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The JROTC Comes to the Onion City

Two former Army non-commissioned officers will lead the Army Junior ROTC program serving four school systems in the Vidalia area this school term.

The two NCOs are First Sergeant Yusvf Brantley and Command Sergeant Major David Draughn. Both say that they are excited about the opportunties the program will offer students.

"I believe very strongly in the youth of America.  I think one of the highest forms of praise I ever heard was when the Army crossed into Iraq and the soldiers were getting into some pretty tough stuff.  Some of the embedded reporters on TV were amazed and said 'Where do we get these people?'  They come from places like Vidalia and Dobson, NC where I'm from and places like that.  Those kids have never disappointed me in a long time.  It's takes leadership and proper attitude to do that, but they'll do great things and I believe very strongly they'll do that at Vidalia,"

says Draughn, who has already met with the students and he told them, "The moment you signed up for this course, you became part of something bigger than you.  It's no longer what the individual does or fails to do, it's what the Corps of Cadets does or fails to do.  Everything you do or fail to do reflects on the Corps of Cadets.”

School officials say 170 students have enrolled in the first class of JROTC ever to be offered in this area

Fire Decimates House In Lyons

The house located at the corner of W. Liberty Street & Lyons Center Road

in Lyons, GA caught on fire around 5 am today.  It was the former Maddox Family Home.  The cause of the fire is not known at this time and under

investigation. Lyons City Fire Chief tells VidaliaOnionNews.com that it

could possibly have been started by lightning.

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16 Defendants Charged in Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

A federal indictment has charged 16 defendants with conspiracy to distribute large amounts of cocaine, ecstasy and marijuana in the Vidalia, Georgia area.

United States Attorney Edward Tarver stated in a news release, "Successful investigations such as these are the result of great cooperation between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.  We are committed to prosecuting those who prey upon our communities and profit from the scourge of illegal narcotics trafficking.  This United States Attorney's Office will also seek to seize and forfeit the ill-gotten gains from the criminal activity."

If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years to life in prison and a potential fine of $4,000,000.

The 16 defendants indicted on federal charges include:

•Marcus Antiwan Dickerson, 34, Lithonia, Ga.

•Tyson Lamar Davis, 28, Vidalia, Ga.

•Eric Stephon Mclendon, 34, Vidalia, Ga.

•Trenton Arlanda Kinsey, 29, Vidalia, Ga.

•Dexter Jamaal Fields, 24, Mount Vernon, Ga.

•Eddie Littles, III, 31, Statesboro, Ga.

•Terry Powell, 26, Vidalia, Ga.

•Ricardo Marquis Davis, 29, Vidalia, Ga.

•Isaac Hurst, Jr., 24, Vidalia, Ga.

•Alvin Christopher Hamilton, Jr., 36, Vidalia, Ga.

•Zikomo Taheam Bostic, 27, Swainsboro, Ga.

•Colby Terrell Williams, 27, Swainsboro, Ga.

•Bobby Lewis Day, 32, Lyons, Ga.

•Matthew Dontell Hill, 28, Vidalia, Ga.

•Kaneesha Lashay Simpson, 21, Vidalia, Ga.

•Melinda Dickerson, 52, Vidalia, Ga

Source: WTOC News