News

By Jamie Gardner

Following recommendations from the City of Baxley Council and Appling County Commissioners, the Baxley – Appling County Hospital Authority voted in a new set of members at its May 30 meeting. An election was held to fill one unexpired term (seat held by Roger Branch who resigned) and three positions that the current terms expire on June 30. For Branch’s seat, Virginia Herrington was elected, and for the three remaining seats Peggy Miles, Mark Barnes and John Glenn were elected. [Full Story »] 

By Matt Gardner

The Appling County Board of Commissioners held their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, June 5 in the Appling County Courthouse Annex. During the meeting the commissioners opened sealed bids on the 28 miles to be resurfaced throughout Appling County. Bids were received from J. Heirs and Company, Ricketson Construction Inc., Everett Dykes Grassing Co. and Littlefield Construction Co. The bids will be reviewed by County Manager Lee Lewis and County Road Department Manager Tommy Davis with the Commissioners to make a decision at a called meeting scheduled for Tuesday, June 12 at 8:00 a.m. [Full Story »] 

Janet C. Hollingsworth, Appling County Extension Coordinator and Family and Consumer Sciences Agent for Appling and Wayne Counties, recently received the Southeast District County Extension Coordinator Leadership Award.  [Full Story »] 

The Appling County School System and Title I Programs will sponsor the Title I Stakeholders’ Meeting. The school system’s plan to increase student achievement and Title I information will be presented. [Full Story »] 

Judge Stephen Kelley releases the list of names for the Civil Petit Jury for June 25 at 9:30 a.m. The following people are on the list. Darlene A. Thornton, Greta Turner, Carroll B. White, Jr., Rosalind Maxwell, Carroll Weaver, J.A. Carelock, Kendra Q. Hilton, Betty Herndon, Linton B. Deloach, Ruby Carter, Jr., Delores A. Kesler, Tommy D. Youmans, James R. Clark, Joanne Switzer, Mary Alice Landmon, Holly T. Branch, Nell S. Mullis, Alene E. Beasley, John W. Waters, Wilton L. Beecher, Shirley H. Harris, Shirley Thornton, Reuben Bennett, Jr. Mauricco Lepe, Daryl E. Youmans, Shelly F. Horton, Abraham Suarez, Lemuel M. Wilkerson, Linda S. Carter, Sheila A. Hand, Janet L. Nail, Lucia Gomez, Ricky Carter, Wanda D. Mann, Wanda D. Lewis, Dorothy A. Miles and Wendy M. Orvin. [Full Story »] 

The Appling County Retired Educators met on May 16 at the Baxley Church of God Fellowship Hall. The meeting was called to order by President Patsy Buchannan. Elizabeth Dunn gave the inspiration. She read, “How to Plant Your Garden.” Sgt. Roscoe Davis led the pledge to the flag. Dr. Juanita Nails-James led the group in singing, “The More We Get Together”. President Buchannan welcomed guests Valedictorian Taylor Dominy and her parents, Sandy and Andy Dominy, Salutatorian Brooke Sikes and her parents, Sharon and Jimmy Sikes and Georgia Teacher of the Year, Pam Williams. [Full Story »] 

By Laverne Courson, Curator

Due to the number of candidates, the political forum announced ealier in the paper to be held June 26 will possibly be two days, Tuesday, June 26 and Thursday, June 28. [Full Story »] 

The Appling County Board of Education has hired Chris Roppe, of Baxley, as the new principal for the Appling County Middle School. The decision was made during a called meeting held on May 31. Roppe has served as assistant principal at Bacon County Middle School (2008 – 2010) and Pierce County High School (2010 – 2012). He started his career teaching at Jeff Davis County Primary School in 1998 and was an assistant coach in football and baseball. [Full Story »] 

By Jamie Gardner

The Appling County Board of Education met for a called meeting on May 31 and approved a number of personnel recommendations. Among the recommendations, made by Superintendent Scarlett Copeland, the board approved to hire Chris Roppe as the Appling County Middle School Principal (see separate article). [Full Story »] 

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

On June 1, deputies answered a call to James Kent Road in reference to an unresponsive person. Bobby Jesus Toler, 20, of Baxley, was found not breathing and unresponsive. Coroner Grimes was notified and the death is still under investigation. [Full Story »] 

Safe Family’s of Appling County has developed a life jacket loner program at Lake Mayers to keep children safe at the park while swimming. Shown are members of the program Jimmy Twiggs, Steve Davidson, and David Brake are shown with children that are preparing to get in the water at Lake Mayers. [Full Story »] 

Georgia Senate President Pro Tempore Tommie Williams (R-Lyons) announced Monday he will relinquish his role as President Pro Tempore next year and not seek re-election for a leadership position. Sen. Williams made the announcement via a letter (included below) to the Senate Republican Caucus on Monday. [Full Story »]