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Mayor of small coastal Georgia town dies from COVID-19

The mayor of a small coastal Georgia town has died from complications due to COVID-19. (Dreamstime/TNS)

Credit: TNS

Credit: TNS

The mayor of a small coastal Georgia town has died from complications due to COVID-19. (Dreamstime/TNS)
By The Associated Press
Sept 21, 2021

RICEBORO — The mayor of a small coastal Georgia town has died from complications due to COVID-19.

Riceboro Mayor Joe Harris died Tuesday, Pearlie Axson, the town's mayor pro tem, told local news outlets.

ExploreComplete coverage: Coronavirus

Harris died at Liberty Regional Medical Center in Hinesville after being hospitalized last week, Axson said.

The 35-year-old Harris had been mayor of Riceboro, a town of about 800 people south of Savannah, since 2020. He was an elementary school teacher in Hinesville.

Funeral arrangements were incomplete Tuesday.

Axson said the City Council will meet to decide if a special election is needed.

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