News

By Jamie Gardner

According to a Baxley Police incident report, a 29-year-old Baxley woman was attacked at the Baxley Water Works Park located between Park Avenue and Tippins Street on Tuesday, April 19 at approximately 8:30 p.m. The woman was walking at the park for physical exercise. [Full Story »] 

Miss Fourth District and her court shown, l-r, Anna Lee Bell – Miss Congeniality, Brianna Williams – Fourth Runner Up, Tara Boatright – Miss Fourth District, Rayanna Stipe – First Runner Up, Bailee Butler – Second Runner Up and Mekala Williamson – Third Runner Up.

Little Miss Fourth District and her court shown, l-r, Starlee Kaeck - Fourth Runner Up, Presley Tillman - First Runner Up, Mattelyn Coleman - Little Miss Fourth District, Mary Evelyn Deal - Second Runner Up and Rashuna Rankin - Third Runner Up.

By Teresa Stepzinski

(Editor’s note: The following article appeared in the Wednesday, April 20 edition of the Georgia Times Union and is republished with permission.)

BRUNSWICK - Past and present Appling County school system officials acknowledge demoting and firing a former administrator.
In their response to Rick Townsend’s lawsuit, however, they deny it was because he provided evidence that prompted the state to suspend the district’s former superintendent and place it on accreditation probation.

Townsend is suing former county Superintendent Gene “Sam” Herndon, former interim Superintendent Debra M. Brantley, former school board Chairman M.C. Barlow Jr., the school district and its school board. [Full Story »] 

Recycling has arrived in Appling County at last! Appling County, the City of Baxley, Appling County Board of Education, and Willow Girl Scout Troop have partnered to begin a paper recycling program. It all started with one young woman in our community and an idea she believed in. Girl Scout Tierra Lewis recognized a need for recycling, and with assistance, she applied for a Challenge and Change Grant funded by the USDA in partnership with the Girl Scouts of the USA. In the Challenge and Change training, girls learn to identify the root causes of community needs, come up with a potential strategy to address issues, and then identify potential community partners who can help implement solutions. Tierra did just that! The grant, along with funds from the City of Baxley, helped purchase small blue recycling containers for each school in our city and county. Eager to get started, County and City officials have partnered with a company to manage the recycling program. SP Recycling of Savannah agreed to provide large, outdoor green recycling containers and have agreed to service them at no cost. [Full Story »] 

The Miss Altamaha pageant was recently held with Miss Altamaha and her court being crowned. [Full Story »] 

The Tiny Miss Altamaha Elementary pageant was recently held. [Full Story »] 

The Little Miss Altamaha Pageant winners were announced. [Full Story »] 

There were 31 competitors during the two evening event held as part of Baxley Tree Fest on April 5th and 7th at the Appling County Fine Arts Center. The winners from Ages 5-14 were Brittney Perez, first place, Maverick Barnes, second place, and Alaina Alderman, third place. The winners from Ages 15 + were Emily Kenyon, first place, and Lynn Hall and Lori K Beck tied for second place. [Full Story »] 

On Saturday, April 30, at 6:30 p.m. there will be a benefit sing for Kelly Turner. Kelly is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ronnie Turner (farmer) that live on Highway 203. In 2010 Kelly had a farming accident and has incurred a tremendous amount of doctor and hospital bills. Holland Music Place and other friends and neighbors want to help Kelly with these bills and hope to make his life a little easier. [Full Story »]