Monday, June 5, 2006
Bidding 'a fond farewell to the old campus' as Evans Middle closes
In the very near future, the community of Evans will see a legacy come to an end. The Evans Middle School, formerly Evans School, will meet its demise.
Student will hone musical skills in state program
An area teenager with a keen interest in music will put his skills to the test this summer as he embarks on a Governor's Honors program that will give him the opportunity to be on stage with more seasoned performers.
County commission will review new budgets
The fiscal year 2006-07 budget for Columbia County is only two days away from being adopted.
Big cases are scheduled for courtroom
Three high-profile court cases will appear in a Columbia County courtroom Monday, including the case of a Martinez man charged in the death of a bicyclist, who police say was struck by a car and became lodged in the windshield.
Private schools hold commencements
Commencement cere-monies for two of Columbia County's private schools were more subdued than the rowdy resonance of recent public school graduations, yet there was no shortage of joyous celebration and words of wisdom for students and attendees.
Growth spurs some church sales
In several locations throughout the Martinez-Evans area, a house of God is for sale.
Patriotism is on parade at Veterans Celebration
Despite a few thunderstorms early in the evening, the sixth annual Red, White and Blue Veterans Celebration went off with a bang, drawing a crowd of about 750 people.
Summer camp will miss founder this year
For the first time in its 13-year history, Grovetown Against Drugs Summer Day Camp will have to forge on without its founder, Marjorie Adams.
It takes a war to bring two Augustans together
Though they lived in neighborhoods less than five minutes apart and had mutual friends in high school, it took a war to forge a friendship between Capt. Walt Green and Capt. Stephen Albright.
Evening best for Bible school
Slipping daytime attendance and issues surrounding how to get children to vacation Bible schools are the driving forces behind the move to later events at area churches.
Grovetown teen gets $10,000 grant, laptop
Since Stefan White's father died during combat operations in Iraq in January, the Grovetown teen has received condolences and assistance from people he has never met.
Newsmakers
Mickey Foster, 10, won first place in the elementary school division of the Morris Museum of Art's Combining Voices Literary Competition for his poem Flowing Tragedies.
Property transfers
Justin Ross to Patricia Coppett, 4626 Country Meadows Court, $152,000.
Sights from the Red, White and Blue Veterans Celebration
Brig. Gen. Randolph P. Strong, the commanding general of the U.S. Army Signal Center and Fort Gordon gives his Memorial Day speech to the crowd gathered in front of the Columbia County Courthouse on Saturday evening.
Police blotter
A 24-year-old Blythe man was arrested Monday after authorities found a methamphetamine lab at a Columbia County hotel, police said.
Current events
Faith Community Ministry Inc., the mission project of Macedonia Baptist Church, begins a summer worship series at 1 p.m. today at the Jabez Sanford Hardin Performing Arts Center at the Columbia County Library in Evans. Call (706) 737-4298.
Greyhound of the week
Connie is a gentle male who just turned 5. He is laid back, low maintenance and is happy with a little love. Connie loves children, small dogs and cats.
Vacation photos
Taking a trip out of town, or just planning to spend some time at the lake or a local park? Send us a family photo, and we'll publish it in The News-Times.
Military newsmakers
Air Force Airman 1st Class Jeremy B. Boquist has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio.
Divorces
Kyong Ae Kim and Joon Kim, May 18, 2006
This place can be really weird
When I heard the other day that Columbia County has 14 chapters of the Red Hat Society, that was a pretty good sign of how weird the world can be
Comparison makes higher tax look good
Columbia County's property values, and the taxes based on those values, are rising about 10 percent this year.
A Democratic view of the legislative session
You may not know this, but not all of Columbia County is Republican. There are Democrats, swing voters and independents. Many times the slant is to the party in control and everybody else kind of loses because the entire context is not told.
Sports calendar
Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Small Business Classic will be held on Monday at Jones Creek Golf Club. Shotgun start is at 11 a.m. and cost to play is $60. For information call Terra Carroll at (706) 860-4735.
Wrestler gives training tips in Lakeside clinic
During the summer, the few wrestling mats in Columbia County typically stay shoved into a corner until winter.
Swim results
CSRA Swim League
It was hot season for all schools in soccer
Another soccer season is in the books. The 2006 season proved highly successful in girls soccer after all five teams in Columbia County reached state tournament play. All three teams in Class AAAA (Lakeside, Greenbrier and Evans high schools) saw their seasons come to an end in the second round of the state tournament. Both Harlem High School and Augusta Preparatory Day School went one step further by reaching the state quarterfinals.
NFL player pumps up Lions at spring training
Six months after the Augusta Christian football team won its first state championship, the Lions returned to the field for spring practice, with a little help.
Augusta Christian junior is named State Player of Year
Augusta Christian junior Josh Whitaker has likely already filled up a few trophy cases, but the honors continue to pour in for the talented athlete.
Sports camps offer options for summer
School is out and the classrooms are closed. However, all over the county, the gyms are opening.