Thursday, August 4, 2011
Motorists, neighbor examples of 'good folks looking out for each other'
Editor: Why is Columbia County among the greatest places in the country to live?
Young entrepreneur vows to make library cafe a success
Another area entrepreneur hopes to a transform the cafe in the Columbia County Library into a successful enterprise.
Fresh insight
While most high school seniors are busy picking out which photos will run in their yearbooks, Varun Anand is campaigning for tougher punishments for law-breaking motorists.
Prep lights proposal is downsized for 2nd try
Augusta Prep once again hopes to put lights on its athletic field.
After 2-year search, church has pastor
A new pastor will take to the pulpit Sunday at First Baptist Church of Evans.
Pupils prepare for learning at annual back-to-school festival
Hundreds of pupils and parents flocked to Evans Middle School Saturday to get a jump-start on the school year.
Police Blotter
The driver in an Appling wreck that killed a Barnwell, S.C., teen was charged Friday.
School Information
2011-12 School Calendar
On Vacation
Pat and Tom Vanderhoof posed on top of Vatnajokull glacier in Vatnajokull National Park in Iceland. This glacier covers 8 percent of the country. The average thickness of snow/ice is about 1,200 feet, and they were at about 2,520 feet above sea level. The wind chill there was zero degrees.
Pet Adoptions
Black and white male kitten
Bel Air Elementary School Fourth Nine Weeks Honor Roll
Third Grade A: Emma Ayres, Parker Basinger, Joe Wren, Christian Wright, Chandler Buser, Ryan Carson, Jonah Duncan, Tyson Flowers, Peyton Fuller, Joshua Holley, Brooklen Latka
Newsmakers
Michael Palmese, a 2008 graduate of Lakeside High School, recently returned from studying in Europe on the Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grant, which is awarded annually to only 45 students nationally.
Church Events
The Church of the Holy Comforter will hold its annual Blessing of the Backpacks at the 10:30 a.m. service Sunday.
Current Events
Shepeard Community Blood Center is holding blood drives during August: Aug. 14, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mosaic United Methodist Church, 478 Columbia Industrial Blvd.; Aug. 20, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Ryan's Hair Care, 3961 Columbia Road, Martinez; Aug. 25, 8 a.m. to noon, Georgia Military College, 115 Davis Road, Martinez
County could be in new seat
The map isn't particularly new. Apparently it was created back in May by David Wasserman of Cook Political Report as an idea of what Republicans might do when redrawing Georgia's congressional districts this year.
Editorial Cartoon
Editorial Cartoon for Wednesday, August 3, 2011
County's own Tech campus, at last
After a couple of false alarms in the past few years regarding Columbia County's campus of Augusta Tech, it's hard to believe the campus actually is preparing to open to students.
No, really. It is.
The Tea Party should declare victory
I was sitting at my desk the other day when the latest report from Georgia's Department of Audits landed in my email inbox.
Sports Newsmakers
The Wolfpack Award was presented to Ashley Overstreet and Sam Baker at the Greenbrier High School tennis team banquet.
Athlete Spotlight: Jack Gibbs
Conventional wisdom says that student-athletes who sign with college programs can relax a little bit.
Soccer coaches coming for lesson
Soccer coaches from across the country will soon be traveling to Columbia County to add to their rsums.
When passing head-on, drivers should turn right
In last week's column, I wrote about which boat should take what action when two boats are crossing each other's path.
Sports Calendar
Sports physicals will be offered at Stallings Island Middle School on Thursday from 4-5:30 p.m. The physicals are good for one year and will be accepted at all Columbia County middle and high schools. Cost is $25. Forms will be available on site. E-mail Casey Heckathorn at casey.heckathorn@ccboe.net.
Outdoors store hopes to offer kayak rentals
On the heels of the county commission approving a new bicycle rental vendor at Savannah Rapids Park, Escape Outdoors has put in a request to offer kayak rentals at the location next to the Savannah River and Augusta Canal.
Back to the Gridiron
Augusta Christian began football practice on Monday.
Chavous goes wire-to-wire in win at Modoc Speedway
Wendell Chavous led from flag-to-flag to beat out Albert Cosnahan and Parker Herring in Crate Late Model action Friday at Modoc Speedway.
Former Lakeside standout Hoffa proves he still has plenty in the tank
Lakeside High School product Reese Hoffa continues to make his mark as one of the world's best shot putters. Hoffa is a former Olympian and world champion, but he is far from finished and has spent the past few months proving it.