Tourette’s syndrome made life hard for his son, Charles Ray Jr. recalled Monday.

“It weighed heavy on him,” Ray said. “It was something that kept getting in his way.”

Autopsy results were released Monday for Charles Ray III, known as Charlie. The results showed the 35-year-old Wilmington Island man died from multiple stab wounds.

The alleged killer was a man Charlie Ray once considered a friend, his father said.

“Most everybody liked him, he was a friendly kid and thought everyone was his friend,” Ray said of his son. “We tried to tell him not everyone is your friend.”

Ray said Charlie, who was diagnosed with Tourette’s at the age of 5, at one point lived with the man who police believe killed him.

“He called us and said, ‘They’ve threatened me,’” Ray said.

Ray said he was at that time able to get his son away from Chad Moretz.

The separation didn’t last.

Friday’s standoff

Partial remains believed to belong to Charlie Ray were found at the Moretz home on Friday after a hostage standoff lasting almost five hours. His torso and limbs were found dismembered in bags tossed in a storage unit in Jasper County, S.C.

Charlie Ray had been reported missing from home on New Year’s Eve.

Savannah-Chatham police and an Effingham County deputy went to the Moretz home on Whitehall Avenue on Friday afternoon to question the one-time friend about Charlie Ray’s disappearance.

When officers knocked on the door, Moretz’s brother-in-law, Kevin Lambert, opened the door and told officers Moretz was inside but would not come out alive.

Lambert informed officers that Moretz had a weapon and that Lambert’s sister, Kimberly Moretz, was inside. Kimberly Moretz was the wife of Chad Moretz.

“The officers then grabbed Kevin Lambert away from the home, and at that point there was a hostage situation,” said Effingham County Sheriff’s Office spokesman David Ehsanipoor.

After the standoff with police, Moretz was shot to death by a Savannah-Chatham SWAT team member when he exited the home brandishing a rifle. Moretz threatened to shoot deputies during the standoff.

Moretz was carrying an AR-15 rifle and a .357-caliber Magnum handgun in his waistband, Ehsanipoor said.

Ehsanipoor said police believe Chad Moretz killed Charlie Ray in the kitchen of his Whitehall Avenue home.

When the slaying took place has not been determined.

He tried his best

Ray said his son always did the best he could, living with an illness that caused him at times to injure himself and to blurt out inappropriate words.

“He tried his best to cover it up, but he just couldn’t,” Ray said of his son. “He didn’t mean to say them.”

Ray said the best of time of his son’s life came when he was able to work at a grocery store for about a year.

His Tourette’s eventually cost him the job, his father said.

Ray attended Benedictine Military School for more than a year, school officials said.

The crime scene

Kimberly Moretz, 40, and Lambert were arrested early Saturday morning and charged with concealing a death. Police do not believe they participated in the killing of Charlie Ray.

Preliminary autopsy results conducted Monday in Savannah on the remains found in Effingham County appear to match the torso and limbs found in South Carolina, Ehsanipoor said.

Ehsanipoor said investigators have recovered several knives and a chainsaw from the Whitehall Avenue home.

Ehsanipoor said the kitchen floor of the home showed signs of blood and an attempt had been made to clean the floor.

Ehsanipoor said there is no known motive time for Charlie Ray’s slaying.

“Obviously Moretz was a disturbed individual,” Ehsanipoor said. “We still don’t have a motive. Everyone would like to know why this happened and we would, too. We are still in the middle of this investigation. It’s not over for us.”

Ehsanipoor said the crime scene was gruesome.

“The home was filthy and had an odor that may have been from the human remains,” he said.

Ehsanipoor said the remains showed some signs of decomposition.

Sheriff’s deputies continued Monday to process the crime scene.

Kimberly Moretz and Lambert remain in the Effingham County jail without bond.

Ehsanipoor said an autopsy on Moretz was also completed and showed he died from a gunshot.

Would-be burglars broke in to a Guyton convenience store using an ax about 2 a.m. today.

Guyton Police Chief Randy Alexander said the lock on the back door was broken but the men fled when the store’s alarm went off. The store is located at Sixth and Church Streets.

Alexander said Effingham County Sheriff’s Office deputies spotted some people running from the area but were not able to catch them.

Alexander said the investigation is ongoing.

Charles Ray III was seen alive in a video surveillance tape from New Year’s night at a South Carolina hotel.

Effingham County Sheriff’s Office spokesman David Ehsanipoor said Ray’s alleged killer, Chad Moretz, was seen with Charles Ray leaving a hotel in Hampton County, S.C.

“We believe they then came to Effingham County and got into a heated argument,” Ehsanipoor said.

What the two men argued about is unknown at this time, Ehsanipoor said.

Investigators believe that Moretz stabbed Ray to death at the Moretz home on Whitehall Avenue in Effingham County either late Jan. 1 or in the early morning hours of Jan. 2.

Ray was reported missing from Chatham County on Jan. 3. Earlier reports indicated Ray was reported missing on New Year’s Eve.

A portion of Ray’s remains were found in Jasper County, S.C., on Friday. Other partial remains were found in the home of Chad Moretz and his wife, Kimberly Moretz, on Whitehall Avenue.

Chad Moretz held his wife hostage for almost five hours on Friday at the Whitehall Avenue home. He  was shot to death by a Savannah-Chatham police SWAT team member when he exited the home brandishing an AR-15 rifle.

Kimberly Moretz and her brother Kevin Lambert have been arrested and both charged with concealing a death, tampering with evidence and hindering the apprehension and prosecution of a criminal.

A $25,000 bond was set for Moretz and Lambert today. The pair were still being held in the Effingham County Jail as of Tuesday afternoon.

Pridgeon is appointed to Springfield council

The Springfield City Council has decided not to host a fireworks show this July Fourth.

Council members on Jan. 8 declined to approve a contract with Falcon Fireworks. The vote means the city will not be hosting, organizing or paying for the event, said City Administrator Brett Bennett.

“I can’t say whether or not the City Council would contribute to the event if hosted by someone else,” he said. “That would have to be voted on at that time.”

Springfield supports having an Independence Day celebration, but council members feel that Springfield residents should not shoulder the burden of funding the majority of the event, Bennett said.

Springfield spent more than $8,000 putting on last year’s fireworks show, he said.

Bennett said the city received $10,000 grants in 2010 and 2011 from Liberty Mutual that paid for much of the show. The grant was not available last year.

In other action on Jan. 8, the council appointed Katherine Pridgeon to finish Jeff Ambrose’s term on the City Council. 

Pridgeon, 46, a nurse at University Hospital in Augusta, Ga., has served on the Springfield planning and zoning board since July 2008. She said she will resign that position while she finishes Ambrose’s term, which lasts through Dec. 31. 

Ambrose, who was mayor pro tem, resigned his seat in October because he moved out of the city and into Effingham County. 

