BLUFFTON, S.C. — After an otherwise dry night at Bluffton Stadium, a steady stream of rain began with less than five minutes to play in the game, just as Bluffton High was attempting to erase Effingham County’s five-point lead.

The Bobcats were unable to get the ball into the end zone, however, and the Rebels defeated Bluffton 19-14, earning their second win of the season.

“We made a ton of mistakes but played hard all night,” Bluffton coach Ken Cribb said. “We had a chance to win it in the end, and we did not play well offensively.

“It says a lot for a team to have a chance to win at the end after missing so many opportunities,” the coach added.

Effingham County’s Phillip Brown went 8 for 19 passing for 67 yards and one touchdown, and added an additional 60 yards on the ground. Running back Dusty Baker had one rushing touchdown.

Bluffton was led by Terrance Heyward, who went 10-for-23 passing for 216 yards and two touchdowns. Cameron Bent rushed for 26 yards, made two receptions for 94 yards and caught one touchdown. Tyrese Sandgren added 102 receiving yards and caught one touchdown.

The Rebels opened the scoring close to the halfway point in the first quarter, as Baker punched it in from three yards out following a five-play, 25-yard drive after a botched Bluffton punt attempt.

Bluffton answered back in under a minute, however, as Heyward lobbed a pass to Bent on the left side of the field, who broke away from his defender and took it 75 yards for the score.

The Rebels added another score on a 47-yard bomb to Ennis Reid less than a minute into the second quarter. McKenzie Stewart’s field goal in the final second of the first half from 28 yards out made the score 17-7.

Bluffton came back to within three on a 40-yard pass from Heyward to Sandgren midway through the third, but a safety in the opening minute of the fourth quarter provided the Rebels with a five-point lead.

Effingham County attempted to run out the clock with about four minutes to play on an eight-play drive that got the Rebels to the Bluffton 29. But Dylan Lapinski’s pass defense forced a turnover on downs, giving the ball to Bluffton with 2:28 to play as a steady rain fell.

The Bobcats advanced to the Effingham County 39 after converting three first downs, but a final pass from Heyward came up just shy of the end zone and was intercepted by Baker.

“We just tried to get it down there as quick as we could,” Heyward said. “Just tried to get it to one of our playmakers — Tyrese (Sandgren).

“(The rain) made the ball slick. We sent Tyrese across the field to see if we could make a play, but I guess it didn’t work in our favor.”

Bluffton falls to 1-1 on the season, while the Rebels improved to 2-0.

EC 7 10 0 2 — 19

BH 7 0 7 0 — 14

EC — Dusty Baker 3 run (McKenzie Stewart kick)

BH — Cameron Bent 75 pass from Terrance Heyward (D.J. Chappelear kick)

EC — Ennis Reid 47 pass from Phillip Brown (Stewart kick)

EC — Stewart 28 field goal

BH — Tyrese Sandgren 40 pass from Heyward (Chappelear kick)

EC — Safety (Cameron Bent tackled in end zone)

GUYTON — South Effingham’s Patrick Brown hasn’t heard from many college football recruiters — the Mustang senior thinks his 5-foot-10, 160-pound frame might be keeping them away.

But college coaches might want to take a closer look at the standout running back. He showed a combination of speed and power Friday night as he rushed for a career-high 265 yards with three touchdowns on 27 carries to lead the Mustangs to a 45-12 win over visiting Jenkins.

Brown had 13 carries of 10 yards or more on the night. He scored on runs of 12, 10 and 11 yards, and he broke one up the gut for 43 yards on the first play of the fourth quarter for his longest gain of the night on his last carry of the game.

On the next play from scrimmage, Mustang junior Elvin Brown broke one down the right sideline for a 48-yard score.

“My offensive line did a great job,” Brown said. “I’m pretty exhausted, but I wanted to keep getting the ball. We had something to prove tonight because Jenkins beat us last year. We wanted to make a statement, and we want to keep doing that week after week.”

Brown said the guys up front deserved the credit and singled out Sheldon Froehlich, Ti’ke Mydell, Luke Kush, Josh McClendon and Jacob McLeod for their work opening up the holes.

Brown had a huge first half as the Mustangs led 22-12 at intermission.

Brown racked up 135 yards and scored the first points of the game with 9:01 left in the first quarter, and quarterback Tyler Pullum connected with Travis Simmons, who made a diving catch for the 2-point conversion.

Kenny Morman, normally a wide receiver, made the start for Jenkins at quarterback and played the entire game behind center. The usual starter, sophomore JaVonte Middleton, was not on the sideline, and coach Tim Adams didn’t comment about his absence.

Jenkins went three and out on its first two possessions. The Mustangs took advantage of a short field with a 45-yard scoring drive, capped by Kareem Taylor’s 1-yard scoring run to take a 15-0 lead with 3:02 left in the first quarter.

Jenkins countered quickly as star running back Arkeem Byrd broke loose around the right end for a 42-yard scoring run, but the point after was no good.

Jordan Stafford and Tim Leeks made first half interceptions for Jenkins off Pullum, with Stafford’s leading to a score.

Morman threw the ball up to Tyrone Scott, who wrestled it away from Brown, who was covering him on defense, for an impressive 20-yard scoring catch. But the 2-point conversion run failed, and South Effingham led 15-12 with 5:43 left in the half.

Pullum led the Mustangs down the field with an effective 2-minute drill to end the half. He capped the drive with a 10-yard scoring strike to T.J. Williams with just 3.8 seconds on the clock, and James Hodges’ extra point gave the Mustangs a 22-12 lead at intermission.

