Wednesday, January 24, 2018
The Stage on Bay has announced that Grammy-nominated alt-rock group Nothing More will perform at the venue on April 6.
The band is currently up for three Grammys, including Best Rock Performance, Best Rock Song ("Go To War"), and Best Rock Album (The Stories We Tell Ourselves, 2017).
Tickets for the all-ages show will go on sale Friday, January 26 at 10 a.m. via stageonbay.com. General admission tickets are $20 and VIP loft tickets are $40.
Tags: Nothing More , The Stage on Bay
The third season of the Savannah Bananas college summer baseball team is already sold out of ticket packages, the team announces.
The Bananas offer several ticket packages, including the ABR Stadium Club, reserved box seats, general admission season packages, ten-game plans, and the popular five-game plan.
"To accommodate the growing demand, the Bananas have increased the number of these all-you-can-eat packages each year," a team spokesperson says.
“It has been incredible to see the demand grow more and more each season. These plans were sold out in April last year and this year we only made it to January.” said Bananas president, Jared Orton.
“We couldn’t be more appreciative of the support of the Savannah community and we will be focusing our efforts throughout the Spring to create the best experience for Bananas fans.”
Starting Thursday, February 1, fans who don’t yet have tickets can sign up for a single game priority list to secure an opportunity to buy select game tickets.
Fans on the list will then be able to purchase tickets to available games based off their priority spot in April. Any remaining tickets will go on sale to the public after the priority list has had a chance to buy.
Fans wishing to join the priority list can do so February 1 through thesavannahbananas.com/prioritylist
The Bananas offer several ticket packages, including the ABR Stadium Club, reserved box seats, general admission season packages, ten-game plans, and the popular five-game plan.
"To accommodate the growing demand, the Bananas have increased the number of these all-you-can-eat packages each year," a team spokesperson says.
“It has been incredible to see the demand grow more and more each season. These plans were sold out in April last year and this year we only made it to January.” said Bananas president, Jared Orton.
“We couldn’t be more appreciative of the support of the Savannah community and we will be focusing our efforts throughout the Spring to create the best experience for Bananas fans.”
Starting Thursday, February 1, fans who don’t yet have tickets can sign up for a single game priority list to secure an opportunity to buy select game tickets.
Fans on the list will then be able to purchase tickets to available games based off their priority spot in April. Any remaining tickets will go on sale to the public after the priority list has had a chance to buy.
Fans wishing to join the priority list can do so February 1 through thesavannahbananas.com/prioritylist
Tuesday, January 23, 2018
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been requested by Savannah-Chatham Metro Police Department to investigate the shooting of an officer and another man this morning on Marian Circle.
"Savannah-Chatham Metro officers and members of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Taskforce arrived at a home in the 100 block of Marian Circle in unincorporated Chatham County around 6:15 a.m. to locate a suspect in the Jan. 21 homicide on Hudson Street," police report.
"According to a preliminary investigation, the suspect confronted officers with a gun. The suspect and a Metro sergeant were stuck by gunfire. Both were transported to a hospital where the suspect died as a result of his injures. Their identities are not being released at this time," police say.
"In order to ensure transparency in the case, Chief Mark Revenew requested the Georgia Bureau of Investigation conduct the investigation into the case. This is standard officer-involved protocol," police report.
"Savannah-Chatham Metro officers and members of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Taskforce arrived at a home in the 100 block of Marian Circle in unincorporated Chatham County around 6:15 a.m. to locate a suspect in the Jan. 21 homicide on Hudson Street," police report.
"According to a preliminary investigation, the suspect confronted officers with a gun. The suspect and a Metro sergeant were stuck by gunfire. Both were transported to a hospital where the suspect died as a result of his injures. Their identities are not being released at this time," police say.
"In order to ensure transparency in the case, Chief Mark Revenew requested the Georgia Bureau of Investigation conduct the investigation into the case. This is standard officer-involved protocol," police report.
Monday, January 22, 2018
The City of Savannah says it will will open all lanes of General McIntosh Blvd. and activate new traffic signals this Tuesday.
General McIntosh Blvd. has been closed since February 2015. As part of a flooding mitigation project, City taxpayers have funded the elevation of General McIntosh and President streets between 5-8 feet.
The City also reconfigured the intersections and installed new traffic signals at Randolph and President streets. The City says, "these infrastructure improvements are necessary for future development of the properties in that area."
General McIntosh Blvd. has been closed since February 2015. As part of a flooding mitigation project, City taxpayers have funded the elevation of General McIntosh and President streets between 5-8 feet.
The City also reconfigured the intersections and installed new traffic signals at Randolph and President streets. The City says, "these infrastructure improvements are necessary for future development of the properties in that area."
Metro’s detectives are investigating a shooting that resulted in the death of a 24-year-old man on Sunday, Jan. 21.
