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The Appling Christian Academy Eagle Baseball team opened the 2011 season with a 3 and 2 record. The two losses came early with a double header against Bethlehem Christian. “The team hit well and the pitching held but we made too many errors in the field,” stated coach Phil Phillips. [Full Story »] 

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George Bayne Eason, 91, of Greensboro, N.C., formerly of St. Simons Island, died Saturday, March 12, 2011 at Well Spring Retirement Community in Greensboro. Mr. Eason was born Feb. 4, 1920 in Baxley, a son of the late George Bayne Eason, Sr. and the late Winnie Barnes Eason. He was a U.S. Army Air Corp veteran of World War II, where he served in the Invasions of North Africa and Normandy and served with the Coast Guard Auxiliary in Georgia. Eason was retired from Sears Roebuck and Company as Director of Government Affairs and was a member of West Market Street United Methodist Church. He was a great fisherman, enjoyed tennis and working in his yard. [Full Story »] 

John Raford “J.R.” Harper, 88, died Thursday, March 10, 2011 in Appling Healthcare System. Son of the late Pearlie Harper and the late Mable Mayers Harper was born in Bacon County on July 18, 1922 and had resided in Baxley for most of his life. He was the retired owner of Western Auto in Baxley, which he owned and operated, along with his wife, Lorene Harper, for 41 years. J. R was a charter member of Miles Chapel Baptist Church and a World War II Army veteran. He was a member of the V.F.W., the American Legion and the Holmesville Lodge #195 F&AM. Mr. Harper was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Lorene Harper. [Full Story »] 

The Rev. David Lee Rooks died Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at his home. Mr. Rooks was born on Sept. 9, 1918 in Chatham County. He was the second of 12 children born to the late Althia and Henrietta Rooks.
He completed his educational training at Dorchester Academy in Chatham County and Gammon Theological Seminary in Atlanta. His pastoral experiences began in 1941 and continued for 60 years. Rev. Rooks served congregations in Folkston, St. Mary’s, Woodbine, Savannah, Metter, Sylvania, Waycross, Blackshear, Jesup, and for 17 years pastored his home church, Harper Chapel in Baxley. He was well known throughout the South Georgia United Methodist Church Conference, and distinguished himself as a soul-stirring preacher and revivalist. [Full Story »] 

Kyle Staines, 22, died Sunday, March 13, 2011 at his residence. Kyle was the son of Ron Staines and the late Stephanie Jo Staines. He was born in Savannah on Jan. 20, 1989. Mr. Staines was a 2007 graduate of Appling County High School and was attending Middle Georgia Technical College in Warner Robbins. He was employed as a co-op AMT at Warner Robins Air Force Base and was a member of Altamaha Baptist Church. Kyle was an Eagle Scout, a member of the Boy Scouts of America Troup 472 of Baxley and was an alumnus of the Appling County Band. [Full Story »] 

Jack Kenimer Tarpley, 80, of Dalton died Thursday, March 10, 2011 at his residence, after an extended illness. He was the son of the late Evie Brooks Tarpley and Emmit Marshall Tarpley of High Shoals and was preceded in death by his brothers, Lewis Tarpley, Lamar Tarpley and Terrell Tarpley; sisters, Ann Landers and Juanita Kiser. [Full Story »] 

By Jamie Gardner

There seemed to be uncertainty among Appling County Board of Education members at their regular monthly meeting held on March 14. The uncertainty was a result of a question raised by Board Member Randy Crawford as to whether or not the school system still had a hiring freeze in place. Crawford stated he had a received a number of comments from citizens about that question and stated that it was his understanding that once the present budget was in place, the freeze ceased to exist. Board Member M.C. Barlow stated to Crawford that the freeze could still be in force. Crawford replied that if that was the case, the prior and existing board had opened and hired several positions. [Full Story »] 

Sheriff Benny Deloach reports the following incidents handled by deputies with the Appling County Sheriff’s Department.

On March 11, during a routine traffic stop on U.S. 1 North, Corey Preston Long, age 30, of Hazlehurst, was arrested and was charged with possession of marijuana and seatbelt violation. [Full Story »] 

On Monday, March 14, officials from Satilla REMC presented a check in the amount of $4,167,136.85 to the Appling County Tax Commissioner’s Office. The check represents the 2010 property taxes on Oglethorpe Power Corporation’s 30 percent share of the Edwin I Hatch Nuclear Plant in Appling County. Oglethorpe Power Corporation is a power supply cooperative owned by Satilla REMC and 38 other EMCs around Georgia. [Full Story »] 

By David Miller

Appling Loses in a Wild Game in Waycross

The Pirates traveled to Waycross to take on the Ware County Gators (Region 2AAAA) in a non-region matchup. The teams battled all night back and forth with Ware getting the final punch winning 15-14 in an exciting game. The team in Red and Black came out with their bats on fire after struggling to score runs the night before in Long County. The Pirates would gather fourteen hits on the night. [Full Story »] 

During the past year, two Appling County women, Kai Bowen and Sunshine Carter of Baxley, have been an integral part of the South Georgia College’s groundbreaking new competitive swim team – The Swimming Tigers! These ladies recently returned from a week-long trip to Buffalo, NY where they competed in the NJCA (National Junior College Association) finals. [Full Story »] 

Poor Boys Hot Rods Cruise-in event returns Saturday, March 26 at 5:00 p.m.-until at the Baxley Huddle House. [Full Story »]