The Toombs County Commissioners have advised that due to on-going construction there will be NO ACCESS on State Route 292 to the Toombs County Government Center at 100 Courthouse Square. All access will be from the existing entrance located on State Route 280. The expected completion date is May 2024.
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- Written by Kathy Hilt
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Governor Brian P. Kemp, joined by First Lady Marty Kemp, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, Speaker Jon Burns, and members of the General Assembly announced Monday their shared priority of introducing and passing legislation in the upcoming regular session of the General Assembly that will accelerate a decrease in the state individual income tax rate. This legislation will amend HB 1437, which provides for a step down of 10 basis points in the income tax rate, starting in 2025 and for each taxable year thereafter until the rate reaches 4.99 percent. By accelerating the reduction, the rate for Tax Year 2024 will be 5.39 percent, rather than the 5.49 percent set by HB 1437. This will mark a cut of 36 basis points from the Tax Year 2023 rate of 5.75 percent.
"When I signed the largest income tax cut in state history in 2022, I did so with the understanding we would deliver on this promise in a responsible way," said Governor Brian Kemp. "Now, thanks to our conservative budgeting and strong state economy built on business-friendly policies, we are well-positioned to move the timeline up and put more money where it belongs -- back into Georgians' pockets. I look forward to working with our partners in the legislature to bring this further relief to families still burdened by Bidenomics."
The Office of Planning and Budget estimates savings for Georgia taxpayers of approximately $1.1 billion in calendar year 2024 as a result of the tax cut acceleration and the 26 basis-points reduction provided in HB 1437.
“Today’s announcement is a great step toward ultimately eliminating Georgia’s income tax, a top priority of mine,” said Lt. Governor Burt Jones. “I commend Governor Kemp and members of the legislature for strategically putting our state in the position to give more money back to every Georgian. Along with the announcement today and the work of the Joint Tax Review Panel, I am confident we will identify additional ways to improve our tax structure and keep Georgia the best place to live and work.”
“As conservatives, we’re guided by the principle that tax dollars belong to those who earned them in the first place and that low taxes encourage economic growth," said Speaker of the House Jon Burns. "This approach has resulted in Georgians enjoying not only the No. 1 business climate but also one of the lowest per-capita tax burdens in the country. Today, conservative leadership is once again lowering taxes on working Georgians so they can support their families at a time when inflation has eroded the buying power of their paychecks.”
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Vidalia Police Department reports the following arrests.
Jordan, Shemika - Vidalia - Simple battery
Dann, Steven - Vidalia - Simple battery
Smith, Jayden Qortez - Reidsville - Obstruction
Smith Justin Quatez - Reidsville - Obstruction/possession of marijuana/possession of a controlled substance/possession of a firearm during a crime
Bethel, Monica - Vidalia - Financial transaction card fraud
Taylor, Johnny Alton - Lyons - Entering auto/simple obstruction
Knowles, Princess - Vidalia - Theft by shoplifting
Pope, James – Vidalia – Criminal trespass
Stewart, Cassandra – Vidalia – Warrant served (Toombs Co. Bench Warrant)
Phillips, Nicolas – Vidalia – Forceful obstruction/shoplifting
Aguilar, Abraham – Portal – No driver’s license/speeding
Gillis, John Jr – Soperton – Suspended license/tailgate tag light requirements
Barwick, Roderick – Rockledge – Disorderly conduct
Toombs County Sheriff’s Office reports the following arrests.
Brack, Ryan – Lyons – DUI/alcohol/less safe, use of multiple-beam road-lighting equipment, turning movements and required signals
Brown, Felton – Vidalia – Open container-alcoholic beverage-passenger, littering, vehicles with unsecured loads, violations
Moody, Robert Jr – Glennville – Probation violation-felony
Pascual, Magdalena – Cobbtown – Open container-alcoholic beverage-passenger, driving while unlicensed, DUI/drugs/less safe, failure to maintain lane
Toro, Arnardo – Lyons – Battery-family violence (1st offense) burglary-1st degree, false imprisonment
Lyons Police Department reports the following arrests.
Ortiz, Jesus Antonio – Lyons – Driving while license suspended or revoked(first)
Nanney, Richard Dewey – Vidalia – DUI-less safe-alcohol, driving while license suspended or revoked(third), expired tag, open container, no proof of insurance
Cotner, Dustin Bryan – Myrtle Beach, SC – Possession of marijuana less than ounce(misd), possession of drug related objects, expired tag
Hallett, Heath Brandon – Metter – Operating a vehicle while registration is suspended, no insurance 1st, driving while unlicensed
Neesmith, Tyrus Irene – Lyons – Driving while license suspended or revoked(first)
Taylor, Matthew Aaron – Lyons – Warrant service
Dawson, Keannual Lashon – Millen – Driving while license suspended or revoked(first), theft by receiving stolen property
Rewis, Linda Diane – Lyons – Exploitation and intimidation of disabled adults, elder persons, and residents
Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports the following arrests.
Ryan Leejerome Reddish, Reidsville, Possession of Prohibited Item by Inmate
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- Written by Jeff Raiford
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The GBI is investigating an officer involved shooting in Dublin, Laurens County, Georgia. The Dublin Police Department asked the GBI to conduct an independent investigation on December 03, 2023, at around 12:10 a.m. No officers were injured in this incident.
The preliminary information indicates on December 2, 2023, at around 11:50 p.m., the Dublin Police Department was dispatched to a shots fired call. When the officer arrived at the location, he found multiple people shooting at each other in a parking lot near Franklin Street in downtown Dublin. The officer fired his gun in response. At this point, there is no information to indicate that anyone was shot by the officer.
The Dublin Police Department is investigating the shooting that led up to this incident.
This investigation is active and ongoing. Once complete, it will be given to the Dublin Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.
Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Eastman at 478-374-6988. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.
This is the 95th officer involved shooting the GBI has been requested to investigate in 2023.
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‘Tis the season for lights, cheer, and bells ringing and for some in our community, the bells that ring from volunteers standing at the familiar red kettles at major shopping outlet is not only a sign of Christmas, but a sign of hope throughout the year.
Janet Bryant is the coordinator for the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Drive this Christmas and says why putting folded money or even coins in the kettle is so important to those in need in which the Salvation Army provides services.
“The Red Kettle Drive is for those in need in three counties,” she said. “The donations we receive are used all year long to help those in need pay utilities, rent, gas, provide food and clothing, help burnout victims, and provide gifts for children through the Angel Tree and gift cards for senior citizens.”
Janet said members of churches, civic organizations, businesses and more are volunteering their time to ring the bell, but there’s always a need for additional bell ringers.
“We started the drive on November 20, and we’ll go through December 23,” she said. “The shifts are usually two-hours long, and you can do this with a friend as long as the kettles are manned. We ring the bells at both entrances to Walmart and at Belk. Our kettles are set up from 10:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. and rain or shine, we’re there.”
If you have a couple of hours to help you can contact Janet at the local Salvation Army store at 912-538-8203 or email her with the subject line “Kettle” at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
“We know it’s cold outside, but giving and volunteering can warm the hearts for those who serve as well as for those for whom we serve.”
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