Monday, March 19, 2007

Thanks to God, officials, community, volunteers for agency's expansion
On March 12, Columbia County Cares, in conjunction with the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce, had a ribbon-cutting ceremony to dedicate Columbia County Cares' new storage building in Appling.

Alumni fight to save school's remnants
The few physical reminders of Leah High School in Appling include a felled arch and concrete steps that lead to a nonexistent gym. But the history of the site, which recently became Martinez-Columbia Fire Rescue's newest fire station, won't be forgotten.

Irish dance contest takes youngsters to Scotland
Martinez resident Baileigh Williamson doesn't get nervous easily, especially when doing what she loves - Irish dancing.

Study prompts school board to meet with county coaches
Columbia County School Board members said at a Tuesday meeting that they intend to meet soon with the county's high school athletics directors and coaches concerning a parent group's proposal to improve the county's football program.

Sewer covers send message
Columbia County officials say decorative sewer covers will soon be installed in newly constructed subdivisions, sending an eco-friendly message: "Dump No Waste - Drains to Waterways."

Seminar for teen drivers puts safety on road at forefront
Juvenile drivers face a list of repercussions for traffic citations, and Kari Poss has recently added one more consequence.

This year's tomato class is Thursday
Some area gardening experts are ready to share their expertise to those trying to grow the biggest tomato.

Adventure Crossing opening Saturday
The former Funsville amusement park will officially be reborn at a March 24 grand opening as Adventure Crossing.

Simple steps keep diseases away
When I was growing up, my brother and I would stay outside playing as long as we could, but it never failed that Momma would call us in for our baths. We could always tell how much fun we had that day by how dirty the bath water was.

Uncover genealogy tips today
Those looking to shed light on their family's history could be in luck Sunday. The Columbia County Library in Evans will play host to a 2 p.m. lecture and discussion today with Lallie Dozier Benkoski entitled Georgia Family Genealogy.

Leader retires after 26 years
Jack Hobbs is ready for a break. For the past 26 years, he's served as the president of Chapter 1364 of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association.

Japanese students tour States
Some Japanese students gained firsthand experience of American schools on Monday. A group of eight students from Iiyama, Japan, met at Lakeside High School Monday morning for a day of classes with host students as part of a three-week trip to the United States.

STAR wants to be an expert
Since she was a little girl, Mattie Sue Judd says she's wanted to grow up to be an expert at something. With the North Augusta youngster heading off to Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Okla., on a full scholarship this fall, it's a lifelong dream she hopes to fulfill.

For best results, tools must be ready for work
Except for those who are calling in a pro, there's bound to be some type of yard care in homeowners' futures this spring and summer.

Transportation department looks into upgrades on I-20
As upgrades to the Lewiston Road and Interstate 20 interchange move forward later this summer, a year-old effort to add an exit near Grovetown might be stuck in park.

Property Transfers
Donald K. Deas to David M. Dempsey, 406 Bristol Road, $139,900.

Photo: Patriots kick way to second place
The Columbia County Patriots U-9 soccer team placed second in the Augusta Arsenal Spring Shootout. They lost to a U-10 team from South Carolina in the finals, 5-3.

Photo: Garden Club plants trees
Cherokee Rose Garden Club planted two trees in Heritage Park at Fort Gordon as a part of the National Garden Clubs Inc. Patriotic Trees project.

Photo: Gold medal winner bound for Florida
Brandon Michael Thurmond, 8, won the gold medal in Olympic Sparring at the Georgia AAU Tae Kwon Do State Championships in Lilburn. The win qualified him to compete in the national championships in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., this summer.

Current events
Gospel Water Branch Baptist Church, at 703 Furys Ferry Road, will hold Scholarship Day at 10:45 a.m. today with associate pastor the Rev. Larry Glover. For information, call (706) 860-7091.

Police Blotter
A minor earthquake rattled homes and windows throughout Columbia County late Tuesday, according to emergency management officials.

