Savannah-Chatham Metro police will be operating radar hot spots along DeRenne Avenue. 

Police remind drivers there is zero tolerance for speeding in school zones.

Thirteen area organizations will receive grants from the $64,500 net proceeds after the 2015 Critz Tybee Run Fest. This brings the total grant donations since the inception of the Critz Tybee Run Fest to more than $440,000.

Each year the Critz Tybee Run Fest gives back to the community by donating all profits raised through sponsorships, advertising and race entry fees to area nonprofit organizations. The 2015 grants will support school programs, college education, healthy lifestyles for kids and teens, and other education and health-related causes.

“Our goal of the Critz Tybee Run is to put on a great race and support healthy living and education in our community,” according to Dale Critz Jr., founder and main sponsor of the two-day race event.

Registration for the 2016 race events are open and organizers hoping to raise more money this year to increase distribution of proceeds. For more information, go to www.critztybeeerun.com or go to www.facebook.com/critztybeerunfest.

Mock Plumbing employees donate to nonprofits

The employees of Savannah-based Mock Plumbing decided to forgo personal gifts at the company’s annual Christmas party this year to help local charities in need.

The company’s employees selected The Living Vine, a residential program for pregnant women in crisis, and The Treutlen House, a community-based ecumenical ministry for children and families dealing with personal crisis, as the focus of their holiday spirit.

In a matter of days, Mock’s employees donated $1,600 in cash, and the company matched the amount for a total contribution of $3,200. Gift items were purchased for the clients of each organization as well as operating supplies for the charities themselves.

For more information, go to www.thelivingvine.org and www.treutlenhouse.org.

Winter is a great time of the year for yard work to ensure beautiful plants, flowers and trees for the springtime. Crape myrtles are no exception. 

Unfortunetely what happens more often than proper pruning is crape myrtle murder. Check out this week's Savannah How as certified arborist Casey Johnson with Bartlett Tree Experts shows you the proper way to prune your crape myrtles. Watch the video above.

Savannah How is a weekly video series that answers every day, how-to questions. Visit the Savannah How page for more videos on a variety of topics including cooking tips, holiday fun, pet care and muh more. 

Have an idea for Savannah How? Email your suggestions or expert recommendations to jennifer.menster@savannahnow.com. 

Jail bookings from Dec. 22–23 for Savannah-Chatham County are now posted.

Click through this slideshow to view photos and information obtained from the Chatham County Sheriff’s Department.

All individuals posted have not been convicted of a crime and are innocent until proven guilty.

Find previous jail bookings at savannahnow.com/booked.

Two Savannah man were arrest Tuesday for thefts from storage units in multiple counties

The Chatham~Savannah Counter Narcotics Team, in collaboration with Effingham and Bryan counties sheriff’s offices, arrested Austin Flanagan, 26, and Lance Bazemore, 27, for breaking into and stealing items from multiple storage units in Bryan, Chatham and Effingham counties, said Gene Harley, CNT spokesman.

During a recent drug investigation, the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit received information that two men broke into various storage units and stole multiple items, including dirt bikes, Harley said. The ECSO Drug Unit contacted CNT with information that some of the storage items were possibly located in Chatham County.

Agents were able to identify a storage unit in Chatham County and found multiple items inside, including golf clubs belonging to a soldier stationed at Fort Stewart,Harley said. The golf clubs were being kept at the soldiers storage unit in Bryan County. The Bryan County Sheriff’s Office located the solder’s unit and confirmed it had been broken into.

The victims were out of town for the holidays and were unaware they had been victimized until notified by law enforcement, Harley said.

Both men confessed to being involved in the burglaries and were charged with multiple felony charges to include six counts of theft by receiving stolen property and conspiracy. Bazemore was also wanted by the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office. Both males are being held at the Chatham County Detention Center.

The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are expected, Harley said.

City of Savannah Water Resources crews responded to a minor sewage spill this morning at the intersection of Pen Waller and Wassaw Road. An estimated 1,220 gallons spilled before the leak was corrected at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. Because it’s under 10,000 gallons, this is classified as a minor spill under State Environmental Protection Division guidelines.

