Sunday, February 15, 2004
Trailers parked at Merchants Fairground to help John Deere
In response to questions about the trailers parked on the Merchants Fairground on Columbia Road: These trailers are there only temporarily.
Elementary foreign language needed for 'world-class' schools
Columbia County participates in the Elementary School Foreign Language (ESFL) Program, a state-funded model that is now in jeopardy due to state budget cuts.
Spanish program could be expensive
Most Columbia County school board members see a need for an elementary-school Spanish program, but officials say it may be a luxury item they can't afford.
Independent pharmacies get personal
Personalized care from a full-service pharmacy is almost a thing of the past. One local pharmacist, however, is hoping to change that with the opening of his Martinez business.
County official elects to succeed
Debbie Marshall was never particularly interested in politics.
Ruling shakes up legislative districts
A federal court ruling Tuesday overturning Georgia's legislative districts has the potential to revamp Columbia County's representation to the state Senate.
Cities fashion own fire proposal
Harlem and Grovetown officials have been hesitant to sign Columbia County's contract for proposed fire service changes, saying that they felt it didn't serve the cities' needs. So they drew up their own.
Feds OK new voting precincts
Voters in the county's largest precincts are receiving notices in the mail about the new polling places.
Woman makes mark as celebrity impersonator
A performer's road to stardom often is paved with a slew of dead-end jobs while waiting for that elusive big break.
Church traces blacks' struggle from slavery
Reflection, not remembrance, is the goal of a Black History Month program at an Evans church today.
Honor student stays on the ball
The love of the game keeps 15-year-old Tiffany Rachels playing soccer. Tiffany is in her eighth year of participating in what was a male-dominated sport.
New furniture store opens
Renaissance Fine Furnishings owners Rick Seigler (from left) and Chris and Linda Leitza cut a cake at the store's grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday morning. The store, at 3830 Washington Road in West Town Shopping Center, opened in November and carries 120 lines of furniture and accessories.
Columbia County newsmakers
Air Force Airmen 1st Class Brandon A. Lee and James R. Blackledge have graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio.
School lunches
Columbia County school lunch menus
Divorces
Michael George Manost and Karen Loraine Manost, Feb. 10
Teacher feature
Riverside Elementary School principal Jeanie Hill interviews a teacher candidate during a teacher screening day at First Baptist Church in Augusta.
Higher learning
Martinez firefighters Capt. Dino Cesarini (left) and Wayne Allen train on the department's new 95-foot platform aerial truck.
Police blotter
The following accounts were taken from reports filed with the Columbia County Sheriff's Office.
Get up and go
March 5 is the deadline for entries in the Georgia Municipal Association Essay Contest, titled If I Were Mayor, I Would. The contest is open to all Georgia sixth-graders, including private-school students and home-schoolers. For information, go to www.gmanet.com, or call Amy Henderson, 1 (888) 488-4462.
Property transfers
Kingsbury Custom Homes Inc. to Brad Burnett and Shannon Burnett, 309 Burgamy Way, $144,900.
South Columbia Elementary honor roll
The following pupils have been named to the second nine weeks A honor roll at South Columbia Elementary School:
Time capsule
As reported 36 years ago in The Columbia News, Feb. 15, 1968:
Shrine Club honor
The Thomson Shrine Club was recognized as the 2003 Co-Shrine Club of the Year, along with Swainsboro, at the 108th annual meeting of the Alee Shriners in Savannah.
Great news: License office still open
Within hours of Wednesday's News-Times publishing an editorial lamenting the threatened closure of the state Department of Motor Vehicles office in Evans, county officials announced an agreement had been reached to keep the office open.
Faith of the founders
Three decades ago, following his retirement from the pastoral ministry, Dr. John Sutherland Bonnell accepted the presidency of New York Theological Seminary, and embarked on a new project at the same time: researching the religious history of the presidents of the United States.
Growing with time
Once upon a time in a small community in Columbia County, state of Georgia, United States of
Janet's gone; Duncan, too
Everybody else on the planet has had something to say about Janet, so I lament that I must break down and comment.
County could gain in state remap
Even partisan Democrats could barely keep straight faces three years ago after marathon sessions to redraw Georgia's legislative districts.
Young Lions end season undefeated with 13 wins
Another season, another perfect record for a junior-high athletic team from Augusta Christian Schools.
Sibling swimmers help power Evans team
Swimming is an individual and team sport, but for Evans High School it has become even more - it's a family sport.
Soccer teams return loaded with talent
It's safe to say that Columbia County's high school soccer teams, collectively, had their best year to date in 2003.
Sports briefs
The swim teams at Augusta Christian Schools capped their inaugural season with solid showings at the Georgia Independent School Association state championships Jan. 31 at Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville.
Wofford is excited about former Pack player
I recently e-mailed Mike Young, and the response from the men's basketball coach at Wofford College was quite interesting.
Cheerleading champions
The Southern Mpact All Star Cheerleading Panthers Junior Squad, above, were named national champions at the Cheersport National Cheerleading and Dance Competition on Jan. 17-18 in Atlanta.