The city of Richmond Hill announced on its social media page that Sterling Creek Park is temporarily closed for maintenance
The post does not go into further details but encourages residents to visit other parks in the city
Gregory International Park on Cedar Street
"We want to express our sincere appreciation for the many comments we received highlighting how much the community enjoys Sterling Creek Park," a statement from the Richmond Hill Facebook page read
"This closure will allow us to thoughtfully review
Our goal is to ensure Sterling Creek Park remains the welcoming and family friendly haven our community envisions
Thank you for your patience and support as we work to maintain this special place."
located at 1700 Elbow Swamp Road and encompassing 187 acres of hiking and biking trails
Latrice Williams is a general assignment reporter covering Bryan and Effingham County
She can be reached at lwilliams6@gannett.com
Does this image similar to one in an online survey remind you of life in Richmond Hill
or is it more like a photo of purple coneflowers or children playing soccer
Questions cover how people get information and about 'tone' of city's messages
Questions cover how people get information and about “tone” of city’s messages
Does living in Richmond Hill remind you of Disney
Those are some of the questions (real ones) the city is asking as it seeks to “refresh” its brand
“We would like to understand how you currently interact with and experience the city, and what feelings you have about our community,” explains an unusual online survey the city is encouraging residents to take by May 20.
It asks how residents get information from the city
which places in Richmond Hill they visit and how people want the city to talk to them
Some questions try to gauge how residents react to words or pictures
“What words or phrases make you feel instantly disconnected or uninterested?” asks one
before listing such phrases as “Just get over it,” and “You’re on your own.”
“Which of these images feel most representative of your experience of Richmond Hill?” asks another
The city, which lately has been looking at its use of social media
also asks residents to describe “the tone or personality” of its public communications
Then there’s the question about which company brand “comes to mind” when people think about Richmond Hill
Does the city evoke “seamless interconnectivity” like Amazon
listing other brands that might seem like a better fit
The branding project is “about developing one unified voice that truly represents who we are as Richmond Hill,” the city said in a May 1 release
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the City of Richmond Hill announced that Sterling Creek Park will be closed until further notice starting May 1
City officials said the popular park will be closed for maintenance which they said is a
“necessary step to preserve the park’s beauty and functionality for all.”
The city encourages residents to enjoy other city parks while Sterling Creek Park is closed
The social media post received a lot of comments and questions regarding the closure
“We want to express our sincere appreciation for the many comments we’ve received highlighting how much the community enjoys Sterling Creek Park
This closure will also allow us to thoughtfully review and
Our goal is to ensure Sterling Creek Park remains the welcoming and family-friendly haven our community envisions
Thank you for your patience and support as we work to maintain this special place,” wrote the City of Richmond Hill
If you want to learn about other parks to visit in Bryan County, click here
The owner of 13572 and 13586 Bayview Ave in Richmond Hill’s Oak Ridges area has applied to add an underground garage and more units to an approved eight-storey development
Underground garage and 10 storeys now proposed for land on Bayview Avenue
A developer again says it needs more floors and more units to make a condominium project work on the Oak Ridges Moraine
Some Richmond Hill councillors say that’s not their problem
The last city council in 2022 approved a four-storey building with 103 units beside the Snively Wetland at 13572 and 13586 Bayview Ave. Last year, the owner returned and got the building boosted to eight storeys and 135 units
The developer is now back asking for 10 storeys and 229 units
Kay Gros crosses the finish line at her first Love on the Run race event
She teaches students at Richmond Hill High School while pursuing her education at Valdosta State University online
She graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Education in Workforce Education and Development in December 2024 and anticipates completing a Master of Education in Adult and Career Education in May 2026
Kay Gros was just weeks away from finishing her Bachelor of Science in Education in Workforce Education and Development when her students at Richmond Hill High School were struck with a good idea
They wanted to host a Love on the Run 5K to promote community health and wellness — and raise some much-needed funds for their HOSA-Future Health Professionals organization
They were able to raise $1,150 after expenses; more than 100 runners participated in their inaugural event.
VALDOSTA — Kay Gros was just weeks away from finishing her Bachelor of Science in Education in Workforce Education and Development when her students at Richmond Hill High School were struck with a good idea
They wanted to host a Love on the Run 5K to promote community health and wellness — and raise some much-needed funds for their HOSA-Future Health Professionals organization.
“I knew that the students wanted to host this event
and I honestly had no clue how to make it happen,” she said
Balancing her studies at Valdosta State University with her demanding role as a high school teacher made it even more challenging
but she soon discovered an ally ready to guide her all the way to the finish line
Gros shared her students’ idea with her ACED 4820: Project Management for Technical Leaders professor
Ivan Nikolov from VSU’s Department of Leadership
plus all the knowledge she was gaining from the class
“I was able to actually make it happen.”
“When it came time to implement the race plan
I had all of the foundation laid from what I learned in class,” she said
“It was definitely a period of great personal and professional growth.”
“Kay’s dedication and deep personal commitment to this project was beyond impressive,” Nikolov shared
“The fact that she included me in the discussions and the related problem solving
as well as in the joy of her successful moments and the happiness from her success
was very impactful and uplifting for me as a faculty member at VSU
Seeing my students’ professional growth and civic engagement is exciting and motivating.”
