February 28, 2006---- Vidalia police say "internal dissention" in the church led to a fight and shooting Sunday. According to police reports, some of the people involved in the incident at the Mount Zion Baptist Church in Vidalia were family members of the church's minister, Charles Willie Haynes. His brother, Tony Haynes of Vidalia, has been charged in the shooting of church member Artavis Williams of Vidalia. Williams was shot in the leg with a .32 caliber handgun, and the preacher's nephew, Levert Haynes of Dublin, was hit in the head with a chair. Both men were treated and released at the hospital, and are charged for fighting. Police say the fight started inside the church and ended up outside. Warrants for the fight are also out for Haynes' daughter, Jessica of Statesboro, and James Day of Vidalia. A warrant issued for his other daughter, Susanna of Atlanta, has been dismissed due to mistaken identity, according to Detective Derek Williams. Police report Reverend Haynes was inside the church when the fight started, but left the church grounds before the shooting. Vidalia Police Officers Honored February 28-- The Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police has honored four Vidalia police officers for their service in the U.S. Armed Forces following 9-11. Service pins and certificates were presented to police Major Roger Callaway, and officers Dewey Anderson, Phillip Keeter and Kimberly McRee. Callaway and Anderson are in the Coast Guard Reserve while Keeter and McRee are Army reservists. Police chief Frank Waits presented the awards at the Tuesday meeting of the Vidalia city council. The council was also informed the Georgia Court of Appeals has turned down the appeal of Vidalia businessman David Lovins to overrule a decision in Toombs County Superior Court which ordered Lovins to remove his airplane hangar from the Vidalia Regional Airport. The council also accepted a $520,000 franchise check from the Georgia Power Company. The city gets four percent of the company's local electricity sales each year. And annual raises were approved for city department heads. The fire chief, recreation department head, and city clerk got five percent raises while the city manager and police chief were given 2.5 percent cost of living raises. A council sub-committee is also discussing raising expense accounts of the mayor and council members. One proposal would raise the mayor's expense account from $500 to $585 dollars, and council members' from $300 to $335 per month. Currently the mayor's annual salary including expenses is $10,800 while council members' salary and expenses total $6,000 per year. Shooting at Church February 26-- A shooting outside a Vidalia church injured two people Sunday. Police aren't releasing many details pending investigation, however, Vidalia Police Chief Frank Waits confirms one man was shot and a second man was hit in the head with a chair. The altercation took place around noon Sunday on the grounds of the Mount Zion Baptist Church on Jenkins Street in Vidalia. The chief says the two injured men were taken to Meadows Regional Medical Center, but he thinks the injuries were not serious. Chief Waits says one man was taken into custody and another suspect is being sought. No names have been released, but the chief says all involved were members of the church congregation. Hill Happy With Budget Direction February 26-- With the current session of the Georgia legislature just past the halfway point, Senate Budget Committee chairman Jack Hill of Reidsville says conferees from the House and the Senate are working hard on the state's budget. Because the state's fiscal condition is the best its been in three years, Senator Hill says lawmakers are trying to regain lost ground in various areas, particularly education. If state revenues continue to grow, Senator Hill would like to see pay raises for state law enforcement officers in coming years. He says Georgia is losing GBI agents and not attracting enough state patrolmen because its pay scale is too far below the national average. Local Leaders Honored February 23-- Two people with a long history of community service were honored Thursday night at the annual Lady of the Year and Citizen of the Year ceremonies in Vidalia. The Citizen of the Year for 2006 is Marion Forrest who was recognized for a myriad of civic and church contributions. He helped found and remains a faithful supporter of the Toombs County Boys and Girls Club and has served in many capacities in support of the United Way, Red Cross, Open Doors for the Handicapped, Habitat for Humanity and the Boy Scouts. A member of the First African Baptist Church of Vidalia, he has served on mission both inside and outside the country. The Beta Sigma Phi Lady of the Year is retired Vidalia school teacher Martha Curry Davis. Described as a pillar of the Vidalia Presbyterian Church, Mrs. Davis moved to Vidalia from Montgomery County in 1965 and has been active in many clubs ranging from the DAR to the Salvation Army and the Pilot