The spill was caused when a manhole overflowed due to debris blocking the pipe. The ditch to Betz Creek was contained and the site was mitigated to further contain and clean the overflow site. Containment was placed at Penn Waller Cove and Penn Waller Road. Crews used jet/vacuum trucks to remove the water/wastewater mix.

Spill notifications were placed at the spill site and along Betz Creek at Penn Waller and Walthour. All regulatory authorities were notified. Public notification is required per state guidelines.

Savannah firefighters spread a little extra holiday cheer Wednesday after a Savannah girl’s bicycle was destroyed in an emergency rescue.

Shakira Jones, 6, received a new pink bike from Savannah firefighters after responders had to break her previous bike, which was a Christmas present from her grandparents, during a rescue operation.

Firefighters responded to Jones’ residence just after 1 p.m. Sunday, where the little girl’s foot was stuck between the bicycle’s frame and pedal, said Mark Keller, Savannah Fire and Emergency Services spokesman.

Responders from Rescue 1 and Engine 5 had to use several tools, including the jaws of life, to free Jones, Keller said.

But Master Firefighter Todd Horne said he couldn’t let Jones celebrate the holidays without a bike, so the firefighters decided to surprise Shakira with a new one.

“We decided with Christmas coming around the best thing to do and the right thing to do is to help her out and get her a new bike,” Horne said. “Her grandma had gotten her the bike for a Christmas gift and we just wanted to make sure that it was replaced and she had a good holiday.”

Horne and other responders delivered the bike to Jones’ home Wednesday afternoon and even put it underneath the family’s Christmas tree.

“It’s a time of giving this time of year. I’ve been blessed myself so there is no reason to not pass it along,” Horne said.

Savannah-Chatham police are seeking the public’s help in locating a 34-year-old man wanted for an aggravated battery that injured a Savannah man.

Police are searching for Sergio Hooper, who is suspected of injuring a 28-year-old man in a Dec. 15 fight on the 1900 of East Montgomery Crossroad, said Darnisha Green, Savannah-Chatham police spokeswoman.

Hooper described as being around 5-foot-7 and weighing 150 pounds.

He also has what is often identified as a “lazy eye” and iss known to frequent the Sand Fly are, Green said.

Individuals with information on Hooper’s location may also call CrimeStoppers at 912-234-2020 or text CRIMES (274637) using the keyword CSTOP2020. Tipsters remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.

A confidential tip line also is open directly to investigators at 912-525-3124.

During the holiday season, Savannah-Chatham police are advising citizens to take advantage of Reportit, an online database to track inventory of valuables, so thefts do not put a damper on the holiday spirit.

Citizens can access this database by visiting scmpd.org/reportit/ where there is direct link to the Reportit website, Darnisha Green, Savannah-Chatham police spokeswoman. The database can be used to record serial numbers and upload scanned receipts and images of valuables. Items such as jewelry, sporting equipment, electronics, designer clothing, collectibles or any item deemed valuable by the owner should be input into the website’s database, Green said.

ReportIt is a part of LeadsOnline, an online system that works with police across the country to track and recover stolen property. SCMPD can use this system to search for the items using parameters such as product descriptions and serial numbers, Green said. When an item is pawned or sold to a secondhand shop, the product information is entered in the LeadsOnline database and is immediately viewable by participating law enforcement agencies nationwide.

“During the holidays we receive gifts and purchase gifts for our loved ones,” said Maj. Larry Branson, commander of SCMPD’s Patrol Division. “ReportIt is a tool we can use to keep inventory and document these gifts in the event of theft. The good thing about it though, is that we can use this all year round in tracking new valuables.”

Law enforcement agencies across the nation have used LeadsOnline to recover thousands of dollars in stolen property, track down thieves, develop leads and make numerous arrests, Green said. These records may also be useful when filing claims with insurance providers in the event of loss.

Anyone interested in building a personal property inventory list can visit http://reportit.leadsonline.com or http://scmpd.org/reportit/.

Christmas and the holiday break are perfect for going to the movie theater.

Click through this slideshow to see what movies are currently playing in theaters, and what will be released in the coming days.

Lady Bulldogs top Cincinnati

ATHENS, Ga. — Behind a stout defensive effort and balanced team scoring, the Georgia Lady Bulldog basketball team (11-1) beat Cincinnati 60-42 Wednesday at Stegeman Coliseum.

