OK. Granted, it’s not cold by Michigan standards, but it’s certainly much colder than it was in December, where many days hovered into the mid-eighties. Right now, as I write this, it is 47 degrees, with the high of 64 expected. Monday shows a low of 33 with, of course, no precipitation expected.

The general pattern here is that if the temperature here is at or below freezing, the conditions are dry, and that when the temperature goes up is when it’s more likely to rain.

Looking ahead from the day I write this, I don’t see any matches between precipitation and freezing temperatures, but you can rest assured that I will vigilantly keep on SnowWatch 2016.

Meanwhile, the weather matters less as I am headed into the submarine (tax season), and really don’t get many opportunities to be outside. Hopefully, if it does snow, I will be alert enough to go out and see it. The last snowfall of any significance here was Christmas Day of 1989.

Sometimes I forget how far south I am. I have a friend who lives in Sedona, Ariz., who was reporting a snowfall in her area. I wondered if I lived farther south than she did. She said she was parallel with Little Rock, Ark., which, if you check a map, is a good chunk north of Blackshear. I looked at Sedona, and moved south until I found something parallel to Blackshear’s latitude. What I found was Nogales, Ariz., right smack next to the border of Mexico. For my readers in Effingham County, you are slightly better off — your Arizona parallel is Tucson. That’s pretty far south, but it ain’t border of Mexico south.

What I found in further research was that there were parts of Mexico that were north of where I live. This took me by surprise. This Central Michigan boy, who fantasized about moving to Bismarck, North Dakota, because he didn’t feel like he was far enough north, was now living in a place that was south of parts of Mexico.

Oh, well. It could be worse, for someone who doesn’t mind a little winter now and then. I could be in Key West or Hawaii. There is at least an extremely remote statistical chance of a snowfall here, whereas there is none in Key West or Hawaii.

I like a change of seasons. That change is very mild to nonexistent here. And much of whatever mild winter we have I miss, because I’m in the tax season submarine. But if it does happen, I hope I at least get a chance to get out in it a few minutes. That would be swell.

Come to think of it, if it snows down here, even just a few inches, I’d probably either be trapped at work or at home, as traffic here would be absolutely paralyzed until it melted off.

I vote for home.

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

“Many thanks to Kroger for having lots of organics, sending me coupons and also sending their magazine with recipes and more coupons. Oh, and discounts on gasoline. Can’t wait for the big Rincon super store to open!”

“Is there anyone that knows who takes out of date canned goods? I hate just throwing them away.”

“Friday, Jan. 8, and somebody still has Christmas lights on. Come on people, let go!”

“Campaigning and political affiliation is only political theatre — saying and doing whatever works in order to be elected. Discerning who might provide the best governance requires due diligence and evaluation far beyond campaign rhetoric, slogans, professional advertisements and the number of yard signs in your neighborhood. Few people possess the time and motivation to conduct such evaluations. That is why we need objective, unbiased newspaper reporting now more than ever.”

“If Obama and his current administration would have enforced our immigration laws as he should have, we would not be in a disposition of tracing down and deporting illegal immigrants. We have to close our borders soon!”

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.

Audit report finds no problems

In an effort to save about $60,000, the Effingham Board of Commissioners has eliminated the position of emergency management agency director.

County Administrator Toss Allen said a fire battalion chief will take on the duties that were being handled by EMA Director Ed Myrick.

Myrick, whose last day was Jan. 8, was given about a month of notice/severance pay, Allen said.

Allen said the move was a “reduction in force” and that Myrick’s job was the only one affected.

Commissioner Vera Jones said the savings include his salary and the cost of his benefits, truck, cellphone and radio. She said the decision had been under consideration for a long time.

“We’ve spent the last couple of years consolidating and have been doing that as long as we have been able to study each area,” she said. “We just couldn’t do all of them at one time.”

Allen said the county made the EMA director’s position full-time in 2011, when Walter Wright took the job. Myrick began as EMA director in 2012.

Allen said the job was made full-time because a number of time-consuming plans had to be created so that the county would be eligible to receive federal funds funneled through the state after emergencies.

Now that those plans have been created, the position can be handled part-time by a fire battalion chief, Allen said.

Myrick said last week that he was unsure about what he would be doing in the future.

In other action, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on Jan. 5 to elect Forrest Floyd as vice chairman. Jones was vice chairman in 2015.

On another topic, commissioners agreed to apply for a $55,000 coastal incentive grant to pave the parking area and rehab the boat ramp at the Steel Bridge Landing on the Ogeechee River and to lengthen the Abercorn Boat Landing on Abercorn Creek, which feeds into the Savannah River. The grant money would have to be matched equally with local money.