Club to the Cub and Girl Scouts. Congressman Barrow Wants to Meet Voters February 21-- If you don't know John Barrow, he's the freshman Democrat congressman from Athens who plans to spend a lot of time in southeast Georgia this year running for re-election in the newly formed 12th Congressional District. In 2004, he narrowly defeated incumbent Republican Max Burns and will face him again in the November general election. "I'm a Jim Marshall conservative democrat," he says, "and when I talk with people they find I'm in the mainstream politically." Barrow has a law degree from Harvard and is a former Athens-Clarke County commissioner. He's currently embarking on a series of eight town hall meetings with veterans around his district, and in a Newsbreak interview, expressed concerns about the direction of the Bush administration. Barrow questions the President's worker permit program because he's afraid it will grant amnesty to illegal aliens already in the country and encourage others to continue violating immigration laws. As for the current ports contract controversy, Congressman Barrow says he and his colleagues will do "whatever necessary" to turn the administration's decision to allow an Arab country to oversee six U.S. ports. "Our ports are too important to international trade and national security to be asleep at the switch on this," Barrow says. Toombs County Citizens at the Capitol Monday February 20-- A couple of Toombs County citizens had business at the state capitol Monday. Vidalia businessman Allen Rice was among 32 people sworn in to the state's Workforce Investment Board by Governor Sonny Perdue. The board advises the governor on keeping Georgia workers competitive in a world economy. Governor Perdue also presented Toombs County Sheriff Junior Kight a nearly $15,000 check. The money will be used to equip county patrol cars with video cameras. The sheriff says the cameras are needed for liability purposes and to provide evidence in potential criminal cases. Meanwhile, Sheriff Kight says his office will apply for additional state aid if a measure to help pay for courthouse security passes the legislature this session. Currently, Toombs County taxpayers are paying for two deputies to secure the courthouse each workday, and Sheriff Kite says its a worthwhile investment. Wife Charged in Shooting of Husband February 20-- A Toombs County man is recovering from a gunshot wound to the neck. The Toombs County sheriff's office reports 49-year-old Mark Edwards was found Saturday night on his kitchen floor at 1388 Cedar Crossing Road. His wife, 47-year-old Debra Ann Edwards, was arrested and taken to the county jail pending investigation. Edwards was released from a Savannah hospital following treatment. Williams on Fox February 17-- Senator Tommie Williams of Lyons got some national television exposure Thursday night. Fox News covered efforts by Democrats to use pro-religion platforms as a lure for voters. Georgia Democrats introduced a bill to teach the Bible as an elective in public schools and Fox called on Senator Williams for his take on the measure. "I've looked at the legislation, and it's not good for children. It teaches the Bible from a secular standpoint of what it means," he said. A Republican version by Senator Williams uses the Bible as the textbook in the class and has already passed the state senate. Fox News predicted it would pass the House and give the Republicans an advantage with religious voters. GSP Task Force Helps Toombs February 17-- Seven Georgia State Patrol cars converged on Toombs County late Thursday at the request of Toombs County Sheriff Junior Kight. The GSP task force is designed to help localities fight drugs. Sheriff Kight says 12 arrests were made during the eight-hour operation. "The arrests weren't all for drugs, but some were, and we confiscated some crack cocaine and marijuana." Wheeler Sentenced in Onion Committee Case February 16-- Nearly two years ago, 37-year-old Tina Wheeler of Tarrytown was arrested on over 300 counts of stealing money from the Vidalia Onion Committee, the group charged with marketing the world-famous Vidalia onion. Thursday morning the former onion committee business manager entered a guilty plea in Toombs County Superior Court on 255 counts of forgery and 95 counts of theft by taking. At the time of her arrest, police estimated she had stolen nearly $640,000 over a seven-year period. Wheeler forged the names of committee chairmen W.J. Grimes and R.T. Stanely on committee checks and wrote other unauthorized checks on the bank account of the Vidalia Onion Business Council. Superior Court Judge Kathy Palmer sentenced Wheeler to a minimum of 21 months in a probation detention center, ten years probation, and a $1,500 fine. She was taken to the Toombs County jail. After the sentencing, Wheeler's husband, Buddy, and former Onion Committee chairman Bo Herndon were involved in a confrontation outside the courtroom, according to sheriff's deputies. Merger of Soperton & Treutlen? February 16-- Last