Monday, June 2, 2003
'Politically correct school board' seeking bilingual education
I read Melissa Halls May 18 story in The Columbia County News-Times, Foreign language plan needs study, superintendent says, with great interest. Apparently the Columbia County School Board wants to make Spanish mandatory for kindergarten through eighth grade. They also want the middle school Spanish classes to be longer than the 30 minutes that is allotted now.
Return visit home contrasts with Third World problems
I worked for 20-something years for Columbia County before leaving four years ago to answer the call as a Baptist missionary to Honduras. When I returned last month to my homeland for the first real visit in four years, I noted several things which had previously not registered with me. On my first morning back here in the states, I walked up to the corner for a paper and a cup of coffee. As I walked down the street I was struck by the differences between our country and the Third World.
Summer school numbers dwindle
The Columbia County school system is learning a fundamental rule of economics this summer.
Council once nurtured small artists' colony
THOMSON - These days, Thomson has the blues.
Groups unite animals, owners through dogged determination
Riley is happy and healthy thanks to the volunteers of one of the area's two new animal welfare groups.
Need for post brought home strongly
Knowing there will be another round of base closings in 2005, some of North Augusta's business community took a field trip May 20 to learn about how important Fort Gordon is to the military and the area.
Class project means the world
to Augusta Prep fourth-graders
People who wanted to be Indian for a day could stick a jeweled bindi to their foreheads.
School computer bids disputed
Seven hundred new computers will soon be unloaded at Columbia County schools, but the good news for taxpayers is that each machine will cost $320 less than was expected.
Game-show fan learns the price of persistence
After spending his childhood watching Bob Barker give away prizes on the longest running game show on television, James Boothe finally got his chance to come on down.
Thomson High School graduates 227 in 2003 class
THOMSON - New Thomson High School graduate Steven Kitchings still looked elated several minutes after he received his diploma.
County leaders near vote on budget
Columbia County's budget will go to commissioners for a vote Monday.
Chamber director is eager to begin
Gordon Renshaw is hoping to bring a little goodwill to the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce.
Teen's enduring hobby has strings attached
THOMSON - Jacob Powers loves music.
Property transfers
Herbert Homes Inc. to Alison N. Ridenour and Gwen S. Ridenour, 212 Carriage Hills Circle, $199,900.
Police blotter
The following accounts were taken from reports filed with the Columbia County Sheriff's Office.
Current events
Grovetown Against Drugs chairwoman and city councilwoman Marjorie Adams, with the Grovetown Department of Public Safety, are sponsoring the 10th annual Free Summer Day Camp on June 2-6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Get up and go
The Court Appointed Special Advocate Program of Child Enrichment is looking for volunteers, ages 21 and older, to advocate for abused and neglected children in the juvenile-court system. Volunteers need no experience and will receive special training from local professionals in the social-service field. Participants will learn courtroom procedure and advocacy skills.
A 'goodwill' pick for Chamber chief
If Columbia County Chamber of Commerce officials were looking to create goodwill with their choice of the agencys first full-time director, they certainly went to the right place.
Digging up winner, loser
Gov. Sonny Perdue has declared May as Dig Safely Month. Probably makes it a good a time to dig up an ending for an old tale that started with utility digging complaints, and stopped with a cliffhanger.
Lakeside graduate wins equestrian scholarhsip
Sarah Lowe's life is playing out like a good, old-fashioned western, but now that she's graduated from Lakeside High School, she's not exactly riding off into the sunset.
Camps cater to young athletes
School's out, but the learning process can continue for aspiring athletes, thanks to a number of youth sports camps scheduled over the next two months.
Sports briefs
The Evans High School weight room will open Monday for summer workouts. Evans football players can work out Mondays through Thursdays from 8 to 10 a.m., and all other athletes can work out from 10 a.m. to noon. Make-up workout times are from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday and Thursday. For more information, call 868-3663 and ask for coach Marty Jackson.
Marist bats overpower Greenbrier
ATLANTA - The Marist baseball diamond sports the most well-manicured grass this side of the Augusta National Golf Club, and considering the way Josh Darby teed off on the Greenbrier High School pitching staff, the comparison seems appropriate.