The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for Chatham County until 3 p.m., said the Chatham Emergency Management Agency.

A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes.

The following are CEMA safety tips:

IF YOU SEE A TORNADO

• Take cover immediately.
• Stay away from windows, doors, outside walls and open spaces.
• Protect your head from falling objects or flying debris.
• In public buildings, go to the pre-designated shelter areas.
• In a vehicle, trailer or mobile home, get out immediately and go to a more substantial structure.
• Never get underneath a mobile home/trailer.
• Seek shelter on foot if possible.
• If there is no shelter nearby lie flat in the nearest ditch with your hands shielding your head.
   

DURING A TORNADO

If in a building

• Go to the basement, storm cellar or the lowest level of the building.
• If no basement, go to an inner hallway or a small inner room without windows.
• Move away from the windows.
• Get under a piece of sturdy furniture.
• Use arms to protect head and neck.
• If in a mobile home, get out and find shelter elsewhere.

If outside

• If possible, move inside a building.
• If shelter is not available, lie in a ditch or crouch near a strong building.
• Be aware of the potential for flooding.
• Use arms to protect head and neck.

If in a vehicle

• Never try to out drive a tornado. Get out of the vehicle and take shelter in a nearby building.
• If shelter is not available, lie in a ditch or crouch near a strong building.
• Be aware of the potential for flooding.
• Use arms to protect head and neck.  

Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department’s Undercover Narcotics Investigations Team took firearms, narcotics and nine people off the streets, during a March 30 warrant service, said police spokeswoman Darnisha Green.

Just after 6 p.m., Metro’s UNIT, SWAT and Patrol Division responded to a residence on the 5600 block of Emory Drive. Several people were located in and outside of the residence and Metro was able to seize four firearms and two pounds of marijuana after executing the search of the residence.

Aubrey Beasley, 29, Audrey Beasley, 59, Richard Hall, 64, Jockoo Hawkins, 23, Jeremy Hughes, 27, Jamel Lawton, 23, Shawn Lawton, 21,  Kyron Poacher, 32, and Cody Warren, 34 were all arrested and transported to the Chatham County Detention Center without incident.

The nine were charged as follows:

Aubrey Beasley: possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana (more than an ounce), possession of a firearm/knife in committing a crime 

Audrey Beasley: disorderly house, possession of marijuana w/ intent to distribute, possession of marijuana (more than an ounce), possession of a firearm/knife in committing a crime

Richard Hall: possession of marijuana (less than an ounce) 

Jockoo Hawkins: obstruction and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute

Jeremy Hughes: possession of marijuana (less than an ounce), obstruction        

Jamel Lawton: possession of marijuana w/ intent to distribute, possession of marijuana (more than an ounce), possession of a firearm/knife in committing a crime, obstruction by fleeing      

Shawn Lawton: obstruction, possession of marijuana w/ intent to distribute, possession of marijuana (more than an ounce), possession of a firearm/knife in committing a crime

Kyron Poacher: possession of marijuana (less than an ounce), tampering with evidence

Cody Warren: possession of marijuana (less than an ounce)

Savannah-Chatham police department’s Central Precinct investigators need help identifying the suspect who made multiple transactions with a credit card stolen during a March 29 auto break-in.

About 9:54 a.m. the victim’s vehicle was parked on the 400 block of East 49th Street. Her purse was left inside of the car and visible from the vehicle’s exterior. A window was broken. The purse was taken, said Eunicia Baker, police spokeswoman.

An hour later the victim’s stolen credit card was used in a purchase at Wal-mart on Montgomery Crossroad. Within minutes, the card was used again for a purchase at Wal-mart on U.S. 80. The fraudulent purchases totaled several thousand dollars. That day three additional transactions were attempted with the victim’s stolen card.

The suspect was captured on surveillance footage during one of the transactions. He is described as a black male in his late 20s to early 30s. He stands about 5’10” and weighs roughly 150 – 170 pounds.

During the incident he wore a black shirt and black shorts. The suspect may have fled in a white 2010 Nissan Altima, with dark tinted windows and factory-issued rims.

Anyone with information is asked to 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 tip line also is open directly to investigators at 912-525-3124.

Jail bookings from Mar. 31–Apr. 1 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.