year the Treutlen County sheriff's office and the city of Soperton signed an agreement for the sheriff to take over law enforcement in the city. Now the Treutlen County Development Authority is suggesting that the city and county consolidate. The Soperton newspaper reports the subject was discussed at a meeting of the county commission, but no action was taken. Professor's Death "Still an Open Case" February 16-- Police are looking for new evidence in the four-year-old murder case of East Georgia college professor, Dr. Emily Pestana-Mason, of Swainsboro. GBI and Emanuel County sheriff's deputies searched a wooded area off Highway 56 last week, according to press reports. Metal detectors were used, but there were no details on what prompted the search. The woman was found murdered in her home in April, 2002. Two years later authorities dismissed a murder indictment against her husband. Fund Raiser for Crash Victim February 16-- Friends of a Cobbtown man who survived a plane crash that killed his wife last November have held a benefit supper which raised $15,000. Reports in the Metter Advertiser say 56-year-old Randy Hackle has almost recovered from burns suffered when his plane crashed in the north Georgia mountains November 27th. His wife, Barbara, died in the crash. Not Guilty Verdict February 15-- It took a Montgomery County jury only a few minutes to reach a verdict Wednesday in the murder trial of Morris McClain, Sr. of Uvalda. The jury found McClain not guilty in the shooting death of his brother-in-law, Glenn Edward Sharpe, in August, 2004. Another murder case was continued to another term of court. Sharon Wicker is accused in the stabbing death of her husband. In a vehicular homicide case, Robert Christopher Allen pled guilty in the death of Amanda Gail Powell last February. He got a six year prison term and nine years on probation. Montgomery Commissioners Consider Redistricting February 15-- County commission district lines in Montgomery County need re-drawing due to population changes. Commission chairman Charles Truett has called a commission meeting for February 23rd to consider changes recommended by the state reapportionment office in Atlanta. At its February meeting Tuesday night, the commission also agreed to buy the county a new rescue truck, and had a brief discussion regarding the county jail. The county grand jury has recommended construction of a new jail. Truett says the commission is looking at a number of options and has had informal discussions with sharing a facility with adjacent Treutlen County. "This is something we've got to get our arms around and resolve in the next few months," Truett says. VHS To Offer Driver's Ed Course February 15-- Vidalia High School will start teaching driver's education courses this summer. School principal Mitch Harrington informed the school board Tuesday night the state is requiring the course and will pay for the instructor. It will include 30 hours in the classroom and six hours behind the wheel. Students take the course will get a break on their insurance, according to Harrington. The school board also appointed a committee to work with the city of Vidalia on providing school crossing guards. The city says its having problems finding civilian crossing guards and can't afford to dedicate police officers to the mission each school day. Road Project Approved for Tattnall Co February 15-- The state highway department has awarded a contract for resurfacing and shoulder improvements in Tattnall County. The work will be done on 14.4 miles of Georgia Highway 23. Douglas Asphalt got a $1.5 million dollar contract for the job. Vidalia Unhappy With Drug Task Force February 14-- The city fathers in Vidalia don't think the city is getting its money's worth from the East Central Georgia Drug Task Force. At its February city council meeting, the council gave the Task Force until the end of June to show some results or face withdrawal of funding from Vidalia. In other actions, the council awarded a $404,297 contract to Sike Brothers for resurfacing portions of 12 city streets, and approved a 25 cents per month increase in city trash pickup charges. At the same time, the council removed charges for pickup of most yard trash. It also agreed to a city-wide cleanup day on April 1st in cooperation with Sullivan Environmental Service. It also heard from Bill Mitchell of the county development authority that Atlantic Woods has "unofficially" decided to consolidate its Savannah-area plant with its operation in Vidalia. Mitchell says the move depends on company financing and could mean at least 30 new jobs in Vidalia. Toombs Working on County Bid Policy February 14-- Toombs County has asked the county attorney to come up with a written policy on the public bidding of county contracts. County commission chairman Charles Rustin was asked about the issue at Tuesday's county commission meeting in the aftermath of reports he awarded nearly $447,000 in county construction projects to longtime friend Hubert Sowell without