Here are some of the headlines from the final six months of 2021. 

To read the FIRST PART of our 2021 Year in Review, click here.

July

• Alleged drunk driver plows into home

On July 10, 2021 an alleged drunk driver plowed into a Hinesville home on Pineland Avenue Saturday night causing significant damage to the house shortly before 11 p.m.

According to Hinesville Police Department, Sgt. Johnathon Greer, Jarvis Jamel Scott was driving a pickup truck when he plowed into a home and left the scene of the accident. Greer said after Scott struck the garage area of the house, knocking down a garage door and bricks, he backed up and fled.

A good Samaritan, who saw the accident, followed Scott and notified authorities where he could be located on Whisper Lane, a side street located on the Forest Lake subdivision off South Main Street.

Scott who was not injured was arrested and charged with DUI of multiple substances, reckless driving, possession of open alcohol container and failure to report striking a fixed object. He posted $3,715 in bond. A family including three children were inside the home at the time of the incident.

• Car plows into gas pump, ignites

One week later on July 18, a motorist traveling westbound on Highway 84 Sunday at 5:30 a.m. was rounding the stretch of road known as McLarry’s Curve in Flemington and left the roadway eview Continued from page 1

striking a fuel pump and another vehicle. The impact caused the pump to burst into flames, causing both vehicles to sustain fire damage. Quick thinking employees were able to turn off the fuel by hitting the emergency off switch before further damage could be caused.

• Special exception issued; neighbors miffed

A few people were a bit miffed after the Liberty County Board of Commissioners approved a special exception for a resident of Isle of Wight allowing him to live in his motorcoach on his property. The decision was made at the July 15, mid-month meeting.

The commissioners heard a request from David Cheney, for a special exception to live temporarily, no more than one year, in a motorcoach on his property on East 1 Street at their July 6 meeting.

Cheney explained his formal residence had sustained significant damage from Hurricanes Irma and Michael. He said he was having ongoing issues with the insurance claims and he said when COVID hit, that further delayed repairs.

The motion was tabled to allow District four Commissioner, Maxie R. Jones IV, an opportunity to look into the matter within his district.

Nirav Gandhi from the Liberty Consolidated Planning Commission once again presented the matter. He reminded the Board that none of the residential areas zoned R-2 within the county allow individuals to live in a motorcoach on their individual lots. Gandhi explained that the special exception meant that Cheney would need to have a new home built within a year or would have to come before the Board again for an extension to his special exception. He reminded the Board the reason Cheney was brought before the Board was because he was cited for violating the R-2 County ordinance. He went before Magistrate Court who informed Cheney, he would have to petition the Board for a Special Exception to remain living in the motorcoach.

• Councilwoman requests complaint drop box

At the July 15 City of Hinesville council meeting, Councilwoman Diana Reid asked City Manager Kenneth Howard about the status of her previous request to have a comp laint/ suggestion box set up so city emp loyees may express their thoughts and opinions in a way that would be discreet and without retaliation. Howard said the city was working on a process with the assistance of the Carl Vinson Institute. Reid questioned why the city would spend money when the easy solution would be to just put up a box. Howard said the training is one facet of the process to ensure departmental consistency on how they would respond to information they receive from employees.

• End Of Watch Ride honors Long Deputy Whiteman

A convoy of Harley Davidson motorcycle riders and fifthwheel trucks entered Ludowici July 13, as people lined the roadways welcoming them to the community. The trucks were adorned with hundreds of photos — all portraits of fallen law enforcement officers who were killed in the line of duty in 2020. The motorcycles and trucks made their way into the parking lot of the Long County Board of Education where the widow of Long County Deputy Sheldon Whiteman, killed in January 2020, and her sons were greeted by ride organizer Jargut Shah. Whiteman was killed during a high-speed pursuit Jan. 23, 2020 when his patrol car went off the road, into the woods and struck a tree.

• Power struggle in Riceboro

During a Special Called Meeting held July 22, at Riceboro City Hall, Malinda McIver was reinstated as the City’s clerk after being abruptly terminated by Mayor, Joseph Harris, on or around July 9.

