Top News Stories Setting an example Greenbrier High School might soon become a model for other Georgia high schools on effective methods to improve graduation rates. Buccafusco was innovative researcher The Augusta area last weekend lost a great doctor, researcher, teacher and family man with the death of Dr. Jerry Buccafusco. Pupil wins second consecutive spelling bee title Rachael Cundey started studying language patterns in her spare time to improve her spelling. The studying paid off when the 11-year-old successfully defended her status Saturday as regional spelling bee champion. Researchers seek correct procedures for headstone The headstone of an Augusta educator who died in 1888 will soon be returned to its rightful place. Columbia County Foundation to offer college scholarships An area nonprofit group is looking to give some financial aid to current and future college students. Raising the roof for reading Grovetown Elementary School principal Scott Weinand reads from the roof of his school to kindergartners wearing paper hats for Read Across America Week on Friday. Weinand read to pupils as a reward for Relay for Life fundraising efforts. Survey: shoppers spending locally A report on retail spending released during a Thursday meeting of the Columbia County Planning Commission indicates that shopping and commercial development within the county have increased significantly since the 1990s.

Nation:   Unemployment rises in 30 states in January   Obama pushing on health care end game   'Lost Boys' actor Corey Haim dead in Calif. at 38   Obama renews backing of earthquake-stricken Haiti Do you prefer the revised Columbia County school calendar to the old one? Yes - I like having the entire Thanksgiving week off No - I would rather have kept the fall break Don't care View Results Current Conditions Mostly cloudy, 55 °  Humidity: 79% Area forecasts -- GA -- Athens Augusta Columbia County -- S.C. -- Aiken County Columbia January S M T W T F S           1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31