January 31, 2006---- A Vidalia man was killed Monday night when he was struck by a truck. Police Major Roger Callaway reports 31-year-old Nakia Marquis Mincey was killed in the accident which happened on North Street near the intersection with Broadfoot Boulevard. Police say it was raining at the time and poor visibility may have been a factor. The driver of the truck told police he never saw Mincy, but "felt" his truck hit something. No charges have been filed, however, Callaway says an investigation is being conducted.

January 31, 2006---- The annual Southeast Georgia Soap Box Derby in Lyons is only two months away. The Derby is being held on Saturday, April 1st this year, according to Derby director J.B. Cone. In the past, the Derby has been held in early summer and Cone believes the earlier start will allow for cooler temperatures and a better schedule for Derby volunteers. Cone succeeds veteran Derby director Charles James who has organized the event for the Lyons Merchants Association since 1992. The race is run each year on North Victory Drive in Lyons, and Cone hopes a permanent Derby track will be a reality one day. The winner of the event travels to the All-American Soap Box Derby the end of July in Akron, Ohio. Lyons is the smallest of four towns which sponsor a Soap Box Derby in Georgia. The others are Columbus, Macon and Augusta.

January 30, 2006---- The President Emeritus of Brewton Parker College suffered a stroke while visiting the college last Thursday and died Friday at Meadows Regional Medical Center in Vidalia. Dr. William Starr Miller served as President of Brewton Parker from 1979 to 1983 and was named interim President in 1997. The Board of Trustees named him President Emeritus in 1998. A memorial service for Dr. Miller is at 4 p.m. Tuesday in the Saliba Chapel on the college campus in Mount Vernon.

January 30, 2006---- A state senator from Tifton wants the state to mandate how much physical education will be taught in Georgia's elementary and middle schools. Senator Joseph Carter has introduced a bill in the state senate requiring 150 minutes of PE be taught in the elementary schools and 225 minutes per week in middle schools.

Vidalia school superintendent Dr. Tim Smith says if the bill becomes law, local school boards will have to decide what other parts of the curriculum will be changed to make room for more physical education. Carter's bill is aimed at getting more kids physically fit, however, Dr. Smith says a better solution would be for kids to exercise after school.

January 30, 2006---- Federal funds have been allocated to fund streetscape projects in two Montgomery County towns. Under the program, Mount Vernon receives $100,000 and Ailey gets $80,000. The announcement was made by the Georgia Department of Transportation which administers the program.

January 27, 2006---- State Representative Greg Morris of Vidalia has been named to a six-member bipartisan committee of house and senate members charged with reforming "pork barrel" projects in the state. Morris says the committee will hear presentations from legislators and prioritize funding based on economic development criteria similar to that used by the One Georgia Fund. "In the past, projects were funded to help the political careers of lawmakers, and we're trying to get away from that," Morris says. Morris says an informal ceiling of $75,000 per project has been set. "The people of Georgia send their tax dollars to Atlanta, and they expect us to spend them to benefit the people of this state. That's what this committee will try to do," he says.

January 27, 2006---- A vacant state detention center in Appling County is expected to be opened this Spring according to reports in the Baxley News-Banner. Representative Tommy Smith says funding to pay the staff will be included in this year's Department of Corrections budget. The minimum security prison will house up to 200 prisoners and create up to 50 jobs with an annual payroll of $2 million. The state is also planning to open similar prisons at three other locations around the state to help ease the load on county jails which have been holding state prisoners.

January 27, 2006---- The former director of the Ocmulgee Regional Library System headquartered in Eastman will spend four years in federal prison for stealing thousands of dollars from the library system. David Wilson was sentenced by Judge Dudley Bowen who also fined him $75,000 and ordered him to pay $264,298 dollars in restitution. Wilson was convicted in October on five counts of theft and one count of witness tampering. The Ocmulgee Regional Library has six branches including one in Alamo.

January 27, 2006---- Ten teachers in the Vidalia City School system are receiving grants to help them with classroom instruction or to help pay for further schooling. The Vidalia Educational Foundation is distributing $4,127 as part of its mission to support local teachers.

Six teachers will share over $2,000 to pay for classroom projects. They are Dianne Jones from J.D. Dickerson Primary; Theresa Moore, Chrystal Waller and Shirely Dowd, all of J.R. Trippe Middle School; and William Harn and Denise Parson, both of Vidalia High School.

