Monkeypox vaccine to be available for some in Savannah area amid concerns of increased diagnoses
Chatham County, which includes the Savannah area of Georgia, received its first shipment of Jynneos, a vaccine for the prevention of the monkeypox disease, last week and will begin distributing the vaccine to specific populations on Monday.
Hyundai announces $5.5B electric vehicle plant in Georgia
Hyundai Motor Group confirmed Friday the company will spend $5.5 billion on a huge electric vehicle plant near Savannah that will employ thousands โ a deal Georgiaโs governor called the largest economic development project in the stateโs history.
Residents clear storm debris as more severe weather looms
Following violent storms blamed for killing at least three people, Southerners cleared fallen trees from roadways and began cleaning up debris from homes and buildings smashed by suspected tornadoes as forecasters warned more violent weather was likely on the way.
Ships are sitting offshore containing items that we desperately need -- what can be done?
If youโre in the Jacksonville, Florida area, youโve likely seen the logjam of container ships sitting idly offshore. The vessels are packed with items destined for store shelves -- and theyโre things business owners and consumers desperately need delivered.
Gov. Kemp goes after COVID restrictions amid virus surge Georgia
Georgia's Republican governor issued an executive order Thursday that bans cities from requiring businesses to enforce local restrictions aimed at curbing the coronavirus pandemic, but what impact, if any, the measure would have on new mask requirements in Atlanta, Savannah and other cities was not clear.
Feds seek end to dredging limits that protect sea turtles
And itโs personal to us.โThousands of sea turtles that nest each spring and summer share their coastal habitat with busy seaports in all four states. Army Corps officials say they can eliminate seasonal dredging limits without putting sea turtles in greater peril. Giant loggerhead sea turtles, protected as a federally threatened species, nest during the spring and summer months on beaches from North Carolina to Florida. Smaller numbers of endangered green and Kempโs ridley sea turtles lay eggs in the region as well. The state agency notes warmer waters in the summer attract sea turtles in far greater numbers than during winter.
Savannah expects St. Patrickโs crowds, possible virus surge
Revelers prepare to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in one of Savannah's historic squares in 2019. SAVANNAH, Ga. โ The Southโs largest St. Patrickโs Day parade is canceled, as is the boozy riverside festival that accompanies it. Likewise, Savannah City Hall withheld a permit for the sprawling St. Patrickโs festival thatโs typically a magnet for beer-fueled revelry along the cityโs riverfront promenade of bars and souvenir shops. โWe take safety very seriously and will encourage attendees to comply with all City of Savannah requirements and CDC guidelines.โSavannahโs mayor says police will be enforcing a citywide mask mandate among St. Patrickโs crowds, with violators facing possible $500 fines. City Hall hasnโt been alone in pushing for increased caution during St. Patrickโs Day events.
โOur hearts have begun to healโ: Savannah Goldโs family thanks those who brought killer to justice
About a month after he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Savannah Gold, his Bonefish Grill co-worker, Lee Rodarte was sentenced Thursday to 40 years in prison. AdRodarte kept his back turned to Goldโs family and wiped tears as he listened to Goldโs father talk about her lionโs heart. Her mother, Sharon Gold, said Gold spoke about the impact the number 21 has had on their family. She said 21 was the number Savannah wore in sports, 21 was tattooed on her arm and โ21 is the year her killer goes to prison. โTo our family, extended family and community, our hearts have begun to heal because of your love and support,โ Daniel Gold said.
Georgia to vaccinate adults over 55, those with conditions
(AP Photo/John Bazemore)ATLANTA โ Georgia will expand COVID-19 vaccine criteria starting Monday to everyone 55 and older, plus younger adults who are overweight or have serious health conditions, making more than two-thirds of Georgians who are 16 and older eligible for vaccination. The same data show Georgia has administered the lowest share of doses delivered among states, with more than one-third of doses still awaiting injection. At the rate shots were given in Georgia last week according to state numbers, thatโs more than three weeks of supply. Thatโs where we are,โ said Amber Schmidtke, an epidemiologist who writes a daily report about COVID-19 in Georgia. Adults younger than 55 who will qualify include those who have asthma, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease or kidney disease.