Photo: Ribbon cut to open bakery
J.L. and Holly Myatt and their children Haley, Jackson, Avery and Preston joined the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Holly Myatt's new Kree Brulee Bakery on Evans-to-Locks Road.

Photo: Evans Idol winner
Evans Middle School eighth-grader Kristina Johns won first place in the Evans Middle School 2nd annual Evans Idol contest on March 2nd. Teachers Wendy Baggott and Kathy Murray coordinated this event.

Photo: Pupils go to Math Olympics
Several Augusta Christian pupils participated in the Association of Christian Schools International Math Olympics.

Photo: Bulls are Junior NBA champs
The Columbia County Bulls basketball team are the 2007 Junior NBA champs in the 13- to 15-year-old division.

Photo: Spurs capture Midget League title
The Columbia County Spurs 11- to 12-year-old boys are the Midget League Basketball Champions with a 6-0 season record.

Photo: Cares facility opens
The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Columbia County Cares and county officials to officially open the new addition to the Cares facility in Appling. The new building will provide storage space and a walk in refrigerator.

Marriage Licenses
The following were applied for in Columbia County Probate Court:

Photo: Bean Baskette opens
David and Mary Lin Baskette (center) cut the ribbon with members of the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce to officially open Bean Baskette Coffee on Evans-to-Locks Road on March 1.

Get Up and Go
A lifeguard training course will be held Tuesdays through Fridays, March 20-30, from 4-8 p.m. at the Augusta Aquatics Center. Fee for the course is $150. For information, call (706) 724-8481.

Photo: A good way to pass the time
Joseph Wilson plays with his friend Patrick McGowan while visiting his grandparents, Mimi and Doug Wilson, in the Abbeys at West Lake subdivision.

Greyhound of the week
Omaha is a 4-year-old brindle greyhound who loves to cuddle with slippers, play with stuffed animals and children, but does not like small dogs or cats. If you want to adopt him, please call Sam Fulton (706) 833-2177 or go to www.CSRAGreyhoundAdoptions.org.

Words express humanity at the end
Two words: "I thirst!" The shortest statement from the cross, and the only clue we have that Jesus was reaching the end of his physical endurance. Infection was taking its toll. Raging fever had created an unbearable thirst.

Football study scores touchdown for effort
Public officials often lament that one of the more difficult aspects of civic life is the effort to persuade citizens to get involved.

Next, outlaw jumping jacks
Columbia County was hit with an earthquake in January 2005. Then, the unthinkable happened when another earthquake shook the area this past week.

Rest of the story: Wood married local girl
In an editorial Wednesday in which we gave some of the history of Gen. Robert E. Wood in preparation for the opening of the new Gen. Woods Parkway in Evans, we said, "As best we can tell, Wood had no local connection." It turns out Wood actually had significant local ties.

Cup standings show improvement
With two-thirds of the high school sports year finished, the updated Dodge Director's Cup standings show improvement for two local programs.

Millward shines on both sides
Kevin Millward's timing couldn't have been better. Entering Tuesday's home game against Harlem, the junior had yet to hit a home run this season.

Lakeside hires coach, head of athletics
Lakeside's search for a new athletics director and football coach came to an end last week. The Columbia County Board of Education approved the hiring of Jody Grooms in a meeting on Tuesday.

Sports Calendar
The Augusta Heat, a 13-U travel baseball team, is holding tryouts for two top baseball players over the next three weeks and is also in need of an experienced, full-time assistant coach.

Prep Calendar
Calendar of baseball, lacrosse, soccer and softball games at Columbia County high schools.

Augusta Christian off to winning start
Augusta Christian's boys soccer team made school history on Tuesday when they stepped onto the field at Heathwood Hall as the first-ever Lions soccer team.

Standouts make up all-county team list
Last month marked the end of the most competitive basketball seasons in recent memory. Every region game was an all-out barn-burner.

Former Greenbrier trio post 'pitcher' perfect in the Peach Belt
I was recently going through some Peach Belt Conference pitching stats and realized that several area products are enjoying terrific seasons. A trio of former Greenbrier standouts rank among the leaders in several statistical categories.