Gros and her students were able to raise $1,150 after expenses; more than 100 runners participated in their inaugural event
The funds were used to send 60 students to the 2025 HOSA-Future Health Professionals State Leadership Conference in Atlanta
“HOSA is the largest club in our school,” she shared
“and we are in the Top 10 in Georgia.”
The international career and technical student organization helps educators empower students to become leaders in the global health community through education
Gros and her students now plan to make their Love on the Run event an annual February tradition for their Richmond Hill community
Next year’s event will also include a 10K option
the challenges of planning Love on the Run were many
“It feels great to see your project succeed,” she said
reflecting on the numerous obstacles she faced and how
with perseverance and a little help from Nikolov
she was able to develop strategies to navigate and overcome them
“I felt really good about my organizational and communication skills
and I was proud to see my students engaging with the community about why we were doing this event.”
Gros graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Education in Workforce Education and Development in December 2024 and decided to further her education
She anticipates completing a Master of Education in Adult and Career Education in May 2026
Before joining the Blazer Nation community
Gros earned an associate’s degree in nursing and worked as a registered nurse for more than two decades
She moved from nursing into teaching healthcare science about seven years ago after completing the New Teacher Institute with Dr
who also teaches in VSU’s Department of Leadership
Dobbins encouraged me to get my degree with just a little more work,” Gros said
“I absolutely love my job as a Career
and Agricultural Education teacher at Richmond Hill High School
I have been able to change my career later in life and have explored what it means to be a lifelong learner.”
“Through this Love on the Run project and going back to college later in life
I have learned that we are capable of more than we think sometimes,” she added
How to watch Georgia high school girls lacrosse: Richmond Hill vs
May 5Data SkriveRichmond Hill High School is hosting Lassiter High School at 5 p.m
How to watch Lassiter vs. Richmond Hill girls lacrosseLassiter and Richmond Hill will match up on Monday, May 5, at 5 p.m. ET. Don't miss out on any of the action with NFHS Network
The NFHS Network gives you access to live high school sports around the country
Follow your favorite team and never miss a game
Want to track your alma mater, local team or family member's school throughout the playoffs? NFHS Network has high school lacrosse streaming live
plus on-demand replays and highlights of all the action from thousands of schools across America
Watch Richmond Hill vs. Lassiter on NFHS Network!
All NFHS Network events are available to watch online at and through the NFHS Network Mobile Apps for iOS and Android and TV Apps for ROKU
a multi-generational local plumbing supplier and showroom has announced the winners of their seventh annual scholarships to local students
will receive a $1000 cash award for his winning essay
Second place Elizabeth Perry of Savannah Country Day School will receive $500
and the third place essay by Audrey Garlick of Richmond Hill High School will receive $250
Six honorable mention scholarships of $100 each were awarded to Lauren Smith
This year there was one scholarship essay that stood out for its insight and moving tribute to Savannah
written by Kaiya Hall of Savannah Arts Academy
President of Sandpiper Supply remarked “In presenting this award
we honor both Kaiya’s captivating reflection on Savannah and the meaning of home
whose legacy continues to shape and inspire our company’s commitment to this community.”
The scholarship is open yearly to high school seniors of good standing in the Chatham
“Our hope is that these seniors will carry with them the formative experiences of their years in the Low Country
cultivate their talents through higher education
and one day return to contribute to the continued growth and vitality of Savannah.” said Christy Ellis
Marketing and Scholarship Director at Sandpiper
To date, over $20,000 in scholarships from Sandpiper Supply have been awarded. Detailed information on how to apply and a link to this year’s winning essay can be found on their website, https://sandpipersav.com/pages/scholarship
Arkfield has acquired a 2.4-acre site in Richmond Hill for the development of a new townhouse community
The site is approved for 44 townhouses and is situated in Oak Ridges Moraine near Yonge Street
The acquisition adds to Arkfield’s growing portfolio of low-rise communities
The real estate firm has been focusing on delivering family-oriented housing across the Greater Toronto Area
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A Richmond Hill woman has been indicted by a grand jury on felony charges stemming from a fatal crash that claimed the life of another woman in December 2024
a three-vehicle collision occurred on Highway 17 near Ponderosa Road in Richmond Hill
The driver of a GMC Acadia hit a Kia Soul from behind
and crashed into a Toyota Highlander that was stopped at a stop sign
While authorities released to the media that driving under the influence was a contributing factor in the crash
no details were released other than the name of the deceased passenger in one of the vehicles struck by the Acadia – 35-year-old Donna Michelle Pitts.
a Bryan County grand jury returned a true bill of indictment during a special presentment for another 35-year-old woman – Jacqlyn Morgan Bacot (Henderson)
Bacot-Henderson was driving the GMC Acadia
Note: The report by GSP references Jacqlyn Morgan Bacot
The bond paperwork signed by Bacot is signed ‘Morgan Henderson‘ and she hand wrote ‘Henderson’ after Bacot on her bond release paperwork
It is not unusual for there to be a lag between the time of a crash and an indictment
as GSP SCRT traditionally waits for toxicology tests to come back from the state lab before issuing warrants when there is a fatality
But there’s been next to no media coverage on the incident outside of what has since been revealed as a very violent crash.
