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million. Community stakeholders met on January 23 to begin the process of developing a five-year comprehensive community development plan for Wheeler County. The process was guided by the Heart of Georgia Altamaha Regional Commission.
In a May 21 primary election, two incumbents lost their posts. McRae Police Chief Glenn Giles defeated Wheeler County Sheriff Randy Rigdon, who was seeking a third term. Kandi Day Purvis defeated incumbent Ted Mercer in a bid for the coroner’s post. Keith McNeal, County Commission Chairman and 3rd District representative, won his race for a new term. There were no Democrat contenders in these races. Also, in the May 21 balloting, Wheeler residents approved a referendum to continue a one-cent sales and use tax to fund Wheeler County Schools.
Education
On April 18, Dr. Quent Floyd, Wheeler County Elementary School principal, was named interim Superintendent of Wheeler County Schools, replacing Suzanne Couey, who resigned but opted to stay on with the System in another capacity. Following a search conducted by a consulting company, Dr. C. Alex Alvarez was named sole finalist for the Superintendent’s position. He was officially welcomed at the Board of Education’s November 11 meeting. Alvarez has 22 years of public education experience and most recently served as principal of the Valdosta Early College Academy and Director of Gifted Services for the Valdosta City Schools.
In 2024, Wheeler County Schools launched the Family and Schools Together (FAST) program in the elementary and middle schools. The program aimed at bolstering parental engagement in their child’s educational experience. Also, the Wheeler County High School was accredited for COGNIA, a groundbreaking program designed to guide educators in diagnosing challenges and implementing change to facilitate learning.
Community Developments and Recognitions In 2024, Wheeler County Clerk of Superior Court Carol Bragg was named the Stetson F. Bennett Clerk of the Year by the Superior Court Clerks Association of Georgia. During the Wheeler County Chamber of Commerce’s annual banquet on April 26, former Superintendent of Schools Suzanne Couey and Wheeler County Emergency Management Agency Director Steve Adams were named Distinguished Citizens of the Year. High School student Rilyn Rodgers, daughter of Eve and Rusty Rodgers of Alamo, was accepted into the National FBI Youth Leadership Program.
Glenwood Telephone Company continued its quest to provide broadband service throughout the county. The project got a boost in 2024 when a U.S. Treasury Department allocation allowed GTC to add 5.3 more miles of connections and provide service to 1,127 locations.
In July, the founders of the Vidalia Addiction Recovery Center (Forge), Craig and Tiffany George, launched the Adult Recovery Center (ARC) for women near Glenwood.
In November, the Little Ocmulgee Electrical Membership Corporation, headquartered in Alamo, marked its 86th year serving the region. The LOEMC held its annual meeting at the Stapleton Center in Alamo. It was the first face-to-face gathering for the EMC since the COVID-19 epidemic.
In February, Sonny Taylor assumed the position of General Manager of Little Ocmulgee State Park and Lodge in Wheeler County. Taylor has been with Coral Hospitality, which manages North Georgia Mountain Authority properties for the State of Georgia, since 2018. Most recently, he was in an interim position at Brasstown Valley Resort.
More Storms
While Hurricane Helene can claim the rights to being the most destructive of storms to roll through Wheeler County and the area in 2024, there were other weather disturbances. In May, EF-1 tornadoes ripped through Wheeler and surrounding counties. In downtown Alamo, the storms damaged several buildings. Remarkably, no one was hurt. In August Tropical Storm Debby dumped heavy rains on the area, washing out roads and causing school closures.
