GUYTON, Ga. — A neighborhood goat caused a stir — and some minor vehicle damage — after it reportedly climbed onto a car at a home on Central Avenue.
Officers responded around 6:45 p.m. on June 25 to 1466 Central Ave., where resident Stephanie Lynch said her neighbor’s goats had wandered onto her property. One particularly adventurous goat climbed onto her vehicle, leaving scratches on the roof, passenger door and windshield.
Lynch told police she spoke with her neighbor, Daniel Lewandowski, who agreed to pay for the damage and said he would contact his insurance company to file a claim. The two exchanged information, and Lynch requested a report for documentation.
The goat, for now, is sticking to the ground.
Effingham Health pharmacist found guilty of theft in opioid case
SPRINGFIELD, Ga. — An Effingham County Health System pharmacist has been found guilty of 49 counts of theft by obtaining a controlled substance in connection with a years-long scheme involving fraudulent opioid orders.
Durwin Logan was convicted June 26 following his third trial on charges related to the ordering and distribution of tens of thousands of Oxycodone and Roxicodone pills. A jury acquitted Logan of 49 counts of selling a controlled substance during the same trial.
Prosecutors said Logan fraudulently ordered more than 75,000 pills, forged pharmacy logbook entries with fake prescription numbers and quantities, and had substantial unaccounted-for income.
The case had been through multiple rounds of litigation. Logan was acquitted of money laundering charges during previous trials, and two earlier juries deadlocked on the theft and sale counts, prompting reindictments.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Aug. 13.
Screven Co. man arrested, drugs seized after search warrant in motel
SCREVEN COUNTY, Ga: A Screven County man has been arrested after a lengthy multi-agency investigation where drugs and drug paraphernalia were found in a motel room during a search warrant.
The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office Drug Suppression Unit, along with the Screven County Sheriff’s Office and the Sylvania Police Department, executed a search warrant in a motel room at the Village Green Motel on Burtons Ferry Highway in Sylvania around 10 a.m. July 10, 2025.
During the search, Investigators seized trafficking amounts of Methamphetamine and tools associated with distributing controlled substances.
Jakima Barnes, of Screven County, was arrested on scene and charged with trafficking Methamphetamine, possession of tools for the commission of a felony and possession of Methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
Barnes is in the Screven County jail.
Effingham County man wins $10.8M judgment in Samsung battery explosion case
SPRINGFIELD, Ga. — An Effingham County resident who was seriously injured when an e-cigarette battery exploded in his pocket has secured a $10.8 million judgment, following a Georgia Court of Appeals ruling that reinstated the award.
Jordan Brewer sued Samsung and two other defendants in 2020, claiming the company negligently designed, manufactured and sold the battery used in his vape pen without adequate warnings. Brewer said the device exploded in his pants pocket six months after he purchased it from a Chatham County store in 2019, causing serious injuries.
Brewer filed the lawsuit in Chatham County Superior Court, and after Samsung failed to respond to the complaint, a judge entered a default judgment and awarded him $10.8 million in general and special damages.
Samsung appealed, arguing the venue was improper and later contending that the award lacked detailed justification. In 2022, a trial court sided with Samsung and set aside the damages. But Brewer challenged that ruling, arguing the company failed to follow proper procedures throughout the case—including missing deadlines, failing to provide promised documentation, and waiting until after judgment to dispute its responsibility.
The Court of Appeals agreed with Brewer, overturning the trial court’s decision and reinstating the $10.8 million award.