A report prepared by the Georgia Department of Public Safety reveals a number of circumstances around the crash back in December
including Bacot-Henderson’s behavior when GSP’s Specialized Collison & Reconstruction Team (SCRT) investigators arrived on scene and field sobriety testing
echoing what was already published in warrants
riding with her grandmother who was also injured
A pregnant woman and her 1-year-old child were in the Toyota Highlander
Both vehicles were struck by Bacot-Henderson
Witnesses told troopers that Bacot-Henderson was ‘traveling too fast for traffic conditions.’
Warrants for Bacot-Henderson indicate that she was driving over 100 miles per hour in a 45 mile per hour zone
and that data was obtained from the vehicle’s Airbag Control Module (ACM)
Trooper Wannamaker noted that when he arrived on scene
the Kia Soul was ‘severely damaged and debris was scattered all over the scene.’ Bacot-Henderson was sitting in an uninvolved pick-up truck
‘chugging a Burger King cup of some form of liquid.’ He instructed a Richmond Hill police officer who was on scene assisting to test the contents of the cup
and noted that she was ‘very argumentative with bystanders’ at the crash scene
“She showed numerous mood swings throughout the entirety of me speaking with her
When asked when she last had something to drink
Bacot-Henderson said ‘two hours ago’ and stated it was a ‘regular class that was full’ of wine
This followed an interview with Trooper Chambers
to whom Bacot-Henderson said ‘the car in front of her slammed on brakes’ and she didn’t remember anything else
but later admitted having a glass of wine when she got off work at 4:30 p.m
(The crash reportedly happened at 3:56 p.m.)
at least two Troopers who interacted with Bacot-Henderson recorded that her breath smelled of alcohol
Trooper Wannamaker’s report indicated that ‘her steps were staggered’ as she walked to the front of his vehicle to answer questions and she had to use his push bumper ‘to stabilize herself.’
the report lists that law enforcement obtained a warrant for a blood sample
or simply confirmed that she had consumed alcohol
the state does not have to rely solely on blood test results to contend that intoxication was a contributing factor to the crash
Indicators marked on the report during the investigation indicate the following:
Bacot-Henderson was placed under arrest for Driving Under the Influence and was en route to Memorial Hospital in Savannah for medical clearance when she told Trooper Wannamaker that she did not want medical clearance and she “was fine.” The Trooper informed her that she would have to inform medical staff of her decline of care and they would proceed from there
that Bacot-Henderson told medical personnel that she had had a shoulder ache and a neck ache
she was taken for x-rays and was released to Memorial Hospital
The SCRT investigator indicated that any ‘enforcement action’ would be taken through the warrant process
she was not booked into the jail in December
Troopers learned that Donna Pitts succumbed to her injuries sustained in the crash
a Bryan County grand jury returned a True Bill of Indictment on seven counts during a special presentment
1 – Homicide by Vehicle in the First Degree (felony) 2 – Homicide by Vehicle in the First Degree (felony)3 – Serious Injury by Vehicle (felony)4 – Serious Injury by Vehicle (felony)5 – Driving Under the Influence (Less Safe – Alcohol) (misdemeanor)6 – Reckless Driving (misdemeanor)7 – Making a False Statement (felony)
The indictment contends that Bacot-Henderson was driving under the influence of alcohol and was driving recklessly when she drove more than 30 miles over the posted speed limit of 45 mph “in moderate to heavy traffic conditions while weaving in and out of traffic after having consumed alcohol.” According to the warrants
The indictment also alleges that Bacot-Henderson told one of the responding Troopers that she had not consumed alcohol
Homicide by Vehicle in the first degree is punishable by three to fifteen years in prison
Court records indicate that Bacot-Henderson was charged with DUI in Chatham County in 2015
The Accusation filed by then-District Attorney Meg Heap stated that Bacot-Henderson was Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol while speeding on I-16
Bacot-Henderson ultimately pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of Reckless Driving and Speeding and was sentenced to twelve months on probation and $1600 in fines
the case was ‘unsuccessfully closed,’ with court notes indicating Bacot-Henderson was ‘unsuccessful’ on probation
failed to complete 8 community service hours
and did not pay her court ordered fines of $1,713.50
Bacot-Henderson’s case will work its way through the court system with her next hearing scheduled in May
as is common in these types of cases and was ordered to be evaluated by a substance abuse facility upon her release from jail
Bacot-Henderson is represented by criminal defense attorney Kurtis Bronston
She focuses primarily on state and local politics as well as issues in law enforcement and corrections
She has a background in Political Science with a focus in local government and has a Master of Public Administration from the University of Georgia
Jessica is a "Like It Or Not" contributor for Fox5 in Atlanta and co-creator of the Peabody Award-nominated podcast 'Prison Town.'
Sign up for her weekly newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gzYAZT
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The attorney for a Richmond Hill woman charged with stealing…
Legislation to create the Richmond Hill-Bryan County Airport Authority gained…
Then senior captain Reid Hampton went down with an injury and missed a stretch of games
adding to the adversity under second-year coach Leighton Upton
But the Raiders rallied and went undefeated in Region 3A Division I play — posting a 5-0 mark that included a 2-1 win over a Savannah Country Day squad that is 12-3 on the season
The Raiders rolled to an 8-0 win over visiting St
Francis in the first round of the Class A-3A playoffs
but their season came to an end in a 7-1 loss to visiting Mt
we had to play a perfect game," said Upton
"But we made some mistakes that got us down early
But our guys continued to battle in the second half and I'm proud of the way they played."
