The Baxley News-Banner

Hannah Marie White and Rocky Lynn of Baxley proudly announce the birth of their son, Jarrod Levi Lynn. [Full Story »] 

Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Johnson are pleased to announce the wedding of their daughter, Christine Belinda Johnson, to Tyler Kevin Youmans, son of Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Youmans, all of Baxley. [Full Story »] 

Jazmine Johnson would like to announce the forthcoming marriage of her mother, Candi Norwood, daughter of James and Janice Norwood, to Erric Johnson, son of Burnis and Thelma Johnson of Lansing, Michigan. [Full Story »] 

Mr. and Mrs. James (Janice) Bailey, also Grady Simpson of Hazlehurst are proud to announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Rebecca Desireé Simpson, to Robert Jay “RJay” Drawdy, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert (Jennie) Drawdy of Graham. [Full Story »] 

Over and over again this newspaper has stressed the importance of voting. The time has arrived; the July 31 General Primary is here. [Full Story »] 

I was saddling my young mare for the first time one morning in 1965 when Howard Thornton, a young black boy who lived on our place, came up. He watched as I finished cinching the strap and allowed as how he would like to ride her. I told him he could and as he put his foot in the stirrup he asked if she was gentle. I responded affirmatively but knew darn well I was lying. I had no idea how the roan would react, I only hoped she was gentle. Howard mounted and I handed him the reins and stepped back a couple of steps as the horse started to walk. She took two steps and arched her neck and bucked just enough to throw Howard upward a couple of feet. As his butt was coming down she bucked again as forcefully as she could and met him coming down. Howard was thrown upward and forward over the horse’s head and landed flat on the ground with a ‘Whomp’! He jumped up unhurt, looked at me wide-eyed and said, “Uh Huh, See there! You lied!” [Full Story »] 

Last Friday, a gunman opened fire in a crowded theater in Aurora, Colorado, where moviegoers sat anticipating the latest Batman movie, “The Dark Knight Rises.” He came in an emergency exit and fired into the crowd after tossing tear gas canisters into the room. The result was 12 dead, 58 injured, and many families hurting. The press is calling it the biggest massacre in the history of the United States. From east coast to west, Americans are in a state of shock. We’re praying for the families and injured victims. The whole country is reeling as everyone fishes for a solution to such a horrific problem. What now? How do we prevent this happening again? [Full Story »] 

My childhood was filled with enchanting tales of fairy tale castles, dashing princes and beautiful princesses. I had always wanted to visit a real castle. B. J. and I were on a tour through a number of European countries. This select tour was taking us through some of the loveliest lands in the world. We were seeing a lot of gorgeous scenery, dining in fine restaurants, staying in excellent lodging, and, to my delight, visiting some ancient castles. [Full Story »] 

AUGUST 12, 1906 - JULY 6, 2012

Funeral services for Deacon Ellis Fields, Sr., who died July 6, 2012, were held Friday, July 13 at 11:00 a.m. at Isle of Hope Baptist Church in Uvalda. The Rev. Alvin Alexander, II, presided and Bishop L. C. Rogers officiated. Interment followed in Isle of Hope Cemetery. [Full Story »] 

Earl Griffin, Sr., 72, died Friday, July 13, 2012 in Community Hospice in Vidalia. Earl was born Nov. 22, 1939 in Ocilla to the late Rev. Ashley Griffin and the late Emma Gray Griffin. He was a member of Damascus Primitive Baptist Church of Mershon, where he served as a deacon. Griffin was a veteran having served in the United States Air Force. He was a retired educator and was retired from the railroad. Earl was preceded in death by his sister, Lillian Fletcher, and four brothers, Albert, Barney, Virgil and John David Griffin. [Full Story »] 

Louise Edwards Marsh, 67, died Friday, July 13, 2012 at East Georgia Regional Medical Center in Statesboro. Mrs. Marsh was born Jan. 18, 1945 in Greenville, S.C. to the late R. Lee Edwards and the late Olive Hollis Edwards. She was a member of Melton’s Chapel Methodist Church. Louise was preceded in death by a sister, Elaine Adams and a brother, Robert Edwards. [Full Story »] 

Jesica Lynn Oliver, 18, died in a car accident July 16, 2012. Jesica was born Apr. 22, 1994 in Jesup and had resided in Baxley since 2010. She was a member of 2013 graduating class of Appling County High School. She loved to listen to her radio; she loved her computer and loved to make people laugh. She was preceded in death by her daddy, Robert Brinson Oliver and a brother, Justin Brinson “Red” Oliver. [Full Story »] 

(Editor’s note: The following is an article published in the Georgia Times Union on Saturday, July 21 and was written by Terry Dickson)

The former mayor and police chief of Graham have been indicted on felony theft charges in the use of a city credit card. [Full Story »] 

By Jamie Gardner

What is BYOT? BYOT is the acronym for Bring Your Own Technology. The Appling County School System will be allowing students to bring their own technology during the 2012 – 2013 school year in hopes that it will add benefit to the education process. [Full Story »]