Thursday, April 11, 2019
"Three independent drug investigations conducted by the Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team (CNT) lead to search warrants resulting in large drug and money seizures," CNT reports.
Early Tuesday afternoon, April 9, CNT conducted a search warrant of a residence located in the 300 block of Woodley Road in Savannah.
"A search of the residence resulted in the seizure of a large amount of cocaine, marijuana, and items commonly associated with the distribution of controlled substances. A stolen firearm and nearly $20,000 were also seized," CNT reports.
CNT arrested 43-year-old Okemi “Kimmie” Lawton of Savannah. Lawton was charged with a slew of felony charges to include Trafficking Cocaine and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Lawton was on federal release at the time of his arrest and has a long criminal history to include a conviction for Voluntary Manslaughter in Chatham County.
In a separate drug investigation, CNT arrested 40-year-old Jennifer Schuman of Ellabell late Tuesday night at a hotel located within the city limits of Pooler.
"During a search of Schuman’s hotel room, a large amount of methamphetamine and items commonly associated with the distribution and use of controlled substances were located. Also seized were two BB handguns that resembled actual firearms. Schuman was wanted by CNT for Trafficking Methamphetamine at the time of her arrest. Schuman’s warrant was connected to CNT’s arrest of Jason Barker who was arrested by CNT on March 22. During that investigation, Barker was found to be in possession of a large amount of methamphetamine and cocaine," CNT reports.
In another separate investigation, CNT arrested 37-year-old Thomas “T.J.” Johnson of Savannah.
"During the early morning hours of Monday, April 8, CNT executed a search warrant at Johnson’s residence located in the 300 block of Noble Oaks Drive in Savannah. A search of Johnson’s residence resulted in a large seizure of marijuana, items commonly associated with the distribution of controlled substances, and more than $18,000," CNT says.
The three independent investigations lead to a combined drug seizure with an estimated street value of up to $227,000. Lawton and Schuman remain in the Chatham County Detention Center. Johnson is currently out on bond. All three investigations are ongoing and additional charges and arrests are possible.
Early Tuesday afternoon, April 9, CNT conducted a search warrant of a residence located in the 300 block of Woodley Road in Savannah.
"A search of the residence resulted in the seizure of a large amount of cocaine, marijuana, and items commonly associated with the distribution of controlled substances. A stolen firearm and nearly $20,000 were also seized," CNT reports.
CNT arrested 43-year-old Okemi “Kimmie” Lawton of Savannah. Lawton was charged with a slew of felony charges to include Trafficking Cocaine and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Lawton was on federal release at the time of his arrest and has a long criminal history to include a conviction for Voluntary Manslaughter in Chatham County.
In a separate drug investigation, CNT arrested 40-year-old Jennifer Schuman of Ellabell late Tuesday night at a hotel located within the city limits of Pooler.
"During a search of Schuman’s hotel room, a large amount of methamphetamine and items commonly associated with the distribution and use of controlled substances were located. Also seized were two BB handguns that resembled actual firearms. Schuman was wanted by CNT for Trafficking Methamphetamine at the time of her arrest. Schuman’s warrant was connected to CNT’s arrest of Jason Barker who was arrested by CNT on March 22. During that investigation, Barker was found to be in possession of a large amount of methamphetamine and cocaine," CNT reports.
In another separate investigation, CNT arrested 37-year-old Thomas “T.J.” Johnson of Savannah.
"During the early morning hours of Monday, April 8, CNT executed a search warrant at Johnson’s residence located in the 300 block of Noble Oaks Drive in Savannah. A search of Johnson’s residence resulted in a large seizure of marijuana, items commonly associated with the distribution of controlled substances, and more than $18,000," CNT says.
The three independent investigations lead to a combined drug seizure with an estimated street value of up to $227,000. Lawton and Schuman remain in the Chatham County Detention Center. Johnson is currently out on bond. All three investigations are ongoing and additional charges and arrests are possible.
