WTOC - News

Tybee police chief retires early

Thu, 2 Sep 2010 18:57:00 EDT

After months of controversy, Tybee Island Police Chief Jimmy Price is now officially retired.

Temporary cap that stopped oil gusher removed

Thu, 2 Sep 2010 18:49:00 EDT

Engineers removed a temporary cap Thursday that stopped oil from gushing into the Gulf of Mexico from BP's blown-out well in mid-July. No more oil was expected to leak into the sea, but crews were standing by with...

Earl threatens East Coast with a pounding

Thu, 2 Sep 2010 18:49:00 EDT

The last ferry left for the mainland and coastal residents hunkered down at home as Hurricane Earl closed in with 115 mph winds Thursday on North Carolina's dangerously exposed Outer Banks, the first and potentially most...

Cotton farmers hope to avoid hurricane weather

Dal Cannady — Thu, 2 Sep 2010 18:38:00 EDT

Two hurricanes turning away from southeast Georgia isn't enough for cotton farmers trying to get an early crop harvested.

Officials hope to deepen river and expand port

Thu, 2 Sep 2010 18:27:00 EDT

The Port of Savannah is the fourth busiest container port in the Country. To keep it that strong or make it stronger, port officials say we have to be able to serve the largest ships on the sea.

Former Savannah cop turns actor

Thu, 2 Sep 2010 17:51:00 EDT

Stephen Murphy just landed a part in an independent film called "Before My Eyes". Murphy will play a corrupt NYPD detective. Filming starts this Saturday in New York.

City officials honor Hinesville woman

Thu, 2 Sep 2010 17:40:00 EDT

Hinesville city leaders and fire officials recognized Denisse Vega, who went door to door to warn her neighbors about about a fire.

Oil rig platform catches fire in Gulf of Mexico

Joshua Auzenne — Thu, 2 Sep 2010 17:35:00 EDT

Coast Guard Petty Officer Bill Coklough said a mile-long oil sheen has been spotted near a burning oil rig platform in the Gulf of Mexico south of Vermilion Bay. All of the workers on the rig have been rescued.

Father rides from Maine to Florida for son

Thu, 2 Sep 2010 17:17:00 EDT

One father is on a mission to educate and uplift parents of special needs children.

Autopsy results released in death of 2-year-old Rodricus Williams

Alex Kreitman — Thu, 2 Sep 2010 17:09:00 EDT

According to the Berkeley County coroner's office, 2-year-old Rodricus Williams, whose body was found in a cement-filled trash can two months ago, died from blunt head trauma.

September is National Preparedness month

Thu, 2 Sep 2010 17:08:00 EDT

National Preparedness Month is a good time to update or create an emergency supply kit.

Men's Wearhouse holds national suit drive

Thu, 2 Sep 2010 17:02:00 EDT

One retailer is making sure men are looking good when they go out for a job interview.

Coming up on THE News: Surfers ride rough waves

Thu, 2 Sep 2010 16:13:00 EDT

Here are stories WTOC is working on

Search for missing boater scaled back due to weather

Adrienne Gilbert — Thu, 2 Sep 2010 15:38:00 EDT

The Coast Guard had to pull several smaller search craft from the waters off Hilton Head Island Thursday after rough waters and inclement weather made their presence unsafe. The craft were being used to search for a missing boater.

SFES seeks Strathmore Estates arsonists

Thu, 2 Sep 2010 14:56:00 EDT

Savannah Fire investigators are looking for arson suspects they say intentionally set fires in the Strathmore Estates neighborhood.

Study: 1 in 7 home kitchens would flunk inspection

Thu, 2 Sep 2010 12:52:00 EDT

A new study suggests that at least one in seven home kitchens would flunk the kind of health inspection commonly administered to restaurants.

Mass. coast gets hurricane warning ahead of Earl

Thu, 2 Sep 2010 12:36:00 EDT

A hurricane warning is out for part of the Massachusetts coast including Nantucket as Earl bears down on the Eastern Seaboard.

Kingston wants to lower drinking age for military personnel

Thu, 2 Sep 2010 12:27:00 EDT

Congressman Jack Kingston has introduced a bill that would make it legal for 18, 19, and 20 year olds serving in the military to drink on post.

Alvin Greene accused of using anti-white and anti-gay slurs

Tom Roussey — Thu, 2 Sep 2010 12:23:00 EDT

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Alvin Greene is denying accusations he used anti-gay and anti-white slurs about a York County man.

Parents clog 911 for school traffic problems

Thu, 2 Sep 2010 12:23:00 EDT

Some motorists aren't just calling 911 for emergencies. In fact with school back in session in Chatham County, many parents are tying up the lines.

GA amusement park to get new roller coaster

Thu, 2 Sep 2010 11:46:00 EDT

Six Flags Over Georgia is adding an 11th roller coaster for next season, featuring a 95-foot lift and a first drop at 52 mph at an angle that's beyond vertical.

