Above video: Murdaugh: Loss of life & Deceit WJCL INVESTIGATESFrom the approval of a COVID-19 vaccine and the lifting of masks mandates to inflation and a nationwide provide chain disaster, 2021 noticed many highs and lows as america and world sought to recuperate from the coronavirus pandemic.However these had been only a few of the problems that impacted our space this yr.This is a glance again on the tales that made the most important headlines in Coastal Georgia and the Lowcountry in 2021.The Murdaugh Homicide MysteryThe spouse and son of distinguished Lowcountry lawyer Alex Murdaugh had been found on their Colleton County property in June, the victims of a double murder.Their killings would put a brand new highlight on a number of suspicious deaths within the Lowcountry tied to the Murdaugh household; Stephen Smith in 2015, Gloria Satterfield in 2018 and Mallory Seaside in 2019.Murdaugh Thriller TimelineThe many twists and turns led to the Murdaugh thriller receiving nationwide consideration.Alex Murdaugh now faces dozens of legal fees stemming from allegations of monetary fraud and cash laundering. If convicted on all these fees, he might be sentenced to as many as 500 years behind bars. As well as, he has been named the plaintiff in a sequence of lawsuits.Thus far, there have been no arrests within the double murder investigation.Under video: Alex Murdaugh bond set at $7 millionThe Trial within the Killing of Ahmaud ArberyIt was in February 2020 that Ahmaud Arbery was chased down and fatally shot within the Satilla Shores neighborhood exterior Brunswick.However it could be months earlier than information of the incident was made public, due to a leaked video of the lethal confrontation.In October 2021, jury choice formally started for the state trial of Greg McMichael, Travis McMichael and neighbor William ‘Roddie’ Bryan, all charged with Arbery’s homicide.Regardless of the jury consisting of 11 white jurors and just one black juror, in a case already seeped in racial overtones, the three defendants had been discovered responsible on a number of fees, together with homicide. A federal hate crime trial is scheduled for early 2022.Under video: ‘At this time is an efficient day’ Ahmaud Arbery’s father reacts to jury convicting son’s killersCOVID Bounce BackThanks to the approval of COVID vaccines coupled with falling numbers of recent coronavirus circumstances and deaths, the Savannah space noticed some return to normalcy in 2021.Faculties that had lengthy been closed lastly welcomed college students again to class within the fall, solely for a lot of of them to shut once more for weeks on account of COVID spikes.The native economic system noticed a bounce again from 2020, with crowds of vacationers once more flocking to Savannah, Hilton Head Island and our space seashores, in addition to new points of interest just like the Plant Riverside District.Nevertheless, COVID shutdowns led to backups within the nationwide provide chain, inflicting large backlogs on the Port of Savannah. And because the yr got here to an in depth, Savannah reinstated its masks mandate on account of an increase in omicron circumstances.Under video: Savannah airport sees large crowds of Memorial Day travelersMarjorie Taylor GreeneAs 2021 started, Marjorie Taylor Greene was a comparatively unknown, newly-elected Congresswoman from Georgia.By the top of the yr, she was a family identify.Elected as a QAnon supporter and staunch backer of Donald Trump, Greene was a supply of a lot controversy and pulled no punches as she sought to question President Joe Biden, tried to have Dr. Anthony Fauci fired, feuded with Home Democrats and even members of her personal occasion, together with South Carolina’s Nancy Mace.Her many controversial phrases and actions led to her being faraway from Home management committees early within the yr.Under video: Marjorie Taylor Greene suspended from TwitterSenate Runoff Suggestions the ScalesGeorgia turned the middle of American politics following the November 2020 basic election, which pressured runoffs between GOP incumbent Senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler and Democratic challengers Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock.Because the yr started, Georgia noticed visits from Donald Trump in addition to President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, every working to sway voters in a runoff election that will in the end resolve whether or not Republicans or Democrats would maintain the bulk within the Senate.On Jan. 6, hours earlier than the assault on the Capitol, Ossoff and Savannah native Warnock received their respective races, tipping the nationwide scale in favor of Democrats.Because the yr ended, Georgia’s Senate seats had been again within the nationwide dialogue as Georgia Bulldog nice and Donald Trump-backed Herschel Walker introduced plans to problem Warnock in 2022.Under video: Herschel Walker raises large cash for senate marketing campaign Banner sports activities yr in Georgia It was an enormous yr for sports activities within the Peach State. Not solely did the Atlanta Braves win their first World Sequence since 1995, the Savannah Bananas received the Coastal Plain League title, the Atlanta Hawks made it to the Jap Convention Finals and the Georgia Bulldogs superior all the way in which to the SEC championship.Regionally, 2021 additionally gave us the announcement of Savannah’s latest sports activities staff. The Savannah Ghost Pirates hockey staff will debut on the new Enmarket Area in 2022.Under video: Savannah hockey staff named the Ghost PiratesCrime in SavannahShootings within the Hostess Metropolis of the South shattered lives and garnered headlines all year long.In June, a mass capturing killed two individuals and injured six others. In October, a lethal capturing at a youth soccer advanced claimed one man’s life and despatched households scrambling for canopy.Under video: Police: 1 particular person killed, 1 detained