“We came out and were playing well in the first half, but Jenkins never gave up,” South Effingham coach Donnie Revell said. “I thought the drive at the end of the first half was really big. That put us up 10, and we got the ball back with the second-half kickoff. Our kids played hard.

“Last year we had a lot of three-quarter games, we talked about finishing, and we were able to do that tonight,” Revell said.

South Effingham’s defense was led by linebackers Kareem Taylor and Makenzy Newbill and lineman Chad Sullivan.

Byrd rushed for 81 yards on 12 carries with the long touchdown run, but Jenkins was held to 131 yards of total offense a week after beating Savannah Christian 15-14 in its opener.

“It was an embarrassing night,” Adams said. “We just didn’t show up ready to play. But you have to give all the credit to South Effingham — they played a heck of a game.”

J 6 6 0 0 - 12

SE 15 7 14 9 - 45

SE-Patrick Brown 12 run (Travis Simmon pass from Tyler Pullum)

SE-Kareem Taylor 1 run (James Hodges kick)

J-Arkeem Byrd 42 run (kick failed)

J-Tyrone Scott 20 pass from Kenny Morman (run failed)

SE-T.J. Williams 10 pass from Pullum (Hodges kick)

SE-Patrick Brown 10 run (Hodges kick)

SE-Patrick Brown 11 run (Hodges kick)

SE-Elvin Brown 48 run (Hodges kick)

SE-Safety Chad Sullivan and Kareem Taylor tackled runner in end zone

Records-SE 1-0; Jenkins 1-1

SOFTBALL

EFFINGHAM CO. 8, STATESBORO 0

SPRINGFIELD — Kaylee Kessler threw a one-hit shutout and hit an RBI double in Effingham’s win over Statesboro. Shelby Wilson was 2 for 3 with and double and two RBIs.

S 000 00 — 0 1 5

EC 071 0x — 8 7 1

W-Kaylee Kessler. L-Cassidy Stephens. Leading hitters-EC, Shelby Wilson 2-3, 2B, 2 RBIs; Kaitlyn Kelly 1-1, 2B, RBI; Haley Arnsdorff 1-2, RBI; Kessler 1-3, RBI. Records-EC 4-2, 1-0 in Region 3-AAAAA; Statesboro 4-8.

EFFINGHAM COUNTY 13,

SAVANNAH CHRISTIAN 1

SCPS 000 1 - 1 2 4

EC 480 1 - 13 16 2

W-Bailee Wilson. L-Delaney Lynn. Leading hitters—EC, Shelby Wilson 1-2, HR; Bailee Wilson 2-3, RBI; Haley Arnsdorff 2-3, 3B, 2 RBIs; Hayley Dickerson 4-4, 2B, 2 RBIs; Kaylee Kessler 2-3, 2B; Kristen McKenzie 2-3. Records—EC 6-2; SCPS 4-4.

SOUTH EFFINGHAM 8,
WAYNE CO. 4

GUYTON — Autumn Conaway and Emily Laverenz had two hits and two RBIs each, Alexa Johanson added three hits and Bri Lawson picked up the win in South Effingham’s win.

WC 400 000 0 - 4 8 4

SE 220 004 x - 8 13 2

W—Bri Lawson. L—Autumn Starling. Leading hitters—SE, Alexa Johanson 3 hits; Logan Edenfield 2 hits, RBI; Autumn Conaway 2 hits, 2 RBI; Emily Laverenz 2 hits, 2 RBIs; Georgia Dowling 2 hits. Record—SE 4-3, 1-0 in Region 3-AAAAA.

VOLLEYBALL

South Effingham def. Islands 25-11, 25-16

Faith Harris had six kills and was 15 of 15 serving with six aces in the Mustangs win over Islands. Amber Tran had nine assists and five digs for Islands.

Top players-SE, Harris 15 of 15 serving, 6 aces, 4 digs, 6 kills; Emma Williams 4 kills, 6 assists; Leverett 2 digs, 3 kills, 4 blocks; Wooten 7 assists; DeWalt 4 digs.

I, Leonard 2 kills, 7 digs; Brittany Walker 2 kills, 2 digs; Kristen Moore 3 kills, 5 digs, ace; Tran 5 digs, 9 assists, 2 kills. Record-Islands 9-6. SE 2-2.

EFFINGHAM CROSS COUNTRY

The Effingham Cross Country team participated against some of the best teams in the state at the Saucony Run Dirty Cross Country Meet at Daffin Park on Aug. 29.

The boys finished 17th out of 35 teams.

Junior Justin Dolata finished 55th overall with a time of 18:11. Freshman Rafael Osella finished 65th overall with a time of 18:22.

The girls finished 15th out of 33 teams.

Freshman Catherine Hall finished 17th overall with a time of 20:58. Junior Marina Van Sickle finished 23rd overall with a time of 21:24.

Motives of Effingham Branch of NAACP examined

Before, during and after the Effingham County Board of Education meeting on Aug. 18, the motivation of the Effingham County branch of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) has been questioned, both in conversations around the extended local community and on social media. I will try to shed some light on the motivation and goals of this national and local organization.

I am an outlier in this organization. I am Caucasian and moved to Effingham County two years ago due to health and financial concerns.

Why am I an outlier?

Because almost all of the 100 plus members are African-American and have roots locally, primarily in Effingham County. There have been allegations that this effort was inspired and organized by forces outside the area. False!

