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The Savannah City Council will hold the 2021 budget retreat on Thursday, Nov. 19, and Friday, Nov. 20, in the Johnny Mercer Theatre at the Savannah Civic Center. The meetings will start at 9 a.m. on both days and are open to the public.

Socially distant space will be available for anyone wanting to attend the budget retreat in person, and the city will live stream the meetings on Facebook for those who want to participate virtually.

A digital version of the proposed 2021 budget is available at savannahga.gov/budget. For more information, please contact the clerk of council at (912) 651-6441 or email [email protected].

The Tate Law Group is inviting families in need to the 1st Annual Great Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway.

On Tuesday, November 24th starting at 12:00 noon, 200 frozen whole turkeys will be distributed to the first 200 families who drive thru the Great Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway at Memorial Stadium at 101 John J. Scott Drive.

In addition to the turkey giveaway, Healthy Savannah and the YMCA of Coastal Georgia’s Savannah/Chatham H.O.P.E. Project will be providing fresh produce to all recipients.

This as a result of funding from the Center of Disease Control’s REACH (Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health) Grant, where they work to eliminate barriers and lack of access to healthy food options through culturally appropriate policies and programs.

"Tate Law Group knows the importance of family -- especially during these uncertain times," says Mark Tate of Tate Law Group. "The COVID-19 pandemic has kept many of us in our homes and something as simple as shopping for a healthy Thanksgiving dinner isn't possible right now. Many families can’t afford to purchase a turkey or fresh vegetables. This is a way for Tate Law Group to help bring Thanksgiving cheer and a healthy meal to 200 families who need it most."

Safety precautions will be taken, and recipients will not need need to leave their vehicles.

Chatham Area Transit plans to resume the collection of fares for fixed-route buses and CAT Mobility services in December, following the installation of tempered glass barriers to protect bus operators from exposure during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The resumption of fares comes after CAT suspended fare collection in March to allow for rear-door boarding and minimize the potential spread of the coronavirus. Now that the barriers are installed and other safely measures are in place, it was determined that front-door boarding and fare collection can be reinstated.

Customers will be able to once again purchase a $1.50 one-trip pass or $3 all-day pass on fixed-route buses using exact change. The fare for CAT Mobility paratransit’s service remains $2 per one-way trip.

Early next year, CAT plans to implement mobile ticketing services so customers can purchase bus passes with their smart phones. While initially conceived as a way to make public transit more user-friendly, mobile ticketing will also help keep users safe by allowing customers to simply show operators their phone to board and minimize cash handling and contact with the fare box.

More information about fares and discounts can be found at https://www.catchacat.org/fares-passes/.

Today, Mayor Van R. Johnson, II, announced and accepted a $5,000 donation from T-Mobile for the Savannah Youth Council (SYC).

SYC plans to use this money to create a program to teach students the importance of building ethical social media skills and web-based campaign tactics.

"These are vital skills for our youth to learn as it becomes increasingly important to engage with customers, businesses and government virtually and online," said Mayor Johnson.

The Savannah Youth Council provides eighth-grade students opportunities to learn about local government, gain a sense of civic responsibility and develop leadership skills.

"Working with the Savannah Youth Council and their kids is a yet another great opportunity for T-Mobile to make a positive impact in this community," said Irene Kieweg, T-Mobile vice president.

"Kudos to SYC for the important work they do to provide students with the skills and government experience they need to become Savannah's future leaders. We're proud to support your efforts!"

The Chatham County Health Department is transitioning to an appointment only process for COVID-19 testing beginning Monday, November 16, 2020.

The testing criteria has not changed, and anyone can be tested for free by utilizing an online self-scheduling portal or through a COVID-19 testing hotline.

The change is expected to help the department maximize internal resources during this long-term emergency response.

“We need to position ourselves to sustain testing operations for many more months,” said Chris Rustin, Ph.D., Administrator of the Chatham County Health Department. “With appointments, we can reduce the number of staff members onsite for traffic flow and patient registration while still meeting the needs of our community.”

There will be more than 1,600 available appointments each week in Chatham County, which exceeds the current weekly average of 1,350 tests.

The testing schedule has not changed.

Appointments can be made online at covid19.dph.ga.gov or by calling the Coastal Health District COVID19 Testing Call Center at 912-230-9744.

The Call Center is operational Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. For a list of all the free COVID-19 testing options through the Coastal Health District, visit covid19.gachd.org.

The Chatham Savannah Authority for the Homeless (CSAH) has announced that it has received a major gift of $50,000 from Don and Cindy Waters. The gift was given as a grant from the Waters Foundation Fund at the Savannah Community Foundation. The funds will go directly towards construction costs of Phase 2 of the Tiny House Project.