"About 1:45 p.m. today officers responded to the 2100 block of Hudson Street and discovered Balil Whitfield in a vehicle dead from apparent gunshot wounds. The shooting is being investigated as a homicide. The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation," police report.
Anyone with information should contact the SCMPD tip line by calling (912) 525-3124. Information can also be forwarded to CrimeStoppers at (912) 234-2020. Tipsters remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.
The SCMPD jurisdiction finished 2017 with 35 official homicides, though the three fatalities in arguably the highest-profile crime of 2017, the deaths of Scott Waldrup, Gabriel Magulias, and Spencer Stuckey, aren't counted as part of the official tally of homicides.
"About 1:45 p.m. today officers responded to the 2100 block of Hudson Street and discovered Balil Whitfield in a vehicle dead from apparent gunshot wounds. The shooting is being investigated as a homicide. The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation," police report.
Anyone with information should contact the SCMPD tip line by calling (912) 525-3124. Information can also be forwarded to CrimeStoppers at (912) 234-2020. Tipsters remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.
The SCMPD jurisdiction finished 2017 with 35 official homicides, though the three fatalities in arguably the highest-profile crime of 2017, the deaths of Scott Waldrup, Gabriel Magulias, and Spencer Stuckey, aren't counted as part of the official tally of homicides.
Friday, January 19, 2018
Tickets for Grand Ole Opry legend John Conlee have been selling fast, and The Mars Theatre (Springfield) has added an additional date.
Country fans can catch the iconic performer on Sunday, February 25 at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Conlee is responsible for classic hits including "Rose Colored Glasses," which just celebrated its 39th anniversary, "Friday Night Blues," "Backside of 30," and more chart-toppers.
Conlee recently returned to radio with the singles "Walkin' Behind The Star" and "Bread and Water," released on his own label, Rose Colored Records (RCR).
Tickets ($55 advance, $60 at the door) are available via the Mars Theatre.
Tags: John Conlee , Mars Theatre
Thursday, January 18, 2018
At today's regular meeting, Savannah City Council unanimously approved new guidelines on local horse-drawn carriages in the wake of a recent incident when a horse fell on an icy downtown street during wintry weather.
The new guidelines will specifically prohibit carriages to operate in sleet, freezing rain, or snow, with a cutoff outside temperature of 35 degrees.
A contentious new ordinance attempting to address the longstanding issue of abandoned shopping carts was also approved, with new amendments.
The agreed-upon measure will require any business using ten or more shopping carts to file a cart retrieval plan with the City. If they are notified by the City of an abandoned cart on public property, they will have 72 hours to retrieve the cart or be fined $250 per cart.
In showing empathy towards grocery store customers who take their groceries all the way home in the carts — which the industry says is outright theft — Mayor Eddie DeLoach said this to the grocery representatives at the meeting:
"This is not heart surgery. This is a simple process of doing your job and not complaining... these folks that need these carts to get groceries home, you just have to say 'that's part of my business' if you want them to keep shopping there," said the Mayor.
An industry rep told Council that three local Kroger stores will now feature self-locking carts, but that "there will be lots of customers that will be very unhappy" to find out "they can't steal stores' property anymore."
In finalizing the de-merger of the police department, Council agreed to accept a settlement from Chatham County to be paid $2.1 million for previous police services in 2016-17 and $1.17 million for services in January 2018.
However, the de-merger has been complicated by this week's request from the County for further police service from the City due to the County's inability to fully staff its new department.
The de-merger takes effect Feb. 1, but the County has only hired about a third of its anticipated police staff.
City Manager Hernandez requested and received authority to negotiate any further amendment as necessary in order to "finalize all actions related to the de-merger."
In other police-related business, the bid to spend $3.2 million on new Ford Police Interceptors was questioned by Alderman Tony Thomas and Alderwoman Estella Shabazz.
The bid went to an out-of-town dealer, Wade Ford, which bid lower than local dealers O.C. Welch and J.C. Lewis.
Thomas asked, "Why are we going to buy 117 police cars from Smyrna, Georgia, instead of a local company?"
City Manager Hernandez cautioned against pulling or reformulating the bid, because "The bid followed normal purchasing processes" and "we are purchasing vehicles that are desperately needed."
The bid was accepted and approved, but Council may take up the issue of local vendor preferences at a later date.
Just prior to adjournment, City Attorney Brooks Stillwell recommended that City Council force the Overtime Bar and Grill on Skidaway Road to attend a show-cause hearing to defend its alcohol license in the wake of several recent shootings there. Council agreed.
The new guidelines will specifically prohibit carriages to operate in sleet, freezing rain, or snow, with a cutoff outside temperature of 35 degrees.
