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Amy and Scott Branch of Baxley along with Sandra and Al Marsh of Alamo are pleased to announce the wedding of their son, Tyler Aaron Marsh, to Jenilyn Marie Wahlig, daughter of Jeffrey and Shoye Wahlig of New Athens, Illinois. [Full Story »] 

Angie and Jason Baxley are proud to announce the birth of their son, Chason Wilton Baxley. [Full Story »] 

Dakota Skye Gibson is proud to announce the birth of her new baby brother, Calvin Chaz Gibson born June 15, 2011 at Wayne Memorial Hospital. He was delivered by Dr. Jeffrey Harris. His proud parents are Calvin Gibson and Brittney Howell. [Full Story »] 

By Susan Stamper Brown

This morning, I double-checked to be sure the word “illegal” was still a word in the dictionary. As of this morning, it still means “criminal, felonious, illegitimate, illicit, lawless, unlawful, and wrongful.” However, it is quite obvious, that the longer Progressive Democrats have carte’ blanche to do what they want, the closer the word “illegal” gets to becoming extinct. [Full Story »] 

He sat on the front steps when I opened the door that Monday morning and looked up at me with lively dark eyes. His black coat and eyes shone in the morning sun, his pink tongue hung out, and his tail wagged good morning as if he belonged there. Actually his whole body seemed to be wagging. A blue collar encircled his neck, giving me a glimmer of hope. This beautiful dog belonged to somebody and had obviously been well cared for. He was sleek, but not skinny, and his coat was healthy. Maybe the collar had a name on it. The puppy came right to me when I called him, but the collar was blank. I had no idea where to start looking for a lost owner. [Full Story »] 

My wife insisted I accompany her to the Honors Program at Coffee High School recently. We were seated in the auditorium along with maybe a hundred other parents, many of whom I thought were as disinterested as I was, at least at first. Not that I don’t care, mind you, but I had already been to several of these programs in the past and didn’t think my presence was required at this one. My wife did, however, and that was that. [Full Story »] 

There is a growing controversy in the United States over whether or not to make English the official language of our country. The English language is, at least for now, the predominant language in the U. S. but there is no authoritative “American” medium of communication nor has there ever been an official U. S. language. Throughout our history many languages and dialects and expressions have been spoken and written along with English but as yet we have not developed an official “American” language. [Full Story »] 

Dominique Lekeshia Howell and Brian Shaunta Carswell are pleased to announce the birth of their daughter, London Brigitte Shaunta Carswell. [Full Story »] 

Marissa Dubberly and Lance Smith are proud to announce the birth of their son, Bryson Andrew Dubberly. [Full Story »] 

Adriana Plascencia Perez and Ernesto Barrera are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Brissa AiLynn Barrera. [Full Story »] 

Clarisa Andablo is pleased to announce the birth of her daughter, Melissa Andablo. [Full Story »] 

Doris Irene Rentz Carter, 89, died Tuesday, August 23, 2011 in Appling Healthcare System. Mrs. Carter was born Dec. 8, 1921 in Appling County to the late Robert William and Mildred Mary Ann Mann Rentz. She was a member of the Memorial Free Will Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School for many years. Doris was retired from Georgia Baptist Children’s Home with 28 years of service. She was preceded in death by her husband, George Clennon Carter, and two sisters and two brothers. [Full Story »] 

Billy Joe Hoover, 65, died Monday, August 22, 2011 at Altamaha Healthcare Nursing Home in Jesup. Mr. Hoover was born Oct. 2, 1945 in Hampton, S.C. to the late Joe and Nell Sauls Hoover. He was a member of Spring Branch Baptist Church and a member of Iron Workers Local 709. Mr. Hoover was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Hoover. [Full Story »] 

Pauline Hartley Smith, 77, died Thursday, August 25, 2011. Pauline was born Nov. 2, 1933 to the late Daniel Harvey Hartley and the late Mattie Estell Gordon Hartley. She was a member of the Baxley Church of God where she was a member of the ladies ministries, Young at Heart and the 55 Club. Mrs. Smith won the hearts of all who knew her. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edsel Smith, a granddaughter, Jill Smith and a sister, Vonice Deen. [Full Story »]