Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Property won't be tied to subdivisions
A Grovetown man's request to force developers to tie his property into two planned subdivisions was denied Thursday by the Columbia County Planning Commission.

Evans resident is victorious at Miss UGA pageant
University of Georgia student and Evans resident Ashley Foster has the Miss Georgia Pageant in her sights after her recent crowning as Miss UGA.

Special needs students enjoy pool day
While most Greenbrier High School students sat in class Thursday learning math, history or science, the special education class donned swimsuits to enjoy some pool time.

Play to open at center
Portraying a woman who relives her struggles through the journey of the Holocaust has caused Janine DeMichele to have a deeper appreciation for those who endured the horrors of the Nazi regime.

Program wants dads to be pros with kids
A restaurant chain and an NFL coach have teamed up to help make area fathers All Pro Dads.

Pet of the week
This female black-and-gray tabby cat is about a year old and 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.

Photo: Basketball champs
The Episcopal Day School boys basketball team won the Augusta/Aiken Private School League (Division AA) Championship. This is the second school championship win this season.

Current events
The Breast Health Center Mobile Mammography Unit will be at the Columbia County Health Department in Evans today and on April 18, June 20, Aug. 15, Oct. 10 and Dec. 12. Appointments are required. For information, call (706) 868-3330.

Police blotter
An early morning house fire in Chimney Hill Monday sent two people to Doctors Hospital, Martinez Fire Department spokeswoman Honey Shore said.

Get Up and Go
The Lakeside High School Battle of the Bands will be held from 7-10 p.m. Saturday at the school gym. Tickets will cost $5 at the door.

Photo: Fairgoers sample healthful food
Sheri Loftin, a nutrition manager for Doctors Hospital, samples sushi at a health fair organized by Greenbrier High School senior Tashia Bussey.

Time capsules
As reported 50 years ago in the pages of The Columbia News, Thursday, Feb. 21, 1957:

School lunch menus
Lunch menus for Columbia County schools.

Photo: Senior's project benefits diabetes foundation
Tammie and Ben Hayward, of Martinez, admire vintage vehicles at a Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Car and Truck Show at the Shops at Furys Ferry in Martinez.

Photo: Car-seat check
Columbia County Sheriff's Office Auxiliary member Judson DeLany and sheriff's Deputy Eric Snowberger show Martinez resident Paula Hannah the correct way to install a car seat during a Child Passenger Safety Event at Master Buick, Pontiac and GMC.

Photo: CSRA Heat undefeated
The CSRA Heat 18 Gold volleyball team won the Kickoff Classic at Lander University. The team was undefeated in all its games in the tournament. The team is made up of players from Augusta Prep, Evans, Greenbrier and Lakeside high schools.

Photos: Art show open house
An open house showcasing the work of Martinez-based artist Grady Abrams was held in Columbia County on Saturday.

School Councils
The Evans Middle School Council will meet at 3 p.m. Monday and April 30 in the media center.

Photo: Tourney benefits food bank
Clester Hornsby competes in an accuracy competition as Augusta Disc Golf President Jimmy Padgett looks on after the Ice Bowl Disc Golf Tournament at Patriots Park. The benefit tournament donated its proceeds to the Golden Harvest Food Bank.

Higher bonds are reasonable reassurance
There is an understandable, albeit mistaken, view in the general public that the Columbia County Commission is soft on builders and developers.

Jewish agencies respond to Katrina
In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the Augusta Jewish Community Center (AJCC) held a Cajun Night to raise money for the New Orleans Jewish Community Center, while the Jewish Federation directed fund-raising efforts for victims of the flood.

Fleming takes one for the team
Politics is the land of what-have-you-done-for-me-lately. That's what makes Barry Fleming's action Monday morning so noble - and risky.

Coach expects turnaround with young players
At any other baseball program, this would be the time to panic.

Offensive support weakened without last year's seniors
Greenbrier's first baseball practice on Feb. 12 had a player inventory drastically different from that of last year's team. Many of the key components from last season's unforgettable 35-1 team that won a Class AAAA state title were nowhere to be found.

Lady Wolfpack is region champion
Greenbrier High School's girls have made history once again.

Athlete Spotlight: Ted Miller
An umpire's job is rarely easy. Making instant decisions on close plays that could have a major affect on a game isn't exactly a desirable position.

Lewis is a Harlem fixture
A book on Harlem sports wouldn't be complete without at least a chapter dedicated solely to Jimmie Lewis.

Panthers have to find their places on field
Lakeside baseball coach Jay Matthews has plenty of chess pieces. Now he just has to figure out where to put them.

Team goes for third consecutive state title
One state championship is a high school athlete's dream come true. Back-to-back state titles are a mark of a strong program. Three consecutive banners? That's a dynasty.

Key baseball players predicted to stand out
Here's a look at my top players in Columbia County entering the 2007 baseball season. Narrowing the list down to seven was difficult, but it is hard to argue with any of these choices. Also, I decided to add a "Player to Watch" as well.

Quick Facts: Greenbrier High School
A breakdown of what you need to know to follow Greenbrier High baseball this season.

Things look set to change for better on diamond
Baseball is king in Columbia County - except at Augusta Prep. The small private school is known for its soccer success. In recent years, volleyball and basketball have also become popular. The golf and tennis teams won state championships last season.

Bulldogs try to keep winning momentum
It was supposed to be a rebuilding year last season at Harlem High School.

Musketeers face tougher task
Only a year ago, Richmond Academy was a Class AAA school in the same region as teams such as Harlem, Butler and Glenn Hills.

Pitchers hold power for upcoming season
Hitters, beware. This could be a long baseball season.

Sports Calendar
A Relay for Life three-on-three basketball tournament will be held at 10 a.m. March 24 at the Harlem Middle School gym. The tournament is a double-elimination format, costs $25 and includes a T-shirt.

Quick Facts: Lakeside High School
A breakdown of what you need to know to follow Lakeside High baseball this season.

Quick Facts: Evans High School
A breakdown of what you need to know to follow Evans High baseball this season.

Quick Facts: Augusta Christian School
A breakdown of what you need to know to follow Augusta Christian baseball this season.

Wrestler pulls sweet comeback
Two Greenbrier wrestlers reached the podium last weekend at the GHSA Class AAAA wrestling state championships in Duluth.

Quick Facts: Augusta Preparatory School
A breakdown of what you need to know to follow Augusta Preparatory baseball this season.

Quick Facts: Harlem High School
A breakdown of what you need to know to follow Harlem High baseball this season.

Baseball preview section will tell you what to watch for this season
Here we are with another baseball season upon us, and it's once again time for Georgia to sit up and take notice of Columbia County.