Audit report

Effingham commissioners recently approved an audit report for the year of July 2014 through June 2015. Auditors Thigpen, Lanier, Westerfield & Deal of Statesboro found no problems in the way the county’s finances were reported.

That’s down from three minor problems the year before and 38 concerns about internal control issues the year before that.

The audit found that the county’s assets exceeded liabilities by $109 million.

ANNUAL MLK JR. DAY ACTIVITIES

January 18

7:30 a.m. Annual Observance Breakfast, held at the Administrative Complex in Springfield.

10 a.m. Annual Parade on Laurel Street in Springfield. Grand Marshal is LaMeisha Kelly of Guyton. Kelly works for the city of Rincon as city planner.

12 p.m. Youth Program will be held at Effingham County Recreation Department Gym., Ga. 119 in Springfield.

6 p.m. Evening service at Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Association Center, Guyton Ga.

Qualifying to be held in March

Voters in Effingham County will choose a sheriff and three members of the Board of Commissioners and Board of Education in elections this fall.

Qualifying for those offices and others set for election Nov. 8 is scheduled for March 7 through March 11. Commissioners set qualifying fees for the offices at their Jan. 5 meeting.

On the county commission, the seats up for election are chairman at large and representatives of the first and fourth districts. Those seats currently are held by Wendall Kessler, Forrest Floyd and Reggie Loper.

On the Board of Education, second, third and fifth district seats are up for election, currently held by Troy Alford, Lamar Allen and Vickie Decker. All three school board members already have announced that they are running for re-election.

The sheriff and county commission seats are partisan. Other partisan seats up for election on Nov. 8 are clerk of superior court, coroner and tax commissioner.

The Board of Education seats are non-partisan. Other non-partisan seats up for election this year are chief magistrate, probate court judge and supervisor of the Ogeechee River Soil and Water Conservation District.

Qualifying for the May 24 general primary begins at 9 a.m. March 7 and ends at noon on March 11, according to Elections Supervisor Olivia Morgan.

Each party holds their own qualifying, and non-partisan contenders qualify at the county elections office. A second qualifying period is scheduled for independent candidates, beginning at 9 a.m. on June 27 and ending at noon on July 1. Independent candidates qualify in the county elections office.

Qualifying fees, which are dictated by state law as 3 percent of the base salary of the seat, are: sheriff, $2,270.25; tax commissioner, $1,894.94; probate judge, $1,894.94; magistrate judge, $1,894.94; clerk of superior court, $1,894.94; members of the Board of Commissioners, $454.05; chairman of the Board of Commissioners, $499.45; members of the Board of Education, $72; and coroner, $546.

All local offices are four-year terms. 

Federal, state

The presidential preference primary is March 1.

Federal and state offices appearing on the May 24 primary ballot and Nov. 8 general election ballot and the length of terms are: president, four years; vice president, four years; U.S. Senate, six years; U.S. Representative Districts 1 and 12, two years; state senator, two years; state representative Districts 159 and 161, two years; state supreme court justices, six years; state appeals court judges, six years; state Superior Court judges Ogeechee Circuit, four years; district attorney, four years; and public service commissioner, six years.

The deadline to register to vote in the presidential preference primary is Feb. 1. See other important election dates in the box on this page.

CALENDAR

Effingham County High School Class of 1968

Members of the Effingham County High School class of 1968 will gather for a “dutch treat” lunch at noon on Saturday at Carey Hilliard’s restaurant at 198 Pooler Parkway, Pooler. Please reply to: echsclassof1968@hotmail.com.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Philip L. “Phil” Stacy

Rincon — Philip L. “Phil” Stacy, 73, died Jan. 9, 2016, at St. Joseph’s Hospital.

The Erie, Mich., native was a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. He had received the Purple Heart Medal while serving the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. He was a 22-year retiree, having advanced to the rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant. He had served as Drill Instructor at Parris Island, Combat Correspondent in Vietnam, Public Affairs Chief at Marine Headquarters in Washington, D.C., and served in public affairs in Japan. Phil also retired from the U.S. Postal Service in Savannah.

Phil was an avid golfer, being a member of Willowpeg Golf Course, and he loved to travel.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Adam and Ruth LaVoy Stacy; sons, Anthony and Terry Stacy; and sister, Amy Stacy.

He is survived by his wife, Evelyn “Lynn” Stacy; children, Thomas Stacy, Jeannine Childs, and Kristina Bridgeford; sisters, Barbara Shultz and Beatrice Martin; brothers, Thomas Stacy, William Stacy, and David Stacy; 8 grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren.

Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.

Remembrances: St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 155 Goshen Rd., Rincon, GA 31326.

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

Neil W. Ratchford

Guyton – He will be remembered by many as “the sausage man” and rightfully so. In this new year, Guyton says its goodbye to Neil Wilkins Ratchford. He passed away Jan. 10, 2016.

