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I heard last week that this newspaper, and in particular this editor, were wrongly accused around some of the local morning coffee tables. It was noted that the newspaper was unfairly playing up one side of the Fourth District Elementary School closure issue over the other. Let me assure the readers of this newspaper that our stance has been neutral on the issue and will remain neutral. [Full Story »] 

Barring chicken pox or a monster storm, Sunday mornings of my childhood found my family driving the long winding clay roads of Jeff Davis County to my maternal grandparents’ farmhouse out close to Union Springs Church. Not only my grandparents awaited us there; my cousins were everywhere. Very rarely did my mothers’ nine siblings and their offspring show up at the same time, but some combination was always there. Cousins galore came in droves every Sunday. Several of them lived within walking distance and always arrived before we did. After all, eleven miles separated our Hazlehurst home from Grandpa’s country one. By the time we arrived, cousins were everywhere. [Full Story »] 

Waikiki is called by many “The Playground Capital of the World.” In all of our travels, the closest thing to it that we have seen is the island of Capri in the Tyrrhenian Sea off the coast of Naples, Italy. [Full Story »] 

George Lorace Dyal, 82, died Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at Appling Healthcare System. Mr. Dyal was born August 31, 1928 in Appling County to the late Albert Wayne and Nina Gussie Dyal. Lorace was a member of Midway Baptist Church. He was Georgia Sportsman of the Year in 2007. Dyal was employed by the Appling County Board of Education as a bus driver where he received numerous awards. He was an active church member, hunter, fisherman and encourager. [Full Story »] 

Kimberly “Kim” Thomas Griffin, 33, died Saturday, February 19, 2011 at her residence. Kim was born Sept. 28, 1977 in Appling County and had resided here all of her life. She was an EMT and had been employed with Pierce County. Kim was serving with the Appling County Emergency Agency as an EMA Technician. She was active in the band boosters and had served as President of the Appling County Middle School Band Boosters. Kim was a member of Baxley Freewill Baptist Church. [Full Story »] 

Estelle Beecher McLain, 80, died February 18, 2011 at her residence. Mrs. McLain was a member of Pine Ridge Baptist Church in Brunswick and had lived in Baxley for two years. She was married to the late Hubert McLain. Estelle was the daughter of the late Collis and Alma Beecher. She was also preceded in death by a sister, Zula Branch. [Full Story »] 

Brent Leroy Yawn and Brittani Geneva Hipps were married in a private ceremony, along with the groom’s daughter, Kaylee Brooke Yawn of Hazlehurst, at 4 o’clock in the afternoon on Valentine’s Day (February 14, 2011) in Baxley. [Full Story »] 

Mrs. Willie Lee Pendarvis, 80, died Friday, February 18, 2011 at her residence. Willie Lee was born in Appling County on Sept. 25, 1930 and had resided here all of her life. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Pearl Baxley and Annie Merle Medders. She was the daughter of the late Mark Leon King and the late Emma Lou Barnes. [Full Story »] 

By Georgia Times Union Reporter Teresa Stepzinski (Published in The Times Union on February 23)

BRUNSWICK - A former Appling County sheriff’s deputy has been charged with tipping off a suspected drug dealer to a pending raid by federal and drug enforcement task force agents last month.
Richard W. Crosby, 35, of Nicholls, faces a federal charge of being an accessory after the fact to the distribution of marijuana. [Full Story »] 

By Jamie Gardner

For months it has been rumored that an investigation into illegal telephone monitoring/eavesdropping has been ongoing at the Appling County Board of Education. On Monday, District Attorney Jackie L. Johnson made a presentation to board members and members of the public about an investigation her office conducted. The following is a letter Johnson presented to the board on the matter.
Dear Board Members: [Full Story »] 

Houston (Feb. 25, 2011) - Baxley shoppers are in for a fashionable treat on March 9, when popular fashion store Goody’s makes its grand opening in the current Peebles store location at 106 East Parker Street. Loyal Peebles shoppers need not worry though, because Goody’s will carry an expanded assortment of the quality, brand name apparel and accessories Peebles customers know and love, plus a great selection of juniors and men’s apparel that made Goody’s a destination for the latest looks. [Full Story »] 

Sheriff Benny DeLoach would like to report the following activity of the Appling County Sheriff’s Office.

On February 16, answered a call to Post Road in reference to a theft. A complainant stated a subject took an assortment of scrap metal from her property. Investigation revealed the identity of the subject that took the scrap metal. Complainant stated she did not want to press charges. [Full Story »] 

By Wanda Smith, Family Nurse Practitioner

When head lice are found, they must be attacked by both the school and the home. Some tips recommended are: Parents need to rinse hair in half vinegar/half water solution (if there are no open sores on the scalp) prior to treating with Rid or Nix (Available Over the Counter). This helps to loosen the ‘glue’ of the Nit. Treat the hair for the recommended time only. Newer treatment options, that aren’t as toxic are available, i.e., Ulesfia from your Medical Provider with a Prescription. [Full Story »]