News

By Gerald Ross

When trying to finish a job faster, adding more tasks to it wouldn’t seem the best approach. Yet, that’s exactly what the Georgia Department of Transportation is doing; and early results are promising.

Each year, the Department begins hundreds of millions of dollars in new transportation projects to help keep Georgians moving and our state growing. Hastening the completion of these often multi-year projects is a priority. Building new roads or widening existing ones almost always begins with relocating existing utility lines. Until the pipes, conduit and wires for services such as gas, water, sewer, electric, phone and cable are identified and moved out of the construction area, little work can be started. [Full Story »] 

Last week, a recent CIT graduate went to work, expecting just another day on the job, but the situation he was faced with could have ended in violence had he not been part of Georgia’s Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training program. [Full Story »] 

Hunter education courses in Georgia are offered three ways: by classroom, CD-Rom or online. [Full Story »] 

By Renee O’Quinn

The Baxley City Council held a public hearing at City Hall on the proposed changes for redistricting in the city on Thursday, August 11 at 6:00 p.m. Mayor Steve Rigdon opened the meeting and stated the hearing provides the opportunity for public comment on the proposed changes to the city voting districts. Rigdon further stated that the census dictates how the city has to redistrict those lines. City Attorney J. Alex Johnson read aloud the legalities of redistricting and explained the procedures that were applied with the proposed changes to the city districts. The following are some highlights of what Attorney Johnson read aloud during the public hearing: Federal and state laws require all cities, counties and states to adjust voting districts to comply with “one person - one vote or equal representation” mandates - that is, each congressman, state representative, county commissioner or city council member should represent approximately the same number of people. [Full Story »] 

Superintendent of Scarlett M. Copeland reported that school in Appling County had a great beginning. School for students in grades kindergarten through twelfth began on Tuesday, August 9. Excitement was in the air for all students, parents, and school staff. Pre-kindergarten students will begin school on August 23. [Full Story »] 

John David Sellers, who has served Austin Peay State University’s football program as both a student and graduate assistant coach over the past four seasons, has been hired as the program’s new running backs coach. [Full Story »] 

SMITH WOULD NO LONGER BE REPRESENTATIVE

By Jamie Gardner

For the past several months a joint committee made up of members of the Georgia House of Representatives and the Georgia Senate, headed by Representative Roger Lane (R-Darien), conducted hearings around the state to gain input into the reapportionment/redistricting process that must be conducted every 10 years for different reasons including complying with the Federal Voting Rights Act. This past week the state released proposed redistricting maps for the house and senate. [Full Story »] 

By Jamie Gardner

At the August 8 meeting of the Appling County Board of Education, board members approved the Fiscal Year 2011 - 2012 Budget. However the decision was not unanimous as District Four member Randy Crawford voted against approval of the budget. Board members Randy Sellers, Scottie Ammons, M.C. Barlow and Minnie Barnes voted in favor. [Full Story »] 

The Baxley Lions Club is sponsoring a full-scale Professional Cowboy Association Rodeo on October 28-29, 2011. This coincides closely with the end of the first 9 weeks of school. Any student, from Pre-Kindergarten through 12th Grade, who achieves Perfect Attendance for the first nine weeks of school can obtain free admission to the Rodeo by showing a Certificate signed by his or her principal at the ticket window. [Full Story »] 

From September 6 through September 9 AMIkids Baxley Wilderness will be at Appling Healthcare System Pavilion spending time among Angels. Each day will be filled with coordinated events such as work projects, musical sit-a-cise, BINGO, and presentation of awards. AMIkids “Service from the Heart for Seniors” Week will be full of exciting and enriching experiences for youth, staff, communities and the organization. [Full Story »]