Shacobia Barbee and Mackenzie Engram led the way offensively for the Bulldogs with 12 and 11 points, respectively. Tiaria Griffin also had a strong game with eight points and eight rebounds, tying her season high. A total of 10 Georgia players scored in the contest, and six Lady Bulldogs had five or more points.

“That’s the beauty of this team, they share the ball so well. Anyone can score on any given night, you never know where the points are going to come from,” said head coach Joni Taylor. “This is the game that always scares me. We want to make sure (the players) are thinking about our opponent, not going home for the holidays.”

The Lady Bulldogs got off to a hot start against the Bearcats (4-7) on the offensive end, draining five of their first six shots from the field as they raced out to a 12-6 lead.

Georgia found its scoring touch in the second quarter with a 7-0 run in the early going to find some breathing room at 21-12 and force a timeout. The lockdown defense continued for the home side as the Lady Bulldogs did not allow a point to the Bearcats in the second quarter until the 4:21 mark. The second period was dominated by Georgia, with the Lady Bulldogs outscoring their opposition 14-4 and taking a 28-16 lead into the locker room.

Merritt Hempe and Griffin stormed out of the locker room, scoring the first nine points of the half for the Lady Bulldogs to push the lead to 37-19 in the half’s opening four minutes. The teams traded buckets for the rest of the quarter, and Georgia led 45-25 at the end of three.

Jail bookings from Dec. 18-23 for Bulloch County are now posted.

Click through this slideshow to view photos and information obtained from the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Department. All individuals posted have not been convicted of a crime and are innocent until proven guilty.

Find previous jail bookings at savannahnow.com/booked.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Trey Lewis scored 21 points and No. 16 Louisville used a hot shooting start to coast to a 98-68 victory over Utah Valley on Wednesday night.

Louisville (11-1) made 18 of its first 24 shots and shot 69 percent from the field in the first half (20 of 29) to blow past Utah Valley, one night after an out-of-sync showing in beating UMKC.

Konner Frey led Utah Valley (5-8) with 17 points and Marcel Davis scored 15. Seven Cardinals scored at least eight points.

The Cardinals finished 31 of 56 (55 percent) from the field and hit nine 3s. Utah Valley shot 40 percent.

Wednesday’s matchup closed out the Billy Minardi Classic.

Lewis hit three 3s and finished 7 of 10 from the field, earning MVP of the four-team round-robin after leading Louisville with 17 points on Tuesday. The tournament is named after Louisville coach Rick Pitino’s brother-in-law who was killed during the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack.

The return of 7-foot forward Anas Mahmoud bolstered Louisville’s frontline. Mahmoud had missed the past three games with a sprained ankle but he made his presence felt early with four blocks in the first half. Pitino had said Tuesday that Mahmoud was likely out until the Cardinals’ conference opener against Wake Forest on Jan. 3.

NO. 23 BAYLOR 85,

NEW MEXICO ST. 70

WACO, Texas — Taurean Prince scored a career-high 34 points, Lester Medford had 10 points and 12 assists and Baylor beat New Mexico State.

Prince was 13 of 19 from the field, including 3 of 4 from 3-point range, and led the Bears (9-2) with six rebounds in their 32nd consecutive non-conference home win.

Ishmail Wainwright scored a career-high 14 points and Al Freeman added 10 for Baylor.

Pascal Siakam had 26 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Aggies, who were facing their first ranked opponent of the season.

Nancy is the single mother of three daughters, ages 12, 9, and 7. Her eldest daughter has autism, which sometimes makes things difficult for the family, Nancy says, because the child requires adult supervision at all times.

That means Nancy can’t work a full-time job, which restricts her income-earning ability.

Nancy would so love to make this a special Christmas for all her daughters, but she has no money left after paying household expenses. She has turned to the Empty Stocking Fund this year to make her family’s spirits bright.

The Empty Stocking Fund was created in 1971 by this news organization so that struggling families in our area would experience the joys of the holiday season. Generous readers have shared heir blessings with those who are less fortunate and helped make Christmas special for countless children over the years.