Ambrose served on the city council since 2007, when he was appointed to finish Ron Boatright's term. He was elected to the post in 2009. His peers on the council appointed him to serve as mayor pro-tem for the last two years. 

Pridgeon has lived in Effingham County for 13 years and in Springfield for eight years. Before becoming a nurse, she worked in operations and finance management in concrete and logistics for 12 years.

Kenny Usher was elected to serve as mayor pro-tem. 

Group is going to Athens on Friday

The South Effingham High School Wind Ensemble is headed to the University of Georgia on Friday. People are invited to attend a preview of the concert at 7 p.m. tonight in the school’s cafetorium. 

Band Director Sean McBride says the concert tonight is open to the public and he’d like to have lots of people attend. 

The Wind Ensemble will be performing the same concert it will perform at 2 p.m. Friday in Hugh Hodgson Hall in Athens. The performance is part of Jan-Fest, the 63rd annual University of Georgia January High School Band Festival. 

The group will be among 1,000 student musicians taking part in the event, which is hosted by the Hodgson School of Music and the University of Georgia Band Department. 

The SEHS Wind Ensemble was chosen from more than 100 of the best bands in the Southeast to be one of seven guest ensembles to perform at the event. 

McBride says it’s the second time SEHS has been selected to perform at the event. The first time was in 2008. 

The performance will be attended by students, parents and music educators. “This is a tremendous honor for our band program and our county,” McBride said. 

During Jan-Fest, students audition and are placed in one of seven honor bands. The groups will rehearse for three days and perform a concert on Sunday. 

While participating in the event, students attend concerts by university groups and the seven high school guest ensembles.  

Charles Ray III was seen alive in a video surveillance tape from New Year’s night at a South Carolina hotel.

Effingham County Sheriff’s Office spokesman David Ehsanipoor said Ray’s alleged killer, Chad Moretz was seen with Charles Ray leaving a hotel in Hampton County, S.C.

“We believe they then came to Effingham County and got into a heated argument,” Ehsanipoor said.

What the two men argued about is unknown at this time, but it led to the stabbing death of Ray, Ehsanipoor said.

Ehsanipoor declined to say who had provided the information regarding the argument. He did say statements were provided as part of the investigation.

Investigators believe Moretz stabbed Ray to death at the Moretz home on Whitehall Avenue in Effingham County either late Jan. 1 or in the early morning hours of Jan. 2.

Ray was reported missing from Chatham County on Jan. 3. Earlier reports indicated Ray was reported missing on New Year’s Eve.

A portion of Ray’s remains were found in Jasper County, S.C., on Friday. Other partial remains were found in the home of Chad Moretz and his wife Kimberly Moretz in Effingham County.

Ehsanipoor said that Kimberly Moretz rented the storage unit in Jasper County on Jan. 4.

Chad Moretz held his wife hostage for almost five hours on Friday at the Whitehall Avenue home. He was shot to death by a Savannah-Chatham police SWAT team member when he exited the home brandishing an AR-15 rifle. A .357 Magnum handgun was later found in the waistband of his pants.

Investigators recovered a chainsaw and knives at the Moretz home.

Kimberly Moretz and her brother Kevin Lambert have been arrested and both charged with concealing a death.

On Tuesday, two new charges were added: Tampering with evidence and hindering the apprehension and prosecution of a criminal.

A $25,000 bond was set for Moretz and Lambert Tuesday. The pair were still being held in the Effingham County jail as of late Tuesday.

Effingham County High School Class of 1968

Members of the Effingham County High School Class of 1968 will gather for a dutch treat lunch at noon on Saturday, Jan. 26 at Carey Hilliards Restaurant at 198 Pooler Parkway, in Pooler. Purpose of the lunch is fellowship and “catching up.” To be sure there is sufficient room, please reply to echsclassof1968@hotmail.com or call 912-281-5438.

Rincon Recovery plans to make food bank donations

Rincon Recovery counselors will provide a 30-minute consultation for the donation of 30 canned food items.

The consultation will be provided to individuals who are not current clients.

If you are interested in scheduling a consultation, call Rincon Recovery at 912-826-0918.

The canned food donations will be given to the United Way of Effingham County for local food banks. The food drive will take place through today.

Hospice Savannah volunteer training

Hospice Savannah is seeking home care volunteers in Bryan, Liberty and Effingham counties. Hospice Savannah volunteer training will be held Saturday, Feb. 2 and Saturday, Feb. 9.

Has your life been touched by hospice care? If it has, you may want to join our wonderful group of volunteers who help lift the burden of stress and worry for caregivers of our terminally ill patients, and who provide companionship and support to our palliative care clients and to our patients.

If this is a calling you would like to answer, call Paula Hudson at 912-629-1331 to find out more about the special weekend orientation being held on the first two Saturdays in February or apply online under the How You can Help tab at www.HospiceSavannah.org.

Bingo

• The Rincon Recreation Department sponsors bingo for senior citizens at 8:30 a.m. every Monday at the Vernon C. Hinely Community Center at Ninth Street and Ga. 21. For information, call 826-0238.

• American Legion Auxiliary, Post 209 for Effingham and Springfield, holds bingo at 6:30 p.m. the fourth Friday of each month at the Legion Hall, 941 S. Laurel St., Springfield. Proceeds go to help veterans and their families. For information, contact Thelma Pierce at 754-2442.

Effingham Tennis League

People of all ages and abilities are invited to join the Effingham Tennis League. Adults and teens may join the singles and/or doubles ladder at www.globaltennisnetwork.com and it’s free. SATA kids clinic for grades kindergarten to eighth grade is $50 per six-week session, playing Tuesdays 5:30-7 p.m. at Patriots Park behind the Rincon YMCA. Info: 912-656-4430.

United Way Yoga

Dr. Jack Heneisen and the United Way are holding free yoga classes each Monday at 6:30 p.m. The classes are held at the United Way Effingham Service Center located at 711 Zitterour Road, Rincon. Participants should wear comfortable loose-fitting clothes and bring a mat or towel for floor exercises.

Auxiliary volunteers needed

The Effingham Hospital Auxiliary is in need of volunteers in the beauty shop from 8 a.m.-noon Wednesdays in the Extended Care Center. You do not need to be a hairdresser to apply, just have a compassionate heart. Perfect for retired hairdressers. Call Brenda Rabun at 346-9536 or email rabonbk@gmail.com.

Effingham Now

Effingham County Democrats

The Effingham County Democrats will have their first meeting of 2013 on today at 6 p.m. in the community room of the Effingham Hospital on Ga. 119 in Springfield. Nominations for officers will be received. For more information call chair Jack Garvin at 429-1990

Senior movie day

A movie is shown for senior citizens at 9:30 a.m. each Thursday in the Anderson Recreation Building (formerly the Rincon Lions Club) on Lexington Avenue.

Alzheimer’s Association Support Group

The Effingham County Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group meets at 10:30 a.m. on the second Tuesday of the month at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, located at 155 Goshen Road, Rincon. The group is open to family caregivers. It provides education and support. These meetings usually run one hour in length. For more information, call 1-800-272-3900.