CSAH broke ground on Phase 2 of the community, called the Cove at Dundee, on October 16, and infrastructure installation is currently underway. The second phase will provide 24 more fully furnished homes for homeless veterans, as well as another clubhouse. The new residents will have access to the same wide range of supportive services available to the residents of Phase 1. CSAH anticipates that Phase 2 will be completed in 2021.

In response to the gift, Cindy Kelley, CSAH Executive Director said “Don and Cindy Waters’ commitment to the strategic advancement of our community cannot be overstated, and we are truly fortunate that the Tiny House Project fits within their vision for a better Savannah. Their generous gift will help to improve the lives of veterans for years to come.”

Don and Cindy Waters are local philanthropists, having endowed the Waters College of Health Professions at Armstrong State University, now part of Georgia Southern University. In 2013 they helped start the Savannah Classical Academy, a public charter school serving an inner-city neighborhood, and in 2016 they established the Don and Cindy Waters Fund at the Georgia Historical Society, ensuring that their shared commitment to education will continue. "We are pleased to support this program for our country's veterans and the positive effect it has on their lives, as well as on the surrounding community," said Don Waters. "We look forward to the successful completion of Phase 2 and hope others will help make this a reality."

When first announced by the Chatham Savannah Authority for the Homeless (CSAH) in 2017, the $2.6 million endeavor was unprecedented in the state of Georgia. Of the total needed to fund the entire project, nearly $1.9 million has been raised, including pledges, cash donations, and in-kind support from more than 500 individuals, businesses, and charitable foundations. Phase 1 was completed in the fall of 2019 and currently houses 23 formerly homeless United States military veterans.

Of the approximately 675 chronically homeless individuals in Chatham County, over 200 of them are United States military veterans. The Tiny House Project is the state of Georgia’s first effort dedicated to reducing veteran homelessness by providing a community of permanent, affordable tiny homes. The community currently includes 23 tiny homes, a clubhouse for laundry and community meetings, walking paths, and a tiny medical clinic staffed by J.C. Lewis Primary Health Care. Residents of the Cove at Dundee have access to supportive services through CSAH staff and community partners. This additional support allows them to improve their quality of life by applying for benefits, securing employment, and accessing education, workforce development, healthcare, and social services, all with an emphasis on building self-sufficiency. All residents pay rent and are expected to meet their daily needs with their income.

CSAH is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to lead the effort to build and sustain community practices to eliminate homelessness. CSAH works in partnership with nonprofit service providers, government officials, business leaders, and the faith community. Annually in Chatham County, CSAH and the Chatham County Continuum of Care partners assist over 4,000 individuals, youth, and families.

To donate or for more information, visit homelessauthority.org or call 912-644-7945.

Registered Georgia voters may request an absentee ballot for the January 5, 2021 runoff election at https://ballotrequest.sos.ga.gov/

If not registered to vote, you may register and/or check your voter registration status at https://www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP/mvp.do

The City of Savannah will recognize Veterans Day with small, silent and socially distant ceremonies throughout the city at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 11.

Traffic will temporarily be stopped at 11 a.m. for a presentation of colors and moment of silence at Bay and Bull streets in front of City Hall, Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and Liberty Street, Victory Drive and Abercorn Street, Skidaway Road and LaRoche Avenue, and Montgomery Cross Road and Abercorn Street.

Due to social distancing requirements, the city asks that spectators do not gather in groups to observe these events, but if they come across one, please pay their respects and stay at least six feet from others.

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R) held a news conference on the status of the general election in the state. The secretary announced the number of votes remaining and said the race is too close to call. He also said with the possibility of a small margin deciding the winner, “there will be a recount.” Georgia Voting System Implementation Manager Gabriel Sterling said they are not seeing any evidence of widespread fraud or irregularities.

Tybee Polar Plunge organizers have announced a twist for the return of the annual New Year's Day event for 2021.

You can join fellow brave souls at the Tybee Island Pier & Pavilion at 12 noon New Year's Day to take the traditional plunge into the brisk Atlantic waters of Tybee Beach.

The twist is that participants have the second option of taking their plunge anywhere they choose. Bathers are being encouraged to send in their videos and pics to event organizers who will post them online.

The annual Gang of Goofs costume contest will again be a major part of the Tybee Polar Plunge.

Advance online registration includes a souvenir 2021 long-sleeve Tybee Polar Plunge 2021 featuring the event's polar bear mascot wearing face mask.

Registration is open now on the Tybee Post Theater website.