Contributions will be acknowledged in the manner requested by donors.

HOW TO HELP

BY CHECK: Make checks payable to the Empty Stocking Fund and mail them to the Savannah Morning News; P.O. Box 1088; Savannah, GA 31402-1088. Only monetary gifts can be accepted.

BY WEB: Donate online via PayPal at savannahnow.com/emptystocking.

TODAY’S DONORS

Correction: In loving memory of Pat & Shawn Kitchens, Nancy Yarbrough: $100

Correction: Landings Women’s Golf Association: $2,800

Savannah Duplicate Bridge Club: $356

Pohl family in memory of Diane Knapp: $100

From the Butlers, Macks, Perrys, Lees, Hicks, Watsons, Walkers and Jenkins families: $200

Shannon O’Reilly: $75

Melissa Emery: $100

Tara Clemmons: $25

Richard Geriner, Jr.: $100

Sandra Barnum: $25

John Neiman: $100

Savannah Downtown Neighborhood Association: $100

Kenna Kinsey: $100

Karen Oelschig: $500

Morris Geffen: $36

Ernest B Hannah: $100

Roy M. Hay: $100

James Bowen: $100

A. Shaw Dargan, III: $50

From Sandy Ljungdahl in memory of Ron Benson: $100

Birgitta Ljungdah: $100

Doug Frazier: $300

Veronica Ruggles: $200

In memory of Lucky, Button, and many more: $50

In Memory of Granddad LeCates: $150

Paul Hudson: $100

Donation from Greg, Leigh Ann, and Nicholas Sedlock: $250

Rev George B. Salley, Jr.: $59

Ana Maria Nimphie: $20

Savannah Morning News: $120

In loving memory of Mildred & Wesley Blake: $40

“The employees of Seacrest Partners & Berkley Southeast”: $1,326

Russell I. Fries: $100

Skidaway Island United Methodist Church: $150

Dennis Dunne: $100

Peter & Diane Hoyt: $200

Janet T. Spillane: $50

Susan & Lefty Moore: $100

Fran & Bill Stanley: $100

Anonymous: $6

“In Memory of Harold Steward: $50

Ken & Linda Turk in memory of Jean: $100

“Peace to the World”: $2,000

In Memory of Thomas J. Brady, Jr.: $30

Paul & Jacqueline Soderberg: $100

Anonymous: $50

Kathy: $100

Vickerette Social Club: $50

Steve & Margaret Burke: $50

Anonymous: $100

Anonymous: $50

Philip & Charlene Branan: $200

Rick & Susie Doyle: $50

All Saints Episcopal Mission: $111

Brannen Construction: $250

Bernard & Rosalind Portman: $15

Karen & Felton Jenkins: $80

In memory of Suzanne Fogarty: $500

In Honor of Mrs. Winn Morgan by Helen Culver: $20

In Honor of Mrs. Eileen Glover by Helen Culver: $20

Georgia Liakakis Tidler in loving memory of Dr. Harold Tidler: $1,000

Pete & Mary Jane Liakakis: $1,000

Today’s Total: $11,714

Total to Date: $72,622.12

Ford Plantation
to host junior golf

The Ford Plantation in Richmond Hill will host the 2016 Georgia-South Carolina Girls’ Junior Challenge Match on Aug. 6-7.

The tournament annually brings together the top junior girls golfers from the two states. Patterned after the Georgia-South Carolina Junior Challenge Match for boys, the top four finishers from each state’s girls championship are invited to participate in the match.

Georgia won five consecutive matches in the series from 2010-14, but South Carolina snapped the streak in August at the Palmetto Golf Club in Aiken, S.C. The Landings Club hosted the inaugural event in 2006.

UPDATE:  Diamond Butler, 18, was arrested just before 4 p.m. in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Butler is the final suspect in a triple homicide that occured at a Lynah Street residence in October.

Butler was located at a family member’s residence, where warrants were served said Eunicia Baker, Savannah-Chatham police spokeswoman.

The FBI's Southeast Georgia Violent Crime Task Force coordinated the arrest with Michigan authorities and Butler will be returned to Chatham County pending an extradition hearing, Baker said.