Ga. Ports hosts expansion project talks

Thu, 2 Sep 2010 11:41:00 EDT

The Georgia Ports Authority hosts its first ever Savannah harbor expansion project discussion with local businesses.

Toast the end of summer at the Savannah Craft Brew Fest

Thu, 2 Sep 2010 09:56:00 EDT

You'll get to taste more than 130 of America's best craft beers, including some of Georgia's own specialty brews. You'll also enjoy mouth-watering food and great live music.

Earl bearing down on East Coast

Thu, 2 Sep 2010 08:13:00 EDT

Hurricane Earl continues to barrel toward the Eastern Seaboard as forecasters try to pinpoint exactly how close the strongest winds and heaviest surge will get to North Carolina's fragile chain of barrier islands.

More high surf, rip currents as Earl passes SC

Thu, 2 Sep 2010 08:10:00 EDT

Hurricane Earl is expected to pass by well off the South Carolina coast, but its effects will evident as the storm passes.

Plan could help kayakers navigate Georgia's coast

Thu, 2 Sep 2010 05:51:00 EDT

The Coastal Regional Commission is creating an official guide for a saltwater paddling trail.

Tybee expects huge crowds, high surf this weekend

Thu, 2 Sep 2010 05:24:00 EDT

Tybee Island is ready for a busy Labor Day weekend despite Earl making waves offshore.

Servers need license to serve alcohol now

Thu, 2 Sep 2010 05:09:00 EDT

Savannah's newest rule about what they call "bar cards" have kicked in. If you work in a bar, or a hybrid bar-restaurant you have to have the card in order to serve alcohol.

Coast Guard searches for man overboard near Hilton Head

Thu, 2 Sep 2010 05:06:00 EDT

The Coast Guard is searching for a missing man who fell overboard three miles east of Hilton Head Island.

Ethics panel investigates Joe Wilson's trip purchase

Thu, 2 Sep 2010 05:04:00 EDT

Congressman Joe Wilson is in the middle of an ethics investigation all because of a $12 purchase.

Man turns himself in on vehicular homicide charges

Thu, 2 Sep 2010 04:53:00 EDT

A man is in custody in connection with a fatal wreck that happened more than a year ago.

Fire damages Strathmore Estates home

Thu, 2 Sep 2010 04:50:00 EDT

Savannah fire responded to a fire Wednesday night that occurred at Strathmore Estates.

Former fugitive indicted on murder charges

Thu, 2 Sep 2010 04:47:00 EDT

A man who was one of Savannah's most wanted has been indicted on murder charges.

Celebrity addiction therapist visits Savannah

Wed, 1 Sep 2010 21:31:00 EDT

A familiar face visited the hostess city Wednesday, Dr. Drew Pinsky drew a crowd at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

Top Teacher: Teena Deer

Wed, 1 Sep 2010 19:23:00 EDT

Teaching is a true passion and what each teacher brings to the classroom is unique. We found one teacher at Lady's Island Elementary school Teena Deer who uses her art degree to help students learn.

Hilton Head Island feels impact of Hurricane Earl

Wed, 1 Sep 2010 19:16:00 EDT

Hilton Head Island may have escaped the brunt on Hurricane Earl, but many on the beach are feeling some of the effects.

Montessori Charter School hopes to get numbers up

Wed, 1 Sep 2010 19:08:00 EDT

The Coastal Empire Montessori Charter school opened three years ago with just a few classrooms and it has grown in the past two years. But not like the Savannah Chatham School District had hoped.

Woman killed in U.S. Highway 80 crash

Wed, 1 Sep 2010 18:21:00 EDT

A woman is killed in a wreck after her car hits a tree.

911 tapes in two fatal Lake Murray crashes released

Thu, 2 Sep 2010 16:42:00 EDT

Back in May, two separate boat crashes just minutes apart killed four people on Lake Murray. Three men have been charged in connection the crashes and investigators say they were boating drunk. We finally have the 911 tapes from that night.

Heroes' Legacy: A WWII memorial in Savannah

Wed, 26 May 2010 11:43:00 EDT

A memorial is still in the making for our WW II veterans but is closer to becoming a reality than ever before.

Liberty Transit system to launch

Wed, 1 Sep 2010 12:56:00 EDT

Coastal Empire residents will soon have more public transportation options.

East Coast should prepare for Hurricane Earl: FEMA

Wed, 1 Sep 2010 10:43:00 EDT

Residents of the U.S. East Coast need to take steps to prepare for Hurricane Earl, say Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials.

Coast Guard issues warning to boaters

Wed, 1 Sep 2010 10:00:00 EDT

The high surf advisory and dangerous rip current conditions are making conditions dangerous for boaters.