Friday, November 20, 2015
Beginning next week, the City is offering 3 hours of free parking in any City-owned garage, making it easier than ever to park and shop in Downtown Savannah this holiday season.
From Thanksgiving till the end of December, the first three hours of parking are free in all City parking garages every Thursday and Friday. Regular rates apply after the first 3 hours.
Free parking is not offered during designated special event parking.
"With more than 3,000 spaces in the City’s five conveniently-located garages, there is almost always parking available just a few steps from of one of the most unique shopping districts in the Southeast," says Saja Aures with the City of Savannah Public Information Office.
Visit www.savannahga.gov/parking to view a map of garage locations, check rates, and see hours of operation.
The five City parking garages are:
- Bryan St. Garage, 100 E. Bryan St., (912) 651-6477
- Liberty St. Garage, 301 W. Liberty St., (912) 644-5934
- Robinson Garage, 132 Montgomery St., (912) 651-6478
- State St. Garage, 100 E. State St., (912) 651-6473
- Whitaker St Garage, 7 Whitaker St., (912) 525-2820
From Thanksgiving till the end of December, the first three hours of parking are free in all City parking garages every Thursday and Friday. Regular rates apply after the first 3 hours.
Free parking is not offered during designated special event parking.
"With more than 3,000 spaces in the City’s five conveniently-located garages, there is almost always parking available just a few steps from of one of the most unique shopping districts in the Southeast," says Saja Aures with the City of Savannah Public Information Office.
Visit www.savannahga.gov/parking to view a map of garage locations, check rates, and see hours of operation.
The five City parking garages are:
- Bryan St. Garage, 100 E. Bryan St., (912) 651-6477
- Liberty St. Garage, 301 W. Liberty St., (912) 644-5934
- Robinson Garage, 132 Montgomery St., (912) 651-6478
- State St. Garage, 100 E. State St., (912) 651-6473
- Whitaker St Garage, 7 Whitaker St., (912) 525-2820
Starting today, citizens residing within the boundaries of Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department’s Islands Precinct will be the first beneficiaries of the Metro’s “Target Hardening” campaign to combat property theft.
"Islands Precinct patrol officers are advising citizens of ways to secure unattended property left in plain sight by distributing 'Target Hardening' forms," says Eunicia Baker, public relations coordinator at the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department.
"The forms are divided into two categories: easy target and harder target. Practices causing citizen’s property to be easily targeted by thieves are identified on the forms, along with tips for reducing the odds of victimization."
The forms are then left in inconspicuous locations for the property owner’s review. Likewise, forms will be left to commend citizens taking necessary steps to make their property harder targets for thieves.
Records of all “Target Hardening” form distributions will be maintained for officers to analyze property security trends. Police resources will be allocated accordingly.
Metro’s Forensics and Islands Precinct Crime Prevention units partnered in developing this initiative.
“The forms will be distributed when deemed appropriate by officers patrolling from their vehicles and on foot,” said APO Hillary Nielsen, Islands Precinct Crime Prevention Officer. “This will help us identify property security needs and educate citizens on ways to pose a greater challenge to thieves.”
From Nov. 17, 2014 through the same date in 2015, SCMPD experienced nearly a 9% increase in property crime reports. The goal is to launch the “Target Hardening” initiative in all SCMPD precincts in 2016 to promote a reduction in property crime throughout the jurisdiction.
"Islands Precinct patrol officers are advising citizens of ways to secure unattended property left in plain sight by distributing 'Target Hardening' forms," says Eunicia Baker, public relations coordinator at the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department.
"The forms are divided into two categories: easy target and harder target. Practices causing citizen’s property to be easily targeted by thieves are identified on the forms, along with tips for reducing the odds of victimization."
The forms are then left in inconspicuous locations for the property owner’s review. Likewise, forms will be left to commend citizens taking necessary steps to make their property harder targets for thieves.
Records of all “Target Hardening” form distributions will be maintained for officers to analyze property security trends. Police resources will be allocated accordingly.
Metro’s Forensics and Islands Precinct Crime Prevention units partnered in developing this initiative.
“The forms will be distributed when deemed appropriate by officers patrolling from their vehicles and on foot,” said APO Hillary Nielsen, Islands Precinct Crime Prevention Officer. “This will help us identify property security needs and educate citizens on ways to pose a greater challenge to thieves.”
From Nov. 17, 2014 through the same date in 2015, SCMPD experienced nearly a 9% increase in property crime reports. The goal is to launch the “Target Hardening” initiative in all SCMPD precincts in 2016 to promote a reduction in property crime throughout the jurisdiction.
