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The Appling County Pirates (10-9 Overall, 5-8 Region 2AA) started the week hosting the Pierce County Bears (1-18, 0-12) on Friday, January 27. The Pirates were able to end a three game losing streak winning by a score of 71-55.

Leading scorers for the Pirates were Ibn Sumner 17, Kevin Johnson 17, Jordan Vann 13, Ronald Handsome 10, Anthony Rayner six, Heisman Johnson five, LeShawn Mobley two and Travis McNeil one. [Full Story »] 

The Appling County Lady Pirates (9-12 Overall, 4-11 Region 2AA) had three games scheduled over the past week with the first being in Savannah on Tuesday, January 24 against the St. Vincents Academy Saints (9-12, 6-9).

The Lady Pirates were not able to get the win losing 31-36. [Full Story »] 

By Jamie Gardner

The Appling County Board of Education (BOE) held a regular monthly meeting on Monday, January 23. During the meeting Superintendent Scarlett Copeland submitted a priority list for the proposed Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax IV (ESPLOST). The priorities include intermingling technology, textbooks, and transportation and establishes the following project priorities: 1. Technology (system-wide); 2. Altamaha Elementary projects; 3. Appling Primary/Elementary Complex projects; 4. Appling County High School projects; 5. Appling County Middle School projects; and 6. Bus Shop/ Bd. Office. [Full Story »] 

By Renee O’Quinn

The Baxley City Council held their regular meeting Jan. 24. The council discussed two bids on a farm lease of 25.6 acres, for property owned by the city, located on Highway U.S. 1 South. City Manager Jeff Baxley made a recommendation to go with the high bid given by BASH Farms (Micheal John Baxley and Shawn Shipes) for $2,432.00 annually ($95.00 per acre) and would be contingent upon meeting all contract requirements. Council member Mickey Bass made a motion to approve the manager’s recommendation. Council member Betty Livingston made a second and the item was unanimously approved. [Full Story »] 

Dear Editor,

When you feel passionately about an issue, sometimes your vision becomes blurry. It happens before you even know it and at times instead of stating your opinion you are just screaming. My daddy used a quote that I think is true today; “Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes.” [Full Story »] 

Judge E. M. Wilkes, III releases the names for Grand Jury for February 13 at 9:00 a.m. The names are as follows:

Eleanor H. Lightsey, Melinda K. Harvey, Stephen Carter, Maria Armstrong, David Reynolds, Floyd O. Eason Jr., Lizzie M. Cromartie, Juan L. Cortes, Bruce Rentz, Bruce A. Carson, Robert G. Walker, Tabitha L. Holmes, Glynda B. Reeves, Forrest Wildes, Mitchell L. Russell, Cynthia Altman, Wardetha McCall, Vincent Chance, Alnorris Butler, Marianne M. Rigdon, Melanie R. Howard, Randy L. Sellers, Jeanette C. Hayes and J. E. Roberson. [Full Story »] 

Dear Editor,

In response to the proposed Landfill off of Highway 121 in Appling County - 4th District:

We are property owners near the site and we have been away from Appling County for forty years. We just built our new retirement home in September 2011. One day not long after, when showing our home to some friends, it was mentioned that a landfill or garbage dump was being put within 1? miles of our new home; we were really upset about this. It seems that property owners should have been notified of something like this in advance and it seems that no one, or at least property owners in the area, knew nothing about this until they saw it in the paper. Then a meeting was held and the commissioners voted without meeting with any property owners that I know of. I thought Government was for the people and by the people; it seems that I’m wrong! [Full Story »] 

Appling County Primary School will host a Scholastic Book Fair beginning Monday, January 30 through Friday, February 3. The Book Fair will be open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and will be located in the school’s media center. [Full Story »] 

The National Guard members of Detachment 1 Battery B 1st BN. 230th Artillery, formerly the Appling County unit, have a special invitation to attend the planning of a National Guard reunion at B.G.’s Family Steakhouse Feb. 7 at 6:00 p.m. [Full Story »] 

The Appling County Miss Relay for Life Pageant will be held on Saturday, February 11 at the Appling County Elementary Complex.

The pageant will consist of different age divisions: Baby-0-12 Months; Teeny 13-23 Months; Tiny 2-3 Years; Little 4-6 Years; Petite-7-9 Years; Junior 10-12 Years; Teen 13-16 Years and Miss 17-21 Years. [Full Story »] 

The Appling County Retired Educators met on Dec. 7 at the Baxley Church of God Fellowship Hall. David Williams played Christmas songs on the piano as members and guests signed in. The meeting was called to order by President Patsy Buchannan. Judy Johnson gave the inspiration. She read “The Purpose of Christmas” by Rick Warren. Roscoe Davis led the pledge to the flag. Linda Kay Eunice, Carol Surrency and Carolyn Wade led the group in singing “The Twelve Days of Christmas”, “Silent Night” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” The group especially enjoyed singing The “Twelve Days of Christmas” as Linda Kay had each table perform one of the days of Christmas. [Full Story »] 

Sonny Simmons, Lamar Simmons, Rennae Griffin and families will be honoring their mother and grandmother for her 95th birthday on Sunday, February 5. [Full Story »] 

Cub Scouts of Den Four earned the rank of Bear at the Cub Scouts Pack 472 January meeting. [Full Story »] 

Hooray! Principal Brenda Harvey and faculty are pleased to announce the new wing at Appling County Primary School has been completed. This project was paid for by local taxpayers through the ESPLOST III funds. The new wing is located behind Appling County Primary School. An informational meeting for parents will be on January 30, at 6:00 p.m. Parents will receive information on the new facility, parent parking, busing, and drop off/pick up of students. A tour of the new addition will be provided for parents as well. On February 1–3, faculty and students will be moving into the new wing. [Full Story »]