AC repair inWalthourville, GA

The state is expected to put out to bid later this summer a proposed bypass around Walthourville. Will Murphy of Atlas Technical Consultants updated Liberty County commissioners — and Walthourville Mayor Larry Baker — on the progress of a road that will go around Walthourville and tie Highway 84 into Highway 119.

The 2.6-milelong road will be two lanes, with one end about a half-mile south of where 119 and 84 intersect currently and the other end about a half mile east of where Tibet Road crosses Highway 119.

“We are in the final design phase,” Murphy told commissioners.

Plans call for the bypass to run east parallel to Highway 119, with a bridge over the CSX railroad line and two large wetlands on each side of the railroad. The connector would intersect with Arnold Drive, Carter Drive, Walthourville Cemetery Road and Tibet Road before tying back into 119.

Five public hearing open houses have been held and there has been outreach to those landowners whose property is being acquired for the right-of-way.

“There has been extensive outreach done,” County Administrator Joey Brown said.

Geotechnical and environmental studies also have been completed, and the state DOT has approved the final plans for the bridge. The final field plan review is set to be done in early February.

Of the 70 parcels needed for right-of-way, 58 have been acquired and negotiations are underway for seven others. Condemnations have been filed on four parcels. Murphy said that number of condemnations is typical.

Property owners along the route also will be getting noise and light barriers.

Roadway plans are 90% complete, and 90% of utilities have been certified.

“We may have a few driveways to modify, may have changes based on utility relocations, but the final plans are complete enough to hold review,” Murphy said.

Murphy added existing utilities may have to be relocated.

“They are well aware the project is coming in July and well aware of relocation,” he said.

The state is funding right-of-way acquisition at $5 million, and the county is providing $1.9 million for utilities.

The state is picking up the tab for construction, pegged at $29.1 million. The project is expected to be let for bid in July.

Brown said the amount of truck traffic turning onto Highway 119 has increased, as many truck drivers prefer to avoid the many stops and starts at Hinesville’s traffic lights.

“You’d be amazed at the amount of traffic on that route,” he said.

Editor's Note: This story came in after our Jan. 15, print edition had gone to press. It will be in our Jan. 22, print edition.

Standing-room only Monday night during Walthourville’s inauguration ceremony where the new mayor vowed transparency under his administration.

At least 200 Liberty County residents and officials gathered in Pleasant Grove AME Church’s multipurpose building with dozens more overflowing out the door.

The crowd came to see the city officially bring aboard its five council members and new mayor, Larry Baker. Walthourville had not had a new mayor since 2008.

Between all the greetings and after-ceremony photos, Mayor Baker took a moment to reflect on his new role and what it meant to see so many show up.

“That told me that the people wanted change,” Baker said. “I’m excited.”

Before becoming mayor, Baker served as a councilmember.

“My first election was in 1999, so I ran on the slogan Man for the Millennium. And now we’ve changed to another decade,” Baker said.

Savannah Mayor Van Johnson was in the number Monday night and later personally congratulated the Walthourville mayor. Johnson called Baker “a good friend for years,” referencing their work together during Georgia Municipal Association events. Johnson said it was important for him to take the time to be present.

“What affects Savannah affects Walthourville and what happens in Walthourville, Liberty County affects us in Savannah,” he said.

Johnson added that he was confident in Baker’s leadership.

“He’s a fine man who really loves his city, willing to work hard. He’s shown that before when he worked on council and I think the citizens of Walthourville are blessed to have him,” Johnson said.

Public involvement was important to Mayor Baker.

“We want to make sure that every citizen is involved,” Baker said in an interview after the ceremony. “We want to invite everyone in from Day One.”

Baker’s inaugural address also emphasized transparency, accountability, and being “excellent stewards of the citizens’ dollars.” He announced plans for a new public online finance system, to be called the Walthourville Wallet. He also plans to have a new multi-purpose facility built for youth and senior citizens.

