplifting / Criminal Trespass / Warrant Served (Vidalia)

Burk, Lydia Laura Ann - W/F - 37 YOA - 6589 Hwy 280 E -Reidsville Ga Hit and Run

Kelly, Markell R - B/M - 32 YOA - 401 West St Vidalia Ga Possession of Marijuana / Fail to register Vehicle

Green, Vernon Keith - B/M - 32 YOA - 809 Green St Vidalia Ga Obstruction Forceful

Lyons Police Department reports the following arrests.

None reported.

Toombs County Sheriff’s Office reports the following arrests.

Carter, Chasity – Alma – Drug related objects, methamphetamine-purchase, possession, manf, distribution, sale, probation violation-misdemeanor, failure to appear

Cook, Pamela – Uvalda – Simple battery, obstruction, interference, or hindrance of duties, criminal trespass

Dykes, Maria – Lyons – Probation violation-felony 2 counts

Hutcheson, Jordan – Lyons – Burglary 2^nd degree

Kilgore, Jordan – Vidalia – Burglary 2^nd degree

Lewis, Ricky – Lyons – simple battery/FVA, possession o drug related objects, possession of firearms by conv felons and FOProbationers 2 counts, methamphetamine-purchase, possession, manf, distribution, sale

Lowery, James – Uvalda – DUI/alcohol/less safe, failure to maintain lane, probation violation-felony

McCall, Daniel – Lyons – Theft of services, theft by shoplifting, child support pick up order, probation violation-misdemeanor

Palmer, Blake – Theft by receiving stolen property

Montgomery County Sheriff ‘s Office reports the following arrests.

None reported.

Details: Written by Jeff Raiford; Category: Newsbreak; Published: 23 July 2021; Hits: 3355

The Georgia Department of Education has awarded the Vidalia City School System with the title of 2020-21 Reward Schools – (the Title I schools making the most progress in improving student performance.)

J.D. Dickerson Primary School was listed as one of only 157 schools in 77 school districts identified as Reward Schools.

Vidalia Assistant Superintendent Ginger Morris says the honor is shared with Sally D. Meadows as this is the “first assessment of grades K-3.” Morris noted that with the makeup of Dickerson (PK-1) and Meadows (2-5) “The assessments are given in the 3rd grade, so this is really a combined effort of both schools, and hopefully shows that the programs that we have put in place for (K-5) are paying off well.”

“While we are focused on ensuring all schools have the support and resources they need to continuously improve, it is incredibly important that we also recognize and celebrate when schools are doing well,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “I wish to congratulate the staff and students of this year’s Reward Schools – during a time of challenges, they have worked hard and they have succeeded.”

Vidalia City School Superintendent Dr. Garrett Wilcox echoed Morris and said, “We hope that this shows a direct correlation of the efforts we have put into our literacy program.”

According to the DOE, A Reward School is among the 5 percent of Title I schools in the state that is making the most progress in improving the performance of all students over the most recent two years on the statewide assessments. Because assessments were not administered in the 2019-20 school year, this year’s list is based on 2018-19 and 2019-20 data.