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February 28-- The Vidalia City Council has appointed a retired GBI agent to conduct an inquiry regarding Vidalia Police Chief Darrell Collins. At its Monday meeting, the council approved Martin Moses, currently a Montgomery County magistrate, to look into allegations which led to Collins being placed on administrative leave with pay last week. City officials can't discuss the nature of the allegations because they say it's a "personnel issue," and they emphasize no wrongdoing is assumed pending the results of the Moses inquiry.
In other actions, the council approved a five percent pay raise for city department heads, okayed an eleven percent increase to city health insurance premiums, and agreed to pay attorney Massie McIntyre $3,900 to remove 13 trailers from Peacock Street under terms of the city's dilapidated housing removal program.
February 27-- The Georgia House and Senate have agreed on congressional redistricting maps which are expected to be approved this session. The new maps move Toombs, Montgomery and Treutlen counties from the 3rd to the 12th congressional district and would take effect for the 2006 congressional elections. The 12th district map runs from Taliaferro County in the north to Bryan and part of Chatman counties in the south.
Two Toombs county lawmakers, Representative Greg Morris of Vidalia and Senator Tommie Williams of Lyons, both say they would prefer redistricting maps be taken out of partisan politics. Morris offered an amendment to that effect last week, but it was turned down in the house. Williams says "politicians are not willing to give up that kind of power." He and Morris would like to see an independent third party draw the district lines for all voting districts at the state and federal level. Williams believes the judiciary branch should have that responsibility.
February 25-- A couple of firsts in a Vidalia recognition ceremony Thursday night. For the first time, both the Vidalia Citizen of the Year and the Lady of the Year were honored in a joint ceremony, and two of the oldest recipients ever honored were selected for recognition.
In what resembled lifetime achievement awards, 94-year-old Mel Whipple was honored by Beta Sigma Phi as its Lady of the Year. She says Vidalia has always had a strong sense of community, and she can't believe the changes she's seen in her lifetime.
The citizen of the year is 74-year-old Jack Fields who, among other civic deeds, has put his volunteer carpentry skills to work for churches, charities and the handicapped.
February 24-- Vidalia police chief Darrell Collins has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending investigation. City manager Bill Torrance says he took the action Thursday morning after he'd received information warranting investigation last Friday. Torrance says city personnel policy prohibits discussion of the nature of the case, but he emphasizes that the action in no way indicates any wrongdoing. An independent investigator is being employed to do fact-finding and report to Torrance. If warranted, any disciplinary action would be taken by the city council since Chief Collins is a department head, according to Torrance. He says Captains Roger Callaway and Kevin Collins will run the department in Chief Collins absence.
February 24-- State representative Greg Morris of Vidalia voted with the majority in the House to require Georgia women who want an abortion to wait 24 hours before it can be done. Morris believes the new legislation may save a few lives.
In other votes, representative Morris voted against a measure which would have limited to 127-credit hours the amount of college study the state's HOPE scholarship would fund. He says the legislature approved changes to HOPE last year to maintain the fund's future and there's no reason to impose more limitations.
February 23-- Charles Thompson lived in Vidalia until he was seven when his family moved to Atlanta. However, he never forgot a woman who helped raise him. In his own Black History Month tribute, Thompson recounted how Miss Kate Gillis, who lived to the age of 104, helped his grandmother run a local farm during the Depression, how she helped raise generations of Thompsons, Humpherys and Morrises, and how she taught him to respect others regardless of race or creed. Thompson came to see Miss Kate at the Bethany Home before she died, and he remembers she said he was "the meanest little white boy I ever knew, and loved." He says he just wants people to know the kind of impact Miss Kate had on his life and the lives of others.
February 23-- Treutlen County residents will start paying an extra $1.50 on their monthly phone bills starting in March as the county prepares to start a 911 emergency service. The county has 18 months to bring the service on line and has formed a committee to get all the county roads named. Officials say plans are to locate the Treutlen 911 in the county sheriff's office.
February 23-- Students at Georgia Southern will need more money for campus parking and travel if a university plan is approved by the Board of Regents. The school wants to start a campus bus system next year and charge each student a $40 fee. Plus, there will be no more free commuter parking on campus. The cost will be $120 and drivers will be assigned specific parking lots to park in.
February 22-- The U.S. Commerce Department is designating Tumi facilities in Vidalia as a Foreign Trade Zone. Congressman Jim Marshall says the designation will allow Tumi to avoid some import/export fees at the port of Savannah and make it more competitive against foreign competitors.
February 22-- The proposed state law that would allow government agencies to negotiate economic development deals in secret with big business is expected to be amended in the state senate. Senator Tommie Williams of Lyons says the bill will not pass in its current form. He reports members of the Rules Committee are working with the Georgia Press Association to limit secret negotiations to deals at the state level. If adopted, the law would not apply to negotiations at the city and county level.
