The Baxley News-Banner

Sarah Hughes, 55, of Patterson, died Sunday, February 19, 2012 at her residence. Mrs. Hughes was born March 1, 1956 in Appling County, but had resided in Bacon County for the past 35 years before moving to Pierce County five years ago. She was employed by Altamaha Home Health Care. Sarah was preceded in death by her son, Jamie Hughes, grandson, Danial Reeves; father, Raymond Hughes; sisters, Linda Gail Hughes and Tammy Joe Bullard; and a brother, Columbis Bullard. [Full Story »] 

Sheriff Benny Deloach reports that on February 24, deputies with the Appling County Sheriff’s Department investigated a one-vehicle accident on Red Oak Road. Upon arrival, officers found that James Gregory Morris, 52, of Baxley, had run off the roadway resulting in a fatality.

The accident has been turned over to the Georgia State Patrol for further investigation. [Full Story »] 

The Appling County Middle School FFA Floriculture Team recently competed in the State FFA Floriculture Career Development Event where they placed first in the Junior Competition. This was a stiff competition, which started out with nearly 100 high schools and middle schools, but Appling County Middle School really shined bright! The event was held at Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley, on Saturday, February 4. [Full Story »] 

This is a great opportunity for you to get a jump-start on your spring-cleaning and turn it into cash! Georgia’s Longest Yard Sale, the “Peaches to the Beaches Yard Sale,” will take place March 9-10 along U.S. Highway 341, the Golden Isles Parkway. The 220+-mile yard sale will link peach-growing counties in middle Georgia to the beaches of the Golden Isles, with stops in several communities along the way. [Full Story »] 

According to City Manager Jeff Baxley, the City of Baxley will be temporarily closing Water Works Park, located at 93 Tippins Street, due to the routine scheduled maintenance on the elevated water tank located there. The park will be closed beginning Wednesday, February 29, and will remain closed until the maintenance is completed (approximately two weeks). [Full Story »] 

Fifteen Georgia cotton industry members have been elected to leadership positions in the National Cotton Council (NCC) for 2012, including C.B. “Chuck” Coley, a Vienna producer/ginner who was named NCC chairman and James L. “Jimmy Webb, a Leary producer, elected as president of the NCC’s export promotion arm, Cotton Council International (CCI). [Full Story »] 

Pre-Kindergarten registration will be held at 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. for Altamaha Elementary and Fourth District Elementary and at 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for Appling County Primary School. The registration will be held Saturday, March 3 in the lunchroom at the Appling County High School. You must have the following documents or copies with you at registration: Birth certificate, Social Security card, proof of Appling County residency (gas, water, electric bill or rent receipt+ landlord’s electricity) and Peachcare, Americare or Wellcare. [Full Story »] 

By Lanell Lamb

On Feb. 5 the Appling County Heritage Center held its regularly scheduled support meeting. Rebecca Ogden gave a very interesting program, observing Black History Month. Ogden’s topic was “From nothing to something.” [Full Story »] 

A special invitation is given to all National Guard members of Detachment One, Battery B 1st BN, 230th Artillery, formerly an Appling County unit, to attend a special reunion-planning meeting March 6. [Full Story »] 

Appling Scools need your input! Please visit the system website to complete the Title I and Title II A Parent Needs Assessment 2011-2012. The results from this survey are used to plan for the upcoming school year based on your family needs, and the survey is a requirement for the schools to receive federal and state funding. The schools include Appling County Middle School, Fourth District Elementary School, Altamaha Elementary School, Appling County Elementary School, Appling County Primary School, Appling County High School, and AMIKids Baxley Wilderness. It will take less than ten minutes to complete. Please complete by Friday, March 2. [Full Story »] 

The Appling County Library will be having crafts and new stories every Monday. [Full Story »] 

The South Georgia Republican monthly luncheon will be held Wednesday, March 7, at Sarah’s In The City at12:00 Noon. [Full Story »] 

The Appling County Pirate basketball team ended the 2011-2012 season losing to Region 1AA top seeded Albany (24-2 overall) 75-100 in the first round of the state playoffs on Saturday, February 25. Albany is also ranked number three in the State AA Coaches Poll. [Full Story »]