Sunday, June 26, 2011
Office complex in Evans still far from becoming a reality
Plans for a highly touted office building at the entrance of the Evans Town Center remain at a standstill.
Plant It Pink helps bring awareness to cancer battle
Breast Cancer Awareness Month isn't until October, but the Augusta Council of Garden Clubs hopes to bring awareness long before then with its Plant It Pink initiative.
Area blood drive will offer swag to donors
A blood drive Thursday will offer the public an opportunity to pick up a free T-shirt and Chick-fil-A sandwich while saving lives.
County may get a Boys and Girls Club
The results of a United Way survey could mean the creation of a Boys and Girls Club in Columbia County.
Forum shines light on sexual predators
In a society where the Internet and social media outlets are prevalent, parents should not give their children any sense of privacy.
Creative and caring
For the past three years, their mission has been to use their talents of knitting and crocheting to help people in need. Recently, they were able to add "helping people kick the habit" to that mission.
Homeowner groups possess extensive oversight authority
When it comes to what's allowed in Columbia County neighborhoods, homeowners associations have significant authority.
County's CRCT scores improve
Columbia County pupils had slight gains on already high scores in reading and math on the Criterion-Referenced Competency Test.
Smoking ban extended; county still buys coffee
Columbia County residents no longer can smoke on most government property, but county commissioners decided last week that taxpayers can continue to pay for government workers' coffee.
Pine beetles home in on trees that display signs of stress or damage
A few weeks ago, I did an article on the granulated ambrosia beetles that were attacking hardwood trees and ornamental plants. Now there are other insects attacking our pine trees.
North Columbia Elementary School (Addendum)
Cameron Garnett , a third grade A/B honor student, was inadvertently left off the fourth nine weeks honor roll list.
Readers' Choice Award Winners
CHILD CARE -- A Child's World, five locations; http://acwchildcare.com
Property Transfers
Brush Development LLC to JR Homes of Alabama LLC, 6059 Reynolds Circle, $33,500.
S. Columbia Elementary School Fourth Nine Weeks Honor Roll
Third Grade A: Meghan Blitchington, Noah Bowers, Mallory Brunty, Trevor Creagan, Sarah Cundey, Clayton Frost, Austin Laird, Wesley McIntosh, Tinsley Mobley, Hannah Muza, Yoonmi Oh, Joey Quinton, Joey Reyes, Sam Rittwage, Miranda Taylor, McKenna Welly, Justin Williams and Lamissa Yusufzai.
Newsmakers
Fifth-grade students at Blue Ridge Elementary, Garrett Abbott (from left), Diamond Golston, Jackson Shults and Autumn Morris, perform a 1960s dance during their performance of The Magic Jukebox on May 9.
Ribbon-Cuttings
Stanley Steemer held a ribbon-cutting with the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce on April 21. The business is at 2007 Westside Drive, in Augusta.
Police Blotter
Firefighters work to extinguish a fire that engulfed a fence behind a small shopping center on South Belair Road at Avery Avenue on Tuesday.
Divorces
Benjamin Bryans Latimer and Heather Nicole Crosby Latimer, June 13, 2011.
Property Transfers
Brush Development LLC to JR Homes of Alabama LLC, 6059 Reynolds Circle, $33,500.
Current Events
Marvin United Methodist Church, 4400 Wheeler Road at South Belair, will hold vacation Bible school from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Monday-Friday for ages 4 through fifth grade.
Stallings Island Middle School Fourth Nine Weeks Honor Roll
Sixth Grade A: Matthew Ali, Serra Aydan, Jay Bates, Brett Brannon, Ian Carey, Christopher Carlisle, Ann Carlson, Holly Chafin, Eric Choi, Sristi Das, Maiya English, Alexa Fowers, Isabella George, Austin Grubbs, Samuel Han, Jacob Hardin, Isaac Hergott, Minkyu Jin, Mateen Karimi, Esha Kashyap
Pet Adoptions
CSRA Happy Tails Rescue Inc. is a non-profit licensed animal rescue group committed to the welfare of stray and unwanted dogs and cats in the CSRA. Adoptions are held each Saturday and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. at Tractor Supply on Bobby Jones Expressway in Martinez. For information or to adopt, call Barb at (706) 955-0438 or go to www.csrahappytails.com.
Marriage Licenses
Michael James Woodard and Erin Regina Diamond applied for a marriage license on May 5, 2011, and were married May 28, 2011, in Harlem.
Martinez Elementary School Fourth Nine Weeks Honor Roll
Third Grade A: Kacy Brower, Tyler Cale, Chandler Corley, Christopher Duncan, Hannah Faircloth, Panthea Fernandez, Cody Grundmeyer, Erica Hargis, Joseph Judy, Josiah Lane, Jaimie Mateer, Brent Moon, Lena Rodriguez, Jordyn Simmons, Tyler Watson and Ripley Whitaker
Father of the Year
Columbia County News-Times publisher Barry Paschal (left) and Queensborough Bank Vice President Robert Thurman (right) present the 2011 Columbia County Father of the Year plaque to Mark Leszczynski, who was nominated by his daughter Emily, 18.
The unnecessary battle of Knob Hill
The residents of Springlakes, successful in preventing Augusta Prep from putting up lights at their football stadium next door, should be glad Prep isn't a military school.
Editorial Cartoon
Editorial cartoon for Sunday, June 26, 2011
A little child shall lead (to honesty)
"None but the well-bred man knows how to confess a fault, or acknowledge himself in an error."
Broun hacks at spending
Back when the Democrats were in charge of Congress, members of the House of Representatives were restricted in their ability to propose amendments to spending bills.
Board approves facilities upgrade at schools
The Columbia County Board of Education recently approved spending nearly $3 million to update athletic facilities at four high schools.
Little Leaguers play on big stage
Martinez-Evans Little League's Grayson Sturgell slides into home as Masters City Little League catcher Daniel Brown reaches for the ball in the Georgia Little League District 6 finals. Masters City won to force a final game on Friday.
Sports Calendar
The Family Y will hold youth soccer registration for ages 3-14 through today. The season begins in August. Games will be played on weekday evenings and on two Saturdays. Cost varies by age, and there will be a discount for additional siblings. For information or to register, go to www.thefamilyy.org or visit any branch.
What's coming
Here are some of the highlights of the updates to facilities that were approved at the June 14 school board meeting:
Young ballplayers made plays beyond their years
When I think back to when I played Little League machine-pitch baseball, I remember a bunch of little kids with little coordination.
County golfers perform well at Georgia Junior
Richmond Academy rising junior Greyson Sigg played some stellar golf in winning the Georgia Junior Championship this past week at Augusta Country Club. Sigg fired rounds of 68-70-69 to finish 3-under-par and win by three shots.
Camps Calendar
The Greenbrier High School Baseball Camp for boys in grades 2-8 will be Monday and Tuesday at the school from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. The cost is $50 ($25 for additional siblings). Team rates are available. Call coach Chris Wilkins at (706) 650-6040, ext. 5921.