http://newstimes.augusta.com/ Local news from The Columbia County News-Times en-us Copyright (c) 2009 The Augusta Chronicle. All rights reserved. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:15:40 -0500 5 http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/new_556127.shtml A love of fairies and books prompted Lenna Cross to write her own story about the minuscule magical creatures. That untitled story, written last school year, recently won the 8-year-old from Martinez the first-grade state championship in the Young Georgia Authors Writing Competition. http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/new_556127.shtml Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:49:07 -0500 http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/new_556118.shtml The pupils of Harlem Middle School received a Veterans Day treat no other area school was privileged to have -- the presence of a Medal of Honor winner. Retired Army Col. Jack Jacobs was the guest speaker during the Friday celebration in Harlem Middle's gym. http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/new_556118.shtml Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:49:06 -0500 http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/new_556120.shtml As visitors travel from near and far to Columbia County's largest light display this holiday season, they will notice several new additions to the popular attraction. http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/new_556120.shtml Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:49:06 -0500 http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/new_556125.shtml The United Way might expand its services in Columbia County, and it is using an online survey to determine the extent of that expansion. http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/new_556125.shtml Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:49:07 -0500 http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/spo_556102.shtml Shortly after earning the first state football playoff victory in school history, the Lakeside Panthers were unsure of who their second-round opponent would be. They were content celebrating the milestone, which was reflected in coach Jody Grooms' post-game address to the team. http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/spo_556102.shtml Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:45:09 -0500 http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/spo_556115.shtml Evans High's football season ended in less than 120 seconds Friday. The Knights fell 18-14 at Ware County and were bounced in the first round of the Class AAAA playoffs. The Gator offense scored twice in the final two minutes to snatch the victory. http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/spo_556115.shtml Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:49:06 -0500 http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/spo_556094.shtml It was a tough weekend for Evans High School. The Knights appeared to be headed to the second round of the state playoffs with a huge road win at Ware County. http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/spo_556094.shtml Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:45:08 -0500 http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/spo_556101.shtml Four Greenbrier baseball players last week signed letters of intent, binding agreements sending them to four different places after graduation. But as the group celebrated their decisions, each talked about a goal they would like to accomplish before moving on. http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/spo_556101.shtml Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:45:09 -0500 http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/spo_556095.shtml Steve Beasley's go-ahead home run to give Harlem the 1981 state championship came just before a downpour halted play early. Almost 30 years later, Beasley's son, Derek, also has made a name for himself at Harlem. The senior signed Friday to play baseball for USC Aiken. http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/spo_556095.shtml Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:45:08 -0500 http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/spo_556111.shtml Anna Bowles' 2009 state championship cross country race started after a disappointment the year before. As a sophomore in 2008, Bowles finished second at the Class AAAA meet despite having run a minute faster on the course during practice two weeks before. http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/spo_556111.shtml Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:45:11 -0500 http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/spo_556124.shtml http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/spo_556124.shtml Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:49:07 -0500 http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/spo_556122.shtml The final week of the Pigskin Picks contest saw 82 entries, with no qualifiers getting all 10 correct. One qualifier got nine correct, 14 got eight correct and 26 got the minimum seven correct. Forty-one entries did not get at least seven correct, including one late-mailed entry. http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/spo_556122.shtml Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:49:07 -0500 http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/spo_556097.shtml Augusta Christian Schools' varsity cheerleaders competed at the Thomson Bulldog Challenge on Oct. 17 and won first place in the Varsity Division and took Overall Grand Champion. http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/spo_556097.shtml Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:45:09 -0500 http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/spo_556110.shtml The Augusta Junior Rowing Team is accepting members. No experience is necessary; potential members can participate for two weeks before deciding whether to join. Practices are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 4-6:30 p.m. at The Boathouse on Riverfront Drive in Augusta. http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/spo_556110.shtml Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:45:10 -0500 http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/spo_556116.shtml Bills player Emon Reeves runs in for a touchdown in the second quarter to put his team up 13-0 against the Chargers during the Columbia County Recreation Department's 10-year-old Youth Football Playoff Championship game, held Saturday at the Greenbrier High School football stadium. http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/spo_556116.shtml Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:49:06 -0500 http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/opi_556132.shtml There is no animal quite so noisy as the high-school rumor-mill, and last week that beast was roaring. http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/opi_556132.shtml Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:28:55 -0500 http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/opi_556131.shtml It's not clear what took them so long to respond, but there was good news the other day when an Atlanta lawmaker announced his intention to pre-file a bill to close a loophole in Georgia's sexual assault law. http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/opi_556131.shtml Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:28:55 -0500 http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/opi_556113.shtml Editorial cartoon for the Wednesday, November 18, 2009 edition of the Columbia County