February 22-- At the behest of new Toombs County Development Authority Chairman Reese Thompson, members of the authority agreed to sign letters pledging to avoid conflicts of interest in carrying out their duties on the authority. Over the past ten years, the authority has received an average of $364,000 a year in Toombs County taxes to invest in the county's economic development. Thompson told the authority's February meeting it's important for citizens to trust board members to make decisions which are in the public interest.
February 22-- Governor Sonny Perdue has reappointed Emanuel County Sheriff Tyson Stephens to the state Board of Corrections. Sheriff Stephens is serving his sixth term as sheriff and is past president of the Georgia Sheriff's Association.
February 22-- Eight students at Southeastern Tech are in the running for the school's annual Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership. Nominated are Jamie Glisson of Mount Vernon, Donna McGhee of Reidsville, Tonya Wimblery of Lyons, Jessica Stone and Pete Salazar, both of Baxley, and Kimberly Miller, Sandy Smith and Cynthia Waring, all of Vidalia. The winner will represent STC in state-wide competition later this year.
February 19-- Many Georgia attorneys are concerned that the Georgia legislature has passed tort reform capping the amount a patient can be awarded for punitive damages to $350,000. Vidalia attorney Wilson Smith is so concerned with the bill that he's asking Senator Tommie Williams of Lyons to explain the bill and why he voted for it in a public forum. In response, Senator Williams says he will host a town hall meeting on tort reform and other legislation when the current session of the legislature adjourns.
Senator Williams says he expects a bill redistricting congressional districts plus the state budget to pass in the coming week. Regarding Governor Perdue's efforts to keep the public in the dark about state dealings with big business, Williams says a compromise may be possible while the bill is in the Senate Rules Committee chaired by Senator Don Balfour.
The Georgia Press Association and the Georgia Association of Broadcasters oppose the secrecy measure and urge citizens to let Senator Balfour know of their concerns by calling his office at 404-656-0095.
February 17-- A Montgomery County grand jury has returned indictments in two murder cases, two bank robberies and two jail breaks. It also returned true bills in 32 other cases.
Morris McClain, Sr. of Uvalda was indicted for murder in the August 22nd shooting death of Glenn Edward Sharpe. In another murder case, Sharon Wicker of Mount Vernon was indicted for the stabbing death of her husband, Leo, December 27th.
The grand jury indicted Jason Swain of Vidalia for the June 11th armed robbery of the Altamaha Bank, and Sherman Taylor of Uvalda for the August 9th holdup at the Montgomery County Bank.
Four prisoners who broke out of the Montgomery State Prison last October were indicted for felony escape, and Jim Ed Lowery was indicted for escaping from the Montgomery County jail last February. Additionally, Marlowe Goodwin was indicted for bringing marijuana to the Montgomery State Prison.
Others indicted in connection with drug offense are Donnel Gilchrist, David Joyce, Vermaris Johnson, Jim Curry and Jaron Phillips, all of Mount Vernon; and Sherry Chambers, Mario Shinholster, and Claudine and Mark Adams, all of Uvalda.
In Montgomery Superior Court, a jury found pine straw broker Denise Pilgrim of Lexington, South Carolina not guilty on ten felony counts of failing to pay Don Selph of Vidalia for pine straw. Joseph Delk of Uvalda, currently in prison for child molestation, entered a not guilty plea in another child molestation case. And Judge Phillip West handed down a number of probated sentences to various people who pled guilty including Julius Bouyer, Erasto Alvrado and Thomas Foskey, all for burglary; Rufus Fields for forgery; John Hodges, Carl Daniels, Charles Brownlee, all for drug-related offenses; and William Wright, Jr. for sexual battery.
February 17-- The Swainsboro beauty shop owner who drowned in the Thunderbolt Marina last month was "impaired" when she fell into the water, according to Thunderbolt police. A press release said Cindy Lynch's blood alcohol level was more than three times over the legal limit. Her disappearance from her yacht in the marina sparked national press interest until her body was found and her death ruled "an accidental drowning."
February 16-- Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue went to an Atlanta hospital Wednesday afternoon and signed legislation aimed at reducing the cost of medical liability insurance to doctors and hospitals by capping the amount of damages in civil lawsuits. In Vidalia, Meadows Regional Medical Center CEO Alan Kent says the new law will help rural hospitals keep costs down. Kent also believes the new law will help emergency room doctors focus on patient treatment without ordering a wide array of tests to justify their prognosis in the event of a lawsuit.
On another subject, Kent reports the community's reaction to the medical center's new wellness center on Highway 280 has exceeded all expectations. Initial projections were for 700 clients after several months of operation, however, Kent says that goal was exceeded in just over a week.