Born on Nov. 1, 1928, Neil grew up and lived his life in Guyton. He continued the tradition of making hot meat sausage that had been in the family since 1898 and stayed involved in its making until 1999 when he passed the business onto his son-in-law, Scott Hinson. In retirement, he was able to enjoy his love of tending cows and small vegetable crops with the help of his friend, B.F. Arnsdorff. Seeing Neil arrive with a basket of Silver Queen made many an Effingham resident happy.

Throughout his life, Neil was very community and family minded. As a member of Guyton Methodist, he attended many committee meetings but believed the best committee meetings were those with “3 members and 2 are absent.” He loved being involved with the 5th Sunday Morning breakfast hosted by Guyton Methodist. He and his friend, Lawton M. Nease, spearheaded the gatherings for 50 years, and they continue today.

He was a man of few words, but he would make them count — even if they stung a bit. No matter what his family or friends faced, he’d often quip, “It will all work out.” Another one of his sayings was “Pneumonia is an old person’s best friend.” In the end, that is what allowed him to join his wife, Mary Olive.

He was the baby brother of four siblings. Two surviving sisters, Mary Ratchford Davis and Kathryn Kirtland, are in their 90s and continue to live independently. Before his brother, Robert, passed away, the two reconnected and enjoyed much time together. Many of Neil’s nieces and nephews still make the trek to Guyton to visit their farm loving uncle.

He and Mary Olive had four children. Neil Wilkins Jr. drowned at the tender age of six. Warren, Joseph (Mona) and Sue Nell live and work locally. Neil’s grandchildren, Ryan and John, attend UGA. Their parents are Mona and Joseph.

The family would like to thank a few special friends who made his recent life more enjoyable: B.F. Arnsdorff, Yvonne Falagan, Scott Hinson, the Hunters of Guyton, Donna Morris, Georgia Parrish, Alan Watson, and Guyton Methodist members.

Riggs Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Visitation will be 5:30 – 7:30 on Thursday, Jan. 14. The funeral service will be Friday, Jan. 15, at Guyton Methodist at 11 a.m. with a graveside service at Guyton cemetery to follow. Memorials may be sent to Guyton Methodist’s Beulah Fund.

Riggs Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Jerry Franklin Ford

Guyton — Mr. Jerry Franklin Ford, “The Sawman,” 71, passed away Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016, at Candler Hospital surrounded by his family, following a long battle with COPD. Daddy was a very strong-willed, determined man, having defeated nearly every obstacle that ever came his way. He was a loving, devoted husband, daddy, papa, brother, mentor and friend. Jerry was the former owner of Savannah Saw Works and Southeastern Sharpening. He attended Abundant Life Church in Springfield, where he faithfully served as a deacon.

He is preceded in death by his father, Joseph Ford, and the love of his life, his wife, Betty Jane Ford.

He leaves to cherish his memory; son, Curtis Ford (Joyce) of Guyton; daughters, Sherri Baxter of Springfield and Jerrie Sutton (Danny) of Guyton; 4 grandchildren, Eric Thomas, Brandon Sutton (Brittany), Danielle Sutton and Kailee Baxter; 3 great grandchildren, Haylee West and Lacey and Brantley Sutton; mother, Cassie Ford of Springfield; three brothers, Steve Ford of Guyton, Jody Ford (Kitty) of Rincon, and Chris Ford (Holly) of Rincon; sister, Betty Renfro (Dale) of Rincon; loyal service dog, Shotgun; and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.

A special thanks to Dr. Ahmed, Dr. Masroor, Candler ICU nurses, and Respiratory Therapy.

Funeral Services were held on Jan. 11 at Abundant Life Church with burial following in the Springfield Annex.

Remembrances may be made in honor of Mr. Jerry to Abundant Life Church, 1541 Highway 21 South, Springfield, Ga., 31329

Riggs Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

William L. Beasley

Guyton — Mr. William L. Beasley, 68, passed away Jan. 5, 2016, at his home in Guyton.

Mr. Beasley was an Effingham County native, born in Guyton on May 9, 1947.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Virginia Beasley, and brothers, Barry Beasley and Joey Beasley.

Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Gwen Beasley of Guyton; two daughters, Wendy Becker and Billie -Jo Harkleroad; six grandchildren, Courtney Harkleroad, Jessica Becker, Geoffrey Becker, Garrett Harkleroad, William Becker, Samantha Harkleroad and sister, Deborah Beasley Johnson of Buchanan Dam, Texas.

Private services will be held.

Riggs Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Robert Wiley “Rob” Hurst

Robert “Rob” W. Hurst was welcomed into His Savior’s arms on Jan. 4.

