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Toombs County, GA Archives News Radio Stories |
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August 28-- The city of Vidalia is assuming operational control of the city's airport. At a called meeting Thursday, the city council voted to hire an airport manager to oversee the airport when the city completes its buyout of Mitchell Air. Mitchell has been operating the airport for the city for the past few years and is now selling its facilities to the city. The council also awarded a nearly $51,000 contract to Sikes Brothers for paving at the airport.
In other actions, the council agreed to open a road near the rear of the Grove subdivision in west Vidalia at the request of Terry Edmonds who has plans to develop 11 homesites. And, pending receipt of a state economic development grant, the council okayed McLendon Enterprises to provide street improvements and sewage in support of the new Loew's Store at a cost of $336,000.
August 27-- Vidalia police report three drug arrests. A search of a house on Dexter Street turned up 105 bags of cocaine and several bags of marijuana, and led to another search of a room at the Scottish Inn where 45 bags of cocaine were seized. Detective Mitch Bellflower says drug charges are pending against 31-year-old Nathaniel Hart of Philadelphia, and 26-year-old Rico Johnson and 17-year-old Terry Powell, both of Vidalia. Vidalia police and the East Central Georgia Drug Task Force made the arrests.
August 27-- A Vidalia woman won a lawsuit against the city of Vidalia but failed to get the amount of damages she was seeking. Deborah Ann Davis of Vidalia filed suit after her car was rear-ended by a Vidalia police car in September, 1999. She was seeking $19,000 for medical damages, $1,000 for property damage plus more for pain and suffering. A Toombs County jury awarded her $10,602 dollars.
August 26-- A veteran deputy is the new interim sheriff of Truetlen County. Jeff Hooks, third cousin to former Sheriff Wayne Hooks, was sworn in at noon Tuesday by county probate judge Grace Proctor. His former boss resigned after being convicted in federal court of violating the civil rights of two young Soperton men in October, 2001. The new sheriff says he's unhappy about the circumstances of his appointment, but will do his best. He's been with the Treutlen sheriff's department since 1985, and says the department will continue to maintain law and order. A special election will be held November 4th for a sheriff to fill the unexpired term of Sheriff Wayne Hooks, and the new sheriff says he's yet to decide if he will run for the office.
August 26-- Law enforcement officers spent much of Tuesday pulling marijuana plants. A spokesman for the Oconee Drug Task Force said officers, acting on a tip, found 4,432 marijuana plants growing in various locations in a 200-acre area off the Thompson Pond Road in Montgomery and Toombs counties. Officials estimated the street value at over $4.8 million.
Meanwhile, Montgomery County Sheriff Clarence Sanders reports that weekend searches of residences in the Uvalda area yielded six arrests in connection with suspected drug trafficking. A warrant at 689 Adams Road in Uvalda resulted in the arrest of Donna Jean Adams, her daughter, Brenda Jean Adams, and Joshua Carlos. Officers found cocaine, marijuana and methamphetamine at the Adams house.
And a search of 972 Conner Road found cocaine, crack, methamphetamine and marijuana. Arrested for possession with intent to traffic were Kimberly Smith and her daughter, Dolly Smith. Charged with possession of marijuana is Nathan Graham. Sheriff Sanders was assisted by officers from the Oconee Drug Task Force, the state patrol, GBI, and Department of Natural Resources.
August 25-- The acting sheriff in Treutlen County is cornoner Green Higgs, but a successor to Sheriff Wayne Hooks should be named soon. Hooks resigned Friday after being convicted on two federal counts of violating the civil rights of two young Soperton men. Probate Judge Grace Braddy is reportedly waiting to receive the official written resignation before appointing a sheriff who would serve until a special election can be held in November.
August 25-- Students at Southeastern Technical College in Vidalia are assured of receiving continued financial aid thanks to accreditation of the college by the Council on Occupational Education. A group of evaluators spent nearly a week at Southeastern Tech and passed the school with flying colors. College President, Dr. Cathy Meehan, says the inspectors had no recommended improvements and commended the school in three areas. Southeastern Tech has been operating since 1990 and offers more than 50 associate degree, diploma and certification programs.