Vernon got a hat trick from junior striker George Walmsley
SCPS got on the board in the 62nd minute on a goal by sophomore Jake Hendrix on an assist by senior Jackson Smith
Upton said the Raiders will lose some talent to graduation with eight seniors
including six starters moving on including Hampton
who was named the Region Defensive Player of the Year
"We had a really strong season despite the adversity with the injuries," Upton said
"We won our first region title in nine years
The season ended for the Richmond Hill boys team in a tight battle with visiting Dacula on Wednesday night
Dacula got a goal in the 75th minute when a player blasted a shot just under the cross bar from outside the penalty box after a steal for an incredible goal
It marked the end of a memorable season for the Wildcats
who won the Region 1-6A title and finished with a record of 16-5 after beating North Paulding in the first round of the playoffs
Senior Cooper Allen led the squad with 24 goals and his classmate Nick Krull closed out a stellar prep career with 19 goals and 19 assists
Dennis Knight covers sports for the Savannah Morning News
Richmond Hill’s Alexander Mackenzie High School went into lockdown on April 29
after an announcement was inadvertently triggered
York Region District School Board offers mental health support after incident
Tense moments followed at Richmond Hill’s Alexander Mackenzie High School when a lockdown apparently happened by accident Tuesday
An automated lockdown announcement “was inadvertently triggered,” and the reason for that “is still being investigated” by York Region District School Board staff,” Principal Krista Luks wrote to parents later that afternoon
“We realize that this incident may affect students in different ways
and we will offer support to our students through board mental health professionals as needed,” Luks added
There was no triggering incident and no threat to students and staff
but the school continued to follow the lockdown protocol as a precaution
a board spokesperson said in a statement Thursday
“The lockdown was lifted very shortly after it began and classes resumed as normal.”
said the school later announced the lockdown
but administrators had not checked classroom doors to see if they were locked
People at the school were also told the lockdown was set off by an electrical issue
The student also said she believes loud post-election arguments between students may have triggered the lockdown
adding the school on Major Mackenzie Drive West has seen washrooms temporarily closed during this school year after vandalism with antisemitic overtones
maintained the lockdown was purely accidental
“It was not linked to any incident at the school and there would be no truth to any rumours to that effect,” she wrote
One man is injured following a shooting Monday night on St
according to Bryan County Sheriff's Office
who informed them the gun was located near the culvert in the front yard
Deputies then began looking for the roommate who fled
The subject was later discovered in a wooded area
The individual was transported by EMS to be treated for a gunshot wound to the abdomen
McCann was evaluated by EMS for a laceration to his head and was medically cleared at the scene
The victim’s name and gender is not listed in the report and the person's condition is unknown
The sheriff’s office is not releasing additional information at this time
(WTOC) - If you’re looking for Sunday Funday plans
the Richmond Hill Historical Society is gearing up for it’s Spring Trolley Tour
The tour will leave from the Richmond Hill Historical Society Museum at 1 and 2:30 p.m on Sunday
You can enjoy a guided trolley tour of historic sites including the Ford Bakery
and access to Henry and Clara Ford’s winter home and the private Ford Field and River Club
Tickets are $45 for historical society members and $60 for non-members
Remember to arrive 45 minutes to an hour before the tour leaves to enjoy the museum
The Bryan County Sheriff's Office said a body discovered in Richmond Hill matches the description of Jose Tilo Hernandez Garcia
He was painting the underside of a bridge April 7 when he fell into the river from the southbound lane on I-95 at the Bryan County/Chatham County line
The body was found five miles from where Hernandez Garcia fell
Bryan County Emergency Dispatch received a call at 4:14 p.m
regarding a strong odor coming from a dock in the Ford Plantation Community
Investigators located what appeared to be a boot and eventually recovered the body of a deceased individual from the water
The sheriff's office said DNA from family will help determine whether the body is in fact Hernandez Garcia
"After 18 days we were able to recover a body," said Sheriff Mark Crowe
"We had help from DNR and the Richmond Hill Fire Department
I want to thank all of the agencies involved." A number of agencies assisted in his search for 16 days
no one was able to locate him during that time
The sheriff’s office utilized a number of resources
as well as underwater drones and underwater cameras
using their own boats to assist in the search for Hernandez Garcia
A statement from the Bryan County Sheriff's Office on Facebook reads
"The Bryan County Sheriff's Office extends our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Mr
Hernandez Garcia during this difficult time."
(WTOC) - A sink hole has developed at Rushing Street and Ford Avenue
The city of Richmond Hill has scheduled a planned power outage which will affect traffic in the area
Georgia Power will be conducting a planned power outage Tuesday night
• This outage is essential for the safety of our workers and the reliability of our power system as we undertake the sinkhole repair
• Georgia Power anticipates restoring power within a couple of hours of the outage beginning
We are optimistic that power will be restored much sooner
The city says they fully recognize that a nighttime power outage is an inconvenience
but they’ve worked closely with Georgia Power to keep the duration as short as possible
The city says the temporary traffic changes are as followed:
the Rushing Street intersection will temporarily become a 4-way stop
• The Richmond Hill Police Department (RHPD) will install temporary stop signs to clearly mark the change
we’ll be adding temporary light plants and extra signage near Starbucks to alert drivers to the 4-way stop
Drivers are encouraged to be extra cautious when traveling in this area and to allow for a little extra travel time
Richmond Hill High School will host East Coweta High School
How to watch East Coweta vs. Richmond Hill girls lacrosseEast Coweta and Richmond Hill will match up on Thursday, May 1, at 6:30 p.m. ET. Don't miss out on any of the action with NFHS Network
Watch Richmond Hill vs. East Coweta on NFHS Network!
