Entries by Staff Writer

For a quarter of a century this newspaper has published a Progress Report that presents unique information the general public may not be aware of about our community. First and foremost, let me thank this community for its continued support of this publication. Without your support this special issue would not be possible. [Full Story »] 

I visited my Mother, a very special lady, last Saturday morning. This is a ritual and years ago I would have expected a huge breakfast of grits, eggs, sausage, bacon, toast, biscuits, waffles or pancakes. I mean a feast, brother. This was standard fare for many years but time has taken its toll on all of us. I do not require such nourishment now for if I ate like that at my age I would weigh 400 pounds and Mother is no longer physically able to do the things she used to do. Make no mistake, if she gets it in her mind, she can still issue commands and you darn well better snap to it when she cracks her whip. She will be 88 this November and she is still a beautiful lady. I got my good looks from her side of the family. [Full Story »] 

There is something to do 24/7 aboard a luxury liner. Food is delicious and abundant. Because cruising is an international experience, the fare on the ship is an international experience. On the food bars and menus, cuisine from many countries is offered and prepared by some of the best chefs in the world. Whatever you have a taste for is probably available. You can dine casually in a relaxed atmosphere, eat hamburgers, hot dogs and pizza at poolside while listening to “hoedown” music, order in your stateroom, or dress up formal and be treated to fine dining in a stylish setting with a brass band to entertain while you enjoy a variety of delicately prepared dishes. [Full Story »] 

Brandi Dixon Deal, 34, of Screven, died Monday, March 19, 2012 at her residence. The Chatham County native was a homemaker and a member of the Screven Church of God, where she was active with the youth and delivering meals to the shut-ins of Wayne and Appling Counties. She loved her Lord and was a great cook. She was predeceased by maternal grandparents, Hubert and Edith Tyre, and paternal grandparents, Wid and Tyrus Dixon. [Full Story »] 

Myrtice (Polly) Morris DeSmidt, 75, died Thursday, March 15, 2012 in the Specialty Hospital in Jacksonville, FL. Polly was born in Appling County and had resided in Jacksonville, FL for the last 35 years. She was retired and before her retirement she was employed with Moose Lodge #42 in Jacksonville, FL. She was the daughter of the late Charles Morris and the late Ellie Holland Morris. In addition to her parents, a son, Chuck Edenfield, also preceded her in death. [Full Story »] 

Lillie Mae Hatcher, 94, of Rochelle, passed away Friday, March 23, 2012 at her home. She was born on November 1, 1917 in Burke County. [Full Story »] 

Gary “Bubba” Herrington, 55, died Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at his residence. Bubba was born Oct. 6, 1956 in Appling County and had resided here all of his life. He was a retired saw operator and had been employed with Baxley Veneer and Cleat. Herrington was a member of Miles Chapel. He was the son of the late Jack D. Herrington and Wanell Meeks Herrington. In addition to his father, Bubba was also preceded in death by a son, Tony Herrington and two brothers, Dennis and Dale Herrington. [Full Story »] 

Keith Kyle Herrington, 49, died Friday, March 16, 2012 in the Appling HealthCare System. He was born March 15, 1963 in Appling County and had resided here all of his life. Herrington was a retired roofer and had been employed with Stone Roofing. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Myrtle Lee Haynes, Cindy Ann Herrington and Holly Marcine Herrington and brothers, Frank Benton Haynes, Ricky Dean, Terry Lee and John Stanley Herrington. He was the son of the late Ira Lee Herrington and the late Ruby Ophellie Haynes Herrington. [Full Story »] 

After losing their first two games of the young season, the baseball Eagles have come roaring back with four consecutive wins over Barnes Academy of Hartwell, First Presbyterian of Hinesville, Highland of Valdosta and Bible Baptist of Hampton. The baseball Eagles are 1-1 in league play and 4-1 overall thus far this season. [Full Story »] 

By David Miller

The Appling County Pirates (13-0 overall, 7-0 Region 2AA) won two games over the past week defeating Wayne County (6-7, 2-3 Region 2A-AAAA) for the second time this season 8-7 in eight innings and defeated McIntosh County Academy (4-9, 1-5) 14-1 in five innings. The Pirates were scheduled to play the Statesboro Blue Devils (6-5, 1-3 Region 2B-AAAA) on Saturday, March 24 in a non-region contest but the game was postponed until Monday, March 26 at 5:30 p.m. [Full Story »] 

By Jamie Gardner

At a called meeting of the Appling County Board of Commissioners, held Wednesday, March 21, representatives from Golder Associates updated board members on the status of the Dunn’s Lake Road dam. The representatives reported their findings after taking samples of the dam structure. Golder also submitted a proposal to the board to make the needed changes to the dam. The cost of the proposal, which includes new sloping of both side of the dam and a new spillway, is approximately $1,000,000.00, what some consider a hefty price for a private lake. [Full Story »] 

By Jamie Gardner

Baxley and Appling County seem to be in great shape for potential industrial growth. Why? At the present time the community has two industrial-size buildings available for potential lookers.

The first of the two buildings is located in Industrial Park West, just off Highway 341. It is a new building that has been constructed by the Baxley/Appling County Development Authority. Development Authority Executive Director Dale Atkins reported that the new building is 60,000 sq. ft. After receiving eight competitive bids from local construction companies, the development authority accepted the low bid and invested approximately $500,000.00 in building the shell of the new building and has yet another $500,000.00 to customize the building for an industry that is looking to locate in Baxley. The money to build the speculative (or spec) building was provided by the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST). [Full Story »] 

At a regular meeting of the Baxley City Council, held March 13 at 8:30 a.m., City Manager Jeff Baxley reported that he, Dale Sapp, David Gore and Jimmy Music went to Florida to look at a refurbished sewer vacuum truck. He has received an offer from the company to purchase the truck for the price of $150,000.00. Councilman Mickey Bass made a motion to purchase the truck for the price of $150,000.00, contingent upon all recommendations are in place and completed. The cost of the truck will be paid for from half of the water/sewer funds and half from the general funds, since it will be used in both departments. This motion was seconded by Councilwoman Livingston and approved unanimously. [Full Story »] 

The annual J. D. Black family reunion will be held Saturday, March 31, at the Red Oak Baptist Church Social Hall beginning at 11:00 a.m. [Full Story »]