August 23-- A major renovation project in downtown Vidalia received a $500 grant from the Downtown Vidalia Association. B.J. Davis made the presention to downtown property owner John Ladson for remodeling of the old Belk building. The rear of the building will house the Ohoopee Regional Library system's Ladson Genealogical Library, while 6,700 square feet on Church Street will be available for commercial lease, according to Ladson. Paula Toole of the Downtown Vidalia Association says the early 20th century design of the building complements other work that has been done in the last two years downtown. The library hopes to open in early September while the commercial part of the building is expected to be completed in a month or so.
August 23-- The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta has heard oral arguments in the case of the ACLU versus the Ohoopee Regional Library in Vidalia. The American Civil Liberties Union claimed the library shut out a gay newspaper from display at the library, however, library director Dusty Gres denies the allegation and notes she told gay activist Ron Mangum he would have to follow library procedures and file an application for display of his paper. He refused and complained to the ACLU. Federal District Judge Avant Edenfield has ruled against the ACLU twice in the case. Lawyers argued the case before the Court of Appeals August 8th and a decision from the three-judge panel is expected by the end of the year.
August 22-- Treutlen County Sheriff Wayne Hooks has resigned his office. Sheriff Hooks resigned before U.S. District Judge Dudley Bowman Friday after the judge told him he could either resign or be confined pending a federal sentence on two convictions of violating the civil rights of two prisoners in his custody.
Sheriff Hooks was found guilty by a federal jury for slapping prisoners Steven Tanner and Tony King following a high speed police chase of the two by his deputy Ryan Griner. Griner was slightly injured when his police vehicle crashed during the chase. Sheriff Hooks' attorney, Jim Wiggins of Eastman, says he hopes input to the judge from the jury after the trial will result in a light sentence for Sheriff Hooks, who could face up to ten years on each of the two counts.
Deputy Ryan Griner was acquitted of witness tampering and assault on a prisoner. He said he was sorry the jury convicted Sheriff Hooks.
Sheriff Hooks has been the Treutlen County sheriff since 1985 and most people in the courtroom felt law enforcement in the county is the big loser with his resignation. Treutlen County Probate Judge Grace Braddy will appoint a temporary replacement until a special election can be held to fill the unexpired term of Sheriff Hooks.
August 21-- The federal jury considering the civil rights case of Treutlen County Sheriff Wayne Hooks and his deputy Ryan Griner will continue its deliberations Friday. Hooks and Griner are accused of violating the constitutional rights of two young Soperton men they arrested nearly two years ago after a high speed police chase. Sheriff Hooks has admitted striking Steven Tanner and Tony King, while Deputy Griner denies he tried to influence the testimony of witness Laurie Coley.
The jury got the case at one o'clock Thursday and was sequestered for the night after considering the case for nearly five hours. Earlier they heard closing arguments from the government prosecutor and defense attorneys. Griner's attorney, Page Pate of Atlanta, said the case would not be in federal court if it weren't for two Dublin lawyers representing Tanner and King in their traffic cases who are using the two for possible gain in civil court. Attorneys John Helton and Harold McClendon have notified Truetlen County commissioners of their intention to sue the county for a million dollars each on behalf of Tanner and King. Helton introduced Tanner to Dublin FBI agent Vincent Dreaden who opened the civil rights investigation. Given the evidence in the case, defense attorney Pate does not believe it should be in a federal court.
A crowd of supporters of Sheriff Hooks and Deputy Griner have attended each day of the weeklong trial and waited for a verdict in the hot lobby of the federal building all Thursday afternoon. Some courtroom observers think the lengthy deliberations are a good sign for the sheriff and his deputy, but quickly add, you can never tell what a jury will do.
August 19-- In the federal civil rights trial of Treutlen County Sheriff Wayne Hooks and his deputy Ryan Griner, a sleep expert from the Department of Justice testified Tuesday that lack of sleep can increase police officer misconduct and brutality. Dr. Brian Villa told the jury that while being tired is no excuse for bad behavior, it should be considered as a factor in the accusations of abuse being made by two men who were roughed up by Sheriff Hooks in October, 2001. Hooks attorney claims the sheriff slept only ten hours in three days prior to the time he allegedly beat Steven Tanner and Tony King following a police chase and their arrest for DUI and other traffic violations. However, the federal expert caveated his testimony by saying if the incidents happened at intervals, as is the case here, the behavior could be due less to fatigue and more intentional in nature.
