Monday, July 6, 2009
Obama 'had no intention' of keeping promise to not raise taxes
In front of an adoring crowd in Dover, N.H., last year, senator and presidential hopeful Barack Obama promised, "I pledge that under my plan, no one making less than $250,000 a year will see any type of tax increase. ... "Not income tax, not capital gains taxes, not any kind of tax."
Following directions is key to controlling weeds in lawn
When it comes to summer weeds, there's really only one rule to know: follow directions. Chris Thompson, the owner of Classic Landscape and Maintenance, emphasizes that homeowners should always follow directions when using weed killers.
Harlem Senior Center expected to open earlier
Harlem senior citizens soon will have a new place to hang out. The construction of the city's first senior citizens center is expected to be complete in mid-August -- five months earlier than expected.
Summer heat brings unwelcome bugs
During certain times of the year, we need to be on the lookout for diseases, insects, and weeds that can attack or infest our landscapes and lawns. Each pest problem has certain conditions in which it thrives.
Conservation pays for school district
A school contest to conserve electricity resulted in a nearly $63,000 savings for the school system this spring. More than 85 percent of the savings came from the Greenbrier schools complex, which was overseen by Greenbrier's Tylah Hankerson, who graduated this year.
Library events catered to teens
The Columbia County Library in Evans is holding a variety of activities in July that will keep teens learning during their summer vacation.
Vacation gallery
Charles and Shirley Fraatz enjoyed Disneyland in California with their son Will, daughter-in-law Sarah and granddaughter Hannah. Will and family are stationed at Luke AFB in Glendale, Ariz.
Property Transfers
Kingsbury Custom Homes Inc. to Candida M. Thompson, 917 Arbor Springs Circle, $138,900.
Divorces
Melissa Dianne Willis and Jeffery David Willis, June 22, 2009.
Military newsmakers
Army National Guard Pfc. Heather K. Miller has been mobilized and activated for deployment overseas to a forward operating base in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Police blotter
A Martinez man's all-terrain vehicle was stolen Monday as his neighbor watched. The 41-year-old man said his neighbor called him between 3:30 and 4 a.m. and asked where he was going so early on the ATV.
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. Adoptions are held each Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. at Tractor Supply Co. on Bobby Jones Expressway in Martinez.
Current events
USDA Rural Development is accepting applications for grants and loan guarantees for farmers and rural small businesses to install renewable energy systems, make energy efficiency improvements or conduct feasibility studies.
Coffee News hosts grand opening
CSRA Coffee News held a grand opening ribbon-cutting at the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce on April 1.
Newsmakers
The following Columbia County students participated in the 2009 Georgia All State Choruses Feb. 26-28 in Savannah:
Editorial cartoon
Editorial cartoon for the Sunday, July 5, Columbia County News-Times.
Columbia County history, deja vu
Sometimes I think the major qualification for public service is knowing how to pick a good fight.
School 'transfer' option is just for show
As of this past Wednesday, all school systems in Georgia had to set up a process to allow students to transfer to other public schools with available space in the same county.
July 5th is worth celebrating, too
Today is the fifth of July. Yesterday was the fourth of July. It also was Independence Day. Though I'm too curmudgeonly about such things, I wish we'd spend more time each year celebrating "Independence Day" rather than merely "the fourth of July."
Ramsey sisters to face off again in Howell 's tournament
Taylor Ramsey and Ashlan Ramsey were not speaking. The sisters had traded leads the first two days of the American Junior Golf Association event in Braselton, Ga., in April and came down the back nine of the final round with the title in the balance.
Area swim teams gearing up for division championships
This past Tuesday, the Jones Creek swim team squared off with Springlakes during the final week of the CSRA Swim League season. The meet pitted two of the strongest teams in Division 3.
Tough first-year slate to benefit Grovetown
I must admit I was a little surprised when I saw the 2009 football schedule for Grovetown High School -- pleasantly surprised, I might add.
Minor league champions
The Martinez-Evans Little League White Sox won the annual spring minor league championship game on June 11 over the Mariners. Team members are Aaron Andrews (from left), Richard Flores, Travis Knox, Daniel Gilliam, Jacob Smith, assistant coach Chris Smith, Sam D'Arco, Nicholas Kostromin, Jacob Santee, David Aylward and Louie McKelvain. Not pictured is head coach Ray Kostromin.
Home-school teams face battle in scheduling foes
The New York Times last month sent a reporter to Georgia to write a story on Glory for Christ Football League, a league made up of teams of home-schooled students.