Start Smart Child and Adult Care Food Program

The Start Smart Learning Center at 250 Chimney Road in Rincon is a sponsor of the U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded Child and Adult Care Food Program. The same meals will be available at no separate charge to enrolled participants without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. Contact Jeanne Hamiliton at 912-826-0062 for more information.

American Red Cross

The Southeast Georgia Chapter of the American Red Cross is seeking volunteers for their Disaster Action Teams. Volunteers are needed to provide emergency assistance to victims of disasters and preparedness education to the community. Orientation is required. For information, call 912-651-5351 or email mckinneyj@savannahredcross.org.

Civil Air Patrol

The Civil Air Patrol squadron meets Mondays from 6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. in building 200 at Ephesus Church/Effingham Christian School, 226 Goshen Road, Rincon. The organization is for youth, ages 12 to 18 and for adults. It has three programs: emergency services, aerospace education and the cadet leadership program. The Effingham Cadet Squadron is actively recruiting both cadets ages 12 to adult and have several staff positions available. For more information go to www.ga453.org or call Squadron Commander Captain Richard Bush at 912-429-8050.

Tax board

The Effingham County Board of Tax Assessors meets the first Monday of the month in Commission Chambers at the County Administrative Complex, 601 N. Laurel St., Springfield. Agendas can be found at effinghamcounty.org.

County Commission

The Effingham County Board of Commissioners meets at
5 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of the month in Commission Chambers at the Administrative Office Complex, 601 N. Laurel St., Springfield. For a complete agenda, go to effinghamcounty.org.

Hospital board

The Effingham Hospital Authority meets at 7:15 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month in the Community Room at Effingham Hospital, 459 Ga. 119 S., Springfield. Agendas and minutes of past meetings are not available online. For information, go to effinghamhealth.org or call administration at 754-0160.

School board

The Effingham County Board of Education meets at 2 p.m. the first Wednesday and at 7 p.m. the third Thursday of the month in the conference room at the Central Office Complex, 405 N. Ash St., Springfield. Agendas and minutes of past meetings can be found at effinghamschools.com. For information, call 754-6491.

County planning board

The Effingham County Planning Board meets at 7 p.m. the fourth Monday of the month in Commission Chambers at the County Administrative Complex, 601 N. Laurel St., Springfield. Agendas and minutes can be found at effinghamcounty.org. For information, call 754-2105.

Elections board

The Effingham County Board of Elections and Registration meets at 8:30 a.m. the second Monday of the month in the conference room at the elections office, 284 Ga. 119 S., Springfield. Agendas and minutes of past meetings are not currently available online. For information, go to effinghamcounty.org or call

754-8030.

Guyton council

The Guyton City Council meets at 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month and at 8 a.m. the fourth Tuesday of the month at City Hall, 310 Central Blvd., Guyton. Agendas and minutes of past meetings are not currently available online. For information, go to cityofguyton.com or call City Hall at 722-3353.

Springfield council

The Springfield City Council meets at 6 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month in Council Chambers at City Hall, 130 S. Laurel St., Springfield. Agendas and minutes of past meetings can be found at cityofspringfield.com. For information, call City Hall at 754-6666.

Rincon council

The Rincon City Council meets at 7 p.m. the second and fourth Mondays of the month in Council Chambers at the police department, 107 W. 17th St., Rincon. Agendas and minutes of past meetings are not currently available online. For information, go to cityofrincon.com or call City Hall at 826-5745.

IDA board

The Effingham County Industrial Development Authority board of directors meets at 8 a.m. the third Thursday of the month in the conference room at the Welcome Center, 520 W. Third St., Springfield. Agendas and minutes of past meetings are not currently available online. For information, go to effinghamindustry.com or call 754-3301.

Weight loss

Coastal Champions Weight Loss Surgery Support Group meets from 6-7:30 p.m. the third Thursday of the month at Rincon Recovery Resources, 613 Towne Park Drive West, Suite 103, Rincon. Free and open to the public. For information, call Anisa Grantham at 507-8734.

Seniors

Rincon Senior Support Group meets 5-8 p.m. Tuesdays at Vernon C. Hinely Community Center, Ga. 21 and Ninth Street in Rincon. For senior citizens 55 or older. Fellowship and activities. Call 826-4000.

Asperger’s syndrome

A support group for people with Asperger’s syndrome, their friends, family and caregivers, meets monthly at Effingham Baptist Church, 1007 N. Columbia Ave., Rincon. For information, call Patrick Bowers at 346-4912 or email pb4asp@yahoo.com.

The Rosebuds

An Effingham County daytime breast cancer support group meets the fourth Wednesday of every month at 11 a.m. at Effingham Hospital’s Community Room, 459 Ga. 119 South, Springfield. For information, call 754-9100.

Clyo school 1961-1966

Contact information is being sought for those who attended Clyo School from 1961-1966 for a possible 50-year reunion. Students of the former school are asked to contact Louise Bazemore after 9 p.m. at 912-659-9513.

High blood pressure

The Community Cardiovascular Council’s Blood Pressure Clinic offers help to people trying to control high blood pressure. If you need help controlling it and purchasing medications, make a free appointment to see if you qualify for services. Call the Rincon clinic, 826-2608, or the Savannah clinic, 232-6624.

Effingham Hospital Auxiliary

The Effingham Hospital Auxiliary offers an opportunity to serve the hospital and the community through volunteer service. The auxiliary provides support to patients, families and visitors. It also raises funds to support special projects that benefit the hospital and the community. Call Effingham Hospital Auxiliary President Brenda Rabon at 912-346-9536.

Hospice

Seeking volunteers to play music to patients, visit patients in their homes and nursing homes (Chatham, Bryan, Effingham, Liberty and Long counties), assist staff and families in Hospice House in Savannah or help in the offices on Chatham Parkway. Training is offered the second Monday and Tuesday of every month. Call 355-2289.

LifeLink

LifeLink of Georgia, the local agency that coordinates organ and tissue donations for the state, seeks volunteers to assist with programs pertaining to organ and tissue donation and transplantation. Volunteer activities include public speaking, staffing information tables and more. Potential volunteers include transplant recipients and their families, patients waiting for transplants, donor families or anyone interested in organ, tissue donation. Volunteers trained by LifeLink staff. Call Tracy Gay at 800-365-2066 or 341-0000.

AARP instructors needed

Additional volunteers are needed to teach the AARP Senior Drivers Safety Program (55 ALIVE) classes. The area to cover is Chatham, Bryan and Effingham counties. Call 598-1011.

Mentors needed

Effingham Family Connection and Communities in Schools, in partnership with the Effingham County school system, has students who are in need of mentors; to talk, help with homework or listen to music. Mentors are needed to commit one hour per week. Background check required. For information, call Cathy Zipperer at Effingham County High at 754-6404, ext. 1237; or Erin Woodcock at South Effingham High at 728-7511, ext. 1372.