A contentious new ordinance attempting to address the longstanding issue of abandoned shopping carts was also approved, with new amendments.
The agreed-upon measure will require any business using ten or more shopping carts to file a cart retrieval plan with the City. If they are notified by the City of an abandoned cart on public property, they will have 72 hours to retrieve the cart or be fined $250 per cart.
In showing empathy towards grocery store customers who take their groceries all the way home in the carts — which the industry says is outright theft — Mayor Eddie DeLoach said this to the grocery representatives at the meeting:
"This is not heart surgery. This is a simple process of doing your job and not complaining... these folks that need these carts to get groceries home, you just have to say 'that's part of my business' if you want them to keep shopping there," said the Mayor.
An industry rep told Council that three local Kroger stores will now feature self-locking carts, but that "there will be lots of customers that will be very unhappy" to find out "they can't steal stores' property anymore."
In finalizing the de-merger of the police department, Council agreed to accept a settlement from Chatham County to be paid $2.1 million for previous police services in 2016-17 and $1.17 million for services in January 2018.
However, the de-merger has been complicated by this week's request from the County for further police service from the City due to the County's inability to fully staff its new department.
The de-merger takes effect Feb. 1, but the County has only hired about a third of its anticipated police staff.
City Manager Hernandez requested and received authority to negotiate any further amendment as necessary in order to "finalize all actions related to the de-merger."
In other police-related business, the bid to spend $3.2 million on new Ford Police Interceptors was questioned by Alderman Tony Thomas and Alderwoman Estella Shabazz.
The bid went to an out-of-town dealer, Wade Ford, which bid lower than local dealers O.C. Welch and J.C. Lewis.
Thomas asked, "Why are we going to buy 117 police cars from Smyrna, Georgia, instead of a local company?"
City Manager Hernandez cautioned against pulling or reformulating the bid, because "The bid followed normal purchasing processes" and "we are purchasing vehicles that are desperately needed."
The bid was accepted and approved, but Council may take up the issue of local vendor preferences at a later date.
Just prior to adjournment, City Attorney Brooks Stillwell recommended that City Council force the Overtime Bar and Grill on Skidaway Road to attend a show-cause hearing to defend its alcohol license in the wake of several recent shootings there. Council agreed.
Tags: Tony Thomas , Estella Shabazz , Eddie DeLoach , Shopping Carts , Savannah
Wednesday, January 17, 2018
The newly created Savannah Chatham Sustainability Coalition (SCSC) non-profit organization announces that is has been formed with a mission "to produce local sustainable events, including the annual Earth Day Festival," a spokesperson says.
SCSC "champions the integration of sustainable principles within our partner municipalities and their community organizations. SCSC will collaborate with the environmental, social, health, educational and economic sectors on issues that affect everyone," the organization says.
The new non-profit will assist in raising funds to expand and grow its largest annual event, the Earth Day Festival. This event is "a celebration of environmentally responsible living and business practices in coastal Georgia focusing on education and activism. Sponsorships and donations to SCSC in support of its events and programming will be tax deductible for all persons and businesses participating," SCSC says.
The organization will be led by Joanne Morton, Festival Director and will have three additional team members: Cynthia Hopson, Erin Sheahan and Kathryn Shelton.
The SCSC Board's nine founding members are:
Timothy Arnold- Founder of Tybee Clean Beach Volunteers
Laura Douglass- Artist, Cosmic Corner Savannah
Lisa Garneau Doyle- Owner, Gypsy World Savannah
Matthew Grady- Motivational Speaker
Rob Hessler- Artist, Co-Chair of the Parkside Neighborhood Association
Robert Kiser- Owner at C-Port Mushroom Project
Elizabeth Rhaney- Artist, Emergent Savannah
George Seaborough- Coordinator for Citizen Advocacy
Cami Sockow- Center for Sustainability Program Coordinator, Georgia Southern University.
SCSC "champions the integration of sustainable principles within our partner municipalities and their community organizations. SCSC will collaborate with the environmental, social, health, educational and economic sectors on issues that affect everyone," the organization says.
The new non-profit will assist in raising funds to expand and grow its largest annual event, the Earth Day Festival. This event is "a celebration of environmentally responsible living and business practices in coastal Georgia focusing on education and activism. Sponsorships and donations to SCSC in support of its events and programming will be tax deductible for all persons and businesses participating," SCSC says.
The organization will be led by Joanne Morton, Festival Director and will have three additional team members: Cynthia Hopson, Erin Sheahan and Kathryn Shelton.
The SCSC Board's nine founding members are:
Timothy Arnold- Founder of Tybee Clean Beach Volunteers
Laura Douglass- Artist, Cosmic Corner Savannah
Lisa Garneau Doyle- Owner, Gypsy World Savannah
Matthew Grady- Motivational Speaker
Rob Hessler- Artist, Co-Chair of the Parkside Neighborhood Association
Robert Kiser- Owner at C-Port Mushroom Project
Elizabeth Rhaney- Artist, Emergent Savannah
George Seaborough- Coordinator for Citizen Advocacy
Cami Sockow- Center for Sustainability Program Coordinator, Georgia Southern University.