Trafficking Cocaine Arrest for SPD
"A traffic stop for speeding led to Savannah Police Task Force officers arresting a Savannah man with marijuana, cocaine and more than $6,000 in cash," police report today.
Around 1 p.m. April 9, Violent Crimes Task Force officers were conducting enforcement "when they initiated a traffic stop at Cloverdale Drive and Eleanor Street for speeding. The driver, Herbert Biggins, 26, was found to be in possession of 2.5 lbs. of marijuana, 67 grams of crack cocaine, 5 grams of THC oil, $6,800, and other drug paraphernalia," police report.
Biggins was transported to the Chatham County Detention Center on charges of possession of THC oil, possession of marijuana more than 1 oz., possession of a controlled substance (crack cocaine), possession with intent to distribute (crack cocaine), possession with intent to distribute marijuana, trafficking cocaine, possession of a drug-related object and speeding.
"Since Dec. 15, the Violent Crimes Task Force has made 273 felony arrests and 156 misdemeanor arrests. The task force has seized 152 guns, $57,654.87, $1,800 in counterfeit currency, nearly 32 lbs. of marijuana, 27.5 grams of heroin, 269.64 grams of crack cocaine, 68.4 grams of crystal meth, 4,121 Ecstasy pills, 57.5 Xanax bars, 113.1 grams of cocaine, 161.5 Xanax pills and two morphine pills," police say.
"A traffic stop for speeding led to Savannah Police Task Force officers arresting a Savannah man with marijuana, cocaine and more than $6,000 in cash," police report today.
Around 1 p.m. April 9, Violent Crimes Task Force officers were conducting enforcement "when they initiated a traffic stop at Cloverdale Drive and Eleanor Street for speeding. The driver, Herbert Biggins, 26, was found to be in possession of 2.5 lbs. of marijuana, 67 grams of crack cocaine, 5 grams of THC oil, $6,800, and other drug paraphernalia," police report.
Biggins was transported to the Chatham County Detention Center on charges of possession of THC oil, possession of marijuana more than 1 oz., possession of a controlled substance (crack cocaine), possession with intent to distribute (crack cocaine), possession with intent to distribute marijuana, trafficking cocaine, possession of a drug-related object and speeding.
"Since Dec. 15, the Violent Crimes Task Force has made 273 felony arrests and 156 misdemeanor arrests. The task force has seized 152 guns, $57,654.87, $1,800 in counterfeit currency, nearly 32 lbs. of marijuana, 27.5 grams of heroin, 269.64 grams of crack cocaine, 68.4 grams of crystal meth, 4,121 Ecstasy pills, 57.5 Xanax bars, 113.1 grams of cocaine, 161.5 Xanax pills and two morphine pills," police say.
Tuesday, April 9, 2019
Multiple sources tonight confirm that Savannah City Manager Rob Hernandez has submitted his resignation, with indications that he will take a job in South Florida, site of his last job before coming to Savannah.
An official statement is expected later this week, City officials say.
Hernandez's two and a half year tenure here, while notable for a long overdue professional reorganization of City bureaucracy and budgeting, was also marked by controversy from the beginning.
An initial budget meeting went awry when Hernandez suggested cutting all City funds to the arts, culture, and some popular social programs.
He didn't prevail in that effort, nor in the year-long, futile campaign to institute a "Fire Fee" on all properties in the City, in an attempt to safeguard funding for Savannah Fire & Emergency Services.
An unusual alliance of churches, nonprofits, homeowners and businesses combined to make the Fire Fee so politically untenable that Mayor DeLoach was forced to backtrack on it completely.
The news doesn't come as that much of a surprise to many observers, since news leaked last year that Hernandez was a finalist in at least one other job search elsewhere.
Hernandez specifically cited the controversial reaction to his Fire Fee as one reason he sought employment elsewhere at the time.
An official statement is expected later this week, City officials say.
Hernandez's two and a half year tenure here, while notable for a long overdue professional reorganization of City bureaucracy and budgeting, was also marked by controversy from the beginning.
