United Way of the Coastal Empire’s President, Gregg Schroeder, has announced that Julie Dickey will succeed Bonnie Dixon as Effingham Area Director. Dixon has served 25 years as Area Director, and will retire Dec. 31.

Dickey hails from Calhoun, Ga., and holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, as well as a Master of Accounting from Birmingham-Southern College. Dickey began volunteering at the United Way Effingham Service Center in 2009, and was hired as Assistant Director in 2012.

In addition, Elise Drewsen, who served her senior internship at the United Way Effingham Service Center last summer, has joined United Way of the Coastal Empire as Effingham Assistant Director. Drewsen is from Fond du Lac, Wis., and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Northern Iowa in Leisure, Youth and Human Services with an emphasis in Nonprofit Management. During her internship, she aided the office with campaign pace-setting and kickoff planning. Following that, she served as a Loaned Associate for United Way of the Coastal Empire, focusing on Finance Donors and Construction and Real Estate Donors. She exceeded her fundraising goals in both areas.

From incident reports at the Springfield Police Department:

Nov. 18: One tractor-trailer hit another and damaged it in the parking lot next to City Hall on S. Laurel Street.

Nov. 30: A resident of Harvest Drive said her neighbor teased her dog when it was in her back yard, drove his pick-up on her property and mowed her side yard without her permission. He was given a criminal trespass warning.

Dec. 1: The automatic tag scanner alerted to a car with no insurance and suspended registration on Ga. 21. The vehicle was towed for a lack of insurance and the driver was given a warning on the registration.

Missing wallet

Dec. 1: A resident of New Stillwell Road said he believes he left his wallet at the Dollar General the night before. It was gone when he returned to the store. It contained his driver’s license, two credit cards and a Social Security card.

Dec. 4: An officer saw a vehicle nearly hit another on Ga. 21 in front of Parker’s. The driver was arrested for driving with a suspended license, drunken driving second offense and failure to maintain lane.

Dec. 4: An officer stopped a vehicle for doing 63 mph in a 45 mph zone on Ga. 21. The driver was arrested for driving with a suspended license and was given a warning for speeding.

Dec. 5: An officer stopped a car for weaving on W. First Street. An officer found a stolen gun in the vehicle. The driver was arrested for theft by receiving stolen property.

Dec. 5: An officer stopped a driver who was going 66 mph in the 45 mph zone on Ga. 21. The driver was arrested on a warrant from Richmond County and was cited for speeding.

Dec. 5: The automatic tag scanner alerted on a vehicle on Ga. 21 for no insurance and suspended registration. The vehicle was towed.

Dec. 6: The automatic tag scanner alerted on a vehicle on Tunnel Road for expired tag and outstanding arrest warrants for its owner. The officer caught up with the owner at his house, on Magnolia Drive. He was arrested on warrants from Effingham County and Pooler.

No excuses

Dec. 7: An officer stopped an SUV on Railroad Avenue for no tag lights. The front-seat passenger said she asked a man to drive because she’d had a seizure. The man who was driving didn’t have a valid driver’s license. 

Two people in the back seat had valid driver’s licenses and couldn’t say why they weren’t driving. The driver was arrested for driving without a license.

New store will have online grocery ordering service

Among the customers to visit the Kroger fuel station today, the day it opened on Ga. 21 in Rincon, was Rincon Mayor Ken Lee.

Lee brought a city car by for gasoline and a photo with Tom Coburn, the manager of the new Kroger Marketplace that’s under construction behind the fuel station. The new grocery store is slated to open in May.

Lee retired as manager of the Rincon Kroger about a year and a half ago.

Coburn said last-minute work was still being done Thursday to make all 18 of the station’s pumps operate. The store portion of the fuel station was still being stocked with items such as cigarettes.

Beginning Friday, the Kroger fuel center will be open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

When the new Kroger Marketplace store opens in May, the fuel station’s hours will expand to 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Regular gasoline at the new Kroger station was $1.93 on Thursday. Customers who purchase gas at Kroger fuel centers can take part in the Fuel Rewards Program and instantly save up to $1 per gallon when using a Kroger Plus Card.

For more information about the Fuel Rewards Program, visit www.kroger.com/fuel

Kroger will have an official grand opening for the fuel center on Dec. 30, offering customers 10 cents off per gallon through Jan. 3.

When the new Kroger Marketplace store was first announced for Rincon, it was going to have a jewelry store inside. Coburn said plans have changed, and instead, the store will have an area with refrigerators and freezers for a grocery pickup service.

Customers will be able to order groceries online and then drive to the Marketplace store to pick them up. Their selections will already be waiting.

He said there will be a minimal fee for the service, or the store will offer a membership price for people who want to use the service all the time.

Coburn said the grocery pickup service will not be available when the store first opens in May, but will be added sometime after that.

The new store will have 115,000 square feet, compared with 44,000 square feet at the current Kroger store, which is farther south on Ga. 21 in Rincon.

In addition to the fuel center, the new store will have upscale service departments, a drive-thru pharmacy, Starbucks, apparel department, expanded natural foods and organic section and Chef on the Run.

The project is estimated to bring approximately 250 to 300 new jobs to the community, according to Glynn Jenkins, spokesman for Kroger in Atlanta.