Robert had been a long time resident of the Savannah and Effingham area and spent much of his life employed by GulfStream and the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center. Besides his love for robotic engineering and fixing broken things, he was also a lover of music and a talented artist. More than anything, he loved to teach others; whether it was about engineering, or automotive, or math, or music, or especially about the Lord, Robert was first and foremost a teacher. At his heart, he was simply a country boy who was happiest on the front porch with his guitar and his grandchildren.

Survivors include his children, Holli (Paul) Lynn Stevenson of Cincinnati Ohio, and Matthew (Debra) Haley of Sylvania Ga.; his grandchildren, Michael and Abigail Stevenson; and his brother, David (Susan) Hurst of Asheville, N.C.

Memorial Services were held on Jan. 10 at the Bloomingdale Fellowship Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Old Savannah City Mission, www.oscm.org.

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

Winfrey Whitlock

Rincon – Winfrey Whitlock, 79, a Christian and an original member of First Baptist Church of Port Wentworth passed away Jan. 5, 2016, under the care of Pruitt Hospice.

He served in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper and was dedicated to his country and his family. He retired from Southern Natural Gas.

Survivors include his wife, Marie Whitlock; daughter, Laura Taylor (Derek); son, Jeff Whitlock (Melissa); 3 step-children which he considered his own, Frank Greenway (Joanna), Cathy Seward (Kenny), Linda Anderson (Chris); 9 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Funeral services were held on Jan. 7 at First Baptist Church of Port Wentworth.

Interment followed in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to Pruitt Hospice, 9100 White Bluff Rd., Ste. 303, Savannah, GA 31406.

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

It was one of those awww moments. Major, a 6-week-old blue-nose pit bull, visited the Springfield Police Department one day last week, showing off his sweater that reads: “police K-9 unit.”

The pup that belongs to Springfield Police Sgt. Bryan Burgess is just a pet, but he seemed to be guarding the lobby of the Police Department on Laurel Street.

Effingham County Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie announced today he will run for another term as the top law enforcement officer in the county.

McDuffie made his announcement on the steps of the renovated historic courthouse in Springfield.

The sheriff said he’s seen a lot of good -- and bad in over a decade at his post.

McDuffie said he wants to continue the progress that has been made.

“We have the best schools, the best public safety, the best EMS and the best local government.”

Also announcing they will seek another term were Chief Magistrate Scott Hinson, Tax Commissioner Linda McDaniel, and County Commissioners Forrest Floyd and Reggie Loper.

Hinson will be running for this third term as magistrate.

“The sheriff’s office and the judicial system are working pretty good together,” Hinson said. “That benefits the entire community.”

McDaniel noted there had been many improvements in her office since she was first elected. She is also seeking her third term.

“We’ve come light years in technology in the office,” McDaniel said.

Floyd, commissioner for District 1 and Loper, commissioner for District 4, both touted progress with roads, recreation and infrastructure.

“Most important is, that we are working well with municipalities and officials,” Floyd said.

Loper said commissioners have completed many good projects during his tenure.

“We rebuilt this (old) courthouse, the hospital, the sheriff’s office, added a new EMS station and brought in OMNI flights for our sick and injured,” Loper said. “We’ve also done a lot with the fire department.”

Qualifying for these offices is scheduled for March 7 through March 11. Commissioners set qualifying fees for the offices at their Jan. 5 meeting.

On the county commission, the seats for chairman at large seat, currently held by Wendall Kessler, is also up for election.

On the Board of Education, second, third and fifth district seats are up for election, currently held by Troy Alford, Lamar Allen and Vickie Decker. All three school board members already have announced that they are running for re-election.

The sheriff and county commission seats are partisan. Other partisan seats up for election on Nov. 8 are clerk of superior court, coroner and tax commissioner.

The Board of Education seats are non-partisan. Other non-partisan seats up for election this year are chief magistrate, probate court judge and supervisor of the Ogeechee River Soil and Water Conservation District.

From incident reports at the Springfield Police Department:

Dec. 16: An officer stopped a car for going 52 mph in a 30 mph zone on S. Ash Street. The driver was arrested for speeding, driving without license on person and possession of marijuana.

Dec. 16: A man who works at Springfield Chrysler lost his keys. He suspects an employee who was disgruntled when he was fired.

Demolition derby

Dec. 18: A strap broke on a log truck as it turned from Ga. 119 to Ga. 21 close to noon, causing the load to shift and the vehicle to overturn. The southbound lanes of Ga. 21 were blocked. As officers worked that wreck, they were called to another wreck on Ga. 21.

A Dodge Durango rear-ended a trailer, tearing it off of its hitch and pushing it into a ditch. The Dodge then went on and off the road several times before running into vehicles parked at the hospital’s nursing home. The driver, from Ellabel, claimed his throttle stuck.

