The Emanuel County Fire & Resue has been awarded two federal grants totaling an estimated $777,000 from FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program.
Nearly $743,000 of the grant funding will be used to purchase two new fire engines and officials are hopeful each engine will have the capacity to carry and pump 3,000 gallons of water each. One of those firetrucks is set to be stationed in Oak Park.
The second grant valued at $34,808 will be used to purchase 10 new sets of turnout gear and retire set older sets.
Emanuel County personnel say the fire engines may take between 18 – 24 months to be delivered while the turnout gear is expected to arrive within approximately 6 months.
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A 22-year-old Senoia, Georgia, man was taken into custody Thursday in Bibb County in connection with the death of John Patrick Pace of Soperton last month.
The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office reports that Paul James Evans turned himself in around 11:00 Thursday morning, January 16, 2025, and is being held without bond in the Bibb County Jail.
In the early morning hours of December 21, 2024, Pace was parked in the emergency lane of Interstate 16 when Evans lost control of his vehicle, left the roadway, and collided with Pace’s Ford F-150 from the rear. Pace was pronounced deceased at the scene by Bibb County Deputy Coroner Ronnie Miley.
Evans faces charges of Homicide by Vehicle in the 2nd Degree, and Failure to Maintain Lane.
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A former coach at Pinewood Academy in Bellville was back in court recently where he entered a guilty plea to having inappropriate contact with students.
Joshua Garret Blaxton was arrested in April 2024 after an investigation by the GBI where agents found explicit text messages and a nude photo of himself Blaxton had apparently sent to female high school students at the school. He also solicited explicit photos and sex from at least one student, according to the GBI.
Blaxton resigned and was held in the Tattnall County Jail until July when he granted bond because his case had been presented to the Grant Jury in the required time frame. However, that awarding of bond came with certain and restrictive conditions.
In September, an Evans County Grand Jury returned a True Bill of Indictment on 7 counts of sexual-related charges.
After entering a plea deal this month, Blaxton was sentenced to three years in the Georgia Department of Corrections and 17 years of probation. He must also register on the State’s Sex Offender Registry.
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Vidalia Police Department reports the following arrests:
Forman, Jaudon – Vidalia – Criminal Trespass; Battery; Cruelty Children.
Ramirez, Roberto Martinez – Lyons – Headlight Requirements; No Driver’s License.
Flowers, Henry Anthony – Vidalia – Simple Battery; Theft by Taking; Obstruction of Police Officer.
Lewis, Kharizma Ktiston – Soperton – Failure to Obey Stop Sign; Suspended License.
Nelson, Don C. – Vidalia – Entering Auto; Giving False Information.
Rogers, Ja’quan Malik – Dublin – DUI.
Grant, Daneesha Latoyia - Reidsville - Theft by Shoplifting; Warrant Served.
Lopes, Asael - Vidalia - No Insurance; No Driver's License.
Schmittel, Shawn Eugene - Soperton - Hands Free Violation; No Brake Lights; Warrant Served.
Roosa, Jared Clifton - Cobbtown - Warrant Served.
Toombs County Sheriff’s Office reports the following arrests:
Flores, Jesus – Lyons – Probation Weekender.
Sikes, Sheree – Vidalia – Probation Violation (Felony).
Thompson, John – Vidalia – Burglary in the 1st Degree; Theft by Taking; Probation Violation (Misdemeanor).
Lyons Police Department reports the following arrest:
No report provided.
Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports the following arrests:
Bustos, Kim Joyner – Vidalia – DUI; Failure to Maintain Lane.
Matthews, Alexander Gary – Vidalia – Felony Probation Violation.
Candler County Sheriff’s Office reports the following arrest:
Guerrero, Jessica Lynn – Metter – Driving While License Revoked or Suspended; DUI/Drugs; Taillights/Tag Light.
Kirkland, Amelia Quieberra – Metter – Simple Battery.
Kirkland, Tori Acelynn -Metter – Battery.
Reinberg, Paul Thomas – Metter – Hold for Court.
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Altamaha EMC is currently accepting applications for the Walter Harrison Scholarship, a program sponsored by Georgia’s electric cooperatives.
The $1,000 scholarship can be applied to academic expenses at any accredited two- or four-year university, college or vocational-technical institute in Georgia. Factors for consideration include grade point average, SAT scores, academic standing, scholastic honors, and financial need. A scholarship committee comprised of EMC directors and managers selects students who exceed in these areas and who struggle with college expenses. Fifteen scholarships will be awarded statewide in early spring of 2025.
Students who apply for the scholarship must live in the household of an Altamaha EMC/Fiber member. Applicants must be accepted or enrolled in an accredited undergraduate degree program. They also must complete an application and write a biographical sketch which provides a preview of their future plans.
Created in 1985 by the board of directors of Georgia EMC, the scholarship pays tribute to the late Walter Harrison, a pioneer in the rural electricity movement and a leader at local, state and national levels in the electric cooperative program. Since 1985, Georgia’s electric cooperatives have awarded more than $250,000 to students via the Walter Harrison Scholarship program.
Applications are available for download on our website. You can also request an application by contacting Will NeSmith via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 912-526-2173. Completed applications are due by January 31, 2025.
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