while BC entered the game having allowed eight and Richmond Hill five
So once host Benedictine took a 7-3 lead over Richmond Hill entering the fourth quarter
White knew the Cadets were right where they wanted to be if they could freeze the score right there
and that's exactly what the Cadets did by playing an impressive
style of possession lacrosse in a scoreless fourth quarter
Benedictine beat the Wildcats 7-3 and took the region title, along with a No. 1 seed in the state playoffs that start next week
The Cadets will have a first-round bye in the Division II state tournament and will host the winner of Lakeside- DeKalb and Northside on May 1 or May 2
"I was impressed with our composure at the end of the game," said White
whose squad improved to 13-3 on the season
They knew we didn't need to score any more — just prevent Richmond Hill from scoring
but they kept running because they knew that's what the team needed
Part of me didn't like coaching a game in that way
It was a special day for the Benedictine program as the team's seniors were honored on Senior Day while the Cadets won their sixth straight region title
The Cadets carried on a special tradition with a ceremony at halftime as the No
10 was awarded for a junior to wear in his final season with the team next year
The tradition is in memory of former BC standout Ricky McAllaster
who died in a car accident in 2010 at the age of 15
He was the man to choose the current junior who will wear McCallaster's number next year without getting any input from coaches or teammates
a middie who also is a standout football and basketball player for the Cadets
10 this year meant a lot to me," Groves said
"Your teammates will look to you in times of adversity
and once I got comfortable with that — it was an amazing experience
I chose Wyatt because he's a phenomenal athlete and leader that loves to grind for that competitive edge
so I thought he was the best player to wear No
Estabrook was solid on the field from start to finish and celebrated the championship with his teammates afterward
"It's a blessing to be chosen to wear Ricky's jersey," Estabrook said
and to be able to carry on Ricky's legacy means a lot
I'll need to set an example and have the best season of my life as a senior."
Sophomore Wiley Chandler earned the game ball from White after scoring three goals and assisting on two others
while Groves and Josh Quasha also found the back of the net
whose older brothers Jack and Ryan were also Cadet lacrosse standouts
Now our goal is to get to the Final Four and then win a championship."
Tyson Doty (on an assist from Maddox Scarbrough) and Preston Steadman on a memorable coast-to-coast run on goal
The Wildcats will enter the playoffs as a No
2 seed and host a first-round playoff matchup against Evans on April 28 or April 29 under coach Tom Corbin
"We played well for the majority of the game
"We watched film on Benedictine and knew what to expect
but they executed better than us and deserved to win
We like to play fast but couldn't get the momentum going today
We beat Savannah Country Day and have played Benedictine tough in the past
but we need to make that mental leap to get over the hump to beat them."
An Asheville-based conservation group has purchased a broad swath of forested land next to Richmond Hill Park — halting the proposed “Bluffs at River Bend” apartment development
“This is a great outcome for this prominent forested bluff above a big bend in the French Broad River
especially in light of the shared desire among locals to support the river’s recovery from Hurricane Helene,” SAHC executive director Carl Silverstein said in a statement
“The scale of the proposed development in this sensitive location sparked acute opposition
We’re proud that SAHC could provide a solution supporting the community
while meeting the developer’s financial need.”
The group said it plans to eventually add the property to Richmond Hill Park
increasing the size of Asheville’s largest city-owned forested park from 180 to 263 acres
The purchase will also help protect the local environment and wildlife
nodding trillium and the Eastern Fairy Shrimp
resilient forests director with the environmental nonprofit MountainTrue
said the purchase “will provide habitat for birds and countless other species
while protecting water quality in the French Broad River.”
forested areas are especially important for combating the urban heat-island effect and
for providing wildlife habitat and clean water,” Kelly
who is also a member of SAHC’s land protection committee
there is a unique opportunity to restore the forest on the tract and create an urban ecological preserve."
SAHC said that its purchase of the property was made possible by the support of “neighbors and other private donors.” The organization purchased the property from Verso Sub IV
“SAHC sought to buy the property several times since 2013
but the owner always held out for a higher price from developers,” the organization said Wednesday
developers contracted to buy the property and filed an ambitious plan that provoked intense opposition and litigation by multiple parties
the property was transferred to another development group
which scaled down the proposed development
… Community members along with Town of Woodfin officials continued opposing the permit
Eventually the developer became willing to end the conflict by selling the property to SAHC for conservation.”