Roger Moss and the Savannah Children’s Choir are set to make an appearance with Santa this year as the Grand Marshals of the Savannah Waterfront Association’s Lighted Christmas Parade.
"Roger Moss is an accomplished performer and community leader and is also the co-founder and Director of Development for the Savannah Children’s Choir," says Leigh Anne DiVito, public relations manager for the Savannah Waterfront Association.
"The choral organization is a community supported non-profit whose mission is to unite, mentor and transform Savannah’s children into responsible, creative, and confident leaders through excellence in choral performance and music education," DiVito adds.
“Each year the Savannah Waterfront staff and Board of Directors selects a community leader or group to serve as our grand marshal for our Lighted Christmas Parade. Since this marks the 10th anniversary of the Savannah Children’s Choir, we couldn’t think of a better or more festive group than this to kick off the holidays and parade with,” says Carrie Bligh, Executive Director for the Savannah Waterfront Association.
“I am, along with the children of the Savannah Children's Choir, are thrilled to be Grand Marshals this year,” says Moss. “For 10 years the Savannah Children's Choir has represented Savannah regionally, nationally and internationally garnering praise and awards."
The annual Lighted Christmas Parade is part of the Savannah Waterfront Association’s Christmas on the River festival which features a full schedule of local performances and arts and crafts vendors throughout the weekend.
The holiday celebration will kick off on Friday, December 4th from 4-10pm with First Friday Fireworks presented by Wet Willies at 9:30pm. The festivities will continue on Saturday December 5th from 10am-8pm with the annual parade starting at 5:30pm.
The lighted parade will begin on the west end of River Street and travel throughout downtown, ending in City Market.
This year’s parade will have over 40 community groups and businesses with multiple units of decorated cars, trucks, floats, and trolleys. Even the walking groups are wrapped in Christmas lights.
"Roger Moss is an accomplished performer and community leader and is also the co-founder and Director of Development for the Savannah Children’s Choir," says Leigh Anne DiVito, public relations manager for the Savannah Waterfront Association.
"The choral organization is a community supported non-profit whose mission is to unite, mentor and transform Savannah’s children into responsible, creative, and confident leaders through excellence in choral performance and music education," DiVito adds.
“Each year the Savannah Waterfront staff and Board of Directors selects a community leader or group to serve as our grand marshal for our Lighted Christmas Parade. Since this marks the 10th anniversary of the Savannah Children’s Choir, we couldn’t think of a better or more festive group than this to kick off the holidays and parade with,” says Carrie Bligh, Executive Director for the Savannah Waterfront Association.
“I am, along with the children of the Savannah Children's Choir, are thrilled to be Grand Marshals this year,” says Moss. “For 10 years the Savannah Children's Choir has represented Savannah regionally, nationally and internationally garnering praise and awards."
The annual Lighted Christmas Parade is part of the Savannah Waterfront Association’s Christmas on the River festival which features a full schedule of local performances and arts and crafts vendors throughout the weekend.
The holiday celebration will kick off on Friday, December 4th from 4-10pm with First Friday Fireworks presented by Wet Willies at 9:30pm. The festivities will continue on Saturday December 5th from 10am-8pm with the annual parade starting at 5:30pm.
The lighted parade will begin on the west end of River Street and travel throughout downtown, ending in City Market.
This year’s parade will have over 40 community groups and businesses with multiple units of decorated cars, trucks, floats, and trolleys. Even the walking groups are wrapped in Christmas lights.
Fort Pulaski will once again commemorate the Confederate Nog Party of 1861 on Friday, December 18, 2015 and Saturday, December 19, 2015.
The long lived Savannah tradition will continue this year with night-time tours of the fort by candlelight and oil lamps.
"The original party, held during Christmas 1861, gave the Confederate garrison at Fort Pulaski a respite from the tension of impending battle," says Joel Cadoff, park ranger at Fort Pulaski. "The fort casemates, armed with cannon, were decorated with holiday garlands and as one soldier commented, tables groaned under the weight of fine delicacies sent down from the city.
"With song and good cheer, the men celebrated a light-hearted moment as the dark clouds of war gathered over Savannah."
Visitors will have the unique experience of a guided tour of the fort by candlelight. Hot cider and cookies, caroling, and night-time weapons firings will allow visitors to re-live the festive occasion.
The long lived Savannah tradition will continue this year with night-time tours of the fort by candlelight and oil lamps.
"The original party, held during Christmas 1861, gave the Confederate garrison at Fort Pulaski a respite from the tension of impending battle," says Joel Cadoff, park ranger at Fort Pulaski. "The fort casemates, armed with cannon, were decorated with holiday garlands and as one soldier commented, tables groaned under the weight of fine delicacies sent down from the city.
