Tuesday, September 12, 2017
Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department's officers arrested a man after he attempted to burglarize a home in the 1200 block of Seiler Avenue on September 12.
"Around 12:10 a.m., officers received an alarm call at the residence. They quickly responded to the area and caught John Newton, 32, burglarizing the home. Newton was in the process of moving items out of the home and piling them up at the door," police say.
Newton was quickly arrested. He was charged with burglary, possession of a knife during the commission of a crime, and numerous other offenses.
"Around 12:10 a.m., officers received an alarm call at the residence. They quickly responded to the area and caught John Newton, 32, burglarizing the home. Newton was in the process of moving items out of the home and piling them up at the door," police say.
Newton was quickly arrested. He was charged with burglary, possession of a knife during the commission of a crime, and numerous other offenses.
Monday, September 11, 2017
Significant flooding from Hurricane Irma, coinciding with high tide, has hit parts of Chatham County, mostly on the county's eastside.
On Tybee Island, the ocean has breached portions of the beach access and some buildings are heavily flooded.
Portions of Wilmington Island have seen significant floodwater encroachment.
The Savannah River has overtopped the River Street seawall and portions of the historic cobblestones are completely underwater.
Highway 80 is shut down this afternoon from the now-closed Thunderbolt Bridge all the way to Tybee due to flooding.
A portion of East President Street is underwater.
Chatham Emergency Management Agency says most of the heaviest storm effects will be gone after 5 p.m. today, at which time they will conduct a damage assessment.
CEMA says they might consider reinstating the nighttime curfew if road conditions, power outages, and flooding remain significant.
CEMA says incidents of looting are "very low or not at all."
No residential water systems are known to have been compromised at this point.
On Tybee Island, the ocean has breached portions of the beach access and some buildings are heavily flooded.
Portions of Wilmington Island have seen significant floodwater encroachment.
The Savannah River has overtopped the River Street seawall and portions of the historic cobblestones are completely underwater.
Highway 80 is shut down this afternoon from the now-closed Thunderbolt Bridge all the way to Tybee due to flooding.
A portion of East President Street is underwater.
Chatham Emergency Management Agency says most of the heaviest storm effects will be gone after 5 p.m. today, at which time they will conduct a damage assessment.
CEMA says they might consider reinstating the nighttime curfew if road conditions, power outages, and flooding remain significant.
CEMA says incidents of looting are "very low or not at all."
No residential water systems are known to have been compromised at this point.
Chatham County is under a Tornado Warning until 10:45 a.m.
Georgia Power reports about 52,485 customers so far without power in the area.
Chatham Emergency Management Agency says it will conduct storm damage assessment after 5 p.m., when most of the heavy winds are expected to be out of the area. They will then determine a reentry protocol for evacuees.
Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools will be closed through Wednesday.
Georgia Power reports about 52,485 customers so far without power in the area.
Chatham Emergency Management Agency says it will conduct storm damage assessment after 5 p.m., when most of the heavy winds are expected to be out of the area. They will then determine a reentry protocol for evacuees.
Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools will be closed through Wednesday.
Saturday, September 9, 2017
Savannah/Hilton Head International is working with airline partners to identify flight cancellations at SAV and has confirmed that the last expected flight is JetBlue at 7:16 p.m EST this evening, Saturday. No flights are scheduled through Monday.
Airport parking is still available and will only be closed for the duration of the storm.
Customers who wish to return a rental car may utilize the drop boxes located at the rental car counters if an attendant is not on duty.
Up-to-date flight information can also be found on flySAV.com, airline websites, and social media pages. Follow on twitter @fly_SAV for the latest information concerning airport operations.
The public is urged not to call the airport but to contact the airlines directly for the most current flight information. Calls to the airport made during this time period will reach emergency operations personnel.
Airport parking is still available and will only be closed for the duration of the storm.
Customers who wish to return a rental car may utilize the drop boxes located at the rental car counters if an attendant is not on duty.
Up-to-date flight information can also be found on flySAV.com, airline websites, and social media pages. Follow on twitter @fly_SAV for the latest information concerning airport operations.
The public is urged not to call the airport but to contact the airlines directly for the most current flight information. Calls to the airport made during this time period will reach emergency operations personnel.
Thursday, September 7, 2017
Gov. Deal has issued a mandatory evacuation order for coastal Georgia areas east of I-95 effective at 8 a.m. Saturday.
The Georgia Dept. of Transportation will begin contra-flow of I-16, converting it to all westbound traffic, beginning at the same time.
