Women's Clothing Boutique Near Me Rincon, GA

RINCON, Ga. (WSAV) – Access to a Rincon neighborhood was blocked for hours because of a stopped train.

It happened this weekend but people who live in the community say it’s nothing new.

CSX tells News 3 one of its trains experienced a mechanical issue – blocking residents from entering or leaving a neighborhood called Picket Fences in Rincon, Georgia for hours.

“And there’s traffic backed all the way up, probably a good quarter of a mile back to the end of the neighborhood,” said Jackie Wilson whose parents live in the neighborhood. “People were trying to get out and they just got tired and turned around.”

People who live in the Picket Fences neighborhood in Rincon say a train stopped at a railroad crossing kept them blocked for hours.

I spoke to one man who says it’s a common occurrence.

“It’s happened at least 4 times since I’ve been here and that’s been since 2014,” said local resident Eric Brown. “So at this point, it’s a level of frustration. Every year we have to put up with maintenance which closes the entrance and or exit. It’s only one way in, one way out. And pretty much at that time we’re held hostage.”

On Sunday, the train was stopped for nearly four hours due to a mechanical issue.

Some people who live in the hundreds of homes in the community worry about it happening during a medical emergency.

“That’s the only way in and out of the neighborhood,” said Wilson. “So if a house caught on fire or someone needs an ambulance, there’s no way for them to get in. Unless they break the train and have to separate it at the intersection, but that’s it and it’s always been like that.”

People say they’ve asked the city for a second entrance and exit for years now – but have had no luck. This time they hope the scene from Sunday shows just how big a problem it can be.

“You had lined cars here probably for about a quarter of a mile and tons of cars waiting to get in on the other side,” said Brown. “So again we just want answers. We pay our taxes, we do our due diligence here.”

News 3 spoke with Rincon’s city manager today – who told us this is an issue they’ve been actively working on and say they are close to reaching a solution to prevent things like this from happening in the future.

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RINCON — A familiar business is poised to take advantage of increasing traffic in the city.

The Rincon City Council unanimously approved the final site plan for a Parker’s Kitchen at 107 N. Columbia Ave. during its regularly scheduled meeting Monday night. The property, located at a busy intersection with Ninth Avenue, is in a general commercial zone and currently owned by Paul Wendelken, who operates an insurance company there.

The council approved the site plan after working with Parker’s Kitchen officials for a couple weeks to devise a plan to prevent customers from turning left and heading north on Columbia Avenue after leaving the store.

The store will be slightly smaller than a typical Parker’s location like the one at 6159 Ga. Hwy 21.

“I want to thank y’all again for making the time to meet with us to discuss this since the last city council meeting that we had,” said David Smith, a representative for Kimley Horn, the planning and design form in charge of the project. “It was really helpful to hear your concerns and we went back and looked at the site plans, and we were able to incorporate some of the items that we had expressed were important — the first one being the raised concrete island at the right (turns) in and right (turns) out on (Columbia Avenue).

“... What that really means is there is going to be a six-inch raised concrete median right there just above the crosswalk. It’s typical of what you would see on the side of the road for a curb.”

A few Ninth Street residents opposed the addition of another convenience store in the area, which features a Sunoco store, Dollar General and a railroad track. They cited traffic concerns and worries about the store’s lights shining into their residences at night. Parker’s Kitchen intends to operate around the clock.

The owner of Sunoco across from Wendelken’s property on Ninth Street also objected. Wendelken responded immediately.

He said, “I’d like to be able to tell y’all when a new insurance company comes to town, ‘Don’t let them because it’s not a good place for it. There’s enough already. That’s what we just heard.’ ”

Before the vote, Wendelken said the Parker’s Kitchen proposal had cleared multiple hurdles involving city engineers, the Georgia Department of Transportation and Rincon’s Planning and Zoning Board. He added that most wrecks at the intersection are caused by drivers running the Columbia Avenue-Ninth Street red light.

“I dare say ((the site) is a top-five intersection in Effingham County. I told Parker’s that when I was negotiating with them. It could be top three for all I know,” Wendelken said. “That doesn’t change the fact that a properly zoned business, which this is — general commercial — shouldn’t be denied.”

One audience member questioned if the council cares about attracting and keeping small businesses as much as large ones like Parker’s. The remark drew a strong retort from Councilman Levi Scott.

“We value all businesses whether small or large,” Scott said. “We can’t favor one over the other and we have to respect all their rights — and their property rights. Our job is make sure things are done right and are safe to a point.”

Scott said the council helped shape the Parker’s Kitchen through numerous discussions.

The closing on the land purchase is expected soon and construction is likely to begin early next year, Smith said.

— In another action, the council agreed to annex a 66.92-acre parcel located at 0 Ga. Hwy 21. The property near Habitat for Humanity of Effingham County is owned by Jag of Effingham County and will be used for a warehouse development.

The zoning was changed from agricultural al to light industrial.

RINCON, Ga. (WTOC) - A train stalled at the entrance to a Rincon neighborhood is shedding a light on a bigger concern.

A train lost power in front of Picket Fences neighborhood Sunday night leaving residents waiting to get in and out of their neighborhood for hours. Some say they waited for four hours.

“It’s not a safe situation. Something needs to be done.”

Earlisa Hall says her and her family of five had little information from officials of what was going on at first.

“Around 10:30 last night we were able to enter our neighborhood. I was praying the whole time when we were sitting in our truck that there would not be any emergency where someone would need to get out or somebody would need to get in,” said Hall.

This situation highlighting a bigger issue...Hall says the neighborhood with more than a hundred homes needs a second entrance.