after Savannah soccer advanced shootingAn investigation by WJCL even confirmed you usually tend to be the sufferer of an aggravated assault in Savannah than you’re in Atlanta.Regardless of quite a few shootings, a number of of them lethal and involving kids, Police Chief Roy Minter says violent crime within the metropolis is down in comparison with current years.Under video: Savannah Police Chief talks crime in 2021, seems forward to 2022Georgia native advances to ‘Idol’ finalsWillie Spence, of Douglas, Ga., received the hearts of the nation in 2021 together with his humble nature and breathtaking voice on ‘American Idol.’Within the lead as much as the present’s finale, Spence was honored by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, with Kemp naming it ‘Willie Spence Week’ within the state of Georgia.After months of competitors, and weekly performances that received over each judges and the viewers, Spence was in the end voted the first runner up on the present.”I can’t see myself doing the rest however sing,” Spence mentioned. “And I’m simply glad that I had the chance to share my voice with the world.”Under video: Georgia’s Willie Spence ‘Circle of Life’ on American IdolHello, CostcoAfter a few years of residents asking if the metro Savannah space will ever see a Costco, after which questions on the place precisely one may go, building on a retailer formally started in Pooler.In November, simply days earlier than Thanksgiving, some prospects waited as many as 12 hours to be the primary in line for the brand new retailer’s opening.Under video: Costco formally opens Pooler locationSo lengthy, Toll BridgeFor a few years, Hilton Head Island residents and guests alike needed to pay a toll to chop throughout the island. However no extra.As of July 1, the bonds issued to construct the Cross Island Parkway had been paid off and the tolls had been discontinued.”I believe it nice as a result of (U.S.) 278 has gotten very packed, I believe extra individuals will take the Cross Island Parkway as a result of they don’t have to pay,” mentioned Martha Beck, a Hilton Head Island resident. Under video: Toll ends on Hilton Head’s Cross Island Parkway
Above video: Murdaugh: Loss of life & Deceit WJCL INVESTIGATES
From the approval of a COVID-19 vaccine and the lifting of masks mandates to inflation and a nationwide provide chain disaster, 2021 noticed many highs and lows as america and world sought to recuperate from the coronavirus pandemic.
However these had been only a few of the problems that impacted our space this yr.
This is a glance again on the tales that made the most important headlines in Coastal Georgia and the Lowcountry in 2021.
The Murdaugh Homicide Thriller
The spouse and son of distinguished Lowcountry lawyer Alex Murdaugh had been found on their Colleton County property in June, the victims of a double murder.
Their killings would put a brand new highlight on a number of suspicious deaths within the Lowcountry tied to the Murdaugh household; Stephen Smith in 2015, Gloria Satterfield in 2018 and Mallory Seaside in 2019.
Murdaugh Thriller Timeline
The various twists and turns led to the Murdaugh thriller receiving nationwide consideration.
Alex Murdaugh now faces dozens of legal fees stemming from allegations of monetary fraud and cash laundering. If convicted on all these fees, he might be sentenced to as many as 500 years behind bars. As well as, he has been named the plaintiff in a sequence of lawsuits.
Thus far, there have been no arrests within the double murder investigation.
Under video: Alex Murdaugh bond set at $7 million
The Trial within the Killing of Ahmaud Arbery
It was in February 2020 that Ahmaud Arbery was chased down and fatally shot within the Satilla Shores neighborhood exterior Brunswick.
However it could be months earlier than information of the incident was made public, due to a leaked video of the lethal confrontation.
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In October 2021, jury choice formally started for the state trial of Greg McMichael, Travis McMichael and neighbor William ‘Roddie’ Bryan, all charged with Arbery’s homicide.
Regardless of the jury consisting of 11 white jurors and just one black juror, in a case already seeped in racial overtones, the three defendants had been discovered responsible on a number of fees, together with homicide.
This content material is imported from Fb.
You might be able to discover the identical content material in one other format, otherwise you might be able to discover extra data, at their site.
A federal hate crime trial is scheduled for early 2022.
Under video: ‘At this time is an efficient day’ Ahmaud Arbery’s father reacts to jury convicting son’s killers
COVID Bounce Again
Because of the approval of COVID vaccines coupled with falling numbers of recent coronavirus circumstances and deaths, the Savannah space noticed some return to normalcy in 2021.
This content material is imported from Fb.
You might be able to discover the identical content material in one other format, otherwise you might be able to discover extra data, at their site.
Faculties that had lengthy been closed lastly welcomed college students again to class within the fall, solely for a lot of of them to shut once more for weeks on account of COVID spikes.
The native economic system noticed a bounce again from 2020, with crowds of vacationers once more flocking to Savannah, Hilton Head Island and our space seashores, in addition to new points of interest just like the Plant Riverside District.
This content material is imported from Fb.
You might be able to discover the identical content material in one other format, otherwise you might be able to discover extra data, at their site.
Nevertheless, COVID shutdowns led to backups within the nationwide provide chain, inflicting large backlogs on the Port of Savannah. And because the yr got here to an in depth, Savannah reinstated its masks mandate on account of an increase in omicron circumstances.