The Chatham County Health Department has lifted the advisory for Polk Street Beach on Tybee Island.

The advisory was issued on March 30 after routine water quality tests showed a high level of enterococci bacteria which increase the risk of gastrointestinal illness in swimmers.

Subsequent samples on this northern most part of Tybee Island, at the mouth of the Savannah River from the end of the beach to the jetty, show that bacteria levels are now within acceptable limits.

Rincon – Ella Elizabeth Bothwell, 7, passed away Thursday, March 31, 2016 at her home.

Ella was born April 9, 2008 in Savannah and was a second grade student at Blandford Elementary.

She is survived by her parents, Ben and Kristine Bothwell; brother, Conner; grandparents, Michael D. and Debra L. Webber, Maureen Ahern, and Karen Neidlinger; great-grandmother, Ouida Duff; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Visitation will be 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at Savannah Christian Church, Effingham Campus, 810 Fort Howard Road, Rincon, GA 31326.

Funeral services will be 4:30 p.m. Sunday at Savannah Christian Church, Henderson Campus, 55 Al Henderson Blvd., Savannah, GA 31419.

Interment will follow in Effingham Memorial Gardens, 880 Hwy. 119 S., Springfield, GA 31329.

In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to St. Jude’s, www.stjude.org or CURE, www.curechildhoodcancer.org

Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Home, Effingham Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Savannah-Chatham police are investigating the theft of a purse that occurred at a department store in the 14000 block of Abercorn Street on March 6.

About 6:45 p.m.,  the victim left her purse in a shopping cart outside the store and drove away, said Sonny Cohrs, Savannah-Chatham police spokesman.

A store employee found the purse and took it to the customer service counter for safe keeping, Cohrs said.

At that point, the suspect allegedly came inside, claimed the missing purse was hers, and promptly left the store. When the victim later returned to the store to claim her purse, she discovered it had already been taken.

Detectives believe a nearby customer served as an accomplice and described the purse to the suspect via telephone, Cohrs said.. Once the suspect described the purse to store employees, the purse was given to her.

Anyone with information on this case 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.

Based upon the current weather report and a recommendation from the Georgia Department of Education, all 21st Century afterschool sites will be closed today. 

Parents and guardians are being notified that their children will be arriving home during the regular school dismissal. Staffing will remain at the schools to ensure all students arrive home safely. 

The National Weather service has extended a tornado watch for Chatham, Bryan, Liberty, Long and McIntosh counties until 9 p.m., according to the Chatham Emergency Management Agency.

Jail bookings from March 29-April 1 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.

The southbound lanes of Abercorn Street  at Lewis Drive are shutdown due to an accident, according to the Chatham Emergency Management Agency.

Drivers should expect delays in the area and seek alternate routes.

Former U.S. Olympic weightlifter and U.S. Olympic weightlifting team coach Michael Cohen, a Savannah native, won the men’s over 55 age division on Friday during the second day of the USA Masters Weightlifting 2016 National Masters Championships at Benedictine Military School.

USA Masters Weightlifting is a league for persons 35 years or older. Savannah weightlifting legend Howard Cohen, Michael’s father whose name makes up half of the Anderson-Cohen Weightlifting Center, won the men’s over 80 weight division on Thursday.

The event continues today and concludes on Sunday.

Ramone Pirrone went 2 for 2 with a home run, four runs scored and two RBIs as the Jenkins baseball team beat Beach 15-0 in four innings on Friday.

Ahmad O’Neal went 3 for 3 with a triple and three RBIs, and Bryan Wilson and JaVonte Middleton each drove in a pair for Jenkins. Salik Williams picked up his second victory on the mound for the Warriors.

B 000 0 - 0 2 8

J 364 2 - 15 11 1

W-Salik Williams (2-3). L-Swan. Leading hitters-J, Ramone Pirrone 2-2, HR, 4 runs, 2 RBIs; JaVonte Middleton 1-3, 2 RBIs; Ahmad O’Neal 3-3, 2 runs, 3B, 3 RBIs; Bryan Wilson 2-2, 2 RBIs. Records—Jenkins 5-9-1, 5-6-1 in Region 1-AAA.

ISLANDS 15, JOHNSON 0

The Sharks drew 13 walks and scored 15 times in a win over Johnson.

