Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Costs of alcohol are far higher than tax revenues generated for county
Alcohol cash pouring in is a sad day for Columbia County.
Library rezoning moves ahead without buyer
A final approval of a proposed rezoning for the former Warren C. Gibbs Library building will head to the Columbia County Commission on Tuesday, despite a change of heart by a potential buyer who prompted the request.
Citizen charge starts Few probe
The Columbia County Sheriff's Office has begun an investigation into Augusta mayoral candidate Ronnie Few's homestead exemption following a complaint filed by a Martinez man.
Ballet troupe honors champion of art
Before their first pirouette as the county's resident dance company Friday, the Columbia County Ballet honored a man who helped make their new performance home a reality.
Columbia County Teachers of the Year
One winner will be chosen from among five hopefuls for Columbia County Teacher of Year on Thursday.
Community recycles 25,000 pounds of electronics
Area residents and businesses dropped off an estimated 25,000 pounds of outdated electronics Saturday at Columbia County's first Electronics Recycling Day at the Evans Government Complex.
Volunteer cleanup projects will make Harlem look good
Two organizations promoting volunteerism are coming together in Harlem to celebrate Hands on Georgia Week.
Bond money to be allocated for recreation
Oscar Taylor says he's undecided concerning a proposed bond issue in Columbia County.
Friends with fur, fins to go home blessed
Because the Rev. Cynthia Taylor is an animal lover, she said, the annual Blessing of the Animals is always one of her favorite tasks she performs as a minister.
Residents urged to be courteous with burning
Pam Tucker is hoping Sunday's end of the statewide ban on outdoor burning will get neighbors talking to one another and prevent complaints about debris fires and smoke.
School Councils
The Evans High School council has vacancies for two parent members, with ballots available until Thursday in the main office. Present member of the council will meet at 10:45 a.m. Monday.
Vacation Photos
Mitchell Smeak (from left), Rebecca Smeak, Emma Blume and Grant Blume spent the day at the beach at Hilton Head Island at the end of their summer vacation.
Photo: Receiving his championship ring
School lunch menus
School lunch menus for Columbia County schools.
Pet of the week
This female Australian shepherd will make a loyal pet. She is about 2 years old, friendly and playful.
Police Blotter
The following accounts were taken from reports filed with the Columbia County Sheriff's Office:
Current events
The area AARP Tax Aide program is accepting applications from volunteers to help seniors and others prepare income taxes Feb. 1-April 15. Call district coordinator Bill Kozel at (706) 210-3048.
Troops learn local lore
Emily Clark (from left), Jennifer McMahon, Madison Monroe, Katie Burton and Ellie Bonucci display the newspaper they designed for their Local Lore Girl Scout badge.
Photos: Honoring the past
Photos from the Daughters of the American Revolution wreath-laying ceremony in honor of Col. William Few of Georgia.
Folks can be un-neighborly
Sometimes neighbors just can't get along. If they could, we wouldn't need lawyers and courts.
With leadership, it's lonely at the top
With another election season heating up, one question keeps coming to mind: Why do people seek political office, especially the highly exposed top job in the country, state or their own home town?
Running game proves too much for Evans
Greenbrier's situation couldn't have looked more bleak. Trailing by four points with 80 seconds left in the game, Greenbrier quarterback Nick Richards threw a pass that was picked off by Evans' Brandon McCladdie.
Postponed golf tournament turns out better than expected
A postponement because of rain can ruin a golf tournament; however, the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce's second annual golf tournament actually benefited from a three-day postponement because of threatening thunderstorms.
Athlete Spotlight: Freddie Jones
In Greenbrier's 21-19 come-from-behind victory over Evans last weekend, Wolfpack starting tailback Freddie Jones was all over the field.
Greenbrier softball knocks in 300th win
Greenbrier's 4-2 record in its tournament at Patriots Park last weekend wasn't ideal. Two Friday losses to Class AAA No. 1 South Effingham and Class AAAAA North Forsyth were redeemed by four straight wins Saturday.
Predictions are mixed for county's pigskin boys
In last Wednesday's column, I talked about how tough the games were to call. In all three match-ups, the games could have gone either way.
Football briefs
Augusta Christian's running game continued its SCISA dominance Friday night with a victory over Porter Gaud.