Kroger’s Atlanta division introduced its first Marketplace store in Carrollton, Ga., in 2013.

The Atlanta division operates five Marketplace stores in Savannah, Athens, Carrollton, Gainesville and Warner Robins.

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

Nov. 25: A resident of Shuman Drive in the Bloomingdale area confronted someone who apparently had just burglarized his house. The suspect ran.

Safe boxes that held jewelry, old coins and old pocket knives were taken, along with a number of gift cards

Happy Thanksgiving

Nov. 26: A couple argued after being out for Thanksgiving. She said he pushed and choked her and poured wine down her throat and all over her. He said she was drunk and fell. He denied hurting her.

Nov. 26: A woman said she was staying with her estranged husband over Thanksgiving. She said he threw her belongings on her car.

Nov. 27: A couple argued while inside a vehicle because she wanted to go home and he wanted to go to a friend’s house. She said he threatened to kill her but he denied it.

Nov. 29: A deputy stopped a vehicle for going 76 mph in a 55 mph zone on Ga. 17 S. near Courthouse Road in the Guyton area. The driver was arrested for having a suspended license.

Fake officer

Nov. 29: Someone claiming to be from the Pooler Police Department called dispatch and asked about a vehicle accident that was being worked on First Street Extension in Springfield. The Pooler department has no one by the name the caller used.

Nov. 30: A deputy picked up a dog on W. Seventh Street in Rincon and took it to the county animal shelter. The dog had been shot in the leg.

Nov. 30: A resident of the Guyton area said someone charged a $711 phone to her Verizon account, without her permission. She said someone also applied for a PayPal credit card in her name and spent $250.

Nov. 30: Someone broke into the concession stand at the Pineora Ball Park, breaking a water pipe and flooding the room.

Nov. 30: Three ATVs were stolen from Creekwood Drive in the Guyton area. One was abandoned at the rear of the property, with the keys in the ignition.

Nov. 30: A resident of Pine Road in the Bloomingdale area said a neighbor’s dog killed her cat. A deputy said there have been numerous complaints about the dogs from a nearby residence on Oak Street.

Nov. 30: A couple argued about the dog that belongs to the woman’s daughter. A car door was damaged as they argued.

Nov. 30: A resident of Old Augusta Road N. in the Clyo area complained about loud music. A deputy couldn’t find the noise.

Welcome home

Dec. 1: While homeowners were out of town, someone fired a .22-caliber bullet through the window of a house on Cambridge Drive in the Rincon area.  

Dec. 1: A deputy collected a sick cat that was on the back porch of a house on Chestnut Street in Springfield. The cat was taken to the animal shelter then to a veterinarian.

Dec. 1: A man said he has not received many expected articles through the U.S. Postal Service. He said the family has been involved in an ongoing feud. He reported the problem to the Postmaster General. Little Dog Patch Road in the Rincon area.

Dec. 1: A resident of the Springfield area said her sister and a man visited her and she doesn’t feel safe with them around her or her property.

Dec. 1: A woman struck a dog on Ga. 119 near Steel Bridge in the Guyton area, damaging her vehicle.

Dec. 1: A man who had just been released from the county jail was arrested for public intoxication. Ga. 17 S. in the Bloomingdale area.

Dec. 2: Someone entered the bedroom window of a house on Reed Street in the Meldrim area. Some clothing and electronics were taken.

The resident argued with a friend who had been keeping some things at the house and asked that she be given a criminal trespass warning.

Dec. 2: A house that was under foreclosure on Conifer Drive in the Guyton area was missing its hot water heater and air conditioning unit. The house also was infested with fleas.

Dec. 2: Someone working in an apartment leasing office wanted a report made because a man was smoking something that was “rolled up in papers with an odd smell.” Goshen Commercial Court in the Rincon area.

Dec. 3: A deputy stopped a vehicle for speeding on Ga. 119. The driver was arrested for having a suspended license and given a citation for speeding.

Reckless drivers

Dec. 3: Two women said two pickup trucks that came from the Effingham College and Career Academy were driving recklessly on Ga. 21, coming up close behind them and then swerving around in front and hitting their brakes.

Dec. 4: A vehicle was damaged in the parking lot of Goshen Commercial Park Apartments in the Rincon area.

Dec. 4: Someone broke through the rear door of a residence on Old Augusta Road S. in the Rincon area. The home was in disarray, but nothing had been taken.

Armed robbery

Dec. 4: A 66-year-old resident of McCall Road in the Springfield area said two men wearing black hoodies and black ski masks robbed her of $900 cash as she returned to her home from the BB&T ATM in Springfield, at 7:30 a.m.

She said one of the men grabbed her by the hair and stuck what she thought was a gun in her back. She said they threatened to “finish” her if she screamed or called the police.

She said she wasn’t sure if they had followed her from the ATM machine.

Dec. 5: A Guyton Police officer reported a vehicle unable to maintain its lane on McCall Road in the Springfield area. The driver said he was weaving because his dog was moving around the steering wheel.

He was arrested for driving with a suspended license and was warned for failure to maintain lane.