The mayor was not at the meeting but attended the Executive Session via cell phone according to McIver’s attorney Elizabeth Beasley of Balbo and Gregg Law Firm.

After the Executive Session, the meeting was opened to public forum where they announced the issue had been resolved. Councilmembers and those present embraced McIver who has been the City Clerk for 40 years, serving under four different administrations.

“I’m just glad to be back,” she said. Beasley said there was never a clear picture of why the mayor terminated McIver in the first place. She said she was glad to hear the current Councilmembers would be supporting McIver going forward.

Towards the end of July the city, county and Board of Education announced mask requirements and other restrictions as the Covid pandemic started to spike across the County.

August

• Cases rise

On Aug. 9, 2021 Liberty Regional Medical Center Chief Nursing Officer Donna Cochrane painted a dark picture of her hospital’s ongoing battle with the resurgent COVID-19 pandemic, calling it something she hasn’t seen in 26 years of nursing.

Another surge of COVID-19 patients, the majority of them unvaccinated, was overwhelming the staff at the Hinesville hospital.

“We are tired, we are at our wit’s end, and we are overwhelmed,” she said.

And Cochrane wasn’t the only one, as medical providers from a number of hospitals in the eight-county Coastal Health District gathered at the Coastal Georgia Botanical Garden in Chatham County to issue an appeal to the unvaccinated public that can be summed up in two words, or three, if you’re polite.

Get vaccinated. Please.

• Hinesville to address construction concerns

A construction update was presented at the Aug. 5, City of Hinesville Council meeting informing the community of the continued work being done at Bradwell Park.

The construction had caused some businesses to be impacted financially. At one point during the meeting, Councilman Keith Jenkins asked if the merchants are being compensated for their losses. Paul Simonton of Simonton Engineering, who was giving the update, said Donita Gaulden would be addressing the issue before the council.

Gaulden, who is the Director of the Hinesville Community Development Department, spoke about the America Rescue Plan Funds but noted those funds, in no way, could be used to fund losses by merchants caused by the construction. She said the Mayor and Council approved to allocate $250,000 of ARP funds to provide small business grants to recover from the adverse impacts of COVID. She said they received 54 applications, awarded 31 applicants with $5,000 each and declined 23 applicants. She said those that were declined were either missing documents, had not shown loss of income for the specified period of the application or were not within city limits. She said there was $95,000 that has yet to be awarded. She recommended the Council allow a second roll out for applicants and revise the in-operation dates, to allow businesses starting during the pandemic to apply. The council rolled out a second phase with newer guidelines.

• Liberty ranked 16th in the state for DUIs

The Liberty County Board of Commissioners held their regular meeting on Aug. 3, where they learned Liberty County had earned a bad distinction.

“We are 16th in the state as far as DUI arrests,” said Liberty County Sheriff ’s Office Major Bill Kirkendall adding the Georgia Department of Highway Safety deemed Liberty County a “hot spot,” making it eligible for a special grant. Kirkendall said he applied and is now requesting the Board approve the authorization to receive $300,000 from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. The Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic (H.E.A.T.) Grant, will be used to place three additional deputies and fully equipped new vehicles on the road to focus specifically on highway safety within the County.

• McRae raises money for local boys and girls club

Professional basketball player and Hinesville native Jordan McRae was back at his high school gym Aug. 7, hosting a basketball and dance clinic at Liberty County High School.

Later that same evening McRae hosted a Spades tournament at Celebrations Castle in Ludowici raising funds that will benefit the Liberty County Boys and Girls Club.

“When I was growing up, I used to have to go out of town for these opportunities,” McRae said about the children’s clinics. “And for me to be able to bring some of the experiences that I have and bring it back here to Liberty County means a lot to me.”

McRae said the youth in Liberty County work hard in developing their athleticism producing top athletes to include other professional athletes like Raekwon McMillan, Richard LeCounte, Davion Mitchell, Freddie McSwain Jr., Jordan Johnson, Rion Brown and several others.

