Monday, July 24, 2006
Sarcastic appraisal sees trouble with Furys Ferry, Stevens Creek roads
As a Columbia County commuter who uses Stevens Creek and Furys Ferry roads daily, I've enjoyed the improvements completed recently, even though portions experienced significant delays. However, there are a couple of problems that need to be resolved.
Gay marriage amendment fails, with GOP next turning to flag burning
So, the Senate gay marriage amendment went south. Do you suppose the fact that Mr. and Mrs. Blue-Blood Republicans, Vice President Dick Cheney and his wife, Lynn, have a homosexual daughter who has joined in the fight for her lifestyle choice, had anything to do with it?
Skater's passion leads to medals
When Becky McArdle signed her daughter up for figure skating lessons three years ago, she had no idea how passionate her then 10-year-old child would become about the sport.
Harlem's classes of 1950, 1956 gather for reunion in Thomson
Harlem High School's Class of 1950 alumni, spouses and guests have met annually for the past five years, with this year's celebration marking 56 years since their graduation May 22, 1950.
Agency, call center move offices
County leaders and emergency personnel say they now have the facilities to manage emergencies and disasters in a self-sustaining command center.
Library offers murder mystery for teens
Move over, Captain Jack Sparrow. Teenagers at the Columbia County Main Library will soon be able to experience their own pirate adventure.
Symphony returns for four-show schedule
Hoping to build on the success of their spring Pops! Under the Stars concerts, the Augusta Symphony Orchestra recently announced it will return to Columbia County this fall.
Officials want study on merit of lodge
County officials want to find out if there is enough demand to justify building a lodge and other amenities at Wildwood Park.
Cross re-elected amid low turnout
Ron Cross was re-elected. County consolidation had more opposition than support. And voter turnout was the lowest in many years for a primary.
County, cities opt to keep millage unchanged for '06
All four Columbia County taxing agencies will not change their millage this year, despite raising property assessments.
Workshop teaches dancers new steps to mix jazz, ballet
Instead of telling her what she needed to do, Peter Powlus showed Tori Scoggins the movements her body should be making.
'Killer' book explores man's fear of large, ancient reptiles
Early in his intriguing and entertaining new book, Killer Gators and Crocs, author Michael Garlock asks, "Why are people so afraid of alligators (and) crocodiles?" when he notes that each of us has a better chance of winning a multimillion-dollar lottery than suffering a gator or croc attack.
Churches unite to help needy
When Maria Kenney was a teenager, she spent many summers helping the less fortunate.
Grovetown picks retired Army colonel for council
The Grovetown City Council will soon welcome its newest member. In an extremely close special election on Tuesday's ballot, Grovetown residents elected Richard A. "Dick" Manion, to fill the unexpired Grovetown City Council term of Marjorie Adams, which expires Dec. 31, 2007. Mrs. Adams, 79, died Feb. 12 from complications from a Dec. 8 stroke.
Current events
Gospel Water Branch Baptist Church, at 703 Furys Ferry Road, Evans, will give away free produce to needy families starting at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 12. Free car washes also will be available.
Divorces
Melvin Coates Wood and Lymetha Patrice Wood, July 13, 2006.
Police blotter
An Appling woman was banned from feeding or taking in stray cats Wednesday after being found guilty of failure to care for and maintain animals.
Traditional 50
Eugene and Edith Collins, of Appling, celebrated their 50th anniversary at their historic home, Woodville, with a reception held by their children: Mr. and Mrs. Dewey Carey, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lemmon, Mr. and Mrs. Brad Collins, Karen Collins and Eric Murdock. Mr. and Mrs. Collins are the fifth consecutive generation in their family to celebrate a golden anniversary.
Cat-case conviction
Nan King, of Appling, reacts to testimony during her trial in Columbia County Magistrate Court on a charge of failure to care for and maintain animals.
Greyhound of the week
Dobie is a 7-month-old male greyhound who is housebroken, has been neutered and has all his vaccinations. Dobie gets along with cats and small dogs.
Property transfers
Anthony Warren to Roy David Powell, 318 Sugarcreek Drive, $177,000.
News-Times readers are on the go
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.
Get Up and Go
The CSRA Beagle Club will holds its seventh annual barbecue and trade day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Winfield Community Center, with pet supplies, a reptile show, pony rides and BB gun safety and marksmanship training.
Things To Do
The American Red Cross of Augusta will hold the following training classes at its offices, 1322 Ellis St.: Adult CPR and AED (automated external defibrillator), 6-9 p.m., Monday; first aid, 6-9 p.m., Tuesday; and infant and child CPR, 6-9 p.m., July 26. For information, call (706) 724-8481, ext. 211.
Time capsule
As reported 42 years ago in the pages of The Columbia News, Thursday, July 16, 1964:
Newsmakers
Jennifer Louise Werner, daughter of Jim and Doris Werner, of Upper Pottsgrove Township, Pa., formerly of Martinez, was named Salutatorian of the Class of 2006 at Pottsgrove High School. Jennifer is a former student of Lakeside High School, where she was active in Debate, the Beta Club, LSC and Student Government. At Pottsgrove, Jennifer has been an active member of the National Honor Society, Science Club, History Club and DECA. In April, she represented Pottsgrove High School and Pennsylvania at the International DECA competition in Dallas after winning the state competition in Hershey, Pa., in February. She will attend Albright College in Reading, Pa., as a Jacob Albright scholar. She will major in chemistry, math and secondary education in the Honors Program.
Voter sentiment is clear: No consolidation
We've heard the wishful thinking and the rationalizations to the contrary: Tuesday's ballot questions were non-binding, with results delivered by the lowest number of primary voters in nearly 20 years.
A few voters decide races
For the record, John Hayes was not, in fact, the worst candidate to ever run for office in Columbia County.
Spiritual independence
My son was all of 7 years old when he asked with a tinge of derision in his voice, "Why do I have to go to Sunday school? I know everything there is to know about the Bible." Nope, his little head was already saturated with enough Bible stories to last a lifetime, thank you very much.
Victors enjoy more than spoils at camp
Jerae Vaughn, a rising second-grader at Riverside Elementary, was a little surprised when she showed up for her first day of soccer camp Monday.
Sports calendar
The CSRA Crusaders home school baseball team is looking for players to fill middle school, junior varsity and varsity rosters. Boys attending a private school with no baseball program also may try out. The Crusaders will hold an eight-week baseball camp for elementary-age boys starting in September. For information, e-mail CSRACrusaders@comcast.net or call Todd Dickson at (706) 868-5531.
Two teams headed for series
In one week most Columbia County students will be enjoying their final weekend of summer vacation. For a group of 25 Columbia County boys, the start of the 2006-07 school year will have to wait at least a few days.
Season is not yet complete
I'm back. Yes, after a week and a half filled with a wedding ceremony, a honeymoon and only an inning and a half of watching the baseball All-Star Game, I am back (with a wife) and ready to start a new sports season.
All-star team dominates at state Dixie Ponytails
Two Columbia County Recreation Department baseball all-star teams earned trips to the Dixie and Junior Dixie Boys Baseball World Series after impressive wins at the state tournament level.
Prospects will have showcase
The second annual CSRA Prospect Showcase takes place Saturday at Lake Olmstead Stadium. This event pits the top rising high school seniors in Georgia against the best prep players South Carolina has to offer, with all players hailing from the area.