Southeastern Early College and Career Academy (SECCA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs. Amy Gillies as CEO/Director of High School Programs effective July 1, 2025. Mrs. Gillies will be replacing Mr. John Sharpe, who has accepted the position of Community Relations Coordinator with the Vidalia School System.
Mrs. Gillies brings a wealth of experience in instructional methods and a proven track record of leadership and innovation. Prior to joining SECCA, Mrs. Gillies served as an elementary teacher for fourteen years in the Vidalia School System. For the last five years, she has served as SECCA's Unmanned Flight Instructor (Drone). She has held the position of CTAE (Career Technical and Agricultural Education) Director for Vidalia City Schools and graduated from the Georgia Department of Education CTAE Director Academy. She holds an education specialist degree in teacher leadership from Valdosta State University and is FAA Remote Pilot sUAS certified.
According to Michelle Johnson, SECCA Board Chairperson, "We are sad to see Mr. John Sharpe go, but we are excited for his future endeavors in his new position with Vidalia City Schools. As CEO and Director of High School Programs, Mrs. Amy Gillies will lead the next chapter of SECCA's growth, focusing on key goals and initiatives such as pathway expansion, enrollment, new programs, and student success. We are confident that under Mrs. Gillies' leadership, we will continue building on SECCA's momentum and achieve great things together."
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Vidalia Police Department reports the following arrests:
Johnson, Debegwan Selah – Vidalia – Cruelty to Children; Aggravated Assault; Simple Battery.
Maldonado, Manuel Martinez – Vidalia – Suspended License; Seatbelt Violation.
Akins, Devon Rufus Wayne – Collins – Warrant Served (Toombs County).
Kent, Quanvonte Lashon – Lyons – Hands Free; Failure to Stop at Stop Sign; Fleeing/Attempting to Elude; Possession of Marijuana.
Miller, Jawaun Tyrique – Glennville – Warrant Served (Vidalia Police Department).
Fish, Harold Stanley, III – Vidalia – Warrant Served (Vidalia Police Department).
Shell, Diana Nicole – Vidalia- Disorderly Conduct; Willful Obstruction of Police Officer.
Toombs County Sheriff’s Office reports the following arrests:
No Report Provided.
Lyons Police Department reports the following:
Swain, Jason Eden – Lyons – Warrant Service.
Trull Marcus Hester, III – Lyons – Warrant Service.
Moore, Kenneth Dean – Vidalia – Failure to Use Turn Signals; Operating A Vehicle While Registration is Suspended; No Tag; Unlawful Use of License Plates; Driving While License Suspended or Revoked.
Champion, Rebecca Faye Jernigan – DUI; Open Container.
Willis Joshua Auston – Lyons – Family Violence Provision Simple Battery;
Powell, Risa Ann – Lyons – Simple Battery.
Gillis, April Renee – Vidalia – Expired Tag; Operating A Vehicle While Registration is Suspended; No Insurance.
Mobley, Jailann Daishon – Vidalia – Possession of Marijuana; Possession of Drug-Related Objects.
Aparicio Rosales, Juan Carlos – Cobbtown – Driving While License Suspended or Revoked.
Leo, Jose Eduardo – Lyons – Windshield Violation; Georgia Hands Free Law; Driving While License Suspended or Revoked.
Trobridge, Joseph, Jr. – Lyons – Driving While Unlicensed; Warrant Service; Possession of Marijuana.
Lewis, Kaden Brent – Hazlehurst – Expired Tag; No Insurance.
Juarez De Jesus, Leticia Arleth – Lyons – Driving While Unlicensed.
Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports the following arrests:
Moore, Jessica – Sandersville – Contempt of Court.
Langley, Jacob – Uvalda – Possession of Methamphetamine; Possession Firearm During Commission of Crime.
Elrod, Leslie – Uvalda – Possession of Methamphetamine.
Emerson, Kacey Phillip – Glenwood – Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute; Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of A Crime.