Dec. 5: A resident of Deerfield Road W. in the Bloomingdale area said his iPad was stolen from his home. He was out of town and had a friend watching the house.

Dec. 5: A deputy stopped a van for having expired registration. The driver was arrested for having a suspended license and given a warning for the registration. Fair Road at Clyo-Stillwell Road in the Clyo area.

Bright lights

Dec. 5: An officer flashed his lights repeatedly at a vehicle on McCall Road N., near Little McCall Road in the Springfield area, trying to get the driver to dim his headlights.

The driver never dimmed his lights and was stopped. He was arrested for drunken driving and failure to dim lights. 

Dec. 6: A driver on U.S. 80 in the Bloomingdale area said a log on a logging truck stuck into her lane and damaged her car as the truck turned and she passed it.  

Two anonymous emails sent to the Savannah Morning News that allege a “host of problems” at the Effingham County prison, including inmates getting drunk on work details, have prompted the county to hire a new warden.

County Administrator Toss Allen said Friday that the claims in one of the emails, both sent from the same AOL account, regarding inmates getting drunk in two instances in recent weeks are true.

“The Board of Commissioners all agreed they wanted to move quickly with someone they felt has the experience to address the concerns being raised,” Allen said.

Billy Tompkins will become the prison warden on Dec. 28, Allen said.

Tompkins, 61, retired recently after 37 years in corrections in Georgia. He served as warden at a number of prisons in the state including the one in Bulloch County.

Allen said one guard at the Effingham prison, who was a new hire still on probation, was fired because inmates he was supervising returned to the prison drunk after a work detail.

An investigation continues into the second instance of inmates returning drunk. The part that guard took in that instance is still being investigated, Allen said.

Both incidents occurred in recent weeks.

The emails also alleged a number of maintenance problems at the prison, some of which Allen said may be true. He said the county has not had enough maintenance workers recently because of staff leaving and new workers not being hired yet.

Allen said there have been some problems with the hot water and air conditioning in the prison.

Routine maintenance problems often are exacerbated in the prison by inmates who break things intentionally, he said.

The way the building is constructed for security purposes causes poor air flow, which can make things especially uncomfortable when air conditioning is broken, he said.

Deputy Warden Vickie Brown has been acting warden at the Effingham prison since Ronald Spears resigned in March 2014. An investigation showed that Spears used money obtained from the sale of confiscated cell phones for personal gain.

Brown will return to the duties she had before becoming acting warden, working with Tompkins, Allen said.

The only other personnel change in recent weeks was a unit manager who was fired because of an altercation he had with a woman during his off-duty hours, Allen said.

The prison has 192 inmates and a staff of 36. Allen said he thinks Tompkins, who was recommended by Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie, will stay as warden for at least a year, taking whatever actions he deems necessary to run the facility efficiently and safely.

Allen said there are no plans to “clean house.” He said workers at the prison who are doing their jobs have nothing to fear.

Allen said the county is looking into allegations by the anonymous emailer that “money is disappearing” at the prison. He said the only account that is handled at the prison involves money that people send to inmates for incidentals such as toiletries, and that money is monitored by the county financial department.

County commissioners said Tuesday that they are considering ways to make operations at the prison more efficient – getting more of the minimum and medium-security inmates out working in the community.

They said they have considered reducing the number of inmates the prison handles, but so far have not found a cost-effective way to do that.

Another alternative is to close the prison entirely, but that would take study and preparation, partly because inmates provide labor for so many agencies in the area.

LOOKING BACK

Dec. 11, 1864

As the four portions of his army began to position themselves around Savannah, General Sherman witnessed the following gruesome scene,which he recounted in his memoirs:

“I rode forward by the Louisville road, into a dense wood of oak, pine, and cypress, left the horses, and walked down to the railroad-track, at a place where there was a side-track, and a cut about four feet deep. From that point the railroad was straight, leading into Savannah, and about eight hundred yards off were a rebel parapet and a battery. I could see the cannoneers preparing to fire and cautioned the officers near me to scatter, as we would likely attract a shot. Very soon I saw the white puff of smoke and, watching close, caught sight of the ball as it rose in its flight, and, finding it coming pretty straight, I stepped a short distance to one side, but noticed a Negro very near me in the act of crossing the track at right angles. Someone called to him to look out; but, before the poor fellow understood his danger, the ball (a thirty-two pound round shot) struck the ground, and rose in its first ricochet, caught the Negro under the right jaw, and literally carried away his head, scattering blood and brains about. A soldier close by spread an overcoat over the body, and we all concluded to get out of that railroad-cut.”

Source: Mills Lane (ed.), Marching Through Georgia: William T. Sherman’s Personal Narrative of His March Through Georgia (New York: Arno Press, 1978), p. 159.

Dec. 15, 1703

Clergyman John Martin Boltzius was born at Forst on the Elbe, Lower Lusatia, in what is now Germany. Boltzius was a hard-working priest who, among his other duties, ministered to pupils in an orphanage -- exhibiting excellent traits of organization, humanitarianism, and supervision. It was these traits that led him to be recommended to the Georgia Trustees as minister to the Salzburgers intent on migrating to Georgia. Boltzius dutifully accepted the challenge, though he spoke no English and little of the Salzburger dialect. But he was a quick learner and soon picked up both languages, corresponding frequently in each.

