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Layla Neezohee Jacobs was born July 19, 2011. [Full Story »] 

Catherine Jane Gruno and Kyle Raymond Wiggins, along with their parents are pleased to announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. The event will be held at 4:00 p.m. on September 24 at First Baptist Church in Baxley. [Full Story »] 

Take a look at the picture on the right? This is a picture of the proposed Georgia House Districts 156 (northern Appling) and 178 (southern Appling) dividing line along Highway 15 South in Baxley. In careful observation, notice the circled areas. See anything unusual? One circle is the Appling County Board of Education central office located on the east side of Highway 15 and the other circle represents Appling County High School located on the west side of the highway. This is an example of how confusing it is going to be having our county split into different house districts. The board office would be in District 156 and the high school will be in District 178, even though they are basically across the road from each other. [Full Story »] 

A few weeks ago it was so dry that I caught a catfish with a tick on him. Brother, that’s dry. I guess it is this dry weather that has made the gnats so plentiful. The Bible says there is a time and season for everything and I guess this applies to gnats as well. They may be aggravating to us but if you observe nature you will see some of the best fed, fattest, mosquito hawks ever. They don’t even have to fly around to catch the little buggers, they just sit still on the Nandinas with their mouth open and before you know it, they have a gut full. And the swallows and bats are well fed, also. [Full Story »] 

On my bedroom wall hangs a picture that has given me much pleasure over the years. When I walk by it, a smile automatically leaps to my face in response to the smiling boy in the picture. I’m so glad now that I let him talk me into having the picture drawn that hot July day at Six Flags. [Full Story »] 

With Disneyworld, Sea World, Universal Studios, high-rises, posh resorts, a multitude of fancy eateries, Kissimmee and Old Town nearby, Orlando, Florida can probably get by with the dub, “Fun Capital, USA”. Excitement is there for you 24/7 and you don’t have to look far to find it. [Full Story »] 

Norma Jane Baxley, 48, died Friday, August 5, 2011 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Savannah. Mrs. Baxley was a native of Appling County and was born Oct. 18, 1962 to the late Herbert James and Orita Carter Thomas. She was a member of Midway Baptist Church. [Full Story »] 

Memorial services were held at Old Field Cemetery Saturday, August 6 for Alvin Jerome Hall, Sr. (who died Jan. 2, 2011) with the Rev. Dr. H. M. Moss officiating. He was cremated and an inurnment ceremony was held. Musical selections were by family and friends. [Full Story »] 

Hazel Sellers Malone, 80, of St. Mary’s, died Monday, August 1, 2011 in St. Mary’s after a lengthy illness. She was born Nov. 14, 1930 in Appling County to the late Will and Lois Kennedy Sellers. Hazel grew up in the Zion Community and was a graduate of Surrency High School. She made her home in St. Mary’s since 1954 and worked as an administrative secretary for the Gillman Paper Company until her retirement. She was of the Baptist Faith. [Full Story »] 

Miss Tinley Brook Park, infant daughter of Derek and Janna Park died on Saturday, August 6, 2011 in the Meadows Regional Medical Center in Vidalia. [Full Story »] 

Roy Aubrey Reynolds, 81, died Tuesday, August 9, 2011 at his residence. Mr. Reynolds was born to the late Tommy B. Reynolds and the late Beatrice Long Reynolds June 25, 1930 in Baxley and resided here most of his life. He was retired from the United States Air Force after 20 years and was Master Sergeant. Mr. Reynolds served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. [Full Story »] 

M. J. (Rip) Van Winkle, 68, of Olney, MD, passed away Monday, August 8, 2011 at Montgomery General Hospital in Olney. He was born in Upper Darby, PA, the son of Mary Fielding Van Winkle and George Milton Van Winkle. A graduate of Bloomsburg (PA) University, Mr. Van Winkle moved to Montgomery County, MD in 1965 where he taught math for 35 years; five at Leland Jr. High School in Bethesda and thirty at Thomas Wootton High School in Rockville. [Full Story »] 

By Renee O’Quinn

The Baxley City Council held a public hearing at City Hall on the proposed changes for redistricting in the city on Thursday, August 11 at 6:00 p.m. Mayor Steve Rigdon opened the meeting and stated the hearing provides the opportunity for public comment on the proposed changes to the city voting districts. Rigdon further stated that the census dictates how the city has to redistrict those lines. City Attorney J. Alex Johnson read aloud the legalities of redistricting and explained the procedures that were applied with the proposed changes to the city districts. The following are some highlights of what Attorney Johnson read aloud during the public hearing: Federal and state laws require all cities, counties and states to adjust voting districts to comply with “one person - one vote or equal representation” mandates - that is, each congressman, state representative, county commissioner or city council member should represent approximately the same number of people. [Full Story »] 

Superintendent of Scarlett M. Copeland reported that school in Appling County had a great beginning. School for students in grades kindergarten through twelfth began on Tuesday, August 9. Excitement was in the air for all students, parents, and school staff. Pre-kindergarten students will begin school on August 23. [Full Story »]