News

By Jamie Gardner

At a called meeting of the Appling County Board of Commissioners, held Wednesday, March 21, representatives from Golder Associates updated board members on the status of the Dunn’s Lake Road dam. The representatives reported their findings after taking samples of the dam structure. Golder also submitted a proposal to the board to make the needed changes to the dam. The cost of the proposal, which includes new sloping of both side of the dam and a new spillway, is approximately $1,000,000.00, what some consider a hefty price for a private lake. [Full Story »] 

By Jamie Gardner

Baxley and Appling County seem to be in great shape for potential industrial growth. Why? At the present time the community has two industrial-size buildings available for potential lookers.

The first of the two buildings is located in Industrial Park West, just off Highway 341. It is a new building that has been constructed by the Baxley/Appling County Development Authority. Development Authority Executive Director Dale Atkins reported that the new building is 60,000 sq. ft. After receiving eight competitive bids from local construction companies, the development authority accepted the low bid and invested approximately $500,000.00 in building the shell of the new building and has yet another $500,000.00 to customize the building for an industry that is looking to locate in Baxley. The money to build the speculative (or spec) building was provided by the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST). [Full Story »] 

At a regular meeting of the Baxley City Council, held March 13 at 8:30 a.m., City Manager Jeff Baxley reported that he, Dale Sapp, David Gore and Jimmy Music went to Florida to look at a refurbished sewer vacuum truck. He has received an offer from the company to purchase the truck for the price of $150,000.00. Councilman Mickey Bass made a motion to purchase the truck for the price of $150,000.00, contingent upon all recommendations are in place and completed. The cost of the truck will be paid for from half of the water/sewer funds and half from the general funds, since it will be used in both departments. This motion was seconded by Councilwoman Livingston and approved unanimously. [Full Story »] 

The annual J. D. Black family reunion will be held Saturday, March 31, at the Red Oak Baptist Church Social Hall beginning at 11:00 a.m. [Full Story »] 

The annual Beckworth family reunion will be held at Red Oak Baptist Church Social Hall on Red Oak Road April 1. [Full Story »] 

The following are highlights of incidents that were handled by officers of the Baxley Police Department.

On Feb. 21 at approximately 12:45, answered a call to a Colonial Drive address in reference to a criminal trespass and assault. On arrival the officers discovered that a boyfriend had forced his way into the resident’s home, and then physically assaulted her. A nearby neighbor hearing the disturbance called 911 for help. The offender was taken into custody without further incident. Arrested in this incident was Rashuan McArthur, 21, of Hazlehurst, on charges of one count each of criminal trespass and aggravated assault. [Full Story »] 

Congressman John Barrow, of Georgia’s 12th Congressional District, made a stop at Apple Dumpling Restaurant on March 12 as part of his “get acquainted” tour due to redistricting that followed the 2010 Census. According to the new congressional maps, Appling will now be in the 12th District. Barrow is trekking around the area in order to meet and greet people in counties like Appling who are new to the proposed district. Congressman Barrow spoke on a variety of issues to the crowd of around thirty people, ranging from health care and services for veterans to the economy and jobs. [Full Story »] 

Maria Sheffield, a Republican candidate for Congress in Georgia’s 12th Congressional District, made a stop in Appling County on March 7 to speak at the South Georgia Republican Luncheon. [Full Story »] 

The Baxley-Appling Chamber of Commerce honored the 2012-2013 Teacher’s of the Year at a luncheon on Tuesday, March 13, at Capt. Joe’s. [Full Story »] 

Sheriff Benny DeLoach would like to report the following activity of the Appling County Sheriff’s Office.

Mar. 1, a complainant came to the Appling County Sheriff’s Office to report a theft that occurred on Piney Bluff Road. The complainant stated unknown person(s) had taken two Jack Russell/Fiest puppies, valued at $600.00. [Full Story »] 

The annual staff of Appling County High School would like to invite everyone to come out on March 24 for the 44th Annual Miss Pirate Pageant. 2011 Miss Pirate Tyler Williams will be crowning the new 2012 Miss Pirate. Tyler, the daughter of Rodney and Pam Williams. She was the salutatorian of the graduating class of 2011. She now resides in Statesboro, and attends East Georgia College. Tyler is employed as an occupational therapy tech at Optim Orthopedics. [Full Story »] 

ATLANTA (March 20, 2011) – House Resolution 1162 passed the state Senate with a vote of 40 to 18 on Monday. Having received two-thirds majority vote, the Constitutional amendment will now be placed on the ballot for a vote by Georgia citizens. Leadership from the state Senate Majority Party including Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R- Woodstock), President Pro Tempore Tommie Williams (R-Lyons), Sen. Ronnie Chance (R-Tyrone), and Sen. Fran Millar (R-Dunwoody), chairman of the Committee on Education and Youth, offered the following statements regarding the vote: [Full Story »]