Hands On Savannah

A service of the United Way of the Coastal Empire, recruits and refers volunteers to area nonprofits. Hands On Savannah/Volunteer Center can match volunteer interests with community needs. To browse volunteer options, go to handsonsavannah.org, call 2-1-1 or 651-7726 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, or email volunteer@uwce.org.

CASA

Court Appointed Special Advocates is looking for volunteers to advocate for the best interest of abused and neglected children in Bulloch, Effingham, Screven and Jenkins counties. For information, call Carolyn Fields at 912-764-4849.

Volunteers needed

The Faith Equestrian Therapeutic Center in Guyton provides equine-assisted riding and educational activity programs for children and adults with special challenges. The center has many volunteer opportunities for anyone committed to offering their time and talents to help others. Call 728-3728 or go to faithetc.org for information.

Meals on Wheels

The Effingham County Senior Citizens Center, 128 Stillwell Road, Springfield, needs volunteers to deliver meals to the homebound elderly in the county. Mileage is paid. Call Margaret Moore at 754-2138.

Medicare

The Coastal Georgia Regional Development Center is seeking volunteers to help counsel Medicare beneficiaries about their health coverage and options. Volunteers are also needed to assist with the GeorgiaCares SMP project to promote consumer awareness and prevent fraud. Volunteers will receive free in-depth training. Requires at least four hours per month. For more information, call 264-7363 ext. 239, or 800-669-8387.

Hunting-fishing club

The Georgia Hunting and Fishing Federation, Effingham Chapter, meets at 7 p.m. the second Thursday of every month in the Effingham County Recreation Department on Ga. 119 in Springfield. If you need information about the meeting or becoming a member, call 912-661-1111. Membership is $25 per year.

GED classes

Savannah Technical College offers day and evening GED classes in Rincon at Savannah Technical College Effingham Campus, 2890 Ga. 21 S. Call John Seaman or Alethia Bradshaw-Scott at 754-2876.

Rincon MOPS

Rincon Mops (Mothers of Preschoolers) invites moms to come for brunch, crafts, encouragement and friendships with other moms. All mothers of children from birth to kindergarten are invited to attend. Childcare is provided with crafts, games and snacks while moms meet. The next meeting is Tuesday, Jan. 10 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Rincon (Memorial Chapel in back). Rincon MOPS is part of MOPS International.

Effingham Rotary

The Rotary Club of Effingham meets at 12:30 p.m. every Thursday at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Ga. 21 and Seventh Street in Rincon. For information, call Talbert Edenfield at 772-5022 or go to myrotaryclub.com.

Sons of Confederate Veterans

Camp Davis No. 2073 meets the second Tuesday of every month in the former Boy Scouts hut down the hill from the Effingham Historical Society, formerly the old county jail in Springfield. Meeting and program at 7 p.m. Call Mitchell Ambrose at 429-3446.

UDC

United Daughters of the Confederacy Effingham County Hussars Chapter 2285 meets the last Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Community Room at Effingham Hospital. Call 772-3340.

Experimental Aircraft

Effingham County Chapter 330 of the Experimental Aircraft Association meets at 11 a.m. the third Saturday of every month at The Briar Patch Airfield in Springfield. Meetings open with a short business session, followed by lunch. Cost is $5. Members and visitors may drive or fly. Go to eaa.org for more information.

Special-needs support

The Effingham County Navigator Team, a support group for families of children with special needs, meets at 6:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at The Learning Treehouse, 250 Goshen Road, Rincon. For information, contact Pauline Shaw at effingham@p2pga.org or call 912-295-5460.

Special-needs children

A support group for parents and guardians of children with challenging behaviors meets at the United Way Effingham Service Center, 711 Zitterour Drive, Rincon. For information, call Katie McGrory at 441-1435 or email kateemac1@msn.com. Child care may be available.

Alzheimer’s support

The Alzheimer’s Association conducts a support group in Effingham County at 10:30 a.m. the second Tuesday of the month at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 155 Goshen Road, Rincon. For information, call Jenny House at 912-920-2231 or email jenny.house@alz.org.

Special-needs support

The Effingham County Navigator Team, a support group for parents and caregivers of special needs children, ages newborn to 26 years, meets at 6:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month in the Blandford Elementary School media center. For information, call Pauline Shaw at 912-295-5460 or email effingham@p2pga.org.

Bereavement counseling

Hospice Savannah’s Full Circle has opened an office in the United Way Effingham Service Center, 711 Zitterour Drive, Rincon. Bereavement counselor Barbara Moss holds office hours 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays to counsel children or adults, individually or in group sessions, and plans to offer workshops and presentations on coping with grief during the holidays. The counseling is offered free of charge as a community service. To schedule an appointment, call 629-1089.

NA of Effingham

Narcotics Anonymous groups meet at 7:30 p.m. Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Beulah House, 407 Church St., Guyton. Meetings are also at 7:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at Freedom Christian Center, 409 S. Laurel St., Springfield.

Weight loss

Coastal Champions Weight Loss Surgery Support Group meets from 6-7:30 p.m. the third Thursday of the month at Rincon Recovery Resources, 613 Towne Park Drive West, Suite 103, Rincon. Free and open to the public. For information, call Anisa Grantham at 507-8734.

Seniors

Rincon Senior Support Group meets 5-8 p.m. Tuesdays at Vernon C. Hinely Community Center, Ga. 21 and Ninth Street in Rincon. For senior citizens 55 or older. Fellowship and activities. Call 826-4000.

Asperger’s syndrome

A support group for people with Asperger’s syndrome, their friends, family and caregivers, meets monthly at Effingham Baptist Church, 1007 N. Columbia Ave., Rincon. For information, call Patrick Bowers at 346-4912 or email pb4asp@yahoo.com.

The Rosebuds

An Effingham County daytime breast cancer support group meets the fourth Wednesday of every month at 11 a.m. at Effingham Hospital’s Community Room, 459 Ga. 119 South, Springfield. For information, call 754-9100.

High blood pressure

The Community Cardiovascular Council’s Blood Pressure Clinic offers help to people trying to control high blood pressure. If you need help controlling it and purchasing medications, make a free appointment to see if you qualify for services. Call the Rincon clinic, 826-2608, or the Savannah clinic, 232-6624.

Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church

Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2966 Ebenezer Road, located on the Savannah River at the end of Ebenezer Road, has Sunday school for adults and children each Sunday at 9:45 a.m. Worship service with Holy Communion follows at 11 a.m. A nursery is provided for children of all ages. Contact the church at 754-3915 if you have questions or need assistance.

Bible Lutheran Church

Bible Lutheran Church is located at 812 Blue Jay Road in Rincon. Sunday School for all ages starts each Sunday at 8:45 a.m. followed by worship service with Holy Communion at 10 a.m. For more information contact Pastor Andy Krey at 826-0206.