• Long-time Allenhurst mayor passes

Thomas Hines, the long-time mayor of Allenhurst passed Thursday Aug. 12, 2021 afternoon in Savannah. Prior to becoming mayor in 2004, Hines was also the fire chief of the Walthourville fire department. Right after the attack on the World Trade Center in New York City, Hines and a band of firefighters made the trip to New York to drop supplies and assist fellow firefighters. Hines was 59.

• Courier hires new Sports Editor

Gerald Thomas, III, has been named the new sports editor for the publications and websites of the Coastal Courier and Bryan County News.

“We are excited about having Gerald come on board and being able to give our readers in print and online the type of sports coverage they deserve,” former Courier Publisher Dee McLelland said. Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, Thomas is the son of Gerald Thomas II and Yolanda Owens and the brother of Charmele and Cameron Thomas. While in Savannah, he attended Bethesda Academy while competing on the varsity football team before receiving his high school di p loma in 2016. Th o m a s III enrolled at Valdosta State Univ e r s i t y, obtaining a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Mass Media in the Spring 2020 semester. Go Blazers, again!

While in Valdosta, he joined the ‘Oldest and Coldest’ Fraternity of them all; Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and jumpstarted his journalism career. He began as a staff writer specializing in sports for Valdosta State University’s ‘The Spectator,’ before being promoted to the digital content editor. Then he would join the staff at WTOC in Savannah as a Summer 2019 news intern. In the fall of 2019, he became a sports stringer for the Valdosta Daily Times.

Prior to joining the Bryan County News and Coastal Courier, he covered a plethora of teams throughout his sports reporting journey.

September

• Former DA in Arbery case indicted

On Sept. 2, State Attorney General Chris Carr announced the indictment of former District Attorney Jackie Johnson on charge s of Violation of Oath of Public Of f i c e r and Obstruction of a Police Officer. As alleged in the indictment, these charges are related to the investigation surrounding the shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery. The indictment charges that Johnson violated her oath of public officer, a felony that carries 1-5 years and that she obstructed and hindered a law enforcement officer, a misdemeanor that carries up to 12 months.

• LRMC says facility is full

In September the Coastal Courier reached out to Liberty Medical Regional Center, who confirmed they have been overwhelmed with the recent spike in Covid cases.

Rene Harwell who is the hospital’s Director of Community Outreach offered this response.

“Thank you for contacting me on behalf of Liberty Regional Medical Center. Our CEO, Tammy Mims, states that our Medical Surgical floor (in-patient floor) is full and we have 32 patients in the ER with 16 of the patients holding in the ER for admission. (Keep in mind we are a 25 bed Critical Access Hospital.) Fortunately, now we believe we have every patient on a stretcher; however, we did have the need to use cots earlier in the week when we ran out of hospital beds and stretchers due to the volume of patients.”

Harwell said the spike in COVID cases including the Delta variant, and other ailments patients are experiencing and seeking treatment for has overwhelmed the staff.

“Our emergency room has been full since this latest spike in COVID-19,” Harwell said. “In addition to COVID patients we, of course, continue to have emergencies with patients coming in who have non-COVID related illnesses as well.”

• Riceboro residents want recall of mayor

Residents of the City of Riceboro requested that the City Council formally prepare the documents to officially recall City Mayor Joseph Harris. The requests happened Sept. 7, during their regular City council meeting.

During public participation, resident Brenda Addie called the Mayor incompetent and accused Harris of no longer residing within the City limits. She said he should be recalled for maleficence and misconduct. Addie cited the City charter, section 5-13 and said the Mayor’s behavior fit the category allowing for the recall. Resident Dorothy Cottom also called for the Mayor’s recall saying he has failed to perform his duties, continues to misuse City property and for misconduct in office. “I believe in giving every individual, residents and citizens the right to voice their opinions,” Harris said after the meeting. “I support freedom of speech and therefore I have nothing negative to say about what those two residents wanted to express.” Harris said he has not one doubt that should a recall petition be filed, he would prevail stating his work ethics would show he has been doing his job.

• Riceboro mayor dies

CityofRiceboroMayorJoseph Harris died from COVID-19 on Sept. 21, 2021. The Courier received confirmation of his death from Riceboro Mayor Pro Tem Pearlie Axson. Harris, 35 passed away around 4 a.m. at Liberty Regional Medical Center in Hinesville. Axson said that Harris was hospital ized last week. Mayor Harris was elected in November 2019 and was the youngest Mayor to hold office in the city when sworn in January 2020. He was also a school teacher at Lyman Hall Elementary.