The Salzburger settlement site, called Ebenezer, was on a sandy pine barren surrounded by swamps just north of Savannah. [see map] Crops could not grow there and Ebenezer Creek proved to be unnavigable; many settlers and virtually all children born there died in the first year of settlement. When these deficiencies became apparent, Boltzius convinced James Oglethorpe to allow the Salzburgers to move to another site. The new site -- called New Ebenezer -- proved to be successful, thanks largely to the work of Boltzius. Here, he ministered to his people, also assuming many secular duties -- such as supervising purchases of materials, the distribution, clearing, and planting of land, construction of houses and other buildings, and the keeping of records. Boltzius was a vocal supporter of the Trustees’ ban on slavery, which angered many Georgians. The Salzburger site was the only evidence the Trustees could point to that agriculture in Georgia could be successful using free labor. Boltzius remained the spiritual and secular leader of Ebenezer until his death on November 19, 1765.

Source: Carl Vinson Institute of Government

Dec. 21, 1737

The need for shoes forced the Salzburgers to temporarily overlook their contempt for the only available cobbler, as evidenced by this entry in the journal of pastor John Martin Boltzius:

“The German cobbler from Purysburg [a nearby settlement on the South Carolina side of the Savannah River] has returned and is making shoes for our people. He remains a careless fellow, although he has repeatedly made many promises. We have had quite enough of him; but, in view of the lack of a better cobbler, we have no other recourse but to use his services. He has caused much offense in Purysburg, and the people there are not as well served by him as might have been the case formerly. I am quite prepared to buy such shoes for our people as come from London or New England to Savannah until such time as we shall be supplied by a more conscientious man of this trade. The wooden shoes and Indian footwear which some of our people wear do not suffice during the winter and the rainy season. A cobbler who not only knows how to make shoes but is also versed in preparing the leather could find great demand for his services in this country. Cow and ox hides are quite cheap, but the people who might prepare them for use are lacking.”

Source: George Fenwick Jones and Renate Wilson, Detailed Reports on the Salzburger Emigrants Who Settled in America . . . Edited by Samuel Urlsperger, Volume Four, 1737 (Athens: University of Georgia Press, 1976), p. 222.

I have very eclectic music tastes that cross many genres and eras. This is a lot because, unlike many, I did not become particularly attached to the music of my youth, the music that was popular when I was in high school or college. Listening to music from that time does not make me nostalgic for my youth.

One of the two big reasons for this was my mother and her lack of interest in music. We didn’t have a lot of music playing in the house. It wasn’t religious fervor on her part, or a hatred of modern culture. She just liked to talk, and music might interfere with that. We had radios in our room we would listen to sometimes.

We also had a Reader’s Digest collection of 10 LPs, each having hit songs from a different decade of American music, which I would occasionally get to play.

The second big reason had to do with my peers.

Growing up, I was rebelling against them as much or more than my parents.

So I tended to be skeptical of any music they liked.

The third and final reason is that it just didn’t click with me. I found the dominant forms of rock -- country rock, mellow rock, jazz rock to be bland and uninteresting. Three Dog Night, Chicago, Lynyrd Skynrd, Allman Brothers, the Eagles (with the exception of Hotel California), Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and Creedance Clearwater Revival -- all left me stone cold Steve Austin.

And now I find out that the largest influencer on the trend of music that I couldn’t stand the most is...none other than Gram Parsons, someone who is greatly revered by the people in this area, and by many of the people that I love, respect and admire. He grew up in Waycross, was even a member of my parish, Grace Episcopal. From what I have been told, he was a very decent fellow. I’d heard the name, but didn’t realize until recently what a large impact he actually had. I feel like a traitor to the area.

So I go back and listen to those songs I didn’t like in my youth and see if I could perceive them differently now that I’m older and wiser.

Nahh, sorry. Still can’t stand them.

Nevertheless, I salute you, Gram Parsons. You made an impact, changed the course of music history, and created a type of music beloved by many. Even if I’m not one of them.

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

“What a wonderful world it would be if people driving down 21 in the morning would follow the traffic guideline of slower traffic keep right. For Pete’s sake, if you’re doing the speed limit, stay in the right lane. The left lane of any two or more lane road is for faster moving traffic.”

“We’re beginning to become mired in the doldrums of TV land — politics, basketball and lawyer ads.”

“Do Vidalia kids get onions in their stockings?”

“I recently drove around Arizona for over a week, 3,000 miles, and never once had to enter my zip code to activate a pump. I wonder why it’s required so prevalently around here.”

“There are many big beautiful sweet dogs and cats at the Effingham dog shelter that are in need of a forever home. Go take a look and see if one is not perfect for your home.”

“It’s final. After passing the budget deal with funding for Planned Parenthood and settling Syrian refugees in the U.S., the Republican Party is now officially useless.

Contribute to Vox Populi by calling 912-525-0VOX (0869) or emailing us at vox@savannahnow.com. Be sure to mention Effingham County in your call or write Effingham Vox Populi in the email subject field. Not all responses are used.

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 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.