What has attracted me to this organization over the years has been its goal of achieving progress through discussion. That indeed was the goal of the effort to meet with the Effingham school board members. To confirm this, I quote from the letter that Leroy Lloyd, president, Effingham County Branch of the NAACP, wrote, requesting the meeting with the board. “The students intermingle easily in the classrooms, athletic courts and all other aspects of the school community. We commend the Board members, the school superintendent, Dr. Shearouse, your faculty, staff and of course the students themselves for this relationship.” Later on in this letter, Lloyd writes, “ In the spirit of fairness and justice we look forward to the opportunity to discuss the aforementioned issues with you. We sincerely believe that we share the same goals, the continued excellence of the education of our youth in the Effingham County school district, and feel that properly addressing the issues at hand will only enhance that educational experience.”

These are certainly not demanding nor inflammatory words.

Asking for a discussion to begin is not demanding. It is one of the basics of an informed, open democracy. Hardly revolutionary! And, in fact, eight members of the local branch of the NAACP had a very amicable conversation with Shearouse two weeks prior to the Board of Education meeting.

Lastly, I commend the presentations of our president, Leroy Lloyd, and Bishop Franklin Blanks Jr., the pastor of First Union Missionary Baptist Church, at the Board of Education meeting. Their presentations were certainly hard-hitting, but also historical, intellectual and informative. A person with whom I was sitting at the meeting remarked, “I am close to tears, viewing and listening to Bishop Blanks’ courage in the face of negative comments.”

The comportment of the members of the NAACP and their supporters was laudatory, as it was at the Town Hall Assembly in April.

As such, the goal of the NAACP at the Board of Education meeting was and remains to begin an open discussion on issues pertinent to a significant minority in our school district. Since that Aug. 18 meeting, there has been much hostile give and take between the two sides, most especially on social media. Time would be better spent sitting across from one another, discussing these serious issues and finding ways to provide a better school climate and education for all the students.

Tony Chiariello

Rincon

I look down the aisle and sweat starts to bead on my forehead. I had no idea there were so many different types of air filters. I did not know there were so many components to toilets and plumbing. And that the world was filled with so many variations of duct tape.

A trip to Lowe’s, or any other mega-hardware store, for many is a thing of joy and excitement. I see men and women, all engrossed in assembling what they need for a myriad of projects, discussing things with themselves, sometimes bringing staff members into the conversation. They are in homeowner’s heaven, looking for items to implement their dream plans.

Not so much me, though. I feel completely lost, overwhelmed and inadequate. This is not my world, and I am uncomfortable and nervous. There is very little of interest to me here, and even less that I understand. There is no project that I know how to collect the right materials for, and frankly, no home improvement project that I am interested in enough to tackle.

The store is a living reminder that whatever gene it is that causes one to be interested in these things, whatever desire lurks in so many, is absent from my genetic makeup. I feel inadequate that I don’t know how to do any of these things. But I also feel guilty that I don’t really care.

I noted to some people that I don’t like to go to Lowe’s, and that it leaves me feeling inadequate and out of place. They remarked how I could use the staff for assistance, how I could find out how to do projects via YouTube videos, or how they knew from things that I had done in the past that I was capable of doing it if I focused. All true to a degree, but not really the point.

It’s true that my mechanical skills are low. I took a test in junior high where I scored 12 out of 100 in mechanical ability. A monkey taking the test could have scored higher. It showed that I was more mechanically declined than mechanically inclined.

More importantly, though, I’m just not wired to care. I remember once that I was determined to tile my kitchen floor from scratch. And I did 95 percent of the work, from tearing up the old floor to putting in the new one. When it was finally finished, it looked pretty good. I had done a good job. Was I overwhelmed with a sense of completion of satisfaction, looking at it with pride, exclaiming “I did that!”? No, what I felt was that I never wanted to do that again, that I never wanted to take up that much time doing something like that ever again.

Fortunately, I’m married to a beautiful woman who does like these things, and her father, who also loves home improvement projects, lives nearby. So I gladly take a back seat and let them take control of this area of our lives.

Not that I won’t help sometimes. I’ll lend a hand, as uncoordinated as it may be, to aide in the effort, with proper direction, of course.

I’ll even go into Lowe’s with her to provide what little help I can. Even if it does make me feel inadequate, guilty and out of place.

The things I do for love.

T. M. Strait (Tom) is a CPA, actor, blogger and an enthusiastic storyteller.

“When Hillary finally goes to prison will it be Bill or Hillary that again asks that infamous quote, ‘At this point, what difference does it make?’”

“I may vote you out if you vote to get rid of Effingham High School’s mascot.”

I have lost count of the number of people who have come into my office with an armchair diagnosis.

I’m not talking about the client who comes into therapy with a pretty good idea of his or her symptoms and what they might indicate.

For example, it’s usually not difficult to know that you might be experiencing depression. Although some combinations of the lesser-known symptoms of depression might make self-diagnosis difficult, most depressed people are painfully accurate in their self-assessment.

But in the cases I have in mind, the assessment is not coming from the client, nor from a qualified healthcare provider, but from the client’s intimate partner.

In other words, a spouse. A fiancé. Or maybe someone who supposedly is considering becoming one of the above.

And these armchair assessments never seem to emerge out of love and concern, but in the form of an accusation. As if the client has been engaging in some psychological disorder for the sole purpose of aggravating his or her one and only.