Gov. Deal's original six-county emergency declaration has been expanded to 30 counties: Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Brantley, Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Echols, Effingham, Emanuel, Evans, Glynn, Jenkins, Jeff Davis, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, Pierce, Screven, Tattnall, Toombs, Treutlen, Wayne and Ware.
The Georgia Dept. of Transportation will begin contra-flow of I-16, converting it to all westbound traffic, beginning at the same time.
Gov. Deal's original six-county emergency declaration has been expanded to 30 counties: Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Brantley, Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Echols, Effingham, Emanuel, Evans, Glynn, Jenkins, Jeff Davis, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, Pierce, Screven, Tattnall, Toombs, Treutlen, Wayne and Ware.
All City of Savannah non-emergency customer services will close at 2 p.m. today through Tuesday, Sept. 12, to allow City staff to begin preparing for and recovering from Hurricane Irma. This includes:
· Sanitation services, including garbage collection and the landfill
· Development services, including permitting and inspections
· Business services, such as business tax certificates
· Community services, including community centers
· Utility services, including bill payment
All City garages will be closed, except for the State Street Garage, which will remain free and open to the public through the storm event.
Residents are asked to secure garbage and recycling carts prior to the approach of Hurricane Irma.
In addition the Chatham County Courthouse and the Juvenile Courthouse will be closed Sept. 8-Sept. 12, reopening Sept. 13.
· Sanitation services, including garbage collection and the landfill
· Development services, including permitting and inspections
· Business services, such as business tax certificates
· Community services, including community centers
· Utility services, including bill payment
All City garages will be closed, except for the State Street Garage, which will remain free and open to the public through the storm event.
Residents are asked to secure garbage and recycling carts prior to the approach of Hurricane Irma.
In addition the Chatham County Courthouse and the Juvenile Courthouse will be closed Sept. 8-Sept. 12, reopening Sept. 13.
There will be no school for students on Friday, September 8, "to allow our families time to make preparations for potentially dangerous conditions associated with Hurricane Irma as it moves up the coast," says an official statement from Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools.
"Essential District staff will report to work on Friday as notified by their Supervisor."
School will also be cancelled on Monday, September 11 and Tuesday, September 12. The return to school date is subject to change, the statement says. Official return to school notices will be communicated through the call notification system, district website, and social media channels on Facebook and Twitter.
"Essential District staff will report to work on Friday as notified by their Supervisor."
School will also be cancelled on Monday, September 11 and Tuesday, September 12. The return to school date is subject to change, the statement says. Official return to school notices will be communicated through the call notification system, district website, and social media channels on Facebook and Twitter.
Wednesday, September 6, 2017
Savannah-Chatham Public Schools say school is still in session on Thursday, and as of Wednesday night have made no call as to any further action in anticipation of Hurricane Irma's approach by Monday of next week.
"Thursday is a regular school day for Savannah-Chatham County Public School students," says an official statement. "District staff continue to monitor the progress of Hurricane Irma and will communicate any changes to the school schedule on SCCPSS.com and through parent call/email notification."
School Board President Jolene Byrne posted on Facebook shortly afterward that "Dr. Levett informed Board members today she would be making a decision tomorrow afternoon or evening. I realize many families are anxious to make plans now....Board policy allows up to five absences to be excused with a parental note, so if your family has special circumstances that require leaving early, I urge you not to wait."
Byrne concludes that, "Recognizing that District employees do not have the same freedom to evacuate right now, I have urged Dr. Levett to consider making a decision sooner rather than later, as we did in the case of Hurricane Matthew. Ultimately, however, the timing is up to her."
"Thursday is a regular school day for Savannah-Chatham County Public School students," says an official statement. "District staff continue to monitor the progress of Hurricane Irma and will communicate any changes to the school schedule on SCCPSS.com and through parent call/email notification."
School Board President Jolene Byrne posted on Facebook shortly afterward that "Dr. Levett informed Board members today she would be making a decision tomorrow afternoon or evening. I realize many families are anxious to make plans now....Board policy allows up to five absences to be excused with a parental note, so if your family has special circumstances that require leaving early, I urge you not to wait."
Byrne concludes that, "Recognizing that District employees do not have the same freedom to evacuate right now, I have urged Dr. Levett to consider making a decision sooner rather than later, as we did in the case of Hurricane Matthew. Ultimately, however, the timing is up to her."
As the local arts community mourns the recent passing of her husband, Francis Allen, Roots Up Gallery owner Leslie Lovell announces the gallery will move to the Design District later this month.
Lovell says, “Not to fear, this move will honor and ensure that Francis’ legacy in the Savannah arts community will be felt for years to come.”