Meanwhile, deputy Griner is also facing federal witness tampering charges. A waitress who witnessed the hitting of Steven Tanner when he was arrested by Griner and Hooks at the Huddle House north of Soperton, testified that Griner talked to her three times about her federal grand jury testimony, twice before she testified and once the night following her testimony. Forty-one-year old Laurie Coley said Griner's questions about what she intended to say made her "uncomfortable." On one occasion, she said he left her saying, "We never had this conversation, I was never here." He also pulled her over on the highway one day to get her phone number.
Both Tanner and King, who still have traffic cases outstanding against them in Treutlen County, gave their accounts of what happened the night in question, admitted that Tanner and pal Chris Beasley smoked marijuana on the way to Vidalia, had lots to drink at Kerrigan's, and returned to Soperton at high speeds with Beasley and King at the wheel. King said he initially lied to Sheriff Hooks about who was driving and that's why the sheriff hit him when he arrived at the Treutlen County jail. Griner's attorney, Page Pate of Atlanta, said all the trouble would have been avoided if King had simply told the truth.
The third day of testimony continues Wednesday at the U.S. courthouse in Dublin.
August 18-- Attorneys for Treutlen County Sheriff Wayne Hooks admit he slapped two men in his custody, but deny that he violated their civil rights. The federal trial of the sheriff and his deputy Ryan Griner got underway Monday at the U.S. Courthouse in Dublin. The sheriff is facing a federal civil rights charge for allegedly abusing Steven Tanner and Tony King when they were arrested after a police chase in October, 2001. Deputy Griner is also accused of violating the civil rights of Tanner, his first cousin, and of witness tampering.
In opening statements, the government admitted Tanner and King "are no angels," but added, they don't deserve what they got from Sheriff Hooks and Deputy Griner." Prosecutors claim the men, along with Chris Beasley, were returning from a night of drinking in Vidalia when Deputy Griner tried to pull them over for speeding. King, who was allegedly driving Tanner's truck, tried to outrun Griner and led him on a chase that ended when the sheriff's vehicle wrecked on a back road not far from the Huddle House north of Soperton. When Sheriff Hooks arrived on the scene, they spotted Tanner's truck at the restaurant and Griner drug Tanner from a booth and put him in the back of the sheriff's pickup where a witness claims to have seen the sheriff hitting Tanner in the face.
Hook's attorney claims the incident happened at the end of a particularly stressful week in Soperton highlighted by the robbery of the Colony Bank. Lawyer Jim Wiggins said the sheriff, who had developed the lead which led to the arrest of the bank robbery suspect, had less than ten hours sleep in three days before being called out after midnight to learn his deputy had suffered a broken nose in the wreck that culminated a high speed chase. Wiggins claimed the sheriff was frustrated with Tanner and King about their lackadaisical attitude and stupidity in endangering their lives and that of his deputy. Griner's attorney denied that the deputy ever hit anybody or attempted to coerce the testimony of waitress Laurie Coley who witnessed the arrest at the Huddle House. Another witness, waitress June Yee of Rochelle, had to consult her grand jury testimony to confirm what she remembered about the incident.
Judge Dudley Bowen sequestered the jury of ten women and four men for the duration of the trial.
August 15-- A federal grand jury has indicted Vidalia's wheelchair robber Timothy Lamar Scott on two counts related to his stickup of the BB&T Bank in Vidalia on August 5th. Scott was captured in the bank and is charged in the federal indictment with taking an estimated $7,000 dollars before surrendering to Vidalia police. He could get up to 25 years in federal prison for the robbery. He's also indicted for firing a .45 caliber pistol in the bank and could get up to ten years on that count.
August 15-- The federal trial of Treutlen County Sheriff Wayne Hooks and his deputy Ryan Griner starts Monday at the U.S. Courthouse in Dublin with Judge Dudley Bowen presiding. The two are accused of violating the civil rights of two men they arrested for DUI. Steven DeWayne Tanner and Tony Lee King claim they were assaulted by Hooks and Griner at the Treutlen County jail in Soperton. Griner is also facing a federal witness tampering charge in the case. Jury selection and opening arguments are expected to take up most of the day Monday.
August 15-- The state's second try at convicting a Higgston truck driver with obstruction of justice is expected this week in Montgomery County Superior Court. Reginald Burns was acquitted of three counts in a previous trial, and the jury was hung on one count of obstruction. The state claims he obstructed two deputies who were trying to serve warrants on his wife, Cheryl. She fired a shotgun which wounded the officers and was killed when they returned fire. Judge Frederick Mullis is expected to hear a motion Monday for a change of venue due to pre-trial publicity about the case. Burns also has a federal civil damage suit pending.