Occasionally the one and only has even come along with the client, to deliver this medical insight in person.

“I think she’s got bipolar, to tell you the truth,” they proclaim in a triumphant tone of voice, as if they’ve just won an argument.

And it’s always bipolar disorder. Never generalized anxiety or schizophrenia or PTSD or any of the almost 300 other terms currently used to describe psychological disorders.

If asked to explain their opinion, the accuser usually says something about the client being in a good mood one minute and then getting angry the next.

That characteristic doesn’t even show up among the possible symptoms of bipolar disorder. In fact, lacking several other symptoms, it doesn’t qualify a person for any diagnosis at all.

Although it might indicate something significant about the state of their intimate partnership.

It has always struck me as strange that these diagnostic attempts are shared in a tone more appropriate to a courtroom than a therapist’s office. As if being proven right would be more important than finding help for a loved one with an alleged disorder.

Kind of like trying to convince the doctor that your partner has a broken leg, and then being more determined that the doctor agree with you, than with getting it set.

But I suspect that these kinds of interactions have more to do with control than concern. And fortunately, most clients get that.

Usually all it takes is to inquire about the accuser’s professional training in mental health.

Without too big of a grin.

But just enough of one.

Julia Cochran is a licensed professional counselor in Rincon and a psychology instructor at Armstrong State University. She can be reached at 912-772-3072 or by email at JCochranPhD@GileadCounseling.com. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Armstrong State University.

ECHS Class of 1957 reunion

The 1957 Effingham County High School class will hold its 58th reunion on Sept. 19 at the New Ebenezer Retreat Center at 10:30 a.m. Lunch will be served at noon. For information, call Lynette Rahn Jones at 754-6976.

Manna House

Manna House Food Pantry and Thrift Store hours are Monday, noon - 3 p.m., and Thursday, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. It is closed all other days. The food pantry serves Effingham County residents. The thrift store is open to the public. Donations are always appreciated and can be dropped off at any time. Manna House is located at 1210 Patriot Park Drive, across from the Effingham YMCA. For more information, call 826-2037 or 665-1985.

Rahn Reunion

The descendants of Edwin Bachman and Sarah Jane Berry Rahn will hold their 53rd annual reunion on Sunday, Aug. 23, at the Clyo Homemaker’s Club, Ga. 119 in Clyo. A basket dinner will be spread at 1 p.m. All family members are encouraged to attend.

Exley Reunion

The descendants of James Jonathan and Susannah Amelia Exley will hold their annual reunion on Sunday, Sept. 27, at the Laurel Hill Lutheran Church Social Hall, Clyo. A basket lunch will be spread at 1 p.m. For additional information, call 912-547-3676.

American Legion

American Legion post #209 meets the second Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m. for dinner with a meeting following. The meetings are held at 941 S. Laurel St. in Springfield. For more information, call Tommy Pierce at 912-663-3562.

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.

Camp Davis 2073

Camp Davis No. 2073 meets the first Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. in the former Boy Scout hut down the hill from the Effingham Historical Society, formerly the old county jail in Springfield. Call Gill Zeigler for more information at 655-8112.

Weight loss

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

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. For more information, call 800-272-3900.

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.

Foster home volunteers

Foster home volunteers are needed for abandoned or neglected dachshunds. The housing is needed for two weeks to two months. Foster volunteers are to provide food and a safe and loving environment. Dachshund Rescue of North America will approve and pay for needed vetting. Call Ellen Hatcher at 912-398-1892 or email ellenwh@bellsouth.net to learn more about this experience. Dachshund Rescue of North America is a 501(c)(3) organization that has been rehabilitating and rehoming abandoned or neglected dachshunds for more than 13 years. Learn more at www.drna.org.

Auxiliary volunteers

The Effingham Hospital Auxiliary is in need of volunteers in the beauty shop from 8 a.m.-noon Wednesdays in the Extended Care Center. Call Jackie Dyches at 754-4251.

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. For more information, call 264-7363 ext. 239, or 800-669-8387.

Seniors

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

Civil Air Patrol

The Civil Air Patrol squadron meets Mondays from 6:30 p.m. to 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 has several staff positions available. For more information, go to www.ga453.org or call Richard Bush at 912-429-8050.

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.

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.

Tax board

The Effingham County Board of Tax Assessors meets at 4:30 p.m. on 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.

IDA board

The Effingham County Industrial Development Authority board of directors meets at 6 p.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.

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.

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 p.m. to 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.

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.

Seniors
Rincon

Senior Support Group meets 5 p.m. to 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.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.

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.

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.

SUPPORT GROUPS

Special-needs support

Effingham County Navigator Team is a support group and recreational program for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Meetings are held every 2nd Tuesday of the month at The Learning Treehouse in Rincon at 250 Goshen Road at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome. For more information please call Pauline Shaw at 912-659-9855, email us at effinghamcountynavigators@comcast.net and visit at effinghamcountynavigatorteam.com.

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. to 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.

Seniors

Rincon Senior Support Group meets 5 p.m. to 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.

First Baptist Church of Rincon revival

The senior adult ministry of the First Baptist Church of Rincon is sponsoring revival services Sept. 13-16. Schedule: Sept. 13 a worship concert is at 6 p.m. with Darrell and Dawn Ritchie, musical artists from Lawrenceville; Sept. 14 at 11 a.m., musical artist Huxsie Scott and the Rev. Kenny Grant, pastor of Calvary Baptist Temple, Savannah; Sept. 15 at 11 a.m. The Rev. Ted Kandler, area missionary GBC, Fitzgerald; Sept. 16 at 11 a.m. the Rev. Bobby Braswell, Associational Missionary Middle Baptist Association, Guyton. All ages are invited. Childcare for children up to age 3 will be provided.

