Tuesday, August 4, 2020

Posted on Tue, Aug 4, 2020 at 3:09 PM

For the ninth straight year, Memorial Health has earned the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s (AHA) 'Get With The Guidelines' Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award.

This award recognizes the hospital’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence.

Memorial also won the 2020 AHA Target: Stroke Elite Honor Roll and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll awards.

Get With The Guidelines is the AHA’s hospital-based quality improvement program that provides hospitals with tools and resources to increase adherence to the latest research-based guidelines. Developed with the goal of saving lives and hastening recovery, Get With The Guidelines has touched the lives of more than 6 million patients since 2001.

“These awards demonstrate our team’s commitment to providing safe, high-quality care for stroke patients,” said Dr. Joseph Hogan, emergency room physician. “This quality initiative helps us measure our success in meeting clinical guidelines that improve outcomes for our stroke patients.”

Posted on Tue, Aug 4, 2020 at 3:03 PM

Chatham County has an easier way for residents to request services from the County. The new app and mobile website called, My Chatham, is a new way to request services like these right from your phone, mobile devices or computer:

· reporting an abandoned vehicle

· requesting bulk trash pick-up

· reporting drainage problems

· reporting illegal dumping

· reporting excessive mosquitoes,

· reporting if a street light is out

Additionally My Chatham allows the use of photos or files in the service request. Residents can create an account with My Chatham to receive updates on their requests.

To download the app, search for “My Chatham” on the Apple App Store or Google Play. To find My Chatham online, visit: mychatham.chathamcountyga.gov

Posted on Tue, Aug 4, 2020 at 3:03 PM


Omega Construction’s Georgia Division has just completed construction on its latest project, the new Corporate Headquarters and STEM Center of the Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia. The building at 535 East Liberty Street was completely renovated for its new tenants.

“We’re thrilled to have a new space for people to come and experience Girl Scouts,” said Sue Else, CEO of the Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia.

“The STEM Center will be unlike anything we’ve had before at GSHG, and we are more than ready to give our Girl Scouts another fun, educational, and collaborative environment in Savannah. The center will host programs and be open to every Girl Scout. It will also be a place to relax and shop while experiencing Savannah’s many attractions.” said Else.

Omega remodeled the building’s interior space to accommodate the needs of the Girl Scouts including full interior demolition and new construction of customized offices, bathrooms, public spaces and a retail space featuring modern interior design and finishes.

Future plans for the space include a new rock-climbing wall and a fully interactive retail space for the Girl Scouts to utilize.

Founded in 1912 by Juliette Gordon Low in Savannah, the Girl Scouts still attracts thousands of girls to Savannah for QuestFest, the organization’s annual Girl Scout-themed scavenger hunt and festival, as well as to visit the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace. Other popular Girl Scout landmarks include Juliette Gordon Low’s grave at Laurel Grove Cemetery North and the Girl Scouts’ First Headquarters on Drayton Street.

The new Girl Scout center will be opening soon. For more information about Girl Scouts, visit www.gshg.org.

Posted By on Tue, Aug 4, 2020 at 3:01 PM

The Chatham Savannah Authority for the Homeless (CSAH) has announced its 2020 Executive Committee with John Miller serving as Board Chair. Joining him as officers are Julian Miller, Vice Chair; Josua Rine, Secretary; Janet Kniss, Treasurer; and Toby Browne, Past Chair.

John Miller is the former Executive Director of Southernmost Homeless Assistance League and has many years of experience with Continuums of Care in Indiana, Kentucky, and Florida. He was Executive Director of a HUD housing organization and has managed several other nonprofits and for profit companies.

Miller moved to Savannah in 2005 to become publisher of the Savannah Morning News. After retirement from the newspaper industry in 2008, he started a group of real estate management companies, served five years as Public Affairs Director of the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department, and served as Savannah City Council Alderman, 4th District 2016 – 2020.