"With song and good cheer, the men celebrated a light-hearted moment as the dark clouds of war gathered over Savannah."
Visitors will have the unique experience of a guided tour of the fort by candlelight. Hot cider and cookies, caroling, and night-time weapons firings will allow visitors to re-live the festive occasion.
Thursday, November 19, 2015
The campaign of Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders announces campaign stops in Georgia and South Carolina this weekend.
On Sunday, November 22, Sanders speaks at 6 p.m. at Savannah Station, 601 Cohen St. Doors open at 5 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required, but an RSVP is strongly encouraged, click here. Admission is first come, first served.
Earlier the same day at 3 p.m. Sanders speaks at Darrah Hall, Penn Center, 16 Penn Center Circle West, St. Helena, SC. Doors open at 2 p.m. First come, first served.
On Sunday, November 22, Sanders speaks at 6 p.m. at Savannah Station, 601 Cohen St. Doors open at 5 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required, but an RSVP is strongly encouraged, click here. Admission is first come, first served.
Earlier the same day at 3 p.m. Sanders speaks at Darrah Hall, Penn Center, 16 Penn Center Circle West, St. Helena, SC. Doors open at 2 p.m. First come, first served.
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
The Chatham County Board of Elections and Secretary of State Brian Kemp say they are working together to increase monitoring and ensure compliance during the upcoming December 1st runoff elections for the City of Savannah.
"The Board of Elections is taking additional steps and is committed to continuing to make certain that elections are honestly, efficiently and uniformly conducted in compliance with state and federal law," a spokesperson says.
The efforts come with photographed evidence of campaign workers handing out so-called "Sample Ballots," marked with only names of incumbents, within the legal 150-foot restriction area around polling places.
"While carefully observing campaigners’ fundamental free speech rights, the Board of Elections will insist upon compliance with the 150-foot restriction. If anyone refuses to comply, the Board of Elections will call law enforcement. Campaigning within 150 feet of a polling place is a misdemeanor punishable under Georgia law," the spokesperson says.
The Board of Elections has highlighted this concern to poll managers. "We are asking the candidates to make sure to highlight this concern to their campaign workers as well. Additional efforts are being made to assist poll managers in identifying and enforcing these boundaries and information will be readily available to the campaigns and others advising of the boundaries that will be enforced," the spokesperson says.
"The Board of Elections is taking additional steps and is committed to continuing to make certain that elections are honestly, efficiently and uniformly conducted in compliance with state and federal law," a spokesperson says.
The efforts come with photographed evidence of campaign workers handing out so-called "Sample Ballots," marked with only names of incumbents, within the legal 150-foot restriction area around polling places.
"While carefully observing campaigners’ fundamental free speech rights, the Board of Elections will insist upon compliance with the 150-foot restriction. If anyone refuses to comply, the Board of Elections will call law enforcement. Campaigning within 150 feet of a polling place is a misdemeanor punishable under Georgia law," the spokesperson says.
The Board of Elections has highlighted this concern to poll managers. "We are asking the candidates to make sure to highlight this concern to their campaign workers as well. Additional efforts are being made to assist poll managers in identifying and enforcing these boundaries and information will be readily available to the campaigns and others advising of the boundaries that will be enforced," the spokesperson says.
City Manager Stephanie Cutter on Wednesday "proposed to City Council a $364 million 2016 Budget that enhances public safety and road maintenance while remaining fully balanced and structurally sound without a property tax increase," a City spokesman says.
The budget overview came during the first day of City Council’s two-day Budget Retreat at the New Ebenezer Retreat Center in Effingham County.
Among the highlights of the proposed budget, according to the spokesman:
· $364 million consolidated 2016 Budget is "fully balanced"
· 15 new police officer positions "to combat street-level drug activity."
· 15 new firefighter positions
· Full-year funding of public safety salary increases
· No property tax rate increase, "maintaining the lowest millage rate (12.48 mills) in the City of Savannah since 1987."
· 2 new positions to enhance street sweeping
· New equipment to "enhance pothole repair services."
· Funding for new "Ambassador Program to enhance public safety, maintenance and visitor services downtown."
· $82 million capital spending plan. Projects expected to begin in 2016 include:
New Cultural Arts Center
New Arena and Canal District development
Waters Avenue streetscape redevelopment
Major streetscape enhancements on Broughton, River, Bay streets
New Center for Family Resources and Services on Pennsylvania Avenue
Habersham Village drainage improvements
Development of former Coastal Empire Fairgrounds into mixed-use housing, neighborhood retail and regional recreation complex
New Coffee Bluff Road sidewalks and enhancements to Joseph Tribble Park.
