Published on August 19, 2025 9:39 am
Last Updated on August 19, 2025 9:39 am
(EFFINGHAM COUNTY SHERIFF PAUL KUHNS WITH DUSTIN AND BRIDGET HARDER)
Dustin and Bridget Harder were recognized at Monday’s Effingham County Board with the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office Distinguished Act Award. The Harders were honored for assisting a disabled motorist whose pickup truck ended up in Lake Sara on July 20.
Just after 2pm on the 20th, the Sheriff’s Office received a report of a vehicle driving off the roadway at the intersection of Park Avenue and Safety Harbor Drive. After leaving the road, the pickup continued down the embankment and into a small cove of the lake. The front end of the pickup became mostly submerged in the water, with the male driver still inside.
Effingham County Sheriff Paul Kuhns said the Harders were traveling in the area, witnessed the incident and stopped to assist the occupant of the vehicle in the water. While Bridget phoned 911, Dustin attempted to assist the occupant out of the vehicle. However, the truck door was locked and the driver was unable to assist in unlocking the door. Bridget retrieved a glass breaking tool from their vehicle and brought it to Dustin. Dustin was able to break the glass, unlock the door, assist the man out of the partially-flooded cab and up the embankment to safety.
In the award for the Harders, Sheriff Kuhns said, “Mr. and Mrs. Harder’s initiative to help others in a moment of crisis speaks volumes to their character, and they are to be commended.”
In board action Monday, three appointments were approved: Ron Will to the Ambulance Oversight Committee, Larry Probst as a Lucas Township Drainage District commissioner, and Kevin Miller as a South Island Drainage District commissioner.
The Board approved use of the historic courtyard, museum parking lot, and county building parking lot for the downtown cruise and car show, and approved “Effingham County Courtyard Pavilion as the name for the new pavilion on the Courtyard lawn.
Board members earmarked $2,588.89 in ARPA funding for a flag pole for the County Government Center; disbursed $1,500 in hotel/motel tax funding for the Corvette Funfest; and awarded a request for funding for Effingham County audit services to West and Company. The Board also approved work to support the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce with this year’s Trades, Skills and Manufacturing Day on October 2 with a $2,000 award.
