Columbia County's tax values have increased dramatically, while falling in the rest of the state.

A golf-car crash last week gives a timely reminder than children shouldn't be behind the wheel of golf cars on public property.

Columbia County's Republican and Democratic parties didn't put any questions on their primary ballots, but the state parties are filling the void.

Most of the members of the Legislature will coast to re-election, with token or no opposition.

• The Aiken County school district's 2012-13 budget process has begun, and suggestions and comments are welcome. Visit acps.schoolfusion.us for more information and to submit input. There will be a public input meeting Tuesday.

Aiken man arrested in shooting An Aiken man turned himself in one day after a shooting that occurred May 21 at the Breckenridge II Apartments that sent one man to the hospital.

Funds sought for adaptive playground During its meeting May 21, North Augusta City Council unanimously passed a resolution to authorize the Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services department to submit a grant application to help fund a new adaptive playground at Riverview Park. The p...

In case you haven't noticed, 2012 has been a BIG pollen year so far. The patients I see and the pollen counts I observe tell me the same thing - the pollen arrived earlier and is persisting longer than in most years.

These are the bookings for the North Augusta Department of Public Safety for May 11-19. Suspects are innocent until proven guilty.

SCHOOL: Merriwether Elementary GRADE: Fifth FAVORITE CLASS: Math FAVORITE SCHOOL ACTIVITY: Art WHEN I GET HOME FROM SCHOOL, I: do my homework. HOBBIES: Jump rope A ROLE MODEL OF MINE IS: my mom. WHEN I GROW UP, I WANT TO: be a veterinarian.

A mammogram saved Kim Holton's life. Now, her daughter, Kodee, plans to become a mammographer to do the same for others. "At first, I wanted to be a nurse, but then God showed me that it is what I'm meant to do," Kodee said.

ASTRONOMY CLUB OF AUGUSTA MEETING: 7 p.m. Friday; Augusta State University New Science Center auditorium, 2500 Walton Way, Augusta; www.angelfire.

Area pupils participated in field day activities at their schools last week....

Before Chad Crews started his magic show at Merriwether Elementary School, he showed the pupils a book and told them it's how he learned magic. Then, he began his show.

SPORT: Baseball POSITION: Pitcher, catcher and shortstop AGE: 17 GRADE: 11th SCHOOL: Victory Christian WHY DID YOU CHOOSE BASEBALL? I've always loved it growing up. My family, they are all about baseball.