RINCON, Ga. — A year in local news is shaped by the stories that reach the widest corners of the community, spark sustained conversation and reflect the forces changing everyday life in Effingham County.
In 2025, readers turned most often to stories about growth, safety, loss and resilience — moments that revealed both the challenges the county faced and the strength of the people who call it home.
Growth and change
The most-read story of the year delivered major economic news as Virginia Transformer Corp. announced a $40 million expansion of its Rincon facility. The project will add more than 400 jobs while retaining hundreds more, a development praised by state and local leaders as a significant investment in advanced manufacturing and the region’s workforce. For many readers, the announcement symbolized both opportunity and the pace of change across the county.
Safety and public debate
Public safety and traffic concerns dominated much of the year’s most-read coverage. The death of Cindy Chavez, 22, in a crash on Highway 21 sent shockwaves through the community. Chavez was killed when her vehicle, turning left from Fourth Street, was struck by a northbound pickup truck. Having lived in Effingham County only a short time and engaged to be married, her death renewed urgent conversations about safety along one of the county’s busiest corridors.
Countywide debate followed a recommendation by Effingham County commissioners to end the county’s more than 80-year partnership with Live Oak Public Libraries and remove Library Board Chair Erica Biezenbos. The issue raised questions about governance, finances and access to library services. The Library Board later voted to leave Live Oak and join the Statesboro Regional Public Libraries, effective June 30, 2026.
As students returned to classrooms, readers closely followed the Effingham County School District’s renewed focus on safety. District leaders highlighted investments in weapons detection systems, crisis alert badges, upgraded access controls and continued collaboration with law enforcement agencies, underscoring efforts to protect students and staff amid growing national concerns.
Traffic congestion on Blue Jay Road emerged as another shared frustration for residents. County Manager Tim Callanan said easing the backups is a top priority, with transportation sales tax funding earmarked for road and traffic improvements beginning in 2026. The story prompted wide discussion about infrastructure, growth and long-term planning.
Concerns about public trust and community safety were also reflected in coverage of a Rincon couple’s roadside encounter with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Aide Aguirre, a U.S. citizen, and her husband Jose Francisco, a legal permanent resident, said the encounter ended with Aguirre seeking emergency medical care and raised serious questions about racial profiling and law enforcement authority.
Loss, service and community
The community mourned another tragic loss with the death of Franklin Ross, 58, who was struck and killed by a pickup truck while riding his three-wheeled pedal cycle on Honey Ridge Road in Guyton. Investigators said sunlight may have been a contributing factor. The story became a space for remembrance as residents shared condolences and memories.
Effingham County also came together to honor Floyd Crespo, a 42-year-old Marine veteran killed while lifting a semi-truck in Hilton Head, South Carolina. A solemn procession escorted his casket through the county, as residents paid tribute to his service, sacrifice and legacy.
Amid the year’s heavier news, readers gravitated toward stories of generosity. When the closure of International Paper mills in Savannah and Riceboro left about 1,100 employees facing uncertain futures, Tin Fin owner Shaunda Clark stepped forward to help. The Rincon restaurant pledged free family meals to affected workers and invited community partners to join the effort, offering a reminder of the role small businesses play in supporting neighbors.
The year also brought moments of celebration, including Effingham County’s homecoming festivities. The crowning of Kamia Griffin as Homecoming Queen resonated with readers and reflected the pride many residents feel in their schools, students and traditions.
Together, these stories captured a year defined by growth and grief, debate and generosity — the moments that mattered most to Effingham County in 2025.
