Sunday, February 1, 2009
State of Kansas has a Columbus, not a Columbia County
In Barry Paschal's column Wednesday, "New senator would fit here," he mentioned casually that there were a number of stories you could tell about Columbia counties of other states, including Kansas.
Tornado drill to test preparedness
The onset of spring typically brings warmer temperatures and spring rains. But the season also marks the beginning of severe weather season. Emergency officials are urging residents to know how to protect themselves and their families.
Lawmakers visit during annual event
Barbecue was on their plates, but talk about Colum-bia County was on the menu as local officials went to the state Capitol on Wednesday for the second annual Colum-bia County Day.
Winter weeds thrive on warm weather
One of the disadvantages of this unseasonably warm weather is that the winter weeds have had a big growth spurt. With the early cold weather, the weed growth was slower than in past years, but the weeds are making up for lost time.
Evans man will be executed Feb. 20
An Evans man convicted in the 1991 murders of his wife and son will be executed Feb. 20 by lethal injection, according to the South Carolina Department of Corrections.
Park will play host to winter bird walk
Birdwatching has become a popular hobby with more than 50 million participants, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Park to hold Arbor Day contest
Mistletoe State Park is sponsoring an Arbor Day essay contest for area students, with prizes awarded to the top entrants in each category.
Padgett ready for new role as a Superior Court judge
J. Wade Padgett first put on a judge's robe more than 14 years ago as an associate magistrate in Columbia County. On Wednesday, he'll don a Superior Court judge's robe, and it might be the one he retires in.
Pupils vie to be top speller
The annual Columbia County Spelling Bee returns Monday to Grovetown Middle School.
Board recognizes Title 1 Distinguished Schools
Six Title 1 Distinguished Schools were recognized by the Columbia County school board during a meeting Tuesday.
Academic Bowl competitors
Evans Middle School pupils attended the Page Academic Bowl semifinals on Jan. 24 at Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, Ga.
Current events
Columbia County's Democratic Committee will meet at 7 p.m. Monday at the Columbia County Government Complex Auditorium, in Evans. Canned goods for Golden Harvest Food Bank will be accepted as a community service project. Call (706) 513-3400.
Property transfers
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to Deborah Powell, 3604 Cullen Drive, $68,100.
Divorces
Shelli A. McLeod and Paul W. McLeod, Jan. 20, 2009.
New business
David K. Anderson, PC, held a grand opening ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce on Dec. 17. The office is located at 601 N. Belair Square in Evans.
Police blotter
A New Ellenton man who robbed a Martinez Walgreens store on Wednesday was arrested early Thursday in Sumter, S.C., police said.
Adoption spotlight
CSRA Happy Tails Rescue Inc., is a nonprofit licensed animal rescue group committed to the welfare of stray and unwanted dogs and cats in the CSRA. Adoptions are held each Saturday and Sunday at SuperPetz on Bobby Jones Expressway in Martinez from 1-4 p.m.
Editorial cartoon
Columbia County News-Times editorial cartoon for Sunday, February 1, 2009.
Get prepared for severe weather
Each year, Georgians face the threat of severe weather events such as lightning, thunderstorms, damaging wind, hailstorms, floods, flash floods, tornadoes and hurricanes - all potentially dangerous to life, health and property.
Tech school still coming
In one of the all-time funniest movies ever made (at least to me), Monty Python and the Holy Grail, there is a scene of overwrought anticipation involving one of the knights of the round table preparing to rescue what he believes is a damsel in distress.
Long-awaited execution for murderer
Linda Williams was a 39-year-old paraprofessional at Bel Air Elementary School. Shaun Williams, 12, was an orphan adopted from El Salvador and a seventh-grade honor student at Lakeside Middle School.
Wrestlers compete in inaugural event
The inaugural Columbia County Middle School wrestling tournament was held Jan. 24 at Evans Middle, with 25 wrestlers competing in six weight classes.
Harlem lineman gets offer from Georgia Military
Harlem High School offensive/defensive lineman Barry Davis Jr. recently committed to play football at Georgia Military College in Milledgeville.
Sports Calendar
The Columbia County Area Youth Football Association (CCAYFA) will hold registration for the upcoming spring youth football season for the 9-11 and 12-13 age classifications. Participants must be 13 years old or younger on Sept. 1.
Patriots start streak with win over Knights
Westside High School coach Marvin Fields didn't have a clear-cut answer as to how the Patriots knocked off Evans for their second win in a row.
Former Evans baseball star earns preseason Peach Belt honor
Evans High School graduate and USC Aiken infielder Ken Raborn was recently named to the 2009 Peach Belt Conference preseason baseball All-Conference team.
Lakeside sweeps CSRA swim meet
Lakeside High School's boys and girls swim teams swept the CSRA Swimming and Diving Championships at the Augusta Aquatic Center on Tuesday.
Prep hoops roundup
At Augusta Christian, Lions guard Elizabeth Alewine scored 25 points as Augusta Christian rolled past Alleluia. Amaura Brandt added 15 points for the Lions.