A Year of Recovery & Growth
mrandolphadvance@gmail.com
2025 brought a lot of positive change to the region, as we completed Hurricane Helene debris removal and continued recovering from the storm, while also growing, improving our area, and taking advantage of new opportunities.
Debris removal teams finished picking up remnants of the widespread destruction, as the final piles of trees and foliage were collected from beside the streets. Disaster recovery teams – such as Team Rubicon and AmeriCorps – packed up their camps and moved out of the region as the “to-do” list of needed help removing trees, making repairs, and clearing areas began to dwindle. Some groups continue to come to the area to help with structure repair and other tasks, but overall, Hurricane Helene immediate relief efforts were completed by August.
This year also brought generosity for those who helped the community most during the storm’s devastation, as Dot continued from page
Foods invested $120,000 in the local volunteer fire departments. Around 7,000 Dot Foods employees from across the country – including 355 employees from the Vidalia location – came together to raise funds for the donation, which were presented to departments throughout Montgomery, Toombs, and Wheeler Counties. Vidalia Dot Foods General Manager Tim Truxel commented on the effort, remarking, “During Hurricane Helene our area was so devastated. It is kind of a tradition with our company when a disaster happens anywhere in the United States, or the world, that our employees come together and donate their hard-earned money to help. Our owners then match dollar-for-dollar what was donated by our employees.” This funding was used to purchase needed equipment for each department to continue their dual mission of saving lives and protecting property.
Snow
Though a lot of the year was spent continuing to pick up the pieces from Hurricane Helene, January also brought a winter wonderland to the area, as a once-in-a-lifetime snow storm blanketed the area. Citizens across Toombs, Montgomery, and Wheeler Counties awoke to wintry surprise on January 22, as a rare snowstorm brought from 3 to 7 inches of powdery white stuff to the countryside. The Advance even joined in on the excitement, hosting the first ever Snowman Contest, in which the winner received a $50 gift card and a subscription to the newspaper. With over 121 people submitting their finest arctic art, more prizes were gained, and ultimately the top three placements – Anna Humphrey, Samantha Stanley-Bateson, and Craig George – took home rewards for their work.
Tillery
State Representative Blake Tillery had an exciting year, as he chaired the Income Tax Elimination study committee, which was formed earlier this year, and announced his campaign for Lieutenant Governor.
On July 17, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones announced that Tillery would be chairing the Georgia Senate Committee on Eliminating Georgia’s Income Tax, which was created by Jones to explore options to eliminate Georgia’s state income tax. The committee worked several months to learn more about the pros and cons of this action before ending session on December 15, pursuant to Senate Rules.
“I am committed to lowering Georgia’s income tax rate to zero,” Tillery emphasized. “It’s the right thing to do for Georgia families, and it’s the right thing to do for our state to remain competitive with our neighbors. Clearly, the Lieutenant Governor feels this way as well.”
He continued, “I have had ideas on how to do this for years, but the study committee allows us the opportunity to hear from the Lieutenant Governor’s ideas, ideas from my colleagues, and ideas from other Georgians with one goal in mind: the elimination of the state income tax.” On August 11, Tillery and his wife Ashley Nicole Tillery toured the state, as he formally announced his candidacy for Lieutenant Governor. During the tour’s final stop at the Vidalia Regional Airport, Tillery addressed his hometown crowd, thanking them for their support.
“I don’t think I have to tell you all this, but hi, my name is Blake Tillery, and I’m running for lieutenant governor,” he told the crowd at the Vidalia Regional Airport. “Fourteen years ago, I asked to be the chairman of your county commission. Y’all were kind enough to give me that honor. Then, later on, to be your representative at the Georgia State Senate. It has been a meteoric rise; it’s been so kind. The folks in Atlanta realized that I wasn’t going anywhere for a while because I had support back home. Because of that support, I was able to elevate quickly and chair the Appropriations Committee.”
He continued, “A lot of the improvements you see out here behind us – the things we have been able to do in the community both seen and not seen – are because of you. You supported me financially, you supported me overwhelmingly with your vote, and you just supported me as your friend.”
Tillery shared a quote from Zell Miller, which said, “If you see a turtle on a fence post, you know that it didn’t get there by itself.” He added, “Well, ladies and gentlemen, in this community tonight, I am the turtle on the fence post thanks to you. As I look through this audience, I can say a personal story about almost each and every one of you about how you helped to put me where I am now.”
