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.

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.

Plant agrees to $1M for river cleanup

A Screven County textiles plant accused of being the source the Ogeechee River's massive fish kill in May has agreed to a Georgia Environmental Protection Division consent order.

Unemployment at 8.3 percent in Effingham

ATLANTA-State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that the preliminary unadjusted unemployment rate in metro Savannah increased to 9.5 percent in August, up two-tenth of a percentage point from 9.3 percent in July. The jobless rate in metro Savannah in August a year ago was also 9.3 percent.

Work on Mars may get a boost

With the potential of a grant from the state Department of Economic Development in hand, work around the Mars Theater in Springfield could be coming soon.

Rec board states its case for gym renovation

Members of the Effingham County recreation board are pleading with county commissioners to restore funding for the rec department's gymnasium.

State, GFB to sponsor Sunbelt Expo building

Georgia Farm Bureau is partnering with the Georgia Department of Agriculture to finance a new permanent exhibit building at Sunbelt Expo featuring Georgia agriculture. The building will be dedicated with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10:10 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 18, the opening day of Expo. All GFB members are invited.

EMA issues Ogeechee advisory

The Effingham County Emergency Management Agency received notification of citizens that are experiencing blister and sores on their bodies after swimming in the Ogeechee River. At this time there have not been any confirmed cases that the blisters or sores were caused by the river, local officials are still investigating the claims.

IDA resolving conflict issue

As the Effingham Industrial Development Authority courts a potential serious prospect, board members also are taking steps to avoid a possibly thorny issue.

Rincon looks to add full-time firefighters

Rincon City Council has approved the job description for a full-time firefighter but is holding off on approving a job description for a full-time chief.

Georgia to take part in fruit chemical use survey

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service will survey fruit growers in 12 states, including Georgia, for its biennial fruit chemical use survey. The agency will collect information on pesticides used, acres treated and rates applied to more than 20 fruit crops across the country.

Reeling them in

With the newly-renovated Tuckasee King landing now open, local and state officials are hoping to reel in more boaters and anglers.

One man killed in Saturday house fire

Authorities have identified a man killed in a Saturday night house fire on Courthouse Road.