public bid. The chairman says he plans to do "nothing" about contracts awarded during the past two years. According to state law, contractors are not entitled to be paid for projects over $100,000 which were let "without competitive award requirements." In other news, the state highway commissioner has promised to help the county with funding for the paving of Dixon Lake Road, the Charley Hart Road, the Clifford Rogers Road Extension, and the Ezra Taylor Road. Chairman Rustin estimates 14 miles of roads in Toombs County are in line for paving. And Toombs County tax appraiser Angela Waldron says the county needs a building permit system to ensure structures are added to the county tax digest. Commissioners Durward NeeSmith and Louie Powell are heading an effort to come up with a comprehensive system and will report their progress at the March meeting. Simonton Windows Being Acquired by Fortune Brands February 13-- SBR, Inc., the parent company of Simonton Windows is being acquired by Fortune Brands, a Fortune-500 company with annual sales of over $7 billion. Simonton Windows, which opened a new plant in Toombs County last November, accounts for more than three-quarters of SBR's $565 million in yearly revenue. Fortune Brands is a leading consumer brands company in a wide variety of fields including home and hardware, spirits and wine, and golf equipment. Some names you may recognize include Moen faucets, Jim Beam bourbon, and Acushnet, maker of Titleist, Cobra and FootJoy golf merchandise. Meanwhile, the local Simonton plant is already planning an expansion which could double the size of its building in the Toombs Industrial Park on U.S. One, north of Lyons, according to Bill Mitchell of the Toombs County Development Authority. Toombs Special Education Teacher of Year February 13-- A speech pathologist at Toombs Central Elementary School has been honored for her work with exceptional children. Ellen Scarborough was named the Toombs County Special Education Teacher of the Year at the February meeting of the county school board. School superintendent Dr. Kendall Brantley also announced bids will be opened April 13th for construction of the new Lyons Upper Elementary School. Drug Busts in Lyons February 13-- Five drug arrests were made in Lyons last week after work by the Lyons PD, Toombs County Sheriff's Office and the East Georgia Drug Task Force. Three people charged with cocaine possession are Betty Ann Medders, Jimmy Lee Allen, Jr., and Kimberly Michelle Lewis, all of Lyons. A Vidalia man, Larry Marvin Collins, faces charges of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of marijuana, and Randy Leon Prather of Lyons is charged with cocaine possession with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana and ecstasy, and obstructing an officer. Montgomery Murder Trial February 13-- A murder trial starts Tuesday in Montgomery County Superior Court. Morris McClain of Uvalda is charged with the shooting death of his brother-in-law, Glenn Sharpe, in August, 2004. Senate Acts to Protect Kids From Adult Emails February 11-- It's called the "Georgia Child, Family and School Communications Act," and it passed the state senate unanimously last week. Senator Tommie Williams of Lyons says the bill requires firms which sell adult materials, i.e., tobacco, alcohol and pornography, to pay to have their emails scrubbed prior to delivery in Georgia. The bill sets up a statewide registry which people can join in order not to receive emails unsuitable for children under 18. "Other states have similar laws, and this allows parents to ensure inappropriate materials do not enter their homes," Senator Williams said. Byrd Heading Alumni Relations at BPC February 9-- Former Georgia state representative Roger Byrd of Baxley is heading the Office of Alumni Relations at Brewton Parker College. Byrd attended Brewton Parker in the mid-70's and is excited about energizing the college's alumni around the country. "I think we'll garner lots of support once our graduates learn more about what is going on here. The college is poised for lots of growth and development in the next ten years," he says. Part of the outreach program planned by Byrd is new alumni email to supplement the college's alumni magazine. Byrd served in the Georgia House from 1980 through 2002. Toombs Drug Arrest February 9-- A Toombs County man was arrested Tuesday on drug charges. Toombs County Sheriff Junior Kight says Kenneth Rowland was arrested near his home at Grays Landing after a search of his car and house turned up methamphetamine and a half-pound of marijuana. In addition to drug trafficking charges, Rowland is charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Local Road Resurfacing Projects February 8-- The state announced $60 million dollars in funding Wednesday to help local cities and counties resurface roads throughout Georgia. Nearly four miles will be resurfaced in 2006 in Toombs County, Vidalia, Lyons, and Santa Claus. Included are 1.7 miles on the Marvin Church Road, seven