Bethel Lutheran Church

This historic Lutheran congregation invites you to worship service at 11 a.m. Sunday mornings. Sunday School for all ages begins at 9:45 a.m. Bethel is at 1984 Ga. 21 N., two miles north of Ga. 119 in Springfield. The Rev. Bob LeFavi is available for pastoral care or any questions at 912-667-1480.

Tabernacle of Faith

A breakfast fellowship will be held every Wednesday at
8 a.m. at Tabernacle of Faith, located at 540 W. Seventh St. in Rincon. For more information, call 713-3783.

Pierogi sale

St. Mary Magdalene Church, 1625 Fort Howard Road, Rincon, has a pierogi and bake sale from 10 a.m.-noon the first Saturday of the month. Info: 912-826-5176.

Liberty Christian Fellowship

Liberty Christian Fellowship, 302 Church St., Guyton, meets at 10:30 a.m. Sundays and 7 p.m. Wednesdays. The Rev. Scott Stringer is the pastor. For information, call 912-772-5522.

Recovery ministry

First Baptist Church of Springfield offers a free Scripture-based recovery ministry based on the 12 steps. The program meets at 7 p.m. Mondays in the chapel, 1435 Ga. 119 N., Springfield. All are welcome. For information, go to fbc-springfield.org or call the church office at 912-754-3443.

St. John’s Lutheran Church

St. John’s, 301 N. Columbia Ave., Rincon, welcomes the community to share in God’s grace during Sunday school at 10 a.m. and church services at 11 a.m.

Med Bank

Med Bank, a volunteer organization, inviting anyone in Effingham County who lacks insurance for needed prescription medications to come in and begin the process to obtain free medicine through pharmaceutical companies’ programs. The clinic is held in the reception area of St. Luke Episcopal Church in Rincon, 155 Goshen Road, from 3-5 p.m. Wednesdays. Patients are asked to come with proof of income such as their latest tax return or last three paycheck stubs; medications lists; and physician information, if possible. For more information, contact executive director Liz Longshore at 912-373-6369.

Hwy. 30 Church of Christ

Highway 30 Church of Christ, 1952 Noel C. Conaway Road, meets at 9:30 a.m. Sundays for Bible study, 10:30 a.m. for morning worship and 6 p.m. for evening worship. Bible study also at 7 p.m. Wednesdays. For information, call 912-728-3819 or go to highway30cofc.truepath.com.

New ministry

Shepherds of Grace Church meets at 10:45 a.m. Sundays and at 7 p.m. Wednesdays at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, 3605 Ga. 21 N., Rincon. For information, go to shepherdsofgrace.org or call Charles and Shirley Malphus at 912-663-6814.

St. Boniface Church Mass

St. Boniface Church, 1952 Ga. 21 South, Springfield, conducts Mass at 5 p.m. Saturdays and 8:30 and 11 a.m. Sundays. Call 912-754-7473 or go to sbcatholic.com.

Recovery ministry

First Baptist Church of Springfield offers a free Scripture-based recovery ministry based on the 12 steps. The program meets at 7 p.m. Mondays in the chapel, 1435 Ga. 119 N., Springfield. All are welcome. For information, go to fbc-springfield.org or call the church office at 912-754-3443.

St. Mary Magdalene Church

St. Mary Magdalene Orthodox Church, 1625 Fort Howard Road, Rincon, meets at 6 p.m. Saturdays (except the first) for Great Vespers. Sunday service schedule: Matins at 8:15 a.m., Hours at 9 a.m., Divine Liturgy at 9:30 and fellowship meal at 11 a.m. For information, go to stmarymagdalenerincon.org or call 912-826-5176.

St. Luke’s services

The Rev. Liam Collins, vicar of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 155 Goshen Road, Rincon, invites everyone to share in services at 9:30 a.m. Sundays and adult Bible study at 11 a.m. Prayers for Healing services are 6 p.m. Wednesdays. Office hours are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. For pastoral care, the Rev. Liam can be reached at 912-398-6859 or 826-3332. Go to stlukesrincon.com.

Grace Community Awana

The Awana children’s program meets every Wednesday at Grace Community Church, 1094 Goshen Road in Rincon. Children ages 3 years through fifth grade are invited. For information, call 912-826-4204.

The Body 

First Baptist Church of Rincon hosts a weekly interactive worship experience for young adults (college age and 20-somethings) at 7 p.m. on Thursdays. “The Body” meets in the white building across the street from the Youth Center on Richland Avenue. Call 912-826-5536 for information.

Crossroads Church

Crossroads Church meets Sundays at the Savannah Baptist Assembly, 930 Honey Ridge Road in Guyton. Coffee and goodies start at 9:30 a.m. with music and message beginning at 10 a.m. Go to crossroadschurcheff.org.

Lighthouse Church

The Lighthouse Church meets every Sunday at 10 a.m. at the Effingham YMCA, 1224 Patriot Drive, Rincon. “The Lighthouse” is a church where the Bible is preached, God is exalted and the love of Jesus Christ is the theme. For information, call the Rev. Rick West at 656-6242.

Awana at Pineora Baptist

The Awana children’s program is every Wednesday at Pineora Baptist Church, 131 Elkins St., Guyton. A meal will be served at 6:15 p.m. Call 772-3044.

Youth fellowship

A youth fellowship gathering is held 1-3 p.m. every Saturday at the House of Prayer of Rincon on Fort Howard Road. Call 826-2570.

Crossroads 2 Recovery

Crossroads Church in Guyton offers a free Scripture-based recovery ministry based on 12 steps at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at Savannah Baptist Assembly, 930 Honey Ridge Road, Guyton. For information, go to crossroadschurcheff.org or call the Rev. George Pabst at 441-0004.

Overcoming by Faith

Overcoming by Faith meets for worship at 1:30 p.m. Sundays and 7 p.m. Thursdays at the Banquet Room, 135 Goshen Road Ext. For information, call 927-8601.

Sollie Dale Campbell

ROCKY FORD — Sollie Dale Campbell, 49, passed away Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013 at his residence.

The Effingham County native lived in Screven County for the last 20 years and was a member of Local #96 where he served as past president and education coordinator. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sollie Anderson Campbell and Eunice Geneva Denard Campbell.

Survivors include his wife, Pamela Davis Campbell of Rocky Ford; daughters, Katie Campbell of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and April Campbell of Rocky Ford; siblings, Colen A. (Kathryn) Campbell of Guyton, J. Ricky (Shirley) Campbell of Midway, W. Hank (Carol) Campbell of Newington, Gayle (Bobby) Edwards of Guyton and, Rhonda (Walter) Butler of Guyton; a number of nieces and nephews; and a special cousin, Cindy Howell.

Funeral services were held Jan. 15 in the funeral home chapel. chapel. His nephews served as pallbearers.

Interment followed in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens.

Remembrances may be given to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, www.cff.org.

Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Frances Elizabeth Kessler Zipperer

RINCON — Frances Elizabeth Kessler Zipperer, 91, passed away Monday, Jan. 14, 2013 at Memorial Health.

The Effingham County native was a member of Bible Lutheran Church and a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lavan Kessler and Addie Dugger Kessler; husband, William Holland Zipperer; and sister, Beatrice Hinely.

Survivors include her children, Sharon Robinson of Soddy Daisy, Tenn., and Ernest Zipperer of Rincon; 4 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Jan. 16 Wednesday at Bible Lutheran Church.

Remembrances may be given to Bible Lutheran Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 883, Rincon, GA 31326.

Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Betty Jane Vaughn Ford

GUYTON — Betty Jane Vaughn Ford, 69, went home to be with her heavenly Father, Wed. Dec. 19.

She was a homemaker, a member of Abundant Life Church, she was a loving, devoted wife, and mother and her grandchildren were her heart.

She loved to dance and was the life of any party. She brought a smile to everyone she meet. She will be sadly missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Luther and Florence Vaughn, sisters, Frances Hartlaub, Ann Hester and June Deal.

Survivors include her loving husband of 48 years, Jerry Ford; son, Curtis Ford (Joyce) of Guyton; daughters, Jerrie Lynn Sutton (Danny) of Guyton and Sherrie Baxter of Springfield; a sister, Barbara Jacobs of Springfield; 4 grandchildren, Eric Thomas, Brandon Sutton (Brittany) Danielle Sutton and Kailee Baxter; 2 great-grands, Haylee West and Lacey Sutton, several nieces and nephews and cousins.

Funeral services were held Saturday, Dec. 22 from Abundant Life Church. Interment followed in Springfield Annex.

Pallbearers were deacons of Abundant Life Church.

Riggs Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Naomi Williams Heath

GUYTON — Naomi Williams Heath, 81, passed away Jan. 9, 2013 at her residence.

The Screven County native was a homemaker and was preceded in death by her parents, Lloyd and Minnie Scott Williams; husband, Rayford A. Heath; and grandson, Al Edwards.

Survivors include her children, Ruth (Frank) Gallub, Ronald Heath, Roger (Lisa) Heath, and Barbara (Keith) Scott; sister, Ernestine Bazemore; 8 grandsons; 1 great-grandson, 3 step-granddaughters; 1 step-grandson; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Jan. 12 in the funeral home chapel. Interment followed in Guyton Cemetery.

Remembrances may be given to Odyssey Hospice, 5105 Paulsen St., Ste. 225 D, Savannah, GA 31405.

Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Neely Marie Neidlinger Wilson

SPRINGFIELD — Neely Marie Neidlinger Wilson, 82, widow of George Wilson, passed away Jan. 9, 2013 at Memorial Health.

She was the daughter of the late Preston and Marie Neidlinger and sister of the late Frances Neidlinger.

She is survived by several cousins and special friends.

Funeral services were held Jan. 11 Springfield United Methodist Church. Interment will follow in Springfield Cemetery.

Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Dec. 25: A Springfield man whose pickup truck was in a ditch on Egypt-Ardmore Road was arrested for drunken driving.

Dec. 31: A woman said a man shoved her and threatened her with a stick. They were arguing about his son breaking into her house. Old River Road in the Bloomingdale area.

Jan. 1: A brother and sister argued about the care of their children and about her boyfriend. The sister said her brother pushed her down, grabbed her by the neck and punched her. He was arrested for simple battery, family violence. Roebling Road in the Guyton area.

Jan. 4: An intoxicated man pushed his wife through a doorway and struck her head against a dresser. When their juvenile daughter yelled for him to stop, he struck the daughter in the mouth with a closed fist. He was arrested for battery and cruelty to children. Filly Court in the Guyton area.

Jan. 5: A woman said her daughter has been sending her inappropriate text messages because she won’t give the daughter any more money. The daughter called her mother “a sorry b----,” and said she hoped she would die. Eliza Lane in the Guyton area.

Jan. 7: A man who was asking to wash cars in the Paddleford subdivision said he was trying to raise money for a Screven County family that lost its house in a fire. When concerned neighbors called the sheriff’s office, the man said he had been laid off and was trying to raise money for himself and his three children. The man, from Hardeeville, S.C., was arrested for criminal attempt to commit theft by deception.

Jan. 8: Two girls fought in the hallway at Effingham County High School. One was arrested for battery and disrupting public school.

Jan. 8: A woman said she heard loud noises from a neighboring house that she believed was in foreclosure. The door was open to the house and a deputy found dead rodents and rotting consumer items. Boaen Road in the Guyton area.

Jan. 9: A woman said she was afraid of her son, who was on drugs and was behaving strangely. The son was arrested for disorderly conduct. Long Bridge Road in the Springfield area.

Jan. 9: A woman who was caught burning construction materials a second time was cited for illegal burning. Marion Avenue in the Clyo area. A neighbor who was burning a tire also was cited.

Jan. 10: A man said his roommate woke him by punching a hole in the wall. The man was advised of eviction and warrant procedures. Moore Road in the Guyton area.

Jan. 10: A deputy checked the tag and registration of a car on Ga. 21 in the Rincon area. The driver was arrested because her license was suspended for failure to pay child support.

Jan. 10: A deputy who was patrolling on Ga. 17 S. near Midland Road stopped a vehicle that failed to dim its headlights. The driver was charged with open container of alcohol and no insurance. Honey Ridge Road in the Guyton area.

Jan. 10: A resident of Goshen Crossing Apartments was given a citation for disorderly house for loud people on her deck at close to midnight. The same deputy had given the woman a warning for noise on Oct. 4.

Jan. 11: A house was trashed and two shotguns were stolen. Also missing was $1,080 in cash. The homeowner wasn’t sure if he had locked the house when he left for work. Lexington Avenue Extension in the Rincon area.

Jan. 11: A resident of High Pointe Drive in the Rincon area said two white males in a pickup truck, which was pulling a trailer, stopped in front of his house. He said the passenger got out and punched him in the face. The victim wound up on the ground, being kicked repeatedly. The man didn’t know his attacker.

Jan. 11: House that burned was “a total loss.” No people were injured. Reedsville Road in the Clyo area.

Jan. 12: A car wrecked on Fort Howard Road in the Rincon area. A deputy tracked down the driver, who was charged with drunken driving, leaving the scene of an accident, failure to maintain lane and driving too fast for conditions.

Jan. 12: Twenty-foot-long car hauler stolen from Jamestown Drive in the Rincon area.

Jan. 12: A man who said he was in pain from a dental procedure was stopped for driving 70 mph in a 45 mph zone on Fort Howard Road in the Rincon area. He was charged with speeding and driving with a suspended driver’s license.