An initial budget meeting went awry when Hernandez suggested cutting all City funds to the arts, culture, and some popular social programs.
He didn't prevail in that effort, nor in the year-long, futile campaign to institute a "Fire Fee" on all properties in the City, in an attempt to safeguard funding for Savannah Fire & Emergency Services.
An unusual alliance of churches, nonprofits, homeowners and businesses combined to make the Fire Fee so politically untenable that Mayor DeLoach was forced to backtrack on it completely.
The news doesn't come as that much of a surprise to many observers, since news leaked last year that Hernandez was a finalist in at least one other job search elsewhere.
Hernandez specifically cited the controversial reaction to his Fire Fee as one reason he sought employment elsewhere at the time.
Thursday, April 4, 2019
The controversial, long-awaited Savannah Cultural Arts Center will have its grand opening on Friday, April 12 and Saturday, April 13, the City has announced.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony and the theater dedication in honor of Ben Tucker will take place Friday, April 12, 5-8 p.m. The Grand Opening celebration will be held on Saturday, April 13 from 10 a.m-3 p.m.
"The grand opening will include live performances from local arts organizations on the hour every hour, artist demonstrations and hands-on art sessions. The public is encouraged to attend both events," a City spokesperson says.
The Savannah Cultural Arts Center, located at 201 Montgomery Street, includes a 464-seat performing arts theater, dance studio, art gallery, as well as specially designed studios for ceramics, metal and glass art.
"It will serve as a creative and inspirational space connecting residents, the local arts community and organizations, who will not only be able to experience art, but engage with and create art," the City says.
The facility is funded through voter-approved Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST). A series of cost overruns and construction delays plagued the project nearly from the beginning.
Friday, April 12
5 p.m. New Beginning Art Exhibit, performances and Center tours
6 p.m. 18th Annual New Beginning Reception and Gala
6:30 p.m. Ribbon Cutting Ceremony (outside the Center on MLK, Jr. Blvd. side)
7 p.m. Ben Tucker Theater Dedication
Saturday, April 13
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Grand Opening Celebration
A ribbon-cutting ceremony and the theater dedication in honor of Ben Tucker will take place Friday, April 12, 5-8 p.m. The Grand Opening celebration will be held on Saturday, April 13 from 10 a.m-3 p.m.
"The grand opening will include live performances from local arts organizations on the hour every hour, artist demonstrations and hands-on art sessions. The public is encouraged to attend both events," a City spokesperson says.
The Savannah Cultural Arts Center, located at 201 Montgomery Street, includes a 464-seat performing arts theater, dance studio, art gallery, as well as specially designed studios for ceramics, metal and glass art.
"It will serve as a creative and inspirational space connecting residents, the local arts community and organizations, who will not only be able to experience art, but engage with and create art," the City says.
The facility is funded through voter-approved Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST). A series of cost overruns and construction delays plagued the project nearly from the beginning.
Friday, April 12
5 p.m. New Beginning Art Exhibit, performances and Center tours
6 p.m. 18th Annual New Beginning Reception and Gala
6:30 p.m. Ribbon Cutting Ceremony (outside the Center on MLK, Jr. Blvd. side)
7 p.m. Ben Tucker Theater Dedication
Saturday, April 13
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Grand Opening Celebration
Tuesday, April 2, 2019
The Chatham County Police Department has released the names of two people found deceased in a home around noon on Monday.
Police have identified the deceased as 74-year-old Thomas Burnett and 78-year-old Susan Burnett.
"Police were called to do a welfare check at a home on Myrtlewood Drive on April 1, 2019. Upon entering the home, police found two residents deceased. Preliminary findings indicated the deaths were the result of a murder-suicide," police report.
Police have identified the deceased as 74-year-old Thomas Burnett and 78-year-old Susan Burnett.
"Police were called to do a welfare check at a home on Myrtlewood Drive on April 1, 2019. Upon entering the home, police found two residents deceased. Preliminary findings indicated the deaths were the result of a murder-suicide," police report.