streets in Vidalia including Third Street, Arnau Street, Bay Street, Brown Street, Cleveland Street, Marcliff Road and West Street. Three streets in Lyons including North Lanier, Oxley Drive and Pine Ridge Drive, and December Drive in Santa Claus. Three-and-a-half miles of roads will be resurfaced in Montgomery County including 2.3 miles of North Old River Road, and portions of some streets in Ailey, Alston, Higgston, Mount Vernon, Tarrytown and Uvalda. In Treutlen County, 1.3 miles of Pinewood Road will be resurfaced and small portions of Georgia Avenue and 3rd Street in Soperton. Wheeler County resurfacing will include 1.5 miles of the Bells Ferry Road and some streets in Alamo and Glenwood. In other area counties, repaving will be done on 6.2 miles in Appling County, 2.6 miles in Emanuel County, 4.5 miles in Jeff Davis County, 7 miles in Laurens County, 4.6 miles in Tattnall County, and 3.6 miles in Candler County. Lyons Concerned About Pit Bulls February 8-- Lyons city officials are reviewing city ordinances to see if they can ban pit bulls from the city. At Tuesday night's city council meeting, city councilman Tracey Johnson reported citizens in his ward are concerned that some people are raising large numbers of pit bulls. Officials said as many as 22 of the dogs have been seen caged up in one yard, and they speculated they are being raised to fight. At the same time, councilman Ivey Toole says something needs to be done about what he called "fighting chickens" which are being raised in the city. Cock-fighting is illegal in Georgia. The council heard a report from Bill Mitchell of the Toombs County Development Authority that a West Virginia firm is considering relocating to the area as a supplier of Simonton Windows. The company is looking for a 100,000 square foot building and would ultimately employ up to 50 workers. Simonton, meanwhile, is already thinking about doubling the size of its building in the U.S. One industrial park, according to Mitchell. The Lyons council agreed to share funding of new welcome signs to the city with the Better Hometown Program. Councilman Wayne Hartley estimates the total cost at $25,000. Dublin Plant Expanding February 8-- A company which manufactures doors, windows and curtain wall systems is expanding its Dublin plant and adding 200 jobs. YKK AP America, Inc, headquartered in Austell, announced the expansion Wednesday. The company located in Dublin in 1992 and has added 100 jobs since 2000. It says the $80 million expansion will double the plant's capacity by 2010. Montgomery Grand Jury Calls for Action on County Jail February 7-- The Montgomery County grand jury is recommending that the county commission build a new county jail. The old jail was closed by the state fire marshal nearly two years ago, and the county has been paying other counties to house its prisoners. In the last 12 months, the grand jury reports the county has spent nearly $267,000 for prisoner housing. In its presentments Monday, the grand jury said "We believe that the amount expended would be better utilized toward paying for the construction and use of a new jail." The county commission recently bought and cleared property adjacent to the old jail as a possible future home for a new jail. It's also been working with consultants on the size jail the county should build if the decision to build is made. PSC Pushing on Yucca Mountain February 7-- Plant Hatch south of Vidalia has been storing spent nuclear fuel rods since 2001, and the chairman of the Georgia Public Service Commission wants the federal government to speed up work on a central national storage facility in Nevada. Commissioner Stan Wise met with Department of Energy officials in Washington and urged them to expedite completion of the Yucca Mountain repository. Wise says delays are turning Plant Hatch into a permanent interim storage facility, and customers are paying millions into a Nuclear Waste Fund with no results at the federal level. Since 1983, Georgia electric ratepayers have paid over $839 million to the fund. Wise says the PSC is considering a number of options to pressure DOE to proceed without further delay on the Yucca Mountain facility 90 miles from Las Vegas. "We could place the payments into an escrow account, file suit against the DOE, or send a strong resolution from the PSC objecting to further delays," he says. The spend nuclear fuel rods at Plant Hatch are stored in the spent fuel pool and in dry casks, according to a company spokesman. Rice Named to WIB February 6-- Vidalia businessman Allen Rice has been appointed to the state's Workforce Investment Board by Governor Sonny Perdue. Rice says the board advises the governor on steps the state can take to make Georgia businesses more competitive in the world economy. Rice recently was among a group of business leaders who accompanied the governor on a business recruiting trip to Israel. "I think the board will benefit from my perspective from the trenches," Rice says. "Competition is growing everyday, and if we don't