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The Altamaha River Partnership will hold its first annual Big Tom Turkey Contest scheduled for the opening day of turkey season this spring, Saturday, March 24, 2012. This exciting event will be held at the Jeff Davis County Fairgrounds in Hazlehurst from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. [Full Story »] 

Carrie Lynn Gardner and Matthew Fredrick Gardner of Baxley proudly announce the birth of their daughter, Mattie Elaine Gardner. [Full Story »] 

Desiree Nicole Coley of Hazlehurst proudly announces the birth of her son, Dezmond Willie Coley. [Full Story »] 

Mae Ellen Marie Green of Baxley proudly announces the birth of her son, Makaland Desean Green. [Full Story »] 

Gretchen Kay Johnson and Timothy Dale Johnson of Baxley proudly announce the birth of their daughter, Paige Morgan Johnson. [Full Story »] 

At a called meeting held on Tuesday, Jan. 10, members of the Appling County Board of Commissioners voted to do something a little unusual. On a split vote the commission voted to hire a second public works director. Tommy Davis currently holds the position and the county expends approximately $50,000.00 on his annual salary. It is understood that both positions would have equal authority. [Full Story »] 

Never let people tell you that wildlife is rapidly disappearing from South Georgia. Wildlife abounds here in Pine Grove. One morning last week I was driving to town and saw at least ten cats out in a field. A black one ran across the road in front of me. Apparently it wasn’t very smart or was trying to work some black magic on me. I did not allow myself to mark an invisible X on the windshield, even though I admit to thinking about it.
“No,” I assured myself, “I will not succumb to the superstitious rites of the ignorant.” [Full Story »] 

I had to think of something fast so, under duress, I made a bet with our preacher last November 1st, right after he killed his sixth deer to my nary a one. I bet my stand against his I could lose 20 pounds before Christmas. I’ll say this for the man, he drives a hard bargain. Sensing my desperation, with a sly smile he upped it to 40 pounds and if I win we swap places with deer stands but if I lose he gets to keep the hot spot all season. In my distress, I agreed. [Full Story »] 

B. J. and I have been close friends and worked with Laurie Jo Upchurch for over twenty years. We keep in touch via e-mail, telephone, visiting, eating out etc. She and her faithful hubby Ken are great fun. [Full Story »] 

Wanell Baxley, 89, died Saturday, January 7, 2012 in the Pavilion. Wanell was born in Appling County Jan. 29, 1922 and had lived here all of her life. She was a homemaker and was a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses of Baxley. Mrs. Baxley was preceded in death by her husband, Willie Lee Baxley. Wanell was the daughter of the late Troy Britt and the late Ethel Simmons Britt. [Full Story »] 

Louise Jarrell, 82, died Wednesday, January 11, 2012 in Appling Healthcare System. Louise was born May 21 1929 in Thomasville and had resided in Baxley since 1960. She was a homemaker and a member of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church. Louise was preceded in death by her husband, Ambers Jerrell. She was the daughter of the late Willie B. Fulghum and the late Pink Fulghum. [Full Story »] 

Donald W. “Booger” Williams, 69, died Tuesday, January 10, 2012 in the Carl Vinson Veterans Medical Center in Dublin. Donald was born Aug. 10, 1942 in Orangeburg, S.C. and had lived in Appling County since 1999. He was retired from the B. F. Shaw Company where he had worked for 20 years as a pipe fitter and he was a member of the Local Pipe Fitters Union 150. Williams was a member of the United States Air Force for 11 years serving as an airplane mechanic. He was a member of Ten Mile Creek Baptist Church. Donald was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Allison Nicole Orvin and a great-granddaughter, Samantha Catlyn Orvin. He was the son of the late Bryant and Lurline Chavis Williams. [Full Story »] 

By Jamie Gardner

The Appling County Board of Commissioners held a called meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 10. Following the first of two closed-door sessions for personnel purposes, a motion was made by Commissioner Ronnie Rentz to advertise for and hire an assistant road superintendent. Commissioner Charlie Leggett seconded Rentz’s motion. Chairman Lewis Parker called for a vote and Rentz and Leggett voted in favor of the motion. Commissioners Sarah Boatright, Theodore Wilkerson and Jasper Tomberlin opposed the motion. [Full Story »]