Thursday, February 27, 2003

Republican attack on chairman self-destructive
Based on what I have heard at the coffee shop and what I have read in the papers, the Columbia County Republican Party is totally messed up. As a lifelong Democrat, nothing better could have happened for our county, at least as I see it.

GOP 'in disarray,' elected officials attack Starks
Word is that Columbia County Commission Chairman Ron Cross has been told by state Sen. Joey Brush, R-Appling, and state Reps. Ben Harbin, R-Evans, and Barry Fleming, R-Harlem, as well as U.S. Rep. Charlie Norwood, R-Evans, that Cross will cooperate in the ousting of Republican Party Chairman Alvin Starks or face a single term, marked by no financial support from either the state or federal level.

'Forward McDuffie' CEO to step down
THOMSON - Winston Oxford has agreed to step down from his position of Executive Director and CEO of the Forward McDuffie Board of Directors.

Tree planting honors fallen shuttle crew
A solemn group joined in as Christi Wilde sang America, the Beautiful, at a memorial tree planting at Patriot's Park for the seven lost astronauts of the Space Shuttle Columbia on the county's Arbor Day.

Assembly will honor teen for charity work
The Georgia General Assembly will honor a teen philanthropist Friday with a special award.

Severe weather did not dampen pet adoptions
Despite nasty weather, the Columbia County Animal Care and Control still managed to adopt out five dogs and a cat last Friday and Saturday.

Residents push commission to build new community center
The Concerned Citizens of Columbia County have collected 350 signatures on a petition calling for a youth center in the western part of the county.

Harlem seeking state honor
Harlem officials are working hard to make their hometown a "better" one according to The Georgia Department of Community Affairs and Georgia Municipal Association standards.

Chamber names interim director
The search for a full-time director for the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce continues while an interim leaders is handling the day-to-day duties.

Hockey bring back memories of old friend
My name is Jason Smith and I'm a hockey addict.

Administrator resigns post in McDuffie
THOMSON - McDuffie County's administrator will stay on the job 30 more days after resigning Monday amid allegations of financial impropriety.

Disc golf enthusiast will fly on forever
Some people want to be buried at sea. Most opt for the traditional 6-feet deep hole in the ground. Ed Headrick wanted to fly forever.

County feels storm's force
When her mother's wet and muddy Bible handed to her, Pat Wheatley's tears came back.

Police blotter
The following accounts were taken from reports filed with the Columbia County Sheriff's office.

School lunches
Columbia County school lunch menus

Columbia County Newsmakers
Lindsey Hair of Harlem was named to the Georgia College & State University fall semester President's List, GC&SU President Dr. Rosemary DePaolo, announced recently. To be selected for the President's List, a student must earn a minimum 4.0 grade point average on 12 or more hours of work attempted for the semester.<

Time capsule
Pressed by a March 1 deadline and possible loss of state funds, the Columbia County Board of Education approved a suggested plan designed to abolish the county's dual-school system at a meeting Tuesday. If the plan, which is in compliance with a court order calling for a unitary school system, is accepting by the State Board of Education and the Department of Health Education and Welfare, it will go into effect Sept. 1970.

Get up and go
The CSRA/AUGUSTA Boogey-Woogie Dance and Social Group meets every Sunday at 4 p.m., every Wednesday at 7:45 p.m., and every 3rd Saturday monthly dance at 7:30 p.m. Singles, couples, retirees, seniors welcomed. For information phone 650-2396 or 736-3878.

After the storm
Saturday's storm, which spawned an F-2 tornado, left a swath of damage along Old Clanton Road and in Windmill Plantation subdivision.

Columbia Middle honor roll
Columbia Middle School A and A/B Honor Roll

Stevens Creek honor roll
Stevens Creek ElementaryA and A/B Honor Roll

This is why we have tornado drills
Imagine what it would have been like for the occupants of the World Trade Center if, just days before Sept. 11, they all had been educated in emergency evacuation procedures. The effort would no doubt have saved countless lives, in spite of a handful of participants scoffing at the need before the unthinkable occurred.

Interim leader helps Chamber effort
Andy Kingery took a shot a running Columbia County last year, but lost the race for the county chairmanship.

Protesters lack trust
It is a very great thing to be able to think as you like as long as you know what you think.

Turning loose is hard to do
Dont say you werent warned.

Good compromise on Belair, so far
Maybe its the promise from state Rep. Ben Harbin that hell block any attempts to widen North Belair Road. Or maybe its the knowledge that citizens along the residential route are adamant that they dont want their street turned into an expressway.

AC gets victory on the track, sees defeat on the court
The Augusta Christian School track season got off to a good start last weekend, but there was a sad ending for the AC boys basketball team.

Athlete spotlight: Courtney Rauscher
Courtney Rauscher was born in Maine, but the young tennis standout is quickly becoming the main event at Petersburg Racquet Club.

Lakeside senior wins state crown
Lakeside High School senior Justin Otis won the Georgia High School Association Class AAAA wrestling championship in the 160-pound division last weekend in Rome, Ga., and in the process became the first Panther to claim a state wrestling title.

Single throw propels senior
It wasn't the shot heard 'round the world, but for Evans High School senior Taylar Stallings, that single shot was loud enough to shake her world.

Cheney on fast track at Clemson
Former Evans High School track star Roy Cheney hasn't broken his stride while making the transition from prep competition to big-time college track and field.

Evans spring teams expect to fare well in 7-AAAAA
Evans High School's athletic teams might want to add one extra chore to the spring-cleaning list - dust out the trophy case and make room for some hardware.