Columbia digest

Racetrack purchased

Silver Eagle Speedway has a new owner.

The track on Gordon Highway near Grovetown was recently purchased by Edward Dinkins of Evans for $410,000.

Dinkins, who owns his own plumbing business, said he decided to buy Silver Eagle after hearing some were interested in using the track for purposes other than racing.

Although Dinkins said he doesn't have time to run the track himself, he is looking to lease the property or sell it to someone who would.

The track is Columbia County's only and was last owned and operated by George Bryan. Its future became uncertain when a foreclosure notice was filed in January because of a loan default. At a recent auction of the track, there were no takers.

But Dinkins said he is now working hard to reopen the track by as early as this year or no later than next year.

No Belair talks

Columbia County commissioners want to wait until a study of alternatives routes for the expansion of North Belair Road is completed to talk to the Georgia Department of Transportation about paying for the project.

"We don't feel it would be right to come in and discuss (the issue) when the best route is not available," said Ronnie Hutto, Columbia County's preconstruction engineer.

The route has been a point of controversy since North Belair Road residents began vehemently opposing the project last year. State Rep. Ben Harbin, R-Evans, and county commissioner Jim Whitehead joined the resident, but a preliminary report of the results of the study said the state's preferred route along North Belair Road should be followed.

Eventually, plans call for a four-lane connector from Washington Road to Furys Ferry Road.

Teacher semifinalist

Greenbrier High School teacher Kevin Brian Campbell is one of 12 semifinalists for the 2003 Georgia Teacher of the Year award.

The field of 12 will be narrowed to five finalists which will be announced the first week of April. Georgia's 2003 Teacher of the Year will be named on April 26 the State Teacher of the Year Banquet. The 12 semifinalists were selected from a field of 146 entries.

Campbell has only been teaching for five years, but this year he earned top honors as Columbia County's Teacher of the Year. Campbell, 29, teaches college prep biology and advanced placement biology.