August 14-- Two local grand juries have returned murder indictments. The Montgomery County grand jury indicted William Frank Lloyd of Higgston for the fatal shooting of Nancy Smith, mother of two of his children, last February in front of the couple's home in Higgston.
In Tattnall County, the grand jury indicted Reidsville State Prison inmate Napoleon Harris for the murder of correctional officer James Henderson of Vidalia who died after an attack in the prison in May, 2002. The grand jury also indicted two men and a woman for the beating death of 71-year-old William Wright of Reidsville in July of last year. Indicted are Christopher Reid and Greg Baker, both 20 of Reidsville, and 19-year-old Elizabeth Joyner of Collins.
August 14-- Last month Judge John Sogneir said he expected to make a decision on the legitimacy of two members of the Montgomery County Board of Tax Assessors by August 10th. The judge held two days of hearings in Mount Vernon on a petition mounted by Vidalia physician Dr. Ronnie Smith which questioned the qualifications of board members Robert Brewer and Howard Morris. Now it appears a delay in providing hearing transcripts to lawyers in the case has delayed written briefs to Judge Sognier and a decision in the case is further delayed.
August 14-- The grand jury in Montgomery County is recommending that the county build a new jail. The old jail was built in the 1800's and has had several breakouts in the past few years. Sheriff Clarence Sanders concurs in the grand jury's findings. County manager Keith Hamilton says the county commissioners will consider the grand jury recommendations, but that financing a new jail would probably require a countywide referendum on a bond issue. Sheriff Sanders says a modest new facility would serve Montgomery County just fine.
August 13-- The Vidalia school board thanked board member Buddy West Tuesday night for his service to the city's schools. West has moved out of Ward One and has resigned from the board. He served as board chairman for three years after joining the board in 1996 and helped restore public confidence in the board's oversight of the school system. His seat will remain open until the November 4th election which will also elect board members for the Ward Three seat now held by incumbent Virginia Sharp and at-large member Lisa Adams.
The school board was also told the new school dress code has been a non-issue in the opening days of the new school term. And school superintendent Dr. Tim Smith says enrollment is up at all four schools in the system, plus they're hoping to open an additional pre-k class if a few more children enroll by Labor Day. Enrollment is up to 679 students at Vidalia High School, 672 at J.D. Dickerson Primary, 548 at Sally Meadows Elementary, and 535 at J.R. Trippe Middle School.
August 12-- Monday was the second day of school at Vidalia High School, and quite a day it was. A ninth grade student gave birth to a baby in the school bathroom. Luckily, the school nurse was on hand when the girl was discovered, and both the young mother and her baby boy are OK.
August 12-- Every town has its share of vacant, rundown houses which are an eyesore to the community. In Vidalia, the city has been running a methodical condemnation program for years, but progress is slow. At its Monday night meeting, the Vidalia city council was briefed by Sandersville officials on a program which tore down 40 old houses in 17 days. Police chief John Wesley Harden says it was part of his department's effort to remove crack houses from low income neighborhoods. With property owners agreement, Sandersville used the National Guard to knock down and remove the houses at no cost to the owners. The chief says their goal is to remove 300 houses in ten years. Vidalia mayor Ronnie Dixon said he'd like to see Vidalia try something similar and recommended it to the council for consideration.
The council also approved a $104,000 contract to Sikes Brothers for paving of three roads in the city: Southgate Boulevard, Catherine Drive and Irvin Place. Officials say they are the last remaining dirt roads in the city.
August 12-- Toombs County commissioners appointed six people Tuesday to fill vacant positions on the county hospital authority. They are Wayne Brantley, John Moore, Willis NeSmith, Larry Threlkeld, Fred Stewart and Reid McArthur.
The commission also announced receipt of nearly $300,000 in grant money to help middle and low income families improve or obtain new housing. Chairman Charles Rustin says 15 Toombs County families were helped with the program last year.
Commissioners agreed to buy a new ambulance to replace the one which was totaled in a fatal wreck in May near Savannah. The cost is just over $75,000 with insurance paying $54,000. And chairman Rustin says he's asked the District Attorney to see what legal steps can be taken to control noise at a motorcycle dirt track off the Ezra Taylor Road. Neighbors say it's a nuisance.
