Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Foundation's grant will 'profoundly affect' Drug Court's participants
Editor:On behalf of the Augusta Judicial Circuit Drug Court, I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank the Community Foundation for the Central Savannah River Area, the Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament for their involvement in many local activities.

Bank is voted top design by community
A Martinez bank that opened more than a year ago was selected as the top design in Columbia County in a new contest started by planning officials.

Chilling cold, decorations of the season bring hazards
As winter weather chills the area, residents are cranking up the heat and decorating their homes for the holidays.

Golden gray
With a senior population already booming in Columbia County, more retirees could find themselves drawn to the area in the future.

Christmas concerts will play at church
West Acres Baptist Church will be the site of two Christmas concerts this weekend.

Harlem churches revisit old Bethlehem
Members of three Harlem churches will recreate an ancient Bethlehem this weekend and offer a glimpse into Jesus Christ's birth.

Audits find issues in two departments
A recent audit of the Columbia County Water Utility department uncovered thousands of dollars in improperly recorded transactions.

Christmas parade
Debbie and Merv Gahman of Martinez hold their first grandchild, Easton Davis, during the Martinez Christmas Parade. At left, Katie Davis of Grovetown watches the parade with her son. "This was Easton's first parade. He was all eyes!" Davis said. Your photos Send us a family photo, and we'll publish it in The News-Times. Bring or mail a photo to our office at 4272 Washington Road, Suite 3B, Evans, GA 30809, or e-mail photos to cnt@newstimes online.com.

Bike giveaway
South Columbia Elementary kindergartner Evan Jordan tries out the bike he won in a lottery drawing during the school's Christmas party. Academy Sports Outdoors donated 30 bikes and helmets to the school as part of its ninth annual youth bike donation program.

Time capsule
As reported 30 years ago in the pages of The Columbia News and The Martinez-Evans Times, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 1980:

Riverside Elementary First Nine Weeks Honor Roll

Pet adoption showcase
These pets are available for adoption from Columbia County Animal Services. For more information, call (706) 541-4077 or visit www.columbiacountyga.gov and follow the links to Animal Services. Adult animals cost $25 to adopt, and puppies and kittens cost $20. The kennel area is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays. The facility is at 6337 Columbia Road in Appling.

Police blotter
The following accounts were taken from reports from The Columbia County Sheriff's Office. Additional reports are available at www.columbia countyso.org:

Harlem Parade
Santa Claus and his helpers arrived on a sled during Harlem's annual Christmas parade on Saturday.

Let it snow
Marvin United Methodist Preschool pupils Harrison Crosby (wearing cap), 4, and Landyn Judy, 2, play in snow manufactured by another pupil's father. The preschool's playground was transformed into a winter wonderland Thursday morning by Lee Cullipher, who used an air compressor and pressure washer to make the snow. Cullipher, whose 5-year-old daughter, Carter, attends the preschool, spent 12 hours the night before making the snow.

Current events
The University Hospital Mobile Mammography Unit will be in the parking lot of the Evans Government Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today. Call (706) 774-4149.

Less money? How about more flexibility?
When Columbia County school officials met with members of the county's legislative delegation last week, several topics were on the table.

Santa is tanned, rested and ready
Once again, your Columbia County dedicated reporter (me, of course) made the trek to the North Pole in order to interview a person instrumental in making Christmas so magical every year.

Editorial cartoon
Editorial cartoon for Wednesday, December 15, 2010.

Mailer grows into billboards
Just in time for Christmas, as Christians throughout the world prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, a Raleigh, N.C.-based organization is getting ready to spend big bucks on billboards announcing the date of His return.

Swim results
Thursday, Augusta Aquatic Center

Holiday sports camps will be offered
After Grovetown High School held a baseball camp last summer, Warriors coach Mike Jones saw a reciprocal effect right away.

Sports calendar
Petersburg Racquet Club will provide free tennis lessons Monday through Wednesday for boys and girls ages 6-16. The lessons run from 12:30-2 p.m. daily.

Athlete Spotlight
Greg Young remembers his first day as a diving coach seven weeks ago.

Lakeside's gains evident in victory over Grovetown
John Kucela came into the season with a much different team than he might have expected months prior.

Wolfpack's Coon, Black earn top honors
This was a tremendous season for Columbia County softball. Greenbrier High School continued its dominance with another region title and a state runner-up finish.

Prep calendar
Listing of area prep sporting events.