Sunday, May 17, 2009
Use of 'common sense' would stop new section of subdivision
We are writing to oppose the scheduled addition to Berkley Hills subdivision on William Few Parkway. We're asking that someone, anyone, use some common sense and stop the building of more homes in a subdivision that needs to have the first phase finished first.
School board changes rules for accidental contraband
Columbia County school officials Tuesday gave administrators more lenient punishment options for students who accidentally take contraband to school.
Celebration honors veterans on Memorial Day weekend
Columbia County residents can honor military veterans on Saturday during a patriotic event in Evans that will end with a bang.
Lawmakers predict more tough choices
Though state lawmakers endured a General Assembly session that one member of Columbia County's legislative delegation Thursday called the most difficult he's ever experienced, more tough decisions are on the horizon.
Grovetown apologizes to former judge
Grovetown officials issued a public apology to the city's former Municipal Court judge Monday. The apology was in response to recent comments by City Councilman Robert Newman about Judge Peter Johnson and his May 4 resignation.
Creative ways to water help gardeners
Since the implementation of watering restrictions throughout the state in 2003, residents have come up with some creative and ingenious ways to water their gardens in times of drought.
Registry to reunite animals, owners
In order to notify livestock owners when an animal has flown its coop or jumped its fence, department personnel have asked those residents to voluntarily register with a county database.
Two years of drought hurt trees, but there are ways to repair them
Are we ever satisfied? The other day, I was complaining about the soil in my garden being too wet to till. I am still trying to get the majority of my garden in. This is the latest that I have ever gotten my garden planted.
Essay winners wrote about caring for pets
The winners have been announced in Heartsong Animal Rescue's Be Kind to Animals Week Essay Contest.
Commissioners discuss how to trim fat in county budget
Though Columbia County officials intend to limit funds for pay increases next fiscal year, they did assign more than $300,000 for new hires during a budget study session last week.
Rezoning requests to be delayed
In the wake of imposing new restrictions on a major Evans development, Columbia County commissioners Tuesday are likely to impose a moratorium on any new requests for apartment rezonings.
Newsmakers
MedNow held a ribbon-cutting with the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce on April 16. The urgent care facility is at 104 N. Belair Road in Evans.
Divorces
Doris Maria Allen and Reginal Tyrone Allen, May 5, 2009.
Current events
Heartsong Spay Neuter Clinic will hold a $5 rabies clinic from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, with other vaccines available.
Police blotter
A Columbia County woman and her son pled not guilty Wednesday to fatally beating a Grovetown woman in March.
School Councils
The Grovetown Middle School council will meet at 4 p.m. Monday.
Class reunions
The Evans High School Class of 1999 reunion is scheduled for Oct. 2-3. For information, go to http://ehs1999reunion.blogspot.com.
Adoption Showcase
Bubba and Smoochie are Papillon siblings that must be homed together.
Stevens Creek Elementary Third Nine Weeks Honor Roll
Property Transfers
Maples Development LLC to Kenneth D. Elston and Renate Elston, 1012 Barrett Drive, $220,500.
Summertime brings cooling
Thank goodness the last week of school is just a week away.
Recognize signs to avoid second stroke
The CSRA is centrally located in the buckle of the Stroke Belt, a wide swath covering eight states where the risk of having a stroke, and dying from stroke, is 40 percent higher than anywhere else in the U.S.
Finally, an honest moratorium
Say this much for Columbia County commissioners: Better late than never.
Editorial cartoon
Editorial cartoon for the Sunday, May 17 News-Times.
Rice signs with Mercer University
Framed by two bright orange Mercer University caps and surrounded by family and friends in the Evans High School media center May 11, senior Jeffrey Rice signed his intent to play Division I baseball.
Sports Newsmakers
The Georgia Lightning 14-and-under baseball team won the fifth annual Spring Fling Tournament in Lexington, S.C.
Nelson signs with Brewton-Parker College
Kevin Nelson figured he was done with basketball after his sophomore year. Two years later, he has accepted a scholarship to play basketball at Brewton-Parker College.
Camp Calendar
Allstar Sports will hold a football exposure camp May 23 at Glenn Hills High School for ninth-12th grade players. It costs $30. Call Michael Mckeller at (706) 495-5606 or (706) 833-9242.
Sweep sends Lakeside to challenge Marist on the diamond
Lakeside baseball's sweep of Harris County last week earned it a trip to powerhouse private school Marist for the Class AAAA baseball quarterfinals.
Sports Calendar
Students zoned to attend Harlem High School in the fall who want to play football are asked to call coach Jimmie Lewis at (706) 564-4712 for summer workout information.
Rodriguez signs with Brewton-Parker College
Dereck Rodriguez showed off his long-range ability during a showcase at Brewton-Parker College and earned a scholarship to play for the school.
Lakeside has become area's best team
Before the start of the 2009 baseball season, most people felt like Lakeside High School had a playoff team. Few, however, had them pegged as region champs.