Josua Rine, LPC, CPCS, was the Director of Operations for Union Mission 2013 – 2019 and is currently the Program Director at Recovery Place, Inc. He is a U.S. Army Veteran, recipient of the Bronze Star Medal for combat service in Operation Iraqi Freedom V, and is an Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Trainer, as well as a 2019 TedX Savannah speaker.

Janet Kniss, CPA, is the Controller for BRW Construction Group, LLC and has over 20 years experience in financial and tax accounting, as well as expertise in controls and operational improvements for real estate development and construction.

Toby Browne owns Comprehensive Business Partners, LLC, a business consulting firm that offers corporate planning and tax services.

Three new members were also appointed to the board including Vernon Jones; Linda Wilder - Bryan, Savannah City Council Alderwoman, 3rd District; and Kurtis Purtee, Savannah City Council Alderman, 6th District.

Friday, July 31, 2020

Posted By on Fri, Jul 31, 2020 at 7:00 PM

Chatham County Board of Commission Chairman Al Scott issued a county-wide State of Emergency that will go into effect at 12:01 A.M. on August 1, 2020.

"The County-wide State of Emergency orders that all persons wear a mask or face covering in public spaces to include commercial establishments, public places, government buildings, and any time people gather in groups of 10 or more. Masks or face coverings are required to properly cover the nose and mouth," a County spokesperson says.

This is in addition to any existing mask mandates that currently exist, such as in the City of Savannah.

The Mayor of Bloomingdale, however, has made statements to the effect that he is instructing Bloomingdale Police not to enforce the county order.

The order comes as Gov. Kemp renewed his own executive order which overrules any local mask mandate, through Aug. 15 — again setting up a possible court showdown.

All restaurants, retail stores, salons, grocery stores, pharmacies, and other establishments must require employees to wear masks or face coverings at all times when having face-to-face interactions with the public.

"Masks or face coverings are also required in religious services and are to be self-regulated," the County says.

"Physical/social distance of six feet between persons is required to the extent that it is possible. Additionally, everyone is to wash their hands with soap and water or use an alcohol based hand sanitizer regularly."

“I have spoken with all the Mayors and the Director of the Coastal Health District and we are in agreement masks or face coverings need to be worn to help protect the residents and visitors of our County, said Chairman Al Scott. "Even with the majority of our residents and visitors wearing masks, it could take eight weeks to slow the spread of COVID-19.”

The order also outlines the circumstances in which a person does not have to wear a mask or face covering.

a) When wearing a mask or face covering causes or aggravates health conditions;

b) When wearing a mask or face covering would prevent receiving personal services;

c) When a person is five years old or younger;

d) While engaged in an organized sports activity sponsored by a school, the County or a municipality within Chatham County and the sponsored sports activity is conducted in a manner that meets or exceeds the standard set forth by the school, County or City league requirements.

Commercial establishments that have "continuous and repeated infractions will be declared a public nuisance and the business may be shut down through the duration of this order. Violation of this order by any person is a misdemeanor and punishable by a fine not to exceed $500. Each day an establishment is in violation or fails to comply with this order, will be considered a separate violation," the County says.

This order will remain in effect until September 30, 2020, unless rescinded or extended. 

Thursday, July 30, 2020

Posted By on Thu, Jul 30, 2020 at 2:34 PM

Effective this weekend, the City of Tybee Island will issue citations to anyone found on the sandbar at the south end of the island, near the crossovers for 18th Street, 19 Street and Chatham Avenue.

Citations for beach rule violations carry penalties up to $1,000.

"Please heed signage in this area warning of significant drowning danger," says a City of Tybee spokesperson.

"It may look like an easy walk over to the sand bar, but the tides turn before beachgoers can reach the other side. Once the tide changes, within minutes strong rip tides can knock an adult off their feet and carry them away in just a few inches of water. Water weighs 65 pounds per cubic foot and can overwhelm even the strongest swimmer. Unfortunately, people drown on the sand bar each year."