Camp Davis 2073

Camp Davis No. 2073 meets the second Tuesday 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 10 a.m. and Sunday School at 9 a.m.

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.

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. An 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.

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.

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.

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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

Lacey is a golden retriever mix that is about a year old and has the softest fur and sweetest disposition. She’s available for adoption from the Effingham County animal shelter.

She was turned in by her owners, who said they couldn’t care for her anymore.

“She’s shy but with a little TLC and you give her some confidence and she’ll be a great dog,” said Shelter Director Lorna Shelton.

Also up for adoption this week is a special kitty – a gray tabby named Stripes. She was turned in by her owner because someone in the family was allergic to her. Stripes has been at the shelter for several months, so her time is running out.

Shelton said Stripes loves a particular blanket. She seems upset when they take her blanket to be washed and when it’s returned, she kneads and rolls herself up in it.

“She loves her blanket,” said Amy Hamilton, kennel coordinator.

The cat that is about a year old has earned a special place in the hearts of the women who operate the shelter. “She really loves her catnip,” Hamilton said.

The fee to adopt animals from the Effingham shelter is $50 for dogs and $40 for cats, which includes shots.

People who adopt animals from the shelter must agree to have them spayed or neutered within 30 days, or be subject to a $200 fine. The shelter is following up to make sure that people abide by the law.

Animals must receive a rabies and a “DAPP” shot — for distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza and parvovirus.

Someone who adopts can take the animal home but must agree to bring the animal back on a Monday or Thursday to get its shots.

The shelter’s phone number is 912-754-2109. It is open for adoptions Mondays and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The office hours, when the shelter accepts drop-offs, are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The address for the shelter’s adoption page is: http://www.effinghamcounty.org/DepartmentsAF/AnimalShelter/AdoptionPage.....

Q: I bought a smartphone online. It didn’t have the functionality I wanted, so I returned it the following week. The company issued me a refund less a $25 restocking fee. Can they do that?

A: Short answer: yes, usually. In Georgia, retailers may set their own policies regarding refunds and exchanges, including those related to “restocking fees”. Restocking fees have become increasingly common in today’s market, particularly when a return involves an electronics purchase because the item, once opened, can no longer be sold as new. However, while the collection of these fees is permissible, there may be circumstances where a retailer should not enforce such a fee, or circumstances where charging it would be unfair or even deceptive. The fees can only be charged as a cost of business, and to help offset the cost of restocking a returned item.

Generally, the customer must be notified of the store’s return policies, and any restocking fees must be disclosed before the purchase is made. In states that have laws addressing restocking fees, it’s illegal to charge them in the following situations: in connection with the return of defective merchandise; the retailer delivered the wrong merchandise; the retailer failed to deliver the merchandise within the promised time period; the fees exceed 50 percent of the purchase price of the merchandise; or, the fees aren’t sufficiently disclosed prior to the customer’s purchase of the merchandise. Some online merchants charge a percentage of the purchase price to accept a return. Certain electronics retailers charge a 15 percent restocking fee on items such as opened notebook computers, projectors, camcorders, digital cameras, radar detectors, GPS/navigation and in-car video systems, and a 25 percent restocking fee on special order products, including appliances, unless the item is defective.

The best way to protect yourself in the future is to ensure you understand the store’s policies prior to purchasing a product. Make sure to ask questions related to the store’s refund and exchange policy. Always thoroughly read any posted policies prior to purchasing an item and review the receipt as soon as you complete your purchase.

If you believe the store failed to adequately disclose restocking fees, you can contest the charge by negotiating with the business. If that does not resolve things to your satisfaction, you can always consult with an attorney. Additionally, you may submit a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.gov) and to the Georgia Department of Law’s Consumer Protection Unit by visiting www.consumer.ga.gov or calling 404-651-8600.

Got a question for Consumer Ed? Go to ConsumerEd.com to submit your question and read additional consumer tips. Always consult a lawyer about legal issues.

There was some attention on social media during Thanksgiving about kissing bugs. I have also received several calls on suspected Kissing bugs and how to treat for this insect. UGA Extension Entomologist Nancy Hinkle has this information about these bugs and Chagas disease:

Kissing bugs have been in Georgia for millions of years. They, and their relatives such as leaf-footed bugs and wheel bugs, are common. Kissing bugs are not deadly and most of them are not infected with the parasite that causes Chagas disease.

The Chagas disease parasite is transmitted only by the feces of specific kissing bugs. In other words, being bitten by the bug will not harm you but rubbing the bug’s excrement in your eyes might make you sick.

From Nancy Hinkle

While Chagas disease is not uncommon in Central and South America, only 23 cases acquired here in the U.S. have been reported in the last 60 years. Areas of Texas just north of Mexico have lots of infected kissing bugs, and that’s why Texas is in the news.

For us here in the Southeast, the risk is not being bitten by a kissing bug (very little chance of that). The riskier behavior would be cleaning up raccoon, opossum, skunk or armadillo nests; that’s where the bugs live and where kissing bug feces are most concentrated. The animals are not the risk, nor is the bite of the bug; we can get infected with Chagas disease only by getting the bug’s feces inside us – through a break in the skin, through swallowing, through inhalation, or through rubbing our eyes. Again, not much risk if we stay away from the nests of wild animals.

