December 14--  A Superior Court judge has ruled that Toombs County cannot enforce its noise ordinance against a county night club.

Judge Bobby Reeves signed an order December 7th ruling that the Silverado Ballroom on U.S. One north of Lyons is a commercial entity and as such is exempt from the local law.  The club's attorney, Francis Stubbs, had earlier told the court that the Toombs County Noise Control Ordinance specifically states that it does not apply to noises or sounds made by "commercial entities in the normal course of their business."

The county adopted the ordinance this summer after receiving complaints about loud music from county citizens who live in the vicinity of the club.  The issue ended up in court when the owners of the club received tickets from the Toombs County Sheriff's office and challenged the legality of the new law.