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Toombs County, GA Archives News Radio Stories |
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September 30-- A young Toombs County man was seriously injured Monday afternoon in Lyons. Twenty-three-year old Christopher DeShon Johnson of the New Normantown Road was hurt when his all terrain vehicle collided with a car at the corner of East Columbia and North Hall streets. Lyons Police Sergeant Dale Dixon says Johnson was flown by Lifestar to Savannah in serious condition.
September 26-- If you own property in Toombs or Montgomery counties, you'll be paying more property taxes this year. The Toombs County school board voted Thursday night to maintain its tax rate at 13 mils which adds an estimated $367,000 to the school system's revenue because of a property revaluation which increased the value of property in the county. Meanwhile, the Vidalia school board is expected to take the same action after a series of public hearings in October. Superintendent Dr. Tim Smith says the system will gain about $259,000 due to revaluation, and at the same time, residents who live in that part of West Vidalia which is co-located in Montgomery County will see an increase in millage of over three mils to bring them to parity with other Vidalia residents. That action is expected to raise about $300,000. Both school systems says they have been hit by state funding cuts which means local taxpayers have to pick up the slack.
Meanwhile, the Montgomery County Commission voted Thursday to increase its millage rate nearly three mils. The increase will help fund the county's $2.3 million budget which is up about 11 percent over last year, according to county manager Keith Hamilton. The commissioners are pledging a half-mil to the county development authority to help with economic development. And Hamilton says the new budget does not include a pay raise for county employees for the second year consecutive year.
In Toombs County, the county commission voted Thursday to roll back its millage rate by nearly one mil to avoid a windfall increase in tax revenue. The commission also plans three budget meetings in October to finalize the county's 2004 budget. The first is Thursday morning at ten.
September 26-- The Vidalia school board has appointed Bruce Asberry to fill the unexpired term of first ward member Buddy West. Asberry has qualified with no opposition to run for the seat in the November 4th city election.
September 26-- The citizen of the year in Montgomery County for 2003 is county probate judge Ruby Nell Sanders. She was named in ceremonies Thursday night hosted by the Montgomery County Heritage Festival Committee.
September 25-- The head of the parole office in Lyons has been named the Georgia Parole Officer of the Year by the State Board of Pardons and Paroles. Fifty-year-old Donald Moore was chosen from among 300 parole officers statewide and was presented the award by Parole Board Chairman Buddy Nix. Moore and his nine parole officers oversee 450 parolees in seven counties in southeast Georgia. Moore has worked for the Parole Board since 1980.
September 25-- The family of a Hazelhurst woman killed in an ambulance accident has filed a wrongful death civil suit in Toombs County Superior Court. Forty-six-year old Martha Smith died May 1st when a Meadows Regional Medical Center ambulance overturned near Savannah while transporting the woman to a Savannah hospital. Her two sons filed suit Thursday against ambulance driver Rhonda Taylor of Lyons, Meadows Regional as operator, Toombs County as owner, and Threlkeld Motor Company which had serviced the ambulance two weeks prior to the accident. The suit contends all parties should have known the rear tires on the ambulance were not safe. Additionally, Taylor was charged by Chatham County police with second degree vehicular homicide, driving too fast for conditions and using defective equipment.
Sons Dwain and Brian Lee Smith want a Toombs County jury to award them funeral and medical expenses plus other damages related to their mother's death.
September 24-- The Savannah Morning News says their was no malice in their reporting in the series "Justice Betrayed" which made charges against various Vidalia officials last February. The newspaper was responding to a civil suit filed by Sarah Torrance, daughter of Vidalia city manager Bill Torrance, which claimed the paper defamed her with false statements in its articles.
September 22-- The August term of the Toombs County grand jury returned 19 indictments with over a third for drug-related offenses. Drug indictments were returned against Gerald Solie, Alvin Hamilton, Sherome Jones, Toni Marie McRae, Eric Rhymes, Edward Ruhl, Kelvin Beasley and Edward Washington.
September 22-- Students at Vidalia High School got an unexpected 30-minute recess Monday. The school was evacuated after a student mixing combustible paste in the Home Ec Lab decided to cover the smell with an aromatic candle. The blaze was extinguished with a fire extinguisher and was out when firemen arrived.
