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Special Report: Helping the Red Cross Help You

WORTH CO., GA (WALB)- Right now, American Red Cross volunteers are at work in Oklahoma staffing shelters and serving meals and helping tornado survivors put their lives back together.

We all know the Red Cross is there during those big disasters. But the emergency to which they respond most is a house fire, and they desperately need volunteers to help.

Seven months ago, a Worth County yard was the site of a 3,200 square foot house. The Jones family hammered every nail during construction.

Lee man gets 2 years probation in vehicular homicide

LEESBURG, GA (WALB)- Steven Mathis of Lee County, was sentenced to two years probation and banished from Leesburg, Wednesday in Superior Court.

Mathis was charged with vehicular homicide last year after Taylor Bailey fell of the Mathis' moving car, and died after spending 17 days on life support.

Mathis also lost license for a year, and was ordered to stay away from the Bailey family and Taylor Bailey's grave.

Mathis also faces a $400 fine and other fees.

Social media helps connect families in GA and OK

Some folks in South Georgia frantically tried to get in touch with loved ones who live near the destruction in Oklahoma.

Leesburg's Wendy Mathis has a brother who lives in Oklahoma City and works in Bethany just 10 miles north of Moore.

She watched the devastation unfold on TV and began texting her brother, John Gillespie.  She found out through social media her family was okay.

Lee Co. woman collects donations for Oklahoma children

LEESBURG, GA (WALB)- A concerned citizen is stepping up to help the children who have been devastated by the tornado in Oklahoma.

Lee County resident Jyl Goodson says she wants to help bring joy back to the children in Moore, who have lost everything. She hopes folks in South Georgia will help with donations of gently used or new children's clothing and toys.

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LC's Williams reflects on 25-year career

LEESBURG, GA (WALB)- A lot has changed for Lee County Trojan baseball since Rob Williams took over as skipper in 1989.

In his early years, Williams did it all while beginning to build the Trojan baseball program.

"I would have to come back and get the concessions going, drag the field, line the field," Williams laughs. "I even sold tickets until it was time to meet up with the umpires."

Now, 25 years later, with the Lee County program one of the best and most respected in the state, Williams has decided his job is done.

Williams steps down as Trojans' head coach

LEESBURG, GA (WALB)- Its the end of an era in Lee County as Trojans head baseball coach Rob Williams has stepped down as the school's head baseball coach.  Williams has won over 500 games in his time as head coach since 1989.  He's been a member of the coaching staff since 1985.

South Georgia lawmakers react to prayer and government debate

Many local governments in South Georgia begin their meetings with prayer. That practice is now being examined by the Supreme Court after an appeals court found that a New York town violated the constitution. Leaders in our area say they'll continue with their traditions until they're instructed otherwise.