Tags: Earth Day , Earth Day Festival , Forsyth Park , Joanne Morton
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
The City of Savannah today announced that Mark Revenew will serve as the interim police chief for the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department, soon to be Savannah Police Department.
Chief Joseph "Jack" Lumpkin last month accepted a job in DeKalb County, Ga.
Revenew is currently the Chief of Police of the Pooler Police Department and will immediately beginning transitioning to this new role, the City says. Revenew has been with Pooler Police for 33 years and has been the chief since 2010.
The City says that Revenew "will not be seeking the Police Chief position on a permanent basis. The City Manager said that was important for his selection of an interim chief."
Savannah City Manager Rob Hernandez said, “I want to have a selection process for our next chief that is pure, fair and as transparent as possible and maximize the number of internal and external applications for the job.”
“The City Manager has made a great choice and I look forward to working with Chief Revenew,” said Mayor Eddie DeLoach.
“He has a vast knowledge of this area and our law enforcement and criminal justice partners and I know he will work well with the current leadership at SCMPD to continue to improve public safety in our great City.”
The City says it will be contracting with a firm in the near future to begin a search for a permanent police chief.
Chief Joseph "Jack" Lumpkin last month accepted a job in DeKalb County, Ga.
Revenew is currently the Chief of Police of the Pooler Police Department and will immediately beginning transitioning to this new role, the City says. Revenew has been with Pooler Police for 33 years and has been the chief since 2010.
The City says that Revenew "will not be seeking the Police Chief position on a permanent basis. The City Manager said that was important for his selection of an interim chief."
Savannah City Manager Rob Hernandez said, “I want to have a selection process for our next chief that is pure, fair and as transparent as possible and maximize the number of internal and external applications for the job.”
“The City Manager has made a great choice and I look forward to working with Chief Revenew,” said Mayor Eddie DeLoach.
“He has a vast knowledge of this area and our law enforcement and criminal justice partners and I know he will work well with the current leadership at SCMPD to continue to improve public safety in our great City.”
The City says it will be contracting with a firm in the near future to begin a search for a permanent police chief.
The City of Savannah says it is delaying its implementation of the new "Parking Matters" rate structure for parking downtown until January 22, with ticketing in earnest to follow by Jan. 29.
"This is due to the winter storm earlier this month which hampered efforts by parking services staff to distribute flyers reminding people about the changes," a City spokesperson says.
Beginning January 22, the City will issue warnings on all vehicles that do not comply with the new extended parking hours and the City will place Parking Guides on these vehicles as well.
"That means citations will be issued Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and warnings will be issued after 5 p.m. and on Saturdays," the spokesperson says.
The City will begin issuing citations on vehicles that do not follow the new Parking Matters plan on January 29.
The parking changes include:
· New rate zones—the price to park in the core downtown area (North of Oglethorpe Ave. between MLK, Jr. Blvd. and Habersham St.) is $2/hour. Outside that area motorists can expect to pay $1/hour or less. (see attached flyer). The new parking changes only effects on-street parking north of Liberty Street
· Meter enforcement times have been extended from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and this now includes Saturdays.
· Motorists can park as long as they would like at any metered space
· Public Parking garages will still be available for use at regular rates and discounted rates for afternoon/evening employees.
Anyone who would like to pay for parking without feeding a meter can pay on a mobile device by downloading the “ParkSavannah” app.
"This is due to the winter storm earlier this month which hampered efforts by parking services staff to distribute flyers reminding people about the changes," a City spokesperson says.
Beginning January 22, the City will issue warnings on all vehicles that do not comply with the new extended parking hours and the City will place Parking Guides on these vehicles as well.
"That means citations will be issued Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and warnings will be issued after 5 p.m. and on Saturdays," the spokesperson says.
The City will begin issuing citations on vehicles that do not follow the new Parking Matters plan on January 29.
The parking changes include:
· New rate zones—the price to park in the core downtown area (North of Oglethorpe Ave. between MLK, Jr. Blvd. and Habersham St.) is $2/hour. Outside that area motorists can expect to pay $1/hour or less. (see attached flyer). The new parking changes only effects on-street parking north of Liberty Street
· Meter enforcement times have been extended from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and this now includes Saturdays.
· Motorists can park as long as they would like at any metered space
· Public Parking garages will still be available for use at regular rates and discounted rates for afternoon/evening employees.
Anyone who would like to pay for parking without feeding a meter can pay on a mobile device by downloading the “ParkSavannah” app.