• Prayer vigil held for LRMC staff

A prayer vigil was held on Sept. 15, at the entrance of Liberty Regional Medical Center in Hinesville to pray for the doctors and staff who have been overwhelmed with an increase of patients suffering from Covid 19. Roughly 40 members of the staff attended the prayer vigil as clergymen from various churches offered prayers and comfort to the staff who had been working nonstop to take care of those hospitalized in the 25-bed facility.

* Council ‘intense’ over suggestion box Another intense discussion was held at the Sept. 16, City council meeting as Councilwoman Diana Reid, once again, requested that City Manager, Kenneth Howard place a suggestion box up to allow City employees to express their opinions.

Reid said the City is about to spend $15,000 that was placed in the budget for total quality management (TQM) training on how to process employees’ comments or suggestions without the fear of retaliation. “You all resorted to spend $15,000 instead of getting a box?” Reid asked. Councilmember Jason Floyd said TQM is being utilized in many companies as a means to track issues and how issues are being processed.

“I think TQM could benefit the city,” he said. “And I think that is what the funding is for.”

Councilmember Keith Jenkins said it was the first time he heard that the City was planning on spending $15K for TQM.

“Put the box up,” Jenkins said to Howard. “Go on and put the box up. It is a suggestion box. I didn’t come to the City Council meeting to continue to hear about something that should have been or could have been done. The suggestion has been made by a councilmember. She wants the suggestion box up and to me that is all it is, a suggestion box.”

A suggestion was made to place the box in a remote area. Councilmember Karl Riles agreed saying the city should put up the box and see how it works before spending the $15K for the TQM tracking process.

Howard said they’ve had several discussions on this matter to include the implementation of the TQM. “And it was at the very last meeting that this body told me to proceed with what was being presented,” Howard said. Howard also clarified the $15K was for training. Howard said placing a suggestion box was fine but, “We have to have a plan for what we do with the suggestions,” he said. “That is what I am trying to get to.”

October

• Cops and community unite for event

The Law Enforcement community in partnership with the Liberty County Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), came together on Oct. 10, 2021, at Bryant Commons Park for the Faith and Blue Weekend event. According to their website, National Faith and Blue weekend is a powerful initiative that builds bridges to more engaged communities. At the heart of this initiative is the reinforcement of connections between law enforcement professionals and the communities they serve through the reach of houses of worship. For this weekend’s event law Enforcement Officers met with the public and collected food donations for the Manna House, Liberty County’s food bank. Liberty County Sheriff William Bowman said Manna House supports the needy people in the County.

“It is a great organization and it shows that Law Enforcement and the community can come together and work as one,” he said. Law Enforcement Officers representing every department within the County were on hand to offer their assistance for the event. “One band, one sound,” Bowman said noting they all came together because they all share the common goal of keeping the community safe.

• LCSO gets $299K to help curb DUIs

The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety announced that the Liberty County Sheriff ’s Office is one of 21 law enforcement agencies in Georgia to receive a Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic grant for the Federal 2022 Fiscal Year.

Referred to as a H.E.A.T. grant, Liberty County Sheriff ’s Office’s award totals $299,999.76. The goal of the H.E.A.T. program is to combat crashes, injuries and fatalities caused by impaired driving and speeding, while also increasing seatbelt use and educating the public about traffic safety and the dangers of DUI.

The Liberty County Sheriff ’s Office H.E.A.T Unit will use the grant from GOHS to develop and implement strategies to reduce local traffic crashes due to aggressive and dangerous driving behaviors.

• Arbery trial to be a long process

“It’s going to be a very long process. A very long and slow process,” Wanda Cooper Jones, the mother of Ahmaud Arbery said about the jury selection for her son’s murder trial which began Oct. 18, 2021 in Glynn County Superior Court.

Cooper Jones went on to say she was hopeful of the process. “I am confident that my legal team will select the right jurors to do the job.”

