Sunday, August 28, 2011

Criticism of Harlem High's depleted student numbers 'struck sour note'
Editor: Wednesday's News-Times editorial, "Rezoning continues to hurt Harlem," struck a sour note with me.

Tenant says the bedbugs are biting at apartment complex
Jeremy Hess recently threw his couch out into the parking lot of a Grovetown apartment complex to get rid of bed bugs he says have infested his home.

Land could provide parking for theater
After years of waiting and hoping, Harlem city officials finally bought a home next to the former Columbia Theatre.

Class will immerse itself into county life
The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce is preparing for its third annual adult leadership program.

Transportation director is back from medical leave
Columbia County school system Transportation Director Dewayne Porter returns to work Monday following a five-month sick leave that included brain surgery.

County could gain two legislators
If reapportioned state Senate and House maps approved Wednesday by Gov. Nathan Deal survive an expected court challenge, then Columbia County will pick up two members for its legislative delegation.

Qualifying begins for city posts
Qualifying starts this week for municipal elections in Grovetown and Harlem.

Some plants add tropical flare to home
For many, the beginning of school signals the end of summer vacations. But for those who have returned from tropical locations, getting that lush feel at home involves little more than adding a few tropical plants to the landscape.

This time of year is catepillar season
As I walked around my yard the other day, I looked up at some of the oak trees. The leaves were ragged and skeletonized, and some were eaten down to the mid rib.

Divorces
Sara Carter Sheffield and Lawrence E. Sheffield, Aug. 18, 2011.

School Councils
Columbia County school councils will meet on the following dates:

Current Events
Shepeard Community Blood Center will hold a blood drive today, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at West Town Community Church, 779 North Belair Road, Evans.

Police Blotter
A Grovetown man was arrested Tuesday, more than a week after he allegedly shot his neighbor's Chihuahua.

Pet Adoptions
Heartsong Animal Rescue is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that relies on donations to continue the rescue effort.

Marriage Licenses
Kenneth Ross Gilreath and Ashley Skie Janca applied for a marriage license on June 24, 2011, and were married July 30, 2011, in Appling.

Propert Transfers
Pillon Communities Inc. to Tanya Myeka Austin, 330 Congling Circle, $159,595.

On Vacation
A group of 40 people traveled with Greg Brooks to Seattle, Vancouver and Alaska on a two-week excursion. One of the many places they visited was Denali National Park and Preserve.

School Lunch Menu
Monday: Chicken nuggets with roll, hot dog, peanut butter, jelly sandwich, crinkle cut fries, broccoli Normandy, romaine garden salad, orange wedges and milk

Ribbon-Cuttings
Arby's, at 4030 Gateway Blvd., Grovetown, held a grand opening ribbon cut with the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce on July 26.

History, with some sight revisions
"History would be a wonderful thing, if it were only true." - Leo Tolstoy

Zoning board gets loophole
Some famous guy whose name I didn't bother to look up once said something profound, like, "No man is so wrong as one who is convinced he is right."

Editorial Cartoon
Editorial cartoon for Sunday, August 28, 2011.

Bureaucratic roadblocks to progress
We often hear from citizens who want to know about the progress of various public works projects.

McIntires defend move from Harlem
On Aug. 19, Mikey McIntire was lining up for the Harlem High School football team as the Bulldogs traveled to Lincoln County for their season-opener.

Sports Calendar
Augusta Lacrosse is sponsoring a Girls 7 vs. 7 Fall Lacrosse League. It is open to all players in grades 8-12. Dates are Sept. 7 through Nov. 12, with play on Wednesdays from 3:30-5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. until noon.

Prep Calendar
Football: Evans at Grovetown, 7:30 p.m. Friday

Why not relocate for athletic recognition?
The decision of Mikey McIntire's family to move from Harlem to Lincoln County was criticized and portrayed as a move from a bad football team to a very, very good one.

West Lake in state championships
The 7.0 mixed tennis team from West Lake Country Club played in the USTA Mixed Doubles State Championships in August.

4 county natives suit up for LaGrange football
Lagrange College is a Division III school in LaGrange, Ga. The Panthers field 15 athletics teams, including football. This season the squad at LaGrange will have a little local flavor, as four Columbia County players will play for the Panthers this fall.

Evans tops Harlem 2-1 for 3rd consecutive year
When Thursday's game turned in Evans' favor on two big fourth-inning plays by Alexis Schlein, she had trouble deciding which was more important to the Knights' cause.