Child Struck by Pickup Truck at Ingles Dies of His Injuries
News January 17, 2017CLEVELAND, Ga — Three-year-old Easton Cain of Cleveland was killed Monday when he was struck by a pickup truck in the parking lot of the Ingles grocery at 12:49 p.m.
Cleveland Fire Chief Ricky Pruitt said the child’s mother was placing groceries in the back of her car, a 2012 Ford Explorer when a 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche drove forward from the opposite parking space and pinned the child between the truck and his mother’s car.
Paramedics arrived and performed CPR and a helicopter was called to airlift the child but due to his injuries, he was transported instead by ambulance to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville where he was pronounced dead.
The Avalanche was driven by James Holcomb, 36, of Cleveland. Georgia State Patrol was asked to investigate the accident. Holcomb has been charged with D.U.I., reckless driving, no insurance and first degree vehicular homicide.
Cleveland Home Destroyed by Christmas Eve Fire
News December 28, 2016
CLEVELAND — A Christmas Eve fire in Cleveland displaced one person.
Cleveland Fire Chief Ricky Pruitt said firefighters received the call to 365 Hood St., just after 5 p.m.
Pruitt said a passerby saw smoke coming from the residence, kicked the door in and located the resident.
The male occupant had been cooking, left the kitchen and fell asleep. The victim, who was treated for smoke inhalation, was not otherwise injured.
The home sustained heavy damage. Along with Cleveland Fire, White County Fire Services units assisted in battling the blaze.
Bicyclist Struck by Car in Cleveland
News September 8, 2016
CLEVELAND, Ga. — Cleveland Fire Chief Ricky Pruitt reported that an unidentified bicyclist was injured when he was struck by a car near the intersection of Hwy. 129 and Hwy. 75 Wednesday.
The female driver was turning from Hwy. 129 South onto Hwy. 75 when she struck the bicyclist who was thrown about 12 feet. Pruitt said the bicyclist was transported by ambulance to Northeast Georgia Medical Center where his injuries are believed to be non-life threatening.
The subject was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center, with what Pruitt described as non-life threatening injuries.
Gas Leak Forces Evacuation at Truett-McConnell
News September 7, 2016
CLEVELAND, Ga. — Students and faculty had to be evacuated today from the Merritt Building on the campus of Truett-McConnell University due to a natural gas leak in the science lab.
Units from the Cleveland Fire Department responded, shut of the gas and secured the building. Cleveland Fire Chief Ricky Pruitt said gas had been shut off in the building for about two years and the leak was detected when it was turned back on Wednesday.
Pruitt said fans were set up to assist ventilation in the building and there were no injuries.
Sunday Fire Damages Cleveland Home
News August 29, 2016
CLEVELAND, Ga. – A kitchen fire at a home at 37 Robin Hood Drive in Cleveland sent units from both White County and the Cleveland Fire Departments racing to the scene Sunday morning.
Cleveland Fire Chief Ricky Pruitt said when units arrived heavy smoke was visible and the fire, which was located in the kitchen was quickly extinguished. Pruitt added that the fire was the result of unattended grease being heated on the stove.
The home sustained moderate damage and the Red Cross was called on to assist the residents.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Fire Damages Several Downtown Businesses
News August 22, 2016
CLEVELAND — A fire at a Cleveland strip mall damaged half a dozen buildings Sunday afternoon, but there were no reports of injuries.
Cleveland and White County firefighters were called to the complex at 195 East Jarrard St., at 5:05 p.m.
Cleveland Fire Chief Ricky Pruitt said, “It appears it originated in the second unit, extended into the ceiling and burned evidently through the floor into the attic of the basement units.”
Firefighters were able to contain the fire in the upstairs unit first, then worked to extinguish the fire in the downstairs businesses.
“A total of at least five units have heat and water damage,” Pruitt added.
Four units upstairs were occupied; others were unoccupied. Styles and Smiles and Horizon Appraisals are among the businesses known to be damaged at this time.
Firefighters from Lee Arrendale State Prison also responded to assist.
State Fire Investigator Brian Smith remained on scene at 8 p.m. Sunday, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Sinkhole that Closed The Carpet Store No Worse Today
News August 4, 2016
CLEVELAND, Ga. — Cleveland Fire Chief Ricky Pruitt said this morning that it does not appear the sinkhole that forced the closing of The Carpet Store on South Main Street yesterday got any worse over night.
“I haven’t seen it yet myself, but Cleveland Police checked on it during the night and didn’t notify me of any change,” Pruitt said at about 8 a.m. today.
Pruitt also said no other businesses had closed as a result of the sinkhole and that no other businesses appear to have a problem at this time.
The Carpet Store and other nearby buildings were constructed over the same creek that caused extensive damage to the Sonic Drive-In six years ago.
Pruitt said he plans to check on the situation again today.
Fire Chief Ricky Pruitt: “It Could Have Been a Lot Worse”
News June 15, 2016
CLEVELAND, Ga. — “We had some property damage, but fortunately nobody was injured,” Cleveland Fire Chief Ricky Pruitt said after a severe thunderstorm accompanied by multiple lightning strikes and hail blitzed downtown Cleveland Monday afternoon.
Some power outages were reported as trees fell across power lines and roadways during the 45-minute storm.
A tree fell across Hwy 75 south then a power line was knocked down on Warrior Path near the middle school. Also during the storm, an elderly driver leaving Chic-Fil-A hit the gas pedal instead of the brake and ran into another vehicle and knocked down the hand railing.
“We also had a tree knock down a power line at Tractor Supply and a portion of a roof was blown off a home on Hood Street,” Pruitt said. “Then lightning struck a home in two separate places and exploded the meter box and a water line. We were very busy, but it could have been a lot worse.”