Not every potential reservoir is infected. Here in the Southeast very few of the bugs carry the parasite. In the U.S. we are more likely to die in an automobile accident than to ever in our whole lives get infected with Chagas disease.

What can you do? Keep bugs out of your home by turning off porch lights at night to avoid attracting the bugs. Seal around doors and windows with weather-stripping and replace door sweeps; if cold air cannot get in, neither can kissing bugs. And, of course, freezing cold nights are sending kissing bugs into hibernation, so the risk is even lower this time of year.

Give thanks for your cozy home that protects you from kissing bugs.

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

CRIME ROUNDUP

Sheriff's reports

Dec. 1: A medium-sized Husky mixed dog was taken to the animal shelter when deputies and Rincon police found the animal tethered to a trailer near the roadway on Greenbay Avenue. The property owner said she’d never seen the animal before and didn’t know where it came from.

Dec. 8: A man gave deputies false names and said he didn’t know his date of birth when the vehicle he was riding in was stopped. The deputy had seen both the driver and passenger were not wearing seatbelts and that the car only had an obscured paper tag. When the deputy tried several times to identify the passenger with no success, he placed the man in handcuffs. His mother was contacted and told deputies he might be wanted on South Carolina warrants. A check showed the man was wanted on active warrants from Jasper, S.C. The man was charged with giving a false name to law enforcement. The driver was given a safety belt citation and given a warning for his 45 day temporary tag.

Dec. 8: A calico cat was taken to the animal shelter and put under a 10-day rabies watch and quarantine after biting a woman and scratching a deputy. Zittrouer Road, Guyton.

Dec. 8: A couple reported several guns were missing from their home on McCall Road. The front door of the home was kicked in and deputy said the house had been “destroyed.”. The couple were told deputies needed a list of missing items and their value. The list had not been turned in by Dec. 9.

Dec. 9: A man said when he returned home after hunting, a trailer on his property was missing. Old Dixie Highway.

Musical driver’s seat

Dec. 9: A man with a suspended license was cited during a traffic stop after he failed to dim his bright headlights. The deputy reported that as he approached the car with his flashlight he could see a man jump from the driver’s seat into the back seat of the car. The female passenger moved to the driver’s seat. The man was cited for driving while license suspended.

Dec. 9: An animal shelter worker was bitten by a black and tan cat that had been turned in at the shelter by its owner. The cat was not current on its rabies shots and was placed under quarantine.

Dec. 9: A landlord that is evicting two tenants told deputies they were both causing problems since being served with notices. One tenant has been sending the landlord “cussing” text messages and cussing her in person, and the other has been spinning wheels, causing damage to the road and yard. The tenant denied cursing the woman. The other tenant wasn’t located. Ackerman Road.

Dec. 10: Inmates on work detail found a gun in the grass on the grounds of Effingham Health System. Deputies responded and reported they had been in a foot chase with a black male the night before the gun was found. The deputies believed the man was armed and this could possibly be the gun. No bulletins had been issued on the weapon.

He wanted it cold

Dec. 10: A tenant reported her landlord climbed through her home’s window, put beer in the refrigerator and left by the back door. The tenant told him to leave and he then went to a shed on the property and fell asleep. A deputy found him asleep in the shed. The man said he’d had a fight with his wife and she had dropped him off at the rental property. The deputy gave the man a ride to his mother’s house to sleep for the night. Report and warrant procedures for trespassing were provided to the tenant. Corral Road, Bloomingdale area.

Dec. 10: A Guyton man reported two pistols missing from his home. He had last seen them three months ago. Saxon Drive area.

Dec. 10: A woman riding on Interstate 16 in Chatham County with a man she met at a party was left on the side of the road. The woman said the man asked her to get out of the vehicle and check on a tire. When she did, he drove off with her cell phone in his car. The phone was tracked to an Effingham County address. The deputy was unable to make contact with anyone at the address. Oak Drive, Bloomingdale area.

Dec. 10: A Clyo woman got into a fight with her niece over a hole in the wall of her home. The woman reported that during the physical altercation the niece threw her aunt’s cell phone on the floor. The niece also threatened to burn her aunt’s house down and kill her, she said. Mount Pleasant Road.

Hide and Seek

Dec. 11: A man was seen by two different deputies and two other drivers darting out in front of their cars and then running to the wood line on Blue Jay Road. When the man was found in the wood line, he had a strong odor of alcohol. The man was charged with pedestrian under the influence, reckless conduct, obstructing or hindering law enforcement.

Dec. 11: A deputy spotted a woman walking in the middle of Old Dixie Highway after 9 p.m. When the deputy drove near her the woman raised her hands, as if she needed help. When the deputy asked the woman if she was okay, the woman said “You’re a douche.” The deputy told the woman to stay out of the roadway. The woman then knocked twice on the trunk of the patrol car. When asked why she did that the woman repeated her comment. The deputy then smelled alcohol on the woman’s breath. She was charged with public drunkenness and disorderly conduct.