Jan. 13: A man from the Bloomingdale area said he swerved to miss a cat and ran his car into a fence. The man eventually admitted to drinking a “small amount” of Jim Beam and smoking marijuana. He was charged with a number of crimes, including running a stop sign, possession of less than an ounce of marijuana and drunken driving. Zeigler Road in the Bloomingdale area.

Jan. 13: A drunken man who was stumbling along Southern Charm Way at first said he was out jogging. Later, he said he had argued with his girlfriend and was going for fresh air. The girlfriend said he had shoved her. He was arrested for pedestrian under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Indica Place in the Springfield area.

— Effingham Now

All Vietnam veterans and their spouses are invited to attend a special reception for the families of soldiers who were killed in action.

The event is set for 3 p.m. on Sunday, at the American Legion post in Springfield, adjacent to the fairgrounds on Ga. 21. It will be hosted by the American Legion Post 209 and the board of the Veterans Park.

A gold-star certificate will be presented to each family member of those who were killed in action in Vietnam, recognizing the loss of their loved one and the family’s sacrifice.

“This is a follow-up of the presentations on Veterans Day when a sudden downpour interrupted the presentation ceremony and some of the certificates were damaged by the rain,” said Ruth Lee, a member of the Veterans Park board of directors.

“It is representative of the extent to which the Department of Defense office for the 50th Anniversary Commemoration of Vietnam War will go to assure that all family members receive these special certificates in their proper and original condition,” Lee said. “We appreciate the ongoing efforts by Gen. Kicklighter to assure this for our Effingham County citizens. We are also pleased that this can also be an event to honor all Vietnam vets.”

The event is important “because these vets came home to a nation that did not honor them,” said a spokesman for the American Legion. “This is an opportunity for Effingham County to pay the respect and express our appreciation for their service.”

The agricultural mechanics team of the Effingham County High Future Farmers of America recently won the Area IV career development event.

The event was held at Treutlen County High School in Soperton on Jan. 8.

Team members Justin Hinely, Lawton Roraback, Zac Odom and Markus Taylor will participate in state competition on Feb. 9 at Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley.

The team that wins the state competition will advance to a national competition at the national FFA convention in Louisville, Ky., in October.

The team participated in individual problem solving and skill development activities and took a written examination. The event included subject matter associated with machinery and equipment systems and energy systems.

FFA is a national organization with more than 449,000 members preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture. FFA is an integral part of the agricultural education program in public schools.

The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

Freddie Waltz, Meredith Arrington and Hannah King are Effingham County High School FFA advisers. The agricultural mechanics career development event is sponsored by Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College as a special project of the Georgia FFA Foundation.

As we begin the 2013 legislative session under the Gold Dome in the Georgia General Assembly my focus is on the priorities for the State of Georgia and in particular, for our District. Many different items and topics will be on the agenda for discussion as we gavel in the new session, including a balanced budget for Georgia, school safety, gun-related proposals and ethics reform.

Balanced and responsible state budget

In Georgia, as you may know, we are constitutionally required to balance the budget for the state. Every legislative session the budget is at the top of our priority list. With our economy still recovering, the state budget, like many of our family budgets, faces a revenue shortfall that requires some additional belt tightening. As more people request assistance and help from state agencies and the services they provide, the cost of providing for those needs are exceeding revenue collections.

Gov. Nathan Deal has released his budget recommendations, which include spending cuts from state agencies and Medicaid programs. Just as families all across our state develop a family budget and live within their means, the state of Georgia has, does, and will continue to do the same.

School safety

Citizens across our state shared in the pain felt by other families, as children and adults were the victims of the tragic school shootings in Connecticut almost a month ago. School safety has been a concern for many, and with this tragedy, has become a top priority for parents, teachers, and school systems around the state and the nation.

The focus will be on how to best improve and ensure the safety of our children in Georgia schools. Many school systems have already taken preparatory measures to ensure that administrators and teachers have a plan should an emergency take place. Some schools have also already added armed officers on school property.

Discussion of Georgia gun laws

Along with the discussion of school safety, the focus has also led to current gun laws. Some legislators want to expand our gun laws and others want to restrict them. Expect this session to include gun-related proposals. Know this, I firmly support our Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms and will fight to protect the rights of gun owners in our District and all around our state.

Ethics reform

Expect some discussions and changes this session to our ethics laws in Georgia. Our goal is transparency within all levels of government and among all elected officials.

Some of the proposals so far include: a cap on lobbyist gifts of $100, a total ban on lobbyist gifts to elected officials, and expanding who is required to register as a lobbyist. A person must register as a lobbyist in Georgia if they seek to promote or oppose the passage of any legislation, regulation or ordinance and spend more than 10 percent of their monthly working hours doing so, or if $1,000 or more per calendar year is spent in an attempt to influence.

During the next several months, please look for my weekly legislative update in the paper. Please contact me with your ideas and opinions or if I can be of service to you in any way. It is your input and common sense ideas that develop into the best legislation and potentially becomes the laws of our state.

If you would like to reach me, please call me at 404-656-5099 or write to me at State Rep. Jon Burns, 18 Capitol Square, 228 State Capitol, Atlanta, GA 30334 or email me at jon.burns@house.ga.gov.

Jan. 16, 1734

Georgia’s first governor, John Adam Treutlen, was born on this date in Kürnback, Germany, a village between Karlsruhe and Heilbronn in Württemberg (southwest Germany). Treulen later attended school at Ebenezer under the tutelage of the Rev. John Martin Boltzius. Treutlen remained at Ebenezer, where he was first a schoolteacher, then a store owner and finally a planter. He built a large, productive plantation and soon was the wealthiest man in the area that became Effingham County. In the early 1770s, Treutlen became one of the leaders of the American independence movement. When Georgia adopted its first constitution in 1777, Treutlen was elected governor.

Source: Georgia Salzburger Society

“Effingham will always be a bedroom community to Chatham. Look at all the new business and restaurants going to Pooler. Something is out of whack here.”

“GOP seems as divided, angry as ever. Irrational versus insane!”

“Why do Republicans think that we, Democrats, are not Christians? I am a Democrat and a Christian.”

“Anytime a person resorts to using a gun, our society has failed.”

“After watching a video of vice president comments during and after the meeting yesterday I have come to the conclusion that the vice president of these United States is nothing but trash and needs to be canned.”

The horror story that came to light this week in an Effingham County neighborhood serves as a reminder to us all that we really do not ever know what goes on behind closed doors.

As nearby residents in the Westwood Heights subdivision went about their daily routines a monstrous act was taking place next door.

People went to work, prepared meals, and slept in their beds — all while another was losing his life and his body was being defiled.

Neighbors may have known the residents of 205 Whitehall Avenue had chaotic lives. Police were not strangers to its occupants.

The neighbors are also victims in a way, now knowing something unspeakable was going on only doors away from theirs.

Those in Westwood Heights, and the community at large, will soon naturally move on and put this sordid story behind them.

For the family of homicide victim Charles Ray III, the chilling news about their son’s death was the last sad chapter in a difficult life and can’t be forgotten.

