A former Columbia County educator wants to take his love for the NASA space program to new heights.

Though NASA’s space shuttle program officially ended in August 2011, Evans resident Henry Quinn wants area residents to remember the importance of space exploration. He will help them do so through the creation of a program he calls Space Experience Presentations.

“I would like to inspire,” Quinn said. “I would like to educate and I’d like to inform people about the past, present and future of the space program.”

Residentas expressed concerns Wednesday about a transportation sales tax referendum during a town hall meeting in Evans.

The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce and county leaders held the first of two Transportation Investment Act meetings about the proposed 1 percent sales tax at the Jabez Sanford Hardin Performing Arts Center.

About 75 people showed up to hear county commission chairman Ron Cross and chamber President Tammy Shepherd give presentations on the referendum, which they called a “fair tax” program.

Surrounded by fellow writers at a large table, Connie Barrow prods the group for input on her latest work, a comedic screenplay set in the countryside.

The group talked clichés, Southern dialect and comedic timing after reading through the first five pages of Carolina’s Wedding, about a woman’s journey to discover her father’s identity.

“It was pretty witty,” said GiGi La Pan, a poet and photographer. “I liked it.”

Grovetown High School baseball players Phillip Dukes and Garrett Haskins know a little something about teamwork.

The seniors have spent nearly a decade playing on the same teams, and will continue to do so for the next four years as they both recently signed letters of intent with Augusta State University. A signing ceremony for both athletes was held Thursday in Grovetown’s gym.

“We’ve been best friends since the fifth grade,” said Haskins, a starting pitcher on the team.