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Virginia Beckworth Beasley Ford, 85, passed away Sunday, September 2, at Memorial Health Center. She was a member of the Eastern Star of Jacksonville. She was preceded in death by her son, Hershel Vennon Beasley; a brother, Harley Daniel Beckworth; a sister, Dora Beckworth Dukes. [Full Story »] 

Dorothy Eugenia James, 80, passed away Sunday, September 2, under the care of Hospice of South Georgia. She was a native and lifelong resident of Wayne County; worked at Manhattan Shirt Factory and was a homemaker. She was a wonderful wife, mother and loving grandmother. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dallas Leroy James; three brothers, John W. Phillips, Robert Phillips and Paul Phillips and a sister Ruth Waddell. [Full Story »] 

Dr. Ralph Lightsey, a minster of 72 years, age 93, died on Sunday, September 2, at the Ogeechee Area Hospice Inpatient Facility. Born in Appling County in 1918, he moved to Statesboro in 1965, where he lived until his death. Dr. Lightsey received his A.B. Degree from Mercer University in 1945; a B.D. Degree in Theology from Emory University in 1951; a Masters in Theology from Columbia University in 1955 and a Doctorate Degree in Education from the University of Georgia in 1965. He was ordained to the gospel ministry in 1940; he served churches in Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina and Mississippi. After serving as an active pastor for more than 52 years, he served as a supply speaker at more than 50 churches in Bulloch and surrounding counties. In addition, he was an educator. He served 16 years as Professor of Educational Research at Georgia Southern University and as an assistant to the Vice President. Upon his retirement, the Board of Regents conferred on him the title of Professor Emeritus of Educational Research. In keeping with his concern for his fellow human being, he received the Dean Day Smith Service to Mankind Award. He was also the original owner of Lightsey Construction Company, Inc. The family would like to express their appreciation to his special caregivers, Gloria Dekle and Chyrl Johnson. [Full Story »] 

Rainge Memorial Chapel of Blackshear announces the passing of Buster Joe Price, age 70, of 288 Donnie Lewis Lane, Baxley, who passed Thursday, August 30, at his residence with loved ones at his bedside. [Full Story »] 

David E. Miles Funeral Home announces the death of Wanda “Joy” Andrews Wright, 61, of Madeira Beach, FL, passed away August 27, after a long battle with breast cancer. Born in 1951, she is the daughter of Juanita Britt Andrews and the late Bill Andrews. Joy worked as a Senior Loan Processor for many home builders in the southeast for over 20 years. She was preceded in death by her father, an infant daughter, Amanda Jay Daniel and a nephew, Cameron Ray. [Full Story »] 

According to Police Chief James Godfrey on Friday, August 24 officers of the Baxley Police Department met with the school resource officer (S.R.O.) at the Appling County High School in reference to a threat. On arrival the S.R.O. told officers that two students had told him of a threat that was sent to them on their Facebook page, and that the sender told them to stay away from school on Monday, because he was going to shoot it up. [Full Story »] 

Georgia Department of Transportation District Engineer, Karon Ivery is proud to announce the appointment of Anthony Cook to the position of Area Engineer serving Appling, Jeff Davis, Montgomery, Telfair and Wheeler counties. [Full Story »] 

On August 29, at approximately 6:30 a.m., Baxley Police officers answered a call to a Donnie Lane address in reference to a suicide. [Full Story »] 

The Baxley-Appling County Hospital Authority met for a regular monthly meeting on August 27. Attending the meeting were members Jesse Alderman, Mark Barnes, Lisa Courson, John Glenn, Virginia Herrington, Peggy Miles, Jeffery Simmons and Carolyn Wade. Staff in attendance included CEO Dale Spell, CFO Ray Leadbetter, Director of Nursing Mertia Hinnant, Administrator of the Pavilion Melba Webb and Authority/Medical Staff Coordinator Tina Johnson.
Chairperson Peggy Miles called the meeting to order 5:30 p.m. and led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Virginia Herrington rendered the invocation. Minutes and financials were presented. Monthly reports were presented from administration/operations, nursing and long term care. Items of interest to the community were as follows: [Full Story »] 

Sheriff Benny Deloach would like to report the following incidents handled by deputies with the Appling County Sheriff’s Department. [Full Story »] 

By Matt Gardner

The Appling County Pirates (0-0-1) hosted the Wayne County Yellow Jackets (0-1-1) on Friday, August 31 with the game finishing in a 14-14 tie. Due to not being a region contest there was no overtime. [Full Story »] 

Ballet Magnificat!, which has toured extensively nationally and internationally for the last 25 years, now brings the unforgettable ballet, Deliver Us!, to the Appling County Fine Arts Building, located at Appling County High School. This riveting ballet, set to the music of Dreamworks’ The Prince of Egypt, portrays an enslaved people led to hope, making this story jump off the stage and into your life. [Full Story »] 

By Renee O’Quinn

Mayor Steve Rigdon set a date of Sept. 5 at 10:00 a.m. for a work session for a budget workshop at the regular council meeting August 28. [Full Story »] 

Friends of the Appling County Public Library is announcing an upcoming book sale Sept. 10 thru Sept. 15. The sale will be during regular hours. There is a huge selection of all kinds of books and we’ll give you a good deal on the ones you pick. [Full Story »]