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 303 N. Laurel St. in Springfield, celebrates with worship services every Sunday at 11 a.m. Sunday School is held at 9:45 a.m. Holy Trinity is a member of Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ.

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.

Hwy. 30 Church of Christ

The Highway 30 Church of Christ meeting times are Sundays at 9:30 a.m. for Bible classes, 10:30 a.m. for worship, and 6 p.m. for evening worship. Bible classes are also held Wednesdays at 7 p.m. The Highway 30 church is located at 1952 Noel C. Conaway Road (Ga. 30), Guyton, GA 31312. Contact the church at 912-728-3819 or go to www.highway30cofc.truepath.com.

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.

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 in church services at 9:30 a.m. with Sunday School following.

Jesus Christ Ministries International

Jesus Christ Ministries International currently meets every Sunday at 12:30 p.m. at the Country Inn & Suites on Ga. 21 in Port Wentworth, and on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. in Rincon at the Pastor’s home for midweek Bible study. A anointed end time teaching ministry filled with revelation and the healing love of God.  Headquartered  in Rincon. Pastor Anthony Murray is also dean and chancellor of Christian Life School of Ministry. For more information visit www.itsakingdomthing.net or call 912-826-0737.

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.

Med Bank

Med Bank, a volunteer organization, invites 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.

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. David Rose, 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. Rose can be reached at 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.

Clyde Rogers Bevill

Springfield — Clyde Rogers Bevill of Old Tusculum Road, Springfield, Ga., died Saturday evening at home.

He was the first child born to Clyde Rezone and Susie Bell Mercer Bevill and brother to Mary Grace Kennedy. He was born on March 23, 1937, at home in Egypt, Ga., in the community known then as Edward’s Town.

In the 1950s, he was a pioneer in the telephone industry by being the only lineman for the county under the Dixie Telephone Co. in that he replaced the old crank phone with the new rotary dial. Being a tireless worker and having a love of the outdoors led him to venture into the timber industry under Bevill Logging.

In later years, he thrived on hard work and a determination to see any project or challenge completed to the end. His day was fulfilled when riding his beloved tractors and singing endlessly to the top of his lungs on the farm.

God blessed him with a long, full life and the family is hopeful to be able to see him again one day soon in heaven.

He is survived by his faithful wife, Ruth; daughter, Meloney and son-in-law, Derrick Exley of Springfield; son, Mark Rogers and daughter-in-law, Vicki Bevill; granddaughters, Ashley G. and Alexis L. Bevill all of Cumming, Ga. and dear friends, Buddy Newton and Billy Rountree.

Funeral services were held on Sept. 1 in the chapel of Riggs Funeral Home. Interment was held in the Corinth Baptist Church Cemetery.

Pallbearers included: Billy Rountree, Buddy Newton, Guy Bullock, Grady Rahn, Jeffrey Mitchell, Nicky Bevill, Mark Czachowski and Jerry Freyermuth.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Operation Christmas Child C/O Pineora Holy Church of God, 460 McLaws Road Guyton, GA 31312.

Condolences may be made at Riggsfh.com.

Riggs Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

James ‘Jim’ O. Forkner Sr.

Rincon – James “Jim” O. Forkner Sr., 72, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2015, at his residence.

The Alabama native was a electrician, having retired from William Ryan Electric Co. He enjoyed yard work, was a “jack of all trades,” and raised and raced pigeons. He will be missed by his animal friends, Bud and Dottie. He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel Lawrence Forkner Sr., and Nell Foster Forkner; brother, Ben Forkner; and step-son, Jimmy Miller.

Survivors include his wife, Sue Miller Forkner; children, James Forkner Jr. (Cyndi Clarke), Richard Forkner (Beth), and Lisa Brown (Randy Echols); grandchildren, Bryce Forkner, Blake Forkner, Ryan Forkner, and Zane Brown; brothers, Lawrence Forkner and Robert Forkner; several nieces and nephews; and step-son, Clint Miller.

Graveside funeral services were held on Aug. 27 in Springfield Cemetery Annex.

Remembrances may be given to Hospice Savannah, P.O. Box 13190, Savannah, GA 31416.

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

RINCON CONSIDERS USING BORDER COLLIE TO CHASE GEESE FROM GOLF COURSE

Rincon City Council members are considering acquiring a border collie that would be trained to chase geese from the Lost Plantation golf course.

“I believe the council is leaning toward a trained dog that would keep them away,” City Manager Wesley Corbitt said Monday. “The dog does not catch them, but keeps them from landing and staying around.”

An abundance of geese at the golf course has prompted complaints from golfers and from people who live nearby.

City Planner LaMeisha Kelly said each bird eats up to 5 square feet of grass every day and leaves up to two pounds of waste each day.

Seth Zeigler, superintendent of the golf course, said from 10 to 70 geese will congregate around the 17th and 18th holes.

“Not only is it a health hazard and very unsightly, it makes a couple of holes unplayable at times,” Zeigler said.

Zeigler said possible solutions include hiring someone to catch and relocate the birds or buying a dog that’s trained to shoo the birds.

Zeigler said since a border collie has the look of a fox, the geese would see him as a predator, not just a dog.

