Sunday, March 29, 2009
Convicted felon Temple 'nothing like' his critics have described
Friends sent me Barry Paschal's Nov. 30, 2008, column on Merle Temple.
New Harlem police chief takes office
Harlem has a new lawman. City officials swore in Jesse Bowman as the new director of the Harlem Department of Public Safety on Monday.
More people doing chores they paid for to save money
Across the country, people are taking on chores that only a year ago were hired out to someone else. They're dyeing their own hair, shoveling their own snow, washing their own cars and taking up paint brushes to brighten their living room walls.
Compost, mulch are helpful when used correctly
Compost and mulch. Both are great soil conditioners, but how do they differ?
Plan will get kids smiling
An area orthodontist intends to donate his time and services to improve the smiles of those who can't afford the cost of braces.
Outdoor areas are important for children
Landscapers and designers say that creating fun outdoor spaces is simple and inexpensive.
Local store has eco-friendly supplies for cleaning house
Taking care of spring cleaning in an eco-friendly manner doesn't have to be costly.
Make home better through renovations
For years, homeowners tried to increase the value of their houses so they would turn a profit when selling them a few years later. In today's economy, because families are planning on living in their homes longer, these living spaces now need to become more meaningful.
Various projects scheduled to start this year are approved
The Columbia County school board agreed during a Tuesday meeting to start site work for a proposed elementary school on Baker Place Road.
Several projects for local parks in works
Building is under way for boardwalk additions at Reed Creek Wetlands Park and numerous other Columbia County park-improvement projects are in the planning stages.
Help with beetles to be offered
Local forest landowners are being urged to take advantage of assistance that helps combat the destructive Southern pine beetle.
Get color early in spring using container plants
For those looking to add some spring color to their homes, an area horticulturist said there are plenty of early season plant options.
Purple martins return to Georgia in spring
In the birding world, few species generate more excitement than does the purple martin, a swallow that arrives in Georgia throughout the spring, with reports of "scouts" logged almost daily online.
New Harlem High leader knows the school very well
A Harlem High School graduate was chosen Tuesday to lead his alma mater. The Columbia County school board approved Dietmar Perez as the school's new principal during a Tuesday meeting.
Carpenter bees are annual annoyance
Right now is one of my favorite times of the year. The dogwoods and redbuds are blooming, the forsythia and flowering quince are nearing the end of their bloom, and the azaleas are beginning to show their colors.
Garden club president calls for increase in growing vegetables
One local woman hopes residents will produce their own stimulus package by planting a vegetable garden, even planting an extra row so the needy might receive a share.
Keep eyes out for troublesome weed
The Georgia Forestry Commission is asking for the public's help in stopping a harmful weed from spreading statewide.
Few issues reported relating to addresses
When an emergency situation arises, having one's address properly labeled can save crucial time. But some areas in the community aren't in compliance with Columbia County's address ordinance.
Teachers are sought for award
The CSRA Environmental Science Education Cooperative is seeking nominations for its annual award for the area's Outstanding Environmental Science Teacher for the 2008-09 school year.
Newsmakers
Angela Medina, a co-owner of Star Aquatics in Evans, shows Blue Ridge preschool pupil Logan Bailey the fish in the store during a school field trip.
Newsmakers
Andrew Collin Dixon, of Martinez, has been named to the Young Harris College Dean's List for the fall 2009 Semester. Andrew, a sophomore at Young Harris College, is a graduate of Lakeside High School. He is the son of Darryll and Pam Dixon of Martinez, Georgia.
Adoption spotlight
CSRA Happy Tails Rescue Inc. is a nonprofit licensed animal rescue group. Adoptions are 1-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at SuperPetz on Bobby Jones Expressway in Martinez To get information or to adopt, call Barb at (706) 955-0438.
Newsmakers
Financial Solutions & Income Designs held a grand opening ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce on Dec. 17 at 601 N. Belair Square.
Divorces
Brenda Belanger and Glen Belanger, March 11, 2009.
Police blotter
Columbia County sheriff's investigators are searching for someone who fatally beat a Grovetown woman after she walked in on a burglary at her home Wednesday morning.
Vacation photos
Visiting the Abbeville (S.C.) Opera House on Feb. 7 were Pam Lightsey, of the Augusta South Rotary; Mara Kozolina, a Georgia Rotary student from Latvia; and Kelli Simon, of the Augusta West Rotary.
Current events
Augusta Prep's Theater Department will present Fiddler on the Roof at 2 p.m. today at the Hull Fine Arts Center. Tickets cost $15 for adults, $10 for students.
Get up and go
The Pastor's Support Ministry of Oakey Grove Baptist Church, 911 N. Belair Road, Evans, will celebrate its 21st anniversary at 2 p.m. April 5. The Rev. Melvin Adams of New Holt Baptist Church will be the guest speaker. For information, call (706) 863-4215.
Marriage Licenses
Devon Lorenzo Schooner and Kyra Marie Molzon applied for a marriage license on Feb. 13, 2009, and were married Feb. 14, 2009, in Evans.
Editorial cartoon
Editorial cartoon for the Sunday, March 29 edition of The Columbia County News-Times.
Vigilance needed even in safe community
Columbia County's 2008 crime statistics gave plenty of reasons for citizens to feel safer. Even as the population continues to rise, the crime rate in the county dropped by 2.1 percent.
Pondering the question of the cross
If Jesus truly was God, as the Scriptures claim, then why did he go to all the pain and trouble of the cross? Couldn't he just as easily have forgiven our sins by pardon or decree without ever leaving heaven?
Buy the land, or step aside
Discussions about the future of the Marshall Square property in Evans have taken a turn for the absurd - especially when they don't take place at all.
Sports Newsmakers
The Thomson Competitive Bulldogs cheerleading teams competed in the Cheersport Nationals in Atlanta on Feb. 20-22, with the All Star Senior Black Team and the All Star Senior Gold Team winning national titles in their divisions.
Sports calendar
Savannah River Sail and Power Squadron will offer a five-part America's Boating Course today, Thursday, April 9 and 16. Hours are 7-9 p.m., and all classes will be held at West Marine, 592 Bobby Jones Expressway.
Lakeside knocks off Westside
Lakeside High School's baseball season started on the slow side. Heavy rains soaked its field and reshuffled schedules. The Panthers dropped two games to rival Greenbrier and lost to Evans to open Region 3-AAAA play.
Wolfpack in line for the top seed
Greenbrier High School boys soccer coach Chip Warren looked to his bench during a game earlier this season and realized he was down to his fourth goalkeeper.
Evans won the key region game early
Last soccer season, in the old-look Region 3-AAAA, spring break fell in the middle of the region tournament.
Rhodes has new arrival at his home
The Pittsburgh Steeler fan base in Columbia County grew by one on St. Patrick's Day with the birth of Robert Gillebeau Rhodes.