September 22-- Two southeast Georgia state senators are being thanked for helping protect rural Georgia's water supply. Senator Tommie Williams of Lyons and Hugh Gillis of Soperton were honored Monday night at a reception in Statesboro hosted by the Georgia Water Coalition. Chandra Brown of the Canoochee Riverkeepers praised Senator Gillis for his long record of supporting water conservation, and Brown says both Gillis and Williams helped stop proposed laws last year that could have led to privatization of some of Georgia's water supply.
September 21-- School dress codes were implemented this year in schools in Vidalia, Montgomery County and Toombs County. Officials say about 90 percent of students and parents support the code, but then there's the question of interpretation. Parent John Cretien of Lyons has a first grader in Lyons who's had a problem with borders on colored shirts, and he believes administrators are "being nit-picky" with their enforcement. Cretien is inviting parents with similar enforcement problems to call him so a campaign can be mounted to get some wiggle room with school officials. His number is 526-0636. Meanwhile, school superintendent Dr. Kendall Brantley says once you start making exceptions, the whole policy falls apart.
September 18-- The annual United Way campaign serving those who need help in Toombs, Montgomery and Wheeler counties kicked off Thursday in Vidalia. Campaign chairman Larry Atkins tallied up initial collections from special projects and seven pacemaker companies and reported collections have already exceeded $217,000, or 57 percent of this year's $382,000 goal. United Way director Patricia Dixon believes this year's campaign will meet or exceed its goal. So far, the campaign bike ride has raised $2,400, the skeet shoot garnered $3,800, and the golf tournament kicked in $8,500. Among pacemakers, Trane employees contributions were matched by their company and local manager Denny McShane reports contributions of $105,000. Plant Hatch has more to be collected, but is reporting $30,000 so far; Meadows Regional is just getting started with collections of $8,500, Darby Bank employees are contributing $20,000, Dot Foods $18,500 and Walmart $8,300. The campaign continues this Fall and Atkins says all you have to do is visit the people who are helped and you'll know your money is really reaching those who need it.
September 16-- Voters in Toombs and Wheeler counties passed one percent special purpose local option sales taxes Tuesday. The vote in Toombs County passed by six-to-one with only seven percent of registered voters going to the polls. The vote, 654 for the sales tax, 145 against. In Wheeler County the vote was just over two-to-one with a 12 percent turnout. The vote, 197 yes and 98 no.
September 16-- Local law enforcement officers are warning folks to back off on vandalism leading up to Friday night's cross-county football rivalry between Vidalia and Toombs County. Vidalia police lieutenant Joel Williams says there's already been damage done with spray paint to cars and homes. At Vidalia High School, athletic director Chunk Reid hopes the spirit of the game will not be spoiled by non-players, and Toombs County athletic director Kevin Hill says its a great rivalry which should be decided on the field. Toombs County deputy sheriff Bobby Ray Smith warns that local police are on the lookout for vandals and says they will be prosecuted.
September 15-- Voters in Toombs County are voting Tuesday to continue a one percent local option sales tax which is projected to raise up to $23 million over the next five years. Just over $9 million would be allocated to the Toombs County government and commission chairman Charles Rustin says the sales tax keeps local property taxes down. In Vidalia, Mayor Ronnie Dixon says the one percent levy on sales should raise about $10 million for the city and help pay for road paving, water and sewer improvements, and city recreation facilities. The tax would also raise nearly $4 million for Lyons and $230,000 for Santa Claus.
And in Wheeler County, citizens are being asked to approve the county's first local option sales tax to generate nearly $1.5 million to start a 911 system, and to help finance county recreation facilities, vehicles and equipment, and projects in Glenwood and Alamo.
September 14-- Two Vidalians died in separate accidents Friday. A railroad employee, forty-four-year old Tom Boyd of Vidalia was killed in an on-the-job train accident Friday afternoon in Laurens County.
And early Friday night, a 16-year-old Vidalia girl, Heather Richardson, was killed in a one-car wreck near the intersection of the Ben Roy McLendon and Neely Farm Roads in Toombs County. A passenger in the car, 17-year-old Steve Camon of Lyons, was seriously injured and transported to a Savannah hospital.