August 12-- Soperton First District councilman Mephi Phillips is resigning his seat on the city council because he is moving. Mayor Greg Higgs says his replacement will be elected in the November 4th election. Other city offices up for election then include the Mayor, and council members from the second and fifth districts. Qualifying for the seats will be September 9th through the 12th at the city hall in Soperton. Mayor Higgs says he intends to seek reelection.
August 11-- A young Hispanic girl is missing and her family and police are seeking your help in finding her. Investigator Jay Page with the Toombs County Sheriff's Department says 11-year-old Priscilla Trejo was last seen at her home on Kermit Mann Road in Lyons last Wednesday night. They believe she may have left home voluntarily with 18-year-old Bani Garcia Mexquitila in a brown Ford Crown Victoria, Georgia license plate 4253-APL. The girl is five feet tall, weighs about 80 pounds, brown eyes, black hair with brown highlights, and was wearing black jeans, a pink top, and black ankle boots. If you have information, contact the Toombs County Sheriff's office at 526-9292.
August 11-- Former Vidalia High School teacher Melanie Campione is disputing statements made by attorneys for Vidalia City Schools and Vidalia High School principal Mitch Harrington. The school system has asked a federal judge to dismiss Campione's civil suit charging assault and battery by Harrington and sexual discrimination and retaliation by the school system. However, Campione says there's evidence of hostile work environment sexual harassment and retaliation under federal law.
She claims she was shocked and humiliated on October 12, 2001 when Harrington was in a hallway laughing and talking with two coaches when she passed by an said hello. She alleges he grabbed her with both hands, dipped her backward, and kissed her several times on the neck. Harrington's lawyers have characterized it as a "hugging incident" and say witnesses have sworn that she did not appear upset and remained to carry on casual conversation afterwards. She claims she yelled, "What are you doing," and quickly fled to her room in a "state of shock and humiliation." She also recounts four other incidents where Harrington allegedly made comments to her of a sexual nature.
Court papers filed by Campione allege Harrington has admitted to at least one sexual relationship with a teacher at Vidalia High School, and claim that school superintended Dr. Tim Smith was aware of the affair and spoke with Harrington about it, but took no other action. They also claim at least two other former teachers complained verbally to Smith and Board of Education members about "Harrington's discriminatory behavior" and one of the teacher's, Penny Charbonneau, was denied a hearing by the school board.
According to Campione, she had never been reprimanded at Vidalia High School until after the incident with Harrington and after she filed a complaint with the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. After that, she received six reprimands, and even though she was offered employment for the next school term, Campione contends the administration "resorted to every available method to discourage or prevent her from returning the following year." She later resigned and taught last year at Toombs County High School. This year she's teaching middle school in Macon.
Campione's response to the Vidalia school board's motion to dismiss the case was filed with Judge Avant Edenfield in federal district court on August 4.
August 9-- Vidalia's J.R. Trippe Middle School shows up on the state's report of schools needing improvement. But it's not because of academics, it's because of poor attendance. School superintendent Dr. Tim Smith says the school's test administration and results are fine, but poor student attendance caused a flag to go up at the state department of education. To meet state attendance standards, no more than 15 percent of students can miss 15 or more days of class. At J.R. Trippe last year, 17.6 percent of students missed 15 days or more. Smith says parents need to make sure their kids are in school.
Meanwhile, in Montgomery County, School superintendent Dale Clark confirms both Montgomery County Elementary and Montgomery County Middle School are on the needs improvement list. Attendance was the problem at the elementary school with 20 percent of students missing too many school days. At the middle school, Clark says math test scores of 8th graders missed the state standard by one point. She also says they've got to improve graduation rates at Montgomery County High School. The state requires that at least 60 percent of the 9th graders who enter high school graduate four years later. The percentage at Montgomery County High School is 58 percent, two percent below the state standard.
Other schools in this area which showed up on the state's needs improvement list are the Swainsboro Elementary and Middle Schools, Jeff Davis Middle School, Wheeler County Elementary and High Schools, and the middle schools in Glennville and Reidsville.
August 7-- A Toombs County jury deliberated for nearly an hour Thursday and returned a guilty verdict in the murder trial of a Washington County man whose case had been moved from Sandersville to Lyons for trial. Twenty-one-year old Brandon Tarver was sentenced to life without parole for the killing of a convenience store clerk during an armed robbery in May, 2000 in the small town of Riddleville east of Sandersville. Tarver could have received the death penalty for the malice murder conviction. The trial started Monday.