He concluded his address sharing his gratitude to the community. “I can’t say how thankful I am to be in this community. Thank you for what you’ve done to support us. Thank you for letting me come to you one more time to go to the well. Let’s get out and vote as hard as we can so that when we’re in November, we know what the election results are going to be,” Tillery commented.
The state Lieutenant Governor is the second-incommand in Georgia’s executive government, serving as the successor to the governor if the governor dies, resigns, or is removed from office. The Lieutenant Governor serves as the president of the State Senate and presides over sessions, and may also take on specific duties assigned by the governor. Currently, Georgia’s Lieutnant Governor is Burt Jones, who announced his candidacy for Governor earlier this year.
The Lieutenant Governor election will be held during the 2026 Gubernatorial election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Other candidates vying for the position are Georgia State Senate Majority Leader Steve Gooch, Georgia State Senate President Pro-Tempore John F. Kennedy, State Representative David Clark, State Senator Josh McLaurin, and Dr. Brenda Nelson-Porter.
International Paper Closings International Paper stunned the state on August 21, as they announced the permanent closure of the containerboard and packaging facilities in Savannah and the containerboard and timber and lumber operation in Riceboro. These mills have been a staple in South Georgia’s economy for years, as loggers and timber companies supply dozens of loads of lumber to the mill daily.
'These mill closures will undoubtedly deal a devastating blow not only to Georgia’s timber industry, but to the economic fabric of the entire Southeast Georgia region,' emphasized Georgia Speaker of the House Jon Burns.
The mills’ closure sent shock waves throughout the region, as local loggers, timber companies, and large land tract owners all faced challenges to continue to thrive.
“Nobody saw it coming,” Bricoll LLC Owner Cody Alexander emphasized. “It’s nobody’s fault, but no one was prepared for this. Even the people who worked at the mill didn’t know until the morning it was announced.”
Alexander shared that the closing would not be detrimental to his business, as he sends lumber to other mills besides International Paper – but that the closures would change the timber industry in the area drastically. “It’s not just the workers at the mill that are effected – it’s everyone this way,” he remarked. “South Georgia is known for logging – this is going to hurt the banks and everywhere. It trickles down.”
Gillis Ag & Timber Owner Ben Gillis spoke out about concerns, as he stated that he had never experienced a problem of this magnitude in his lifetime in the timber industry. “This is the biggest hit that South Georgia has taken in my lifetime,” he stressed. “It won’t just affect my business – it will affect Southeast Georgia. Most of our economy relies on timber, and the jobs and income from the mill.”
He said that though the mill’s closing announcement initially stated that 1,100 jobs would be directly affected and eliminated by the closure, the indirect effects of the closing were much greater than could be expressed. “It’s probably around 5,000-10,000 jobs that will feel the effects of the closure – everyone from loggers to insurance agents to parts stores and banks,” he remarked.
Timber professionals and landowners are continuing to navigate the closure.
United Way Campaign
The United Way of Toombs, Montgomery, and Wheeler Counties had a historic campaign this year, raising a total of $525,146.43 – over $15,000 more than the campaign’s goal of $510,000 –to help the 19 agencies funded through the United Way of Toombs, Montgomery, and Wheeler Counties.
The fundraising total was announced on November 13, at the annual United Way Campaign Victory Luncheon, which brings together all United Way of Toombs, Montgomery, and Wheeler Counties Campaign volunteers and agencies to celebrate the money raised. “Everybody in here that worked on that campaign. You have been the hands and feet of Jesus. Because of you, people will receive hope. They will receive hope. Please don't take that lightly,” United Way of Toombs, Montgomery, and Wheeler Counties Executive Director Patricia Dixon told the volunteers. “Don't take it lightly. And you know what? God sees what you're doing. And I know without a shadow of a doubt that He's smiling down on you this morning.”
She added, “I firmly believe that God's not going to give us a dollar more or a dollar less than what we need. And I give Him all the praise and the glory for what we have raised.” McLendon Enterprises
One of the area’s largest employers was recognized for its commitment to helping connect high school students with employment.
McLendon Enterprises, Inc., was recognized for its help in preparing students for the workforce, as it were named the 2025 Georgia Work-Based Learning Program Partner of the Year during a statewide conference last week.
The company has been an integral part in the creation of the Toombs County High School Heavy Equipment Operations Pathway – the first program in the state of Georgia that allows students to learn to operate heavy machinery to enable them to transition more easily into the workforce.
McLendon Enterprises reacted to the honor, as CEO Benny McLendon stated, “This award is a tremendous honor for our company. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to support the growth of young individuals in the business field within our community.”
