CCCS holding identity protection events this week

SAVANNAH - Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Savannah will host National Protect Your Identity Week with two days of events that are free and open to the public.

Study shows trees have impact on state’s economy

As Americans mark National Forest Products Week from Oct. 18-24, a new report shows Georgia's forest products industry has a significant impact on the state's economy.

State aims to cut motorcycle crashes

The Georgia State Patrol and the Governor's Office of Highway Safety announced a new safety education initiative aimed at reducing the number of motorcycle crashes across Georgia. The project was announced at the First Army Commander's Motorcycle Safety Rally at Fort Gillem.

Deadline approaches for tobacco transition payment program

USDA Farm Service Agency State Executive Director Hobby Stripling reminds tobacco quota holders and producers not currently enrolled in the Tobacco Transition Payment Program (TTPP) that they have until Nov. 2 to sign-up to receive a 2010 TTPP payment.

IDA wants to show off sprayfield

As plans for its Research Forest Tract and holdings straddling I-16 move slowly along, the Effingham Industrial Development Authority is trying to squeeze some available sites out of its current industrial park.

Rincon, Guyton left to talk about lines

The City of Rincon held a meeting Wednesday evening hoping to bring the county and the other municipalities together in a last attempt to reach an agreement on where to draw the lines for service delivery.

Drainage issues hold up opening of Old Augusta

The long-awaited opening of Old Augusta Road at Highway 21 may have to wait until next month.

2009 Sunbelt Ag Expo will be ‘keepin’ it rural’

More than 70 Farm Credit workers from across Georgia will set stages, cook, judge contests, shuttle conventioneers and host events at the Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie this October.

USDA increases loan limit to $1.1M

Hobby Stripling, state executive director for USDA's Farm Service Agency in Georgia, announced the loan limit for its Guaranteed Loan Program has been increased to $1,112,000, effective Oct. 1.

USDA issuing Conservation Reserve Program payments

Hobby Stripling, state executive director for USDA's Farm Service Agency in Georgia, recently announced that USDA has begun issuing $14,559,623 in Conservation Reserve Program payments to eligible producers in Georgia. More than $1.7 billion in CRP payments are being made on 31 million acres across the country.

Pouring it on

Banks going ‘nuts’ over Georgia Peanut Bank Week

TIFTON - Banks and other lending institutions all across Georgia are going "nuts" during Georgia Peanut Bank Week through Oct. 16. Financial institutions in communities across the state are saluting peanut farmers' contributions to the state and local economy during this weeklong event.

Georgia Power plans outage for Fort Howard Road area

Georgia Power will have a planned outage on Fort Howard Road from Sweetwater Circle to Flat Ditch Road today beginning at 9 a.m.

County weighing assessors’ policies

Effingham County commissioners are continuing to discuss a policy on changing the makeup of the board of assessors.

County may skip meeting

The city of Rincon may be fighting for its right to future growth as it goes head to head with Effingham County on the service delivery strategy.

Springfield to seek grant for reuse water

Springfield is taking its first furtive steps toward adding a reuse water system to its wastewater treatment plant.

Neighborhood prepares for another busy Halloween

With an assemblage permit from the county in hand, the residents of Royal Oaks subdivision are planning their annual Halloween celebration.

Georgia soldiers teach seed germination to Afghans

WARDAK PROVINCE, Afghanistan-The Georgia Agribusiness Development Team continued working toward building the economy in Wardak province with a seed germination class at the Director of Agriculture Irrigation and Livestock compound in Maiden Shahr district Sept. 21.

Dancing the night away

Quick, quick, slow; quick, quick, slow. 5-6-7-8.

Another tragedy strikes school

Effingham County High School staff, students and administration are coming to grips with the death of another student from an automobile accident.

City welcomes grant

The long-awaited grant is in the city of Springfield's hands.

ECSO unveils social media platforms

The Effingham County Sheriff's Office has launched a social media program. The social media plan includes a Facebook page and a Twitter account.

City finishes cleanup from storms

Rincon firefighters, public works crews and residents were busy Sunday night and Monday cleaning up the debris and the damage from a sudden, powerful storm that swept through the area Sunday afternoon.

Effingham receives food, shelter set-aside funds

Effingham County has been awarded federal funds under phase 29 of the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program State Set-Aside.

Courthouse sets a standard

The Effingham County Historic Courthouse received a long-awaited award Monday afternoon, sealing local leaders' commitment to preserving the past with an eye toward the future.

Alcohol changes move closer to a vote

Effingham County commissioners have approved the first reading of two ordinances that could allow voters to approve Sunday package sales of beer and wine and to pave the way for Sunday sales of alcohol by the drink.

Plant’s penalty not enough, say Riverkeeper, supporters

BLITCHTON-Citizens who live along or near the Ogeechee River were urged not to give up the fight and continue to take their plight through legal channels and elected officials.

Historic Courthouse to receive LEED plaque

The Effingham County Board of Commissioners will be holding a LEED Plaque Presentation Ceremony on Monday. The ceremony will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the courtroom of the newly rehabilitated Historic Effingham County Courthouse.

County takes next step in new jail plans

Effingham County commissioners have agreed to move forward with a design-build contract for a new county jail in three separate phases.

Class action, Riverkeeper suits moving ahead

Two lawsuits pending against a Screven County textile facility alleged to be the source of a massive May fish kill on the Ogeechee River are moving forward - and plaintiffs in one case are hoping to move the suit back to the state level.