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Farm and Land ...3 | Editorials ...10 | Church News ...4 | Obituaries ...5 | Classifieds ... 6 | Legals ...7 & 8 | Sports..Section B
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Stephen Craig Lariscy,
a Respected Figure in
Sylvania and Screven
County, Passes Away at 62
By Joe Brady, Editor
for
The Times
The community of Sylvania
and Screven County mourns the
loss of Stephen Craig Lariscy, a
well-known and beloved figure
who left an indelible mark on
the region. Mr. Lariscy, bom
on November 12, 1960, passed
away on September 3, 2023,
leaving behind a legacy of
dedication, service, and love for
his community.
Lariscy's life was marked
by an impressive list of
accomplishments and contributions. He graduated from Screven County
High School, setting the foundation for his lifelong commitment to his
hometown. He pursued his passion for Advertising & Marketing at the
University of Georgia, where he honed his skills that would later benefit
both his professional and civic endeavors.
His career was diverse and impactful. As a former Media Planner
& Buying Supervisor at NW Ayer, Mr. Lariscy played a vital role in
the world of advertising. He also worked at CNN New York and E
Entertainment, where he continued to excel in the media industry.
In addition to his work in media, Mr. Lariscy achieved success as a
business owner, specifically in the furniture industry. His entrepreneurial
spirit and dedication to quality service contributed to his thriving
enterprise. As a Real Estate Agent, he helped countless individuals find
their dream homes, further solidifying his reputation as a tmsted and
reliable professional.
Mr. Lariscy's commitment to his community extended beyond his
professional career. He served as a City Councilman for six years,
tirelessly working to address the needs and concerns of Sylvania's
residents. His role as the City liaison for the Chamber of Commerce
and the Screven County Health Department exemplified his dedication
to fostering positive relationships between the city and its local
organizations.
The passing of S.ephen Cra.g Lariscy ^ LAR jg c y p AGE 3
Left:
Lee Home -
Newington
Right:
FMC Newington
Photos by: Terry
Kile
Hurricane Idalia
Unleashes Fury on
Screven County
By Sarah Saxon, Reporter
for
The Times
Screven County - On Wednesday,
August 30, Hurricane Idalia
left an indelible mark on South
Georgia and Screven County as it
unleashed its wrath with powerful
winds and relentless rainfall. The
community rallied together in the
face of adversity as they grappled
with record-breaking precipitation,
power outages, and unexpected
challenges.
Hurricane Idalia's most
remarkable impact was the deluge
of rain it brought to the region.
Records indicate staggering rainfall
amounts, with Newington receiving
7.5 inches of rain, Sylvania's eastern
outskirts recording just under 8
inches, and 6 inches drenching
the western reaches around Rocky
Ford. The Courthouse in Sylvania
reported an astounding 6.69 inches
of rainfall, leaving low-lying areas
submerged.
City Manager Stacy Mathis of
Sylvania reported citywide outages
but fortunately no broken utility
poles or transformers. However, an
unexpected twist occurred when a
snake infiltrated the substation on
the Georgia Power side, causing
more havoc than the hurricane
itself. Local crews were tasked with
the unusual challenge of dealing
with this serpentine intrusion.
EMA Deputy Director Mikki
Saxon reported widespread tree
damage throughout the county, and
dirt roads were particularly affected.
Despite these challenges, authorities
kept dirt roads open when they were
passable, considering the residents
who still rely on them for access to
their homes.
County crews wasted no time,
initiating cleanup efforts on
Wednesday morning, and they
continued their dedicated work
into Thursday. Looking ahead, on
Tuesday, September 5, the county
will undertake a comprehensive
assessment of all roads to detemiine
the necessary repairs and future
actions required to ensure the
community's resilience.
Above:
Norman Royal cuts tree for
Jennifer Suggs
Above:
Carole Rackley’s House
Hodges recognized for Peanuts
Recognition Dinner Celebrates High-Achieving Growers in the
Georgia Peanut Industry
Bv Joe Brady, Editor
for
The Times
Sylvania - In a
heartening celebration of
agricultural excellence,
the University of Georgia
Peanut Team recently
acknowledged the
outstanding achievements
of seventeen farmers for
their remarkable peanut
yields in 2022. These
dedicated farmers, whose
efforts contributed to
the state's robust peanut
industry, were feted during
a special recognition
dinner.
Record-Breaking
Yields:
The 2022 peanut harvest in Georgia was marked by exceptional yields, with the highest production ranging
from an impressive 4.781 to an astounding 6.49 pounds per acre. These exceptional results underscore the
resilience and expertise of Georgia's famiing community.
A Grateful Community:
The farmers' hard work and dedication did not go unnoticed. The University of Georgia Peanut Team, in
collaboration with several esteemed partners, sponsored a dinner to recognize and honor these high-achieving
growers. The event was made possible through the generous support of the Georgia Peanut Commission, the
American Peanut Shellers Association, the National Peanut Buying Points Association, AMVAC, Bayer, BASF,
and Nichino America.
2022 Georgia Peanut Achievement Club State Winners:
Among the honorees were the following outstanding famiers:
1. Kerry and Lisa Hodges, Screven County: Kerry and Lisa Hodges, representing Screven County, stood
out for their exceptional peanut yields. Their commitment to excellence has made them notable contributors to
Georgia's thriving peanut industry.
2. Brandon Dewitt, Brooks County: Brandon Dewitt, hailing from Brooks County, demonstrated
remarkable dedication to achieving high yields, making him a prominent figure in the state's peanut farming
communi^jkc Newbe ^ Early County: Mike Newberry's exceptional SEE PEANUTS PAGE 3
Power Outages
wreak havoc
Special
to
The Times
-ay:
The Planters Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) service area was
hit with heavy rains and high winds from Hurricane Idalia on Wednesday
afternoon. The fast moving storm caused around 7,500 member-owners
to lose power.
“As soon as the storm was over and crews could safely work. Planters
EMC linemen started repairing the damage using a time-tested, systematic
power restoration process,” says Randy Hill with Planters EMC. “With
all the devastation caused by the stomi, we want all the power to be re
stored, but you just cannot flip a switch. It takes a lot of hard work and
coordinating teamwork to get the power back on.”
Pre-arranged mutual aid agreements with other cooperatives and right-
of-way contractors allowed Akins Tree & Mulching LLC, Hart EMC,
Rayle EMC and Utiliclear to join the restoration efforts, tripling the
workforce of the cooperative.
Crews worked for 24 hours straight before pausing to rest, then continued
early Friday morning to push towards the goal of restoring power to all
members before nightfall.
“We thank the Planters EMC member-owners for their patience, kind
acts and words of support, and prayers during this challenging week,”
says Hill.
More information and a live outage map can be viewed at www.plant-
ersemc.com and followed on the Planters EMC Facebook page.
Planters EMC is an electric membership cooperative providing elec
tricity and related services to 12,700 member-owners in Bulloch, Burke,
Effingham, Emanuel, Jenkins, Richmond and Screven Counties.