Dec. 11: A woman who was attending a church event reported her purse stolen from her vehicle. The woman said when went to the leave church she tried to insert her car key in the lock to driver’s side door and it would not go in. She had to get in the car from the passenger side. When she arrived home she realized her purse was missing. The purse contained some medicine, make-up and her driver’s license. The woman said the driver’s door had damage that looked as if someone had pried it open. Ga. 119 North.

Dec. 11: Several more entering auto reports were taken from people attending a Springfield Church event. One man reported his cell phone and tool set were missing.

Dogs and goats

Dec. 12: A man who was mad at a dog for barking at goats tried to choke the dog. A group of people at the residence argued with him about choking the dog, so the man went inside the house and got his 9 mm Beretta handgun to shot the dog instead. The man’s wife covered the dog with her body and the man then fired all rounds from the gun’s magazine into the air. Deputies had been dispatched to the home on a report of shots fired. He was charged with reckless conduct and cruelty to animals. Courthouse Road.

Dec. 12: A man who reported a truck stolen believed it was taken by acquaintances of his son. Meldrim.

Dec. 12: A Springfield man reported a burglary at his home. The only items reported missing were two handguns: an Intratech 9mm and a .38 Smith and Wesson. The guns had been kept in a cabinet. The deputy reported a kitchen window was broken, the rear and side doors were ajar and every room in the house appeared to have been ransacked. Wallace Drive area.

Dec. 12: Two men got into a fight over firewood. One man said he had permission to be on the property to collect the firewood. As he was leaving the property owner and two other men confronted him. A verbal fight turned physical. The men were told how to press charges and to stay away from each other. Frank Lane, Bloomingdale area.

Dec. 12: A man said his sister left him on the side of the road, taking his vehicle without permission. The man did not want to pursue charges. Guyton.

From incident reports at the Springfield Police Department:

Dec. 9: A woman said she moved to her mother’s house on Vine Street in February. She said her mother moved to North Carolina in October and disconnected the water to the house in late November.

She said her mother won’t give her a lease agreement so she can have the water turned on again.

Dec. 10: An officer stopped a tractor trailer for going 63 mph in the 45 mph zone on Ga. 21. The driver, from Griffin, Ga., was arrested on a warrant and the rig was towed. He also was cited for speeding.

Dec. 10: The tag scanner alerted on an SUV on Ga. 21 with no insurance and suspended registration. The vehicle was towed and the driver was given a warning for the registration.

Neighbors blamed

Dec. 10: Someone damaged a mailbox on Holly Court. The homeowner suspects neighbors “who have been messing with his house for some time.” He requested extra patrols.

Dec. 12: Someone driving by the baseball field next to the Board of Education saw juveniles climbing out a broken window on the concession stand.

Three juveniles said they were playing hide and seek. They were released to their parents and a report was sent to Juvenile Justice.

Dec. 12: Windows were broken, apparently by BB guns, on two houses on S. Oak Street.

Dec. 13: A woman said a man threatened her while she was at the Snack Barrel. She quoted him as saying he had damaged her mailbox several weeks before.

Dec. 14: A woman said she was concerned about her son’s odd behavior. She fears he’s taking too many of his prescription pills at once.

She said he put large safety pins through his bottom lip. He was taken to the hospital to be checked.

Dec. 14: A homeowner on E. First Street said someone shot the rear window of his storage shed with a BB gun.

Dec. 14: A woman said she left her wallet in her car, which was unlocked, when she went into a residence on First Avenue for about 10 minutes. When she returned, it was gone.

It had her driver’s license and Social Security card, as well as bank and credit cards.

BOYS BASKETBALL

WINDSOR FOREST 55,

SOUTH EFFINGHAM 51

SOUTH EFINGHAM (51)

Turner Davis 11, Ben Brennen 10, Travis Simmons 10, Newberry 8, Rish 7, Orr 3, Newbill 2.

WINDSOR FOREST (55)

Information not provided.

SOUTH EFFINGHAM 54,

SAVANNAH CHRISTIAN 65

SE (54)

Travis Simmons hit for 13 and Derrick Newberry scored 10 in a loss to Savannah Christian.

Steal 6, Gaines 5, Davis 5, Orr 5, Brennen 4, Rish 3, Newbill 3.

Quarter Scores:

SEHS 5, 19, 34, 54

Savannah Christian 17, 26, 43, 65

EFFINGHAM COUNTY 91, WARE COUNTY 70

Five Rebels tallied double figures in scoring as Effingham County routed region foe Ware County. Deshaun Wilkenson led the Rebels with 20, followed by Cody Hilbert’s 19.

WARE COUNTY (70)

Information not provided.

EFFINGHAM COUNTY (91)

Deshaun Wilkenson 20, Cody Hilbert 19, Jaden Rodriguez 16, Rashad Griffin 12, PJ Brown 11, Stapleton 7, Rashaud Roper 3, Liam Lanaghan 2.

Halftime—EC 44-37. Records—EC 9-2, 3-1 Region 3-AAAAA; WC 3-6, 1-4.

GIRLS

SOUTH EFFINGHAM 56,

WINDSOR FOREST 31

Shae Leverett scored 26 points and Faith Harris added 13 as South Effingham rolled to a win over host Windsor Forest.

