Sam Bauman

Anchor/Reporter

Savannah, Ga.

Sam Bauman joined WTOC in December of 2019 as the 5:30pm Anchor and multi-media journalist.

The Ohio native joins WTOC from Fort Wayne, IN where he spent nearly three years working at ABC21.

Sam begin his career in journalism in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan at the NBC affiliate TV6.

He graduated from Wheeling Jesuit University with a bachelor’s degree in Communications (Broadcast) in 2013, where he was also a member of the Men’s Soccer team.

He and his wife Blair are excited to explore this beautiful part of the country and for the first time in their lives avoid a Midwest winter.

Recent Articles by Sam

Seniors defy aging serving their community

The Manna House Food Pantry in Rincon has stayed busy this year. Each Wednesday serving hundreds of families in need. Something they’re able to do, in large part, thanks to their volunteers. The core of that group made up by senior citizens.

Sam Bauman

Published 5h at 6:40 PM

Effingham Co. asking for help creating Transportation Master Plan

During November’s General Election Effingham County voted to approve a TSPLOST to help address some of their transportation issues. But now the County of Commissioners is taking it a step further putting together a Transportation Master Plan, but they need your help.

Sam Bauman

Published January 19, 2021 at 3:42 PM

Changes made to Effingham Co. MLK celebration for safety

Like many communities, Effingham County was forced to change their plans for this year’s celebration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Sam Bauman

Published January 18, 2021 at 5:22 PM

Dr. King’s legacy lives on in places he may have never visited

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s time with us may have been cut short but his legacy lives on today.

Sam Bauman

Published January 18, 2021 at 4:24 PM

Thousands flocked to the Eastman Gun Show today at the Savannah Convention Center. Willing to wait in long lines to get their hands on some hard to find products.

Sam Bauman

Published January 16, 2021 at 5:20 PM

Father, son make history working together at Pooler Police Department

One of the newest Officers to join the Pooler Police Department has a familiar name. That’s because, it’s the same as his fathers, who just so happens to be a 25-year veteran of the department.

Sam Bauman

Published January 14, 2021 at 4:18 PM

Effingham Health System preparing for large-scale vaccine clinic

Getting the COVID-19 vaccine in rural counties has proven a challenge. But Effingham Health System says they’ve seen success early on and they’re hoping by the end of the month to be able to offer it to hundreds of people a week.

Sam Bauman

Published January 13, 2021 at 3:14 PM

Suspects target elderly in spree of thefts at local grocery stores

“By the time they realize their wallet’s gone and they report it to us the money has already taken out.” Lt. Daniel Thompson with the Rincon Police Department says this group of three takes your credit card and use it to buy gift cards, typically withing 20 minutes of the theft.

Sam Bauman

Published January 12, 2021 at 6:37 PM

600 more students return to in-person learning in ECSD

This week marked the beginning of the second semester for the Effingham County School District. With it came hundreds of more students making the switch from virtual to in-person learning.

Sam Bauman

Published January 8, 2021 at 12:52 PM

Kayton/Frazier area reacts to Rev. Warnock’s Senate victory

Reverend Raphael Warnock has broken plenty of barriers on his way to becoming a U.S. Senator. Although he’s now a long way from where he started here in Savannah, he says he hasn't forgotten his roots and we found some residents who haven’t forgotten him either.

Sam Bauman

Published January 6, 2021 at 4:24 PM

Early voter turnout in Chatham Co. more than double a typical runoff election

“When you see a 33% turnout in a runoff election like we’ve seen, you usually don’t see that. You may see a 15% turnout so, we might have doubled that turnout of what we’re used to seeing,” said Chatham County Board of Elections Commissioner Antwan T. Lang.

Sam Bauman

Published January 4, 2021 at 3:11 PM

Savannah couple nearly hit by falling bullet during New Year’s celebrations

Standing on the deck of their home off Victory Drive the Steinmet family heard a loud noise & looked down only to see a bullet lodged in the deck between them. A bullet Chris Steinmet now calls his lucky charm.

