Sunday, March 28, 2004
Don't blame Bush; war in Iraq is a 'just cause'
It is time for some spring cleaning. Let us start with the nasty allegations of America being misled into war based on false assumptions regarding WMDs in Iraq. People, forget partisan politics and use your brain. Do you really believe that the president would justify a war based on weapons that he knew were not there? That would be the worst political stunt in recent history. You may think President Bush is stupid, but he's not that stupid. Besides, if the president was really that dishonest, or ignorant, about the supposed weapons, why wouldn't he have gone the extra mile and saved face by planting WMDs in Iraq? Certainly, it would have made him look better.
Voters need chance to support recreation plan
As The News-Times challenged its readership to become involved, I have forwarded the following question to the Republicans and the Democrats for consideration to be included in the straw polls on both parties' ballots. We will soon see if those in control of the ballots are really interested in what everyone else thinks, or just want to continue telling everyone else what to think.
School system seeks new offices
After 33 years in the same place, the Columbia County school system's central office is looking for a new home.
Superintendent wants Spanish program put on primary ballot
Taxpayers might have the chance to decide if they want to buy into an elementary school Spanish program.
School's pupils remember victims of deadly blaze
Notes scrawled in children's handwriting covered the walls and desks at Greenbrier Elementary and Middle schools last week.
Changes for gifted students mulled
A simple test might no longer bar the door to gifted middle school courses.
CERT grads will help during disasters
Reminiscent of neighborhood teams during the Cold-War era, it's the newest form of community involvement during emergencies.
Trail park opens in Grovetown
Granite boulders and rock outcroppings along the Grovetown Trails at Euchee Creek are evidence of the now-defunct quarry, which left behind a serene lake for fishing and picnicking.
Lakeside senior area's top students
Two Lakeside High School seniors were recently recognized as the region's top students.
Jewelers move shop home
K Bee Jewelers owners Brian and Katie Epstein recently relocated their once Aiken-based business to the ever-growing Evans Town Center.
Taste of Japan comes to Evans
An authentic taste of the Far East is closer than Evans residents might think.
Local fire companies give aid in McDuffie
THOMSON - The first day the new North Columbia Fire Departments merged operations as a single unit was not a quiet one.
Student turns her disappointment into senior project
When Evans High School senior Whitney Bryant failed the test that is the gateway to the gifted program three times, she made it her mission to find out why.
Stevens Creek Elementary honor roll
he following pupils have been named to the second nine weeks A honor roll at Stevens Creek Elementary School:
Literary winners
These Augusta Christian School students were GISA 4-AAA Region Runners-Up recently at the GISA Literary Meet at Augusta State University.
Carnival colors
Courtney Ward (right), a Lakeside High School junior, puts streaks of color in the hair of third-grader Autumn Holliday during Stevens Creek Elementary School's spring carnival.
Police blotter
The following accounts were taken from reports filed with the Columbia County Sheriff's Office.
Easter calendar
Y Easter event
Most admired women
Girl Scout Troop 6, based in Grovetown, honored the women they most admired in speeches delivered fron the gazebo next to Grovetown City Hall.
Divorces
DIVORCES
Property transfers
Ronald L. Wirtz and Karen D. Wirtz to Roy Percy Burtz, 664 Chimney Hill Circle,$138,000.
Time capsule
As reported 50 years ago in The Columbia News, March 25, 1954:
Blood drive benefits burn victim
Shepeard Community Blood Center medical assistant
Liz Lewis collects blood from Quebecor World employee Diane Dorsey.
Lunch menu
Here is the Columbia County school lunch menu for the week.
Get up and go
Brookwood Elementary School's fifth-grade pupils will present Sleeping Beauty, a musical dinner theater, Monday-Wednesday at the school, 455 South Old Belair Road. For information, call 855-7596, extension 217.
Day at show appraiser's dream
A ticket to the Antiques Roadshow is a gift on most appraisers' wish list. One of my customers secured two of 6,000 available tickets to the Antiques Roadshow in Savannah last July and invited me to go with her. I was very excited, wondering what new things I would learn.
Vote designed to kill language plan
If Columbia County school officials want to kill elementary foreign language program and keep their hands clean, a referendum is the way to do it.
Cliche corner, at end of day
Brother, I hear what they're saying. Too much, so, in some cases.
Augusta Christian runs away with team titles at track meet
They were on track and they certainly had a field day, but puns don't tell the story of the track-and-field performances turned in by the Augusta Christian Schools squads last weekend at the Gator Relays.
Young runners flock to Patriots Park for Spring Jingle
Dozens of children tested their leg power March 20 in the 11th Annual Spring Jingle Road Race at Patriots Park.
Baseball teams grid for region battles
Last year the Region 3-AAAA baseball championship was decided when Greenbrier High School won the last game of the regular season.
High school sports schedule
Baseball: Jefferson County at Harlem, 5 p.m.; Evans at North Augusta, 7 p.m.; Augusta Christian at First Presbyterian Day, 4 p.m.
Area has two high-school all-star in basketball
In last week's Bottom Line, I released the names of Columbia County basketball players who were selected to participate in the fifth annual CSRA Middle and High School All-Star Games.
Sports briefs
Lakeside High School will hold its annual Faculty vs. Students basketball game 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Lakeside gym. Admission price is $2. In addition to the game, there will be a 3-point shootout and dunk contest, with prizes awarded to the winners. The concession stand will sell pizza and soft drinks.