I 690 - 15 0 1

J 000 - 0 1 3

W-Justin Richards. L-White. Leading hitters-IHS, Jeffrey Pearce, 3 BB, 3 runs, Richards 3 RBIs. Record-Islands 5-11.

BOYS SOCCER

HILTON HEAD CHRISTIAN 2,

BENEDICTINE 1

Goals—HHCA, Evan Beckner 2. BC, Todd Norman. Saves—HHC, Lukkas O’Grady 9. BC, Tio Giambruno 5.

Records—BC 8-3; HHC 3-2-1.

Late Thursday

BOYS SOCCER

SAVANNAH ARTS 9,

BRANTLEY COUNTY 0

Noah Prince had five goals and two assists in the Panthers win over Brantley County.

Goals—SAA, Noah Prince 5, Johnathan Bethel, Ben Jones 2, Liam Foster. Assists—SAA, Noah Prince 2, Brandon Heebner, Deondre David, Ben Jones 2. Saves—SAA, Jason Paquette 2, Hunter Condrom 1.

ISLANDS 13,
SAVANNAH HIGH 0

Chas Buie and Alex Paradowski each had hat tricks in Islands’ win over Savannah High.

Goals—IHS, Chas Buie 3, Christian Rodriguez, Keegan Sturdivant, Javontee Houston 2, Alex Paradowski 3, Osmar Riasco 2. Assists—IHS, Buie, Paradowski 2; Jacob Davis, Riasco. Saves—IHS, Garret Burke 1. SHS, Rashad Denmark 9. Records—Islands 7-1-3, 6-1 in region 1-AAA.

COLLEGES

BASEBALL

GSU game moved to today

STATESBORO — Georgia Southern’s series opener against Texas State on Friday night was washed out due to thunderstorms rolling through the region. The Eagles and Bobcats will open the series with a 3 p.m. doubleheader today. Game 2 will start approximately 45 minutes after the conclusion of Game 1.

Friday’s scheduled Military Appreciation Game promotions are rescheduled for today with active duty and retired military personnel receiving free admission for the doubleheader, their families can purchase tickets for just $5.

Today is also Report Card Day with free admission for children who bring their report card to the ballpark with B in at least one class.

SOFTBALL

Schedule change for Savannah State

The softball series between Savannah State University (13-17, 3-0 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) and North Carolina Central University (3-28, 0-3 MEAC) that was originally scheduled for today and Sunday in Durham, N.C., has been postponed to Monday and Tuesday due to inclement weather.

The times will remain the same with a doubleheader on Monday starting at 1 p.m., while the single game on Tuesday will be played at noon.

JE Dunn Construction Company celebrated its 60th anniversary of doing business in Savannah with a grand opening and open house Thursday for its new office location at 24 Drayton St.

“Savannah has been a great place for first Rives E. Worrell Co., and then JE Dunn, to operate and grow our company,” said Ryan Price, vice president. “We’ve stood the test of time over six decades and look forward to continuing to serve our clients with excellence.”

The new office space, which houses JE Dunn’s Savannah staff of 40 employees, features work stations with adjustable desks to accommodate both sitting and standing during the work day.

Rives E. Worrell Co. was founded and incorporated as a commercial general contracting business in 1956. In 2011, it merged with JE Dunn Construction and continues to be an employee-owned local business.

On Jan. 1, they officially changed their name to JE Dunn Construction Company

For more information, go to www.jedunn.com.

The Savannah Technical College Foundation Community Council honored 28 people Friday at the 2016 Tribute to Community STARS.

The event, in its tenth year, honors individuals nominated for their service and dedication at work or in the community.

Diana Rivenburgh, author and senior vice president of People & Culture at Seniorlink Inc., served as the guest speaker and praised those honored for always being engaged within the local community.

“When we see images of Savannah, we often see things like the Spanish Moss, the beautiful squares or the fountain in Forsyth Park, but you also see many other things. You see the needs, the homeless, the unemployed and the young people...,” Rivenburgh said.

“And you engage your community to find out what are the most prevalent needs and how we can help fill those needs.”

More than 200 members of the community have been honored since the event began, according to Savannah Tech President Kathy Love.

“From longtime volunteers in our community, dedicated employees to school teachers and principals to elected officials. If you’re here today, you’re in for a treat,” Love said.