“The City of Savannah has a lot to be proud of,” City Manager Stephanie Cutter said. “We are making all of these improvements, and we are doing it without raising the property tax rate, which is impressive.”
The budget is balanced with an expected:
· 1.2 percent increase ($811,680) in property tax revenue
· 2.7 percent increase ($1,016,540) in sales tax revenue
· 4.8 percent increase ($450,000) in hotel/motel tax revenue
· $2.3 million decrease in reimbursements from Chatham County for Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department costs "due to a renegotiated intergovernmental agreement."
The proposed budget can be viewed online at www.savannahga.gov/budget, or in-person at the Clerk of Council’s Office in City Hall or at the Bull Street Library.
Public hearings on the 2016 Proposed Budget will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, and 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, in Council Chambers in City Hall. The budget is scheduled for adoption Dec. 10.
The budget overview came during the first day of City Council’s two-day Budget Retreat at the New Ebenezer Retreat Center in Effingham County.
Among the highlights of the proposed budget, according to the spokesman:
· $364 million consolidated 2016 Budget is "fully balanced"
· 15 new police officer positions "to combat street-level drug activity."
· 15 new firefighter positions
· Full-year funding of public safety salary increases
· No property tax rate increase, "maintaining the lowest millage rate (12.48 mills) in the City of Savannah since 1987."
· 2 new positions to enhance street sweeping
· New equipment to "enhance pothole repair services."
· Funding for new "Ambassador Program to enhance public safety, maintenance and visitor services downtown."
· $82 million capital spending plan. Projects expected to begin in 2016 include:
New Cultural Arts Center
New Arena and Canal District development
Waters Avenue streetscape redevelopment
Major streetscape enhancements on Broughton, River, Bay streets
New Center for Family Resources and Services on Pennsylvania Avenue
Habersham Village drainage improvements
Development of former Coastal Empire Fairgrounds into mixed-use housing, neighborhood retail and regional recreation complex
New Coffee Bluff Road sidewalks and enhancements to Joseph Tribble Park.
“The City of Savannah has a lot to be proud of,” City Manager Stephanie Cutter said. “We are making all of these improvements, and we are doing it without raising the property tax rate, which is impressive.”
The budget is balanced with an expected:
· 1.2 percent increase ($811,680) in property tax revenue
· 2.7 percent increase ($1,016,540) in sales tax revenue
· 4.8 percent increase ($450,000) in hotel/motel tax revenue
· $2.3 million decrease in reimbursements from Chatham County for Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department costs "due to a renegotiated intergovernmental agreement."
The proposed budget can be viewed online at www.savannahga.gov/budget, or in-person at the Clerk of Council’s Office in City Hall or at the Bull Street Library.
Public hearings on the 2016 Proposed Budget will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, and 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, in Council Chambers in City Hall. The budget is scheduled for adoption Dec. 10.
Monday, November 16, 2015
Police have initiated a death investigation "after the body of an unidentified adult female was found inside of a residence near Mad Turkey Crossing and Romerly Road on Friday," police say.
"At about 1:15 p.m. Metro officers discovered the body during a welfare check at the residence. The Georgia Bureau of Investigations Crime Lab will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death."
Metro’s Violent Crimes detectives, patrol officers, Forensics Unit and Animal Control responded to the scene. The Chatham County Coroner also responded.
"At about 1:15 p.m. Metro officers discovered the body during a welfare check at the residence. The Georgia Bureau of Investigations Crime Lab will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death."
Metro’s Violent Crimes detectives, patrol officers, Forensics Unit and Animal Control responded to the scene. The Chatham County Coroner also responded.
Sunday, November 15, 2015
Violent Crimes detectives are investigating a homicide at West 45th and Montgomery streets.
"The shooting occurred approximately 2:30 a.m. on Saturday. Emanuel Simmons, 31, was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. The investigation is ongoing," police say.
"The shooting occurred approximately 2:30 a.m. on Saturday. Emanuel Simmons, 31, was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. The investigation is ongoing," police say.
Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department’s Violent Crimes detectives are investigating a fatal Saturday morning shooting on 57th and Montgomery streets.
"At about 12:58 a.m. Metro responded to Candler Hospital, where Robert Brown, 18, arrived in a privately owned vehicle seeking care of a gunshot wound. Brown succumbed to his injuries," police say.
"Detectives are now looking for a white Chevrolet Camaro. Circumstance leading up to this shooting remain under investigation."
"At about 12:58 a.m. Metro responded to Candler Hospital, where Robert Brown, 18, arrived in a privately owned vehicle seeking care of a gunshot wound. Brown succumbed to his injuries," police say.
"Detectives are now looking for a white Chevrolet Camaro. Circumstance leading up to this shooting remain under investigation."