August 7-- The wheelchair robber arrested Tuesday for robbing the BB&T Bank in Vidalia has a date with a federal magistrate. Timothy Lamar Scott of Vidalia is facing federal bank robbery charges and will make his initial appearance before a federal magistrate Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Statesboro. Until then, he is being held on state armed robbery charges at the Toombs County jail in Lyons.
August 7-- Last January the Montgomery County Board of Tax Equalization ordered the county's Board of Tax Assessors to conduct a new countywide revaluation of property after determining last year's revaluation was not done on an uniform basis. The new revaluation was to have been completed by this month. Instead of complying, the Board of Assessors took the Board of Equalization to court to appeal their ruling. Now the case has a court date. Montgomery County clerk of court Dwight Newsome says Judge John Sognier will hear the case starting Monday, September 8th at the courthouse in Mount Vernon.
August 7-- State agencies have been told to identify 2.5 percent cuts in their budgets this fiscal year. The reductions could take effect unless there's a turnaround in revenue collections. July collections are down five percent from July of last year. Governor Sonny Perdue is meeting with state department heads who are also being told to look at how to take an additional five percent cut next fiscal year.
August 6-- Lyons police chief Ricky Newsome says it was a scary situation early Sunday morning at the former Cabaret lounge in Lyons. He briefed the Lyons city council Tuesday night that he took the business license of "Nicky's Party House" after officer's found an estimated 500 people in and around the establishment about 2:30 Sunday morning. He said gunshots were fired, there was fighting and loud music. And that's not the first time. Chief Newsome says police have been called there a dozen times recently. City manager Rick Hartley says the proprietors were forced out of Baxley after similar problems and he advised the city council to pass a city ordinance regulating hours of operation of so-called party houses. Hartley says the houses don't serve alcohol, but there's plenty available because the customers bring their own to consume while dancing to loud music at the establishments. The council returned the license to Wendell and Bobby Pittman who had sub-leased the building to the party house people. They assured the council they'd take steps to avoid such problems in the future, and Mayor John Moore says an ordinance will be forthcoming.
Mayor Moore also announced that for the second time in three years, the city has received a half-million dollar state grant for city improvements. The money will be used for drainage improvements in a 17-block area of southwest Lyons.
August 6-- The cost of Health Department inspections is going up in Montgomery County. At its August meeting, Montgomery County commissioners approved fees submitted by the health department including $50 increases to inspect restaurants and septic tanks. Commissioners also agreed to seek bids for paving of Fairway Drive and Deer Court and to repair shoulders on the Alston-Mount Vernon Road. They reappointed T.R. Clifton to another term on the board of the county department of family and children's services.
August 6-- The state plans to retry a Higgston truck driver for obstruction of justice in a confrontation with Montgomery County sheriff''s deputies who shot and killed his wife. A jury cleared Reginald Burns of three charges in the case in February and was hung on a second count of obstruction. Burns wife, Cheryl, was shot after she wounded two deputies with a shotgun blast in December, 2001 as they were attempting to serve her with warrants. Burns second trial is expected the week of August 18th in Montgomery County Superior Court. Meanwhile, he has filed a multimillion dollar damage suit against the county and the sheriff's department for violating his wife's civil rights.
August 6-- We earlier reported that the Mel Blount Youth Home in Vidalia had hired a new lawyer to help it keep its license. That's true, but the home is also keeping its old law firm which has been fighting the Georgia Department of Human Resources on the home's behalf for over three years. Frances Stubbs of Reidsville will be assisted by former Georgia attorney general Michael Bowers. The state claims the home abused residents, a claim that's been denied by youth home director Clint Blount.
August 5-- One man is in custody after an attempted bank robbery Tuesday morning at the BB&T Bank in Vidalia. Vidalia police chief Daryl Collins says Tim Scott of Vidalia, a paraplegic who is wheelchair bound, fired two gunshots inside the bank. He was later distracted and disarmed by police and taken to the Toombs County Detention Center in Lyons. Chief Collins said police responded quickly to the alarm and surrounded the bank with Scott still inside. He had ordered bank manager Hubert Hill to the floor at gunpoint before he was subdued.
Scott was indicted in May, 2002 for the break-in and burglary at the Altamaha Bank in Vidalia and the case is still pending. He's had other run-ins with the law in connection with marijuana possession and firearm possession, but those charges were dismissed.