SE (56)

Shae Leverett 26, Faith Harris 13, Epling 5, Beasley 5, Boswell 3, Jenkins 2, Goldwire 2.

WF — scoring unavailable.

Records—SEHS 11-0; WF 3-9.

SOUTH EFFINGHAM 54,

SAVANNAH CHRISTIAN 27

Faith Harris scored 23 points and Shae Leverett scored 8 as South Effingham doubled the score on Savannah Christian.

SE (54)

Faith Harris 23, Shae Leverett 8, Boswell 6, Bisard 5, Goldwire 4, Jenkins 4, Pelote 2, Hayes 2.

Record: SEHS 12-0

EFFINGHAM 38,

WARE COUNTY 61

Lady Rebel MaKayla Robinson is out with a pulled ligament in her ankle until early January. The team is 0-2 without her.

Shaquira Johnson scored 16 points and Sam Johnson scored 7 in a loss to Ware County.

ECHS (38)

Connelly, 6, Ta’Shauna Johnson, 5, Wallace, 4.

The 12 and under Jags football team of the Effingham County Recreation and Parks Department won the Georgia Recreation And Park Association state championship on Dec. 12.

The team won by defeating Baldwin County, 34-8, in Cordele.

They also won the GRPA South Georgia Championship. They defeated Crisp County, 53-0 and Lee County, 36-6 to advance to the Dec. 12 state finals in Cordele.

The team won the first district championship by defeating Dublin, 46-7 and Thomson, 43-0.

They finished the year 19-1.

This state championship is the second for this team of boys as most of the players were on the 10 and under championship team last year.

Winter is a great time of the year for yard work to ensure beautiful plants, flowers and trees for the springtime. Crape myrtles are no exception. 

Unfortunetely what happens more often than proper pruning is crape myrtle murder. Check out this week's Savannah How as certified arborist Casey Johnson with Bartlett Tree Experts shows you the proper way to prune your crape myrtles. Watch the video above.

Savannah How is a weekly video series that answers every day, how-to questions. Visit the Savannah How page for more videos on a variety of topics including cooking tips, holiday fun, pet care and muh more. 

Have an idea for Savannah How? Email your suggestions or expert recommendations to jennifer.menster@savannahnow.com. 

Effingham Health System celebrated the opening of new offices inside the hospital for Dr. Mark Mudano with a reception on Dec. 21.

Dr. Mudano’s Effingham Orthopaedic Services is now located in the Rehabilitation and Specialty Care area of the hospital. His offices were on the Health System grounds.

The new space is the former emergency room.

“We continue to improve, expand and grow,” Health System CEO Norma Jean Morgan said.

Mudano read a blessing for his new office.

“All good things come to those who wait,” Mudano said. “But it’s about people -- not buildings.”

Dr. Mudano is board-certified through the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. He attended the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta and did an internship at Georgia Baptist Hospital in Atlanta. He completed a residency at Medical College, where he specialized in orthopaedic surgery, and also earned a fellowship in reconstructive knee surgery and sports medicine. Prior to joining Effingham Health System, Dr. Mudano was with Southeastern Orthopedics, Milledgeville, Ga.

Services include knee arthroscopy, hip and knee replacement, rotator cuff tendon repairs, and ligament reconstruction.

To reach Effingham Orthopaedic Services, call 912-754-0185.

Christmas and the holiday break are perfect for going to the movie theater.

Click through this slideshow to see what movies are currently playing in theaters, and what will be released in the coming days.

From incident reports at the Springfield Police Department:

Dec. 9: A woman said she moved to her mother’s house on Vine Street in February. She said her mother moved to North Carolina in October and disconnected the water to the house in late November.

She said her mother won’t give her a lease agreement so she can have the water turned on again.

Dec. 10: An officer stopped a tractor trailer for going 63 mph in the 45 mph zone on Ga. 21. The driver, from Griffin, Ga., was arrested on a warrant and the rig was towed. He also was cited for speeding.

Dec. 10: The tag scanner alerted on an SUV on Ga. 21 with no insurance and suspended registration. The vehicle was towed and the driver was given a warning for the registration.

Neighbors blamed

Dec. 10: Someone damaged a mailbox on Holly Court. The homeowner suspects neighbors “who have been messing with his house for some time.” He requested extra patrols.

Dec. 12: Someone driving by the baseball field next to the Board of Education saw juveniles climbing out a broken window on the concession stand.

Three juveniles said they were playing hide and seek. They were released to their parents and a report was sent to Juvenile Justice.

Dec. 12: Windows were broken, apparently by BB guns, on two houses on S. Oak Street.

Dec. 13: A woman said a man threatened her while she was at the Snack Barrel. She quoted him as saying he had damaged her mailbox several weeks before.

Dec. 14: A woman said she was concerned about her son’s odd behavior. She fears he’s taking too many of his prescription pills at once.

She said he put large safety pins through his bottom lip. He was taken to the hospital to be checked.

Dec. 14: A homeowner on E. First Street said someone shot the rear window of his storage shed with a BB gun.

Dec. 14: A woman said she left her wallet in her car, which was unlocked, when she went into a residence on First Avenue for about 10 minutes. When she returned, it was gone.

It had her driver’s license and Social Security card, as well as bank and credit cards.