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Thomas Milton Black, 86, died Monday morning (May 13, 2013) at Woodleaf Assisted Living in Thomasville after an extended illness. [Full Story »] 

Lester Grimes, 65, passed away Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at his residence under the care of Comfort Care Hospice. He was a native of Polk City, FL and had lived in Appling County for the past 27 years. Mr. Grimes was a retired farmer and cattleman; known for growing strawberries and loved working cattle. His mother, Pauline P. Smith and father, Lawrence Manuel Grimes preceded him in death. [Full Story »] 

Margaret Lynch, 79, passed away Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at Candler Hospital after a short illness. She was a native of Miami, Florida. She was preceded in death by her sister, Susie Gibbens; son Richard Lynch; a grandchild and son-in-law, J.C. Huckelby. [Full Story »] 

Andy Eugene Metts, 48, died Wednesday, May 8, 2013. Metts was born Sept. 14, 1964 in Wayne County to the late Eugene “Snook” Metts and Christine Ellen Williams Metts. He was a member of Antioch Congregational Christian Church. Andy was a former employee of Winn Dixie and currently employed by MHC/Kenworth. He was an avid gardener and fisherman. [Full Story »] 

Miles Funeral Home in Hazlehurst announces the funeral service for Nancy Hewett Young, 88, of Hazlehurst, who passed away Tuesday, May 14, 2013. Services were held at 4:00 p.m. Saturday (May 18) in the Hazlehurst Church of God. The Rev. Nathan Smith officiated and burial followed in Hazlehurst City Cemetery. [Full Story »] 

By Coach Sheldon Pearce

The Pirate Track and Field program traveled to Jefferson, May 2 through 4, to compete in the Georgia Olympics.  The student-athletes represented their community well by battling the elements of wind, rain, and 52-degree weather all weekend.  In the end, the Pirates walked away with a fifth place finish and state champions in two events. [Full Story »] 

United State Army Sergeant First Class (SFC) Joshua “Josh” Reagin received his third Bronze Star at a ceremony at Fort Carson, Colorado, on February 14. SFC Reagin has served in the US Army since 1994 and will soon be retiring after 20 years of service to pursue employment in law enforcement in Colorado, Texas or Georgia. He has just returned from his fifth deployment in Laghman Provence, Afghanistan. Josh was at a remote COP (Combat Outpost) in the Northeastern Mountains of Afghanistan on the Pakistan border, referred to as the Wild West of Afghanistan. Josh was the night Battle Captain in the 4th IBCT (Infantry Brigade Combat Team) and his functions for 10 months in Afghanistan were as follows: [Full Story »] 

Ninety-year-old Ethel Wilson is easily one of the Atlanta Braves biggest fans. On Sunday, May 5, Ethel’s daughters and their families took her to see her very first Braves Game at Turner Field, when the Braves took on the Mets. [Full Story »] 

By Bryan Richardson
(Photos by Rod Mikinski)

(Editor’s note: The following article, written about former Baxley resident Travis Upchurch, was published in The Mercury, Manhattan, Kansas, in April. The article is being republished with permission. Travis is the son of Kenny and Laurie Jo Upchurch. He is the grandson of Gwen and the late Eddie Rae Upchurch and Judy and the late Joe Chamberlain, all of Baxley.)

Not every artist uses a paintbrush and a canvas to create beautiful work. Travis Upchurch, 29, just needs his yellow and blue Suzuki GSX-R600 and a parking lot. [Full Story »] 

Dear Editor,

What kind of seed are you sowing? Did you sow a good seed today? We must be careful of what seed we sow, (good or bad). Helping others, for the same people you meet going up you might meet them on your way back down. So we must be careful how we treat, meet, and greet people. For God is watching. [Full Story »] 

Dear Editor and to those that have had this happen to them,

On May 6, I went to a local supermarket to buy a few items and wrote a check to pay for them. The cashier informed me that my check was denied, no reason given. I paid for my items and went to my bank. [Full Story »] 

The Appling County Food Processing Plant will be in operation again this summer to provide the citizens of Appling and surrounding counties the opportunity to put up fresh fruits and vegetables. Plant personnel can assist you in preparing your product for the freezer or the can. They can also help you can your own soup, sauce, or Brunswick stew. [Full Story »] 

The 39th Annual Jesse Crummey and Fannie Altman Crummey Family Reunion will be held on Sunday, June 9, at the Satilla Baptist Church Social Hall, in Baxley. [Full Story »]