Arbery, an African American, was killed on Feb. 23, 2020 as he jogged through the Satilla Shores neighborhood in Brunswick. The case was embroiled in controversy from the start when former Brunswick District Attorney Jackie Johnson, recused herself from the case and turned the matter over to Ware County DA George Barnhill. As the case lingered with no arrests, Barnhill also recused himself and turned the case over to Atlantic Judicial Circuit DA Tom Durden in April 2020.

Durden requested the assistance of the Georgia Bureau of investigation after a video was leaked on the internet in early May, showing Arbery’s killing. By May 7, three men were arrested for the crime. Defendants Travis and Gregory McMichael and William Roddie Bryan were indicted on five counts of murder, two counts of aggravated assault, false imprisonment and criminal attempt to commit a felony. The three defendants were also charged with federal hate crimes and will face another trial on those charges at a later date. All three men claimed they acted in self-defense.

• Hinesville holds millage, property taxes increase

City of Hinesville Council and Mayor Pro Tempore Jason Floyd voted to keep the millage rate at 10.50 mills at the regular Council meeting held Oct. 21. City Chief Financial Officer Kimberly Thomas Ryon reported the City has properly advertised the adoption of the millage rate for the 2021 tax digest. Three public hearings were conducted as required. The City’s 5-year history of levy and proposed current tax digest advertised a millage rate of 10.50 mills which is the same mill rate as the 2020 tax digest rate. While the City kept the millage rate the same as last year it does mean the residents of Hinesville can expect a property tax increase of 4.08 percent. Council also passed a budget amendment and passed the fiscal year 2022 balanced budget of $48,876,948.00.

• County adopts millage, raises taxes

After much discussion the Liberty County Board of Commissioners officially adopted the 2021 millage rates during their Oct. 21 mid-month meeting. The millage rate for the unincorporated areas of Liberty County was set at 16.60 mills which means a 1.8 percent property tax increase for the residents in those areas.

• Mitchell makes NBA debut

Davion Mitchell has finally jumped on the NBA scene after being picked ninth overall in the 2021 NBA Draft in July. Suiting up for the Sacramento Kings, the Liberty County alum Mitchell has come off the bench, averaging 29.3 minutes per game over three contests as his team opened their season on Wednesday, Oct. 20. Mitchell is a graduate of Liberty County High School and played for the Baylor Bears leading them to an NCAA title.

• Food truck festival draws large crowd

Moderate temperatures and heavy appetites drew out a large crowd to South Main Street on Oct. 30 during the Food Truck festival organized by the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce. It was the second Food Truck event after COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the annual festival last year. The first Food Truck festival was held in 2019.

• Panthers win region title

On Oct. 29, 2021 the Liberty County Panthers became Region 3-3A c h ampi ons after clinching in a 32-26 win over Beach. This became the first time that the Panthers held the region crown since 2017, a season removed from the Richard LeCounte III era back when they were members of Region 2-3A.

November

• No special elections for Riceboro

City of Riceboro Councilmembers, Mayor Pro-Tempore and residents learned they couldn’t hold a special election to fill the mayor seat at their regular meeting on Nov. 2. City attorney John Pirkle explained that the City had to abide by the rules set forth by the state under their charter. Pirkle said their charter allows the Council to appoint a new mayor but the state didn’t give the City the authorization to hold special elections for the vacant position. The mayor’s seat has been vacant since former Mayor, Joseph Harris, passed away on Sept. 21, due to complications from COVID.

• LRMC opens permanent oncology center

Liberty Regional Medical Center held an open house at their newly expanded Oncology Unit at the Medical Center’s campus.

LRMC and the Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion at St. Joseph’s/ Candler had partnered to create a new oncology program to deliver the latest treatments to Liberty County cancer patients and opened the doors at their first location earlier this year on General Screven Way.

“We had to expand a medical oncology unit that we opened about seven months ago,” said Paul P. Hinchey, President & CEO St. Joseph’s Candler. “We started medical oncology in Hinesville in a strip mall just to stick our toe in the water.” Hinchey said they knew they would quickly outgrow their facility so they started working on their new location inside the Medical Center building at 455 South Main Street.