Baker told Monday’s crowd that he was eager for what’s ahead and that he was “humbled, honored, and grateful,” for the citizens’ vote of confidence.

“I stand on the shoulders of great mayors before me who have guided this great city,” Baker told Monday’s crowd.

Of those mayors included Baker’s grandfather, Rev. Henry Frasier, Sr.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I love Walthourville and I look forward to working with our esteemed council members,” he said. “I assure you, the city as a whole will be at the forefront of every decision that we make.”

Baker makes Walthourville’s fifth mayor since the city incorporated in 1974.

Monday night’s inauguration included council newcomers, Bridgette Kelly and Sarah B. Hayes. Veteran councilmembers James Hendry, Charlie L. Anderson, and Luciria Luckey Lovette were also installed.

LIBERTY CO., GA (WTOC) - Residents in Allenhurst have been given the okay to leave their homes after a big turpentine spill Wednesday afternoon.

It happened around noon at mile marker 2 near Highway 84, closing Hwy 84 in both directions. Officials say a concrete truck rear-ended a tanker truck carrying roughly 4,000 gallons of turpentine.

Residents near the area who were not evacuated were asked to shelter in place.

Walthourville firefighters arrived at the scene and immediately jumped into action when they saw turpentine leaking from the semi. Neither driver had serious injuries, so the focus turned to keeping the liquid from spreading.

"We got overwhelmed pretty quickly," said Anthony Burns, Walthourville Fire Department. "We had to switch gears and adapt and overcome. EMA responded, City of Hinesville Fire Department responded with an engine to assist in the effort with the diking, damming, and diverting, and that was successful, thankfully. We were able to contain the hazard to the area we had it in."

People living nearby were evacuated because of the fumes from the turpentine, and anyone living within a mile radius is encouraged to stay inside.

The mayor of Allenhurst says the big issue later was the impact on travel.

"The major problem with the accident at this time of the day that's taking so long to get it cleaned up is traffic. This is a major thoroughfare, we are getting ready to hit our rush-hour and so it's a pretty major upset in traffic flow right now," said Mayor Thomas Hines.

Liberty County deputies were posted up at both ends of the crash scene, diverting traffic onto side streets. The scene has been cleared and the area is back open.

GSP, Liberty Emergency Management, DOT, Walthourville FD and PD, Liberty SO, Motor Carrier Compliance Division all responded to the scene.

16146068_G.jpgClick here to visit the page.

Turpentine is oil distilled from the resin of trees -- usually pine trees -- that is frequently used on oil-base paints and varnishes.

When inhaled, the vapor from turpentine can damage to skin, eyes, lungs, the respiratory system and the central nervous system. It is also combustible.

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The Walthourville Meat Market held their inaugural Community Day this past Saturday Oct. 30. It was a fun-filled day in which many vendors came out to support not only the market but the community of Walthourville in general.

The inception for the idea came from one of the owners, Ron De Leon, who wanted to give back to the community for all the support and success that they’ve received over the last 18 years.

Many vendors were on display such as Tamara’s Tidbits, Sticker Dawg, the Classy Mobile Hookah Experience as well as the Paparazzi jewelry boutique and a children’s clothing boutique.

The meat market also provided free hamburgers and hot dogs at the event in addition to bounce houses and face painting for the kids in attendance.

DJ Julian Stokes was also there to provide music. Market owners Ron and Nicole De Leon were very grateful for the turn out and thanked the community for the overwhelming support their business has received over the years.

“We’ve been so grateful and blessed to able to be a part of Liberty County that we just want to be able to do something for the kids and for the people to show appreciation,” said Nicole De Leon. “I want to continue doing this every year.”

Mrs. De Leon wasn’t alone in her efforts as her entire staff worked extremely hard to make this a memorable event for those who came out. She also named Liberty County Sheriff William Bowman, Chief Max Brown, Police Chief Al Hagan of Walthourville and Mayor Larry Baker as strong components for getting the event started.

