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Judge John Harvey dies
0527Judge John Harvey
Judge John Harvey - photo by Courier file photo
PEMBROKE — Judge John R. Harvey, 73, died Monday morning at Hospice Savannah while surrounded by his family.
Judge Harvey was a 1953 graduate of Bryan County High School and a 1957 graduate of the University of Georgia. He was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in the infantry in Germany until his honorable discharge in 1963. After his military service, he came home and practiced law in Pembroke. During his early career, Judge Harvey served as the attorney for Pembroke State Bank and the Bryan County School Board. He represented both International Paper and Seaboard Railroad, and he served as solicitor general for Bryan County. He also served as Bryan County’s attorney and the city attorney for both Pembroke and Richmond Hill.
In 1974, Gov. Jimmy Carter appointed Judge Harvey to the superior court of the Atlantic Judicial Circuit here he served for more than 30 years. Judge Harvey was a lifelong member of Ellabell United Methodist Church and was predeceased by his parents Will C. and Ruthie Lee Harvey.
Survivors include his wife of more than 32 years, Mrs. Olivia Harvey of Pembroke; two sons and daughters-in-law, Brian and Misty Harvey of Claxton and John D. and Michelle Harvey of Richmond Hill; one brother and sister-in-law, Harold and Sylvia Harvey of Cumming; and one sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Gene Head of Anthem, Ariz.; three grandchildren, Allison, Daniel and Ella Harvey; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Wednesday evening from 3-9 p.m. at Flanders Morrison Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church of Pembroke with interment to follow in Lower Black Creek Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Judge Jay Stewart, Judge Paul Rose, Judge David L. Cavender, Judge Robert L. Russell , Judge Albert Rahn, Judge Ben Brinson, Deputy Rick Hughes and Ben Brewton Jr.  Honorary pallbearers will be the court personnel in the Atlantic Judicial Circuit.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Ellabell Methodist Church, 3113 Hwy. 204, Ellabell, GA 31308.
Flanders Morrison Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
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Community gets a rare snow day
Snow Day 1

City of Hinesville and Liberty County offices are closed today, and the Liberty County School System is undergoing a day of virtual learning after a winter storm hit southeast Georgia.

Coastal Georgia was inundated with one of the biggest snowfalls in recorded history as forecasters called for 4-6 inches of snow to fall Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Initial reports Wednesday morning indicate at least 2 inches fell on Hinesville. 

 Sean Hafer and his family took advantage of the quiet roads and still Wednesday morning to enjoy the snow at Bradwell Park. He’s lived in Hinesville for almost 12 years and recalled the snow storm of 2018. But that snow was “not this deep,” he said. “It’s been a while. 

“I don’t think many people went to work to- day,” Hafer said. “You think people would be out in it having fun, but I guess they’re scared to drive in it. It’s fun when you don’t get it around here.” 

Hafer said he was curious to see how much snow was going to fall. 

“They did well on this,” he said of the meteorologists. “They were accurate. They earned their pay on this one.” 

The City of Hinesville declared a state of emergency Tuesday in advance of the storm and residents are encouraged to avoid unnecessary travel due to potential severe weather conditions. Melting snow and ice can refreeze overnight, making roads dangerous. 

 Liberty County offices will remain closed until Friday. Liberty County School System students are having virtual learning Thursday. 

 While daytime highs will be more temperate, overnight lows for the next few days are expected to remain well below freezing. The City of Hinesville encourag- es residents to drip their faucets overnight, insulate exposed pipes and to let warm air circulate around pipes by opening cabinet doors under sinks, especially those near exterior walls. 

The city also is reporting no power outages and all traffic lights are operational. Since most businesses are closed, traffic is minimal and residents are urged not to travel unless necessary.

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