“And now we’ve doubled the office space here in this medical building so that the patients here can have more chairs and get chemo treatment close to home and not have to leave the area to get it,” Hinchey said. Hinchey said the former location had seven chairs and the new office has 10 increasing treatment capacity by 30 percent.

• NAACP honors 92-year-old veteran

American flags were waved high in the air as the community came out in large numbers to support the annual Veterans Days Parade in Liberty County. Parade watchers lined up along Main Street, flags in hand and cheered on the veterans, marching bands and dignitaries who walked the route on a clear and pleasant afternoon. Prior to the parade, the Liberty branch of the NAACP honored one the oldest living veterans in Liberty County, SFC retired Ralph Dixon, 92. Liberty NAACP President Eric Hollis said it was an honor to recognize Dixon for his service.

“This young 92-year-old has accomplished a lot of things,” he said. “We wanted to thank him for being at the tip of the spear and for standing between what was right and what was wrong. To meet him, to say it was an honor, that word isn’t even doing it justice. He is 92 and he is still just as fired up as any young person in this community. He is a phenomenal person we have in our community. It was more than an honor to meet him.”

Dixon is a Vietnam veteran, Korean War Veteran and also fought in World War II.

• Local RN wins statewide

Hero award

Liberty Regional Medical Center’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Coordinator Sandy Wells, RN, was awarded the prestigious Georgia Hospital Hero Award at the Georgia Hospital Association’s (GHA) Hospital Hero A w a r d s virtual celebrat ion on Nov. 11. Wells, who was one of two individuals statewide to receive the award, was recognized for her dedication to educating the community about health and wellness with a focus on the prevention of heart disease.

• Former Globetrotters bring fun

It was an exciting day at Bradwell Institute on Nov. 17, 2021, as former members of the legendary Harlem Globetrotters paid the school a visit to do some drills with some of the children as well as participate in a game against the Liberty County All-Stars. The game began with the former Globetrotters vs. the All-Stars, but not before the former showcased their basketball talents and entertaining hijinks for the crowd, which brought a lot of smiles and laughter. It ended perfectly for the Globetrotters, as they triumphed over the All-Stars by a score of 78 to 64.

• Councilmembers request transparency

The subject of being accountable to their constituents and the request for more transparency was discussed at the Nov. 18, City of Hinesville council meeting. Councilwoman Diana Reid once again questioned the funds that Assistant City Manager Ryan Arnold had reported on during their Oct. 21 meeting. At that meeting Arnold reported American Rescue Plans funds to cover emergency shelter, rent, mortgage and utilities was funded in the amount of $100,000, but the City still had a current balance of $77, 196.66. However, at the Nov. 4, meeting City Manager Kenneth Howard said the amount reported by Arnold on Oct. 21 were for funds spent as of Oct. 1. He said applications continued to be processed and the amounts of families went from 17 to 52 as of Nov. 1. Because of the newly processed applications the new remaining balance was $18,123.22. At the Nov. 18 meeting Ryan said the remaining balance was now $100. Council had just heard a report from Arnold stating the City of Hinesville ARP small biz grant funds had $20,000 remaining after the third phase of rewards. The Councilmembers asked and then requested the remaining funds be allocated to the Hinesville Homeless Prevention Plan (HPP). Reid agreed but with stipulations. “That is fine,” she said. “But we had $100,000 allocated for mortgage rent and utilities which I have yet to actually have accountability for. So, I am hesitant of allocating more when I was refused to actually see where the $100,000 went…I am only one vote but I say wait until I’m positive that we have accountability for the $100,000 that you already have through the books.”

• County included in Opiate lawsuit

The County Commissioners voted to be included in the settlement of a class action lawsuit in the National Prescription Opiate Litigation. The Board of Commissioners passed the measure at its Nov. 18, mid-month meeting. County Administrator Joey Brown explained this was the next step in the ongoing process for the several communities across the state that participated in the opiate litigation process against several opiate distributors and manufacturers two years ago.

County Attorney Kelly Davis said the state will receive 75 percent of the funds and participating local governments will receive 25 percent of the funds allocated. But Davis said the amount the County would receive is still unknown at this time. He did say the overall settlement for everyone across the country is 26 billion dollars.