He said the golf course has gotten something of a break recently because the geese have been attracted to some new grass installed recently at Savannah Christian Church.

He said they also seem to like the mixture of bugs and grass by the Post Office.

Sean Moyer, facilities manager for Savannah Christian Church, said the geese come every winter and their droppings can be something of a nuisance on sidewalks. He said they try to keep people from feeding them and making it worse. “It’s just one of those things,” he said.

George “Doc” Pahls, who lives near the golf course, said the birds are “kinda cute” when they’re small, but they can become a nuisance for golfers. He spoke about the golf course and the birds at a recent city council meeting.

Rincon, Springfield and Guyton are holding qualifying for city council seats this week, in preparation for the Nov. 3 election.

Qualifying began Monday and continues through 4:30 p.m. Friday, at each City Hall.

In Rincon, council seats held by Reese Browher, James Dasher and Paul Wendelken are up for election. All three men have said they are running again.

In Springfield, council seats held by Justin Cribbs, Steve Shealy and Gary Weitman are up for election. All three have said they are running for re-election.

And in Guyton, seats held by Mayor Michael Garvin and council members Kelli Lariscy and Franklin Goldwire are up for election.

In Rincon, the qualifying fee is $90, while in Springfield, the fee is $25. In Guyton, the qualifying fee is $72 for a council post and $108 for mayor.

Candidates must live in the city for 12 months before the election and be a registered city voter.

The last day to register to vote in the Nov. 3 election is Oct. 5. Advance voting begins on Oct. 12 and continues through Oct. 30.

We are fast approaching fall and we will soon see ads and products that tell you to winterize your lawn.

This is not something we need to apply to warm-season grasses. So, the question to follow is: “What is a warm-season grass?” The answer is, your grass is a warm-season grass!

Centipede, Bermuda, St. Augustine, Zoysia are all warm-season grasses.

The only cool-season grass grown in the state of Georgia would be Tall Fescue and it cannot grow in our area.

So, when you see the product promoting a stronger and a deeper root system, but also has nitrogen in the bag, please do not apply it.

No nitrogen should be applied to our warm-season turfgrass after Aug. 15, not even at low rates.

The nitrogen stimulates the grass at the wrong time of the year. Shortly the plant will be shutting down and sending nutrients to the root system.

If you were to apply nitrogen, you would “trick” the grass into growing more leaf blade. This confusion on the plant could cause harsh winter injury and delay green up in the spring.

Now, if you truly want to help your warm–season grass this winter you can apply a fertilizer with only Potassium.

If you read a fertilizer label and it shows 10-10-10, those numbers mean Nitrogen (10)-Phosphorus (10)-Potassium (10).

So, a fertilizer like 0-0-7 is a great option that will provide potassium to the root system of your warm-season grass.

This allows the plant to build a stronger root system to absorb more moisture and nutrients. Many of these potassium fertilizers also come with a great pre-emergent herbicide to help control annual winter weeds like Poa or annual bluegrass.

This is great because the timing for a pre-emergent herbicide in the fall and a potassium application align. The best application time is in October.

So, you can “winterize” your yard but be on the look out for misleading advertisements.

Make sure the products you put out or the landscaper do not have nitrogen or phosphorus in the mixture. An application of potassium for the root system can be beneficial.

For more information or questions please contact UGA Extension - Effingham County Ag Agent, Sam Ingram at 912-754-8040 or singram@uga.edu

Springfield's director of cultural affairs, Tommy Deadwyler, is leaving to become executive director of a new, 1,000-seat performing arts center in Henderson, N.C.

Sept. 11 will be his last day on the job in Springfield.

Deadwyler said Richard Adams, a SCAD graduate student who has been sound engineer at the Mars Theatre since it opened in April 2014, will act as director of the theater.

City Manager Brett Bennett said the city will consider a permanent replacement in the future.

Adams "has been our sound guy since day one and has been a part of every live event at the Mars," Bennett said. "He's a very smart and talented young man, so we will be in good hands."

Deadwyler, who became the city's first cultural affairs director two years ago, said he will continue to help Adams with contacts for bookings and help him pick shows for the Mars even after he leaves for North Carolina.

"I put a lot of energy into this project," Deadwyler said. "I want to be sure it continues to grow and prosper."

The renovated historic theater has been a popular venue for first-run movies and concerts and has exceeded the city's expectations financially, under Deadwyler's leadership.

He said the new theater in Henderson -- McGregor Hall -- has a 3,200-square-foot stage -- big enough for a Broadway show.

He said leaving was "bittersweet."

"I felt the theater could make a difference in Springfield and the community, the region, and it has," he said. "In the next three to five years, we'll see it bigger and better than what we have already."

From incident reports at the Springfield Police Department:

Thief caught

July 14: A resident of W. First Street said someone stole her purse from her vehicle, which she left unlocked in her driveway. Officers tracked down her debit card and arrested a Springfield man for theft by taking, financial transaction card fraud, financial transaction card theft, falsifying statements and concealing facts and entering an automobile.

Aug. 19: An officer pulled over a vehicle on Standard Lane because its brake light was not working. The driver was arrested for driving without a license.

Aug. 20: An officer on routine patrol stopped a vehicle on Ga. 21 because it showed up as having no insurance. The driver was cited for the violation and the vehicle was towed.

Aug. 22: A mother and daughter argued. The daughter had left her boyfriend and spent the night with her mother and wanted to leave the house.