Under video: Savannah airport sees large crowds of Memorial Day vacationers
Marjorie Taylor Greene
As 2021 started, Marjorie Taylor Greene was a comparatively unknown, newly-elected Congresswoman from Georgia.
By the top of the yr, she was a family identify.
This content material is imported from Fb.
You might be able to discover the identical content material in one other format, otherwise you might be able to discover extra data, at their site.
Elected as a QAnon supporter and staunch backer of Donald Trump, Greene was a supply of a lot controversy and pulled no punches as she sought to question President Joe Biden, tried to have Dr. Anthony Fauci fired, feuded with Home Democrats and even members of her personal occasion, together with South Carolina’s Nancy Mace.
Her many controversial phrases and actions led to her being faraway from Home management committees early within the yr.
This content material is imported from Fb.
You might be able to discover the identical content material in one other format, otherwise you might be able to discover extra data, at their site.
Under video: Marjorie Taylor Greene suspended from Twitter
Senate Runoff Suggestions the Scales
Georgia turned the middle of American politics following the November 2020 basic election, which pressured runoffs between GOP incumbent Senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler and Democratic challengers Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock.
Because the yr started, Georgia noticed visits from Donald Trump in addition to President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, every working to sway voters in a runoff election that will in the end resolve whether or not Republicans or Democrats would maintain the bulk within the Senate.
On Jan. 6, hours earlier than the assault on the Capitol, Ossoff and Savannah native Warnock received their respective races, tipping the nationwide scale in favor of Democrats.
This content material is imported from Fb.
You might be able to discover the identical content material in one other format, otherwise you might be able to discover extra data, at their site.
Because the yr ended, Georgia’s Senate seats had been again within the nationwide dialogue as Georgia Bulldog nice and Donald Trump-backed Herschel Walker introduced plans to problem Warnock in 2022.
Under video: Herschel Walker raises large cash for senate marketing campaign
Banner sports activities yr in Georgia
It was an enormous yr for sports activities within the Peach State. Not solely did the Atlanta Braves win their first World Sequence since 1995, the Savannah Bananas received the Coastal Plain League title, the Atlanta Hawks made it to the Jap Convention Finals and the Georgia Bulldogs superior all the way in which to the SEC championship.
This content material is imported from Fb.
You might be able to discover the identical content material in one other format, otherwise you might be able to discover extra data, at their site.
Regionally, 2021 additionally gave us the announcement of Savannah’s latest sports activities staff. The Savannah Ghost Pirates hockey staff will debut on the new Enmarket Area in 2022.
Under video: Savannah hockey staff named the Ghost Pirates
Crime in Savannah
Shootings within the Hostess Metropolis of the South shattered lives and garnered headlines all year long.
In June, a mass capturing killed two individuals and injured six others. In October, a lethal capturing at a youth soccer advanced claimed one man’s life and despatched households scrambling for canopy.
Under video: Police: 1 particular person killed, 1 detained after Savannah soccer advanced capturing
An investigation by WJCL even confirmed you usually tend to be the sufferer of an aggravated assault in Savannah than you’re in Atlanta.
Regardless of quite a few shootings, a number of of them lethal and involving kids, Police Chief Roy Minter says violent crime within the metropolis is down in comparison with current years.
Under video: Savannah Police Chief talks crime in 2021, seems forward to 2022
Georgia native advances to ‘Idol’ finals
Willie Spence, of Douglas, Ga., received the hearts of the nation in 2021 together with his humble nature and breathtaking voice on ‘American Idol.’
Within the lead as much as the present’s finale, Spence was honored by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, with Kemp naming it ‘Willie Spence Week’ within the state of Georgia.
This content material is imported from Fb.
You might be able to discover the identical content material in one other format, otherwise you might be able to discover extra data, at their site.
After months of competitors, and weekly performances that received over each judges and the viewers, Spence was in the end voted the first runner up on the present.
“I can’t see myself doing the rest however sing,” Spence mentioned. “And I’m simply glad that I had the chance to share my voice with the world.”
Under video: Georgia’s Willie Spence ‘Circle of Life’ on American Idol
Good day, Costco
After a few years of residents asking if the metro Savannah space will ever see a Costco, after which questions on the place precisely one may go, building on a retailer formally started in Pooler.
In November, simply days earlier than Thanksgiving, some prospects waited as many as 12 hours to be the primary in line for the brand new retailer’s opening.
Under video: Costco formally opens Pooler location
So lengthy, Toll Bridge
For a few years, Hilton Head Island residents and guests alike needed to pay a toll to chop throughout the island. However no extra.
As of July 1, the bonds issued to construct the Cross Island Parkway had been paid off and the tolls had been discontinued.
This content material is imported from Fb.
You might be able to discover the identical content material in one other format, otherwise you might be able to discover extra data, at their site.
“I believe it nice as a result of (U.S.) 278 has gotten very packed, I believe extra individuals will take the Cross Island Parkway as a result of they don’t have to pay,” mentioned Martha Beck, a Hilton Head Island resident.
Under video: Toll ends on Hilton Head’s Cross Island Parkway