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Posted on Wed, Jul 29, 2020 at 2:20 PM

The Savannah African Art Museum is calling for submissions for their virtual art exhibit, “…And The Children Speak,” which aims to provide a platform where children’s voices about the pandemic and current events can be expressed through their art.

Beginning in March, the lives of children changed in a myriad of ways. From the absence of routines – attending school, engaging in outdoor activities, the arts, playing with friends, visiting loved ones, graduations and proms – to the explosion of disturbing video images that crossed their TV screens, depicting world-wide peaceful and violent protests, displays of solidarity and antagonism, opposing views of history and race matters being passionately discussed. The past several months have indeed impacted the nation’s youth.

“We at SAAM believe that art is a voice, a recording of history, and the retelling of a story or experience. It’s a scream, it’s a whisper — both entitled to be heard. It’s an invitation for conversation,” SAAM Education Coordinator Lisa Jackson said.

“We are extending an invitation to children through the age of 18 to send us a copy of their art giving voice, telling their story, recording their experience of the past few months for our virtual exhibit entitled, ‘…And the Children Speak.’

Participants may submit art in the form of a sketch, painting, collage, quilt, sculpture, a performance (e.g., dance, singing, spoken word), or written word (e.g., poem, short story). Submissions also can be a collaborative effort with friends, family, classmates, or other groups.

All submissions should be submitted to [email protected] with the subject line “And the Children Speak Submission” no later than Sept. 30 following the guidelines below.

• All submissions must include the title of the art (if named), artist’s name, age and city/state/country; and the name of the group, school, club or organization that collaborated on the submission (if applicable). Entries should adhere to the following formats:

• Images must be submitted in a digital format as a jpeg, png, or pdf in high resolution

• Written word submissions must be photographed and then transcribed in a digital format (jpeg, png, or pdf) when submitted.

• Video submissions must be submitted in MP4 format with a maximum length of 2 minutes

For additional information or inquiries, please email Jackson at [email protected] or call 912-721-7735.
To learn more about the museum, visit www.savannahafricanartmuseum.org.

For information about upcoming events and the museum’s collection, follow SAAM on Facebook @SavannahAfricanArtMuseum.

 

Thursday, July 16, 2020

Posted By on Thu, Jul 16, 2020 at 3:17 PM

This afternoon, Savannah Mayor Van Johnson had a forceful response to Gov. Brian Kemp's recent executive order overturning any local ordinances requiring mask usage.

However, while saying Kemp has overstepped his authority, Johnson stopped short of announcing a specific legal challenge to the governor's authority.

"We are prepared to defend our position," he said, essentially challenging the state to make the next move — for now.

(Editor's Note: A few hours after the Mayor's press conference, Kemp announced the state is suing the City of Atlanta to overturn its mask mandate, which is similar to Savannah's.)

"Gov. Brian Kemp issued an order attempting to invalidate Savannah's mask requirement by stripping local authority... across the state, including Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah, Rome, Hinesville, and the Governor's hometown of Athens-Clarke County," said Johnson. "Here, nothing has changed."

Referring to his immediate reaction Wednesday night on social media, Johnson said, "I was so angry last night that I expressed exactly what I felt. And admittedly I know I may not have said it in the kindest, gentlest, sweetest way, or in a way my mother would approve of. But it clearly, unequivocally reflects  my frustration."

The Mayor continued, "I am not going to mince words. We believe that Gov. Kemp is overstepping his authority. With that said our emergency declaration still stands... We will continue to follow the science. We will continue to provide masks for free to whoever wants them and needs them. We will continue to mandate them and continue to require them in our city."

"Masks are not a political statement, masks are a public health tool — a necessary public health tool," he said.

Referring to what he calls "mixed messages" from the Governor, Johnson said,

"We have continually done everything we could to be good partners with our Governor.... How can we take care of our local needs when our state ties our hands behind our backs and says to ignore the advice of experts and in some cases, their own advice?"