The matches lived up to their billing with competitive affairs
The Richmond Hill girls and boys both rallied from two-goal deficits with the girls tying the Hornets 2-2 and prevailing 4-3 on penalty kicks
late goal from sophomore John Lopez to edge SCD 5-4
But the Wildcats responded a minute later when Ella Peterson scored on an assist from Caitlin McCormick and then got the equalizer when freshman Aubrey Fanning found the back of the net on an assist from her classmate Emma Scott
Richmond Hill's standout sophomore keeper Kamryn Martinez had to leave the game after taking a shot to the head
it went straight to penalty kicks without overtime periods
Clark made a save on the first Hornet PK attempt
and Brooke Norris knocked home the final penalty kick to notch the win
Richmond Hill, which recently clinched its fourth straight region title competing in Region 1-6A
improved to 15-1 on the season under Shawn Allen
a former middle school coach in his first year leading the program
but is getting players back in action as the playoffs loom
"Savannah Country Day is a talented team and they are very physical — it was great playing a team at their level," Allen said
but then turned it around with a lot of pressure
I coached a lot of the girls in middle school and know them well
so when the opportunity to coach the team came up — I wanted to take it."
said Richmond Hill was an excellent test for his squad
which is 12-3 on the season with a 4-0 mark in Region 3A Division I play
in a match that will likely determine the region champion
"It seemed like we got a little tired after a good start in the first half
and Richmond Hill grew into the game," Hooker said
but I though our defense hung in there and played tough with Madison Bueno at center back and our freshman keeper Bella Grace Baker making some great plays."
SCD took control on the opening kick as sophomore Britt McCormick brought the ball up and slammed home a shot from the top of the box before a minute had expired
But Richmond Hill set the tone for its ability to rally just a minute later when Noah Dixon had a follow shot that found the back of the net to tie things up
Chase Buerger headed one home for SCD in the 20th minute
and senior Thomas Boyd scored in the 35th and 37th minutes
sandwiching a Richmond Hill goal by by Kyle Katzman-Neill assisted by Austin Hungerford as SCD led 4-2 at halftime
The Wildcats closed to within 4-3 in the 53rd minute on a goal from Cole Morgan and got the equalizer from senior captain Nick Krull on an assist from Cole Morgan in the 60th minute
It looked like the second game might also be going to penalty kicks
but sophomore John Lopez provided the late game heroics from close range in the final minute
"I saw the goalie was out of position and took a whack hoping it would go into the net — and it did," said Lopez
who has six goals and five assists on the season
Krull is tied for the team lead in goals with Cooper Allen with 19 and leads the squad with 17 assists
Richmond Hill improved to 14-2 on the season
after posting a 10-0 mark to win the Region 1-6A title
"Savannah Country Day was really physical and they kept winning long balls out of the air," Krull said
"But we did a good job staying organized defensively in the second half and came back
I think our chemistry has been the key this year
but this year we are unified and the guys on the team are all in the same friends group."
Wildcat coach Stephen Peterson said Brooks Panch and Mason Franklin led the defensive effort in the second half and agreed with Krull's comments about the closeness of his squad
"These guys never give up on each other and they are going to win or lose together," he said
"They have developed a brotherhood where everyone knows their roles — even the guys on the bench."
Richmond Hill will close out the regular season with non-region matches at Benedictine on Thursday
before starting the Class 6A playoffs as a No
Savannah Country Day fell to 10-3 overall and 3-1 in region play with the loss
a 26-year old who plays for the Savannah Clovers after a college career at Missouri State
said he thinks his team will learn from the loss
"We executed our game plan almost perfectly in the first half," Hargreaves said
"We tried to be aggressive on the ball and with our first pass and that gave us numerous chances while scoring four in the first half
We just didn't do the basics we needed to defensively
even though Richmond Hill is a bigger school
we feel like we should have won that one."
As part of its ongoing efforts to build stronger relationships with local high schools and enhance enrollment capacity
York College is intensifying its outreach to key feeder schools in the area
members of York College’s Enrollment Management and Admissions offices visited Richmond Hill High School -- a natural partner in York’s recruitment pipeline -- to personally deliver acceptance letters to newly admitted members of the graduating class
Assistant Director of Admissions at York College
shared his thoughts on the warm reception the team received during the visit
“The March visit to Richmond Hill High School was special,” said Dr
“Thank you to Assistant Principal Jeff Newman
Their dedication and passion in making our visit memorable were evident throughout the day.”
while the York College team visited Richmond Hill High School on March 5 to distribute acceptances
representatives from the high school visited York’s campus the same day
Dean of the School of Health Sciences and Professional Programs
to further explore pathways for career programs and success
“This dual visit highlighted both institutions’ commitment to providing a seamless transition to higher education for prospective students,” Dr
He also expressed appreciation to the many individuals who supported the event
Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs; Nicholas Jones
Executive Director for Enrollment Management; and Anthony Davis
Director for Admissions and Enrollment Management
Additional thanks were extended to York colleagues
and Ramzees Kennedy for their invaluable contributions in making the event a success
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How to watch Georgia high school girls soccer: Richmond Hill vs
Mill Creek High School plays at Richmond Hill High School
How to watch Mill Creek vs. Richmond Hill girls soccerMill Creek and Richmond Hill will hit the field on Tuesday, April 29, at 5 p.m. ET. Don't miss out on any of the action with NFHS Network
Want to track your alma mater, local team or family member's school throughout the playoffs? NFHS Network has high school girls soccer streaming live
Watch Richmond Hill vs. Mill Creek on NFHS Network!
(WTOC) - WTOC is learning more details about the victims of the tragic plane-helicopter collision in Washington D.C
This crash has not only impacted local air travel but the community in our area as well
Samuel Lilley was the co-pilot on the American Airlines flight involved in Wednesday’s crash
Lilley was just 28 years old and a Richmond Hill native
Lilley’s family shared the news of his death on social media Thursday morning
WTOC spoke with a man who grew up with Samuel Lilley
He also said that Lilley had a personality that made everyone around him smile
this whole area and just the whole world at large is a better place for having him in it.”