February 15-- The city of Vidalia is making progress in removing falling-down, abandoned houses from city neighborhoods. Jackson Posey briefed the city council at its February meeting that the city has worked with property owners to remove 30 old houses on 13 streets in the last 90 days. Last year the city approved $250,000 to be spent over a five-year period on the project. While most houses have been torn down, some owners have rebuilt them to meet city building codes. Posey also says police see crime-fighting benefits to the effort by removing buildings which had been used for illicit drugs. He estimates nearly 150 more old houses will be removed in the future.
February 14-- Students at Toombs County High School will be asked to take part in a survey regarding their attitudes about sex and abstinence. The Toombs school board agreed to let the Toombs County Family Connections program conduct the survey as long as each student's parents sign a consent form. Family Connections endorses abstinence to avoid teenage pregnancy and plans to use the survey data in applying for grants to support the program. School board member Robert Rozier voted against participation after hearing some of the questions which he said are "too personal."
At its February meeting, the school board passed a resolution thanking school counselors for their work with students. It also heard a presentation from School superintendent Dr. Kendall Brantley on the difficulty of recruiting minority teachers. He says too few are graduating from Georgia's colleges and those who do are not interested in rural school systems due to problems with pay, housing and lack of a social life.
Dr. Brantley opposes a state law which seeks to force state school systems to start classes no earlier that late August starting next school term. Toombs County schools are currently scheduled to open the first week of August. Dr. Brantley believes school sessions should be set by local school boards, not the state legislature. A similar state law was proposed last year but did not pass.
February 14-- State senator Tommie Williams of Lyons says he has "concerns" about the proposed state law which would keep the public in the dark about state offers to lure business and industry to the state. While Williams says there's a need to keep the name of the business and the details of the deal secret until finalized, he would like the type of business identified so citizens would know if a processing plant, cattle farm or the like was being considered. Williams would like to see the bill amended in the senate.
Senator Williams says he will run for the position of senate majority leader. The Lyons republican will seek to succeed Senator Bill Stevens of Canton who is planning to leave the senate to run for Georgia Secretary of State. Senator Williams says he has support in the senate republican caucus. If elected, he would assume the position in the next session of the legislature.
February 10-- State representative Greg Morris of Vidalia voted with the majority in the Georgia House Wednesday to deny information to the public when deals are being struck with companies regarding job creation in the state. The House Bill 218 passed 118 to 52. Morris says most other states have similar laws and Georgia was at a "distinct disadvantage" because companies want to remain anonymous when they are considering a new plant or relocation. The new law would allow negotiations between state and local development authorities and companies to remain secret until negotiations are finished. However, critics said economic development should not be allowed to take precedence over the public's right to know how tax dollars are being spent. The measure now goes to the senate where it has the support of Governor Perdue and is expected to pass.
February 8-- The cities of Lyons and Vidalia along with Toombs County received some good financial news about the Industrial Park located on U.S. one North of Lyons. On Monday morning, Bill Mitchell who is the President of the Toombs Montgomery Chamber of Commerce told the Toombs County Commissioners that the Toombs Corporate Park at U.S. 1, has received a total of 1.94 million dollars in grants and low interest loans from HUD, the State of Georgia and One Georgia. The Industrial Park which has been built to compete for new business’s along the I-16 and I-95 corridor received over 1 million dollars to help with infrastructure and roads as well as a 500,000 dollar low interest loan that will be used to build a spec building. Mitchell, who was very excited about the award’s says that this will help get the Industrial Park up and going and adds that they already have had some inquires about the park from a few corporations.
February 7-- The Army has moved Vidalia orthopedic surgeon Dr. Wayne Mosley from Afghanistan to Baghdad. After spending several months in a remote area of Afghanistan, Army Major Mosley was sent to Baghdad as part of preparations for increased terrorist attacks before the election. Listen to our radio reports for his description of wounded Iraqis voting despite their pain and death threats from insurgents.
If you have questions for Dr. Mosley or would simply like to send him an email, his address is wayne.mosley@us.army.mil Dr. Mosley is an Army reservist who is serving his second active duty tour in two years in response to the war on terror. He plans to resume his practice in Vidalia when his tour of duty is up, however, he is unsure when that will be.
February 3-- The logo design for the 2005 Vidalia Onion Festival is the work of 17-year-old Justin Oliver, a resident of the Paul Anderson Youth Home in Vidalia. Justin's design won the annual festival competition and reflects a Vidalia Onion superimposed over the American flag. Justin has been in and out of state juvenile institutions for five years. He says it was only when he noticed that his peers at the youth home in Vidalia seemed "happy" that he began to experience a change in his life. Two residents of the home led Justin to Christ, something he believes would help many other teenagers. His plans are to get his high school diploma and study art in college.
