The State of Education in Toombs and Montgomery counties was the topic of discussion last week at a gathering hosted by the Greater Vidalia Chamber of Commerce, and superintendents, a head of schools and the CEO of the Southeastern Early College and Career Academy are mutually in agreement that the area has opportunities for students second to none.
Each leader was given the opportunity to present an overview of their respective system, including his or her philosophy on educating the students.
At the conclusion, the attendees were given the chance to field questions to the panel.
Participating in the forum were (L to R) Scott Tuck, Head of Schools at Robert Toombs Christian Academy; Barry Waller, Superintendent to Toombs County Schools; Dr. Sandy Reid, Superintendent of Vidalia City Schools; Dr. Ronda Hightower, Superintendent of Montgomery County Schools; and John Sharpe, CEO/Director of the Southeastern Early College and Career Academy. Jeff McCormick, Head of Schools at Vidalia Heritage Academy, was unable to attend due to a family illness.
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Toombs County High School made history by hosting the first Georgia Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) State Championship at the Toombs County Ag Center on December 2-3. The event brought together 25 counties and teams from across the state, showcasing the skill and precision of students in the growing field of heavy equipment operation. Participants competed in various challenges that tested their technical expertise and safety awareness, highlighting the importance of workforce development in agriculture and construction industries. The championship not only celebrated student achievement but also positioned Toombs County as a leader in promoting career and technical education.
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No Jurors will need to appear in Toombs County court Monday, December 9, as all cases have been settled or continued according to Toombs County Clerk of Courts Nancy Pittman.
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Vidalia Police Department reports the following arrests:
Smith, Donald Eugene – Wrightsville – Impeding Flow of Traffic; DUI.
Brownlee, Ernest Maurice – Vidalia – DUI; DUI Child Engagement; Open Container; Child Restraint Violation Under 8.
Collins, Sabrina Marie – Dexter – Theft by Shoplifting.
Taylor, Jarvis Trenton – Mt. Vernon – Theft by Shoplifting.
Bratton, Timothy Joe – Vidalia – Driving While License Suspended or Revoked; Failure to Obey Stop/Yield Sign.
Wright, Joshua – Vidalia – Aggravated Assault.
Guthrie, Loni – Lyons – Warrant Served (Nashville, GA).
Hammack, Joshua Andrew - Lyons - Driving While License Suspended or Revoked.
Prosser, Aubrey Jacob - Mount Vernon - No Insurance.
Toombs County Sheriff’s Office reports the following arrests:
No report provided.
Lyons Police Department reports the following arrest:
Walker, Morris Ray - Vidalia – No Insurance; No Tag; Operating A Vehicle While Registration is Suspended.
Powell, Risa Ann – Lyons – Family Violence Provision Simple Battery; Cruelty to Children; Cruelty to Children; Willfully Obstruction of Police Officer (Severe/Forceful); Willfully Obstruction of Police Officer (Severe/Forceful).
Hairr, Christy Eleane – Lyons – Family Violence Provision Simple Battery; Cruelty to Children; Cruelty to Children.
Pacheco, Juan Antonio- Lyons – Drivinng While Unlicensed.
Sharpe, Melvin Dusty – Lyons – No Insurance; Operating A Vehicle While Registration is Suspended.
Miller, Melvin Riccardo – Soperton – Warrant Service.
Lopez-Maximina, Maria Bautista – Lyons – Windshield Violation. Driving While Unlicensed.
McLeod, Derrick Dajhun – Ailey – Headlight Requirements; Driving While Unlicensed.
Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports the following arrests:
Upshaw, Vonderemer Davinci – Albany – Felony Probation Violation.
Smith, Halli Morgan – Soperton – DUI; Failure to Maintain Lane.
Candler County Sheriff’s Office reports the following arrests:
Burtin, Brandon Richard – Bluffton, SC – Hold for Investigation.
Dunkin, Jackson Henry – Kennesaw, GA – Alcohol: Possessing Under 21; Driving on Roadways Laned for Traffic; DUI: Less Safe.
Howard, Michael Lee – Metter - DUI: Less Safe; Possession of Open Container of Alcoholic Beverage in Passenger Area; Use of Multiple Beam Road Lighting Equipment.
Lyons, Lucia Alexander – Brooklet – Driving While License Revoked/Suspended; DUI: Combination of Substances; Possession of Marijuana; Possession of Open Container of Alcoholic Beverage in Passenger Area.
Hightower, Jakiya – Metter – Cruelty to Children in the Third Degree; Simple Battery.
Garcia, Ricardo Lopez – Hilton Head Island, SC – Driving on Roadways Laned for Traffic; Driving While Unlicensed.
Johnson, Xavier Quentin – Statesboro – Theft by Taking (Motor Vehicle).
Venson, Renea Ann – Metter – Cruelty to Children in the Second Degree.
Lucas, Whitney Summer – Metter- Probation Violation (Felony).
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The Vidalia Christmas Parade is this Saturday morning, and in addition to the floats, bands, marchers and that Jolly Ol’ Elf, this year’s parade will have another special guest.
In 2022, Vidalia Mayor Doug Roper met Gideon, a young man from Uganda, who has ties to the Waller family in Vidalia. Olivia, the local family’s niece, was associated with the Ekisa Ministries in Uganda.
“Gideon, who now goes by the name Gideon Inman, has sickle cell anemia,” Mayor Roper said. “His biological family did the best they could for him, but eventually, had to seek other arrangements and he went to live at the Ekisa Ministries and where he and Olivia formed their unique bond. In fact, it was so special that Gideon was flying from Uganda to be a groomsman in Olivia’s wedding.”
When the plane landed in the U.S., it was discovered that Gideon had a brain bleed and was rushed into surgery. Another surgery was warranted to stop the bleeding, and Gideon lost his eyesight as a result.
“He calls himself ‘Gideon of Good Cheer,’” Mayor Roper said. “He just a delightful young man and from the first day we met, he and I had a special connection.”
When Gideon heard about the devastation left by Hurricane Helene, he created a video and sent it to Mayor Roper offering encouragement and words of compassion for what Vidalia and its residents were enduring.
“When he was here in 2022, I had given him one of my ‘Roper for Mayor’ T-shirts,” Mayor Roper continued telling the story. “When he went back to Uganda, he told people he was my Mayor Pro Tem and I got to thinking, ‘What can I do to show him how special he is and so I decided to make him an Honorary Mayor For The Day and have him ride with me in our Christmas Parade.”
Gideon is expected to arrive from Uganda on Friday where Mayor Roper and his family will meet with him and present him with a Proclamation declaring him the “Mayor.”
“He’s just such a role model, and if we could just see things on the bright side of life as he does, this would be a much better world,” Mayor Roper concluded.
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