Monday, February 7, 2011
Late homebuilder honored for lifetime of achievement
Homebuilder Jake Ivey posthumously received on Thursday the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce.
Program lets youngsters become Junior Rangers
The upcoming Columbia County school system winter holidays are the perfect opportunity to engage young children in a little Georgia history while they experience nature.
Shooting victim dreamed of Ivy League
It took less than 10 minutes to devastate a Harlem family on Monday.
Transfer requests for 87 pupils made in special period
Almost 90 Columbia County pupils took advantage of an opportunity to sign up to attend a school outside their zone.
African choir to perform in Evans
The African Children's Choir will perform on Monday at an Evans church.
Strong man contest coming to Wildwood
In addition to the usual boats and recreational vehicles featured at the annual spring show at Wildwood Park, this year's event will include car-lifting and log-carrying.
Lakeside Middle pupil wins third spelling bee title in row
Rachael Cundey again proved herself as Columbia County's top speller with her third consecutive win on Tuesday in the school system's annual spelling bee.
Family Y going into Grovetown
The construction of an exhibition hall in the Gateway shopping center marks just the first phase of a long-term expansion plan into Grovetown by The Family Y.
Indicted official released on bond
A judge granted former Columbia County Commissioner Scott Dean $50,000 bond Friday morning.
Upgrades OK 'd for Evans Town Center Park
The under-construction Evans Town Center Park is getting nearly half a million dollars in upgrades, some of them at the suggestion of a company that might help promote concerts at the facility.
Vegas-style gala to raise money for arts, charities
Stealing the famous Las Vegas mantra, organizers of an upcoming charity event say what happens in Columbia County stays in Columbia County.
Topping is one of the worst things that can be done to a healthy tree
I recently made a trip to North Carolina to pick up beekeeping supplies for the 4-H Club. While driving through one of the towns, I noticed that on one block there were eight or nine houses in a row that had every tree in the yard topped.
Columbia County Homicides
2008: Five Augusta men were charged in the shooting death and home invasion of Rickey Gibson, 33, of Grovetown.
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:
Time Capsule
As reported 54 years ago in the pages of The Columbia News, Thursday, January 17, 1957.
A healthy check
The Southeast United Dairy Industry Association, along with the NFL Play 60 program, has awarded a grant of $2,500 to River Ridge Elementary School. The grant will be used in the physical education and the food education programs. Posing with second graders are PE teacher George Adkins (from left), Assistant Principal Dr. Wanda Richardson, SUDIA Board President Emory Young, ;Rashida Shoemaker of SUDIA, and River Ridge Food Service Manager Joy Allen.
North Columbia Elementary Second Nine Weeks Honor Roll
Third Grade As: Trent Bruyninckx, Cameron Carr, Hailey Deas, Hannah Glover, Shelby Hankal, Laney Johnson, Aaron Long, William Sherman, Jayce Swim, Gabby Willis,
Property Transfers
Bill Beazley Homes Inc. to Wayne S. Young, 403 Clairidge Drive, $186,900.
Pet Adoption Showcase
Heartsong Animal Rescue is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that relies on donations to continue the rescue effort. Located in Martinez, Heartsong rescues from 10 counties. All animals are current on their vaccinations (age appropriate). All dogs are microchipped. All pets are spayed/neutered and cats are litter-box trained prior to placement. To adopt, donate, or for information, contact Loretta at (706) 855-1241, or go to www.heartsonganimalrescue.com
Newsmakers
Arizona Sen. Gail Griffin, District 25, stands with her daughter Pam Lightsey of Martinez. The photo was taken before Griffin was sworn in to the 50th Legislature on Jan. 10. Griffin serves on the following committees: chair for Water, Land Use and Rural Development; vice chair for Commerce and Energy; Border Security, Federalism and States Sovereignty; Natural Resources and Transportation and Veterans and Military Affairs.
Stallings Island Middle School Nine Weeks Honor Roll
Sixth Grade As: Serra Aydan, Jay Bates, Elizabeth Benton, Brett Brannon, Holly Chafin, Eric Choi, Sristi Das, Katelyn Davis, Isabella George, Austin Grubbs, Samuel Han, Griffin Hansen, Jacob Hardin
Divorces
James M. Riley and Susan Riley, Jan. 26, 2011.
School Directory
Elementary schools
School Lunch Menus
Monday: Sausage and french toast, grilled cheese, peanut butter and jelly sandwich, cheese grits, tater tots, chilled fruit cup, fruit juice and milk
Current Events
Monday is the last day to buy tickets for the Greenbrier High School NJROTC spaghetti dinner, to be held 5-8 p.m. Thursday at the school cafeteria. Dine-in or to-go plates cost $6 for adults, $3 for ages 5-younger. Proceeds will pay travel expenses for competition in the Area 12 Championship in Jacksonville, Fla.
On Vacation
William Hooker and Cindy Annis were married while vacationing at La Paz waterfall in Costa Rica over the Christmas holiday.
Students show off their smarts
Augusta Christian students brought home third-place honors from the SCISA State High School Quiz Bowl. Members of the team are Wesley Kennedy (front, from left), Garrett Sisson, Nathan Clark and Albert Ahn; Amy Thorne (back left) and Michael Schuman.
River Ridge Elementary School Second Nine Weeks Honor Roll
Third Grade As: Josephine Aguado, Peyton Andrews, Brooklyn Butterworth, Jacob Cantrell, Lindsey Cartledge, Julianne Coughlin, Caroline Dixon, Zachary Duffie, Alexis Fox, Ellie Gilliard,
Students show off their smarts
Augusta Christian students brought home third-place honors from the SCISA State High School Quiz Bowl. Members of the team are Wesley Kennedy (front, from left), Garrett Sisson, Nathan Clark and Albert Ahn; Army Thorne (back, left) and Michael Schurman.
Prepare in advance for emergencies
It's that time of year again when everyone needs to refresh their preparedness kits, plans and skills to be ready for the upcoming severe weather season.
Doubt for Dean? Maybe. Benefit? No
Under the United States' system of justice, members of juries and judges presiding over trials are required to assume that defendants are innocent until proven guilty.
Editorial cartoon
Editorial cartoon for Sunday, February 6, 2011.
Low scores, then murder
If like many people you've been angry, upset or just plain frustrated this past week about the senseless and tragic death of Alana Calahan, the 14-year-old Harlem girl fatally shot by a 14-year-old neighbor, here's something to really boil you over.
After injury-plagued season, Parker chooses The Citadel
As many close calls as Lakeside had this past football season, it was hard for coach Jarrett Troxler not to think, "What if?"
Several county football stars might still walk on, sign late
While six Columbia County players signed letters of intent Wednesday on National Signing Day, there is still a good chance more players will either sign offers or walk on at the next level. Here is a look at a few players who could still suit up on Saturdays next fall:
Former Panther Patton cards the rare albatross
Brant Patton hasn't been a member of the Georgia College and State University golf team for a full year and already he's building a legacy.
Sports Calendar
The final Augusta Junior Golf League Winter Tournament Series event at Jones Creek Golf Club will be held Saturday. The cost is $10 for Jones Creek members or $20 for nonmembers. For information or tee times or to sign up, call Drew Belt at (803) 530-0759 or Carlos Santos at (706) 825-3908.
Lakeside sweeps Evans in region
In the season's first subregion matchup between Evans and Lakeside in January, Justin Jahn gave the Panthers a victory with a tip-in at the buzzer.
Prep Calendar
Basketball: Tuesday: Harlem vs. Josey, 5 p.m. (girls), 6:30 p.m. (boys)