Charlie Ray faced an uphill climb in life due to having Tourette’s syndrome.

His father says Charlie was a friendly kid, trusting that others were his friend when that wasn’t always the case.

Charlie made a mistake when he believed that the twisted soul that would take his life was a friend to him.

There are still many unanswered questions in this case including why this happened.

With the alleged killer Chad Moretz dead, the only ones left who can provide some answers are his wife, Kimberly Moretz and his brother-in-law, Kevin Lambert.

We’re told by the sheriff’s office that Charlie and Chad had a heated argument that led to Charlie’s stabbing death.

Whether that’s the whole story, we may never know.

The truth of why of this horror, at this time, seems very simple to me.

Evil exists in this world. We see evidence of it every day.

This time Effingham County got a close-up view.

DeAnn Komanecky is editor of Effingham Now.

Effingham County schools collected $706,000 in sales taxes in December, the first time collections have broken the $700,000 mark since October 2011.

“A little more money in the door is wonderful,” said Finance Director Ron Wilson. “We can’t say if it’s a trend.”

The last time collections were more than $700,000 was in October 2011, when they were $734,000.

Wilson told school board members at their Jan. 9 meeting that the school system is “roughly speaking” doing about as well financially this year as it did last year.

“That’s pretty much on target where we were last year,” Wilson said. “It’s within $1 million of where we closed out at the end of December.”

Wilson said the district collected more than $13 million in property taxes in December, leaving $5 million still to be collected.

School officials have said “very, very” early projections indicate the school system will be $3 million short of what it needs for next year.

Also at the Jan. 9 school board meeting, Superintendent Randy Shearouse said the district has 107 homeless students, because of such things as fire, foreclosure or multiple families living in one house. That’s up from 66 students who were reported in the October count.

Board Vice Chairman Troy Alford said the numbers were unprecedented in his tenure on the board.

“That seems to be an alarming number, the most in eight years I’ve been on the board,” Alford said.

Shearouse said tough economic times are a big part of the increase, but another reason for the higher numbers is that reporting is better. Each high school has its own social worker, he said.

“We’re realizing who those students are and getting them help,” Shearouse said.

At the same board meeting, Lamar Allen was unanimously re-elected as school board chairman and Alford was unanimously re-elected as vice chairman.

No one else was nominated for the positions.

The same words were heard time and again Thursday night in Guyton.

“Please don’t.”

The speakers were all gathered to be heard by the Environmental Protection Division on a land application permit for Guyton’s waste.

The permit is being sought as part of Guyton’s plans to build its own wastewater treatment system near the Ogeechee River.

The speakers, all fed up with what they see as a river destroyed by pollution from King America Finishing, felt risking sewage spills in the black water river is a step too far.

Speakers spoke of no longer being able to fish, swim or enjoy the river as they had in the past.

They also spoke of a nearby, and non-polluting alternative — the county’s wastewater treatment plant.

You’ve got a perfectly good plant in the middle of the county. Why can’t you go over there?” asked Henry Morgan.

Speakers also included two county commissioners, Forrest Floyd and Steve Mason. Commissioners Reggie Loper, Phil Kieffer and Vera Jones also attended.

Floyd and Mason also reminded the group that an alternative to Guyton building its own system exists.

“The board (commission) 100 percent wants to continue to work with Guyton,” Mason said. “Effingham County doesn’t need another plant. The county has plenty of capacity.”

Floyd said the county hand-delivered a letter to Guyton City Hall on Thursday and also mailed the same letter to the EPD, restating the county’s willingness to work with Guyton.

The county has made numerous offers to Guyton over the last several years in an attempt to work out a deal for the city to use the county’s existing plant.

Guyton has turned each down, with the major sticking point being a higher cost.

The health of the Ogeechee River was the main concern of each speaker at the hearing.

Craig Barrow of Savannah owns property along the river and listed a number of reasons the permit should be denied.

“The area is in a 100 year flood plain,” Barrow said. “There are six wetlands on this site. Two are jurisdictional, which the city of Guyton has failed to disclose.” Jurisdictional wetlands are under regulations by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers.

“My family and my neighbors on the river respectfully ask the EPD not to issue this permit,” Barrow said.

Emily Markesteyn, Ogeechee Riverkeeper, also spoke.

“The Ogeechee River Basin can not afford to receive any more pollution.”

Markesteyn pointed to several reasons the sewage treatment system so close to the river is a bad idea.

“There’s no valid reason for it to be constructed,” Markesteyn said. “City sewage should be piped to the county on Low Ground Road.”

Markesteyn also said the site has jurisdictional wetlands and is located within a FEMA flood insurance zone.

City councilman Ulysses Eaton, the only city of Guyton representative present, had little to say during the public comment only hearing, but did say information on the project, including costs, could be found at city hall.

Eaton later disagreed with several points some speakers had raised.

“It is not in a 100 year flood plain based on the 2010 FEMA maps,” Eaton said. “The jurisdictional wetlands are on the river side, not the site of the plant.”

Eaton also said concern over spills from flooding isn’t likely.

“The treatment ponds will be built 5 feet above the ground,” Eaton said. Eaton said a flood large enough to cover the treatment ponds would wipe out every house in the area.

Eaton said another misconception involves the treatment process.

“The effluent is treated before it goes out to the sprayfield.”

Eaton also said that legal advice the city had received cautioned that signing an agreement with the county could result in city liability for the county’s debt.

The county’s offer to Guyton was to sell capacity, not be a wastewater treatment partner.

Barrow expressed frustration at the lack of attendance by Guyton city officials.

“If the council doesn’t care, it’s inexcusable,” Barrow said. “Here we have people fighting to preserve the river and they don’t even care to come and listen to the community.”

Mason stressed the county is willing to work with Guyton.

“The door is still open. We want the public and the city of Guyton to know this would benefit all,” Mason said.

The EPD will accept written comments by Jan. 17.

Comments should be emailed to EPDcomments@dnr.state.ga.us, using the words “City of Guyton LAS permit issuance” in the subject line.

Comments can also be mailed to Watershed Protection Branch,

Wastewater Regulatory Program, 4220 International Parkway, Suite 101, Atlanta, GA 30354

Effingham County FFA Alumni will host the “Ham Jam Jackpot Swine Show and Cornhole Tournament” on Jan. 26 at the Effingham County Fairgrounds.

The swine show and registration for the cornhole tournament will begin at noon, with the tournament starting at 1 p.m.

The event will be held rain or shine.

Proceeds will benefit the FFA chapters at Effingham County Middle and High Schools and Ebenezer Middle School.

Fees will be: pre K-fifth grade, $5 entry fee per team; and sixth grade and up, $20 entry fee per team. All “pre club” competitors will receive prizes.

The upper age division winners will receive cash and gift cards.

Concessions will be provided by the Effingham County FFA Alumni. No alcohol is allowed on the fairgrounds.