Smith, Johnny – Glenwood – Possession of Methamphetamine With Intent to Distribute.
Burgess, Nicolas – Uvalda – Criminal Damage to Property in the 2nd Degree; Burglary in the 2nd Degree.
Sanders, John – Uvalda – Criminal Damage to Property in the 2nd Degree; Possession of A Firearm During Commission of A Crime; Burglary.
Harden, Joel – Uvalda – Burglary; Criminal Damage to Property in the 2nd Degree.
Candler County Sheriff’s Office reports the following arrest:
Hernandez, Timothy Braddy – Metter – Driving on Roadways Laned for Traffic; DUI: Drugs.
Price, Angela Nicole – Metter – Obstruct, Hinder Law Enforcement Officer; Possession of Drug-Related Objects; Use of Safety Belt in Passenger Vehicles: Front Seat Occupants.
Richburg, Tremaine Lavay – Metter – Driving While License Revoked, Suspended; DUI: Less Safe Refusal; Obstruct, Hinder, Law Enforcement Officer.
Scott, Keith Andre – Statesboro – Driving While License Revoked, Suspended; Probation Violation (Felony); Speeding.
Silva, Christina – Metter – Theft by Taking.
Venson, Ricky Nelson – Statesboro – DUI: Drugs; When Headlights and Other Lights Required.
Woods Wade, Angela Marie – DUI: Drugs.
Dove, Jacob Todd – Metter – Probation Violation (Misdemeanor).
Salter, Wendy Powell – Metter – Criminal Trespass; Probation Violation.
Brown, Jaheem Kwame – Statesboro – Possession of Marijuana.
Kirkland, Justin – Metter – Probation Violation (Misdemeanor).
Ray, Daniel Waylon – Metter – Battery; Cruelty to Children in the Third Degree.
Matthews, Michael – Metter – Rape.
Moss, Timothy – Columbia, SC – Driving While Unlicensed; Speeding.
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***BELOW IS AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM TOOMBS COUNTY SHERIFF JORDAN KIGHT ON TUESDAY MORNING****
The Toombs County Sheriff's Office has received information stating that escaped inmates are in Toombs County.
THIS IS NOT TRUE. We have verified with local and state agencies.
PLEASE shelp stop the rumors from causing public panic.
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With a total of 281 years in education, 11 individuals will enter into retirement from the Vidalia City Schools when this term is completed.
At the May meeting of the Board of Education, each personnel were recognized by their respective principal, but before their time in the spotlight, Superintendent Dr. Sandy Reid offered accolades and read a poem that she had penned especially for the occasion.
"Some people work a job; some people leave a legacy. That's what teacher do," Dr. Reid said. "Although they may not physically walk the halls anymore, their spirit will forever be here in the lives they've touched in students and colleagues."
Entering the retirement phase are Sissy Anderson with 30 years; Ann Harper, 25.5 years; Nancy Keener, 29 years; Mia Farrow, 30 years, Eddis Kirkland, 30 years; Leslie Seabury, 15 years; Rhonda Williamson, 30 years; William Harn, 28.5 years, Patricia Howard, 10 years; Kathy Riekof, 15 years; and Elizabeth Taylor, 38 years.
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On Sunday, May 18, 2025, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was requested by the Tattnall County Sheriff’s Office to investigate a shooting incident.
Preliminary information indicates that on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at around 11:30 p.m., Tattnall County deputies responded to a 911 call reporting shots fired at a home off Baxter Durrence Road. Upon arrival, deputies discovered the bodies of four deceased individuals from an apparent murder-suicide.
Three additional residents, including a six-month-old baby, were located at the home and were not injured.
The deceased victims have been identified as:
• Veronica Quevedo Torres, age 51
• Leslie Johana Marrufo Torres, age 24
• Edilberto “Eddie” Marin-Torres, age 18
Octavia Chihuahua Castro, age 42, was found with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The bodies will be taken to the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office in Pooler for autopsies.
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