Tuesday, September 17, 2013
The Chatham County Health Department now has flu vaccine available and a drive-through flu vaccination clinic has been scheduled for Thursday, October 10.
"Anyone planning to come to the clinic should use the entrance to the 'old' health department on Eisenhower Drive," says a spokesperson.
Information on the vaccine along with a consent form can be found at www.gachd.org/chatham under the Flu Vaccine Information link on the right side of the page.
In addition to Chatham County, flu vaccine is also now available at all other Coastal Health District health departments including those in Bryan, Camden, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, and McIntosh. General information on the flu and any clinics planned for Coastal Health District counties can be found at www.gachd.org.
Armstrong Atlantic State University’s latest Coastal Empire Economic Monitor reports the Savannah-area economy expanded modestly during the second quarter of 2013.
"A rebound in consumer confidence — along with key gains in tourism and port activity — supported the regional economy," says the study.
The second quarter Economic Monitor forecasts the regional economy "should continue to experience modest growth through the end of 2013, but cautions that continued growth in early 2014 is questionable based on diminished momentum in the leading (forecasting) index."
The Coastal Empire leading economic index increased for the sixth consecutive quarter, but the forward momentum slowed considerably during the spring quarter. The continued loss of momentum from the leading index sends a cautionary signal for potentially waning economic growth beginning in early 2014.
“The humdrum growth we are currently experiencing is welcome, but not inspiring,” said Michael Toma, Fuller E. Callaway Professor of Economics and the Director of Armstrong’s Center for Regional Analysis. “The forecasting index suggests there is more uncertainty about the regional economy starting in early 2014. Interested parties should closely monitor economic conditions in the coming months to obtain a clearer signal about the direction of the economy in 2014.”
Highlights from the latest Economic Monitor include:
— The Coastal Empire coincident economic index increased by three-tenths of a percent (1.1 percent, annualized), rising to 158.1.
— Employment in the three-county regional economy increased by 400 workers to 158,800 (seasonally adjusted).
— Hotel rooms sales increased by 3.5 percent as compared to the first quarter.
— The Coastal Empire leading economic index increased 0.1 percent, rising to 126.9 from 126.7 (revised) in the previous quarter.
— Unemployment insurance claims surged nearly 20 percent to 1,253 claims per month, forcing the unemployment rate up nearly one-half percentage point to 8.1 percent (seasonally adjusted).
— The seasonally adjusted number of new residential homes permitted for construction was 282, marking a sharp decline of 15 percent from the opening quarter of the year.
— Year-to-date residential construction permits issued remains 23 percent ahead of the pace set in 2012.
— The value of the building permit issued for a single family home jumped 16 percent to $178,500 from about $154,000.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
The Coastal Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (CORE MPO), Savannah Bicycle Campaign, and the City of Savannah are coordinating counts of bicyclists and pedestrians at certain times and locations throughout Savannah and Chatham County in September.
The counting happens over the course of two hours on the evenings of Sept. 24 and 26, and two hours at mid-day on Sept. 28). This aids local planning, but also contributes to national research, as part of the National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project.
If you, or someone you know, are interested in volunteering, please note that volunteers can sign up for their preferred time and location through the "Doodle" page. (Or call Jane Love at 912-651-1449.)
The purpose of the Doodle “poll” is to let all potential volunteers see which times and locations already have coverage and which ones still need coverage. Select no more than one location per time period.
(If someone has already put a check mark at your preferred slot, consider covering one of the other options.)
If you have trouble getting to the Doodle poll, or using it, please contact Jane Love, Transportation Planner, at 912-651-1449 or at [email protected]
To mark the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Telfair Museums present “Warhol/JFK: November 22, 1963, A Selection of Andy Warhol Prints from the Herbert Brito Collection,” an exhibition focusing on events surrounding that moment in American history.
The exhibit, featuring rarely seen Warhol prints, will be on display at the Jepson Center from October 18, 2013, through March 9, 2014.
The centerpiece is Warhol’s “Flash — November 22, 1963” screenprint portfolio, including a complete collection of 11 images inspired by this event as well as the artist’s packaging. The show will also feature “Jackie II,” a 1966 double portrait of the grieving widow, Jacqueline Kennedy.
“This exhibit offers the rare opportunity to see some of Andy Warhol’s most powerful work on the 50th anniversary of the Kennedy assassination,” said Lisa Grove, director and CEO of Telfair Museums. “Warhol’s observations about the media are even more relevant today in our 24/7 news culture.”
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Police Traffic Investigators temporarily shut down part of Montgomery Street following a collision between a pickup truck and bicycle that landed one man in the hospital.
At 8:59 a.m. officers responded to reports of an accident with injuries at northbound Montgomery Street and 58th Street. Officers discovered 50-year-old Leonard Williams of the 600 block of W. 38th Street, suffering from injuries sustained when a Ford Ranger driven by 76-year-old Washington Brown Jr. of the 800 block of West 44Street, struck his bike.
Investigators believe Williams lost control of his bicycle and swerved into the path of the pickup truck, while traveling in the same direction.
Williams was transported to Memorial Medical Center in serious condition. Brown was unharmed.