Professional development grants of $500 each are being made to Dawn Green of J.D. Dickerson, Anna Helms of Sally Meadows Elementary, Tonya Edwards of J.R. Trippe, and Emma Salzer of Vidalia High School.

January 26, 2006---- A highway project which has been promised for years may get started by the end of this decade. State highway officials held a public information meeting Thursday in Toombs County to show local citizens the impact of four-laning U.S. One from Interstate 16 to just south of the Sweet Onion Junction where Highway One intersects with Georgia Highway 130.

David Norwood is the highway department's project manager, and he believes the state will get approval of construction plans by the end of this year. After that, it could take up to two years to acquire the needed right of way for the project. "I don't think we'll see any dirt turned until 2009," he says. He estimates the 12.5 mile four-lane will cost about $45 million, and he's happy this stretch been redesigned to reach the entrance of the new Toombs County industrial park.

Meanwhile, Norwood expects another public meeting will be held this Spring to discuss the Lyons bypass portion of the project. As it stands now, a four-lane bypass is planned west of Lyons starting north of the city limits and reconnecting with Highway One south of the city.

January 25, 2006---- Four southeast Georgia towns are receiving federal funds for improvements in their downtown areas. Included in the latest round of grant approvals are $200,000 for Hazlehurst, $250,000 each for Alma and Baxley, and $385,000 for Blackshear.

January 25, 2006---- In the state legislature this week, a bill which would have enacted a moratorium on eminent domain was pulled from the Senate floor. Senator Jeff Chapman of Brunswick had proposed the stopgap measure, however, Senate Majority Leader Tommie Williams of Lyons says a better alternative is to speed up legislation prohibiting governments from using eminent domain powers for economic development which could benefit private developers. Ultimately, Senator Williams says voters will have a chance to approve a constitutional amendment designed to protect private property rights.

Also this week, the state senate approved a measure by Senator Cecil Station of Macon making it easier for citizens to obtain a free state-issued photo ID so they can legally vote. Last year a federal judge threw out a state law which would have required voters to produce a photo ID at their own expense. Judge Harold Murphy said the law smacked of a "poll tax." The new bill requires each county board of elections to have the equipment necessary for free photos, plus drivers license locations will also provide the service for free. The legislation still needs approval in the House of Representatives.

January 24, 2006---- Meth labs are sort of like the liquor stills of old. Seldom does a week pass that a county sheriff somewhere in rural Georgia doesn't take a meth lab out of action. GBI chemist Jesse Brown says the lab operators choose "the country" because the labs produce odors which can't be detected as readily in lightly populated areas.

Speaking to the Vidalia Kiwanis Club Tuesday, Brown said methamphetamine ranks right behind marijuana as a drug of choice among drug abusers in southeast Georgia. The drug causes a rush like an overdose of adrenaline and consists of a combination of easily obtained ingredients which are highly volatile when mixed. Brown advises "telltale signs" of a meth lab are large quantities of items like Coleman fuel, ether, starter fluid, cold medications like Sudafed and numerous propane cylinders with a blue residue on top.

Brown says he spends much of his time analyzing meth seized in drug raids and testifying against the drug bootleggers in courts around the state.

January 23, 2006---- A Toombs County man is being treated for serious burns suffered last week while working in his auto electric shop. Paul Copeland of Highway 15 South was admitted to the Burn Center at Doctor's Hospital in Augusta. Reports say Copeland was working with an acetylene torch when sparks ignited nearby gasoline which exploded and burned his arms and chest.

January 23, 2006---- The president of the Toombs-Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce says Oxford Industries recent decision to close its support facility in Monroe, Georgia will help preserve jobs in Toombs County. Bill Mitchell announced the news at the chamber's annual meeting.

Oxford Chief Financial Officer Reese Lanier reports the company is consolidating support missions in Lyons, but it's "too soon" to know if the consolidation will add any new jobs to the Oxford operation in Lyons, he says. Oxford's apparel sales continue to increase, particularly in the Tommy Bahama Group, where quarterly sales were up 72 percent over last year. Overall, the company's profits jumped about 21 percent in the second quarter of fiscal year 2006.

January 23, 2006---- Employees at Brewton Parker College will get a pay raise according to the college's budget for 2006-07. The school's Board of Trustees included a three percent salary increase for most employees in the college's $19.7 million budget.

At its quarterly meeting, the board set a goal of $150,000 for the Toombs-Montgomery Annual Fund drive headed by trustee Gary Campbell of Vidalia. It also welcomed six new trustees to the board including Dr. Nancy Stanley of Vidalia.

