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Participants riding a car, a bike and a bus will compete for the title of fastest commute downtown during the 7th Annual Dump the Pump Challenge.

It happens Thursday, June 19, and competitors are expected to cross the finish line shortly after 8:15 a.m.

Race departs 12 Oaks Shopping Center with the arrival of the Abercorn 14 bus, scheduled for 8 a.m. Finish line is at Savannah City Hall on Bay Street.

Mayor Edna Jackson will be at the finish line, where she will award the winner with the Dump the Pump Challenge Medal.

Attempting to defend the title and representing cyclists will be Savannah Bicycle Campaign member Jen Colestock, last year’s champion. Chatham Area Transit Chief Development Officer Ramond Robinson will ride the bus.

And City of Savannah Public Information Director Bret Bell, a regular car commuter, will drive the car.

The bicyclist has been the first to make it from midtown to City Hall each of the past six competitions, though the margin of victory has been razor thin — generally just a few minutes separates 1st from 3rd Place.

The competitors must follow all traffic laws. The bus rider gets off at the nearest bus stop to City Hall, while the car driver must park in the nearest garage.

"The Dump the Pump commuter challenge is a fun way to encourage Savannahians to explore their transportation options and remind them that traveling by car isn't always the fastest way to go,” said John Bennett, Executive Director Savannah Bicycle Campaign. “Bicycling and transit are viable alternatives for many people and we hope this event will increase interest in affordable and healthy transportation."

National Dump the Pump Day is an annual event that promotes alternative forms of commuting that are cheaper and cleaner for the environment. The City of Savannah, CAT and the Savannah Bicycle Campaign have organized Savannah’s Dump the Pump Challenge since 2008.

Armstrong Atlantic State University’s latest Coastal Empire Economic Monitor reports the Savannah-area economy "expanded rapidly during the first quarter of 2014 and should continue to experience strong growth throughout the year," said a university spokesperson.

The Economic Monitor, which analyzes data and identifies trends affecting the regional economy, reports across-the-board growth in all eight indicators tracked to assess the current state of the economy.

“Savannah’s economy has been strengthening and should continue to do so for the rest of the year,” said Michael Toma, Fuller E. Callaway Professor of Economics and the Director of Armstrong’s Center for Regional Analysis (CRA). “In the first quarter of 2014, a significant improvement in the housing market was coupled by notable uptick in the labor market. In addition, we’re seeing the fastest nine-month pace of economic growth recorded since 2006.”

In the first quarter of 2014, the coincident index pushed above the pre-recession peak of 2007, while the forecasting index increased.

"The combined message from both indices is that Savannah’s economy is growing in a healthy and sustainable manner," said a CRA spokesperson.

For the previous three quarters, the leading index has increased at an average annualized pace of 12 percent, the fastest consistent nine-month period of gains since late 2009, when the economy was emerging from recession. In addition, the local leading economic index continued its surge through the first quarter of 2014, extending its period of rapid growth to three consecutive quarters.

Other highlights include:

· The regional coincident economic index surged 1.4 percent to 164.0. This marks an annualized pace of 5.7 percent and comes on the heels of the rapid 4.4 percent growth at the end of 2013.

· Seasonally adjusted employment in the three-county metro area averaged 163,700 during the quarter, eclipsing the pre-recession high by 1,000 jobs. Large quarterly gains occurred in professional/business services, leisure/hospitality and transportation/utilities.

· Private sector employment continued to surge, increasing by 2,500 jobs during the quarter, even as government employment stagnated, losing 300 jobs. Since 2010, the number of private sector jobs increased by 13 percent (+14,100 jobs), while the number of government jobs fell by about 4 percent (-800 jobs).

· The regional tourism industry continues to fare well in 2014. Hotel and motel room receipts are 7.4 percent ahead of previous year data through the first quarter. Employment in the leisure/hospitality sector increased by 800 to an all-time high of 24,100 jobs.

· The seasonally adjusted number of new residential homes permitted for construction dipped to 324 from 337, a 3.4 percent decline. The average value of a building permit issued for a single family home increased two percent, rising to $210,300 from $206,500.

· In the labor market, seasonally adjusted initial claims for unemployment insurance fell about 10 percent to 888 claims per month during the quarter, marking the slowest pace of new claims in nearly six years.

The Coastal Empire Economic Monitor presents quarterly economic trends and short-term economic forecasts for Savannah’s Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). The report measures the local economy based on analysis of economic data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, the City of Savannah, Georgia Power and the three counties in the MSA—Chatham, Bryan and Effingham.

The report presents a short-term forecast of the region’s economic activity in the next six to nine months and is available free by email. To subscribe, email [email protected].

Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police are investigating a shooting in Daffin Park Monday night that left a Savannah man with non-life threatening injuries.

Dion Lamont Folston Sr., 38, was transported to Memorial University Medical Center after the 8 p.m. shooting "that followed a confrontation with other males," said a SCMPD spokesperson.

Detectives continue to investigate. Anyone with info is asked to call Crimestoppers at (912) 234-2020 or text CRIMES (274637) using the keyword CSTOP2020. Tipsters remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.

A 12-year-old boy was seriously injured after riding a motorized scooter into the side of a car in east Savannah Monday afternoon.

"The youth was riding the Piaggio Vespa on Collins Street without a helmet when he disregarded a stop sign and crashed into the side of a Nissan Altima traveling north on Live Oak Street," say police.