Davis said they are waiting to receive more information on how those funds may be spent.

• Mother reacts to guilty verdict

After deliberating for 11 and a half hours the jury comprised of 11 white people and one African- American found the three white men who killed Ahmaud Arbery on Feb. 23, 2020, guilty of murder. The verdict was read at 2 p.m., Nov. 24, in Glynn County Superior Court.

Travis McMichael was found guilty in all nine counts: one count of malice murder, four counts of felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault, one count of false imprisonment and one count of criminal attempt to commit a felony.

Gregory McMichael was found not guilty of malice murder but guilty on all other charges. William Roddie Bryan was found not guilty of malice murder, one count of felony and one count of aggravated assault, but found guilty on all other charges.

Immediately following the verdict Arbery’s mother, Wanda Cooper-Jones, celebrated with her attorneys and family at her home, where she also spoke with Courier Correspondent Lewis Levine.

“Today was an emotional day and a day of victory,” she said. Cooper-Jones said she didn’t expect the jury to have a verdict as soon as they did, but was thankful they reviewed all the evidence and found the defendants guilty.

She said it was the justice that her son deserved.

“Now Ahmaud can continue to rest in peace,” she said, adding her faith in the justice system has been restored.

• Community mourns loss of LCRD giant

The man behind most of the Liberty County Recreation Department and what it meant for the youth in our community has passed away. According to an obituary received Charles M. Shuman (Big Shu), 87, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 28. Shuman started the Hinesville Athletic Association and the Liberty County Recre ation Department; served as Senior Teen Club Advisor ; he organized Liberty County’s first Fast Pitch Softball Team; he was President of Liberty Independent Troop; Director of the Liberty County Adult Softball League; served as Cub Scout Pack Master; served as a member and past president of the Hinesville Jaycees, was named Jaycee of the Year in 1967, and won the Jaycee Presidential Award in 1967 and again in 1969; named Liberty County Young Man of the Year in 1970; won the Distinguished Service Award in 1971; he was State Recreation Director of the Year in 1974; Chairman of the Hinesville Planning Commission; Charter Member of the Cherokee Rose Country Club; Christmas Parade Marshall in 2004; in 2001 the Charles M. Shuman Gym at James Brown Park was established in his honor.

December

• City Manager: My character is under attack

Hinesville city Manager Kenneth Howard said his character and career were being attacked during the Dec. 2, 2021 council meeting. For the past three months Councilwoman Diana Reid had been requesting a report to see where and how American Rescue Plan funds set aside for emergency rent, mortgage and utilities were spent. At a previous meeting city Attorney Linnie Darden said Councilmembers were allowed to view the information, provided they don’t share any information with others. Howard said all requests should come directly to him. Reid said she had already made her request known, “One Hundred thousand at the top, zero at the bottom and whatever is in between, simple,” she said. “Okay, that’s easy,” Howard replied.

“You would think,” Reid said.

Councilman Keith Jenkins asked the City Manager if he would consider placing Arnold in charge of the requests.

Howard was quiet for a brief second then said, “You know, Mayor and Council, I feel that personally this is something that is being geared toward me. I feel that… what has transpired here now is an attack on me. I have been told, Mayor and Council, that Ms. Reid has said that I have embezzled money from the city…And that is a very outlandish claim.”

• New and Not store closes after four decades of business

After being open for more than four decades, a South Main Street staple will soon be shuttering their doors. The owners of the New and Not Shop are prepping for retirement after 42 years in business.

“We opened in November of 1979,” Cullen Barnes said. “We want to thank all our loyal customers for all these years in Liberty County.”

• Riceboro appoints new mayor

Former Riceboro Councilman Chris Stacy was appointed as the city’s new mayor at a special called meeting on Dec 15. Two candidates had applied for the position left vacant after the death of Mayor Joseph Harris on Sept. 21, 2021, but one candidate withdrew his application. Stacy will serve the remaining two-year term.

• City, County, BOE approve new districts

Several meetings were held throughout the month as new city and county districts were re-drawn based on the results of the 2020 Census.