September 12-- Qualifying has closed for November 4th elections and there's competition in races in Vidalia, Lyons, Soperton and Treutlen County.
In Treutlen, four law enforcement officers are seeking the office of former Sheriff Wayne Hooks. Acting Sheriff Jeff Hooks, deputy Sid Love, former deputy Tommy Corbin, and Soperton policeman Troy Phillips are in the race.
In Vidalia, two city councilmen are facing opposition. At large council member Tom Peterson is being challenged by insurance agent Brian Frost, and Ward 3 councilman Raymond Turner has opposition from Rochelle "R.M." Thomas. Ward 4 councilman Chip Matheson has no opposition. In Vidalia board of education races, there is no opposition. Bruce Asberry has qualified for the vacant Ward 1 seat formerly held by Buddy West, and incumbents Lisa Adams and Virginia Sharp are unopposed.
In Lyons, incumbent mayor John Moore faces opposition from 5th ward councilman Drayton Oliver. His vacant seat is being sought by Roy Stewart and Willis NeSmith, and Ward 3 incumbent Ivey Toole has opposition from Charles James.
In Soperton, mayor Greg Higgs has opposition from Newburn Phillips and former council member Reggie Evans. The vacant District 1 seat formerly held by Nefy Phillips is being contested by former councilman L.G. Strickland and Kenneth D. Mosley. There's no opposition to District 2 councilman Johnny B. Johnson nor District 5 councilman Wayne B. Sumner.
In Mount Vernon, there's no opposition for Mayor Joey Fountain or councilmen John Roller, Pete Horton and Charlie Williams.
Meanwhile, voters in Toombs and Wheeler Counties go to the polls Tuesday to vote in referendums on one percent special purpose local option sales taxes. Polls are open from seven till seven.
September 11-- A flight instructor at the Vidalia Airport is receiving a low interest loan from the city's economic development revolving loan account to expand services at the airport. The city council voted Thursday to authorize a low interest loan of up to $65,000 for Bobby Smith of Reidsville to purchase an airplane. Officials say Smith will work with Southeastern Tech to help students who want an aviation career do some of their basic studies locally before transferring to the Georgia Aviation Technical College in Eastman. Larry Calhoun of the aviation school says the Vidalia program will make it easier for area residents to pursue jobs in aviation.
September 10-- The former chairman of the Toombs County commission says he plans to run for the office next year. James Thompson appeared before the Toombs County commissioners at their meeting Tuesday morning and questioned why the board has set the county's millage rate for next year without first approving a county budget. Later he said the county increased taxes by one mil back in 2001, and he thinks that increase should be rescinded due to current economic conditions among taxpayers. Thompson also filed an open records request asking the commission to furnish the amount of money which has been transferred from the landfill account to the general fund, the amount of interest transferred from sales tax CD's to the general fund, and a listing of all checks written from the sales tax account showing what the money paid for and to whom the checks were written.
September 9-- The Montgomery County school board and veteran teacher Linda Kea have reached an agreement on her employment. Kea appealed her dismissal from Montgomery County High School and during hearings on the appeal, school superintendent Dale Clark presented evidence of alleged manipulation of hundreds of students grades by Kea as far back as 1989. At its meeting Monday night, the school board voted three to one to accept a compromise allowing Kea to be reinstated and work as the school's In-School Suspension supervisor for the remainder of the school year. In return, Kea agreed to resign as the end of the year and seek no future employment with the school system. Superintendent Clark says she will support the board's decision, but "opposes the settlement on educational, moral and ethical standards." Board chairman Randall Morris says the board's vote does not condone Kea's behavior, but it was the board's desire to cease the lengthy legal process and "put this situation behind us." Kea admits she may have made some math mistakes with some grades, but denies that she ever intentionally tampered with grades to pass or fail students. She is also appealing a decision by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission which suspended her teaching certificate for 30 days. That appeal will be heard in Toombs County Superior Court.