Friday, September 6, 2013
Police investigators are searching for an additional three suspects following the arrest of seven others charged in a west Savannah copper theft ring.
Metro investigators believe that at about 10:35 p.m. on Aug. 25, "thieves breached a locked fence at Southern Metals Recycling on the 2800 block of Tremont Road, entered the building, and made off with roughly $6,000 of bare bright metal wiring stored inside," a police spokesman says.
The next day, police responded to reports of a man attempting to sell the stolen scrap metal back to the company. The suspect ran when approached by a patrol officer, resulting in a foot chase and arrest of 24-year-old Devon Washington of a Franklin Street address, in a wooded area near 48th and Edwin streets.
Investigation uncovered six additional suspects: Antonio Easterling — 800 Block of Tatum Street; Elliot Moore, 28, of the 900 block of Staley Avenue, Sherica Williams, 32, of the 40th block of Lawton Street, Darrell McPherson — 800 Block of Sherman Avenue; Ceairra Heyward, 27, of Yamacraw Village, and Craig Reed, of the 5100 Block of Wendell Street. All arrested subjects face conspiracy charges including criminal attempt at burglary, criminal damage to property in the 2nd degree, and possession of tools for the commission of a crime.
Three additional suspects remain at large. Being sought are Diqwane Dreshawn Butler, 19, of the 800 block of Tatem Street, a black male with short hair, weighing 180 pounds and standing 5-8; Martique Nashawn King, 27, of the 3300 block of Ogeechee Road, a black male standing 5-11 and weighing 170; and Anthony Gene King, 30, of an East 65th Street address, a black male 6-1, 162.
All are known to frequent the 800 block of Tatem Street and have connections in East Savannah around Pennsylvania and Gwinnett as well as Ogeechee Road near I-516.
Anyone with information on the location of these suspects is asked to call Crimestoppers at (912) 234-2020 or text CRIMES (274637).
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Homicide detectives request the public’s help in locating a Savannah man wanted for questioning regarding an August 26 shooting.
Investigators seek to interview Bobby Owens, 41, concerning the shooting death of 31-year-old Michael Wilson at the 500 block of West Gwinnett Street. Wilson’s shooter remains at large.
Owens is described as a black male with a bald head. He stands 5-9 and weighs about 175 pounds. Owens is known to frequent Frazier Homes.
Anyone with information on Owens’ location or the shooting is asked to call SCMPD Homicide Detectives at 912-651-6728. Tip may also be reported to Crimestoppers at (912) 234-2020 or text CRIMES (274637). Tipsters remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward. A confidential Tip Line also is open directly to investigators at (912) 525-3124.
All traffic on Dean Forest Road between Old Dean Forest Road and U.S. 80 is being redirected to Old Dean Forest as officials clean up a hazardous spill.
Police have shut down the traffic after the spill in the intersection of Dean Forest and U.S. 80. The spill occurred about 2:30 p.m. Drivers are asked to use patience or seek other routes.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Savannah State University (SSU) has been named a finalist in the 2013 Georgia STEM Education Awards. The announcement was made recently by the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG), the state’s association dedicated to the promotion and economic advancement of the state’s technology industry.
The Georgia STEM Education Awards recognizes schools, programs and companies for outstanding efforts and achievements in supporting and promoting STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education in Georgia.
SSU was named a finalist in the post-secondary outreach category for its partnership with the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System to engage elementary, middle and high school students in the STEM subjects. Some of the collaborative activities include the Georgia Regional Science and Engineering Fair, Southeastern Consortium of Minorities in Engineering (SECME) STEM competitions, STEM 360 Summer Camp for the STEM Academy at Bartlett Middle School, the Junior Engineering Technology Society (JETS) camp and teacher enrichment workshops.
“We sincerely believe in building connections and collaborations with the local public school district because the young students we help educate are the future of this community and nation,” said Jonathan Lambright, Ph.D., interim dean of SSU’s College of Sciences and Technology.
Finalists in eight categories were announced during a special press conference telecast presented by TAG in collaboration with Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) and the STEM Education Awards broadcast sponsors, Cisco Systems Inc. and the US Department of Commerce- Economic Development Association.
“It was truly a challenge for our judges to select the 2013 finalists from among more than 170 applicants from around Georgia,” said Michael Robertson, executive director of TAG Education Collaborative. “We must continue building a wave of activities that will prepare our students for the global workforce they will inherit, and we hope recognizing these organizations and their programs will raise awareness on the importance of STEM education for our state's economic future.”
Winners in each category will be honored during the second annual Georgia STEM Education Awards event on September 27 at the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
A joint operation between Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police and Immigration and Customs Enforcement/Homeland Security Investigations resulted in 13 arrests relating to prostitution and ordinance violations over the weekend.
The sting took place Friday, Aug. 23 and Saturday, Aug. 24. "Upon completion of the operation five females were arrested and charged with prostitution for attempting to perform sex acts in exchange for cash at hotels along Highway 204 near Interstate 95 and the Midtown area," a spokesman says.
Additionally, two male and six female suspects were arrested and charged with escorting without a license at hotels throughout Chatham County.
The operation targeted hotels listed in ads posted on backpage.com.
