Entries by Staff Writer

Dear Editor,

My family in Baxley and in various states enjoys your coverage of the news in Baxley and in Appling County; and we appreciate your telling “both sides of the story.” [Full Story »] 

Dear Editor,

Can’t you see God is speaking and we are not listening? We want everything our way. We haven’t heard a word He is saying through His works. Are you listening? Why can’t we see that we are not in control? [Full Story »] 

Dear Editor,

Today, I read that our retired and current retired state employees are faced with an increase in the cost of their health benefit programs. In the same paper, the elimination in vital programs in our children’s education curriculum are required due to budget deficits. Teachers, law enforcement personnel and other public government employees are being furloughed or their positions eliminated because our reduced resources mandate these actions. [Full Story »] 

(Editor’s note: The following is an editorial written by the staff of the Savannah Morning News and published on March 14.)

PARENTS MAY stress the concept of personal safety to their children, but for some kids, the idea of “don’t touch the hot stove” never really comes home until they singe their fingertips.
It’s a succinct, powerful lesson: Break the rule, get burned. [Full Story »] 

Now and again I feel the need to relinquish my space for a week and share the words of one of my students with my readers. Such is the case this week. Jordan Taylor is one of my seniors and a most delightful student. She loves reading, literature in general, and writing. She’s also an excellent writer as you will discover in the following piece. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. [Full Story »] 

One day last week, the temperature on St. Simons rose to eighty-four degrees. Beach walking has been great and B. J. and I are getting into it good. We have made several long strolls along the strand both by ourselves and with friends However, one of those strolls did develop into a leisurely shell-collecting ramble. We love to collect shells. We have a collection of seashells from beaches in South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. [Full Story »] 

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 »] 

[Full Story »] 

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 »]