Thursday, August 28, 2008
'NAFTA superhighway' is a 'frightening' possibility for America
In my letter in May, I wrote concerning the North American Union where President Bush signed an agreement merging the United States with Mexico and Canada, and creating the Amero as the new currency. Most U.S. citizens know nothing of this.
Businesses oppose barriers
Though some might welcome the noise reduction that the new sound barriers along Interstate 20 will bring, others worry that those barriers will hide their businesses from motorists.
Fair project in gear
The Columbia County Fairgrounds are being prepared for improvements.
Labor Day signals start of various fall activities
Columbia County's fourth annual Labor Day Fireworks Show on Saturday will blast off fall events throughout the county.
Store holds shower for the public
New or expectant parents are invited to Babies-R-Us Saturday for a communitywide baby shower.
Development approval delayed
Confusion concerning some requirements on an Evans property forced the Columbia County Planning Commission to postpone its consideration of the land's plat status Thursday.
Pet of the Week
This male tabby-Siamese mix is between 2 and 3 years old and is available for adoption from Columbia County Animal Care and Control. For more information, call (706) 541-4077 or visit http://www.columbiacountyga.gov and follow the links to Animal Care and Control. Adult animals, such as today's Pet of the Week, cost $25 to adopt and the adoption fee for puppies and kittens is $20. All adopted animals must be spayed or neutered. Visitors must wear closed-in shoes to visit the kennel area, which is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays.
Group celebrates India Day
Saturday's India Day celebration opened with a lamp-lighting ceremony at the Maxwell Performing Arts Theater at Augusta State University. Participating are Ravi Murugappan, president of the Indian-American Cultural Association; Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver; Augusta District Attorney Ashley Wright; youngest participant Shinjini Mishra; and Gitanjali Talukdar, cultural chair of IACA. Runa Talukdar performs a dance to the tune of Indian singer Lata Mangeshkar during Saturday's India Day celebration. Dhara Patel (from left), Riddhi Patel and Niyati Prasad perform a rhythmic semi-classical musical ensemble.
Current Events
The AARP-sponsored safe-driving class for seniors will be held Sept. 8-9 at the Columbia County Library and Sept. 15-16 at Patriots Park. For information, call instructor Tom Vanderhoof at (706) 863-2865.
Scenes from the first day of school
Stratford neighborhood children Shelby Bailey, Ellie and Abby Grandin, Mason McKay, Ryan and Rachel Small and Brooks and Braden Lewis get on the bus for Riverside Elementary School.
The call of the wild
Dylan Cartledge, of Appling, caught an 8-pound catfish in a pond while fishing with his brother and friend.
Super pals
Payton Wade Screws, 3, visited Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Fla., where he got to meet Spider-Man and try out the Spider-Man ride. Payton is the son of Otis and Patricia Screws, of Martinez.
Time Capsule
As reported 48 years ago in the pages of The Columbia News, Thursday, Aug. 25, 1960:
Police Blotter
The following accounts were taken from reports from the Columbia County Sheriff's Office. Additional reports are available at http://www.columbiacountyso.org
Time for sales pitch on the sales tax
With unanimous votes, Columbia County commissioners last week approved sales tax and bond referendum votes for November.
Cartoon
Editorial Cartoon for Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Mercer puts paws down
County commissioner Tommy Mercer already has cemented his place in county history as the official who cleared the air in county restaurants.
Lessons from a downed computer
"What shall your profit be if you gain the whole world, but lose your own soul?" - Mark 8:36
Sports Calendar
Team members are being sought for a reunion of the Tubman Junior High School 1963 football team to be held Sept. 5. For information, call Charlie Beale at (706) 863-9818, or Pat Ford at (706) 650-0405.
Allegiances surface on rivalry week
Penny Jackson might ask her husband to pass the butter at the dinner table this week. Marty Jackson might compliment his wife's outfit.
Archrivals will face off this Friday
While Augusta Christian is already off and running and both Harlem and Lakeside still have a week to go before they kick off the 2008 football season, two teams will be front and center Friday night when Evans visits archrival Greenbrier.
Athlete Spotlight: Jonathan Finch
Listen to Jonathan Finch talk and you won't hear much about him.
Team ready for new start
Sherrie Wiegers was running Lakeside softball practice last week when one of her infielders made a nice stab and throw to first.
Olympian's mother shares experiences
Residents of Washington Commons celebrated the Beijing Olympics in their own way Thursday, with a special lunch and visit from the mother of an athlete.
Sports Gallery
The Augusta Lady 76ers, in affiliation with the South Carolina Basketball Association, placed third out of 12 teams in the 16-and-up Platinum Division in the Southern Premier Hoops basketball tournament in Norcross, Ga., on July 25-27. The Lady 76ers are players from Richmond and Columbia county schools. Members from Richmond County are Taylor Ayers, La'Kenya Drayton, Brianna Eubanks, Dorian Freeman, Brandy Hardnett, Brandy Washington, and Desiree Wright. Members from Columbia County are Michelle Davingon, Mary Ann Davingon, and Jasmine Partlow.