Entries by Staff Writer

Bashy Nicole Cutter of Hazlehurst proudly announces the birth of her daughter, Ta’zaria Nikell Cutter. [Full Story »] 

Van and Lynda Carter of Baxley and Travis and Cathy Cason of Hazlehurst proudly announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their children, Caitlin Lea Carter and Tyler Harrell Cason.
Caitlin is the maternal granddaughter of Quinton and Ellie Hutto of Vidalia, and the paternal granddaughter of Bonnie Carter and the late Wallace Carter of Baxley. [Full Story »] 

Dear Editor,

The annual Relay For Life was held May 6 at the Appling County High School track. The theme for the relay was “We’re Swinging into 50’s for a Cure.” The theme was a really big hit for the 28 teams we had. Some even entered the most decorated tent contest. They dressed their tents up for judging and had a great time with it. [Full Story »] 

Dear Editor,

On May 30, Memorial Day, I got up early that Monday morning to go outside and water flowers as I always do every morning. My three dogs always accompanied me, but one of them was extra special and very close to me. It was my sweet, loving and smart Chihuahua, Elvis. He was my baby boy who went everywhere with me and while at home everyday, he was right on my heels, sitting up on his hind legs like a squirrel always wanting me to hold him. He loved hugs and kisses and always wanted my attention. He actually thought he was a child by the way I treated him, and he was. We had such a close bond and he would actually say the word mama when he wanted his treats. [Full Story »] 

‘Twas the deal of the century and I had to get in on it. No way was I going to let $4500 pass me by in the Cash for Clunkers program. I told my old chicken truck, a 1988 F-150, what a good truck she had been and how much I would miss her and headed off to Tifton Toyota to buy a new pickup. Here my plan began to unravel because my wife asked where I was going and, not one to lie to my mate, not quite yet, that is; I confessed I was going vehicle shopping. We both went to Tifton Toyota. [Full Story »] 

If this world operated on poetic justice or Karma or whatever you choose to call the principle, we’d have instant appropriate payback for our sins. What a way to train mankind to behave! For example, if a bully stole another kid’s candy, it would immediately give him a world class stomach ache, one the offended child could enjoy seeing. He might not have his candy, but he’d have the satisfaction of revenge. If a student were copying someone else’s paper, the teacher would pull her Taser from her desk drawer and give him some instant feed back. If you shoved some one out of line and broke in front of him, you’d break a leg and fall on the floor right there at the scene of the crime. If you drove off without paying for your gas, the pump itself would run screaming after you. Hmmm. I seem to be a bit carried away here, but you get the idea. [Full Story »] 

On Wednesday, June 15, this reporter joined a conference call with State Representatives Roger Lane (R-Darien) and Tommy Smith (R-Nichols, represents Appling) to discuss a recent editorial written by this editor/publisher and published in this newspaper. The following is a portion of that editorial: [Full Story »] 

Laney Carter, 79, of Pooler, went home to be with the Lord, Wednesday, June 15, 2011 at Hospice Savannah, Inc, surrounded by his loving family. [Full Story »] 

Vinney Odell Dyal, 82, died Monday, June 13, 2011 in the Pavilion. Mrs. Dyal was born June 24, 1928 in Appling County to the late Warren Courson, Sr. and the late Katie Crosby Courson. She was a member of Satilla Baptist Church. Mrs. Dyal was preceded in death by her husband, Willie Dyal, Sr. [Full Story »] 

Hilda L. Hayward, 76, of Swainsboro, died Sunday, June 12, 2011 in the East Georgia Regional Medical Center following an extended illness. [Full Story »] 

Sarah Jernigan Williams, 72, wife for 54 years to Johnny Wright Williams, Sr., entered into rest on Sunday, June 12, 2011 at University Hospital. [Full Story »] 

By Jamie Gardner

On Tuesday, June 13, the Appling County Board of Education met for a regular monthly meeting. During the meeting the board discussed two options for the FY2012 Tentative Budget. The first option was at $25,723,011.00 for revenue and expenditures and the second option was set at revenue $25,723,011.00 and expenditures $25,810,396.19. Under the second option, which was approved on a split vote, the board would utilize fund reserves to balance the budget using $87,385.19. [Full Story »] 

Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp will be the guest speaker at the South Georgia Republican Luncheon on Wednesday July 6, starting at 12:00 noon. [Full Story »] 

On Friday the Appling County Commissioners issued the following advisory. [Full Story »]