It is a sad reality these days that schools must be conscious of unwanted intruders, but one local institution will be prepared if the unthinkable were to happen.

Vidalia Heritage Academy Headmaster Jeff McCormick said, “After the shooting in Uvalde, Texas, and other school shootings, we knew we needed to do something in addition to contacting police. Unfortunately, nationwide, the response by law enforcement is about 10 minutes, and a shooter can do a lot of harm in just   a minute or so. We heard about a program that the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office and the Laurens County School System had implemented, and our staff and Board agreed to work with them for the safety of our students.”

Of the fifty-five staff members, around twenty volunteered this summer to be a part of the program. The identities of those individuals will not be made public, and only VHA Board members, administration, and safety staff will know who they are.

The unidentified staff members underwent extensive curriculum and had to qualify at a gun range and pass psychological tests to be approved by the school and its Board to have access to a weapon. The training was very similar to that of law enforcement, but where it differs is law enforcement has to go to a range yearly; those at VHA who will have access to guns to protect students and fellow staff members must go monthly.

“No teachers, paraprofessionals or other staff members are going to be walking around with a gun strapped to their side,” McCormick explained. “The weapons will be easily accessible to those who’ve qualified, but the guns will be kept in a locked combination box with that combination known, again, only to those who need to know.”

VHA already had cameras and other technology in place to monitor the campus and business, and now will have the ability to confront a situation head-on if necessary. And Vidalia Heritage goes even further. According to Headmaster McCormick active shooter drills are practiced quarterly by the staff.

McCormick said the addition of weapons by certain VHA staff is supported by the Toombs County Sheriff’s Office and the Vidalia Police Department.

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Written by Kathy Hilt

Category: Newsbreak

Published: 12 August 2022

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Written by Jeff Raiford

Category: Newsbreak

Published: 11 August 2022

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At the State Capitol Thursday, Governor Brian Kemp was joined by state leaders and members of the GOP ticket as he announced two major proposals for his second term to help Georgians fight through the 40-year-high inflation caused by the dangerous Biden-Abrams agenda.

The proposals announced by Governor Kemp are a $1 billion income tax rebate to Georgia taxpayers and an additional $1 billion "Georgia Homeowner Rebate" for homeowners across the state.

"The proposals I am announcing today put the people of our state and their families first," said Governor Kemp. "These policies will provide real inflation relief to Georgia families struggling through the failed Biden-Abrams agenda. As the Governor of our great state, Georgians have my commitment that I will continue fighting to protect your family budget, your livelihood, and to keep our state the best place to live, work, and raise a family."

$1 Billion Tax Rebate
Mirroring the rebate passed earlier this year, this proposal - if passed by the General Assembly - will use nearly $1 billion in funds from the state budget surplus to return money to Georgians' pockets - because that is your money, not the government's.

Georgians can expect to receive payments of $250 for single filers, $375 for a single filer who is head of household, and $500 for a married couple filing jointly.

Georgia Homeowner Rebate
As the cost to own a home skyrockets under Bidenflation, this proposal will allocate an additional $1 billion to fund homeowner tax relief at the local level in the amended fiscal year 2023 budget. Pending approval by the General Assembly, approximately $1 billion will be sent to local governments who will then exempt up to $20,000 of the eligible assessed value of each qualified homestead in the state for the 2023 tax year.

This grant will save the average homeowner in Georgia between 15 and 25 percent - or $500 on average - on their local property tax bill next year.

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Written by Kathy Hilt

Category: Newsbreak

Published: 11 August 2022

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The Vidalia® Onion Committee (VOC) is currently seeking nominations to the Committee from producers in the industry The VOC elects eight new nominees each year as part of an annual process. There are currently four member and four alternate seats available on the Committee. 

The VOC administers the federal marketing order locally and consists of eight producer members and their alternates and one public member and an alternate. The role of the VOC is to oversee the Vidalia onion marketing order and its role in carrying out research, marketing, and advertising on behalf of the industry. Members are limited to three consecutive two-year terms of office.

The VOC encourages all interested members including minorities, women, and those with physical challenges to apply as they work toward building a diverse and representative membership. We are also especially interested in getting input from small business and organic growers so that the Committee might represent all interests in the Vidalia onion industry. Newly elected members will be seated in their new positions upon approval of U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Secretary of Agriculture.

Potential Committee members must first be nominated. Nominations will be accepted from August 8th – August 26th. Please contact the Vidalia Onion Committee to receive a nomination form at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via phone at (912) 537-1918. Nomination forms can be submitted via fax at 912-537-2166 or by mail at P.O. Box 1609, Vidalia, GA 30475.

After the close of nominations voting will take place on September 15th from 8am-5 pm at the VOC office. No absentee votes will be accepted: walk-in voting only. All voters must be in good standing with the Committee – defined as having timely regular reports and assessments that are current. Election officials will tally ballots, and all election materials are property of the USDA.
Bob Stafford, Manager of the VOC remarked, “The Committee members serve in a role that is critical in the success and management of the Vidalia Onion Committee. Members provide a voice to on issues and concerns so we can build programs that meet the direct needs of our growers and see that their funds are well managed.”

About the Vidalia® Onion Committee
Because Vidalia® onions are sweetly unique, farmers united to seek legal protection for their crop and its name. Federal Marketing Order No. 955 was established in 1989, to stipulate where the crop can be grown and help with research and promotion of Vidalia® onions. The Vidalia® Onion Committee administers FMO No. 955 and authorizes production research, marketing research and development and marketing promotion programs. This federal program along with Georgia state laws that protect the Vidalia® trademark have provided a legal framework for the industry. So, you can try to grow a sweet onion elsewhere, but you cannot call it a “Vidalia®,” unless it is from Georgia! For more information, visit VidaliaOnion.org.

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Written by Jeff Raiford

Category: Newsbreak

Published: 11 August 2022

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