The driver was arrested and charged with following too close, failure to maintain lane, driving with a suspended license and driving under the influence of drugs.

Dec. 19: An officer stopped a vehicle on Ga. 21 for weaving. The driver was arrested for failure to maintain lane, drunken driving-less safe and open container.

Dec. 19: A man whose vehicle had a cracked windshield said he didn’t stop for an officer for one-half mile because tires he was carrying in his back seat blocked his view of the flashing lights. He also said he didn’t know about his passenger throwing a pipe out of the passenger window.

He was arrested for driving without a license and possession and use of a drug-related object. He was given a warning for cracked windshield and possession of marijuana. The passenger was given a warning for possession of marijuana and tampering with evidence. W. First Street.

Dec. 20: The tag scanner alerted on a vehicle with no insurance on S. Ash Street. The vehicle was towed for lack of insurance and the driver was given a warning for suspended registration.

Dec. 24: The tag scanner alerted on a car on S. Laurel Street with no insurance. The vehicle was towed and the owner was given a warning for the suspended registration.

Dec. 26: A customer at Huddle House who reportedly is “obsessed” with one of the restaurant’s employees strangled and pushed a worker who was trying to protect the object of his affection. He was arrested for aggravated assault.

Caught on video

Dec. 27: A $4,800 trailer was stolen from in front of a tire store on S. Laurel Street. The offender was tracked down because of video cameras at the business. He covered his face with a shirt, but was identified anyway.

After officers told him he was caught, he returned the trailer two days later and the business owner didn’t want to press charges.

Dec. 29: Two women argued over a man at a basketball game on S. Ash Street.

Dec. 29: A woman on E. Third Street called for help because a man she had argued with briefly locked her outside when she went out to smoke. He had let her back in by the time officers arrived.

Dec. 30: A man who was walking on Laurel Street with his pants down, exposing his underwear, was arrested for possession of marijuana.

Dec. 30: At a mother’s request, an officer spoke to an 11-year-old girl about the dangers of chatting with older men online.

Missing money

Dec. 31: A Guyton resident said he tried to take $500 from an ATM at First Effingham Bank and he got a receipt but no money. A bank employee told him to come to the Rincon location to straighten out the matter. He wanted a report made.

Dec. 31: A Springfield woman wanted a report made because her ex-husband told her he wasn’t bringing her son back, despite a court order.

Jan. 1: An officer worked an accident at W. Third Street and Ga. 21. The driver who was crossing the highway was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of drugs, possession of marijuana and failure to yield right-of-way.

Jan. 1: A resident of E. First Street said he found a bullet on the ground and noticed a hole in his roof. He said he heard something at about 11 p.m. the night before but thought it was something falling on the ground.

Jan. 2: An officer stopped a vehicle on S. Laurel Street for having a burned-out headlight. The driver was arrested for having a suspended license and given a warning for the headlight.

Jan. 3: A Rincon man said someone ran into his car, damaging the right rear bumper, while he was parked at Harvey’s.

Jan. 3: An officer stopped a car on S. Laurel Street with no working tag lights. The car was towed for lack of insurance and the driver was given a warning for no tag lights.

Man flees

Jan. 6: An officer stopped a vehicle on Ash Street Extension because he knew the driver doesn’t have a license. He was going to arrest the man and let his girlfriend come and get the car.

But the man ran as he was being arrested and had to be caught a little while later. He was charged with driving without a license and obstruction. The girlfriend had to pay to get the vehicle back from the tow truck driver.

Jan. 8: A Springfield woman said her ex-boyfriend has been harassing her and a friend of hers by phone. She wanted a report because she wants an order of protection.

Jan. 8: A man said another man harassed him while he was at Parker’s, cursing him in front of his 2-year-old daughter. He said it’s an ongoing problem. He was told to take out an order of protection.

Jan. 9: A woman said her sister refused to take her bipolar medication, threw a remote and a glass at her and left on foot. The sister returned home and took the medicine. An officer told the woman about services that could help. 

Jan. 9: An officer stopped a vehicle on Ga. 119 at Standard Lane for a burned-out brake light. The driver was wanted on a Guyton warrant for obstructing an officer. While he was being arrested, he swallowed something, possibly marijuana, and got another obstruction charge.

The hospital and health care providers in the Effingham Health System will coordinate treatment for Medicare patients in an effort to improve quality and save money.

The health system will become a Medicare Accountable Care Organization (ACO) under the Affordable Care Act.

As part of the deal, the health system will gain access to capital needed for infrastructure to implement the coordinated care.

If ACOs lower costs for Medicare patients, they receive part of the savings as long as they also meet standards for high-quality care.

It’s part of a federal effort to pay providers based on the quality of care, rather than just the quantity of care they give patients.