February 2-- Another delay in the awarding of a contract for the one-way pairing of Highway 280 through Vidalia. First, the bids were to be awarded in October. The Department of Transportation says the low bid of nearly $16 million was too high, and that new bids would be opened in January. Bids were opened, and a state spokesperson says they have again been rejected. The new low bid was down to $14.8 million, according to Vidalia officials. Now the highway department says the project will be included in the April bid openings. Back in October, city officials were hopeful work would be underway by the Spring.
February 2-- Lyons mayor John Moore reports some good retail development news for the town. The mayor told the city council Tuesday night that a new video store is planning to open on South Victory Drive, and that Sav-A-Lot, a regional food chain, is planning to open in the former home of Piggly Wiggly in Lyons. He says the store is being renovated and should be open by April.
February 2-- The slander suit brought by Vidalia city manager Bill Torrance against attorney Mitch Shook is no nearer to trial. The case was continued last week in Toombs County Superior Court. Shook is alleged to have slandered Torrance when he publicly accused Torrance of murdering Henry Dickerson. Torrance sued in the summer of 2003 after Shook allegedly made the remarks in a Vidalia restaurant in November, 2002.
February 2-- The Atlanta attorney who first discovered evidence that CBS was using a fake memo in their "60 Minutes" story about President Bush's military service spoke at Brewton Parker Tuesday. Harry McDougal says the case demonstrates the growing power of the Internet and says the public needs to know there are some in government who would like to impose controls on political content on the web. McDougal believes the major TV networks are losing audience and influence because of information now available from a myriad of sources on the Internet.
February 1-- Former Georgia Extension Service Agent David Curry has been hired to be the new county manager for Montgomery County. Curry retired from the Extension Service in the summer of 2003 and succeeds Keith Hamilton in the Montgomery County commission office.
In other actions at the February meeting of the Montgomery County commission, the commission learned it is eligible to start collecting one dollar per cell phone subscriber in the county to help pay for 911 operations. It also agreed to pursue getting a cell phone company to locate a tower in Montgomery County to improve cell phone service. A tower which had been planned for the Long Pond area by Alltel has been delayed, according to Chairman Charles Truett.
Commissioners also awarded a three-year contract for a county audit to McLain, Calhoun, McCullough and Clark of Vidalia; okayed new aerial mapping of the county by a Macon firm; agreed to look into traffic problems on Wilson Road; heard a proposal by Doug Story to privatize the county road department; and reported a holdup in the project to pave Dead River Road due to the high cost of relocating utility lines.
February 1-- Appling County customers of Sullivan Environmental Services will pay 35 cents more per month for trash pickup. Sullivan's rate increase was approved last month by the Appling County commission. Sam Sullivan told commissioners he was requesting rate increases from all of his customers, however, Vidalia city manager Bill Torrance he's yet to get a request for an increase in Vidalia.
February 1-- Third District Congressman Jim Marshall is distancing himself from politicians on the national level who criticized U.S. policy in Iraq before and after that country's election. Marshall says there's no way to get around "partisanship on both sides," but he feels success in Iraq in too important to the long range interests of the United States to let "sniping" pull it down. Marshall has made four visits to Iraq and Afghanistan.
News Break - Vidalia Communications
News Break - Vidalia Communications
Searched for http://www.vidaliacommunications.com/news.shtml Search Results for Jan 01, 1996 - Nov 02, 2004
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. Morris Votes for Woman's Right to Know Bill
February 23
Vidalian Remembers "Miss Kate"
Treutlen Starting Road to 911
Georgia Southern Parking Fees May Go UP
February 22
Tumi Gets Foreign Trade Zone Status
HB 218 Faces Amendments
Toombs Development Authority Acts on Conflict of Interest
Emanuel Sheriff Reappointed to Corrections Board
Goal Contenders Named
February 19
Senator Williams Willing to Explain
February 17
Montgomery Grand Jury
February 17
Drowning Victim "Drunk"
February 16
MRMC CEO Welcomes Tort Reform
February 15
Vidalia "Bringing Down the Houses"
February 14
Toombs BOE OK's Sex Survey
Williams Would Like Proposed Secrecy Bill Amended
February 10
Morris Votes For Public Secrecy in Name of Economic Development
February 8
Industrial Park on U.S. One North Receives Some Financial Help
February 7
Vidalia Surgeon Serving Iraq
February 3
Paul Anderson Resident Wins Logo Contest
February 2
One-Way Pairing Bid Rejected, Again
New Retail Stores Planned for Lyons
Torrance Slander Suit Continued
Attorney Says Some Would Like to Control Internet Info
February 1
New Montgomery County Manager
Small Rate Increase Approved for Sullivan
Marshall: "No Need for Partisanship on Iraq"
References
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URL: http://toombs.150m.com/news/radio/2005/February.htm Updated: Tuesday, March 01, 2005. Top
