Around McDuffie County

Trash Amnesty Day

Saturday is McDuffie County's Trash Amnesty Day. On that day, residents from the region - including those from Glascock and Warren counties - will be able to dump their trash for free at the McDuffie Transfer Station.

"It's something I started seven years ago," McDuffie County Solid Waste Manager Don Clauson said. "It cleans up the area for Masters week."

Among the items not allowed for dumping are mobile homes, cars, tires, asbestos, motor oil or gasoline. The transfer station will be open from 7-3 p.m. For more information, including the counties served by Trash Amnesty Day, call Don Clauson at (706) 595-2374.

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Block grant

Later this month McDuffie County will apply for a Community Development Block Grant.

The grant is for $500,000 and can be spent to benefit low to moderate income persons in the areas of housing, public facilities, and economic development. The county has decided to use the money, if the grant is approved, to rehabilitate sewer lines on Whiteoak Road and water lines on Mount Pleasant Road and portions of Sand Hill.

If the grant is approved, the county would be able to spend sales tax dollars on other projects in the future.

The grant is due April 1.

Your Hometown

Soon all of the Augusta area will be enjoying the charm of Thomson from the comfort of their living room.

On May 16, WJBF News Channel 6 in Augusta will be broadcasting live from Thomson as part of its Your Hometown series. The station will spend the entire day taking tours and visiting people in Thomson before arriving at the Thomson High School track and field facility to broadcast its live 5, 5:30 and 6 p.m. programs.

Scheduling the event for May 16 was intentional. That's the day of the county's Relay for Life, an all-night cancer fundraiser that will take place at the school's track. Also, on May 17, the Blind Willie Blues Festival will take place in Thomson.

The Thomson Chamber of Commerce will be coordinating the event, and Director Carolyn Gilbert is pleased with the way things are coming together.

"I think it's a huge priority for the area," she said of the Your Hometown event. "That's the reason I chose that date, because of the Relay for Life and the Blind Willie Blues Festival."

Your Hometown will also feature a school banner contest, with the winning school receiving $200 from WJBF for educational needs. All banners will be displayed behind the WJBF anchors during the broadcasts.

For more information, call Carolyn Gilbert at 597-1000.