January 23, 2006---- The Georgia Healthcare Association has named the administrator at Vidalia's Bethany Home Nursing Center as its "Administrator of the Year." Sharron Winge was chosen tops among the association's 384 nursing homes. She's been at Bethany for 34 years and gives the credit for her honor to the Bethany staff. "If you surround yourself with wonderful people like we have here at Bethany, it's easy to be honored this way," she said. The Bethany Home has been operating in Vidalia since 1923.

January 20, 2006---- Toombs Commission Chairman Charles Rustin admits he authorized county construction projects in 2004 and 2005 without formal approval of the county commissioners, without advertising the projects for competitive bid, and without contracts. The county paid the Bradford Company headed by longtime Rustin friend Hubert Sowell nearly $447,000 for construction work during the two years. Two of the projects, renovation at the courthouse and the old magistrate's building, each exceeded $100,000 and were required by state law to be advertised for public bid. The other two projects, renovation of the Ross Bowen Building and the county DFCS building, came in under the $100,000 threshold, but should have also been advertised according to Commissioner Mel Taylor. He says longtime county policy is for projects exceeding $5,000 to be put out for public bid.

In response to a Freedom of Information request, Rustin admitted none of the statutory documents regarding the projects exist. He claims Sowell's company had done some home renovation work for the county under the Community Home Investment Program, thereby qualifying him for other county work. "The reason certainly wasn't to be wrongdoing, but it wasn't done exactly right," Rustin said. If he had it to do over again, the chairman said he would advertise the projects.

January 19, 2006---- The one-way pairing project of Highway 280 in Vidalia is causing a change in opening ceremonies and the downtown street dance for the Vidalia Onion Festival this year. The opening ceremonies scheduled for Thursday, April 27th will be delayed until Friday night, April 28th. Both the opening ceremonies and the street dance will be held Friday night on the grounds of Southeastern Technical College, according to festival chairman Kendall Palmer. He says "this is a one-time change because we expect construction to be underway on Main Street in downtown Vidalia during festival week." "The Swingin' Medallions" will perform at STC Friday night in addition to local entertainers and the festival fireworks show.

January 19, 2006---- For the second time in two months, Harry Moses Construction Company of Vidalia has submitted the apparent low bid for new construction at Vidalia High School. In a bid opening Thursday, Moses' bid of $961,121 was the lowest of seven bids submitted for the project. Assistant school superintendent Charles Cook says the project is an 8,000 square foot science and special education wing at the high school. Last month, Harry Moses won a contract for a $1.8 million field house at the high school athletic complex. School officials hope the new wing will be finished in time for the new school term.

January 18, 2006---- School officials in Montgomery County are considering construction of a new high school. Superintendent Dale Clark says the 1950's-era school is cheaper to replace than it is to repair. If funding is made available by the state, Clark hopes construction could start in 2008. She says education sales tax money would pay for about 20 percent of the estimated $8 million dollar project. According to Clark, the new school would be located to the rear of the current school. Much of the old school would be removed, but the original 1929 school building will be preserved for historical purposes.

January 18, 2006---- Prosecutors in Chatham County have dropped charges against a former Toombs County ambulance driver. Rhonda Taylor of Lyons had been charged with vehicular homicide in May of 2003 after the ambulance she was driving overturned while transporting a patient from Meadows Regional in Vidalia to a Savannah hospital. The patient, 46-year-old Martha Smith of Hazlehurst, was killed in the wreck. Taylor's attorney, Frances Stubbs of Reidsville, said he was notified last week the case was being dropped due to insufficient evidence. It had been scheduled for trial this week in Chatham County, he said. Taylor thanked her friends for their support and prayers since the accident.

January 17, 2006---- Last week Governor Sonny Perdue announced plans to make sure 65 percent of all public education dollars are spent in direct support of classroom instruction. Toombs County school superintendent Dr. Kendall Brantley reports the Toombs system exceeds the standard with a 66 percent rate of spending, however, he's concerned that a change to the funding formula may reduce the percentage. "For example, if they take away media specialists and school counselors, we could be close to not meeting the standard," he says. He also notes school systems like Toombs spend a lot of money on busses students while other systems can devote more of their budget to classroom instruction. Dr. Brantley also has concerns about too much state control of how local school boards spend their local tax dollars.

