Local

The county’s 2022 fiscal year started on July 1. The sheriff requested 133 pay raises on July 6 and the chairman of the Camden County Board of Commissioners rejected that request on July 13, stating that it exceeded the sheriff’s budget allocation.

The county’s 2022 fiscal year started on July 1. The sheriff requested 133 pay raises on July 6 and the chairman of the Camden County Board of Commissioners rejected that request on July 13, stating that it exceeded the sheriff’s budget allocation.

Sheriff, county chairman clash over pay raises

Jill Helton
Monday, November 8, 2021
Camden County Sheriff Jim Proctor has retained a private attorney, potentially at taxpayer expense, to fight the board of commissioners over pay raises he believes he is entitled to award. The county’s 2022 fiscal year started on July 1.
North Atlantic right whale No. 2791 and her 2-week-old calf swim south about six miles east of Amelia Island on Jan. 7, 2019. The calf was born between Dec. 23 and 28, 2018, likely off the coast of Georgia or northeastern Florida. Courtesy of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources under NOAA Research Permit 20556-01.

North Atlantic right whale No. 2791 and her 2-week-old calf swim south about six miles east of Amelia Island on Jan. 7, 2019. The calf was born between Dec. 23 and 28, 2018, likely off the coast of Georgia or northeastern Florida. Courtesy of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources under NOAA Research Permit 20556-01.

Right whale population hits new low, regulations in the works

Wes Wolfe
Wednesday, October 27, 2021
North Atlantic right whales, one of the largest mammal species in the world, are closer to extinction according to the new estimate released by the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium. The population is now pegged at 336, an 8% decrease from two years ago.
Judge Anthony Harrison recused himself from the Carter case due to a personal friendship with the congressman.

Judge Anthony Harrison recused himself from the Carter case due to a personal friendship with the congressman.

Judge recuses self from congressman's tax lawsuit

Wes Wolfe
Wednesday, October 27, 2021
Like the television show, his name is Earl. Except most people call him Buddy. So when U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter filed his property tax lawsuit against the Camden County Board of Assessors, Superior Court Judge Anthony Harrison wasn’t aware the case of a congressman and friend was before his court.
Camden County Schools no longer will require masks in school due to a recent decrease in COVID-19 cases.

Camden County Schools no longer will require masks in school due to a recent decrease in COVID-19 cases.

As cases decrease, schools rescind mask policy

Jill Helton
Wednesday, October 27, 2021
Effective immediately, Camden County Schools will no longer require face masks within its facilities. The Camden County Board of Education vigorously defended its policy when the school year began in early August, but also promised to relax COVID-19 safety measures if the case rate dropped.
With another dollar store under construction in St. Marys, citizens are debating the need for a moratorium. (Illustrative photo)

With another dollar store under construction in St. Marys, citizens are debating the need for a moratorium. (Illustrative photo)

Another dollar store? Citizens air their views

Wes Wolfe
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Dollar stores are a civic flashpoint lately and the story’s no different in St. Marys. A city councilman’s proposal to put in place a moratorium on dollar stores was pulled from the agenda at Monday’s city council meeting and discussed behind closed doors in executive session.
Kingsland resident Mack De'Von Knight is facing charges in federal court that he submitted fraudulent documents in an effort to receive federal CARES Act funds.

Kingsland resident Mack De'Von Knight is facing charges in federal court that he submitted fraudulent documents in an effort to receive federal CARES Act funds.

Feds accuse Knight of defrauding CARES Act

Wes Wolfe
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
A federal grand jury indicted a Kingsland man known for his community involvement, who now faces five criminal counts for allegedly defrauding the federal government through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, and buying with the money a Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan.
A loggerhead sea turtle hatchling on Blackbeard Island scoots toward the ocean. Photo by Becky Skiba/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

A loggerhead sea turtle hatchling on Blackbeard Island scoots toward the ocean. Photo by Becky Skiba/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Georgia beaches see strong nesting year for sea turtles

Wes Wolfe
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Sea turtle conservation in Georgia is one of the state’s environmental success stories, and that success continued into the 2021 nesting season. The results are coming in slightly above average, with some days still to go before everything wraps up.
Kayaking through Okefenokee Swamp (photo courtesy of Explore Georgia)

Kayaking through Okefenokee Swamp (photo courtesy of Explore Georgia)

Kingsland, St. Marys pass resolution protecting swamp

Shannon Malcom
Wednesday, September 29, 2021
St. Marys and Kingsland have recently passed resolutions requesting protection for Okefenokee Swamp. Alex Kearns, a representative from the Okefenokee Protection Alliance (OPA) said the resolutions will be forwarded to state lawmakers, including Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp.
Community leaders in St. Marys envision a grove of trees and park to remember those impacted by COVID-19. (illustrative photo)

Community leaders in St. Marys envision a grove of trees and park to remember those impacted by COVID-19. (illustrative photo)

St. Marys planning Remembrance Park

Shannon Malcom
Wednesday, September 29, 2021
Plans are in place to plant a grove of trees in honor and remembrance of local citizens affected by COVID-19. Named Remembrance Park, the trees are to be planted at St. Marys Recreation Authority Park at the corner of Ashley and Margaret Streets in downtown St. Marys in November.
The city of Kingsland had the most gain from Census 2020 with a population increase of 13.1%, making it larger than St. Marys by a slight margin.

The city of Kingsland had the most gain from Census 2020 with a population increase of 13.1%, making it larger than St. Marys by a slight margin.

Census shows county, city growth

Shannon Malcom
Wednesday, September 29, 2021
According to 2020 census data, the city of Kingsland saw higher population growth than St. Marys, and its total population now outranks St. Marys by 81 residents.