September 8-- A teenager is in serious condition after being hit in an accidental shooting. Toombs County Sheriff Junior Kight says 19-year-old Richard Gayle of Lawrenceville suffered head injuries when a 12-guage shotgun held by a fellow dove hunter went off accidentally. The accident happened Saturday afternoon at a dove field south of Vidalia on the James Thompson farm. Sheriff Kight says the boy was flown by Lifestar to Savannah for treatment.
September 8-- A Montgomery County Superior Court jury will decide if the county should undergo its second property revaluation in two years. The jury was selected Monday. The Montgomery County Board of Tax Assessors is appealing a ruling by the county's Board of Equalization that last year's county-wide property revaluation should be repeated because of lack of uniformity. The Board of Equalization had found in favor of Vidalia physician Dr. Ronnie Smith who questioned the work of the county's revaluation contractor. The jury will hear testimony Tuesday with Judge John Sognier presiding.
Meanwhile, the meter is ticking as Montgomery County pays for the litigation related to the year-long dispute about revaluation. Officials say, so far, the county has paid Macon attorney Hale Almand over $26,000 to defend the county board of tax assessors.
September 8-- Vidalia business leader Allen Rice has been sworn in by Governor Sonny Perdue to the board of the Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education. Rice's company, Savannah Luggage Works, has reinvented itself since 9-11and has created local jobs manufacturing protective vests for a defense contractor. He's looking forward to his work with the state board because, he says, "we're living in a very competitive world, and our people have to get educated and re-educated to make a living these days."
September 5-- A superior court judge has exercised his discretion and denied a petition seeking to unseat the Montgomery County Board of Tax Assessors. Judge John Sognier denied the petition Friday which was organized and filed by Vidalia physician Dr. Ronnie Smith. Although the judge agreed with Smith's assertions that two members of the board had not received required state training, he noted that their training is now up to date and that disruption of an essential county office is a drastic remedy and one which the court should not impose lightly. Tax assessor board chairman Robert Brewer says he's delighted with the decision and that's its unfortunate the county had to bear the expense of defending the assessors in court.
Meanwhile, a second court case is scheduled to start Monday relating to the board of tax assessors and Dr. Smith. Earlier this year, the Montgomery County Board of Tax Equalization heard an appeal from Dr. Smith regarding the county's revaluation of his property. The board cited a lack of uniformity and ordered the tax assessor's office to conduct another county-wide revaluation. The Board of Assessors is appealing that decision and Judge Sognier, the same judge who denied the Smith petition, will be presiding.
September 4-- A revaluation of property in Toombs County has increased the value of the county tax digest by nearly $40 million. In order to avoid a property tax increase in unincorporated areas of the county, the Toombs County commission voted Thursday to rollback its millage rate by nearly one mil. Officials estimate the county will collect about $113,000 less in property taxes because of the rollback, but think that income from other sources such as local sales taxes will balance the county budget.
Meanwhile, the Toombs County school board has no plans for a rollback and is holding public hearings to let taxpayers voice their concerns about the increase in school taxes. Superintendent Dr. Kendall Brantley says state cutbacks in funding to local school systems means the local school board must provide more funding. He estimates maintaining the millage rate at 13 mils will raise an additional $367,000 for the school system. The first public hearing is Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. at the Toombs County school board offices in Lyons. Two other public hearings will be held on September 18th and 25th at the same time. Dr. Brantley expects the school board to set the millage rate immediately after the hearing on the 25th.
September 4-- Qualifying starts Monday and continues through Friday for various elective office jobs in the area. The general election will be held Tuesday, November 4th.
In Lyons, 5th ward city councilman Drayton Oliver says he will qualify to run for mayor against incumbent John Moore. His Ward 5 seat will be up for election as will Ward 3 held by incumbent Ivey Toole.
In Vidalia, three city council seats up for election are those of at-large council member Tom Peterson, and councilmen Raymond Turner in Ward 3 and Chip Matheson in Ward 4. Vidalia school board seats up for election include at-large member Lisa Adams, Virginia Sharp in Ward 3, and the vacant seat in Ward 1 formerly held by Buddy West.
