Women's Clothing Boutique Near Me Richmond Hill, GA

In line with other cities and towns across coastal Georgia, Richmond Hill City Council approved a resolution at Tuesday’s workshop meeting to declare an economic “disaster” brought upon by imported shrimp.

The rapid influx of imported shrimp – also known as ”shrimp dumping- being sold in the U.S. has led to stiff competition for domestic shrimpers. Unable to compete with lower prices, many local shrimpers are struggling – and some are considering leaving the industry altogether.

Mayor Russ Carpenter expressed his support for the resolution, which was promoted by the Georgia Commercial Fisherman Association.

“All of you who have been here long enough to remember – we actually had a thriving industry here in Richmond Hill with shrimping,” Carpenter said. “It’s certainly not what it used to be but we’d really still like to protect our shrimpers.”

Local shrimper Traci Arnsdorff has witnessed the drastic changes over time, working alongside her husband at Grey Ghost Seafood in Richmond Hill since 2000.

“We made more money in the early nineties than we do now on per-pound of shrimp, because of imports,” Arnsdorff said. “I try to keep my price at a decent price, but we’ve got to overcome our fuel costs and the maintenance costs.”

Arnsdorff stresses that it isn’t a level playing field between family-owned establishments like Grey Ghost and overseas shrimp companies, which is why the emergency resolution is so important.

“Everything we do, comes straight out of our pocket, out of our personal money,” Arnsdorff said.

“We get no help, no subsidies from anywhere. I mean, we’re just asking for a little help.”

Shrimpers in southeast Georgia are now hoping that proclamations like the one in Richmond Hill will draw the attention of Gov. Brian Kemp, so that a statewide resolution can be made to help out the Georgia shrimp industry.

Big business not only cuts into local profits, but also long-standing livelihoods. Many shrimpers in Georgia are wondering if there is even a future for them in the seafood industry.

“I have a 14-year-old. People are like, ‘Are you going to let him go shrimp?’, and I’m like, I don’t think there’s going to be shrimping by the time he’s old enough,” Arnsdorff said.

“They’re pushing us out everyday.”

RICHMOND HILL, Ga. —

If you are looking to find Christmas lights around, look no further.

The Johnson family home in Richmond Hill is shining bright this holiday season.

"It's amazing, to be honest, like this, the sheer number of lights and the thought that went into this because you see a lot of houses," said Julie Petterson. "We throw up lights, but this is organized."

"They should go on the show the great Christmas light fight; they can do it," said Jessie Durgin.

The house on Sweetwater Court, owned by Melissa Johnson, is decorated with lights based on popular movies like Elf and Christmas Vacation.

"My husband and I have been doing this not to age myself well over 26 years," said Johnson. "We add a little bit to our display every year, and we've got minions this year and a couple of other cool new things throughout the display."

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The tradition started when she lived in Chicago and decided to bring the fun with her to coastal Georgia.

"I love Christmas and the Christmas cheer and everything that it means," said Johnson.

The lights bring out people over the holidays like Petterson and Durbin. Melissa Johnson partnered with the Way Station Food Bank to collect non-perishable food items.

"So far, we have received over 700 pounds of food and nearly $200. And it's going to really help a lot of families. I think our area has more food insecurity than many people realize," said Baum.

Emily Baum is a director at the food pantry; she emphasizes food access is becoming a problem.

"We saw the same number of people in the first two weeks of December than we did in the entire month of November. And we just continue to see those numbers increase," said Baum. "This has been great. Volunteers entirely run us in the community. And all of these donations are going to help a lot of families.

For more information on the pantry, click here.

For the address and details of the Christmas Lights, click here.

RICHMOND HILL, Ga. (WTOC) - The 24th annual Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival is coming to Richmond Hill this weekend.

Preparation already underway here at J. F. Gregory Park as the festival gets even closer to opening day.

The Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival it’s something locals and visitors look forward to every year.

And for all you seafood lovers, this event is perfect for you.

“At the festival we have over 18 food vendors, so everyone pretty much has a seafood item,” Summer Beal said.

Summer Beal helped organize this weekend’s event, and although she says food and live entertainment is what’s on most visitors’ minds, there’s a lot more to be seen at the festival.

“We also have arts and crafts booths, we have business booths, there is an entire carnival,” Beal said.

And one of those arts and crafts booths will be filled by local artist Steve Shrader.

“The festival, it’s one of the best venues of our year,” Steve Shrader said.

Shrader says this festival is especially exciting because he used to live in Richmond Hill.