Honored on Friday:

• Eunice Bell, United Way of the Coastal Empire Volunteer, sponsored by United Way

• Lawrence Brody, financial advisor, sponsored by Wells Fargo Advisors

• Jenn Case, 2016 Savannah Tech GOAL Student of the Year, sponsored by Savannah Technical College

• Jody Chapin, anchor, sponsored by WTOC-TV

• Mary Chatman, chief operating officer and chief nursing officer, sponsored by Memorial Health

• Jennifer Davis, 2016 Savannah Tech EAGLE Student of the Year, sponsored by Savannah Technical College

• Steve Eagle, managing director, Seacrest Partners, sponsored by Savannah Morning News

• Jarvis Evans, payroll technician II, sponsored by Liberty Regional Medical Center

• Curtis Foltz, executive director, Georgia Ports Authority, sponsored by Georgia Power

• Kay Ford, chairman, Savannah Advisory Board, sponsored by BankSouth

• Debra Geiger, 2016 Savannah Tech Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year Award, sponsored by Savannah Technical College

• Grace Herrington, lead teacher, H.V. Jenkins High School Engineering Program, sponsored by DIRTT

• Tommy Hester, Savannah Market President, honored posthumously by Colony Bank

• Sarah Lamar, partner, sponsored by HunterMaclean

• Hope Moorer, general manager, Navigation Programs, sponsored by Georgia Ports Authority

• Ben Payne, school director, Savannah Classical Academy, sponsored by Hansen Architects, Dulany Industries, Inc. and The Pinyan Company

• Jesse Petrea, director and VP of Development, Coastal Home Care and Member, Georgia House of Representatives, sponsored by Coastal Home Care and Communities of Coastal Georgia Foundation

• Maranda Porter, founder, Friends of Coastal Georgia, sponsored by Advertising Specialty Services

• Margaret Mary Russell, office manager and Leadership Savannah Director, sponsored by Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce

• Lisa Scarbrough, founder, Coastal Pet Rescue, sponsored by Weimar Construction Company

• Al Scott, chairman, Chatham County Commission, sponsored by National Office Systems

• Peter Shannon, artistic director and conductor, Savannah Philharmonic, sponsored by Judy & Dick Eckburg

• Joe Shearouse, Leisure Services Bureau Chief, city of Savannah, sponsored by Savannah Economic Development Authority

• Mickey Stephens, retired educator and member, Georgia House of Representatives, sponsored by KinderMorgan

• James Thomas, former Mayor, city of Hinesville, sponsored by Liberty County Development Authority

• Peter Ulrich, principal at The STEM Academy at Bartlett, sponsored by Mary & Howard Morrison

• Jim Williams, consultant, sponsored by Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Americas

• Tommy Williams, Sr., Mayor Pro-Tem, city of Riceboro, sponsored by SNF Holding Company

The event is sponsored by the Savannah Technical College Foundation Community Council, which raises money to support the college and its programs.

The YMCA of Coastal Georgia’s 2016 Be a Hero Campaign raised $649,480, YMCA officials announced during the organization’s 161st annual meeting on March 22 at the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum.

The 2015 fundraising drive totalled $716,505.

The funds benefit the Y’s financial assistance efforts, which help provide YMCA programs and memberships to children, adults and families in their five-county service area. In 2016, the organization provided $3,277,022 in financial assistance to more than 34,000 people who otherwise would not have been able to take part in YMCA programs or memberships.

The incoming corporate board of directors: Gregori Anderson, Brian Dart, Gary Davis, Stacy Jennings, Edward Jolley, David Mason, Richard Moore, Kimberly Pannell, Frank Pennington II, Allan Reynold , Lt. Gen. Donald Rosenblum, Ryan Scheider, Iraj Shambayati, Lamar Smith, Jim Tait and Matthew West.

They are joined by the following volunteer additions to the board of management at each of the Y’s branches:

• Golden Isles, Stephen Hall and Rachel Fitzpatrick.

• Islands, Sharnette Dunn, Chris Hull and Sia Norse.

• Liberty County/ASYMCA, Karen Branson and Jonathan Monahan.

• McIntosh County, Lavelle Armstrong, Stephanie Dunn, Rebecca McFerrin, Teresa Townsend and Michelle Walchzak.