At the same time, he's confused about the governor's announcement to fund teacher pay raises, smaller class sizes and more counselors while simultaneously continuing to make cuts in school operating budgets. Democrats have criticized Governor Perdue for what they call "election year" politics aimed at appeasing the state's educators. "The idea that funding is catching up at the same time austerity cuts are being made, I don't understand that," says Dr. Brantley who adds, "Why in the world would you ask for more funding for new programs when it seems to me you should fund up to parity those programs that already exist."

Meanwhile, the Toombs school board is planning to award a contract this Spring for construction of the new county upper elementary school. Dr. Brantley says plans are to advertise for bids in March and to award a contract in April. The school will be built east of the new middle school adjacent to U.S. One.

January 16, 2006---- First Sergeant Bruce Oliver of Reidsville served three tours with the Marines in Vietnam, and Wednesday he returns to Iraq following a short leave at home with his wife and family. A member of Georgia's 48th Brigade, Sergeant Oliver's artillery unit is part of a task force stationed near the Syrian border. The 58-year-old noncommissioned officer is hoping the U.S. won't pull out like it did in Vietnam and like it did in Iraq in 1991. "The Iraqis want to see what happens with the Saddam trial. They are afraid he will come back." First Sergeant Oliver had one member of his unit killed in a vehicle accident not due to hostile action. "Our morale is good, we know what our mission is, and if we succeed, the standard of living for the poor in Iraq will improve," he says. He describes children surviving in trash piles and living off the land.

The 48th Brigade is scheduled to return home in May.

January 14, 2006---- The Toombs County school board is taking action to "de-conflict" graduation dates between Toombs County High School and neighboring Vidalia High School. For years, people who have friends or relatives in both school's graduating classes have complained because the schools held graduation on the same night. After coordination with the Vidalia school board, Toombs school superintendent Dr. Kendall Brantley says Toombs County High School will hold graduation this year on Saturday morning, May 20th, and on Saturday, May 19th in 2007. After that the schools will alternate Friday night and Saturday morning graduation times to make it possible for people to attend both ceremonies.

Dr. Brantley also announced plans for a delegation of school officials from Toombs County, Vidalia and Montgomery County to visit the Coweta County schools in Newnan the end of the month for information on how the school system has consolidated all of its vocational training programs at the community's technical college. Because it's expensive to fund and equip vocational education courses, the three school systems are exploring the possibility of consolidating vocational training programs at Southeastern Tech in Vidalia. STC president Dr. Cathy Meehan says it would "be one of the best things that could happen to this community." According to Dr. Meehan, "only 20 percent of the high school students go on to get a four-year college degree, what about the other 80 percent? They need some training so they can get a job."

Senator Tommie Williams of Lyons urged local officials to take a look at the program in Coweta County and Dr. Meehan says his support is "vital" so we can get funding if the program goes forward.

Jan 12, 2006---- A Toombs County man is being charged with first degree vehicular homicide and drunk driving in the October death of a Uvalda bicyclist. Seventy-one-year old Ellis Hitchcock was out exercising on his bike on Gray's Landing Road when he was hit from behind by a truck driven by 56-year-old Edward Baughman of Lyons. Baughman's truck then hit a parked car and slammed into the living room of Shane Denmark's home, slightly injuring Denmark's daughter who was inside the house. Baughman suffered head injuries. Following an investigation, Toombs County Sheriff Junior Kight says Baughman was arrested Wednesday and is jailed under a $100,000 bond. In addition to DUI, he's charged with driving on the wrong side of the road and with a revoked license.

January 12, 2006---- Governor Sonny Perdue announced three state bond programs Thursday to finance education construction projects at the state's universities, technical colleges and secondary schools. Projects in our area include:

* $400,000 to equip a new building on the Glennville campus of Southeastern Tech.

* $693,460 for renovation work at Tattnall County High School.

* $8,325,202 for a new Dublin High School.

* $11,130,395 for a new West Laurens High School.

* $1,400,000 for utilities and road construction at East Georgia

The projects are included in the governor's 2007 fiscal year budget which starts in July.

January 11, 2006---- Governor Sonny Perdue delivered his "state of the state" address Wednesday afternoon and called for a four percent pay raise for Georgia teachers. He also suggested funding for smaller class size and a constitutional amendment fencing lottery money for HOPE scholarships and pre-K programs.

