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There is no doubt that our country needs health care reform in some manner and I do respect President Obama and congress for at least giving it a shot. However, I have been opposed to portions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) for one major reason. That one sole reason…the individual mandate. [Full Story »] 

Turpentining was king in Georgia for three quarters of a century. For those who don’t know what turpentining is, it is where you remove the bark of a Long Leaf or Slash pine and gather the sap in a tin cup. Once ‘dipped’ from the cup, the sap was placed in fifty gallon barrels and carried to Filtered Rosin in Douglas for distilling. We had our own still for fifty years but I only remember it operating once when the old timers including my Grandfather and Great Uncle Dan distilled some winter scrape, just to show us how it was done. [Full Story »] 

Last Thursday night I decided at the last minute to attend the political forum at the high school auditorium. Frankly, I’d been thinking about it all week and couldn’t make up my mind. Far too often politicians tell you exactly what they think you want to hear, but as soon as they get in office, they forget everything they promised you. They can’t even remember your name. I knew that if that scenario were planned for the evening, I’d do better to stay home and read Margaret Atwood. At least I’d be entertained. However, since I haven’t yet completely made up my mind about which candidates to vote for, I drove off to town. Maybe I’d learn something to help me decide about those last couple of offices. [Full Story »] 

Tuesday, two weeks removed from our Hackberry tree calamity, B. J. and I were attending our regular Weight Watchers meeting in the hopes of finding some new inspiration to drop pounds when my cell phone rang. On the other end of our wireless connection was our nextdoor neighbor, Ruth Barker. She excitedly announced: “A big limb of our Hackberry tree next to you broke off and fell on your Hackberry tree in your back yard and broke some limbs off it and it is on the top of your house!” [Full Story »] 

Dear Editor,

We are living in a historic moment: For the first time, the United States has a National Alzheimer’s Plan. Families whose lives have been forever changed by Alzheimer’s disease are encouraged to see the nation’s leaders taking positive and meaningful steps to begin to change the trajectory of one of the nation’s most feared diseases. [Full Story »] 

Annette Herndon Morris, 72, of Blackshear, died early Thursday morning, June 28, 2012 at Southeast Georgia Medical Center. [Full Story »] 

Coach Ben Park, 93, of Jesup and Baxley, died Thursday, June 28, 2012 after an extended illness. The Washington Co., native had lived most of his adult life in Wayne and Appling Co. He was a member of the Jesup First United Methodist Church and the Baxley First United Methodist Church and was a graduate of Auburn University, where he played football and basketball and started his coaching career with Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC. After serving in the U. S. Army, he served as athletic director in Vidalia, Jesup, and Alma, and influenced many young people with life skills in pursuing greater career goals. He laid the foundation for the Wayne County Recreation Department and was honored this year with the naming of the “Ben Park Complex” in his honor. He enjoyed all sports, especially golf, church activities, playing bridge, and fishing. He was predeceased by his wives: Frances H. Park and Maebelle Breen Park, a daughter, Lyn Park, great-granddaughter, Tinley Park, and ten siblings. [Full Story »] 

Mitchell Leroy Russell, Sr., died Sunday, June 24 at 5:28 p.m. Russell was born Dec. 28, 1935 in Appling County to the late Robert Russell, Sr. and Audrey Moody Russell. He attended school in Appling County. He was employed and retired from Hazlehurst Mills. Russell farmed and worked in turpentine on his own land. He was a lifetime member of St. James A.M.E. Church; he held the office of trustee pro-tem, finance committee member, served on the steward board, Sunday school scholar, church van driver for Sunday school—youth and the church lawn keeper. Leroy married Clara Mae Davis Oct. 17, 1954 and to this union eight children were born. A daughter, Cassandra Russell and two sons, Clifton Russell and James Henry Russell preceded him in death. [Full Story »] 

Florence B. Tillman, 94, of Surrency, died Monday, June 25, 2012 at the Pavilion. Mrs. Tillman was born Sept. 21, 1917, to the late Edwin Horace Beane, Sr. and the late Eura Overstreet Beane. She was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church. Florence was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Wilbur Tillman and a brother, Edwin “Bud” Beane, Jr. [Full Story »] 

By Jamie Gardner

The Appling County Board of Education approved a two-year contract extension for Superintendent Scarlett Copeland at a meeting held on June 25. Board Chairman Scottie Ammons reported that Copeland would receive an approximate five percent pay increase for 2012 and a three percent increase in 2013. Copeland’s salary will be approximately $117,000.00 in 2012 and $121,000.00 in 2013. [Full Story »] 

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

On June 5, at approximately 1:27 p.m., officers met with city employees at a location on SE Park Avenue in reference to a theft. On arrival the employees told officers that an unknown person had removed several plants, from one of the city’s flowerbeds. Missing was a 3-gallon petunia plant and 12 small annuals. [Full Story »] 

A strong storm packing high winds and heavy rain ripped through parts of Baxley and Appling County on Monday evening. [Full Story »] 

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

June 22, answered a call to Fire Tower Road in reference to a theft. A complainant stated an unknown subject entered her residence and took food items and jewelry. [Full Story »] 

The Appling County Heritage Center held a Political Forum on June 28 at the Appling County Fine Arts Center. [Full Story »]