HARDEEVILLE - The owner of a motel in downtown Hardeeville was arrested July 19 following a month-long investigation into unsavory activity at the former landmark establishment.
Mukund "Mookie" Desai, 62, was charged under the state's prostitution statute. Police say Desai knowingly rented out his rooms to women for the purpose of prostitution, a misdemeanor. A second prostitution offense is a felony.
Three other men and one woman were also charged in connection with the investigation, two of whom were staying at the motel.

Ridgeland is getting a facelift with new asphalt, concrete and brick.
But don't think smoother roads will get you out of a traffic ticket. While it might now be easier to speed through town without so many potholes to slow you down that excuse has bombed so far.
The good news is there will soon be even more miles of bump-free roads along with new sidewalks to mosey to the Farmers' Market or schools.

Gates might keep the bad guys out but they can certainly slow down the good guys too.
That's why Jasper County Fire and Rescue Chief Wilbur Daley is asking the county, Ridgeland and Hardeeville to require property owners with gates to install a "click to enter" device that would allow fire or police to open those gates with radio signals in case of emergencies.
Last week, the Jasper County Council approved first reading of an amendment that would require property owners to install those devices at their own cost - which could run $1,000 to $1,500.

A Tillman man was arrested Saturday after leading Ridgeland police on a chase through town.
While patrolling Bees Creek Road, an officer with the Ridgeland Police Department tried to stop a motorist in a Honda Accord for speeding.
The driver, Andre Green of Tillman, allegedly failed to stop and led police officers on a chase.
Police followed the vehicle until it went through a ditch and struck a fence on Hummingbird Lane.
Green then allegedly left the car and tried to run away. He was caught after a short foot chase across a field.

The plans to operate traffic cameras on Interstate 95 in Ridgeland are trapped on limbo lane as the company's owners try to find a loop hole in a recently passed state law that could otherwise arrest the project altogether.
"We have kind of put the brakes on it at the moment until we get a feel for where we are," said iTraffic Safety CEO Nickey Maxey. "We're trying to interpret what the legislature did. Once we do, we'll either go forward or we won't."

The Jasper County School District's school board filled the final administration position when it approved the hiring of Kenneth Gaither as assistant principal at Hardeeville Middle/High School at Monday night's special board meeting.
Gaither recently was director of alternative programs in the Beaufort County School District.

Last Wednesday, Palmetto Electric hosted Safety Day for more than 70 Jasper County children.
The event, held at Palmetto Electric's community room in Ridgeland, featured presentations on electrical, fire and wildlife safety.
Travis Malphrus of Palmetto Electric, Bradley Bonds and Hardy Youmans of the Ridgeland Fire Department and Bruce Lampright, a naturalist at Brays Island Plantation, gave presentations.
The snakes were the featured attraction as Lampright displayed several live snakes to the children, who were from the Jasper County Boys & Girls Club and the area.

Long before Dale R. Merritt of Ridgeland served his country in Korea, his grandfather, Guy Hall, fought in the Spanish-American War.
Three of Merritt's sons followed in their father's boot prints, though thankfully none went to battle. Doug Merritt was stationed on a Navy aircraft carrier. Dan Merritt was a boiler tender in the Navy. And Dale E. Merritt ran CBs in the Navy. Today, the older Merritt's granddaughter, Sgt. E5 Nicole Mayberry, is on active duty in the National Guard.
The Merritt family has long history of serving their county, a history that makes them proud.

Long before Dale R. Merritt of Ridgeland served his country in Korea, his grandfather, Guy Hall, fought in the Spanish-American War.
Three of Merritt's sons followed in their father's boot prints, though thankfully none went to battle. Doug Merritt was stationed on a Navy aircraft carrier. Dan Merritt was a boiler tender in the Navy. And Dale E. Merritt ran CBs in the Navy. Today, the older Merritt's granddaughter, Sgt. E5 Nicole Mayberry, is on active duty in the National Guard.
The Merritt family has long history of serving their county, a history that makes them proud.

Long before Dale R. Merritt of Ridgeland served his country in Korea, his grandfather, Guy Hall, fought in the Spanish-American War.
Three of Merritt's sons followed in their father's boot prints, though thankfully none went to battle. Doug Merritt was stationed on a Navy aircraft carrier. Dan Merritt was a boiler tender in the Navy. And Dale E. Merritt ran CBs in the Navy. Today, the older Merritt's granddaughter, Sgt. E5 Nicole Mayberry, is on active duty in the National Guard.
The Merritt family has long history of serving their county, a history that makes them proud.