Lilley graduated from Richmond Hill High School (RHHS)
RHHS released the following statement: “The Richmond Hill High School Community is heartbroken by the loss of Sam Lilley
a proud Wildcat who left a lasting impression on those who knew him
Our thoughts are with his family and friends as they navigate this difficult time.”
Lilley attended and later graduated from Georgia Southern University (GSU)
GSU also shared a statement on Lilley’s death
“The Georgia Southern community is deeply saddened by the loss of one of our outstanding alumni
who embodied the Eagle spirit and soared beyond in his career
We will continue to keep Sam’s family and friends in our thoughts as they grieve this tragedy.”
posted on social media after learning the news of their member’s death
“Our hearts are heavy today as we grieve the loss of so many lives in the tragic midair collision that took place yesterday
a brother in Christ who has been a dear member of our church family since he was a kid..
and his absence leaves a profound void in our hearts.”
A soldier on board the army helicopter that collided with the American Airlines flight also has ties to Georgia
According to our sister station in Atlanta
the crew chief on the UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter
O’Hara was part of the 2014 class of Parkview Marine Corps JROTC at Parkview High School in Gwinnett County
Representative Buddy Carter posted on X about the victims
“We lost two of Georgia’s own in last night’s tragic midair collision
My heart breaks for the families of Ryan O’Hara and GA-01’s own Sam Lilley
Please join me in prayer during this very difficult time.”
Georgia State Representative Jon burns also released a statement
“I am heartbroken to hear of the passing of fellow Georgian and Georgia Southern Graduate
and all those who were lost in the tragic American Airlines accident last night in D.C.”
A Black Hills mining company says it’s found a “robust” potential deposit of minerals in the northern Black Hills
Last week Dakota Gold Corporation announced it thinks they’ve identified a resource of 3.65 million ounces of extractable gold at its Richmond Hill location
That’s about the same amount gold the Wharf Mine — located a half-mile to the south — has produced since 1982
According to an initial assessment released by Dakota Gold Corporation
we’re still relatively early in the process
We know that there’s a big prize out there," said Patrick Malone
"We now have to go into the hard work of doing studies to really understand what the best
most profitable way is of going about developing this project into the future.”
Company officials say the initial assessment is not a statement of reserves
which are proven resources that are economically viable to mine
they say the paper does show a relatively high confidence of gold availability
Richmond Hill is owned by Barrick Gold—a mining company that acquired the Homestake Mine in 2001
Dakota Gold has options on the mineral rights for Richmond Hill until the end of 2028.
Richmond Hill is the site of a former mine
Dakota Gold has been performing exploratory drilling on the site for the last three years
Malone describes next steps in the process for Dakota Gold to determine the resource that exists at Richmond Hill
we have gold in the ground that we think will be economically profitable to mine
during the feasibility study we will do engineering that says ‘Okay
now that we kind of know what we’re trying to accomplish
Dakota Gold expects Richmond Hill will have similar economics to the Wharf Mine
which produced over 93,000 ounces of gold in 2023 and remitted $6.3 million in gold severance taxes to the state
Gold is currently trading at $2,900 an ounce
A woman who was killed Thursday in a multi-vehicle crash has been identified
of Richmond Hill was killed in Bloomingdale
according to a press from the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office
where deputies determined a fully loaded concrete truck hit the rear of a small sedan
"We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Mrs
a dedicated eighth-grade teacher who spent the last three years serving the students and staff of South Effingham Middle School and Guyton Elementary Schools STARS Staff," said Effingham County Superintendent Yancy Ford
a loving mother and a cherished member of our ECSD family
Her impact on the lives of those around her will not be forgotten
We ask our community to join us in lifting her husband
students and the entire SEMS faculty and staff in prayer during this difficult time."
ECSO is encouraging anyone with information to contact the traffic unit at 912-754-3449
the addition of a museum-quality woolly mammoth skull with full tusks at Plant Riverside would be big news
on Thursday the bones served as merely one among four major announcements made under the umbrella of the new Kessler Investments Savannah
President of Kessler Investments William Atkinson introduced Kessler Charters
a new tour of coastal Georgia's waterways and barrier islands aboard classic wooden boats
One of those boats bounced along with the strong Savannah River current behind him as Atkinson also announced the opening of Kessler Diva
a luxury and bespoke jewelry story in the Plant Riverside District
and plans for a major hotel and entertainment district near Heartwood off I-95 at exit 82 in Richmond Hill
The planned development will include a 200-room hotel that will be themed as a “living museum” around Henry Ford
the Detroit auto magnate who wintered during the 1930s and 1940s with his wife Clara in what was then known as Ways Station
Atkinson said historic Ford cars will be on display at the hotel-entertainment venue
including a 1966 Ford fastback on a rotating glass rotunda in front of the hotel
said this new project is part of a development that has been in the works for years and includes the Heartwood Community
“I believe with his vision of this area and our backing that this can be a stop..at about the halfway point between New York and Miami
where people will be able to stop here and stay in the hotels and eat at the restaurants
Infinger and his wife were among a group that cruised along the Savannah River on one of the new Kessler Charter boats
The 34-foot 2002 Clarion was one of the two wooden boats used for the luxury cruises along the Savannah coastline
unable to make the trip due to the wind and choppy conditions
After christening the boat with the ceremonial breaking of a bottle of champagne, representatives from Richmond Hill, Heartwood and others gathered inside Plant Riverside to drink champagne and browse cases filled with brilliant, precious gem-encrusted baubles at Kessler Diva, the new luxury jewelry store in partnership with designer Mark Suleiman
One of the cases was filled with select items from Richard Kessler’s personal jewelry and time piece collection
“All of this jewelry is for sale today,” joked Kessler as he used a giant pair of golden scissors to cut the ribbon and welcome everyone inside
Each of these announcements demonstrates Kessler's continued commitment to investing in luxury experiences for the Savannah market
The Richmond Hill hotel will bring the Collection's number of high-end hospitality offerings to 12
with four between Savannah and Richmond Hill alone
Richard Burkhart is the visual journalist for the Savannah Morning News
You can reach him at RBBurkhart@gannett.com
The teams met in November in a tournament with the Wildcats winning 48-30
but Dragon noted that neither squad was at full strength for that match
and Richmond Hill prevailed on the 8th criteria of which team had the most total first points scored as the Wildcats prevailed 33-9 on that front to win the match 43-42
"We knew the match (with Jackson County) was going to be more competitive
but that was closer than we wanted it to be," Dragon said
"When we had to go to the tiebreaking criteria
But getting the most first points in those matches is all about being aggressive
We don't want to wrestle defensively and be passive — we always talk about being aggressive and it paid off today."