News-Times. http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/opi_556113.shtml Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:49:04 -0500 http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/odd_556123.shtml A bookkeeper at a Martinez custom-vehicle business was arrested Friday. Joy Sandlin Mercer, of the 4500 block of Swan Drive in Evans, was a bookkeeper at Trucks & Moore on Bobby Jones Expressway for about two years. She was charged with felony theft by taking. http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/odd_556123.shtml Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:49:07 -0500 http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/odd_556098.shtml Reed Creek Park will hold a program called A Beginner's Guide to Climate Change from 5-6 p.m. today. For information, call (706) 210-4027. http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/odd_556098.shtml Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:45:09 -0500 http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/odd_556104.shtml These pets are available for adoption from Columbia County Animal Care and Control. For more information, call (706) 541-4077 or visit www.columbiacountyga.gov and follow the links to Animal Care and Control. Adult animals cost $25 to adopt. The adoption fee for puppies and kittens is $20. http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/odd_556104.shtml Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:45:10 -0500 http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/odd_556112.shtml As reported 53 years ago in the pages of The Columbia News, Thursday, Nov. 8, 1956: http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/odd_556112.shtml Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:45:11 -0500 http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/odd_556126.shtml Brookwood Elementary third-graders perform Brookwood Sings America, a compilation of patriotic music and narrative, for the rest of the student body on the day after Veterans Day. http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/odd_556126.shtml Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:49:07 -0500 http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/odd_556099.shtml The cast and crew of Harlem High School Drama, led by Roy Lewis, recently participated in the Georgia Theatre conference in Columbus, where Aaron Johnson was selected best actor for the conference. http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/odd_556099.shtml Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:45:09 -0500 http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/odd_556121.shtml Erica Eiring, of Evans, received The Hubert Scholars Program for public service internship. Eiring, a member of the class of 2010 at Agnes Scott College, is the daughter of Cynthia and James Eiring. http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/odd_556121.shtml Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:49:06 -0500 http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/odd_556109.shtml Lunch menus for students attending Columbia County schools. http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/odd_556109.shtml Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:45:10 -0500 http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/odd_556119.shtml http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/odd_556119.shtml Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:49:06 -0500 http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/odd_556117.shtml The East Central Georgia Youth Employment Program is accepting applications through Friday for jobs for disadvantaged youths ages 16-20. For information, call 1 (800) 251-3882. http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/odd_556117.shtml Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:49:06 -0500 http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/odd_556114.shtml School board member Mike Sleeper shows Malinda Howell (left) and Rebecca Mooney to their table at the Garlic Clove. The Evans restaurant held its annual Italian Thanksgiving Feast with celebrity waiters Monday to benefit Golden Harvest Food Bank and the Columbia County Cares food bank. http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/odd_556114.shtml Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:49:05 -0500 http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/odd_556108.shtml http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/odd_556108.shtml Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:45:10 -0500 http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/odd_556107.shtml Lewiston Elementary School: today, Feb. 10 and May 5 http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/odd_556107.shtml Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:45:10 -0500 http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/odd_556106.shtml Paul Dyer, Lola Herskowitz and other Washington Commons residents rock Saturday at the Evans retirement community to help raise money for the American Cancer Society, who teamed up with Holiday Retirement to hold "Move for a Cure." http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/odd_556106.shtml Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:45:10 -0500 http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/odd_556105.shtml - Trinity Baptist Preschool; 4594 Columbia Road; pre-K 4 openings; (706) 799-0637. http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/odd_556105.shtml Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:45:10 -0500 http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/odd_556100.shtml Kari Poss, of Harlem, and Ivey Yaden, of Grovetown, went to the Georgia-Tennessee game in Knoxville on Oct. 10. http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/odd_556100.shtml Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:45:09 -0500 http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/odd_556096.shtml Jeff Flowers, the husband of Westmont Elementary principal Tammy Flowers, was a guest reader during Camp Read A Lot. He read to Skylar Kitchings (from left), Jeb Bowers and Devin Long. http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/odd_556096.shtml Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:45:08 -0500 http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/let_556130.shtml The timing of Barry Paschal's Nov. 11 column, inadvertently pitting the young against the elderly, couldn't have been worse considering that a large segment of the retired Social Security recipients are veterans. Paschal ignores several realities. http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/let_556130.shtml Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:28:54 -0500 http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/let_556129.shtml On Oct. 27, I was paying for my groceries (in a local store) and a man behind me reached up and got my billfold off the check-writing stand. The cashier gave me my change, rang up his groceries, then she said he had taken my billfold. I don't see why she didn't say anything about it when it happened. http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/let_556129.shtml Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:28:54 -0500 http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/let_556128.shtml I read Marlene Willard's Nov. 11 letter encouraging parents to keep children from attending Columbia County schools on Veterans Day. I shared the same sentiment when I first moved here in 2001. Since then, I have had a change of heart and I would like to explain why. http://newstimes.augusta.com/stories/2009/11/18/let_556128.shtml Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:28:54 -0500