Thursday, January 1, 2009

Lakeside senior makes early leap into college
Unlike the rest of his classmates, Kyle Tudor won't return to Lakeside High School at the end of the holiday break. At least, he won't return as a high school student.

Looking back at 2008
January: Dennis Trudeau stepped down after 20 years as Grovetown mayor, with George James as successor.

Christmas tree can be a gift, too
All the presents have been opened and the decorations packed away for next year. The only thing left to do is figure out what to do with the Christmas tree.

Christmas in Columbia County
The Weblos Cub Scout Den with Pack 615 in Evans gathered for a Rocking Stocking Stuffing party where they stuffed Christmas stockings for children with the Salvation Army. All the boys had to earn money and purchase the gifts themselves. Together the boys stuffed about 30 stockings. The scouts are Andy Nguyen (back, from left), Matthew Zimmerman, Nathan Bassett, Alex Mann, Michael Mann, Jason Little, Tony Wilde and Mark Mann; Elijah Bassett (front, from left), Samuel Bassett, Ivan Nguyen, Zane Zoller and Justin Little

Pets of the week
These animals are available for adoption from Columbia County Animal Care and Control. Call (706) 541-4077 or visit 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 cost $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.

Newsmakers
Seventy-nine students at Lakeside High School have earned the designation of AP Scholar by the College Board in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the 2008 college-level Advanced Placement Program Exams.

Police Blotter
The following accounts were taken from reports from the Columbia County Sheriff's Office.

People on the Street
What are your New Year's resolutions?

Vacation Gallery
Christine Scott, of Evans, and her sister Joyce Morgan, of Booneville, Miss., visited the Shiloh National Military Park in Tennessee in July. They are shown in front of the Catfish Hotel, a shack that was occupied by Union soldiers during the Battle of Shiloh, on the Tennessee River.

Current events
The Golden Harvest Food Bank Empty Bowl fundraiser is holding a T-shirt design contest for middle and high school pupils. The deadline for entries is Jan. 10. For information, call Debbie Katcoff at (706) 868-4030.

Lower taxes a two-way path
At his final Columbia County Commission meeting before his retirement from office, Tommy Mercer thanked those with whom he'd served for eight years. And he took a shot at cowardly critics.

Senior brings loves together to help troops
Ana Llinas likes to run.

Sports Newsmakers
The U10 Gunners took second place at the Forsyth Fusion Fall Classic with three wins. The team made it to the final, then lost a very competitive match 1-0. Team members are Jack Phelan (back row, from left), Jonah Adams, Coach Jeff McLarnon, Drew Moses, David Ardrey, Noah Lee and Cale McLarnon; Luke McCartney (front row, from left), Daniel Newton, Drew Woods and Jannie Nel.

Journey to weight loss took time, a dependable plan and the will to succeed
During the past few months, I have had countless people e-mail, call and approach me directly to discuss my recent weight loss. Some wanted to know what I was doing because they needed to shed a few pounds, while others simply wanted to congratulate me on the success I have had thus far.

Athlete Spotlight
Jim Hull was premature in thinking he had reached a monumental scoring milestone earlier this season.