August 5-- Former Montgomery County High School coach Hector Ramirez has voluntarily given up his Georgia teaching certificate. A hung jury in February caused a mistrial after he was charged with having sex with a former Montgomery County High school female student. At the time, eleven of the jurors voted to acquitt Ramirez of sexual relations with 18-year-old Tiffany Burkett. Tuesday he appeared at a hearing by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission in Mount Vernon and gave up his certification to teach school in Georgia in lieu of going through the hearing. Montgomery County School Superintendent Dale Clark says she understands Ramirez is now teaching school in Florida.
August 4-- Seventeen area citizens have been selected to take part in the 2003-2004 Leadership Toombs-Montgomery County class. The local leadership training is sponsored by the Toombs-Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce and is designed to educate citizens on how they can make a difference in their community. Glenn and Karen Durden are the class coordinators. The new class includes Todd Besier of Darby Bank, April Conner of VNS Corporation, Jimmy Dixon of Hill Manufacturing, Kevin Griner of McDonald's, Kip Hart representing the Lyons Merchants Association, Danae Hill of Threlkeld Motor Company, Flora Martinez of Savannah Luggage Works, Nita McBride of Wilson Trucking, Rich McDonald of Georgia Power, Marion Oglesby of the Trane Company, attorney Hugh Peterson, Chris Phillips of Harton Automotive, Les Ramsey of Montgomery Bank and Trust, Doug Roper of the Paul Anderson Youth Home, Russ Vaughn of Oxford, Chad Waldron of Meadows Regional Medical Center, and David Yarbrough of Southeastern Tech. The class starts August 15 with orientation and continues through March.
August 1-- After taking a week to come up with potential jurors, the capital murder case of a Washington County man is starting Monday in the Toombs County courthouse in Lyons. The trial was moved from Sandersville with the state seeking the death penalty of 21-year-old Brandon Tarver who's accused of killing a convenience store clerk during an armed robbery in May, 2000. Death penalty opponent Michael Garrett of Augusta is defending Tarver.
August 1-- A couple of local legislators are in the news. State senator Jack Hill of Reidsville has been appointed by Governor Sonny Perdue to serve on the state's Fiscal Affairs subcommittee. The group meets after each session of the legislature to review the budgets of state agencies. Senator Hill, who chairs the senate appropriations committee, is the ranking republican on the fiscal affairs subcommittee.
And state representative Greg Morris of Vidalia is recipient of this year's outstanding legislator award from the Professional Association of Georgia Educators. Tom Wommack of PAGE says Morris has always been supportive of the group's legislative agenda and this year led efforts to attract former teachers back to the classroom with legislation which restores lost sick and personal leave.
News Break - Vidalia Communications.
This site is a member of The American History and Genealogy Project (AHGP), an unincorporated not-for-profit network of independent sites devoted to History & Genealogy, and covering North American Countries and Territories. For more information about our group, including how you can join us, please see our About page. City Takes Over Airport Operations
Vidalia Drug Bust
Traffic Accident Verdict
Treutlen Sheriff Appointed
Montgomery County Drug Arrests
Treutlen Sheriff Appointment Status
STC Re-Accredited
DVA Presents Grant
Appeals Court Hears Library Arguments
Sheriff Resigns After Guilty Verdict
Jury Continues Deliberations Friday
Federal Expert Testifies for the Defense
Sheriff's Federal Trial Starts
Accused Vidalia Robber Indicted
Treutlen Sheriff's Trial Starts Monday
Burns Case This Week
Murder Indictments
Lawyers Waiting on Transcripts
Grand Jury Recommends New Jail in Montgomery
Board Thanks West
Baby Born at High School
Council Hears Sandersville Success Story
County Fills Hospital Authority Positions
Soperton Councilman Resigns
Missing Girl
Campione Disputes School District Motion
Attendance Hurts Vidalia School in State Report
Murder Case Guilty Verdict
Hearing for Bank Robber
September Hearing in Montgomery Tax Case
State Revenue Collections Lagging in July
Crowd Control in Lyons
Inspection Fees Up in Montgomery County
Burns Retrial
Correction in Blount Case
Attempted Robbery in Vidalia
Teacher Gives Up Georgia Teaching Certificate
Leadership Toombs-Montgomery Class Named
Capital Case Starting
Pols in the News
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URL: http://toombs.150m.com/news/radio/2003/August.htm Updated: Saturday, August 30, 2003. Top