Sam Bauman

Published January 1, 2021 at 4:43 PM

Alcohol sales remain steady throughout 2020 despite pandemic

“People have found that it is an essential business, a liquor and wine store because it keeps them calm,” said Johnnie Ganem Executive VP Paul Ganem when discusses their success in 2020.

Sam Bauman

Published January 1, 2021 at 4:35 PM

Some of your resolutions for the new year

Thursday WTOC took to the streets to find out what new resolutions are on your list and offer some parting words to 2020.

Sam Bauman

Published December 31, 2020 at 4:36 PM

Sen. Loeffler makes campaign visit to Savannah

We’re now less than a week out from the runoff election here in Georgia. At stake of course two crucial senate seats. Early today one of the candidates vying for a seat, Senator Kelly Loeffler made a stop in Savannah.

Sam Bauman

Published December 30, 2020 at 4:51 PM

XCEL Strategies brings training to you with new mobile unit

The mobile unit will bring training for crucial trade industries right to the students, all for free.

Sam Bauman

Published December 29, 2020 at 2:54 PM

Mystery gift in Effingham Co. proves Santa is real

An unexpected overnight donation of toys for more than a dozen kids at the Effingham County YMCA Saturday left only with a note reading, 'Santa is Real.'

Sam Bauman

Published December 21, 2020 at 6:32 PM

Second Harvest holds final food distribution event of the year

Friday was the final food distribution of the year for America’s Second Harvest in Chatham County. It was an occasion that was marked by a big turnout.

Sam Bauman

Published December 18, 2020 at 12:44 PM

Taking a closer look at Rincon’s 2021 budget

The $13.1 million approved for Rincon's general fund budget is only an increase of 1.2% from the year prior but doesn't mean the city won't be able to make that money go a long way.

Sam Bauman

Published December 17, 2020 at 3:01 PM

Savannah nurses on frontline of COVID-19 battle relieved by arrival of vaccine

Though doctors say it will take many months for the effects of the vaccine to be seen because most of the population needs to join them, they do say protecting health care workers is a huge step.

Blair Caldwell and Sam Bauman

Published December 16, 2020 at 7:26 PM

Memorial Health doctor explains COVID-19 vaccine after getting his first dose

Dr. Stephen Thacker rolled up his sleeve Wednesday afternoon and got his COVID-19 vaccine

Blair Caldwell and Sam Bauman

Published December 16, 2020 at 6:52 PM

Students in Effingham Co. now have free access to Live Oak Public Libraries resources

In a time where things are perhaps more digital than ever before Live Oaks Public Library is now expanding a program to offer more resources to students. A program they’ve already seen have success in Chatham County.

Sam Bauman

Published December 16, 2020 at 4:55 PM

Generosity continues for Toys for Tots Toy Drive despite pandemic

Our annual Toys for Tots Toy Drive has now come to a close and once again it has highlighted the true generosity of our community. Toy donations filled more than fifty boxes all going back out into the community to children in need.

Sam Bauman

Published December 15, 2020 at 5:11 PM

While out supporting their candidates, of opposite political parties, Curran Ford & Karen Haythorne seemed to break from the norm. Offering help and kindness to each other during a contentious runoff election.

Sam Bauman

Published December 14, 2020 at 3:02 PM

Gifts donated to honor Savannah man who left behind a legacy of giving

This Holiday season has been tough on many in our community but for one Savannah couple who just lost their youngest son it may be the toughest on yet. That was until gifts started to arrive.

Sam Bauman

Published December 11, 2020 at 5:11 PM

Traffic fatalities on the rise in Effingham County

It's a dangerous trend on the roads of Effingham County, “we’re seeing about an eight to nine percent upward trend in total crashes and we’re seeing three percent rise in the number of fatalities on our roadways,” said Deputy Jason Fondren with the traffic division of ECSO.

Sam Bauman

Published December 10, 2020 at 3:46 PM

Faith Equestrian founder at center of financial controversy

Current Executive Director, Board Chair & other staff & volunteers at Faith Equestrian say they will resign if six current board members don't step down at Wednesday's board meeting. At issue, the alleged misappropriation of funds by the former CEO and Founder Bonnie Rachael.