In Vidalia, city school superintendent Dr. Tim Smith said he's always glad to see teachers get a raise. However, he also noted a state increase will trigger an increase for teachers and staff who are paid by local tax dollars. "That will cause an increase in our local budget," he said. As for smaller class size, Smith says "we've always kept class size small in Vidalia and I don't think the governor's plan will have any significant impact on our system." "If it does, we'll just have to use portable classrooms, even though we don't like to," he said.

Senator Jack Hill of Reidsville issued a statement after the governor's address expressing support for the plan. Democrats, including Representative Dubose Porter of Dublin, were skeptical of the governor's election-year emphasis on education.

Jan 10, 2006---- Local officials gathered at the Vidalia Indian Sports Complex for the official groundbreaking of the school's $1.8 million athletic field house. Harry Moses Construction Company of Vidalia is building the project which VHS principal Mitch Harrington called "the crown jewel" of the school's athletic facilities. Head football coach Jason McBride says he's particularly looking forward to the weight training room in the field house. As a former Indian player, he's also excited to have a home for the Indians. "We're gonna paint 'our house' over a door somewhere in that building," he says. No promises, but school officials are hoping the new building will be ready for use "early on" next school term.

January 10, 2006---- Toombs County commissioners voted Tuesday to apply for a $600,000 USDA loan to acquire new trucks and equipment for the county's volunteer fire departments. Commissioner Louie Powell made the motion and specified the payback would be from sales tax collections or fire insurance rebates which the county gets each year from the state. The new equipment will help the county improve rural fire protection and reduce the cost of fire insurance to county residents.

Powell and commissioner Durward NeeSmith were appointed to come up with plans and standards for hiring a county manager. Chairman Charles Rustin had promised to take such action when he first ran for office in 2001.

It was also reported the county has 30 days to devise a plan for approval by state environmentalists regarding control of methane gas which is accumulating on property adjoining the county landfill. Officials say the county must build wells to vent the gas or buy the land which could involve condemnation proceedings.

In other actions, the commissioners voted themselves an $1,800 per year expense account in lieu of using county credit cards; agreed to start collecting scrap tires at the county landfill, and were invited to a meeting with the state transportation commissioner to discuss more funds for paving of county roads.

Commissioner Mel Taylor also suggested the county look at amending the mobile home ordinance which was enacted last year to keep old trailers from locating in the county. He wants to relax the standards. And commissioner Durward NeeSmith wants the county tax assessor to find out if there's truth to rumors people are moving mobile homes to the county, then building adjacent houses while still only paying property taxes on the mobile homes.

The commission also appointed Danny Foshee as chairman of the county hospital authority and reappointed members Willis NeeSmith, Reid McArthur and Larry Threlkeld.

Jan 09, 2006---- After more than a dozen years of fund raising, the Toombs County EMA has accepted delivery of a state-or-the-art rescue truck, according to EMA Director Lynn Moore. The diesel-powered Ford cost $87,000 and will replace a 1984 model. At the same time, Moore reports a successful recruiting effort has attracted 18 volunteers who are now certified. Moore was named director of the Toombs EMA last year, and says his goal is to have a base strength of 25 trained volunteers. The rescuers work for no pay and are on call 24/7. "We're not looking for ambulance chasers," Moore says, "but for citizens who have a desire to help the people of Toombs County when we have emergencies or natural disasters."

January 9, 2006---- The Ohoopee Regional Council for the Arts in Vidalia will use a $17,640 grant from the state to support its Grassroots Arts Program. Eight counties in the area may apply for a pro rata share of the funds to provide cultural and art education programs.

January 9-- Brewton Parker College announces the appointment of Dr. Bill Faw of Vidalia as Dean of External Programs. As such, Dr. Faw will oversee BPC's programs in Baxley, Glennville, Liberty County, Newnan, Norman Park and Savannah. Faw joined the BPC faculty as a psychology professor in 1995.

Jan 06, 2006---- State representative Greg Morris of Vidalia has been representing this area at the state capitol going on eight years. However, as the legislature reconvenes Monday in Atlanta, there's a difference for Morris. He's no longer a democrat. Morris switched to the Republican Party last year and says he thinks he'll be a more effective lawmaker as a member of the Republican caucus. "I'm happy with the way state government has been going under Republican leadership, and I'm looking forward to an effective session," he says. And with state revenue collections running ahead of last year about 8%, Morris believes the money will be there to increase funding to public education and public safety.

