Thursday, March 8, 2007
Rather than 'coasting,' county program ' a flagship for gifted education'
We, the teachers of the Columbia County elementary schools gifted program, would like the opportunity to clarify some potential misconceptions regarding the Horizons Program.
McDuffie County is business friendly
McDuffie County has joined the state's ranks of "Entrepreneur Friendly" communities, an official designation indicating the community is developing an environment to support small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Church holds classes to benefit teenagers
Gospel Water Branch Baptist Church in Evans will play host to a four-part youth leadership seminar beginning Saturday.
Dispose of old electronics on recycling day
Those looking to clear out some old electronics before spring hits are in luck.
Community center open to residents
Grovetown's new community center is now open to the public for membership.
Motel managers learn to spot meth
To combat a growing national trend and help keep their guests safe, several Columbia County motel managers met Thursday to learn ways to identify mobile drug labs.
Show aids children's home
An Evans High School student hopes her voice and those of three area children's choirs can help a school for impoverished Central American children.
Still no decision on club's subdivision
The Columbia County Planning Commission decided not to take a stance Thursday on a request to subdivide property within an Appling fishing club.
Fundraiser helps food bank, center
Sunday's Empty Bowl fundraiser will offer a unique blend of food.
Photo: Haydens cheerleaders
The Haydens All Stars Senior Black competition cheerleading squad won first place and the overall grand championship at Power Jam National Cheer and Dance Championships in Macon, Ga.
Photo: Patriots team wins tournament
The Columbia County Patriots United U-10 boys soccer team won the championship at the North Atlanta Soccer Association Ice Breaker Tournament.
School Lunch Menus
Lunch menus for Columbia County schools.
Photo: Swim winners
The Aiken-Augusta Swim League competed at the Georgia Age Group (14 and under) Championship in Savannah, where it captured second place in Division II. In the 11-12 group, Kathleen Huff and Gabe Eichel, both seventh-graders from Columbia County, won individual awards. Gabe was named Outstanding Male Swimmer at the meet. Kathleen was the highest point winner among the 11-12 girls.
Photos: Read Across America
Gen. Strong and his wife, Lori Borgna Strong, read Oh, the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss to Shelley Evans' third-grade class at Riverside Elementary.
Photo: Family celebrates Tae Kwon Do win
Warren and Veda Berg pose with their father Gary Berg and grandmother Peggy Berg. Warren won first place and Veda second place in a Tae Kwon Do forms competition.
Photo: Prep swimmers are GISA champs
The Augusta Prep Middle School boys swim team won the GISA State Championship at Riverside Military Academy in Gainsville, Ga., on Jan. 26.
Time capsule
As published 51 years ago in the pages of The Columbia News, Thursday, March 8, 1956:
Photo: Father is apprehended
Columbia County sheriff's Investigator Harold Clack escorts William Brown into the Columbia County Detention Center after picking him up in Atlanta. Brown, who was extradited from Mexico, is accused of picking up his 14-month-old son, Ezekiel, from day care and taking him unlawfully to Mexico.
Pet of the week
This female Shetland sheepdog mix is very friendly, loving and playful. She 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.
Current events
The Lakeside High School band's yard sale will be held in the commons area from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. For information, call (706) 863-0027.
School Councils
The River Ridge Elementary School Council will meet at 2:30 p.m. in the media center Thursday and May 10.
Police blotter
The following accounts were taken from reports filed with the Columbia County Sheriff's Office:
Weather radios as vital as smoke alarms
Columbia County's Emergency Services Director Pam Tucker and a local citizen, Jim McKenzie, have recently carried out a debate on these pages about the value of severe-weather warning sirens.
Surviving a stop by the 'ghost train'
March 1, 2007, 8:14 p.m, Hickory Hill Drive, Thomson: "This is it! This is it!" he yelled over the cacophony of the storm. A low wail grew in intensity, like an unmanned train thundering toward them on ethereal tracks.
Happy ending from tenacity
If every crime victim were as dedicated and as media-savvy as Lois Brown, we'd have a lot fewer unsolved crimes.
Knights hit opponents hard early in season
With all the talk regarding Greenbrier High School (though well deserved) as the baseball season approached, many people might have been overlooking one of the state's finest programs: Evans.
Greenbrier teams stay in top 10
A full slate of soccer games last week produced one certainty: Greenbrier High School still has the top soccer teams in the county.
Lady Wolfpack falls in state tourney loss
An undefeated season and a chance at a deep state tournament run came to a premature end for the Greenbrier girls basketball team Friday.
Player turns heads with big home run
Home runs are nothing new in Columbia County, but one was hit last week that deserves a little more recognition than others. It came from a seventh-grader at Columbia Middle School.
Athlete Spotlight: Tiffany Nichols and Keri Wright
Greenbrier seniors Tiffany Nichols and Keri Wright look like naturals on the soccer field. In the Lady Wolfpack's 5-0 win over Lakeside last Friday, they did their part at goalkeeper (Nichols) and sweeper (Wright).