Teachers, others now eligible for COVID-19 shots in Georgia are pleased, relieved
BRUNSWICK, Ga. โ Georgia teachers and other school and child care employees gained access to the COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, per the latest executive order from Gov. Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and parents of children with complex medical conditions are now also able to get the COVID-19 vaccine in Georgia under new guidelines issued last week. Blackstone said his teachers are relieved and excited to sign up for their shots. He said he will wait until his teachers and staff get vaccinated before he gets a shot himself. โIn addition to becoming eligible for vaccines through the Health Department, Southeast Georgia Health System, and local retail providers, our employees have been given the opportunity to register for a vaccine clinic next weekend,โ Tucker said.
Museums form World War II Heritage Trail across Georgia
SAVANNAH, Ga. โ A group of museums and historic sites are working together to promote a Georgia World War II Heritage Trail with stops across the state. The trail officially launched Tuesday and ties together 10 sites connected to Georgiaโs history during the war. They include the Currahee Military Museum in Toccoa, where the Army trained its first paratroopers, and the National Infantry Museum at Fort Benning outside Columbus. On the coast, thereโs the St. Maryโs Submarine Museum near Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base, while South Georgia has the World War II Flight Training Museum in Douglas, where Army pilots trained at South Georgia College. The idea for a tourism trail linking Georgiaโs World War II sites was launched a few years ago by Scott Loehr, president of the National Museum of the Mighty 8th Air Force near Savannah and Sheri Jones of the Coastal Georgia Historical Society, which operates the World War II Home Front Museum on St. Simons Island.
Georgia adds over 2,400 new COVID-19 cases
SAVANNAH, GA - DECEMBER 15: A nurse shows off a vial of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine outside of the Chatham County Health Department on December 15, 2020 in Savannah, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)The Georgia Department of Public Health on Saturday reported 2,422 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19. As of Saturday, a total of 803,349 confirmed cases had been reported by the state Department of Public Health. Ad(Note: There are variations in the day-to-day data reported by the Georgia Department of Public Health. At times, cases and deaths are removed from the overall running total reported by the Department of Public Health.)
Parade canceled, Savannah plans virtual St. Patrickโs events
FILE - Revelers prepare for the St. Patrick's Day parade on one of the city's historic squares, Saturday, March 16, 2019, in Savannah, Ga. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)SAVANNAH, Ga. โ With Savannahโs 197-year-old St. Patrickโs Day parade canceled for a second straight year, organizers of the Irish celebration plan to move several smaller events online. The Savannah St. Patrickโs Day Parade Committee isnโt giving up completely on 2021. They include the greening of the wrought iron fountain in Forsyth Park, where the gushing of green-dyed water each year signals the beginning of St. Patrickโs Day festivities. The committee will also stream video of the annual St. Patrickโs Day Mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist that traditionally comes right before the parade. Fogarty said the committee looks forward to celebrating St. Patrickโs Day in person again in 2022.
Georgia reports 3,620 additional COVID cases, 98 more deaths
The Georgia Department of Public Health on Friday reported 3,620 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19. As of Friday, a total of 766,604 confirmed cases had been reported by the state Department of Public Health. The agency on Friday reported 98 additional confirmed deaths related to COVID-19, bringing the stateโs total to 13,146 confirmed deaths since the start of the pandemic. (Note: There are variations in the day-to-day data reported by the Georgia Department of Public Health. At times, cases and deaths are removed from the overall running total reported by the Department of Public Health.)
Icemen ownership group will be part of new ECHL franchise in Savannah
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Three members of the Jacksonville Icemenโs ownership group will have a hand in a the ECHLโs newest franchise in Savannah. The league announced that the Savannah Professional Hockey Team will begin play in the ECHL in 2022-23 season. The team will play in the new Savannah Arena. Icemen owner Andy Kaufmann, team president Bob Ohrablo and executive vice president Scott Einhorn will serve in various capacities with Savannahโs new ECHL entry. Ohrablo will be the Savannah franchiseโs governor and Einhorn as the executive vice president.
Georgia House wants more state money for public health
(Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)ATLANTA โ Georgia House lawmakers want to shift more money into public health and nursing homes, saying the state needs to spend more in response to the coronavirus pandemic. House lawmakers propose adding nearly $34 million into the state Department of Public Health, after Gov. Brian Kemp had proposed no new spending from state money, instead relying on federal coronavirus relief for now. Of the money for public health, $18 million would go to modernize and replace the computer system that tracks immunizations statewide. Public Health would also get $15.4 million more to increase support for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, which provides HIV/AIDS medications to low income people.