Mayor Baker was showing his unwavering support while at the event.

He still acknowledged the presence of COVID-19, but was delighted at the turnout and how it did not deter the community from coming out and having a good time.

“This is very exciting to see everybody come out,” said Mayor Baker.

He also shared the same sentiments in seeing this event becoming a staple in the community for years to come.

“We want to continue with events like this. We want to invite and involve citizens of Walthourville and our neighboring cities."

Mayor Baker also used the opportunity to plug an upcoming movie night on Dec. 23rd at 6 p.m.

Mrs. De Leon’s staff was equally as enthusiastic and supportive about the event and have high hopes for the future of doing things like this for the community.

“It’s just something small to put a smile on the community’s face and just give back to what they do for us,” said cashier/ floater Jerilyn DeLoach. DeLoach was also optimistic for the future of this event and saw it expanding even further in the years to come.

“We have a new restaurant opening,” she said. “We’re going to expand the meat market. The parking lot is going to be bigger. I see a bigger and better business opportunity that puts us in a position where can give more back to the community.”

In addition to all the vendors, Together We Rise was also onboard holding a local fundraiser for the community to try and get a burn clinic set up in Hinesville.

“We’re working towards physical and behavioral health for our patients,” said Kathleen Arnsdorff, a representative for Together We Rise. “It’s an outlet that they can get the treatments without having to be in an office. It is a very long process for healing and it takes years for full development.”

Ms. Arnsdorff also would like to participate in the Community Day event year after year and bring up awareness of this cause and she is truly appreciative for the support she has received for her efforts.

“We’ve had an amazing support system through the community and everyone has reached out in a miraculous manner,” she said. “Everyone from all ages, all colors, all sizes, all different disabilities have come together to help us.”

Together We Rise will also be involved in another charitable fundraiser this Saturday at Gata’s on Saturday, Nov. 6, during the Georgia-Missouri game. There will be a cornhole tournament and they will be selling raffle tickets at $5.00 apiece or five for $20.

For three days, squads from across the 3rd Infantry Division put themselves to the tests, physical, mental and more, to earn the distinction of “Best Squad.”

The five-man squads were made up of two non-commissioned officers and three enlisted individuals. Each of the division’s brigade had a best squad to go up against the other brigades’ best squads, with the winner vying for the title Army- wide later this fall at Fort Stewart.

The competition was once the Best Soldier. But Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Grinston expanded the competition to the squad level.

“When you get all the squad leaders who are good to go against each other, it creates a good competition and excellence builds excellence,” said Staff Sgt. Brandyn Vanderbilt of 3/67 Armor Battalion, whose squad represented 2nd Brigade. “Esprit de corps is very big and in how you work together as a team and how you operate as a team and how you conduct all these physical events together is very big.”

Among the three-day events squads had to tackle were a number of soldier skills and battle drills, an Army combat fitness test, land navigation, marksmanship and a ruck march, a six-and-ahalf mile jaunt with their gear strapped on.

The ruck march was Vanderbilt’s favorite event.

“It’s a mental battle the whole way,” he said. “If you push and stay together and push each other and motivate each other, it brings home that teamwork. Six and a half miles.”

Vanderbilt was asked before the competition’s close which squad he thought was best, and he said his own. The judges and evaluators agreed, naming the 3/67 Armor squad he led as the 3rd ID’s best squad.

Those squad leaders who go through the competition can bring something back to their units for other squad leaders to put into place, Vanderbilt said.

“Once they get back to the unit, they can teach all those tasks they learned out here and drive them home to the guys back there,” he said. “It makes our units better, makes our companies better. It’s huge, especially for other squad leaders who may be back at the unit who see other squad leaders operating at this level It drives home to them that everybody needs to be at their best to make the Army better.”

Vanderbilt and his squad will go up against Best Squads from across the Army in September.