step up to boost business, our quality of life will suffer," he adds. Rice is president of Savannah Luggage Works in Vidalia. Morris Hails Passage of Sexual Predator Bill February 4-- State representative Greg Morris of Vidalia is proud of the House vote last week making it tough on sexual predators. The House mandated a minimum 25 to 50 year sentence for convicted sexual predators, and required they wear electronic ankle monitors when they are released on parole. "I think this will drive many of these people out of Georgia, and that's fine with me," Morris says. He predicts passage of the bill in the state senate and signing of the bill by Governor Sonny Perdue. Taylor Says He Has A Better Idea on Hope Amendment February 4-- Last week the Republicans blamed Democrats in the state senate for blocking a proposed constitutional amendment which would have blocked the spending of lottery money on anything but Hope scholarships and pre-kindergarten education. Friday we contacted Lieutenant Governor Mark Taylor for his side of the story. He says the Democrats are willing to support Governor Perdue's Hope Chest amendment, but they want to make it more comprehensive. The Lieutenant Governor has proposed the amendment include a provision prohibiting the governor or legislature from "cutting the funding level" of the Hope scholarships without a two-thirds vote of the legislature and a voter referendum. Taylor contends cuts Governor Perdue made to Hope funding two years ago were unnecessary because "we have plenty of money to fund Hope scholarships, including a $300 million Hope savings account." He continues, "It's fine to say you'll only spend lottery funds for Hope and Pre-K, but we want to make sure we don't cut the checks students have earned by qualifying for the Hope scholarships." The bill could be reconsidered if the two parties can agree, according to Taylor. Democrats Deny Vote on Hope Chest Amendment February 2-- Senate majority leader Tommie Williams of Lyons says he's both "surprised and disappointed" that senate democrats led by Lieutenant Governor Mark Taylor defeated an effort to place a constitutional amendment before the voters regarding fencing of lottery funds for only Hope scholarships and pre-K education. A two-thirds majority is needed on a constitutional amendment. In the Thursday vote, the amendment failed to pass by three votes. Williams says the amendment proposed by Governor Perdue would have insured the financial viability of the Hope program for future generations. He claims democrats used lottery funds for a myriad of other purposes during the administration of Governor Roy Barnes, "and we want to put a stop to that with a constitutional amendment." According to Senator Williams, the issue will be reconsidered at a later date by the senate. In the meantime, he's encouraging citizens to contact democratic senators and ask them to let Georgians vote on the question in November. Development Authority Grants February 2-- The Toombs County Development Authority is receiving three grants to help the area with economic development. According to Michelle Johnson of the Development Authority, the grants total nearly $133,000 and include: * A $90,000 grant from the Georgia Rural Economic Development Center at East Georgia College in Swainsboro. The two-year funding will help pay a consultant for the Agriculture Committee of the Toombs-Montgomery community forum. * A $27,700 grant to help fund the regional entrepreneur program in Toombs, Montgomery and Tattnall counties. * A $15,000 grant to survey the area for future industrial park sites. New Home for DVA Office February 2-- You may have noticed a new tenant in downtown Vidalia at the corner of Highway 280 and Church Street. The Downtown Vidalia Association has moved from its cramped second-floor offices at Vidalia City Hall to over 1,200 square feet of space at the doorway of downtown. DVA director Paula Toole says the DVA's new home is a much better location to support downtown merchants and to help grow the downtown booster club. Meadows Seeks OK For Cancer Treatment Center February 1-- If you live in the Vidalia area and are diagnosed with cancer, your treatment will include frequent trips out of town. That will change in 2007 if Meadows Regional Medical Center gets state approval to build a cancer treatment center in Vidalia. Meadows CEO Alan Kent says a decision from the Georgia Department of Community Health is expected by April 11. If all goes according to schedule, Kent believes work on the center will start this summer and be completed in mid-to-late 2007. Plans call for a new building which will house equipment for both chemotherapy and radiation treatment at a cost of nearly $4 million. Kent says the location has yet to be decided, but options include near the hospital or near the Meadows Wellness Center. The Vidalia cancer center will be a partnership between Meadows and the On-Cure Corporation of Jacksonville, a company which specializes in cancer treatment, according to Kent.