“If something like this happens again, who knows what the outcome may be.”

Rincon officials say there was a fire truck there Sunday night in case of emergency.

Eric Brown has been living here since 2014, and says he’s seen the train stalled a few time. He is also concerned about emergency situations.

He says he voted for a sales tax to fix the problem but nothings been done.

“We’ve heard these words over the years, all we want is some action to be taken,” said Brown.

While residents say they’ve been promised another entrance and exit to Picket Fences for years, Rincon City Manager Jonathan Lynn says they’re the closest they’ve ever been to coming up with a solution.

“It would be an emergency exit that could be open should a crossing happen. Or if people need to get out and go to work, we could use it there or emergency services. That would be a minimum,” said Lynn.

Lynn says there are many rules and parties involved, including the railroad company CSX, that’s set them back from building an entrance in the past. He says they are hoping to make a purchase and create an exit away from the railroad.

“Everything comes with a dollar figure and planning for that is not easy but if we find a solution that we can quote on quote put the ink to paper, we’re going to do it as quickly as possible.”

While he couldn’t go into detail about this solution, he says it will made public when the city council puts the solution to a vote.

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Kirk Brennaman, owner of Down and Dirty Dog Training in Rincon, was donating items to the Effingham County Animal Shelter when he noticed inmates working as part of the work release program. Watching them interact with the pooches gave him an idea.

It did not take much convincing. Warden Victor Walker of the Effingham County Prison signed off on the idea and within a week, the Pawsitive Changes Prison Program was up and running.

“I’m all for anything that is positive and will try to help these guys turn this thing around in terms of rehabilitation,” said Walker.

James Duff, JeuQuann Ralph, Dontavous Shobe and Antonio Hartl graduated from the program. Animal Shelter Director Lory Shelton said the program has paid off in a big way.

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"We now have dogs that will sit on command, dogs that will walk nicely on a leash," said Shelton. "A dog that will somewhat listen to you and not jump on you is more likely to get adopted than a dog that is wild. The dogs that come in the shelter - 98% of them have no manners whatsoever. They are in here because they have been allowed to run free. I've noticed a difference in all the dogs. Even the wildest ones benefit.”

The inmates feel like they have a new identity too.

Ralph savored each session. He was chosen for the program due to his character and will receive a sentence reduction for completing the program. He has built a special relationship with a bulldog name Adeline.

“I like dogs,” said Ralph. “I’d like to have her when I get out.”

The dog training program helps establish good rapport, a vital part of the development process.

“It’s about the person handling the dog and the dog itself,” Brennaman said. “There is an unspoken trust and respect. If you show the dog confidence with respect at the same time coming from you, then the dog in return usually shows confidence and respect.”

Dog training is more than just teaching your pet a command or two, according to Brennaman. It strengthens the relationship between dog and owner and sets boundaries for the pooch. Good manners will come in handy when the owner is not around.

“The hardest part about dog training is training the person and not so much the dog,” said Brennaman. “You have to help them understand the overwhelming amount of benefits, something as simple as getting your dog comfortable within its own kennel so when you're gone to work for eight hours, you're not coming home to a destroyed kennel or destroyed home. We want them to listen and be obedient, but we still have to respect that they are a dog and allow them that opportunity to grow as a dog.”

Knowing Ralph will be released from prison early is priceless for Brennaman. Initially, he started the program to help tame unorderly dogs. Now, it has restored the inmates and pets who are overlooked.

“It's a good feeling knowing that all these gentlemen are coming to the program,” said Brennaman. “You get to watch the prisoners change the same way these dogs do. There are similarities between the shelter dogs and the inmates. The majority of their day is spent locked up and they are told when they can go out and eat. They are two different species but share a lot of psychological similarities. You get to watch both the dogs and the prisoners come out of their shell. You can see them willfully offer that personality that they had caged up inside for so long. Then you see the smile on that dog's face. There is really no better feeling.”

Latrice Williams is a general assignment reporter covering Bryan and Effingham County. She can be reached atlwilliams6@gannett.com.

RINCON, Ga. (WTOC) - Recreational activities in Rincon are being handled at City Hall after recreation department staff resigned.

According to Rincon City Manager Jonathan Lynn, the three employees that make up the recreation department have all resigned from their positions.

“They all left within about a week of each other.”

City Manager Jonathan Lynn says right now they’re gearing up for fall sports football, soccer and cheer leading. They will take all recreation related questions at city hall whether it be signing kids up for fall sports or renting facilities.

He says he doesn’t expect the lack of staff will harm programs to come.

“We’ve got a lot of great volunteers and parents that support our recreation department and they want to have the kids focused as their priority.”

Lynn says it’s not clear why the employees quit.

“I think a few of them moved on to other opportunities but right now we have a department to run and kids to make sure that we are providing the maximum benefit to.”

We do know an investigation by the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office into the Recreation Department’s Director Mike Osborne is underway for an alleged theft of funds. Lynn says right now he is on leave for an unrelated, non-disciplinary matter.

Garth Kullman says his grandson played a couple sports here last year. His reaction to the news of staff quitting.

“Totally surprised, really I haven’t heard anything about it and they always did a pretty good job when they were doing rec leagues here,” Kullman said.

Kullman says these situations combined do not paint a good picture of the city.

“That’s not good for the people of Rincon but there’s always elections so we can change that.”

The recreation department is not closed. Again, if you have inquiries for the department, you’re encouraged to call, email or come to city hall.

Resident are asked to direct all calls concerning recreation sports or renting facilities to City Hall at 912-826-5745.

You can still register for fall sports at rinconrec.com

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