• Richmond Hill, Katie Coleman, William Gaines, Boland Grady, Brendan Farrell, Debi McNeal, Teresa Purdy and Caryn Thornton.

• Tybee Island, Joel Aldrich-Burel.

• West Chatham, Terry Carter, Emil Keels, James Stevens and Justin Young.

The volunteer of the year award was presented to four individuals: AJ Baker, John Robertson, Brenda Sierzant and Kevin Smith.

A new award, the Community Spirt award, was presented to Healthy Savannah for their collaborative efforts.

The Marina Smoker Youth Leadership Award was presented to Davon Hill and Eston Albury.

Read the obituaries. 

Levone Renee’ Baker, Claxton, GA

Ella Elizabeth Bothwell, Rincon, GA

Mr. Harlan Joseph Cannon, Millen, GA

Mary Margaret Capwell, Port Wentworth, GA

Mr. Lemuel Vannie Conner, Thunderbolt, GA

Ms. Annie Daughtry, Sylvania, GA

Mr. Kadeem HaShaun Davis, Savannah, GA

Mr. Robert L. Ford, Sylvania, GA

Mrs. Veronica E. Fuller, Savannah, GA

Georgia Louise Grier, Pooler, GA

Carolyn Johnson Herrington, Baxley, GA

Beulah Merle Hodges, Savannah, GA

Ms. Rose Howell, Sylvania, GA

Mrs. Melanie Jackson, Statesboro, GA

Donna Quick Kizer, Beaufort, SC

Lisa Ann Anderson May, Savannah, GA

Ashley Nicole Melton, Port Wentworth, GA

Mr. Larry M. Moody, Ludowici, GA

Ms. Teresa Oliver, Sylvania, GA

Inez Quarterman, Port Wentworth, GA

Mr. Julian Thomas Rogers, Manassas, GA

Mrs. Florence L. Smalls, Savannah, GA

Mr. Walter Michael Waters, Statesboro, GA

Obituaries are written from information provided by funeral homes only. Obituaries, Memorials and Cards of Thanks are purchased through our Advertising Classified Department. Obituaries must be typed and a family contact name must be included.

Fax: (912) 652-0385

Questions: (912) 652-0221 or (912) 652-0479

E-mail: obits@savannahnow.com

Violent Crimes detectives of Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department have initiated an investigation into the death of an unidentified adult female whose body was found Saturday morning behind a vacant house on the 5500 block of Garrard Avenue, according to spokesperson Eunicia Baker.

Metro officers responded to the scene just before 9 a.m. Preliminary investigation reveals no obvious signs of foul play. The Georgia Bureau of Investigations Crime Lab will schedule an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

Metro’s Criminal Investigations Division, Patrol and  Forensics units responded to the scene. The Chatham County Coroner also responded.  

This investigation continues.

Anyone with information on this case 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.

Savannah-Chatham police arrested Mike Roscoe Small, 27, of North Charleston, S.C., on Saturday and charged him with kidnapping across state lines and contributing to the delinquency of a minor in reference to an investigation that originated in Myrtle Beach, S.C. 

The victim, a 16-year-old female, was reported missing in Myrtle Beach on March 28. She was reportedly with Small since that time, according to Eunicia Baker, police spokeswoman. 

The victim notified family members of her location about 2 p.m. and provided a description of the suspect’s vehicle. Family members notified Myrtle Beach investigators, who advised Savannah police. Officers then went to DeRenne Avenue and White Bluff Road and spotted the suspect’s vehicle. 

The suspect fled, traveling along Abercorn Street, then back to East DeRenne Avenue, until he was caught on Jasmine and LaRoche avenues, Baker said. The suspect was taken to the Chatham County Detention Center and is awaiting extradition to Myrtle Beach. He also was determined to have outstanding warrants in Effingham County and Texas, Baker said.

The teen, who reportedly had no prior contact with Small before March 28, was safely recovered, Baker said.

The Central Precinct Crime Suppression Unit, patrol officers and K9 Unit worked together on the case.

Savannah-Chatham police say a pedestrian was seriously injured in a vehicle accident on Waters Avenue.

One lane of southbound Waters is now closed at Mall Boulevard as police investigate the scene. Drivers are urged to avoid the area if possible.

Check back to savannahnow.com for updates.