Roots Up Gallery will be moving from its current location at 6 E Liberty Street across from The DeSoto to the Design District on Whitaker Street. The new location will be directly behind James Hogan and across Jones Lane from the Circa Lighting Annex.
The last day in its current location will be on September 16th, and the doors of the new location will open on Wednesday, September 27th.
Lovell says the new space, at 412-C Whitaker St., will provide easier street level access, a more open space to showcase artist’s work and exhibitions, and features a 40 foot long gallery wall that will be a focal point of the gallery.
Weather permitting, due to Hurricane Irma, Lovell says the gallery will have a moving sale in the current location September 13-16.
“I’m so excited for the new space,” says Lovell. “This location will allow us to showcase larger collections by our artists.” The gallery also plans to expand its offerings of Southern Folk Art, local artist, handmade jewelry and pottery, and other unique finds with increased product vignettes and exhibition schedules.
“We haven’t moved yet, and we’re planning our grand opening which we’ll be announcing later! We have several collections and exhibitions that we’ve not had space to present, and now we do!” adds Russell Kueker, gallery curator. “We would like to thank all of our artists and patrons for being a part of Roots Up Gallery here on Liberty Street for the past several years, and to many more at our new location.”
Weather permitting, Roots Up Gallery invites artists and friends of the gallery to a memorial service for Francis Allen, conducted by Father Michael Chaney, at 1 p.m. Sept. 9 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1802 Abercorn St. A reception and celebration of life will follow at The American Legion on Bull Street.
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Lovell says, “Not to fear, this move will honor and ensure that Francis’ legacy in the Savannah arts community will be felt for years to come.”
Roots Up Gallery will be moving from its current location at 6 E Liberty Street across from The DeSoto to the Design District on Whitaker Street. The new location will be directly behind James Hogan and across Jones Lane from the Circa Lighting Annex.
The last day in its current location will be on September 16th, and the doors of the new location will open on Wednesday, September 27th.
Lovell says the new space, at 412-C Whitaker St., will provide easier street level access, a more open space to showcase artist’s work and exhibitions, and features a 40 foot long gallery wall that will be a focal point of the gallery.
Weather permitting, due to Hurricane Irma, Lovell says the gallery will have a moving sale in the current location September 13-16.
“I’m so excited for the new space,” says Lovell. “This location will allow us to showcase larger collections by our artists.” The gallery also plans to expand its offerings of Southern Folk Art, local artist, handmade jewelry and pottery, and other unique finds with increased product vignettes and exhibition schedules.
“We haven’t moved yet, and we’re planning our grand opening which we’ll be announcing later! We have several collections and exhibitions that we’ve not had space to present, and now we do!” adds Russell Kueker, gallery curator. “We would like to thank all of our artists and patrons for being a part of Roots Up Gallery here on Liberty Street for the past several years, and to many more at our new location.”
Weather permitting, Roots Up Gallery invites artists and friends of the gallery to a memorial service for Francis Allen, conducted by Father Michael Chaney, at 1 p.m. Sept. 9 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1802 Abercorn St. A reception and celebration of life will follow at The American Legion on Bull Street.
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CEMA: Irma impact on Savannah could include Category 3 or 4 winds, possible storm surge over 10 feet
Chatham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA), in its initial Hurricane Irma press conference, says if the current forecast track remains accurate, the Savannah area should expect possible Category 3 or even Category 4 winds lasting 12-14 hours, with a high-tide storm surge between 10-15 feet, beginning at about 8 a.m. Monday.
Any evacuation order is likely to come either Friday or Saturday. After confusion during Hurricane Matthew, there will no longer be a "voluntary evacuation." There will only be two evacuation levels, General and Mandatory. The first is based on personal discretion, and the second is "by executive order."
All evacuation decisions will be made at the local level, specifically by Chatham County Commission Chairman Al Scott, as was the case last year.
CEMA says it is working harder to "be in lockstep" with the state of Georgia during this emergency. The agency came under criticism last year for appearing to be at odds with evacuation orders issues by Gov. Deal.
Any evacuation order is likely to come either Friday or Saturday. After confusion during Hurricane Matthew, there will no longer be a "voluntary evacuation." There will only be two evacuation levels, General and Mandatory. The first is based on personal discretion, and the second is "by executive order."
All evacuation decisions will be made at the local level, specifically by Chatham County Commission Chairman Al Scott, as was the case last year.
CEMA says it is working harder to "be in lockstep" with the state of Georgia during this emergency. The agency came under criticism last year for appearing to be at odds with evacuation orders issues by Gov. Deal.