The numbers, the Mayor says, speak for themselves.

"Today we have had almost 3,000 total cases. Last Thursday we had 2116... We have added 879 cases in just one week," he said.

As of yesterday, there were 148 people in local hospitals with COVID-19. "On June 16, exactly one month ago, just 30 people were hospitalized," Johnson said.

Johnson said large retailers like Walmart and Kroger are "showing us the way" with recent decisions to require mask usage by all customers.

When asked if he has been commiserating with other like-minded mayors, he said "All night long."

"I liken it to an episode of the Twilight Zone," he said of their continued "bewilderment" at the Governor's behavior and mixed messages.

Posted By on Thu, Jul 16, 2020 at 8:25 AM

Late Wednesday evening, Gov. Brian Kemp extended his state of emergency executive order to expressly forbid local governments in Georgia from mandating mask usage in public spaces with their own ordinances.

The order, at least for now, overturns local mask laws in Savannah, Atlanta, and a few other municipalities.

"It is officially official. Governor Kemp does not give a damn about us," responded Savannah Mayor Van Johnson in a social media post.

In Kemp's view, Johnson says "It is officially every man and woman for himself/herself. Ignore the science and survive the best you can. In Savannah, we will continue to keep the faith and follow the science. Our masks will continue to be available."

The City of Savannah's ordinance had required mask usage in any public space, and outdoors when social distancing could not be observed.

Still, many local businesses had not been enforcing the mandate anyway, which had drawn the attention of the Mayor days before.

Now, there will be virtually no way to enforce mask usage unless private businesses require them.

The exact portion of the Governor's order involving masks says "any state, county, or municipal law, order, ordinance, rule or regulation that requires persons to wear face coverings, masks, face shields, or any other Personal Protective Equipment while in places of public accommodation or on public property are suspended to the extent that they are more restrictive than this Executive Order."

However, the order does contain broad language allowing school districts more leeway in the use of masks should they choose to open this fall with some form of in-person education.

Kemp's addition to the order came the same day that CDC Director Robert Redfield called for universal mask wearing as the only way to bring COVID-19 under control.

Also, in a widely lauded move, Walmart issued a statement saying that all customers must wear masks while in stores.

Kemp's order also came the same day President Trump visited Atlanta to tout a new infrastructure project on I-75. When a maskless Trump disembarked from Air Force One to greet Kemp on the tarmac, Kemp was seen to take his mask off.

Over the past week, Kemp had been traveling the state on the "Wear a Mask Tour," urging the personal decision to wear a mask. 

Friday, July 10, 2020

Posted By on Fri, Jul 10, 2020 at 3:58 PM

SCAD today announced that Fall 2020 classes for SCAD Savannah and SCAD Atlanta campuses will be delivered primarily virtually, with some exceptions to address the needs of certain programs and students.

The move is in response to the "current hotspot" status of COVID-19 cases in Georgia. SCAD Lacoste will remain closed for the Fall 2020 quarter.

Students in Savannah and Atlanta will be given two options: continue to engage in virtual learning from home, or return to campus to access physical resources.

The statement notes that the current plan is to open designated spaces for students who want access to labs and studios with specialized equipment. "Of course the future opening of buildings will be dependent on circumstances at the time, and this plan may change," the statement notes.

Protocols will include mandatory face coverings, temperature-taking stations at every building, reduced occupancy on SCAD buses, and enhanced sanitation, as well as residence halls being reduced to 33% of capacity for fall. More information on housing options will come later.

SCAD also addressed the announcement made by ICE which would revoke visas for international students who study entirely online. "SCAD cares deeply about our international students, and at this very moment, we are working diligently with government officials and other universities to clarify the details of this unexpected announcement," they say. "These actions are still subject to change, however, and it is too early to release guidance to students, whose welfare remains our highest priority."

SCAD urges students to visit its FAQ page for more information. 

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