Aug. 22: A woman said her fiancé has been violent in the past and she wanted to leave, but had nowhere to go with her two small children. Officers saw that the three were transported to a shelter.

From incident reports at the Rincon Police Department:

Aug. 16: A 55-year-old Rincon woman was stopped when she tried to leave Walmart with a cart full of items she hadn’t paid for. The items were worth $458. 

Granny blamed

Aug. 16: An officer stopped a vehicle for weaving on Ga. 21. The driver said he swerved because he was talking on a cell phone with his grandmother.

He had Xanax and Hydrocodone pills he said he bought off the street. He was arrested for two counts of possession of a controlled substance and failure to maintain lane.

Aug. 16: A resident of Town Park Drive said someone stole his $200 class ring. 

Aug. 16: An officer stopped a vehicle on Ga. 21 for no tag lights. The driver pulled over on Patriot Drive and fled on foot. The officer was called away on a more pressing call and the man was not found.

The vehicle was towed and the driver, when he is identified, will face charges of obstruction and no tag light.

Aug. 19: A resident of Williams Street said he thinks someone entered his home through a rear window. Nothing was taken.

Small thief

Aug. 19: A resident of Windmill Drive said milk and cereal were taken from her house. She said she believes someone came in through the dog door in the back door. 

Previously, when things were missing from the house, she said the back door was unlocked or not shut properly. She said some prescription medication has been missing in recent weeks, no matter where in the house she hides it. She suspects a neighbor who is an addict.

Smoky dispute

Aug. 19: A man said his estranged wife came to pick up some things and had her boyfriend with her, who was smoking in her car. The man said something about the boyfriend smoking in the car, knowing that their children will have to ride in it later.

The boyfriend heard the remark, jumped out of the car and threatened the man. The man was told how to get a good behavior warrant.

Aug. 20: Someone broke a mirror on a car, scratched it all over and wrote a foul word on it. The owner didn’t want to drive it to the police department so it could be checked for fingerprints. Lisa Street.

Aug. 21: A woman who had been given a criminal trespass warning in May to stay away from the Veranda Apartments on Lisa Street was arrested when she returned.

Nighttime burglary

Aug. 22: A resident of Town Park Drive said someone stole a 32-inch TV from his living room, while he was asleep in the bedroom and the front door was unlocked. He suspects a former roommate, but officers checked and the former roommate was still in jail.

Aug. 22: An officer stopped a car that was weaving and driving very slowly on Ga. 21 N. The driver said he was gathering his food and talking on the phone. The driver was cited for driving without insurance and the vehicle was towed.

If you are looking to get out of your house this weekend and avoid large crowds, check out one of the dozen open house showings this weekend in Chatham and Effingham counties. 

View a slideshow to see photos of the homes, address, details and more. 

From incident reports at the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office:

July 31: A deputy checked a complaint about people being in a camper on Zittrouer Road in the Guyton area. The woman in the camper had papers showing it belonged to her.

Aug. 13: A deputy helped Springfield Police catch one dog and use a tranquilizer dart to subdue a second dog that had been left alone in a house on E. Second Street in Springfield.  

Aug. 15: A man said his wife’s ex-husband threatened to kill him.

Aug. 15: A deputy collected a bullet found on the west stairs of the historic courthouse at 10 a.m. on a Monday. He couldn’t tell if the bullet had been fired at the building. 

Wild cats

Aug. 15: A resident of Lisa Street in Rincon was wounded on the hand and foot by a stray cat that had kittens in her storage closet. The cat and kittens were caught and taken to the county animal shelter.

Aug. 17: A couple who are separating wanted information from a deputy about dividing marital property and issues regarding their children.

Aug. 17: A resident of the Rincon area said someone used his name, without permission, and racked up bills totaling $2,900 via PayPal and Best Buy.

Aug. 18: A man said his son, who is under the influence of meth, left with a woman and his 2-year-old son. Deputies could not find the son, who was wanted on a probation warrant.

Dog shot

Aug. 18: A miniature pinscher suffered a gunshot wound to the front leg. The owner suspects a neighbor who was concerned about the dog digging under his fence to get at his chickens, but the neighbor says it wasn’t him.

A deputy heard gunshots in nearby woods. Midland Drive in the Guyton area.

Aug. 18: A woman said she struck something in the roadway on Ga. 21 at Ebenezer Road in the Springfield area that caused her to get a flat tire. A Rincon Police officer changed the tire for her.

Aug. 18: A couple argued when he said he was going to leave. They separated for the evening.

Odd salesman

Aug. 18: A woman said a man who was selling carpet shampoo door-to-door came into her house for a demonstration and then left, saying he was going to get something from his vehicle. He never returned. She wanted a report made. Noel C. Conaway Road in the Guyton area.

Aug. 18: A woman said she saw a couple standing next to her shed on Log Landing Road in the Springfield area. A deputy found the couple less than a mile away. They said they were going on their daily walk and denied being in the woman’s back yard.

Aug. 18: A woman said she suspects her ex-boyfriend took her ATM card and food stamp card. She said $130 is missing from her checking account and $170 is missing from the food stamp card.

Aug. 18: A man from Clyo said someone filed income taxes in his name, fraudulently.

Aug. 18: A man said someone took some money from his wallet, which was left in his unlocked semi-truck on Low Ground Road in the Guyton area.

Aug. 19: A “very intoxicated” woman argued with her ex-husband over some text messages she found on his phone. She was arrested for criminal trespass and battery.

