Hodgeville Road improvements begin

Special to the Herald

Effingham County officials recently met with the contractors charged with transportation improvements to Hodgeville Road.

Construction began Wednesday, May 22. Included in the construction is some tree trimming between Forest Haven and Scuffletown roads.

Outside of the existing right-of-way, no trees are slated for removal, but some significant trimming will occur on the live oaks in that area. There will be tree removal within the existing right-of-way.

Some mailboxes in this general vicinity are slated for relocation out of the existing right-of-way.

Effingham County officials requested the contractor reset the mailboxes according to USPS standards.

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Springfield, Guyton considering joint wastewater treatment with county

Special to the Herald

SPRINGFIELD – Effingham County and the cities of Guyton and Springfield are flowing in the same direction on a matter crucial to their future.

Officials from each entity have been discussing the possibility of Effingham County’s wastewater treatment plant linking to the systems in Guyton and Springfield so that they can share in its capacity. Guyton and Springfield have stopped issuing new permits and sewer applications because they have reached their daily treatment limit.

A feasibility study to determine if a joint effort is the best option to meet the growing wastewater treatment demands in each jurisdiction is ongoing. Wastewater treatment ensures that water discharged back into the environment meets standards that are safe for the ecosystem.

Thanks to the support of the Georgia General Assembly in 2023, Effingham County has most of the funding it will need to increase the treatment capacity of its plant on Lowground Road from 1 million to 3 million gallons. That would allow it to meet its needs, plus those of Guyton and Springfield, well into the future.

The total of the state grant is $45,896,000.

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Retired Educators Association gives aid to the Pregnancy Care Center 

Special to the Herald

Each year, Effingham Retired Educators Association (EREA) performs an act of community service. The 2023-2024 recipient was the Pregnancy Care Center of Rincon (PCC). Throughout the year, EREA members collected items for PCC which educates, supports, and empowers women facing unplanned pregnancies with compassionate and professional medical care. Donated items included diapers, wipes, blankets, shampoo, bath wash, bottles, pacifiers, baby thermometers and more!

PCC uses these items in their Baby Boutique where women are allowed to shop after earning credits when completing educational lessons in the Earn While You Learn program.  For more information about the Pregnancy Care Center of Rincon, call 912-826-1133.

For more information about the Effingham Retired Educators Association, email effingham.rea@gmail.com.

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Georgia Cotton Commission Meeting set for July 24

Special to the Herald

The Georgia Cotton Commission announces the guest speakers at the Commission’s 2024 Mid-Year Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, July 24, at the Nesmith-Lane Conference Center in Statesboro.

The inaugural meeting is held in conjunction with a UGA Cotton Pre-Harvest Workshop conducted by members of the UGA Research & Extension Cotton Team.  The UGA Cotton Pre-Harvest Workshop will feature sessions where attendees will receive a 2024 crop update and defoliation considerations, pre-harvest economic update and marketing considerations and late season pest management considerations.
The program speakers are Robbie Minnich, Vice President of Washington Operations for the National Cotton Council, and Daniel Radford, Southeast Regional Communications Manager for the Cotton Board.

During the lunch program, Georgia Department of Natural Resources State Deer Biologist Charlie Killmaster will update producers on the status of the State Deer Management Plan.  The event will conclude with the presentation of the Georgia Quality Cotton Awards for the 2023 Crop.

There is no charge to attend. Pre-registration is requested to help with meal plans. Register online at bit.ly/3UHBG7F or call the Commission’s Office at (478) 988-4235.

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