There was a blind draw to determine the order of the matches
and it ended it with the 120-pound bout being the final match of the day — setting the stage for West to reach the 100-win milestone for her career in a huge moment for her and the team
and we can always count on her to be there when we need a big win," Dragon said
West finished second in the Traditional State Tournament at 110 pounds and was named the All-Greater Savannah Girls Wrestler of the Year
The senior improved to 38-2 this season with the win over Sanchez
"It was a stressful match — there was a lot of pressure and I think some of our girls got nervous and it came down to the last matches," West said
"It meant a lot for me to help the team win and get my 100th win
It definitely means more for a girl to reach 100 wins because there are less opportunities to wrestle than the boys have
she was the only girl wrestling for Richmond Hill
the Wildcats had a team with 16 wrestlers and reached the State Duals Tournament
the Wildcats got pins from Amelia WIckline at 135 pounds
a sophomore and the daughter of coach Tony Dragon
came through in dramatic fashion in a back-and-forth battle with Danielle Hussey
It looked like the match might come down to a decision
but Dragon scored the third period fall for six team points to keep the Wildcats hopes alive
I was thinking about just going into the hall way so I wouldn't be so nervous," Tony Dragon said with a laugh
improved to 25-1 with her win over Tatiana Rubio
"And I liked wrestling right away because it gave me an outlet for that
I wanted to be strong and tough like her and thought that this was the sport for me
Everybody wants to be part of it — to be part of a winning team."
Sarah Volker, president of Arts on the Coast, is using her experience in the art industry to help push the arts community forward in Richmond Hill
Arts on the Coast is gearing up for one of its biggest nights of the year
The event will feature a Moulin Rouge theme
Artists were encouraged to hone in on the color red while evoking the French influence from the famous cabaret in Montmartre
whose background is in fashion illustration
joined Arts on the Coast more than 20 years ago
The organization has grown leaps and bounds as painters
photographers and other artists showcase their talent throughout the year at various events
Volker spoke to the significance of art not only in her community but to all people everywhere
“Art is the oldest representation of history that you will find anywhere,” said Volker
“Before people wrote and had a common language
Arts on the Coast Board Member Stephanie Kisgen added that art helps individuals tap into a realm they have not known before
“It helps people connect in a different way with things that spark joy,” said Kisgen
“It’s nice to have something you can connect with individually.”
Jennel LaCoe began her art journey just 10 years ago as a form of therapy
LaCoe works as a bookkeeper for the Hobby Lobby in Hinesville and was asked to be treasurer for Arts on the Coast
"When they presented the theme for this show I was extremely enthusiastic," said LaCoe
"I submitted three pieces to show at the ArtNite
I am by practice an abstract illustration artist that dabbles in many mediums
but for this I chose watercolors as my primary medium
Since I do not illustrate many architectural style pieces
I decided to challenge my mind to recreate images I’ve seen
I touched up the final details with Posca acrylic markers and trimmed the outside of the canvas with some decoupage."
Volker said Arts on the Coast is a safe space for all artists to hone in on their craft
“You have an area with very good artists,” said Volker
“I’ve been able to see the changes in the community and it’s been a nice thing for the community
Doesn’t matter if you are accomplished or this is your first time picking up a pencil
you are welcome.”Latrice Williams is a general assignment reporter covering Bryan and Effingham County
By: Vanessa Londono 7:00 am on February 7
Permits have been filed for a five-story shelter building at 118-08 Jamaica Avenue in Richmond Hill
Located between 118th Street and Lefferts Boulevard
the lot is near the 121st Street subway station
Gunnveet Sandhu is listed as the owner behind the applications
The proposed 50-foot-tall development will yield 12,407 square feet designated for community facility space
sponsored by the Department of Health Services
The concrete-based structure will also have two cellar levels and a 30-foot-long rear yard
Michael Kang Architect is listed as the architect of record
Demolition permits will likely not be needed as the lot is vacant
An estimated completion date has not been announced
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Isn’t this where that fat white rapper who’s addicted to food is from
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