5-year-old girl, 87-year-old great-grandmother located
ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. โ A 5-year-old girl from St. Johns County who was at the center of a Florida Missing Child Alert and her 87-year-old great-grandmother were found Thursday evening, according to authorities. The St. Johns County Sheriffโs Office said Thursday night that the two were located and were with authorities near Savannah, Georgia. The Sheriffโs Office said the house was not disturbed and there was no sign of foul play. The Sheriffโs Office said the two were then spotted Thursday midafternoon in the area of Savannah before they were located. According to the St. Johns County Sheriffโs Office, they have family in Swainsboro, which is off Interstate 16.
Here we go again: What to expect as Georgia counts votes
Perdue got about 88,000 more votes than Ossoff in the general election, but a Libertarian candidateโs 115,000 votes kept him from topping 50%, which is required to win. Warnock got 1.6 million votes, while Loeffler got nearly 1.3 million and Republican U.S. Rep. Doug Collins placed third with nearly a million votes. No ballots, including absentee ballots received in advance of Election Day, can be counted until the polls close. Second, Republican voters have been more likely to vote in person, either on Election Day or during the early voting period. In November, more than 5 percent of Georgiaโs votes were counted after noon on the day after Election Day.
US Senate candidates spend Saturday wooing Southeast Georgia voters
If either Republican wins, their party will keep a one-vote majority that could block Bidenโs legislative initiatives and judicial nominees. The Republicans are driving that point home with traditionally conservative South Georgia voters, calling their opponents radicals and portraying them as puppets of liberal Democrats in Washington. โThis is week two of my โGeorgia Firewall Tour,โโ Loeffler said Saturday during her campaign stop in Glynn County. โIt does seem to me like weโre in for a higher turnout election than is typical for a runoff,โ McDonald said. The last time there was a runoff for a U.S. Senate seat in Georgia -- 2008 -- about 2 million votes were casts and Republican Saxby Chambliss defeated Democrat Jim Martin.
Group says itโs challenging residency of 364K Georgia voters
SAVANNAH, Ga. โ A conservative group said Friday that itโs challenging the eligibility of more than 364,000 Georgia voters before election officials in each of the stateโs 159 counties ahead of January runoff elections that will decide control of the U.S. Senate. โToday we assisted concerned Georgia voters in taking a stand for the sanctity of every legal vote.โThe group said voters are being challenged based on questions about their residency based on change of address data obtained from the U.S. A similar challenge targeting more than 4,000 voters in Muscogee County, which includes Columbus, was found to have probable cause Wednesday by county election officials, the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer reported. The judge refused to order county election officials to reconsider in a brief ruling that said federal election law preempted Georgia law. โWe write to warn all county Georgia elections officials that participating in this charade violates state and federal law,โ wrote Sean Young, legal director of the ACLU of Georgia.
Vaccine distribution in Georgia to start soon, take months
SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) โ Georgia should start distributing thousands of doses of coronavirus vaccine by the end of next week, though most people will have to wait several months before they can get a shot, Gov. Kemp also warned infections and hospitalizations are soaring in Georgia and the virus will remain a serious threat well into 2021. The first doses, expected within the next 10 days, will be used to vaccinate Georgia health care workers and nursing home residents and employees. โThe general public will be not able to be vaccinated for months,โ Kemp said in a news conference streamed online from the state Capitol in Atlanta. Dr. Kathleen Toomey, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health, said Georgia should receive โseveral hundred thousand dosesโ in the coming weeks.
Family of man shot by Georgia trooper to sue state for money
SAVANNAH, Ga. โ Relatives of man shot to death by a Georgia state trooper now charged with murder plan to sue the state for wrongful death. Lawyers for relatives of Julian Lewis filed notice Monday in federal court in Savannah. Thompson forced Lewis off the road after trying to pull him over for a broken tail light, then shot Lewis in the head. Lewisโs family demands $1 million in damages, the most allowed by state law. The family also plans a federal civil rights lawsuit demanding more money.