Time capsule

As reported 26 years ago in the pages of The Columbia News and The Martinez-Evans Times, Wednesday, May 23, 1979:

Rabid raccoon killed

A rabid raccoon was killed near Silver Lake subdivision by Sam Pursley, of Augusta, according to Columbia County Health Department official Bob Jones.

According to Jones, Pursley shot the animal because it was acting strangely.

Jones received a positive confirmation from Atlanta on Monday that the animal was rabid.

Columbia County grows

The future development of high-density land development in Columbia County will be encouraged in the existing growth areas of Martinez, Evans, Grovetown and Harlem.

That is according to a report presented to the Columbia County Planning and Zoning Commission, which says the county will encourage growth around areas with adequate public facilities.

The report points out that the predominant housing unit in the county is single-family residential. Multi-family housing represents only 1 per cent of the county's housing supply.

The county's population has almost doubled in the past eight years, and is expected to reach 55,000 within the next 15 years.

Three years ago, the mean family income for Columbia County was $11,796, the highest in the 13-county Central Savannah River Area.

Postmaster urges

mailbox improvements

May 21-26 is Mailbox Improvement Week, and Postmaster Nathan B. Brown urges all local customers to repair and paint damaged mail receptacles in town and rural areas.

"Customers should be sure their boxes provide adequate protection to the mail and are easily reached by carriers to speed collection and delivery of the mail," Brown said.

On April 29, 1903, Ira Collins filed a patent with the United States Patent Office for a two-part, cylindrical mail receptacle.

"Until Collins came along," Brown said, "many makeshift receptacles were used, including tin cans nailed to trees."

Memorial Day

concert scheduled

A Memorial Day weekend concert has been scheduled by the Augusta Community Concert Band on the steps of the Augusta College Performing Arts Theatre.

Norman Moore, director of the Evans High School band, will share the director's stand with Don Milford, Sego Junior High School band director.

The repertoire will feature Fantasia on Dixie by Dan Emmett and Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by John Lennon and Paul McCartney.