EARLIER: Savannah-Chatham police have charged two suspects and are searching for a third in a October homicide that claimed the lives of three people at a Lynah Street residence.

James Angelo Hampton, 22, and Dwayne Leonard Abney, 18, were served warrants for the deaths of Kiana Marshall, 21, Alexis Kitchens, 19, and Isaiah Martin, 18, at the Chatham County Detention Center, where they were serving time on unrelated charges, said Eunicia Baker, Savannah-Chatham police spokeswoman.

Officials also obtained warrants for Diamond Butler, 18, who remains at large. Each suspect faces numerous charges, including felony murder, Baker said.

Police responded to reports of an open door just after 8:15 a.m. Oct. 22 at the Lynah Street residence.

Officers found Marshall, Kitchens and Martin dead of gunshot wounds in the house.

Investigators believe the shootings stemmed from an ongoing tenant’s dispute between Marshall and Butler, Baker said.

Butler is described as a black female, who stands 5 feet 6 and weighs roughly 110 pounds.

The investigation is a collaboration between SCMPD and the FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force, Baker said.

Anyone with information on Butler’s location should call CrimeStoppers at 912-234-2020 or text CRIMES (274637) using the keyword CSTOP2020. Tipsters remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.

A confidential tip line also is open directly to investigators at 912-525-3124.

Read the obituaries. 

Johnny W. Bargainnier, Brunswick, GA

Antionette Cash, Jacksonville, FL

Mr. Marvin A. Coles, Sylvania, GA

Mrs. Inde Penelope Drumright, Savannah, GA

Mary Helen Ford, Savannah, GA

Anthony Hagman, Reidsville, GA

Theron Herrington, Baxley, GA

Mr. Willie Lee Holder, Savannah, GA

Evans L. Jackson, Inglewood, CA

Mr. Abe James, Jr., Jones, GA

Evelyn Mariah Jenkins, Savannah, GA

Claudia R. Mack, Savannah, GA

Chester McBride, Jr., Statesboro, GA

Mrs. Debra D. Norman, Savannah, GA

Mr. Larry Patterson, Savannah, GA

Mrs. Katie Lou Pitts, Savannah, GA

Bessie Roberson, Savannah, GA

Tawanda Scriven, Ridgeland, SC

Mrs. Betty W. Slater, Bloomingdale, GA

Mr. Antonio R. Walker, Sylvania, GA

Denise Williams, Savannah, GA

Carrie W. Zeagler, Sylvania, GA

Savannah-Chatham Metro police will be operating radar hot spots along Diamond Causeway and Ferguson Avenue. 

Police remind drivers there is zero tolerance for speeding in school zones.

Metro Savannah’s unemployment rate for November was 4.9 percent, down four-tenths of a percentage point from 5.3 percent in October, the Georgia Department of Labor announced today. The rate in November 2014 was 6.1 percent.

At 4.9 percent, Savannah’s rate is at its lowest point since May 2008 when it also was 4.9 percent.

The rate declined as employers created 1,000 jobs in November, partially due to holiday hiring. The number of jobs increased to 173,900, or 0.6 percent, from 172,900 in October. Most of the increase came in professional and business services and retail trade, transportation and warehousing.

Over the year, Savannah gained 4,000 jobs, a growth rate of 2.4 percent, up from 169.900 in November 2014. Most of the job gains came in professional and business services and trade, transportation and warehousing.

Also, the number of initial claims for unemployment insurance rose by 22, or 2.8 percent, to 814 in November. Most of the increase came in administrative and support services. Over the year, claims were down by 33, or 3.9 percent, from 847 in November 2014.

Metro Gainesville had the lowest area jobless rate at 4.2 percent, while the Heart of Georgia-Altamaha region had the highest at 6.8 percent.

Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for November was 5.6 percent, down from 5.7 percent in October. It was 6.7 percent in November 2014.

Local area unemployment data are not seasonally adjusted. Georgia labor market data are available at www.dol.georgia.gov.

Jail bookings from Dec. 23-24 for Savannah-Chatham County are now posted.

Click through this slideshow to view photos and information obtained from the Chatham County Sheriff’s Department. All individuals posted have not been convicted of a crime and are innocent until proven guilty.

Find previous jail bookings at savannahnow.com/booked.