Aug. 19: A woman said she fears her ex-husband will hurt her. She was told how to obtain a restraining order.

Aug. 19: A dual-axle equipment trailer went missing from Georgia Pacific.

Hit-and-run

Aug. 20: A van that was having trouble maintaining its lane on Old Augusta Road sideswiped an oncoming pickup truck and eventually stopped at Ebenezer Road in the Rincon area.

The driver was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs, leaving the scene of an accident and failure to maintain lane. A passenger was arrested for littering, obstruction, public intoxication and open container.

Aug. 20: A man and his son argued. The father said the son has a drug problem and was angry that he wouldn’t give him some prescription medication so that he could trade it for other drugs.

Aug. 20: Someone removed a window air conditioner from a house on Noel C. Conaway Road in the Guyton area and stole two guns, some jewelry and $300 in cash.

Aug. 20: A woman said her daughter’s ex-boyfriend threatened her and her daughter.

Dog argument

Aug. 20: Neighbors argued about animals on Pine Road in the Bloomingdale area. A man told his neighbor that he would kill his dogs if they came at him aggressively again. The neighbor threatened to kill the man if his dogs are ever hurt.

Aug. 21: A golf cart was stolen from behind a house on Creekwood Drive in the Bloomingdale area.

Aug. 21: A passenger in a vehicle crash was arrested on a warrant from Chatham County. U.S. 80 in the Bloomingdale area.

Aug. 21: A woman said some things were stolen from her vehicle when she stopped at the Country Store 1780 on U.S. 80 in the Bloomingdale area. Items stolen included a prescription she just had filled, new sunglasses and a tablet computer.

Aug. 21: Neighbors argued about property boundaries on Raccoon Drive in the Eden area.

Aug. 21: Someone pushed in a window air conditioner on a house on Pineora Estates Drive in the Guyton area and stole some items from inside the house.

Aug. 21: A resident of the Guyton area complained that the father of her children would not let her have them for weekend visitation.

Aug. 21: A resident of the Bloomingdale area complained that another man threatened him and his property in text messages and a phone call.

Aug. 21: A man said the back door to his apartment was open when he returned home. He said he had locked it before he left. Nothing was taken. Log Landing Road in the Springfield area.     

Aug. 21: A man said another man has been harassing and threatening him for a while now over a woman.

Boat debris

Aug. 22: A deputy shut down traffic in a lane on I-95 until a wrecker could come and remove the remains of a boat and trailer that were left partly in the lane of traffic. A family moving from Florida to Maine with a rental truck said the boat broke free from the trailer.

Aug. 22: A deputy stopped a vehicle on Ga. 21 at Fort Howard Road for a burned-out headlight. The driver was given a warning for the headlight. A passenger was arrested for possession of marijuana and drug-related objects.

Aug. 22: A woman said her live-in boyfriend yelled and screamed about her son not going to school. The boy didn’t feel well after getting his school shots and she allowed him to stay at home.

Aug. 22: A deputy oversaw a man getting his belongings from his ex-girlfriend’s house, on Wood Duck Way in the Springfield area.  

Aug. 22: A deputy jumped a fence and closed a window at South Effingham Elementary School.

Aug. 22: An “extremely intoxicated” woman and her pregnant daughter argued over the daughter getting back with her ex-boyfriend, who sometimes does drugs. They separated for the evening.

Aug. 22: A 4-year-old girl was bitten and scratched by a stray cat on New Stillwell Road in the Springfield area.

Man arrested

Aug. 22: A man who beat his girlfriend and held a gun to her head also beat two other women who tried to help her. Charges against him include: two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of kidnapping, false imprisonment, two counts of battery, four counts of aiming a pistol at another, five counts of possession of a firearm during commission of a crime, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, five counts of terroristic threats and criminal trespass.

Aug. 23: Someone ran over a mailbox on Royal Oak Drive in the Guyton area.

Aug. 23: A man said his ex-girlfriend and mother of his two children was threatening to come over and get the rest of her belongings when she already has all of her things. He also said her mother was threatening to beat him. A deputy told him about civil procedures and restraining orders.

Aug. 23: A woman asked a deputy to stand by when she asked her ex-boyfriend for $200 she said he owes her.

Aug. 23: A woman said she believes someone has made a false Snapchat account in her daughters’ name and is sending out mean photos.

Aug. 23: A man wanted a report made because his ex-wife was 15 minutes late delivering children for visitation.   

Three incumbents have no competition and will be re-elected to Rincon and Springfield city council seats, while Guyton will have one new alderman and two men will vie for mayor on Nov. 3.

When qualifying ended Friday afternoon, incumbent Guyton Mayor Michael A. Garvin had filed papers to run for re-election. He'll face challenger Jeff Lariscy, a former alderman and the Information Technology and Media Services Coordinator for the Effingham County school district.

Stephen R. Collins, a timber consultant, was the only person to qualify for the Guyton seat held by Kelli Lariscy, who is married to Jeff Lariscy. She chose not to run for the post in the Nov. 3 election.

She was filling out the term of Les Peavey, who resigned in February.

Franklin Goldwire was the only person who qualified for his seat on the Guyton council, so he will be re-elected.

In Rincon, Reese Browher, James Dasher and Paul Wendelken have no opposition and will be re-elected.

And in Springfield, Justin Cribbs, Steve Shealy and Gary Weitman also will be re-elected by default.

The last day to register to vote in the Nov. 3 election is Oct. 5. Advance voting begins on Oct. 12 and continues through Oct. 30.