Thursday, January 8, 2009
Local taxes will pave state road, as state funds spent elsewhere
Approximately seven weeks ago, many of us participated in an open and democratically held election. Regrettably, the majority of Columbia County's voters supported renewal of the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, and with it, more than $39 million to expand Washington Road from Halali Farm Road to William Few Parkway.
Lee Benedict, Martinez
Roaring Thunder was 'a great success' thanks to assistance
On behalf of the District 11 American Legion Riders and Fort Gordon Fisher House, we thank the following sponsors for making "Roaring Thunder 2008" Fisher House Charity Event a great success:
Art Robb, coordinator, Roaring Thunder 2008
Columnist's weight-loss effort 'is nothing short of inspirational'
I really enjoyed Ashley Brown's recent column on his amazing weight loss (Dec. 31, "Journey to weight loss took time, a dependable plan").
Austin Rhodes, Martinez
Nurse has cared for both patients, family
Marie Curtis was a newcomer to Doctors Hospital and immediately saw a friend in fellow Registered Nurse Angel Banford.
Emergency response classes available for helping hands
Area residents who want to help in crisis situations will soon have the chance to become part of the Columbia County Community Emergency Response Team.
Nominees wanted for Ryan Clark scholarship
Columbia County Community Connections is seeking active teens to apply for an award and scholarship honoring a former Columbia County student.
Pet Showcase
These pets are 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 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.
Current Events
Donna Rowe will be the speaker at 6 p.m. today at the meeting of the Greater Columbia County Republican Women at Jones Creek Clubhouse. For information, e-mail Wanda Duffie at wandaduffie@yahoo.com.
Newsmakers
Greenbrier student Blake Reynolds recently donated $1,200 to the MCGHealth Childrens Medical Center, money he earned from his senior project. Blake took on the role of writer, producer and choreographer of a production called Life Beat, which is similar to Broadway Stomp. His group of performers used brooms, staplers, coffee mugs, garbage can lids, cardboard boxes and other common items to produce pulsating rhythms. The students put on the production at school and charged a nominal admission fee. Blake and his Life Beat team performed a second time for the patients, families and staff at the MCGHealth Childrens Medical Center on the day he delivered the donation check.
Get Up & Go
Bible Cathedral, 1116 Furys Ferry Road, has spaces available in its mother's day out program. For information, call Cynthia Turner at (706) 863-7090.
Police Blotter
Four Augusta men arrested in the September home invasion and fatal shooting of a Grovetown man pleaded not guilty during a arraignment hearing Monday.
Vacation Gallery
A group of senior citizens from West Acres Baptist Church recently spent a week enjoying shows and the scenery in Branson, Mo. They also saw the Christmas lights at Graceland in Memphis, Tenn.
Editorial Cartoon
Editorial Cartoon, for Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Poor help rich become richer
There are lots of reasons that I'm glad to live in Columbia County.
Take county's frugal message to Atlanta
To paraphrase an old lawyer joke, what do you call 100 bureaucrats at the bottom of the ocean?
Sports Newsmakers
The Columbia County Stars won the Commissioners Cup football tournament Nov. 22-23 in Thomson. This marked the first time since 1992 that a team other than Thomson won the championship. The team players are Juwan Gardner, Josh Hornsby, Donquell Green, Ian McDaniel, Knox Marchman, Rickey Boykins, Mikey McIntire, Zach Sellers, Chase Manley, Jermaine Baxley, Clay Norsworthey, Asher Smiley, Brooks Mischel, Jalen Harrison, R.J. Mitchell, Jordan Dudley and Daniel Cotty. The coaches are Charlie Blackwell, Ike Branch, Danny Brown, Stan Dymeck and Mitch Marchman.
Athlete Spotlight: Horace Carney and Bryan Andrews
Horace Carney and Bryan Andrews worked so well together their first season on the basketball floor that they had to be split up.
Knights produce another hot start on the hardwood
This is getting to sound like a broken record, but the Evans High School boys basketball team once again is off to a great start.
Greenbrier, Striders hold race Saturday
Local runners will have the opportunity to re-live history Saturday.
Schools want better coverage for teams' practice facilities
The start of baseball practice is less than a month away, and area coaches are working to have their facilities ready