“We like it because we get to see old faces and friends there. People perhaps we haven’t seen for the last year. The Ogeechee Seafood Fest is more of a homecoming,” Shrader said.

Shrader says he loves being to share his life’s passion with the community.

“Bring a peaceful sense of mind to people and certainly we want them to be able to be able to look at the artwork on the wall and just have a sense of inner peace when they look at it.”

He says he’s been getting ready for this event for a while.

“Preparation for this begins months and advance and we’re always tied in closely to the chamber.”

And although it takes a lot of hard work to get ready, he says it’s all worth it in the end.

“Once you get in there and you get set up, it’s almost like it’s a dream in a way because people start coming in, they look at your work. But, more so, they come in to say hello and you catch up with each other and that’s really what this is all about.”

“The festival begins right here at J. F. Gregory Park at 5 p.m. Friday and continues throughout the rest of the weekend.

If you’re interested in attending the festival this year click here.

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Former Richmond Hill Councilman Van Hunter announced Tuesday he is running for Post 3.

Hunter served on council from 2002 to 2006 and again from 2010 to 2014. He said not much has changed in terms of challenges facing the city.

“The things the city had to deal with 10 years or 20 years ago are not any different from what we’re having to deal with today,” said Hunter, a retired businessman and Army veteran. “Growth, taxes, quality of life. It’s about balancing the needs of the citizens of this town with the need businesses have when they want to come in and open up operation, whether it’s a mom-and-pop type operation or an international corporation wanting to come in and set up shop here.”

A graduate of Middle Georgia College and a Richmond Hill resident for nearly 40 years, Hunter has four children and 12 grandchildren.

“Being a little bit old now, and having time for reflection, I don’t think I came to Richmond Hill by accident. I looked around and Pembroke, Rincon, every other small town in the area. The day I drove into Richmond Hill, it was like God’s hand or the spirit gave me a peace about this is as being home and it is. I’ve had a really cool time here,” Hunter said. “I can’t think of any other place I’d rather be. This town gave me an opportunity to educate my children, expand my horizons and have a good life.”

Hunter said he wants to try to help make a difference.

“I’m just an average man trying to accomplish an above average job for the hard working, extraordinary people in the Hill,” he said.

Qualifying begins Aug. 21 and ends Aug. 25 for two seats on Richmond Hill City Council and the entire Pembroke city council and mayor’s seat.

Richmond Hill staggers its terms of office to ensure open seats every two years, while Pembroke voters get the opportunity to elect a new local government every four years. The municipal elections and SPLOST are on the Nov. 7 ballot.

To announce a candidacy for local office, email jwhitten@bryancountynews.com.

RICHMOND HILL, Ga. —

The first-ever girls wrestling team at Richmond Hill High School is leaving its mark on the mat. The Wildcats are heading to the GHSA State tournament meet.

The Wildcats defeated the Redskins (54-18), lost to Greenbrier (53-24), and then earned their state tournament berth with wins over Long County (54-18) and Burke County (42-30).

"Going to state duals, qualifying for state duals. That was kind of one of our goals," said head coach Anthony Dragon.

That goal has come to fruition. The Wildcats finished second in the area meet earning a trip to the state tournament in the program's first year. But getting to this point hasn't been easy.

"Most of the girls are fresh first-year wrestlers. We went from learning how to stand and put on headgear to being out there and wrestling full-length matches," said Dragon.

"I've grown a lot," said Richmond Hill junior Amelia Wickline. "My physical strength and endurance and skill, it feels really good to have made the progress that I did. And I'm sure everybody on the team feels same way."

At this point of the season Coach Dragon not changing much at practice.

Having success in the first year, the program helped pave the way for the years to come.

"We feel like going into year two, we're going to keep the same 14, 15 girls and we're actively recruiting to increase the program," said Dragon.

Unlike boys wrestling, which is separated by classification, the girls event is an all-classes tournament.

"Every school in the state of Georgia that has a team had an opportunity to make the top 16. And we were lucky to be one of those teams," said Dragon.

Many will see this as an advantage for the Wildcats, but ultimately what matters most is what happens on the mat.

"We're one of the largest schools in the state and we've got a way bigger pool to choose from. But realistically, when you get on the mat, there is no advantage on where you come from or what school you're at," said Dragon.

The state tournament takes place at the University of West Georgia on Jan. 26.

"I mean, no matter what we do, I think we're all happy to just have gotten the chance to go to State," said Wickline.