Exciting things are happening at the Thomson-McDuffie County Chamber of Commerce. We have a new staff and several items of business that will vastly improve our service to our members. Kim Thomas is the new office manager.

Children worked off their extra energy once again at the holiday camp at the Y130 on Main Street. The camp was offered during the Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks and will continue until Jan. 2.

DONATE WINTER CLOTHING WHERE: Department of Juvenile Justice WHEN: 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. until Jan. 13 DETAILS: As you prepare to throw out warm, barely used clothing in fair or good condition, please think of someone who might not be as fortunate.

Longtime Thomson softball backer DeWayne Poss died Monday. Friends said the former Sweetwater Recreation League coach, 53, died of cancer.

At its final meeting in 2011, the McDuffie County Board of Commissioners decided several issues but left the much-debated human resources policy unresolved.

In 1972, Mary Culver Blood, then 24, began searching for her great-great-grandfather. Armed with the knowledge that his name was Thomas Jefferson Toms and that he fought for the Confederacy during the Civil War, the Louisiana woman visited courthouses and cemeteries, read microfilm and toured places he could have been during the war.

The McDuffie County Board of Commissioners postponed its consideration of a proposed ordinance amendment until its Jan. 4 meeting. The proposed resolution would set a minimum of between 10 and 25 acres for land designated for conservation use.

No one was injured Wednesday in an Evans house fire that started in an upstairs room above the garage.

Steak 'n Shake is expected to open on Jimmie Dyess Parkway in July.

These pets are available for adoption from Columbia County Animal Services. For information, call
(706) 541-4077 or visit www.columbiacountyga.gov and follow the links to Animal Services. Adult
animals cost $25 to adopt, and puppies and kittens cost $20. All adopted animals must be spayed or
neutered. Visitors must wear closed-toed shoes to visit the kennel area, which is open from 10 a.m. to 6
p.m. on weekdays. The facility is located at 1940 William Few Parkway.

The subject of a North Augusta manhunt, who also is wanted in Columbia County, was arrested Monday in Augusta. Brandon Wesley Tucker, 25, of Augusta, was arrested by Richmond County sheriff's deputies around 9:50 a.m. at 3027 Washington Road.

Around the world with ‘News-Times’ readers...

Greenbrier High junior Kendric McIntyre will compete in February as a fencer in the Junior Olympic national qualifiers.

Several Columbia County players made the roster for all-region teams in football and volleyball.

Several stories topped the charts for Columbia County sports in 2011.