“Great things happen when schools and industry come together to shape the future workforce,” Toombs County Assistant Superintendent Tabatha Nobles emphasized. “In 2021, Toombs County Schools and McLendon Enterprises launched Georgia’s first-ever Heavy Equipment Pathway—a groundbreaking partnership that continues to grow. Together, we’ve worked tirelessly to prepare students for success as productive members of our community.”
Nobles shared her appreciation for McLendon Enterprises for its support of the program, Toombs County High School Work-Based Learning Coordinator Peggy Snow for her leadership in connecting students with career opportunities, and Toombs County High School Heavy Equipment Operations Instructor Tom Brodnax for his commitment to ensuring student success in the program.
“We are proud to continue chasing excellence together!” Nobles concluded.
Changes at The Advance 2025 was a year of loss and celebration at The Advance, as two beloved writers passed away and another was recognized for her dedication to public education.
Azure Rountree – a talented chef and longtime columnist for The Advance – passed away on Tuesday, August 19, due to injuries sustained a car crash in Statesboro.
Rountree, 49, of Nevils, was driving on Nevils- Denmark Road with her 15-year-old daughter when the pair were hit by a semi-truck traveling along Georgia Highway 46. According to the Georgia State Patrol, the truck driver failed to stop at the intersection’s four-way stop, causing him to collide with Rountree as the family’s minivan entered the intersection.
The mother immediately succumbed to injuries from the crash while still on-scene; and was pronounced dead on the way to East Georgia Regional Medical Center in Statesboro. The daughter was flown to Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, where she also succumbed to her injuries two days later.
A Vidalia High School graduate, Rountree has roots in the area, and has become known across the region for her excellent recipes, as she authored cookbooks, cooking articles, and more, detailed exciting dishes sure to satisfy at any gathering. Many of these recipes could be found in The Advance each month.
Rountree’s life was honored with a memorial service on Sunday afternoon, August 24. She will be remembered as someone who poured her heart into everything she did – whether it was cooking or spending time with her family. Her memory will live on through her recipes and dishes as they are prepared throughout the future.
Another loss struck the newspaper staff last month, when former News Editor Deborah Clark passed away.
Deborah passed away peacefully on November 27 while surrounded by her loving family. She loved her Wheeler County community and served it well by promoting it through her stories. She had a passion for writing and a devotion to the truth.
Before making her home in Wheeler County, Deborah discovered her passion for writing and teaching others, as she worked as a Community Editor at the Waycross Journal-Herald, news aide at the Washington Post, reporter and city editor at The Brunswick News, and Coordinator of Continuing Education Marketing and Program Development at the College of Coastal Georgia. She perfected her craft throughout these roles, as she learned how to dive deep into complicated subjects and make them easy to understand for readers, and ensure that facts and accuracy were shared while simultaneously treating others with dignity, respect, and compassion.
After moving to Wheeler County with her husband Les, Deborah planted her roots deep within the region. She began sharing the news through stories of success, excellence, and history in her own community. Readers loved Deborah for her detailed and factual reporting, as well as her heartwarming and awe-inspiring storytelling. Many local legends and tales of the past would still remain mysteries if it were not for Deborah’s diligence and passion.
The Advance Publisher William Ledford emphasized that Deborah was a fireball, willing to go the extra mile to get the facts and report the news accurately. “Deborah Clark was a tremendous asset to The Advance. She may have been small in stature, but her writing expertise was enormous. Deborah was a professional, extremely talented journalist who knew the newspaper business, knew how to get the story, and presented it so that readers could easily understand the message she was conveying.”
Yet, the newspaper staff also celebrated accomplishments this year, as current News Editor Makaylee Randolph accepted the Georgia School Board Association Beacon Award on December 5.
The Beacon Award acknowledges exemplary reporting on public education, focusing on comprehensive coverage that informs the public about educational programs, policies, and issues. It honors journalists and media entities, recommended by school boards, for their enduring commitment to highlighting important educational matters through various media channels, including online and print publications, television, radio, and podcasts. This award underscores the vital role of informed journalism in shaping public understanding and dialogue around educational topics.
During the meeting on September 15, Board Chairman Henry Price and Superintendent Ronda Hightower announced that the District would be nominating Randolph for the award.
“Mr. Price has been talking about this for a while, and I was very glad,” Hightower emphasized.
Randolph accepted the award in Atlanta on December 5.
Overall, 2025 was a year of restoration, growth, challenge, and celebration, and created excitement for all that is to come in 2026.
