About The Advance. (Vidalia, Ga.) 2003-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 18, 2023)
Vol. 126 No. 42 Your Newspaper - Toombs, Montgomery & Wheeler County, Georgia 75$ October 18, 2023 “Peace will come to the Middle East when the Arabs will love their children more than they hate us.” - Golda Meir News BYTES Pink Out In observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Memorial Health Meadows Hospital will host a Pink Out Wom en's Event on Thursday, October 19, 5:00-6:30 p.m„ in the hospital main lobby. There will be onsite registration for mammograms, ques tions and answers with physicians and commu nity resources, and food, fun and games. MoCo Fall Festival The Montgomery County Future Farmers of America (FFA) will host a Fall Festival for the public from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday, October 19, at the Montgomery County Middle School Gym. "Pumpkin Passes" will be required to play games and may be purchased at the event. Attendees may bring 5 canned goods to donate to the food drive to trade for "pumpkin passes." For more information, con tact the Montgomery County High School at (912) 583-2296. “Forth & Blue” Unites Cops and Community By Makaylee Randolph Staff Writer mrandolphadvance@gmail.com This year’s annual “Faith & Blue” ceremony united law en forcement officers, church lead ers, and citizens from across the area, as several gathered in the Toombs County High School auditorium for a community worship service on October 9. Lyons Police Department began hosting the “Faith & Blue” celebration four years ago at Toombs County High School’s football field, known as “The Pit,” after hearing the stories of the positive outcomes of taking part in the national event. “Faith & Blue” is celebrated nationwide to bring law en forcement and communities together through faith. The idea behind the gathering is to create safer, stronger, more just and unified communities by connecting law enforce ment professionals, residents, businesses and organizations through faith. The initiative aims to re calibrate police-community relations through solutions- focused, in-person activities that are organized jointly by faith-based or other communi ty groups and law enforcement agencies. This year, on Octo ber 6-9, cities across the nation came together in worship to promote faith, fellowship reso lution, and reconciliation. Please see Faith page 12A Photo by Makaylee Randolph A TALENTED OFFICER - Lyons Police Officer Ben Glosson performed during the event, showcasing both his talent and his faith. Edwards Named MoCo Teacher of The Year By Makaylee Randolph Staff Writer mrandolphadvance@gmail.com Montgomery County Middle School Social Studies Teacher Carlena Edwards was surprised on Friday, October 13, as she was announced as the Montgomery County Schools System Teacher of the Year during the annual celebration breakfast. Edwards found herself speechless upon receiving the award, which came with a $3,500 voucher for a pro fessional development train ing event which could be at tended in or out of the state. “I had the pleasure of hiring her - she was one of my first hires a little over 7 years ago when I got here, and it has been really fun watching her get better and better and bet ter - we can all learn from that,” Montgomery County Middle/High School Princi pal Scott Barrow remarked. “No matter if you are 2 or 20, you just have to keep getting better, and she is a perfect ex ample of that.” He continued, “The kids love her. She has a sweet per sonality and it helps with how the kids respond to her. Mrs. Please see MoCo page 11A Photo by Makaylee Randolph SYSTEM TEACHER OF THE YEAR - Montgomery County Middle School Social Studies Teacher Carlena Edwards was announced as the Mont gomery County Schools System Teacher of the Year at the annual cel ebration breakfast on October 13. L to R: Assistant Superintendent Brian Barnhill, Superintendent Stan Rentz, Carlena Edwards, Assistant Superin tendent Beverly Faircloth T-Shirt Design Contest The Vidalia Onion Festi val committee is ac cepting potential t-shirt designs as a part of their T-Shirt Design Contest. Winner will receive 1 free t-shirt, a concert ticket, an air show ticket, and $100. For guidelines or submis sions, email Inew814@ gmail.com IN THIS ISSUE Editorials Page 6A Obituaries Page 8A From the Record Page 5A Your Mind On Line Page 2A Sports Page 1 B SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE 30% OFF NEWSSTAND IMV Call 537-3131 (or delivery! The Advance Gun Raffle A Shooting Success Photo by Makaylee Randolph A NEW SUBSCRIPTION & A FREE GUN - Ashley Griffeth found herself with a new subscription to The Advance and a free hunting rifle after her name was drawn in the recent subscription promotion sponsored by The Advance and Brantley's Marine & Gun. L to R: Brantley's Marine & Gun Store Manager Blake Mosley, Store Owner Donald Brantley, Ashley Griffeth, and The Advance By Makaylee Randolph Staff Writer mrandolphadvance@gmail. com Many were excited to subscribe to The Advance last month, as the chance to win a free gun from Brant ley’s Marine & Guns had new and renew ing subscribers hoping ler William Ledford, for their lucky shot. It was Ashley Griffeth of Glenwood who ulti mately hit the bullseye, winning the gun. Griffeth, who re cently began working as a Certified Nursing Aide at the Memorial Health Meadows Hos pital, said the gun will come in handy, as she is an avid sports enthu siast who enjoys both huntingwith abowand a rifle. “I didn’t think I was going to win,” she commented with a laugh. “I couldn’t be lieve it when I got the call. I am so excited and thankful!” Wheeler High School Student Loses Life The Wheeler County community is mourning the loss of a ninth grader who was killed Monday, October 9, when the Polar is Ranger he was operating overturned near his home. Drevin Hayes, 14, died when the vehicle he was driving east on Wheat Road began to yaw, with its right rear tire striking a ditch and causing it to overturn and roll twice. Hayes was ejected as the vehicle overturned and was pinned beneath it, ac cording to a report by the Georgia State Patrol which investigated the crash. The victim died at the scene. The accident occurred around 7:40 p.m. The funeral for young Hayes was held Thurs day at Alamo Methodist Church. Interment fol lowed in Alamo City Cem etery. He was the son of Mike and Beverly Hayes of Alamo and a native of Dublin. He was very active in school organizations, including the FCA, FBLA, and FFA. He was also on the high school baseball team. Baseball was his pas sion, and he was excited to be a part of the Wheeler County High School base ball team. He also loved to hunt and fish and was an active member of Alamo Methodist Church. In addition to his par ents, he is survived by brothers Dakota and Dan- yon Hayes; mother, Kayla James of Athens; uncle Brian James (Cindy) of Al amo; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.