Monday, July 30, 2007
Citizens of Columbia County 'very lucky' to have Sheriff's Office staff
I am the mother of an 11-year-old autistic boy and live in McDuffie County. My son got out of our home on July 14 and got lost in the woods near my home. I called the McDuffie Sheriff's Office and was told they had officers on the way; 35 minutes later, one officer shows up.
County should extend improvements to covering Oakley-Pirkle ditches
While Columbia County charges ahead, some areas are being left behind. The popular shortcut Oakley-Pirkle Road is one of these areas falling to the rear in county improvements. The street is lined with drainage ditches that are long past in need of covering.
Volunteer's presence always noticed
Honey Shore has worn a lot of hats in her career - literally. As the volunteer public information officer for Martinez-Columbia Fire Rescue and the Columbia County Emergency Management Agency Dive Team, she carries a firefighter's helmet and baseball cap in her trunk.
Chitin and bio-control products show promise in battling pesky nematodes
Last week, I discussed some of the practices to help reduce the numbers of nematodes in your garden.
One Book runner-up will sign her work
Columbia County Library officials are kicking off their 2008 One Book, One Community program with a visit from the author of a book nominated for the 2007 program.
Dancers perform for older audience
Residents of Elmcroft Assisted Living and Alzheimer's Care enjoyed a private performance Monday by some young ballet dancers.
Columbia County board begins looking for new school lawyer
Class size and legal matters dominated the discussions at Tuesday's Columbia County school board meeting.
At-home moms join together to become friends
Martinez resident Ashley Stringfield says she has found it difficult meeting other stay-at-home mothers like herself since she moved to Columbia County two years ago.
Variety of businesses open, relocate or close in county
An extended-hours bank branch, an express medical clinic and a tropical fish store are among the newest businesses opening in Columbia County.
Residents can expect to pay higher property tax
For the most part, Columbia County residents should get ready to pay more property taxes in the coming year.
Post Happenings
Post Happenings lists events, programs and other community notices from Fort Gordon. Send information to Fort Gordon Calendar, attention Ryan Wehmeyer, The Augusta Chronicle, P.O. Box 1928, Augusta GA 30903-1928.
Teenagers learning to give back
While many teenagers look forward to a summer of sleeping late, 36 Columbia County teens paid to go to camp and work.
Augustans demonstrate their support of military
A special group took part in the change-of-command ceremony for the 35th Signal Brigade on Friday.
Recycling event helps protect environment
Rapidly advancing technology causes computers to become obsolete quickly, leaving owners unsure of how to dispose of them.
Tropical gardens survive if protected
Jonie Delaplane likes it hot. Just take a stroll through her garden and you'll quickly see that the Evans resident has an affinity for things tropical.
Art organization has big plans for upcoming year
Columbia County Arts Inc. officials reviewed a successful year and discussed big plans for the upcoming year at the group's annual meeting Monday at Brandon Wilde.
Photos: On vacation
Carol Camino, her granddaughter Raven Cathey and Carol Haff, all of Martinez, and her niece Kristen Haff, of Indiana, went on vacation for a "girls week" to Los Angeles.
Photo: Ballet star
Helen Starr, a renowned ballet dancer from England, demonstrates a dance movement as a guest instructor at Ron Jones Academy of Ballet on July 28.
Current events
Columbia County's Summertime on the Canal festival will be held 4-11 p.m. Friday, with an outdoor festival and indoor craft show at Savannah Rapids Pavilion, a rubber duck race at 8 p.m. and a concert at 9 p.m. Admission is free.
Newsmakers
Whitney Cue, of Martinez, earned a bachelor's degree in theater during commencement exercises at Agnes Scott College. Cue is the daughter of Leslie N. Cue, of Martinez, and Jorge I. Cue, of Martinez. She graduated in 2003 from Lakeside High School.
Get Up and Go
The Children's Resource Center, at 6347 Columbia Road in Appling, operated by the Columbia County Foundation for Children, is holding a $3 bag sale on summer clothing.
Class Reunions
The Harlem High School class of 1997 is planning a 10-year reunion. Addresses of class members are being sought.
Get Up and Go
The Columbia County Extension Service office's Gardening at Lunch series will be held at 12:10 p.m. at the Columbia County Library with presentations by Extension Agent Charles Phillips.
Greyhound of the week
Darby is a 4-year-old white-and-red female who is good with people and small dogs. Call Cindy Lore at (706) 831-2657 or log on to www.CSRAGreyhoundAdoptions.org. CSRA Greyhounds needs foster families.
Time capsule
As reported 49 years ago in the pages of The Columbia News, Thursday, July, 24, 1958:
Divorces
John G. French and Allison A. French, July 9, 2007.
Photo: Martial arts experts
The 32-member team from the Aiken and Evans Martial Arts America schools recently returned from the Chun Kuk Do World Championships and Convention in Las Vegas July 9-15.
Marriage licenses
The following were applied for in Columbia County Probate Court:
Property transfers
R.T. Bailey Construction Inc. to Didier D. Foucher and Nena S. Foucher, 2026 Sumter Landing Circle, $299,900.
Police blotter
Columbia County authorities arrested a 34-year-old Lincolnton, Ga., man Tuesday in connection with a 15-year-old murder case.
Vacation photos
Devin Long plays at the beach at Hilton Head Island, S.C., during a vacation with his parents, Donald and Tracie Long.
Photo: Bob's Tropical Fish opens
Bob and Pat Hockman, the owners of Bob's Tropical Fish (center), cut the ribbon to officially open their new Columbia County store on Old Petersburg Road. The event was sponsored by the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce.
More to police work than crime dramas
A short-attention-span nation obsessed with cop-u-drama shows such as CSI and Law and Order often is lulled into thinking that all crimes leave loads of easily decipherable clues leading to arrests within the allotted hour.
Broun a winner; Whitehead, too
At the beginning of the year I reluctantly made some New Year's resolutions and said I'd come back at the end of the year for a reckoning. Events being what they are, I reckon a couple of them need retooling.
Southern sin: To kill a magnolia tree
She's gone and done it now. Charlotte, ignoring all my warnings, all her home training, cut down a magnolia tree.
Boatner making waves, has sights on Bulldogs
With the news last week that Greenbrier standout Nolan Belcher committed to the University of South Carolina, the stage is set for some fun college baseball match-ups in 2009.
Midnight practice makes comeback
After taking a year off, two Columbia County football teams will return to an old tradition that's a favorite among players and fans.
Photo: Baseball winner
Columbia County all-star Glenn Cassedy (left) slid into home plate to score as Troup County all-star catcher Justin Woodall lost his handle on the ball July 17 during the third inning of Columbia County's 13-2 win in the Dixie Boys State Tournament Championship.
Athletes try to beat summer heat
Local football and softball players will return to the practice field for the first time this week in preparation for the 2007 season. As always, the heat will be there to greet them.
Lakeside graduate will play baseball for Middle Georgia
Name a big Lakeside baseball game within the past two years and, chances are, J.C. Huffman played a big role in that game.
Sports Calendar
The 11U Georgia Force travel baseball team will be having tryouts for the 2007-08 season at 9 a.m. on Saturday and Aug. 11 at Patriots Park.
Belcher will be good addition to USC team
News of Nolan Belcher's verbal commitment to the University of South Carolina came down Monday. Some local fans might have been surprised he didn't follow his teammates to Georgia or Georgia Tech.