January 6, 2006---- Area governments who met this past week opened their meetings by swearing-in officials who were re-elected to office in November. Vidalia mayor Ronnie Dixon was sworn in along with city council members Eddie Tyson and Cecil Thompson. In Lyons, council members Ben Mitchell, Wayne Hartley and Tracy Johnson took their new oaths of office. And in Soperton Monday night, councilman L.G. Strickland will be sworn in even though the election he won by one vote over challenger Kenneth Moseley is being challenged in court. Court officials say a hearing in the case is still pending.

January 6, 2006---- The Third Congressional District, which includes Toombs, Montgomery and Treutlen counties, has a new representative on the University System of Georgia Board of Regents. Friday Governor Perdue named 33-year-old Ben Tarbutton, III of Sandersville to the Board of Regents.

Jan 05, 2006---- A record $234 million in state funding for roads will be made available to Georgia towns and counties during the next two years. Governor Sonny Perdue announced a program called "Paving the Way Home" Thursday afternoon in Atlanta. Senator Majority Leader Tommie Williams of Lyons was on hand for the announcement and says it will help counties pave more dirt roads and repair others. The program includes $120 million for the Local Assistance Road Program (LARP), and $114 million in state aid for rural road paving and other road improvements. Only $6.1 million was allocated for such work in fiscal year 2005. Funding comes from motor fuel tax collections.

Earlier Thursday, Senator Williams told local citizens at a pre-legislative breakfast he thinks construction on four-laning of U.S. One between I-16 and Lyons could start in 2007. He says environmental studies have been completed and are awaiting federal approval. He expects the state to start buying right-of-way this year.

As Senator Williams heads to the opening day of the state legislature Monday, he says his new responsibility as majority leader will require "a statewide perspective, however, I always do what's best for my local district." He adds, "Usually what's good the state, is also good for our people at home."

Jan 04, 2006---- If you're a Northland Cable subscriber who wonders why Atlanta's Eleven Alive is no longer on channel 18 on the local cable, it's all about money.

For years, Northland Cable has rebroadcast the WXIA signal for free, however, when the agreement came up for renewal last month, WXIA informed Northland it would have to pay for the broadcast rights. Northland refused, and the service was cancelled to local viewers. Northland's Lee Johnson says the station wanted 27 cents per viewer per month. WXIA general manager Bob Walker says that's a fraction of what Northland pays for other programming and the station feels its a reasonable rate.

However, according to Johnson, if Northland starts paying WXIA, he's afraid other stations it carries for free from Savannah will also expect payment. He estimates that could cost nearly $50,000 a year. As an alternative, Northland is investigating free service from two other Atlanta stations, WSB and Fox 5. Meanwhile, Walker says local viewers who want Eleven Alive back on their TV, should investigate satellite television or let Northland know about their displeasure.

Jan 03, 2006---- Local bank officials are warning people about a lottery scam. Sherry Calhoun with the People's Bank says they've seen several people at the bank in the last few days trying to cash checks from the Australian On-Line Lottery. Winners are asked to cash the check and send a portion of the proceeds to a lottery agent to pay government lottery fees. One letter to a winner promised to send $250,000 upon receipt of the fee.

Calhoun says they investigated a check presented by one supposed winner and found it to be fraudulent. She is alerting citizens regarding the scam and advising those who receive such letters to turn them over to local police.

Vidalia police say they've had seven or eight such cases, and in a couple of instances the checks were cashed.

Jan 03, 2006---- Montgomery County commissioners held their first meeting of the new year Tuesday and re-elected commissioner Charles Truett as chairman of the commission. Also re-elected were vice-chairman Brandon Braddy and deed commissioner Clarence Thomas. Vidalia attorney Mackey Bryant was reappointed county attorney.

Jan 02, 2006---- A fast moving storm front moved through southeast Georgia about noon Monday. Toombs County Sheriff Junior Kight reports some damage, but no injuries, caused by the storm.

Sheriff Kight says the storm spawned a tornado which initially touched down at the John's Country Junction mobile home park near the intersection of U.S. 1 and Highway 15 South. According to the sheriff, an unoccupied mobile home was overturned and a couple were knocked off their foundations. The storm moved to the northeast and later the tornado touched down again at the Danny Sapp farm off Highway 178. Trees and power lines were downed and blocked the highway for a short time.

Jan 02, 2006---- One of Georgia's holiday weekend traffic deaths occurred in Lyons Saturday. The state patrol reports 34-year-old Earl Franklin Gribble, Jr. of Baxley was killed when his motorcycle collided with a van on South Victory Drive in front of Thriftway Foods.