🌱 Federal Courthouse Partial Collapse + Drug Trafficking Arrests

Hi all. It's me, Danielle Fallon-O'Leary, your host of the Savannah Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in our community.

But first, today's weather:

A stray afternoon t-storm. High: 75 Low: 63.

Business owners and marketers in Savannah: Do you want to build awareness with local customers? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top three stories in Savannah today:

1. Chef Mashama Bailey, co-founder of the hospitality group Grey Spaces, will receive an award at the Opportunity Award Gala on Apr. 14. The event, hosted by Savannah Technical College Foundation, recognizes local leaders for their service in creating opportunities for others. Bailey will be honored for her commitment to culinary excellence, leadership in mentoring aspiring chefs, and dedication to preserving Southern cuisine, with event proceeds going to benefit students at the Savannah Culinary Institute. (Effingham Herald)
2. On Tuesday, the Savannah Fire Department reported that three individuals were wounded in a partial collapse of the federal courthouse building's third floor near Wright Square. The injuries sustained by the workers were not severe, as per fire officials, who tweeted the update at 5:30 p.m. that day. They received medical attention at a nearby hospital. (Savannah Patch)
3. Savannah resident Jaqueline Somesso, the last of five defendants in a two-state drug trafficking organization, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to felony charges in federal court, including Misprision of a Felony and Bank Fraud. The guilty plea acknowledges Somesso's responsibility for using fake bank statements to illegally obtain COVID-19 relief funding of nearly $600,000. After serving up to 30 years in prison, Somesso will be required to serve up to three years of supervised release as there is no parole in the federal system. (Department of Justice)

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Today in Savannah:

• DIY Bird Feeder At Skidaway Island (10:30 AM)
• Storytime At W. W. Law Library (10:30 AM)
• Around The Campfire At Skidaway Island (2:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Savannah Police Department has issued a missing teen advisory. Taylor Braxton, 13, was last seen at noon on Apr. 8 in the 500 block of Pennsylvania Ave wearing a fuchsia bonnet, brown/gray hoodie, and brown tights. (Savannah Police Department via Facebook)
• Savannah Children's Theatre's Les Miserables is sold out for opening night on Friday. Seats are filling up quickly for the five remaining performances, so if you're planning to go, grab yours online! (Savannah Children's Theatre via Facebook)
• Savannah Stopover Music Festival announced that its sponsorship of the Riverfront Concert series at The Park at Eastern Wharf will continue tomorrow night, featuring Black Hat and Mary Margaret Cozart on 4/13 from 6-9 p.m. The event is free, open to the public, and will be accompanied by delicious food from C. Alexanders, Latin Chicks, and Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard, along with a pop-up bar from the Thompson Savannah. (Savannah Stopover Music Festival via Facebook)

That's it for today! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with another update.

— Danielle Fallon-O'Leary

About me: Danielle Fallon-O’Leary is a content manager with content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and assists Patch.com with community newsletter curation. Danielle also holds a Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and works part-time as a pediatric speech therapist.