Across the area

Woman dies in one-car wreck

A 62-year-old Columbia County woman died in a one-vehicle wreck Thursday on Interstate 20 in McDuffie County, authorities said.

The woman was identified as Ethelyn Wood, of Grovetown, said Cpl. Chris Wright of the Georgia State Patrol post in Thomson.

Ms. Wood, who reportedly died of internal injuries, was pronounced dead at the scene by the county coroner, Cpl. Wright said. The wreck occurred shortly before 2:30 p.m. in the eastbound lane about two miles east of the McDuffie/Warren county line. Cpl. Wright said Ms. Wood lost control of her 2006 Mazda SUV and crashed into a large pine tree. She was wearing a seat belt and was the only person in the vehicle.

Man is struck by car while crossing road

A 61-year-old man was in critical condition after being struck by a car Thursday afternoon while trying to cross in the 1600 block of Gordon Highway, according to Richmond County sheriff's Maj. Richard Weaver.

Clark Thomas, of Thompson Road, was near the Meineke Car Care Center and walked in front of a Ford Escort, Maj. Weaver said. He was listed in critical condition at Medical College of Georgia Hospital.

No one hurt in crash involving 4 big rigs

Traffic on eastbound Interstate 20 was backed up Thursday in Columbia County as emergency crews cleared away the remains of a wreck involving four tractor trailers.

The wreck occurred about 3:30 p.m. near the interstate's Harlem exit. A tractor trailer slowed abruptly to avoid another that was merging from the shoulder, said Columbia County sheriff's Deputy Erik Napier. A third tractor trailer could not slow fast enough, hit the rear of the braking tractor trailer, swerved into the center lane and side-swiped a fourth tractor trailer, whose driver veered to the left to avoid a collision, Deputy Napier said.

Jerome Simmons, the driver of a Robin Hood leasing company truck, was found at fault in the wreck for following too closely, Deputy Napier said. He was transported to Medical College of Georgia Hospital for a minor complaint. No other injuries were reported.

Man who tried to help dog dies at burn center

A Savannah man whose attempt to help an injured dog in November left him battling for his life died Thursday at the Joseph M. Still Burn Center at Doctors Hospital in Augusta.

Gene Reece, 63, died at 8:26 a.m., said center spokeswoman Beth Frits. No cause of death was immediately available. Mr. Reece dragged an injured dog from Windsor Road a week before Thanksgiving when the dog bit him.

He drove to Florida for the holiday with his daughter, and within days the bite began reacting as though it was severely burned. After being airlifted to the Augusta hospital, Mr. Reece's legs, left hand and part of his forearm were amputated.

Toll-free number for state services begins

A new toll-free number for Georgians seeking information on state services is now in operation.

The number, (800) Georgia, was activated Wednesday and will be available for Georgians who are seeking state services but don't know who to call, according to a news release by Pam Tucker, Columbia County's emergency services director.

The number is being operated by a call center that connects callers to the appropriate government service.

2 drivers in taxi cabs threatened with guns

Two cab drivers reported separate incidents of being threatened with a gun Wednesday night and early Thursday.

About 11:40 p.m., a driver for Radio Cab told police a man at the Church's Chicken on Laney-Walker Boulevard pointed a black handgun at him and then demanded money, according to a Richmond County sheriff's report. The driver gave the man $60 and the robber reportedly fled the scene.

A few hours later, a driver for Checkered Cab told police two men entered his cab in the 2500 block of Hammond Avenue. One of the men exited the cab to retrieve something from a nearby home and then fired a handgun once at the driver -- striking the driver-side door of the cab, a sheriff's report states.

The attackers ran from the scene.

Sierra Club to feature program on streams

The Sierra Club's Savannah River chapter will meet at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 15 at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 3501 Walton Way Extension.

Dr. Jason Andrus, an Augusta State University microbiologist, will present a program on stream bacterial sampling and the Richmond County Adopt-A-Stream program, including results of recent tests in local waterways. The public is welcome to attend.

Controlled fire at Fort Gordon reduces risk

The Georgia Forestry Commission continued a controlled burn at Fort Gordon on Thursday.

Prescribed burning of Georgia's pine and hardwood forests is conducted periodically to reduce the buildup of fuel that could accelerate future forest fires. The burning also stimulates new growth in the spring and summer, which in turn benefits wildlife species such as quail, wild turkey and whitetail deer.

-- From wire and staff reports