Effingham Health System will be one of 434 ACOs participating in the shared savings program as of Jan. 1, serving more than 7.7 million people.

Doctors who have decided to participate in an ACO will notify patients with original Medicare in person or by letter, according to www.medicare.gov.

The doctors and other providers volunteer to work together to provide patients with coordinated care.

Patients may spend less time filling out medical history paper work because their doctors may already have the information in an electronic health record.

Patients will be likely to have fewer repeated medical tests because their doctors and hospitals will share information and coordinate care.

Beneficiaries seeing health care providers in ACOs always have the freedom to choose doctors inside or outside of the ACO. Unlike HMOs, managed care, or some insurance plans, an ACO can’t tell patients which health care providers to see and can’t change their Medicare benefits.

Only people with original Medicare can be assigned to an ACO. Patients can’t be assigned to an ACO if they have a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C), like an HMO or a PPO.

To read the news release about the change, see the separate box on this page.

From incident reports at the Rincon Police Department:

Dec. 18: A Rincon woman said she received a credit card in the mail but she didn’t apply for it.

Dec. 20: While dealing with a custody issue on Keller Road, an officer determined that the man had outstanding warrants from Bryan and Liberty counties. He was arrested.

Dec. 20: An officer helped a state trooper who pulled over a vehicle at Rincon City Hall. A passenger fled -- a man who is known for stealing vehicles, assaulting law enforcement officers and fleeing. Officers and a K-9 tracking dog couldn’t find him.

Dec. 20: A resident of Lisa Street said someone pried open her mailbox and stole a letter containing $100 in cash.

Dec. 20: A vehicle bumped into another from behind at the stop sign at Lisa Street and Fort Howard Road. The offender drove away and couldn’t be found by police. There was no visible damage to the car that was hit but a passenger complained of neck pain.

Dec. 20: A Rincon man said someone backed into his vehicle while he was in McDonald’s, damaging the driver side mirror, and drove away.

Dec. 21: A woman at a counseling center who was laid off for the holidays reportedly began harassing her boss via text message.

Dec. 21: A woman who works at Lowes said a man was stalking her, staring at her while she was working.

Dec. 21: A man who ran a red light in front of a police officer on Ga. 21 was arrested for driving with a suspended license and red light violation.

Dec. 27: An officer stopped a car on Ga. 21 for a burned-out brake light. The driver had a green leafy substance around his mouth area and admitted that he had eaten a blunt.

He was arrested and charged with failure to maintain lane, brake light violation and possession of a drug-related object – a grinder.

Dec. 27: An officer stopped a vehicle for going 53 mph in a 35 mph zone on Ga. 21. The driver was arrested for drunken driving and speeding.

Dec. 27: A resident of Weisenbaker Road said her purse was missing with $103 cash and a Lowe’s gift card. An officer said she also wanted a report made about her son taking her mother’s pain medication. The officer said her eyes indicate that she is the one who took the pain medicine.

Extension cords

Dec. 28: A man whose power was turned off was using extension cords to get power from an outside light fixture and an apartment storage closet. A report was made for theft of services. Lisa Street.  

Dec. 28: The door was halfway up on an unlocked unit at Effingham storage on Ga. 21. Some items were missing.

Dec. 29: A lock was cut off of a unit at Effingham mini storage on Ga. 21. Jewelry valued at $300 was among the items missing.

Dec. 29: Water was being taken without permission from an empty lot on Sweetwater Circle. A utilities worker suspects a contractor working on the house next door.

K-9 fail

Dec. 30: An officer stopped a vehicle for doing 45 mph in a 30 mph zone on Middleground Road. The driver was arrested for driving with a suspended license and speeding. A K-9 narcotics dog sniffed around the vehicle and indicated that he smelled drugs. A thorough search of the car found no drugs.

Dec. 30: An officer stopped a truck because the center-seat passenger was not wearing a shoulder belt. The passenger was wearing a seatbelt but no shoulder belt. The driver was arrested for driving without a license and was given a shoulder restraint citation because the passenger was under 18.

Dec. 30: A woman said she forgot she put three paint brushes and a small tube of paint, valued at $10.68, in her purse at Walmart and didn’t pay for them. She was given a criminal trespass warning.

Dec. 30: A driver stopped on Ga. 21 for expired tag was arrested for driving without a license and cited for expired registration.

Dec. 31: A vehicle was in the ditch in front of Renasant Bank on Ga. 21. A man said he was pushing the vehicle and a woman failed to apply the brakes so it got stuck. The man eventually admitted that he was driving. He was charged with drunken driving, open container and obstruction.

Sneak caught

Jan. 1: A woman was arrested when she tried to leave Walmart without paying for $43.65 worth of items that were in the bottom of her shopping cart – an 18-count carton of eggs, a child’s pink blanket and a cot. It was the second time in a week the woman had left the store without paying for items in the bottom of the cart.