He was transported to Memorial University Medical Center. Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) officers of the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department continue to investigate the accident.

Murder charges were added to others filed against a Savannah man after a shooting in West Savannah Wednesday afternoon.

Michael Jerome Allen, 52, was declared dead Friday at Memorial University Medical Center after the 2:08 p.m. shooting in a parking lot at East Lathrop and Damon streets.

Phell “Lucky” Hudson, 54, of a Buckhalter Road address, had been charged with aggravated assault after he was detained by West Chatham precinct patrol officers shortly after the incident. He was stopped in a car matching the description of the one described by witnesses leaving the scene.

The Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah will be accepting applications through Wednesday, June 18 until 4:30 p.m. for appointment to the Savannah/Chatham County Historic Sites and Monuments Commission.

They're looking for two volunteers appointed to overlapping five year terms by City Council. No term limits. Must be a citizen of Chatham County. Recommends plan and cost estimates for the erection of any monuments or substantial restoration of same in the City or County.

Applications can be found at www.savannahga.gov/boards.

No application accepted after 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 18.

Upon completion of the appointment process by the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah, all applicants and appointees will be notified.

For further information, contact the Office of the Clerk of Council. Telephone 651-6441, Fax 651-4260 or Email — [email protected].

The National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) itoday endorsed Jack Kingston for the July 22 Republican U.S. Senate primary runoff in Georgia.

"Jack is a critical ally of the NRA in protecting our Second Amendment freedoms," said Chris W. Cox, chairman of the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund. "In Congress, Jack prevented taxpayer funds from being abused to promote gun control and for other political purposes. Jack's exceptional leadership on behalf of law-abiding gun owners has earned him an 'A+' rating from the NRA."

An “A+” is reserved for legislators with not only "excellent voting records on all critical NRA issues, but who have also made a vigorous effort to promote and defend the Second Amendment," a spokesman says.

In Congress, Kingston voted for the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, to ensure that law-abiding Americans are able to carry a concealed firearm in any other state that does not prohibit concealed carry; voted for The Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, which prevents the American gun industry from being sued into bankruptcy through bogus lawsuits; and signed the pro-gun congressional “friend of the court” briefs in the landmark Heller and McDonald cases.

Applications for the 2014-2015 Leadership Savannah Class are currently being accepted. The deadline to submit an application for the one-year class has changed from Friday, June 13 to Friday, June 27.

Leadership Savannah "seeks to inspire individual leadership growth by providing learning experiences that lead to a better understanding of our community and preparation for meeting community challenges of the present and future."

The 2014-2015 class will be limited to 42 people. The selections committee is seeking representation from a cross-section of the community. These leaders and potential leaders will be active in business, education, the arts, religion, government, community-based organizations and ethnic and minority groups and will reflect the diversity of the community. Applicants must have the full support of their organization or corporation they represent.

Sessions are expected to begin in September 2014 and conclude in June 2015. Applicants will be expected to attend all of the sessions in order to graduate. All applicants must go through selections and full program fees will be $2,500, with a limited number of $1,000 scholarships available based on need.

To apply go to www.leadershipsavannah.org and click on the Apply. or more information contact Margaret Mary Russell at [email protected] or call 912.644.6432.

The Savannah Downtown Neighborhood Association will host the inaugural Artists & Artisan Tour on Thursday, June 26, 2014 from 6 — 8:30 p.m.

"The Artists and Artisan Tour is similar to a progressive dinner; neighbors and friends will move from historic home to home to enjoy wine, appetizers and art," says a spokesperson.

The Artists & Artisan Tour's mission is to raise funds for downtown Savannah public safety initiatives. "Led by the Downtown Neighborhood Association, the goal is to allocate funds toward new lighting, security cameras, increased foot patrol and the Neighborhood Crime Watch."

The Tour features three historic homes along Gaston Street as well as the Savannah Law School, where the Tour will begin and end.

Through a partnership with ARC (Savannah Artists Resource Collective), a group of Savannah artists will display and sell work, including: Dan Kaufman, Michael W. Ellison, Heather MacRae-Trulson, Adam Winnie, William Armstrong, Melinda Borysevicz, Jerome Meadows, Abby Leigh Johnson, Angela K. Coonce, Judy Mooney, Tracy Concha, Dicky Stone, Meryl Truett, Fran Thomas, Jeanne Elizabeth Svendson, Juliana Peloso, Kelley Hagemes, Jill Brougher, W. Gerome Temple, Daniel E. Smith.

Attendees may park and pick up tickets at the Savannah Law School. Wine provided by Habersham Beverage and food by Local 11ten Food & Wine, Leoci’s Trattoria, Ruan Thai and Jepson Café. The Tour will culminate with an after-party at the Savannah Law School featuring live music and a dessert surprise.

Tickets are $60 per person and may be purchased online at www.SavannahDNA.org/artists. Advance ticket purchase is suggested, as a limited number are available. Attendees may pick up tickets at the Savannah Law School beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 26.

The event is presented by the Savannah Downtown Neighborhood Association in partnership with Georgia Power and is sponsored by Judge Realty.

Kevin James, star of the long-running TV series The King of Queens, will bring his standup comedy to the Johnny Mercer Theatre Oct. 7.

James, whose hit films include Paul Blart: Mall Cop and Zookeeper, will be touring at the same time his latest movie, Here Comes the Broom, hits theaters.

Ticket information has not been announced.