Congrats go out to Billy Caldwell…he’s our CSRASportsman.com photo contest winner.

An update to a story we first brought you a few months ago. Four years ago, a massive 10-foot long alligator, given the name ‘Big Boy’, took up residency in the pond behind Brown Feed and Seed, in Evans. ‘Big Boy’ became quite a sight…many would stop by just to take pictures of him. But, now some sad and very disturbing news to bring you. Over the weekend, ‘Big Boy’ was killed by poachers. WJBF News Channel 6’s Barclay Bishop has the details. UPDATE: A reward totalling $3,500 has been offered in the mutilation of ‘Big Boy’.

Tybee Island officials say they found an unwelcome visitor on Georgia’s largest public beach - a 9-foot, 300-pound alligator.

According to Columbia County EMA Director Pam Tucker, a bear report was received Thursday morning from a Columbia county resident saying two bear cubs were seen on the playground at Blue Ridge Commons, around 2:00 a.m.

A black bear is making tracks in Columbia County. Count on WJBF News Channel 6’s Fraendy Clervaud for the latest updates on the location of the bear. Visit Name The Bearto vote on the bear’s name. The winning name will be announced during our Friday, June 19th, 6:00 p.m. newscast.

A black bear has been spotted by several neighbors in Columbia County. WJBF News Channel 6’s Paige Tucker caught up with the family whose backyard was the bear’s playground for a while, Monday morning.

Residents in Columbia County Georgia have spotted another bear. It’s the second such sighting in as many weeks. Reports are coming in from Stevens Creek Road to Evans To Locks Road. Columbia County EMA Director Pam Tucker says crews from DNR have been notified. If you see the bear, don’t try to contact it and stay indoors. If you have any pictures or video you’d like to share, email it to us at . A viewer, Andrew Bryan, has sent in several pictures from his yard, off Stevens Creek Road.

According to Columbia County EMA Director Pam Tucker, a Columbia County employee had an unusual experience coming into work, Thursday morning. As the employee drove down Baker Place Road from Wrightsboro Road, she spotted a black bear in a big field in the area just before I-20 crosses Baker Place Road.

Georgia’s parks are being hit with steep budget cuts that will hike fees and cause some sites to reduce their hours just as the summmer recreation season gets underway.

It’s no baby alligator, nor is it unknown. WJBF News Channel 6’s Paige Tucker found out about the neighborhood reptile.

Thursday Governor Sonny Perdue honored Georgia’s law enforcement officers that have died in the line of duty at the 2009 Peace Officer Memorial Day Ceremony at the Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth. The training center features the Public Safety Memorial Wall, honoring the state’s fallen officers.

Legislation improves licensing process, authorizes service charge discount

Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Michael Hodge and Jose Ortiz have been cleared in a December shooting that killed a 23-year-old suspect, Justin Elmore. Elmore was shot and killed by two deputies after he allegedly rammed their patrol cars during a traffic stop in the Cherry Tree Crossing neighborhood. We have the video of Hodge and Oortiz leaving the Richmond County Municipal Building shortly after testifying before the Richmond County Grand Jury. WJBF News Channel 6’s Renita Crawford has been covering this story since it broke, in December, and she was at the Municipal Building when word came down…and has more.

A Washington County deer farmer has been fined after being accused of running an illegal pay-to-hunt facility on his property. Georgia Department of Natural Resources officials have levied $70,000 in fines against Jens Brynteson, who owns Hoofbeat Plantation in Warthen. The charges are based on an 18-month investigation by the state.

According to “The True Citizen,“, two meteorite hunters have been “banned” from Burke County after pleading guilty in State Court, Wednesday morning. Ralph “Sonny” Clary and Michael Miller were both fined $2,000 and told “to get out of dodge.“