Jan. 1: An officer stopped a car for going 55 mph in a 35 mph zone on Ga. 21. The vehicle was towed for lack of insurance and the driver was cited for speeding.

Jan. 1: A resident of Plantation Drive said her live-in boyfriend took her vehicle without permission while she was asleep, and used her debit card to make four purchases. OnStar indicated the car was in Estill, S.C.

Language barrier

Jan. 1: Officers responded to a 911 call from Red Gate trailer park on Weisenbaker Road from a Hispanic male who didn’t speak English. Officers found blood on the trailer floor.

A translator arrived and said several men had fought but they didn’t want to talk about it with officers. The parties were “extremely intoxicated.”

Move over

Jan. 1: An officer was helping with a traffic stop on Ga. 21 when a car drove by him, speeding, and nearly struck his leg. He stopped the vehicle for failure to move over.

The driver said he slowed down to 50 mph as he passed the officer. The officer told him the speed limit there was 35 mph. He was arrested for drunken driving and failure to move over.

Jan. 2: A woman who was walking her dog on Williams Street said another dog attacked her dog, scratching the dog and injuring her leg. She pointed out where the offending dog lives. The owner denied his dog was at fault.

Jan. 2: An officer answered a call about a reckless driver on Ga. 21. He found a car driving very slowly and hitting his brakes as he went through a green traffic light. 

The driver, from Florida, said he was lost and was looking for a specific bank. He was arrested on a warrant from Naples, Fla., for failure to appear.

BY DONALD HEATH

For Effingham Now

STATESBORO -- Jay Wright returned home Thursday night wearing visitors’ garb.

Wright’s now almost three years removed from that special 2013 basketball season at Effingham County, when he engineered the Rebels offense all the way to the Final Four of the Class AAAAA state tournament.

Since that season, Wright, a point guard, spent a year at Casper College in Wyoming and now is in his second season at the University of Louisiana Lafayette.

He also has tales of an eventful summer, playing hoops for two weeks in China as part of a sports mission trip called Reach USA.

“We went to the Great Wall during some spare time,” Wright said. “It shows how basketball can open up your world.”

The Rincon native is refocused on getting Louisiana Lafayette back to the elite of the Sun Belt Conference. With Wright and four other starters returning, the Ragin’ Cajuns were picked to finish first in the league in a preseason voting of conference coaches.

ULL jumped out to a slow 6-8 start (2-3 in the league). But his most recent visit to the Coastal Empire encouraged Wright. His team snapped a two-game losing streak by defeating Georgia Southern 74-65 in Hanner Fieldhouse.

Wright received a maximum 35 (free) tickets to distribute to friends and family by getting his teammates’ extra passes.

Early on, he showed the form that made him a second-team All-Savannah Morning News performer as a senior. Wright made his team’s first two baskets en route to an eight-point night.

“(Wright) plays extremely hard and will do whatever it takes to win,” said ULL coach Bob Marlin, who knows he invaded Georgia Southern turf to lure the quick, defensive-minded guard.

GSU coach Mark Byington admits the Eagles recruited Wright hard. After Thursday’s game, Byington sought out Wright to catch up.

“Obviously, players like him we’d like to keep here, but he fell into a good fit with Lafayette,” Byington said.

Wright said he wasn’t worried about leaving the comforts of home. And Marlin’s recruiting of Wright came from a tip in Wyoming.

With a strong returning group, Marlin was looking for a junior college point guard to replace Elfrid Payton, the Cajuns’ outstanding floor leader who was a a first-round draft choice of the Philadelphia 76ers in 2014.

Payton, who left Lafayette after his junior year, is now a starter with the Orlando Magic.

“We knew we were going to lose Elfrid to the draft, so I was looking for the best junior college point guard available,” Marlin said. “A coach in Wyoming, Pat Rafferty (at Central Wyoming College), said he really liked (Wright’s skills) and that he thought he could play at a higher level than the Sun Belt.”

Along with conference schools Georgia Southern and South Alabama, Wright had other offers, including Ole Miss, Marlin said.

“It was never about location,” said Wright, who is majoring in sports management. “I just felt Lafayette was a better situation.”

And Wright, who earned third-team All-Sun Belt honors, fit in well. He won the starting point guard job last season and averaged 9.1 points and 3.6 assists a game while helping the team win 22 games.

Wright drilled a 3-pointer with nine-tenths of a second left to defeat Sam Houston State 71-70 in the second round of the CollegeInsider.com Tournament.

But Wright’s forte is defense. Last season, he was a finalist for the Lefty Driesell Award, given by CollegeInsider.com for the nation’s top defensive player.

Wright said the virtues of defense were honed at Effingham County.

