Thursday, May 18, 2006

Voters should 'take charge' of Furys Ferry delay by 'un-electing' leaders
Editor: April 30, 2006 is now history. The construction on Furys Ferry Road is still not considered complete! It's time the voters took charge via un-electing those politicians who have had anything to do with this debacle! That includes the entire county Board of Commissioners!

'Lack of communication, autocratic rule' guided Republican questions
Editor: The Columbia County Republican Party tried to get the ballot questions correct, but because of lack of communication and autocratic rule from the leadership, these queries to the populace just won't get the job done.

Playing it cool in the pool
Jack Rautenstrauch and Tyler Barker, 9, say they are eager for school to end for the summer.

Past, present pupils say goodbye to school
Kenny Wilson and his wife, Christi, said they needed to visit Evans Middle School one last time before it was razed.

There's lots for children to do during school break
The end of the school year signals boredom for area youngsters, who are accustomed to the structured school day. Opportunities abound for day camps and educational programs. The Columbia County News-Times has compiled a list of camps offered this summer to ease the hassle for parents.

Festival has prestigious lineup
Blind Willie McTell might even be proud of the lineup at the 13th annual blues festival that bears his name. The event named after the McDuffie County native musician is set for Saturday in its location off Stagecoach Road, north of Thomson, Ga.

Church to celebrate mileston
The Grovetown United Methodist Church, along with the city of Grovetown, is celebrating a milestone anniversary this year.

Art in the Park comes to library's campus
Columbia County officials are making use of the new amphitheater and lawn area surrounding the new library by holding some outdoor events.

Augusta Prep honors teacher's 25 years of service
As schools throughout Columbia County have a summer exodus of pupils through their doors this week, so, too, will some of those schools soon experience a departure of teachers.

Whether work or play, summer plans already laid out
With school almost out for summer, whether it's earning a little money at a summer job or spending time with friends, several students say they already have plans.

1,400 students are set to graduate Saturday
Columbia County's public school seniors have one final task to complete this weekend before walking away from high school - collecting their diplomas.

Public weighs in on capital projects
Harold Cummings, of Winfield, was there to talk about water lines.

Governor's visit is finale to library's grand opening
A visit from Gov. Sonny Perdue on Thursday marked the end of grand opening events and the dedication of Columbia County's newest library in a celebratory fashion.

Time Capsule
As reported 36 years ago in the pages of The Columbia News, Wednesday, May 6, 1970:

Police Blotter
A Martinez man was arrested late Sunday after he allowed his pit bull terrier try to attack deputies, police said.

Medieval judgement
Evans Elementary School prekindergarten pupils Greyson McDaniel (from left), Dawson Booth and Macie Sidener wait to have their costumes judged during the school's Medieval Parade on May 5.

Young people take springtime getaways
Emily and Davis Smith took a Caribbean cruise aboard the Carnival Glory during Masters Week.

Pet of the week
This female Siamese mix cat is very loving and about 2 years old. She is available for adoption from Columbia County Animal Care and Control. For more information, call (706) 541-4077 or visit www.columbiacountyga.gov and follow the links to Animal Care and Control. Adult animals, such as today's Pet of the Week, cost $25 to adopt, and puppies and kittens cost $20. Animals must be spayed or neutered. Visitors must wear closed-in shoes to visit the kennel area.

Martinez-Evans team sweeps South
The Martinez-Evans Dance Studio Competition Team poses with their teachers, Elliott Bradley and Julie Woods. The team has swept the South with overall wins at Star Systems Competition in Spartanburg, S.C., the On Tour Competition in Augusta and the Dance Troupe Competition in Savannah, Ga. They will continue on to the national competition in July with Star Systems Competition in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Get Up and Go
Riverview United Methodist Church, at 1244 Furys Ferry Road, in Evans, will add a 9 a.m. Sunday service starting June. 4. Sunday school is held at 10 a.m., with the regular service at 11 a.m.

Teacher rewards readers
Martinez Elementary principal Michele Sherman (center) reads to pupils in a tent in front of the school. Sherman spent the day in the tent as a reward to pupils for achieving their reading goals for the semester.

Current Events
The Columbia County Extension Service Gardening at Lunch program will be held from 12:10-12:45 p.m. today at the Columbia County Government Complex Auditorium, in Evans. County Agent Charles Philips will discuss summer annuals. For information, call (706) 868-3413.

An uncle like a brother
Joe and I could have passed for brother and sister. Most people thought we were. You see, my father was the oldest of seven boys, and Joe was the youngest. So when I came along just five days after he turned 5, it wasn't easy to tell where one generation ended and the other began.

Film attacks Christianity
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown has sold millions of copies worldwide, with a movie by the same name about to be released Friday.

Work of fiction isn't education
Some people get mad when their beliefs are challenged. Others get even.

Burmeister must speak up, or step down
Former Evans political mover Merle Temple must have been extraordinarily uncomfortable this past week when fellow fraud defendant Linda Schrenko turned the tables on him in federal court.

Athlete Spotlight
Although Brian Carter is in his first year as a member of the Lakeside golf team, the freshman is no stranger to the game.

Sports Brief
Lakeside's boys tennis team finished the 2006 season last weekend at the Class AAAA state championship in Stone Mountain, Ga.

Evans shrugs off obstacles to stay alive in state play
A three-game series in high school baseball is a hard enough strain on a team's offense and pitching staff. It doesn't get any easier with a five-plus-hour road trip, downright scary thunderstorms, a postseason rival and the pressure of elimination.

Around the diamond
Who: Greenbrier (1 seed, Region 2) vs. Whitewater (2 seed, Region 4)

Baseball's muscles get work out in playoffs
In round one of the Georgia state playoffs, Columbia County proved its reputation was warranted.

Senior leads Greenbrier to postseason victories
Greenbrier baseball coach Ed Williams knows how valuable senior leadership can be during postseason play.

Sports Calendar
The Augusta Eagle Club's Georgia Southern Golf Classic will take place May 18 at Bartram Trail Golf Club. Cost is $75 per player and Georgia Southern football coach Brian Van Gorder will be playing and speaking afterward. Lunch will be catered by Locos Deli & Pub. Format is Captain's Choice best ball. For information, call Matt Griffin at (706) 267-5294 or Brock Patrick at (706) 832-0196.

Junior pitcher saves Harlem
In the middle of the Harlem baseball team's rise to the top of its subregion, Harlem coach Jimmie Lewis had exhausted almost every option looking for a solid pitching rotation.