City Notebook

Man dies in train/ATV crash

Last Sunday, “rescue personnel were called to a remote portion of CSX railroads in West Chatham County on the report of an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) colliding with a passing train,” says a Savannah/Chatham police spokesman.

The crash occurred on a train trestle that crosses the Salt Creek River about 3.5 miles south of Burkhalter Road.

Campbell Jackson, 25, of Savannah, was one of three ATV drivers along the tracks at the time. The three were traveling north as the CSX locomotive approached from the rear.

Bobby Young, 25, and Jaron Bradley, 23, both of Savannah, “managed to take evasive action and clear the trestle. Jackson did not,” police say. The locomotive struck Jackson’s ATV and “he was ejected into the Salt Creek waters.” A private boater located Jackson’s body shortly afterward.

They’re going to Disneyworld

Savannah Country Day School’s Concert Choir has been selected to take part in the Disney Honors National High School Choral Invitational scheduled for April 20-24, 2005 in Orlando, Florida. Only twelve high school choral groups have been chosen to date.

The school will send 53 students in grades 9-12 to the event. Participants will receive coaching plus get a chance to perform live at one of the resort’s entertainment venues.

“Disney has recognized a need for more performance and clinic opportunities for high school musical groups,” says Maya Roos, the school’s choral director. “The resort is beautifully organized for music and they have a terrific stage set-up.”

Bob Radock, Disney’s Festival Events Manager, says, “Savannah Country Day has an outstanding group, and we’re very excited to have them join our program. Their students will receive professional feedback, take part in master classes and attend a special gala celebration at the end of their visit.”

Touring in style

Savannah’s Downtown Design District merchants are using holiday decorations to put people “in the spirit of giving.”

The Holiday Decor House at 20 W. Jones St. will be decorated throughout all three floors for tours. Proceeds will benefit the Historic Savannah Foundation and its Neighborhood Outreach program.

Owner McBrier Maloney is the official event hostess. Maloney has restored properties in downtown Savannah as well as on Tybee Island.

Cora Bett Thomas Realty and First Bank Mortgage of Savannah also sponsor this event. Tour hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10 & Sat. Dec. 11, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 12.

Tickets to tour the home are available at each Downtown Design District location, Whitaker Street from Charlton Lane to Gaston, and the Historic Savannah Foundation at 321 East York Street. Ticket are $7.50 each and proceeds will directly benefit the Historic Savannah Foundation.

“This is pretty with a purpose,” said Melissa Jest, the foundation’s neighborhood coordinator.

“We’re excited to get this support from downtown residents and businesses. All that’s good in Savannah deserves preservation.”

The Downtown Design District is composed of merchants located on Whitaker Street from Charlton Lane to Gaston Street. Each room of the home will represent each store’s individual style, or a beautiful holiday collaboration.

Historic Savannah Foundation’s neighborhood outreach program educates property owners in Savannah’s historic neighborhoods on preservation techniques to help protect the buildings as well as promote Savannah’s rich cultural diversity. Miss Jest has enlisted the help of more than 30 student leaders from Beach and Jenkins High Schools to greet tour-goers. Volunteers are still needed, she said.

For tickets or information, call Melissa Jest at 233-7787.

Massive Guard call-up

Georgia’s 48th Infantry Brigade of the Georgia Army National Guard has received notification of mobilization in support of the global War on Terrorism.

A spokesman says, “This mobilization will involve more than 1,200 Guardsmen of the 48th Brigade who will report to duty in December, with another 2,300 expected to be called-up after the first of the year.”

The brigade has units located in more than 30 communities across Georgia.

Piedmont to add jobs

An expansion of Piedmont Interstate, a leading provider of third party logistics services in the Southeast, will add as many as 100 jobs to the area, a spokesman for the Savannah Economic Development Authority says.

Piedmont began local operations in 2003 with only two employees. It now manages a 400,000 square foot distribution center at 6030 Commerce Blvd., near the Georgia Ports Authority gates.

“Our presence in Savannah represents a significant step toward our desire to better serve customers, build upon our port related expertise, and satisfy the increasing need for third party logistics in a thriving market,” says Warwick Spencer, President of Piedmont Interstate.