“It affects the game a lot,” Wright said. “Stopping (the opposing point guard) helps you win games.”

And if Wright needs extra motivation, he has his former Effingham teammate, Jakeenan Gant, on speed dial. Gant is now playing at the University of Missouri.

“We talk all the time,” Wright said. “He’s like a brother to me.”

Adopt us: Effingham animal shelter

Hero is a shy boxer bulldog mix that’s available for adoption from the Effingham County animal shelter.

The leash-trained, neutered dog is 3 years old. “He’s terrified here,” said shelter Director Lorna Shelton. “If somebody would just give him a chance, they’d have a wonderful dog.”

Shelton said a child age 10 or older would find him to be a great friend. “He loves to be loved on,” she said.

Also up for adoption this week are three kittens that are 8 weeks old. Mona, Lisa and Picasso are Siamese mixes.

“They’re typical kittens,” Shelton said. “They’re playful and energetic.”

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....

Members of Springfield’s city council are considering creating a downtown development authority to oversee revitalization efforts.

Mayor Barty Alderman said the members of the authority’s board can either live in the city or operate a business in the city and live in Effingham County.

Council members discussed creating a downtown development authority (DDA) at their Jan. 12 meeting.

They asked City Manager Brett Bennett to return at a future meeting with suggestions for the geographic area the authority would cover.

Alderman said the DDA would be able to sell or lease a piece of property for a specific use. Without an authority, the city would have to surplus a property and sell it to the highest bidder, who might not use it for the purpose the city prefers.

The DDA would not have taxing authority, Alderman said. “If they want money, they’d have to work in partnership with us,” he said. “They’re allowed to do some of the work and we’re not.”

Bennett said he hopes the council will make a decision about the DDA in February or March.

Also at the Jan. 12 city council meeting, Gary Weitman and Justin Cribbs took the oath of office. They were re-elected without opposition.

Steve Shealy, who also was re-elected without opposition, will be sworn in at the February meeting.

Kenny Usher was appointed as mayor pro tem.

Jeff Lariscy was sworn in as the mayor of Guyton at the city council’s Jan. 12 meeting.

Lariscy replaces Michael Garvin, who was honored with a plaque and resolution for serving as mayor for 10 years.

Steve Collins also took the oath of office and replaces Lariscy’s wife, Kelli Lariscy, who was appointed to fill the seat of council member Les Pevey after his resignation last year.

“I am looking forward to working with council as well as city employees and volunteers to try to make improvements in any area that we can,” Lariscy said. “I have had some very good conversations with Mr. Collins and he is very knowledgeable and interested; I think he will be an asset to council as we look at projects involving infrastructure within the city.”

Also at the Jan. 12 meeting, Franklin Goldwire was elected to serve as mayor pro tem.

The council also agreed to make the position of fire chief a full-time position.

Click here for a slideshow of photos from the Unity Breakfast and parade held in Springfield.

The Tuckasee King Boat Ramp is scheduled to reopen Tuesday afternoon, Sgt. Don White with the Effingham County Sheriff’s office said. The river has dropped below flood levels but the ramp will be subject to closure if it begins to rise again. Water levels will be closely monitored to ensure the safety of boaters using the ramp.

The decision was made this morning by Effingham County Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie, Georgia DNR and the acting Effingham EMA Director.

FONU2 Inc., which operates Moon River Studios in Effingham County, announced today that it has signed agreements to finance and produce the motion picture film “Mara.”

Moon River agreed in October to downsize its massive studio plans from 1,560 acres to 51 acres on property the county’s Industrial Development Authority (IDA) owns on Old River Road at Interstate 16, but the documents making that change have not yet been signed.

Meanwhile, the company said in a Dec. 30 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that its annual report for the year ended Sept. 30 will be delayed because it doesn’t have money to pay auditors.

When the new agreement is signed with the IDA, Moon River will go to a yearly lease agreement for the property and will have to come up with a lease payment of approximately $55,000.

FONU2 said in a news release today that the movie will be co-produced with Myles Nestel and Craig Chapman of The Solution Entertainment Group LLC, Scott Mann and James Edward Barker of Mann Made Films Ltd., Steven Schneider and Wendy Rhoads.

The Solution Entertainment Group will be managing all international sales for the film, the release said.

Moon River will invest $800,000 as equity in the film, which will be shot and produced entirely on location in coastal Georgia, the company said.

The Moon River financing is being provided by a private equity firm based in New York, and is collateralized by the project, with no stock conversion features. “The balance of the approximate $2.5 million film budget will be financed through a combination of foreign sales and tax credits,” the release said.

The film was introduced by Grodnik/Aloe Productions. It is based on a medical condition called “sleep paralysis,” when a person feels the presence of a supernatural malevolent being that immobilizes him.