In Treutlen County, candidates will qualify for the unexpired term of former Sheriff Wayne Hooks. And in Soperton, qualifying will take place for the mayor's seat held by Greg Higgs, district 2 councilman Johnny B. Johnson, district 5 councilman Wayne B. Sumner, and the district 1 seat vacated by Nefy Phillips.
In Mount Vernon, qualification will take place for the mayor's office held by Joey Fountain and three at-large council members John Roller, Pete Horton and Charlie Williams.
September 3-- A federal appeals court has denied the appeal of former Vidalian Dr. Carl Drury. Drury is currently serving a 17-year prison term after his conviction in a murder-for-hire scheme to have his wife killed. The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed Drury's conviction of attempting to hire an undercover federal agent, who was also a family friend, to murder Drury's second wife. His first wife, the former Peggy Adams of Vidalia, had earlier died under what members of the Adams family contended were "questionable circumstances." However, no charges were ever filed in that case.
September 3-- Lyons Mayor John Moore is urging people to vote for a continuation of a one percent local option sales tax in a referendum set for Tuesday, September 16 in Toombs County. He estimates sales tax collections of over $3.6 million during a five year period which he says will offset the need for a property tax increase in Lyons. County-wide, the one percent sales tax is forecast to raise $23 million with Toombs County receiving just over $9 million, Vidalia about $10 million, and the city of Santa Claus $230,000. According to Moore, the local governments depend on the sales tax money to maintain such things as roads, water and sewer, and other public facilities.
September 2-- What officials thought was a large marijuana field has tested negative. Agent Todd Lowery of the Oconee Drug Task Force says the state crime lab tested samples of the plants found last week off Thompson Pond Road in Montgomery and Toombs counties. The lab reported negative results for "THC" and Lowery believes the plants were actually hemp plants growing wild due to this summer's wet conditions.
September 2-- A crowd estimated at 300 showed up Saturday morning in Soperton to show their appreciation for former Truetlen County Sheriff Wayne Hooks. The veteran sheriff resigned after a federal conviction of violating the civil rights of two DUI suspects he admitted to hitting. Newspaper reports related testimonials from citizens whom the sheriff had helped during his nearly 18 years in office. Federal Judge Dudley Bowen is expected to pass sentence on the sheriff in the next four to six weeks. The sentence could range from probation to up to 20 years and a half-million dollar fine.
September 2-- The county tax assessors in Montgomery County are seeking to double their operating budget next year. Tax assessor board member Howard Morris spoke for the board Tuesday at the September meeting of the Montgomery County commissioners. The proposed budget includes $35,000 to hire a Level 3 tax assessor as required by state law, $30,000 to retain current level 2 tax assessor Lawrence McCall, and $24,000 as the first installment to pay a contractor to "fly the county" and provide aerial maps. McCall's qualifications have been the subject of public debate for nearly a year since it was revealed he doesn't meet state standards to do the job in Montgomery County. Meanwhile, a judge's decision on the qualifications of two board of assessor members is expected soon, and a court case starts Monday with the board of assessors challenging the county board of equalization's decision directing a county-wide revaluation.
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. ATV Injury
Area Property Taxes Rising
School Board Appoints New Member
Montgomery Citizen of Year
Lyons Parole Officer Wins Top State Award
Family Sues in Ambulance Death
Sarah Sues Savannah Morning News
Toombs County Indictments
Little Fire at School
Water Group Honors Lawmakers
Dress Code Enforcement
United Way Off to Strong Start
Sales Tax Referendums Pass
Pre-Game Vandalism
Special Election Tuesday
Fatal Accidents
Candidates Qualify
Council Approves Revolving Loan
Thompson to Run for Commission Chairman
Montgomery Teacher Deal
Dove Shooting Accident
Revaluation Trial Starting
Rice Sworn in by Sonny
Judge Rules in Favor of Montgomery Assessors
School Tax Increase Possible in Toombs County
Election Qualifying
Drury Appeal Denied
Lyons Mayor Urges Vote for "LOST"
Marijuana "Hemp?"
Sheriff's Supporters Rally
Montgomery Tax Assessors Seek Budget Increase
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URL: http://toombs.150m.com/news/radio/2003/September.htm Updated: Tuesday, September 30, 2003. Top
